Chapter 27

Juugo will be talking of a few Shinobi Rules here which might be familiar to you already. I have stumbled upon a list of shinobi rules and so far these are reliable list. I'll include it here as it might interest you :)

1. A shinobi must always hold allegiance to their kage.

2. A shinobi must always carry out the mission assigned

3. A shinobi must never question their commander.

4. A shinobi must always put the mission first.

5. A shinobi should be able to prevail without fighting, only if there's no other choice but to do so.

6. There are times when information is more important than lives

7. A shinobi must prepare before it is too late to.

8. A shinobi must always put his village before himself

9. A shinobi must abstain from overindulging in the three vices: Sex, Alcohol and Money.

10. Only through experiencing the confrontation of danger, the transcendence of fear or injury or death can you acknowledge individual personal powers and limitations.

11. A shinobi must not value himself but rather adhere to his village's ideals.

12. When in danger you must not reveal anything involuntarily.

13. Turn your weaknesses into Strengths

14. The failures or successes of one affect the whole.

15. A shinobi must see the underneath under the underneath.

16. Misdirection is the sharpest blade.

17. The Shinobi world is the world of shadows.

18. A Shinobi must endure.

19. Hone your reflexes, they often react without you realizing it.

20. Shinobi have no honor, they take their village's honor as their own.

21. Death to traitors.

22. A shinobi must never show attachment.

23. Forgiveness is a luxury.

24. Hesitation is death.

25. A shinobi must never show emotion.

26. It is perfectly acceptable to kick someone's ass as long as you ask nicely.

27. It's perfectly okay to put your foot in a mouth as long as it is someone else's mouth

And a another rule which is too familiar to us (that super exceeds all those rules above, though not officially included): "while those who break the rules of the ninja world are trash, those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash", - by Hatake Kakashi

Enjoy!

Don't own Naruto. Sasuke has the RINNEGAN in the latest chapter! (spoiler lol) and this is unedited.

"What should we do about this Sasuke-sama?" Juugo asked. He went towards the tree where the wolf had been impaled. He takes a look at the beast and grimaced. This ferocious and wild animal almost killed Sakura's daughter, he thought. He took the kunai Sasuke expertly threw and discarded the carcass of the wolf.

Sasuke did not answer. He looked at the little girl who had lost consciousness and noticed that there was a serious bruise on her left arm, around the elbow area. It must have been because of the fall. What the hell was the little girl doing in this forest? And what had just happened there? If it weren't for them, if they were not in the vicinity at the exact moment, something terrible could have happened! What the hell was Sakura doing leaving her daughter like this? He knew that the mednin was in Suna right now, so why didn't she ask someone to look after her kid? She was supposed to be in the academy right now, but what was she doing in the forest?

As far as he knows, Prep kids are not allowed to leave the village outskirts without any adults that accompanied them. It's one of the decrees in Konoha.

Good thing, he had decided to come with Juugo to pick a tree they can cut for some materials they needed for the construction of the manor. About forty percent has been completed and he recently moved in the manor to closely monitor the construction, which also works well with Tazuna as he can immediately seek advised to his employer for things that needed details with his meticulous attention. Tazuna even joked about how Sasuke was like a woman who was specific on designs, materials, and even the right location where some things should be applied to and where should it belong. The Uchiha just shrugged his shoulders and told the old man that he learned the traditional way from how his strict father implemented the traditional life style to them and he got the meticulous way to choose the designs from his mother, being simple and clean, though they have their own family attendant who takes care of family matters, the young Uchiha learned that it is still better to do it on his own.

He sighed with that train of thought. Surely but gently, she positioned the little girl to lie on her back, taking note that she must have a slight broken arm. The area around the elbow and below it was looking sore now, but apparent from cuts and bruises, no serious wounds were visible on her. He gently parted and set aside her hair covering her face and noted there's blood on her temple. Tch. Sasuke sighed again. Blood in the head is a bad sign. The girl might have a concussion.

"Sasuke!" Suigetsu shouted. Sasuke turned around and saw Suigetsu standing in the upper slope where Ryuna had descended, "I got another little bunny here as well!" Suigetsu grinned, turning slightly to his side.

Sasuke saw that Suigetsu was clutching another little girl who was frantically punching Suigetsu on his thigh while kicking her legs.

A frown marred on the dark-haired man's face. What the hell do these two girls doing playing in this dangerous forest?!

"Let go of me! Let go of me!" Sachi shouted as tears fall on her dirty face, "I must find Ryu-chan, she's out there! She's—" she suddenly stopped when she saw the person she's looking for. Ryuna was lying motionless on the ground accompanied with two men, one was glaring at her, while the other man was big, "Ryu-chan! Ryu-chan!" she cried in panic and went frantically wild to get out from Suigetsu's grip. "Ryu-chan! What happened to her?! What happened? Uwaaaa! I'm so sorry Ryu-chan!"

"Geez, shut up! You howl like Karin, my ears are bleeding! She's only unconscious!" Suigetsu shouted against Sachi's wailing. The little girl stopped wriggling so Suigetsu put her down. Still she continued crying, hiccupping, wiping her tears with her dirty hands. Suigetsu clicked his tongue and shrugged his shoulders, "She's ok, okay? Come, let's get down there,"

Suigetsu waited for the little girl's nod before he picked her up again, jumped and effortlessly landed just a few meters from Sasuke. As soon as he put her down, Sachi ran towards Ryuna.

Sasuke just eyed the two girls, utter annoyance was evident on his face. Juugo, on the other hand, who had been religiously observing knew what was going on with the Uchiha's mind, so he slowly shook his head and smiled. He'll have to take care of this, so he slowly approached the little girl so as not to scare her. He knew that what happened might be a traumatizing experience for her.

"Ryu-chan," Sachi called as she tried to shake the unconscious girl. Juugo walked towards the two girls slowly and kneel beside the girl and patted her head.

"Don't worry, she's just unconscious. We just came in time," Juugo looked towards where he had left the dead wolf. Sachi followed where he's looking and saw the fierce wolf. Fear suddenly enveloped her, "its dead," Juugo assured her. She slowly nodded as a brief relief plastered on her tear-jerked face. She eyed Ryuna again, "My name is Juugo, the scary guy who picked you up over there is Suigetsu, and he is Sasuke. You?" he gently asked.

It took time for Sachi to reply. The little girl was contemplating whether to trust the people who came to their rescue or not. But they have killed the wolf so she believed it's okay to trust them. Besides, she knew the dark-haired man, Sasuke, as he was one of the legends of Konoha. "S-Sachi," she hiccupped, "Sachi Aburame,"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing the last name of Aburame. So this girl's affiliated with the Aburame Clan, one of the four noble clans of Konoha.

"Sachi, tell me, what happened here?"

Sachi told them what had happened between hiccups and tears. After that, without saying anything, Sasuke gently picked up Ryuna and walked out. Juugo only looked as Suigetsu shrugged again and followed the silent Uchiha. It seems the picking for a tree will come later. So he turned towards Sachi who had a worried expression, eyeing the last Uchiha as he carried her friend.

"Don't worry, he'll take care of her. Shall we go? I bet your teachers are all worried and are looking for you right now,"

"Hmn," Sachi nodded, "It's all my fault," she cried again. Juugo gently lifted her up and carried her.

"It's no one's fault. Just don't go out again without telling your teachers. Have you already learned the Rules of a Shinobi?" Juugo asked as they started to walk and follow Sasuke and Suigetsu who're already a few meters away, "One of them is to never show their tears," Juugo said smiling as one of those yellow birds came flapping along them then it landed on his head. Sachi's eyes went wide in astonishment to see an elusive bird comfortably sitting on this big man's head, "but what you both did today was amazing, facing that wolf all by yourself,"

Sachi only nodded, "Ryu-chan is amazing. She's so strong there. She was not afraid of that wolf," then her eyes went teary again, "I wish I was like her," she croaked.

Juugo went silent for a while, letting the little girl cry. They have already caught up with Sasuke and Suigetsu. "Hey, out of the Shinobi Rules, there's one that I liked the most,"

That made Sachi stopped crying though she's still hiccupping. Juugo continued, "It is…'Its perfectly okay to put your foot in a mouth as long as it is someone else's mouth',"

Upon hearing this, Suigetsu burst in a vigorous laugh, "Where'd you get that rule Juugo?" Suigetsu asked, "God, if that rule did exist, I would gladly put my foot in Karin's mouth!"

"It IS one of the rules," Sachi said. That made Suigetsu stopped laughing.

"Really? What rule number?" Suigetsu asked his expression surprised.

"Have you not read the book Sasuke-sama handed to us? It's in there. Rule number 27," Juugo said.

"Oh,"

SxS

Upon entering the village, Sasuke continued his strides towards the Uchiha District which made Juugo and Suigetsu exchanged puzzled looks.

"Sasuke-sama, should we go to the hospital so that the medics can take a look on the children?" Juugo asked.

Sasuke paused and slightly tilted his head to look at Juugo. "This kid is fine, I'll attend to her personally. You go and bring the other one to the hospital," he said then continued his stride again, "I've already informed Kurenai about what happened,"

Juugo and Suigetsu looked at each other again.

"When did he do that?" Suigetsu asked. As an answer, Juugo only shrugged his shoulders and looked at Sachi, who was now sleeping on his arms. The little girl was so worn out by the events that it had managed to fall asleep on the duration of their walk.

"Well, knowing Sasuke-sama, if he said he had already sent a message then he had," Juugo said.

And true to his words, when Juugo and Suigetsu reached the hospital, they were approached by a very worried Kurenai and the prep sensei, together with a medic who had snatched the girl immediately from Juugo's arms and brought in the examination room. Kurenai was left together with Juugo and Suigetsu outside the hospital.

"Thank you!" Kurenai said to the two. Juugo bowed slightly in response, "I got Sasuke's message and kindly informed him that I really appreciate everything. Kami, I don't want to start to think what things might had happened if you're not in that area at the same time!" Kurenai said, almost teary as she clamped her hands on her mouth. Juugo noticed that Kurenai's hands were shaking, the woman must have been terrified to know about what happened. Indeed, without them noticing anything, Sasuke had sent information towards Kurenai. How'd he did it was a mystery to them. But he's an Uchiha, and you don't ask an Uchiha how he did things.

"Do not worry Kurenai-sensei. But please, kindly secure the students whenever they're doing activities outside their classrooms next time. I know that some students tend to break away from their activities and use the opportunity to go wherever they want, " Juugo gently said. Kurenai nodded in response, Juugo smiled, "By the way, the other girl, Ryuna-chan will be attended personally by Sasuke-sama. I don't know his reasons but he said she's okay, so there's no need to worry. Are you going to inform Sakura-sama about this?" Juugo asked.

"No," Kurenai shook her head, "No, I don't want to worry her. She's currently in a mission in Suna as one of the medic for the Chuunin. I want her to focus and ease her mind on that mission. I'll tell her when she gets back,"

"Understood," Juugo said, made a slight bow then left the hospital premises along with Suigetsu.

"Juugo," Kurenai called back, Juugo turned around, "please tell Sasuke, I'm going to pick up Ryuna tomorrow, and thank you,"

Kurenai slightly bowed down as Juugo and Suigetsu finally left the hospital premises. They met and past by the rushing parents of Sachi and came behind them was none other than Shino Aburame.

Shino and Sachi were cousins. (And he is the nii-san Sachi was mumbling about in the forest)

SxS

Sasuke arrived in the manor, still carrying the little girl.

"Karin," he called. A few seconds after, came the sound of stomping feet and out of the corner, Karin eagerly showed herself.

"You called, Sasuke~" she sweetly said, "It's rare for you to—" Karin shut her mouth upon realizing that Sasuke was carrying something. No…it's not just something…he's carrying Sakura's little girl, Ryuna.

Sakura's daughter, her little girl registered as Uchiha, Ryuna in that little green scroll!

…and Sasuke's daughter.

Sasuke is carrying his daughter!

The little girl was unconscious, or was she sleeping? But Karin shut her mouth, and it seems it's hard to swallow. Her heart thump on her chest madly but she still paled.

What was Sasuke doing, carrying his own daughter in his own house?!

Did he already know?

Is this the end for her long winding dream?

"Are you listening?" Sasuke said, his baritone voice startled her a bit. Sasuke was telling her something? What was he telling her again? Karin snapped her gaze towards Sasuke and he's looking annoyed.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I-I was just surprised to see h-her…w-what happened to her? W-Who is she?" she diverted the subject, it's bad if Sasuke noticed something from her. She slowly stepped closer to Sasuke to see the little girl and stared at her. She's full of dirt, there were many bruises and cuts on her arms and legs. She really looks so fragile.

And the little girl is really pretty. She stared at the sleeping girls face.

Then she looked at Sasuke who was still looking at her, then her eyes returned to the little girl's.

When you looked closer and the little girl is like this…damn the fucking resemblance. Oh Kami! I so wonder why Sasuke DID NOT notice anything!

"Ryuna, Sakura's daughter. I wanted you to check her up, see that there's nothing wrong with her. Clean her up," Sasuke told her as he handed the little girl gently to the stunned redhead, "After that, bring her to the room in the east. Let her rest," he said as he turned around and headed inside.

"W-Wait, why do I have to do that? Why don't we send her to the hospital so the people there can take a look at her?" Karin protested.

Sasuke stopped and gave Karin silent but glaring eyes. Karin stopped whatever she's planning to say. When Sasuke is like that, it scared her. There is still that ominous, cold and cruel aura around him that it's so hard to oppose whatever he wants you to do. It is that sensation he gave off that frightens most of his enemies. It tells you not to mess with him.

"I-I understand…" Karin said. Her lips begin to tremble so she bit her lower lip and heave a sigh after she saw Sasuke opened the shoji door that leads to the receiving area. She knew she's in a tight situation but how can she go up against Sasuke's order? She stared at the little girl again, "You're really cute…" she whispered then suddenly realized she just praised Sakura's daughter, "Uhg…but you're also his daughter so I guess it's alright! Shit! I'm getting insane with this, better go to work!" she said.

So, Karin tended to Ryuna, cleaning her up and nursing her cuts and wounds. She let the unconscious girl bit the back of her index finger so her healing chakra will flow and heal the wounds. It didn't take long for the process to complete since Ryuna's injuries were only shallow and it didn't drain much of the red-head's chakra either. After she had checked that the little girl's wounds have disappear and that it left no scars, she settled Ryuna in the room Sasuke had told her.

Karin seated quietly while staring at the sleeping girl. She will wake any moment now, she deduced. Slowly, she gently run the back of her hands to the little girl's face and a ghostly smile run to her mouth. When she realized that, she scowled and retracted her hands, clinched her teeth then sighed. She's so conflicted now, her emotions were tagging inside of her. She's angry, she's pissed, yet she's torn between things she doesn't even know what. This is so confusing! She sighed and stared at the little girl again. If only she was more straightforward towards Sasuke, this little girl could be their daughter.

She could be my daughter…

…and Sasuke's.

And we will be a family.

Yet, why Pinky? Why does she have to bear the first Uchiha? Why does she have to have Sasuke's kid? It felt like she was cheated.

At the train of that thought, Ryuna stir and opened her eyes.

"M-Mommy," she croaked, her voice was low and dry. "M-Mom…" she stirred again, looking at her surroundings, tears started to form on her eyes as she take in the unfamiliar place, "Mommy…" she whispered.

"You're awake," Karin said. The little girl looked at her and Karin was gaze by teary peridot eyes, "You're in Sasuke's home," she stood and went to the shoji door, "I'm going to inform Sasuke you're awake," she glared at the girl, who had confused teary eyes before closing the shoji doors. Karin just confirmed that Ryuna had her mother's expressive eyes and its shade color.

Karin found Sasuke meditating in the still under construction garden, perched on the big protruding granite rock. The garden that to be constructed was a Japanese rock garden (zen garden). He was facing the setting sun which cast reddish glow on him, his eyes were close. Karin stealthily approached him, her intention was to admire him a bit more.

"Karin," it's either acknowledge or a warning from him.

"Sasuke, the girl is awake," Karin said as blush adorned on her face. Sasuke already realized her presence. The Uchia did not answer but went down from his sitting position on the rock and walked past Karin, "Sasuke!"

The dark-haired Uchiha turned and looked at her, still with the same dead-panned expression she was used to.

Karin paused.

Should I tell him?

Yes.

Should I tell him that the little girl waiting for him now is his own daughter?

Yes.

That Sakura kept it a secret from him?

Yes.

That she could ruin her chance to finally claim Sasuke's love and attention because it will be diverted to his daughter which could also be Sakura's chance to get the Uchiha?

HELL NO!

No and no!

"U-Uhh…Uhm, nothing! I'm just going to tell you that I'm going to send her food later,"

Sasuke turned around again and begin to walk without saying anything. Karin waited for him to be out of her sight before she sigh and bonked herself, "Damn it! Dam it! That was so close!" she mumbled, "There's no way I let him know about that!"

"Know about what four-eyes?"

Karin jumped when she heard the voice, when she turned around, it was Suigetsu together with Juugo.

"None of your business shark-face! Now fuck off before I throw this rock at you!" Karin shouted as she pointed at the granite rock where Sasuke had been sitting awhile ago.

"As if you can throw that to me! Try that to me now, I demand!" Suigetsu smugly said.

"I can!" Karin shrieked.

"Where's Sasuke-sama Karin? And Ryuna-chan?"

That made Karin stopped glaring daggers to Suigetsu, she fixed her eyeglass and cleared her throat as she composed herself, "Sasuke just went to the little girl. She's in the guest room in the east wing and she's okay now,"

"I'm glad to hear that," Juugo answered.

"If you'll excuse me, I still need to do something, so if you don't have any more business here you can find yourselves scram and be gone!" she said as she marched off towards the manor.

SxS

Sasuke opened the shoji door and found the little girl already awake and was seated on the futon. The girl raised her eyes to him as he silently entered the room. He left the shoji door wide open, some unfinished part of the garden in full view. Even though it's still under construction, a few things have already been arranged like the cherry tree that was balled out two weeks ago. It doesn't have any flowers yet though it's still spring because it was just recently move on to that garden. Still, the view was beautiful. As what everyone can pictured once its completed, there will be small pond in the garden with little bridge to adorn the whole scene. Japanese lamps are also put in different areas, as well as huge rocks and stones carved by nature itself will also be placed around the area.

There was a long silence between the two and Ryuna kept on looking at the quiet man who had seated near the door and looking at her. Her eyes darted from looking at him to her hands which was clutching the duvet she was covered with. Unable to take it anymore, Ryuna gripped the cover tightly and sigh.

"Thank you—"

"You're an idiot,"

They speak at the same time. Ryuna paused while staring at the expressionless man in front of her

"Eh?" Ryuna asked.

"I don't know if you got that from your mother or what, but what you did is dangerous. Did you know that?" Sasuke said, still with blank expression yet his obsidian orbs send intense glare to the little girl.

"I…I know that! It's just…Sachi—" Ryuna exclaimed, trying to reason out her actions. She knew what she did was really dangerous, running off in the forest like that but she wanted to tell this man that if she hadn't follow, then Sachi will also be in danger.

"Her decision is nobody's business, it is none of your business," Sasuke bluntantly said, "if she chose to be used by others then the end result of that decision should only fall on her shoulders. Have you consider things like, what if something did happen to you in that forest, for example you die because of her. You will only burden her with the guilt and will make her believe that it was her fault that you died. She will carry that guilt all her life,"

She didn't like this man.

That's what she thought as she glared back at him with all her might.

Sasuke smirked as he observed that the little girl looked fiercely at him when he said those things. There was that fire on her eyes that as fierce as the sun. He liked that look. It means the girl understood him, the little girl is intelligent, knows the circumstances at her age, yet she's showing intense resolute, a good characteristic that she will grow up to be a fine shinobi in the future.

And that green eyes, it's so much like her mother's.

"As a shinobi, you have to assess things and derived your decisions from that. Have your parents never taught you those things?" He continued. The little girl turned her eyes away from him though he saw that she had pouted. Sasuke wanted to chuckle at the scene. Immediately, his irritation and anger dissipated a little. He really was angry. He even wanted to punch and kick someone just to vent off this irritation since he had learned what had happened to the two little girls.

"Of course Mr. Uchiha, my Mommy taught me everything. Even Uncle Naruto and Kashi-sensei!" Ryuna said, still avoiding looking at Sasuke.

"If they did, then why did you go out of the school premises? Weren't you told not to go out? You do know that following rules is the basic of most basic in the Shinobi system,"

"I had to!" she shouted which made Sasuke startled a little but never showing it. Tears formed on the little girls eyes as she glowered at him, "I know I had break to the rules set to me by my Mommy. I know she will be angry at me because I was not able to follow those simple rules! I know that it's dangerous over there and that we could have died back there! But I'm worried with my friend! I am going to save my friend even it means I have to break those rules!"

Ryuna cried after that, rubbing her tears from her eyes. Sasuke was stunned by those words. Then a ghostly smile crossed his mouth.

"A shinobi must follow the rules. It's an iron law. But…" Sasuke paused as he stood up facing the garden, "A sensei had told me once…'while those who break the rules of the ninja world are trash, those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash'. So I think, what you did was great. You didn't abandon your friend,"

Ryuna stopped crying as he stared at the back of the tall dark-haired man, who bears a symbol on his back she had seen in books as well as in different surroundings in the village many times before, the Uchiha clan symbol.

"U-Un…"

"I'm sure your Dad and Mom will be proud of you,"

"I don't have a Dad," Ryuna said as she wiped her tears. Sasuke turned to look at her his expression unreadable, "I never met or knew my Dad. Mommy said my Daddy is out there, in a mission or something. But it's okay, I don't need a Daddy. I have my Uncle Naruto and Mommy for me," she said as she smiled meekly. Then her stomach growled and she blushed, "I-I'm sorry…but do you have any food? I haven't eaten since this morning. And I'm hungry,"

"Karin's preparing the food," Sasuke just said as he exited the room. Ryuna stood up, followed him and tugged his shirt which made him stopped.

"Mr. Uchiha…uhm," Ryuna looked down, hesitating.

"What is it?" Sasuke asked.

"Uhm, could you not tell Mommy about what happened? Please? I'm…I'm afraid she's going to get angry and…well…just don't tell Mommy about everything, please?" Ryuna pleaded as she tugged his shirt. Her little hands were trembling.

"Hn," Sasuke just said as he continued to walk away.

"Thanks Mr. Uchiha!" Ryuna called to him happily.

Sasuke turned around the corner and found Karin standing and leaning on the wall. He knew she was there not too long ago listening to their conversation, but he didn't mind. She was probably giving them some privacy. She was carrying a tray of food and drinks for the little girl. She was looking down as Sasuke passed her by.

SxS

The days come and go, the Chuunin Exam ended with three new budding Chuunins from Konoha out of eight participants. Sakura had returned from Suna on the sixth day from their departure as Kankuro had to ask for her advised about certain poisons which he was developing to be added on his puppets. She had to assist Kankuro on completing the poison and make the necessary antidote for it as well. Of course, Kankuro had provided the same formula to her as a sign of gratitude and the mednin will pass this information to Shizune to include the new poison on their catalogues. On the eight day, the Chuunin Exam was officially closed and they had held the closing ceremony in the Sand Dome* and on the tenth day, Tsunade and the rest of the convoy had returned in Konoha.

Sakura had not learned about what had happened to her daughter and Sachi, not until Shino had talked to her and narrated the whole thing. Sakura's knees buckled in horror as she learned the events. That same day, she marched out from the hospital, leaving her duty and went to the academy where she was met by Kurenai-sensei who had tried to calm her down. Kurenai explained everything, apologized for the negligence and advised her not to reprimand her daughter. When the mednin saw her daughter nervously peeked at one corner, she dashed towards her and embraced her tightly, carried her, kissed her many times. The little girl cried and Sakura hushed and comfort her, told her that what she did was very brave of her. Ryuna told the events on that day on the forest, and how Mr. Uchiha had come to her rescue.

In her mind, Sakura thanked that Sasuke was on that same area on that day.

She will definitely die if something bad had happened to her daughter.

SxS

Three loud knocks was heard on her door and it wasn't done so pleasantly. It seems whoever was knocking had the intention to piss her off. It made the veins on her heads became visible. So whoever had the guts to disturb her now better had a good excuse!

"Come in!" Tsunade barked. When she looked who had opened the door, she was glared back by an equally pissed Uchiha, "what brings you here boy? You do know that its way past beyond working hours and I'm already packing up to—"

"I'm going to make a deal with you," Sasuke cut her sentence, which added another visible vein on her temple. The Hokage unconsciously crumpled the paper on her desk. Temper, temper, please control my temper! Her brows knitted in annoyance.

"What is it, Uchiha?" she said as she leaned back on her desk. This must have been something important as it was rare for any Uchiha, since she had known them in all her life, to start with any deal.

Sasuke walked and stood in the middle of the Hokage room, still in that glaring but passive appearance, "As a way of showing my gratitude since the beginning, I'll let you in to the Uchiha's greatest possession, the Sharingan,"

Now, this peaked Tsunade's interest even more, "What do you mean by that? Explain,"

"I'll let you conduct a study with the Sharingan, with me as your subject. I'll let you make a thorough examination of it as you deem necessary," Sasuke explained.

Tsunade, being astounded by the Uchiha's offer, suddenly stood up unable to speak at first. She could not believe, not even in her dreams, that any of the Uchiha would openly propose to study their most prized possession, the Sharingan! Since she was a little girl, she had known how prideful the Uchihas were. They were very secretive of basically every aspect of life so it's very hard and unimaginable that in a lifetime, there would be someone who will be able to document about the Sharingan.

"H-how…I mean why?" Tsunade said, still not able to believe the Uchiha's proposal. She needs her sake this minute!

"As a sign of gratitude. Think of it as a continuation of mutual understanding between the Uchihas and Senjus, a sign of equality. Basically, we govern as one and in equal. I want to skip the past mistakes and I will offer this as a sign of new beginning. However, as you know, the Sharingan is an exclusive ability only to few Uchiha's and knew very well that it is one of Konohas 'weapons', so I will set conditions about it," Sasuke said as he cocked his head, waiting for Tsunade to give her answers.

Gratitude my ass! Tsunade thought. But still, she controlled herself not to snarl at the last Uchiha who's showing impatience in front of her. The offer is too tempting to decline.

"As medical expert, this is a chance I could not resist. What are the conditions?"

"First, there should be a limitation on public knowledge about the Sharingan. No citizen nor lower Rank shinobis can gain even the slightest info about it, what they know about the Sharingan should remain as is. However, those who will conduct the examination will gain full access to its secret and only the higher ups and the next in line of rank should only know about it, and must swear to keep it as a secret. Also, medics like you can study this for the sole purpose of preventing and not to repeat the bloody history of the clan, so that the next generation of Uchihas can live in peace but still utilize the doujutsu in full power someday. Second, I only want you to conduct the research. No one else,"

"I'm okay with the first condition. I am well aware of that and as the Hokage, I will not let the secrets of the Sharingan go into someone else's hand. Sharingan is exclusive to Uchihas and to Konoha. However, there will be a problem with your second condition. As you can see, I don't have the leisure to spend time conducting the study for the Sharingan as you already knew the obvious reason. However—"

"I will not accept any medics aside from you. I want only the best. If you can't, then send someone who's at par with you or directly below you. No. One. Else." Sasuke finally said as he exited the door.

Damn, brat! Tsunade sighed as the Uchiha slammed the door. She seated on her swivel chair again and massaged her temple. This is going to be a big problem. The arrogant kid just demanded this out of nowhere, and she was caught off guard. But this is a chance in a million and won't miss this chance! She was about to propose that Shizune will be the one to do the study, but he said he wanted only the best. Of course Shizune is one of her best medics, she trained her personally and had vast knowledge in the medical field but knew that once she sent Shizune, the proposal will be disposed pronto.

I'm sorry Sakura. This is for our village's benefit. Tsunade thought as she started to write something on her scroll. Kami, she's going to hate me for this.

The next day, Sakura received a mission assignment scroll. Her eyes went wide upon reading the contents and without stopping, she stormed the Hokage office, almost breaking the door from its hinges.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" she shouted at the Hokage the moment she entered the room. She slammed the scroll on the desk, "Why it has to be me?!"

"Are you questioning the Hokage's decision, Sakura? I don't have to explain things to you. That mission is final. You are going to conduct the Sharingan study with Sasuke,"

For the first time in her life, she hates Tsunade.

*Sand Dome – my fictitious