Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Sakura and Hikari talked while walking with Toka leading the group and the men were following behind. Kido-san had left to speak with the council about Hikari being related to Uchiha some generations back, and Hamura disappeared and said that he would better appear the next day as a wanderer so no one would be suspicious.
Takato was lost in thought as Madara and Tobirama were listening vaguely to Hashirama's continuous ramble about how good everything was going to be and how nice the merchant district will be when finished. Izuna realized that his middle brother was spacing out so he talked to him.
"Ryo for your thoughts" the youngest said smiling.
"Hn?" his brother 'Uchihaly' answered.
"What are you thinking of?" Izuna continued, "You seem distracted."
"It's a lot to process" Takato simply said. They spoke in a low voice because they didn't want anybody to hear.
"Is it a problem for you that she comes from the future?" his brother whispered barely audible next to his ear. A shiver came down his spine.
"WHAT?" the middle Uchiha asked surprised and blushing. Everybody stopped to look at him, as he became redder. Madara was about to ask something but his little brother interrupted.
"I'm just mocking him because he couldn't beat me last spar" Izuna explained smiling as he grabbed his sibling from the neck. The Kunoichi looked at them and smiled.
"You're impossible!" Toka said to him and he blushed a little. "We're all hungry, just leave your brother be until we get some food, would you?"
"If you keep thinking about eating you won't be able to fit your armor anymore" He teased the Senju.
"WHY YOU….!" She started but Hashirama intervened
"Oi, you guys, this is such a joyous day, don't spoil it with this childish attitude" he scolded both. Madara and Tobirama rolled their eyes. Speaking of childish people… The Kunoichi hmped and the girls laughed and continued walking and talking. Izuna, who was as red as Takato by now, rolled his eyes at the Senju and continued speaking with his brother.
"Come on, you're interested in her, I can tell." He said.
"How can you tell, We've only known each other for a little time and barely spoke in person three or four times" Takato answered as he moved his otouto's arm from his neck.
"You've exchanged a lot of letters, and you smile when you read them. I've seen you…" the youngest said,
"Shut up idiot" his brother said bored. "Why don't we speak about you, is it a problem that SHE is a Senju?" he asked mockingly.
"W-WHAT!?" this time was Izuna whom shouted and blushed. Madara turn to them exhausted and again was about to say something but Ryuutaro San appeared greeting them.
"GOOD AFTERNOON TO EVERYBODY!" He exclaimed a bit too cheery to the Uchiha Patriarch's likeness. Hashirama as always beamed with another person's joy. They greeted the man as he continued "I bet you're here for eating, am I right?"
"Hi Ryuutaro San, yes we are" Sakura answered "Is there any spot ready at least to provide us some food? We come from a very long meeting and we forgot lunch." She asked apologetically.
"Of course there is my blossom!" The old man said cheerfully. Madara's left eyebrow twitched a little at this man's familiarity with the pinkette. Tobirama didn't fail to see that, but kept it as a secret. He thought he may have discovered a possible flaw in his former enemy. "We have a small dinning at the end of the road, my son is cooking there until the other posts are ready, please come and join me"
They all walked following the man, who was now telling Toka about the wonders of cooking. Hikari and Sakura started to walk a bit slower, taking the scenery. It brought them lots of memories. Suddenly the Takishima stopped to look to a group of people working on a shop. Her pinkette friend understood why and let her be, resuming her walking and talking with Izuna. Takato realized her action too.
"What is this post going to be?" he asked to her casually. She was surprised by his words, she hadn't realized that she had been spacing out.
"An important place…" She answered taking a deep breath. He looked at her curious. "A Ramen shop" she smiled. The Uchiha deadpanned, how could a Ramen Shop become an important place? The kunoichi seemed to notice because she elaborated "We used to hang out with Naruto here every day. He was a ramen addict. His nutrition was very poor, I don't know how he became the strong ninja he was though." The young man chuckled about that. Of course this place was important; it was full of memories for her. He heard her sigh. "We should get going or they are going to eat our food!" she added trying to sound more cheerful, but somehow he could see through that façade.
"Yeah, right" Takato answered compelling and then added "Please go ahead, I forgot something at the building" he looked at her apologetically. She felt his words and action were odd, but maybe he had forgotten money or something important so she nodded and run to catch up with Sakura and the others. Once she was gone the Uchiha walked to the building in question.
"Excuse me mister, good day!" he politely asked to one of the workers. The worker greeted him with respect; he had realized he was one of the Uchiha who had received them earlier. "What is this post going to be of?"
"Oh, this is going to be a Ramen restaurant" the man answered kindly.
"Sounds delicious, do you know when it is going to be ready to serve public?" the Uchiha asked.
"We hope it will be finished in a month" the worker said. "We're building the structures for all the shops in a traditional way, we can't use ninjutsu. Also we want to do a big opening of the district altogether as a thank you for your family and the Senju" He didn't want the Uchiha lord to think they were lazy.
"That sounds wonderful" the shinobi said "It's not a shame to do things in a traditional way in spite of being shinobi able to mold wood. For me, this gives the construction more value." He smirked to the smiling worker and added "My brother and Hashirama-san are always showing off their skills, but is refreshing to see people working hard. This Village will sure have a great future."
"Well, we're honored by Uchiha-san's words" the man said and bowed, his coworkers did the same.
"No need to bow" Takato said waving his hand. "Thank you very much mister, we'll sure come to eat some ramen" he added "I won't interfere with your chores any longer. Have a nice day"
"Oh, you too Uchiha-San!" was his answer.
Takato left the place and waited a little to appear at the dinning. All of them were already being served and some had started to eat.
"Here Taa-kun, I saved you a plate!" Izuna said to his brother, who was surprised to see him smirking. Then he realized that it was because he had left a spot between him and Hikari. What an obnoxious boy! He thanked him looking at him as he was going to regret it later, sat on his spot and ate trying hard not to blush. Izuna was being silly; he was not interested in the Takishima girl, not the way he implied anyway. They had barely spoken, and didn't know much from each other. Nobody can like someone so fast, it was silly. Thankfully his thoughts were interrupted by Ryuutaro San.
"Nee Hikari-chan, Sakura-chan" the man said out loud. He was really familiar with the girls but they didn't seem to mind. "My grandchildren told me that they are training together now, how is that coming?"
"Right! You have two cute little students! Tell us about them" Toka said happily.
"Well, they will be training together for a while until everything is settled down with the Hospital and stuff" the pinkette explained. "I believe in a week we will be resuming our standard training."
"That would make them happy, all they talk about is that they want to become Shinobi and save people." Ryuutaro smiled kindly "you both have been quite inspiring for them. I will always be in debt with you". Both Kunoichi blushed a little then Sakura continued.
"Any way, it's also important for them to increase their physical strength with this training. As a civilian if you're not strong enough it gets very difficult to become a shinobi." She said "For me, for example, it was really hard. And my first teacher never bothered to teach me anything else than to climb trees and walk on top of the water with chakra. He didn't even bothered to teach me nature chakra" she rolled her eyes. Kakashi sensei had been quite lazy with her.
"You don't have Chakra Nature?" Madara asked surprised. He was sitting in front of her in the long table. Sakura blushed a little because she felt little. The great Madara Uchiha asking that… she sighed.
"I have Chakra nature, but I have not trained it, so I don't know any jutsu" She sounded defeated.
"Which is your chakra nature if I may ask?" the Uchiha said. Man, was he joking with her?
"I-I" She Started trying her best to not to get mad 'SHOW THAT BASTARD THAT YOU CAN!' Inner SHUT UP! She thought. "I have earth and water" she answered firmly. The Uchiha nodded serious.
"If you are okay with it, and if you want to, I can teach you some techniques" Madara said simply surprising everybody. "What?" He asked to his audience.
"Nothing!" Hashirama was the only one to speak "It's just odd for you to offer to teach someone something, that's all" he said the last part a bit dubious because he could see his friend's angry expression, as he became red (He could not tell if that blush was because of the anger or something else).
"The hell you think about me?! I can teach anything to anybody if I want to!" Madara shouted to the Senju and everybody sweat dropped "I offered because I happened to have the same Chakra Natures and I believe it's awful for a teacher not to do his job properly. Medic Jutsu might be awesome but she needs some other techniques to defend herself" he said the last part crossing his arms in front of his chest and closing his eyes trying to get his cool back.
"I've been doing fine without them, thank you very much" Sakura said sarcastically and a bit angry herself too, he made her feel weak again. He opened his eyes hiding his shock through his façade.
"I didn't mean to offend you… I" The Uchiha started but she seemed to notice his embarrassment because her tone lowered and she added.
"I'll think about your offer, I've always wanted to learn nature related ninjutsu. The problem is we don't have time right now" she looked at Hikari who nodded, the Uchiha felt a bit relieved. "Thank you Madara San, I promise you I'll tell you if I want to learn other ninjutsu" she smiled softly. Madara was lost in her eyes but just for a millisecond because Hikari helpfully intervened.
"We need to start working in the Hospital as soon as possible" the kunoichi said getting everybody's attention...
"I can work there till it's settled" Sakura said, and the meal continued flowing as if anything had happened.
"You'll need help" Izuna said this time "You can't do everything all by yourself". Again the pinkette felt useless but her friend, knowing her so much, stepped in again and said.
"He's right Sakura. You're way too capable, but I won't let you pull a 48 hours shift again. You'll kill yourself." Hikari reprimanded her; the Senju and Uchiha were pretty surprised at her statement.
"You've worked 48 hours without resting?" the youngest Uchiha asked in disbelief.
"Yes, I sometimes did that" Sakura answered a bit embarrassed, she was not an idiot she knew that that was not okay, but it was also her ninja way. And she was thick headed when she wanted to.
"And you did that in a Hospital where lots of fully trained people worked whom also where fine without your help for some hours, you really are obsessed" The Takishima shot her friend back.
"I know, I know… that was awful and idiotic, Shishou told me so too." The pinkette said apologetically "But here there are no fully trained people, and I need to work all day long until we have some decent doctors".
"I can work on the afternoon/night shift, so you can rest. I know the basis of Medic Ninjutsu, plus my senjutusu, I can be of help" Hikari said, she saw Sakura was about to complain and added "Of course if there's an Emergency I will summon you immediately".
"And she won't be alone, I can stay with her to help her and learn" Izuna said "I think it's really interesting to know that type of ninjutsu, and with my Sharingan it would be easier to learn" Madara was surprised to see his little brother so interested in something that was not fighting.
"I would also like to learn!" Toka added "I can stay with them in the night watch; we've already been doing that for weeks now anyway"
"Hey you're copying me!" The youngest Uchiha complained
"No I'm not!" the kunoichi said "Also, I won't allow your obnoxious self to pester her while working"
"Oh, so you'll be keeping track on me?" Izuna asked outraged. When he saw Toka nodded maliciously he exploded "I'll learn faster than you, you will see SENJU!" The woman just laughed because she already knew how to annoy the Uchiha.
"I believe it would be good to have people from both clans learning. Brother you should learn too, for you already have healing chakra" Tobirama said surprising everybody with his diplomacy. Fortunately Hashirama didn't mock his brother this time.
"I would love to!" he said cheerful. "I believe the night classes are full, can I go in the mornings with you Sakura-san?" The pinkette nodded
"Shure Hashirama-san, I can teach you the basics" she said and then added "You too if you are interested Madara-san" The mentioned looked at her a bit doubtful
"I don't have that type of chakra, you may be losing your time" he said. I was not that he didn't believe in himself achieving it, but he thought about all the lives he had taken and felt a bit bad.
"Nonsense, you should try, I am sure you will master it!" Sakura stated, seeing he was still down she said "Let's do this, I'll teach you the basics of medic ninjutsu and you teach me one ninjutsu technique for each my natures, what do you think?" He chuckled.
"Hn, okay that would do." He said
"Is it okay if I join too?" Takato interrupted, "I'm very interested in learning" he added seriously. Madara was proud of his siblings; they were trying to improve for other's sake. That was the Uchiha he wanted, they will be a great example.
"Of course!" Sakura approved smiling, she was happy to hear that everybody was interested in learning healing jutsu, the more the merrier! That would make a huge difference for everybody.
"But you should come with us to the night shift" Hikari Said surprising him, was she really asking to hang out with her? "Those two are going to be enough for Sakura" she said casually looking Madara and Hashirama, "and you better don't be thinking of leaving me alone with the spicy duo" she added pointing Izuna and Toka whom exclaimed 'Hey! 'A bit offended. Somehow he felt a bit down realizing that that was why she asked that, but he accepted anyway.
"Sure, I would help you handle this two." He smirked; he was not going to let his head get the worst out of him.
"That's great!" she smiled, and again he thought it was for him. But what was going on with him!? Izuna's words had messed his mind. He was sure of that. What he didn't know was that Hikari had really asked him to join them on purpose; she actually wanted to hang out with him.
"So when do we start?" Izuna asked with enthusiasm.
"Tomorrow, the sooner the better" the pinkette said, Hashirama exclaimed in joy, Madara sweat dropped, but smiled softly and nodded to her.
"Thank you for taking my siblings as apprentices" he offered to her. She smiled without feeling embarrassed or anything, this felt right, and at this moment she was so happy and calm that she knew even Inner wouldn't disturb her 'CHA I'M STILL HERE! BUT THIS IS SO COOL THAT I WILL GIVE YOU A BREAK… WAKE ME UP WHEN YOU START WORKING WITH THAT MADARA 'HOTTIE' UCHIHA!" That made her feel a bit aware, damn Inner! But she quickly answered before anybody would think she was insane.
"My pleasure, of course they will start with Hikari-chan molding chakra and learning the basics." Sakura said "We will need some fresh alive fish"
"FISH!?" the shinobi asked in unison.
"You will see" The pinkette smirked and looked to her friend who did the same. She resumed eating while everybody was asking why the fish and some other stuff that she decided to ignore. When everybody got tired of asking, they continued chatting peacefully and finished the meals.
It was almost evening when they left the place. They had had a good time, and it was time for duties. Madara and his siblings had to return and speak with the Kido san to know how was everything with Hikari and her 'Uchiha' condition, and Hashirama had to prepare some stuff for his early lessons, because Sakura said she started at 6 am sharp. So he excused himself with Tobirama and Toka and left to the Senju compound. The Uchiha did the same, and the girls were left to wander through the city alone.
"This looks nice!" Hikari said as they were leaving the merchant district "It's actually pretty cool to be witnesses of all this".
"Yeah, it really makes you feel at home" Sakura smiled nostalgic. "Though I can't make myself to believe we left everybody behind, and we won't be able to see them again anymore. It's so unjust!" her voice shook a little.
"I know, I have this huge pain in my chest every time I see a place where I shared something with Naruto" the brunette grabbed her shirt painfully where her heart was. "It's like the loosing of Itachi-kun all over again. Though this time is different, I am the one that left, and Naruto is alive and well"
"And he was just starting to realize his feelings for Hinata…" Sakura said sighing
"Oh, for kami's sake!" the Takishima exclaimed as she realized something.
"WHAT?" the pinkette asked surprised
"It's been almost a month that we're here and we never thought of how it all ended! I mean, Hinata and Naruto, I believe he must have saved the day, but we left in the middle of the rescue mission" she explained feeling ashamed, how could they not think about that all this time!?.
Sakura must have felt the same way because she became silent, blushed and looked to the floor as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.
"Maybe Hamura can tell us something" she whispered. It was an awkward moment for them, they felt so guilty. Fortunately their apprentices appeared smiling at them.
"Hikari-sensei/Sakura-sensei" they greeted in unison, and that made the girls recover themselves a little.
"Hi guys, how is your training doing?" The pinkette asked, they also felt a little guilty for not being able to train them properly these last few days.
"Awesome" Ryuuji said "Megumi is gaining a lot of stamina, and she is starting to recognize and feel her chakra" The little girl smiled proudly.
"You are?" Hikari said with enthusiasm "that is wonderful! Don't worry Megu-chan, tomorrow we'll continue our training together" Both younglings looked at them curious.
"That's right, tomorrow at 6.30 sharp we'll start working at the Hospital" Sakura explained to the eldest Koji "We'll have company if you don't mind, two new students" The boy felt a bit jealous that he would be sharing his sensei time with someone else.
"Who are they?" He asked humphing.
"Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama" She smiled.
"WHAT!?" he almost fell backwards "The two heroes and founders of this Village? And I'll be training with them?"
"Well, actually, since you're a bit more advance in medicine knowledge, you'll be supervising the basics" the pinkette said. Ryuuji expression faltered a little. "Don't worry it's only for the first aides and biology knowledge. Let me handle the jutsu and chakra." The boy nodded, he still felt jealous for sharing his sensei, but also proud that he might be able to teach something to two of the greatest ninja he'd ever known"
"Sensei…" Megumi grabbed Hikari from her sleeve; the mentioned looked at her curious "That means we'll be training tomorrow in the morning?" She thought that since her brother was going to be at the Hospital she would have free time there.
"Of Course Megu-chan!" the brunette answered "Tomorrow we'll meet at 8 am at the Village's gates for training. The little girl beamed.
"Well kids, we must leave to rest. It was a tiring day for us." Sakura apologized.
"It's Okay Sakura-sensei; you need to rest for tomorrow. I will do so too" the Koji boy answered politely. Megumi nodded and both greeted them goodbye and left to their home.
Both kunoichi sighed again, and walked to their house. Now they could call it home, but it still felt odd. This had been a long day and they needed to process everything well for they could start fresh their new lives in this Konoha the next day.
***AUTHORS NOTE****
Sorry for being gone for so long! I had a lot to do with work and studying, but now I'm on vacation from the latter so I get to have more free time.
Hope you like this short chapter! I've written lots of other ones but It's going to be a while for them to be published (let's say they happen on the 6th month the girls are living in New/old Konoha).
Don't worry, I'm planning on doing some time skips.
Thanks for reviewing and faving