DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO
The rest of the night went by pretty quick. Hikari and Takato went down to take Izuna and Toka's watch. She was pleased to see that both of them were seating on the floor outside the old lady's room practicing with their chakra. They didn't want to disturb them so they both suppress their chakra to observe them.
"Izuna you're really good at this" Toka said quietly they didn't want to disturb the sleeping women inside the room. The Uchiha was in front of her, his back leaned on the opposite wall and was now glowing green chakra on both of his hands in wonder. He looked at her and smiled sheepishly.
"Thank you!" he said wholeheartedly. It was the first time he felt this good training with something. "You're doing well too" he added. The Senju knew that he was trying to make her feel better, because she couldn't do anything yet.
"Here, let me help you" he crawled next to her; he took her hands in his and started to glow chakra. He was so absorted that he didn't realized the way the kunoichi looked at him as she was blushing. "Do you feel the kind of chakra I'm molding?" with that question she stopped all her musings and focused. It was a nice and soothing chakra.
"Yeah…" she whispered "this is weird"
"Indeed" he laughed "Just think that you have the power of life moving in your hands, and you will feel it" He saw Toka crossing her brows. "Don't force yourself, don't overthink. Just feel. If you want to think of something, think of having your brow light, without any burdens or weight, relax it and you'll find yourself relaxing all your body. Then it will happen"
He never let go of her hands, while he was still emanated that green chakra. It took her a while but she could finally do it.
"Ohhh Izuna look!" she exclaimed in low voice "I did it!" She looked at him and found out he was smiling back at her tenderly and her heart skipped a bit. He released her hands and she couldn't believe she was still molding that chakra. "You might be a great teacher"
"You bet he will be!" Hikari used that moment to appear.
"You were spying on us?" Izuna said while standing up looking at his brother scornfully.
"You could say so, but no, it was not our intention" Takato answered "We came to take your watch and we found you practicing, we didn't want to interrupt" he walked to him and grabbed him by his shoulders "Otouto, you are amazing" he said smiling. The youngest Uchiha's face reddened uncomfortably, he was not used to be praised, but a warm feeling filled his chest.
"Thank you" he said "now let me go, you're embarrassing me" he tried to get rid of him but his brother just hugged him playfully. "Come on, You can help me! Do you mind if I go to the rooftop with my little brother to keep practicing?" he asked the Takishima.
"Of course not, we've just witnessed he is a better teacher than me" she said feigning sadness.
"Come on don't be jealous!" he mocked, Hikari smirked.
"Go you two, I'll stay here with Toka" she said "if she doesn't mind my company"
"Of course not!" The Senju said "In fact I want to ask you some theory questions"
"Then go you two" the kunoichi said waving her hands. The Uchiha Siblings left the corridor and went to the roof.
"What did you wanted to ask me?" Hikari spoke to Toka.
"I wanted to know more about chakra paths, do you have some information of that?" she asked.
"I think Sakura has a book she found in the Village's library, but there are also some scrolls with her knowledge written" the Takishima explained "Why are you interested in chakra paths?"
"Well, the Uchiha have special chakra paths on their eyes I believe the Hyuuga too. So I was thinking it might be an advantage to know about them" Toka stated "To help Uchiha, and to defeat Hyuuga if needed" Hikari knew that eventually Hyuuga will become part of this Village but she didn't know when or how. She wanted them not to hate them, but they seemed pretty hateful to start with.
"Come, let's go to Sakura's desk" she said "I think she has everything there since she took them with her this morning." The Senju followed, the women were safe and sound, and if there was anything they needed they would ask for the guard nurse. The kunoichi remained silent until they arrived to the office.
"So, you sure have a nice thing going on with Izuna" Hikari mentioned as she looked through scrolls. Toka's cheeks became a little pink shaded.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked a tad nervous, see was reading the names of some books on a shelf.
"I think you two have a good relationship" the Takishima simply said "who would have thought that"
"Oh, Yes I know what you mean" Toka sounded more relaxed "He's pretty obnoxious when you first meet him but then he is a very cool person to hang out with. But he's to defensive, as if he doesn't allow himself to be himself you know?" Hikari looked at her confused "Or at least that's what I feel"
"I think maybe he can't be fully himself around you" the Takishima said deep in thought.
"What do you mean" the other said worried "do you think his uncomfortable with me being Senju?"
"Mm… Yes and no" she said, at her still preoccupied look Hikari added "I mean, He might be having a conflict by being so close to a Senju. You need to think that Madara-san considers Hashirama-san like a brother. That might messed his head."
"Wow I haven't think of that" Toka said. "That could be true, Tobirama has the same problem with Hashi."
"He does?" the other kunoichi asked.
"Yes it's true" the Senju answered. "Poor Izuna, he might find hard to befriend me." Hikari looked at her cautiously. "What?" Toka asked.
"Could it be possible that you like Izuna more than a friend?" she blurted out, seeing her counterpart's surprised face she said "Don't think you're the only straightforward here gal" she smiled. Toka did too but then sighed.
"You know" she said "I know him since I was 12. We've been fighting each other for almost ten years. I've always admired him because of his strength and loyalty to his siblings and clan. I could never fully hate him for being a natural enemy." She continued "I watched him fight a lot, and he always intrigued me, because there were times in battle when he talked to Takato and smiled. I could see the love for his siblings and his clan behind his hatred of Senju. I used to think that a boy that could smile so sincerely couldn't be a bad person."
"Okay, I didn't expect that confession" Hikari said "I didn't know your story" The senju laughed.
"Of course, we have little time to girl-talk, once this training is over we should hang out with Sakura-san and chat about boys" she snorted "Of course about training, weapons and nature, but also boys. I 've never had gal friends; I've always been surrounded by men."
"We will" the Takishima said sympathetically "now continue talking me about Izuna-san, because you're not giving me an answer"
"You're bright, nothing escapes you" Toka said "Okay, when I started taking the night watches with him, I found myself enjoying his company. He was very intense with his joking, but I thought it was sort of a defense to appear cool. We had just stopped being enemies. You could say he interested me more when I could see him in action outside a battlefield but with his own kin, also with my clan mates. He is very mature when he wants to." Both girls laughed at that "Anyway, to answer your question, because if I don't you'll keep bugging me, I do. I like him more than a friend. But it's not meant to be." The whole light Hikari's face gained listening that confession abandoned her in an instant with those last words.
"Why?" she asked.
"It's a Clan thing." The Senju explained "Our clan has the same rules like his, and even thought Hashi could find a way to do an exception for me, his would never allow him. This in an hypothetically scenery that he likes me back"
"I think he does so" the Takishima said thoughtfully "Maybe if you have patience things might change"
"Did the Uchiha in your time marry outside the clan?" Toka asked, Hikari's silence was all the kunoichi needed. "See. I will still have hope as you said, but I kind of know how this is going to end"
"And how will this end?" the other asked.
"With him being forced by the council to marry some prepared Uchiha girl" the Senju said "And me, alone or maybe married to some random Senju shinobi"
"Oh come on!" Hikari said, "Don't be so sure of that. Madara-san wouldn't allow his brother to be married by force. Not now"
"You may be right about that" Toka said sighing "fortunately you don't run on the same luck, because even though you are not an Uchiha, you've still got the Sharingan"
"WHAT?" the Takishima exclaimed and then lowered her voice "What do you mean with that?"
"Come on, Takato?" the other kunoichi told her "You also like him, I can tell"
"I won't answer that because you're a snitch" Hikari crossed her arms.
"Okay, I accept it was low of me to tell your private stuff" she said "but I did it on purpose, to see his reaction. If you tell me no to tell something I will give you my word that I won't ever say anything to anybody unless you allow me or that not telling puts you or someone in danger" the Senju said serious "Please trust me". The girl looked at her deep in thought and also sighed.
"I don't know" Hikari said, Toka was about to complain about her not believing her but the Takishima continued "I mean, I don't actually know what I feel. It's too recent; It's only been almost a month. You could say I like him, but yet I have the need to know him better. Also I have a lot going on in my mind now. Everybody has. Even if I like him, I can't be thinking of love or a relationship right now."
"Don't worry" the Senju said as she patted her shoulder "It will all be good in the end. Just enjoy his company for now and let's see what this future has for the two of you. I think he's in the same path like you." She giggled. Hikari blushed this time.
"Well missy" she scolded her "you were the one that wanted to learn this stuff" she said showing her Sakura's scrolls "So stop chit chatting about boys and do you chores" Toka laughed and they spent the rest of the watch researching, until the boys came as the shift came over
In the roof Takato was training with Izuna. His brother was showing him the exact thing he did with Toka but it was not working, they tried it for an hour but nothing.
"Maybe it only works with her?" the eldest said snorting.
"What do you mean?" Izuna asked, he didn't get the implications of his anija's question and that surprised him.
"Well, you seem to like her." Takato explained "I was joking. Woah you're really caught up with this if you didn't get it"
"Oh" the youngest said "well, yes I am. This is very important to me you know?" he was serious. His brother remained silent for a while.
"I never thought you were so interested on this" the eldest said "I'm sorry for mocking you"
"You're always mocking me aniki" Izuna said tired "You never take me serious. And stop saying those things about Toka, it's annoying, we're doing something important here."
"Hey, you're always teasing me with Hikari-san and it's also annoying" Takato was becoming angry with his sibling's attitude "and you're the one that seems to only know to tease me or Madara nii. You have never spoken seriously in your life, so don't come here with that 'Hey I'm a serious person' attitude"
"What are you saying?" the youngest was also pretty mad by now "stop belittling me just because you're a year older and go to councils meeting with Anija. You're no better than me."
"What?" Takato asked shocked "Oh, I get it you're jealous. You know why I go instead of you, it's only a stupid age's rule, so stop being childish. Maybe that's why Anija never invites you anyway"
"Me childish?" he said outraged "Okay maybe I'm childish but you are a fool and a coward that has never confronted his feelings, never got his things together and allowed our little brother to be killed by Tobirama. What an excuse of adviser you are." He spat with hate.
Takato's eyes widened, he could not be more shocked by now. Suddenly the Sharingan appeared in his eyes, swirling, and he threw a punch at Izuna's face connecting with his jaw. The man fell back to the ground astounded. It had been a simple punch, without chakra, without really harm, but full of rage and emotion. Things had escalated quickly, the Uchiha siblings had a lot stuff contained for years.
"Shut up, you know nothing about me" he exclaimed mad "You don't know what goes in my mind. Why I fear this power because I'm scared to even thing I won't feel you or Madara in the future. I used to hate myself because I thought I let Suzumi die, that maybe if I had had it before I could have saved him." He grabbed his head "But it took me a lot to understand that it was not my fault, so don't ever say that to me again." The headache was starting to show again. Izuna felt something different on his brother's aura, it was losing its light. Maybe it was a new sensibility he was awakening with the healing chakra. He quickly got up, run,and hugged his brother tightly surprising him.
"W-what… what are you doing?" Takato asked, his Sharingan still awoken but not moving now. Izuna had his arms around his waist, but his were loose at his sides, unmoving.
"I'm sorry" Izuna said, his voice muffled by his brother's neck. Takato felt it hot and wet 'Is he crying?' he thought. Suddenly his eyes started to burn, not because of the dojutsu that had just vanished, it was because of the tears that were starting to fall without him even noticing. "I'm sorry Takato, please don't ever feel that way again." He didn't understand what Izuna was saying. His headache started to leave him as he had the urge to hug his brother tight so he returned it.
"I'm sorry too" he whispered. There was a moment of silence and then he continued "I'm proud of you, you know?" he heard Izuna sob. "We both are. I'm delighted to see that you have the possibility to become a good healer. You're a good person otouto. You overcame your hatred for Senju and worked together with them even though you really wanted to kill them in old days. You're admirable"
"Don't say that" he sniffled "You're better than me, you never hated them not even Tobirama. You're the one I admire most." He made a pause "Don't tell aniki I said that" he added joking.
"I won't, this will be our little secret" he said quietly smiling while patting his head, then Takato released him and took him by his shoulders. Both had wet faces and eyes red. They had needed this confrontation earlier.
"Promise me that you will never have that look upon your face ever again" Izuna told him serious.
"Which look?" Takato asked not understanding.
"It was not like you, it was pure hatred" he said and took a moment to think "could that be the curse of hatred Sakura and Hikari told us about? Takato felt a knot in his throat 'Could that be possible?.' "I'm so sorry I made you feel so bad"
"Hey, I didn't feel different" he reassured him "just hurt and mad, I felt like when I fought with father after what happened with Suzumi."
"You awoke your Sharingan there." Izuna remembered. "We need to study this, it might actually be linked to our emotions, if that's the case we can prevent our Clan for ending up so badly like in Hikari and Sakura's future" he said grave.
"Indeed." Takato said "But you were also angry and nothing happened to you"
"Maybe it was because of the healing chakra" he guessed. His brother was deep in thought
"Let's investigate. I don't want to become a monster" he lowered his head. What would Hikari-san think of him if he became just as any other Uchiha from her time. His brother could relate to him.
"Don't be afraid aniki, I'm here" Izuna said smirking. "I'm going to be the best Uchiha healer, you'll see" his smile became bigger and brighter, as the sun started to rise leaving the night to an end. It seemed like Izuna's smile had made everything brighter. Takato felt lighter now, more than before. He needed to say something to him, but he didn't want to spoil everything. 'Okay, I'll take my chances' he thought.
"I know you will be our hope." He started "I need to tell you something else, and please let me finish before you say something." His brother remained silent and waiting "It's about Toka" Izuna was about to protest but Takato raised a hand "I can tell you like her. I know that. And you know we can't find our partners outside the Clan…" his otouto lowered his head "yet" he added and the youngest looked at him. "I know anija is going to fight that custom, it doesn't made sense if we're going to share a place with other clans and civilians. One cannot choose who to love. What I wanted to say is that don't refrain yourself. Don't feel bad. We're going to do everything that is in our power for you to be happy."
Izuna was pretty embarrassed by now, but also touched. As always he put his guard up again.
"You talk like if I am in love with her" he joked "That's a bit extreme"
"It doesn't matter" Takato said serious. "What if she's the love of your life and a bunch of old hags are guilty for not letting you both be happy? You will never know if you don't try. As you said to me earlier: fight for her. Mother would have wanted you to."
"That sounds and feels so weird" he said looking to the side, but then he looked back at his brother curious "And what about you aniki? You do like Hikari, why keep denying it?" Takato sighed but for the first time he didn't reacted badly at his words. He went to the railing where he had been hours before with her. Izuna followed him and leaned next to him.
"I don't know" he said "I definitely like her" the youngest looked at him smiling broadly, Takato looked at him and snorted "wipe that stupid smile of your face" he said and shaking his head added "I'm joking, it's funny to see you so happy because I finally said that out loud"
"It's a big deal for me to see you happy aniki" Izuna said. "So I will smile as stupidly as I want to. Also, I like Hikari-san; she would made an excellent sister." His brother's face reddened a little.
"I believe you're overthinking stuff" he said "It's too soon, and brand new. Right now I only want to get to know her better. I have the need of that. Also, she's not from the Clan, and there's the future thing"
"But you did say you didn't have a problem that she was from the future" his bother said.
"I actually never answered you that question" Takato said raising an eyebrow.
"True" Izuna raised his hands.
"It's not a problem for me, but for her it might be." He said "I wouldn't be surprised if she had a lot of stuff going on in her mind. She has to fight an evil creature. She lost too much. I don't want to make her suffer. Also, I'm from the Clan that made her suffer the most."
"How would you make her suffer" the other asked "You feel for her, you wouldn't harm her on purpose. And our Clan is not THAT Clan."
"I'll say it again, I don't know." Takato said "For now, let me enjoy hanging out with her please, don't bother us" His youngest brother smiled at him.
"You bet!" he said. He would not make jokes anymore, but he will help his aniki to fight.
Once the conversation was over they trained a bit more, and finally Takato could do what Toka had. It seemed he was more relaxed than ever before their talk, Izuna Thought. After a while they left to find the girls. It was time to change shifts.
It was 6 am and Sakura was already at the Hospital to relieve her friend. She entered and found Toka and Hikari checking on some scrolls seating in the waiting room while Takato was writing the shift report and Izuna was exiting one room writing something in the chart.
"Good Morning Sakura-san" Takato said "did you rest well?"
"Yes thank you Takato-san" she said "hope you had a quiet night"
"It was, fortunately" he said.
"Hello Sakura-chan!" Izuna said cheerfully, the pinkette was impressed by the familiarity, but she didn't mind –she never minded with herself anyway even though she was polite with others. Also the youngest Uchiha seemed different "We have a patient ready to leave, she had hi blood pressure and headaches but Hikari-chan helped her and decided to let her stay for you to run a check up on with her. The woman's daughter stayed with her in the room and now they are ready to see you."
"That was a pretty neat briefing Izuna-san" the pinkette praised.
"He seems to be born to be a doctor you know?" Hikari told her as she approached "Who would have thought. He's even a better teacher than I, but that's not much to say though" she joked. "Morning!" she greeted when she was next to her.
"Morning" Sakura shook her head smiling and then looked at the younger Uchiha "in some days if you master what Hikari-chan teaches you and you interested in learning more you can come with me in the mornings where you will have more work."
"I'd love to!" Izuna exclaimed. "Look there come Aniki, Hashirama and Ryuuji-san"
"Good evening everybody" Hashirama greeted politely.
"Hn." Madara said. He had sleep a lot, and still felt a bit off. It was strange; he had not been able to sleep like that for years.
"Did you sleep well aniki?" Takato asked him concerned.
"Yes I did. In fact it's been years since I've slept that good" he suppressed a yawn. "It was difficult to get up though" he added scratching the back of his head, his siblings smiled at him. They knew very well that their Aniki slept very few hours a day, and hearing him saying he slept fine meant that he was really at ease.
"Good Morning" Ryuuji said to them too. He was left behind because he was greeting an old nurse at the entrance with other ladies. They were the civilian troupe, as Sakura called them: A bunch of wise and active women that used to tend the Merchant Village's Hospital. Everybody greeted him back.
Hikari and her gang completed the shift change and left. The Takishima had to train with Megumi so she said she would try to sleep some hours. Izuna tried to convince her to join them in today's training – he didn't want to leave her alone with Tobirama – but she said that today she was going to need all her energy since she hadn't slept for 24 hours in a row.
"Maybe tomorrow, Izuna-san!" she waved at him and also to Takato and Toka as she left to rest a little.
"You really don't want her to spent time with Tobirama, do you?" the Kunoichi mocked.
"No" he said simply "She was our friend first"
"So possessive" Toka said and punched him slightly on the shoulder "Okay, I'll leave now Jaa ne!" Izuna touched his shoulder looking hurt but then he smiled at her and bid his goodbyes with his brother.
"Come on heartbreaker" Takato said when the Senju was far away "let's take a bath and rest, it's been a long day" he said and he punched his other shoulder playfully.
All morning went by with new patients coming. Some of them with mild symptoms of a gastric virus, maybe because of some food poorly cooked. Sakura made Hashirama and Madara investigate that as she tended the people with Ryuuji's help. The clan leaders found out that they have all eaten from another food post on the Merchant district, so Sakura made them go there and bring a sample of that food, also to close temporarily the place to check sanitary conditions. The only post at the moment that was pretty advanced in that was the one of Ryuujis father, that's why it was the only spot to eat there for now. This post might have prepared food just for the people that worked in it. The pinkette used this opportunity to teach the boy how to treat food poisoning.
When Madara and Hashirama arrived again, Sakura left the stabilized patients and took her students to the 'classroom' as she called it to analize the food. She put some pieces in four different tiny plates and took four small bottles form her pouch. She put a drop of the first bottle at the sample in the first plate and left the bottle next to it. She did the same with each bottle and each plate and waited.
"These bottles content some natural chemicals that react in different types of food poisoning." She explained "of course we're not speaking of actual poison, but for bacteria or fungus." She looked at the plates "There, see?" she pointed to the third one, the only one that had reacted. "That's Escherichia coli, a bacteria that you can often found in uncooked meat and in some diary. It can get very nasty if you don't treat it right and on time, but it mostly it causes diarrhea and vomits. The only treatment is to rest and hydrate the person and let the body take care of it, but we have to be alert that the patients don't develop another type of symptoms"
"It can get worse?" Madara said.
"Yes, and they might need another type of therapy, such as blood transfusion" the pinkette said serious.
"What can it cause?" Hashirama asked stunned. He always thought that knowing med jutsu would be good for battle, but he had forgotten one could also treat a variety of illnesses.
"Well most are not symptomatic, or just cause what I've told you" Sakura said "But in the worst case scenario it can cause hemorrhagic diarrhea and renal malfunction. Even death, It's called Uremic Hemolytic Syndrome"
"Are this people with that syndrome?" Ryuuji said a bit scared.
"No, they seem to have the common gastric complications." She said calmed "we'll keep an eye on them though. And you as leaders might want to speak with Ryuutaro-san about sanitary controls on the district."
"We'll do that soon, we found him in the district and said he was coming by later to check on the people." Hashirama said.
"Cool, we'll wait for him then" the pinkette said "Let's go and do another round with the people. If the afternoon is calmer I'll teach you with the fish." She smiled as she disposed the samples and the rests of food. The three of them followed them to check up on every patient. They were pretty fine, one had some stomach ache but she did a quickly scan and as she saw nothing was actually wrong, she soothed the pain a little.
At 1 pm they stopped to eat something, Sakura had prepared Onigiri again and they took their break in the small common use room that someday Sakura thought it would become a cafeteria. About ten minutes later Ryuutaro san appeared in the building.
"Good afternoon to you all" he greeted "eat well" he excused himself for disturbing them.
"It's okay, we were taking a break" Sakura said.
"How is everybody?" the man asked concerned, the pinkette looked at Ryuuji motioning him to say the report.
"They are doing fine and recovering" the teen said to his grandfather "The worst case was an elderly man that was highly dehydrated but he's been stabilized now and is in good health. We need to give them time to pass the bacteria through their systems naturally by keeping them in optimum conditions" The Senju and the Uchiha looked at the boy proudly and then smiled when they saw The Koji elder's reaction.
"Ryuuji-chan!" the man said to his grandchild "You were amazing, I'm so proud of you! You're a doctor now"
"Ie grandpa!" the boy said scratching the back of his neck "I was only giving the report, I am not a doctor…" he said.
"Yet" Sakura said. "You're going in a good path, Ryuuji-kun. You have more potential than I had when I was a child. If my calculations are right, you will be able to achieve great things, but you need to work double hard than anybody. Not because you can't do it, au contraire, because you might be able to achieve more than the rest."
"Hai sensei" Ryuuji said honored. The men nodded to him while they finished eating. After that, they spoke to the elder about the sanitary issue, and they formed a strategy. They would have a patrol that would check on the places conditions and supplies quality.
They were drinking tea and Suddenly Ryuutaro asked about the Village's leadership.
"I was just telling Madara-san that yesterday" Sakura said "They must act fast"
"Indeed my dear" the man said "Who of you is going to be the Hokage?" he asked forwardly. The men looked at each other.
"Madara/Hashirama" said both in unison. Of course each one named the other one.
"Idiot, you should be the Hokage" the Uchiha shouted to the Senju.
"But this was your whole Idea when we were kids!" Hashirama complained "Also you are more capable than I in organization"
"You are a charismatic leader, the Village needs that" Madara said.
"If I may…" Koji said "I think like Madara san in regards of a Charismatic leader. I disagree that he thinks he's not one too, but well didn't you think he wants to do another job for the Village, Hashirama-san?" The mentioned looked at him in awe, and his friend nodded.
"If you are the leader, Tobirama and I can be at your side working with you" Madara reasoned "Ryuutaro san will also help you, am I right?" he looked at the elder.
"Of course ma'boy" he said smiling.
"You will need a council that helps you, you won't be alone" The pinkette said. "Why don t the three of you reunite with Tobirama after our shift? You could solve everything in hours" Hashirama wasn't impressed with that, but compelled anyway.
After finishing their rest, Ryuutaro left and Sakura started to teach Madara and the Senju the Mystic Palm on fish, while Ryuuji worked on the scroll. He was slowly releasing chakra, but he needed a spark more to ignite his system with it. He was Close, Sakura thought.
After two hours of sleeping, Hikari started her training with Megumi. They ran across the perimeter faster than the day before, arriving at the not yet-Hokage mount at 11. Tobirama was there waiting for them.
"Ah it's not fair" Megumi exclaimed "I thought you would start training from the beginning with us"
"I'm here, I've kept my promise." The albino said serious "Let's start the training"
"We're half way there" Hikari joked. "Okay, I would like you to help me with Megu-chan's punches. Could you spar with her and feel her movements? She seems to be used to my moves already, and that's quite impressive for a little girl" the girl seemed scared but the albino smiled at him one of those rare smiles he almost never shown to anybody and started to spar with her. 'Kami, he's really good with kids' she thought.
Later he could detail some of the flaws that were holding her back. Then Hikari sparred with her and the girl quickly incorporated the corrections. Tobirama showed Megumi another way to mold chakra. He took a bowl he had brought in a scroll and with a water jutsu he filled it. He made the little girl to put her hands inside the water and feel the chakra in there while she had them submerged.
It took some time and Megumi said she didn't feel anything but the Albino, as a master sensor he was, told Hikari that the small chakra-flame had increased its size while doing that exercise. She was pleased with hearing that. Tobirama suggested that she kept continuing with her regular training though, and do this water thing in between days. He respected the way she had been teaching her, she had made some big advance with her given the fact that she was a six year old civilian.
The Takishima made Megumi to meditate a bit more so she could reckon and absorb all what she had learnt that day. Hikari sat with Tobirama to watch her.
"How is she doing?" the kunoichi asked him.
"Her chakra is shy" he said smirking "I think it would do her fine to spar with someone more like her age".
"Yeah" Hikari answered looking at the girl, "I've been thinking to ask Ichigo to help her. I'll tell him when we leave. Today I need to rest a little before my shift, so this training is going to be shorter."
"How was work yesterday?" the Albino asked her.
"Interesting" she said "Izuna-san appears to be pretty adept to Medic Ninjutsu. I have a hunch that he will be one of the best medics in the Village"
"Really? That obnoxious Uchiha boy?" Tobirama said surprised.
"Hey, do I still sense some resentment with him?" Hikari asked
"You can't expect for me to befriend him "he retorted.
"I think you should talk to him. He's a good boy if you speak seriously with him" the Takishima defended him "You did befriend Takato-san"
"We're not friends" he said serious. He didn't like the fact this woman was so fond of Uchiha. "You seem to be friends with them though. Didn't you hate Uchiha after all they did to you?" Hikari was shocked to hear him saying that. He was being mean on purpose and she knew it. She looked at him plainly and serious.
"Please do no project on me what you feel with the Uchiha and the conflicts you have because you are growing fond of them" she spat a bit harsh. "What they did to me is not your business nor is if I befriend them. Also they are not the same people. Stop being difficult on purpose."
Tobirama didn't speak after that, Hikari was sure he was mad at her but he didn't show it. He was stoic as always.
"Have you given any more thought at the Academy thing?" the kunoichi asked in a sudden change of topic. He was stunned to hear her still speaking to him, for he was sure she would be mad after his behavior, so her question took him by surprise. He looked at her not answering "Come on, so you say mean stuff and then you stop talking to me? Really?" she looked at him raising an eyebrow "I thought higher of you". He got she was teasing him meanwhile she was making him feel bad on purpose too. Well, he deserved, he thought.
"I've been developing some ideas but I need to wait until the Village leadership is settled to expose them" he answered not regarding on the Uchiha thing. "I hope we can discuss it soon"
"They need to choose a leader fast" Hikari said looking back at Megumi, "I mean Madara-san and Hashirama-san"
"Of course the leader needs to be Hashirama" Tobirama said like it was the most obvious thing.
"Why?" she asked curious.
"My brother is honest and decent, and always worries about the others" the albino said.
"So by your logic Madara-san is dishonest, indecent and selfish?" Hikari retorted "Or you just want your brother because he's a Senju and he's more easy to control?" Oh, she was on fire today. She didn't mind making him feel uncomfortable or angry. She was tired of this grudge, now that everything actually seemed to be okay without the need of fighting. People even shared everyday things inter clans, and it had been two days the Village was officially inaugurated. The Senju didn't know why instead of being mad at her he was having difficulty to find words to counter answer.
"You think I want to control my brother?" he said disgusted "Why don't I claim the Hokage charge for myself then?"
"You wouldn't do that. You respect your brother too much" the kunoichi answered simply.
"Why, that's the only thing you've said that makes sense" he was irritated by now.
"So you don't think badly of Madara?" Hikari kept pressing the point. She wanted to know if Tobirama was definitely going to be a problem between the clans or not. "But you would never want him as a leader, would you?"
"I told you, I'm starting to respect him more" Tobirama explained less angry "But no, I don't want him as a leader. He's capable and has honor, but he's still an Uchiha, and his kin might want to take an advantage of it"
"Wow you really are filled with negative emotions" she said surprised, he deadpanned. "I mean will you ever truly think of an Uchiha as an ally or a friend? You really think that the Senju Clan is better and won't want to take advantage? War taught us that everybody has their own agenda, even the best of people"
"I can't say that, for I am no sure. And about the Senju Clan, we have no ulterior motives. But the Uchiha Council is filled with treacherous men." He said "Takato even recognized it"
"They all recognize it" the kunoichi added "What about him, Takato-san I mean, will you befriend him?" The albino made a pause. He had already thought and spoken about this. He felt related to him somehow. And the Uchiha seemed an unusual shinobi from that clan.
"I don't have friends" he finally said "But you could say he's the closest to an acquaintance that I've made outside the Clan" he saw her smiling at that and felt odd. "Why are you smiling?"
"It's nothing, we can still have hope with you, I guess" she said smirking "the road from acquaintance to friend is not that long. I'm sure you will make friends with him"
"You seem to have a good relationship with him" Tobirama said suddenly, and she was taken off guard. He could sense it
"Well… yes I do" she answering trying to control her self not to be exposed by the sensor demon. Fortunately for her, he wasn't interested in her reactions, or so it seemed. "We used to pen write when I was at the Merchant Village."
"He was trying to take an advantage by forming a bond with you" he thought out loud
"What?" she said not believing this man "He just told me about Ichigo and I answered him, then we wrote a few more times… I don't know why I even bother to tell you this, it's not your business."
"If he tries to get something else for his clan…" he started.
"You're insufferable" the Takishima said and she stood up "If you're going to be like this while we train, I'd preffer for you to not show up here anymore" she stated quietly. She still didn't want Megumi to hear. He also stood up, looking at her serious and calculating. Whatever he was debating in his mind he solved quickly.
"I apologize" Tobirama said "I got carried away, It's not my intention to make you feel bad or to bug into your life. I will behave, I promise" His emotionless face would have been scary for some people, but she knew him, he was being honest. She sighed.
"Okay" Hikari said "but this is the last time I will put up with your attitude" she said playfully. He wasn't a bad person, but he was extremely insufferable when he wanted to. "I'm going to look for Megumi. It's time to go" she left him to wake her student from her meditation.
Tobirama looked at her interacting with the kid. This woman was strange. She was different than all the women he had ever met, even Toka. And that intrigued him.
They finished the training completing the perimeter and then they went to the Senju compound to talk with Wata-san and Ichigo-kun.
"Neee Frog princess!" the boy said running towards her and hugging her "you came to visit me!"
"Baka, behave" his grandma said "where are your manners? Oh, I ask that question a lot"
"Don't worry madam" the Takishima said, freeing herself from the boy's grasps. "I'm actually here to speak to both of you, good afternoon."
"Oh, good afternoon to you too, would you like to come in?" Wata invited them. She looked at Tobirama and then at the little girl but they looked at the kunoichi
"Thank you very much, but I'm heading home to rest a while because I have to work in the Hospital at night." Hilkari said "I wanted to know if Ichigo is available and wants to join in our trainigs so Megumi can have a partner to spar of her own age. Is that possible?"
The elder woman looked at her grandson, who was pretty excited about the invitation.
"Umm Okay," she said "As long as he behaves and keeps contributing with his chores back home"
"He will, don't worry" the kunoichi said. "We will only train in the mornings"
"Then there you go" Wata smiled and pat at the boy on his back.
"When do we star?" he said cheerfully.
"Tomorrow, 8:30 we meet at the Village's gates" bring comfy clothing and some snacks for midday." The boy nodded eagerly and looked at Megumi.
"I can't wait until tomorrow Megu-chan!" he said "We'll train together!" The little girl wasn't too fond of the Idea, but her sensei explained her that it was the best for her to spar with different people. If they were going to go to an Academy she will do that everyday.
"Okay I need to get going now" the kunoichi said. "Thank you very much Wata-san, Ichigo" she nodded to them. So did Megumi and Tobirama.
They walked through the compound until they reached the doors.
"I'm staying here for a while and then I will go to the Hokage tower" Tobirama said "It was a nice day" he said to Megumi "Thank you and I will see you both tomorrow." He bowed.
Hikari accompanied the girl to her the shop her father was working and left the place with lunch, fresh made lunch. The Koji told her that people got sick because they ate from the post they were still working in. Fortunately it was not a great deal.
She arrived home, ate, washed herself and slept. She had almost 3 hours to sleep and she was going to take the best advantage she could.
***AUTHORS NOTE***
This chapter is shorter because I want to upload more, but if I kept writing it was going to be way too long (this was the best point to put a stop thought LOL)
The thing with is accurate. I had the mentioned syndrome when I was just six months old and I barely made it. I thought it would be a nice way to generate consciousness about it. Just check on the internet.
More chapters coming soon! Hope you like it. Thanks for the Favs and Follows, also to Ania980 for your wonderful reviews as always. You make my day.
Also to guest that want's to skip the OC part: 50% of this story is about OCs, but I will try my best to keep it up with the canon characters so you can be entertained, hope you like it.
Keep safe, stay at home as possible.
Love, Bella