DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO
"Spar?" the Takishima asked surprised.
"Yes" he just answered. The kunoichi looked at Sakura. The pinkette was frowning, so she had also found it an odd petition.
"Hn." Hikari thought "I guess it might be okay… but what about the kids? We have training tomorrow"
"They could watch to gain experience" Tobirama said in his normal plain face.
"Okay then" she said "where are we going to spar?"
"If it's not a problem for the Madara and his clan" he said looking at the mentioned "I would like to use the Uchiha forest. It's a good place and far from the main district"
"You can use it Tobirama" the Eldest Uchiha said "It's not a problem for me"
"Thank you" he answered. "I see you tomorrow at 10 there" the Senju said the last thing looking at Hikari. He was turning to leave and the girl intercepted him.
"Tobirama-san" she called him, the albino turned again curious "I was wondering… why you want to spar with me so sudden?" He looked at her serious and then looked at the group behind her that was paying attention to all they were talking.
"I'm interested in testing your abilities with Hirashin and in general" he grunted "During the trainings I never see you fight in reality and the two times I could watch you they were a rather small display, not in strength though, I mean in time."
"Oh" the Takishima considered "I see you at 10 then. I'll tell Megumi and Ichigo…"
"I'll tell them now" Tobirama interrupted "they are on my way to the Hokage tower."
"Okay, thank you" Hikari nodded. He greeted everybody and left.
"What was that?" Izuna asked Hashirama.
"Mmm…" the Senju was in deep thought, 'could it be that… No I can't just assume things' he thought and hurriedly added "I don't know. Maybe he just wants to test the difference between your shunshin technique and his. That sounds really like Tobi, to find out strengths and weaknesses of his techniques."
"But why now?" the youngest Uchiha questioned. Hikari stood next to them, also in wonder. Madara could see that Takato had a suspicious look on his face.
"I-I don't know!" Hashirama defended himself a bit nervous "You ask me stuff like if I really know what's in his head. Mostly of the time I can't figure out what's he thinking of"
"Maybe he waited to be sure Hikari-san was in perfect health" Takato intervened, he put all his effort not to be jealous, but to think clearly "It wouldn't be honorable to fight you if you weren't at your best" he said the last part looking at the brunette. Now that she was better, she had started training with them ten days ago, so he was relieved from that duty, but he kept training with Ichigo some days.
"He's gonna kick my butt" the Takishima said "I'm pretty rusty"
"He's rusty too" Hashirama smiled more calmed "He hasn't been training properly for days." Even though he said that, he felt that wasn't enough for the Kunoichi. "Well, It's kind of late…" he started to change subject as an excuse "We need to leave; we have a meeting with Ryuutaro san at the Hokage tower."
"That's right" Madara said he didn't want to stay any longer, though he was worried about his brother. He looked at him and he shook his head slightly, just for him –and Izuna- to see. "Okay, We will see you tomorrow" he greeted everybody and took the Senju from his sleeve. Sakura and Ryuuji also greeted everybody and left to train. The pinkette looked at her friend with a sympathetic look and told her she'll come by later to have dinner with her and that seemed to calm her a bit. Sparring with the second Hokage? 'That is mental' Sakura thought.
"So…" the Takishima said feeling awkward "That was odd, right?"
"Don't worry!" Toka said smiling "He's just researching; I don't think he has any hidden intention behind all of this"
"Are you sure?" the kunoichi still felt uncomfortable.
"Hey, you've used his technique in a way he hasn't achieved yet." Takato said reassuringly grabbing her shoulder "It wouldn't be Tobirama if he wasn't odd, but that's how he is"
"Always aiming to improve" the Senju said "bordering the annoyance…" she sweat dropped.
"Okay, you've convinced me" Hikari said, and then looked at Izuna "You're strangely quiet, what are you thinking of?" she teased. The Uchiha got off his daydreaming and looked at her.
"Nothing" he said smiling "I was just thinking how annoying Tobirama could be" he lied.
"Hn. Okay" she said eyeing him. "Very well let's start our shift, shall we?"
After training Sakura appeared with a complete healthy meal for her friend, and took her away from her classmates. She excused herself saying they needed to talk about some memories of their Village, and fortunately they got the hint. The trio ate alone in the classroom.
"What might they need to talk about the future now?" Izuna asked munching a rice ball.
"Maybe some battle tactics?" Takato said.
"How could they know how to fight him?" his brother debated "they had hardly seen him fighting."
"She said they studied the founders in their academy." The middle Uchiha said "Maybe Sakura-san wants to discuss something like that"
"Hn…" the youngest mumbled deep in thought. Meanwhile, Toka finished her meal.
"Guys!" she said in a hush.
"What?" the siblings asked in unison.
"I think we've got a problem here." The Senju said.
"Why is that?" Izuna raised an eyebrow.
"Because Tobirama is never interested in spar with nobody, unless he finds them utterly appealing"
"WHAT!?" both Uchiha exclaimed.
"I didn't mean it in that way, morons!" Toka hushed them, "So noisy…" she sighed "I mean he is not interesting in measuring his Hirashin like he said. He's interested in Hikari-chan per sé. Why, I don't know. Maybe it's her seal."
"So you say he's not interested in her in any other way rather than that?" Izuna asked. He felt a bit of relief.
"I think so" She said quietly.
"You're both overreacting" Takato intervened "I don't feel him as suspicious as he was a month ago. Maybe he just wants to spar and that's all."
"But why it felt like he was inviting her on a date?" the youngest blurted. Toka almost choked, and started to cough hard. Izuna passed her some of his water, but they have run out of it.
"I'll find her some more" the middle Uchiha said bored "Don't let her die, would you?" he joked. When he left, the kunoichi suddenly stopped coughing.
"You were acting!" Izuna hissed.
"No, I actually chocked" she explained "but the last coughs were fake, you're right" she added grinning.
"You wanted him to leave?" he was sharp.
"We're in trouble." Toka said anxious "I really think Tobi is interested in Hikari-chan in a romantic 'Tobirama-way' that might be very confusing for everybody"
"Hey, slow down!" he tried to calm her. "But you just said… Why do you think that?"
"Because…" she got closer to Izuna and whispered "Remember I told you I had a crush on him when I was little?"
"Yes" the Uchiha also got close and whispered.
"At that time, Tobi had a crush on another Senju Kunoichi. Maki-chan." Toka said.
"So?" Izuna asked. He was ignoring the nervousness he felt by having her so close to his face.
"He always sparred with her." The Senju said and looking around as if somebody was listening she added "I mean ALWAYS. She was the only one whom he sparred with. Not even with Hashirama. Eventually they had a teen love, I believe they were fifteen or so, and she tragically died in a battle with the Hagoromo Clan." Izuna's eyes widened.
"Oh!" that was all he could mumble.
"Since then he hasn't asked nobody to spar. And he has become colder" Toka continued "The only times he spars it's because me or Hashi drag him."
"So you say he has feelings for her?" the Uchiha asked quickly, he sensed his brother down the corridor.
"I don't think so, not yet" she hurriedly whispered "But she might remind him of Maki."
"Damn it!" Izuna sighed.
"Yeah, I know" Toka said "You know I will always root for your brother, don't you? But If Tobi gets more interested in her that might complicate things."
"Thank you for trusting me this" The Uchiha said looking straightly at her, their faces were inches away. She blushed deeply and so did he. The sudden noise on the door made them act quickly: Toka resumed her coughing and Izuna punched in her back while using a napkin as a fan.
"Hitting her on the back will not help her, you know?" Takato said looking at his otouto, and he immediately changed his face when he realized the odd coloring he had on his cheeks. "Did I interrupt something?" he smirked.
"Wha- What?" Izuna said in a voice a bit higher than he meant to. "You…"
"I'm sorry, I was joking!" he interrupted. He didn't want to pick a fight with his brother.
"Guys, I'm dying here" Toka said in between coughs "Would you mind… water?"
"Oh, here!" Takato hurried to handle her the canteen "Apologies" The woman drank almost all the liquid, that fake cough left her with a sore throat.
"Ahh!" she exclaimed. "Thank you"
"Your welcome" the eldest said "I'm sorry it took me so long, but a nurse stopped me to ask me something about a chart"
"Don't worry" she smiled "I could make it"
"Okay, try not to choke again" he falsely scolded her.
The trio resumed their eating and chatting about medic jutsu because soon Izuna was going to be moved to day shift to start his training with Sakura. But Toka's words stayed on the youngest Uchiha's mind.
At the same moment, the pinkette and her friend were eating at the roof; it almost felt like a regular time in their Konoha, when Hikari and Naruto used to surprise her with ramen-to-go so she would eat something during her watches.
"So, how do you feel about this sparring thing?" Sakura asked her.
"I don't know" Hikari said. "I think it's a mixture of curiosity, fear and pride"
"Nice mixture!" the pinkette joked as she grabbed a bite of her tempura chicken.
"Yeah" she said "I guess I'm proud Nidaime wants to spar with me. He was my second favorite Hokage aside from my Uncle"
"I know!" Sakura exclaimed "He seemed such a jerk at the beginning, but now he is extremely different"
"You think so?" the Takishima enquired.
"Maybe you don't notice it because you see him everyday" the pinkette said "but he is gentler and more open"
"He doesn't seem so suspicious anymore" Hikari agreed looking at the sky. "But this felt also weird"
"Weird?" her friend asked "How so?"
"I mean, he came all the way here to invite me to spar" the brunette said and resumed eating her dumpling. "So formal"
"It was like a date!" Sakura joked and they burst into laughter.
"Can you imagine that?" Hikari laughed hard "If that's Nidaime's way to ask someone out, how would he propose?"
"I bet he might give the lucky one a katana or a tagged kunai" the pinkette followed the joke.
"Anyway, I'll do my best" she drank a bit of water and continued "at least he is not as strong as he was when he became Hokage. Maybe I have a chance." Sakura raised her eyebrows, and her friend laugh again "Who am I kidding? He will destroy me"
"Well, I can't fix you if he gets to that" the Haruno followed the joke "Try to stay alive at least in two halfs."
"Shut up!" Hikari said as she threw her a chopstick.
Sakura left the Hospital to get some rest, as Hikari entered the room where the trio was eating.
"Sakura says 'Bye'" the kunoichi said "she left jumping from the roof so nobody would intercept her and so she could rest more time"
"She seems to have learnt to rest after these two weeks" Takato answered her amused.
"You're completely right, you know?" the Takishima smirked "It took her a long damned time!" she noticed he looked at her curious "You have known her for a month and a half; I've known her for years."
"True" the Uchiha raised a glass of water "Cheers for that" the girl laughed.
"So what were you up to?" she walked next to the other two and sat down next to Izuna.
"We were wondering how my future training might be." He said "Sakura-chan seems too harsh"
"She is a wonderful teacher" Hikari said "A very passionate one, if the apprentice is eager to learn, like Ryuuji."
"How is Ryuuji-san doing?" Toka asked gently.
"He's done a lot of progress!" the other kunoichi said "It's incredible how this boy grew up in almost two months. Your brother and Hashirama-san are helping him with chakra, but he has learnt a lot as a civilian doctor. I'm sure Sakura will bring him to the first surgery she might have."
"I'm glad to hear that" Takato intervened. "Anija has spoken highly about him. I think it runs on the family. Megumi chan has a lot of potential too" he remembered the days he helped the kids train.
"Sure she has!" she answered "That girl is about to expel chakra in any time, I'm positive"
"Do you think Sakura-chan might let me watch a surgery too?" Izuna asked hopeful.
"I think so" Hikari said "She needs to see if you have the stomach to see guts and stuff. It's not the same than being in a battle, you know?"
"I think I can handle it" the Uchiha smirked and the Takishima nodded also smiling.
"Well, you three seem to have learnt all I could teach you in this area" the girl said "Toka-san, Takato-san, if you are interested in deepening your knowledge I might recommend you some books to read, and to take extra classes with Sakura"
"That would be awesome!" Toka exclaimed "I am interested to keep studying, what else can we learn?"
"You can learn about specific medic areas, like poisons and antidotes, medicines, mind health…" Hikari listed.
"Mind health?" Takato asked.
"Well, yes" the Takishima answered him "Back in our time Sakura developed a practice to help people with mental problems, not only disabilities but post traumatic syndromes, especially with kids"
"What is post traumatic syndrome?" the middle Uchiha interrupted her.
"It's a syndrome some people develop after experiencing a traumatic experience" she explained "It's mostly related to something violent , like war, loses, or other mean acts committed over the patient or witnessed by them" She made a pause "People that have experienced war tend to have episodes like being insomniac, having violent nightmares, feel anguish or anxiety."
"That sounds dreadful" The Senju expressed.
"It is." The other kunoichi stated "Some times that pain is not seen in plain sight. But the best treatment is something called therapy, where the patient talks with a medic or someone capable of hearing and understand the situations. Talking is the best way to understand things, and when you do you start healing your mind."
"And Sakura-chan did this with children after your war?" Izuna asked.
"Yes" Hikari smiled "She was inspired by our childhood stories, mainly Kakashi Sensei, Sasuke, Naruto, and me."
"It seems tragic infancies never changed, not even in the future" he said sounding defeated.
"I think they might be reducing to a few" the kunoichi said "but you can't eradicate that. Tragedies still happen in a Shinobi Village"
"I would like to study that" Takato suddenly said "I think there's a lot of people here that has experienced those types of situations and are suffering in silence"
"You would do an excellent job there Aniki" Izuna smiled and punched him softly on his left shoulder "You're sympathetic to people and a good listener. Also you are a good observer and give great advice"
"Stop it, you're embarrassing me" he said flustered looking to the side not amused "It seems you're selling some merchandise"
"I'm so not!" the youngest whined "I'm telling the truth!" The girls sweat dropped.
"Are there any other types of areas of medicine to learn?" Toka asked her friend while the boys kept discussing.
"Yes, Civilian medicine and Shinobi medicine are mixed in those I've just mentioned" Hikari told her "But there is also strictly shinobi medicine, like the study of chakra paths, dojutsu, using fuinjutsu for healing purposes, and stuff like that. Also medic Nin can operate in a more efficient way, and do poison extractions"
"That sounds awesome!" the Senju said "But I think it would be weird that the three of us what to be medic Nin"
"It's not like you have to be a medic Nin to do that" the Takishima said "I mean, Izuna-san wants to be a Medic nin, but if Takato-san wants to be some sort of therapist, he doesn't need to be a medic for doing that. If you want to study chakra paths, fuinjutsu, or even poisons and antidotes you also don't need to be a medic per se. It's more a science thing."
"Oh, that's good to know!" The other kunoichi said with relief "I was worried because I wanted to learn how to heal like this, but I am actually not interested to deepen those skills like Izuna. I'm interest in investigate how things works."
"With the basics of medic ninjutsu and civilian medicine you've learn with me" Hikari said "and also with some other knowledge Sakura will give you, you might become a great scientist. Also you Takato-san" she said looking at the middle Uchiha "If you're not interested in becoming a medic like your brother, you can learn only about mind health. I did that, though I could work only a few months because I had a long term mission assigned, but I can give you some tips if you want to so you can know what to ask Sakura."
"But you've learnt medic ninjutsu" he complained.
"Yes, but this are a bit more than the basics" she explained. "I shared some time with Sakura's Shishou when I was little and she taught me some cool stuff that would help me control my chakra and also would save my life on battle. The rest I've learnt it helping at the hospital after war."
"That sounds awesome" Toka said "Of course knowing this makes us able to help in a battle or if the Village is in need. I think we can all agree on that, right?" she asked the boys who nodded enthusiastically. "And we will help here until Sakura-san has the quantity of Medic Ninjas she desires"
"If I'm not wrong, more Uchiha and Senju are going to start training since tomorrow" Takato said "Aniki told us so"
"Sakura mentioned something" Hikari answered "It's great news!"
"HN." Izuna interrupted them "I think we're past our eating time, we should start with our rounds again." The Takishima looked at him impressed.
"Wow, you seem to be a complete pro by now" she joked and he smirked and raised an eyebrow "Come on, let's keep moving!" she said to everybody while motioning to the door.
"So, would you tell me what is going on here?" Madara asked Hashirama after they left the Hokage tower. They hadn't spoken about the whole sparring affair yet "What is going on with Tobirama?"
"Nothing!" the Senju answered nervous. "He just wants to spar"
"It's not only that…" The Uchiha said crossing his arms and examining his friend while raising his eyebrows "You were nervous when we left, so that means something else"
"You are imagining things" he said wanting to dismiss him.
"I am not." Madara cut him "You're too transparent, dense yet transparent and I know you. Tell me the meaning behind all this" Hashirama made a pause, looked at the sky and sighed. He shook his head and finally answered him.
"Tobi had a girlfriend when he was fifteen" he said "Maki-chan, a fine kunoichi. He never confessed that to us, but it was obvious."
"I'm surprised to hear that" the Uchiha said "Never thought of him of the couple type"
"He wasn't always like this" the Senju complained "You met him only in battle, but he was more open and caring. He still is caring, but he closed off his feelings and became colder and more serious when she died" Madara's eyes widened. It was natural that those kind of things happened. It had happened to him to, though it had been just crush and not a real interest. But at that time his father was still alive and was pretty coldblooded and that made him think about something else.
"That girl…" his friend gasped "did we…?"
"No, it was the Hagoromo clan" Hashirama interrupted "anyway, he used to spar with her. Only with her. After that, he stopped training with other people. Even he turned us down any time we invited him."
"So you think that inviting Hikari-san to spar that means…" Madara asked
"That he might be interested in her like he was with Maki-chan" The Senju completed the sentence.
"That's a problem" The Uchiha thought out loud.
"Indeed… wait" his friend looked at him not understanding "Why do you think it is a problem?"
"Why do you?" Madara retorted.
"Because I don't think Hikari-san is interested in Tobi… and that might break his heart" Hashirama said "Though I am not sure he has acknowledged yet if he has feelings for her"
"Oh, that's true" the other shinobi said "That might cause a problem with the girls"
"You still haven't answered me…" His friend said. Now he was the one crossing his arms and eyeing the Uchiha funny.
"I think there's something going on between Takato and Hikari-san" he said bluntly. He was sure about his brother's feelings but he wasn't sure yet about the Takishima.
"Really?" the Senju asked impressed. "I've never thought of that"
"Do you live under a rock!?" The Uchiha exclaimed very frustrated by his childhood friend simply mind.
"Hey!" he defended himself "I don't know. I haven't seen them interacting much I guess…"
"You're impossible" Madara said frustrated.
"Why!?" Hashirama asked outraged
"Because you don't detect your surroundings" he said "That is why Hyuuga attacked us"
"What does that have to do with anything?" the Senju asked "you're just being oversensitive because you want Hikari-san as your sister in law!"
"WHAT?" the Uchiha asked
"I will defend my brother if they love each other" he said solemnly.
"You are the one that wants her as your sister in law" Madara said rolling his eyes.
"I do of course" Hashirama smirked deviously "I would also have Sakura-san in my family, but she seems to be taken" he said deviously, enjoying how red color crawled over Madara's face.
"She's not…" he tried to say "Oh, shut up!" he complained.
"Don't worry, It's a winning for all of us" Hashirama explained "You're like a brother to me, so in the end she will be…"
"Don't you ever say that out loud again. You might get me in trouble" Madara hushed him. "Remember the Council wants me to marry soon, and if somebody hears your words and took them as a possible rumor, you might get Sakura-san in trouble too"
"Oh, I forgot I'm sorry" the Senju apologized; His friend had told him about the tiny little obligation of getting married with an Uchiha woman before turning 25. "How is that going on?"
"Still the same" he sighed
"Cheer up!" the other shinobi hit him on his shoulder playfully, Madara looked at him not amused "There's still a lot of time until December comes, maybe a miracle can happen"
"Yeah…" Madara answered absentmindly as they resumed walking. Perhaps that miracle had pink hair.
The morning came too soon and Hikari left the Hospital quickly to get some rest. She bid her goodbyes to the night team (and hellos to the morning team) and went home. At 10 sharp she was standing near the lake at the Uchiha forest. Tobirama was waiting for her and they exchanged nods as a greeting, and she was surprised to see that they already had audience. Toka, Izuna and Takato were sitting next to Ichigo and Megumi. Kido and Sora were there too and so was Madara.
"Aren't you supposed to be at the Hospital?" The Takishima asked at the latter with an accusing look.
"I asked for permission to Sakura-san" he smirked "Hashirama is coming here soon, but he hasn't finished homework yet" his grin widened. The girl sighed and laughed.
"Well, this is a bit awkward" she answered waving her hand and greeting al the present. She walked to the Senju "So, how would you like to do this?" she asked. She needed to know the rules he had in mind.
"Do you have a favorite weapon?" the albino asked simply.
"Hn." She thought "just kunai for know"
"I thought you'd be more adept to kenjutsu" he said in a weird way, like he was mocking her. 'Is this trash talk for Nidaime!?' the voice in her head asked.
"I do, but I am positive my abilities with sword won't match with yours" Hikari theorized "So it might be a burden." She tried to sound confident but it was hard, she was utterly nervous.
"Okay" he said "Kunai for you, Katana for me. Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, you can use all your tricks on your arsenal. I plan to spar seriously" he added solemn. The girl swallowed hard.
They took their positions and moved their limbs a little bit to elongate. Tobirama put on guard and she mimicked him. And that's when hell started.
**** AUTHOR'S NOTE ****
Hi there! Short chapter because I wanted to upload something for you! I'm still working on the Battle so I didn't want to postpone it more. You're starting to know a bit more about Tobirama's story.
Is Tobi projecting Maki-chan on Hikari? Or is he really interested in her? The Takishima is pretty scared about fighting her second favorite Hokage, she is sure she won't be a match and he will destroy her. What do you think?
PS. There won't be OP, but we might come upon some logic issues.
Love to Ania and Blu3b3rryt3a. Also to Gkozen03 and Neanai