A/N: Shorter chapter is just to progress the story. Thank you for the support!

The Altruistic Caregiver

CHAPTER FIVE

Emiko wanted another opinion before she agreed to Uchiha Mikoto's wishes.

The day after her introduction to Sasuke's mother, Emiko was headed to the hospital. She hoped the same receptionist was working like the day she signed up, then she wouldn't have to deal with any questions or remarks about her young age. Hopefully.

Emiko entered the hospital, letting out a sigh of relief when she saw that familiar shade of brown and gray. The receptionist smiled at Emiko as she adjusted her glasses, "Tachibana-san? What can I do for you?"

Emiko's honey-dew eyes glanced down at the elderly woman's name tag, Mitori Hanako, then back to the woman. A hesitant smile appears on Emiko's round face before she takes a sharp bow. "Mitori-san, may I get your thoughts on some things?"

"Oh?" Hanako's crows feet seemed to lift with curiosity as she hummed, "Well– go on then child."

"I…" She breathes. Why is she always so anxious? "A mother of one of the infants that were in the hospital asked if she can 'buy' my milk. Is- Is that allowed?"

"Technically, I suppose. There aren't any rules or laws against it." Hanako replies, resting a hand under her chin as her brow lifts. "But the hospital supplies free milk for those who need it?"

"That's what I said, but she said she didn't want milk from multiple people, because that's how we deposit milk." Emiko frowns slightly, scratching the back of her head.

"Hmm… And who is the mother we are speaking about?"

"Uchiha Mikoto."

"U-Uchiha Mikoto!?" Hanako stands up from her desk abruptly, her usually droopy brown eyes wide with shock. She moves from behind the desk, gripping Emiko's shoulders as she gazed down at her with disbelief. "Are you- Are you quite sure?'

Emiko nods slowly with confusion, twitching lightly at the sudden contact. She hadn't expected a mere name to cause such a reaction, and she felt her stomach flip with concern as the older woman dropped her hands from Emiko's shoulders– pinching the bridge of her nose.

Her brown eyes dropped back to Emiko's green ones, "You have to accept."

"Have to?"

"Yes. Have to." Hanako stated firmly with a frustrated sigh. "I know you are young, but you really need to brush up on your politics, kid."

"Uchiha Mikoto isn't just any Uchiha," Hanako continues sharply, "She's the queen of them practically. Her husband is the leader of the Uchiha Clan— Tachibana-san, you can't say no."

Emiko speedily made her way to the bathroom after arriving home. The anxiety had been eating at her, gnawing like an aggressive dog since she talked with Hanako— she couldn't hold it in anymore. She leaned over the toilet bowl, stomach churning as she gagged and heaved, releasing the contents of her stomach. She panted slightly, resting a palm against her head as she tried to catch her breath. She felt somewhat better, but the deep unease of certainty lingered. Shakily, she wiped the few tears that had fallen during her. . . fit.

Tomorrow… Tomorrow she'd have to go to the Uchiha compound.

Emiko lay on her side, curling up into a ball on the cold, bathroom tile as she felt her chest constrict— as if a boa was wrapped around her lungs and squeezing.

Today… Today she was just going to focus on breathing.