Someone has the watch the children
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The meeting wasn't going as planned. Kakashi, Naruto, and Tsunade were all voting in Sakura's favor. Though, Tsunade's vote only counted if there was a tie. And Sakura had a vote as head of the hospital, but she needed two more and the civilian members of the council weren't impressed by the idea of the daycare at the hospital.
"I just don't think we have the funds for hiring the additional staff," Koharu protested.
"Just how many people need childcare anyway? I'd imaging it's a small percentage of the workforce," Homura added.
"It's forty percent of the work force," Sakura answered. "Or at least forty percent of the work force are of child bearing age- potential mothers and fathers alike. You said yourself that a goal for the village is to encourage more children. Most couples, if they choose to have children, usually only have a single child. The lack of childcare is a major contributory factor."
"How many people would you say don't report to work due to a sick child," Rei asked, one of the newer council members. She'd seemed likely to vote in Sakura's favor.
"And that's something that would be addressed as well," Sakura added.
The door to the meeting hall opened. Sai Yamanaka hurried inside. "Sorry, I'm late. Did I miss the vote?"
"No, we're still discussing," Kakashi informed him.
"Really? Don't you think this is stacking the odds in Ms Haruno's favor?" Homura asked. "Four members of Team 7 present. Really, this is ridiculous!"
"Sai Yamanaka is the Head of Anbu. This just goes to show you that the highest ranked members of the Shinobi class are on the same side. And it's Mrs Uchiha," Tsunade corrected. She smiled congenially at Sakura. "You were saying, Sakura?"
"This childcare center would provide much needed jobs in the civilian sector. Most of the work in Konoha goes to the shinobi. It's hard for civilians to find work outside of the factories or food industry," Sakura continued.
"It may only be a dozen or so jobs, but that's a dozen civilian jobs that don't currently exist," Tama said, another civilian. He leaned towards Sakura's direction. "The plan is to expand this outside of the hospital workers as well?"
"Yes, sir," Sakura said. "We start small, expand as time goes on."
"We are still rebuilding," Riku said. "And if we could expand this to families where one parent does construction and the other works in the food industry, it would really be a wise use of our resources— one that benefited the entire village."
"How does it benefit the childless?" Homura scoffed.
"Not all old people hate children," Tsunade snapped. "And frankly, if something like this existed when I was Sakura's age— I would have considered motherhood — even as a single parent."
Kakashi clapped his hands, drawing the debate to a halt. "I think we've heard enough to take a vote. All those in favor?" He raised his hand.
So did Naruto, Sakura, Sai, Tama, and Riku.
"Those opposed?" Kakashi asked.
Koharu, Homura, and Rei opposed the project.
"That's six votes for and three against," Kakashi said, looking at Tsunade. "Your vote isn't necessary, but I would like it — for the record."
"I am whole heartedly in support," Tsunade said.
Sakura felt all the tension drain from her muscles. Especially with another set of children coming and knowing her husband was about to leave the village again for an indefinite period. This childcare facility meant she could still run the hospital. Her parents were available if she need help on occasion, but she couldn't ask them to raise her children while she worked.
"Great, the civilian aspect of this meeting is over. I need the shinobi to remain to discuss other pressing business," Kakashi said, dismissing the non-military council members.
Tsunade elbowed Sakura gently in the ribs. "Congratulations, my star apprentice!"
Sakura smiled, relieved. "Thank you, Master Tsunade. I appreciate your support. I'm glad it didn't come down to a tiebreaker." She looked over at Sai. "And thank you, Sai, I didn't think you'd be back in time."
"I was told to report here as soon as possible," Sai said, casting an inquisitive look at Kakashi.
"Sand has requested Sakura's presence to help with their hospital system. Gaara says it's an emergency," Kakashi said. He grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck. "I realize it's bad timing."
"How far along are you?" Tsunade asked. "If she's in her final trimester, she cannot go. I forbid it."
"Six months," Sakura answered, surprised at the protective tone in Tsunade's voice. "I was active right until a few weeks before with Sarada."
"That was a singleton," Tsunade pointed out. "You're having twins."
"I'll go with her!" Naruto volunteered.
"Unfortunately, with Hinata expecting, your father-in-law has expressed the Hyuga clan's firm stance on you not leaving the village until after your second child is born, Naruto," Kakashi said. "Clan politics are still very much an issue and the Hyugas are the most powerful clan."
"I'll go," Sai said. He smiled. "Sasuke's going to love that."
"You let me worry about Sasuke," Kakashi said. "And that was my plan, Sai. You two, plus two other jonin level Anbu that you think would be best for the job. I'll select two more jonin."
"Why can't Gaara ask for Ino?" Naruto asked. "Why Sakura specifically? Or Shizune?"
"Ino's current duties make her a poor candidate for international affairs," Kakashi said. "Shizune doesn't have the same capabilities as Sakura. But the real reason, is Gaara likes Sakura— she saved his brother's life."
"Will Temari be part of our party?" Sakura asked. "She would know the best ways to travel." It was almost September and that's when Sand's rainy season hit. "She'll know about flash flood risks for this time of year."
"As she's a permanent resident and not a citizen of Konoha, I cannot ask her," Kakashi said.
"That's fine, i'll ask her," Naruto offered.
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Sasuke finished off another cup of black coffee. He was curious how Sakura's meeting went — he was cautiously optimistic the childcare facility would pass the vote. Sarada was at her grandparents' house and he had spent the day pouring over medical journals and books. Over the past six weeks, Sakura had been training him in medical ninjutsu. He wasn't nearly as good as her. His chakra control wasn't as precise, but he'd been muddling along pretty well. He improved from a C plus level of skill to a solid A minus.
Basically he was about the same skill level as Ino at sixteen years old. Sakura, when she was Tsunade's apprentice, aside from her first couple of weeks, had been a S ranked student, far surpassing her teacher's expectations.
It was silly, but Sasuke really wanted to impress his wife. He'd never worked this hard at learning new skills with Kakashi or Orochimaru. He had tried very hard to impress Itachi and his father. He wondered if Itachi had an opinion on his newest learning path.
He finished the chapter on chakra burnout. Two weeks ago, he'd read through the various eye conditions and four weeks ago, he'd read about transplant medicine (maybe he'd be able to tolerate that prosthetic one day and hopefully his brother's eyes would continue to be healthy). Before that he'd focused on first aid, minor surgeries, sprains/strains/fractures, and poison removal. It was a lot.
Sakura insisted her master these particular medical subjects since his mission would be solo and would last for an unknown amount of years. Sasuke glanced down at the leather journal he'd been making notes in for future reference. There was an entire section of recipes Sakura had given him for medicinal teas and salves.
He could sense Sakura's chakra as she stood on the porch. When she stepped inside, the satisfied light in her eyes was unmistakable. Normally, he saw that particular sparkle in those jade eyes after they'd tangled the sheets together and occasionally after she succeeded in a particularly difficult surgery.
His good mood at seeing his wife, a child-free evening together, courtesy of Sarada's grandparents, quickly dissipated as she told him about the meeting with the Hokage and other village leaders.
"First of all, great job on getting the childcare facility approved." Sasuke smiled briefly at Sakura. Then his eyes blazed in anger, crimson irises and black tome swirled. "And secondly, no way! No way is my pregnant wife traveling across Sand in the rainy season without me!"
"I mean, it won't just be me. Sai, Temari, another jonin and two other Anbu will be there," Sakura explained.
"And do you think any of them are stronger than you or me?" Sasuke countered.
"Sai is pretty close," Sakura said.
"I may be biased, but you and Naruto are THE MOST IMPORTANT people in the village towards Konoha's future. I cannot believe Kakashi would put you in a position like this," Sasuke fumed. "Not only are you pregnant, but a high-risk pregnancy!"
"It's more Gaara has put him in this position." Sakura could feel the babies kicking in her belly, excited by all the commotion between their parents. "Why did you say high-risk pregnancy?"
"Because I've been reading your medical books about pregnancy," Sasuke explained. While that wasn't in his assigned reading, he'd been interested in learning more about what was happening in his wife's body. "My healing is rudimentary, but I'm learning quite a bit basic medical care. You should know, you've been testing me every night."
Sakura smiled, the pride she felt for Sasuke obvious in her continence, even though they were in the middle of an argument. "And you are my prized student! Seriously, the best apprentice I've ever had and I've had over two dozen in the last few years. You have to leave soon, do you really have time for a side mission?"
"If it gets me a few more weeks with my wife — yes!"
"Honestly, I'll feel safer with you there too," Sakura confessed. "I'm just worried about it affecting your mission."
"Do you trust me?" Sasuke asked.
"You know I do."
"Then it's settled."
"It looks like it," Sakura agreed.
Sasuke stepped towards his wife, slid his arm around her waist and drew her against him. "Besides, I still need some one-on-one tutorial sessions." He leaned down and kissed her gently, and then it was not so gentle.
Soon they had stumbled to the master bedroom and were taking full advantage of their babysitters.
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Itachi watched over Sarada as she slept in her mother's old childhood bed at her grandparents' house. She was a clever little girl and a fast learner. He'd alternated his time between watching over her, his brother, and his sister-in-law.
As his niece was the only one that could see him, it was a bit frustrating. Who knew a ghost could get frustrated? Sadly, once his niece did start holding actual conversations, she'd likely lose the ability to see him. Meeting Sasuke in dreams hadn't been too successful, because too often Sasuke would't remember half of what they discussed, only the general feelings from the dreams.
It had been fascinating to watch Sakura at work or Sasuke reading about medical ninjutsu. He'd known a few basics himself, but had he known more, maybe his lung condition wouldn't have progressed to such severity. Sasuke and Sarada didn't seem to have inherited the ailment, even though it was genetic. Sasuke had always taken after their mother more so than their father and it had come from the paternal side of the family.
Itachi was also charmed by his sister-in-law. He could understand why Sasuke was annoyed with Kakashi when it came to Sakura. Sometimes, he would wonder what life would have been like if the Uchiha clan hadn't rebelled and been annihilated. Would Sasuke have become a police officer, likely the chief of police like their father, working closely with the head of the hospital? He liked to imagine a reality where Sasuke and Sakura hadn't been traumatized and still ended up together.
However with the Kaguya incident, if they hadn't been so hardened by life and motivated to train to become as strong as they had, all would have been lost. It had taken an incredibly powered up Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, and Obito working together to have a chance. Itachi had mixed feelings about Obito. Together, they'd destroyed the Uchiha clan. Itachi never understood Obito's motivations in the darkest night of his life.
Itachi sat on the edge of Sarada's bed, keenly aware that he had no mass. There was no creak of the bedsprings, no crease in the covers. He reached over to run his fingers over Sarada's dark hair, there was a slight static charge that caused the fine hairs to stand on end, but he felt nothing. He imagined her hair was soft and silky, but he had no tactile sensation.
He laid back across the bed and stared up at the ceiling. Why didn't he fall through the bed, to the floor, into the earth? Was it because subconsciously he remembered what it was like to have mass? He imagined slipping through the bed and suddenly he was within the earth. Everything was dark and he quickly shook his head and reappeared in the bedroom.
It wasn't like he slept, but he could pop into a dreamscape. It might be nice to visit his niece's dreams or his brother's. Sarada usually dreamed of pink clouds, hummingbirds, and kittens. He didn't want to risk visiting Sasuke. With Sarada at the Harunos' he suspected his brother wasn't sleeping much that night and he didn't want to risk seeing his baby brother getting frisky with his wife.
Thinking, thinking, thinking. That's all Itachi could really do these days. He could observe and think. He thought about how Sasuke was older than him now. Itachi was forever twenty-one. What would it be like when Sasuke was thirty? Forty?
"It's okay, Uncle," Sarada whispered.
Itachi looked over at her, surprised to see her dark eyes focused on him.
She reached over to pat his knee, hand passing through to the soft duvet. "You be okay, Uncle."
"Thank you, Sarada. I'm okay now," Itachi answered, smiling at the toddler that could see him, speak to him.
"Love you, Uncle. Night-night." Her eyes drifted closed and she was asleep once again.
She could see him, speak to him, and apparently love him.
Itachi allowed himself a quiet respite from all his thinking and just tried to enjoy knowing that someone knew him and loved him that never would have if he'd not been brought back.
"Good night, Sarada. Uncle Itachi loves you too."
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