MADARA
The rain had started up at some point, lighting illuminating the rooms for a brief moment as the silence drowned this stupid staring contest before thunder roared from a distance.
Our unwelcomed visitor stood there; shoulders rolled back in a dominant display of superiority. Knowing full well we can't just chase them out and close the door.
Maybe throw the key away.
Friday nights usually meant shutting the world out and enjoying the weekend, away from surprised visits and unnecessary social gatherings. Unless necessary, or previously planned, there was no need to open the door for anyone.
Much less her.
The dim lighting in the room covered most of our displeased forms as the pack gathered in the dining area, keeping an eye on her while we wait.
Her breathing was even, eyes unwavering and sharp. Creating a barrier between us with her body and trying to find flaws in our pack.
The drunk one finally sobered up enough to shower and not drown under the stream of water from the shower head. Dressed in clean clothes, damp hair and slight panic in his eyes, he now paces between our pack the large windows facing part of our garden. Rain hits the glass a little stronger ever few minutes.
This storm is quite inconvenient.
I'd planned on enjoying a nice cold drink in my room with nothing to bother while I nursed this blasted headache back to numbness.
That plan went out the window as soon as I read those texts, rushing home was only slightly on the plan trying to beat the storm before ending up trapped in the rain or on some ditch on our way home.
Luck was on our side enough to arrive just in time to find she sheer fuckery going on. I can't even glance at my brother who sat next to me at the head of the table. With the window behind me – and a pacing Alpha – the shadows only favoured the pounding in my head and soft lighting helped the pain behind my eyes.
He was clearly in no mood to bring up a courteous smile for our visits, his chin rested slightly on his hand resting on the table, turned enough to face the women standing in our foyer with no intentions of moving. Even as Izuna appeared relaxed, I knew better. Tension reeked in the air.
Shisui even kept a quiet seat on my other side, preferring to keep his shoulders dropped and a small lighter in his hands resting on the table, trying his best to tick at the woman's patience. Would she break and shout at him to take a smoke outside in the rain?
He hopped so, the need to edge her on was clear as day. That lighter had been emptied for years and he doesn't even smoke. Shisui just wants to distract her.
Keep trying.
At least the tensed Obito took a seat, for some reason he was the closest to her. Sitting on the other head of the table right across from me, his elbows resting on his knees, leaning forward towards her. Maybe even trying to take a peek behind her.
His hair now messy from the many times he brushed his fingers and almost pulled at the roots from the tense wait between the moment the phone call ended and this…
Stupid staring contest.
The one who worried me was standing at the bar, further away from her and to my left wall. He stood there like a statue trying to disappear. This is our home after all, our sanctuary. A safe space with our scents and no one to bark orders or point at our flaws.
This clearly breached all our living arrangements and set rules…
However, we had limited options.
With another flash of lightning filling the rooms, the woman finally clicked her tong. I could hear Shisui smirking. Her resolve crumbling as the need to get her answers finally broke her dam wall.
"Uchiha" the Senju spat.
"Senju" I spat back.
Her tongue clicked again, annoyance finally showing on her defined featured. I knew a Senju when I saw one. This one in particular just had to be the pinkette's doctor…
It's not her fault, she is a good doctor and had no idea Uchiha and Senju don't mix well. The small voice in my head reminded me to keep my guard up, this woman was cunning and had the precious Omega under her care – not to mention a connection to her.
How close are they?
The urge to ask burned my skin, I need to know everything about that woman who we just happened to almost knock her lights out – not in the way we intended.
How long was her midwife going to keep her in that room? Did she have to close the door? I swear I heard the lock click and echo across the room before her voice disappeared from my senses.
I heard her voice, that small whisper tickled my head and almost took my headache away – I just needed a few more moments with her – and her scent.
I shook my head lightly.
Focus.
"Uchiha" she seethed, her upper lip curling to show her teeth.
Theres a reason we don't invite people over… much less Alpha's.
"How long is it going to take?"
"As long as she needs" her eyes narrowed dangerously at me. I trusted her professionalism, not her tactics. I know how good she can be at gambling between chess pieces on this board.
Calculating her risks and benefits before making a move. There might be something the wants from us, or even just get us off her back. There was no way out of this situation now, the Omega needed her and us to work together if we want this to work.
Great fucking luck we carry.
And here I thought the Uchiha curse only affected direct members driving each other crazy. Who knew a single woman with pink hair and small hands could squeeze the air out of your lungs and make you consider a deal with the devil.
Tsunade Senju was a proud owner of the title. "I won't ask any questions until my nurse is back, calm down Uchiha, we can arrange a visit at my office." A smile spread across her face. Being on her territory and on her terms would give her the advantage if we were a lowly pack afraid of being seen on enemy grounds and escorting an Omega to her medical appointments.
The visual is commitment enough to ensure we had set a claim on the woman.
Jokes on her. "Set the date and time, I'll arrange our schedules around to ensure we all attend the visit." Her smile dropped, there was no chance on letting her win this one. "For now, you can give us all we need to care for the Omega –"
"Her name is Sakura. She isn't just an Omega, remember that"
Ah, they are close. Fighting the urge to smirk, I continued. "We will accompany Sakura to her appointment, make sure to make it long enough to answer all our questions." Her brow raised "And yours as well."
Her mouth dropped for a moment before she began to speak, only to be interrupted by her nurse. The quickened steps echoed as she approached, Obito standing the moment her frame entered the foyer "Sorry! I am finally done, we should get on the road before the storm gets worse" she rushed.
"How is she" Obito stopped her from reaching the door, ignoring the confused Senju staring at him like he grew another head.
If there was any doubt in her mind that we were some cold-hearted pack who injured a pregnant Omega, this was the time to start showing her how wrong that opinion of hers is.
Even I can see how bad this situation looks like… I'm not that hardheaded.
The pacing behind me ended at some point and I swear I could hear Sasuke take in deep breaths to keep quiet. Shisui inched closer to stand just in case he decided to pull another stunt like before and rush into the room like a bat out of hell.
We will talk later.
There was more he avoided to tell when he rushed into our pack home with regret washing over him like waves. This whole time we thought we were dealing with the most deliciously scented Beta we had come across.
Now I wonder if this was part of the Uchiha curse. Driving us to almost strangle our youngest for his actions… and lack of.
"Oh! Don't worry, it's just going to bruise a little bit. She's just tired." The nurse chirped, a bright smile on her features we see every time an Alpha looks like he could lose his head at any point. Obito's shoulders dropped, tension lessening from his frame. She was good. "I made sure to ask her if she wanted to stay or come with us" the nurse pointed at herself and the Senju.
Tsunade looked like she wanted to argue. Of course she did. "If any of you tried to threaten her…" she began.
"Never" Obito cut the doctor off. "We offered her to come in and she took our offer" he omitted the fact that they had no idea who or what she was until Itachi took that patch off her scent gland.
That scent was unmistakable – although slightly changed. I heard Omega's scent changes to entice the Alpha's to calm themselves, some sort of safety net to protect themselves from aggressive behaviours putting them in danger while being vulnerable.
So far, I'd find those bits of information as crazy talk until I felt my entire body go slack at her scent. The anger building up had disappeared like a fever dream and I found myself staring at Izuna wrap her up in a blanket and thank he had the mind to cover her up, get her comfortable and keep her scent under control.
Theres no tell what would happen if no one had the brain capacity to call her doctor and make sure she got checked rather than just drag her into a cave and keep her away from the world like neanderthals.
The nurse stood in front of Tsunade and lifted her hands "There's no need to fight, Sakura can hear us." She turned to the Senju and gave her a pointed look. "What will she think if you try to drag her away from here?"
It seems we don't have an ally, more like an Omega Advocate in the mix. Thank God. "She doesn't have to stay here" the Senju grumbled.
Was she pouting?
This headache was going to take me out before she leaved the property… "Enough" my tone now less of a bark, if she can hear, at least I can be mindful of my words – for now. "You can't rip an Omega away from a scent match. Unless you want her to resent you." I reminded the doctor. My knowledge was slim in regards of Omega dynamics, not something I had the time to research on – or even cared about, until now.
Standing, I glanced at the room "We have agreed on keeping her comfortable for tonight, we will talk more in the morning. You can leave your contact information if you wish to get an update from us" I'm being cocky, and I know it. Our intentions must be clear as day in front of the person who can have the Omega removed from us if she suspects danger.
"And am I supposed to just ignore the fact that your pack isn't even official? Much less listed on our system. Do you have any idea how hard it's been to find you? Sakura had been scenting pack scent cards ever since we found our she was an Omega – a Pregnant Omega" she emphasized.
Well, that answers a few questions – and opens more. Itachi finally spoked "What do you mean by that?" he inquired, keeping his post at the bar. Was he protecting our liquor from the keen eyes of a Senju?
Maybe…
The Doctor crossed her arms and huffed "Don't act like that, I bet you thought keeping the registry empty helped your pack from being picked by an Omega and give your lousy elders the power to choose who gets to join your pack. I can't believe –"
"Shizune?"
The house was dead quiet at the echo of that tiny voice. "Are you still here?" she sounded shy but alert. My eyes strained to catch a glimpse of her. Those dam stairs covered our view from the corridor.
Who thought it was a good idea to build them there?
The nurse, we now know as Shizune, turned with a surprised smile and answered, "I'm still here" and that's when she appeared.
Clad in oversized clothes and no shoes. Pink hair a little tangled and messy, the lamps behind her casted the light around her and she looked.
Perfect.
Her long locks fells past her shoulders and a few shorter layers framed her features. My hands itched to brush those hairs away… and the small dark patch above her brow stabbed a knife though my gut.
Fuck that can't be good.
She took a moment to glance at us, surprise and confusion blinking the haziness of her eyes away. What was going on in that mind of hers?
The small smile that crept on her face allowed my lungs to full, the burn reminding me of the breath I was holding. "You forgot your coat" her smaller hands clutched at a brown long coat I hadn't even noticed.
The nurse patted at her sides as she realised "Right, I didn't even notice." Her face flushed a little "Thank you, Sakura" she approached the Omega and gave her a grateful smile before taking the coat from her hands "Go back to bed, you aren't even wearing shoes" the nurse scolded lightly.
The previously pale pinkette turned various shades of pink after glancing at her bare feet. "Oh…" her hands pointed at the kitchen "I got a pair on my car, I'll go get them… um" her eyes turned to Obito and then to the dining room.
Was she asking for permission?
Someone please talk.
On my peripheral, I noticed Izuna making his move. "I'll go with you, I won't allow you to step outside with no shoes" he smiled at her.
Sakura stood there in stunned silence, nodding at him like she didn't believe he would talk to her… I don't like that.
"Sakura" the doctor stopped her before they left "Are you sure you want to stay?"
The room died once again, not a single breath echoed under the rain lightly tapping outside as it died down once again before starting over again. "Can I?" her shy voice whispered. "just for tonight" she quickly added, turning to Izuna and glancing back at us.
Obito clenched his hands. It bothered him as much as me to have her feel unwelcomed. Omegas aren't on the lower scale of the food pyramid. Not here. She had much to learn about that… I'm raiding Itachi's library first thing in the morning. He's the one with all those books gathering dust about Omega's. She can have it if she wants, I'll buy him a new set.
You can't trust the internet these days.
Stepping into the foyer, It was time for my stupid title as the leader of this pack to state our intentions "You can stay, as long as you need. We'll talk in the morning." Her smile shook only slightly, between contained happiness and shyness. And maybe a little of something else – hesitation?
"Our pack will respect your privacy. However, if you need anything, do ask us." With that, Izuna held a hand behind her back and guided her to the door to the garage in the kitchen. Away from our watchful eyes.
Turning to the doctor and her nurse "Thank you for coming on such a short notice. It's best if you leave before the rain picks up" I signalled at the door, it was still unlocked as to show them they can leave once they are done. And waited.
The nurse shuffled on her feet, wanting to say something. She glanced at the doctor and back at our pack a few times. With a scowl on her Senju features, she spoke up "You seem as dumb as they come, Uchiha"
Excuse me?
"How familiarized are you with Alpha and Omega dynamics?" where was she going with his? My hand dropped as I stared at her. "You won't cuddle the Omega?"
Cuddle?
She clicked her tongue, for the one hundredth time tonight. "For Gods sake, did all those Uchiha Elders deprive your pack from a normal education? You do know the best cure for any Omega with an injury is her pack cuddling? Even if one of you decides to sacrifice themselves to have a sleepover with her, are you aware of her recent health? She's been sick ever since becoming pregnant." Her hands lifted in annoyance at us. "If she loses more weight she might disappear, what are you going to do about that? There's a reason we searched for your asses all this time!" she whisper-shouted at us.
"Now it's your job to decide weather or not you want to take her in or give her up before she becomes attached to you. That baby needs her to be healthy and safe!" her hands pointed at the pinkette's general direction.
Oh
Shock washed over my nerves, numbness now biting at my limbs. The woman wasn't just another Senju taking the opportunity to shout at an Uchiha member… she's a doctor genuinely worried about her patients wellbeing.
"Is your silence an answer?" she continued, wanting an answer before the pinkette returned to earshot.
Clearing my throat, I glanced at the kitchen before turning to the dining room. A mixture of closed fists, tensed shoulders and sharp gazes communicated exactly what was necessary. Itachi had a river of questions pulling at his mind, his previous conversation with the doctor had led him to crush his hands on the bar stool, white knuckles contrasting with the dark grey fabric.
Shisui was now standing next to an extremely tense Sasuke. The words "I volunteer as tribute" almost slipping out of his lips.
We are cursed, aren't we?
At least one thing was clear.
There was no way we could let her walk out of our lives and disappear again.
Not now, not ever.
As the biggest thing our Elders fear from any Omega who may cross their paths with any Uchiha members… This connection can run deeper than to the bone.
Even as blood runs thicker than water, there is no one stopping us when we find out scent match. They are rare and precious, something we know will bring trouble.
And we found it.
Now, there is no negotiations needed, unless she decides to leave – on her situation, even that won't stop us from chasing after her.
Chasing after those stunning green eyes of hers.
Turning back to the doctor, I gave her my hand to shake. "You have our word." Her brows reached her hairline, her hand reaching for mine "We will do anything necessary to keep her happy".
"Good" her eyes narrowed. There was more she wanted to say. The feeling was mutual, for now, we keep this short and sweet to ensure peace.
Obito turned the doors lock system back on after the women left. Turning to face us. Izuna was taking his sweet time with the pinkette, and I was itching to join them.
"What now?"
Indeed, a great question. How do we tell her she has to spend the night with at least one of her to nurse her back to health?
To her, we are complete strangers… as she is to us.
What a fucking mess….