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Chapter Text

Chapter 1

Sasuke didn’t know how it happened and frankly he didn’t care (tho if anyone did ask he was blaming Naruto- impossible things like this seemed to revolve around the blond)

All sasuke knew was that he was staring into a mirror… and looking at his three year old self.

All sasuke knew was that there were family pictures hanging on the wall and there was a chance to keep them together.

All sasuke knew was that he could hear his mother humming in the kitchen as she made breakfast.

All sasuke knew was that now, ….now he had another chance.

Another chance to change it all.

To save them all.

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Chapter 2

Mikoto turned as she heard Sasuke come into the kitchen.

“Good morning Sasuke you’re up early.” She said but her son didn’t give a verbal reply.

Instead her youngest held his arms up and with a smile Mikoto picked him up for a hug. His little arms held her as tight as his tiny body could and Mikoto basked in the small affections she knew her youngest son would outgrow all too soon.

If the hug lasted longer than any other had lately Mikoto only blamed the extra seconds on a nightmare, (She couldn’t possibly have known what kind of nightmare her young sons world had become.)

“How would you like to help me finish breakfast?” she asked and smiled when her son gave a slow nod, his eyes not leaving her the whole time.

When Fugaku entered the kitchen Sasuke froze. He looked at his father almost like he was seeing a ghost and Mikoto wondered what his nightmare had been about. Sasuke slowly approached until he could wrap his arms around his fathers legs.

“Good morning Tou-san” he said in his small little voice looking up at the half asleep male.

“hn” was the only replay before Fugaku sat down to for breakfast.

Mikoto turned back to the stove so she wouldn’t have to see the disappointed look on Sasuke's face. She knew the little boy just wanted to be acknowledged but Fugaku didn’t seem to understand that he needed to actually talk to his youngest son. The boy wasn’t a genius like Itachi who practically read beneath what a person was saying by the time he was two. Sasuke had different needs than Itachi and Fugaku didn’t seem to understand that.

“Itachi-nii!!!” came Sasuke's happy exclamation a moment later and Mikoto turned to watch as her eldest son held out two fingers and poked him in the forehead.

“Good morning Otouto” Mikoto hid her smile at the adorable pout Sasuke was sporting at the forehead poke.

All in all Mikoto considered this a very good start to the day.

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Chapter 3

Naruto was not having a good start to the day.

The lady at the orphanage had taken some of the other kids on a field trip but left him behind. Then the older kids threw mud at him, and because he was dirty the matron wouldn’t let him back inside. So here he was on the outskirts of the playground and he was miserable.

“Hi.” A voice called and Naruto looked up startled.

“What do you want?” he asked the dark haired boy.

“My names Sasuke do you want to play?”

“Really?”

“Yeah what’s your name?”

“I’m Naruto, believe it!”

*****

Sasuke came home for supper after playing with Naruto. It’d been pure chance to see the boy by the park near his clan grounds, but this tiny version of Naruto wasn’t quite what he expected.

For one the boy hadn’t said a thing about becoming Hokage and he was even kind of quiet which was startling. Naruto had been right behind him and he had trouble making out the kids steps.

Naruto was three for crying out loud, how did he learn to walk that quietly.

Another was that the blonde seemed to avoid people, especially adults, and with the glares Sasuke couldn’t blame him. He’d never really understood just what Naruto's childhood must have been like before. He always thought he had it worse because his family was taken away. But now he wondered if Naruto had it worse because he never knew what family was like to begin with.

An old memory resurfaced of the valley of the end.

Like old man Hokage being my grandpa or you being my brother. I always thought that was what family must be like.

Sasuke wondered just what there bond would be like this time around.

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Chapter 4

“Tou-san will you read me a story?” he asked his father that night before bed.

“Can’t you go to sleep without such childish things?” was the response and Sasuke frowned.

“I’ll read it to you Otouto.” Said a voice behind him and Sasuke jumped as he found Itachi behind him.

Ok that does it. The first thing I'm working on is stealth.

“Itachi, you and I have a meeting.” His father reprimanded.

“It will only take a few minutes Tou-san, and Sasuke has worked hard today helping mother at breakfast and supper I’m sure he deserves a reward.” His brother countered.

“Fine just hurry up I don’t have all night.”

Sasuke beamed at his older brother as they headed to his room. The little uchiha jumped on the bed and scrabbled under the covers waiting almost impatiently for his brother to settle next him.

“Hurry up nii-san.” He called with a pout and relished his brothers small smile in response.

“I’m coming otouto, don’t be so impatient.” Was the gentle teasing response.

Sasuke could only smile in return.

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“What’cha doin’ Sasuke?” Naruto asked as the dark haired boy stared frustrated at a piece of paper with several lines crossing things out.

“I’m trying to think of a plan to knock an evil old man out of power.” Was the blunt honest response.

“Huh?”

“Nothing Naruto, Did you need something?”

“Umm well I was wondering if you wanted to play again. I mean I understand if your busy and stuf-“

“Ok what do you what to play?”

“What? Wait. You’ll play with me again? Really?”

“Yes dobe I will.”

“Woopy!” The blond rejoiced with a jump sending the ink that sasuke was using flying all over his marked up page. Sasuke only sighed in resignation for his lost sheet and ink before joining Naruto outside. He didn’t have much time to get his plans in order but Naruto was asking to play, and after what the blonde did in his past he wasn’t about to deny him.

Besides he’d need Naruto by his side if he was going to change the future.

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Chapter 5

Speaking of changing the future. Sasuke thought as he watched the envoy from Hidden Cloud walk through the gate.

“Hey Sasuke what’s the hold up?” Naruto asked as he walked ahead.

“Nothing just thinking.”

“About what?”

“How to stop an evil ninja from kidnapping a princess. You wanna help?”

“Yeah! We’ll stop that evil ninja Believe it!”

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Well Naruto wasn’t called the number one unpredictable ninja for nothing. Sasuke thought as he and Naruto looked at the Jonin from Cloud that was currently unconscious and hanging upside down from their rope trap. The bag he’d been carrying had fallen to the ground with an ‘umph’ and Naruto investigated it while Sasuke watched the unconscious ninja.

“Oh wow you’re the prettiest princes I’ve ever seen. Believe it!”

Sasuke rolled his eyes as he saw Hinata’s face go bright red.

Looks like that stupid crush will be starting earlier this time.

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Sarutobi looked at the three toddlers that were standing in his office surrounded by ANBU, Hyugga, and Uchiha.

Hinata was huddled next to her pregnant mothers leg, while Sasuke and Naruto where talking to each other about how ‘it was totally amazing they rescued a princess’. Well Naruto was talking, Sasuke was just nodding his head every once and awhile but he looked to be listening to the over excited blonde.

The story, as far as Sarutobi had been able to piece together from Naruto’s excited babble, went something like this.

Sasuke and Naruto where playing ninja the day the Kumo delegates came into Konoha. Upon seeing them Sasuke declared them the enemy and that they were here to steal a Konoha princess. Naruto decided they needed a trap and the two spent the whole afternoon setting it up. This trap was set up in the woods just north of the Hyugga compound. (Apparently the walls looked like a fortress to the two boys and was therefore the castle where the ‘princess’ lived). The two boys ended up staying the night there sleeping in a hollowed out trunk not even a foot away. When the trap was sprung both boys awoke to find a Kumo nin unconscious in the trap and Hinata in a bag.

The reports from his ninja however went something like this.

Because the youngest Uchiha heir had not come home that night, a group of officers were sent out looking for him. About the time Hisahi found his daughter missing the police force had tracked the young heir near the Hyugga grounds. This lead to the Kumo nin kidnapper heading north, right into the trap set up by two toddlers that knocked him unconscious. The scene that Hyugga and Uchiha came into was of the kidnapper upside down and knocked out cold as Naruto and Sasuke celebrated there victory.

I’m getting too old for this.

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Chapter 6

Kumo

“TODDLERS!!! TODDLERS!!!! YOUR TELLING ME THAT A COUPLE OF TODDLERS WERE THE ONE TO CATCH OUR AGENT!!!!” the Raikage yelled. His voice caring through the walls of his very nice office.

“Umm yes sir, that is ummm well that’s what the report from Konoha says sir.” the poor messenger stumbled out.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY TEACHING THOSE TREE LOVING BRATS?!”

“Umm well it seems that they were umm playing ‘rescue the princess’ sir.”

“WHAT! YOUR TELLING ME WE SEND ONE OF OUR BEST AGENT TO KIDNAP A PROMISING BLOOD LINE AND KONAHA COUNTERS BY SENDING OUT TODDLERS TO- TO – TO PLAY?!!!!!!!”

“Well uh that’s umm that’s what was written in the report umm sir.”

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Chapter 7

Sasuke tugged lightly at the collar of his new kimono, trying to remember the last time he wore one. Beside him Naruto was bouncing from foot to foot very impatiently while they waited for the ‘adults’ to stop talking.

They were at the entrance to the Hyuga compound, apparently a formal party was being held in their honor for rescuing Hinata-hime.

Sasuke wondered how that would effect the future relations between the Hyuga and the Uchiha but didn’t dwell on it long before their group was led past the gate and into the back gardens. As soon as Nartuto saw Hinata he immediately left the group and headed toward her. Sasuke followed shortly behind.

“Hey Hinata. WOW you look even prettier than yesterday. Believe it.” The blonde exclaimed happily.

“hnn.” Sasuke greeted with a nod, as he looked over Hinata from head to foot. ( A habit he’d picked up during the war when he saw his comrades again. Always checking to see if they had new injuries'.)

The poor girl was bright red and trying to stutter out a greeting herself when a light chuckle reached both boys ears. Blue and black eyes looked up to meet the amused gaze of Yuki Hyuga, Hinata’s pregnant mother.

“Hello Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun, I’m glad to see you both could make it.” She greeted softly.

Before Sasuke could return the greeting Naruto opened his big mouth.

“Your stomach is really fat. Maybe you should lay off the chips.”

“Idiot! She’s not fat she’s pregnant. There’s a difference!” he scolded his friend instantly. He really did not need the Hyuga mad at Naruto.

“Umm what’s pregnant mean?” the blonde asked and Sasuke paused a minute to realize that he was three and probably shouldn’t know what that meant himself. Luckily Hinata finally found her voice and answered for him.

“I-it means I g-get a little b-brother or sister.”

“Huh? Really? That’s great! Believe it! I wish I could have a brother or sister…Then it wouldn’t be so lonely.” The blonde replied the last sentence said almost under his breath.

With a roll of his eyes Sasuke poked Naruto in the side. “You can be my brother, idiot.”

“WHAT!?? REALLY?”

“Yeah I don’t see why not. I mean you're obviously the little brother so it’s fine.”

“Why am I the little brother?”

“Because little brother’s are always in trouble and big brothers are the ones who get them out. Plus I’m older than you.” Sasuke decides to punctuate this with a two fingered tap to the blondes forehead.

What Sasuke didn’t see was the sight of his own mothers smile as she watched the two interact and thought longingly of her red headed friend. Maybe she could finally do something for Kushina’s child.

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Chapter 8

After the near blunder with the Lady Hyuga Sasuke found himself seated at a small table with Hinata, Naruto and Neji.

“Are you sure you’re a boy?” Naruto asked and Sasuke had to keep himself from rolling his eyes as Neji explained that yes he in fact was a boy.

“Let it go Naru,” he told the blonde.

“But he’s almost as pretty as Hinata-hime.” Naruto exclaimed, causing said girl to turn bright red.

“Well Itachi-nii is almost as pretty as Ka-chan but he’s still a boy.” He countered, using the logic only a three year old could argue with.

“Really?”

“uh-huh, I’ll show you later.”

“ok.”

And that was that.

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“Wow Your big brother really is as pretty as your mom. Believe it.”

“I told you.”

Itachi paused in the door way as he looked at the blond on the steps. He wasn’t sure how he should take this statement, however true it may be. But seeing his mother hiding a smile behind her sleeve made him relax, it had been a long time since he’d seen true delight on her face.

“Naruto, I presume?”

“What’s pre-zum?” the blonde asked, Sasuke rolled his eyes but tugged the blond in the door with a fond. "Idiot.”

“Nii-san this is Naruto Uzumaki, Naru this is Itachi-nii.”

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Chapter 9

Sasuke lays awake thinking of plans to come.

His head hurt, what he needed was a Nara.

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Shikaku looked up from his paperwork as he felt eyes on him. There was a little child standing in the doorway. A little Uchiha child by the looks of it.

“May I help you Uchiha-kun?” he asked. Mentally making a note to look into how the kid got into his office, this was gonna be troublesome.

“Yes.” The kid stated then let himself in and closed the door behind him.

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Shikaku looks at the empty chair that the Uchiha child vacated. He thinks of everything that he has just been told.

“If something isn’t done quick about the Uchiha's situation Konoha is going to lose one of it’s major clans, either by coupe or orders for assassination.”

This was going to be Very Troublesome.

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Shikaku decided that the easiest thing to do would be to have someone else fix the problem. Or a few unsuspecting someone's. But first he had to convince a certain clan leader that it was a good plan.

All the Uchiha froze when Shikaku walked into the station. The receptionist politely cleared her throat and everyone got back to business.

“How may I help you today Nara-sama.”

“Saa I sent a message earlier asking for an appointment with Fugaku-san.”

“Of course. If you don’t mind waiting a minute while I inform him that you’re here.”

“Of course.” He said politely. Then channeled a little chakra into his ears and shamelessly eavesdropped on the secretary.

“-thought it was a prank.” he can hear the other clan head mutter in slight disbelief. 

“Apparently not and now he’s standing at the front. He really did want to plan a meeting.” is the receptionists defense.

“Well, what are you waiting for, send him in.”

“Right away Fugaku-sama.”

Shikaku cut the chakara flow and turned his head toward her as she came back. A polite smile firmly attached to her face.

“Fugaku-sama will see you now.”

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Chapter 10

Fugaku stared at the Nara who sprawled in an office chair like it was a fluffy futon.

“How may I help you Shikaku-san.”

“I’m hoping you can help me with a troublesome problem that I’ve been having lately.”

“oh?”

“Yes, with the peace time that we’ve been having a few of my clan members would like to get off the active duty roster to help take care of there new families and be within the village if anything happens. As a clan head I’d like to do this for them, but my problem is that as Jonin Commander I can’t let that many troops go and not have others want to go as well. It’d be seen as too much favoritism. This will leave a hole in my active joinin roster that will need to be filled.”

“I see. And what is it that you looking for me to do Shikaku-san.”

“I’m hoping you’ll trade me a few people.”

It took Fugaku a second to absorb that.

“…You want to put Nara in the police force?”

“Not just Nara actually.”

“The clan elders would never approve.”

“Troublesome.” The man mutter then straighten in his seat, folded his hands in his lap and stared so hard at Fugaku that the Uchiha would be worried about a kekkei genkai if he didn’t know better. The man before him now was the Jonin Commander of Konoha, the head strategist of the village hidden in the leaves.

“If the Uchiha continue to stay isolated it will cause issues. Already someone is spreading rumors that the Uchiha where the cause of the kyuubi attack-“

“That’s not tr-“

“I’m well aware of that but some one in konoha is trying to turn others against you and if that happens we may end up with a civil war on our hands. Konoha can’t afford to weaken itself with petty in-fighting. Now will you help me save your clan or not.”

“…I will not tolerate laziness in the work place.” He eventually replied but that was as much conceding as his pride would allow.

“hee I’ll find the least laziest people I can, and bring you files of the people I find most promising for this enterprise.” The nara said before dragging himself from the chair and heading to the door.

“hn make sure they have good hand writing.” The Uchiha shoot at him at his departure.

“Troublesome.”

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Chapter 11

Sasuke blinked as Fugaku announced that he was going to be late for a few days.

That wasn’t the startling part.

The startling part was that he was going to be collaborating with Shikaku Nara about switching members of the Jonin force and the police force.

Huh. Guess talking to the Nara was a good thing.

Sasuke went back to his food for a minute before he was interrupted by Naruto. The blonde had been at there house almost every day since they stopped Hinata’s kidnapping.

“Hey hey Mikoto Auntie can me and Sasuke go play with Hinata and Neji tomorrow?”

“Hmm well see about it after we go to the market ok Naruto-kun.”

“Kay”

“And please don’t speak with your mouth full.”

“M'kay”

Well at least the blond was getting along with his mother. His father didn’t seem to have an opinion on the matter, Itachi on the other hand just looked amused.

….........................................

Cousin Shisui is back from mission.

It’s the first time Sasuke has seen his cousin since he woke up in the past.

He cries into his cousin shirt to the bewilderment of all present. Luckily this only includes Mikoto, Itachi and Shisui himself.

“Ummm Sasuke? You ok there kiddo?”

“Hic you were gone forever…I…I thought you weren’t coming back.” He mutters out not moving his face form his cousins chest.

Shisui then lightens the mood by saying,

“Looks like I’m his favorite now Itachi.” Sasuke of course immediately denies this but he still clings to Shisui for the rest of the day. Mikoto chalks it up to the fact that Shisui has been gone for five months when the longest Sasuke can probably remember his cousin or his brother being gone is a month and a half. To a child the time span must have seemed like he wasn’t coming home.

She has no idea that Sasuke knows exactly what its like to know that Shisui will Never be home.

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Chapter 12

Sasuke is with Naruto, Neji, and Hinata at a park mid-way between the Hyuga and Uchiha clan grounds. Itachi is sitting with Shisui and a female Hyuga on a bench nearby as Sasuke dutifully counts down from ten while the others hide.

Sasuke thought it would be boring playing hide and seek with little kids but the Hyugas are sneaky and Naruto is a trickster so it takes him longer than he thought to catch all three of them. Shisui teases him for pouting but he can’t respond before Naruto is pulling him back into the game.

They get through three more rounds before something on the other side of the playground catches Sasuke's attention.

A group of civilian girls are yelling things about a big forehead. As he’s watching a blonde girl comes up and chances away the bullies.

“Hey Sasuke what are doing? We’re suppose to be hiding from Hinata.” Naruto’s voice comes form behind him but Sasuke doesn’t look at him simply points to where Ino is pulling Sakura up from the ground.

Being the dumb blonde that he is the idiot actually calls out to them,

“HEY! DO YOU GIRLS WANNA PLAY WITH US?” he yells and Hinata pops around a tree to tag them at his noise.

Sasuke sighs but Neji comes out from hiding as the two girls approach.

“I’m Ino, and this is Sakura. What are you guys playing?” The blond introduces herself and the teary eyed pinkeet.

“I’m Naruto, and these guys are Neji, Sasuke and Hinata. We’re playing Hide and Seek.”

“That sounds like fun.”

So now there are six of them playing hide and seek which somehow turns into boys vs girls. The girls win. But only because Naruto and Neji both have a soft spot for Hinata and Sasuke can't look at Sakura without thinking about his wife.

Shisui teases him about a crush all the way home.

That night at the dinner table, a rare day were Fugaku is home on time and Naruto and Shisui both stay for supper, Sasuke turns to his father.

“Tou-san how old do you have to be to apply for marriage outside the clan?” he asks and Shisui promptly starts chocking on his food.

Fugaku goes still for a moment before he puts down his chopsticks and turns to look Sasuke in the eyes.

“As the clan heads son you will be required to marry within the clan to a proper kunoichi.” He says and turns back to his dinner.

Sasuke immediately decides that from now on he doesn’t need his fathers attention, and turns back to Naruto to talk about plans for tomorrow.

He doesn’t see Itachi and his mother exchanging looks across the table.

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Chapter 13

A week later at the park Sasuke wonders how he finds himself in these situations.

“I’m not playing the captured princess. Make Hinata do it she’s a real princess, or Neji, he’s pretty enough.” Sasuke says in frantic defense. They are Not making him a damsel in distress, even if it is a kids game.

Neji also looks mutinous at the idea but Ino wanted a trio of female warriors for the game so the task of damsel went to one of the boys.

“Hey why not ask Itachi-nii to do it? He’s pretty.” Naruto asked and Sasuke immediately agreed. After all the crap his brother put him through last time he could play princess for kids game.

“Nii-san!” he calls loud and clear, pulling his brother from a conversation he was having with Hinata's mother.

“Yes Otouto?”

“We need some one pretty to play the captured princess, so you’re it.” He states and watches as Yuki-san has to hide her giggles behind her hand.

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Chapter 14

Another week later Naruto and Sasuke are in semi-formal kimonos as they meet Sakura and Ino at the gates of the Hyuga compound. Sakura is hiding a bit behind her friend but Sasuke sends her a small reassuring smile.

“I can’t believe Hinata’s mom was willing to throw us all a tea party.” Ino gushes. The girl has brought flowers form her family shop and is practically skipping down the walk way.

Personally Sasuke thinks this is more like an informal tea ceremony but keeps the thought to himself.

The whole thing goes great until Yuki-san starts bleeding.

Immediately Sasuke sends Neji to get any adult that close by and he and the others try and get her into a more comfortable position. Not even a minute later the sliding door is slammed open and an older female Hyuga is barking out orders to three others while the children are hustled from the room.

Neji finds the five of them in Hinata's room all confused and nervous.

It isn’t until two hours later that anyone lets them know what happened.

Yuki-san had a miscarriage.

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It not long after that Sasuke’s mom comes to pick them all up and take them home. While there walking Sasuke thinks.

What did he change? How did this happen? What would happen to Hinata’s little sister now?

It isn’t until way later that night that he realizes Hanabi was Five years younger than Hinata not three. Yuki-sans miscarriage had happened before as well. It’s just not something that Sasuke of back then would have known about.

Strangely that information doesn’t make him feel any better.

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Sasuke and Naruto don’t see Hinata or Neji for three weeks after that, but they do meet up with Ino and Sakura at the park.

One day Ino drags two others behind her as she comes to their meeting spot.

“This is Shikamaru and Choji, my dad made me bring them.” She says in her most stubborn and annoyed voice.

Sasuke greets them casually, and Naruto follows, but a problem arises when they try to decide on a group activity.

Shikamaru wants to cloud watch but Naruto doesn’t want to sit still. Sakura's to shy to come out from behind Ino and Choji doesn’t seem to want to leave Shikamaru.

Eventually Ino takes charge and all of them end up sitting in a circle playing ‘Kunai Kunai Shuriken’ though Sakura calls it ‘Duck Duck Goose’. Shikamaru of course only gets picked twice the whole game and gives a win to Choji and Sakura.

The game stalls once when Naruto tackles Sakura and the young pinkeet skins her knee. Inochi, their babysitter for the day, comes running when the girl starts crying, he puts a bandage around the knee and tells her it’ll feel better in a little bit. Naruto of course is apologizing like his life depends on it and Sasuke tries not to hover over her like Ino is. From the smirk Inochi’s trying to hide when the man looks at him he’s not doing a very good job.

Thirty minutes later they're all back at it.

Sasuke wonders if his younger self of the past was ever this content and happy... he doesn’t think so.

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Chapter 15

The second Hinata and Neji are back at the park Naruto hugs Hinata and swings her around like he hasn’t seen her in years.

Frankly it’s a miracle that the girl doesn’t pass out from how much blood is rushing to her cheeks, her whole face is brighter than the ripest Tomato.

Sasuke gives his greetings to the two and then turns to the man who came with them. At first he thinks it’s the clan head, but the caged bird seal on his forehead says differently.

“This is my Tou-san.” Neji introduces him.

Sasuke spends the rest of the day sneaking glances at the man who was fated to die when Hinata got kidnapped. Only…this time Sasuke and Naruto had prevented it, the thought makes a funny feeling bubble in Sasuke's chest.

The glances don’t go unnoticed by the elder Huyga and eventually he asks if something is wrong. Sasuke decides to pull the toddler card and blurts out,

“You’re prettier than Neji.” Of course this draws the others attention closer and Naruto decides to chip in.

“He’s as pretty as Itachi-nii and Mikoto antie…But not prettier than Hinata-chan.” This of course makes Hinata turn into a tomato again, but now the focus is on how pretty all Hyuga are. Neji’s poor father looks like he has no idea what going on but is gamely answering Ino’s rapid fire questions about Hyuga skin care.

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Inochi tries very very hard to keep a straight face when he picks up his little girl from the park. Hizashi Hyugga has been surrounded by the group of knee high kids and Ino is leading the interrogation on ‘why Hyuga look so pretty’.

Inochi really has to bite his tongue when an unsuspecting Itachi walks up and is somehow drug into the conversation. The kids then decide to take a vote on which of the two are prettier. Inochi decides this is one of the best days of his life.

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Chapter 16

Of course the good times don’t last, Sasuke thinks as he watches Itachi pack a mission bag. Right now his brother is only a genin, but soon he’ll be promoted to chunin, then Jounin and Anbu…..and then ROOT.

Sasuke decides then and there that something needs to happen to that old bandage councilor before his brother is in his sight. However, he won’t be able to do it on his own.

Well, going to the Nara worked out well last time.

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There’s a knock on Shikaku’s office door and the man braces himself for another elder coming in to argue against the incoming changes. Instead he looks up from his paperwork to see a familiar tiny figure in his doorway.

“What troublesome thing have you come to drop on me today?” he asks as Sasuke closes the door.

“Have you ever heard of ROOT Nara-sama?”

…......................................

Shikaku had in fact heard of ROOT before the little Uchiha said the name.

But all he really know about them is that they are a shadow organization within Anbu (that in itself is a shadow organization so there you go). He figured it wasn’t his job to know anything about them.

Now he’s once again staring at the chair that has been vacated by a tiny troublesome child and heaves a deep sigh.

He doesn’t know where the child got his information from and frankly it’s too troublesome to find out.

Why does the little Uchiha dump things like this on him? Why not his Father? The man is head of the police force he could easily investigate this, all he’d have to do is go to the Hokage and—

Shikaku stops his thoughts right there…he’s been collaborating with Fugaku enough lately to know just what happens anytime the other clan head tries to set up a meeting with the Hokage.

The answer can be summed up as ‘the Hokage is too busy to be wasting his time on you.’

Of course they don’t say it like that but it’s definitely what comes across and the thing is… Shikaku is starting to find out why the Uchiha are so closed off lately.

Because anytime they try and reach out they only get turned away.

Shikaku heaves an even deeper sigh, gets up from his desk, and heads toward the Yamanaka flower shop.

This is going to be Extremely Troublesome.

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Chapter 17

When Itachi finally gets back form mission he has bandages covering his right arm from his shoulder to his finger tips.

Sasuke is Not Happy about this.

Neither is Naruto.

Naturally this leads to the two of them clinging to Itachi for the rest of the day and trying to make sure he doesn’t use his injured hand for anything. They accomplish this by making sure one of them is holding the injured hand gently at all times.

Itachi is too nice to shake off their hand holding and too amused to tell them to stop.

Neither of the younger boys notice Mikoto watching them form the kitchen, a smile stretching gently across her face.

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Three days later their group meets up at the park and Sasuke decides he needs to move up his plans.

(Not that he actually had any plans but he’s thought of one now so he’s using it.)

“I’m going be a medic-nin.” He announces to his friends boldly, holding Itachi’s injured arm in a delicate grip. Most of the bandages have come off now but it’s still an unpleasant sight of blues and browns along his arm.

“What’s a medic-nin?” Naruto asks, and Sasuke wants to face-palm. Really Naruto lives up to that dumb blonde trope…or maybe it’s just cause he’s only three.

“It’s a ninja that fixes other ninja when their hurt.” Ino supplies readily.

“Oh like the granny that tried to help Yuki aunti when her baby was hurting her?”

“Yeah like that. Only I’m gonna be better.” Sasuke says firmly glaring daggers at the bandages on Itachis arm. His staring contest with the pathetic linen is cut short by Hinata's stuttering voice.

“C-could I become a m-medic-nin too?” she asks tentatively and diverts her gaze to the ground as soon as Sasuke looks her way.

“Yes, we could always use more medics.” He says automatically, repeating the words his wife had stated a dozen times a life-time ago.

“Then I’ll be one too!” Naruto joins in loudly proclaiming his intentions and the rest slowly follow. Well everyone but Shikamaru who simply sighs a ‘troublesome’ but gamely follows them to the local library.

And if while they're there Sasuke grabs everything he can find on Tsunade …well it’s because she was the best medic, certainly not because he’d like to punch boulders in half like his wife…not at all.

Chapter Text

Chapter 18

Sasuke wakes up in a cell.

A very dark cell were he is chained to the wall and stripped to his boxers.

There are two blank faces Anbu guarding the cell door and Sasuke’s immediate thought is ROOT.

They don't respond to him yanking on the chains or screaming at them so he settles down to wait. He’s not sure how long he’s in the dark cell but he uses the time to meditate and circle his chakra threw his cold limbs.

The chains on him aren’t chakra suppressors but they are to much for his tiny three year old body to break out of.

The horror that ROOT has child size chains is not lost on him.

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Sasuke’s not sure how long he’s there but it’s long enough for his stomach to start growling, and then aching from hunger.

He doses off about six times but any time he wakes up nothing has changed. The room is still cold and dark, he’s still chained to the wall, and the two ROOT ninja are still standing at the door.

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When the door on the far side finally opens Sasuke is contemplating using a fire jutsu to burn the two ROOT nin that are guarding him.

In fact he’s already got enough chakra gathered in his lungs after so long meditating that he only needs the hand signs before he could make a fire ball.

But with the door opening Sasuke is saved from his boredom and scheming for the moment.

The new ROOT ninja trades hand signs with the two guards and then one comes into the cell.

They unhook the chains from the wall and then proceed to lead him out like a dog.

Sasuke doesn’t know were they're going but he plans to set someone on fire when they

get there.

Chapter Text

Chapter 19

Sasuke is not the only kid they took.

“Naruto.” He calls out, trying to make his way over to the crying blonde only for a sharp tug on his shackles to stop him.

He shoots a glare to the ROOT nin to convey his displeasure because darn it that is his brother and he’s crying, Sasuke needs to comfort him.

“You're ok” Naruto’s warble voice says and Sasuke turns back to give him the most reassuring smile he can right now. He opens his mouth to say something comforting, he’s not sure what but it doesn’t matter anyway because he never gets a chance.

The rude ROOT ninja jerk them both along, ignoring Naruto’s yelp of surprise and Sasukes angry muttering.

It doesn't take much longer before they are dragged into a brightly lit office. Sasuke is still blinking from the abrupt change when he sees Danzo freakin Shimura sitting calmly behind a large dark desk.

The absolute FURY that floods through Sasuke when he see’s the man is all consuming.

This man who claims to work for the good of Konoha but would sacrifice her people like they were nothing more than pawns in a game.

This man who was a student of the Second, and learned words from the Frist, but would still take CHILDREN, orphans and clan children alike, and train them up to be emotionless little soldiers for his own private army.

This man who craved power enough to order an entire clan whipped out but wouldn't dirty his owns hands to do it.

This man who would order Sasuke’s brother to do the unthinkable, and then condemn him to a life on the run, using Sasuke as a means to keep him in line.

This man who used the eyes of Sasuke’s clan members to keep himself alive, this man who would have war across the land, this man who ordered the experiments on babies and children.

This man……this man is a dead man.

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Chapter 20

Sasuke clues back into reality long enough to hear Danzo start monologuing.

Then slowly, oh so slowly, he forms familiar hand signs against his body.

When Danzo steps around the desk reaching toward a still crying Naruto, Sasuke has had enough.

Yeah no.

He steps forward.

Opens his mouth.

And places his half curled fingers over it.

FIRE BALL JUTSU.

The satisfaction of setting the man on fire is short lived.

Danzo discards his flaming clothes quickly and while the skin underneath may be red Sasuke now realizes that it may not have been the brightest move.

After all his body is only that of a three year old, and that jutsu used up all the chakra Sasuke had collected while meditating.

So now he’s in a room with a war veteran, six ROOT ninja and he has Naruto to protect.

He, of course, realizes this seconds before the pain hits.

He registers that the pain is from the kunai now sticking out of his leg, right before everything turns red and Naruto starts screaming.

Then the room starts coming apart because that is apparently just how Sasuke’s day is going.

Something knocks Sasuke to the ground and pain blooms along his face so intense his eyes begin to water, but he doesn’t have time to worry about that because Naruto is still screaming and the world is still red and crumbling and his friend, (his brother) needs help.

So Sasuke gets up and the world is a little clearer in the familiar way of an active Sharingan.

There are more people in the room than before and a lot of them are fighting each other, but the ROOT nin are occupied and Danzo is surrounded so Sasuke makes his way to the red raging ball that is Naruto.

He has to limp because there are two kunai in his left leg and the chains get stuck on things and more people keep showing up out of no where (one of them tries to grab him but Sasuke pulls away and glares for all he’s worth) but he makes it over to Naruto and pulls the boy into a hug.

After that the red dies down, but the room is still crumbling and people are still coming in, so Sasuke tugs Naruto up and takes a few stumbling steps toward the door …or what used to be a door anyway.

When a body blocks their path Sasuke shoots an angry glare at them only to realize it’s his Mother in front of him. His mother who is decked out in fighting style kimono with a jonin vest over it, a sword in hand and her hair pulled into a long tail.

Sasuke has just enough time to think she looks extremely deadly and beautiful before she snaps him and Naruto up into her arms and they're flying out of there.

Absently Sasuke thinks his mother could give the yellow flash a run for his money with that kind of speed.

Then the chakra exhaustion hits and his vision goes black.

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Chapter 21

Mikoto looks at her little boy in the hospital bed with relief and worry.

It has been three days since she’s seen her little boy.

Three days since she went looking for him and Naruto only to find a note in their place.

Three days since she barged into Fugaku’s office in a panic while he was meeting with the Nara. The note clutched in her hand like a life line.

Three days since she read those words and knew something was wrong wrong wrong.

“Stop investigating ROOT.”

ROOT was supposed to be a rumor, a myth, a ghost story to tell around a campfire….it wasn’t suppose to be real.

But her husband had been looking into it, along with the Nara.

But is wasn’t the Nara’s children who was taken. No, little Shikamaru had been safe in his family compound, only grumbling as his father woke him up from his nap when they ran to check.

It wasn’t the Nara that where given a list of demands the next morning either.

It wasn’t the Nara who were told to hand over their eldest child, their heir, to save the youngest.

It wasn’t the Nara who would be blamed for the jinchuriki going missing. (and oh how it felt like she was failing her friend all over again when she realized the little blonde was also now a pawn in this awful game.)

No, it was the Uchiha clan, which had been isolated and pushed into their compound and given no help or allies. The Uchiha clan that would have to handle this burden alone.

Except …..they weren’t alone…not anymore.

Because it was the Nara who offered their aid.

It was the Hyuga who came to repay the favor her little boy earned when he saved their princess.

It was the Yamanaka who spread the word like wild fire.

It was the Aburame who found where her little boy was being held.

It was the Akimichi who lead the attack.

It was the Inuzuka that distracted the Hokage from the raid.

And it was the clans of Konoha that came to their aid.

Mikoto can’t wait to shove that knowledge down the elders throats next time there is a clan meeting.

Chapter Text

Chapter 22

A shuffle on the other side of her has her turning to watch Naruto blinking awake. His eyes take a second to adjust to the room before he starts looking around wildly.

When he finally notices her he relaxes again, only to immediately go tense right after.

“Mikoto auntie You gotta help Sasuke! That creepy guy with the bandages hurt him!”

Oh this sweet child, worrying for her boy before anything else.

“He’s ok Naruto, he’s right over here.” She tells the blonde, turning so Naruto can see Sasuke’s sleeping face.

It really shouldn’t surprise her that the next thing the blonde does is get out of bed like it’s on fire before crossing the room and reaching out to grab Sasuke’s hand. He stops short when he sees the bandages, tears gathering in his eyes as he looks over his best friend.

“Would you like to sit up beside him? The bed’s seems awfully big with Sasuke alone, and I’m sure he’d like some company.” She coacses gently.

Naruto wipes the tears away with his hospital sleeve then gives a single nod.

Mikoto lifts the boy up and sets him beside her son, the little blonde takes care to move around Sasuke gently and curl up next to his side.

“Is he gonna be ok Auntie?”

“Yes, right now he needs rest. The most pressing matter is chakra exhaustion.”

“Chakra? Like that stuff we’ve been reading about at the library?” ah she’d heard about those adventures from Itachi, her poor eldest had been given the scrolls and told to read them aloud because most of the words where to big for all the children to understand.

“Yes.”

“oh, is that what Sasuke used to breath fire?”

“…..what?”

“When that creepy guy started getting close to us Sasuke spit fire at him. It was really cool!...but the creepy guy just took off his clothes so the fire didn’t really hurt him.” Naruto ends with a pout.

Mikoto ….. Mikoto looks at her youngest again.

Since when did Sasuke know fire ball jutsu?

No wonder he was chakra exhausted! Her baby was preforming clan jutsu at three THREE!

She thought his passed out state was the result of the sharingan activation, but if he’d managed a fire ball before that …..it’s a wonder her little boy wasn’t dead.

And oh how that had been her biggest fear these last three days.

Her sweet Sasuke……dead, lifeless, cold.

The relief that came over her when she finally laid eyes on him lasted only until she’d seen the kunai poking out of his body. Then he’d glared up at her with tears and blood running down his face…..and Sharingan eyes full of fire.

Mikoto has a feeling that in a few years that glare may just become very deadly.

But that’s a thought for later, right now she need to keep Naruto from letting everyone know about Sasuke’s Fireball.

She’s seen the pressure put on Itachi for carrying the title of genius, she wont let it be put on Sasuke too.

She’ll burn the world herself if they try.

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Chapter 23

Sasuke wakes up to a white ceiling and a warm body tucked beside him. Tilting his head to the side gives him a great view of Naruto’s sleeping face, the drooling is not attractive.

“He asked about you as soon as he woke up, I figured you wouldn’t mind a little company in that big bed.” His mothers voice says, and Sasuke looks up to see her seated in a chair right beside them. He really needs to work on his situational awareness because his mother is still decked out in full ninja gear and if it had been almost anyone else that would have been dangerous.

Sasuke opens his mouth to greet her, and to ask how long he’s been out, but when he tries to speak a horrid crocking sound comes out instead.

An instant later she's holding a cup of soft ice chips and gently spooning a few into his mouth. Sasuke obligingly takes a small mouthful and lets them melt a bit before swallowing and tying again.

“How long?” he manages to ask but then realizes he might need to clarify that a little bit, however his mother starts answering before he can even try.

“You where held captive for three days, and have been in the hospital for a little over one after that. So it’s been maybe five days since you where home.”

“oh.” Is his only reply.

He’d forgotten how draining the sharingan was, in fact, after that fire ball jutsu it’s practically a miracle that he’s not dead.

Naruto stirring draws him away from his morbid thoughts. When his blue eyes land on Sasuke’s own black ones the blonde shoots up and almost tackles him off the bed.

Then there are tears and half blubbered words and warm arms wrapped around him. At some point during Naruto’s blabbing Sasuke falls asleep.

Its not that he means too…it’s just that his tiny body hasn’t been feed properly in nearly week and with the chakra exhaustion it’s been stretched to its limits. So he totally doesn’t mean to pass out on his best friend and brother in all but blood……but he’s kinda glad to be speared the tears.

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Chapter 24

The next time Sasuke wakes up Itachi's voice is filling the room as he talks about the construction of cells and the impact chakra can have on the antibodies in the human body.

Curious Sasuke opens his eyes to see two familiar tiny people on his bed and a medic scroll in Itachi’s hands. That explains why his brother is talking about white blood cells.

Three sets of eyes snapped to him as he tries to sit up.

He’s surprised to see Ino and Sakura on the bed with him this time instead of Naruto, but as long as the two don’t start bowling on him he supposes it’s fine.

“You’re Awake!” Is yelled by the two girls and then Sasuke’s vision is filled with pink as Sakura's tiny body collides with his own. And ok, ow that hurt when she slammed against his leg, but this is his wife so he’ll tolerate it for her.

Then Ino is joining in on his other side and Sasuke starts to hear sniffles in his ears. The panic rises up instantly. What is he suppose to do with two crying girls? He doens;t even know how to stop Naruto’s tears how can he make them stop.

His brother is no help and simply sends him an amused smile, as the girls continue to wet his shoulders, Sakura more than Ino.

Less than ten minutes later, but what felt like a small eternity to Sasuke, the girls stop and lean back. Sakura’s eyes are puffy and her entire face is as pink as her hair, but Ino looks far more composed and simply whips the last of the tears form her eyes with the sleve of Sasukes overly large Hospital gown.

“Don’t you ever Disappear like that again!” the blonde demands and Sasuke agrees instantly. He remembers what Ino did to Choji and Shikamaru in another life, he’s not about to invite her wrath now.

Once the girls have settled down, Sakura actually falls asleep on Sasuke’s shoulder but at least she isn’t crying now, Itachi comes over and places a gentle hand on his head.

“I’m glad you’re safe Otouto.”

“I love you to Nii-san”

Chapter Text

Chapter 25

The next two days that Sauke spends in the hospital are filled with visitors.

Everyone from the Inoshikacho clans to the Hyuga, surprisingly even the Aburame and Inuzuka stop by.

Sasuke’s not sure what to make of the founding clans being in his hospital room but he gives a mental shrug and acts like the toddler every one thinks he is. Though he supposes asking the Aburame and Inuzuka to bring there kids to the park may have been inspired by his current pain meds.

Shino he doesn’t mind, but what possessed him to invite the flea ridden mutt Kiba is beyond him.

Which is why, a week later when he finally makes it back to the park and to his friends he finds himself up in a tree with Kiba pacing around the bottom.

Well at least Naruto’s up here with him, so it’s not like he’ll be board until the adults call the mutt off.

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“I can’t believe you got chased up a tree.” Shisui says with a laugh that night at dinner, and Sasuke only grumbles as he munches on a cherry tomatoes.

Stupid Naruto, and his Stupid big mouth.

This is what he gets for bringing the blond home. Naruto tells everything, it was funny when it was Itachi playing a princess. But Sasuke does not appreciate being called a scardy cat.

“Sakura rescued me.” He says, leaving out Naruto’s involvement all together. He’s feeling petty so he’ll act petty.

“You were rescued by a girl?” Shisui asks, putting emphsis on the last word.

“It’s Sakura.” Sasuke tells him back, turning to look his cousin in the eye. Girls are konoichi, konoichi are not weak, Sasuke made that mistake in his last life, he’ll not make the same one here.

“Yeah but she’s a girl.” Shisui continues to pester.

“So is mom.” Sasuke counters back and watches as his mothers smiles at Shisui.

It’s not a nice smile. It’s a ‘I made this dinner and can kill you with your chopsticks before I finish a bite’ kind of smile.

Shisui gets a little pale after that, but he doesn’t say anything about being rescued by a girl again.

But he does still pick on Sasuke for fleeing up a tree.

Humph

Chapter Text

Chapter 26

With the Uchiha now safe from isolation and Konoha now safe from a mad man it’s time to work on the wider world.

And for that Sasuke is going to need the help of the man who is quickly becoming his favorite Nara.

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Shikaku groans out loud and lets his head thud onto his very piled up desk when his sees the tiny bringer of chaos in his door way.

The kid is polite enough to wait for Shikaku to compose himself and raise his head up before entering the room.

“What kind of trouble have you brought to me now troublesome child?” he asks wondering if his desk can handle the paperwork for taking out another secret organization.

“Information on a dead man.” Is the little brats reply as he hops up onto the arm of the nearest chair, the last few times the kid as taken a seat but considering the usual spot is occupied by a stack of financial discrepancies, he can’t fault the kid for finding a different perch.

Then Shikaku settles back and prepares himself to hear about the latest uprising from the dead or what ever. After ROOT nothing is going to surprise Shikaku.

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Shikaku once again stares at the spot the kid vacated and wonders where he learned about the fact that Madara freakin Uchiha was still alive and manipulating Obito Uchiha who is also suppose to be dead.

There is NO way the kid just managed to over hear something about this, not like it may have been possible with Danzo.

It’s seems like it’s fake, like this is something made up.

But ROOT had sounded made up too and Shikaku’s desk is now over flowing with the proof that it was not.

Still he decides to assign Kakashi and his Anbu team to a recon mission in the Valley of Bones, just to make sure.

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Chapter 27

When his mother announces that they’re going to the hospital to visit a cousin whos recently returned from a long mission Sasuke thinks nothing of it and just changes into his nice casual clothes and helps Naruto find a pair of shorts.

His mom takes them by the flower shop first where they say hi to Ino and Naruto manages to find the most obnoxious bundle of orange flowers in existence. Then they troop up to the hospital and weirdly pass a couple guards at the door to the room before Sasuke sees exactly who they’re visiting.

Obito Uchiha looks half scared and half hopeful as he lays in a white hospital bed with bandages covering nearly all of his person.

Oh! Is the only thing Sasuke can think of.

Naruto and Obito get along like a house on fire and bond so fast over the color orange that Sasuke almost has whiplash.

In fact his emotions are so all over the place that he doesn’t even notice Kakashi freaken Hatake siting in the chair next to the bed until his mother greets him with a “and Hello to you to Kakashi-kun.”

Sasuke really really needs to work on his situational awareness.

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Kakashi watches the Uchiha's plus Naruto enter the room. Itachi's little brother is staring at Obito with a strange look on his pudgy little baby face.

Kakashi's not sure what the look means but he knows the tiniest Uchiha is far more than he seems.

His first clue was when he got drafted for a rescue/raid mission that took out Danzo and his secret army. He'd seen the little Uchiha heading toward the mass of angry red chakara that everyone else was avoiding and decided to get him out of there.

But when he stopped in front of the child he was meet with angry spinning Sharingan eyes that plainly said 'get out of my way' so Kakashi had. He was not getting in the way of tiny suicidal Uchiha when there were other important things to take care of. Like lopping off Danzo's head.

Tiny Uchiha finally notices him when Mikoto gives a gentle greeting. Thankfully the clan head isn't here or Kakashi may have to vacate the primases.

Kakashi turns his attention away from the Uchiha's and toward the bed were sensei's son and Obito are going over there favorite things about the color orange.

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Chapter 28

When Sasuke's mom asks him what he'd like to do for his fourth birthday Sasuke is momentarily stunned into silence. He hadn't realized time was passing by so fast, but he request a big party so he can invite all his friends and then goes to buy stationary so he can make the invitations. He decides to use this as practice for his calligraphy, and then half bullies Naruto into helping him. Because sage knows the blonde could use the practice too.

So for the next two week the Uchiha clan is busy setting up for a party that will invite more clan heads into it's compound since just after the village founding.

His mother is apparently taking great delight in telling the elders exactly 'why' they are inviting there 'allies' into the compound. The elders make themselves very scarce for the two weeks so they won't be drawn into preparations.

Sasuke even manages to give invitations to Obito and Kakashi on there weekly visit to see his cousin.

Obito apologizes that he wont be able to make it because he'll still be in the hospital and Kakashi makes a fast excuse to stay away but they both complement Sasuke on his lovely hand writing.

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Chapter 29

The day of the party is a bit chaotic but Sasuke and Naruto have fun trying to steal bites of the sweets that are being made in the kitchen.

What? It's a perfectly valid way to train his stealth ok.

The first to arrive are the Inuzuka who are a few minutes early and also very loud. Kiba practically growls at Sasuke so Sasuke figures its an ok response to hiss back at him.

Some of the adults seem scandalized at this behavior but the dog clan head laughs and his mom smiles so Sasuke thinks he did good.

The next to arrive are the Aburame and the Hyuga, both showing up at the exact time stated on the invitation. Sasuke and Naruto give the proper bows before Naruto pops back up and practically tackles his friends with hugs.

The Ino-shika-cho clans naturally all arrive together bringing a slightly nervous Sakura with them.

Sasuke makes sure to smile at her and tell her that he made sure to have some of her favorite pudding cups. He ignores the looks the adults are giving each other over his head.

He tells Ino there's some games set up in the garden and the blonde proceeds to grab Shikamaru by the pony tail and head that direction. Choji and Sakura follow obediently behind.

Sasuke has to greet a few more people that he's only vaguely familiar with but then he's allowed to go play with his friends who all have a game board set up and are waiting on him.

It's actually a fun evening and Sasuke takes great delight in opening his presents. He gets lots of ninja items and a few scrolls some of them are even on healing which means that some people have been paying attention to Sasuke's little friend group and what there doing at there play dates.

His favorite gift however, is a tomato plushy that comes from Sakura, the girl blushes a bit when he thanks her.

When the evening winds down Sasuke takes his plushy and Naruto with him to his small bed. As he curls up under his covers he sees the moon shinning on him from high in the sky.

He really should do something about Zetsu before the creature brings his mother back to life.

Hmmm he'll go see Shikaku tomorrow.

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Chapter 30

“OH WHAT NOW? Has the moon goddess decided to descend upon us and wipe humanity off the map?!” Shikaku asks in exasperation when he sees the tiny body in his office doorway.

“Oh good you already know about that, I was worried I’d sound crazy if I brought it up but since you know it’ll make this much easier” chaos in a deceptively small body replies and Shikaku can only stare as the child hops into his usual seat and starts kicking his legs back and forth like the toddling he appears to be.

Shikaku needs a stronger word thnt Troublesome to convey exactly what he thinks of this conversation.

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Shikaku has decided that Sasuke Uchiha is either a seer or not from this mortal plain all together.

The tiny harbinger of chaos looks so like other children you'd never be able to tell unless you start adding up the pieces.

Starting with the fact that the little Uchiha had befriended Naruto Uzumaki, which had caused quite a stir. In fact the Hyugga were the main instigators of the arguments.

Well, all the way up until the two rescued the clan heiress, then they were inviting both the jinchuriki and the UCHIHA into there compound like they hadn't been rivals for years.

Then somehow Ino and her pink haired friend meet them at the park and suddenly Inoichi is telling them to let Shikamaru and Chouji go too.

And this was all before the little monster (and he's not referring to the jinchuriki) decided to invade his office and apparently make things he couldn't deal with SHIKAKUS problem.

Oh how he longs for simpler days when he could see his office floor instead of paperwork.

Chapter Text

Chapter 31

It's a lovely day at the park and Sasuke is enjoying hanging out with all his friends....well, he was enjoying hanging out with all his friends.

But Kiba is trying to run him up a tree again because the mutt thinks it's funny and apparently has more dog than human in that dumb brain of his.

“Leave me alone!” he yells back at the boy and swerves around a decretive fountain before making a bee line for Ino and Sakura under two cherry blossom trees.

His goal is to get Kiba close enough to Ino that the blonde girl will yank him to a stop by his hair. She did it last week when Kiba was chasing Choji so Sasuke has all the faith of the sage that she will do it again.

Only when he baits the mutt close enough it's not Ino that stops Kiba but Sakura. Who does so by placing a dainty little fist right into his face.

The poor mutt goes down with a thud and a bloody nose.

Sakura looks at her fist like she cant believe that just happened.

Sasuke looks at her like she's his sage bound salvation, “That was amazing.” he says and watches her turn as red as her hair.

Unfortunately Kiba interrupts this great moment by hopping back up like he's a freaking Jinchuriki and starts chasing Sasuke again.

The mutts been hanging out with Naruto to much.

As he runs off though he can hear Ino congratulating Sakura on her well aimed punch.

Chapter Text

Chapter 32

Sasuke is out with Itachi and Shisui going to market when they pass by a shop that makes Sasuke's eyes light up.

“Ni-san ni-san can we go in there?” he asks pointing to the small weapons shop with the slightly crooked sign.

“If you need more weapons Otouto we can talk to Hotomi Uchiha.” is Itachi's reply.

“I don't need weapons I need a birthday gift for Sakura.”

“Isn't her birthday like six months away? And why would you get her weapons? Little cousin I don't think that's how you woe a wo- umm girl like her.” Shisui buts in.

Sasuke ignores his cousins ignorance and pouts at his brother until he gives in with a small sigh.

Sasuke cheers before running inside and going straight up to the counter that's being watched by a familiar brunet girl.

“Hi i'm Sasuke I need to comis-ion something.” he says and curses his tiny tongue when he stumbles over the big word.

“Im Ten-ten, i'll go get my dad, wait here.” and with that she hops of her stool and heads to the back as Itachi and Shisui lean against the counter.

When Ten-ten brings her dad back he tells him he'd like to order a pair of dark pink reinforced leather gloves with metal plates on the back. Ten-tens dad seems amused but agrees to make them and Sasuke hands over all the money on his person, which may not be a lot but he plans to bring his allowance by every month until its paid.

As they leave Sasuke invites Tenten to the park the next time the group meets. Mainly for two reasons, one is that she'll be a great ally to have, another is that Neji needs more people his age to hang out with considering he's almost of age to go to the academy.

On the way home Itachi asks him why he picked gloves as a gift.

“It's so Sakura doesn't hurt her hands when she learns to punch boulders in half.”

“Ya know little cousin I though it was kind of cute at first but now I'm a little terrified of your idea of a courting gift.” Shisui once again butts in.

Sasuke once again ignores him, clearly his cousin has no idea what Konoichi like. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 33

Sakura blinks as Sasuke introduces a girl named Tenten to there group. The older girl seems a little nervous but gives them all a brave smile and a wave.

Sakura's not sure how she feels about Tenten. On the one hand Tenten is really cool and is going to start at the ninja Academy next month and knows way more big words. On the other hand Tenten was brought here by Sasuke and can throw a really good punch.

Sakura's actually really jealous of how well she can punch.

Because Sakura has just gotten the hang of punching and even managed to break Kibas nose last time. (Not that it bothered him for long, he popped back up and finished chasing Sasuke up a tree before going to his mother and asking her to fix it.) But Tenten...

Tenten has the perfect form and a lovely grace about her when she punches, its really nice to watch her while they're playing ninja.

But Sakura's maybe a bit worried that Sasuke might like Tenten and her graceful punch better.

Well, she is all the way up until Sasuke presents her with a soft pair of leather gloves in a deep pink color for her birthday that year.

“So you don't hurt your hands punch boulders in half,” he says and Sakura resolves then and there to have the most graceful and deadly punch ever, forget boulders Sakura's going to be punching Mountains.

She gives him a quiet and happy 'thank you' while ignoring his cousins mutters and her parents shocked faces.

Chapter Text

Chapter 34

Tenten and Neji both start the ninja academy the next month and it causes a stir among Sasuke's group of friends.

They all wanna know what's going on, is the academy cool? What are you learning? Ect ect.

Sasuke of course has been to the academy before but the excitement from everyone else is contagious. He proposes that they all meet Neji and Tenten after class so that they can share what happened.

So that's how a group of clan kids waits outside the gates for the bell to ring.

Once it does the children file out in a chaotic manner but Sasuke flashes his Sharingan for a second so he can find Neji and Tenten. He points the group in that direction and off they go.

Shikaku Nara slowly ambling along behind them as their minder for the day. He greets the lady Hugga and Tenten's dad while Sasuke and his friends practically tackle Neji and Tenten.

This sets up the pattern for the next week were they all meet at the gates, amble over to the nearest park and get a miniature lesson from Tenten and Neji. Its actually kind of fun and Sasuke really looks forward to that part of the day when all his friends are together again, all content and happy and safe.

Chapter Text

Chapter 35

One day as they're meeting up an older boy from one of the classes is passing by with his friends. This isn't a problem, the problem is when the boy opens his mouth and says.

“Wow, look Yuki its the baby club, I guess the little Huyga and his girlfriend don't really belong in the academy after all. They're just baby's too.”

The words don't bug Sasuke much he just rolls his eyes at their stupidity but it makes Neji stop smiling and Tenten turn sad.

But Sasuke doesn't have to come to their rescue.

Ino, and surprisingly, Kiba do a fine job without even raising a fist.

“Wow imagine being so jealous of kids younger than you that you have to pick on them to make yourself feel better.” Ino says with a flip of her short hair.

“Yeah you can smell their jealousy all the way over here. They sound like the little yappie dogs that the noble carry around, all bark bark bark but they run with their tails between their legs the seconds something dangerous comes by.” follows Kiba, and the whole group turns to glare daggers at the older boys passing by.

They do indeed run away with their tails between their legs and Sasuke feels a satisfying smirk cross his face.

Maybe Kiba isn't all bad after all.

…................

They celebrate Naruto's birthday at the Uchiha compound and invite only their friend group over. Then they all dress up in kimonos and masks to join the festival.

Sasuke put Naruto in a frog mask because the fox one was not appropriate right now.

The adults took care of any drunks who thought they might take out their anger on his little brother and although some vendors smiles got a little tight when they caught a glimps of Naruto beneath his mask they never said a word about it.

All in all Sasuke called it a great day. Naruto called it the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER BELIVE IT!!!!!

Chapter Text

chapter 36

Sasuke is four and a half when he father seems to realize he exists again and immediately starts comparing him to his brother.

Sasuke counters by comparing him to Shikaku Nara. It doesn't go over well.

In fact it makes his dad start shouting.

Now, Sasuke hasn't had a flash back since he time traveled but his father is standing over him with swirling red eyes and a loud voice and the next thing Sasuke knows he's seeing his brother the night his clan was slaughtered, he's on the battle field facing down Madara, he's somewhere and there's an enemy that's going to hurt him.

So he defends himself and runs, he runs and runs and runs until he's found a safe place and then he remembers that his four and in the past and things have changed.

He still doesn't come out of his hiding place until Kakashi passes by then he simply holds his arms up in the 'pick me up' gesture that he's only used on his Mom, brother and rarely Shisui.

It takes the copy-nin nearly two minutes to gently and slowly settle Sasuke on his hip.

“Lets go see your cousin.”

And with a few quick flashes they're at Obito's hospital room. When Kakashi tries to put him down Sasuke clings. He's not letting go, not any time soon, not of his sensei.

But he wont answer any of their questions and tunes them out completely when he realizes his tiny toddler body hasn't had a nap yet and he pushed it hard getting away from his father.

But he's safe now and Kakashi-sensei wont let anything hurt him, not even Obito so he lets himself get the rest he deserves.

Chapter Text

Chapter 37

Obito tries to keep the smile off his face at Bakashi's panicked expression.

The man had came in carrying Obitos little cousin and looks like he was sprinting from Kushina when her ramen got stolen.

“Here take him.” he's old team mate had said and tried to place the little brat down. Only for the kid to cling like it was his last life line.

“I think the kid wants you Bakashi.” he said and laughed more as Kakashi's single visible eye widened.

“He needs to let go. This is the clan heads son.”

“I know who he is, why don't you just take him back to the compound?”

“Are you kidding? If I go back their then they might kill me, especially if they think I've kidnapped the kid.”

Hmmm well he might be right about that. At least Obito gets free entertainment right now.

Its been hard to find anything to be happy about since he got 'rescued' from Madara.

The seal on his heart had been the hardest to remove and the main reason he's been 'detained' in the hospital.

He's been told what happened with Rin and Obito himself has told what he did with the nine tailed fox.

But it's all been laid down to brainwashing and mind-break. He's still not allowed out of the hospital room and he has Anbu guard round the clock but it's ten times better than a prison cell in t&I (what he deserves) and better than Madaras cave by far.

Some days he has difficulty focusing on the present and not the Moons eye plan, or Rins death or Zetsus betrayal. It's probably why he's been assigned two separate Yamanaka psychiatrist.

But days like today, when his tiny little cousin is causing his friend to panic, well he enjoys those days.

He wants more of them.

Chapter Text

Chapter 38

Mikoto is angry, no Mikoto is furious, livid even.

She is three words away from maiming her husband and taking over the Uchiha clan herself.

“-stabbed me Mikoto! I'm his father he shouldn't see me as an enemy!”

“THEN MAYBE YOU SHOULD ACT LIKE A FATHER INSTEAD!!” she throws back at him.

She takes in his stunned face, worried eyes and bleeding thigh, then with a deep deep calming breath she tries to explain to the thick headed man why his child attacked him.

“Fugaku when was the last time you talked to Sasuke? And I'm not talking about at the dinner table with everyone around, when was the last time you actively sought out your youngest son and talked with him?”

“He's three Mikoto what would I have to talk to him about?”

Another deep breath seems to be necessary.

“He's four actually and I said talk With him not To him, there's a difference and it's a difference children pay attention too.”

“He's my son Mikoto!” Fugaku seems to be stuck on that.

“Oh really? What's his favorite color? His favorite food? Where does he like to hang out? Who does he like to hang out with? What does he enjoy doing?

Can you answer any of those questions? Because if you can't then you can clam he's your son all you want but Sasuke will never see you as his father.”

“Of course I can answer some silly questions!”

“ok.”

“..ok?”

“ok answer them.”

“i umm that is ..what were the questions?”

Mikoto forces herself to take another breath.

“His favorite color.”

“Red”

“No.”

“What do you mean no?”

“I mean no you're wrong now do you know his favorite food?”

“Dango.”

“No that's Itachis. What about his hang out spot?”

“The training ground obviously.”

“Try the park Fugaku.”

“What?”

“He's not Itachi for the thousand time! Can you give me even one of his friends names?”

“...he hangs out with Itachi and Shisui.”

“I said friends Fugaku not his relatives.”

“umm the little blond boy.”

“Name Fugaku.”

“Uzumaki.”

“Oh finally got one right. Good boy.” she praises him sarcastically. He makes a face but she ignores it, she has a point to make and he's not going to distract her form it.

“Now can you name any more?”

“He doens't have any more.”

“Really Fukagu REALLY? You haven't even been paying any attention to him talking at dinner at all have you.”

“I've been busy and it didn't seem important, he's only 3 after all.”

“HE”S A FOUR YEAR OLD WHO WAS HELD CAPTIVE BY A BLOOD-LINE THIEF FOR THREE DAYS AND HE WANTS TO BE A MEDIC AND HES FRIENDS WITH ALL THE MAJOR CALN KIDS A HANDFUL OF CIVIVALS WHO HE HANGS OUT WITH AT THE PARK, HIS FAVORITE FOOD IS TOMATOES AND HE LIKES THE COLORs BLUE ORANGE AND PINK!

AND IF YOU DONT GET YOUR DAMN ACT TOGETHER FOR THIS FAMILY YOU CAN KISS IT AND ANY LEGACY YOU THINK YOU HAVE GOOD BYE! YOU SELF OBSORBED, SELF CENTERED, ---”

Mikoto cuts off her rant at the sight of an Anbu politely sitting at her kitchen window seal.

“I was told to inform you that Sasuke Uchiha can be found in Obito Uchiha's hospital room.”, he says then disappears at Mikotos nod.

She leaves Fukaku to bandage his own wound and heads out the door without a word.

She's going to go pick up Her son.

Chapter Text

Chapter 39

Sasuke wakes up in the hospital room still clutching to Kakashi-senseis black shirt. The smell of dog is so familiar to him after those months of being out on missions with the man, and it smells different than Kiba's dog smell.

“-lease just take him.” he can hear the man plead.

“He seems quite comfortable to me Kakashi-san.” the gentle and amused voice of his mom answers.

“Yeah Captain you wouldn't want the kid to wake up now would you.” Shisui's voice adds as snickering follows his statement.

The pieces of memory come back to him, his fathers anger, his panic, his senseis safe arms, cousin Obitos teasing.

Kakashi-sensei must have been on his way to visit Obito and brought Sasuke with him.

He wonders why the man is so uncomfortable for a minute before realizing that the poor man is a dog in a room full of cats.

He decides to cut his old sensei a break and squirms a little before popping his head up and looking around.

“Waking up sleepy head?” Shisui taunts a bit but Sasuke ignores him entirely as he scans the room.

The only ones there are Shisui, Kakashi-sensei, his Mom and Obito.

His mother sees him searching and a look crosses her face before she tells him.

“Your father isn't here Sasuke.”

“hn.” is all he says in response, which causes both Shisui and Obito to snort a laugh.

“Perhaps you'd like to go to your mother now Sasuke-kun?” Kakashi asks and Sasuke contemplates getting out of the mans nice warm arms for a minute before deciding that his mom can protect his tiny defenseless body if anything happens.

He remembers her fury when he was held by Danzo.

Kakashi's whole body sags in relief when Sasuke reaches for his mom.

“Dad was mad.” he says and watches her amused smile drop off her face.

“Yes he was.”

“Am I in trouble?” he asks as he gets comfortable.

“No, you're not in trouble.” she answers and her smile seems a bit strained so Sasuke doesn't ask any more questions and instead snuggles further into his mothers arms letting the adults talk wash over him.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sasuke does not see his dad for weeks after that, in fact the only mention of him is mom saying, “Your fathers going to be away for a while, he has some growing to do.”

Sasuke is frankly relived.

Then he's distracted because Naruto is busy telling him about Tenten and Neji's day at school.

Chapter Text

Chapter 40

Itachi is packing for another mission and Sasuke is fretting. He doesn't like his brother being gone were he cant protect him.

“I'll be fine Otouto.”

“I know.” Sasuke answers but doesn't stop fretting.

Itachi simply gives him a small smile and a poke to his forehead before going out the door.

“Why don't you help me make dinner Sasuke?” his mother asks gently, Sasuke nods and heads back into the house, pulling a stool up to the counter. He cant wait until his big enough to see over the sink again.

…....

Itachi comes back INJURED!

Ok so its a small injury, a tiny scratch just above his eyebrow.

But it's still and Injury!

On HIS BROTHER!

“Clam down Otouto.” Itachi says gently.

He's agreed to let Sasuke and Naruto tend to it so they're all sitting on the porch.

Naruto fetched water and a rag, Sasuke got the nin kit from under the bathroom sink.

“I am calm.” he half snaps at his big brother, gently tapping the rag against the slightly red cut.

“I don't think you are Sasuke.” is Naruto's not so helpful contribution.

“No one asked you dobe.”

“No one needed to.”

Sasuke decides he's done cleaning the cut and throws the rag in Naruto's face.

This naturally results in the water being thrown at Sasuke and well...Sasuke may have a few more scratches than Itachi after they're through fighting.

At least His injuries didn't come from an enemy.

Chapter Text

Chapter 41

His dad is back home.

Sasuke isn't sure how to feel about this.

Fugaku doesn't look like he knows how to feel about it either.

The man fumbles his way through an apology and then awkwardly asks about Sasuke's day.

Sasuke squints at him suspiciously, “Are you really my dad?”

Fugaku heaves a sigh, “I suppose I deserve that. Why don't the two of us sit on the porch and you can tell me about what you've been up to?”

Sasuke doesn't think his dad ever tried like this before so he agrees.

It's surprisingly nice to chat with the man Sasuke never really got to know.

In the end he's still a little weary but kind of hopeful he can have a relationship with the man.

But then his dad has to go and ruin it by telling Sasuke that he cant actually marry Sakura.

“I know you think you love her but I'm sure you'll find a nice clan girl to get along with.”

“But why does it have to be a clan girl?”

“Because the Uchiha carry the sharingan and the eyes are more important to the clan. We cannot simply let an outsider have access to them.”

Sasuke scowls at this but nods his head to show he understands.

…......................................

Later Shisui and Itachi come across him with a medic scroll nearly twice his size, and ask what he's doing.

“I'm researching eyes” he replies not looking away from a diagram on the page.

“I'm almost scared to ask, but why little cousin?"

“So I can give mine to dad and get a new pair, then I can marry Sakura since dad and the clan can still have the eyes” Itachi and Shisui stand there in silence for a while until Sasuke turns to them,

“Do you think Sakura would like me with blue eyes?” he wonders if he can talk Naruto out of his.

“There's no need to worry about that Otouto when I'm clan head I'll allow you to marry whoever you want.” Itachi answers calmly but both he and Shisui are looking a little pale. Sasuke wonders if they're getting enough sun lately.

“Really? Your the best brother ever!” He exclaims.

Strangely Sasuke cant seem to find the medic scroll after that, maybe Itachi borrowed it. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 42

Sasuke learns from Neji and Tenten that there are not any medical classes in the academy. He's rather stunned and insulted by this.

It needs to be fixed.

And Sasuke knows just who he can go to for help.

….......

Shikaku has nightmares about the tiny Uchiha toddler walking into his office these days.

Unfortunately he can't wake up from this one.

“How may I help you Uchiha-kun.” he asks with a calm he most certainly does not feel.

(Please don't let this be about bringing back the dead or fighting a shinigami or anything related to another bend in reality please. His psych cant take much more,)

“The Academy doesn't teach medical.” the tiny one states as he props up onto his favorite chair arm.

Shikaku leans back and waits for whatever instructions or quest is about to be sent his way.

….............

Which is how Shikaku finds himself traipsing across the nations with a small blond in tow looking for Tsunade of the sanin.

The tiny bringer of chaos had suggested brining Naruto Uzumaki to persuade her and while Shikaku thought the idea was crazy he has learned that nothing is too crazy where Sasuke Uchiha is concerned. (just look at Root)

The fact that he is sitting in a bar with a very strong drink as the tiny blond talks to the bigger angrier blond is proof enough that it wasn't as crazy of a plan as he thought.

“-and Hinata's little sibling hurt her mama, but the baby didn't mean too. So she wants to make sure that cant happen again but the academy doesn't have med classes. Neji and Ten-ten said so! It made Sasuke upset-”

Yeah the little Uchiha was upset enough to go to Shikaku to fix the problem. Absently he takes another sip of his drink wondering how he became the person to go to for fixing things. He should have run the first time the tiny bringer of chaos appeared in his office doorway.

….....................

Shikaku wakes up with a terrible hangover, and a toddler excitedly telling him about the nice Oba-san that's gonna come teach them 'medy nin stuff'.

Chapter Text

Chapter 43

Sakura watches Sasuke run up another tree as Kiba barks his victory at the bottom. Biting her lip Sakura decides she's going to go rescue him again. The only way she's gonna get better at her punches after all is if she practices.

And Kiba doesn't seem to mind if she practices on him, neither does Naruto but he's out on some mission to get a medic ninja that Sasuke said was super important.

Maybe someday Sakura can protect Sasuke from more than just Kiba chasing him up trees. Maybe someday Sakura can protect him from the people that kidnapped him.

A day dream pops up in her head about carrying Sasuke to safety with a building collapses behind them. She gives a little happy sigh as Kiba sees her coming.

Its such a shame Sasuke doesn't like playing the captured princess, Sakura could really get some practice in that way.

After scaring Kiba away she turns to look up the tree “Are you ok Sasuke?” she asks politely.

“Yeah just let me get down.”

“Why don't you jump? I'll catch you.” she promises. She saw it on the tv with her parents yesterday where the princess jumped out the window into the princes arms. Her mom had said how it was so romantic and Sakura had wanted to try it. How hard could catching Sasuke be anyway?

“Are you sure?” Sasuke asks and Sakura nods before holding her hands out ready to sweep him into her arms.

However, instead of the soft scene that played out in the movie Sakura finds herself hitting the ground hard. Her head bounces on the grass as Sasukes hits her shoulder, her elbows both feel scraped and she's pretty sure Sasukes knee lands on her stomach.

“Ouch.”

Sakura bites her lip so she wont cry, if Kiba doesn't cry from a broken nose an Naruto doesn't cry from everything that happens to him she wont cry from this.

“Are you ok?” Sasuke asks as he gets off her. She cant help the sniffle that escapes.

“I'm sorry.” he says and Sakura feels tears rolling down her cheeks as Itachi-san and Yuki-san come rushing over.

They flutter a little around her and make sure she's ok and Itachi even uses the 'mystic palm' they read about to make sure she hasn't broken anything.

It isn't until she's calmed down and only a little achy that she realizes her nail polish got chipped. She'd just had her mom fix them yesterday with Ino and now there ruined.

She wants to cry all over again.

Maybe Yuki-san knows were she can get tougher nail polish. If she's gonna be a pretty dangerous Kunoichi who rescues Sasuke in the future she's gonna need nail polish that doesn't chip all the time.

Chapter Text

Chapter 44

Itachi watches his little brother race away to join the other children on the playground and tries not to pout.

A year ago his brother would have never left his side, and only wanted to play with Itachi. Now Sasuke has friends and a 'little brother' of his own in the Uzumaki boy.

“Still pouting Itachi-san?” the amused voice of Yuki Hyuga floats over to him.

“I do not pout.”

“Of course you don't.” the Hyuga woman teases gently and Itachi finds himself relaxing a bit in her presence. This is a woman who has no expectations of him except to protect, and Itachi will always protect his little brother.

Speaking if his little brother, it seems Sasuke is being tease by Inuzuka again. His usual enjoyment of watching his little brother get run up a tree is cut short by Haruno quickly dispatching the young Inzuna with a much improved punch. Then for some reason begins showing Sasuke her nails saying something about 'chip proof'.

Itachi tries not to be jealous of the pink haired girl but honestly Sasuke use to come to him for protection, now he seeks out her.

And while admittedly the girl is getting stronger she is not yet strong enough to take care of all Sasuke's enemy's.

Especially when half those would be enemies are in the Uchiha clan itself.

Itachi remembers the conversation he had with his mother while Sasuke was still in the hospital. His precious little brother gained his sharingan when he saw Naruto engulfed by the nin tails chakra. On top of that according to Naruto his little brother was able to spit a fire ball at Danzo himself.

Itachi and his mother are in full agreement that no one will be finding out about this, including his father. Perhaps especially his father. Although the mans attitude has changed for the better lately Itachi wonders if it might be too little too late.

A laugh from his little brother draws Itachi out of his suddenly dark mood and he look over at Sasuke who is now chasing the Inuzuka with his pink haired crush running beside him.

Yes Itachi thinks once again, he will do anything to protect his precious brother....anything.

Chapter Text

Chapter 45

Fugaku startles a bit as the alarm on his desk begins to ring.

He quickly turns it off and pulls on his coat, locking his office and setting the traps before heading home. He has a second chance with his youngest and he's trying hard not to mess it up.

Its his turn to walk Sasuke to the academy today to meet his friends after school.

How his youngest turned out to be a social butterfly is baffling to him. The Uchiha are not sociable, for sage sake even Shisui only has three people outside the clan he considers solid allies.

It's even more baffling that most of Sasuke's friends contain other clan children, especially those Hyuga. He knows the clans have come to an agreement lately but he thought it was more of a neutrality pack than an intermingling.

He finds his youngest sitting on the porch with a large medical scroll sitting in front of him. Ah that's right Sasuke had taken an entrust in healing. Its not the profession Fugaku would have chosen for his son but both Mikoto and Itachi have made it very clear he is not to discourage the boy.

“Sasuke.” he calls to gain the boys attention.

“Tou-san?”

“We should leave now if we're going to meet your friends when they get out of the academy”

“hn”

At least the boy understands some subtexts of the Uchiha dialect.

On the walk Fugaku asks a list of questions that Mikoto cleared beforehand. He and his wife have had long talks about what it means to be a Father and what it means to be a Clan head. Fugaku has found himself lacking in the former quite a bit. But the first step is confronting your flaws, the next step is fixing them. (at least that's what his Yamanaka therapist has been telling him)

Half-way to the academy they meet the Aburame boy who gives Fugaku a nod before falling into step with Sasuke. Fugaku returns the nod to the boy and sends one to the nearby caretaker.

Fugaku is grateful that at least one of Sasuke's friends doesn't enjoy an overabundance of verbal communication.

He sends Amaterasu a prayer of thanks that the blonde haired brat is away on some kind of mission for the next week.

Chapter Text

Chapter 46

Sasuke and his friends are crowded at the gate when Naruto and company come home.

The blond is pulling two adults by the hand, one of them a very hung over Shikaku, the other a very sober Tsunade. Behind the trio is Shizune carrying Tonton, with a bemused expression on her face.

“Did you try to out drink Tsunade?” he asks his favorite Nara after he extracts himself from Naruto's death hug of a greeting.

Shikaku just groans and lays down on the nearest bench.

Sasuke decides to double check the Nara is ok and slowly walks through the hand signs for the mystic palm jutsu. Unfortunately between his too chubby fingers and his low child sixed chakra reserves he only gets a sputter of green and then nothing.

Sasuke pouts at his hands when Itachi gently nudges him, “Let me try Otoutou.” his brother says before gently running the mystic palm over Shikaku's head.

“Not bad brats, though the mystic palm might be out of your range for now short stack.” A familiar voice says behind them.

“I'm not short.” Sasuke protests despite not yet coming up to Tsunades hip.

“Sure you're not kid.” she answers and turns to Itachi, “Who's been teaching you?”

“I've been asking for lessons from anyone willing to teach me, Sasuke and his friends are very willing to learn but not many want to teach ones so young.” his brother answers.

“And you do?” Tsunade asks with a raised eyebrow and folded arms.

“I have found it quite enjoyable, both learning and teaching.” his brothers answers softly.

With a huff she says, "You'll make a great sensei kid.”

Sasuke decides to take that as a complement to his brother but just in case, “Nii-san is the best sensei.” he tells her and all his friends quickly add their agreement at various volumes.

The Sanin snorts at them all, “I cant believe I agreed to this.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 47

When Shikaku finally recovers from his hangover he finds himself sitting behind the Hokage desk with a very much unwanted hat on his head and a stack of papers in front of him.

He decides this is all Sasuke's fault, or Naruto's, either will do.

He also decides that he can now order other people to deal with the messes the little chaos bringer and his troublesome sidekick get into.

8888888888888888

Sasuke is happily skipping alongside his brother as they head to the Hokages office. Shikaku had been instated on Tsunade's recommendation and even agreed to teach medic classes for him.

The future is changing and Sasuke couldn't be happier, sure Zetsu is still out there, but his clan is alive, his brother is as mentally well as he can be, Danzo is dead, Obito is home and Tsunade is in village earlier than expected.

He swans up to the secretary desk and politely asks the lady if she'll let Shikaku know that Sasuke Uchiha and his brother are here.

Sasuke would have come alone but Itachi found out were he was going and decided to tag along, not that Sasuke minds of course. He's always happy to spend time with his big brother.

The secretary gives them a polite but confused smile and does as asked.

Sasuke can hear the 'thud' of Shikaku's head hitting the desk. Its a very distinct sound.

The lady comes back out looking even more confused but still gives them a polite smile before saying, “The Hokage will see you now.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 48

Shikaku lifts his head as two sets of foot steps make there way into his office.

He's a little surprised to see Itachi with his brother, but maybe the new office changes things. Still he should probably clarify.

“Do I need to send the Anbu away?” he asks the shorter of the two.

“That's up to you.” Sasuke replies as he starts investigating the office, there are no arm chairs to sit on in here. Shikaku wonders if he should have the one brought over from his old office for the little boy.

Shikaku debates about the Anbu but either way it will be troublesome to deal with so he simply lets them stay.

Sasuke settles himself on the corner of the Hokage's desk once again swinging his legs like the child he pretends to be and not like the unholy terror of Shikaku's nightmares that he actually is.

“What can I do for you Sasuke-kun?”

“I want to reserve Kakashi Hatake as my jonin-sensi.”

“You haven't entered the academy yet have you?”

“Nope but were gonna get through it fast”

“We?”

“Me and my friends, though Naruto will need a bit of help”

“You want to be on a genin team with Naruto Uzumaki?”

“Yeah and Sakura”

“I can make that happen”

“You're the best Hokage-sama.”

“ugh I hate that title, any ideas for who to teach your other friends?”

“hmmm Ino-shika-cho would do good under Asuma Sarutobi.”

“That would actually be a good political move and possibly give the Sarutobi clan some clout they lost with Hiruzens dumb decisions in council members. Anyone else?”

“Hinata, Kiba and Shino will make a great tracker team, they had Kurenai but a Uchiha could work too.”

Shikaku blinks at the 'Had Kurenai' and lets that information slot into the Seer column.

“Ok what about the last two? Neji and Tenten?”

“We have to wait for someone first, I haven't found him yet.”

“Do I get to know who it is?”

Sasuke gives him a cute little smile and shakes his head.

Shikaku decides its not his problem until Sasuke makes it his problem...and then he's going to make it someone else's problem as fast as possible.

Chapter Text

Chapter 49

Itachi watches his brother casually talk with the Hokage and takes quick mental notes of everything.

Shikaku is exasperated but not truly surprised at anything his brother brings up. The man is willing to believe what Sasuke is telling him.

The man is willing to reserve ANBU Hound, an S-rank shinobi for his baby brother upon request for Amaterasu sake. 

Just when did Sasuke have time to built a rapport with the ex-jonin commander?

Suddenly somethings start adding up.

The Uchiha collaborating with the Nara.

Danzo's downfall.

Tsunade of the Sanin coming back to the village.

Itachi mentally catalogs the conversation between his little brother and the Hokage while dealing with the implications of what this new revelation means.

It doesn't take long before Sasuke is trotting back out the door and Itachi follows on his brothers heels.

“Sasuke?”

“hn?”

“You activated your Sharingan before your kidnapping didn't you?”

“Yep”

“Was it active before you saved Hinata-himi?”

“Yep”

“I see....do you need any more help with the future?”

Sasuke looks up at him and cocks his head to the side, “hmmm not right now but maybe in a few weeks?”

“Of course, let me know how I can help.”

“Your the best Ni-chan Ever!” his little brother responds using his tiny arms to drag Itachi into a hug.

Itachi feels his lips twitch into a smile.

Seer or not Sasuke is still his little brother and Itachi will do anything to keep him safe

Chapter Text

Chapter 50

Anbu Hound is sitting in the darkened corner of the Hokage's office watching as Shikaku bemoans the amount of paperwork in front of him.

Well, better Shikaku than him at least. Nothing on this earth could make Kakashi take that hat. And Shikaku will do a fine job at it. The man made a great jonin commander after all.

Hound looks to the door when it opens to let the secretary in.

“Ah Hokage-sama, there is Sasuke and Itachi Uchiha here to see you.”

Shikakus head hitting the desk is a bit alarming but the groan the man lets out is nothing but exasperation.

“Let them in.”

“umm of course Hokage-sama”

Hound feels his amusement bubble as the little Uchiha waltzes in the room.

“Do I need to send the Anbu away?” Shikaku asks and it makes Hound tense.

Why would he send the Anbu away?

“Thats up to you” the younger of the two Uchihas replies and Hound is now especially curious.

Thankfully for his curiosity the new hokage doesn't send them away. Instead he focuses on the little Uchiha now sitting on the corner of his desk swinging his chubby little feet.

“What can I do for you Sasuke-kun?” Shikaku asks, and the little Uchiha replies.

“I want to reserve Kakashi Hatake as my jonin-sensi.”

Hound instantly tries to break the genjutsu he has clearly been put under but nope... nothing... nada.

He tries again because there is no way the Hokage just agreed to reserve him for a genin team consisting of Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno.

There is absolutely no way the man just agreed to reserve him for a genin team consisting of the Uchiha clan head son, the jinchuriki and the civilian girl gaining a reputation.

Nope

This has got to be a genjutsu ….or a bad dream. Totally a bad dream nope, this is not real.

Once the two Uchiha leave the office Sparrow leans into his space, “Did our Hokage just pimp out an S-rank Jonin to the Uchiha kid?”

Hound will deny the high pitch panic noise he makes at that til his dyeing day.

Chapter Text

Chapter 51

It's three days later that Sasuke spots a familiar figure heading out of the academy during there typical meet ups.

“Who's that?” Sasuke asks Tenten, nodding at the retreating figure who is walking alone.

“Oh that's Rock Lee. A lot of people don't like him. They say his chakras all messed up so he cant be a ninja.”

“hn” is Sasuke's response as he watches the familiar figure fade away.

“They're wrong about him.” he adds before turning back to the group.

Two days later Tenten and Neji introduce the group to a new member.

Sasuke sees his chance and immediately tells Kiba that Lee is obviously faster than him.

This results in two things.

One, Kiba, and Lee are now in a rival/friendship with one another.

Two Sasuke no longer has to be worried about being chased up another dang tree.

Sasuke congratulates himself on his amazing success.

…......

Shikaku stares at the paperwork on his desk and then to the village elders coming into his office without invite or permission and wonders which of the two is a lesser evil.

He needs these elders out of his office and occupied with something so that they cant interfere with his clean up of the thirds mess.

Hmmmm Shikaku looks at the paperwork then at the Elders approaching his desk. How did Mikoto say she did this again? Ah yes, start with a smile.

“Ah excellent timing by the Old Council, there are several matters to attend to today for the good of the village that must be addressed promptly.” he says and can feel his smile grow as they twitch.

He's not sure if the twitch is because he's 'clearly happy' to see them or if its because he called them the 'old council' instead of the 'elder council' either way that twitch is a win in Shikaku's books.

Shikaku internally pats himself on the back for his success.

Chapter Text

Chapter 52

Sasuke tugs at his brothers hand trying to pull him faster to the meeting zone. Tsunade-sama herself had agreed to teach his group and Sasuke cant wait to get started.

They are the forth to arrive, it looks like Sakura, Tenten and Shino are all here.

Naruto will probably come in late with Kiba since he spent the night at the Inuzuka compound but everyone else should filter in soon.

He sits next to Sakura and gives her a small smile in greeting but doesn't interrupt tenten's story about the customer that come in the shop the other day. He sends a nod Shino's way and receives one in return then decides to enjoy the relative quiet before the rest of his people show up.

-------------------------------------

Tsunade looks at all the chattering children who barely come up to her waist and wonders how she got talked in to this.

Then she sees the bright blonde hair and remembers exactly how.

She's not sure if that makes it any better.

Well at least she has Shizuna to help her control the 'class'.

With a deep sigh she stomps on the ground just enough to make a few cracks and call all their attention.

“ALRIGHT BRATS LISTEN UP ITS TIME TO STARTED!”

Chapter Text

Chapter 53

Fugaku sighs with relief when his alarm to pick up Sasuke goes off. The group of elders in front of him however don't even pause to take a breath.

Fugaku starts packing away his things, ignoring the elders just as they'd ignored his attempts to end this 'meeting' three hours ago.

“We are not finished here Fugaku.” Elder Yumi snaps with a scowl. The woman may have been pretty in her youth but all Fugaku can see is an old hag.

Fugaku steels his spine and his nerves and stares her in the eyes, a very bold move against the woman known for tearing enemy minds apart.

“You may not be done Elder but I am.” he sweeps out setting his traps and conveniently trapping the Elders there as well. He's sure they'll get out eventually but his patients is near none existent right now and he really truly needs a break.

Relations are improving with the other clans, the police force is building a reputation that others respect, Fugaku himself occasionally has the ear of the Hokage.

WHAT MORE COULD THESE BLASTED OLD WINDBAGS STILL WANT!!!?

Because apparently todays, very much unwanted, meeting was about the coup. The coup they still want to enact despite all the changes in the village.

Despite all the progress the clan has made.

It's frustrating because now all Fugaku can see is unfeeling Elders trying to grab for every bit of power they can get. It doesn't matter who gets hurt along the way, even if those who hurt are the clan.

Because that's what they want. They want to use the clan. They want to use Fugaku sons.

His Itachi. His Eldest. His little genius, that Fugaku is just now learning has a soft soul.

His Sauke. His youngest. His little social butterfly that Fugaku is finally getting to know.

The Elders want to use his sons.....Fugaku wont let them.

Chapter Text

Chapter 54

Sasuke sees his Father at the corner of the training field and has to do a double take.

His father is here.

That was very unexpected.

Had his Father ever come to pick him up if Itachi wasn't right there with him?

Sasuke is pretty sure the answer is no.

But there his is standing in his police uniform with his arms crossed having a conversation with the Yamanaka clan head.

Ok to be fair the Yamanaka is talking and his father is simply nodding along but he's looking in the mans general direction which for his dad is basically being fully engaged in a conversation.

Sasuke takes a few seconds to enjoy the novelty that his father might actually be making friends.

Then waves good bye to his own friends before walking to his fathers side.

“Tou-san.” he calls in delight.

“Sasuke.” is the simple reply before his father starts walking away. After a few steps he pauses and turns back, “Did you have a good day?”

Sasuke's smile may not be as big a Naruto's but he's practically beaming at his fathers attention.

“It was great. Tsunade-sama started the lesson by cracking the ground.”

“....I see.” his father replies eyeing the cracks along the edge of the training ground where Tsunade first started the lesson.

Sasuke takes that encouragment and babbles all the way home. Usually he has Naruto to bounce off of but his Father has gotten much better at gently encouraging the conversation along.

And by that Sasuke mostly means his Father either gives a hmm sounding like a question or asks' “And then what happened?”

Its pretty thrilling, Sasuke walks into the house ecstatic about his wonderful day.

8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

Fugaku wonders if all children are chatter boxes like this when you treat them like a person?

Is Itachi like this when he isn't being treated like the clan heir and salvation of the Uchiha?

Or is Sasuke just an odd one for their clan?

Fugaku makes another encouraging hmm that Mikoto had him practice for a week and listens as Sasuke continues to list all the virtue's of the Lady Senju.

Its pretty intimidating, Fugaku walks into the house trying to make since of what has happened to his day.

Chapter Text

Chapter 55

Its another glorious park day and Sasuke is absolutely giddy with delight. Not only is his brother joining them by playing a nobleman looking for his kidnapped lover, but Shisui has been dragged in as well.

His cousin is currently up a tree surrounded by Kiba, Lee and Naruto as enemy guards. His role is the kidnapped damsel and Sasuke is loving this.

Shisui not so much, but tough tomatoes. Shisui is not allowed out of the tree until the rescue party gets him down, and you best believe Sasuke has been delaying that rescue.

Sadly Ino notices there is a traitor in there number and the game takes a side turn where Sasuke tries to throw them off his tail by shifting blame to Neji.

This does not work well and Sasuke is soon tied up and 'killed'.

He pouts a bit but willingly goes to join there designated Hyuga adult on the near by bench.

“Hello Yuri-sama.” He greets with a happy chirp and flops on the bench beside her.

“Hello Sasuke-kun, are you tired of playing?”

“No I got killed for sabotaging the mission”

“Oh? Why would you do something like that?”

“Because Shisui is the Damsel and should not be rescued.” he answers in full honesty and smiles when she gives a startled laugh at that admission.

He's going to add something else when a familiar figure walking up catches his attention.

“Tou-san? What are you doing here?”

“I was here to pick you up.” his father answers but something about his body language is just off. Not to mention today is Itachi's day at the park pick up and they have another hour before its over.

Sasuke squints at the man suspiciously, “Tou-san, what was the first day I brought Naruto home?”

His father blinks, opens his mouth a bit then closes it and blinks again.

“I have no idea.” the man admits honestly and Sasuke nods.

“Hey Yuki-sama can you scan Tou-san with your Byakugan please?”

His Father realizes that Sasuke is questioning his identity and reaches up to pinch the bridge of his nose.

“Honestly Sasuke, it's me. My office was invaded by the Elders and I needed an excuse to leave.”

“Oh, they've been doing that a lot lately.”

“Yes, yes they have.” His Fathers voice is rather dark as he says this but Sasuke is suddenly distracted by Shisui 'escaping' with Ino's team and tripping over Naruto to land flat on his face.

Sasuke laughs loud and long at this and even spots his fathers lip twitch into a smile at the sight.

Yeah todays gonna go down as a very good day.

Chapter Text

Chapter 56

Sasuke walks contently between his brother and Father as they all head home. He has one hand holding his fathers hand and his other hand holding Itachi's hand. And the only thing that could make this better was if his mom showed up with some tomatoes.

As they walk Itachi and Father have a discussion about the elders and the issues they are causing.

“It's to bad they cant all just die in a accident and make life easier.” Sasuke says out loud thinking how the only good thing that ever came out of the massacre was that he never had to deal with those old wind bags.

Itachi gives him a look out of the corner of his eye, “An accident you say?”

“Yeah, an accident with a kuni, or you know, a fireball.” he says not mentioning the anbu blade he's 98% sure his brother used to kill those windbags with.

“If only.” he father says with a wistful sigh and Sasuke thinks this is the first time all three of then have ever gotten along so well.

Hmm Maybe Sasuke should do something about those elders.

He cant sic his Nara on them, it would be in bad taste to have the Hokage discipline inner clan issues.

He cant deal with them himself, he's still to small and unskilled.

He's weary about using his brother to handle them, that might cause a division in the clan.

Sasuke looks at his Father in contemplation.

What if the clan head was the one to deal with them? Permanently. 

It has merit and few cons but how to get Fugaku to agree?

Chapter Text

Chapter 57

Itachi is sitting on the porch enjoying the last rays of sunshine when his little brother pokes his head out of the house.

“Aniki?” he calls softly looking about.

“Im here Otouto.” says back from the shadow he's sitting in. He feels his lips twitch into a smile when his brother jumps a bit.

Then Sasuke smiles at him and shuffles over to sit at his side.

Itachi basks in the easy affection for a moment as his brother settles in to lean against him.

“Aniki did you mean it when you said you'd help me change the future?”

Ah Itachi was wondering when his brother would ask. He's been half anticipating it for a while now and its almost a relief that he might be of some use to his little brother.

“Of course otouto, always.” he says and means it.

“I need a way to make Tou-san get ride of the clan elders.”

“I could take care of them for you.”

“No it has to be Tou-san. That's the safest outcome.”

Well that makes things a little difficult, but his brother knows best as the one who can see the future after all.

But getting Father to agree will be …..hmm maybe not as hard as he thought. The discussion from the other day comes to mind.

How Father had been wistful when Sasuke mentioned an 'accident'. How when they had gotten home Father had pulled him aside and asked him to keep a close eye on his brother (like Itachi needed his Father to ask such a thing).

“I will talk with Tou-san.” Itachi tells his little brother and then watches as Sasuke slumps a bit in relief.

Itachi is once again struck by the thought that he would do anything for his little brother.

He would have killed the elders for him without thought, he would have killed his own Father if Sasuke was in danger from the man.

Itachi might even massacre his own clan if he thought it would keep his little brother safe.

Chapter Text

Chapter 58

Fugaku tries valiantly not to panic as Itachi lays out plan after plan to kill off a few key Elders and discredit a few others.

His eldest is standing in his office with spinning red eye and murder on his face. (He clearly takes after his Mother.)

“Tou-san, something must be done about the Elders who still push for a coup. They will destroy us to gain even an inch more power and I fear for what will happen to Sasuke and the rest of the clan.”

Fugaku takes ten solid seconds to breath and then, “Agreed Itachi...agreed.”

A clan head would never allow such a thing....a Father however would allow nothing less.

So Fugaku sits in his office and plots the murder of his own clansmen with his eldest son to protect his youngest.

Three weeks later, the elders barge into his office interrupting a 'sealing lesson' he and Itachi are having.

Naturally such things are dangerous and of course an incomplete seal is 'accidentally' set off. There is fire, there is screaming, there is flying kunai from startled ninja, and sadly the Elders are not as quick and spry as they once were.

This results in four deaths, three with major injuries and two with minor ones. But not a single elder got away unscathed.

Chapter Text

Chapter 59

Sasuke walks around the Yamanaka flower shop helping Naruto pick out the most obnoxious orange flowers that he can.

His mother is taking them to meet Obito today and Naruto is particularly excited about it and wanted to bring Obito more orange flowers like last time.

Sasuke is pretty sure the reason for their visit is to tell Obito about the 'accident' in the uchiha compound. Not that the man would care of course, Sasuke sure doesn't.

They get assess to Obitos room after a quick check over by the guards.

“He's been a bit agitated lately, hopefully a visit from family will calm him down.” one of the chunin guards tells his mother and Sasuke wonders if he might have to find a way to kill Obito before the man can kill the rest of them.

Then all thoughts of such things fly from his head because right there sitting in the open window is none other than-

“KAKASHI-SENSEI!”

Said man nearly falls out the window as Sasuke darts over to him.

“Sensei?” he hears cousin Obito ask with bewilderment.

Sasuke doesn't bother answering as he tries to get Kakashi-sensei to pick him up. Sasuke knows it might take a while considering last time so he just leans against the man and holds his arms up.

“I think Sasuke would like for you to pick him up Kakashi-san.” his mom says and Sasuke sends her a mental thanks for giving the man some guidance.

“maa..umm ok.” Kakashi says and very gingerly picks Sasuke up. Sasuke rolls his eyes at the man. He's not that fragile.

Sasuke makes himself comfortably and turns to face the room were Naruto has made himself comfortable at the foot of Obitos hospital bed.

“How come you get a sensei?” the blonde asks with a little pout.

“He's our sensei baka, or at least he will be when we graduate.” he tells his little brother and watches as the blondes face lights up.

“Really?!”

“Yep! Were gonna be on a team with Sakura and Kakashi-sensei will be our sensei. I already got permission from the Hokage and everything.”

“YIPPY” the blonde exclaims and Sasuke smiles as he feels Kakashi's arms relax around him.

His team is going to be perfect.

Chapter Text

Chapter 60

This team is going to be a disaster Kakashi thinks as he sags in defeat. There's no getting around this is there.

He's tried avoiding any mention of his future genin team since that day and had no luck.

Shikaku actually summoned him to his office to give him the news, despite knowing Kakashi was Hound at the time of the Uchiha's impromptu meeting.

The Hokage even gave him three books on child care and teaching for sages sake.

Tenzo had heard from Sparrow and came the next day to pry all the details out of Kakashi himself, using a combination of puppy eyes (which was terrifying) and soft interrogation techniques (which was honestly kind of expected).

When that didn't work Tenzo had threatened to tell Gai and well... Kakashi caved.

Kakashi ended up going in a half panicked rant about it to his kohai and got a consolation pat on the back at the end. (while Tenzo snickered behind his hand.)

Kakashi has no idea how he's going to handle-

1- a little girl that's main goal is to break a boulder with her fist before her next birthday.

2- his sensei's son that is the current jinchuriki and unofficial ward of the Uchiha.

3- the second son of the Uchiha clan head, Itachi's little brother and Shikaku's greatest nightmare (admitted so by the Hokage himself)

Frankly its looking like Naruto might be the easiest one out of the three and that's TERRIFYING!

Chapter Text

Chapter 61

Obito is having a rough day. He misses Zetzu, he misses Madara, he misses RIN.

He wants to see her smile, wants to hear her laugh, wants to hold her hand again.

But he'll never be able to.

All because of Kakashi.

Kakashi who promised to take care of her but killer her instead.

Kakashi who is sitting in his window seal.

Kakashi wh-

A knock at the door drags Obito from his spiraling thoughts.

Looks like his Aunt is here with his little cousin and the jinchuriki.

Obito is about to open his mouth and tell his little cousin exactly what his little friend is when he's cut off by a happy cry of “KAKASHI-SENSEI!”

Wait... What?

Kakashi looks like he's trying to flee out the window as Sasuke scurries over to him and holds his arms up.

Is it just Obito or does Kakashi look a little wild around the eyes right now?

“Sensei?” he cant help but ask, but goes completely ignored by his little cousin as his Aunt helps the little blonde onto the foot of his bed.

“I think Sasuke would like for you to pick him up Kakashi-san.” his aunt says and Obito swears that is a sadistic smile on her face as she stares at Kakashi expectantly.

“maa..umm ok.” his old team mate replies and handles the kid with more caution than he gives an exploding tag.

His little cousin clearly doesn't find this sufficient and wiggles himself around while rearranging Kakashi's arms to his liking.

“How come you get a sensei?” the blonde asks with a little pout.

“He's our sensei baka, or at least he will be when we graduate.”

“Really?!” Obito can see Kakashi wince at that.

“Yep! Were gonna be on a team with Sakura and Kakashi-sensei will be our sensei. I already got permission from the Hokage and everything.”

“YIPPY” the blonde exclaims and Sasuke smiles this soft little smile as Kakashi looks like he's resigned himself to his own death.

Obitos day is suddenly looking great, he wont even need to plan revenge against Kakashi cause karma clearly has that covered already.

Chapter Text

Chapter 62

Sasuke wakes up in an uncomfortable position and tries to shift but finds he can't.

“I think he's awake.” an unfamiliar voice says and Sasuke is on immediate alert.

The second he opens his eyes he knows he's in trouble. Not just because he's kidnapped either, but because he's been kidnapped by a group of grown men wearing Sound Headbands.

“What do you want?” he growls at them only for the biggest man to laugh at him and the smallest man to coo.

“Aren't you just adorable when you try to be intimidating.” Sasuke corrects himself, it appears the smallest man is in fact a woman.

A woman who is trying to pinch Sasuke's cheeks!

Sasuke twists he head just far enough to snap at her incoming fingers with the ferocity of Kurama.

The woman coos again.

Sasuke can feel himself bristling at the sound.

Sasuke was once a feared S-rank who faced a goddess more powerful than a bijuu.

HE IS NOT SOMETHING TO COO OVER!!!!

With a wiggle and a lunge Sasuke snaps his teeth over two of her fingers and tastes' a split second of blood before a sharp pain blooms on the side of his face as his body is flung sideways.

“YOU LITTLE BRAT!!” the woman yells clutching her bleeding hand as Sasuke reals on the ground.

His face hurts.

Sasuke feels tears gathering in his eyes but refuses to let them fall.

“Hey! Kikio be careful! Orochimaru-sama wants the little Prophet in one piece!” the big guys yells before striding toward Sasuke and picking him up by his bound arms.

“The little brat bit me!”

“I'd have bit more than your fingers if you were doing that to me. Now fix his face before Orochimaru-sama sees it.”

Sasuke is busy blinking his now blurry eyes and cant help the startles yelp that comes out when a cold hand grabs his injured cheek. He feels it the second her palms light green and absently notes that her technique could use some work.

But tosses the thought aside as something accurse to him.

His family knows he's missing. His Father, his mother and most importantly his brother know he's missing.

Sasuke turns to his kidnappers once the green washes away.

“You're all gonna die.” he states in the most dead pan tone he can.

Chapter Text

Chapter 63

Mikoto is livid as she limps her way to the Hokages office on a still healing leg.

She'd thought it was safe now with the Elders gone. Thought she could let her guard down and not worry about some powerful old koot trying to use her children.

Thought the path to the clan grounds was nothing to worry about in her own village.

Clearly she was wrong.

But when she finds the ninja that flung an exploding tag at her using a bread basket as cover to snatch her baby she is going to rip their head from their shoulders and mount the thing on a pike.

The dang tag took out three buildings and nearly took off Mikoto's left leg. Tsunade-sama wasn't even done healing it when Mikoto left the hospital to go join the hunting party gathering in the Hokages office.

The silly little secretary starts to intercept her but one red eyed glare has the woman sitting back in her seat quickly.

Mikoto makes no announcement for herself as she opens the door and closes it behind her. She slips over to the right side of the room were her husband and eldest son are standing.

Fugaku looks her over for injures and quirks an eye at the bandage around her leg, but says nothing.

Itachi, sweet darling boy that he is, looks like he wants to protest for a moment but then looks her in the eyes and nods.

Nara-sama takes a look at all of them and rolls his eyes while muttering troublesome under his breath but does not forbid her joining the hunting-ah hem- rescue party.

ANBU Hound and ANBU Cat are assigned to them for tracking and a back up team will follow.

But the second the Hokage clears them to go Mikoto is out the door dodging Hounds heels.

Chapter Text

Chapter 64

Fugaku is three paces behind his wife as they set out to find his youngest sons kidnapers.

Whoever they are he hopes Mikoto finds them first, because between the two of them she's the one with far less mercy and far more creativity.

Clearly Itachi favors his mother in that regard, Fugaku mentally adds as he thinks about Itachi's solution to the clan elders hounding's.

He glances to the side to take in Itachi's blank expression and determined stride before focusing back on his wife and her murder strut.

He'd forgotten how amazing she looked when she was set to kill. But now is not the time to indulge in renewed appreciation of his wife.

With Hound leading the way its not long until they find the trail but the traps left behind and the misdirection's throw them off for half a day.

By that time the back up team has arrived and Fugaku is only mildly surprised to see two Hyuga, an Aburame, a Nara and a Yamanaka among the small group of Uchiha Officers that join them.

Clearly his sons social butterfly tendencies are paying off.

When they do finally catch up to the group of unfortunate kidnappers Fugaku takes a step back and to the side to cover Itachi and Mikoto's rear flank.

He has a few seconds to appreciate the terrifying graceful sight of the two of them descending on the kidnapers like wraths for the dead before all chaos breaks loose and he must focus on fighting and finding his lost son.

Chapter Text

Chapter 65

Kakashi is only mildly terrified when the Hokage assigns him to help the Uchiha main family track down their youngest.

He knows it's not a good political move to let all the main family out of the gates at one time just in case none of them come back. But he'd seen the looks in their eyes and knew that it was not a good move for his own physical well being to mention any of that.

As long as they still had one main family Uchiha alive when they got back it would be fine.....probably.....not likely.

The longer it took to track down the kidnappers the more agitated the Uchihas become.

They don't do anything as obvious as twitch and fidget but the sharingan gives a very lazy spin in each of there glowing red eyes.

When the back up team arrives Kakashi almost feels like twitching himself, then he realizes there are Hyugga, Aburame, Nara and Yamanaka among the group of Uchiha who show up and allows his shoulders to flinch for a second.

He can see Cat do the same so he's not the only one that's a bit put off by so many major clans present.

Then they reach the kidnappers and Hound watches the main family Uchiha swoop in like a pack of wolves on injured prey and thanks the sage they're focus is on the enemy.

Of course that's when one of the idiot enemy ninja decides to grab little Sasuke and make a run for it.

Right at Hound.

Hound trips the man with ninja wire, grabs the kid while taking a kunai to the lower leg, and decapitates the enemy with his Anbu issued Katana.

“KAKASHI-SENSEI” the little Uchiha beams at him with his tiny little smile.

How this kids knows his ANBU identity is going to have to be answered later because Kakashi has a feeling of immanent death heading his way and swiftly turns holding the bound child like a misbehaving pup.

Itachi who is only a step behind him immediately snatches him away and sends Hound a death glare before turning softer eyes on his baby brother.

“Did they hurt you Otouto?”

“The lady tried to pinch my cheeks so I bit her.'

“oh?”

“Yeah and then she slapped me into a tree.”

“...oh?”

Yeah Kakashi is just gonna back away slowly now and hope the wild beast parading around as a protective older brother doesn't notice him.

Chapter Text

Chapter 66

Itachi has his little brother safety held in his arms as the rest of the Hunting party destroys those who tried to take his little brother.

It seems as if the kidnapers were prepared for a group of Uchiha but have little to no defense when it comes to the other konoha clans.

With a satisficed nod he leaves them to it and carried his brother away from the carnage.

He keeps an eye out for the Konoichi of the group but it appears his mother and the Hyggua are handling her, and very well at that.

He casts a quick genjutsu over Sasuke, his brother is far to innocent to see that much blood just yet.

Itachi makes a mental note to have a talk with Hokage Nara when he returns about joining village security. Clearly it is lacking.

With his brother in hand he heads over to the Yamanaka that introduced herself as a medic.

“Please check him over.” he asks.

“I'm fine Nii-san. But Kakashi-sensei got hit with a kunai you should patch him up first.”

Itachi does not twitch at his little brothers happy tone when he calls Hatake his sensei.

But he does send a glare the mans direction.

That happy revered tone use to belong to Itachi alone. He's not sure he wants to share.

What's so great about that guy anyway?

Chapter Text

Chapter 67

Shikaku takes one look at the Elders barging in past his secretary and gives in to his internal whim by letting his head fall against his very nice large desk and letting out a groan.

Unlike his adorable little Uchiha menace the Elder Council does not let him enjoy his moment of impulse.

“Raise your head.” Koharu snaps.

“Are you a man or a child.” Hanatora follows.

Three others pip up with varying responses and Shikaku just cant be bothered with them right now.

In fact he doesn't bother raising his head to even acknowledge the Elders existence, which seems to make them very irritated because instead of shutting up they just get louder.

“-shouldn't have let them all go. What will we do if the entire main family is killed?”

“Might be better-”

“-put them in their place. Are you the one in charge of this village or not-”

“-better when Hiruzen was in charge.”

“Will you sit up straight.”

And on it goes

Shikaku is very tempted to try the Uchiha trick of the 'accidental' exploding tag. Maybe then he'd get some peace.

Maybe he'll make a deal with the little nightmare parading around as a child and ask how to get rid of the Elders.

Actually that's a great plan. He'll have to wait until the Uchiha are done mother henning the poor kid but he's definitely going to ask.

With that thought he smiles and sits back up. The Elders look a bit weary at this action.

They should, their days are numbered now.

Chapter Text

Chapter 68

Sasuke gets absolutely smothered by his friends when they are finally let into the Uchiha compound (he already knows he's not leaving Uchiha approved areas until the whole village security has been properly over hauled to his mom and brothers standards)

Naruto cries on his shoulder again and even Kiba is a bit teary eyed as he rubs his face in Sasuke's neck. Sasuke allows the sent marking just this once because while he'll never admit it he's happy to see the dog boy as well.

But then all of them are playing and running and climbing trees and the tears are left behind.

Well, at least until he comes across Rock Lee frowning down at the ground.

With a little prodding and help from Ino's budding interrogation skills they find out that lee is bummed about not being able to use chakra.

The dumb adults at the academy are telling Lee he'll never be a ninja.

Sasuke will not let this stand.

“Hey Nii-san?” he calls to his brother.

“Yes Otouto?” is the immediate response.

“Can you do me a favor?”

“What is it Otouto?”

“Can you ask Kakashi-sensei to drop by soon?”

A brief look flashes across Itachi's face. If Sasuke didn't know better he might call the look annoyance.

“You wish to speak with Kakashi-san?” his brother asks and Sasuke nods trying to see what's wrong with asking for his sensei. Does his brother not like Kakashi?

Then with a sigh Itachi poke him in the forehead.

“I'll get him for you Otouto.”

“Thanks Ni-san, you're the best.” he says with a smile.

Chapter Text

Chapter 69

Kakashi is in Obito's hospital room wishing he had the courage to speak when a feeling of impending doom falls on his shoulders.

He almost thinks Obito is going to physically attack him again when a knock sounds at the door. Kakashi is only a little surprised to see Itachi standing in the door way.

“Forgive the intrusion cousin.” the boy says with a nod toward the bed, to which Obito only replies with a shrug.

“Kakashi-san.” Itachi says and those very intense eyes land directly on him. Ah, that's where the impending doom was coming from.

“Yes Itachi-san?” please don't let it be about Sasuke, please don't let it be about Sasuke please don't let-

“My little brother would like to speak with you.” he says in a tone that very much implies that Kakashi will be speaking with his little brother and very soon at that.

“Ah...of course Itachi-san.”

This only causes more intense staring. Kakashi would almost rather he turn on his sharingan at this point.

It is with great reluctance that Kakashi stands and heads to the door.

“Maa see you later Obito.” he says and gives his old team mate a half wave.

Obito snickers like he's enjoying Kakashi's suffering and gives him a wave back.

“bye bye Bakashi, see you later Itachi-kun.”

Well on the bright side if he dies by Itachi -i am the most extra over protective big brother- Uchiha then at least he dies on good terms with Obito.

Chapter Text

Chapter 70

Kakashi stares down at the group of tiny knee high ankle biters and blinks.

“I'm sorry you want what again?” he asks because he can not have heard that right.

“I want you to ask your friend Might Gai to train Rock lee....and Tenten and Neji later but for now just lee.” Sasuke says again standing at the head of the kiddy brigade.

Yeah that what Kakashi thought he's said.

“Are you sure about that?” Kakashi asks because really this is a nightmare waiting to happen.

“Yes.” is the answer and then all the little kiddies chime in and Kakashi looks around for some kind of support, preferably from an adult.

Unfortunately for him the only two are Itachi and Mikoto who are both looking at Sasuke and his band of tiny terrors with amused indulgence.

Yeah no help from either of them.

So it is with very very great reluctance that Kakashi goes to find his ….rival.

It goes even worse than Kakashi imagined.

Not only does the little Gai look-a-like adore him at first glance but now all the little kiddies are running and jumping around yelling about 'youth'.

“I'm gonna have nightmares.” Kakashi whispers in horror.

Beside him on the porch a very stoic Fugaku gives a weary nod in agreement.

…....

Sasuke is beginning to regret his choice of action about involving Might Gai so soon. Then he sees the looks on his Father and Sensei's faces and decides it is totally worth it.

Chapter Text

Chapter 71

Shikaku waits until three weeks after the kidnapping before he requests an audience with the littlest Uchiha.

He takes Anbu Hound and Cat with him and dismisses the rest as he enters Uchiha clan territory. Really at this point if someone tries to kill him he might just let them if it means he doesn't have to deal with inner village politics and paperwork again.

Sadly there are no assassination attempts before he gets to the clan heads house and he is greeted kindly and let inside by a very innocent smiling Mikoto.

He has heard the reports of what she did to the kidnappers, he doesn't believe that smile for a second.

It's not long before he finds himself in a comfy sitting room on a nice cushion with Sasuke and his brother sitting across from him. Mikoto leaves them with a few snacks and a nod to both Shikaku and the Anbu before she goes back to...whatever she was doing before he showed up.

“How can we help you Hokage-sama?” Itachi starts off while Shikaku's favorite nightmare is busy picking all the cherry tomatoes off the snack plate.

With a deep sigh Shikaku begins.

“I've come to ask for advice on how to control or eliminate the elder council with minimal damage to Konoha as a whole.”

He can see one of Itachi's eyebrows twitch upward, “And you think we have an answer for you?”

Shikaku only shrugs and looks to the little chaos being stuffing his face with shiny red cherry tomatoes.

Sasuke blinks at him and says, “Have you tried blackmail?”

Chapter Text

Chapter 72

“Blackmail?” Shikaku asks and Sasuke stuffs another tiny semi-sweet tomato in his mouth before answering.

“Yeah, blackmail them into retiring or doing some mildly important job or just to leave you alone.”

“And what would I blackmail them with exactly?”

Sasuke thinks a minute about all the things they found in the future and starts with.

“Well for one, at least half of those on the Elder council knew about Danzo, council woman Koharu was actually in charge of helping with acquiring food and weapons' for Root. Then there's the two old fat guys in charge of the merchants guild.”

“You mean Elder Kohaku and Elder Hitori?”

“That sounds right. Anyway, they take bribes and not little ones either.”

Sasuke spends the next hour telling Shiaku all he can remember about what was found after many of the Elders passing. Then has to back track because some of that stuff hasn't happened yet, but when he mentions that fact neither Shikaku or Itachi seem shocked.

Huh, guess Itachi told Shikaku he was from the future then.

“If all the blackmail stuff doesn't work you can always ask mom for help.” Sasuke adds and notices Shikaku twitch.

“Your mother?”

“Yeah Mom ran the Elders around in circles and still manages the last of them after, umm the accident.” Sasuke replies and darts a quick look at his brother.

He's not sure how many people know the accident wasn't really an accident but it should be safe to lightly imply it around Shikaku.

….......

Shikaku very much ignored the fact that the Clan Leaders kids probably conspired to have the Elders killed.

Nope, he's not thinking about that, he has his own problems that need solving first.

With that he bids the nightmare child and his family goodbye and goes to make a plan or seven for dealing with his own Elder problem.

Hopefully something that not as attention grabbing as an explosive tag.

Chapter Text

Chapter 73

Shikamaru sighs happily as he lays down in the shade of the porch.

Getting 'killed' in game was a great idea and he cant believe he didn't think of this sooner.

“Are you ok Shikamaru-kun?” the familiar voice of Sasuke's mom asks and Shikamaru looks up to see her carrying plates of snacks.

“I got killed. It was troublesome.” he tells her and she smiles back at him with look that adults get when they think kids are being cute.

“You sound just like your Father.” she says gently before walking to the table set aside for the adults to sit at.

Shikamaru just sighs before putting his head back down.

Honestly Shikamaru doesn't want to be like his dad, being Hokage looks way to Troublesome. Plus if he's Hokage then he has to deal with Sasuke and whatever mess Sasuke brings him.

No thanks.

For a time Shikamaru thought that Sasuke wanted to be Hokage but when he asked the other boy the Uchiha actually told him it was going to be Narutos job in the future and frankly Shikamaru is relieved.

Naruto is a bit airheaded but very loyal and while he's hard to predict sometimes he's still easier to understand than Sasuke.

Shikamaru has heard the rumors about his friend being a seer, and heard his Dad muttering about tiny chaos being trapped in human skin. It really doesn't matter what Sasuke is because all it boils down to is that Sasuke Uchiha is Troublesome with a capital T.

Chapter Text

chapter 74

Orochimaru slips past the patrols on the outskirts of the village with more than a little trouble and makes it into the village with far more difficulty than he'd planed.

When he got news of his first kidnapping teams demise he sent another to follow up.

Neither group nor the one sent after that returned and Orochimaru is starting to understand why if this is Konohas reaction to the little seer getting kidnapped.

Getting into the Uchiha compound doesn't look possible but its just his luck that the Uchiha Matriarch is heading out as he's observing the gate. The little seer right beside her hand in hand.

In a split second he's summoned three large snakes and lunged for the brat.

He gets stabbed in the hip and fire spat in his face by the little brats mother but in the end he's sprinting full force out of the village with the child stuck under his arm.

Fortunately for Orochimaru he came prepared to take on five Anbu teams and makes it near the outskirts of the land of fire before having to stop and place a barrier up.

Unfortunately he took on more damage than expected and has to shed his skin. It takes a lot of chakra but he should have enough to get away from the leaf.

He expects the little seer to be horrified by the sight of him regurgitating a new body but the kid just looks supremely grumpy instead.

“Hello there Ssassuke-kun it's nicce to meet you.” he hisses out, exaggerating his S sounds to creep the kid out.

It doesn't work and instead the little brat looks at the barrier, looks at Orochimaru and crosses his arms.

“What do you want now? I thought without the massacre you wouldn't be interested in me.” the brat says and Orochimaru is immediately intrigued.

“Oh, not only do you see the future but you have the ability to change it.” he inquires, knowing his face is making that creepy grin.

The seer rolls his eyes in exasperation, “If I tell you what you want to know about the future will you give me back to my brother?”

“Of coursssse.” he answers.

He intends to do no such thing.

Chapter Text

Chapter 75

Sasuke knows the Sanin has no intention of giving him back to Konoha but he intends to stall until someone catches up. Hopefully someone who can take the Sanin on, or several someone's really.

But he needs to share information about the future, and he needs that information to intrigue the snake so much that he doesn't notice himself getting surrounded or something.

“Tell me of myself Sasuke-kun.” the Sanin says so Sasuke begins.

“You never become truly immortal.” is the first thing off the top of his head.

“You create a village in the land of rice called the village hidden in the Sound.” he follows with.

“The greatest thing you ever do is become a mother.” he adds because he remembers Mitsuke and that really was the best thing Orochimaru ever did in Sasukes eyes.

“I'm male.” is that sanins response.

Sasuke cant help but give the man a skeptical look, remembering the way the snake looks when Sarada was a teen.

“Are you sure about that?” he asks and the Sanin pauses.

“...a mother you say?”

“Yes. You do a good job for the most part, well when you finally give up the immortality bit.”

The Sanin seems to stall for a bit, Sasuke doesn't distract him.

“A mother?”

Sasuke cannot help his exasperated, “YES! A mother to some amazing kids too.”

“hmmm.”

“Will you please hand me back to my brother now?” he asks when he sees Itachi bee line for him.

To Sasukes surprise the shield drops and the Sanin vanishes with a giant ball of fire on his heels. Leaving Sasuke behind to be yanked up in a near suffocating hug by his totally panicked brother.

Sasuke cant help his deep sigh.

There's no way anyone is letting him leave the compound now for months.

Chapter Text

Chapter 76

Sasuke looks at his brother.

Then looks at the frankly ridiculous amount of paperwork that are scattered on the coffee table.

“Nii-san, what are you doing?”

“Creating new security protocols.”

“hmm ok.”

Sasuke goes to walk away but then a thought hits him, “You should make sure plant people cant get in too.”

His brother looks up, “this is a concern for the future?”

“Yep”

“I'll make sure its added.”

“Thanks nii-chan, you're the best.” he calls back and delights in his brothers soft smile.

…..................

The next day Sasuke awakens to find himself in a sack.

Really he cant believe his own bad luck.

Itachi is going to go crazy again and sprint into a mass murdering spree at this rate.

But who the heck grabbed him this time and what exactly do they want?

Sasuke doesn't have much time to contemplate this before he hears screaming and the sound of metal hitting metal.

There's a curse from the person holding Sasuke's sack as the man picks up speed. But the sound of hundreds of birds chirping has Sasuke perking up.

The chidori must hit whoever is holding him because there's a cut off scream and then Sasuke and his sack are being swung around onto someone else's back.

“Kakashi-sensei?” he asks and gets a hmm in acknowledgment.

“Can you drop me off with my brother? He's probably worried sick.”

“...Sure kiddo.”

“Can you also let me out of the sack?”

“mah I think we'll wait on that for a minute or so.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 77

Kakashi gently shifts the bagged Uchiha as he makes his way across the newly bloodied landscape.

Itachi did NOT take the third (fourth?) kidnapping of his brother very well.

Especially since this time it had been an inside job.

A chunnin by the name of Mitsuki, who'd been added to the patrol list, was the one responsible.

Not that they had to worry about the chunnin anymore.

Itachi broke the mans mind and then his body, then set two of the enemy on fire with black flames that consumed them until nothing was left and fallowed that up by literally tearing the rest limb from limb.

Needless to say Kakashi was not letting the littlest Uchiha out of his nice safe bag until his brothers bloodlust had been sated a bit.

Kakashi decides he really needs a break from all the Uchihas in his life.

While its good to see Obito again the man swings from tolerating him to actively trying to kill him.

Then there's Itachi who probably would kill him if it wouldn't make his baby brother sad.

Mikoto just smiles at him lately and has taken to inviting him to clan functions that he never attends.

Shisui is either happy go lucky or muttering under his breath about tiny terror takeovers.

Fugaku is the most relatable of the lot and really that says something about how bad Kakashi's sanity is.

And last but certainly not least is little Sasuke who has decided that Kakashi is His now and has no care what others think about it, including Kakashi himself.

He wonders if he can get a mission to Rain Country for a month or six.

Chapter Text

Chapter 78

Obito watches in sadistic glee as Bakashi slowly spirals while pacing the length of his hospital room.

“-and now there are tiny Gai's running around and I don't know what I fear more, the tiny Youthful terrors or Itachi and his agenda to mass murder any and all threats to his brother. I'm not even sure if I fall on the list of threat and at this point, I wonder if I want too. The Hokage wont let me leave the village until the security is up to the Uchiha's standards which at this point means Itachi's standards and I'm pretty sure the kid is actually trying to keep even plants from touching his little brother and-”

The best part is that Obito doesn't even have to do anything to make Kakashi go insane. The mans being driven there by his adorable little terror of a cousin and his band of equally little but much less terrifying friends.

It hilarious and cathartic.

…............................................

Shikaku is done.

He's used black mail, threats and any leverage he possibly could.

How are there still a group of Elders around to pester him?

Well its time to call in reinforcements.

.

.

.

Which is how he ends up hiring a smiling Mikoto as his secretary.

Elders beware.

Chapter Text

Chapter 79

Late one night Sasuke is awoken by Naruto elbowing him in the ribs.

It's not a new occurrence because Naruto has been staying with them for most of the year, but Sasukes first thought upon waking is,

'I wonder if he ever elbowed Gaara.'

That's when he remembers that the current Garra is an insomniac maniac who thinks a giant sand rat is his mother.

So when Morning comes he asks his mom if he can go with her to work at the tower and have Itachi pick him up for lunch.

“Is something the matter?” she asks adding the last bowl to the table.

“No, I just need to talk to Shikaku about a foreign ninja.”

“Call him Shikaku-sama sweetie, he is our Hokage you know.”

“Yes mom.”

So Itachi takes Naruto with him meet up with Shisui at the training grounds and Sasuke tags along with his mom.

There's already a line of people waiting to see the Hokage but Sasuke just walks past them as his mom sits down at her desk and goes directly into the office.

“MORNING SHIKAKU-SAMA!” he yells because he's taking notes from Naruto about kid behavior and kids are loud.

Plus he needs his mom to know he is listening to her and addressing the Hokage politely.

He waits for his favorite Nara to go through his usual ritual of groaning and dropping his head onto his desk. Then hops up onto what he deems as 'his spot' that typically is free of paperwork.

Shikaku doesn't bother to lift his head from the desk this time, instead turning to face his with what might be a pleading look.

“What do you need little nightmare?” the Hokage asks and Sasuke wonders if the man is getting much sleep lately.

Oh well he'll worry about Shikaku later right now he has to worry about Gaara.

“I need someone to reseal a Bijuu.” he answers and, oh, that seems to have woken the Nara up.

Chapter Text

Chapter 80

Shikaku watches his door open and prays that Mikoto hasn't scheduled the merchants as his first meeting.

“MORNING SHIKAKU-SAMA!”

He takes it back the Merchants would be better.

Shikaku lets his head fall to his desk with a groan, wondering what delightful new task he's going to be asked to fix this time.

Its to much trouble to lift his head so he simply waits for the the nightmare child to get comfortable on his corner of the desk before turning his head to face him.

“What do you need little nightmare?” he asks, half hoping he really is dreaming and he'll wake up.

“I need someone to reseal a Bijuu.”

WHAT!!!

Shikaku is upright in his seat before he realizes it and sending a signal for the Anbu to GET HERE NOW!!

“Is Naruto goin to be ok?” he asks first grabbing scrolls and brushes to start sending out orders.

If the nine-tails is going to start rampaging around some time soon they need to be evacuated yesterday.

“Oh yeah Naruto's fine, this is about Gaara.”

Shikaku stops.

“...WHO?”

“The holder of the one-tails.”

“In SUNA?”

“Yep.”

Shikaku can physically feel himself deflate in exasperation and relief.

This tiny chaos being will be the death of him.

Chapter Text

Chapter 81

Kakashi feels his Anbu seal flare not a half hour after he's reported in for patrol. As the closest team to this tower he's at the window and inside faster than anyone else.

Which is why he hears the voice of his nightmares speak.

“The holder of the one-tails.”

Kakashi internally starts to panic because, A jinchuriki? Are they in Konoha? 

“In suna?” Shikaku asks and Kakashi's so glad to know his Hokage is on the same page.

“Yep” is Sasukes answer.

Shikaku looks like his soul is trying to escape in a mix of exasperation and relief.

The tiny little Uchiha sits on the corner of the desk swinging his feet as Kakashi's team lands around him.

“Team Hound” Shikaku addresses.

“KAKASHI-SENSI” Sasuke calls and proceeds to hop of the desk and toddle over to him before putting his arms up in the gesture Kakashi now knows is a demand to be picked up.

He looks at the child, looks at his Hokage, looks back at the child.

Is this even safe? He's pretty sure Itachi is going to put him higher in his to-kill list if he catches him holding his brother.

“Hound pick him up.”

'I thought you were on my side' Kakashi wails in his own head but gently reaches down and picks up the toddler, who happily snuggles into his chest like Anbu amour is actually comfy.

“Now, the rest of you please spread word of a false alarm, Hound is required to stay.”

'Are you trying to get me killed via over possessive big brother?' he try's to mentally project at the man but is completely ignored.

With a deep sigh Hound steps to the center of the room and pretends he's here giving a report and not being used as a prop and babysitter.

'Maybe I should run away to Rain'

Chapter Text

Chapter 82

Jiraiya gets a codded message from the Hokage and has to triple check that he's using the right cypher. Then he has to send a message back to confirm his orders. Then he goes to a shrine to have a priest pray over his soul.

Because there is no way him, the great toad sage, entering into Suna and approaching their jinchuriki on the word of a toddler is going to end well.

…................

Jiraiya is rather mystified when the end result is actually the Kazakage approaching him when he's spotted at the gate.

Instead of heading straight to an interrogation cell the man simply asks him if he was sent by the Seer.

Jiraiya nods, lets him read the translated orders that state the purpose of his mission and how it will save the lives of Suna civilians plus the need to introduce Naruto Uzumaki and Garra of the desert together.

The Kazakage reads it with narrowed eyes and then turns back to him.

“The Seer thinks the jinchuriki should be pen-pals?” he asks somewhat disbelieving and to be fair that was Jiraiya's reaction as well.

“Yes, I believe it has something to do with avoiding a future disaster.”

“I see.......I have heard a rumor that he managed to run off the Snake Sanin with his tales of what the future will bring. Is this true?”

“I can not confirm or deny that.” Jiraiya answers mostly because he's only just heard the rumors about it himself and as far as he can tell his old team mate is somewhere in Rice country, doing sage knows what, after his encounter with the little Uchiha.

The Kazakage narrows his eyes again but nods and takes motions for Jiraiya to follow.

“You will leave notes about the seal, its placement, and any alterations you are making.” he demands.

“Of course.” Jiraiya agrees and makes a mental note to get out as soon as possible, Suna does not have any outdoor bath houses for him to spy on.

Chapter Text

Chapter 83

Sasuke has resigned himself to being smothered by his friends as they all meet at the Uchiha compound.

Most of them he's seen out and about already but they haven't got to get together since the last kidnapping and that makes them clingy.

Thankfully not all of his friends feel the need to squeeze him and cry on him. Neji and Shino simply pat him on the shoulder and Kiba gives him a mostly gentle hair pull. But the rest all seem to either cry on him, or hug him super tight, or both.

After the greeting is over Sakura steps forward and grabs Sasuke by the shoulders.

“I'm going to train harder, I'm going to do better, and when the time comes I'm going to fight for you.”

It is said with all the drama and conviction Sasuke would expect of a Princess Gale film. Actually that's probably were Sakura learned it.

“ME TOO!” Naruto pips in, placing one hand on Sakura shoulder and the other on Sasuke's.

Then all his friends are adding there own declarations and Sasuke is just done.

….................

Itachi sees the little toddlers that crowd his brother declare their wish to aid him and suddenly has an epiphany.

It has been proven again and again that Itachi alone cannot protect his brother, even the Uchiha alone can not and there are even those in the village that might betray him to outsiders.

But right here, right in his back yard is a small force willing to pledge themselves for his brothers safety ….all they need is training.

And Itachi is more than willing to train them, he would do a lot worse things to see his brother safe.

Chapter Text

Chapter 84

Shisui is worried.

He's worried for his village.

He's worried for his clan.

He's worried for his cousins, Itachi and Sasuke both.

Usually that worry is because something is threatening the peace and happiness of the people he loves.

Usually that worry is because Sasuke has been kidnapped and Itachi is less than a step away from a mental breakdown.

Right now Shisui thinks he might have to add worry for his own sanity to that list.

He can think of no other reason why he would agree to help Itachi train a bunch of pre-academy babies to fight and defend Sasuke.

The fact that Kakashi-freakin- Hatake also got dragged into this is only a little comforting.

….....

Hinata tires not to close her eyes as she slams her open palm into her opponents center mass.

She still winces when Naruto hits the ground with an 'oof' sound.

“THAT WAS AWESOME! BELIEVE IT!” he shouts and Hinata makes sure to look him over carefully to make sure he isn't hurt.

Then she turns to Itachi-san who's been supervising the match. He gives her a nod of approval and Hinata returns it with a faint smile before helping a still very excited Naruto off the ground.

Naruto may be her Hero but Hinta's pretty sure Itachi is her inspiration. The older boy never gives up trying to protect his little brother and despite the constant kidnappings he's still trying, still making an effort. He doesn't let anything stop him.

SO Hinata wont either, one day she'll protect her precious people too.

Chapter Text

Chapter 85

Sasuke is a little surprised when he gets a letter from Suna addressed to himself.

He knows he told Shikaku that Naruto and Gaara should be friends but he wasn't expecting anyone to reach out to him.

But it appears Tamari is rather grateful her baby brother is now a bit saner and was told he was the reason for that.

Well, its nice to be appreciated.

Naruto has to have a bit of help reading his own letter from Gaara but Mom and Itachi have that covered so Sasuke goes to his Father to see is he can have some paper and ink to write a reply.

It isn't until later that Sasuke realizes Naruto has gotten quiet after the letters came.

It takes far more pestering than it should to get the blonde to actually tell him what is wrong.

“It's just...well....Gaara has siblings.” Naruto starts off and Sasuke doesn't see why that is upsetting.

“Yes?”

“Well....when you said he was like me I thought you meant he was alone. I mean I'm not alone now cause you're here but I thought that's why you wanted me to be friends with this Gaara guy.”

“oh.”

oh

hmmm how to explain this....nope this is now a Shikaku problem. It was the Hokage who put a band on the jinchuriki info so it will be a Hokage who gets to explain the jinchuriki info.

“Sasuke?”

“hm?”

“umm...since Gaara has family.. does.....does that mean I have some too? That there are some Uzumaki's out there somewhere?”

Well there are but Sasuke doesn't know how to get them to Naruto.

Hmmm another thing to have Shikaku look into, guess he's tagging along with mom tomorrow.

For now he's got to reassure his little brother that he's not alone. Not anymore.

Chapter Text

Chapter 86

Shikaku sees his nightmare in the flesh dragging the jinchuriki in his office and sends out a prayer to anyone listening that they are simply here to drop of something for his terrifying efficient secretary and then be on there way.

“Good Morning Shikaku-sama, we need to talk.” the little chaos being says and Shikaku knows now that the Great Ones have abandoned him.

Shikaku doesn't even bother dropping his head on his desk. Instead he props it on his hand and angles his head toward the tiny intruder's.

“Troublesome.” he says in reply and gets a cute little dimpled smile in return. Ugh.

“Naruto needs to know what he is so he and Gaara can bond. Oh and I need you to hunt down some Uzumakis for him. I made a list.”

The list is shoved onto his desk knocking over a pile of documents that Shikaku is pretty sure is a list of financial disputes.

The list has a total of three names and possible locations to find them.

The last one says '-Nagato -Rain -be careful' in messy child scrawl.

Well Hatake has been asking for a mission to rain.

Chapter Text

Chapter 87

Kakashi is so so happy to have a mission to Rain he practically dances out of the village gates.

He pays no attention to the Gate Guards or their worried expressions. They'd be dancing too if they were in his shoes.

He takes his time getting to Rain, nearly a month, and even then his mood hasn't dimed much.

In fact Kakashi thinks that nothing can spoil his much deserved vacation. Not the mud, not the rain, not the other ninja who are eyeing him like he's snapped already.

Nothing.

….......................

Nagato has heard rumors about the Uchiha seer but thought the reputation was a bit over blown.

He had more important things to worry about.

Like trying to find Madara and filling out the membership for the Akatsuki.

Madara hadn't been seen in months and Zetsu was bitingly furious about it. Konan thought the man might have bitten off more than he could chew. Frankly Nagato wouldn't care to much but the man was half in charge of the organization at this point and all plans had nearly come to a stand still without him.

Including recruitment.

It was very hard to find people with incredible power, loose moral and a willingness to be lead by someone else.

Their last attempt had been Orochimaru who was currently somewhere in the land of rice and no longer interested in immortality. The man had been muttering something about children and mothers that was a bit disturbing.

Nagato shifts a bit to look out the window and paused.

Because out there in the middle of the street, in the cold, pouring rain, is a Konoha ninja nearly skipping down the road.

It takes him a few minutes to recognize the man as Hatake Kakashi, a young man with a growing reputation and a name in the Bingo Book.

Well, Nagato was just thinking about recruitment.

Chapter Text

Chapter 88

Sasuke has had quite enough of all this coddling and is determined to show he is not a damsel in need of saving thank-you-very-much.

His first attempt at this is to try beating all his friends in a spar so that they know he's not week.

Then Hinata lays him flat in the first round and Sasuke has to reevaluate his plan.

His second attempt is to show that he can catch his enemies by snagging Shisui in a trap.

Then his cousin substitutes with his father and Fugaku gives him three tips on how to make the trap better.

His third attempt involves hiding to prove he cant be found by his enemies.

Then Shikaku gives him away when he goes to hid under his desk and Sasuke doesn't get any peace after that.

So with a great sigh of resignation he joins in on his brothers wild ideas of training and thinks longingly of the days when he was a missing nin who roamed around trying to kill his brother.

And maybe decides to make a few murder plans because if Itachi thinks he'll play the role of some docile captured princess the man clearly needs a few attempts on his life.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sakura stands shoulder to shoulder with her friends as Itachi introduces his cousin Shisui and a man named Yamato that are going to help them train.

Sakura has vowed to do her best to protect her future husband and she intends to keep that vow no matter how hard she has to work.

So when Itachi asks for a volunteer to show them how to take out a larger opponent Sakura is the first to step forward.

One day she's going to break mountains with her fists and sweep Sasuke into the sunset.

Chapter Text

Chapter 89

Hiashi Hyugga sits straight backed and grave as the Uchiha clan head serves tea. Being in the Uchiha compound without having at least a shouting match is a bit difficult but necessary.

Hiashi is here to observe Fugaku's eldest teach his daughter.

Hinata and Neji both were very excited to be learning from the Uchiha prodigy and in fact have improved much on just a few short lessons.

But the elders are worried so Hiashi is here to observe and make sure his daughter and nephew are not taught anything that would compromise their Byakugan in the future.

He had not counted on Fugaku being the one to greet him but realizes that with his wife playing guard dog and secretary to the Hokage someone must be at home to observe the kids.

He nods his thanks to the other clan head and turns back to where Itachi Uchiha is showing a group of tiny children how to stab a grown man in the groin.

Hiashi relaxes only marginally over the next few minutes but appreciates the Uchiha clan heads silence as they share a pot of tea and watch the children.

Fugaku's eldest has managed to acquire the help of his cousin Shisui and a Wood Release user, of all people, for his training sessions.

They are surprisingly good at keeping injuries to a minimum.

They are also very good at keeping the children interested and engaged while imparting important lessons.

Hiashi watches as all the little ones are lined up to go through a very interesting obstacle course. Well all the children but one.

Apparently the little seer is the end prize, much to the boys obvious dislike.

Hiashi would almost entertain the idea of a marriage to his Hinata and the little seer if it weren't for their clan history and the fact that the boy is so infatuated with the pink haired civilian girl.

The pink haired civilian girl that just tried to cock shot Itachi Uchiha.....

May Fugaku have the gods protection with his future daughter-in-law.

Chapter Text

Chapter 90

Fugaku watches Sasuke leap into the arms of the pink haired little hellion he has a crush on and slowly sips his tea.

If you had told Fugaku a year ago that he would be sipping tea on his back patio next to the Hyugga clan head, watching his eldest teach a gaggle of pre-academy kids to be terrifying little monsters while his wife was away being the Hokages secretary.... he would have sent you straight to T&I to find out what was wrong with your mental functions.

Now he's busy trying to figure out how to balance his own mental functions.

He knows about the rumors about Sasuke being a seer, he knows the boy has activated his sharingan, he knows his wife and eldest son have tried to keep that fact from him and the elders.

He knows...he knows why they kept that fact from him.

He remembers the day Sasuke stabbed him in the thigh, remembers the fear in the boys eyes.

Sometimes he wonders if his youngest was seeing Fugaku in the future. If Fugaku of the future would one day seek to truly harm his own son. If that is why Itachi and Mikoto keep the news of Sasuke's active sharingan from him.

He's to scared to ask.

So he sits on his back porch next to a once rival clan head and watches Sasuke grin at the pink haired girl, passively wondering if he should brace himself for pink haired grandchildren.

Chapter Text

Chapter 91

Nagato has many expectations when approaching Hatake about joining his organization from disbelief to anger to a fight for proving power.

None of these expectations involve the man pulling out a letter from the Konoha Seer addressed to him asking if he wouldn't mind opening communications between himself and a younger Konoha cousin. There seems to be a reference to his eyes as well...hmmm

Nagato is beginning to think the seers reputation isn't so over blown after all.

It looks like trying to recruit the copy-nin for Akatsuki will have to wait, access to a Seer is far more valuable.

…..................................

Karin stares at the gates of Konoha in suspicion.

Her mother decided they should come here after a visit from a ninja with a leaf headband. He even offered to escort them but mom said no.

Karin isn't sure she likes it.

Grass wasn't the best but at least they knew what to expect there.

What if the leaf people take her mom away? What if they make her give her blood like in Grass. What if they don't stop?

Karin has nightmares about her moms 'patience' not stopping.

The gate guards look over her moms paperwork and call over another ninja in a white mask to look at the letter.

And then they're taken aside and told to wait for someone.

They're given food and a ration bar as a snack, Karin knows better than to eat it so it stays right were the gate ninja left it.

Then a boy a little older than Karin shows up, “Hello, my name is Itachi Uchiha welcome to Konoha.”

The boy looks like a blank doll....at least he's pretty.