Chapter 4
It took two more days before Tsunade was comfortable with letting Sakumo and Shisui leave the hospital. Tsunade forbad both jonin from missions for at least another week, and no training for two more days. That included Shisui's favorite move, but she would allow minor summons. After making sure both Sakumo and Shisui knew what would happen to them if she caught them disobeying her instructions, Tsunade released them into Kakashi and Itachi's care with Kakashi snickering at the two other jonin.
"You know if we beat the brats home you two can help do that competition Sasuke is trying to hold," said Kakashi.
"What competition is that?" asked Shisui.
"The best summons competition," answered Itachi.
"Well I'll win of course. My summons flies! And brings me gifts!" said Shisui.
"My brother is quite taken by Genma's main summon," responded Itachi.
"The black mamba?! She's okay I guess," said Shisui.
"Didn't she threaten to eat one of your crows after it pecked her?" inquired Kakashi as the group walked through the village.
"He thought she was a rock!" squawked Shisui.
"A very venomous rock," commented Sakumo.
"At least the crows don't shed everywhere," muttered Shisui.
"They do molt," said Itachi at the same time Kakashi asked "Was that an insult to my pack?"
Shisui edged away from Kakashi and closer to Sakumo before he opened his mouth and sealed his fate, "Bull drools and you know it."
Shisui wisely took off running, Kakashi right on his heels. Sakumo chuckled as he and Itachi made their way to the academy to pick up the kids. Classes let out for the day just as Sakumo leaned against the tree in front of the double doors. The first child to reach the pair was Karin, probably sensing Sakumo's white chakra. Sakumo stood still as Karin looked him over for any visible injuries. Yukimi came skipping up to them with Tenten right behind her. They were talking about Neji Hyuga and how stuck up he was. Before Sakumo could comment that it was most likely genetic, Tayuya and Kin came running up to the growing group, dragging a pink haired girl with them.
"Dad! Is Guy home yet? Sakura needs help with her taijutsu and he's the best. We helped Sakura's class with taijutsu today and she lost to Ino of all people! We can't let this stand! Her parents are civilian so they can't help her but we can! Can she please come home with us and join us for training on the weekends?" said Tayuya.
Sakumo took a moment to process what Tayuya said. Ino could only be Inoichi's daughter and clan heir. So it made some sense as to how Ino beat Sakura in a taijutsu match. He did not want to know why his children wanted Ino to lose at taijutsu and he decided he didn't want to know. It was probably a rivalry thing. Itachi saved Sakumo by answering.
"Guy is not back yet, but he should be back this evening or tomorrow. His rival however is off today and home. He also seemed very energetic earlier," answered Itachi, casually throwing Kakashi to the wolves, or in this case a horde of pre-teen girls.
"That's true. Kakashi is off so you could ask him when we get home. Now where are Naruto, Sai, and Sasuke?" asked Sakumo. Tayuya and Kin exchanged looks.
"I don't know," the two girls said at once.
"Were they upset Ino beat Sakura?" asked Itachi. More looks exchanged as Sakura went red in the face.
"Not exactly," answered Kin. Sakumo felt a headache building.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Sakumo.
"It was more they didn't like what Ino said afterwards," said Tayuya.
"What did Ino say?" asked Itachi.
"T-that unless my fists became as big as my forehead that I shouldn't be a shinobi," said Sakura.
"She also said that only losers have pink hair and that Sakura is all brains and should drop out and become a librarian," added Kin.
"What's wrong with pink hair?!" asked Karin, slightly leaking killing intent.
"Nothing is wrong with pink hair. I think Sakura will prove Ino wrong. Is it wise to leave the boys?" said Itachi.
Sakumo waved Itachi off. He'd dealt with the other clan heads for over twenty years. He could handle Inoichi if the man got mad, which wasn't very likely if Ino fell victim to a prank that didn't injure her.
"They'll be fine. Might do them some good. Come on you lot. Sakura I'm sure my son will be happy to help you," said Sakumo.
Sakumo was right. When the group of kids interrupted Kakashi's hunt for Shisui and told the older boy what they wanted from him, Kakashi got a maniacal look in his eye and agreed to mentor Sakura to the best of his ability. Later it would be pointed out to Sakumo that Guy had asked to mentor a boy in the academy who could only use taijutsu. At least Sakura would benefit from Kakashi and Guy's rivalry. In a show of gratitude for taking Kakashi's attention off of him, Shisui sent one of his crows to inform Sakura's parents where Sakura was.
Sakumo was resting on the couch in his living room an hour later, savoring the quiet while the kids that were home were outside, when a knock came. Sakumo dragged himself to the door and opened it to find not only the Yamanaka clan head, but the Nara clan head as well as his three missing kids and the Nara clan heir.
"What happened?" asked Sakumo. The Nara clan heir coughed to hide a laugh.
"They dyed Ino black," answered Inoichi.
"You three dyed her hair black?" asked Sakumo.
"Not just her hair. Her entire self," answered Inoichi.
"She deserved it for being a jerk to Sakura," said Naruto, his three?! accomplices nodding in agreement.
Inoichi sighed and pushed the hair that had fallen out of his ponytail out of his face.
"Ino will apologize for what she said. We figured it would be better for everyone if we brought your three home," said Inoichi.
"Thanks for that. You three can join the others in the backyard," said Sakumo. The three boys scambered off.
"I'm sorry about what happened," said Sakumo, scratching the back of his neck. Shikaku snorted and Inoichi sighed.
"I'm not upset Ino got pranked. My mother was cackling as she helped Ino to the bath. I'd rather she learn actions have consequences now at their age from comrades than from enemies later," said Inoichi.
"If it makes you feel any better Kakashi is training Sakura," said Sakumo.
"That'll be a nice surprise for Ino. Well good night sir," said Inoichi, him and the two Nara leaving.
With their departure Sakumo went back to lounging on his couch, where he vowed to stay until his wife came home.