Just in Time

Cherry Blossom

Her dreamless sleep was over as suddenly as it had come to her the night before.

Sarada was briefly confused by her surroundings but then the memories gradually came back to her. Meeting the brothers Izuna and Madara. This room in the clan head's house that had been assigned to her.

"Miss Sarada?" A woman's voice sounded from the direction of the sliding door. So that had woken her up.

"Yes?"

The door opened and an elderly woman entered. Her dark hair was mixed with strands of white, and her face was furrowed by the elements and time.

She wore a red and white kimono that sat perfectly on her thin frame.

"Breakfast is almost ready, let me help you get dressed." The woman was not very eager, judging by her voice.

"Who are you?"

"Akane."

When Sarada did not move, Akane added,

"I am the housekeeper, come now."

Sarada was unsure what to make of Akane. After she had washed up the old woman helped her put on the kimono the "proper way". She did not talk much, and her face seemed to be locked in a constant disapproving expression.

Akane led Sarada to the dinning room where she had waited the day before.

On their way there, they passed a mirror and her reflection reminded Sarada of that one time she and her parents had go to a formal event. Her mother had worn a traditional kimono with a cherry blossom pattern, and it was one of the happiest memories she had.

The three of them being together did not happen often but them actually doing things together, that was rare.

She looked at her mirror image more closely. People always said she looked like her dad but Sarada did not think so. She had his eyes and hair color but her face looked like her mom's.

There is just one thing missing , she thought, then I am truly my mom's off-color clone .

Sarada concentrated and formed a few hand seals. Akane was observing her but for her, nothing seemed to have happened.

"Are you done?" She asked impatiently.

"Yes, sorry."

They entered the dining room. At the table sat Madara with a cup of tea in hand.

"Good morning," he said.

"Good morning." Sarada sat down across from him and helped herself to some tea.

"Akane, take Sarada to the tailor. She will need a few clothes of her own," he called after the elderly woman as she went to the kitchen.

"You can't keep wearing Izuna's kimono," he added, addressing Sarada.

"Oh." Of cause it was one of his kimonos, the color! It was too subdued to be a woman's and he had worn a remarkably similar one.

"Maybe get her a formal one, too."

"Very well."

"Oh and a yukata."

"And a wig," Akane added bitterly, eyeing Sarada.

"Now, now, don't be so traditional, old woman," Madara chided her.

"Under your father this would have been unacceptable," she whispered under her breath.

"Well I am the clan head now." He had only raised his voice slightly, but Akane seemed frightened.