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Chapter Text

Haruno Sakura knew who she was from a very young age. She wanted to be a Kunoichi, she loved reading, and the Uchiha Clan was the most beautiful to ever exist. 

When Ino, her friend, told her about Uchiha Sasuke for the first time, Sakura was entirely unimpressed. Sure, he was pretty, but he was a pretentious little fuck and she frankly had no desire to crush on him. So she listened to Ino talk about Sasuke with vague interest, before Ino turned onto her, asking about her own preferences. 

Sakura wasn’t all that interested in kids’ their age, but she’d seen Sasuke’s older brother, and he was pretty. But who really caught her attention was Sasuke’s older cousin-- he was so pretty . He had soft features, and a wide smile that seemed to be very present, and so unlike other Uchihas she’d seen. Even in the history books she’d read, like their founder, Uchiha Madara (er, well the Founder of Konoha with Hashirama-sama), also had one of the most serious expressions she’d ever seen. She didn’t know his name, but sometimes he’d tag along with Sasuke’s brother to pick him up. 

Oh no. 

You have an interesting taste, Sakura. Crushing on a man like eight years older is insane.

It’s not like anything’s gonna happen! 

Yes, he doesn’t seem the type to date kids.

Oh shut up! We’re graduating this year, with the others. I’m sure time will fly by!

You’re an idiot, even if you were an adult, I doubt he’d recognize or even appreciate you. You’re so ugly and st- well, I guess the one thing you got going for you is your brain. Even with all the training you do-

“Sakura?”

She snapped her head up, and realized she was sitting in the classroom. Ino was peering down at her with interest, blue eyes dazzling as if she was trying to see into her mind. She appreciated that Ino never tried to, despite the fact she could .

“Yes, Ino-chan?” Her voice was soft, but confident. Ino had helped her regain her confidence and even invited her over for training. Ino’s father had helped with certain taka’s and allowed the girl to practice with Ino, as they were best friends.

“It’s lunch time! Let’s go!” Ino’s hand wrapped around her wrist, giggling, “Bye, Sasuke-kun !”

Sakura looked over her shoulder, and tried not to snort at the glare he was leveling Ino. She stood and dusted her pants, black and practical like she’d seen the other, older ninja do. Sasuke’s eyes snapped to her, as if sensing her eyes, and nodded once. They sometimes worked together since she was the only girl who wasn’t a fangirl. Sasuke always arranged it so Iruka-sensei put them together so that Sakura wouldn’t get attacked. She blinked, and turned around to follow Ino.

Seriously, I do not get the appeal. His older cousin is way hotter.

He’s also 20, way outta your league.

HE’S A GROWN NINJA, AND I’M A GENIN. BUT IT NEVER HURT ANYONE THAT I HAVE A SILLY CRUSH! 

Ugh you’re going to be so annoying for the next six years.

Six?

Ya know, when ya turn 18?? 

You are so weird, Inner.

She followed Ino diligently, looking around until her eyes landed on the blonde boy in her class. Her eyes narrowed at the mischievous look in his eyes. He looked… sad , though, underneath it all. Sakura kept her eyes on him until he snapped his eyes to hers. She smiled softly, waving a little bit.

As if taking this as an invitation, the blonde ran over excitedly, “Sakura-chan!”

I don’t remember giving him permission to use our name so informally, but whatever , “Ino-chan, I’ll see you in a little bit. Tell Shikamaru-san and Choji-san I’m on my way.”

Ino glanced over her shoulder and nodded before smirking mischievously. Sakura inwardly scowled, she was never going to hear the end of this.

“Hello Naruto-kun,” she bowed her head a little, and matched his familiarity, and watched as his blue eyes widened with excitement, “Are you doing well?”

“Now I am, dattebayo! Are you going to lunch with Ino, Shikamaru and Choji? I’m friends with Shikamaru and Choji, can I tag along?” And while Sakura didn’t know how she felt about inviting someone to lunch, she realized that he needed this. She could tell by the glares she was getting just by talking to him. When she nodded, his smile was so bright. It reminded her of the pretty Uchiha. 

The two walked quickly, and Ino’s eyes widened in surprise. Shikamaru and Choji’s eyes brightened with recognition.

“Sakura! You brought a friend?” Ino’s voice was filled with mirth, like she was trying to make something out of nothing, “Wait, Shikamaru, this is your friend, right?”

“Hey Naruto, how are you doing?” Shikamaru’s lazy voice drawled. Sakura liked him though, she sometimes did training with him too. It was mostly mental exercises, but she’s convinced him to practice taijutsu a couple times. Choji nodded in agreement, mouth full of a bag of chips that he’d brought from home.

“Good, good! Sakura-chan said I could tag along!” his eyes were hopeful, like this was something rare.

“Any friend of Sakura is a friend of mine,” Ino’s voice suddenly became softer, “Welcome to the group! Although I guess it’s late since we’re graduating soon…”

Naruto shook his head in excitement, “No worries!” and Sakura vaguely noted he looked like a puppy. Sakura’s eyes softened. He was pretty too, in his own weird, wild way. She liked pretty people. Ino was pretty, she shone like a sunflower, and Naruto oddly reminded her of the sun. She liked yellow, she decided, almost as much as she’d begun to like the blackish brown. 

The five of them continued chatting, getting to know each other, and Sakura enjoyed herself, knowing this was going to be one of the last times they hung out before they were assigned to their teams.

She was the top Kunoichi after a fierce competition with Ino for many years, but Ino just laughed and waved her off, saying she deserved it for how hard she worked. Sakura was smart, sure, but everything else was hard work. Sakura just smiled softly at her friend, and inner had plenty to say about it.

You’ll always be in her shadow, you’ll never be your own person. How sad, pathetic even. How can you make an Uchiha pay attention to you if you’re stuck as a Clan Heiress’ civilian best friend? 

Sakura just smiled, and then on her way back to her home, and cried. 

-

“Oi, Sakura.”

She sighed deeply, turning around to see the ever arrogant second son of the Head Branch of the Uchiha Clan. He was wearing that ridiculous blue get up with the proud Uchiha Crest on his back, and had his hair stuck up in a way that had to be intentional. She raised an eyebrow.

“Your hair looks like a duck butt,” she stated bluntly. One thing she’s always liked about Sasuke is that she can be more… her. You mean like me, bitch. Yes that. Because at the end of the day, Inner is her personality she keeps under wraps as Ino’s best friend. But because she could frankly give a rat’s ass if Sasuke liked her or not, she just acted like he was anyone else.

“My mom is making me invite a friend over for dinner, and… I don’t,” and she could have sworn she saw a blush, “You’re my only friend. Or at least as close to a friend as I wanna get to.”

She tilted her head in curiosity before sighing, “I don’t even know where the Uchiha Compound is, Sasuke.”

“I can get my older cousin to come pick you up?”

Sakura perked up, “What time do I need to be ready?”

Smoothe Sakura, real smooth. 

Sakura felt her face pale as Sasuke looked at her with a raised eyebrow. Before it dawned on him, “Oh my god. There’s no fucking way-”

“Shut the hell up you fucking duck butt!” she snapped, tackling the asshole Uchiha, a bright blush over her cheeks, and that shit-eating grin Sasuke only wore after he beat Naruto’s ass appeared. Sakura felt her stomach twitch, if Sasuke knew -

“Sakura-!” and to her dread, Ino’s voice came through and she snapped her head around. She was on top of Sasuke, her hands in his hair as she was trying to get the asshole to shut up and his hands were reaching around her to pull her off, “What the hell -”

Ino was turning to storm off. Sakura slapped Sasuke to the ground and sprinted after her friend, angry tears forming in her eyes as she followed her out to the forest, the clearing where her friendship with the girl initially began. There was something in her eyes that Sakura couldn’t place at first- but… betrayal was hard to miss.

“Well, Sakura, if I’d known you liked Sasuke-kun too, I’d not have ranted about him for hours,” her tone is clipped, and Sakura can feel her heart sinking into her stomach.

“I don’t-”

“I don’t need the details,” her voice dripped with venom, “It’s obvious he feels the same for whatever reason . I can’t see why he’d want a useless civilian with a big forehead who can’t do anything on her own.”

Ino’s eyes widened as soon as the words came out of her mouth. Sakura’s eyes widened, and she was blinking back tears. Ino looked like she was going to backtrack. Oh hell nah. 

“Fine,” Sakura’s voice was firm, more aggressive than she’d ever deemed necessary to use against Ino, “I guess I’ll accept his invite for dinner considering we’re not friends anymore.”

“Sakura, wait-”

Sakura was already gone, spiriting back to the school, away from her friend. Her old friend.

-

Sakura was wearing a pink kimono her mother had given her before her and her father’s untimely death. She thought she looked pretty, for a twelve year old who was already going through growing pains. She straightened up when there was a knock on her door. She walked over to the door, scowling when she saw it was Sasuke.

“Oh, it’s just you.”

“OW,” Sasuke snapped, “Keep in mind, I’m the one who invited you over.”

“Yeah cause your mother said to bring a friend and I’m the only one who doesn’t grovel at your feet for being a great Uchiha,” she stated dryly as she looked around.

“He’s not here,” Sasuke grumbled, “I… wanted to talk to you about that? About Yamanaka?”

Sakura closed the door, slamming it with more force than perhaps necessary, “Watch it, Uchiha,” she snapped, before sighing, “I don’t even know his name.”

“If I tell you, will you tell me what happened with Yamanaka? You two are usually attached at the hip, but lately you’ve been sitting with me and she’s been glaring at you.”

“Ugh, fine.”

“Wow, you must have a huge crush on Shisui-nii if you're willingly opening up,” Sasuke’s smirk was enough to cause Sakura’s anger to flare, but… he had kept his promise, “I can’t imagine why. He’s the most Un-Uchiha there is.”

“He’s so pretty,” she sighed whimsically, so unlike her usual attitude around Sasuke, who was blinking bird-like at her, like she was a whole different person , “And if he’s your older cousin he has to be smart! Now that I know his name…”

“You’re about to meet him, Sakura,” Sasuke added dryly, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with a crush before. I don’t know if I should be insulted or not that you have a crush on my twenty-year-old cousin and not me.”

“You shouldn’t be, you look like a duck,” she deadpanned, “Frankly I don’t understand how Ino- um, Yamanaka has a crush on you .”

“Oh,” Sasuke’s voice is quiet, “Is that… why? When she came in and saw the weird position we were in?”

Sakura’s scowl quickly turned into a wobbly lip and a deep frown, but was desperately blinking her green eyes to keep the drops from falling, “Yeah.”

“I’m sorry, Sakura.”

She snaps her head towards Sasuke so fast Sasuke must’ve thought her head came off, and her jaw dropped because Uchiha Sasuke just apologized to her, and the look in her eyes caused him to groan, but Sakura interrupted, “You know how you can make it up to me?”

“What,” he grumbled, like he was already regretting entertaining this.

“Be my friend, for real.”

“Yeah, okay.”

There was a moment of silence.

“You just want to be friends with me so you can see Shisui-nii.”

“What… no!” she laughed brightly as they continued their trek across the village, and she’d felt lighter than she had since her fight with Ino, “Seriously, Sasuke, other than Ino and her friends, and Naruto I guess, you’re the most fun to be around.”

“Me? Fun?” Sasuke snorted, but his eyes were trained on her in interest, “That is not how most people describe me. I was a pretty happy kid, but…”

“You’re just going through teenage angst, it’s fine.”

“We’re not even teenagers yet.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“This crush is the funniest thing I have ever had the pleasure of observing from a primary source.”

“Stop talking about me like I’m a research paper. I’ve had crushes before!”

“Yeah right, like who?”

“Shikamaru, for like two months when Ino introduced me to him.”

“Uh??”

“He’s smart but he’s just so lazy, that’s why I got over it… I guess, do you know the Hyuuga from the side branch? The older guy?”

“Huh? Hinata-san’s cousin?”

“Yes, I had a crush on him for ages,” she laughed, her eyes closing for a moment, like she was deciding if she really wanted to share it, but she decides, “But Ino didn’t know that," and for the first time in a long time her voice is quiet, hurt radiating off of her, as she whispers, "I think that’s why she was so upset, she’s talked about you to me for ages, but I’ve never… I didn’t even really want to tell you about my little crush.”

“You only took my invitation to the Main Branch Uchiha Dinner because Shisui-nii is gonna be there.”

“No, I agreed cause Ino and I aren’t friends anymore.”

“So mean, Sakura.”

“You sound like Naruto.”

“Oi! Take that back!”

“Then stop proving me right,” she replied dryly, and looked up, noticing the increased number of Uchiha crests on other buildings. People begin greeting Sasuke, and look at her with interest. She bows slightly until Sasuke just starts pulling her along like he’s irritated. Maybe not about the attention, but he was mumbling something about this was like a mission and he needed to prove he was just as cool as Itachi-nii.

Must be the older brother. Shisui and Itachi are allegedly really close.

How the hell do you know that and I don’t?

Cause someone has to listen to gossip when you’re dazing off and longingly looking at Ino. You remember what she said, that shit fucking sucked. Besides, this is a good opportunity to prove you’re someone outside of Ino’s best friend.

I hate it when you give actual good advice.

Sasuke eventually stops in front of a gorgeous house, and it has to be at least twice the size of her Village-appointed apartment (given to her after her parents died). She looks at it and her eyes are starry .

“If I’d know that a cool house and Shisui-nii would make you like my presence and break the facade, I’d have invited you over sooner,” Sasuke grins like the little shit he is and Sakura smacks him upside the head, “Ow, and after I-”

“Are you bothering our guest, Sasu-chan?” a startlingly familiar voice brings Sakura to attention and she glances up and fuck yes, dealing with Sasuke was worth it. And she straightens her spine in embarrassment. He was even more gorgeous up close, eyes lit with amusement as he looked back and forth between the two. His hair was messy, but curly, so unlike all the other Uchiha members she’d ever seen. Her eyes were alight with curiosity. He was so pretty, from the way he held himself to the charming smile gracing his lips.

“Of course not, Shisui-nii,” Sasuke snapped, before gesturing to Sakura, “This is my friend, Haruno Sakura. Kaa-san said I should bring a friend over, I think she just wants to make sure I have one.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Sakura-chan,” his eyes are now on her and she has to physically will her cheeks to stay a normal color as his pretty, pretty eyes are looking at her, like he wants to understand what about her made Sasuke bring her as his friend.

Sakura nodded eagerly, and smiled her smile that she rarely wore outside of time with Ino. She could tell Sasuke was balking at her, and decided to ignore his ass, “Nice to meet you, Uchiha-san!”

“You can call me, Shisui, kid!” he grinned, ruffling her hair. Normally, someone messing up her carefully brushed hair would have sent her into a frenzy - especially if it was Sasuke’s annoying ass - but the warmth of the older’s hand caused her to nod.

“Shisui-san,” she nodded, “Thank you for allowing me to come.”

“That was all Mikoto-oba-chan,” he grinned, and I am so fucking screwed, “Auntie has been dying to see if Sasuke has been socializing. I think Fugaku is going to have a heart attack when he realizes that Sasuke’s new friend is a pretty girl from his class.”

HE CALLED US PRETTY! 

“Still,” she bowed again, “Sasuke,” she snapped, “Stop gawking at me like you’ve never seen me.”

And it was worth it for Shisui’s snort of amusement from behind her. She turned towards the door, but allowed Sasuke to go in front of her, nerves now filling her stomach as she was entering the Uchiha Compound. She feels a comforting hand on her head, and she snaps her eyes up to see the pretty Uchiha grinning down at her. He nods like that will make it all okay.

To her utter dismay? It does.

Chapter Text

“So Sakura-chan!” Mikoto, Sasuke’s mother, who, like Naruto, seems to have found a familiarity with the girl she hasn’t felt in a long time. She finds she doesn’t mind it, “How did you and Sasuke-chan become friends?”

Sakura tilts her head, and glances at Sasuke who shrugs, causing her to scowl, “We sit next to each other in the Academy. Apparently,” she raises her hands and adds air-quotes, “‘I’m the most tolerable of all the people in the class’. Sasuke is alright, except he is always getting chased by a bunch of girls and I don’t really wanna associate with him lest I get attacked.”

Sasuke squawked, “We do school projects together,” he nodded, “She’s smart.”

Fugaku, Sasuke’s father, looks at her with a raised eyebrow, “Your IQ?”

She tilts her head, “175, Uchiha-sama.”

Sasuke actually coughs into his hand, like he was surprised, and it irritates her, but she supposed she couldn’t blame him, they did just become real friends, “Sakura?!”

“I’ve told you I’m smart, Sasuke,” her dry tone caused an amused snort from across from her. She glances over and meets the amused eyes of Shisui. He seems amused with her if anything, but she supposes it would be pretty weird if he thought of her as anything but Sasuke’s classmate.

But she was prepared to play the long game.

“That’s quite impressive, it seems that you’re only second to Nara Shikamaru then. Are you the Top Kunoichi this graduating year?”

“Yes, Uchiha-sama. I was in frequent competition with Yamanaka Ino, but I overcame it with training I did on my own, primarily through reading.”

“Oh?” a curious voice comes from the seat next to Shisui, “What kinds of books, Sakura-chan, if you don’t mind?”

“I used to be friends with Yamanaka, but we’ve recently had a falling out,” she tries and fails to hide her wince, but found herself more focused on the -chan , “So I used to read within the clan’s resources. But, I have a rather used library card as well.”

“Interesting,” Itachi’s eyes never leave her, but then glance over to his father, “As you are Sasuke’s friend, when we have time…”

Sasuke perked up, as if he could tell where this was going. Sakura was afraid she knew where this was going, barely resisting a sigh. WHY ARE YOU SIGHING THIS IS SUCH A GOOD OPPORTUNITY?? LIKE NOT ONLY TO SEE SHISUI-SAN BUT ALSO TO LEARN HOW TO BE A GOOD KUNOICHI?!?! Fugaku sighed with exasperation but nodded. Mikoto-oba-sama (she insisted she called her as such)  just cheered with that soft smile.

Shisui just grinned a little manically, “Itachi and I’d love to train you and little Sasu-chan when we aren’t on missions,” he hummed, a wicked grin continuing to grow before looking almost thoughtful, “but you two are graduating soon… maybe we could wait to see if you two are on the same team?”

Sakura scowled, causing the rest of his family to grin in amusement, as if unused to the idea that Sasuke was unliked (of course, Fugaku’s expression didn’t change, and Itachi’s was the twitch of a lip), “It’s likely. Sasuke is the Top Shinobi of the Year.”

Sasuke grinned, “Yeah, you’re stuck with me, Sakura- chan .”

Sakura glowered at him, “I should-” she was about to smack the young Uchiha over the head before collecting herself, and turned to the Uchiha heads, “You know what? I wanted to thank you for your invitation,” she snaps under her breath before bowing her head at the Patriarch and Matriarch of the Uchiha Clan.

Mikoto’s eyes danced with mirth, like she was immensely pleased at how the evening had ended, “Of course! We’re so glad Sasuke-chan is making friends. He’s so enamored with his brother so we’re always nervous he doesn’t make any friends outside of-”

“Kaa-san,” Sasuke whined, but Sakura could see the nervous smile on the young Uchiha’s lips, “Please don’t give Sakura more fuel!”

Sakura snorted, before covering her mouth with her hand, and commented, “Anyone with eyes could tell you hero worship your brother, Sasuke.”

He snapped his eyes to her, growling, amusement buried under indignation as he snapped her name, “Sakura-”

“You have quite the comebacks, Sakura-chan,” a voice from across the table brought her attention away from Sasuke, and the older’s feline grin made her swoon , “It does seem you two are close. I was skeptical when Mikoto-san said you were bringing a friend over, Sasu-chan!”

Sasuke scowled, and sent a glare at his older cousin, before throwing a smirk over at his friend, and Sakura could feel a hiss in her throat at the smirk, “We’re friends, and we’re going to spend a lot more time together because she’s smart and doesn’t hero worship me .”

“I didn’t realize that was such an issue for you at age twelve, Sasu-chan. Seems the true curse of the Uchiha is collecting women’s affection like kunai,” Shisui’s hand dramatically goes over his forehead. And Sakura? She giggles .

Oh my god. Sasuke is never going to shut up about this. You have never giggled in your entire existence- not for Shikamaru, not for Neji, but for his older cousin? Do you have issues?

My parents are dead, of course I have issues.

Sasuke, thankfully, doesn’t comment on it, “Whatever, Shisui-nii. We don’t need to deal with you being an idiot. Itachi-nii, will you train Sakura and I?”

“Oi-” Shisui snapped, and Sakura resisted the urge to defend her new crush. 

“Yes, Sasuke, but sometimes Shisui is in town when I am not, that is why we suggested both training the two of you,” Itachi hummed, giving Sasuke the logistics of their thinking. Sasuke nodded along like it was a lesson. Sakura watched the interaction with interest before glancing over Shisui who looked about two seconds away from snorting.

“I guess that’s fine,” Sasuke grumbled as he glanced over to Sakura, “Are you okay with Shisui-nii helping?”

Sakura could throttle him, instead she smiles saccharine sweet, and she swears she sees Sasuke pale, “Any training is a wonderful opportunity, Sasuke-kun ,” her voice is filled with malice, promising retribution if he didn’t behave himself. 

“Wonderful! Then, Sakura-chan, Sasu-chan, I’ll pick you two up from the Academy tomorrow to start your training,” Shisui’s voice was light and excited, and Sakura couldn’t help but match his excitement, “Alright, Sakura-chan, I’m assuming you need to head home. I can walk you back, see if your parents need any help-”

Sakura froze at the mention of her parents, or lack thereof, “Um, my parents have long passed away, Shisui-san.”

Sasuke’s face paled, anger filling his face and sent a glare in his cousin’s direction, “Do you live alone, Sakura?” 

Sakura wasn’t sure she liked all this attention on her, “Um, yes. My parents were both merchants, and died during a delivery. I am well off, and well on my way to becoming a kunoichi. I know I do not come from a clan, but I intend to work hard to overcome that,” she stands, and bows low, “Thank you for dinner. I need to go home before the Academy. I’ll see you tomorrow, Sasuke.”

She runs out the door, unaware of the looks the Uchiha family are exchanging as she leaves.

-

Sasuke did not leave her side the next day. And of course, this caused a lot of commotion. 

“Oi, forehead, who do you think you are hoarding Sasuke-”

Sasuke’s voice was deep, angry and way too protective for a twelve-year-old, but she supposes as her friend, she can see why, “Shut up Yamanaka. Don’t you have anything better to do than bother my friend and I?”

His glare sweeps the rest of the room, and shuts down any attempt of bothering the two of them. Sasuke and her don’t talk the rest of the day, but Sasuke’s protective glare keeps everyone from bothering her, even during Kunoichi classes. 

But she does noticeably sit alone.

-

Sakura and Sasuke are waiting at the front when Shisui finally appears in front of them.

“Sasu-chan, Sakura-chan! How was your day?” His smile is a little dimmed when he glances at Sakura. She can imagine why.

He didn’t know. I would be angrier if he did, but… I mean, my parents have been dead a long time, and I’ve taken care of myself fine. Sasuke’s worried. I don’t like the way Shusui’s smile is dimmed. 

The three of them walked along, when Sakura tugged at the older’s sleeve. He glanced down.

“Everything okay, Sakura-chan?”

“It’s okay,” she whispered, looking everywhere but him, a pink blush across her cheeks, “I’m not mad. Stop looking so pained when you look at me. They’ve been dead a long time.”

Sasuke glances at her and frowns, but just continues to listen.

Shisui’s smile returns, but his gaze softens, “Oh, Sakura-chan. You shouldn’t have to worry about me. I’m sure you guys think you’re adults because you’re about to graduate, but let me handle things a little longer, yeah?”

He pulls Sakura into a hug, and oh my god this is what girls talk about when they realize the other sex exists. Sasuke is biting his lip, a smirk crossing his lip and she can tell the bastard is trying to keep a laugh down. She doesn’t really know what to do with her hands, so she just allows the older boy to hold her before leaning back and ruffling her head.

“You’re a brave kid, I’m glad I can help you learn how to protect yourself.”

She nodded her head eagerly, keeping her eyes everywhere but at him. Sasuke gave in, and snorted.

“Sasuke,” her voice returned, and she stomped over to him, smacking him on the back of his head, sending him into the ground. The younger Uchiha groaned.

“Sakura, what the hell was that for?”

“Sasu-chan watch your mouth or I’ll tell Mikoto-oba-chan you cursed!”

“Shut up Shisui-nii,” he grumbled as the others continued to the Uchiha training grounds.

“Uh, are you sure I can come?”

“Oto-san said it was fine,” Sasuke nodded as they followed Shisui, “What he says goes, he’s the head of the entire Uchiha clan.”

“Oh, so Itachi-san is the Heir?”

Sasuke’s eyes dimmed, “Yes-”

“I’m sorry,” she frowned, which caused Sasuke’s eyes to snap up to hers, “That’s obviously a sore subject. I don’t wanna make you uncomfortable, Sasuke. Even though you’re an ass.”

“Oi…”

The three of them finally made their way to the training grounds. It was obvious Shisui was just listening to their conversation as they put their bags down.

“Now! I’m glad you guys are serious about your futures, because even though we’re in a time of peace,” Shisui grumbles the last part, “there is always a chance that changes. I’m gonna make sure the two of you are prepared for that. Especially you Sakura-chan, you come from a civilian clan, which is not a big deal, except the Elders are notorious for favoritism.”

Sakura frowned, but didn’t disagree. Don’t be mad, he’s trying to help. He’s not wrong. Shut up, I’m not stupid. 

Shisui seemed to pick up on her frustration, squatting down so he was now looking at her. She wasn’t even that short for a girl, and had to take internal deep breaths to keep herself from blushing. She looked over at Sasuke, whose grin was feral . 

Oh, I am going to brutally murder him. 

He paled as he realized that she was about two seconds away from jumping at him. Shisui seemed to realize this.

“Woah, woah, Sakura-chan,” he laughed loudly, and oh my , she knew at that moment she would never get over him, “Are you sure the two of you are friends?”

She scowled, actually scowled , at Shisui which again caused the older to grin down at her, “Yes, Sasuke is a good friend. He pisses me off sometimes, though.”

Sasuke squawked, “Well, Sakura, you piss me off too!”

She glared over him, and then rolled her sleeve up and stalked towards him and punched . He was sent flying back and hit the tree.

“Sakura,” Sasuke whined as he got up, walking back to them, “You hit like a man.”

“No, I hit like a shinobi ,” she growled, “Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I’m weak .”

Her scowl continued to grow, just like the pale shade on Sasuke’s face. Sasuke was typically pale- she’s sure it’s a Uchiha trait- but he looked deathly pale. And she sighed, putting her hands on her hips.

Shisui’s eyes are wide and his jaw is slack. But then a grin overtakes his lips, and he’s jogging over to them, “Sakura-chan, how is your chakra control -”

“Aren’t you in the 97th percentile?” Sasuke asked offhandedly, and Sakura resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Nepotism at its finest; he definitely did his research once you two became friends. Why are the Uchiha’s love language being creepy? 

“Yes, Sasuke,” she snapped before breathing in a sigh of annoyance, “I’m capable of tree-walking and water-walking, Shusui-san. I started practicing when I realized I was good at chakra control. I’ve even begun dabbling in medical ninjutsu, but that’s not to say I want to stick with it. I want to be strong enough to be a front line fighter.”

Shisui nodded, like it was starting to make sense, “And you’re the top Kunoichi of your class, so I have to assume you’re really smart.”

“You heard my IQ, Shisui-san. I’m second only to Nara Shikamaru.”

His grin widened, “Excellent.”

Chapter Text

A couple days passed, and the training went well. After the first two or three, Shisui-san had to go on a mission, to which Itachi-san came and replaced him. Sakura liked him, he was cool, much more polite than Sasuke, and liked dango and reading. She would very much like to be his friend.

Especially ‘cause he’s Shisui’s best friend. It definitely has its perks. 

“Sakura-san, I’ve heard you have a genjutsu-affinity. Would you be interested in some genjutsu training?”

She perked up. It wasn’t often people acknowledged she was a genjutsu type, instead ignoring her all together because she was a civilian-born kunoichi . Sasuke had been like that too before in a spar when she sent him flying with a regular punch. Sakura was already stronger than most, she’d been born with it, so unfortunately for her parents, she was dead set on becoming a shinobi. Besides, if someone saw that and realized she wasn’t a shinobi, she has a feeling she’d be forced to become one. Better to feel like the choice is there. Even if it wasn’t. 

Itachi nodded when he saw the excitement dancing in her eyes, “You know Sasuke, I don’t know why you said Sakura-san here was super good at hiding her emotions. Around Shisui she seems super excited, and around me she does too.”

Sasuke scowled, looking at Sakura with a mean glare, “I don’t know why she does a 180, but she really is a bit-”

Itachi leveled his little brother a glare that would have made Sakura swoon if she wasn’t deadset on his cousin. 

That’s the thing about Sakura- she’s loyal . 

And sometimes it gets her into big trouble. 

-

They passed, and Sakura was only a little surprised when Naruto did too. She was proud of the blonde, and told him as much.

“Wow, Sakura-chan! For someone who spends so much time with teme, you sure are nice!” Naruto was smiling brightly, a little red hue on his face that made her tilt her head in confusion, “Not that you should stop being friends! I know you like hanging out with him and-”

“I could ask him if you could tag along too, if you want,” she tilted her head, “Sasuke doesn’t have a lot of real friends, that’s why I was unfortunately dragged off.”

“Oh! That’s kinda funny actually, considering all those girls that follow him around.”

“I think that’s why he doesn’t have friends.”

“Sakura, you better not be talking shit about me with the dope,” a very annoyed voice came from behind them, and she glanced over her shoulder to see Sasuke walking in, eyes narrowed on the blonde- but not because of his existence, but because he was with Sakura , “Is the other seat open?”

“People just assume where I go, you go, so yes,” she blandly responded, looking tired of the two already, “Okay, so how do we feel about… the three of us being friends. Sasuke?”

“Only if you tell him about your little crush,” Sasuke grumbled to where she only heard, and Sakura aimed to smack him across the head, but he dodged, “Getting sloppy in your old age, huh, Sakura?”

“I should beat the shit out of you for that, I’m like only months older than you, little shit,” she glared at his weird face, “Naruto, you’re our friend now.”

Naruto perked up, not even annoyed Sasuke was there too, “Are you sure? Since you and… uh, stopped hanging out I haven’t been able to hang out with Shikamaru and Choji.”

“That bitch ,” Sakura glowered, “I should-”

“Now, now, Sakura, calm down,” Sasuke began to panic, given how they’d been training, Sakura could probably put the blonde in her place, but Sasuke didn’t want to get in trouble for letting the pinkette into Uchiha Training Sessions. He glanced at the blonde. If Sakura liked him, then he was fine in his book. His mother had talked about the blonde a couple times, but always got distracted when it came down to finding him. Apparently his parents died in the Kyuubi Attack, and no one seemed to like him. Especially civilians, which is why he was so confused Sakura did. But, he mused, she is different from most civilian-born shinobi’s I know. Not that I know that many… 

Before they could continue their three-way bickering, Iruka-sensei walked in, a couple files under his arm as he basically skipped over to his desk. Sakura thinks he’s way too chipper for an early morning meeting.

“Alright everyone! It’s time to announce your genin teams, congratulations to everyone who passed. I’m extremely proud of every single one of you.”

Sakura deadpans, but manages to keep her opinions to herself. She glances at Sasuke from the corner of her eye and oh no, he definitely pulled some strings. Damn nepotism. There are worse things than being on his team- we can get closer to Shisui this way!! We’re like 12, I sincerely promise you he does NOT feel the same. 

He spewed off names; the obvious Ino-Shika-Cho, the combination that had been for generations. Sakura can’t blame them if it works . What is obviously going to be an infiltration team: Hyuuga Hinata (from the main branch), Inuzuka Kiba, and Aburame Shino. She didn’t mind Shino, they also teamed up a bit but then Sasuke grew a liking to her and there was very little Sasuke didn’t get what he wanted. But, she didn’t really like Hinata. She always side-eyed her when she was with Naruto, but that just proved her questionable taste. Naruto was sweet, kind, had a smile to die for, and was very pretty. But he is kinda an asshole.

 We seem to be collecting them.

“Team Seven: Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, and Uchiha Sasuke!”

She snapped her head up, we are so fucked.

-

She could tell Naruto and Sasuke were getting agitated.

No shit they look like they’re about to start brawling right here. I didn’t think Sasuke would fall into Naruto’s goading. But Naruto is a very good rage-baiter so…

“Hey! I’m gonna be your genin sensei, and from what I can tell,” her head snapped over to see a man in the entry way, most of his face covered, a mask over the lower part of his face and his left eye covered by his hiate, and Sakura wanted to know why he thought it necessary to do so, “I already hate you guys!”

Sakura scowled, eyes wide before getting up as he told them to meet him on the roof. Sasuke caught up to her quickly, “Dude, he seems like a major ass.”

Naruto got on her otherside, “No shit, teme. What do you think, Sakura?”

“I think we got our work cut out for us with this one,” she scowled, “But he does look familiar from old bingo books I’ve seen…” she trailed off, “I’ll need to check my collection.”

“Only you would have a bingo book collection,” Sasuke drawled as they walked up the stairs.

Naruto seemed to take personal offense to this, “Oi, leave Sakura-chan alone!”

“Oh, so he can call you Sakura-chan, but I can’t?”

“I don’t care what you call me, Sasuke,” she groaned as she opened the door to the roof, where their sensei was sitting, eye watching them curiously, and she resisted the urge to groan. He seems like he’d be the asshole type, and she already has one more asshole under her protection. Sasuke was a good friend, but he was a cheeky bastard. Especially with their training with Shisui, always looking at her with a smirk or worse that feral grin of his when Shisui got too close and helped with her form. 

They ended up sitting on some concrete stairs, looking at Kakashi with all the respect they could muster.

“You three seem close?” he grinned, and she could see the indent through his mask which made her think he was being genuine, scary , “Wanna explain that?”

Sakura scowled.

“Sakura-chan has always been really nice to me! She’s the prettiest girl in the academy and I am so excited to be on her team!”

Poor boy doesn’t know we’ve already got our heart set. We’re the type where we don’t get over it, either, something about loyalty. 

I almost feel bad until I remember Shisui’s eyes.

You’re exhausting. 

Says you.

“Sakura-chan is the only tolerable kunoichi in the academy,” he glanced at Naruto and sneered, “She’s probably the most tolerable shinobi at this point.”

Sakura sighed deeply, looking at the sky to beg for some sort of strength. When she glanced at the man in front of them, he looked amused at her suffering.

“I keep picking up strays apparently,” she uttered dryly, and was annoyed at the increasing amusement in the right eye of her sensei, “They’re fun though, I think these two were the best people to be on a team with. I’m excited to work with them until we’re chunin.”

“Aw Sakura-chan, you don’t think they’ll let us stay on a team post chunin?”

“Assuming you make chunin, dope,” Sasuke grumbled under his breath. Sakura scowled, smacking Sasuke so hard he fell to the ground, “OI, I TOLD YOU TO STOP DOING THAT.”

Naruto, on the other hand, started cackling. Sakura, never one to do things in halves, smacked him and he landed next to Sasuke.

“Sakura-chan!”

“You two are acting a fool in front of our genin-sensei. Just shut up until he tells us what we’re doing here.”

The man grinned even wider and Sakura wasn’t sure how she felt about that, “You have these two on a leash? How funny.”

Sakura raised an eyebrow in defiance, “You should tell us what your name is and a couple things so we know how to introduce ourselves, sensei .”

The man just shrugged, “My name is Hatake Kakashi, I like a lot of things, I don’t dislike much, and my future goals are not for children’s ears.”

Sakura groaned, “All you told us was your name!”

Naruto and Sasuke were back by her side and voiced the same complaints.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Start with the emo one,” Kakashi-sensei pointed at Sasuke and Sakura had to snort into her hand before grinning at Sasuke, who was leveling her a glare equal to the famed Madara she’d read about.

“I’m Uchiha Sasuke,” he sighed like he didn’t want to be here, “I guess I enjoy Sakura’s presence, a little . I dislike when people disrespect the Uchiha Clan,” and this time Sakura didn’t even hide her snort, “Shut up, Sakura or-” Sakura raised an eyebrow and cracked her knuckles in preparation, “Kami, nevermind, calm down! My future goals are to join the Uchiha Police Force or help Itachi-nii; or maybe join the ANBU.”

Kakashi’s face paled, but didn’t say anything. If I could bet, I’d guess that man was a part of ANBU and Sasuke should not have said he knew what that was. Why are we friends with idiots? 

“Excentric blonde next,” Kakashi’s eye went over to Naruto in clear amusement.

Naruto scowled, “I’m Uzumaki Naruto, dattebayo! I like Sakura-chan and ramen! I dislike my other asshole teammate,” he leveled a glare at Naruto that was significantly less intimidating than he likely thought it was. Sakura looked back up to the sky and prayed these idiots would leave her alone in her free time (they wouldn’t). “And my future goal is to be the best Hokage ever, dattebayo!”

Sakura glanced over at him. If he gets stronger, he’d be a good Hokage. He’d need to work on his ability to actually have real paperwork done, but I think he can do it. 

Kakashi nodded, “And pinky.”

Sakura deadpanned at her annoying sensei, but sighed in exasperation, “I’m Haruno Sakura. I like dango and trivia games. I dislike idiots who don’t know how to show respect,” she snapped at her teammates, hopefully enacting a healthy amount of fear, “My future goals?” she hummed, “I want to improve my genjutsu skills as well as my taijutsu. Ninjutsu is essential as well, but not my forte,” she shrugged, “Though I think it would be fun to learn from the Copy Ninja himself,” her eyes glimmered when his right eye widened in surprise before going back to neutral. 

Naruto and Sasuke squawked, asking her what she meant and looking back and forth between the two. She raised an eyebrow as if to say don’t you dare underestimate me just because I’m a civilian-born shinobi. 

Chapter Text

Sakura was not happy with her sensei.

They were ordered to get to the bridge early, and of course he was late. She was sitting in between the two idiots who had taken to arguing, and she was meditating. Sakura was aware that as a civilian-born shinobi, she had to work that much harder to expand her reserves. So she did a lot of meditating; she used to do it a lot with Shikamaru before… 

She pinched herself, she did not need to cry over Ino now of all times. You have the opportunity to finally be out of her shadow, why are you sad? She was my friend. Shadow or not. Do you not remember how she talked to you? She didn’t mean it. Ino always means everything she says, you know this. 

“Sakura-chan, you okay?” 

Sakura blinks her eyes open to see Sasuke squatting in front of her, annoyance rolling off of her, she just nods, looking around to see Naruto head first in the pond, getting out quickly as if trying to keep himself from crashing out. 

“Sasuke, please don’t hurt Naruto. We might need him.”

“What would we need him for?” Sasuke scowls, looking at the other with a wide-eyed look. Sakura sighs.

“We should plan for some kind of group shit, like, I think that…” she bit her nail, “I think we’re going to have to do some kind of training so he can gauge our skills, but we’re stronger together and we’re going to be a team for a couple more years-- we should try to prove we can do it.”

Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other and pointed, “Yeah but with him ?”

Sakura sighed in exasperation, “You two need to get along,” she cracked her knuckles, “Or should I prove to you again why you idiots need to?”

Sasuke paled, “No, no, Sakura-chan!”

“Of course not, Sakura-chan!”

Sakura huffed. 

Sasuke snapped up, “Oh yeah, my parents invited both of you over for dinner tonight since we’re teammates now. You wanna come?”

Sakura nodded, because she was always stuck with his ass, but Naruto’s eyes widened, jaw dropped, “Uh, yeah! Sure!”

“Great, I'm stuck with two idiots tonight,” Sakura sighed deeply, before giving the two boys a rare smile, “Plus… I’ll get to see Sasuke’s super hot cousin.”

Sasuke groaned loudly as Naruto squawked, eyes looking back and forth between the two of them.

“W-what, Sakura-chan?”

“Sakura’s had a crush on my cousin, Shisui, for months now. It’s annoying,” Sasuke groaned, “Good thing he isn’t here or we’d have her actually smiling.”

Naruto’s eyes blew wide, “Wow! Well, I guess I’m excited to see that interaction, Sakura-chan.”

Sakura glowered, “Fuck off,” and then before the conversation could continue, a vaguely familiar chakra presence appeared. She glanced up and saw Kakashi-sensei’s arrival. The other looked surprised she noticed , but she was really good at sensory, contrary to popular belief. She wondered what her file looked like for him to really look down at her like she was nothing but a burden. It made her scowl, but she wore that expression a lot. It was like her resting face at this point. 

“Maa, maa, you guys are certainly excited this morning,” the bored voice of their sensei brought his presence known to the other two, but she just raised an eyebrow at him like if he didn’t get down from there now she was going to have choice words with him. Like we’d be able to do anything, inner drawled, causing Sakura to inwardly roll her eyes, “Are we ready for our first training exercise? This determines if you get to keep being shinobi!”

Of course there’s a twist. There’s always a fucking twist in this village. No shit. I’m surprised it took this long for him to tell us frankly.

Naruto and Sasuke gawked at Kakashi, albeit a little differently. Naruto’s jaw was dropped and eyes were wide, while Sasuke’s smirk had dropped and his lips were pursed, eyes narrowed. Sakura just kept her face blank, nervous he’d be able read her own nerves if she didn’t keep her face blank. Itachi-san would be so disappointed if they didn’t pass. She glanced at Sasuke, and he nodded, apparently they were on the same page. But then her eyes went to Naruto- sweet, intense Naruto- who wanted to become Hokage , she couldn’t let him fail either. 

“Now then! Meet me at Team Seven’s training grounds! See you soon!” She could tell the excitement was false, and almost looked a little languid as he wandered off. She grumbled, pulling the two boys with her with nothing more than a look. As always, where she went, they went. 

The thought no longer bothered her as much as it used to.

-

She spit out blood, angry that her sensei tried to use such a low-rank genjutsu on her despite her profile saying she was a genjutsu type. As soon as it showed her dead parents, she whispered kai with a sort of murderous intent. She felt something seeping after her as she walked deliberately to where she felt Sasuke. She found him facing off against Kakashi-sensei, eyes narrowed in irritation. Sakura rarely saw serious Sasuke anymore, he seemed to have relaxed enough to where he is more of a little shit than anything, but he was the serious boy she remembers sparring with. He’s got a glint in his eyes, irritation all over his body. Sakura grumbles, annoyed that Kakashi-sensei seems to be nothing but toying with him. She sets a genjutsu that Itachi-san had taught her and rushed to grab Sasuke, pulling him away to find Naruto.

“What-Sakura! I could have handled him-”

“Shut up no you couldn’t have. We’re finding Naruto and making a plan.”

“What?”

“He tried to put me in a genjutsu, took Naruto down with Taijutsu, and was attempting to take you down with a ninjutsu. He’s too powerful for any of us, now, to take him down. So we’re going to work together and try to use the leverage to get him to let us pass all together.”

Sasuke frowned, pursing his lips before nodding once, “Yeah, I guess that makes sense. You don’t think Itachi-nii will make fun of me for… working together?”

“Even if Fugaku-sama does, we’ll face it together. I’m sure Naruto won’t even mind,” Sakura turned her head enough to wink, squeezing his hand reassuringly, “Now c’mon, I can sense his chakra somewhere over here.”

They wander around, their guard remaining high until they find Naruto… tied up in a tree. Sakura deadpans, making eye contact with Sasuke, who shrugs, as if to say you’re the one who wanted to include him. Stupid fucking clan-head assholes. 

“Sasuke,” her voice is exasperated, “Can you use your fire jutsu to get him down here, preferably without a million burns?”

“Only if you go out with me,” Sasuke joked, giving her a wink, something he’d been doing solely to piss her off. She knew Sasuke didn’t feel anything romantic towards her, but it was pretty amusing to see the look of indignation Naruto gave them. Sakura had threatened to beat his ass if he did it in front of Shisui. 

“Sasuke.”

“Fine, fine, kaa-san ,” he taunted, “Katon!”

A small fire ball came out, lighting the rope holding the other to the tree. Naruto fell to the ground with all the grace of a fish out of water. Sakura looks down at him as Naruto scurries to stand, awkwardly wiping dirt off of himself.

“You guys came for me!” It's loud, because Sakura doesn’t think Naruto is able at all to speak at a normal volume, but once she levels him a glare he quiets down, but logically Kakashi-sensei likely knew they were together. He probably wanted to see what they’d do. He is toying with us. He’s a Jonin, possibly higher-leveled, of course he’s toying with you. He wants to learn where you are in terms of skill. At least he knows not to use D-Class Genjutsu on you. Not only are you immune to D&C-class genjutsu, Uchiha Itachi is training you in Genjutsu mastery. He’s extremely good, not just because he’s an Uchiha either. Sakura half-listened to Naruto and Sasuke arguing, before she felt his chakra again. She snapped her head in the direction she felt it. It was subdued, and she definitely shouldn’t have been able to, yet here they were. She feels a flicker of surprise. 

“He’s near, shut up you two. Naruto, use those clones you’re good at. Surround him. Sasuke, use fire to keep him inside a subdued area, try not to burn anything down, but… if you have to,” she shrugs, “I’ll try some of the B-Class genjutsu Itachi-san has begun teaching me.”

The boys nodded, looking everywhere to see where he was. He only appears when he realizes they have a plan. Then the jerk puts his hands open like he was expecting them.

Why does she always end up surrounded by assholes?

-

She stomped up to the Uchiha Compound with Naruto in tow. She’d made him go to the stores with her after they had officially been made genin and were now working under Hatake Kakashi, the renowned Copy Ninja. Her sensei was such an ass and she truly did not know how she was going to make it through the next few years of whatever this shit was. 

“So, Sakura-chan, how do ya know where the teme lives?”

She looked over her shoulder, where Naruto was being dragged, her hand over his wrist, “Oh, Sasuke’s an idiot with no friends and decided to make it my problem, so here I am.”

Naruto snorts, “If he was more approachable, maybe he’d have friends…” he trailed off, “We can be his friends, Sakura-chan.”

She hums, “That’s what I’m hoping. Kakashi-sensei seems pretty big on the whole team bonding bullshit, but I don’t think it’ll be that bad if it’s with you two.”

Naruto grins his “Naruto” grin, and Sakura can’t help the fond huff that comes past her lips. They continue walking until they finally get to the house.

“Woah, Sasuke is loaded .”

It takes everything in her to keep herself from smacking the hell out of him.

-

She’s sitting across from Sasuke, Naruto on her left as she’s sitting at the end of the table. Sasuke is telling them how their first training session went, and Naruto actually does a good job of being respectful, and Sakura is proud .

“You’re welcome to join us whenever, Naruto,” Mikoto-oba-sama’s voice is sad, like she’s seeing something for the first time in a long time, “We’d love to host team dinners for the three of you.”

Sasuke perks up and Naruto’s eyes are wide, like he hadn’t been expecting it. Sakura just smiles softly, fondly, before burying it under exasperation. She really likes her team; Naruto is bright, like the sun, warm and homey. Sasuke is a little shit, but he’s her little shit. He’s mean but loyal. Kakashi-sensei… well she can’t get a good read on him, but something tells her he is coming from a good place. 

“Sakura,” a soft voice came from beside Fugaku-sama, “How did it go for you? Sasuke said that you were attacked by a genjutsu?”

Sakura’s eyes narrowed at Sasuke, “Yes, but it was a D-Class genjutsu, I easily broke out of it. I then helped subdue Kakashi-sensei for a couple minutes with a genjutsu of my own. Your training has been wonderful, Itachi-san.”

He nods approvingly, she can almost see the pride in Fugaku-sama’s eyes. It makes her twitch with pride because the Uchiha are rarely known for their pride in those outside their clan. She risks a glance to Itachi’s side, and Shisui is grinning .

But Shisui was always grinning.

Chapter Text

Sakura is surprised when Naruto convinces Senju Tsunade, the fifth Hokage, to let them go on their first c-rank mission a month into d-rank missions. Her close advisor, Orochimaru, is sitting to her side, uninterested as he reads over research reports. They are two out of the three legendary sanin from the war days. Their third, Jiraiya, spends a lot of time outside the village, hunting and spying for Konoha’s sake- but he comes back often enough people remember who he is.

And his nasty habit of perving on women in bath houses.

They were to escort a bridge-builder back to the Land of Waves, and then to come back safely. Tsunade looked at them with beady eyes before nodding her head, and she thinks it’s just because she’s fond of Naruto, but no one really knows why. Orochimaru handed them some papers, claiming this had more details if they wished to look it over. He had a disinterested look, but remained by Tsunade’s side.

“Thank you for the opportunity, Hokage-sama,” Sakura bows, before realizing the other two haven’t, she grabbed them by the hair and forced them too. She heard a snort coming from the direction of the desk. 

“I’m assuming you’re Haruno Sakura?”

She tilted her head to the side in confusion, and nodded. 

“It’s hard to not know the girl who’s wormed her way into the Uchiha’s hearts.”

She straightened up, and Tsunade waved the rest of them out. But told Sakura to remain. Are we in trouble? If we are, we’re so fucked, she’s the Hokage . 

“Have I offended you in some way, Hokage-sama?” she bowed low, before looking back up and keeping eye contact, “If so, I apologize.”

Tsunade waved her off, “I’ve heard you have excellent chakra control, in the 97th percentile as well as an IQ of 175,” she raised her eyebrow, “You’re working on genjutsu with Uchiha Itachi, which makes me assume you are able to work hard. If you wish, I would like to take you as an apprentice when you return from your mission.”

Sakura’s eyes blew wide . 

Am I dreaming? Nope, but it definitely feels like it. 

After the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, passed away a couple years, it managed to bring back all the Sannin so they could attend the funeral, and Tsunade had somehow been dragged into the Hokage’s seat (apparently, Jiraiya-sama had laughed out loud and Orochimaru-sama only agreed to stay if she made him her advisor; she agreed only if he stopped being a creep). She’s seen him around the village, and despite the rumors, Orochimaru wasn’t that creepy. He was just… lonely, from what she could tell. She’d seen him helping with research, but even went to visit the Academy to gather people who would be interested in that sort of work. He had some connections with T&I, and had a weird relationship with Anko. She smiled around him a lot, and he didn’t exactly look annoyed when he was around her. Something about a father-figure who isn’t biological or something.

Answer the woman so we can get to our mission. I can feel Sasuke’s curiosity from here .

Ugh fine. Little bastard.

“I would be happy to learn whatever you have to offer, Hokage-sama,” she bowed, but she could tell she was buzzing a little bit, “I should give this information, but I do have a mean right hook. My teammates tell me, and I quote, you punch harder than a man ,” she scowled before seeing the look of mirth in Tsunade’s eyes, and the look of horror in Orochimaru’s.

“Oh gods,” Orochimaru actually groaned , as if exasperated, “She’s like another one of you, if you were any good at using a battle axe or genjutsu.”

Sakura’s spine straightened, how the fuck did he know about that? 

-

Her final gift from her parents before their departure to the Land of Iron, had been a huge battle axe. It was wonderful. It was about the size of her, but Sakura had always had an unnatural amount of strength. Some people liked to make fun of it, but Sasuke always said it was cool. Until she started slamming him into trees and the ground because he made comments about “S.” which is their entirely creative name for Shisui, so that Sakura’s little crush never got out. She'd probably go insane if he knew before she could act on it. But she digresses. The axe was gold, both on the actual axe part as well as the bottom part, where a green ribbon came from. The axe was decorated in pink sakura blossoms as well as two hook-like shapes, also in pink. 

Because it was the last present from her parents, she’d decided to use it. She’d disappear into the woods, training with it. She’d read books about kenjutsu, special books from Kirigakure she’d requested from the library. She wasn’t sure how the Konoha Library had them, but like anything in her life, she devoured them. 

A couple months ago, she had gotten proficient at them. Like, she knew how to wield that thing like an extra limb. She still hadn’t told Kakashi-sensei about it, and she probably should. She’d gotten good but because she knew it wasn’t a Konoha specialty, she usually kept it in a sealed container in her pack. Making it easy to use if necessary. 

Her parents’ death was reported a month after they left. Sakura wasn’t… devastated, but she did sit by the river a lot after that, staring blankly into the void.

-

“Oh? Can I see your axe, Sakura?” Tsunade’s eyes were alight with curiosity. Orochimaru’s eyes were shining, “Where did you get it?”

“Oh sure,” she pulled out the scroll, opening the seal and the axe was taken out, she put it over her shoulder, holding it easily, like a master of the craft, “My parents got it for me before their death. My mother is originally from Kirigakure, and my father is originally from the Land of Iron. They were headed to Iron for a trade agreement as they were both merchants. My mother fled from the Bloody Mist era, as she wasn’t… a proficient ninja. She made Chunnin, but never went past that,” she nodded thoughtfully, “If I may, can I ask you a question, Orochimaru-sama?”

The Sannin’s eyes were alight with interest as he nodded his permission. Sakura hummed, “how did you know about my axe?”

He hummed, “There is very little in this village I do not know about. When Hiruzen-sensei passed away, I made sure that everything was my business, especially with Tsuna as the new Hokage. While Jiriya takes care of things on the outside, I take care of things inside the walls. We’re all a part of the “Hokage” title if you will, Tsuna is just the one who gets the credit.”

Tsunade’s eyes darkened, “You want to be reminded of why I was offered the position, you little snake?”

“I meant no disrespect, Tsuna, I would hope if Jiraiya or I were Hokage, we would use the same system. We’ve always been better as a unit.”

Tsunade nodded thoughtfully, “Good point. Sakura, I will train you how I see fit in the ways you can utilize chakra. You’re clearly already very strong, in terms of muscle mass. You’re adept in the ways of Kenjutsu and Genjutsu. I don’t want that squandered. You can be a very proficient shinobi if you continue to keep your options open. I want you to keep practicing these techniques even when training under me.”

“Thank you, Hokage-sama. I will keep this in mind, now if I may-”

“Just call me Tsunade, kid. We’re going to be spending a lot of time together.”

Sakura perked up, “Yes, Tsunade-shisou.”

Orochimaru smirked, and as if sensing this, threw her chair at the snake, who dodged with the precision of one who had done it before. Sakura bowed again, leaving the two to their antics. She had a mission to perform after all.

-

“So, Sakura-chan, when were you going to tell us about the battle axe?” came Kakashi-sensei’s voice, light as if purposely trying to keep the tension out of his voice.

She looked over her shoulder. They were about five hours into their mission, and she had kept her axe over her shoulder. Naruto and Sasuke were balking at the sheer size of it and how she wasn’t even struggling to pick it up. 

“Oh? This thing? My parents gave it to me before their death. My mother was from Kirigakure, during the bloody mist era, and she wished for me to have some sort of Kenjutsu if nothing else. Turns out I have other tools at my disposal, but it certainly is useful to have something as a back up. I’ve been training with it since their death, so it’s been a couple of years,” she looked up at the sky as if contemplating something, “I suppose I should tell you, Tsunade-shisou has asked me to be her apprentice with my good chakra control, she thinks she can teach me quite a few things.”

Kakashi-sensei actually looked up from his porn, eyes wide, “Oh, did she now?”

Sakura shrugged, “Well, considering I’ve already done all three basic chakra exercises, I do have proficient skills,” she looked off into the distance. Her senses caused her to pause, and she glanced at Kakashi-sensei. She glanced down, noticing a pool of water. It had not rained in days. 

This isn’t good, be on your guard.

Before she knew it, Kakashi-sensei was torn into pieces. She gasped, but then turned her axe over to the culprits, not even hesitating to bring it down onto the other while Sasuke also jumped into action, using Uchiha Katas that he’d mastered. Sakura brought the axe down over the head of the ninja, blood splattering over her face as she looked down with disinterest. She moved quickly, jumping over the other one as she looked to see where the boys were. Kakashi-sensei was nowhere to be found, but she could sense his chakra in the trees, so this must be some sort of test. She kicked Naruto over to protect the client, and this seemed to wake him up from whatever daze he was in. He took out a kunai and stood at his guard, eyes wide with something- with fear ? She didn’t blame him. If she was not of Kiri blood, if she hadn’t listened to her mother’s stories of how she came to become a chunin in the bloody mist era, she’d have been scared too. She brought her axe down, cutting another one in half, more blood covering her black outfit of choice. Her hair was already a liability, so she chose to keep the rest of her as inconspicuous as possible.

Her hair was getting long again, and she inwardly sighed, which meant she’d need to cut it when she returned. She glanced over to Sasuke as he took down the last guy, no blood, just men who were taken down, knocked out.

Oops. ugh, now Kakashi-sensei is going to question our bloodlust. We killed like two people like it was nothing. Those were our first two official kills. We’re so fucked. 

“Well done you three,” a voice came from the trees, and Sakura tried not to groan in frustration. Sure they had it handled, but wasn’t he the jonin? Shouldn’t he have taken care of it? This was more annoying than she was willing to put up with, “Sakura-chan, you okay?”

The real question was impossible to ignore. You just killed two people? Why are you not vomiting in a bush right now?

Sasuke’s eyes were also on her. She just kept her eyes on the Uchiha, begging him not to ask any questions here . She’d tell him later. 

“Yes, Kakashi-sensei, I appreciated the concern,” she bowed again, “Shall we continue with the mission?”

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, as if measuring something, before turning to the client with a sort of angry energy. Sakura knew this to be killing intent , her mother used to speak of it. It was a sort of extension of one’s chakra, it could be suffocating, manipulated, molded . 

She had never seen it in person. She’d be willing to bet that this wasn’t even the full extent of Kakashi-sensei’s killing intent. She was curious to see what it did look like. 

“This was more than we were expecting. We were attacked by Chunnin. That does not classify as an C-Rank mission. You better get to explaining if you have even a hope of us continuing this mission.”

Behind her, she heard Sasuke goading Naruto, which seemed to be a familiar thing. She ignored them in favor of learning what the hell was going on. The man spoke of the Land of Waves, how there was poverty and destruction, how he was being sent there to help. Sakura felt pity for the man, and knew she would want to finish this mission. She glanced over to the other two, and knew they would too. This was a matter of life and death, and she knew she would be okay. But what would happen if they saw death? They saw her cut a man’s head off with no pretense of fear- she frankly didn’t know how she did it, but she wasn’t going to ask questions. She was running on adrenaline and delusion. 

Ugh we’re so cooked. A little training from the Uchiha Heir, Shunshin no Shisui, Kakashi Hatake, and our own and we’re suddenly thinking we’re ready for an A-Class mission. 

We’re going to be fine. We’re tougher than people realize. We’re strong, we can do this.

If you say so… 

Kakashi asked the group what they wanted to do. All three said they should go, finish what they started. Naruto’s dumbass stabbed himself in the hand, eager to prove he was ready. Kakashi and Sakura deadpanned.

“You’re going to get an infection, dumbass,” Sakura looked at him like she wanted to smack his dumbass, “Ugh, you’re so stupid,” she grabbed his hand, and suddenly green chakra came from her as she carefully shut the wound, making sure to remember what the book told her. It would get better if she trained with Tsunade-shisou. She was eager to learn under her. 

“Wow, Sakura-chan you’re amazing!” Naruto’s voice was eager with excitement as he stared at his hand.

“When the fuck did you learn that?” Sasuke’s voice hissed, but she could tell there was a little awe in his voice.

“A book.”

Kakashi blinked, “A book ?” he asked incrediously. 

She tilted her head, “Before I got stuck with emo over there, I was primarily seen as just a civilian-born shinobi because people didn’t know my mother was from the bloody mist, so I was often reading to keep my training up to date.”

Kakashi looked tentative, “Hm, interesting.”

Looks like she finally caught his attention. Thank Kami, I was getting annoyed! 

Chapter Text

They eventually get to the Land of Waves, where Sakura notices immediately something is off— there is something weird about the energy, the chakra that surrounds the place. It’s stifling, it’s weird. Sakura’s nervous, for the first time in a long time, she is on edge . 

Sasuke notices immediately, grabbing onto her pants and tugging, you alright?  

She nods, keeping her eyes on the client, and glances over to Kakashi. His eyes land on hers, and nods. There’s something wrong . It feels like bloodlust, killing intent, whatever, but way more than we’ve ever had. Sakura is now fully aware of how the chunnin’s blood is sticking to her hair, her clothes. She’d wiped her face off, but the rest of it stayed. She had no choice. She glanced at Naruto, who was grinding his teeth while he looked at Sasuke, eyes burning with something . 

She grabbed him, pulling him in and whispering, “Shut up, this might be out of our league,” Sakura’s voice was rough with anxiety, because she loathed to admit it. She loathed to admit that she was anything other than perfect .

“I’d trust pinky,” a voice came from above the tree line and there he was. He was tall, most of his face was so covered in some sort of cloth. His Hiate was over his forehead, the metal part facing the right side of his face. He wore a simple sort of black-green outfit that covered his body. His eyes were trained on her. She held herself tall, before releasing her axe, putting it over her back in clear challenge. We’re gonna give Kakashi-sensei a heart attack, we’re actually gonna kill him. “How interesting, I can’t remember the last time I saw a Konoha-nin with something other than a kunai,” his voice is condescending in the way Sakura hates the most. Her eyes narrow, and hopes Naruto and Sasuke are making their way to Kakashi. She couldn’t do much, but she could try . She brings her axe down, using her chakra-enhanced strength to cause the earth to shatter . 

“Dammit, Sakura!”

The man freezes, eyes narrowing on her, “Sakura?” his eyes look over his face before they flash in recognition, and as if he’s thinking fuck , he turns his attention away from Sakura to Kakashi. She takes this chance to grab the boys, who had passed out under the influence of the killer-intent. She pulled them and watched Kakashi fight. He’s amazing. I can see why he has a flee-on-sight order in a couple countries. I mean are you seeing how fast he’s moving those hand signs- IS THAT A FUCKING SHARINGAN!?

“What the fuck,” she glanced down and saw Sasuke was awake, eyes trained on their sensei, who had a fucking sharingan, “Sakura, do I have a secret older cousin I was never told about?”

“Shut the fuck up,” she hissed, “We can corner him and ask after we survive this,” she scowled, keeping Naruto in her peripheral. She kept her axe out, but casted a small genjutsu over them to keep them hidden. Sasuke’s eyes trained on her before glancing back over at Kakashi, who was frankly wiping the floor with Zabuza.

“Dude, why is he better at using the sharingan than me?”

“Maybe ‘cause you don’t have it yet, dumbass?” Sakura snapped, quietly, because with the chance that Kakashi didn’t win, she needed to keep her boys hidden, “Did you see the way that weirdo looked at me?”

“Sakura I was knocked out for a solid five minutes. I don’t even want to know how you’ve built a resistance to killer intent. What happened?”

“He looked at me like he knew something, like he’d seen me before. I,” she glanced at him, and gritted her teeth, “am technically from Kirigature. My mother’s family was from here.”

“You think someone’s looking for you?”

“Could be,” she bites her nail and grumbles, “Either way we’re screwed if Kakashi-sensei doesn’t- did he just win?”

“Yes, of course this bastard did.”

“I’m slightly chakra exhausted so I’ll let this slide, but don’t be rude to our sensei. I guess we know why he was assigned to our team now,” she snorted at the glare Sasuke leveled her, “Let’s go get Kakashi-sensei and get back to the house of Tazuna. Hopefully we can cooperate and try to understand what the hell is going on.”

“Right,” Sasuke nodded, grabbing Naruto and throwing the boy over his shoulder as Sakura ran over to Kakashi’s side, bending down to look at him.

“Kakashi-sensei?” she whispered, if a little frightful, “Ugh, this asshole also passed out from chakra exhaustion,” she glanced back at Zabuza before a Kiri ANBU appeared. Suspicious. She glanced at Sasuke who subtly nodded.

“I appreciate the Konoha-nin for taking care of my dirty laundry,” the voice was soft, and then bowed deeply, “I will take care of the rest.”

Sakura’s eyes narrowed on the anbu in front of her. Isn’t it against regulation to let someone from another village see you in an anbu uniform? Yes, that’s what Shisui said. This is bad, we can’t keep fighting and the boys are out. We need to get Kakashi back somewhere safe. He has the Sharingan, which obviously drains a shit ton of chakra, and Kakashi’s is likely always activated because it clearly isn’t his sharingan. Ugh fine. I guess this is a problem for future Team Seven. 

Eyes remaining narrowed, she nodded curtly at the anbu, who was gone within a second. She turned to Naruto and Sasuke, who were now awake.

“Well boys, let’s go.”

-

Kakashi woke up a little over 5 hours after they arrived at Tazuna’s home. He sat up with a groan, eyes narrowed when he realized his three genin were sitting in front of him with varying levels of annoyance. Naruto was trying awfully hard to look intimidating, clearly his opinion on the situation was based on what Sakura and Sasuke had told him. Sakura was in the middle, eyes were trained on his right eye- ah of course - and a glare was settled on him. He didn’t think it was all that intimidating when it was directed at Naruto or Sasuke, but he now feels the involuntary shiver go down his spine despite the fact he has fought in a war, gone through unimaginable pain, and done egregious things. Sasuke just looked confused, and Kakashi’s heart ached at the hurt dancing around his eyes. 

The details of his sharingan (or rather, Obito’s) were on a strict need-to-know basis. Uchiha Fugaku knew, and by extension Mikoto and Itachi. He would not be telling Sasuke that, but he did owe him an explanation. Before the idiot started asking if he was a long lost cousin like Shisui did, because he was a dumbass. 

Kakashi wouldn’t go down without a fight. 

But before he could even come up with an excuse, Sakura had taken her axe out and threateningly put it beside him, just above the floor to keep from damaging the home. 

“Ah, Sakura-chan, let’s calm down.”

“You owe Sasuke an explanation,” her voice was hard with annoyance, or perhaps finality. He didn’t know where she gained those sorts of feelings, but it was obvious she had been hardened by something. He’d seen the way Zabuza had paused when he learned her name, he’d need to have a private conversation with her about that later. His eyes snapped quickly to Sasuke and Naruto before returning to her face, realizing it might be a team talk actually considering how close they all were. “Oi, don’t ignore me,” anger seeped into her voice.

“Sorry, Sakura-chan. Maa, maa, you certainly have grown up,” he laughed awkwardly, biting down on his lip under his mask, how the hell am I getting out of this one, “I guess I have a rather depressing story to share with you three.”

“Huh?”

“Sakura sit down, my story starts with tragedy and ends with it. That’s when I got the fancy eye you three are so curious about.”

“It’s a Kekkai-Genkai, Kakashi!” Sasuke growling, and Sakura didn’t even bother to reprimand him for his blatant disrespect, “For my clan. Does my family know? Where-”

“I was on a team with a boy named Uchiha Obito.”

Sasuke snapped his mouth shut, sitting down. Sakura grabbed his hand, holding it for comfort. Sasuke leaned into her side, narrowed eyes on him in blatant distrust. Naruto got up and went to his other side. He sat as close as he could, thighs touching. 

“We… didn’t always get along,” his eyes got dazed, “I was a brat who was obsessed with the rules due to some other,” based on the glares of his students he was not getting out of this, “Fine. You want to know? My father committed suicide when I was five. My best friend, Obito, died when I was 12, fighting in the third great ninja war, crushed by a bolder and as a present for my jonin promotion gave me his fucking eye. Then, I was forced to kill my other best friend by Chidori when she jumped in front of my attack because she had a tailed beast inserted into her forcefully, and then on top of that, my sensei and his wife died, my entire "genin" team dead. Like they never existed,” he spit out in one sentence. Years of anguish. Years of anger and hurt bubbling to the front like it was nothing . He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. 

About them. 

Sakura’s eyes, for once, weren’t completely deadpan. They were wide, something like empathy in her eyes, it wasn’t pity, he knew what that looked like. It was understanding. Sakura looked like she wanted to move to his side to comfort him. He glanced at Sasuke. He was even worse. Eyes wide, horror crossing his face like a sickness. 

“Kakashi-sensei,” Sasuke’s voice was small, “I’m-”

“I took this job knowing I’d have to come clean about it with you, Sasuke,” his voice was as close to soft as it was ever going to be, “I’m sorry I had to… I’m sorry you had to find out like that. Fugaku should have told you before you were assigned to my team.”

Sasuke’s face darkened, and Sakura’s face paled. Sakura looks like she’s having an internal battle. Wait, shit, I was so not supposed to say that.  Fugaku-sama is going to kill me. Scratch that, Itachi's little ass is gonna kill me. 

“Did Nii-san and Shisui-san know? Did Kaa-san ?” 

Fuck, fuck, fuck, they are going to kill me, “Sasuke. Calm down,” and Kakashi tried to move, but Sakura and Naruto jumped up, standing in defense of their teammate- their friend . 

Sasuke, though, took a breath, “Guys, I need to know and if you’re in front of me, he won’t keep talking.”

Sakura’s eyes were fierce with defense, glancing down at Sasuke, his eyes were glassy but strong in conviction. Sakura deeply sighed and sat down, looking at Naruto. Naruto’s eyes were ablaze with anger, anyone with eyes knew Naruto was just as close with Sasuke as Sakura. The three had grown exceptionally close since the team was made. Naruto grumbled, but plopped back down on the other side of Sasuke. 

Kakashi couldn’t help the fond feeling in his chest. Glancing at Naruto, he really did look like Obito. Sakura… well, she was different from Rin in a lot of ways, but there were some similarities. As for Sasuke, if things had been different, he might have been his own copy if he was still young. Kakashi sighed, finishing the dramatic version of his story. They gaped when he told him Namikaze Minato, the late fourth Hokage, was his genin sensei. Well, technically, Kakashi was already a chunin, but it was something about socializing him, Sakura found this very amusing.

Sakura sighed, “That’s pretty intense, Kaka-sensei.”

Sasuke snorted, “You think? He’s literally a war veteran.”

Sakura threw him a glare and Naruto was fighting back a snort. Kakashi couldn’t even find it in himself to be angry. In fact, there was a hint of affection somewhere in his cold, dead heart. 

Maybe someday he’d be able to tell Naruto who his parents were.

And just how distraught he was over Naruto’s father’s death. 

-

Sakura knew there was something wrong. She didn’t feel his chakra end when the kiri anbu allegedly took the body away. Kakashi confirmed it, saying how they were technically supposed to dispose of it in another way. Sakura bit her nail nervously, she glared out the window. They were waiting for Kakashi to fully recover his chakra, and Sakura knew it would take a long time because the Sharingan had a heavy toll. Sasuke sat next to his bed, asking questions about his usage of the sharingan, if he’d help train him as well, and tried to ask as many non-personal questions about how he got it and handled it. Naruto was sitting next to her, they were sitting on the porch now. Sakura’s eyes were narrowed, uncomfortable with waiting like sitting ducks. They were on an A-Class mission, even if it was on a technicality, which could mean anything could go wrong. If Zabuza was still alive, that would be a major problem. Especially if Kakashi-sensei didn’t hurry up and heal already. 

“Sakura-chan.”

“Hm?” She didn’t turn to look at him, but her hand fell near his, her pinky intertwining with his in easy affection, “What’s up?”

“Do you think we can handle this?”

Sakura finally turned to look at him. Naruto didn’t look scared, per say, but his blue eyes were dimmed just enough for her to know he was doubtful . She narrowed her green eyes on him again, which caused him to flinch. She didn’t let him pull away, keeping him in place by his pinky. 

“Yeah,” she whispered, “You’ve got an unimaginable amount of chakra, I’ve been training in all sorts of jutsu, Kakashi-sensei has the fucking sharingan - which by all accounts, he should not have- and we have Sasuke, that cheeky brat is stupid but he is strong. Itachi-sensei helped teach him after all.”

“Isn’t that who’s been teaching you genjutsu?”

Sakura grinned, and Naruto’s eyes widened. She felt it herself, the sharpening of her teeth, and she swiped her tongue over them, as if to feel it. She felt the spike, the blood that came if she kept her tongue over the same tooth too long. I wonder if it’s a kiri thing. Ma always said there was something weird when a Kiri-nin returned home. We’re not in kiri technically, but… we are in the Land of Waves, which is extremely close.

“If you say so, Sakura-chan,” his voice is loud again, like the sun, “If anyone can do it, it’s team seven!”

“Exactly,” her voice soft with trepidation, with a sort of knowingness. I don’t have a good feeling about this. 

-

Like always, Inner knows best. Sakura stood on the bridge, her back to Sasuke’s as they fought against a mysterious ninja from Kirigakure, apparently a missing-nin, like his… master (or something, they had a really weird relationship, Sakura isn’t sure how to describe it to be completely honest). The boy they were facing was a Yuki, which was a person with an ice-type kekkai genkai. People from the Kirigakure were known, during the Bloody Mist Era, to have hunted people down with certain kekkai genkais, leaving them for dead. Her mother described the day her brother was hunted, until he too fled the village. She left soon after, not wanting anything to do with her old village after her brother was gone. Then she met her father when they were both immigrating to Konoha, him from the Land of Iron. Her mother always ended the story with “and the rest is history”. 

Sasuke grumbled something under his breath, muttering about what they should do. She just ignored him because frankly? This guy was probably out of their league. Sasuke didn’t even have his Sharingan yet, and Naruto was off defending the bridge builder, and Kakshi-sensei was fighting against Zabuza. 

Before she knew it, something was shoving her to the ground. She glanced up, fuck we dazed out-

Sasuke was standing over her, covered in sebon. Her eyes widened, and something thumped inside her. Her green eyes were trained to his back, the Uchiha Crest the only thing untouched by the sebons that the boy had put into Sasuke’s body while she was distracted. This is my fault. Sasuke is hurt because I was distracted. 

“I always said your daydreaming,” Sasuke coughed, blood dripping from every indention, “would get us in trouble.”

Sasuke fell to the side. Still, quiet. There was no snarky remark. Nothing said about Shisui. Nothing about her age. Nothing that made Sasuke the cocky, emo little shit that he was. He was silent. 

Too silent. 

She stood, axe in hand, and turned her eyes to the ice. She was not Naruto. She could not forgive when her loved ones perished- the boy would pay. She brought her axe over her head, and slammed it on the ground. While the ash settled, she moved Sasuke out of the way, too angry to really check if he was alive. In her fury, she turned and slammed the axe into the ice, her kenjutsu causing the ice to shatter. The boy stood in the middle, his mask gone, eyes wide in surprise. 

Sakura pointed at him, “I’m going to kill you.”

Her voice was not loud. It was not said with strength, only promise.

“Only if you go out with me, Sakura!” Sasuke’s voice echoed, a laugh dancing in his tone,“Promise I’m a better date than that old man!”

“You’re such a grandma, Sakura.”

“C’mon, Kaa-san made dango. Homemade dango! Nii-san is so excited, but she said she made it for you!”

“Ugh Sakura, I want tomatoes not whatever the hell this is!”

“Can’t you tell Naruto to lighten up on the ramen? I’m going to have heartburn at this rate…”

“Sakura, you're my best friend.”

“Sakura-”

When Sakura came out of it, the boy’s body laid under her. His skin was ripped from the little body he had, cut like there had been a hurricane. His head was no longer attached to his body. Sakura stared down with blank eyes, not caring if the others saw her rage. She leaned down, and felt nothing. His chakra was gone . There was nothing left of the boy foolish enough to follow Zabuza into battle. She turned and looked over her shoulder. Kakashi-sensei and Zabuza were frozen. Kakashi-sensei had an uncomfortable, but unmistaken gleam in his eye. Like he’d experienced it before. She dropped to her knees and sobbed . 

Chapter Text

Sakura was sitting over Sasuke’s body, tears dripping down her face for the first time in forever. Frankly, she didn’t truly remember the last time she let herself cry. She moved him onto her lap, frantically trying to force herself to heal him. She couldn’t remember- she didn’t have enough chakra- Sasuke was going to-

Yo, breathe. Look down. 

“Cryin’ over me?” Sasuke’s voice is muffled, but she can hear the pain. So she finds it in herself to not bully the other, “Woah, Sakura-”

She just brings her face down to his, her forehead resting against his, and she feels Sasuke’s breath catch, “Oh, Sasuke,” her voice was strained, and she was sure he could feel her tears continuing to fall on his face, “I- Sasuke, I can’t- you almost left me.”

He reached his hand up, grabbing her hand and squeezing it, “See? Still got some fight in me, you ain’t getting rid of me yet, Sakura. Still gotta see you somehow win over Shisui-nii.”

“I should- ugh,” she breathed out, her breath hitting him on the face, “Sasuke?”

“What?”

“I love you, so so much,” her voice breaks, and Sasuke isn’t sure he’s ever heard her act like this. She’s sure there is shock going through his entire body.

“I love you too, Sakura. You’re my best friend.”

“Me too.” 

-

She didn’t leave Sasuke’s side. Not as they finally left the Land of Waves, not as they brought Sasuke to the hospital, not as his family came to visit. She could feel their stares. She was sure she was still dirtier than she ought to be. The doctors claimed she needed to have a psych eval. Kakashi said she had to as well. Her heart wouldn’t leave his side.

“Sakura…”

She glanced up. Itachi and Shisui were the only ones remaining. Fugaku and Mikoto had to run to do clan business, but promised to come back later. Sasuke had passed back out, after chakra exhaustion and a near-death experience, he was borderline ordered bed rest lest he hurt himself further.

“Yes, Itachi-sensei?”

“Can you tell us what happened?”

Sakura tilted her head, “Sasuke-”

“What happened to you, Sakura,” came Shisui’s exasperated voice. She perked up but then frowned.

“Why?”

“If Kakashi is ordering you to go to do a psych eval, something happened.”

“Just on the way or once we got there?” she tilted her head. If the Uchihas wanted her to tell them, then she’d go down fighting. It wasn’t… traumatizing per say, but she’d rather not talk about it again.

“Sakura.”

“Gods, fine,” she grumbled, not removing her hand from Sasuke’s, “We were attacked by two chunin. I killed them, cut their heads off, whatever. Then, we were attacked by a guy named Zabuza but if I’m honest he was more interested in Kakashi-sensei, so I hid the three of us under a genjutsu as the two boys passed out because of killing intent.” and she watched their eyebrows shoot up to their hairline when she basically implied she didn’t, and she fought off a sigh, “We decided to continue the mission even though it became an A-Rank mission. We started the mission, so we were gonna finish it. It was all fine till we were defending the bridge. Zabuza and his little minion, a Yuki by the name of Haku, attacked. Naruto was with the Tazuna, the bridge builder, so Sasuke and I were forced to fight Haku while Kakashi dealt with Zabuza,” her eyes gleamed but she managed to keep the tears down as she looked back at Sasuke, “Then… this idiot took a hit for me, a hit that should have killed him. He looked like he was a pin cushion and I-” she gasped before biting her lip and taking a deep breath, trying desperately to seem composed, “I blacked out. When I woke up, Haku was torn to shreds, my axe so bloody it was stained red. His head was separated from the body and…” she glanced out the window, and wondered what her mother would think, “Kakashi-sensei took care of the rest.”

She didn’t speak for a while. She didn’t want them to speak, and hoped for their silence.

“You had your first kill,” it’s Shisui who speaks first, because of course it is, it’s what she likes about him, before correcting himself mid-thought, “ Three kills, Sakura. Are you sure you’re… okay?”

“You know my mother is from Kirigakure,” her voice light, airy as she keeps her eyes trained on a passing cloud, refusing to look at the Uchihas, “She left after her older brother was chased out during the bloody mist era. She was a chunnin before she came to Konoha, and wanted a fresh start,” she pauses, and glances over to them. They keep their faces perfectly composed, like she’d stop talking if they move a muscle. They were right, of course. “She told me stories. Of how she passed her genin exams. How she ripped heads off of children her age, how she fought with her teeth, shark-like,” and opens her mouth and points to her sharpening teeth, “how she fought like a mad woman to prove she was enough to wear the last name of her clan,” she sighed wistfully, she missed her mother and grew angry she died like a civilian, like she was not a force to be reckoned with, “I have no reason to desire living through that nightmare,” she hummed, “but death is not an unfamiliar subject, Uchiha-san.”

She refers to them as such so they know she’s speaking to both of them. She can feel their hesitation, and she isn’t sure why she shared it. 

But she does know there is no going back from this.

She has made her decision. 

-

“Kakashi-sensei, you don’t even do these yourself,” Sakura grumbled as Kakashi borderline dragged her to the psych-section of the village, where she’d be meeting with a Yamanaka, and hoped to god it wasn’t Inoichi, “Why do I even have to do this again? I told you I’m fine.”

“It’s required for every person once they commit their first kill,” Kakashi rolled his eyes, “ Especially if they’re genin.”

“Oh, bite me,” she snaps, “like you weren’t already a jonin at my age.”

Kakashi glanced down at her, “You know a lot for a civilian.”

"Civilian-born kunoichi,” her eyes sparkled, “but what didn’t you get about my mother being a chiunin from the bloody mist?”

Kakashi’s eye widened, “That makes… so much sense.”

Sakura laughed, “Alright, sensei, show me to this shrink.”

-

“So, you are Haruno Sakura, yes?” The woman was older, she looked older than even Kakashi-sensei. As far as she was concerned he was the oldest person ever, even if he was only 26. She didn’t really care to get to know anyone and frankly didn’t know why she was here. She nodded, keeping her eyes trained on the woman so she’d know that she was fine . She was pissed that Kakashi-sensei forced her to come, because heaven knows he hasn’t come to this in forever if at all, “I can see that you’re a little tense?”

Sakura deadpanned, Kami give me strength, “I did just kill three people, Medic-san.”

“Kari is fine, Sakura.”

“Kari-san, then,” Sakura’s voice came out dry, “Can I go home? I wanna take a nap.”

“There’s nothing you want to talk about?”

Sakura shrugged, "You're doing a psych eval, right? Do I look like I’m about to go on a murder spree? I just had a mission, and took the steps necessary to complete said mission.”

Kari sighed, leaning back in her chair, “You do seem fine, Sakura. That’s what I’m worried about, we don’t need you turning into your sensei.”

“Kakashi-sensei is fine,” Sakura tilted her head, hopefully she can’t tell we’re lying lol, “Just like I will be. I’d like to go check on Naruto and get to sleep.”

Kari frowned, “Alright… you’re fine to keep going on missions, but if you ever need anything, please don’t be afraid to visit again.”

Sakura just bowed, eager to get out of the suffocating room. Well that was useless! 

-

“Sakura.”

She sighed deeply, glancing up to see Kakashi standing next to her with exhaustion, “Yes, sensei?” she asked sweetly, hoping to use his affection for her to get off scott free, but she noticed the exhausted look in his eye. We really stress him out, don’t we? Yeah, but good riddance. What are we even supposed to open up about? How we’re not even phased by the gore, but how everything became meaningless once Sasuke died? Like, I didn’t even realize how much his friendship meant to us. It’s scary caring about something that much. I didn’t think we would after mama’s death. 

“Sakura, come back to my apartment. I need to talk to you about something.”

“Ugh, fine, you’re such a worrywart, sensei.”

Kakashi rolled his eyes as the two of them walked down the village streets. Sure, they could have Shunshin, but Kakashi insisted they walk. Sakura thinks it's because he’s a worrywart who thinks she’s more hurt than she lets on. 

It’s kinda sweet he cares. Sure, but if he thinks he can keep me caged… I think from what we’ve shown he has no interest in caging you, outer. I hope so.

They continued walking in silence until they got to an old apartment complex. It wasn’t anything special, but given the cheapskate Kakashi-sensei seemed to be, Sakura wasn’t all that surprised if she was being honest. They walked up the stairs, and Kakashi opened up the door. She should find this weird, and she probably would in another life, but she knows Kakashi has always been fond of her. Seeing someone she wasn’t. But something about this past mission, Sakura thinks he’s begun to see her as herself . He points towards the couch, and she hops down as he sits across from her. 

“I know you say you’re okay, but I need to know what happened after Sasuke fell. After he awakened his Sharingan.”

Sakura’s eyes blew wide, “ Sharingan ?”

Kakashi sighed, leaning back as if forcing nonchalance, “Of course, because why would you notice?” 

“Sorry, I,” she glanced away, biting her lip, “I’m going to be honest with you Kakashi-sensei.”

“That’s all I ask,” he shrugged, because he had been more honest with his group of genin than he’d been with anyone in years .

“I think I went into some sort of shock. After Sasuke fell, I felt an anger I can’t even describe go through me, and blinked. When I felt myself come back…” she looked up and saw Kakashi nod. She didn’t have to finish. The searing memory of Haku deep within their souls. “I blacked out, I have no idea what I did— who I became.”

Kakashi’s eye narrowed, before taking a deep breath, “I’ve… had moments like that,” his eye looked elsewhere, like he’d rather be anywhere but here. But if he’s learned anything about Sakura, it’s that you have to give a little to get a little. She won’t open up unless you do the same. “When I was in,” he narrowed his eye, cutting himself off for a moment to emphasize, “you can’t tell anyone I told you about this.”

She nods eagerly, like getting this information was vital to her existence,"It will never leave my mouth.”

He sighed, like he was violating something he promised himself, “There were many times I let myself run on instinct, not caring if I lived or died, just to get the mission done. Oftentimes when I came back to it? There was a bloody mess. I couldn’t die, no matter how hard I tried.”

Sakura’s face went pale, but Kakashi continued, “The other Jounin went to Lord Third and requested my removal from ANBU, saying it wasn’t good for me,” his eyes went vacant, like he was somewhere else, “Maybe it wasn’t. All I’m saying, Sakura, is this is where you are at the principle of change. That kind of instinct is dangerous but if you can hone it, it can become a vital aspect of being a shinobi.” 

Sakura frowned, but listened.  Huffing, she stated, “I understand, sensei. Thank you for taking the time to help me understand.”

He hummed, ruffling her long pink hair, messing up the top part of her hair that was held by a ponytail, “Just don’t tell anyone I told you that. You aren’t supposed to know who is in the ANBU— but people like me, Itachi and Shisui are infamous for it. Be careful.”

Sakura nodded her head, eager for any information on Shisui. If Kakashi noticed, he didn’t comment on it. 

-

When she gets home to apartment, she senses the idiots before she sees them. She knows they aren’t a threat but she was kinda annoyed they came over unannounced. Even if she had set up a guest room in case the idiots came over, she'd never admit it. 

She walked into her room, and sure enough there they sat, eyes darkened with worry and a frown.

"Sakura—" they said at the same time before glaring at the other. Sakura resisted the urge to sigh deeply. 

”What are you two idiots doing here?” She raised an eyebrow, unamused and even more unimpressed. 

Sasuke pouted, exaggerated and meant to make her mad. He was always doing that, ragebaiting her. She took a deep breath, knowing what he was doing. 

Naruto, on the other hand, looking genuinely curious to where she’d been, to what happened. Sasuke was the same, he just liked to piss her off more.  

“Get off my bed,” she snapped, “You two know I hate when dirty people sit on my clean bed.” 

Sasuke grinned and Sakura snapped, grabbing him by the hair and yanking . 

“Ow! You’re so mean , Sakura!” Sasuke grumbled, but got off her bed and went to the blue chair in her room. Totally not picked out because she knew the idiots frequented her room enough for her to want to have something to be comfortable in. Naruto’s was orange, because of course it was. Naruto sat down without complaint, but if the grin he gave Sasuke was anything to go off of, he was also being a little shit. 

“Fine, what do you two want?”

Sasuke bit his lip, as if he were nervous to bring it up. Naruto’s frown was one she was not used to. 

“We’re…” Sasuke glanced at Naruto, “Ugh, Itachi-nii and Shisui-nii said you stayed at the hospital, until… until I woke up, and then you were going to a psych eval, and Sakura , what happened to Haku?”

Sakura scowled at the mention of Haku, bile in her mouth before she could really think about it. Sighing, she glanced away from the boys. She had just talked about this with Kakashi, and she really doesn’t want to have this conversation again. But, you kinda owe it to them. I know you feel like you don’t owe anyone anything, but these are your teammates you love . Kakashi-sensei in his own fucked up way, Naruto in his loud, abrashed way, and Sasuke in his… ugh he’s a wildcard. We know he cares, but damn.

“After you went down,” her voice was quiet— but not soft. Her voice was hard, deranged as she remembers how Haku looked after she had dealt with him. “I… blacked out. I don’t remember what happened, how it happened, but when I came to, Haku was dead. He was torn apart, decapitated, and…” 

“That was you?” Naruto’s voice isn’t one of horror, simple acceptance. She glanced up, green clashing with blue and her heart feels lighter than it has in weeks because he isn’t judging her. He looks like he’s going to be on her side even if she does irrevocable things in the name of protecting her loved ones. 

Sasuke looks the same way, “For me?”

Sakura doesn’t hesitate, “For you .”

-

One thing about her is that she does not want to go to this dinner. For the first time since becoming Sasuke’s best friend, she does not want to go to this dinner. To socialize, to talk about her mission, her first kills— again . 

She dreads Itachi’s eyes of quiet concern, Shisui’s louder concern, Mikoto-oba-sama’s curiosity, Fugaku-sama’s quiet eyes of contemplation, and Naruto and Sasuke’s eyes of concern, but the support is obvious nonetheless. 

In fact, Kakashi-sensei had also started joining them as their genin teacher, and apparently he knew Itachi quite well, they’d worked on the same ANBU team from what Kakashi-sensei had told her. Much to his chagrin, he had started to tell her ANBU stories, and her eyes gleamed at the violence. Kakashi-sensei just sighed, and told her not to tell anyone because technically he should not be telling ANBU secrets. Sometimes she’d mention something and ask if it was him— the way he looked away with a resigned look told her everything. He knew he shouldn’t, but there was something about seeing his usually deadpan student look so excited about something— even if it was about violence. But she was a shinobi, so there were worse things to hyperfixate on besides violence, he mused. 

But, she’d made a commitment. Mikoto-oba-sama had cornered her the other day, ensuring her reservation. 

-

“Sakura-chan!” 

The voice was familiar, and despite herself, she felt a level of dread going through her. She knew that she couldn’t get out of this. She couldn’t help but lean her head up, close her eyes and take a deep breath. 

She turned around, kept her posture relaxed, and even ticked her lip up into a smile. She rarely smiled brightly, not like she did when she was a child.  

Mikoto-oba-sama seemed to pick up on something being actually wrong— because of course she did , she’s not the Uchiha Matriarch for no reason. 

She’s arguably the second best Uchiha. We’re just biased ‘cause we need Shisui on a biblical level. One mission and we already think we’re grown. Well… 

“Sakura-chan…” Mikoto-oba-sama’s eyes softened, “Welcome back from your first mission. I know you might not want to come to dinner tonight, but I’m sure the boys would miss you… and I really don’t want to be left with all that testosterone by myself.”

Ugh, she makes a good point. Yeah, I can’t let her be alone, ugh. 

“I will be there, Mikoto-oba-sama, but only if I can sit next to you,” and looked away, “I… don’t want to deal with everyone’s worry. I am fine.”

Mikoto-oba-sama hummed, “Of course, Sakura-chan. If you need anything you know where to find me.”

Sakura tilted her head before nodding. She’s a good mom. I think she sees us as a daughter, not sure how I feel about that. 

-

For the first time since these dinners started, with exception to Kakashi-sensei, she was the last one there .

She knocked politely, and the door was opened by Sasuke. 

“Sakura! You’re here,” and glanced his eyes over to Naruto, “We were worried you were going to ditch us.”

”I’m afraid that’s impossible. I seem to be annoyingly intertwined with the Uchiha family,” she replied dryly, turning to look at Naruto who wore a matching grin. They never change. 

“Welcome, Sakura,” Itachi’s eyes have always been expressive. She knew him well, from months on the Uchiha training grounds; blood, sweat and tears that were building her into a genjutsu master. He said she had a long way to go but she was doing a job. She was making excellent progress, and had the potential to be something truly great.

She bowed her head in greeting, her eyes snapping over to Fugaku-sama who was looking at her with interest. She bowed in greeting, gradually bowing less deep as they continued to meet weekly during these dinners. They usually ended up happening after a mission— which is why she allowed Mitkot-oba-sama to bring her here. She knew what they wanted to see was okay.

Which she was . She enjoyed blood, she enjoyed violence, but what she did not enjoy was losing control. If anything bothered her, it was the fact she was unconscious during her rampage. 

But something she had neglected to think about, let alone talk about, was the fact that Zabuza had recognized her name. And had left her alone . As if attacking her would have sealed his death, as if there was something larger at play. How would a missing-nin of that caliber know her name , she was a genin, in a civilian clan… 

Right? 

-

“So, Sakura-chan,” Mikoto-oba-sama hums, “You’ve been hard to find these last couple weeks, unless you're with team seven of course. You’ve been avoiding dinners.”

Sakura scowled internally— yes, she had been doing that. And there is nothing wrong with that, you are going through something you alone can understand. They have had difficult missions that arguably could be worse— but this was your first mission and it went horribly wrong. 

“Yes, well, I’ve been training with Kakashi-sensei more, honing my kenjutsu skills,” she hummed non-committing. Kakashi-sensei’s eyes snapped to hers, but he nodded, attesting to this, because that was not how they spent their time. He shared anbu stories and Sakura listened. It was the only time she was happy anymore. It was weird, the comfort she gained from the bloodshed, how he struggled with blacking out, and the fear that followed. She knew there was nothing that was actually bad about that, but there was something to say about the whole thing. Kakashi-sensei shrugged when Itachi and Shisui’s eyes snapped to him. Oh yeah, I’ve also been avoiding them. We should fix that. 

“Yup,” Kakashi-sensei popped the p, “She’s improving. Her skills with her axe are the best so far, but we’ve been practicing with different size swords. She’s doing well with a tanto, sometimes a bō. She’s happiest when she uses the axe, from what I can tell.”

Sakura’s heart felt thankful. He’s definitely gonna grill us later. It’s Kakashi-sensei, it’s fine. He’s been a grounding force for these past few weeks. We've ordered to be on bed rest. But Tsunade-shisou says we’re going to be going on a mission soon.

Oh yeah. There’s that too. She’d begun working under Tsunade. She had her starting on medical training, but had also told her about how she was going to teach her about chakra-enhanced punches. 

Sakura’s grin only grew with that information. Tsunade-shisou’s laugh made her heart feel light. 

She was more than thankful, but was worried she was going to be a force to be recockoned with. 

Genjutsu-master, axe-user, medical-nin, and someone who could punch through walls .

Her heart began to feel lighter as she made her way through this dinner, even if she felt like she was out of her body, letting Kakashi-sensei lead her through this dinner. 

She didn’t think she’d ever be more thankful for someone, but she was beginning to see him as someone equally as important as Sasuke and Naruto. 

“Sasuke, can you stop staring at me,” Sakura’s voice came out dry, controlled as she looked over to the youngest Uchiha, who was pouting at the fact she was sitting on the other side in between Mikoto-oba-sama and Kakashi-sensei.

She felt something stir in her stomach as she saw him grinning ferally, “Sure, Sakura- chan , but only if you go out with me already.”

Everyone turned to look at Sasuke with either shock or amusement. But Sakura? Anger started simmering and before long, everyone could tell.

“You just seemed so worried on the mission— are you sure—“

Her voice came out soft, thick with venom, “ Sasuke ,” her eyes narrowed, “You shut your mouth unless you want me to take you out back and remind you of how to talk to your best friend.”

Sasuke’s face paled, “Sorry, Sakura! It was a joke, promise!”

She scowled, and then glanced over her shoulder where Shisui was looking at her curiously. She raised an eyebrow in (irritable) question. He snorted, mumbling something about the personality Naruto and Sasuke told me about. 

“Sakura, I’d love to see the axe, if you're up for it?”

She hummed, “Fine then.”

Shisui grinned brightly, and stood, “Well kids, we’ll be back!”

Fugaku-sama grumbled something about annoyance. The two of them walked outside, and in the backyard, Shisui raised his eyebrow. 

She grumbled, grabbing her scroll she kept on her at all times, and pulled her axe out, putting it over her shoulder like it weighed nothing , and it didn’t— not to her. Shisui’s eyes gleamed with pride.

“That’s cool as shit, Sakura,” he grinned widely, “Are you trying to keep using it?”

“Yes, Shisui-san,” she nods, putting it down so the axe part near her feet, keeping her eyes trained on his face, because this was the only time it was socially acceptable for her to look at him without making it obvious she had a raging crush on him. 

Yeah, it’s not going anywhere. I doubt that even bothers you, simp. Shut up.

Chapter Text

“Okay!” Kakashi-sensei grins, and Sakura can feel annoyance rolling off of her now. She had been spending a lot of time with the idiot, and the two continued to grow closer. She had even started seeing him as something like a big brother. Ugh that’s annoying. And it’s gonna hurt when he gets himself killed. He promised to try not to die, remember? She glanced at him, narrowing her eyes. He glanced at her and rolled his singular visible eye and sighed, “We’re going out to eat, my treat.”

Sakura couldn’t help but snort .  

“Something funny, Sakura-chan?” Kakashi’s voice came out like a tease, like he knew what was funny. 

“You never pay for shit, what makes today different?” She raised an eyebrow in amusement, Kakashi raised an eyebrow and Naruto deteriorated in giggles, Sasuke just smirked. 

“Sure, if Sakura makes it a date—“

Sakura slammed her fist into Sasuke, sending him into the ground, testing her chakra-enhanced punches for the first time. Naruto and Kakashi’s jaws drop . Sasuke is knocked out .

Before Sakura can say anything, she hears Tsunade-shisou yelling out the Hokage’s window.

“SAKURA WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT USING THOSE PUNCHES WITHOUT ME THERE,” her voice is alight with anger, but she can hear the amusement, “But good form, Sakura!”

She bows, “Thank you, shisou.”

She waves her off, and retreats back into the office. She just pulls Sasuke out of the ground and begins to heal the idiot. 

“I am never messing with Sakura-chan ever again, ‘ttebayo,” Naruto gulped, blue eyes wide with meaning, “Teme, you okay?”

Sasuke snapped, “What the hell do you think, dope?! Our already super strong teammate found a way to exaggerate her already super-human punches into monstrous punches. And she could cut up my ass with an axe, or trap me in my worst nightmare, what the hell ?”

“Sasuke, you’re an Uchiha. Use that handy little Sharingan of yours to get out of my genjutsu,” Sakura grumbled as she stood, finished with the cut on his head, like it was nothing . But Sakura was nothing if not a little bit of a prodigy. 

“She’s right, ‘ttebayo,” Naruto nodded his head sagely, causing Sakura to glance over at him with a questioning raised eyebrow, “Ne, Sakura-chan, I was supporting you!”

She scoffed, before her smile softened, “Thanks, Naruto.”

She stood, letting the two boys continue to bicker. Sakura got into step next to Kakashi-sensei. They didn’t talk, most of their productive conversations were done in the comfort of either one of their homes. True to her thoughts, Kakashi-sensei had asked why she didn’t wanna talk to Mikoto-oba-sama about where she was. She admitted that she just didn’t want to re-explain what had happened, to have eyes of pity on her; she was a shinobi, no matter how green and she didn’t need people looking at her like she was breakable. Kakashi had simply agreed, it’s a hard feeling to reconcile, especially once you have lost everything. Kakashi spoke, very briefly , about how his emotions had been, for lack of a better word, quelled in his time in the ANBU. It’s part of why he loved it. When he was working, he didn’t have to feel . 

Well that’s concerning. This team is a shit show. Lady Tsunade has always been good at picking them. I do hope there is some sarcasm there, Inner. I think she just sees her team in us, honestly. I don’t know how I feel about that. Makes two of us.

“Alright,” Kakashi-sensei smiled as they walked up to a restaurant none of them recognized, “This was Obito’s favorite place growing up, and always threw a bitch fit when we didn’t go,” his eye trailed over to Naruto, who scoffed in offense. Sakura snorted into her palm. Naruto threw her a glare. “So, since you three are intent on knowing everything “Kakashi-sensei”,” he made air quotes, voice dry, “then I’ll share this with you. But next time, one of you has to come up with somewhere to go with,” he looked away as if viscerally uncomfortable, “ emotional value.”

Sasuke and Naruto tilted their heads curiously. Sakura just huffed, because even though he was uncomfortable, Kakashi was trying and it meant more to her than she’d ever admit. 

-

After lunch, which was delicious as it was cheap, they went to the training grounds. They had successfully worked through the chakra control exercises, finally, so the three were allowed to do stuff together again. Kakashi had them working on different stamina exercises. Sasuke had decent speed, so he was working on his raw strength. Kakashi had him moving rocks, twice his weight, back and forth by hand- without chakra or ninjutsu. It’s delicious to watch to be honest. Sasuke struggling always makes you excited. So what if it does? We’re a menace. Yeah well everyone seems to like it so… Ugh. 

As for Naruto, who had endless chakra reserves and stamina, was forced to work on precision. Kakashi had him moving through katas with extreme precision. He wasn’t allowed to move quickly or without purpose. Sakura thought it was amusing to watch a boy who was known for his reckless, unfiltered fighting style into something slower, more controlled.

As for Sakura, who thrived on physical strength and flexibility, she was working on actually trying out different kenjutsu styles. She worked closely with a Kakashi-sensei clone, using her bō to parry against his sword. The other had brought out swords of his youth, something he hadn’t used since his time as a Jounin. Before long, she grumbled when her bō crumpled to the ground, but she did a backward cartwheel over her core and grabbed her tanto, which she left on the ground. In case this happened, she grabbed it as she stood, keeping her stance low as her eyes narrowed. Kakashi-sensei grinned, or his clone did.

“I’m no clone,” the- Kakashi-sensei grinned, “You are my favorite student after all.”

-

[ Shikamaru & Sakura ]

Sakura doesn’t remember when Shikamaru and her started hanging out again, but she knew it was supposed to be a secret because Ino still hated her. The heated glares she gave her from across the way when they were in similar areas was enough to speak on that. 

She digresses.

When Shikamaru truly learned of her intellect, he sought her out, asking if she wanted to play shoegi. She raised an eyebrow, telling him she’d never played before. He scoffed, and said something about teaching her. She hummed, nodding her head eagerly. She always liked doing something new.

It became a ritual. Like the Uchiha dinners, they met up weekly. Unlike the Uchiha dinners, they started meeting up more and more. 

Before long, Sakura remembered why she had a crush on this boy all those years ago. He was smart, and he was always testing her intellectually. She dragged him into conversations about clan politics (she definitely wasn’t doing it because she wanted to learn how to deal with the Uchiha) and different types of poisons. He asked her where she learned about poisons and she said she’d sat in on a couple lectures for fun- he looked appalled, because “why would you do extra work”. 

They spent weeks hanging out, after missions she’d gravitate to the places she knew he hid to hide from responsibilities. She even began to forget about Shisui, a little. It never left, but it stayed. Consistent, real, even if nothing else was. But with Shikamaru she could breathe. It was fun, exciting, and casual. 

Sakura had never loved casually, she was an all-in type of girl. So she relished in the way she could enjoy her cute little thing she had going on with arguably the smartest shinobi of their generation.

They were sitting under the clouds when it happened. She was sitting close to him, their fingers interlaced like they had been doing for the last couple months. They’d been playing this game for months , and she briefly wondered if he was about to end it. Make it official or tell her to fuck off. He squeezed her hand, so she glanced over her shoulder.

“Hm?” 

“We’ve been hanging out a lot, Sakura.”

Sakura resisted the urge to snort, no shit , but she just squeezed back, “Yeah.”

He sighed, grumbling his signature catch phrase before taking a breath, “Look, I don’t think you’re gonna be my wife someday or whatever, but it might be fun to date.”

She glanced at him, green eyes wide because holy fuck he actually went out and said it , and she couldn’t help it, her mouth ticked up in amusement, “Sure, I’d like that.”

Shikamaru visibly relaxed, “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

-

[ Naruto & Choji ]

Naruto isn’t known to be one of the most intellectually inclined shinobi to ever exist, but he does have a large stomach. Typically, only Ichiraku only lets him in, but since telling Choji this, he has been dragging the blonde with him into restaurants, telling people off if they looked too long. They sat and talked, which Naruto liked because as much as he liked his team, they were all chronic introverts. 

Sasuke was a little shit, who enjoyed pushing Sakura’s buttons a little too much, but that was the extent of his chattyness. He talked to Naruto, and they argued a lot. Sometimes when it was just the two of them Naruto told him about the villagers and Sasuke told him about his father’s expectations. Naruto appreciated his friendship with Sasuke because it was real , Sasuke didn’t pretend to be someone he wasn’t. He also didn’t ignore him like so many kids did growing up.

Same with Sakura. She was a bit… intense, sometimes. She always had this scary glint in her eye when they went on more serious missions- like she was itching for something she couldn’t have. He remembers watching her kill Haku. It was fast, relentless- beautiful. Naruto knew then he’d admire her forever, love her forever. Sure, she had that crush on that cousin of Sasuke, Shi-Sui? Shisui? Mah, he doesn’t care. Naruto would try his best to convince her why he was the best person for her. He digresses, even though she was a little bloodthirsty and blunt and a little mean, she was never mean to him . Or rather, she was mean to everyone and sometimes, when he knew she thought he wasn’t staring, her eyes softened. Her eyes were the most expressive part of her face; even when she managed to keep it monotone, her eyes flared, flashed, burned . Especially when something caught her eye- it was usually something to do with violence, or information of any kind, but Naruto just liked watching her work . It was gorgeous. It made him want to work hard. 

Lastly, Kakashi-sensei was the worst of them. Anyone with eyes knew Sakura was his favorite, but that didn’t mean that he treated them any differently. But he knew that Sakura frequented his apartment and they talked, but he also knew Sakura’s parents were dead and… she probably saw Kakashi like a father figure. Naruto didn’t blame her, he couldn’t even miss his parents. He didn’t even know what they were like, Obachan wouldn’t tell him, her eyes glossed with something- guilt?  

“So Choji!” Naruto exclaimed in the sushi restaurant they frequented, “What have you been up to? How’s training?”

Choji’s lips turned up, “Good. Shikamaru’s been in a really good mood lately, but he won’t tell anyone why, but between me and you, I swear I saw some pink hair on his outfit.”

Naruto’s world stilled.

“ WHAT ?!”

-

[Neji & Sasuke]  

Neji and Sasuke were tentatively friends. 

Yes, Sasuke was from the Main Branch of the Uchiha Clan, but that didn’t take away from the fact that his father put an egregious amount of pressure on the youngest son. 

Neji, on the other hand, was born into the Side Branch of the Hyuuga clan, this had basically ensured his inferiority to the Main Branch for the rest of his life. 

Typically Hyuugas and Uchihas hated each other, due to the eye kekkai-genkais both possessed, and therefore were always in competition to see who was better. As such, Neji and Sasuke had begun training together. Neji was older, but Sasuke had actually been trained by older Uchiha, not simply alone and then by Gai. Their training started when they ran into each other walking towards an outside training ground, apparently because both of the clan training grounds were just suffocating. The first few spars were intense, testing the other’s abilities, trying to garner what the other could do. They started to fizzle out into taijutsu-only spars, trying to keep their bodies from shutting off. 

This went on for weeks. 

One day Sasuke was just laying on his back after Neji kicked his ass, “You’re strong as hell, Neji.”

Neji snorted, and Sasuke thought for a moment he wouldn’t return the sentiment, which definitely would not have cracked his carefully crafted Uchiha ego, “You too, Uchiha.”

“Just call me Sasuke when we’re out here, ass.”

“Yeah, why’s that pretty boy?”

Sasuke threw him a glare, “It’s nice just being Sasuke for a little while.”

Neji sat up a little, leaning on his forearm and looking at the other with a raised eyebrow, “Hm?”

Sasuke followed the motion, sitting in a cross-legged position, “It’s stupid.”

Neji sat up all the way, raising an eyebrow in confusion, “I know something about stupid clan politics, Sasuke . It might help to talk about it.”

Sasuke groaned, “Fine,” his charcoal eyes snapping to the milky white that were looking impassively at him, “but only if you open up too.”

Neji’s frown deepened, but before he could protest, Sasuke added, “Sakura has this thing, give a little, get a little , and let me tell you it works. But if you don’t-”

“I will,” Neji nodded, “Like I said, it might help to actually talk about it.”

Sasuke actually smiled at the Hyuuga, and if Sasuke were paying better attention, maybe he’d have seen the blush- small, but there.

-

[Sakura & Lee]

“Kakashi-sensei, where are you taking me?” Sakura asked dryly, mildly annoyed she wasn’t with Shikamaru. They could be cuddling or kissing or something but here she is actually having to be a kunoichi. 

“Maa, maa, I didn’t know bloodthirsty Sakura-chan had somewhere she’d rather be besides training,” Kakashi-sensei mused. “Anyone else would have thoughts other than training or death!”

“Fuck off, Kaka-sensei,” she growled out the affection nickname that had lately been dropping from her lips when she was annoyed, and she was even more annoyed when his visible eye danced with affection. Kakashi and her had grown close over the past few months. She didn’t mind, it was kinda… nice having someone older than her making sure she was eating and taking care of herself. She thinks he liked it too, it helped him to actually take care of someone on a basic level rather than just himself- which between the two of them, he barely did. When Sakura’s parents died, she was technically old enough to help herself, but Kakashi had taken it upon himself to take care of her since finding out about it. She borderline lived at his apartment at this point, in the extra room. 

“C’mon, Sakura-chan, tell me what’s going on!” his voice teased as they continued their walk to some kind of training grounds. 

Sakura sighed, “I’ve, uh, been hanging out with Shikamaru. A lot.”

Kakashi’s grin faltered, before turning to look at her, “Oh?”

“We’re not, like, expecting to marry obviously, but we have a lotta fun together and it’s fun to kiss him. I just thought,” she glanced away in embarrassment, before letting out a breath of exasperation, “He’s my first boyfriend, and I… just wanna see if I can have fun before my life gets entirely too serious.”

Kakashi tilted his head to the side, “Hm… so the rumors about your crush on a certain Uchiha are… false?”

The reaction was immediate. Her face was on fire . She tried to squeak out a couple disagreements, trying to stop from making it obvious she was still stupid into Shisui- and she would be, forever, probably. 

“Maa, maa, Sakura-chan. If I knew bringing up your favorite Uchiha would get you acting like a normal teenage girl, I might have done it sooner!”

She growled, “He’s much, much older than me, so it’s not like it matters,” she took a deep breath, “I’ll say something when I’m older.”

“Oh? And how does our Nara Clan Heir feel about this?”

“He said, and I quote, I know you aren’t my future wife, but it might be fun for a while ,” she raised an eyebrow and tried not to snort when Kakashi’s eye darkened. 

“Little shit thinks he can date my cute little genin, do the boys know?”

Sakura sighed, “No, but Yamanaka will probably give Shikamaru hell for dating me, which will inevitably lead to our break up, so,” she shrugged like it didn’t matter.

“And it doesn’t bother you that the two of you are doomed to fail?”

Sakura tilted her head, realizing he was being serious. Kakashi didn’t like to be serious as often as people believed. So she took her time, thinking it through before opening her mouth, “My heart can be set on something, and I can still want something else. I’m just… experimenting before I decide on the love of my life at thirteen.”

“I think the fact he’s eight years older than you should be a little concerning.”

Sakura grinned, wicked and feral, “Yes well, I’ve always liked them older.”

Before Kakashi could respond, she heard in the distance, “MY ETERNAL RIVAL, KAKASHI!”

Sakura glanced up at him and tilted her head. He grimaced, “Sorry, Sakura-chan, but this will be really good for your taijutsu training.”

Sakura sighed but nodded, following Kakashi into training ground three. There stood two people, with similar hair styles and… outfits. They were standing tall with matching bowl cuts and matching green spandex. They both had a lot of energy, so much Sakura felt her own was flowing out of her feet as they spoke.

But, before she could get her bearings, the shorter (and younger, she assumed) dropped to his knees in front of her.

“You are an angel! Please, be my girlfriend!”

Sakura’s jaw dropped, and she snapped her eyes over to Kakashi with annoyance. He just shrugged, and was in the middle of a very weird competition with Gai, she assumed.

This is going to be a very long day isn’t it? Yes. 

-

[Shikamaru & Sakura]  

Sakura walked away from training with Gai and Lee… feeling weird. 

Rock Lee was like her in that he worked hard. He was unlike her in that he worked harder than anyone she had ever known. They talked about how he couldn’t use ninjutsu or genjutsu, so he became excellent at taijutsu. Sakura applauded him. He asked her about what she did. She talked about her axe, how training with Uchiha Itachi was grueling, but Lee seemed impressed she was trying so hard for genjutsu training. He’d asked about the rumors that she was beginning training under Tsunade-sama, the Fifth Hokage, and she just grinned. They were meeting every two days, to ensure that she still had time for her team and other training. Her days were full, and any time she wasn’t doing that stuff, she was with Shikamaru.

But even a month in, she remembered why she got over him so easily. He was smart, sure, and he could be fun to talk to- but he was just so lazy. And Sakura worked hard . They’d been dating for a month when it started grating on her. She tried not to let it bother her. But Sakura was a hard worker. It’s what she was, it’s who she was. 

“Shika.”

He glanced up and when he noticed the expression on her face. He sighed, “Already huh?”

Sakura frowned, annoyed he already read her. She’d give him that, he always knew her better than anyone.

“Yamanaka wouldn’t have let it go on much longer.”

Her voice is finalized. She feels the finality. It shouldn’t hurt, and maybe it doesn’t because she would miss the romance, but the friendship. Shikamaru was such a good friend, even if he wasn’t a good boyfriend. 

He hummed. Standing, “You’re right, it’s okay Sakura. I see the way you look at him, how you’ve always looked at him. I know once you put your mind to something you never give up. It’s what I like about you. We’re friends, first and foremost. You were always too intense for me anyways- woah, calm down!”

Sakura crackled her knuckles in a threat.

He sighed, grumbling troublesome woman , “Look, you’re just… ambitious. I’m not,” he sighed, “And I won’t ever be, and I know that’s something you want, something you need . That’s okay, I just hope our friendship doesn’t suffer. These last few weeks…” he sighed, tinged pink, “were fun,” he decided on, “I don’t regret it. I don’t regret you , but it’s also good to know when to go.”

And so Sakura softens, grabbing his hands, and nodded, “We’re friends, before anything else,” her voice barely above a whisper, “I’m glad you were my first relationship, my first kiss, my first…” she sighed, “I’m glad it was a friend.” 

He laughed, quiet and methodical, just like him.

“Be safe, be happy,” she hugged him, one last time, letting her cheek rest on his chest with careful consideration. They didn’t move for a while. She was surprised Shikamaru didn’t move or make them sit down. They were there for hours, until the night fell. 

He pulled back once the moon rose, he flicked her forehead, “Don’t be a stranger.”

She hummed, “Bye, Shika.”

“Bye, Saku.”

Sakura walked away, wondering what the tight feeling in her chest was about.

-

[Hinata & Ino]  

The two girls ran into each other when Hinata was watching Naruto run off with Sakura and Sasuke, her eyes blurred with tears.

“‘Ts annoying isn’t it?” a snide voice from behind her hummed, and Hinata’s head snapped around to see a familiar blonde, Yamanaka Ino, if she remembered, “Those three are attached at the hip.”

Hinata thought about ignoring the obvious jab at Haruno Sakura, but found her quiet anger to be too much as she nodded, “Yeah.”

Ino snorted, like she didn’t expect it out of the quiet Hyuuga heir, “Come eat with me.”

Hinata nodded, following the blonde into Choji’s family’s restaurant. Ino waved to her friend and asked for a private booth. Choji rolls his eyes but brings the two of them into one of the rooms with closed doors. 

“So, you still like that runt, Naruto, huh?”

Hinata’s face blushed bright red, which caused Ino to throw her head back laughing.

“I-I wouldn’t s-say no,” she giggled to herself, “H-he’s just so cool!”

Ino raised an eyebrow like she didn’t believe the other girl, “Right… Naruto is… cool .”

“H-he is!” Hinata defended, “He’s kind, and always stands up for what he believes in.”

Ino tilted her head, “Hm. I guess. I think Sasuke-kun is way cooler than Naruto .”

Hinata, before she could catch herself, scoffed, causing Ino to cackle, “Yeah r-right. He’s such a jerk .”

“Sure, but a cool jerk .”

The two girls talk about their respective crushes, giggling and blushing before they noticed from outside the glass of their booth, three infamous genin walked in.

Sakura was leading the way as usual, their objects of their affection attached to her side, arguing with each other. If she weren’t so jealous, Hinata would laugh at the exasperation on the pinkette’s face. She talked with Choji familiarly, before interrupted and started yammering with Choji with the kind of friendliness only found between well-acquainted friends. Choji just laughed, and nodded, bringing them to their table. The boys chatted, while Sakura just stared out the window with a frown. 

Something was clearly bothering her. 

Hinata couldn’t find it in herself to care. 

Chapter Text

[Tenten & Sakura]  

When Sakura runs into Tenten, she isn’t sure how to feel.

Sakura is, for lack of a better word, down. She doesn’t think depressed is the best word for it, but since the… break up, her friendship with Shikamaru has shifted. It’s weird, so their hang outs have slowed, until they became non-existent. What did Kakashi’s novels say about angst? You just have to wait it out? Mhm. Shika will come around at some point. Moping won’t do anything. It’s not like you were going to marry the guy. But he is my friend! And we aren’t even friends anymore- this was a dumb idea. I should have said no. Love is never a bad idea. But our friendship is ruined! No it’s not. Give him time, I think he really liked us. I don’t understand why. We stand up to Ino, and take no shit from anyone. Plus we’re the only one who can keep up with him intellectually. Now if he wasn’t so damn lazy… I don’t think so, meeting Shisui- You also never gave the poor kid a good shot. You’re so wrapped up in your crush- You literally are just as obsessed with Shisui as I am! Sure, but I’m here to literally play devil’s advocate, anything you say, I’m here to make you think twice! I hate you. Feelings mutual. 

“Hey, you’re Haruno Sakura, right?”

Her green eyes snapped up to see a girl, probably a year older than her. She had brown eyes and brown hair. Where had she seen her before…? Oh yes, around Lee and Gai. This was the girl on their genin team. They had been a genin team for approximately a year and a half, from what Kakashi had let slip. She was a weapons specialist, if Sakura remembered anything from Lee’s rants about his team (and if Sakura had seen Sasuke and Neji, the Hyuuga on their team, sneaking out more often, she didn’t say anything). 

Sakura's lips twitched up, and she nodded. Sakura wasn’t… known for her smiles, but she sometimes was caught with easy affection. 

“I’m Tenten, Lee talks about you a lot,” Tenten’s kind smile grew, “I was wondering if I could join you?”

Sakura nods again, moving over on the bench she’d been sitting in the middle of, “How can I help you, Tenten?”

Sakura had never been one to dance around the edges of conversation, preferring to run straight into the fray. She didn’t mind it though, and her boys most certainly didn’t either. 

“I just thought it might be fun to talk to someone who liked weapons as much as I did,” Tenten grinned, “If I pay for lunch, could I convince you to have a kenjutsu-style spar?”

Sakura hummed, “A woman after my own heart. Sure, where do you wanna eat?”

Tenten visibly brightened, “There’s a really good place nearby I’ve been dying to try. They have really good tempura.”

Sakura nodded, standing and doing her habit of wiping dirt off herself, before stretching her back out and looking at the older genin, “Shall we?”

-

[Naruto & Sasuke]  

Naruto and Sasuke had a weird thing going on. 

They were teammates, but were they friends? It’s something a lot of people wondered, questioned even. They were both friends with Sakura , of course, and by extension each other. But the one thing they did like to do together was fish.

They don’t know when it started, but when Sakura started disappearing for hours at a time for a couple weeks, nowhere in sight, her chakra hidden, the two of them would glance at each other and try to find something to do. One day, they ended up by a river, fishing.

“Naruto, please stop being an idiot, I could do a better job than you.”

“Okay you prissy princess, how about you come down here and do it yourself then?! Sakura-chan isn’t here to protect you!”

“Oi,” Sasuke growled, “I don’t need protection !”

“Of course not, your royal highness,” Naruto sneered, blue eyes narrowed with annoyance, “You’re such a different person when Sakura-chan isn’t around. Does she know yer an asshole?”

“She knew that when we became friends, dickwad!” Sasuke scowled, jumped down from the overlooking edge and punched Naruto straight in the mouth, “We’re best friends .”

“Yes, as you continue to remind me,” Naruto drawled, annoyance dripping from every pore, before he returned the punch, sending Sasuke back a few feet. 

“Gods you’re such an asshole, Naruto,” Sasuke grumbled, rubbing his cheek, “We’re supposed to be out here fishing , and yet all I hear is bitching .”

“Says you!” Naruto growled, grabbing a fish without looking down and sending it flying to hit the other’s face, “I don’t even know why I bother with you!”

Sasuke sighed, before sitting down in the water. Naruto’s eyes widened.

“Are you stupid or?”

Sasuke growled, “I run hot, the water feels nice.”

Naruto’s eyebrows jumped up before he sat down. When Sasuke raised an eyebrow in question, he just shrugged, “Yes, well, I also run hot.”

They didn’t say it, but they had found some common ground , even if it was something stupid like body temperature.

-

[Tenten & Sakura]  

“So what’s it like working under Hokage-sama?!” Tenten’s excited voice brought her back from the tingly feeling in her stomach. The boys were up to something, she had a feeling . She always had a sixth sense when it came to those idiots.

Sakura resisted the urge to sigh, because she’d been asked this by quite a few people. But, she’d told Kakashi she’d try making friends outside of Naruto and Sasuke. So here she was. Especially with the disaster Shikamaru had turned into.

“It’s intense,” she nodded appreciatively, “I also do a lot of training with Itachi-sensei and Kakashi-sensei.”

Tenten’s eyes lit up with curiosity, “Ooh! I know Hokage-sama’s speciality is those monstrous punches and medical ninjutsu. But what do you train with those two?”

Sakura had to admit, it was kinda nice getting to talk about training. It’s when she felt the most comfortable. So she told her about her extensive training. How Itachi-sensei worked her until her bones were aching, how Kakashi fixed her form and worked her until she passed out with exhaustion. 

She didn’t tell her she always woke up in his apartment, tucked away with a change of clothes waiting for her. She knew Kakashi was a softie, but the reminder was always a sweet one. 

“Wow,” Tenten’s eyes were wide, “ And you’re an axe-user?”

Sakura nodded, “It was a gift from my parents. I also can use a Bō or a tanto, I just prefer my axe.”

“That’s so cool !”

The conversation continued. Tenten admitted a little envy Sakura was able to work under Tsunade, and Sakura moved to apologize. Tenten waved her off, saying something about compatibility. Sakura frowned but nodded. Once they finished, and let the food settle, Tenten stood with a grin, and offered Team Gai’s training ground for a chance to spar. Sakura nodded with apprehension. They walked quickly, Sakura let Tenten do most of the talking, and she ignored the quiet hum of hurt in her soul as she remembered walks with Shika, and how he always listened to her . 

This is getting embarrassing. Y’all were not even together for more than a month . Oh, shut up bitch . Getting feisty, whatever.  

They get to the training ground within five minutes, where Tenten is practically buzzing with excitement. 

Sakura can’t find it in herself to be annoyed, so she sits into the easy friendship of it all, ignoring the dull ache. 

-

[Shino & Sakura]

Besides Sasuke and Ino, Shino was another person she befriended in the academy. Albeit, after Sasuke and her became friends, she was in high demand with the Uchiha. But sometimes she managed to make time for the bug-man, as she liked to call him. 

Now was one of those times. 

Naruto and Sasuke were nowhere to be found, and Kakashi-sensei told her to take the rest of the day off. Tsunade-shisou had said she had a lot of Hokage work to do, but to come by tomorrow. Itachi and Shisui went on a mission, so she wasn’t sure when that training would start again. So she went to find Shino.

“Shino!” Her voice edged with a quiet excitement she didn’t often let herself feel, a familiar feeling buzzing under her skin, “How are you?”

Shino glanced up from a book, it looked like a book about bugs, typical, but not necessarily a bad thing, You’re friends with weirdos. No shit. We’re doomed. No shit. Sigh. Did you just fucking sigh? Use that beautiful brain you’re always bragging about! 

“I’m alright, Sakura. Trying to take a break from my team’s nagging,” Shino responded dryly, putting his book down, “You seem tired.”

She waved him off, “You’re with Inuzuka and Hyuuga, right?”

“Yes,” Shino nodded, “Kiba has the biggest crush on Hinata, it’s embarrassing to watch.”

Sakura snorted loudly , “Doesn’t she have a thing for Naruto?”

“Hence why it’s embarrassing, ” he nodded, like he was reporting on the weather, before sighing in exasperation, “I think it’ll work itself out when she realizes Naruto isn’t into her.”

Sakura nodded sagely, “I don’t think Naruto knows what romance is.”

Shino looked at her, eyes covered by sunglasses, and she assumed he was thinking about saying something, something about what she’d just said before he nodded. “Yes, well, he is an idiot.”

She shrugged, “He’s a reliable idiot.”

Shino smiled, “Careful Haruno, sounds like you’re getting soft.”

“I will cut your throat open if you say that again.”

“There she is.”

-

[Naruto & Kakashi]  

“Kakashi-sensei!” Naruto called out when he noticed his lanky sensei sitting out by some weird black stone, “There you are!”

Kakashi looked down to see Naruto rushing towards him. He’d spent quite a bit of time with his female student, so he wasn’t surprised the others were starting to reach out to him more. Especially Naruto. He was big on the whole found family thing. Kakashi was still nervous about it, but appreciated it nonetheless. Sasuke was… everything he expected out of the second son of the main branch of the Uchiha Clan. Working with Itachi was always a good time, even if it was under… dark circumstances. The kid knew how to get shit done, which Kakashi at that time of his life, understood. Kakashi was taking a break from the anbu to take care of the kids, but… he longed for it if he was being honest. He knew Gai worried, but he was fine . He wasn’t chasing death before the kids, but he wasn’t… avoiding it either. He knew the other jounin were worried, and knew they were good people for worrying. He didn’t know what he did to deserve the care, but he was now grateful for it. 

He was angry with them for a long time. Even Gai. 

But he was thankful. The kids were cute and doing things to his poor, tired heart. He could almost, barely, feel a thump. 

As for Naruto, he was the spitting image of Minato-sensei, but had Kushina-san’s bright personality. It was difficult for him to breathe around Naruto, especially because he also reminded him of Obito.  Ugh, they looked so similar it hurt . Kakashi tried not to think about it. Naruto liked ramen and wanted to be Hokage so badly it hurt, just like Minato-sensei, and even Kushina wanted to be Hokage, but Kakashi thinks it would be good for Naruto, whenever he grew up.

Then there was Sakura, who was quickly becoming his favorite. She was sharp, clever, and had a dry sense of humor. She was a mini-version of him, except without the lateness. She was everywhere early, but he could see the way her eyes shined when they talked about anything, especially anything bloody. He knows he should probably be more concerned that his cute little genin was obsessed with carving people’s hearts out (not literally he hopes) and crushing their chakra like a candle, but he likes sharing stories from anbu, without the classified details, of course. She’d also borderline moved in, which should have bothered him, but the pack liked her and, honestly, having eyes on her was good. He knew she was an orphan, and even though Kakashi was something of a prodigy and did end up fine (okay, maybe not, but whatever), part of him wished he had someone to look over him when his dad… died. So, he took it as such to make sure she was okay. He made sure she ate, ensured she was resting between all her training, shifts at the hospital, and missions. He noticed she liked being busy, and he couldn’t blame her. But when they had dinner together, she talked about her day, how training with Itachi went, or Shisui (she always had a glint of something different in her eye, a very rare pink on her cheekbones when talking about the man. He was not sure how he felt about that.), but especially with Tsunade-sama. Sakura loved talking about her training with her. How she could make the ground explode. How Tsunade broke every bone in her body, then mended it back together. Sakura was mesmerized . During missions, she used her axe, but if it was removed, she cracked the ground and the enemies went flying . She set genjutsu traps, keeping people stuck in their own mind as she destroyed them. Naruto and Sasuke would look at each other when she got like that, realizing she shouldn’t have killed them and frowning as she looked at the blood splattering over her. Like something was wrong with her. He hated that look.

“What are you doing here, Naruto?”

“I don’t know,” he glanced off to the side, “Was just wanderin’ around and saw ya! Yer always with Sakura-chan or Sasuke, and thought I should talk to ya too!”

Kakashi’s heart softened, “Sure, let’s go to dinner,” and inwardly groaned, “ My treat.”

Naruto’s entire face lit up, and it was worth it, before the little shit grinned, “I bet that took a lot out of you.”

Kakashi rolled his eyes before thumping his head, “No wonder Sakura-chan likes hitting you.”

“Oi!”

-

[Kakashi & Sakura]

Kakashi dropped Naruto off at his apartment, glad Tsunade-sama had given him somewhere nice to live, and was worried for a while because of the rumors he’d be… poorly equipped. So he was glad to see he was being properly compensated for Naruto’s early sacrifice for the village. He scowled, Naruto shouldn’t have had to have done anything for this village as young as he did. Minato-sensei, as they’d both said, was their favorite, and it made Kakashi’s heart ache for the boy, because he didn’t know , for all intents and purposes, it was an amazing hokage. But, he shouldn’t have put the damn beast in Naruto and then left . He knew it wasn’t a choice, that they both would have stayed if they could- but they couldn’t . And Kakashi’s heart broke for both Naruto and himself.  

He finally made his way back to his apartment, and was not suspicious about the extra chakra signature inside. When he opened the door, there was Sakura, putting dinner on the table, her face blank. Her eyes visibly lit up when he walked in. 

“Kaka-sensei!”

He walked over to her, ruffling her hair, “Yo.”

“I’ve been practicing!” She excitedly referenced the food on the table. Kakashi raised an eyebrow in amusement, “I know I’m not that good at cooking, but you’ve been letting me stay over and- I wanted to make up for it.”

“Maa, Sakura-chan you didn’t have to do that,” Kakashi smiled under the mask, “But I appreciate it, thanks kiddo.”

Sakura’s eyes glistened with excitement. Sitting down and pushing the food over to him excitedly. Kakashi couldn’t help it, she was precious. He pulled out a chair, sitting down and humming.

“So what did you get up to today?”

“Got over my first boyfriend.”

Suddenly, Kakashi was coughing on the food he’d snuck under the mask. He glanced up, sharingan spinning in annoyance, “ What?! ”

“I got a boyfriend about two months ago, we broke up a few weeks ago.”

“And I’m guessing you won’t tell me who?”

“You would kill him.”

Kakashi hated how well she saw through him. He wouldn’t have killed them outright, but their life would have been made a living hell. “Maa, Sakura-chan. I wouldn’t have-”

“Yes, you would because you’re incredibly protective and loyal to those you let in, if they can manage to get through the walls you build, of course.”

Kakashi sighed. Maybe he had given too much information to her about his life , “Whatever, Sakura-chan. Calm down.”

She huffed, “It wasn’t anything serious. I just…” she sighed, “I have this ridiculous crush, and I thought I could get rid of it if I…”

Kakashi’s eyes softened, yes, her crush on Uchiha Shisui , he raised an eyebrow in question. She sighed like he was being ridiculous. 

“I thought I would get over it.”

“You don’t seem like the type of person who easily gets over a person once they’ve set their heart on them,” he hums, amused, “But, what do you truly know of your…” he raises his fingers in quotations, “ crush ?”

“Bite me,” she growled, but her eyes softened, “I… he’s strong, and kind. He is always working hard and just feels like…” her eyes fade, like she isn’t looking at him anymore, “his chakra is nice. I like his chakra.”

Kakashi hummed, there was something to be said for that. Chakra was a very important thing to shinobi. It’s a way that sensors, like Sakura, can tell if someone is trustworthy. Don’t even ask Kakashi how her ability to tell if someone was being truthful through chakra progressed. She could always sense if they were around, she always knew where everyone was. She wasn’t always loud about it, but when he was late, before revealing himself, her eyes would snap to his location. It always made his eyebrow raise. 

“But, I hope I can get to know him more when I grow up,” her voice is wistful and Kakashi knows she only ever gets like this when she’s talking about Shisui. Sakura is calculating, dry-humored, and sarcastic. Her eyes were always locked onto whatever she needed to get done. Her movements were always thought-out, she always made sure everything about her was trained and honed until her bones bled. Yes, he meant to say bones. 

But whenever he watched her interact with Shisui at Uchiha dinners, her cheeks were red, eyes looking anywhere but him. Her movements were clumsy as she tried to hide the fact she only acted like this around him. Her eyes were wide and she almost looked like she was 13 with her first crush.

But then they were back at training and her eyes were cold and calculating. Kakashi sighed because he’s seen the play before and he didn’t like the ending. 

He saw himself in her. 

But this time he was determined to save her. When no one was there to save him, he didn’t care, but dammit, he was going to save her. 

-

[ Team Seven Bonding ]  

“Kakashi-sensei, what’s under your mask?”

Kakashi should have known this was coming. He looked down at the three genin, Sasuke’s grin was wide and kind of feral, he wasn’t sure how he felt about that. Naruto’s eyebrow was raised, like he wanted to ask again already. Sakura’s eyes were trained on his, like she wanted to know too. 

Motherfucker.  

“Yes, well, I’m sure the entirety of Konoha would like to see my face,” Kakashi drawled like this was the obvious answer, because yes, the entirety of Konoha did want to see his face. 

Sakura pouted, actually pouted, but it wasn’t obvious. It was her version of it, of course. Her eyes were narrowed and her lips were turned down. It was stupid cute, and Kakashi would be lying if he said he didn’t almost slip.  

Naruto’s wasn’t much better, except he was visibly pouting, which was arguably more amusing than anything. Seeing Mintao-sensei’s face pouting was amusing. If his sensei wasn’t dead and Naruto wasn’t out of the loop, maybe-

Sasuke’s idiot ass was grinning ferally up at him. This was going to be annoying, wasn’t it?  

“I’m not showing you!” He sang as he rushed off, and they were following after him, chattering and asking questions. Sakura’s eyes were narrowed on his back, and Kakashi could feel it. They continued to follow him around for the rest of the day, as they went to Ramen, as they wandered off, and he wondered if he could manage to sneak away or if Sakura would notice. 

Taking a chance, he replaced himself with a clone, and went home to get his… alter ego .

…

Sakura is going to see straight through him.

-

When this weirdo, Sukea, or whatever he said his name was, appeared, Sakura was immediately on guard. First of all, why did he appear now ? Second of all, offering to help a genin team find out the secret of Kakashi’s face? Third of all, he felt familiar . It was making her uncomfortable. But she just followed behind the idiots, Sasuke and Naruto were excitedly following after Sukea like he had the answers to the universe. But every single picture ended with something being in the way. How could a professional reporter be that ass at taking pictures? (To be fair, they were trying to get pictures of the Hatake Kakashi, renowned jonin & infamous member of the anbu (for like ten years before he became a genin teacher) and had the fucking sharingan, whatever the fuck that meant. So, it was going to be hard to find a way to do this, which made Sakura inclined to believe he was fucking with them.)

She glanced over at Sukea again, squinting her eyes as if she could discern what was going on if she stared hard enough. Where have I seen this weirdo before? I’m a little amused that you haven’t noticed yet. Literally fuck off if you aren’t gonna help. Where would be the fun in that? For all your talk about being a sensor and being observant, you can’t even tell who he is. He’s masking his chakra extremely well. I can’t tell where I’ve seen it before. I can’t believe you can tell who he is when he isn’t in disguise- Oh fuck no. Fuck yes. Of course he wouldn’t be ugly. 

Sakura made eye contact with Sukea, and then smiled a little, letting her sharp teeth show. Sukea shook his head, like he knew it was coming and just sighed. She grinned even wider, she loved sending Kakashi into the early grave with her nonsense. She continued to follow the three, letting Kakashi have his fun. It was kind of amusing, being behind the whole thing. 

“Sakura-chan, you don’t even seem bothered we never figured out what Kakashi-sensei looked like! His stupid mask under the mask was such a cop out!” Naruto’s voice is filled with indignation as he glares over his shoulder where Kakashi had vanished a couple minutes ago. 

Sasuke looked equally annoyed, squawking, “Seriously, Sakura, we could have used your sensory skills to find him!”

She waved the boys off, “But you two were doing such a good job on your own. Where did Sukea go?”

She inwardly grinned, feral, because the two were already distracted from her deflection. She laughed outwardly as they started squawking in indignation. She put her hands over her lips as they snapped their heads over to her.

“Sakura-chan! Your laugh is so cute! Why don’t you laugh like that more often?”

“Wow, Sakura, didn’t know you knew what joy looked like!”

“Teme, you’re asking to get your ass beat at this point,” Naruto sighed, shaking his head sagely like he knew what Sakura was about to do. He’s not necessarily wrong . 

They were starting to know her. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

-

[ Team Gai ]  

“Personally, Gai-sensei, I don’t understand how Kakashi-sensei puts up with you,” Tenten shook her head sagely, “like, seriously, you’re always dragging him into nonsense.”

Neji’s eyes traveled over to Tenten and nodded like he paid enough attention to the weird homoerotic friendship between Gai and Hatake-san to actually care. Tenten always paid attention to that stuff, but he wasn’t sure how relevant this was to training. But everything was better than-

“GAI-SENSEI I APOLOGIZE PROFUSELY FOR BEING LATE,” Lee’s loud voice was carrying over his thoughts. Which, ugh. Lee wasn’t… his favorite person (which was, surprisingly, becoming the boy with dark black eyes and even darker hair), but he was still his teammate. He always showed up when it counted . He was always there . So as much as Lee irritated him, he knew he’d die for him or Tenten or Gai-sensei. Something about Genin teams made this easy. 

Lee, of course, was crying. Tears were pouring down his face like his life depended on it, like there was no such thing as dehydration. 

“Can we get started?” Neji asked, exasperated, “I have shit to do.”

It might just be dinner with Sasuke, but that is neither here nor there. 

“Oh yes,” Tenten’s voice guided over to him, alight with teasing, “You have been rather busy lately, with… a certain Uchiha ?”

Gai and Lee’s heads snapped to him, and Neji suddenly wished he had kept his thoughts to himself as they started grilling him. The worst part was it wasn’t unkind , it was so full of concern and curiosity he found himself spilling, without the details, of their… “friendship”. Sure, sometimes, when no one was around, they… kissed. Neji might have been doing it to get some sort of revenge against his clan (also Sasuke was really pretty), and he was sure Sasuke was doing the same thing, because imagine if they actually got together and they didn’t pass on their kekkai-genkai. It wasn’t like they were the last of their clans, but… Neji snorted as he imagined the look on Hizashi-sama’s face. Sasuke’s eyes always glinted with something unknown, unwavering when he looked at him. Neji couldn't help but falter every time he saw it. 

It was something akin to… affection. 

Neji wasn’t sure how he felt about that, if he was being honest. 

-

It’s well after dinner when they make it to the newest barbeque restaurant. Tenten was talking excitedly with Lee, causing something to shove itself into his chest. It was heavy, irritating. But he focused his attention onto Gai-sensei, the two of them beginning to talk about strategies in training. When Gai-sensei got like this, it was a breath of fresh air. He was an immensely talented shinobi, much to Neji’s chagrin, and he was incredibly grateful to work under him.

He was just so weird .

“KAKASHI, MY ETERNAL RIVAL!” Gai basically ran from their side over to Kakashi, where he was walking with his team. Sasuke glanced over, eyes actually brightening as he noticed who was there. Neji felt something akin to heat over his cheeks. The others, Naruto and Sakura, looked over with interest; Sakura waved to Tenten, but ultimately returned to talking to Naruto with interest. Kakashi audibly sighed but Neji could have sworn he saw in indent of a smile under his ever-present mask. 

Lee and Tenten followed Gai-sensei, and in turn, Neji followed. 

“Sasuke,” Neji nodded his head to the Uchiha, whose wild grin made Neji’s heart stutter, “How are things?”

“Good!” he grinned again, and he didn’t understand . This Sasuke was so different than the quiet Sasuke he interacted with in the fields, it made something twitch, and he wondered which one was real . He knew Sasuke and Sakura were best friends, and Naruto was eagerly joining that as well. The three of them were always at each other’s side unless they were training, Sasuke was with him, or they were doing something that required their separation. “How are you?”

“Fine,” Neji answered, because he could not afford to be as frivolous with his feelings. Sasuke, for all his complaints, was loved . If not by his family, which he was , then his team as well. He knew Sakura to be cold and calculating, but her eyes were expressive. They softened at Sasuke when he wasn’t looking, and she was fiercely protective. The rumors had spread about her; on her first c-class mission, she’d killed not only one enemy-nin, but three . The last one had been gory and bloody and… how Gai-sensei described ANBU missions. Gai-sensei himself had never been assigned to ANBU, and Neji felt his eyes go over to Kakashi, and his pale eyes narrowed. But there were certain people who were infamous for being a part of the ANBU, and one of them was standing right in front of them. He wondered how similar to Kakashi Sakura would become. He wondered if that was a good thing. 

Naruto, who everyone knew was dead last in the academy, was still so happy . He worked tirelessly to prove himself, and Neji couldn’t help but notice Lee and him getting along. Despite the fact that they were both clearly into Haruno Sakura, who was adamantly avoiding both of them. Her eyes were looking off to the side, like she’d be anywhere but here. He could tell she had some sort of affection for the blonde, but it wasn’t romantic. He could tell by the way she grabbed his hair and dragged him off when he saw them in the street. He could tell by the way she glared at civilians who gave him a hard time. He could tell by the way she looked menacingly at restaurant workers whenever they tried to refuse service to them. She cared. He wondered if they knew how much she did, simply though actions.

From what Gai-sensei had told him, Neji realized Sakura was a mirror image of Kakashi. 

Oh gods. 

-

[ Team Asuma ]

Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru have always been together. It was a generational run. They were always together, even before they were assigned the same team. Everyone knew they were going to be a team. Ino liked her boys. Everyone called the Team Seven boys, Sakura’s boys and it drove her insane. Sasuke shouldn’t- why did he- why not her? Or better yet, why Sakura? Just because they were on the same team? Were the two of them in a relationship? If that was the case, why was Naruto always around? Were the three of them in a relationship? Actually, that would explain a lot. She knew it drove Hinata as crazy as it drove her. Sasuke was… she’d had the biggest crush on him, and even did now! When she caught Sakura on top of him, like some sort of- ugh, and Sasuke wasn’t stopping her, she realized she was cooked. But the worst part was that Sakura didn’t even seem interested! She would look at Sasuke in annoyance, and he just grinned , GRINNED, at her . But then, when Ino stared too long, she saw Sakura’s eyes softened. The way Sakura’s eyes used to soften for her . Back when they were friends, back when Sakura’s number one was her . 

Okay, so maybe she missed Sakura more than she wanted to admit. But she was so angry and she had said all those things. She’d seen the exact moment she lost Sakura’s trust. The Exact Moment™. Sakura, kind, loyal, unabashed, Sakura- her eyes turned cold . She stood taller, and something looked like it was warring in her mind before she snapped, saying she was going to dinner and the Uchiha Main Branch’s House with Sasuke . She was going to refuse for her . 

And yet she was so hurt. Sakura never talked about crushes, never talked about love. She thought it was because she liked Sasuke . 

It wasn’t.

“Ino, please focus if you’re going to continue painting my nails,” came Choji’s steadying voice, amusement dancing in his eyes as she looked up, and huffed. She continued to paint the forest green onto the fingernails. “What are you worrying about?”

Choji’s voice is soft with concern. Ino isn’t sure what Shikamaru is doing, but he’s on his back, staring blankly at the ceiling, like he’s mourning something. Ino wasn’t aware he had the energy to have something to mourn. Her own heart constricts. She kinda hates seeing him like that.

“Shika.”

Her voice is soft, like she would startle him if she spoke too loudly. Choji glanced over his shoulder, and she could see the way his eyes narrowed, as if trying to solve a puzzle. 

Shikamaru glanced over to them, eyes bored, like he was trying excessively to keep his expression bored, “Hm?”

“You seem sad.”

“Do I?” His voice is a sarcastic quip, like he doesn’t wanna talk about it. Which makes sense. Shikamaru never wants to talk about it.

“Yes,” Choji backed her up, “It’s been weeks. You can talk to us.”

He shrugged, looking back up at the ceiling like it had all the answers. Ino hummed, letting him know they were here if he needed them, then turned back to Choji’s fingers before continuing her second coat. Eventually, Choji turned to her, and put on a pretty navy blue.

She didn’t hate it, but she glanced at Shikamaru who just looked plain miserable when he thought they weren’t looking. 

She wished she knew who did it, so she could kill them. Choji glanced over and pursed his lips, like he was thinking the same thing. He probably was, they had always been on the same page. 

Or they used to be.

-

[ Team Kurenai ]  

“Why do we have to do somethin’ stupid like meditation ,” groaned Kiba, not for the first time, making Hinata giggle. Shino seemed out of it, as usual. He kept looking at his bugs, before waving at someone. 

Hinata glanced over, pursing her lips as she realized Sakura was waving at him as she exited a training ground with a tall Uchiha with curly hair. She thinks his name is something with a “S”. When she’s with him, it’s the only time she seems uptight, in the way Hinata feels around Naruto.  Hinata doesn’t know if she’s seeing things or not. 

“Hinata? Are you okay?” Shino’s comforting voice rolled over her like a rolling balm, and she turned to smile at him, comforting and shy. Just like she was good at. She knew her father wanted her to be more, but she… she couldn’t and she doesn’t understand how he expects her to fight when she can’t even-

“Yo, Hinata!” Kiba’s voice is loud and comforting, and Hinata resists the urge to lean into the boy, “Get out of your head, pretty! It’s okay, whatever’s going on, we’ll figure it out as a team, right Shino?”

Hinata’s cheeks flushed bright red as Shino side-eyed the two of them, and nodded. That was another thing about Kiba- he was always complimenting her. 

You’re so pretty, Hinata. 

You’re so strong, Hinata!

Wow, Hinata, you’re so smart!

Hinata-

Hinata-

She blinked her way back to existence. They had arrived at the center of the forest they were going to meditate. Kurenai-sensei’s smile was wide, like she was opening up her heart to them.

“Back when I was a genin, this was my favorite place to meditate. I know you clan kids have massive chakra pools, but it’s always good to keep your habits continuous, moving in the right direction.”

Hinata frowned, I don’t want to do this, but if sensei says I have to… She makes eye contact with Kiba who is grinning at her. She ignores the weird feeling in her chest, because for as long as she’s been aware of her existence, it’s been Naruto . She doesn’t know why, or when. But from the day he made her feel something, like she didn’t have to be what her clan wanted to be, she knew . 

But the feeling was getting harder to ignore. 

Chapter Text

[Sakura]  

Sakura hadn’t celebrated her birthday with other people in a very long time. When her parents died, she hadn’t felt the need to do so. What was there to celebrate if her parents were dead? 

Unfortunately for everyone involved, Kakashi had access to her file. Which stated her birthday. Sakura didn’t think too much whenever she was told to go over to the Uchiha household on March 28th. As far as she was concerned, it was a completely normal day. 

But then she heard it. 

The whispering, the running around. Her eyes narrowed on the Uchiha Manor. She took a step back. No no no no, how could they have known? Nothing gets past Kakashi, or Sasuke for that matter. He’s probably known longer than Kakashi if we’re being honest. Fuck off.

“Maa, Sakura-chan, where are you going?” the agitating, grating voice had returned, and she closed her eyes in exasperation. I am never going to escape these idiots, am I? The thing is, you can try to sound annoyed, but you are such a softie for all three of these idiots. Don’t I know it? Don’t grumble at me! I’m just the messenger!! FUCK OFF. 

“I,” she grappled with how she was getting away from here, before sighing. There were multiple anbu operatives, two at least still on duty, she was not getting out of this, “Nowhere.”

“That’s my girl,” he ruffled her hair affectionately, “C’mon. The Uchihas worked very hard on this for you, and I got here on time.”

Sakura sighed, exasperated, but if Kakashi had arrived on time, maybe Sakura could find it in herself to let people love her.

-

I think the adults just used this as an excuse to get drunk. Which is wild, considering this is my fourteenth birthday. Oh come on, you’re basically an adult in terms of, like, murder, shinobiism. That is so not a word, inner. Excellent observation skills, queen. Thanks! Shut the fuck up. 

“Happy birthday, again, Sakura-chan!” Naruto tackled her to the ground, sitting on top of her with his blue eyes staring into the depths of his soul. She didn’t know why, but she let him stay there a second too long. She appreciated Naruto; he was the sun, when she struggled to be anything other than depressing. She heard how other teams talked about her:

She’s ruthless. I don’t know how those boys feel safe on a team with her!

I heard she killed two chunin on her first mission!  

I heard it was supposed to be c-rank, but then it turned out to be a-rank!  

I heard her mother was from Kirigakure, during the bloody mist era!  

Well, I heard she trains with Uchiha Itachi, who was made an ANBU Captain at thirteen !

She's also the student of both Godaime-sama and the Copy Ninja! 

Sakura knew. She didn’t care. Because why should she? 

She was loved, she’d like to think. 

Naruto was loud about it. He complimented her frequently, offered to train with her until they both dropped in exhaustion, held doors for her, came over and simply existed , which was sometimes what she needed- and he knew that. Uzumaki Naruto, who was always dense, knew she needed company, but not chatter. Naruto, who loved so loudly, Sakura forgot what it was like to hate people. Naruto who cared what others thought, but not to the point of depreciation. He knew how the village saw him, but he still fought, bled, and nearly died for Konoha. Late at night, when Sakura was alone, she let the anger consume her, thinking of ways to destroy those who hurt Naruto. They were attached at the hip, but she felt bad when she felt Hinata’s eyes on them as they wandered through different restaurants, without Sasuke sometimes, but when she glanced over her shoulder and saw the glare- she didn’t feel bad. She was just as bad as Ino; making decisions without knowing . So, she continued with her friend, trying to prove that he was loved, even if it wasn’t in the way he wanted. 

Sasuke, of course, was an idiot. But he was her idiot. He was smart, smarter than she gave him credit for most of the time, loyal (like a dog sometimes, she thinks that he and Kakashi are more similar than either one will admit), and was always by her side. When she said always , she meant always . Sasuke and Sakura have been attached at the hip since their last year at the Academy. Even though she and Naruto had been getting closer, and even Naruto and Sasuke despite their differences, Sasuke was her best friend. She’d die for him, she’d kill for him. She sees the way people watch them interact, and on more than one occasion, she’s been glared at when Sasuke loudly asks her on a date. She sees the way Ino looks at her. Her and Hinata are both bad at it. What they don’t understand is Sakura feels nothing (romantic™) for Sasuke. She just wished they would try to communicate , what is with Konoha Shinobi and their lack of communication skills? 

Then there was Kakashi. He was tall, bold and extremely emotionally constipated. But, if she went to war as he did, she too would be emotionally constipated, so she got it. She tried to bring him out of his shell, she really did enjoy his anbu stories, but she could see the weight lifting off his shoulders as he talked about it. She had moved into his apartment, and took care of the self-deprecating idiot. She found out he liked eggplant and practiced and made sure he ate. And then, she started noticing that he would leave a ninken out when he went on a mission, making sure she wasn’t lonely. He was always buying her new medical books, new genjutsu books- her cheap skate sensei was buying her books. Her cold little heart soared. He always covered for her when she was too exhausted to explain where she was and what she was doing to the Uchiha family. 

She was sure the Uchiha family loved her too, but her boys were important to her. She liked Shisui, sure, but she didn’t know him like she knew her boys. 

“Thank you, Naruto,” she nodded her head and glanced around. Inside were the Uchiha Family as she’d come to know them, but surprisingly Tenten and Lee were there as well. She wondered, briefly, who told Sasuke they were friends. (Who was she kidding, Sasuke’s brand of affection was lowkey stalking.) Next to Itachi stood Shino, looking awkward and ready to leave until his eyes settled on her. He sent her a relieved nod. 

Well now I feel bad for trying to leave. Good. Shut the fuck up you. 

“Wow… there’s, uh, a lot of people here,” Sakura felt awkward, her friends were here. But not Shikamaru! Well, that’s an issue all on its own. We should talk to him. Who knows if he even wants to talk to you… … Silence for once? You must feel bad for once. 

“Sasuke found out who your friends were,” Naruto’s grin was wide and bright, “We’re glad you’re making friends outside the teme.”

“Who’s we ?” Sasuke scowled as he walked up to her, picking her up and spinning her, “Happy birthday, you!”

“You’re acting like you didn’t sneak into my room at midnight to,” she made air quotes as he set her down, “be the first one to wish me happy birthday.”

His face was flamed as everyone looked at him. “Rude! I wanted to-”

Sakura’s face softened , “Yeah, I know. Thanks, Sasuke .”

It wasn’t often she called him Sasuke. He was usually “idiot” or some other variation. The only other time she can think of was a couple months ago on their first “c-rank” mission where things went terribly wrong and he almost died. 

Sasuke’s grin nearly ripped his face. She rolled her eyes, face turning impassive. People came and wished her a happy birthday. She nodded appreciatively at Itachi and Shisui (she ducked her head to hide the growing blush when Shisui grinned brightly at her- she was annoyed when Itachi’s eyes glinted with amusement). She thanked Tenten for her shy congratulations and Lee for his overdramatic ones- she attempted to calm him down, but it seemed to only encourage him. She sighed in exasperation. She also saw in the corner of her eye Sasuke’s smirk. She turned on her heel, bringing her fists together and cracking her knuckles. The palling of his face was incredibly satisfying, almost as much as Naruto jumping in between the two of them. Begging Sakura to calm down . Kakashi was snorting in the background. 

“Sakura-san! Calm down!” Lee’s voice was trying to calm down. Sakura glanced over her shoulder and raised an eyebrow. “Apologies!” 

Sakura turned back to Sasuke, walking with measured steps before Kakashi picked her up by her collar, “Calm the hell down, Sakura, we’re at a party .”

“Whatever,” she grumbled, but ultimately listened to Kakashi, as she always did, and when he realized she was calm, set her down.

“Presents?”

-

“Sakura, you need to change the way you set it up,” Itachi’s calming voice came out as steady as she thought it could, but that was the thing about him, he was always in control. He taught her with precision she appreciated. Genjutsu was something that could not be taught without a teacher. Books, much to her chagrin, were not enough. 

“Yes, sensei,” her voice is quiet, determined as she drops low, trying to place Itachi into a genjutsu. It’s always been a difficult, up-hill climb, as not only was Itachi an esteemed Uchiha, but he was a prodigy . Sakura was too, in a lot of ways, but she worked hard . Because she knew the truth that no matter how good a civilian was, if they didn’t force it through themselves. She was lucky to be under Tsunade-shisou. If she was under Sandaime-sama, she’d have had to work harder. She was immensely lucky to be under Tsunade-shisou, who despite everything, was one of the strongest people in the entire world . She was going to fight to become as strong as Tsunade-shisou with everything under her belt. 

“But, overall, good job, Sakura,” his eyes glistened with something. 

Sakura glanced over her shoulder and there he was. As beautiful as the day she’d first seen him. His black, unruly hair, messy and unkempt unlike so many Uchiha she had come across. Black eyes that could so easily bleed into a devastatingly powerful red. His tanto attached to his back like there was no one else who could hold it. He was a little bit of a flirt, she’d seen it, something in her chest aching. It’s part of why she wanted to start dating, because she wanted to fill the aching hole when she saw Shisui’s arm around another kunochi or civilian every other week. But, he was so undyingly loyal. To both the Uchiha Clan and Konoha. It’s why he joined the anbu as young as he did, protecting Tsunade-shisou, protecting the village silently, unwaveringly, selflessly- like he never wanted anything in return. His smile was always easy, kind and made her cheeks flush brightly. She wanted to deny it with her entire self, but she knew she couldn’t be anywhere else but right here, waiting. She kept her eyes on him as he walked away, Sasuke under his arm. Sakura giggled at the annoyed expression that always seemed to be on Sasuke’s face when he was around. 

“You’re incredibly obvious to everyone but him.”

Itachi’s voice was monotone, but Sakura could swear she heard amusement. She snapped her head to one of her many sensei’s (she was collecting them at this point) who was giving her a scrutinizing look.

“He’s too old for you Sakura,” came his exasperated voice, “but I have a nagging feeling you’re going to wait it out.”

Sakura gave her sensei a wide grin, and she saw him blink, like he was shocked that she could show anything but apathy, “You know me so well, sensei.”

Itachi sighed, exasperated, “I always knew you’d end up an Uchiha, I just thought it would be with Sasuke.”

Sakura’s face got green, “Ew.”

Itachi snorted, so soft Sakura thought she imagined it, “You’re the first person your age I think I’ve ever heard have that reaction to being married to Sasuke.”

“He’s an idiot, and I do love him, but not like that.”

Itachi’s eyes softened, “Yes, well, sometimes those are the best relationships.”

-

Sakura knew she shouldn’t be upset. Logically, she should have gotten over this the moment it ended. They weren’t even official for longer than a month . They danced with each other for months before testing the waters. They were together for a month . A long, glorious month where they kissed, touched and experimented . She almost spent an equal amount of time with Shikamaru and her team . She was happy. She liked him, but it didn’t dull the ache when she looked at Shisui with other girls. 

Besides, Shikamaru and her always spent their time hiding. Whether it was at the Nara Complex (and if Ino or Choji came over she had to hide or leave . It wasn’t a nice feeling) or one of the places she made Kakashi tell her he hid out when he needed a break from everyone . She missed him, more than she thought she’d miss someone she only dated for a month. She knew logically they wouldn’t work- she’d seen it in action.

Ugh, she felt sick just thinking about him.

So she started running around the village. She just was running a normal pace, keeping her breath even while she kept her form as pristine as possible. She must have been giving off some kind of aura, because even Lee was leaving her alone. She wasn’t sure how long she ran until she saw Sasuke and Naruto waiting for her at the place she started. She slowed down and turned to jog over to them. 

“Yo,” she waved, using the two finger salute that Kakashi always did. This elicited a groan from both of them. “What?”

“You look just like him when you do that!” Naruto groaned, “All you’re missing is a mask, ‘ttebayo!”

Sakura tried to keep her smirk at bay. Naruto may have said it like an insult, but she took it as a compliment. Besides maybe Tsunade-shisou, she looked up to Kakashi the most . He was strong, loyal to a fault, and brilliant . It’s the same reason Sakura was obsessed with Senju Tobirama's work. He was brilliant . Sakura liked smart people. She tried to surround herself with them. 

Before you say anything, Naruto was smarter than he liked to admit. He knew how to cook, fix things, and was helpful beyond imagination when it came to anything practical, Sakura was very fond of him. 

“Whaddya doin’ out here, Sakura-chan?” Naruto’s energy was infectious, filling her soul with happiness. She doesn’t know when she became as fond of Naruto as she was of Sasuke, but it was probably in between the different missions. Besides their “C-turned-A” Rank Mission, they hadn’t experienced anything super crazy. A few more escort missions where Kakashi ensured they were safe. He was not risking another fiasco like that, despite how well the three had handled it. 

“Getting some energy out.”

“ You , with excess energy?” Sasuke snorted, “Since you moved in with Kakashi-sensei you’ve been borderline lazy . Tell us what’s actually wrong.”

Sakura couldn’t help the flow of affection at the idea Sasuke could tell . She also tried to ignore the warmth she felt when Sasuke said us , as he was starting to become closer with Naruto. She was so proud. She waved them off, turning to return to her run. Naruto grabbed her wrist with enough force to catch her attention, but not enough to keep her from being hurt. 

“Yes?”

“Sakura-chan, we’ve… been worried,” Naruto’s voice was different. Nervous even. She tried to keep herself from crying. She hadn’t cried since their first A-Rank mission. She didn’t like crying, and avoided it like the plague. She looked over her shoulder. It wasn’t pity, and she was thankful for it. They knew better than to pity her, it seemed. She sighed. They just wanted to help, to know. What’s the harm and opening up? We know they aren’t going anywhere.  

“I don’t want to have this conversation here.”

They brightened up at the fact she was even willing to open up at all. 

“To the Team Seven Training ground?”

Sakura sighed in defeat and followed after the boys sullenly. 

-

“So…” Naruto trailed off as they sat in the very back corner of the training grounds; both Naruto and Sakura were sitting criss-cross, but Sasuke had his legs out, leaning against a tree, “You’ve been kinda out of it for a couple weeks now. What’s been going on?”

Sakura sighed in exasperation but ultimately caved. “Nothing here will ever be repeated, and I will not stand for judgment or any of that overprotective bullshit. Understood?”

Sasuke and Naruto sat up. It was obvious from the gleam in their eye that they knew where this was going. Only when they nodded did she begin to speak. 

She told them about Shikamaru, how they spent a summer together. How it was fun, but how it was inevitably only going to end one way. With their hearts in another hand, and their eyes swollen with tears. She told them about their last night, how they held each other for hours and stared out and looked into each other’s souls. How she knew he wasn’t her endgame, as she’d set her sights a long time ago, but it was something. It was fun. Sasuke’s face remained impassive, but she saw something- a flicker of anger. Her heart ached, is he angry at me? It’s Sasuke, I doubt he knows what being angry at you is. Okay. See I can be supportive. Right… 

“I’m gonna kill him,” Sasuke was standing before either one of them could stop him, “He will never see the light of day again.”

Before they could move, he was gone.

-

[Sasuke]

Sasuke was stomping around Konoha looking for that piece of shit Nara Shikamaru. How dare he make Sakura upset. Who the hell did he think he was? Making his annoying, stuck-up, pretentious, lovable, sarcastic best friend miserable? How dare he kiss her when Sakura has always been stuck on Shisui-nii? Sakura was supposed to be his sister-in-law (kinda) someday! 

“I am going to kill that know-it-all,” Sasuke growled out when he and Naruto wandered off to deal with this idiot. Kakashi had come to get Sakura, claiming she was late to their dinners. Sasuke didn’t even want to unpack that. But, Sakura seemed fond of their old sensei, so Sasuke didn’t insist that she come live with him instead. Naruto on the other hand… At some point, Naruto had managed to find him, saying Kakashi had taken Sakura home. 

“Sakura-chan wouldn’t like that,” Naruto’s frown was obvious, and that alone made Sasuke frown in agreement. But that was the problem, wasn’t it? Sasuke hadn’t even known that Sakura had gotten a boyfriend! She didn’t even, she didn’t- “Sasuke, teme, stop spiraling. Sakura-chan is- oh my god.”

Sasuke’s eyes snap up, sharingan on as he traces over where Naruto’s attention was. There he was, leaning against the wall with Ino talking at him. He looked utterly bored, but Sasuke picked something else up.

Misery. 

These two are idiots. If they want to be friends again, they should just talk to each other. 

Naruto glanced at Sasuke and hummed, “You see it too, huh?”

Sasuke grumbled, “ Whatever -”

“Sasuke-kun!” a shrill voice called over from where Shikamaru had been standing. Dammit. He inwardly groaned, she’d seen him. Sasuke glanced over to see the blonde running over with Shikamaru trailing her. He looked nervous. Good. He wasn’t going to do anything, but he hopes the self-righteous idiot suffers, “What are you doing on this side of town?” Her blue eyes are surprisingly clear, like there is something different about her. Ah, Sakura’s not here. Sasuke’s eyes narrow at the realization. 

He looked over at Naruto, who dammit looked like he was about to snort. Sasuke grumbled inwardly and threw the darkest glare he could manage at Shikamaru and turned back to the other boy’s teammate, “Yamanaka, Nara. To what do we owe the pleasure,” Sasuke is using every ounce of intimidation factor he had seen his father use over the years. He did not like Ino, she was rude to Sakura , who frankly, was kinda… insane, but she was Sakura . Sakura who had been his best friend, Sakura who didn’t care he was an Uchiha, Sakura who would die for him. Ino was stupider than he thought if she didn’t think he saw the way she still looked at Sakura. And she was even stupider if she thought Sasuke didn’t notice the Hyuuga Heiress walking around with her too. He knew why they were friends. Sasuke was an Uchiha , he knew everything within reason. If it had something to do with Sakura, he knew it. If it had something to do with Naruto, he knew it. Except the classified files not even Nii-san could get to. Shisui-nii refused to tell him, claiming Hokage-sama said he couldn’t. Sasuke wondered why Shisui-nii of all people could see it, but not Nii-san. It was weird.

Ino flinched back, good , and Shikamaru grimaced, good . The anger he felt for the Nara Heir was increasing by the moment. He knew Sakura was basically apart of the Uchiha Clan, she was under their protection, even if she didn’t manage to somehow get Shisui-nii to notice her. 

“Ino, you go on ahead, I gotta talk to these two.”

“Shika-”

“Ino.” 

Sasuke was surprised by the anger in her voice. Sasuke figured him too lazy to get angry. Ino flinched, like she couldn’t believe it either. Grumbling, she glanced one more time at Sasuke, and stalked off. Likely to find the Hyuuga and bitch. Sasuke was getting annoyed just thinking about it. 

Shikamaru straightened up, “I figured she’d tell you eventually.”

Sasuke nearly growled, and Naruto kept a hand over his right bicep to keep him from leaping at the Nara Heir. 

“I…” he sighed, before looking away like he was wishing he was anywhere but here, “She’s a really good person.”

Sasuke couldn’t help it, he snapped, “No shit, Nara.”

Shikamaru glanced back at them, “Then you know she wasn’t dating me to marry me. It was supposed to be fun. It was fun. But I miss her, not like that. She’s a good partner, but she’s a better friend.”

Sasuke softened, she’s the greatest friend to ever exist , but let Naruto talk.

“I’m sure if ya two just talk about it,” Naruto emphasized, always empathetic Naruto, “Then it’ll be fine, ‘ttabayo! Sakura’s just as-”

“I’m what?” a cold voice came from behind the three of them. Sasuke felt all three of them tense, “Shikamaru?”

Sasuke hated the easy affection.

“Hey, Sakura,” he’s equally as affectionate, but Sasuke can hear it, the hesitation. The quiet resignation, “Can we talk?”

Sasuke thinks for a moment she’ll say no. She’ll protect her peace, move on from this. But she doesn’t. She nods before turning to Sasuke, putting the fear of Kami into him once again, “We’re speaking after this.”

“Y-yes, ma’am,” he grumbles, turning to Naruto, leaving the two to themselves. 

Chapter Text

[ Two Years Later ]

“Again!” Tsunade-shisou’s voice echoes around Sakura as she drops low, jumping out of the way as Tsunade breaks the ground. Sakura breathes deeply, ignoring the sweat treading down her face. She narrowed her eyes at her shisou as the woman threw a tree at her. Sakura had always been flexible, so she bent her back until she was flat like a board, grinning slightly as she watched it go over her. “Stop dodging, Sakura! I know you can- oh shit!”

Sakura took this opportunity to throw her own tree over to the older woman. She grabbed a tree, using her strength to rip it from the ground and throw it. Tsunade caught it, smirking. 

“Wanna play a game of catch?”

Sakura loved her shisou, truly, but she had a habit of turning things into a joke. Sakura had always been uptight. She glared when she should have smiled. She frowned when she should have laughed. She didn’t really know how to handle everything all at once. She opened the palms of her hand, preparing for impact. To her surprise, Tsunade did throw it like a ball. Sakura caught it by the roots. She hummed as she threw it back. It was a nice break from what Tsunade’s trainings usually looked like.

Which was Tsunade-shisou just breaking her bones and forcing her to heal them herself. One time, Tsunade-shisou broke her entire leg and Sakura spent an hour putting it back together. Tsunade-shisou looked proud though, so Sakura didn’t mind. 

“Sakura, summon Katsuyu, would you?”

Sakura sighed, knowing Tsuande just didn’t want to waste her chakra, despite her being the Hokage and a Senju who were known for their chakra. 

We have surprisingly large chakra reserves for a “civilian-born” kunochi. Why are you always knowing things I don’t? Cause I pay attention. 

Sakura bit her thumb and summoned a smaller version of Katsuyu. The slug smiled affectionately at her, “Sakura-sama, how can I be of service?”

“Tsunade-shisou’s lazy ass-”

“Oi, what the hell did you say, Sakura?!”

Sakura laughed. Truly, wildly, freely . “Sorry, shisou. Bonding with Katsuyu!”

“Whatever,” the older woman grumbled, before an anbu appeared at her side, whispering something in her ear. She groaned, “Sakura, go meditate for the thing. Jiraiya and that blonde idiot are back.”

“Naruto?” Sakura’s voice held more hope than she’d like to admit. 

Naruto ran off with Jiraiya two years ago, promising to return. He said Jiraiya was offering to teach him things like Sage Mode and summonings. Sakura didn’t blame him, it’s why she asked Tsunade-shisou to train her. It’s why Sasuke disappeared into Orochimaru’s labs for days at a time, learning both how to use his lightning nature as well as kenjutsu. Allegedly, he was good at it. Sakura hasn’t seen a lot of him the last couple years. She’s happy her team will be reuniting soon. As for Kakashi-nii, once the three of them found “new” senseis, he threw himself back into the anbu. Kakashi-nii returned to the apartment soaked in blood some nights. Sakura would heal him, making sure he didn’t die. She knew he was capable of taking care of himself, but she also knew he would never step foot into a hospital. She was glad he at least let her take care of him. It made her worry less. Since Sasuke’s disappearance into Orochimaru’s labs, and Naruto running off with Jiraiya, and Itachi-sensei’s return to anbu at full force… She had been primarily working with Tsunade-shisou. Shisui has also been a rare occurrence over the last few years. She spent less and less time at the Uchiha residence, before Mikoto-oba-sama would show up at her apartment she shared with Kakashi-nii and drag them over for dinner once a week. She was thankful, and she liked to think they were too. Because more often than not, it was just Mikoto-oba-sama, Fugaku-sama, Kakashi-nii and her. 

Of course she continued her own personal training in genjutsu, confident in her ability and sure she was getting better as everything went on. She practiced with her axe, sometimes showing Tsunade-shisou her ability to use it with her chakra-enhanced strength. Tsunade-shisou enjoyed that, and the horrified looks of passerbyers. Sakura’s sensory abilities were also improving- she could tell when anbu was around. Which she knew, intrinsically, but she could not identify them yet. 

She wondered if Shisui was around. She missed him. It’s like he, Kakashi-nii and Itachi-sensei were running themselves ragged. It was like something was happening. 

It made her nervous. 

But, she digresses. If Naruto was home, then things were looking up. She couldn’t wait to have a spar, show off how she’d changed, see how he’d changed-- and maybe Sasuke would come out of his hidey hole.

“SAKURA-CHAN!”

“Dammit, I should have known the brat was coming over here,” Tsunade-shisou’s voice grumbled, but moved aside. 

Sakura snapped her head up and out of her thoughts, and saw him. Naruto was taller than her now, his eyes as blue as ever. Instead of a fully orange outfit like he wore in his youth, he wore a mixture of black and orange. It looked nice on him. He was running her way- and dammit she couldn’t help it. She moved chakra into her feet to move faster and allowed herself to crash into him. He picked her up, using the momentum to spin her around. She let her head fall into his shoulder, and dammit she was not crying. 

“Sakura-chan!”

“Naruto, you’re home.”

“You were the first one I wanted to see. The bastard can wait!”

Sakura laughed a little loudly, a little wildly. She opened her eyes and was surprised to see the shocked look on his face. She grinned, letting herself soak in the face she’d always thought of during his absence. She thought of Sasuke, Kakashi-nii (even though she saw him the most out of everyone in the past two years.) 

“You’re affectionate today, Sakura-chan. Who died?”

“I should kill you where you stand, but I missed your stupid face so I’ll let it slide.”

Naruto’s smile was like the sun. And Sakura was a sunflower, doomed to face it forever.

-

Tsunade-shisou let her go to lunch with Naruto, taking the rest of the day off. The two walked to Ichiraku Ramen with Naruto, her treat. She listened as Naruto told her about his adventures. About how he trained in the mountains with the frogs, how he actually had to meditate . Sakura laughed, and Naruto commented on how she seemed happier. Sakura shrugged, because maybe she did. Even if she missed her boys, she’d reconnected with Shikamaru and they’d become inseparable again. But the context of their relationship was different, and they knew they were always better off as friends. Naruto and Sasuke have always been overprotective, so she ignored the glower when she told Naruto. 

“So what have you and the teme been up to?” Naruto asked as they sat down at the table, ordering their respective ramen.

Sakura frowned, “Sasuke’s been training under Orochimaru-sama, Tsunade-shisou’s advisor. I haven’t seen much of him over the past two years, not Itachi-sensei or Shisui either,” but just shrugged, “Kakashi-nii and I still live together, so when he gets back from anbu missions, I take care of his reckless ass. He’s getting better though, I think he remembers he has something to come home to now.”

“Teme’s been holed up with that weirdo?!”

“Orochimaru-sama isn’t weird, dumbass!” she growled, smacking his arm, “He’s a little odd, but he loves Tsunade-shisou and Jiraiya-sama, so that’s enough for me. Sasuke did the same thing you did. He wanted to improve. You two are still my best friends, and I’d like to think if I needed to go away for a while, you’d let me. Time apart doesn’t take that away. Even if I am very happy you’re home.”

Naruto was about to respond when someone walked in. Her eyes snapped up and there he was. Sasuke was also taller. His eyes were the same pitch black onyx they’d always been. He had those same smile lines as always, but his eyes were heavier, like they were hiding something. She'd known that Tsunade-shisou had allowed him to tag along on ANBU missions with Shisui and Itachi-sensei. He was in normal clothes, but even if she didn't, Sakura could see just the edge of the anbu tattoo over his shirt.

Sakura frowned. The Chunin Exams were coming up, well, at least for the boys. Tsunade had allowed Sakura to go to Suna to participate in last year's Chunin Exams. There she had met the infamous Sasori no Akasuna, who was known to be a menace on the battlefield and was a genius in his own right. Allegedly, he’d graduated the academy at seven, became a chunin at eight, and was listed in many bingo books, including Konoha’s. His team comprised the Kazekage’s children. The Suna Royalty if you will. Gaara was a menace in his own right, a jinjuriki, not unlike Naruto, with the one-tailed beast inside. He was a bit moody, but otherwise didn’t seem to care much about anything. He was a deadly opponent, however. Temari, the oldest (and now Shikamaru’s long-distance girlfriend), was deadly with her fan, an expert at the craft. Kankuro took after Sasori in that he used puppets. It was also rumored that Sasori was next in line for the Kazekage seat as he was a cousin of the Kazekage’s children. He was an intimidating presence, but Sakura had a few intellectual conversations and the two were now penpals. She knew Sasuke, Naruto, and Kakashi would have a heart attack if they knew. 

So yes, Sakura, Neji, Lee, and Shikamaru were now Chunin. They were the only four allowed to go to represent Konoha. During the exams hosted at Konoha, more were allowed to participate, but only the best were allowed to go during foreign events. Sakura was proud. Sasuke probably could have gone, but he was too enraptured with his own work to do anything. Now that they are back, they will be participating in this year's exams hosted in Konoha. 

“You’re a Chunin?!” both the boys exclaimed, “When the hell did that happen?”

Sakura snorted, “Last year there was the chunin exams in Suna. You,” she pointed at Sasuke, “were in the depths of Orochimaru’s labs so we couldn’t reach you. And you,” turning to Naruto, “were on a training trip. You two should participate in this year. It’s in like two weeks. I’m going to participate in the Jounin Exams in a month.”

“Why are they so close together?”

Sakura tilted her head, “Oh, the Jounin exams are for each individual village. They don’t want other villages seeing potential just in case. It’s less important for chunin exams, which is why it’s open.”

“Smart,” Sasuke nodded, eyes glittering like he was eating the information alive; he always was a freak for information, I'm just glad he likes us, because if he didn't... this is why I'm not surprised his ass ended up training under Orochimaru. For all the defending I did, Orochimaru is still pretty weird. Cannot disagree... “Whoever came up with that was thinking ahead.”

“Yeah, no shit Sasuke. Also, you should go home, your parents miss you. I’ve seen your parents more than you have these last two years. Also, it’s kinda sus you only appeared when Naruto was here.”

Sasuke glowered, “You know I am… unavailable .”

Sakura and Naruto snorted. 

“Yeah, so how’s that going, by the way?” Naruto asked with a little reluctance, “I was worried you two got serious. What about us, Sasuke?” Naruto was pouting. They’d been doing this flirting bit for years at this point. Sakura snorted, and turned back to eat her ramen. Who knows when her day off would end. Tsunade-shisou might have said the entire day, but she could change her mind at any minute. 

Sasuke grumbled, “He’s… been weird. Ever since he got that promotion. He and Tenten have been… spending a lot of time together.”

Sakura frowned, “Kinda weird you knew about the exams-”

“Orochimaru-sama didn’t think I was ready,” Sasuke shrugged, “I didn’t either. I think I am now, and he said he’d vouch for me. So I will be winning this year. Heard you got second in Suna, only to Gaara.”

“Yes well, it’s very difficult to defeat a jinjuriki, even with all I have under my belt. He had this sand that protected him like a shield. My axe couldn’t cut through it. I put him in some pretty nasty genjutsus though. He didn’t like that and broke all my bones to save my spine. I healed it pretty quickly, but they called it after that. Something about no killing or whatever in the finals. I got promoted, probably because of my healing ability and how versatile I am. It did take like two hours for him to wear me down. I’d love a rematch some day. Especially when I get the byakugou.”

“She’s teaching you that? Man, I’m jealous,” Sasuke sighed wistfully, “Orochimaru talks about it a lot.”

“I’m sure,” she shrugged, “I’m pretty much there. I’ve been saving chakra since you two left-”

“I didn’t leave -”

“Sasuke, this is the first time I’ve seen you for more than an hour in two years.”

“Man, Sasuke, what a jerk,” Naruto grinned.

They bickered for another forty-five minutes. But all Sakura could think was she was glad to have her boys back. 

-

“So, three way spar?” Naruto’s shit-eating grin was enough for Sakura to want to smack him without giving him a second to breathe. She needed to plan this out carefully. Both boys had deep reserves, like her. But, Sakura has always been smarter. Besides, Sakura trained with Itachi for nearly a year before they all left. She still trained with Kakashi even during their time apart. 

“You might need the crutch,” Sasuke’s voice drawled, before glancing at Sakura, eyes glittering in that familiar amusement, “Well, our dear friend has been training with a Kage, so maybe we should team up on her.”

“You’re acting like you haven’t both been training with the other two Sanin,” she scowled, dark green eyes narrowing, he is so good at goading us into annoyance it's not even funny anymore, shit you're so right, too bad he's just as easy to goad,  “And plus, don’t you finally have the third tomoe? That’s impressive ,” Sakura grinned. She inwardly giggled when his eyes narrowed. Everyone knew Itachi awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan when he was 13 after a particularly gruesome kill on a mission with Kakashi. But the real kicker was Shisui awakening his at eight years old after seeing someone ripped apart brutally like someone had eaten them from the inside out.

(Sakura only knew this because Shisui had loose lips when he got drunk enough. Sometimes Sakura tagged along to the bar with Kakashi after a long mission away. She didn’t drink, but she did listen to others talk about missions. Grueling missions that made her smile. Sakura has always had a thing for violence.) 

Sakura knew it drove Sasuke crazy that he was already sixteen and still hadn’t awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, but Sakura was thankful. It usually entailed something so utterly traumatizing that there was no coming back from it. But the Uchiha’s core, their power came from love . Sakura thinks it’s oddly romantic, after reading Senju Tobirama’s work on the Uchiha Clan, she feels she understands it better than anyone else outside the clan. She doesn’t know how she feels about that. 

“Oh shut up, Sakura ,” he growled, like he knew she knew, and he probably did, his love language was stalking after all. 

“Come at me,” she whispered, sweet and saccharine like a siren. Tsunade had taught her more than just physical strength. While she watched the two watch her, she used her little trick.

She’d finally mastered genjutsu without using hand signs. 

They were trapped. 

-

[ Sasuke ]

Sasuke rushed her, grabbing her easily. She didn’t stay there for long, easily swiping her legs under his ankles, bringing him to the ground. He kept his Sharingan sharp, ensuring no genjutsu would overcome him. Wait. Shit she’s already got me.  

“Kai,” he broke out quickly before watching her. She was grinning and whispered something that sounded suspiciously like damn Uchihas . Naruto was knocked out next to them. Sakura looked like she was about to start snorting while biting back laughs, his voice came out like a snarl, “Cheat.”

She hummed, “You didn’t say I couldn’t, I’m surprised I got you for as long as I did,” before grabbing something out of a scroll, and her damn axe came out, “So, want your head cut off or want me to drown you?”

“Drown?”

Sakura’s grin got even bigger, and Sasuke couldn’t help the soft affection in his heart because she was finally happy. He wondered what made her so happy. She put the axe next to her, digging into the dirt. She then made some signs quickly and a fucking dragon made out of water rushed him. He barely dodged, rolling to the side. That definitely would have gotten him if he didn’t have his sharingan. She hummed in appreciation. 

“Katon!” he sent a fireball her way. Then she fucking grabbed it and threw it back, “WHAT THE FUCK?!”

“It’s called putting chakra in your hand. I didn’t actually touch it,” she shrugged, explaining some of the chakra exercises Tsunade had put her through, and then Kakashi-nii helped refine her jutsu,   “Something Tsunade-shishou taught me. When are you gonna show me what you’re actually capable of?”

He grumbled, annoyance rolling off of him. She had always had an annoying ability to get under his skin, just like he did her. Then rushed her again, “Chidori!”

She grabbed her axe, bringing it up over her head faster than should be humanly possible, and slammed it to the ground. Unlike before, the ground exploded and rocks went flying. Before he could recover, she was in front of him, and she was slamming her fists into him, making him forced to drop his kunai. She was easily overpowering him. 

He jumped out of the way, and kicked Naruto, bringing him back to reality.

“I was having a real good dream, ‘ttebayo! What the- oh fuck,” he grumbled, jumping onto his feet, eyes narrowed on Sakura, “She got me real good.”

“Don’t feel too bad, dope, the only reason I got out was cause of the sharingan. She’s especially adept at genjutsu. Plus Nii-san taught her, just lock in,” he snapped. Naruto nodded and then closed eyes. He looked different. His outfit looked completely different. 

“Let’s do this.”

-

[ Naruto ]

The thing about Sage Mode is it significantly improves how he can control his movements. Naruto already has a lot of chakra due to his little friend- Oi I don’t appreciate being called little. So if I cared, I would have asked. You’re still stuck in me. Please never phrase it like that ever again. Oops, I see that was weird. But still you get the point. I hate it here. You’re still stuck here so… 

“Naruto, stop dozing off!” Sasuke’s voice brought him back to reality. Kurama always had a way of keeping him on his toes. I told you not to call me that. We aren’t friends. Why not? 

Naruto threw a rasengan at Sakura, and was a little annoyed when she fucking threw it back with her axe. She hadn’t even moved . 

“What the hell has granny been teaching you?”

“This is why you two should have gotten multiple teachers!” She sang in amusement and then poof, she was gone. It had been a clone. He had to admit she was right- Sakura did have a lot of teachers, and she took advantage of it. More than Naruto or even Sasuke did. That's why she's always been so strong. 

“Shit!” Sasuke grumbled, eyes glancing around quickly, Sharingan still activated as he scoured the area for their pink-haired teammate, “Where the hell-”

But before they could locate her, both Sasuke and Naruto were pulled into the ground. Sakura jumped up from the ground and looked down at them with a bright smile. Her green eyes glittering in amusement, her lips pulled in a content smile. Naruto almost wasn't even mad he lost to her again. He forgot just how pretty Sakura could be when she wasn't so angry. 

“How are my two favorite genin doing? Enjoying my earth jutsu?” Her voice danced with loud amusement, so different than how he remembered her from two years ago. She's leaning down in the middle of their faces, keeping her eyes on both of them. 

“I forgot she was both earth and water natured,” Sasuke grumbled, but there was a softness around his eyes that reminded Naruto of Kakashi-sensei’s eyes when he smiled, “She used a fucking water dragon on me earlier.”

“How the fuck did you even learn that?” Naruto asked exasperated, his head leaning on the ground. Sakura shrugged, then punched the ground, leaving it to explode, and they were left at the bottom.

“Alright ladies, to the Uchiha dinner we go!”

-

[ Sakura ]

“Alright, I’m going to hang out with Shikamaru, I’ll see-”

“You’re going where ?” Sasuke basically snarled, “You’re still hanging out with that loser?”

Sakura bit back a snort. I forgot how protective these jerks can be. Yeah, Naruto also looks like he’s about to snap. Ugh, idiots. 

“We’re friends, you two. I’m allowed to hang out with my friend ,” she raised an eyebrow, hands on her hips, because seriously did they just forget she beat their asses? “Besides, I’m strong. I can handle myself.”

Naruto frowned, “We know you can handle yourself, but Sakura-chan, he hurt you.”

“Sure, but I hurt him too. Also it’s been two years. Just cause you two hold grudges, doesn’t mean I do.”

“Oh, so I can assume you’ve made up with Yamanaka then?”

Sakura’s smile turned into a frown, eyes narrowed with annoyance, “That’s different. She doesn’t want to make up. Besides, her and Hinata are always something mean when I walk by. They act like I can’t hear them!”

“They what ?” the boys’ voices become very dark. She glances back at them and for once actually feels pity for the two girls. Sakura shrugged. She probably shouldn't have said that, because knowing her boys, they are going to make a huge deal out of this. 

“They just…” she tilted her head, she knew it was because they had their respective crushes on the boys. She didn’t know why, they were both idiots. Sure, Sasuke was objectively pretty, and Naruto, it seemed, was objectively hot- but they were just so dumb . 

Besides, no one was prettier than Shisui. Speaking of which… 

- 

[ flashback - one year ago ]

“I can’t believe she’s having you escort us, Shisui-san,” Sakura giggled, taking in the attention, pointedly ignoring everyone else. She swears she heard Shikamaru’s annoyed breath. She’d beat him up later, for now she just wanted to soak in the little time she had to see him.

“I know I feel like I haven’t seen much of you lately, Sakura-chan. I took this job cause I’d love to see you get this promotion. You deserve it. You’ve been working hard!” Shisui’s eyes are bright in excitement. She tries not to fidget when he ruffles her hair. There's something oddly affectionate about the way he does it, and she knows he doesn't mean anything by it, but she holds it in her heart anyway. She can tell he’s still on guard but there’s something warm and fuzzy about the fact he wants to watch her win. 

She’s about to win the whole thing just to get more praise from him. That’s the goal. 

Behind her, she heard Lee, Shikamaru and Neji talking about the upcoming exam. She’d been cornered by Lee, just before they left and just before Shisui had arrived, and he asked her to be his girlfriend. Sakura just smiled and shook her head. He tried to ask why but Shisui had already been walking that way and she basically teleported to his side. She vaguely heard Shikamaru tell him Not worth it, she’s been obsessed with that Uchiha forever . 

“So, Sakura-chan, what is your primary strategy?” Shisui’s curious tone brought her out of her thoughts as she glanced back at the older man. He was looking forward, wearing a regular jonin outfit. She wondered if there were any anbu around. She wondered if they needed it. Sakura knew they were only trying to be chunin but… Sakura was strong. Stronger than most. Sasuke’s fling, Neji, was a genius in his own right, which was impressive considering he was from the “Branch Line” of the Hyuuga. But she supposed Hinata was from the Head Line or whatever it was called, and Hinata's combat abilities... weren't great. Neji was amazing, and he was a Hyuuga after all, even if he was a branch. She didn't know why she was thinking so hard about the Hyuuga- it wasn't like Sakura was anything special. Sure, her mom came from Kiri, but besides that? She was a normal civilian-born ninja.

...

Okay so that might be an understatement.

She digresses. Sakura couldn’t even begin to try to understand the anger that came with that. She wondered if that’s why Sasuke and him got along- they both had… family problems. Sasuke loved his family, but his dad was incredibly hard on him, especially with Itachi as the heir. Itachi was everything Sasuke dreamed to be. There was some serious hero worship there. Sakura hoped he grew out of it as he continued to train under Orochimaru.

Neji was going to be an incredibly difficult opponent, so naturally, Sakura hoped she got to fight him. He was very efficient at taijutsu because of the byakugan, so a taijutsu fight with him would be a lot of fun. As for Lee, she didn’t doubt he would get promoted. Lee was phenomenal at taijutsu, so talented he didn’t need to depend on ninjutsu nor genjutsu. She knew he worked hard, and she admired that. Even if she couldn't see him in that light, she knew he was an amazing shinobi. A taijutsu fight with Lee would be incredible. She almost felt bad, she just had so many things at her disposal. As for Shikamaru, he was a lazy genius. The only person in their generation smarter than her. It drove Neji mad that she had a higher IQ than him. She thought it was hilarious. 

“I think I’ll focus on bukijutsu, it feels the most natural,” she nodded, after thinking it through; she looked back up at him again. She was mesmerized by the way his curly hair shuffled in the wind. She couldn’t believe how different he looked from other Uchihas. The format was there, of course, the annoyingly pretty clan, but it was that he was… softer? But not necessarily weaker. He very well could be one of the strongest in the clan. She wouldn’t be surprised. He wasn’t called Shunshin no Shisui for no reason. Sometimes during their sparring sessions, he used it. He was so adept at the Shunshin it was mesmerizing. Then he helped her perfect it. She wasn’t as good at it as him, of course, but she could use it. She often used it to freak Kakashi-nii out. Hopefully he managed to not get himself killed while she was gone. Kakashi-nii told her how incredibly proud of her he was, and if she was promoted, promised to actually take her to her favorite restaurant, on him. Like seriously. She was excited. “I think it’s just my Kiri roots, you know?” She laughed, excitement bubbling under her skin because he was asking about her! This is so delusional. Nu uh! 

“That’s a good strategy,” he nodded in approval, and jolts went up her spine at the praise, "I think besides the chakra-enhanced taijutsu, you’re the most adept using the axe. I’ve seen you combine the two often. Are you gonna utilize that?”

“I want to, for sure, but what if the sand is unstable? In Konoha, I would have no second thought about it. Even in Kiri or Iwa, if we ever manage to have a good relationship with either…” she frowned, biting back her comment on their relations with Kiri; she wanted to see more of her homeland, to know why her mother fled the great nation, to know why they let her, “I think some genjutsu will be good. There aren’t any Uchiha in this exam, so it should be useful. But we’ll see.”

Shisui nodded approvingly, again her heart stuttered,“I’m glad you’ve thought this out, Sakura-chan. If anyone can do it, it’s you. Just know your strengths and work your magic. You can do this,” he ruffled her head a little and Sakura swears her heart went boom . 

-

[ Shisui ]

Shisui had volunteered to escort the candidates Konoha was sending for the chunin exams. It’s like he told Sakura, it had been too long since he’d gotten to talk to her. She was fifteen, sixteen now? Man, he was getting old… she was becoming a stronger kunoichi by the day. He was very proud of her. When Sasuke brought back a girl with pink hair, he didn’t think too hard about it. She was mean to Sasuke, which cracked him up, and was absolutely enamored with Shisui. Shisui thought it was kind of adorable the younger girl seemed to look up to him enough to have some sort of crush on him. Shisui wasn't as blind as the girl liked to think he was, but he also knew that it would probably embarrass her if he said anything to dissuade her from it. She was far too young for him, and besides, she should really be dating around her age. She dated the kid behind him for a little bit didn't she? The Nara heir? Sakura doesn't know this, but Sasuke gets all his information from Shisui. He's a shameless whore for gossip, so when Sasuke asked him to dig up information about a " civilian-born" kunoichi- he agreed. 

He took one look at her mother's maiden name and knew Sakura was destined for greatness. He kept it to himself, no need to freak the rest of Konoha out with that information. He wondered if Tsunade-sama was going to say something. 

Moving on...

When they finally arrived at the gates of Sunagakure, the guards nodded and let them in. They were brought to the living spaces, and Shisui was now very aware he did just willingly sign up for a babysitting mission. There were worse ways to spend his time, though. Sakura was walking next to Shikamaru, eagerly talking to him about her latest mission she went on with Kakashi. Shisui thought it was immensely pleasing that his old anbu captain was basically a girl dad. He still was apart of the anbu of course, but there was something deeply amusing about thinking about Hatake Kakashi, renowned for genius, even before the Sharingan fell into his hands, the only non-Uchiha to posses the Sharingan, the Copy-nin, Mr. Worldwide as he’s heard Sakura call him affectionately, was a girl dad. Shisui heard her explaining it to Genma on one of the times she tagged along with Kakashi to their hang outs. No one seemed to mind. She was smart, more bubbly than when she was a kid, and happy to be there. She always seemed enamored when he told her about his less classified missions. She looked at him like he was interesting, like he was telling her something she’d remember forever. He found it pretty cute she seemed so invested in his missions, even if he was a little worried she seemed so bloodthirsty. To Kakashi's dismay, she'd make a good Anbu. When she had to, she still got scarily good at being quiet, and even with her hair, blended into the environment with nothing but her axe for company. He admired her for how hard she seemed to work. She liked working hard. He'd known that when she was twelve years old and sparring Itachi Uchiha like he was another kid in her Academy Class. Again, Shisui thought it was all very amusing because it seemed like even Itachi, known for his detachment to everything but Izumi, the Clan, and Konoha, even seemed to be fond of her. 

It was amusing how excited she got over blood. He idly wondered if she got it from Kakashi or from her Kirigakure lineage. Kakashi did have a problem with his bloodlust. There was a time when even Shisui feared Hound's wrath. Especially after an intense mission, where Kakashi did unspeakable things to protect Konoha, he'd looked like a shell of himself. Until he basically adopted Sakura, he hadn't really been... full. Shisui was happy the older man was finally opening his heart for her. Everyone knew Kakashi was as loyal as his Hound mask, so he knew it was hard for him to let someone in, because if they did become special to him, he'd destroy the world if they were angry at it. 

“Alright you four, make sure you get plenty of rest. We got here with an extra day so you three can do whatever for tomorrow but make sure you’re ready for the actual exams in two days! I have to write a letter, so I will see you tomorrow!” Shisui hummed pleasantly, nodding as the 15-16 year olds nodded and went to bed.

Ah, youth.  

Jesus, he was getting old…  

-

[ Sakura ]

She’d decided to run off by herself on her day off. As much fun as it was talking to Shisui, she wanted to explore Sunagakure as much as she could. She knew Shisui would be protective, especially under Kakashi-nii's orders, so as much as she wanted to stick by his side... her curious mind wouldn't let her. Her eyes were sparkling as she walked through the streets. She found herself enamored with everything, especially as she walked past all the different vendors, each with a specialization to Suna. Finding one especially interesting, she paused, picking up a book on Sunagakure legends. 

“They say legends are the best way to understand a culture,” a smooth voice uttered from behind her. She straightened up and turned around on her heel. And Jesus, she did think Shisui was the prettiest man alive, but this one is a very close second. He wasn’t that much taller than her, but he had Persian red hair and honey brown eyes. He looked to be a couple years older than her, but she could be wrong. His skin was smooth, like he’d never known the heartache of acne. Damn those Suna genes!  

“Konoha-nin, huh?” his voice continued, and she shivered. She was a woman after all! “Are you here for the Chunin exams? Pink hair… konoha- ah. You’re Haruno Sakura. Genjutsu specialist, Bukijutsu-user as well, and was also trained under Hokage-sama, so you’ve got monstrous strength as well as medical jutsu under your belt. Fascinating. I’m surprised they didn’t let you do this sooner,” the red head listed off. If Sakura wasn’t used to Sasuke, she might have been more creeped out. “Ah, where are my manners? I’m Akasuna no Sasori. How are you?”

“Nice to meet you, Sasori-san. I’d introduce myself, but you seem to know who I am.”

“My grandmother despises Tsunade. I was made very aware I had to know everything about her so I could,” his lazy drawl reminded her of Kakashi-nii, “But you are also said to be the surrogate daughter of the esteemed Hatake Kakashi,” a little venom was injected when she said his name.

“Do you have a problem with Kakashi-nii?” the previous warmth in her voice was snipped out, leaving only cool consideration. Sakura was many things, but she was most especially loyal.

Sasori grinned widely, “No, no. I am not one to hold grudges.” 

Sakura scoffed. She definitely didn't believe him, but if there was something that allowed him to say grudge, she wondered if Kakashi-nii had done something on a mission. She'd ask when she had a chance. Kakashi-nii didn't talk much about his past; he'd opened up about his old genin team, but she knew there was a lot more there. Old wounds that had scabbed up with how old they were, but the constant stream of blood reminded him that there was an ever-flowing guilt that he couldn't escape. She knew she wanted to help him, but she didn't know how. 

“Can I take you out to dinner? Introduce you to the culture Suna has to offer before your exams? Besides, I hear you’re an academic at your core. I’d love to have some conversations pertaining to medical ninjutsu and poisons.”

Sakura perked up immediately, “Only if you tell me how you got the moniker-- of the red sand." 

She wasn't sure she should have said yes, but she knew she couldn't have said no even if she wanted to. She loved violence and she loved blood. It was in her veins. Just like she begged Kakashi-nii to tell her stories of his battles like a bedtime story, she would suck Sasori clean of all his stories, eager to learn more. 

Sasori’s eyes were alight with curiosity, and a small smirk appeared, “Sure.” 

-

Sakura had made it through the first round of her exams. It was easy enough, she hadn’t even blinked. The four of them decided to go in individually, and didn’t think too hard about it. She stalked into the second exam, eyes narrowing when she noticed Sasori- who seemed entirely too pleased she was there. Beside him stood three intimidating individuals. 

Gaara, the youngest son of the Kazekage, had dark red hair, and even darker circles under his teal eyes. The Kanji for Love was over his right eye. He had a sand gourd on his back, ensuring his noticeability. His eyes narrowed on her- ugh he likely knew her too. Beside him was a blonde, Temari, the eldest of the three siblings. She utilized a giant fan and was fantastic at it. She would be a difficult opponent. Then there was the middle child, Kankuro, who used puppets, seemingly the same as his sensei. 

“Oh Sakura, how lovely of you to join us,” Sasori’s voice carried out, causing his team to look back and forth in curiosity, “I’ve been waiting.”

“Don’t be a creep, Sasori-san. I’m here for my exam.”

“Of course, well then Sakura, do not let me keep you.”

-

[ five days later - finals ]

“The finals that are long awaited! Haruno Sakura, student of Legendary Sanin, Senju Tsunade, Axe-User, Genjutsu Specialist, and from Konohagakure! And her opponent? None other than Kazekage-sama’s youngest son, the sand-user, right from Sunagakure… Gaara!” Sakura wasn’t sure why they needed to list everything she was capable of. Everyone had seen it when she defeated Kankuro’s puppets with a swing of her axe onto the fragile wood. She knew from then on he’d find a way to make it stronger. She wasn’t sure what the difference between that boy and this one would be… but as she stepped onto the field with her name being announced, she knew she was in for a treat.

The boy was short, maybe about her height, with his dark circles seemingly even darker than before. His hair was red, looking similar to that weirdo Sasori no Akasuna. His eyes were a pretty teal, she thinks that’s the prettiest part about the boy. He looks sad. She wonders why. But knows this is no time to be distracted. Inner seems to think the same, as she doesn’t say anything. 

“Haruno Sakura,” the boy said and Sakura had to resist a shiver. He seemed… angry. “You defeated my elder brother in battle.”

Sakura shrugged, “You nearly killed my teammate.”

Neji wasn’t her teammate, but that’s besides the point.

“I am surprised he lived.”

Sakura didn’t really care for Neji. But Sasuke did . So she would fight with everything she had to avenge him. Even if it meant killing the stupid heir to the throne.

-

[ hours later ]

“Jesus fuck dude! Just give up!” she screamed at the boy, losing her temper. Her axe was bloody from the times it hit him, sand sticking to the blood like tape. Her eyes were narrowed in concentration. He was standing like he was ready for her to charge again. She could do this. 

“I owe you nothing, I will not be defeated in my own home.”

He tried to sound cool, but Sakura could feel the exhaustion- hear it. She didn’t have enough chakra to conjure up another Genjutsu. She was surprised by how many he’d been able to escape from. It was impressive really. Well, also she couldn't really blame him. If she was in Konoha, she'd be damned if she gave up before she was completely incapacitated. 

“Like fuck I’d lose to a pretentious little prince like you! Can’t even fight without your sand, huh?” she was goading him, oh my god she sounds just like Naruto, she inwardly groaned, but it worked . Gaara’s eyes narrowed. 

“Fine. Taijutsu then.”

“Aw, little Gaara getting worked up?”

She couldn’t even see anything outside of Gaara. It was just them in the depths of the sand-filled arena. She couldn’t see Shisui or Shikamaru or Lee or Neji. She couldn’t hear the chanting, a weird mix of both their names. Gaara’s a little more. He let the sand down, and the little bastard waved her forward. 

Oh fuck this. She slammed her axe down and moved with careful precision. She got a clean shot to the face and even without her chakra-enhancement sent him flying . To her annoyance, the sand softened his blow. 

But… it was as if he couldn’t control it. It was like the sand was controlling him . She felt her bones begin to snap. She glanced down- oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck- 

Everything snapped. 

But, unfortunately for Gaara, there was only one better healer in the entire world than Sakura- and it was her Master. Sakura did not fall, she did not falter as she kept herself standing despite her legs being snapped. His eyes were wide, wild with indignation like she offended him for standing. She smirked. But knew, deep in her heart, she couldn't win. 

Well shit. In that case she’s gonna pull a Shikamaru. She turns to the mediator and shrugs, ignoring Gaara’s groans as he tries to stand, “I give up.”

“HUH?!!”

(When she'd tell the boys about this later, she'd tell them the mediator forced her off the field- but they weren't soft in Suna. They let her forfeit of course, but they would have let her die before ending the match. She'd challenge Gaara again someday, when she obtained the byakugou and was able to heal herself more completely. Sakura was getting better at the whole patience thing. It was really working out for her.) 

-

[ Konoha ]

“Congradulations you four,” Tsunade-shisou’s voice washed over Sakura, reminding her she was finally home , “You’re now officially chunin for Konoha. Special congratulations to Sakura, for getting second place.”

Sakura shrugged, then bowed. She knew she was going to get shit for it later, but for now she’d enjoy the compliment. Sakura listened as the other three told Tsunade-shisou what went down and Sakura told her own story. She waved them off, sending them to do whatever before their more difficult missions began. She knew they were nowhere near anbu level, but she did know that she was going to be doing B-Rank or A-Rank missions soon. Especially since she'd proved herself in Waves. She was annoyed the next Jonin exams weren't till next year, but she knew another year of training never hurt anyone. 

“God I need a drink,” she grumbled, and knew she likely shouldn't have said it aloud, but fuck it she was exhausted, “Fucking Gaara.”

“Aren’t you a little young to need a drink, Sakura-chan?” a familiar voice found her as she walked outside the office. She glanced up and couldn’t help her heart from thudding. Shisui found her. Again . 

“Yeah well Kakashi-nii will probably get me some for my promotion,” she yawned, stretching her hands over her head, trying desperately to remain calm, collected, and cool, “But you’re probably right. Don’t wanna ruin my development with alcohol, I’ll just do it by killing people.”

Shisui’s snort made it worth it, “Good point, Sakura-chan. I’m sure Kakashi is going to tell you, but we’re having a meet up at the Bar again. I’m assuming you’ll be there? I could tell you some more stories about my favorite kills.”

Sakura’s eyes gleamed, jade meeting onyx excitedly,“Oh fuck yes. Reminds me…”

“Are you stealing my dear little chunin from me already, Uchiha?” a very familiar voice said from behind her. She snapped her head over and saw Kakashi in his normal clothes. She basically teleported away from Shisui and jumped into the older’s arms. The only person she'd ditch Shisui for was Kakashi-nii. They were partners, always together, always ensuring the other was okay. It made her heart happy to be back with Kakashi-nii. 

“Kakashi-nii!”

Kakashi hummed, ruffling her hair where she stood reaching about his lower chest; he'd stopped making comments about the -nii along time ago; she suspected he'd come to love it, but he'd never tell her that, so she remained in her assumptions, “I’m so proud of you, Sakura. Chunin is amazing, already ahead of those two idiots.”

Sakura’s eyes sparkled, and wide grin spreading across her face. She knew that she was, but she also knew those idiots were strong. They were meant to be strong, and she'd support them, but in some ways she'd run ahead, knowing where to go and how to do it, “As if there was any doubt.”

“And I suppose you can tag along to the jounin hang out since Shisui decided to invite you before I could,” Kakashi snorted, eyes narrowed on the Uchiha, who put his hands up in defense, “Let’s go get you changed then relax for a couple hours. We don’t have to get there till 7pm.”

“Kakashi it starts at 6,” Shisui’s deadpan voice made Sakura giggle. Leave it to Kakashi-nii to purposely try to make her late. 

“C’mon Kakashi-nii, I wanna get there on time.”

“Fine, fine," and she knew he was only saying yes because it was cause to celebrate. It still made her happy. 

“Getting a sister really has made you soft, Hatake.”

“I would kill you where you stood if Sakura wasn’t so damn fond of you."

-

“So then, I teleported behind him,” he snorted into his beer, “Snapped his neck!”

“That’s such a basic way to kill someone, Shisui-san,” Sakura tutted from Kakashi’s side. He and Gai were talking about their next friendly competition. “I much prefer beheading.”

“You’ve always been violent, Sakura-chan,” Shisui nodded sagely, before snorting; it's sort of a drunk laugh, like he's holding nothing back,“I seriously don’t know where you get it. Is it really from your mother’s side?”

“My mother’s dead, Shisui-san. We’ve had this conversation a million times,” Sakura deadpanned, and felt a sick glee on his downtrodden face; maybe she was more of her mother's daughter than she initially thought, “I’m kidding, it’s fine. Yes, she was from Kirigakure during the bloody mist era. She had a brother, but wouldn’t tell me much more than that.”

“Sakura-chan! You’re so mean to me,” Shisui whined dramatically, and Sakura’s poor heart thumped because she knew he couldn’t feel anything for her. She was just his younger cousin’s best friend. She bit her lip, and stole Kakashi’s cup then downed it. She watched as he walked off after dramatically telling her to be nice to him. She watched him all the way as he wrapped an arm around a woman. She looked to be a shinobi, but Sakura couldn't tell. She couldn't care. She tried not to care because it was just so stupid. 

“Sakura!” Kakashi snapped his head to hers, eyes wide with panic because in all her time with these outings she'd never snatched it like that, "What are- oh gods.”

Sakura was scowling, and Shisui was gone. 

“Sakura…”

“Shut up, Kakashi-nii.”

-

[ Present ]

“Sasuke, why did you set this up?”

“So I can beat Shikamaru’s ass.”

Sakura snorted, loudly. She could feel their eyes on her. She tried not to giggle more. “You two are stupid. It’s been two years.”

“Yeah, but Sakura,” Naruto’s voice turned into a whisper, “You said he was your fir-”

Sakura smacked him over the head, sending him flying, an angry blush covering her face. Shikamaru and her past was... complicated. They'd done things twelve year olds had no business doing, but like Sakura told him on that meadow- she was glad it was a friend. “Naruto I told you that in confidence you little shit!”

Sasuke sighed, walking over and picking Naruto up. His eyes glanced over to Sakura's and she knew he was trying to dissect what Naruto meant. There was very rarely a time Naruto knew something about Sakura that Sasuke didn't know. Sasuke knew she'd tell him when she was ready, but the fact she told Naruto first was a major blow to his ego, “You’re always doing something to piss her off, Naruto. You need to calm down for once.”

“I am calm! I just don’t get why she’s so weird about being friends with Shikamaru again.”

“Guys. It has been two years,” She groaned, annoyance rolling off of her. She liked being friends with Shikamaru. He was smart and they played a lot of shoegi. He even introduced her to Temari when Temari came to visit. She liked Temari, and Temari liked her. It was  good, solid friendship... that just so happened to have some history behind it. “Besides, Shika’s dating that girl from Suna, Temari.”

“How does bro bag you and then casually the princess from Suna?” Naruto grumbled, and Sakura resisted the urge to snicker- cause that was amusing. Shikamaru did get Sakura to date him and Temari was basically royalty in Suna... “This is dumb .”

This time, Sakura did snicker, “You two are idiots,” but I really missed you two. You should tell them that, nah I’m good. I think it’s really funny you call Kakashi-nii emotionally constipated when you’re the same way. Shut up. I’m good, thanks! 

-

The battles were quick. Sasuke got the chance to kick Shikamaru’s ass, but part of Sakura thinks Shikamaru let him. He felt honor-bound to let the Uchiha get some “revenge” for him hurting Sakura. Sakura let it happen cause heaven knows Sasuke liked to get his anger out. She just feels bad. 

She did not feel bad about watching Hinata and Ino come up and try to talk to Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto said hi back politely before turning back and talking to Sakura like nothing happened. Sakura tried not to giggle at the glare the Hyuuga tried to send her. Sasuke’s reaction was much funnier. He just ignored her until sparring was over. Sakura caught up with Shino and Tenten, because it really had been a while since she’d talked to them. Oops.  

But it was nice to have her boys back. Heavens knew she had missed them. 

Chapter Text

[ Six Months Later ]

Sakura, 

I am happy to see you’ve managed to keep writing to me. With the new Chunin Exams coming up, I will be coming once again to help ensure Suna-Konoha relations are going well. I hope I can see you. Your last visit was wonderful. Tea and talking about poisons is my favorite pastime and I am delighted you agree. Congratulations once again on your promotion to Jounin. I am unsurprised, but proud nonetheless. I’m sure Hatake is as well.

As for your questions regarding Chiyo’s works, she has threatened to trap me within the very depths of the sand if I dare to tell you anything. 

When you come visit, I’ll tell you. Unfortunately, communicating it over letters is much too obvious. She will likely kill me for this, but I digress. 

As for your chakra practice- how are the chakra strings coming along? I’ve been practicing the chakra-enhanced punches and I fear my chakra control is not nearly as good as your own. I shattered my fist and have decided perhaps I should not entertain that endeavor. As always, I am entirely impressed by your talent. 

Here’s a collection of my favorite poisons, some I’ve developed myself. I’d love a copy of your antidotes, I promise not to share. 

Sincerely yours,

                        Sasori 

-

Sasori and Sakura had become penpals after her chunin exams. He was a couple years older than her, and was now 19. He seemed to enjoy their conversations. She certainly liked talking to him. She opened up the parcel next to his letter, excitedly pouring over the poisons he’d sent her. Fascinating, they’re so intricate! Of course they are, it’s kind of his thing? You’re so annoying, Inner! I miss kissing him, he’s so good at it. We’re not having this conversation right now. What’s so wrong with wanting to kiss a smart, pretty boy our age? It’s not like Shisui is holding out for us! Sasori is only three years older, but he’s still- Oh come on, you two are basically the same age in comparison to you and Kakashi or you and Shisui. You should have some fun. But- No buts! But seriously, don’t tell Kakashi-nii, he’d kill us! Oh yeah, we should ask Sasori about that. I’d bet you anything he knows something. He’d likely tell us, honestly. Kakashi-nii did something. No shit. 

She read over his letter again and again. Her chest squeezed. Maybe… there was nothing wrong with entertaining this. Just for a while. 

-

“Shikamaru and yourself are going to Sunagakure to help with our relations,” Tsunade-shisou raised her eyebrows, “As two of our best Jounin, I need to trust you understand how important this mission is politically. Sakura, I’ve taught you how to maneuver political matters. Can you handle this?”

She bowed deep, keeping her excitement wrapped deep underneath her carefully crafted mask, “Yes Shisou.”

A couple months ago, Sakura had been promoted to Jounin along with Shikamaru, Lee, and Neji. The people she’d gone and gotten promoted to Chunin with. The four of them had ended up becoming something like a team, to Sakura’s bemusement. Shikamaru and Sakura typically took turns being team lead for practice. Neji usually sat on the backburner, as he’d really chilled out over the years. He told them he didn’t want to have to lead to prove his worth. He was happy to be here, fighting with them, for something. And Lee was… Lee. They traveled and took on A-Rank missions, decimating battlefields, making intricate plans to ensure no one who shouldn’t know- didn’t. Creating a world that was safe through violence. They weren’t anbu, so they weren’t… dabbling too much in the evil atrocities Shisui-san told her about. Itachi was always angry when he found out Shisui indulged her as much as he did with violent stories from the anbu. But Itachi’s particular brand of anger wasn’t noticeable unless you paid careful attention, so Sakura liked to pretend it wasn’t there. 

Since the tentative alliance with Suna began, Shikamaru and herself were often the two going. Sakura went because she wanted to see Sasori. It had started slow, as all good romance did. When he saw she was there, it was like his face actually lit up (which again, looked different than it normally did for others, and was a tilt of the mouth), which caused his cousins to gape. She’d wave, and silently promise herself to find him later. Temari didn’t seem to be much better at seeing Shikamaru. Once they were free from their scrolls, they’d find their respective “friend” and spend time with them. Sakura didn’t know what the lovebids were doing, but Sasori took her to see the sights that were not as well known. She’d ignored the Suna ANBU that were following them. She’d get amused when Sasori was glaring at someone/something behind them. Humming, eventually, she started wrapping her arm around his bicep, urging to focus on this. On them. 

No doubt about it, her type was pretty, smart, and a little bit of an asshole. 

-

“So, are you excited to see your weird boyfriend?” Shikamaru’s voice was amused. Like he couldn’t believe she was trying to date again, “I do not know what you see in him.”

“Well, that’s why I’m dating him, Shika,” she glared, not taking her eyes off the road, trying to keep her growl to herself, “He’s… oddly sweet. You know, I’ve never been,” she bit her lip. Saying, not like other people makes me feel like a dickhead, “whatever. He doesn’t make me feel weird for being weird. Like, he sent me a book on poisons he made. Do you know how fucking cool that is? He sent me cacti because I mentioned one time we don’t have many of them in Konoha. He just gets me?”

“And Shisui?”

She scowled, he’s a petty fuck when he wants to be, yeah well, I don’t blame him. “What about Shisui-san?”

Shikamaru sighed, and she could practically feel him looking up at the sky in exasperation, “What a drag, Sakura. We broke up because you could never love another man. You’ve talked about Shisui for hours with me. About his loyalty, about how he’s kind, about how he does things for people. That even though he’s a player, he always makes sure the woman gets home safe- which, I don’t even want to know why you know that. Like, you’ve been obsessed with the guy since you were twelve years old!”

Sakura sighed, dramatically and meant to drag him out of his annoyance, “Yes. I do love Shisui-san, and I probably will till the day I die. My crush started when he walked Sasuke to the academy that first day when we were six years old. I didn’t know his name. I admired him, but I knew nothing of him. Then, Sasuke befriended me. I went to his house for dinner and met Shisui-san, and that’s when I began to like him. Then, he helped teach me the Shunsin. Something he’s incredibly good at. Faster than anyone else to ever do it. He trained me when he wasn’t on missions, making sure to help me with my form. Helping me with everything. I knew he didn’t see me that way- I was twelve and he was twenty. I’m sure I didn’t even register on his radar, and I still don’t. At least I haven’t been sister-zoned, he sees me as Sasuke’s best friend at least. Then, my boys left me. I was alone. Kakashi-nii was here. You were here, and Neji and Lee. But not my boys. Sasuke was in the village and he never came and saw me, Shika,” her eyes were blurring, biting her lip to keep it back because she hadn’t cried since their break up, “He never came. But Shisui was there. He made me laugh. I went to the bar with the jounin when I was still a genin and then a chunin. Shisui told me stories about violence and gore because I liked it. Then, he’d disappear with a woman. A shinobi one day, a civilian the next. It shouldn’t hurt because- because I mean nothing to him. Not in the way I wanted. It’s…” 

“I know that’s why you said yes, Saku,” Shikamaru’s voice isn’t unkind, and she feels herself relax at the understanding in the lazy genius’ voice, “You shouldn’t have to wait around for him. I know you’ll find your way back to him, but I don’t blame you. Sasori is super hot. If I were a girl, I’d probably have a crush on him too. I’m just surprised he’d wanna-”

“Finish that sentence, Nara, I dare you,” Sakura snarled, but she felt herself relax again, because honestly, when did Shikamaru not get it, “Thanks, Shika. I know what-”

“Nah, we talked it out beforehand. I don’t blame you,” he nodded, eyes trained in front of him, like he was also fighting back emotion, and it oddly relaxed her because sometimes she did feel like she felt too much. She tried to keep it buried, of course, but it didn’t always succeed, “And I hurt you too.”

Sakura turned her head to look at him, eyes softening, “It’s okay. We talked about it, we’re good?”

“We’ve always been good.”

-

Sasori, 

Good news, Sasori, I’m coming to Suna. I’m likely going to be three days away by the time this gets to you. I am so excited to see you, I’ve missed you. The letters are wonderful, the gifts even more so, but I crave your company. Reading your work has been the highlight of my week- do not fret, it is locked away where only a seal master could get through. You do not want to know where I learned that. 

I am so excited to see your pretty face, Sasori. Please behave until I get there, and then perhaps we can do some painting. 

All my love, 

                      Sakura

-

Finally, the Suna gates came into view. Sakura felt her chest actually relax. She felt Shikamaru’s eyes on her and she guessed it was because she seemed so happy. Shikamaru’s what a drag resonated in her ears. She felt a flash of irritation before her eyes landed on him.

Sasori was standing tall, eyes bored but looking around in earnest. Red hair was mussed but looked pretty. She wanted to run her fingers through it. He looked like a doll. Porcelain skin and pretty eyes. She resisted the urge to run into his arms. She had missed him- she did not lie about that. He was in the traditional jounin wear for Sunagakure-nin, but it always looked utterly delicious on him. She had always liked an older man, but this one was only a couple years older instead of eight. He was surveying the area, clearly trying to look like he was on duty. Until those pretty auburn eyes landed on her. 

The change was instantaneous. His eyes lit up and that delicious smirk grew over his lips. He walked over confidently, like there was no one who would dare to stop him. She supposed he wasn’t wrong, in fact, other Suna-nin shrunk back when he passed them; his eyes trained on her. There was something delicious about how all that attention was focused on her. The guards even moved out of the way. He ignored Shikamaru completely, looking only at her as he twirled a piece of her pink hair. Sakura hates to admit it but her cheeks flared red. Yeah, Kakashi-nii is definitely going to kill me. You are dating a man from the Bingo Book in Konoha. It’s only natural… He’s cute, smart, and a little violent- what’s not to like? All Shinobi are violent! Not Naruto! That we’ve seen. 

“Sakura, so glad you’ve made it,” his voice is like velvet, rushing over her like she was the only woman in the world. She liked that look. It sent a jolt of pleasure through her. 

Inner decided to be a bitch today it seemed. But all that and you are still thinking about Shisui. 

“I’m happy to be back,” she couldn’t help but wrap her arms around him. She liked that he was the same height, albeit a little taller, but she just looked into those eyes and felt content. He’s taller™.  Sakura gulped, keeping her eyes on her boyfriend. She needed Inner to shut up. “It was a safe trip, before you get all worry-wart on me.”

She saw his lip tilt, and she tried to focus on it, “Yes well, even if it wasn’t you’re strong. I trust your strength.”

That was perhaps the most attractive thing of all. Sasuke and Naruto had entered into their “over-protective, I-know-what-testosterone-is” phase. While it was sweet, and she knew it came from a good place, she frequently had to remind them she could beat their ass. Like daily. She liked that Sasori didn’t see her as fragile, but continued to remember what she was capable of.

But, maybe that’s because he watched her tear down all three of his very powerful cousins. Sure, Gaara won, but only because Sakura realized it would be more detrimental to fight him given he wasn’t… in control. 

I digress. Shut up. 

“Well,” Sasori’s eyes finally travel over to Shikamaru, who Sakura can just feel the exasperation coming off of him, “Temari is expecting you, Nara. As for your mission, Kazekage-sama has time to meet with you two tomorrow. He’s hoping to let you two rest and… spend some time with the people you came to visit.”

Sakura couldn’t help it, she perked up. Not jumping straight into work sounded nice. And to her delight, Shikamaru agreed, “Sure thing, Sasori-sama. I’ll be with Temari if you need me, Sakura.”

She nodded her head at her teammate as he wandered off to find Temari. Sakura knew he knew where she was because he visited Suna as much as he did. So she just kept her eyes on Sasori.

“Would you like to go back to my place? I have some new prototypes I’d like to run by you.”

Sakura’s eyes sparkled. 

-

Dear Sakura-chan! 

Teme and I finally participated in the Chunin exams while you were gone! We’re officially Chunin of Konoha! :D 

You’ve been gone a while, but I know you’re with that boyfriend. Hopefully you find it within yourself to give us a NAME soon, but we’re happy you even told us. Cause you didn’t with Shikamaru and look how THAT ended up…

Sorry, not the point. 

Kakashi and Sasuke have been doing a lot of ANBU missions. Do not ask me how Sasuke is allowed to participate in ANBU, but it definitely is because of his last name… I’m sure you’ll hear about it more when you get back. Granny will likely kill me if she reads this lol. 

Anyways, can’t wait to see you Sakura <3 

Love, 

           Naruto 

-

[ Official Letter from Godaime Hokage Tsunade Senju to Jounin Haruno Sakura ]

Sakura, 

I am in need of your immediate return home. There are ambassadors coming from Kirigakure who have requested to meet with you before even thinking about an alliance. I know I let you go on this little date with your boyfriend of a year, but I need you home now. 

Safe travels, 

                      Godaime Hokage 

-

That’s how Sakura ended up rushing home. She had kissed Sasori bye, promising to come back as soon as she could. He assured her he understood, because he knew how much Konoha meant to her. She grabbed his hands tightly and then asked him to tell Shikamaru for her. He nodded, kissing the corner of her mouth and telling her to go. She frowned momentarily, but ultimately started her trek back to Konoha. It was a long road, of course, and she tried not to stop. She took a few rests, but was pretty much running through the night. Thankfully she didn’t run into any problems- because that would have been awkward. Not that she would have been overwhelmed, but she knew she had a limited time to return. She wondered who warranted such a meeting with her. She knew she was relatively well known globally. As the Godaime’s apprentice, she warranted some amount of attention. Additionally, she was the unofficial student of Uchiha Itachi as well. And when Kakashi-nii wasn’t stuck in his head, he was a pretty good teacher as well. But she gives most of her thanks to Tsunade-shisou and herself. She worked her ass off. 

But usually it’s Tsunade-shisou they want to meet. Or Sasuke. Or Kakashi-nii. She didn’t mind not being in the spotlight, but she has to admit, there is something delicious about the fact they want to meet her. It makes her excited. 

The next few days go by quickly. When she does stop it's for only a couple hours at a time, sleeping before jumping back up to get back to business. She feels herself relax as Konoha’s gates come into view. Kotetsu and Izumo’s familiar faces coming into view. 

“Haruno-san!” 

She tilted her head, bowing a little in greeting, “I assume Tsunade-shisou is waiting for me?”

“Yes,” Izumo nodded, “Hokage-sama and the ambassador are waiting in her office. She was informed you’d be returning today.”

How does she always know? 

“Great, thanks you two,” she nodded, and shunsins in front of the Hokage’s office. She wipes the dust off her pants and sighs. Knocking, “Tsunade-shisou?”

“Come in, Sakura.”

She opens the door, mild curiosity burning her skin. When she does get a chance to look around, that’s when she sees him. He’s tall, but more interesting than that, he has blue skin. Blue. She glances at his teeth- he’s smiling wide and proud- and they look like hers. Sharp and shark-like. Her eyes narrowed on him. He was… familiar. In a way she wasn’t used to. His grin widened, as if he felt her unease and was proud of it. He completely ignored Tsunade-shisou, turning to face her. Sakura let her eyes snap to Tsunade, who just nodded. 

“I’m Hoshigaki Kisame, It’s a pleasure to meet my imoto’s daughter.”

…

…

“HUH!?”

-

Tsunade had let them go to one of the meeting rooms to talk it out. She said they could chat and then come back to do business later. Sakura’s face was blank as she led her supposed Uncle into one of the many rooms where people could meet for official business. She went on the opposite side, so he would be closer to the door. She knew there were going to be ANBU around (she could feel him after all). 

“So,” she trailed off awkwardly, “you knew my mama?”

“That is what a brother is, kid,” Kisame’s grin wasn’t annoyed, and his tone wasn’t condescending. But this is what Sakura was good with- sarcasm, wit. Maybe he really was her oji-san.

She scoffed, “I was just asking, Hosigaki-san.”

“Kisame, kid. We’re blood.”

Sakura sighed exasperated, “I’ve never even met you before, Kisame-san.”

“Sure, but I’ve been looking for you. Ever since that useless piece of shit Zabuza reported back there was a girl with pink hair… who had very sharp teeth, I knew it was you. Just had to find a good enough reason to get out here.”

Sakura felt her chest thump. Is that what family normally does for each other? Look for them when they’ve heard rumors? She tried to force a scoff out, “I- whatever. You’re here for peace treaties from Kirigakure?”

“I guess that’s officially why I’m here. My sister’s long dead, isn’t she, kid?”

Sakura frowned, before it transformed into a scowl, “She died like a civilian,” she spat it out. She couldn’t help it. Love Konoha as she might, she hated what it had turned her mother into. Her strong mother who could have taken down Jounin like it was nothing. 

His eyes hardened before softening again, “That’s why she left, Sakura,” she was surprised when his name left her lips and she snapped her head up, “She was sick of the bloodshed. I left cause those assholes tried to kill me. Then, inevitably, I went back after the Coup happened and looked for my sister. Turns out she left, found your father, and settled here. I’ve only been back at Kiri for a couple years now. When Zabuza passed on information about a girl with pink hair, I knew I’d keep an eye on it. Then, imagine my surprise when I get information that a girl nearly wins the whole Chunin Exams, and then becomes a Jounin at 16. Could only be someone of my blood.”

Sakura sighed, “Whatever. I did that through hard work and annoying people to teach me things. I didn’t need to depend on a bloodline limit.”

“No shit,” her uncle actually snorts, “people who depend on bloodline limits are idiots. True Shinobi are those who adapt and work with their abilities to become something great. I’ve heard you’re good with an axe, wanna spar?”

Sakura’s scowl turned into a smirk, “Now you’re talking.”

-

[ Kakashi ]

When Kakashi heard his surrogate daughter was sparring with the ambassador from Kirigakure, he wasn’t exactly… surprised. His daughter did have a nasty habit of delving into violence a little more than she should for someone her age- well… not anymore, she was 16 and was growing into quite the splendid shinobi. She was now a Jounin of Konoha, and Kakashi trusted her not only as a daughter but as a teammate. He wandered over with Itachi and Shisui to see how the spar was going. Like he said, unsurprised. Until he saw who it was with. 

Sakura was locked in a spar with none other than Hoshigaki Kisame. A renowned Seven Swordsman of the Mist. His sword, Samehada, was clearly enjoying the rush. Sakura’s Axe was not something people took lightly anymore. When Kakashi was on ANBU missions, he heard whispers of a Pink-Haired Kunochi with an axe that was dyed by blood. People thought her too violent to be the Godaime’s Apprentice, but Tsunade didn’t care much for other’s opinions. Especially since she became the Hokage. 

“Not bad, Oji-chan!” Sakura laughed maniacally, which Kakashi had learned meant she was having fun. She managed to use her axe to parry against Samehada. From the looks of it, Kisame wasn’t fighting at his full power, as the sword was still wrapped, but that was a good thing. Samehada’s ability was sucking chakra from another person to refill the user’s own reserves as well as self-healing. If Sakura ever managed to get the byakugou, that would be an interesting fight… 

“Heh, heh, not so bad yourself, meikko-chan! I was worried you’d have gotten soft within these walls, but it seems the Kirigakure blood is not so easily diluted,” the shark man laughed, and Kakashi was horrified to realize it sounded exactly like Sakura’s. Shisui was not lying, that’s a shame. 

Kakashi watched as the two continued to clash, dust and dirt flying around the two of them as Sakura’s eyes began to gleam even brighter. Kakashi loathed to admit it was nice seeing her this giddy. Sakura had sort of become a surrogate daughter as he’d said, and so to him, she was his family… but Kisame was also her family. People have often referred to Kakashi as a Hound. Not just because of his ANBU mask, but also because he’s as loyal as the hounds he has with him. It’s… difficult seeing her with someone who might be of danger to her.

But considering she still hadn’t told him about her relationship with Sasori no Akasuna, perhaps he should have braced for this. 

Speaking of, he needed to ask her about how, when, where, what and why of that. 

Eventually the two had settled down. Kisame began giving her pointers on how to better wield the axe. Unlike whenever anyone from Konoha tried to correct her form with her axe, she listened attentively, nodding when given corrections. Sakura was an excellent student. Sure, she got lost in the bloodlust every once in a while, but so did he! But, she was smart, attentive, and asked the right questions.  

Except when it came to her axe. 

There were very few kenjutsu masters in Konoha, let alone someone who specialized in axe-related bukijutsu. So it was unsurprising she wouldn’t be interested in listening. That’s another reason why she’d become such a big name in the Underground. She was a Konoha-born kunoichi who specialized in axe-wielding. She was immensely talented at genjutsu, and her chakra-enhanced strength was nothing to scoff at. But when she combined her chakra-enhanced strength with her axe? There were few people in her age group that could defeat her. 

If any. 

“Maa, maa, Sakura-chan. Seems you’re even attracting attention outside of Konoha,” Kakashi works to keep his tone calm, even though it is annoyingly difficult with Kisame’s beady eyes now on him. 

“Kakashi-nii!” she exclaimed excitedly, teleporting away from her uncle and into his arms. Well, it’s nice to see some things never change. “Did you see that, Kaka-nii? Oji-chan is teaching me all sorts!”

Kisame stood at his full height, nodding at Kakashi with something akin to respect, “You’re the one who’s been taking care of my imoto’s spawn?”

Kakashi tried really hard not to snort at the word “spawn”, “Mhm. Sakura-chan’s a real pleasure.”

Kisame’s eyes narrow before a wide, shark-like grin breaks his face (and dammit, it is so similar to Sakura’s it hurts), and slaps him across the back, “Well! I appreciate it, Hatake! Getting to reunite with my meikko-chan has been extremely gratifying, and I hope to be a part of her life from now on. So I do hope we can get along.”

“You are staying in my life, oji-chan, or I’ll come hunt you down!” Sakura sang sweetly from beside them. 

There are… worse people for her to be involved with. 

Like her boyfriend of the past year, Sasori no Akasuna. Who she has yet to tell him about herself! He is thankful once again Shisui is a whore for gossip. 

Kakashi nods, crinkling his eyes, even as he feels the discomfort rolling off of him, “Anything for Sakura-chan.”

Kisame’s grin tightens before nodding, “Anything for meikko-chan.”

-

[ Sakura ]

Sakura tells Kakashi she’ll be late home tonight, and drags her oji-chan off into the forest on the east side of Konoha. She used to explore this a lot during her two years alone. She knew it wasn’t perfect, but it was her spot.

“Where are we goin’, meikko-chan?”

“‘M showing you one of my favorite places in Konoha, oji-chan. There we can chat some more. I wanna hear about mama, and all the kicking ass she did when she was younger.”

“You are her spitting image in spirit, meikko-chan,” Kisame’s hand is on her head before she can process it, ruffling her hair like a dog. But she isn’t insulted. It sends a flurry of warmth through her she hadn’t felt since her mama and papa died. Or since Kakashi-nii adopted her officially. She kept her last name, but he was officially her family. “She also loved to hear about my own… ventures.”

Sakura’s eyes sparkled, “I’d love to hear some of your exploits, oji-san!”

“Oh now you’re being respectful? At the sign of some bloodlust-filled stories?”

“You don’t know me very well yet, Oji-san, so I’ll let it slide. But I love talking about blood. Have you not heard the story of my first kills?”

He grinned and Sakura blinked. He did look like mama. In a way. She was obviously much shorter, but they had the same nose, and their eyes crinkled in the same way when they laughed. Their teeth were the same sharpness and stretched out the same way across their faces. She found herself smiling back, because it finally felt like she was home. 

She wouldn’t feel guilty about the feeling till later, when Kakashi-nii was making her food, asking about her time with oji-san. 

She tried to bury the feeling. 

(It didn’t work.) 

-

Kisame leaves two weeks after he comes. 

Sakura stands at the gate where he’s about to leave. He came alone, because he didn’t need an escort. Of course he didn’t. It made sense. She’d read his bingo book entry afterwards. She was frowning and frankly felt like crying. 

“Oi, meikko-chan, c’mon kid, you’re not a crier.”

“You don’t get to tell me what I’m not!” she snapped, eyes ablaze, because he wasn’t wrong. Sakura didn’t cry, she made a serious effort not to because it was nothing more than a burden. This fire made her oji-san snort.

“There she is,” he ruffled her hair again, his eyes softening, “We made the treaty. Which means, I’ll be coming back to visit- and you can come visit. I talked it out with Hokage-sama and Mei-sama, you can be the ambassador between Kiri and Konoha.”

Sakura perked up before titling her head, “Huh? Why me?”

He grinned, and she felt herself relax as he bumped her forehead with his knuckles, “Cause yer blood,” and she liked the way they didn’t say family or clan - they said blood. Because Kirigakure had always been blood centered, just like Sakura. She liked red, and she liked the tangy feeling of it in her palms. Either when she was cutting people down, bringing them in where Hokage-sama needed them, or when she was healing her teammates, bringing them back to life. 

Blood would always be a part of her life.

“Plus, kid, we traded addresses. We’re gonna be penpals.”

Someone snorts. Another person starts grumbling about addresses and safety. She knows Kakashi-nii did not want to give oji-san their address, so she’d need to buy him the new edition of Icha Icha for him in thanks. Sasori was going to get a kick out of this.

“Also, mikko-chan, please tell your father about your boyfriend please? It’s starting to stress me out.”

Sakura snorted, “Kakashi-nii wouldn’t approve.”

“You’re a grown kunoichi, as far as I’m concerned you can date whoever. I do approve, Sasori no Akasuna is a legend on the battlefield. What do you two talk about?”

“Not that you care, oji-san, but we talk a lot about medicine, antidotes, new types of poisons he’s trying out, that kinda stuff.”

“How… romantic.”

“I don’t think you’d know romantic if it hit you in the face, oji-san.”

“Such a smart mouth, just like your mother. Now I gotta go, the konoha-nin are starting to look at me weird-”

Sakura grabbed him in a hug, holding him by his waist and waiting for him to hug her back before letting go, “I’m really glad I got to meet you, oji-san.”

She felt him relax and squeeze her shoulder back, “C’mon kid, I’m not dyin’. I’ll be back before you know it. I gotta go back to my village, just like you gotta stay here. It’ll all work out eventually,” and she could tell he was teasing her crush, “you got this. I trust in you.”

This is why her oji-san was the best.

-

“I’m gonna kill him.”

Sakura’s voice doesn’t sound like her own. She doesn’t feel like herself right now either if she’s being completely honest. She can feel herself slipping. Ah, this is what it felt like with Haku. We’ve had other experiences like this since then, I don’t know why it always comes back to Haku. He was our first most memorable kill. I like how you had to ensure I knew ‘memorable’ but valid. Those two chunin were nothing compared to Haku. I should kill that insolent Hyuuga for hurting Sasuke. We’re friends with Neji! Not like Sasuke. I’d do the same thing if someone dared to hurt Naruto. They should know I would kill for these two.They looked worried. You need to come back. Blood. Not this time. 

“S-Sakura-chan, it’s-”

“Sakura- please- wait-”

Sakura stands up before either of them can grab her and shunshins to where she knows that damn Hyuuga hangs out. She suddenly feels her axe in her left hand.

“Oh brother,” the target grumbles, “Hinata-sama, please run while I deal with her.”

“Neji-nii-?”

“Sakura is going to attempt to kill me before my wrongdoings to the Uchiha.”

“He has a name, Hyuuga,” her voice definitely doesn’t sound like her own. She can feel the two Hyuugas tense at the malice in her tone, frankly she can’t find herself to care, “I told you what would happen if you fucked around with him, Hyuuga.”

“We were never going to marry.”

“There were better ways to go about breaking it off than cheating on him with Tenten. Does she even know? Did anyone know?”

The darkness continues to fade in as he doesn’t answer. Because she doesn’t because Tenten would never treat someone like that. Neji isn’t a… bad person, Sakura thinks, but what he did to Sasuke is unforgivable. 

“Sasuke wasn’t kind to me either-”

“Oh yeah? Please enlighten me then-”

“Sakura-chan!”

“Sakura!”

How did they already find me? Kami’s speed I guess. 

She can feel Neji’s eyes trail over to Sasuke’s body, who is rushing to her side, and she feels him grab her arm. 

“Sakura, it’s- it’s not worth it. This was a mutual agreement,” he spat out, “if I can forgive Shikamaru, you can forgive Neji. I know the two of you have been working together on missions. You’re friends, do-”

“You and Naruto come over every friendship I will ever have,” she spat as she glared at the older Hyuuga, who hadn’t moved since Sasuke’s arrival, “but fine. You want him to be left alone? It’s done. Neji, I hope you are a miserable fuck for the rest of your life.”

She turns around and storms off. 

Chapter Text

[ Konoha - Sakura ]

Sakura hadn’t really expected it to… hurt. Like, realistically, she knew she was never going to marry Sasori (even though, in the deepest parts of her mind when she was alone, she had thought about it). She knew they were dating for… fun. But it’s after his coronation that he tells her. 

-

“Sakura.”

She glanced over her shoulder. The voice is familiar, of course with it being her boyfriend of two years calling her. She let her eyes land on him and felt something in her soften. She’d tried not to think too hard about it, but at some point in the last two years she’d really fallen in love. Like she thought that Sasori could really be her person. Maybe her silly crush on Shisui… wasn’t all that serious… She rushes over to her boyfriend in response. 

Sasori was just made the Kazekage, and was one of the youngest Kages in history. While Sasori was standing confidently, there was an air of something else. It was darker, bubbling at the surface like it was threatening to come out. It sent a flurry of doubt through her. Sasori was many things (a murderer (like all Shinobi), cruel, violent), but he wasn’t a liar.

“Sasori!” She excitedly runs over to him, wrapping her arms around him. Honestly, even with the doubt bubbling inside her, she can’t help it. It’s still just Sasori. Her Sasori. She can feel herself relax when he wraps his arms around her. It was just as quick as normal, no hesitation. It almost makes the seed of doubt wither and die. “I’m so proud of you. I know you didn’t want to do this, but I think it’ll be-”

But because nothing can be simple and Sakura is simply unable to be happy:

“We have to break up.”

Sakura’s entire world freezes. She snaps her head up. Sasori has never been a coward, so he’s looking at her. In her eyes. It’s because of this she can tell he’s devastated. Sasori no Akasuna. Devastated. 

He’s being serious. 

She steps out of his arms, and she can feel the flex, like even for a moment, he wanted to bring her back to him. 

He doesn’t. 

That tells her everything she needs to know. Her pushing him to take this position led to this, they are making him break up with her to find him a wife. And he knows she wouldn’t want to be caged this young. 

He knows her so well it hurts. 

“Sakura…”

She took a deep breath, blinking so hard that she could ignore it, and could ignore the feeling of dread building in her stomach, because she did this, “No, I… I know. I’m the one who forced you into-”

“I am never forced into anything,” he interrupts, and she knows what he’s doing; trying to redirect the blame so she doesn’t feel guilty. He does this rarely, perhaps because there are few times Sakura genuinely feels like she did something to wrong him. She can tell that he’s holding this himself so she doesn’t feel guilty. She can tell he’s doing this so she doesn’t break trying to be okay with this. He’s making himself the villain. She knows all of this and yet… She can feel her heart being crushed as they continue to speak, “I’m doing this so Gaara doesn’t have to. You know this.”

“I know! I know,” Sakura can feel tears building up and she fights like hell to bite them down. Because Sasori was also doing it for Gaara. 

Sasori grew up quickly after Kakashi’s father killed his parents, and was fighting like hell to make sure the Sand Siblings didn’t have to. He didn’t always succeed, but Sakura knew if he did this, then he’d be happy with how he protected the other. Contrary to popular belief, Sasori had no interest in control, and power. Sasori was content to study poisons and puppets in his labs, alone, for the rest of his life. At some point, she got added to the equation and he started wanting her there, but then… 

“Sakura,” his voice isn’t cruel, but it isn’t kind, it’s Sasori’s. There’s something comforting about that. About how it will always be Sasori. He’ll always be her Sasori. Even when he’s not. “It’s going to be okay. I know we… I could never ask you to get married now. I could never ask you to… be something you’re not.”

“But- but I could!” she snapped her head around to look at him. She doesn’t know when she ended up so far away from him, looking anywhere but him, and she wrapped her arms around herself, and steeled herself, “I love you, Sasori, I don’t- why do-”

She couldn’t look at him. It ached. It burned. It hurt. She almost walked out when she felt him step into her space. She felt him grab her cheeks, causing her to look up at him. He looked… sad. His eyes didn’t have the familiar snark they usually did. They weren't bright with ideas or laughter. They were just… dull. “I love you, Sakura,” his voice edged on ache, and she wondered not for the first time if she was doing the right thing, “but I cannot in good conscience ask you to marry me for something like love when you are from a village you love. If I were not Kazekage, I would have come to Konoha to marry you. If I were not Kazekage, I’d have proposed in another few years. But I am Kazekage. And you are a loyal Konoha shinobi. It… does not feel good, I admit, but I know this is what I have to do for my people, for my country, for my family. And in some twisted way, for you. I cannot trap you here.”

“Sasori-”

“You would grow to despise me, Sakura,” his voice does not carry anger or snark, just gentle chastation. It does not make her feel inferior or stupid for not understanding. She knows he understands she understands, but doesn’t want to. Sakura wants to just forget the politics and be in love. They are equally too important to the other village for it to be allowed. And so… “You would hate me within the year. You do not want to be married now. You are a bird- meant to fly until you find your soulmate. That is not me, and that is okay.”

Sakura felt her heart break, a million times into a million pieces, and she didn’t care if she was being dramatic. She didn’t care if it was cliche and stupid like one of those romance novels she’s seen Kakashi-nii read. She doesn’t care because this is the last time she’s going to see Sasori like this. From now on, Sasori will be Kazekage-sama. From now on, he will be another village’s Kage, but nothing more. From now on, Sasori will be on an entirely different plane of power. He does not just have shinobi power, but political power. He will be able to wield Sunagakure to his whims, change the tides of alliances and decide what matters. 

And he needs a wife. Not a girlfriend. He needs certainty, not fun. He needs something Sakura cannot be right now. 

He knows this, and now she does too. 

Because when she leaves this room, he will no longer be her Sasori. 

He will be Sunagakure’s Sasori. 

-

[ Kakashi ]

“No Naruto, you cannot see her,” Kakashi’s voice is firm. 

Sakura had… officially gone through her first real break up. He knows Sakura thinks Shikamaru was her “first boyfriend” and therefore it “shaped her”, but Kakashi is old enough to know that the love you feel when you’re thirteen is nothing compared to the love you feel when you’re sixteen- at the height of puberty and self-importance. 

When Sakura told Kakashi that she was dating Sasori no Akasuna for the first time a year ago, he was just proud she finally got the balls to tell him. He’d known, of course, but she was… like a daughter and he wanted her to tell him. He asked if she knew, and she said she did. Kakashi raised an eyebrow, and Sakura said Sasori doesn’t hold grudges anymore. Kakashi was curious to hear about that. Sakura told him how they got together and how she had grown to love him. Kakashi listened in albeit fascination as she explained how soft the insane man could be. Admittedly, Kakashi did struggle to piece together the kind man she was describing to the man who had ripped bodies apart with careful chakra control on the battlefields together. But then he’d met Sasori of Sakura when he came to visit and he got it. Sasori loved her. He did so loudly even without speaking it. He showed it by holding the door open for her, even as she chastised him for “gender-norms”. He did so by mailing her specially delivered poison-books because she wanted to practice new antidotes. He showed it by coming to Konoha and meeting her father-figure. Him. Sasori sat down at a public place and met Kakashi as her father, not as the son of the man who killed his parents. He was respectful (as the man was capable of) and wasn’t spilling killing intent. 

It was admittedly pretty cute to watch. For the first time since he met Sakura, he thought she was over Shisui. Truly, wonderfully, fully. 

Until Sunagakure announced the new Kazekage had been chosen- and, of course, it had to be Sasori no Akasuna. 

Kakashi could only watch helplessly as Sakura excitedly helped Sasori with his speech and his outfits. How she talked excitedly about all the good he could do. Kakashi watched as Sasori’s eyes dimmed when she turned around. Kakashi watched as his smug smile turned into a sad frown. Kakashi watched as Sakura left the room the day of his coronation. Kakashi watched as she begged for them to go home. Kakashi watched Sasori exit the room and watch longingly as Sakura walked away. Kakashi watched two people who loved each other be forced apart. 

Kakashi felt like he had watched his own heart get ripped out. 

“Aw, but Kakashi-sensei! She’s been locked up in her room for weeks! Even Granny won’t say what happened, and Sasori-sama isn’t coming around… even if I see a lot of letters from him outside her room…” 

Kakashi watched as the puzzle pieces came together.

“Oh.”

“She loved him a lot, Naruto,” Kakashi’s voice is soft, and the worst part is Kakashi can’t even hate the man who broke her heart. Sasori loved her so genuinely- so ardently that their break up echoed across the shinobi world. 

Literally, he’s heard people gossiping about it in the Underground. 

“She’s… gonna be okay, right?”

Kakashi nodded, “Obviously. She’s Konoha. Deeper than that, look at her uncle. She’ll be fine.”

“Right, Kisame-nii is crazy strong. I’m not actually surprised those two are related, just look at their teeth- Sakura-chan!”

Kakashi snapped his head around so fast he barely caught sight of her. Apparently she’d popped out to grab something to eat and then Shunsin’d back into her room. Shisui is going to pay for teaching her that… 

“Maa… maa,” Kakashi sighed, exasperated, “Maybe we could go do some training? Are you bored?”

Naruto scratched his toe on the ground, looking sheepish, “I did come to check on Sakura-chan! But also Teme is on another mission with Itachi-nii and Shisui-nii,” Naruto groaned exasperatedly, “I can’t believe Granny let him join,” his voice dropped to a whisper, “ANBU.”

“Me neither,” Kakashi rolled his eyes, “Nepotism…” but just rolled his visible eye, “Look, I’m gonna write a note for Sakura. Then we can go out to the training grounds and spar. How does that sound?”

“Yay! Thank you, Kakashi-sensei!”

Kakashi hummed, “Just Kakashi is fine, Naruto. Jiraiya did a better job teaching you than I ever did.”

Naruto barked out a laugh, “Don’t worry too much, Kakashi. Honestly I feel kinda bad you got stuck with us,” he looked at Kakashi again with a frown, “but I think we were good for you. Especially Sakura-chan.”

Kakashi’s old, tired heart softened, “Yes, maybe you were.”

-

[ Tsunade ]

“Temari, Kankuro, Gaara. Always a pleasure to see you three. I’m assuming Sasori has sent more ambassador work? Lucky for you our Kirigakure Ambassador should be here in a couple weeks as well,” Tsunade nodded at the three Sunagakure-nin. Even if the reason Kisame is coming has nothing to do with Kiri-Konoha relations, and more to do with dragging Sakura out of her funk. I can’t blame her though, I was the same way with Dan. Hopefully a trip to Kiri will help her. Maybe going back to her roots will give her some closure…

“Pleasure is always ours, Hokage-sama,” Gaara bows deep. Before looking around the room curiously, “He also has a special delivery for Haruno.”

Ah, yes. The poor Kazekage is also quite heartbroken over the whole ordeal. It has been six months though, hopefully with time they calm down. Especially since the idiot’s wedding is in two weeks. Another reason to get Sakura out of Konoha. She does NOT need to be here once everyone starts talking about Sasori’s new wife. I wonder how the Kage’s fiancé feels about his relationship with my apprentice… now that would be some juicy gossip…

“I’m sure he does,” Tsuande drawled, “Shizune, will you bring this to the Hatake residence when you have a chance?”

“Is Sakura-san not around?” Kankuro tilted his head over. The boy had also been quite fond of her since she saved his ass when she was in Suna. She had been in Suna for a “mission” to help with “relations” when Kankuro had been rushed in. Suna’s medical program has never been as good as Konoha’s, especially not with Tsunade taking on another apprentice. Sakura had taken over and expertly saved his life, just as she had taught her. Tsunade was very proud, and she did get a promotion after that. She’d been assigned to an ANBU team as a combat medic, and had become an asset on the force since. Kakashi wasn’t fond of it, but she often sent the two of them on missions simply because Kakashi was more likely to not be throwing his life away if she was there to stop him. Kakashi was extremely fond of Sakura, and had gained the will to live since he’d basically adopted her. 

Tsunade shared custody of Sakura with him and Kisame. 

“She’s… indisposed,” Tsunade raised an eyebrow, as if to communicate everything through that. Temari’s eyes flashed and nodded in apology. Kanakuro also nodded. 

“I see,” Gaara nodded with blank eyes, “Here you are Shizune-san. Thank you.”

Tsunade continued talking with the three ambassadors for another hour. About why they were there, what the purpose of it was, etc when-

“Hokage-sama! Hatake Kakashi and Uzumaki Naruto’s spar has gotten out of hand and no one seems to be able to get them to calm down. With Haruno-sama indisposed-”

“Fine,” Tsunade grumbled, I could use a break from work to be honest, she grinned when she realized Shizune would have no excuse to chastise her, “You three take the day off and we’ll continue this tomorrow.”

-

[ Sasuke ]

“Well done, Snake,” Itachi’s voice was solid. Sasuke glanced over his shoulder, vision unimpaired by the mask, “Excellent execution.”

“What a fine shinobi you’re coming out to be, Snake!” Shisui’s annoying voice basically skipped over to him. Sasuke looked over and tried not to be impressed by how much blood there was, “Oh this? Just gotta have something fun to tell her when I get back.”

“You need to stop indulging her, Dragon Fly,” Itachi’s voice is exasperated as they finished disposing of all the bodies, collecting the intended scrolls.

“She doesn’t think I’m cool anymore, Weasel! I have to have more cool blood stories or Snake’s little friend is going to think I’m not cool.”

“Why you care if she thinks you’re cool or not is concerning, Dragon Fly,” Itachi sounded dumbfounded, “Besides, we haven’t seen much of her anyways as of late. Snake?”

Sasuke wanted to be angry. Shisui was being a dick. Sasuke knew Shisui knew about Sakura’s crush on him. She wasn’t… discrete as she’d like to believe. She was an excellent shinobi, and if she wanted to vanish (despite her pink hair), she could, but she had been incredibly obvious. Then she started dating that foreign shinobi, Sasori. When Sasuke had been questioning why she was so happy, he didn’t know it was because of him. They dated for two years. Sasuke thought they even completed each other in some ways. Sakura had finally, finally moved on. Then they broke up. Sakura didn’t say why- she didn’t have to. 

Sasori was getting married. He was Kazekage. If Sasuke could bet, it would be because of political reasons.

“If I had to guess,” Sasuke saw a body twitch and immediately crushed his head under his foot, sending blood splattering, “it is because her favorite ex-boyfriend is getting married.”

“Oh, Kazekage-sama?”

“Pinaple head?”

“No, Dragon Fly, the man she’s been seeing for the last two years?”

“Oh shit, they were serious?”

“Yes Dragon Fly, unlike you, some people can keep a relationship going for longer than two weeks.”

“Uh, rude! I’ll have you know one time I dated for two weeks and a day!”

“That’s because she died on a mission and you respected her enough to wait a day.”

“Kami, Dragon Fly, have you no shame?”

“You too, Snake? Ugh betrayed!”

The three of them were about a week away from Konoha and decided to stop in Sunagakure for recovery. Sasuke was nervous, but knew Sasori would never do anything to hurt Sakura. Probably. They entered through the back entrances to avoid detection. It was a secret, under-the-radar part of the alliance. Their ANBU, respectively, could use a separate recuperation area at the opposite village when in proximity. Itachi and Shisui had been hesitant, but Kakashi swore by it. They both trusted Kakashi instinctively as he was both of their senpai. 

“Konoha-nin, welcome. Kazekage-sama has come to meet with you.”

Shit. He must know its us specifically. Kakashi says he comes and meets people sometimes, and has a suspicion for the consistency… 

Itachi and Shisui straighten up by his sides, but they follow regardless. So much for being restful… 

-

[ Sakura ]

“Okay kid, time to get up!”

Sakura squawks as someone picks her up and drops her on the ground in front of her bed. Who dare- yeah that checks out. In front of her is her oji-san, Hoshigaki Kisame. The only man who would dare interrupt her mourning. Also, probably the only person she’d let interrupt her mourning. 

“Oji-san!” she jumps up from her place on the ground and tackles into him. She uses her chakra-enhanced strength to send them flying to the ground. She cackles when she hears his “oof”.

“And here I was thinkin’ I was here to make ya not depressed anymore…”

“Maybe I just needed to see you, oji-san,” Sakura does feel better as she helps her seven-foot-tall, blue, shark-like uncle up, “but is that why you’re here? To make me feel better?”

“Even better, I’m here to get ya out of Konoha for a month. I’m taking ya to Kirigakure, approved by the Hokage.”

Sakura’s heart pounded. She had a guess as to why. Sunagakure and Kirigakure were tentative allies at best, which meant people wouldn’t be gossiping about Sasori’s wedding… Tsunade you sneaky, wonderful human. She’s kinda goated for that, cause I do not wanna be here when everyone is celebrating our man’s wedding. He is quite literally not our man anymore. Ugh don’t remind me. 

“I’m guessing Inner hasn’t gotten any better?”

Fuck you for telling him about me.

“Fuck you too, Inner.”

Fuck Kirigakure-nin and their hyper ability to tell if someone is talking shit. 

“Not that I’m not ecstatic to see you, Oji-chan, but are you seriously here to bring me to Kiri for a month so I don’t have to hear about my ex-boyfriend’s wedding gossip?”

“Quite literally,” Kisame laughed, beady eyes narrowed on her, “We leave tomorrow, ya got everything packed? Gotta say some goodbyes?”

“People are gonna be pissed if the first thing I say after six months of not talking to anyone is ‘hey guys I’m going to the motherland, brb!’” She scowled, but a twitch of her lips revealed she was pretty amused to see how it went over.

“Yes well, your friend, the young Uchiha is in Sunagakure right now, so at least you won’t get shit from him.”

Sakura pursed her lips. Ah yes, Sasori’s way of apologizing. I don’t even know why he’s apologizing, we talked it out. I’m fine. Sakura, we’ve spent the last six months either in bed or on ANBU missions with Kakashi-nii, who is like the least emotionally available man we have EVER met. “Ugh, okay yeah. Let me say some goodbyes and I’ll be ready to go. Does Tsunade-shisou know?”

“Of course, why would I come pass things off with ya if I hadn’t already gotten the Kage’s signature?”

“You got Kiri’s too?”

“No shit, told 'em I was bringing some family home to visit. I’m sure ya would have enjoyed the chaos that ensued.”

“Why’s that?”

“We’re pretty much the last of our clan. People want to keep our clan going, and I have no intention of… whatever,” Kisame shrugged, “Yer already pretty popular in Kiri.”

“Oh joy,” she drawled, “Just what I wanted.”

-

The goodbyes were easier than she expected.

“To be honest, I thought you would have wanted to go visit sooner,” Shikamaru shrugged, his eyes dancing in amusement at her expression no doubt, “I know you’ll be back and I know why you’re leaving. It’s chill.”

Sakura let out a breath of fresh air. Kakashi-nii was probably going to be the most annoying about this. So she’s glad she started with Shikamaru. 

“Besides, if I had to sit and listen to people congratulate Temari getting married to someone for politics? I’d also vanish for a month- probably longer. I appreciate you telling me.”

Sakura’s eyes softened. He was a good friend and she was grateful he was still in her life, “You’re a good friend, Shika.”

Shikamaru shrugged, “I was always better at being one of those, at least to you,” he accepted her hug, kissing her cheek affectionately, platonically, “You’ll always be one of my best friends. Even when Ino can’t get the stick out of her ass.”

Sakura snorted, and then sighed. She placed her hands on her hips, her face contemplative, “I… just don’t understand why she doesn’t like me. It’s obvious Sasuke and I aren’t dating, so why is she so…?”

“I think it’s the same reason why Hinata doesn’t like you, although that might be more out of solidarity with Neji than true hatred.”

“Don’t get me started on Neji.”

“Oh I am aware, don’t you worry,” Shikamaru deadpanned, but Sakura could clearly see the amusement in his eyes, “Everyone heard. Why do you think Hokage-sama hasn’t put you two on the same team since?”

“Good, we’re valuable Shinobi, but I can't promise to be professional when it comes to that little prick.”

“You know he’s-”

“He’s supposed to be noble or whatever right? How many times have we listened to his rants about being noble just for him to cheat? It’s a pussy way out and frankly he’s lucky Sasuke asked me not to chop his legs off and force feed him them.”

“Wow, vulgar,” Shikamaru deadpanned again, before his eyes softened, “Neji and Sasuke were… “together” for a long time,” his eyes glazed over, “and sometimes people are stupid. Humans aren’t just good or evil, they’re usually somewhere in the middle.”

Sakura sighed, “Yeah, I know. I’m still pissed.”

“Yeah, I can tell by the overflowing killing intent every time he’s around. Asuma-sensei is right, you are turning into Kakashi-sensei.”

…

“Shika, Kaka-nii raised me, of course I’m similar to him.”

“Saku, all you’re missing is the mask.”

-

“Sakura! What can we help you with dear?”

Sakura bowed deep to the patriarch and matriarch of the Uchiha family. Mikoto looked excited to see her, Fugaku just looked curious.

“I just wanted to inform the both of you that I will be going to Kirigakure for the next month to help with negotiations,” spending time with my oji-chan was left unsaid, but if she had to guess, they picked up on it, “I thought you’d want to know. And I wanted to say goodbye.”

Mikoto’s eyes softened, “Ah, I see. Thank you for coming to tell us yourself, Sakura. I think it will do you some good to spend some time in Kiri. You’ve always seemed like you wanted to visit.”

Sakura felt the weight in her chest lift. Of course they get it, they always have. If Kakashi didn’t adopt us, I bet you five bucks they would have. 

Fugaku nodded, eyes ever serious, “Hoshigaki-san is a worthy opponent. More sparring with him will be beneficial.” 

Sakura couldn’t help it- she snorted. When Mikoto followed suit, Fugaku raised an eyebrow in question. “Nothing, Oba-sama. I just thought it was really amusing how you immediately thought of training.” Sakura turned back to Mikoto, “Will you tell Sasuke I’ll be gone, and give him this letter for me?”

She held the letter out to the Uchiha matriarch and felt her chest lighten again when she took it, “Of course, Sakura. He will eagerly be awaiting your arrival home.”

Sakura smiled, and was not surprised when Mikoto pulled her into a hug. Reminding her to take care and ensure her safety and to have fun.  

-

“YOU’RE WHAT!?”

Yeah so Sakura should have guessed Naruto would have been the most annoying to tell. When she told Kakashi, he gave her a hug and made her promise to write. It was super uneventful, like so much so Sakura snorted. Naruto was looking at her all offended. I thought they would have been more supportive. When he wanted to run off with the perv, we accepted it. This is Naruto, of course he’s going to be dramatic. 

“I’m going to Kirigakure, with my Oji-chan, so I don’t have to hear about my ex-boyfriend’s wedding.”

“YOU WERE DATING SASORI NO AKASUNA?! AND KAKASHI-SENSEI LET YOU?!”

“First off, nobody “lets” me do anything. Second of all, yes, Sasori and I were very much in love until politics got in the way and now I am depressed and single again. In order to not see the love of my life thus far's new love life thrown in my face, I’m making the long-awaited journey back to my motherland to have a reset.”

“Right, sorry Sakura-chan,” Naruto laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck, “but seriously you so have a type! Pretty and smart.”

“Sorry I like my men with thoughts behind their eyes.”

“UH OW? I HAVE THOUGHTS!”

“If you did, maybe I’d be into you too.”

“I thought you were here to say goodbye, not shit on my ego.”

“Potato, po-ta-toe.”