There was a time when Sakura thought the only thing she ever wanted was to marry Sauske, have his children, and live a happy life, but those were just silly childlike dreams. Sakura was in no way a child anymore. Granted, she wasn't a full adult either. At twenty years old she was sitting right on the edge of adulthood and young adult. In shinobi years she would be looked on as a senior, but as a human, Sakura didn't quite feel like one yet.
After the war all she wanted to do was breakdown, if just for a minute, and cry into her mother's arms. To let the weight of the world fall off her shoulders and let her guard down just for a moment, but she was a ninja, and ninjas were to never let their guard down. So instead of breaking down, she stayed up right and did her part. She healed, healed like never before. She lost count of how many civilians and comrades she healed, but it didn't matter. This was what she was here for. Why for some godforsaken reason she was spared when so many weren't.
After the healing was done she helped rebuild the communities and shops that were destroyed by Pein. Long hours and long days passed. Sakura, or anyone for that matter, rarely noticed. Exhaustion usually overtook the bodies of the hard workers once they got to their temp campsites, so no one really had time to think over the day or really the last couple months.
Once things felt like they were finally getting back to somewhat normal, people began to talk and wonder, Sakura included. Who would be the new Hokage? After Tsunade's decision to step down, the seat had been open, and no talk about who would fill it. Everyone thought that Naruto would be the one to fill the position, but after Sauske once again left after everything that had happened, it was a silent agreement by everyone that he needed a little bit more time.
The answer to their questions came in the form of a village wide meeting.
"All civilians and ninjas alike, please gather at the memorial stone for a very important announcement in 15 minutes." The announcement was broadcasted over the entire village through the megaphones that had been put in place after the war for better communication.
Sakura was happy that they were finally going to get some answers, the past couple days people had been a bit skittish about not having a leader.
She began her way to the memorial stone lost in her thoughts of what the meeting could be about when she ran into Ino.
"My bet's on Kakashi" Ino grinned as she walked in step with her friend "They'd be stupid not to appoint him."
"Well duh," Sakura rolled her eyes. "He's one of the only people that's trustworthy enough at the moment."
"You're not wrong about that," Ino muttered as she eyed the people walking around them. Danzo had also been a common voice whispered throughout the village about being the next hokage, and Sakura was hoping that he would never get close to another position of power ever again.
The memorial stone was crowed by people. Meetings containing the whole village usually took place by the Hokage tower to accommodate the mass amount of people and the area surrounding the memorial stones barely fit all of them. Sakura spotted Kiba and a couple of others opting for the trees instead of rubbing elbows on the ground. She silently wished to be up there with them but knew her Shishu would disapprove if she were to see her.
A circle formed in front of the stone as Tsunade stepped in front of it. Proud and tall, but not in a overly confident way. She looked more like a woman who had seen too much war and death but has gotten through it all with hope remaining. She was a force to be reckoned with.
"Thank you for gathering here today. As you all know this village has been through hell and back in the past few years. There has been more death and despair here than I have seen in a long time." At the mention of death Sakura watched as the faces of her people fell to one of remorse. "But that is not to say that I have not seen this village also come together in this time of need. I have never been so proud to say that you are my people, my friends, my comrades. The strongest group of people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. You have seen your home in rubble and ashes and instead of leaving to find a new place to call your own, you have all stayed to help rebuild and watch the place you love be reborn again."
Sakura had never been so grateful for her teacher before, as Tsunade spoke, an air of unity floated over the people gathered, they were one and they always would be. No amount of pain could change that.
"I asked you to meet here so that we could remember the fallen, together." Tsunade motioned to the stone before her, "These people, these friends, did not die in vain. They died for the village, for it's people and the love it instilled in everyone in it. Each one of them was brave beyond words. Let us never forget them." There was a moment of silence as everyone read over the names on the stone once again, cementing them forever in their minds.
Sakura looked over the names of people she once knew (thankfully her close friends were spared from deaths grip), the owner of a shop she religiously bought her vegetables and fruits from, jounin she would never get to go on missions with now, mothers, sons, people.
Death would always impact Sakura no matter what. She could never look at a dead person and feel nothing. She would ache for them, foe or not, that their life had come to an end. It was one of the reasons why she was a medic, she tried as hard as she could everyday to not have to feel those emotions. Tsunade (and Kakashi) had told her time and time again that she had to disassociate herself from getting attached, that it was part of the job, and the only way to get through it without breaking down into an overwhelming mess.
Sakura didn't think of it as an attachment, she barely knew any of the foes she killed or the people she failed to heal in time. It was more of a feeling of sadness for the world and the people who were taken too soon.
She was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of Tsunade starting to speak again.
"There will be countless beginnings and ends in this lifetime. Today marks the end of my reign as Hokage and the end of our suffering. We are finally headed towards a state of peace throughout the land. Our allegiances are stronger than ever, and new allies are coming forward every day." A cheer went up in the crowd, "Today is also a beginning." Tsunade smiled mischievously, "I know there has been talk about who the new Hokage would be, and we are here to put the rumors to rest. I am proud to announce that Hatake Kakashi of the Hatake clan will be your new leader."
Sakura searched the crowd looking for the newly named Hokage and when she found him she wasn't surprised that Kakashi looked thoroughly unaffected by the newfound commotion happening around him. His shinobi comrades were clapping him on the back and offering words of congratulations whereas the civilians looked upon him in awe.
Kakashi made his way up to the stone and stood by Tsunade. The former Hokage placed a hand on her successors shoulder and gave a small squeeze.
"Believe it or not, I've finally been able to convince this brat to take on the role." Tsunade smirked. Kakashi rolled his eye at being called a brat but Sakura could see that it was in good nature.
"Other than being lazy, I know that Kakashi is going to be a great leader to you all. He is just and wise and his loyalty to Konoha is unwavering," Tsunade continued, "His induction ceremony will be held in a few months, depending on the progress of the village, but as of today Kakashi will be acting as the new Hokage." Tsunade bowed and started to clap, soon the whole memorial ground was filled with cheering and applause.
Kakashi still looked impassive but if Sakura looked close enough she could see the smallest hint of his signature eye smile. She knew that Kakashi had never wanted to be in any position of power but he was happy that the village was happy, and Sakura knew that he would try his hardest no matter what. This was his new mission and Kakashi never failed a mission.
Hi there! After reading tons of brilliant fanfics on this site I've decided to try my hand at it, it's going to be a rough and bumpy road but I have big plans for this story so bear with me. Please leave some love! I would really appreciate it.