Age 6

"Don't be like that, Sakura-chan!" Kizashi said with a laugh. "My cute little daughter is such a crybaby!"

"Tou-san!" Sakura yelled indignantly, trying valiantly to get rid of the tears. "How can you be laughing?! You're bleeding!"

"It's just a scraped knee," Kizashi said as he patted her head. "It'll heal within a few weeks. You said you wanted to be a ninja. There will be things a lot worse than this; you can't be crying over a scraped knee!"

"But you got hurt," Sakura whimpered, hands flitting over the wound.

"It's all part of life, honey. We all will get hurt at one point or another. The important thing is to pick yourself back up and continue living life to the fullest. Your mother would say the same thing, you know?"


Age 12

Sakura stared blankly at the grave in front of her, willing the name etched upon the stone to disappear.

"You weren't supposed to leave me too, Tou-san," she whispered. "That's unfair. You said you wouldn't die until you had the chance to scare away any boyfriends I had. You said you wouldn't die until you saw your grandchildren. Tou-san you liar."

Her eyes stung hot with tears. Her father had been one of the many unfortunate civilian casualties when Orochimaru had invaded. A rush of rage over swept her sadness. Rage at the unfair world, rage at Orochimaru, rage at herself for being so useless.

How could someone as weak as her save lives? What could she do so that less people would die?

She sniffled as she pulled herself out of her self-pity.

"Crybaby," she muttered to herself angrily. She took deep breaths, and rubbed her eyes clear. It was almost time to meet her teammates for the Sandaime's funeral.

Sakura finally received her answer when Naruto and Jiraiya escorted Tsunade back to Konoha to take up the position of Hokage.

...

Tsunade felt surprised at the unusual speed at which the pink haired girl had picked up healing.

After a couple of tries, she was already able to revive the fish. A task that might have taken others a month or longer. Tsunade had agreed to take her on seeing the determined look in the teen's eyes, but...

"Child," Tsunade said from her seat, gaining the girl's attention.

"Yes, Shishou?"

"Why do you want to become a medic? What drives you to be a medic? Answer honestly or I'll punt you out of this office faster than you can say Shishou."

"Why I..? Well, I don't think I'm too good at fighting," the girl said with a wince. "I hate hurting people. I am a burden to the team."

Tsunade frowned.

"But I don't want to call it quits like that. If not a burden, I want to be someone that is useful. I don't like seeing people precious to me hurt, so I want to power to take the hurt away. I don't want people to die, so I want to have the power to reach out and save them. I don't have and aptitude for fighting as well as others, so I want to be the best at healing. If I can't even do that, I don't think there is a reason for me to exist on my team."

"That... was a bit more honesty than I expected. Dramatic too. Where'd you pull those lines from?"

Sakura blushed red in embarrassment and began fidgeting restlessly.

"But I'll accept that. However, let me make some things clear to you. First, I will be teaching you how to fight and defend yourself. A medic that can't hold his or her own is still a burden to the team and not needed. Second, I am a very hard teacher. If you give up, that's it. And third, if you hold true to your convictions, I will make you the best medic the five nations has seen. That means, I do expect you to surpass me, understand?"

Sakura blinked. Then a huge smile crept on to her face. "Hai, Shishou!"

"Alright then," Tsunade as she stood up and scoured the shelves full of text and scrolls. She picked one out and threw it at Sakura. "Memorize and be intimately familiar with everything in that scroll. I will be giving you a very detailed test on it tomorrow."

"Hai," Sakura said. "I won't let you down, Shishou."


Age 18

The drip of the faucet reminded Sakura of how utterly alone he was. Her eyes burned as she stared at the spot on the floor where he had stood. Slowly, she shrank down until she had curled herself into a ball. She valiantly held in her tears, but her entire body was shaking.

She needed to gather herself together. Be strong, Sakura.

She knew the rejection had been coming the moment she realized she had fallen in love with him, but it didn't make the pain any less.

"Work tomorrow," she reminded herself, voice trembling. "There's still work tomorrow. Get yourself together, Sakura. That's life. Get... get up..."

...

A few months later

The brilliantly colored lanterns decorated the streets, bringing a warmth to the night. Children ran about laughing, their parents right behind, scolding them not to get their outfits dirty. It was the annual celebration for the end of the Fourth War, and everyone was in high spirits.

Yet Sakura couldn't have felt worse as she sat between her teammates at Ichiraku, as was their tradition. Yamato. Sai. Naruto. Sasuke. And no Kakashi.

"Sakura-chan, are you okay?" Naruto asked, noticing she hadn't touched her food.

"I'm fine, Naruto," Sakura assured him. "I'm just not in the mood for ramen right now."

Naruto let out and offended gasp. "How can anybody possibly not be in the mood for ramen?! Sakura-chan I believed in you-!"

"You can have mine," Sakura interrupted, pushing her bowl towards Naruto whose eyes lit up and effectively putting a stop to the tirade Naruto would have surely gone on.

"Thanks Sakura-chan! You're the best!" Naruto said cheerfully.

Sakura shared a glance with Sasuke who rolled his eyes.

"Hey," Naruto started, noodles still hanging from his mouth.

"Swallow first, dobe," Sasuke hissed. Naruto shot Sasuke a baleful glare as he slurped up the noodles and swallowed.

"As I was saying, Kakashi-sensei's late," Naruto said with a frown.

"A brilliant observation," Sai said with a smile that caused Naruto to bristle.

"I'm sure Senpai will arrive at some point," Yamato placated. "You know how he is."

"Well, I can't stick around forever. I've got an appointment with the girls," Sakura announced as she paid for her meal and hopped off her stool. "You boys have fun~ And Sasuke, do me a favor and keep those three away from the bars."

"You don't have to tell me," Sasuke said with a scowl, clearly remembering the last time that had happened.

Naruto, of course, had an extremely fast metabolism courtesy of the kyuubi. The problem arose when he started challenging others to drinking contests. Yamato, to put it mildly, was a lightweight. It barely took a glass to get him drunk, and when he was, he got extremely clingy and emotional. And Sai... Well, when Sai was drunk, he became weird. Weirder than he normally was, if that was possible.

Yamato alone had the decency to look embarrassed.

Sakura waved goodbye before slipping through the crowd.

Her footsteps were silent and quick, easily weaving through the crowded streets and towards the Hokage mountain. The crowds began to thin, and her steps began to slow as she approached the base of the mountain. She let out a sigh as the chatter of life seemed to disappear. Her red kimono fluttered as she slowed her steps.

Finally. Silence.

She languidly made her way up the steps. Rare was it that anybody climbed the mountain during this day, given the main attractions lay in the center of the village.

Higher and higher, until she reached the top.

Sakura sucked in a deep breath before letting it out. She took a moment to appreciate the view.

"...Sakura-san?"

Sakura startled as she realized she was not alone.

Perched on the Yondaime's head was Uchiha Itachi himself. He was dressed in a simple, yet elegant black traditional wear. The signature Uchiha fan proudly rested upon his back.

"Ah, Itachi-san. I apologize. I did not realize you were there," Sakura said with a bow. "You probably came because you wanted to be alone... I am sorry for disturbing your peace. I should go..."

Itachi cocked his head as his brother's teammates rattled off apologies. They weren't complete strangers. She occasionally joined his team in ANBU missions as the medic for some of the more dangerous missions. She was tasked with his care when he landed in the hospital, though rare in occurrence. But the conversations they had had were far and few in between.

"There is no reason for you to apologize or leave. I do not hold a monopoly over rights to being here. Come, perhaps I could use some company."

"Uh... pardon?" Sakura hesitated. Itachi's lips twitched.

"I am saying I would not mind sharing the view up here, if you are willing," Itach said as he gestured her to join him.

Sakura stared at him a bit incredulously before shrugging deciding to take his offer. She easily jumped the railing and landed on the Yondaime's head. She took a seat, a polite distance between her and the man.

They sat in comfortable silence.

"Is there a particular reason?" Sakura asked curiously.

Itachi turned his head towards her, a brow rising in a gesture to elaborate.

"I mean, is there a particular reason you choose to... perch on the Yondaime's head, out of all the Hokages? He seems to be the favored Hokage to sit on among the shinobi population."

"Perch?" Itachi asked with amusement.

"So I can't find a word that doesn't make the act of sitting upon a respected figure's head sound weird," Sakura groaned. "Sue me."

Itachi would give her that.

"I didn't really realize I tend to gravitate towards the Yondaime in particular," Itachi contemplated. "I suppose part of it is due to habit. If I had to say a particular reason... I suppose I greatly admire how a person of non-shinobi background was able to make a name for himself and bring about peace."

"Huh," Sakura said. "I thought it was because he had the most... sittable head?"

"Yes, sittable. Your vocabulary is truly astounding."

Sakura's jaw dropped. Was he teasing her? This was probably the first time they had a conversation unrelated to work, and Sasuke had always made out Itachi to be a stand-offish guy.

"I'd like to see you find a better way to describe it," Sakura sniffed, turning back towards the village.

"...Perchable," Itachi said after a while.

Sakura whipped her head towards him to give an indignant glare. Itachi gave her a smile.

"Wow. Okay. I came up here to relax, but I honestly feel so attacked right now."

Itachi actually chuckled, and Sakura had to admit it was quite the pleasant sound.

"I guess now I get to ask a question then," Itachi said casually. "Since I've answered yours."

"Ask away," Sakura said with a wave.

"What brought you up here tonight, Sakura-san? I thought you would be out and about mingling with others."

Sakura was immediately reminded of what had brought her up here in the first place, and her shoulders slumped.

"You do not have to answer if you do not want to," Itachi said softly, seeing her reaction.

"No, no. You answered me quite honestly. I'd feel bad if I wasn't willing to do the same..." Sakura trailed off. She gathered her thoughts, trying to put it into words. "I think most people would assume as you do that I am social. But... Constantly working at the hospital, dealing with patients on a daily basis, meeting with the team, meeting with Ino and the others lest they drag me out, late nights at the hospital, love life, social life..."

Sakura couldn't stop the stream of words coming out of her mouth.

"This is probably really ungrateful of me, but sometimes I just want everything to stop. Time to myself. Today's the first real break I've had since... I don't really seek out others, as I hardly have time to myself. And then I lied today. I told Ino that I would be spending the day with my team, and I told my team I would be with Ino. And I'm probably rambling right now, aren't I?" Sakura winced.

"Hm," Itachi grunted noncommittally. "I think your reason is well founded. Time to oneself is also an essential part of life. Wanting alone time is nothing to be ashamed of."

Sakura gave him a wry grin.

"You know, I think you'd make a very good therapist. As one of the leading medical specialists in the field, I don't suppose I could possibly tempt you into a change of career paths, could I?"

"That would be correct. Unfortunately, I am quite in demand on the field, and soon, I will have to take up the title of clan head." At this, Itachi's face seemed to age a few years.

"Clan obligations, huh?" Sakura said somewhat dryly.

"Hm."

"Must suck, huh."

"Suck indeed."

"Don't get sassy with me Uchiha, I get enough of that from your brother," Sakura warned.

"As you wish."

They once again lapsed into a companionable silence.

"What do men generally find attractive about women?" Sakura asked randomly.

"Excuse me?"

"Don't take this the wrong way. I'm not trying to hit on you or anything, but as a male. What do males generally look for?"

"I did not imagine myself having this kind of conversation with you," Itachi said blandly. Sakura flushed red in embarrassment.

"Believe me I didn't either. But you can't expect me to ask my team, do you?"

Sakura could see Itachi run a quick mental list through his head, and she was confident it resembled her own general views of her teammate.

Naruto: Oblivious, hyper, a bit thick in the head

Sasuke: Thinks the general female population to be strange and terrifying

Kakashi: Local pervert, and eternal bachelor

Yamato: Cannot approach women outside of work

Sai: Still sought advice from self-help books

"No. I would think it's best that you don't."

"My point exactly."

"I still do not understand why you chose to ask me of all people."

"I mean, there are some things you can only share with people you don't know and don't talk to much at all, you know?"

"Like one's love life?" Itachi said doubtfully.

"Exactly," Sakura nodded emphatically. "And we don't even see each other that often so it wouldn't effect our lives drastically."

This was definitely not Itachi's forte. He was not meant to be some sort of love counselor for his little brother's teammate. He hardly knew about relationships and love in general (excluding familial love, that is).

"Then perhaps, I suppose men look at personality?" Itachi suggested, remembering his mother's words faintly. Sakura deflated.

"Yep. I'm screwed," Sakura said with a sigh. "I'll just grow up old and alone. I'll be a cat lady. Lots and lots of cats."

"But your personality is fine?"

"I think there are many who would, Itachi-san. I'm sure this line of conversation is making you uncomfortable, so let's stop there." Sakura leaned back on her arms, letting the wind brush through her hair.

The sound of fireworks filled the air, and there was a rise of cheer down below in the village. Streaks of orange and pink, painted the sky. A burst of green light, before the remnants drifted and faded like leaves blowing in the wind.

Sakura let out a breezy laugh.

"Who needs love when there's something like this? Watching others live in peace and happiness doesn't sound so bad at all."

Itachi's gaze lingered on Sakura whose eyes were fixed upon the colorful lights in the sky.

"Do you enjoy the peace, Sakura-san?" Itachi said softly.

"Of course! Who doesn't? It would probably mean a lot less work at the hospital, but isn't people not having to come great? It means less people are in pain, you know?"

"And... what would you do to protect that peace?"

Sakura snapped her head towards him, and held his calm gaze. And for a moment, the rest of the sounds around them seemed to disappear.

"Anything," Sakura said in a clear voice. "Anything to keep those precious to me safe."

Itachi smiled warmly at her.


Present Time

"Report," Tsunade said tightly, rubbing her forehead in stress. She was getting too old for this. She would have handed the position to Kakashi, but the man was in no condition or state of mind to take it.

"Hai. We finished our mission without complications. However, during our stay in town, we thought we caught a glimpse of someone who resembled Suoh Kayashi. But..." The jonin crouched before her hesitated.

"That's impossible. Suoh Kayashi was reported to have died over a month ago. He bit off more than he could chew in the Rock Country and was taken down by Iwa nin if I remember correctly. Are you sure it was him?" Tsunade asked with narrowed eyes.

"If not, they were identical. We even revisited the old bingo book. Sandy blond hair, a scar from the middle of his right cheek to his chin, violet eyes, and the signature wakizashi. If it wasn't him, then it was a perfect imitation."

"Did you try tracking him?" Tsunade asked, tapping the desk with her nails.

"Yes, but-"

"He disappeared without a trace" Tsunade finished, closing her eyes. When the man nodded she waved at him. "Thank you for your hard work. Dismissed."

"Hai," the jonin gave a short bow before disappearing.

"Dammit," Tsunade groaned. "This must be the fifth one."

...

Two figures walked through the curtains, stripping their surgical gloves off.

The shorter figure turned to the one behind her with a large smile.

"That was a huge success, I think. Mama is so proud of you," the woman said as she ruffled the other woman's hair.

"Anything to make you happy, Mama," the woman said, cheeks flushed with happiness.


Age 16

"It's... over," Sakura fell to her knees, bringing down Kakashi with her who had been using her for support. "The war is finally over, right? We... we can go home now, right?" Sakura said, choked.

"...Yeah," Kakashi said just as breathlessly. "It seems like it's over, huh?"

Kakashi looked over the destruction before them with tired gaze. People of all nations were scattered across the field. And those of different villages were helping each other stand up, a sight Kakashi thought he would never see.

"I can't believe they did it. Sasuke and Naruto really did it."

"Yeah."

"They defeated Uchiha Madara."

"Yeah."

"And somebody even managed to stop Kabuto."

"Yeah," Kakashi replied. "Sakura... don't cry."

"Huh?" Sakura swiped at a falling droplet. "These are... I really want to say they're tears of joy, but... but so many people are dead, Kakashi!" Sakura almost screamed. "There's so many... they won't be able to go home. There are people waiting for them at home and yet-" Sakura shivered. "So this is war. A large scale battle with no victors in the end. That's insane. You're saying so many died because of, what, two people? I never want to see war again."

"But we won. We all did," Kakashi said gently. "I'm sure this will bring peace for decades to come."

"Do you believe that?" Sakura asked bitterly. "At the very least, I don't think Madara was wrong about that. There will always be war. Maybe it will be long after our time, and maybe it won't."

Sakura pushed herself into a standing position and started stumbling towards the center of the battlefield.

"Sakura..?"

"I'm sure there are still injured. I want to be able to save as many lives as I can," she replied weakly.


Age 17

This could not be happening. This could not be happening. This could not be happening.

Sakura's breath came in pants at her realization.

...

"When you fall in love with someone, you probably won't even realize it. The transition is as smooth as falling asleep. Being with that person makes you happy. Being close to them feels like a routine you've always had. You want to share what happened in your day to them. You'd accept all their faults like they would accept yours. You want to be with them physically, and not purely in a sexual way," Ino said dreamily. The three other girls sitting on her bedroom floor exchanged glances.

"Someone's matured," Tenten laughed.

"What do you mean?" Ino demanded.

"It's just before," Sakura started.

"You had more of a 'I'd like to dip that fine ass' kind of attitude." Tenten finished. Ino sniffed haughtily.

"I never said ass wasn't important." They all broke into a fit of giggles.

...

"I cannot love him," Sakura denied. "There's no way. Him of all people. Him and his stupid ass hair and smile. Ugh..."