Prologue: Return
Summary: She has returned. But there seems to be something she knows that they don't. Before it's too late she must tell them and save Konoha, at the same time, she must confront her heart, mind and soul about her feelings to a certain Uchiha. Simple enough right? What if it seemed every thing and one was against her? What would she do? Did her training for five years prepapre her for the future that is about to come? Sasusaku. Rated T for violence.
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'Thoughts'
'Inner selves'
"Talking"
FLASH BACK…
P.O.V
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Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto does.
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She promised she would come back. They kept reminding themselves that, yet, now almost five years since she left, she had yet to return, and now it was becoming rather scary. They didn't want to treat her as a missing Nin, to have to search for on mission and when they did find her, kill her. It was wrong and horrible; none of the Konoha twelve wanted that to happen. Some actually forgot that she existed at times. Not being there, they had to learn to adapt and work without her in their lives, and so most seemed to forget that she ever lived in Konoha, yet in the back of their mind, they she was still out there, searching and completing whatever personal task she had assigned her self to do.
Then, one day, a letter was sent, on a some what familiar bird. It soared high and low through the Konoha town until it got to the Hokage building and came face to face with the Hokage; Tsunade. Still the Hokage, Naruto and Sasuke moved up the ranks in shinobi and both became ANBU members along with Neji as Sai and Kakashi rejoined the ANBU without difficulty. Shikamaru was on the boarder line of jounin and ANBU as he was still undecided. Kiba, Shino, Hinata, Ino and Chouji had recently made it to the ranks of respected jounin, and while Ino's medical ninjutsu was becoming excellent, much like Tsunade's, there was a rumour going around that the girl had improved so much, there was an eternity of difference between the two, meaning that Ino was still not considered that great.
When this mysterious letter did arrive, it baffled and shocked everyone who read it, most were uncertain of what exactly the letter was about or who it was from, yet the writing style felt familiar, it was straight forward and to the point, which was enough to arouse suspicion among the Konoha shinobi, especially if they ever learnt of what it said.
"What does it say Tsunade-sama?" Shizune asked.
"Don't worry about it" Tsunade murmured.
"Eh?"
"Shizune, get me Team Kakashi!" Tsunade ordered.
"Hai!" Shizune replied promptly.
--
"You called Tsunade-sama?" Kakashi asked as he peeked into the room to find the rest of his team already there with a look of irritation on their faces.
"Yea, I called, roughly three HOURS ago!!!" Tsunade boomed.
"Right, gomen" Kakashi sweatdropped.
"Why did you call us here Tsunade-baa-chan?" Naruto asked.
"…"Tsunade glared.
"Ignore the Dickless Tsunade-sama, what was it you called us for?" Sai smiled.
"Read this letter" Tsunade ordered as she showed them the scroll which held the letter.
'Greetings Hokage-sama,
I presume you are most likely reading this at your desk with a pile of paperwork to be completed with ever faithful Shizune by your side, so I'll make this quick to keep everyone happy. Well, if you're not there, you'll probably be in the local sake house eh? I think the latter is out of the question though. You are probably confused on who I am, yet I know who you are. It's not all that much of a surprise is it? I mean I just give you this out of the blue must be pretty suspicious. I assure you I am not an enemy; I am an alliance if you consider me one.
Right now, I am currently travelling through the Lightning Country and will reach Konoha in three days at five am, (I suggest that you call Kakashi earlier so he arrives on time) if you wish to learn who I am, wait for me on the top of the Hokage Building, that is where I will appear. Baffled? I would assume so. If you really don't consider me a threat, the only people you will have with you will be Team Kakashi, anyone else with you, including your faithful side kick Shizune, and I will take it as a direct insult and pass right over. That includes people hiding in the shadows, they won't escape my eyes. As a request, I really do hope you have Team Kakashi with you when I arrive. Now, I'm sure you would be baffled about the whole Lightning Country to Konoha in three days, I will let you know this much, I am an expert on speed if I do say myself.
Still don't know who I am? Well, we'll just have to wait and see won't we?
It was nice talking to you.
Until next time,
Spring Blossom'
"What the?" Kakashi muttered.
"This person…who is it?" Sai frowned.
"I don't have any clue; do you guys have any idea?" Tsunade asked.
"All I can tell you is that they know us, and it's most likely female" Sasuke frowned.
"That's all I got too" Tsunade frowned.
"What are you going to do?" Kakashi asked.
"Wait, why does this person want Team Kakashi to be there?" Naruto frowned.
"I don't know, but we may as well comply with this person's orders, they don't seem in the least threatening" Tsunade sighed.
"We'll see you in three days then" Kakashi smiled.
"I guess" Tsunade sighed.
--
A figure stood smirking as she glanced up at the big gates of Konoha. Her long pink hair blew in the morning breeze as her emerald eyes shimmered in the morning light. Standing on her once small bird, she looked down at the bird, admiring how much bigger he had gotten over the span of five years, and how much stronger she had gotten over those years. She was no longer a teenager, nor a kid. She was no longer the slightly brooding girl; she was the girl who now stood with more confidence in her stance and more of a bounce in her steps. Looking down her outfit, it seemed to change with her change in attitude as over the years, she found it was more comfortable and practical to wear the outfit she now had on her body.
It, to simply put it, was a white kimono with long sleeves and reached her mid thigh, underneath, she had black bike shorts which just passed the kimono which revealed a bit of her upper right thigh. The obi of the kimono was a pale red and tied around nicely on her back where a black circle was embedded, which was also on her right shoulder. Covering her hands were metal plated gloves which reached up to her upper arm, but no one would realize that unless she removed the kimono. Her Konoha headband was still placed on her left thigh and held a shuriken pouch while on her right thigh there was a holster which held her kunai. Underneath the kimono a fishnet black top could be seen and as per usual, there was a choker around her neck, this time while it remained black, in the centre, there was a white circle. On her feet were the traditional ninja sandals in black, just with metal plates on them. To say traditional suited her, would be perfectly accurate.
To say it suited her figure was an understatement to anyone who met her. She had definitely bloomed into that beautiful flower that her best friend at five promised her she would. The flower, that no one knew of yet, but would definitely be able to identify as the most gorgeous flower they had ever laid their eyes on/
Chuckling slightly, the girl covered her self with a long black cloak which covered her from head to toe with a hood and then placed a mask on her face, covering the emerald eyes that shone so brightly. Seemingly nodding to the bird she was on, they took to the skies (A/N: How corny) and began to fly towards the sun and the Hokage building, any later and the two really would be late for their appointment.
"Tadaima" the girl whispered to her self.
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"Well surprisingly, even Kakashi is here on time" Tsunade remarked as they made their way up the stair case, which lead to the roof of the Hokage Building. As this person had requested, only Team Kakashi and her self stood on the Hokage Building looking for signs of this person as well as admiring the town of Konoha from above. The town was still quiet, but that's what you'd expect from a town which is still asleep, practically dormant. With no one else awake, they had completed this person's request, but, they all seemed to question how this person would be able to detect a person if they concealed their chakra and hid in the bushes or on the Hokage Mountain, it would be almost impossible to see anything, no matter where the person was.
Glancing up at the slightly misty sky, Tsunade assumed it was roughly five minutes to five, yet there were still no signs of this person. Glancing over, she seemed to smile as she casually observed Team Kakashi. It seemed the young ones grew into excellent shinobi; wearing the traditional ANBU garb, they stood strong and well guarded, waiting for this person to come.
"Perhaps you should remove your masks and just leave the cloaks on" Tsunade suggested, although it seemed more like an order as the four men complied with her suggestion and took off their masks to reveal their faces (except Kakashi who had his other mask on his face)
Minutes passed and it seemed this person was not showing as seconds ticked by with the clock hands reaching five o'clock.
Then the clock stroke five o'clock.
Glancing around cautiously, Team Kakashi and Tsunade kept their guard up waiting for this person to appear.
Suddenly a kunai landed in the centre of the Hokage building roof, landing ironically in the centre of the five. Jumping at the sound of the kunai hitting the ground, they glanced at the ninja tool before looking above towards the sky, where the Sun began rising into the morning sky. In the sky appeared to be a bird, and while it seemed small from so high above, if it got closer, any novice would be able to tell that it was dramatically huge for any bird. Instantly, the bird flew out of their gaze as another object began falling to the earth.
As seconds passed the five hitched their breath, watching this figure fall from the sky.
This was the person they were waiting for!
With a soft thud, the figure landed. Covered in a dark cloak from head to toe, the figure couldn't be accurately identified as they looked upon this mysterious figure. With the skill this person just displayed, they were obviously a shinobi, yet of what village? And who was this person? Looking towards their face, the Konoha shinobi stared and felt their stomachs sink as they stared at the person before them. They couldn't even identify this person, not only did they have a long cloak on, they had a black and red mask on that resembled something in a cross between several animals; a hawk, a fish, a dragon, a rabbit and on the forehead of the mask there was a white circle surrounding a cherry blossom.
"You…who are you?" Tsunade asked cautiously.
No answer. The wind blew, lifting the cloak slightly to reveal long creamy legs, presumably from a woman.
"You requested to meet us, why? What do you want with Team Kakashi?!" Tsunade yelled.
"Interesting, the entire of Team Kakashi seems to be in the ANBU" the person sneered, definitely female "Eh? Maybe this is a hint to the three members who left the village to gain power. Perhaps they didn't need to leave to gain power, and yet some how, the ones who remain seem to be the ones who obtain higher ranks of shinobi" the person commented.
"Who are you?! What do you mean?" Naruto shouted.
"Hmm? What a straight forward way to talk Naruto, you haven't changed one bit" the person chuckled.
"Who are you? Why do you know us so well?" Sai interrogated. Suddenly the bird from the sky landed behind the girl, settling to just sit and wait until the conversation was done.
"Oh? Sai, you seemed to have changed since last time, understanding emotions better now eh?" she remarked.
"Answer the question!" Sasuke and Kakashi bellowed.
"Well this certainly is different, having the quieter members of Team Kakashi yelling, what a treat. Say Kakashi, where is your novel you usually carry with you?" the girl questioned "It seems I'm still the shortest among us eh?" the female chuckled.
"What are you talking about? Who are you? How do you know us?" Naruto demanded.
"You know, although, I must say, while you guys have changed so much, it kinda hurts that you don't remember your own team mate" she sighed "I've only been gone for five years, haven't I, Sasuke? Just like I promised"
"You…" Naruto gasped.
"It can't…" Sai stared wide eyed.
"Could it…" Kakashi glanced in awe.
"You're…" Tsunade murmured, staring at the female with deep fascination.
"Haruno Sakura" Sasuke whispered.
"Eh? Spring Blossom? My, my, Guyver-kun, it seems they've figured it out" the girl seemed to giggle.
Suddenly a strong wind blew past, lifting the cloaks of Team Kakashi forcefully. Looking back at the figure, her hood seemed to remain on for a moment before she lifted her hands and removed the hood off her head and the mask off her face. Looking at the girl, their stomachs seemed to drop twenty metres below sea level with their hearts as their eyes bulged. It was indeed her. Her pink hair, still in the two buns she always had it in danced in the wind with the strands of hair that was left out like usual, the only change seemed to be that, her hair was not only in buns, but was also in ponytails hanging under the buns. Shining in the light, her hair was let free revealing she let her hair out to her mid back as it danced in the morning breeze, one could guess that she was producing it. Staring into her emerald pools, they found them selves drowning in the liveliness they emitted as the emerald orbs shined the morning sun. Yet, while her eyes seemed to smile brightly, her facial expression didn't seem to change as much as it remained almost completely impassive with only a small smile adorning her features.
"It's really you!" Naruto gasped.
"Ugly…" Sai murmured, staring at her.
"Sakura…" Kakashi gasped.
"You're back" Sasuke sighed with relief.
"Now I see why you wanted to see Team Kakashi" Tsunade nodded in understanding.
"Aa…Tadaima" Sakura whispered.
"Sakura-chan! Sakura-chan" Naruto cried as he latched onto the girl, fearing that if he let go, she'd disappear as if she were a dream.
"I can't believe you're back" Kakashi smiled as he ruffled her hair.
"Ugly, you seem to have gotten uglier over the years" Sai sneered joining the hug, although inside, he knew he was just lying to himself.
"Same to you" Sakura chuckled.
"Sakura…" Sasuke murmured, catching the attention of everyone around them, and some how, they took it as the silent invitation to let go of the girl so she could face Sasuke properly.
"Sasuke…" Sakura muttered, staring at the male.
"I'm…I'm glad you're back" Sasuke smiled, latching onto her in a big hug.
"I'm sorry I left, but I kept my promise and I did what I had to do" Sakura whispered so only Sasuke could hear, hugging the male back.
"I was half losing hope that you would never return" Tsunade sighed.
"I promised you I would return, and now, I am ready to become part of the ANBU, if the position is still available" Sakura said as she separated from Sasuke.
"Arigato Sakura-chan" Tsunade cried as she enveloped the girl in a big hug not bothered at all that tears were leaking from her eyes "And yes, the position is still available, the head captain position though will have to wait"
"I wouldn't expect anything more" Sakura smiled letting go of Tsunade "But, wouldn't there be trouble since I left?"
"No I said to the elders that you went on a training mission" Tsunade winked.
"Arigato" Sakura whispered before turning to Guyver "Ne ne, Guyver-kun, do you want to stay?" Sakura asked approaching the bird.
"S-sakura-c-chan, t-that's Guyver?!" Naruto exclaimed. Turning towards the other shinobi, Sakura nodded, confused to why they were so baffled.
"He's huge!" Sai exclaimed.
"Really, I hadn't noticed after a while" Sakura shrugged.
"He used to ride on your head, now you're riding on him all together!" Sasuke exclaimed.
"What'd you expect? Guyver was just a young bird five years ago" Sakura said.
"Is this how you got here in three days from Lightning?" Kakashi asked.
"No I was on foot with Guyver flying ahead, I told you, I am pretty fast" Sakura smirked.
"Then who was the other bird?" Tsunade frowned.
"Oh, that was Jinki-kun, he followed me along sometime last year, much like Guyver, only smaller" Sakura grinned as the said bird came flapping down and landed on her shoulder.
"So why did you exactly leave?" Tsunade questioned.
"To seek some answers" Sakura answered 'I should probably tell them what I learnt about the Akatsuki, but I reckon that can wait until later, they shouldn't be here until two weeks since they were in Snow as last reported, according to Jinki-kun'
"I'm so relieved that you're back" Tsunade smiled.
"Glad to be back" Sakura smiled.
"Sakura, may I talk to you for a moment?" Sasuke requested.
"Of course"
--
"I'm glad you're back, Sakura" Sasuke murmured as the two stood on the top of the Hokage Mountain, looking down on the slowly awaking town.
"I guess it's good to be back" Sakura said "There was something you wanted to talk to me about wasn't there?"
"Yea, look, I know you probably won't want to hear this…but…" Sasuke murmured.
"Nani?" Sakura glanced at the male, looking over his entire figure before something caught her eye.
"I'm…I'm…" Sasuke stammered.
"Engaged" Sakura finished.
"W-what?!" Sasuke gaped "H-how'd y-you know?!"
"Nothing passes over my eyes Sasuke" Sakura smiled forcefully.
"…Look I'm sorry about this…it's just that…"
"Don't worry about it Sasuke. I was gone so long; that you had to move on eventually didn't you? It doesn't matter anyway; the proclamation of love five years ago is meaningless now, I was foolish, and not experiencing the feeling that some one cared about me threw me off, it was just a silly little crush" Sakura declared, yet she felt if she was tearing apart on the inside as she lied to him.
"Sakura…"
"Well, I wish the best for you and your beloved, I hope I can meet her sooner or later, anyway, I should be going, the Haruno district probably needs a clean and fix up, so I better go and do that, other wise I may have to rent a room tonight" Sakura smiled as she turned and moved towards Guyver before a hand on her shoulder stopped her "Nani? Sasuke?" she asked.
"Are…you…okay with this?" Sasuke asked.
"Of course why wouldn't I be? The Uchiha clan can finally be restored…unless of course, you have been rather busy lately" Sakura chuckled.
"Of course not…but…"
"When's the wedding?" Sakura asked, turning to face him.
"Kagaimi and I haven't decided on a date yet, we only recently got engaged" Sasuke explained. For a second, when Sasuke looked towards the girl, he could have sworn he saw her tense and her eyes seemed to glare before they went back to normal.
"I see, well; when you do decide on a date, please tell me, as a member of the Haruno clan, it would only be proper to attend a wedding of another noble clan, correct?" Sakura questioned.
"Aa" Sasuke nodded.
"Well, tell Tsunade-sama, that I will be at the Haruno district if she needs me" Sakura requested "Guyver-kun" Sakura said. Instantly the large bird flew towards the girl as she jumped into the air and landed perfectly on the bird.
"Sakura…" Sasuke muttered.
"Well, ja ne, Sasuke, Guyver-kun, let's go" Sakura waved as Guyver flew away from the Hokage faces.
--
"I'm such a baka" Sakura murmured as she clenched the fabric where her heart was.
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Chapter 1: Reformation