Village Hidden in the Leaves

January 11

Three Years Later

Sakura walked through the village streets, nodding to villagers as she passed. A group of little kids ran in front of her, chasing after a small ball. She grabbed the kid in front and pulled him back just as a slab of concrete fell to the ground, crushing the ball. The kids froze in shock and looked up at her in awe.

"Be careful kids, the village is still being repaired," Sakura reminded them. "Why don't you go play in the park?"

"But the swings are busted, and the slide doesn't slide," a girl complained.

"Yeah, the park isn't any fun at all," a boy agreed.

"I know, I know," Sakura sighed, crouching down in front of them. "But the streets are no place to play. We just went through a war and the buildings are being repaired. What would have happened if I hadn't of come when I did, hmmm?"

"We would have been crushed," the lead boy answered meekly.

"Yes, go play in the park, it's safer. Besides, I'm sure there are some sticks lying around," Sakura smiled.

"What are we supposed to do with sticks?" the smallest girl asked, stomping her foot in anger.

"Well you could use them in a sword fight, or pretend that their staffs or escrima sticks. All it takes is a little imagination," Sakura smiled.

"That's a great idea!" The boys gasped.

"I call being the captured princess!" A young girl declared.

"We'll be your royal knights and we'll get you back!" A boy smiled.

"Tell your parents where you're heading first, alright," Sakura smiled.

"Kay!" The kids laughed, running off to their parents. Sakura smiled to herself and stood up, dusting off her clothes. She began humming and ended up in her small apartment. The room was filled with boxes, and nearly everything was packed up. Sakura smiled and her face lit up when she saw the boxes. She closed the door behind her and entered the kitchen, looking through the little remaining food she had in her possession. She finally decided to grab a protein bar and ate it quickly, throwing the wrapper in the trashcan. There was a knock on her door and the pinkette ran to the portal and opened it, frowning when she saw who was at the door.

"What do you want Sasuke?" Sakura huffed, leaning against her doorway. The Uchiha was in front of her, a small bundle of flowers in his hand.

"What, I can't come by to say hi and thank you for saving my life?" Sasuke asked, stepping around her. Sakura glared at him and closed the door behind her.

"I'm a medic Sasuke, it's kind of my job," Sakura grumbled, crossing her arms.

"Yeah, but I was your enemy," Sasuke pointed out.

"But you are still my teammate. Once a member of Team 7, always a member of Team 7. That's the promise we made each other when we were with Batman," Sakura sighed.

"What's with the boxes?" Sasuke asked.

"I'm moving," Sakura answered.

"Where?" the Uchiha questioned.

"That's none of your business, now get out of my house," Sakura ordered, pointing to the door.

"Sakura, what happened?" Sasuke asked.

"You LEFT!" Sakura shouted. "And I moved on! NOW LEAVE!"

"Why? Why have you given up?" Sasuke asked. "I don't even know what I did wrong? Can't you at least tell me?"

"Fine, I'll tell you, while you leave," Sakura answered, opening the door. "I tried to get you to stay, I begged and I pleaded. I told you that I loved you. You knocked me out, placed me on a bench and left. And when Naruto went after you, you nearly killed him. That is what you did. No please, just go so I can finish packing."

"Say hello to Grayson for me," Sasuke muttered, leaving the house.

"I will," Sakura grumbled, closing the door behind him. She sighed and rubbed her head. "I could use a hot shower. What do you think, Cherī? Actually, a bubble bath does sound better. Good idea."

Sakura rubbed the towel through her hair as she walked through her empty apartment. She hummed to herself and sat down on her couch, turning on the TV. The pinkette was wearing a loose pink tank top and some sweatpants. She had a container of ice cream in her hand and was eating straight from it. "What?" the pinkette scoffed, staring into space. "We bought the ice cream last week and the food donations won't accept frozens. We gotta get rid of it before we leave." She rolled her eyes and took another bite just as her doorbell went off. Sakura sighed and set the small tub of ice cream down, going to the door. She pulled it open and was met with a boy a few years older than her. Sakura leaned against the door frame and glared at him.

The boy had shaggy white hair that brushed his chin. His bangs were held together with ribbons. He had pale skin and bright yellow eyes. He wore a loose, long sleeved shirt and simple jeans. A jacket was tied around his waist.

"What do you want Hiroki? I'm still trying to get ready to leave soon."

"Yes, that's why you're sitting around, watching TV, and eating a tub of ice cream," Hiroki laughed, entering the house.

"Look, I'm tired of people barging into my house without permission, now leave before I toss you out the window!" Sakura ordered.

"No can do," Hiroki shook his head, looking around at the bare walls. "Here on business. Ever notice how impersonal a house can truly be?"

"What do you want?" Sakura sighed.

"I just need you to sign these papers," Hiroki asked, pulling out a small stack of papers.

"For the last time, no!" Sakura growled, opening the door.

"You can't leave the village until you sign these," Hiroki told her. "If you do, you'll be a fugitive."

"I'm not going to be scared into signing some damn papers, now get out of my house or I'll break you bones!" Sakura shouted.

"Look I'm just trying to help you. Do you want the ANBU to come after you once you step foot out of the village?" Hiroki growled. "You either leave the village with all of its secrets and become a fugitive, or you sign these and can leave in peace!"

"Like I said, I'm not signing a damn thing," Sakura told him. "Now get out of my house before I-!"

"Do you really want to disgrace your parents this way?" Hiroki asked lowly, a smirk growing on his face.

"What parents?" Sakura growled. "My parents never gave a damn about me. It was all about Cherī. And I'm no Cherī. Now leave." Hiroki narrowed his eyes and placed the papers on her coffee table. The white haired boy walked past her, leaving her house. Sakura looked at the papers and growled, tossing them in the trash.

Wayne Manor

January 20

Sakura took a deep breath and pressed the buzzer next to the large gates. She noticed the video camera and smiled, waving at it.

"State your name and business," an elderly British voice commanded.

"It's me, Sakura," The pinkette answered. There was a buzzing sound and the gates began to open. Sakura smiled and walked through, the automatic gates closing behind her. She walked up the long pathway, coming to the door of the manor. Before she could open the door, it opened on its own, showing Alfred.

"It is lovely to see you again, Mistress Sakura," Alfred smiled. Sakura gave the old butler a hug and smiled, stepping into the manor. "It is good to have you back."

"What, has Jason been driving you guys insane that much?" Sakura chuckled.

"I wish," Alfred sighed.

"What's wrong Alfred?" Sakura asked, not missing the way the butler's eyes became filled with sadness.

"A lot has changed since you left," Alfred simply told her. "Would you like to discuss it over tea?"

"Tea would be lovely, thank you," Sakura smiled.

"Just set your bags down at the staircase and I'll bring them up to your room later," Alfred smiled. Sakura gave him an incredulous look.

"Alfred, you know I am more than capable of putting my bags in my room," Sakura smirked.

"It is my job to put your bags away," Alfred stated. "Do not rob an old man of his one job."

"Alright," Sakura smiled, placing her suitcase against the railing. "You sure do know how to manipulate someone." She placed her back pack and duffle bag next to it before following Alfred into the kitchen.

"So, what's happened since I left?" Sakura asked, gently sipping her tea.

"First off, the part you'll probably be more concerned with," Alfred smiled, sliding a plate of cookies towards her. "Master Richard has moved out. He's moved to Blüdhaven and is protecting the city."

"So he doesn't live here anymore, well that's a bummer," Sakura frowned. "Has he joined the League? That was always a dream of his."

"No, he is perfectly fine with leading the team," Alfred informed her.

"Good for him," Sakura smiled, taking a bite out of a cookie. "And, where's Jason. He could always tell when I'm nearby. Is he at the Mountain?"

Alfred sighed, his eyes saddening. "About a year after you left Master Jason was taken by the Joker. I will not tell you the details right now, but he is no longer with us," the man said regretfully. Sakura's eyes widened and she dropped her cookie. Her hands flew to her mouth in shock, staring at him with pleading eyes. "I wish that Master Jason had set me up to this, but unfortunately it is the truth."

"Oh Jason…" Sakura whispered, tears falling down her face. The door to the kitchen opened and a young boy that Sakura did not recognize entered the room. He froze when he saw her.

"Uh…I didn't know that your granddaughter was coming for a visit," the boy muttered.

"She's not," Alfred answered simply, standing up. He picked up his empty tea cup and placed it in the sink. "I shall go take your bags to your room and then check on Master Bruce down in the cave." With that the elderly butler was gone.

"Uh, be careful, a few of the scrolls are heavy!" Sakura shouted after him. She sniffed lightly and wiped the tears from her eyes. The young boy went over to the fridge and took an apple out. He glanced at the fruit in his hand and then up at the older pinkette in awkwardness.

"I'm Timothy Drake, but my friends call me Tim," the boy smiled nervously. "What's your name?"

"Sakura, Sakura Haruno," the pinkette whispered.

"Oh, duh," Tim muttered. "Your pink hair should have been a giveaway. Dick talks about you sometimes."

"He does?" Sakura asked, a small smile appearing on her lips.

"Well yeah, but it was always in the past tense. He thought you were dead," Tim told her.

"Yeah, I guess losing contact with someone can do that. Especially when I was fighting in a war," Sakura sighed. "And then the zeta beams were destroyed when the village was and it was all a big mess."

"Yeah, he told me that the zeta beam signal disappeared. He tried to stay positive, but after a while of no contact, he just lost it and came to the conclusion you were dead," Tim told her. Sakura nodded in understanding, finishing her tea.

"Well, I should probably go unpack, get settled in," Sakura sighed, standing up.

"I was about to head over to the cave, you wanna come with?" Tim asked, looking at her nervously.

"I'll come by later," Sakura smiled. Tim nodded and began heading towards the basement door. "Tim," Sakura called, making him stop. "You never saw me, okay? I want to surprise Dick." The pinkette winked at him and pressed a finger over her lips. Tim smiled and pulled out his sunglasses setting them over his eyes.

"I didn't see a thing," Tim agreed, closing the doors behind him.

Happy birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday dear all 4/25 ers, happy birthday to us! AND MANY MORE!