Here's another chapter because I'm feeling inspired! This is KakuSaku just to make that clear so if you don't like that stop reading. That being said it is a slow burn, we're boarding the pain train. I like a lot of build up and I want to shape Sakura into her own person before she starts getting cozy with anyone. Please leave some love as it makes me want to write more, and feel free to leave constructive criticism as this is my first fic and could use it! Thanks for reading!


The sun was barely rising when Sakura awoke. She donned her red dress and black shorts and wandered out of the tent in search of some tea. Not many people were up due to the early hour, the ones who were kept to themselves and their morning routines. Being in the temporary camp exposed even the most introverted person. Sakura now knew that Kiba always had a cup of orange juice and two eggs, sunny side up, every morning. Lee runs around the campsite one hundred times when he hears the first bird chirp. She knew things she never cared to know of, but she could write a whole damn book about Konoha's morning routines if she pleased.

She made her way to the recreation tent and found herself some tea. Tea was now part of her morning routine. It never used to be, being on missions so often made it difficult to find time to boil water, but her work didn't start until 8 and her body woke up at 6 so she made her own habits to fill the time.

Sakura took her cup, threw a wave to the guards on duty, and began her trek to training ground eight. It was one of the few training grounds that had stayed in tact through everything, and had recently became one of her favorite places to be.

Leaning against a tree, she fell into a state of meditation. It was nice to have a clear mind for once. Thoughts of the war had recently been plaguing her mind, and it wasn't something she liked to dwell on for long, especially by herself.

She sat and listened to the rustling of squirrels and how the soft breeze moved the leaves. It was peaceful and heartwarming to hear. Life was striving and that's all Sakura wanted.

"Sakura, I feel like I always seem to find you here." She opened her eyes to see a blank faced Yamato staring at her.

"Sensei! What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be in Suna discussing the progression of the allied shinobi sources." Sakura was shocked but happy to see her old teacher back in Konoha, it had been to long since she had seen him.

"I actually just got back, I was headed to the Hokage tower to talk with Kakashi-Kun and decided to cut through here, but I'd love to have a chat with my favorite student." He gestured towards the spot by Sakura, "May I?"

"Of course," Sakura scooted over so that Yamato could also comfortably lean against the tree. "How is Suna then? And Gaara? And Kankuro? And Temari?" Yamato gave a small chuckle at her questioning.

"They're all good, honestly. The Kazekage is quite influential on the surrounding villages. Many of them have come forward out of hiding to join the alliance." He folded his hands and rested them behind his head, "Temari and Kankuro are just as interesting as ever. Kankuro's puppets are still somehow fascinating and creepy at the same time and Temari can still scare poor genin with one look."

Sakura's gaze drifted towards the village, "How are the people?" she whispered, nervous of bringing up what felt like a sacred secret. Yamato was less cautious, but he was always more upfront than any of them.

"It's been tough, depressed civilians don't make for a happy place to be around," Sakura let out the breathe she didn't realize she knew she was holding. It was the answer she was expecting but it didn't make it any easier to hear.

"It's harder to explain what happened to the civilians than to shinobi," Yamato continued, "The infinite tsukuyomi only lasted two days in real time but felt like years." Sakura knew exactly what he was talking about, she had been in it too. It felt like she had lived a whole life only to wake up and realize it had been two days.

"It's been hard for them to get back to their normal ways after watching their precious dreams come true only to find out that's all it had been, a dream." Yamato glanced at Sakura, "You know you can talk about it Sakura-chan, in fact it's encouraged. It helps, I promise." Ah Yamato, the ever wise one, always knew how to bring Sakura out of her comfort zone.

Sakura sighed, "What did you see Sensei?" She quickly retracted, "I mean you don't have to tell me if you don't want, it is incredibly personal. I totally understand. I don't even know why I asked, like what the heck Sakura what were yo-"

"I was a respectful man" Yamato cut off Sakura's rambling, "And I was officially appointed leader of team 7 with Sauske still a part of it. We went on hundreds of successful missions, and we would come home to a village that was happy to see me alive and well" He had a wishful smile on his face and Sakura felt a pang of sympathy for the man. She respected him and she knew plenty who did too, but she would be lying if she said half the village didn't fear him.

"But I woke up, and after I realized what had happened I was crushed," Yamato gave a humorless laugh, "I honestly wished to be back in the tsukuyomi than to wake up in a pile of rubble surrounded by destruction, but that feeling quickly passed, because I was alive, and the people I cared for was alive and that was all that mattered. It's hard to not be affected by it. I've recently been focusing on the good in my life, before and after the war, and it's helped." Yamato gave Sakura a smile, a rare sight for sure. "Even talking now has helped even if it's just a bit."

"Thank you for sharing with me Sensei." Sakura was truly touched that he had opened up to her. She had never been close to her teacher, always feeling a sense of distancing from him, so it was nice to get a little peek into the infamous wood release user's mind.

The sound of running averted the two shinobi's attention to the one and only Rock Lee running towards them at full speed.

"My beautiful Sakura-Chan! What a lovely surprise for sure! I feel rejuvenated seeing your glowing face and I shall run another 100 laps to prove my worth!" Lee struck a pose and looked confidently into the sky.

"Hi Lee," Sakura laughed, "Was there something other than proving your worth you needed to say?"

"Ah Yes!" Lee exclaimed, "Thank you for reminding me, my love! So helpful!" The exuberant man turned to the forgotten man, "Yamato-San! I was running past the Hokage tower on my one hundredth lap when Hokage-Sama stopped and asked me to find you, since he heard of your arrival earlier, he requests your presence immediately!"

Yamato stood and brushed his pants off, "Well I should probably get going then, thanks for the heads up Lee" The mentioned boy nodded enthusiastically.

"My duty is done then! I am off for another hundred laps!" With that Lee took off in a flash without waiting for Sakura or Yamato to wish him goodbye.

Yamato was starting to leave when he suddenly turned back to Sakura who was still resting against the tree and back to staring off, "Remember Sakura, talking helps." She looked up and gave him a small smile.

"I'll keep that in mind." Yamato nodded and disappeared into a puff of smoke, leaving Sakura once again to enjoy the chirping birds.


Let me know what you think! I promise Kakashi will be in the next chapter.