Chapter Two – Recover

"Have you finished packing your bags?" Sakura asked.

"Yes, Mom."

"Good, the escorts are coming after a few minutes, okay?" She adds, suddenly someone knocked on the door, Sakura went to see who it was.

She opened the door and Hinata's there with Bolt and Himawari. "Sakura?"

"Oh! Hinata-chan? Come in." she moves away from the door letting them inside. "I'm sorry it's quite untidy."

"No need to worry." Hinata smiled. "Himawari wanted to see Sarada, before she left."

"Oh…Thanks Himawari-chan. She's just prepping." Sakura said petting Himawari on the head. Meanwhile Bolt, cleared his throat.

"Oh and Bolt too, he wants to see Sarada." Hinata jests, earning a look of disbelief from her son.

"What?" he asked. "I'm just accompanying them Aunt Sakura."

"Thanks, Bolt." Sakura pinched his cheeks. "Don't cause too much trouble, like your dad, okay?"

"Geez…" Bolt caressed his cheeks.

"Sarada-chan!" Himawari called when she saw her friend, coming out of her room. Sarada smiled as she heard her call. Himawari went to her friend and embraced her. "You're okay now? Right?"

"Yes." She answered.

"Here." Himawari gave her a small box, Sarada gets it and opens it revealing a hand-made beaded bracelet. "Mom helped me make it, It's a friendship bracelet." She shows her wrists and exposed her own beaded bracelet.

"Thanks, Himawari-chan." Sarada wears the bracelet and shows it to her. She wasn't really close with anyone, but Himawari always talks to her, so she's probably the friend she had always wanted.

Footsteps were heard approaching and Sakura checked to see who they are, they're the escorts.

"They're here. Sarada?" Sakura called, she faced Hinata."Thanks for visiting."

"Naruto-kun should've come too,…but he's busy."

"That's fine, he's reluctant to do this anyway." Sakura hugged Hinata. "Thanks again."

"Be safe." She said as she let go. "Himawari, Bolt, let's go."

Himawari waved goodbye to Sarada, Bolt then suddenly appeared in front of the girl. "What?" she asked annoyed.

"Oi! What are you so mad about?" Bolt said, but he cleared his throat. Suddenly, out of nowhere, he pulls her hand and placed something on her palm. "Geez…" he said suddenly his ears are turning red, as he looked away from Sarada, this surprised his mom and Sakura.

Sarada slowly opened her hand and saw a hairclip with a cat design on it. She looks at Bolt, who was looking away from her. "Thanks." She said.

"Heh… no problem." He said then walked towards his mother.

"Hm… Bolt? I never knew you had a sweet side." Sakura cooed, turning him a lot redder than before.

"I-It's just a farewell gift…" he said crossing his arms. "No meaning to it."

Sarada pins the clip on her bangs, then carried her book and a part of her luggage, while the escorts carried the others.

"Good-bye." She said to Bolt and Himawari, who waved goodbye's at her. She scampered to catch on with her mom, who was waiting for her in the carriage.

""Shall we go?" asked the courier, Sakura nods and then off they went…

A month has passed, and the diseases that terrorized Sound was somehow being eradicated, thanks to the efforts of one Sakura Uchiha, only a few people are being sent to the public clinic, it was an improvement considering that most of the people in the town were hospitalized a month ago. Today, Sakura's checking medical inventories on the storage room together with her daughter, Sarada.

"You did a good job, Sarada, thanks for helping mom heal people." She smiled at her daughter who was looking at her with pride.

"Really? Though my medical jutsu's far from yours, mom."

"Of course, you're just 12, that's why you're amazing!" Sakura hugged her daughter, then she knelt down to her level and tucks the loose strands of her hair behind her ear.

"Mom…?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Do you think Dad's not home yet?" somehow the child's questions surprised Sakura, Sarada usually never cared for her father's return, considering she has been eager for the last five years. She smiled at this.

"Naruto…give this to him."

"Sakura-chan, Are you sure?"

"Don't worry…We'll be back."

"I'll know when he's back, Sarada." Her mom answered. "Don't hate dad, Sarada. I know you think he left us, but he had his reasons. Dad loves you, so please don't hate him, okay? Promise me."

"I don't hate dad, mom…I'm just mad."

"That's understandable, but who knows, he could have a 5-year worth present to you."

Sarada grinned at her mom and embraced her too. "Thanks mom."

"Doctor, there are new patients." Someone called, so Sakura let goes of Sarada. She looked at her as if, saying the word 'Let's go' and then Sarada nods and they were out of the stock room.

Meanwhile…

Sasuke never expected his welcome, to be this... empty. As soon as he opened the door, he had imagined, though he won't admit it especially that he also anticipates it, his daughter rushing to hug him, Sakura following, planting a short kiss on his lips, but well, no one's there.

However, as soon as he rummages the cabinets, that was the start of his worst fear. Sakura's clothes also Sarada's weren't there. He knew what he had to do, so he ran to the Hokage's tower.

His heart's racing but he calmed himself before entering, Shikamaru was the first person he saw.

"Sasuke?" He was surprised. "You're back."

"Naruto..." his voice has something akin to anger as he states his former teammate's name.

"Shikamaru... leave us." Naruto said, his trusted advisor, agreed knowing full well both of them had something important to discuss.

As soon as he left, Sasuke sat in front of Naruto. "Where are they?" Sasuke began.

"Sound village." Naruto answered. "I'm sorry, I tried to stop her, but she won't listen. This is my fault."

"You didn't tell anyone?" He asked.

"No I didn't...but what took you so long? You should have written to them." Naruto said. "You know you can't go to Sound, maybe that's why she agreed to do it."

"I had to stay hidden for a long time so they won't monitor our progress... you know very well why, Naruto. They're on the move."

"I know... even Kakashi-sensei knew that's why he assigned you to do it. But... when will you stop that teme!" Naruto suddenly slammed his fists on the table. "Do you want your daughter to experience what you had?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Her Sharingan just activated." Naruto stated. "That's why Sakura decided to move away, thinking you won't ever come home."

Somehow, worry flashed through his eyes. "Sharingan?" He repeated. "Sarada has Sharingan?"

"Yes. Sasuke you should lay low for a while. I'll tell them you're back, this time, you wait Teme."

"Hn." He replied disappointingly.

"Wait! Sakura-chan wants me to give this to you." He hands a letter to Sasuke which he pocketed. "Aren't you going to read it?"

"You'll send her back, right? I won't need to read it then." He said before walking out of his office.

Naruto sighed, and he swears another headache's coming. He motions a messenger and someone walks in with Shikamaru.

"He's staying this time?" he asked.

"Yeah." Naruto wrote something on a scroll and gives it to the messenger. "Deliver this to sound." He commands, after a 'Yes, Hokage-sama' the ninja disappeared with a puff of smoke.

"It's a good thing then." Shikamaru comments as he rubbed his goatee. "If he really stays, that is."

"He better be. Unless he wants to spend his life without them." Naruto remarked. "But, he told me that 'they're' starting."

"I see… what would you have me do?"

"You should be the one to monitor them now, Teme's disoriented, no matter how much he hides it."

"That's it then." Shikamaru replies.

In reality. He was really looking forward to going home, who the hell wants to spend time moping alone in the woods for five years where as he could have a warm bed, delicious food, spend time with his pretty girls at home, if only this wasn't important and this isn't duty, he would have chosen to be with his family more than ever. That was what he lacked before and that was what he had now.

He lost his appetite so after reaching home, he decided to have a shower. He stares at the piece of paper Naruto gave him. It was from his wife, it's probably reasons, rants and anger notes telling him they'll be leaving. He won't need to read it because once they saw him, everything written on that letter will be long forgotten.

He checks himself in the mirror, he had forgotten to do so, for quite some time. He saw a few hair stubble on his chin, he will shave it later, his eye bags were quite a feat, but they are sometimes Uchiha 'trademarks', as Sakura told him, not that he cared about aesthetics.

When he opens the shower and the water started rinsing his body, his mind went off somewhere thinking about his wife, what could have been her reaction when she saw those bloody red eyes again? Who could she have ran too? And his daughter, that could have hurt the first time, and he never expected that to occur suddenly anyway.

He finishes and changes of to a fresh set of clothes, after a while he decided to go to bed, he had nothing to do anyway, if this was a normal 'Welcome home' day, he'll be rather busy, his daughter telling him what she learned from school, complaining to him about some boys and bullies, which he would, the other day, scare off, no one messes with his daughter anyway. And when she's in bed, of course, he'll be busy with Sakura, he was quite hoping for that to happen now, truthfully, that was what he's waiting for, the two of them with their nocturnal activities, but his wife's not here.

He closed his eyes, trying to imagine them smiling at him and all, he's certain that after Sakura knew he's back, she'll be requesting for an immediate take home service. If only he could go there, he'll be there in a minute to fetch them, but he's a banned person to the Sound, they can't move on with his past recklessness.

"Uchiha-san?" Sakura was awaken by a messenger.

"Yes?" she answers letting the man inside, she hands him a scroll and he bids goodbye instantly. She reads it as soon as the messenger disappeared. After reading a smile crept to her face.

"Mom…whose that?" Sarada was awoken too, she rubbed her eyes as she comes to her mom.

"We're going back to Konoha tomorrow. Dad's back." She said somehow her words were heaven to her child's ears as her grin was from ear to ear.

"Really mom?" she asks with a happy voice, and Sakura nods, Sarada sat on her lap and hugged her mom. "I knew it."

"Yes…" Sakura says as she strokes her hair.

The other day came and Sakura bid goodbye to the people of the village, they were all full of gratitude to her, so they gave her some harvests, even if she refuses it, they still insisted.

"Thank you for your service, doctor." The town head said. "Please have a safe trip."

"It was no problem for me, and I hope you all get well soon."

"Oh we will, with your prescriptions, it will be easier around here." He adds, he glanced at Sarada. "We thank you too, Little doctor, you're daughter's very smart."

"Thank you." Sarada said timidly.

"Thanks again for all of this." Sakura said as the courier carried the goods on the carriage.

"It was no problem." He smiled, Sakura bid goodbye and Sarada bowed her head for respect before riding the carriage.

"It has been a month, Uchiha-san." The courier, the same one from before said. "When I brought you here, this village looks like a mess, it's all better now."

"Well… they are cooperative people." Sakura replies as they started moving.

The road was rough, so it was understandable that the trip was jagged, but something made it more irregular since one of the wheels got broken, surprising Sakura and Sarada.

"What happened?" Sakura asks.

"Seems like a wheel was…broken." The courier answered. "I'll fix it in – ahhh!" that screeching sound.

"Mom?"

"Stay here, Sarada." Sakura said as she quickly went out of the carriage, the courier was lying on the floor, his neck bleeding, Sakura checked for a pulse, and it was too late.

A kunai was suddenly thrown her way but she docked it, and the attacker came face to face at her, she then moved to hit him with her fist but he's gone immediately.

"Who are you?"

"No one." Her assailant answered, he was wearing an all black suit, his face covered with a black fencing mask, he reaches for a Kunai and throws it again but she dodges it. However, a few more of them were revealed to be with him.

"What the hell do you want?" she said looking at them.

"Mom?" Sarada steps out of the carriage.

"Get her!" one of the masked guys said and Sakura instantly, forgetting everything, went to the defense of her daughter, that's why a masked man, successfully plunged a sword in to her midriff.

"Mom!"

Sakura turned around and her fist landed a punch on her attacker, sending him kilometers away from her, she pulled the sword and cuts the head of the next one planning to attack her. She kneels feeling pain overcome her, as her hand reached to her abdomen, blood's already pooling, and she has spit a few of the red liquid.

She stood strong and managed to kill some of them, but she knows her time is running out and her maternal instincts kicked in. She ran to her daughter, and carried her ignoring the pain.

"Mom…you're wounded…mom…" she whimpers, but Sakura held her close and ran through the deepest part of the forest, she had outdone most of them so she's sure no one could have followed.

"Hush.. baby…" she said as she used up all her strength to take her away, however, near the river, her knees gave way, and she had let go of her daughter before she collapses from fatigue.

"Mom…" Sarada cried and tried to heal her mom, Sakura knows, Sarada's healing jutsu's very weak and could cause her to use most of the chakra her frail body had. She held her hand and shook her head.

"Sarada…" she said cupping her daughter's face, she wiped the tear that fell from her eyes. "Get as far as you could…if you can, go to a village…" she said raspily.

Sarada squeezed her mom's hand and cried continuously. She was nodding her head, but she doesn't want to let go of her mom yet…

"I'm sorry… I know you'll become a good doctor someday… Sarada… Don't worry, your father will find you… he will, whatever happens don't lose faith… I love you so much…I'm so proud of you…" she coughed blood. "Please go ahead…"

"No, Mom! I won't leave…" she cried.

"Sarada… You have to be strong… " Sakura used her remaining strength to sit up and embrace her daughter. "I love you, Sarada…"

"I love you too, mom…" Sakura's hold loosened and she had caved in, Sarada's hand instinctively reached for her mother's hand… "Mom! Mom! Don't leave me!" she cried, and she hugged her mom's lifeless body.

She heard approaching footsteps, and she was scared as hell, she shakes her mother's body. "Mom…" she calls her, but she had to go, the bad guys will catch her, she hugged her mom last time and ran as far as she could, away from the forest with her eyes, teary and her mind blank, not knowing where to go…

"Dad, Where are you?…please help me…" she cried in her mind as she runs, suddenly, she felt her eyes, getting heavy again, the sensation overwhelming.

"Here you are, Kid!" a man behind her said, She turned around and that was demise for the man, as her red eyes focused on his, sending him to his own world's hell.

Sarada fell down on her back, and she moved backwards continuing her stare at the man, she sees him clutch his neck, gasping for air and he turns blue by minute, until his last pant and he died in front of her. She felt her head getting heavy until she can't take it, she lost consciousness.

"Save me, Please Dad!"

Sasuke woke up abruptly, all sweaty, and his eyes were suddenly activated, He had a nightmare, but it felt real… his daughter's voice calling out to him. He went to the kitchen to fetch some water, to cool himself, as he looks at the windows, it was probably late in the morning, he had always been an early person, his dream might have hold him back to sleep longer than usual.

Suddenly a loud knock on the door, completely woke him up from his stupor. He went to answer it, and as he opens the door, Naruto was there, he looked miserable. "Sasuke-kun…"

"What is it?" Somehow, he had a feeling something's bad happened.

"I need you to come to the morgue with me…"

A/N: I killed Sakura and made up some future enemies, because i never believed in everlasting peace...kidding, It's a Bolt and Salada fic anyway...sorry for the wrong grammars and whatever...If it's out of the line...hehehe. I apologize ahead of time :)