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You Must Believe in Spring
Chapter Four: Can You Tell the Moment


Tuesday, March 24th 8:59 AM KST
Konoha ANBU Base/Infirmary

Sakura had never woken up feeling as refreshed as she did at 8:59 AM, sharp. She allowed herself an entire 35 seconds to revel in the sensation of being well rested, clear-headed, and serene. At precisely 8:59:36 AM, she sat bolt upright, snapped the blankets off of her legs, and began to remove monitors from her chest and arms with an efficiency born of practice. She'd just managed to brush and toss her hair into a long ponytail when the curtain snapped back, startling her.

"Told you she'd be in a rush to get out of here," Temari crossed her arms while Tenten retrieved the brush that had clattered to the floor.

"You're right," Sakura tucked the brush into her bag and shouldered it. "I've got to go check on Kankurō."

Tenten shook her head. "Tsunade checked on him herself, and sent word that you are not return to work today."

"Sorry," Sakura shrugged. "I've got too much to do."

"It wasn't a suggestion," Temari snorted. "It was an order. Come on," she nodded to the door. "We're going to breakfast."

Understanding broke over Sakura with an impish smile.

"So you've been kicked out, too?"

"Yup!," Tenten grinned. "But don't worry – you can both see Kankurō later today. Tsunade made a deal with him; if he takes it easy this morning and afternoon, she'll have food brought in for him from somewhere not serving jello." At their look, she shrugged. "His words not mine."

"Where is Hinata?"

"She has some things to tend to before Neji is takes her home to rest."

Sakura turned to Temari.

"Guess it's just us?"

"Guess so," she crossed his arms. "The good news is that this is on ANBU's tab and I'm starving."

"Pancakes?"

"Pancakes," she nodded.

"Have fun, girls," Tenten grinned. "Oh, and stop by the armory later, Sakura. I've got something you're gonna like."

"This isn't going to be something that involves explosions, is it?"

"Not this time," she grinned wickedly. "I've got your number, Haruno – just come by and see me."

Sakura looked mistrustful, but agreed, and soon she and Temari were seated at a breakfast diner full of the greasiest food and best pancakes.

"This is the only good thing to come out of my brother's stupidity," Temari shoved a bite of buttermilk deliciousness into her mouth.

"Really?" Sakura asked, hiding her smile behind her glass of water. "Haven't you been staying with Shikamaru?"

"Pass the syrup," she ignored her friend, and the telltale heat at the top of her cheeks.


9:05 AM KST
Konoha ANBU base/Training Area 3

The team training exercise came with an agenda set by Kakashi – but his subordinates took it as a suggestion at best.

Sai leaned against the wall, watching Sasuke and Naruto attack each other over and over again.

"Not quite how I envisioned our training exercise playing out," he remarked to Kakashi. "But entertaining just the same."

Kakashi stood with arms crossed, and good eye narrowed.

It seemed that the two of them were having one of their 'heart to hearts' the way only two ninja best friends could do – by beating the snot out of each other.

Sasuke was still tired from his extended missions, but he was skilled enough not to let it show in his movements. Still, he would never out do Naruto's stamina, even on his best day. Kakashi idly watched Naruto fly past him and slam into a wall, leaving a sizable crater behind him. "Looks like they're making real progress."

"Whoa."

Kakashi turned to the young man who had just walked in and was trying to follow the motions of the flying ninjas. "What set them off this time?"

Kakashi shrugged airily. "Who knows? Did Shikamaru give you any details about your assignment?"

Sarutobi Konohamaru dragged his eyes away from the spectacle ahead of him, wincing when Naruto bounced Sasuke off the floor before dodging the Uchiha's fireball. "Sort of," he took the file from Kakashi's outstretched hand. "I'm supposed to pick up a bodyguard detail over at Konoha U. Oh, wait, no way," his eyes went wide. "You want me to guard her?!"

Kakashi still didn't look at him. "Problem?"

"Oh, no, not at all," the younger man grimaced as he flipped through the file. "Just looking after the Hyūga heir, and probably having to sign up for all of the same classes mid semester – none of which are even remotely close to my major, by the way – AND I have to somehow watch over this chick who talks to no one, and always has one of those creepy-white-eyed clansmen of hers hanging around. Should be a frickin' cakewalk."

"Good to hear," Kakashi turned his head to the right to dodge an electrified kunai. "I expect you to make contact with her by tonight, Konohamaru."

"By toni- are you kidding me?" he spat out. "Do you know how many guys try to talk to this girl a day? Can't I just do the whole 'watch over you without introducing myself,' thing?!"

Kakashi slid his eyes over to him. "Chicken?"

"He did study under Naruto," Sai chimed in. "Perhaps in his training he learned to also not have a penis."

Konohamaru's eyebrow twitched as he flexed his jaw. "Fine," he spat out between clenched teeth. "I'll report in tonight." With that he exited, cursing under his breath the whole way. No sooner had the door closed when five or six Naruto clones went slamming against it and popped out of existence.

"It's a good match today," Sai smiled brightly.

"Where do you stand in the pool?"

Sai watched a Sasuke clone get cut down by a rasengan. "I've got bets on at least 4 broken ribs, and am hopeful for a concussion. That would put me over Shikamaru's win last week." They both ducked to avoid Naruto careening over them to bounce his head off of a training dummy. Kakashi frowned when he realized it wasn't a clone.

"Well there goes my five bucks," he muttered.

"Should we stop them before they do any more damage?" Sai asked, still grinning.

Kakashi rubbed his chin. "I've got 100 ryō* riding on at least one good injury from a summoning. Let's give them 5 more minutes."

Sai nodded. Who said that Shinobi don't know how to have fun?


10:25 AM KST
Konoha, ANBU Base/Morgue

Neji had insisted that Hinata eat before he would release her to Shino's care.

"Are you certain you don't want me to come with you?" he asked, worried.

"No," she assured him. "Shino is with me. I will be fine."

Neji gave a reluctant nod, but the time for arguing had passed; Shino had arrived at his office.

"Take care of her," Neji murmured, waiting until she turned her back to catch Shino's eyes and tap two fingers over his heart. Shino gave a single nod, and led Hinata toward the morgue.

"What have you been told about this?" he asked, his tone as neutral as ever.

Hinata took a deep breath.

"Tokuma was part of an infiltration and reconnaissance party that went missing, along with your clansman Muta. Uchiha Sasuke found four bodies and brought them back to base. The two from the arena were part of the original party, so it is hoped that Tokuma and Muta aren't among the recovered bodies."

"That is correct. In these affairs, though, it is required for members of the Four Noble Clans to verify any bodies found. Why, you ask? That is because we each have jutsus and measures in place that helps us identify our own clansmen, as well as techniques for sealing the bodies. The Sharingan and Byakugan are closely guarded by their respective clans, and require consideration by the clan members. Ultimately, remains have to be returned to the family. I am the contact for the Aburames, given my relationship with ANBU. I am surprised that you have been called upon in this matter, Hinata, as you were listed as the contact before you were admitted to ANBU."

Hinata kept her eyes focused ahead. "Before he left, Tokuma came and spoke with me. He told me that he was going on a mission and needed the Clan Mother to act as his contact."

"That seems to be an oddly specific request," Shino said. "That is because, I cannot think of an instance wherein which the Clan Mother as a position serves any differently than the appointed family member, nor can I think of a reason that your talents would be particular to this assignment. That is not to say that your talents are not valuable; but this kind of assignment does not require a specific acumen. Familiarity with the deceased and ANBU are factors that bear more consideration in this case."

Hinata took no offense. "He must have had his reasons."

Shino opened the large, double doors to the morgue where Yūgao was waiting.

"Thank you for coming," she said to them both with a bow. "Aburame Shino, please make your way in. Lady Hyūga," she motioned to a side door, "I am Uzuki Yūgao. If you would?"

Hinata nodded, and stepped through the door, only to be met with the familiar, reassuring presence of Master Sarutobi.

"I hope you do not mind, Lady Hyūga," he stood to greet her, "but I asked to be here."

"I am grateful to see you," her relief was gentle on the back of her gratitude, and he offered her a kindly smile as Yori held out a seat for her.

"Then I am glad I came," he took his own seat. "Yūgao?" he turned to the medic-nin. "If you would?"

She gave a small nod and cleared her throat. "I am sorry to have to speak to you under these circumstances, Lady Hyūga," she began, "but Tokuma asked for you specifically should this scenario present itself. He also left this," she handed Hinata a scroll, "and asked that it be given to you should there be a need to identify his body."

Hinata traced careful fingers over the intricate seal and studied the scroll, a small line deepening between her brows. "I haven't seen this before."

"I'm not surprised," Master Sarutobi laced his fingers together. "That type of scroll is unique to your clan, and very much a rarity. In fact," he looked to their host. "Would you be so kind as to excuse us, Yūgao?" he asked kindly. "I believe that Lady Hinata would like to consult this scroll in private."

"Of course, Master Sarutobi," Yūgao ducked her head deferentially. "Please call on me if you need anything." With a polite haste, she exited the room and closed the door behind her.

Hinata had not yet looked up from the scroll. Master Sarutobi watched her carefully, and nodded to Yori who remained close to them both.

"Do you know what this is, Lady Hinata?"

She nodded slowly. "My Mother told me about some of these types of scrolls," she said, turning the scroll in her hands. "Although I have never seen one before today. I understand that she approached you about modifying some of the old clan jutsus to create these?"

She turned her pale white-lavender eyes to him, and for a moment he was struck by how much she truly resembled her mother. Her mother had those same delicate features, the same graceful hands with long, beautifully tapered fingers, and those same kind eyes. There was also a sort of unassuming intelligence in the women that could so easily go under-appreciated.

Master Sarutobi knew first-hand how foolish it was to underestimate the intelligence and loyalty of the Hyūga women. Hinata's mother had been a steadfast friend to the village, assisting in many matters not clan related, but in secret and never with the intent to be thanked. She had been a kind, brave woman.

"Yes. I helped to create the jutsu inscribed in that scroll. In fact," he pulled out his pipe, "That looks like one I helped make. Tokuma, was it?" he asked, lighting his pipe and sitting back to inhale the dry, sweet smoke. "I believe I made this for him at your Mother's request."

"And that is why he needed the Clan Mother?"

Master Sarutobi gave a single, deep nod. "Only the Clan Mother can read that scroll."

Hinata understood. With careful but concise movements, she released the scroll and unrolled it. There was nothing on the paper.

She looked over to him, the question in her eyes.

"Look again," Master Sarutobi encouraged.

Hinata activated her Byakugan and took in a sharp intake of breath. She understood now. She performed a series of hand signals and placed her palm on the scroll. Green chakra rolled out from her hand and illuminated the spot on the page.

A cage appeared.

It was empty.

"He's alive," she breathed, relief washing over her. "He's alive and his Byakugan isn't sealed. This is what the scroll means, isn't it? You found a way for us to use the caged bird sealing jutsu to track if an operative was alive and to seal their Byakugan if they died."

"We did," he corrected her. "Your mother and I. She came to me after the Clan Plague, concerned that perhaps the Byakugan and Sharingan were being targeted. She wanted to see if there was a way to protect the families form having their eyes stolen and used against them."

"Can we use it to track him?" she asked hopefully. "To recall him?"

The old man shook his head. "Unfortunately, no."

Hinata swallowed her disappointment, smiling gently at the warm, sure hand on her shoulder. "At least we know he is alive," she said, covering the hand with her own.

"Nevertheless, we should inspect what is in there," he pointed to the door with his pipe. "I've asked Kakashi to examine the remains with his Sharingan – perhaps you could do the same with your Byakugan."

"Alright," Hinata gave a single nod. "If you think it will help."

They filed out of the small room, and entered the morgue quietly, not wishing to interrupt Shino as he spoke with Yūgao.

"I do not think that this is Muta. That is because, there should be some trace of his insects or their chakra, no matter what the damage. The insects I have found are indeed his, but I believe they were part of the battle, not killed with their host. Furthermore - "

"Lady Hyūga?" Yūgao caught sight of Hinata as she surveyed the remains. "Is something wrong?"

Hinata stood stone still, listening as she hovered a hand shimmering with chakra over one of the corpses.

"These bodies," she said, quietly. "We were meant to find them. Can you scan them with your Sharingan?" she asked over her shoulder.

Kakashi nodded and pushed up his hitai-ate with his thumb.

"Do you see it?" she asked. He shook his head. She pumped chakra through the distorted, dried systems. "Now?" she asked. His eyes widened. She went from body to body, and each time Kakashi gave a single nod.

"What are you seeing?" Yūgao asked, looking to the charred, twisted shapes on the examination tables.

"The bodies," Hinata half whispered. "They… they hold a message. It's… It's been encoded in their chakra systems. Tokuma must have managed this somehow. They must have battled these beings and the remains were left behind as a warning."

"What message?" Yūgao asked, darting her eyes between Hinata and the charred bodies.

Hinata grimaced and Kakashi crossed his arms before answering: "The real one is not among them."


11:26 AM KST
Konoha ANBU base/Armory

Sakura found Tenten in the armory, just as she said she'd be. Her friend greeted her with a smile.

"You're earlier than I thought you'd be."

Sakura smiled back. "Shikamaru is timing me. I have dispensation for one hour to check in with you, and then I have to disappear until dinner. After that, I promised to just eat dinner, grab some files, and then go home."

"How is everyone doing?"

"Kankurō is reassuringly cranky, and Temari is finally less on edge." She watched Tenten haul a large bin to the counter. "What's all that?"

"Stuff you're going to need for your field/combat evaluation," she began putting items on the counter for her. "Here is your field uniform; you wear it to your eval – tomorrow, is it?" she handed over the same navy and green ensemble she was wearing.

"Tomorrow," Sakura agreed, taking the outfit.

"The armory takes care of any uniform concerns, so if this isn't your size, you come talk to me. Don't bother with asking if it makes your butt look big; the answer is: yes. They all do." She reached behind her and scooped up a handful of shuriken and kunai. "You'll need these," she placed them next to the pouches. "And a ration of soldier pills, canteen, etc."

"Where is this field test, exactly," Sakura asked dryly. "Kumogakure?"

"Try these on," Tenten handed her a box with a grin.

Sakura took the package with a suspicious look at Tenten, but smiled as soon as she lifted the lid. She pulled the black gloves on and flexed her fingers inside of them. "These are perfect," she said with a gleam in her eye. "How did you know?"

Tenten looked smug. "I told you I had your number, Haruno. Those are made of a special fabric that conducts chakra. The inside will better allow your chakra out, but the exterior will absorb impact. I had Tsunade test the prototypes."

Sakura looked up in surprise. "She hates gloves."

"So, I heard," Tenten said wryly. "Repeatedly. But they do work."

"But why develop something for Tsunade that she wouldn't use?"

Tenten arched an eyebrow. "Who said I developed them for Tsunade?" She laughed at her friend's dumbstruck expression. "C'mon Sakura, it was only a matter of time before you joined the team. She wouldn't have bothered teaching you all that she did about field work and combat – or evading combat – if she didn't think you might have to use that training someday. What kind of weapons specialist would I be if I didn't prepare for Tsunade Mach II? We have to protect those hands of yours."

Sakura looked down to her gloved hands, and then back up to Tenten wickedly. "Does this mean that these," she held up her hands, "are registered as weapons?"

"Damn straight," Tenten smirked. "And I always look after my weaponry."

The girls giggled as Tenten pulled a few more things out to add to Sakura's bin. "Let's get the rest of your gear, and I'll show you to the locker room so you can try that stuff on," she smiled. "I'll give you a half tour while we go, and fill you in on what's going on tomorrow."

Sakura grinned and pounded her fist into her palm. "Bring it!"


12:45 PM KST
Konoha ANBU base/Men's Locker Room

Naruto wandered out to the locker room area where Sasuke was sitting with this elbows on his legs, fingers steepled under his chin, staring into space. Naruto busied himself in his locker, watching his friend from the corner of his eye.

He knew Sasuke remembered. He had seen flashes of what was on his mind in their fight – that was how they communicated. He winced and eyed a nasty bruise forming on his arm, certain that with Sakura around, there were many more "chats" in his future.

He dressed in silence, tossing his towels into the hamper before closing and leaning against his locker to face the stoic Uchiha.

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't know yet."

"Yet?" Naruto sat down on the bench next to him. "You mean the last couple of years weren't long enough to think it over?"

Sasuke sighed heavily.

"You aren't going to let this go, are you," he muttered, too depleted of chakra and energy to even manage his normal emotional barriers.

Naruto put a hand firmly on his shoulder. "You don't want me to," he said simply, ignoring when Sasuke's eyes flashed red briefly before returning to obsidian.

"Hn."

"And you are sure you aren't gay for each other?"

They snapped their heads around to see Sai leaning against the lockers with his idiotic fake grin in place.

"Give it a rest, Sai," Naruto muttered, heading out to the small adjoining lounge to make some instant ramen.

Sasuke began gathering his things, pointedly ignoring Sai who leaned against the lockers, arms crossed, no doubt waiting for the first opportunity to begin awkwardly questioning his teammates about their relationship. A microwave from the small adjoining lounge area gave a shrill cry, followed by Naruto's muffled:

"W-wait! You can't go in there!"

The door to the lounge flew open and Ino stormed in, followed by a scrambling Naruto trying not to drop his too-hot bowl of ramen. Sasuke watched with what might have been confusion as she crossed the room to him in three quick steps, inadvertently taking a half step back into the locker room bench.

"Sit," she instructed with a quick shove, her eyes boring into his as he plopped unceremoniously onto the bench. Sasuke was nothing if not surprised. Had he not been so distracted today, she never would have been able to even touch him, much less catch him off balance. He hid the wince as her strong hand happened to shove right into a particularly large bruise Naruto had given him.

He glared up at her, Naruto choked on his ramen, and Sai smiled politely. He raised his dark eyebrows with a murderous look, giving her a chance to explain before he retaliated.

"Spare me," she bit back, tossing her ponytail over her shoulder. "I only have about five minutes before I have to get back to the lab, so listen carefully." She crossed her arms and stared at him coldly. "It's about Sakura."

Black eyebrows went, if possible, higher toward his hairline.

"You heard she is joining ANBU?"

"Kakashi told us," Naruto ventured. "Does she know you're a member?"

"Yes. And she knows you work with the ASF, so your being a part of it won't be a shock. But you?" she looked at Sasuke. "She doesn't even know you are in the country."

Sasuke arched an eyebrow, and the question slid off of his tongue before he could stop it.

"What does she know?"

Ino crossed her arms with a snort. "You want to know what she knows, Sasuke? She knows that you left five years ago to chase after the people that murdered your family. She knows she hasn't heard from you since. She knows she saw the news in the paper when the "murderer" was caught and the months' worth of news and tabloids when you took over Uchiha Industries. She knows you travel around the world for business and are rarely in Konoha, and frankly is relieved that your schedule coupled against her own insane one makes the risk of running into you negligible."

Ino's eyes hardened.

"She knows that five years ago, you walked out of her life, and never looked back."

"Ino," Naruto jumped in, "you know that what he did – what we all did – it couldn't be helped! And most of what Sasuke did was to protect Sakura."

"I'm not saying there weren't justifications," she flicked a glance at Naruto, "but there were consequences."

"Why didn't she go back to Suna?"

They both looked at Sasuke.

"Last I heard she was relocating to take over the medical program at their University's learning hospital."

"Change in plans," she lifted one shoulder, elegantly dismissing his question. "Unfortunately, we all have to work together now. She is going to be key in the upcoming investigations, which means that she will probably be working with you, specifically."

Sasuke had no idea what expression registered on his face to make Ino sigh in weary exasperation.

"Look. Even though you left. Even after everything, she made it. She's probably even forgiven you. She will forgive you when she knows why you went," she held up a hand to stop whatever comment he had, "and she deserves to know why you went."

Sasuke couldn't argue.

"Hn."

Ino looked at him before continuing. "That part won't be so bad." He looked up to her with some unidentifiable emotion. "The bad part will be explaining why you never told her you were back."

Sasuke's eyes widened fractionally as she leaned in closer, her face directly in his, invading his personal space with a total disregard for the venomous aura gathering about him. When his Sharingan flared to life, she didn't even flinch.

"Sakura is my roommate, and best friend," her whisper was threaded in steel. "You have no idea what those five years were like for her, but I do. So, let me make this perfectly clear to you. You might be one of the best agents we have around here, but make one fucking wrong move, and I personally guarantee that nobody will be able to piece your mind back together. Ever. Do you understand me?"

Her blue eyes bored malevolently into his, her naked threat hanging in the air between them. Sasuke held her fierce stare for what seemed to his teammates to be an eternity before giving the most imperceptible of nods. Sai and Naruto visibly exhaled as Ino straightened up slowly.

"Good. I'm glad that we understand one another." With a final knowing glare, she turned on her heel and made the kind of exit that would have had most men staring whether or not their lives had just been threatened. Sasuke stared at the door that swung closed behind her, and perhaps the first time in his life had a begrudging but healthy respect for the inheritor of the Yamanaka bloodline

Sai watched with an open mouth while Naruto gave a low whistle, absently poking at his ramen. "Wow."

The word seemed to hang in the air between them all, as if it was all any of them could say while they all stared dumbly at the now-still door.

"Better not screw this one up, Teme," Naruto advised as his team mate looked over to him stone-faced, his Sharingan fading. "That's the first time I've ever worried that someone might beat me or Tsunade to kicking the crap out of you, much less do a better job of it."

Sai was still staring at the door, blinking wildly. Clearly, he had no idea how to process what he had just seen. He turned back to his teammates, desperate for some kind of explanation, but found nothing but silence from either of them.

A low chuckle broke the silence, and both Sasuke and Sai stared at Naruto. "I can't believe Ino just waltzed into the men's locker room to bust your balls," a slow smile spread across his face. "I've never seen anything like that."

Sai suddenly snapped his head up and quipped, "That's what she said!"

Both men turned to stare at him. "Did I do that wrong?" he asked, frowning in confusion. "Tenten advised me to try to stop always talking about how you two don't have penises and perhaps use that particular line instead."

Naruto gaped at him. "Advised?"

Sai nodded. "Most emphatically. She was brandishing multiple shuriken at the time– I assume that she meant the advice most sincerely."

Naruto kept barely his face composed. "I'll bet."

"Idiots," Sasuke gave a sigh of frustration and stormed past the two of them, for once grateful for Sai's glaring social awkwardness. There was no telling how long he would've sat there in shock that Ino of all people had threatened him, and that he knew she was deadly serious.

Sai was clearly going to ask for an explanation, so Sasuke paused at the door.

"The Dobe will explain it to you."

He left, ignoring Naruto's groan.


3:47 PM KST
Konoha ANBU base/Laboratories

Sakura enjoyed her visit with Temari and Kankurō, and swore to Shikamaru and Tsunade and anyone who asked that she only had a few things she wanted to ask Dr. Aburame before she went home.

Sakura respected Shino and his keen intellect, and had cause to rely on his skills many times before today. Looking back on everything, it made sense that he worked with ANBU; he had an uncanny ability for figuring out answers from even the most minute and obscure bits of data. He would be a real asset to the research end of her work.

"Shino?" she called, entering the lab.

He rounded the corner and indicated that she should follow him. "It is good that you came back," he said in his deep monotone. "Why? That is because, I believe I have compiled more accurate data from our samples."

"Excellent," Sakura followed him, tucking a wayward piece of hair behind her ear. "Tell me more about the targeting of Kekkei genkai."

"It is impressive that you deduced that different Kekkei genkai were being targeted by analyzing the fact that we were dealing with a biological threat and that I insisted that Hinata be vaccinated before entering the lab."

Sakura smiled at the compliment. "They don't pay me to sit around and be pretty, Shino."

"This will be your office in our division," he waved her into the small office off of the research area. "You haven't been issued a formal login with the appropriate clearance yet, but I asked Shikamaru to authorize a workaround until tomorrow."

He paused as she sat behind the desk using the login information to access the ANBU database. She gave a low whistle. "This is some pretty high-tech stuff, Shino." He took the next 15 minutes to show her the basics of navigating the research and medical database and record systems, which were like the hospital's systems but taken to the nth degree.

"I can't believe how far some of these records go back!" she said for possibly the tenth time.

"You know Hokage-iwa," he stated.

"The Hokage Monument? Sure – I am from here originally; what of it?"

"The Konoha Archive Library is there, and has been since long before the time of the Fifth Hokage. Its location within the mountainside is what allowed it to survive the many destructions of Konoha intact. Many of those records have been transcribed into our electronic databases. The Four Noble Clans also keep their own clan records. In addition to that, the Nara Clan has kept extensive research and medicinal records for generations, detailing even the particulars of the Akimichi clan. We have an amazingly intact written record database from which to pull this information."

Sakura stared for a while at the screen. "The Aburames are one of the Four Noble Clans, aren't they?"

"We are; as are the Akimichi, Hyūga, and Uchiha clans. The Hyūga clan has the most extensive archive next to the Naras. After the Fourth Shinobi War, the Hyūga Clan-Mother made a point to safeguard the archives of the village and the surrounding clans. The Uchiha Clan was rebuilding at the time, and there were many smaller clans without the means to archive their own histories. The resulting records have been invaluable in treating and preventing ailments for all of Konoha."

"I remember learning about that," she thought of her Academy days. A perplexed look passed over her face as if she suddenly remembered something else. "Shino, wasn't there a time when we were kids when many members of the clans were sick? Some kind of plague?"

Shino nodded "When we were eight years old, there was a sickness in Konoha that happened to affect many members of the more prominent clans. It was dubbed 'The Clan Plague' by the medics at the time."

"Were the Aburames seriously affected by the Clan Plague?"

"No," he shook his head. "It seems that the Uchihas and the Hyūgas were particularly susceptible to illness. In the end, the critical difference was that the Hyūgas went to Hinata's mother when the symptoms first presented themselves and before they became serious enough to warrant professional medical attention. The clan remedy she had given them curbed the progression of the disease, and they responded much more rapidly to treatment. In the end, of the Four Noble Clans, only the Uchihas suffered any major loss of life. The only known survivors were the headman Fugaku, his wife, and two sons."

"Sounds suspiciously familiar, doesn't it?" Sakura asked, crossing her arms.

"That thought had crossed my mind. Which leads me to my next question."

She looked to Shino expectantly.

"In the time that I have worked with you, it has been my observation that you prefer to gather all available data on your own, and then formulate your own conclusions. Would you say this is correct?"

"I'd say that is a fair statement."

"Is it also a fair statement that you prefer this type of solo data mining to explanations, or filtered presentations of data?"

Sakura folded her hands and leaned on the desk, suddenly aware that Shino might not be discussing their current research. "I have always been one to form my own opinions," she said carefully. "Might I ask to what this pertains, specifically?" tried to keep her tone light.

"There are several levels of files kept though the ASF and ANBU," he picked up a small stack of files from the corner of her desk. "The general files available through the ASF have the least sensitive information, as they may be handled by civilians. The medical files available through the ASF are more specific with a level of chakra encoding to keep them secure, but include access to more sensitive information so as not to jeopardize the life of the agent, should they not be able to be treated by ANBU. The personnel and medical level files for ANBU are more detailed. Only the Hokage has access to the most detailed and comprehensive of the files; these detail entire medical and personal histories, as well as psychological evaluations, and mission records. The files are indecipherable in their physical or electronic forms without her clearance."

He gestured to the folders in his hands. "These are the ANBU research and medical versions of the files. They are the most comprehensive and unfiltered presentations of data available under our security clearance."

The quiet man stared at her from behind darkened lenses. "I believe you will find these to be helpful," he handed her several files. "I will be leaving early today; you are on my security clearance until morning," he said, making his way to the door. "I presume you will use this knowledge at your discretion, and to your advantage."

And with a polite nod, he was gone.

Sakura watched him leave with the odd sense that she had just been told far more than what was said. She shuffled through the files, laying them on the desk as she went.

Hyūga, Tokuma (MIA)

Hyuga, Hizashi (dec'd)

Kakashi, Hatake

Terumī Mei

Uchiha, Sasuke

Sakura's heart stopped. Instinctively her eyes darted around the room, alighting on the large, illuminated numbers of the digital wall clock.

4:26 pm

To say the day had been tiring would be one of the grandest understatements that Sakura had ever had the pleasure to make. She stared at the file on her desk, waiting for her mind to make sense of what she was seeing, and her heart to start again. There was a distant, oddly dissociative sense of being at a precarious and critical crossroad – bigger than analyzing what happened with Kankurō, than being recruited by ANBU – bigger than anything she had ever done. She closed her eyes as if trying to commit her life up until this point to memory, because she knew, innately, that it was all about to change irrevocably.

She needed more time.

There was no more time.

Sasuke.

Sasuke was being targeted.

Sasuke was a member of ANBU.

Sasuke was back in her life.

A million and three questions circled in her mind as her fingers traced over the familiar name as if trying to translate it from some long forgotten, half learned language.

She could ignore the file.

She could pretend she didn't see it and go home.

She could have Ino explain.

But she knew she wouldn't.

She did exactly what she knew she would do.

She sat down at her desk, opened the file, and began to read.


4:26 PM KST
Konoha, Infinte Tsukyomi Restaurant

Sasuke reminded himself to never again think the words "Well, at least that is over," ever again.

He had survived a brutal mission, sleepless nights, handing over a scroll that could have the bodies of four comrades sealed within it, a morning debriefing with Sai, a sparring match with the dobe that would've killed a lesser man, an unprovoked and unexpected dressing down by Ino complete with threats to shatter his mind, and the confirmation that not only was Sakura 'around,' but that she was about to be back in his life in a big way.

But this? This might be enough to send him over the edge.

He stopped, held the bridge of his nose between thumb and first two fingers, and swallowed a sigh, a colorful epithet, and a bevy of homicidal urges.

"Tell me again," he demanded, looking up harshly at the ghost-pale man across from him, "what exactly you are doing here?"

Sai blinked before answering. "Kakashi suggested that I find you to and discuss what happened five years ago. So, I followed you here."

Sasuke's eyebrow twitched in irritation.

In an effort to forget everything today, he went to an out-of-the-way restaurant that she would have hated. It was too dark, too formal, too expensive, and far too stuffy to ever justify bringing her here. He requested the room that had been specifically built for the Uchiha executives, complete with ANBU level security capabilities. Here he could feel isolated from the impending doom that was their inevitable reunion looming on the not-so-distant horizon. Here, he was left alone by the discreet wait staff, and he was attended to by only a select few waiters that one: only came when summoned, and two: wouldn't spend the afternoon flirting with him or trying to eavesdrop. Here, he was safe.

Correction.

He had been safe.

He had also been unaware that Sai had an ink-creature stashed in his jacket pocket until he looked up over his menu and saw a stylized hummingbird spring from the back of a business card to settle into an open scroll next to the elbow of the man sitting across from him. It turns out that ANBU level security is not as effective against a top ANBU Agent; particularly when he has been sent by your team captain who undoubtedly instructed him on how to bypass said security.

He scowled fiercely; an expression that usually sent people running out of the room as if the phrase "staring daggers," was about to become a literal possibility.

Sai, however, was not to be deterred. "He also suggested that you explain how this Dr. Haruno figures into your respective pasts, as it will affect our team dynamic," he tucked away the scroll.

"He did, did he?"

Sai nodded, taking out two more scrolls. "When I asked, he said those were questions for the two of you. As Naruto was not available, I turned to you instead. So, who is this Dr. Haruno whose return has you so upset? Is she an enemy?"

Sasuke worked a muscle in his jaw. "No."

"So, she is a friend."

"Not exactly."

"An ally?"

Sasuke crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Sai. "We apparently all work for the same people, so I guess that is a fair statement."

"It seems you both have worked for the same people for quite some time," he unrolled a scroll. "I asked Kakashi for more information so I could better understand my teammates. He gave me this."

"What is that," onyx eyes zeroed in on the parchment in his hands before flaring red.

"A confidential file coded, redacted, and otherwise made illegible to civilians." He didn't need to mention that he knew how to read it, or that his ability to read it came from his training with ROOT. Sai never mentioned ROOT or Danzo around Sasuke without a damned good reason and at least two witnesses.

Sasuke snatched the file. "Let me see that."

A few moments later, he tossed it back in frustration, his Sharingan fading.

Sai looked down at the file, and then up at the annoyed Uchiha. "This… this Sakura," he said slowly, watching Sasuke's minute reaction to the use of the doctor's first name. "She was… she was once important to you, yes?"

Sasuke stared at him a long time.

"Hn."

Sai nodded, and gave him an appraising look before continuing. "I had a brother." The change in topic was abrupt, but something in the man's tone made Sasuke pay closer attention. "We were ordered to fight to the death or be killed by Danzo. In the end, my brother kept a terminal illness a secret so that I could survive." He met the Sasuke's glower with his own dark-eyed and penetrating stare. "I know something about loss and making the difficult choices."

Something like the beginning of an understanding passed between the two silent men.

"Kakashi said she is undergoing her initial medical and psychiatric evaluations today," Sai said quietly. "I have already requested that he update me with any pertinent information." He tapped a finger on the scroll, as if making a decision. "In the meantime, we should look over this together."

"Why."

It wasn't a question, it was a demand for an explanation. Sai remained unruffled.

"Because I feel it will strengthen our bonds and make us more compatible as teammates and shinobi."

Sasuke stared at him. "That's it?"

Sai managed to look slightly uncomfortable. "No. We have been on the same team for several years. I consider you a trusted comrade. I'd… I'd like to be your friend. More like how Naruto is your friend."

Sasuke waited a few moments, expecting the artist to make some comment questioning Naruto's sexuality, or his preferences – anything that typical Sai would say to ruin the moment. When nothing came, though, Sasuke gave a short nod.

Sai unrolled a blank scroll and quickly drew several dozen mice with efficient and beautiful strokes. He released them from the paper and they swarmed over the encrypted file, much to the disgust and fascination of Sasuke. In mere moments, they returned to their original scroll. Sai performed a series of hand signals and the mice melted into a sea of words, no longer coded, redacted, or otherwise encrypted. He carefully rolled the scroll, and handed it to Sasuke.

He took it tentatively, but at a nod from his cryptic teammate, began to read. The first entry was dated more than a decade ago, where it all began.

The Academy.


8:27 PM KST
Konoha, Kunoichi Garden Apartments #2822

When the key finally turned in the lock, Ino looked up from the couch, took one look at her best friend and roommate, and sighed.

"You know."

Sakura nodded. "I know."

Ino came over to her, took her bag, closed the door, brought her to the couch, and wrapped her in the fiercest, tightest, most bone-crushing-best-friend-hug she could offer. They rested their foreheads together for a long time before either spoke.

"He's in ANBU." Sakura stated.

"He is."

"And you are in ANBU. And I am in ANBU. And he is going to be involved in the same stuff we am involved in. There isn't going to be any avoiding him."

Ino shook her head.

"And I don't suppose he even had the common decency to become gruesomely unattractive?"

"No," Ino conceded, a tiny smile twitching her lips. "Sorry."

"Bastard."

"Agreed," Ino pulled her to the living room and waited until she settled into the crook of their shared couch before handing her a scroll and a bottle of sake. She took her seat on the other side, and said the one word Sakura needed to hear.

"Ask."

Sakura took a deep breath, opened the bottle, drank from it directly, and opened the scroll.


Wednesday, March 25th, 1:47 AM KST
Konoha, Hokage Outlook Apartments #1108

The vibrations of his phone jarred him out of his deep sleep. He fumbled for the obstinately buzzing appliance, bringing it to his ear with only about a third of his neurons firing coherently.

"Yeah?" he mumbled.

"When."

"When, what," he asked, raking a hand over his face.

"When were you going to tell me she didn't take the job in Suna? That she didn't go back?"

Naruto sighed. "Seriously?" he flopped onto his back. "You should be asking me when I was going to tell her you were back. Or how long I knew about her working at the Hyūga hospital. Or how I know that you have been drinking or you wouldn't have called me."

"Fine. How long did you know about her working at the hospital?"

"Since she started."

"You said she went to Suna."

"She went," Naruto allowed. "They wanted her at that other hospital real bad - made her some insane offers. In the end, working at the Hyūga hospital gave her the chance to start up a new hospital in Suna, while guaranteeing a position in Konoha if she wanted it, so she took their offer. Simple as that."

Silence. Silence he instinctively knew was filled with the grinding of teeth and the pulsing of that muscle in his jaw.

"Look, man, can we talk about this tomorrow? If you are finally ready to hear what I've been trying to tell you for the last five years, I'm happy to go over it again."

"I have her file."

"I have her number. What's your point?"

"Her file, dobe," the snide retort snaked its way into his brain. "And her number might have been helpful four years ago."

'Only four years ago? Allowing yourself a whole excused calendar year?"

"Given the circumstances?"

"Yeah, yeah. Circumstances. And stuff. Stuff that has waited five years and can wait a few more hours, Teme."

"Go back to bed," Sasuke grunted, knowing full well the idiot wouldn't even remember their conversation in the morning. In fact, that is why allowed himself to call, sake or no sake. He couldn't sleep, but he would swallow a rusty kunai before he admitted he wanted to talk to anyone about all of this.

"Right. Bed" Naruto sighed, already halfway to back asleep. "Tomorrow we'll discuss ways for you not to be a jerk so that you can have Sakura back again," he yawned. "I'm going to have Hinata help us."

"You're going to what, now?" Genuine surprise flooded over the line.

"Night, Teme," and he hung up.

He absolutely would not recall the phone call in the morning.

He also wouldn't remember dreams of a sweet, sad smile, long, dark hair, and the intriguing pressure of an alternately hard and soft body pressed underneath his own. He wouldn't recall the smell of lavender or jasmine, or the sound of soft breathing and a steady heartbeat. Those thoughts and memories were still too young and tentative to exist outside of dreams and half-hearted recollections. They kept him company in sleep though, which might be why he had been so eager to return to them. When he woke to destroy another alarm clock, they were gone, leaving only a sense of well-being and promises of things to come in their place.


A/N

*In Boruto they have cheeseburgers. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that at some point they got a good greasy spoon/pancake house, and that Temari secretly loves pancakes, so she and Sakura go. I especially like the idea because I imagine Temari to be very regimented in everything else she eats, so this would be the strangest indulgence for her.

*Ryō is the currency used in Naruto (although later it switches to yen.) 1 Ryō is roughly ¥10 /$0.10 so 100 Ryō is ¥1000 or $10.00. A note to the economically savvy: these are approximations, and not based on current exchange rates, but on average information. Also, Wikipedia.

*The Konoha Archive Library is canonically inside of Hokage Rock, and survived Pein's attack.

*The girl's apartment # is a combination of their birthdays

*Konohamaru's scenes with Hanabi will be posted in a separate work :)

As always, thanks for reading!

- GL