Steadfast

It was late in the evening when Kohana had announced her presence outside of his study. With a deliberate grunt, he approved her entry and soon the docile woman entered, bowing upon meeting his gaze which he dismissed with a passive wave. Soon straightening, she cleared her throat before parting hers lips to give what he assumed was a detailed report on the woman now in Senju custody.

"Tobirama! Ah, apologies for interrupting—."

Hashirama always did have impeccable timing. He had to force himself not to slam his face against the rough surface of his shelving unit at his brother's abrupt entrance.

"What. Is. It." His tone icy as was his glare, he fully intended on piercing his brother for barging in so recklessly. His reasoning had better be pretty damned good.

"She's gone." Unfazed by the glare and rightfully so, Hashirama soon departed from the doorway of the study, fully expecting Tobirama to follow after him. And follow he did, after dismissing Kohana who seemed irrefutably out of sorts given the situation. He couldn't really blame her and would apologize after retrieving this insufferable houseguest of a woman.

Why she was so dead set on fleeing from them was beyond him yet the reason, he needed to know. She clearly had something to hide. And if this secret was worth risking her health in order to keep hidden, he ventured to guess it was fairly important. The time she managed to escape him, he'd discovered her several yards away, passed out from what he assumed was lack of nutrients. Now that she had a full belly, he could only hope to find her before she raced off into dangerous territory.

As he fled from the estate, trailing behind his brother, he began to wonder why he was so hell bent on catching this woman. He couldn't pinpoint a logical reason for pursuing her at such lengths. But he was thorough and sort of prided himself in the fact that close to no one had ever evaded him. Maybe she was striking his pride in ways that he found foreign and uncomfortable. Whatever the case, once he got his answers, she'd be left to her devices. Of that he was certain.

It didn't take long to locate her. Hashirama made things seem a lot worse than they actually were. His first assumption was that she fled the compound. Much to his surprise, he discovered her chakra signature sparking from inside the medical clinic. With furrowed brows, he rapped his knuckles against the surface of the door, looking on with curiosity once their resident healer gestured toward her figure, leaned over the body of an ailing shinobi with hands glowing and emanating a soft humming sound.

Neither he nor Hashirama uttered a sound until the session was complete, a fact Sakura was grateful for. While she had heard them enter, she made no indication of acknowledging either presence. Not until she'd healed this man. The wounds were nothing serious, though he had suffered from infection due to poor treatment coupled with what she concluded were unclean utensils used during the stitching process.

"Tomorrow I'll see about mixing up an antibiotic to help with the infection. Until then, try to stay off that leg and drink plenty of water." She noted the presence of a slight fever but there wasn't much else she could do given her lack of resources. Even still, the man looked eternally gracious and bowed after thanking her for the service.

Surprised to see his clan leaders sitting like obedient children on the other side of the room, he stammered out a quick greeting before excusing himself alongside the healer. It didn't take a genius to sense the odd air in the room and he didn't want to be anywhere in this vicinity at the moment.

"You're a healer." Hashirama was the first to speak up, uttering something rather obvious yet necessary. They had their suspicions, given Uchiha Izuna's odd testimony concerning one of his clansmen. Both had been hard pressed to believe such a tale but even Tobirama recalled seeing that fellow on opposite sides of battlefield, ready to fight as if he hadn't been cut down early on in the battle.

"That's correct." She replied, staring down at her hands before peering at both man, eyes suddenly blazing. What he saw in her gaze was something akin to sternness.

"I'm sorry for leaving without telling anyone. I just couldn't sit in that room any longer." At this, Hashirama shifted uncomfortably, arousing a glance from his brother who soon turned his attention back to the woman who maintained this firm countenance. As if she was on trial.

"We should return home and leave the clinic space to Chiake-san." He shot her a look of expectancy, laced in warning. She'd better not try any funny business or he'd be on her like white on rice. After bidding a rather shaky Chiake a good evening, the trio left the clinic to the quiet roads of the compound in an awkward trek back to the main Senju house.

Sakura strode a comfortable distance from the two, peeking upwards at the darkening sky. The stars were already beginning to show, bright dots lined the blanket of darkness, flickering endlessly before her eyes. She may've regarded being trapped in this time as a nightmare but gazing at the night sky, taking in its beauty and how it differed from what she was used to, she was granted personal moments of peace.

Soon they reached the house, retreating to Tobirama's study, as he'd taken it upon himself to assume responsibility of her, seeing as he'd been the one to find her. This didn't sit well with Sakura. He was treating her like a stray animal. Like some kind of hell cat. Should this behavior continue, she'd surely show him just how much of a hellion she could be.

"It has regrettably come to my attention that we have failed to properly introduce ourselves. For that, you have my sincerest apologies." Her claws retracted. Though the sight of both brother's bowing respectively did alleviate some of her inner tension, she was still uneasy.

"Mine as well," Hashirama added. After straightening, he met her with a broad smile. One that reached his eyes, brimming with curiosity and odd flickers of mirth.

"I am Senju Hashirama. And, as you have probably come to guess, this is my younger brother, Tobirama." The latter nodded, affirming these words. His expression remained rather neutral, not betraying any particular emotion.

"It's good to meet both of you. My name is Sakura. Haruno Sakura." At first she hesitated in revealing her surname. It was no big secret that the Haruno Clan wasn't much of a clan at all in her day. Judging by the shared blank looks on their faces, the same rung true in this time period. She had to bite back a sigh at her ancestor's lack of influence.

"It is a pleasure, Sakura-san." Hashirama replied first followed by another nod from Tobirama. She felt the latter's sudden complacency was rather odd. He'd been so adamant the day before, so intense. Now he seemed collected. Calm. Cool.

"If you don't mind, we have some questions we'd like to ask." Broken out of her thoughts, Sakura's eyes flickered back to Hashirama. She was slowly growing comfortable in their presence. It wasn't as if they exuded an aura that triggered panic. It was the weight of their reputation and how her being here could serve to ruin that and the very founding of her village. That notion naturally had her on edge.

"I…I understand." She swallowed down her anxiety, both ready and willing to address their inquiries.

"As you probably know, these lands are plagued by war. As such, we have to be very cautious concerning who we allow in close quarters. The Uchiha are just one of many clans we have a long standing conflict with. Though recent events have led to a temporary ceasefire. Despite that, we have been informed you healed one of their men. Is this correct?"

"Yes. But there's an explanation for that!" She all but blurted out in defense just in case either of them chose to jump at her. Instead they sat still, though rigidly.

"I'm not from around here. In fact, the place I'm from is very very far away…" Like in the distant future far. "I don't remember anything about how I got here. Just that there was a dying man in front of me and I had to do something. I had no idea who he was or that he was an Uchiha. I was trained to save lives and ask questions later."

"You don't recall how you ended up here? I don't understand…" Hashirama's face looked extremely troubled. Inwardly, he was trying to give her the benefit of the doubt but her story, to him, had many holes.

"I…I remember my wedding. And I remember an attack. I tried defending myself against whoever had instigated the battle. I remember being grabbed suddenly and the screams…" The memory was still fresh. She could see his hand, Sasuke's hand, reaching out as he cried her name.

"And then…everything is blank until I woke up in the forest…" She couldn't exactly explain how the progenitor of chakra hijacked her wedding and threw her back in time. A blackout story seemed like the only viable option.

"That explains the shiromuku…" Tobirama murmured, more to himself than anything else.

"So you were married. And recently too? There was no one else with you when you woke?" Ruefully she shook her head, suddenly reminded of how lonely this whole thing made her feel.

"Oh…I see…"

"Why did you run?"

"I was scared." That wasn't entirely a lie. "I didn't know what kind of intentions you all had. I panicked."

"You performed a jutsu. A clone jutsu, at that. I assume you have some shinobi training in addition to being a healer."

Some?

"That…isn't untrue…" She had to remind herself to be as forgettable as possible. A healer was one thing, easily overlooked in this time period. A healer and a shinobi was another. A healer and a shinobi with pink hair? Might as well carve a statue of her and put it in the middle of the compound.

"I think that's enough talk for now. We can further discuss how to progress forward when morning comes. Right, Tobirama?" Hashirama stood, gazing at his brother as he too straightened from his leaning position.

"Fine," with a sigh, he uncrossed his arms and took strides toward the door, pausing only to nod in her direction before leaving the room. "Goodnight."

"Ah goodnight, Tobirama-san."

"You know where your room is, correct?" The elder Senju placed a hand at the small of her back, leading her out of the study and down a somewhat narrow hall.

"I should be fine from here. Thank you, Hashirama-san." Sakura bowed politely toward the male. He was a lot more pleasant than the Konoha history books gave him credit for. And that stone monument didn't do anything for his usual gentle features. He put her at ease and Sakura was grateful to him for that.

"You're welcome, Sakura-san. Goodnight."

Sakura wouldn't say she slept well but waking up on a cot to the sound of birds chirping outside her window and the warmth of the filtering sunlight licking her toes was a lot better than shifting on a bed of leaves with tree roots as a pillow.

After a run in with Kohana who offered her a change of clothing and directed her to the baths, Sakura was told to meet up with the brothers after breakfast, back in the study. She wondered what the continuation of the conversation would be like. If it was anything like last night, she could at least say she wasn't dreading it.

"…—means to do us harm. She could prove to be a valuable asset to the village." That sounded like Hashirama. Was he talking about her?

"That may true. However, I've yet to ascertain what her intentions are. Plus, there's the factor of her being separated from her husband. I can't imagine her wanting to stay here and not at least try to seek him out." That was definitely Tobirama. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop. In fact, she was just about to slide the door open when she heard them speaking.

"That's true…"

Soon the door slid open with an expectant Tobirama gazing down at her. Knowing his sensory abilities, he probably knew she was there hence the look on his face. Stiffening, she bowed her head and muttered something along the lines of 'pardon the intrusion' and shuffled inside, greeting the other brother with a quiet good morning.

"Good morning, Sakura-san. Did you rest well?" Gracing her with that pleasant smile from yesterday she found herself relaxing almost instantly. Why had no one told her the first hokage was such a charming person? Of all people she at least thought Tsunade would talk up her own grandfather but as it stood, the busty woman hardly ever mentioned him.

"Yes, thank you for asking."

"Let's get right to it." Skipping the pleasantries, Tobirama made himself the center of attention, sitting to the side of his brother as he turned to address her. "What is it that you plan to do, Sakura-san?"

What she planned to do? She knew what she had to do but how to go about the execution, she was at a complete loss. How to find Sasuke, how to get home, how to avoid being snatched up by Kaguya a second time. Sakura shook her head, dispersing those thoughts. They did her no good right now.

"Given my situation, I think it would be unwise for me to go off in search of my husband. Knowing him, he is probably looking for me as we speak. I think I should try to stay in one place." It seemed to make the most sense to her. In the event Sasuke did manage to find his way here, she'd be better off staying relatively close to where she originally awakened.

"You could stay here!" Hashirama exclaimed. His eyes looked hopeful, prompting Sakura to recall his and Tobirama's earlier conversation. The one she eavesdropped on.

"What…" Sakura hadn't been expecting such an invitation, honestly. She was shocked.

"Anija."

"Come now, Tobirama. If Sakura-san truly meant to do us harm, she would've done so by now. Aside from that, she's clearly an experienced healer. We could request her services in assisting Chiake-san at the clinic." He did have a point. As it stood, Sakura had zero intent to harm the Senju. The same could be said for the Uchiha. And even if offing Madara did run across her mind, she knew leaving things as they were was her safest course of action. Even if he did royally fuck up her timeline, killing him would indefinitely create a different psychopath who would inevitably run in the same circle.

But while she didn't have any ill will for either clan, staying with the Senju and acting as a medic also interfered with her whole 'Stay as far away from the founders as you can,' plan so that was definite no go.

"As tempting as that sounds…" She began, but at the sound of Hashirama's dejected sigh, Sakura paused before shooting Tobirama a curious glance to which the younger sibling just shook his head as if Hashirama's sudden shift in moods was an everyday thing. She was a little confused.

"Why don't you want to stay in the compound?" Honest to god he looked like she'd just kicked his puppy. And it wasn't even a foreign look for Sakura swore she'd seen that exact same expression before, she just couldn't put her finger on where.

"I don't want to impose…"

"It wouldn't be an imposition at all—!"

"Brother, if she doesn't want to stay, we should respect her decision. Aside from that, we would need to provide housing as well as ensure she is properly clothed and fed before leaving her to her own devices." He really had a habit of making her sound like a pet and Sakura couldn't help the way her brow twitched when he spoke as if she weren't even there.

"Tobirama-san is right," she admitted, donning an apologetic smile all the while shooting masked resentful glances at the aforementioned brother who either didn't notice or simply didn't care to acknowledge the daggers laden in her gaze.

"I see…" Seemingly overcome with sadness, Hashirama's head bowed in a way that made Sakura both uncomfortable and guilty. She was about to interject and say something that could temporarily appease him until the sound of insistent pecking sounded from outside the window. Seeming expectant, Hashirama lifted his head only to rise from his seat and approach the window where a hawk waited patiently. From what she could gather, the bird carried with it a message that Hashirama skimmed over before concealing it in his pocket. The bird soon flew off after.

Glancing at Tobirama, she noticed his silence but also the way his face hardened as if he were displeased by something. He looked ready to voice his opinion but refrained from doing so and with much restraint, too.

"So if you will not stay here, where will you go, Sakura-san?" Returning to his seat like nothing happened, he struck up this conversation again, seeming just as interested as before the brief interruption.

She'd thought about it. And, with her ninja skills in survival, was more than certain she'd be able to make it in the wild. It could even prove to be something of an educational experience. Surely she could serve to learn something and grow to appreciate the life she apparently took for granted.

"Of that I'm not exactly sure," and he looked ready to interject until she lifted a hand to stop him. "I may not look it but I am capable of taking care of myself. Wherever I go, I'll be fine."

Conversation continued from there with Sakura voicing her opinion now and then when Hashirama had somehow come up with another plausible reason as to why she should stay. He was so persistent and convincing that she almost gave in a few times but eventually and with perpetual scowls from Tobirama, he relented and gave in.

"You're a very stubborn person, Sakura-san." She could tell he meant that in the most endearing way possible. To which she smiled, tilting her head forward.

"I could say the same of you." The comment was well received and came coupled with a boisterous laugh that filled the room with good vibes and for the first time, Sakura didn't feel like such an outsider. This feeling, it felt familiar. Like that pout he wore earlier. Or maybe it was just him, in general. She felt like she'd known him her whole life.

"Ah well, I have other matters to attend to. I suppose we should call this meeting adjourned." Soon the brothers stood, prompting Sakura to follow suit as they prepared to the leave the study and disperse to do whatever is they engage themselves in. Sakura supposed she would return to her own room and gather what little belongings she had in preparation for her departure.

Just as she made strides down the hall that had grown familiar to her over the past day and a half, a hand reached out and tapped her shoulder. Looking back, she found Hashirama standing beside her, donning a grin with some underlying emotion that she couldn't seem to pin.

"Yes?" He looked like he wanted something. And going off the unreadable look on his face, she wasn't sure if she was willing to meet this desire of his.

"I was going to take a walk. Why don't you come with me?" While the offer didn't sound suspicious, she regarded him with a guarded expression before noticing his smooth façade begin to crumble under her scrutinizing glare. "Please?"

"I suppose a walk wouldn't hurt…" Oh how wrong she was.

About five to ten minutes in, Sakura began to notice their walk became more of a hike. She assumed they'd be meandering through the compound, not trekking through the dense forest surrounding it. While this didn't immediately strike her as odd, she began to feel a bit wary as it seemed like the destination was still quite far off.

"Something tells me you're quite skilled at healing, Sakura-san." He began, stepping over tree roots with such ease it seemed like this path was familiar to him. Like he knew these terrains like the back of his hand.

"Oh?" She hummed, tearing away from thoughts surrounding just where in the hell he was taking her.

"Aa. It's somewhat similar to other healers though I can tell your method is much more refined." How funny of him to make such a comment, she had to smile being that her teacher was his granddaughter and her methods were very much modeled after his potent regenerative chakra. She had to the seal on her forehead as proof.

"In what way?" She knew the answer, oh did she ever. It was no secret the medical practices in this age were considered archaic when compared to hers.

"Mm. I'd venture to guess that your technique uses as little chakra as necessary. That also goes in hand with being very knowledgeable on the human body to pin point exactly what the issue is and how to go about fixing it. Does that sound about right to you?"

Color her surprised.

"You're not completely off base, I'll give you that. To a medic, as I'm called back where I'm from, timeliness is just as essential as healing. If a person's life is on the line, there's no time for hesitation or second guessing yourself. You have to know what the problem is as soon as possible otherwise you'll lose whoever's in your care." She explained. Her face visibly lit up when discussing healing techniques as such was her forte. It wasn't often she got the chance to have back and forth conversation with another who wasn't Tsunade.

"Once you get good at recognizing problems, then comes the part where you learn to reserve your chakra for bigger issues and exert whatever is necessary on smaller injuries or ailments." When she looked over, surprised struck her at his look of bewilderment. It lasted but a moment, soon replaced by a warm smile, but Sakura was sure she'd remember it. He looked impressed.

"Are you certain you don't wish to stay as our medic, Sakura-san?"

"Hah, I'm sure Hashirama-san." They shared a short laugh at yet another failed attempt at getting her to remain in the Senju compound. "So where are we headed, exactly? This doesn't really seem like the casual walk I assumed we'd be taking."

"There's someone who wishes to extend their gratitude toward you." While his words confused her, she soon came to realize exactly what he meant when they broke through a group of trees, appearing at the stream she'd crossed days ago. The same stream where she healed that man. The Uchiha.

And there, standing on the other side of the stream, were two males. Both she recognized. One regarded her with an odd mixture of curiosity and aloofness before switching his attention elsewhere. While the other looked utterly stunned, judging by the look of incredulity reflecting his in dark gaze.

Sakura stiffened, immediately feeling weighed down by both presences as they took casual strides across the river to meet them on the other side. She felt the need to blame Hashirama while using him as a shield at the same time. This wasn't something she wanted to do or be a part of yet he so smoothly coerced her and well…she couldn't hightail it a second time, even if she was much more energized and equipped to do so.

"Hashirama." Madara was the first to speak, acknowledging the other with a nod, arms crossed over his chest. Much like their previous encounter his attire was very relaxed, casual even. From this she could infer he had no ill intentions with this meeting. The same could be said of Hashirama who appeared even more casual, if that was even possible.

"Madara. I have to say the details in your message were surprising but understandable." He started, striking up conversation while she tried to ignore the piercing glare of the man beside Madara. She didn't know what his deal was but he was looking at her as if he were trying to figure out if she was real or a figment of his imagination. It was irritating and she really had to restrain herself from lashing out at him.

"Aa. Well, get to it, then." At that Madara extended a hand to push his companion forward. Apparently he wasn't expecting this and stumbled unceremoniously in front of Sakura who now peered up at him with a set frown and knit brows.

"Ah…" He stammered, a stain of red crossing the greater portion of his cheeks and even stretching along the bridge of his nose. "Th…Thank you, miss! Thank you for healing me!"

He bowed, rigid and stiff with his arms locked to his sides as if someone had bound him together. And this show of gratitude, while sort of flattering, was nothing short of embarrassing and unnecessary to the pinkette.

"Please, call me Sakura. And this isn't needed at all. I didn't do much—."

"Nonsense. You clearly saved his life." Madara interjected, much to her surprise. Just as Yukio righted himself he waved Hashirama over to get a good look at the faint scar that was once the laceration that threatened to take Yukio's life. It was nearly invisible to the naked eyed. And apparently showing off this miracle had become something of a habit for Yukio looked nothing short of proud of this battle scar.

"Oh! You did this, Sakura-san? Incredible…" Once again, the future founder looked absolutely amazed, going as far to even run his finger along the pale skin of this male who didn't seem to mind, not outwardly anyway.

"Mm…" Sakura grunted, biting the inside of her cheek while trying and failing to ignore the warmth plaguing her cheeks. Beyond flattered, embarrassed, flustered, honored, what have you, she regarded the situation rather coolly. As a result, she came across as somewhat indifferent and even cold.

"Really. Thank you so much, Nakuka-chan."

"N-Nakuka-chan?" And just like that her cool façade crumbled like a cookie.

"Hm?" And even Hashirama appeared confused. It was hardly noticeable but if you squinted you could see Madara glaring at Yukio for using such an insufferable term of endearment outside of the Uchiha compound. The younger male merely shifted a bit sheepishly, clearly embarrassed but not enough recant his words.

"For a while, he was under the assumption she was an angel of some kind…" And Sakura would neither confirm nor deny this but she had a distant recollection of him calling her something along those lines while he was slipping in and out of consciousness.

"I-If that's all, I think we should be getting back, Hashirama-san." In other words, she'd endured enough suffering for one day and was ready to get back to the compound. Thank god he seemed to share similar sentiments for he nodded and soon turned to bid the other two farewell.

"I suppose you're right. Unless there was something else you wished to discuss, Madara. Oh! Has there been any change in your clan's stances on a treaty?"

"Not as of yet, no. It's only been a week and I do not expect immediate results. It's been hard enough keeping those out for blood at bay for this long. Tensions are still quite high as it is. It will take a lot more time." He explained, a look of contemplation now covering his face. His words were clear and concise. To the point. Honesty and free of malice.

'So this is the Madara that was once the Shodaime's closest friend...' With ease she sensed the camaraderie between the two as they went back and forth, discussion things pertaining to their respective clans and this ceasefire that seemed to be the cause of these supposed secret meetings. While she couldn't exactly recall ever reading about this, Sakura couldn't help but feel as if she were watching history in the making.

"And what of her? Surely you Senju will benefit from having such a skilled healer at your disposal." Is what Madara assumed. He and Hashirama were certainly on the same page about her but wouldn't he be surprised to discover her refusal of such an offer.

"Well, as it stands Sakura-san declined to stay in the compound."

"Oh?" The shifting of his brows indicated surprise that Sakura was somewhat proud of. Sure, it made sense to stay. She'd have a nice home, probably, and be provided with food as well as the chance to keep busy and even teach some of the other healers some of her techniques. But no, not only would that basically ruin her timeline but she didn't want to get involved during such a delicate time and-.

"She should be with the Uchiha, then." Wait. What.

"Huh?"

"Madara, what are you—?"

"Come back with me and serve as our healer."

A/N: Whoa this was a long chapter. Let me know what you think. I'm excited to see so many people either favorite or followed this story and we're just getting started. Drop a review if you have any comments, questions, or concerns!