A/N: Ok I'm back folks and it's time to get cracking on the next chapter!

Sakura turned to see Hinata staring at her surprised, that didn't stop her from cheerfully smiling at the heiress. Hinata smiled back unsure of what to do, her white orbs were still kind towards her even though she had hurt her boyfriend those years back. Sakura couldn't help but notice the change in Hinata's frame, she was still petit yes, but her body was curvaceous and she had a killer backside and boobs Sakura envied. Her navy blue hair was still long but she had now kept it in a long braid, kinda like how a house wife would wear their hair. At the thought of her being a house wife Naruto immediately came to mind. She inwardly frowned as she imagined them being typical newlyweds, kissing, hugging and her mind dared not go any further than that.

Hinata blinked unsure of what to do, she started fiddling her thumbs together, a nervous practice she had that never went away. Sakura sighed and invited her to sit next to her. Hinata looked at her gratefully and took a seat near to the pink Kunoichi. Both women ate in silence before Hinata decided to be the bold one, a feat which was unusual for her

"You know… Naruto-kun doesn't hate you Sakura-san." She said quietly as she ate the ramen. Sakura started to choke which caused the white eyed beauty to panic

"S-Sakura-san I'm sorry! D-d-did I say something wrong?" she asked patting the other woman on her back soothingly as Sakura drank the water in front of her fast.

"N-no *Cough* No I was just surprised that's all." Hinata giggled

"Don't be, actually Naruto-kun misses you a lot more than he puts on." Hinata said frowning slightly. Sakura raised her brow, was that jealousy she detected?

"Misses me huh? I wouldn't exactly call avoidance at all cost missing some one, Hinata." The Haruno said in a matter of fact voice. Hinata looked at her sadly

"He's just stubborn that's all… but know this Sakura-san, he does miss you a lot actually. I-I try to get him to talk to you but he refuses and changes the subject. I-I know he likes you still actually, he even mumbles your name some times when he's asleep." This made Sakura really surprised but she caught the Hyuuga's saddened face and tried to cheer her up

"Ummm… don't worry Hinata I don't like Naruto like that and thank you for trying,"

"Liar!" Inner Sakura screamed, wow she hadn't heard from her in over a year, what made her come back now?

'Shut up! What do you know?' she retorted angrily mentally crossing her arms

"You still like Naruto! Cha! I'm you which means I can tell when you're lying!" her inner self screamed

'Shut Up!' she hissed, and went back to her conversation with Hinata

"Like I was saying I don't like him like that! Besides I have a gut feeling he'll propose to you soon~!" she said lying in a sing song voice. Hinata flushed scarlet and mumbled a thank you, her face had a sweet smile on it

"T-thank you S-Sakura-san." She mumbled bowing.

"Any time Hinata." She said getting up, she paid Ayame and said goodbye to both of the women before walking away. It was already late, Sakura observed as she looked at her watch, she headed in the direction of the hospital. When she got there her mother was just leaving

"Mom! How's Dad?" she said jogging up to her startled mother, she smiled

"They said he would be ok honey! I can't imagine what it would be like if either of you died." Her mother said hugging her, tears of relief streaked down her face. A wave of guilt crashed over her and she forced out a smile

"Y-yeah, same with me, I don't know what I would do if you or dad died." She said hugging her mother tightly. She didn't have much time left and being with her family at any given moment was a God send.

"Um Mom can I stay by your house for about a week while Dad recuperates in the Hospital?" she asked. Her Mother looked at her surprised but nodded any way

"Of course sweetie! It'll be like when you were a little girl! We'll have so much fun." Her mother said excitedly. Sakura knew her mother wanted her to visit more often and now she was giving her the perfect opportunity.

'Take it while you can mom. ' She thought somberly. 'Take it while you can.'

The next day came much faster than expected. Sakura hardly slept at all , the mission weighing heavily on her mind. She yawned as she went around the house doing chores, like scrubbing the bathroom, mopping the floor, the chores she hated but seeing as how she wouldn't be back here in a long time if ever again. She did them like if they were her favourite things in the world. After working up a sweat she decided to take another bath, this time she soaked in the bath tub, not caring whether she stayed in there the whole day or not. She closed her eyes as her aching muscles relaxed, nothing beat a warm bath after a day of hard work, well morning.

A knock on the door caused her to open her eyes, she groaned in annoyance and proceeded to rise from the tub, her muscles protested as she did. She wrapped a towel around her body and went an answered the door. The person kept on knocking, each time the knocking got louder. She felt annoyed and opened the door, her eyes widened in surprise at the person at the door

"Mom! What are you doing here?" she asked as her mother grinned

"I'm here to help you pack your things silly! Don't tell me you forgot that you said you were coming to stay with me this week?" she asked frowning, Sakura quickly put her mother to ease.

"No no I'm still coming it's just that… it's still morning mother." She said plainly, she became embarrassed as she was in a flimsy towel. Her eye twitched slightly as she heard wolf whistles from down on the street. She grabbed her mother and pulled her in quickly and shut the door.

"Mom, I'll be changing now, after I'm done we'll begin ok?" she said quickly casting a glance at her mother before entering the bathroom. Her mom called to her from the living room

"Sakura? Have you eaten yet?" she asked going into the kitchen

"No! Not yet!" she replied pulling a shirt over her body, which was accompanied by three quarter pants. "Do you want me to make you something to eat dear? Perhaps chicken alfredo?" her mother called back. Sakura came into the kitchen and smiled

"That'd be great mom thanks!" she said kissing her mother's cheek. She sat down and watched her mother cook and opted to make some juice. Her mother quickly declined

"No honey I'll manage, just relax ok?" she said cupping her chin like how she used to do when Sakura was a little girl. Sakura blushed slightly at the gesture and whined

"Mom! I'm not a little girl anymore!" her mother chuckled and released her cheeks. Sakura smiled again at this sense of nostalgia. It's nice, it's kinda funny, she was so eager to move out and experience the world and now she has the opportunity she abhors it and wants to return home. She wondered if her mother would feel a lot less grief if she had another child. Perhaps not. Her mother was her replica indeed, the pink hair, the face and all, the only thing she inherited from her dad was his green eyes.

"Mom?"

"Mmmm?"

"Did you ever want another child? I wondered how it would have been like to have an older brother or sister." She said putting a hand on her chin, her mother remained silent. Sakura frowned, it was unlike her mother to say quiet after she said something.

"Mom? Did you hear my question?" her mother flinched and started to tremble, her knife fell from her hand and dropped to the floor. Sakura became alarmed at this and rushed to her mother's side. Her mother began wheezing and indicated to her purse

"S-Sakura, my pills… my pills are in my purse." She rasped clutching her shirt. Sakura became frightened and got the pills as quickly as she could and gave them to her mother. Her mother popped two in her mouth and swallowed. After a few minutes the trembling and wheezing stopped, her mother looked at Sakura's panicked face and smiled sadly.

"Sakura… it's time you know the truth." She said looking at nothing in particular. Sakura didn't like the sound of that.

"Mom… what are you saying? What truth?" she said kneeling down beside her mother who breathed in deeply.
"The truth about your older sister honey." Sakura felt like someone punched her in her stomach. She looked at her mother in disbelief and slowly backed away. Her mother started to cry and reached for her

"I have an older sister and you didn't tell me? She said in disbelief as her mother cried again.

"Y-yes, her name is Hana, I couldn't tell you… how could I? It hurts to much to talk about her." She said crying into her hands. Sakura looked at her mother in disappointment.

"Why is that mother?" she said coolly crossing her arms. Her mother wipped away the tears from her face, still sobbing

"She died when you were a few months old, that's why!" Sakura's eyes widened

"So that means…." She murmured

"Yes… she died as a result of the Kyuubi's attack on the village that night 21 years ago. She… she looked exactly like you except with my red eyes and your dad's hair."

FLASH BACK* (Sakura's mother POV)

We were on our way to the festival they were having that night. Hana had seemed so eager to show her new baby sister the festival. She was wearing a pink kimono with different flower patterns, you were wearing a baby blue kimono with baby animals. Both of you looked so adorable….

Mitari was eager to show his new angel to the public, I wasn't in for bragging but I did want to take you two. We were all so very excited

"Mommy! Look even Sakura's excited!" Hana said eagerly tugging her mother's hand looking at her little sister in her father's arms. The baby cooed and showed a gummy smile, Hana squealed in delight and made silly faces to make her sister laugh.

"Enough of that sweetie! Come here your Obi is falling off let me fix it for you…" I offered but she refused, she wanted to be a big girl since she was now a big sister. It was rather cute but I sort of missed the days when she would have me do stuff for her.

We met up with the Yamanaka family, Ino was older than you by two months, but you two seemed to become very close even as infants. I think Hana was jealous because she kept on pouting at the two of you interaction but that was quickly dissolved when we saw your grandmother Yuka.

"Grandma! I missed you!" Hana said rushing to the old woman and gave her a huge hug.

"Mother, long time no see, are you well? Have you been eating on time?" Mitari asked handing me you so he could hug his mother. She smiled

"Yes my boy, is that Sakura? My goodness she's growing so fast!" Yuka exclaimed her smile getting bigger.

"Yep she has hasn't she? How are you mother?" she may have been my mother in law but she acted as my mother when my mom died before you two were born. I've been grateful for that ever since.

The festival progressed; everything was going well… and then suddenly

There was a loud explosion which caused the earth to shake, people were screaming and running in all sorts of directions. I didn't understand but I did when I saw a man stop and scream

"KYUUBI! RUN IT'S THE KYUUBI!" this sent every one into an increased state of panic, we got separated from Hana and Yuka due to the crowds pushing us apart. I'm not sure how, but we ended up outside of the festival grounds. I tried to go back in but I was stopped by two ANBU.

"We're sorry ma'am but you are not allowed to enter the premises, now all of you follow my colleague to safety!" he ordered. I wasn't going any wherewith out my child.

"Sir my daughter and mother in law are still in there! You have to let us in!" I pleaded but the ANBU was firm

"I'm sorry ma'am but rules are rules…. Regardless of the situation at hand. If your mother and daughter are in there still, then perhaps it's too late. I'm sorry." He said his voice void of emotion like all the others.

"You Bastard!" Mitari yelled grabbing the ANBU by the collar but was restrained by another ANBU op. I couldn't believe what was happening, one minute we were enjoying a nice festival, the next we were divided by a stupid fox! I saw that no one was guarding the entrance, I went and gave Sakura to Yuri before sneaking in.

The thing I saw next would haunt me for the rest of my life.

Bodies. Countless bodies were all over the floor, young children seemed to stare at me with soulless eyes, their faces held a look of horror. It was truly horrific, I shuddered as I stepped over body parts, It took all I had in me not vomit at the stench of blood. Buildings were collapsed so there was a lot of dust in the air. I had a very difficult time breathing as the air seemed to poison me.

"Hana! Yuka! Where are you?" I yelled going over the ruble and debris, I was trying to be as optimistic as possible but that quickly died down as every time I yelled there was no response.

"HANA! YUKA!" I screamed, panic took over reason, I started crying, still no answer. I don't know how long I walked for, nor did I care. I-I slipped and fell on the blood that was splattered all over the floor, I attempted to get up, looking at my now soaked in blood Kimono. I wish I didn't.

There was Yuka looking straight at me, what was left of her any ways. She'd been decapitated presumably by the falling building. I screamed in panic crawling back my hand touched a fabric that felt familiar.

It was Hana's Kimono, the arm sleeve poking out from underneath a collapsed building. I lost it.

"HANA! HANA! HANA! Can you hear me! Answer mommy!" I screamed trying to pull out her Kimono, I was in hysteria, I lost my sense of reasoning for a fact. Here was I trying to pull out a kimono from underneath a collapsed building, I finally managed to get it out, that wasn't the only thing though.

Attached to that Kimono was her arm with the bracelet I gave her for her just passed 5th birthday. It was too much and I fainted."

END OF FLASH BACK *

Sakura looked at her mother with a disturbed face, she felt sick to her stomach at the details were graphic even for her, and she had her share of carnage in the past. Her mother was wailing loudly clutching her sides and rocked back and forth

"I-I spent some time in a mental asylum after that, perhaps for the next five months, I even missed their funeral. I-I-I'm s-s-s-sorry S-Sakura! Hana! Oh my poor baby." She said in between sobs. Sakura felt tears fall from her eyes as well and she hugged her mother in comfort. It was heartbreaking to know that her older sister AND grandmother had such horrific deaths at such a fun filled occasion. Well that would explain her parents hate of festivals.

"T-that boy Naruto… Mitari hated him with a passion after that I tried to do the same. I wanted to blame someone for my misfortune… but… but when I saw that he was only a small boy I couldn't. How could I hate on a little boy who was innocent in all of this?" she asked crying.

'Well that explains why Dad didn't want me to be anywhere near Naruto when we were six.' Sakura thought darkly.

"Mom… do you have a picture of big sister?" she asked looking her mother into her blood red eyes.

"Y-yes. Here you go." She said taking off the locket of her neck and opened it. A picture of Hana, who indeed looked just like little Sakura was smiling and holding an infant Sakura. Sakura smiled sadly and held the locket close to her heart.

"Thank you older sister, for even loving me. I love you and continue to watch down on us." She whispered. She looked at her mother who smiled at through the tears

"She would be so proud of you Sakura, I know it." She said hugging her daughter again. It was a good thing to, because Sakura face was the epitome of guilt.

"I sure hope so mom." She wondered if her sister would be, knowing the cowardice plan she agreed to.

Much Later that day

Naruto and the others returned to a welcome by the villagers. Ever since they found out he was a Namikaze butt kissing became their specialty. Sai was all smiles too; he had been on the way back home after they dropped of Aiko the night before. Of course she protested to him leaving her and not marrying her like he "promised". He would take Sakura's fists over Aiko's hugs any day. A frown came to settle on his face as he turned to look at Naruto

The young man had been quiet all the way back, which was unlike him and that had Sai slightly worried that he had been still upset over the Sakura incident. He told Sai that it didn't bother him in the slightest, but Sai knew better. After all no one could out fake the master himself. It amused him to no end to see young love angst, so much like that movie he saw called Twilight. Sure he was now one of the village heart throbs but in truth he could care less, he would pick drawing in a secluded area to his heart's content than being mobbed by all the prettiest girls in the world, period.

He saw Naruto break apart from the trio and walk up to his violet haired girl friend. He personally had no problem with the Hyuuga, she was nice actually but still… it didn't seem genuine. He saw his blond friend give the girl a passionate liplock. Sai grimaced at the display of affection whereas everyone else cheered. He truly wondered if Naruto really loved the girl or if this was his way of forcing himself to move on. Sai saw Ino staring at him and she waved, he waved back as well surprised at the notion, and slightly happy.

He walked up to the blonde Kunoichi and she gave him a hug, this shocked him and he actually turned red, the most colour his pale face had ever had, period. He gave her back a hug quickly and released her just as quickly. He looked down and saw that Ino's face seemed on edge about something

"What is it Ino?" he asked frowning, her face became serious and she pulled him through the crowd of people into a secluded area.

"Sai… I'm worried about Sakura…" she said wrapping her arms around herself, her face still held a look of worry.

"Ugly? Why are you worried? Did she finally realize that she needs to become prettier to get a boyfriend and is on the verge of contemplating plastic surgery?" he said thoughtfully putting his fist in his palm in realization.

"Sai I'm being serious here! Something is really really wrong!" she snapped annoyed at his attempt at humor.

"Alright then what makes you so unnerved?" he asked calmly still not overly worried.

"She told me if anything happened to her in future to take care of her family! She could be in serious trouble!" she said in a half panicked voice, she started shaking a little. That did bother him alright, it sounded like someone who was on the verge of dying. His mind traveled to his brother for a fleeting second.

"Did you ask her about it?" she nodded,

"And?"

"She refuses to say anything. Oh Sai what's going to happen to Sakura?" she said sniffing and wiping her eyes as loose tears formed and fell. Sai had an idea, he smiled mischievously

"Let's talk to Naruto about this. I think it would be the perfect opportunity to get them to reconcile finally." Ino looked at him first surprised and then in amazement

"Sai… you're the best you know that?"

"I know."

Sakura was arranging her clothes to put in her suitcase, she even picked out her funeral dress and brought that as well. It still sickened her to no end of the thought of dying and being forced to live a lie, but… it was for the best of her village. She chuckled softly as she remembered Itachi, he was forced to kill his clan by the elders, save for Sasuke. Who knew that some years down the line she would be in his predicament, excluding the killing of family part.

'How did you manage to live with yourself Itachi-san?' she thought sadly as she remembered the hate that Sasuke had for his older brother, she couldn't imagine how horrible he must have felt having his only living relative hate him and wanted to kill him. She thought back on the hatred Sasuke had felt when he revealed to her it was the elder's fault for his clan's massacre and how he would avenge them by destroying Konoha.

'It's a pity he didn't kill the elders those years ago.' She thought darkly before zipping up her suitcase and met her mother in the living room. Her mother smiled at her before taking her suitcase in her hand, she proceeded to carry it out to the front door.

Sakura followed suit but stopped and looked around her apartment one last time, the picture of team 7 flashed in her mind quickly and she ran to her bedroom to retrieve it. She hugged it and walked out to meet her expectant mother. Her mother noted her sad face and the object in her daughter's hands and frowned

"Sakura… why not just get rid of that picture?" her mother asked sighing. Sakura's eyes narrowed at the ridiculous suggestion

"Get rid of it? Mother this picture is of my first team! HOW can I? Please never suggest such a ridiculous notion ever again." Her mother put up her hands in defeat

"Ok ok Sakura I just don't know why you bother keep it, seeing as how it only causes you to remember those two boys…" Her mother had a point there, she did remember Naruto and Sasuke but it wasn't only pleasant memories. All of their adventures together she could remember due to that single photo.

"Mom… I love this photo too much to throw it away… in fact I want it to be buried with me when I die in the future." Her mother smiled amused by her daughter's childish behavior.

"Ok honey but why tell me this? Your kids and grandkids will be burying you, not me seeing as how I'll be dead long before you anyways." She said with a little laugh. Sakura forced out a laugh as well, it was all she could do to stop herself from crying and blurting out everything about the mission. She hugged her mother tightly again,

'I'm sorry mom, you'll be burying another child before you die soon.' she thought sadly and looked at the moon in anguish.

A day had past and now another day was coming to a close. As much as she wanted to deny it and even hated it, it was inevitable

Time was running out.

A/N: TADA! Sorry it's so long folks :/ Will try to keep it shorter in future! Thanks for reading! You guys are so awesome!