The next couple of years pass by peacefully, Sakura who was now three had changed just a tiny bit and now didn't trust new people at all but Jiraiya with hopes in mind took his precious daughter on the road with him again, sadly this time he left Gamakiri behind.
"So Sakura, we are going to the cloud village so that you can make a friend your age, Ay has graciously invited us to the village again and all of the children in the village will be at the park" Jiraiya looked down at Sakura and she looked up at him with her large emerald eyes.
Sakura was a smart little girl and immediately figured out what her father meant "Human like me Papa" she questioned and Jiraiya nodded "Not sure if I like this idea" Sakura had also gotten the hang of talking it was creepy after that incident all those months ago.
It was like the tiny girl had put her heart and soul into being the perfect daughter so that Jiraiya didn't have to worry about her anymore, of course with the change it made him worry even more so, Sakura was going to be a prodigy even before she started training.
"Don't worry precious, you'll like all the little kids trust me and we still have your toad friends at the mountain you don't have to give them up" Jiraiya had been trying to convince Sakura that making human friends wasn't such a bad thing.
Sakura gave an exasperated sigh and wiggled to get a little more comfortable in her fathers hold "You aren't just saying that to get me to agree are you papa" she smiled innocently, Sakura hoped for her father's sake that he wasn't otherwise she'd scream.
It was something she had started doing to get out of something she didn't want to do, of course it didn't work all the time "I'm not Sakura, you'll never have to give up your friends on the mountain that's your true home" Jiraiya tickled her tummy and Sakura giggled.
A twig snapped up ahead of them and Jiraiya hid behind a tree "Relax Master Jiraiya" Ay's voice called out and Jiraiya warily peeked around the tree, he sighed in relief a moment later "Ah there's the little cutie" Ay spotted Sakura in Jiraiya's arms.
Sakura's eyes widened when the man she had only seen once reached out for her "That's not a good idea Unruly Ay" Jiraiya warned and Sakura looked up to her papa again, the other guy looked dejected and she made a decision.
"It's ok Papa, you can put me down" Sakura patted his arm in reassurance, she wished Gamajosei and Gamadansei were here with her but she'd just have to get along without them for the time being.
Jiraiya watched Sakura walk forward bravely until she was stood in front of Ay, then with barely any hesitation she stretched her arms up indicating that she wanted him to pick her up, Jiraiya nodded in acquiesce when Ay looked in his direction before picking Sakura up.
"Well you've grown up since all those months ago" Ay hesitantly wiggled his fingers on Sakura's belly causing her to laugh and squirm in his hold, he didn't know what it was but babies turned all tough and war hardened men into mush.
Sakura sighed "I'm not a baby you know mister" she pursed her lips in exasperation and Ay blinked in surprise, last time he had her, Sakura didn't even know how to talk properly or that she wouldn't but now it was full on sentences.
"Your right babies don't know how to talk properly" Ay, internally frowned maybe this is what Jiraiya had meant a couple years ago it was like the little girl was an entirely different person than before, she had really changed though she still retained most of her innocence.
Sakura wiggled to get comfortable, this new person held her awkwardly and it irritated her somewhat "Your hand is in the wrong place" she finally huffed causing Ay to chuckle softly and adjust his hold "Thank you mister" Sakura thanked him like a good girl should.
Jiraiya shook his head, he didn't know where Sakura had gotten her blunt way of talking at least Ay wasn't offended by it "Sakura you should call him Ay-san, it's not polite to call people mister especially someone of high standing" Jiraiya scolded and Sakura looked at him with shame.
"I'm terribly sorry Ay-san, I didn't know that you were an important person" Sakura turned her guilt filled eyes onto the man who was currently holding her, Ay chuckled and patted her head with a heavy hand.
"Don't worry about it kid" Ay handed her back to Jiraiya "Now if you'd follow me, I'll take you to the park where all the little ones should be gathered" he turned on his heel and headed back the way he had come until they reached the gates.
Sakura trembled lightly in Jiraiya's arms "I'm scared what if they don't like me" she asked worriedly, that was another thing, Sakura had never gotten over the whole argument, though she kept it carefully tucked away in the presence of Shima and Fukasaku.
Ay paused and looked back, Jiraiya also stopped "Sakura I can guarantee that at least some of these kids will want to be your friend" he pressed a kiss to her forehead and started walking again, Ay took that as his cue and pushed open the gates.
She remembered this place, it was where she had fallen off the swing and nearly gotten her nose broke but that blonde boy with his pretty green chakra helped her out, of course since Sakura didn't know his name she couldn't ask if he would be there along with his friend.
"Here we are Sakura" Ay gestured where kids were playing on every surface of the playground it was much more than the last time, Jiraiya set Sakura down and nudged her forward gently "Well go on" Ay willed her to go off and play so that he and Jiraiya could talk.
Sakura took a deep breath and bravely headed to the swings, she wanted to get high enough to see the entire park in order to see if that blonde haired boy and white haired boy was here, to her relief there was one free swing.
Sakura quickly scrambled into the seat before anyone could tell her to leave, in the swing next to her was a red haired girl, so for a brief moment she abandoned her self assigned mission in order to talk to her.
"Hello" Sakura spoke softly, the little girl snapped her head up and stared at her with cautious and wary eyes "My name is Sakura Haruno what's yours" she introduced herself to the red haired girl who opened her mouth only to close it.
"Karui" the girl mumbled shyly "It's Karui" she spoke louder feeling angry a girl she had never seen before was questioning her and Karui didn't like it "Now if you'll excuse me I have places to be" Karui hopped off her swing and disappeared in the crowd.
Sakura's shoulders drooped at least the girl had told her, her name, Sakura shook her head and started swinging, she didn't want to fall off again so she tightened her hold on the chains each push sent her higher and higher into the air.
On the highest point Sakura looked out of the park but didn't spot the person she was looking for, so with a sigh she abandoned her swing, Sakura would just have to search on foot a few minutes later she crashed into someone.
"Oww that hurt oh no what if my skull cracks" Omoi quickly felt up the back of his head to look for a fracture of some kind only to sigh in relief, then he blinked his onyx eyes, there was a cute pink haired girl laying underneath him.
Sakura groaned her head hurt "Will you please move off of me" she mumbled into the dirt that her face was pressed into, the white haired boy moved and Sakura sat up "I'm Sakura Haruno" she introduced herself shyly again.
"Omoi is my name you better go to a doctor you never know if your skull will accidentally break in half from getting slammed into another head" Omoi pointed to the lump forming on the back of Sakura's head and helped the little girl to her feet.
Sakura giggled and lightly pressed on the bump "Your funny Omoi-san, your skull can't break from a little bruise like that, want to be my friend" she held out her hand in hopes that Omoi would accept her offer of friendship.
Omoi eyed Sakura's hand cautiously, she could have some kind of disease and then it could get on him and then nobody would want to go near him because of it "I don't know, I would like to be your friend but what if you have diseases then nobody will come near me" Omoi sighed.
"I don't have any diseases Omoi-san, trust me I'm very hygiene oriented and I get checks up regularly" Sakura's forehead creased in confusion, this boy was strange and worried about the silliest of things.
Omoi took a deep breath "Ok then Sakura-chan you have yourself a deal, friends forever" he cheered and they shook hands on it "So what do you want to do" Omoi asked when Sakura just stood there in contemplation.
Sakura came back to herself a moment later "I'm looking for some people, I don't know their names or how old they are but the first one has blonde hair and the second one has white hair like you only shaggy like" she explained in hopes Omoi knew who she was talking about.
"Hmmm, blonde hair and white shaggy hair guys, the description sounds familiar" Omoi took his thinking stance a few minutes later his eyes lit up as if a light bulb had gone off with in his mind "Cee-san and Darui-san they are chunin, should be coming back from a mission" he shrugged.
"Thank you Omoi-kun" Sakura squealed in joy "Are they here or out on a mission like you think they are" she asked after giving the boy a little hug for a reward, his cheeks turned pink though and he coughed nervously.
Omoi looked around, Cee and Darui should have been back by now, and those two always walked by the park to go home "There they are Sakura-chan" he spotted the two "If we run we can catch them" Omoi explained.
Sakura nodded and held tightly to Omoi's hand "Wow Omoi you run fast" Sakura complimented in awe, someday she would be able to run fast like this and do other things as well, Omoi didn't say anything instead he concentrated on running faster.
The two kids chased after Cee and Darui down four blocks "Wait Omoi-kun we are getting to far from the park" Sakura was scared the last time she had been separated from her father was when she had hidden but in a strange town she wouldn't know where to find him again.
"Don't worry, we'll be back before anyone notices you missing, I know the way and didn't you want to talk to Cee-san and Darui-san" Omoi looked back without stopping Sakura gave him a hesitant nod so they went even faster.
They had almost caught up with the two teens when they disappeared before their eyes "What that's not fair" Sakura stomped her foot only to squeal in shock when a hand caught her wrist, she looked back and noticed it was the white haired guy Darui.
Cee had grabbed Omoi around the waist "Why have you two been chasing us" Darui questioned, he knew Omoi but he didn't know the little girl, maybe it was just a stupid game Omoi had come up with.
Sakura's heart was pounding "I wanted to thank Cee-san" she mumbled and looked to the blonde haired teen who held her friend, Cee however looked baffled, he had never seen this girl before so why on earth did she want to thank him.
Darui raised an eyebrow and chuckled in amusement "I'm sorry why exactly do you need to thank Cee, I'm pretty sure neither of us know who you are kid" he shrugged, this was turning out to just be some kind of game and was horribly dull.
Sakura creased her forehead in anger "That's not true, you know me" she insisted stubbornly, it was not fair, she remembered so how come these two teens didn't, Cee shook his head "I'm not lying" Sakura cried softly.
Omoi started crying as well and the two teens sighed "Ok, ok we didn't say you were lying so stop crying" Cee didn't like loud noises and with two little kids noises were sure to come in abundance "Now tell me exactly why you say we know you" Cee questioned.
Sakura took a deep breath "It was a couple years ago, in the park I fell off my swing and got hurt, Gamakiri was with me, my toad friend with the ribbon he was wearing makeup, you, Cee-san healed my nose" she explained.
Darui looked up, he did slightly remember a toad wearing makeup "Ah your the little girl Cee was crushing on" Darui snapped his fingers, Cee blinked so this was the little girl he had helped and she had called his chakra pretty.
In the park, Jiraiya and Ay were still sitting on the bench, Jiriaya had expected Sakura to come running back over to them with in the first five minutes but she was still somewhere in the park, or so he thought, Jiraiya didn't know was that she was blocks away with three boys.
Cee set Omoi down and Darui released Sakura "Look it's dangerous to chase after strange boys you don't know, only because Omoi was with you we'll not tell your parents about this incident" Darui patted Sakura on the head.
"Wait I still have to thank you" Sakura called but they just kept on walking "Let's go back to the park Omoi-kun" she sighed, Omoi held out his hand and they walked slowly back to the park "What do you want to do" Sakura asked once they were safely on the playground.
Omoi thought for a moment "We could go down the slide, wait no that's to dangerous we could get a burn on our bottom and then we'd have to go to the hospital and we'd never be able to sit down again" he rejected his own idea.
Sakura smiled happily "Come on Omoi, that won't happen, you come with the wildest idea's, even crazier than my friends back home" she took Omoi by the hand and they walked over to the slide and waited in line.
"You don't live here" Omoi was seriously confused, his new friend didn't even live in the village which meant she was an outsider, though nobody had to know so he would keep it a secret, no one would steal his friend away.
Sakura shook her head "Nope, I live on Mount Myoboku with my Papa, Elder Shima and Elder Fukasaku, I have four friends, Gamakichi, Gamatatsu, Gamajosei, and Gamadansei" she ticked off her fingers in explanation.
Omoi furrowed his brows "What's mount myoboku" he asked and moved forward when Sakura tugged on his arm as the line got smaller and smaller, Omoi had never heard of such a place so he wasn't sure if he could believe the tale Sakura was telling him.
"It's a mountain for Toads and Frogs, I'm going to start my training to become a Sage when I turn five" Sakura held up her free hand "But right now I'm only three, though in a few more months it will be my fourth birthday" she couldn't wait to get her presents.
Omoi's shoulders drooped, he never got invited to a birthday party "That sounds cool Sakura-chan" Omoi smiled a moment later and straightened when Sakura looked back at him, he was excited alright.
Sakura giggled "Would you like to come to my birthday party Omoi, on one condition, you have to bring me a cool present" she invited her friend without thought, she didn't know if her father would accept this or even Omoi's parents but it was worth a try.
"Would I ever" Omoi grabbed Sakura by the hand and they slipped out of the line, he headed straight for his parents "Mom, Dad can I go to Sakura-chan's birthday party in a few months" Omoi hopped from foot to foot anxiously as he stood before his parents.
The two adults shared a look "It's up to Sakura-san's parents" they shrugged neither of them saw a problem with this, at least Omoi was making a friend their son was way to cautious so it was a relief to see him playing with someone his own age.
"Come on Sakura-chan where's your mom and dad" Omoi looked around for pink hair but didn't find any, Sakura giggled in amusement "What is it Sakura-chan" he was put out that Sakura kept laughing at him but he knew she wasn't doing it to be mean.
Sakura led Omoi over to the bench that she had last seen her father sitting on "I don't have a mommy just a papa" she wiggled her fingers at Jiraiya who smiled and picked her up "This is my papa Omoi-kun" Sakura introduced.
Jiraiya internally groaned of all the children she had to make friends with it just had to be a little boy "Papa, can Omoi-kun come to my birthday party, his mom and dad already said he could" Sakura looked up into Jiraiya's eyes.
"Well of course and did you tell his parents where exactly this party will be held" Jiraiya enquired knowingly, panic flew across Sakura's face and she squirmed to get off his lap, Sakura took Omoi by the hand again, and had him lead her back to his parents.
When the two children were once again stood before Omoi's parents Sakura turned unnaturally shy and she scuffed her shoe on the ground, Omoi eyed his new friend strangely, she was being so weird now.
The two adults waited "My papa said he could come, though since I don't" Omoi's eyes widened in fear and clamped his hand over Sakura's mouth, she struggled to continue speaking but Omoi dragged her off to their amusement.
"You can't tell them you don't live in the village just say you live nearby temporarily until you make a more permanent move" Omoi whispered heatedly, he didn't want to be banned from ever playing with Sakura again.
Sakura nodded in understanding and they went back over to Omoi's parents "I live nearby temporarily but until I enter the academy I won't make a more permanent move" Sakura explained awkwardly.
Omoi's parents knew that Sakura was lying "You don't have to lie Sakura-san, we know you live on Mount Myoboku and are essentially an outsider to the village, but Omoi can still go to your birthday party" his mother nodded only to get nudged in the side by her husband.
There was that word again 'Outsider' Sakura's heart formed an invisible crack her eyes dulled before filling with tears she hastily wiped them away, it wasn't the same, Sakura understood that they hadn't meant her any harm by saying it.
Omoi stood frozen "Sakura-chan what's wrong" he squeezed her hand tightly but she didn't return the gesture, she was silently crying, not sobbing or anything it was weird "Mom what happened to Sakura-chan" Omoi turned his attention on his parents.
The two adults had no idea what was wrong they hadn't said no, so why the little girl was crying was beyond them "Sakura why are you crying" Omoi's mother leaned down and reached out to touch Sakura but she jerked back.
"I know you didn't mean anything by it, but I don't like that word outsider very much" Sakura wiped her tears and took a deep calming breath "Don't worry I'm fine now" she smiled brightly, her previous attitude completely gone.
Omoi lowered his head he had thought the same thing "It doesn't matter Sakura-chan, your moving here and that's all that matters" he tried squeezing her hand again but this time Sakura returned the gesture.
"Thanks Omoi" Sakura gave him another little hug, her father was calling "I've got to go home so later" she waved and ran back through the park "I'm here papa" Sakura clambered into Jiraiya's open arms and together they left the Cloud Village.
Back on Mount Myoboku, Sakura was sent out to play with her toad friends "And then we chased after Cee-san and Darui-san" she was telling Gamajosei and Gamadansei about her entire day and the toad siblings were jealous.
"Aw Sakura-chan you get all the luck I wish we could have gone, Omoi-kun sounds like an awesome friend" Gamajosei pouted and Sakura picked her up, next year she would sign the contract and her toad friends would get their wish.
Sakura perked her ears up a moment later "TADPOLE DINNER IS READY" the familiar voice of Shima called, the toad siblings groaned in disappointment Sakura shrugged and gave her friends a wave and headed to the house.
"There you are" Jiraiya helped Sakura into her chair and placed a bowl of meal worms in front of her "Don't complain, Shima hasn't had anytime to go out and find more grub worms" he gave Sakura a warning look and she remained silent for fear of getting in trouble.
Soon dinner was eaten and Sakura got a sweet snack which consisted of honey pot ants, afterwards, she got her bath and then Jiraiya helped her into bed "Goodnight my little cherry blossom" he covered Sakura up.
Sakura waited for her father to say whatever it was that was bothering him "I know what happened today, Omoi's parents sent me a letter" Jiraiya looked into Sakura's eyes and she lowered her head in shame.
"Don't worry about it Papa, I overreacted they didn't mean anything by it even though they were essentially telling the truth and Goodnight Papa" Sakura twiddled her thumbs as she told her father that she had gotten over it already.
Jiraiya however knew Sakura hadn't but let the matter drop, that word outsider had deeply scarred Sakura's heart "Also, you and Gamakiri are coming with me to the Leaf Village in a couple of weeks" he finished and Sakura smiled brightly in excitement.
"Can't wait to make more friends" Sakura yawned and burrowed further under her blankets "Night night" she whispered softly and closed her eyes, a few minutes later soft snores emitted from her mouth and Jiraiya quietly tiptoed out of her room.