This chapter is a bit longer than the others. I couldn't find a nice stopping point. I think this chapter mentions a part of the Naru-Saku dynamic that annoys fans of other Naru and Saku pairings. How can Naruto love Sakura after the terrible things she's done to him? It is a legitimate criticism based upon the series so far. I don't think I can answer why this pairing works other than I like it but I think it needs to be mentioned. I'd love other people's thoughts.

Thanks to maxslayer10 for the review.


Sakura walked toward the Hokage tower. She left Naruto's apartment feeling awkward the night before. A night with little sleep did not help her find the answers she was seeking. Her parents knew something was wrong but she couldn't talk about it. Her feelings, her duty and her friendship were all on the line.

The rosette reached the tower to find it quiet. Her desk was cluttered with the drop offs from the night before. She began to organize the late night reports and folders for Naruto when she heard a noise from his office. She walked to the door ready to fight. This thief wasn't going to steal from the Hokage. She opened the door and found Naruto picking up papers from the floor. He was muttering curses as he organized the papers. Sakura took a few steps toward him when he spoke.

"Take the day off," he said.

The voice was his Hokage voice. It was the unwavering certainty of a shinobi with the weight of a hidden village on his shoulders.

"Na," she started but he held up his hand

"Neither one of us can focus around the other right now. Please take the day off because I can't. You'll be doing both of us a favor."

Sakura nodded.

"Of course, Hokage-sama," she said with a slight bow in his direction.

He never made eye contact but she knew what was in his eyes. He longed for the answer she didn't have yet. It was teasing to show up and pretend nothing was wrong. He could see the conflict in her eyes and she knew if he looked at her it would hurt him. Sakura put a note on her desk and left the tower while it was still early. It hurt that he didn't want to see her. She couldn't blame him. He'd spent years silently suffering. He longed for her companionship and she kept him at arm's length. He'd spent the last few years trying to be a good friend. He kept his emotions in check in public so she wouldn't feel awkward. Why would he hold on to his feelings for her for so long? Why didn't he move on? There were plenty of others that would give him a family. After his battle with Sasuke, Hinata made it clear she was willing to be with him no matter what. She didn't know the details but nothing seemed to come from her non-verbal declaration of taking his hand. Team Kakashi was not in a good place at that time. She wasn't speaking to Naruto because he killed Sasuke. Kakashi opted to stay out of it. Neither Sai nor Yamato understood what their bond meant. They viewed Sasuke's death as the gateway to peace.

Here she was years later now with the same problem; why couldn't she just be happy with Naruto? It was different in many respects but the underlying issue was the same. Were her feelings for him strong enough to endure the trials she would face? Would she be happy in a role that would make her the object of public scrutiny? Every action judged and discussed at length in the market. Every word evaluated for the proper mix of politeness, deference and strength. Was she strong enough to protect her family?

She wanted to go home but that would make matters worse. Her parents could not know his secrets. This burden was not for them. Even if she and Naruto married, she'd have to keep from them that their grandchildren were candidate jinchuuriki. The beasts were free and living away from humans but it would be a matter of time before someone would be foolish enough to try and seal them in humans. She hoped it would be generations but she doubted that human hearts had the sense of principal required to leave the tailed beasts alone.

The emotions mixing in her chest made her feel sick. Tsunade was the best person to talk to but her master slept late. Waking her up wasn't going to lead to good advice. In the end she knew the truth, it was a decision she needed to make. Advice could only provide knowledge or insight at best. She needed to look in the mirror and decide her fate.

Sakura walked without thinking. Her legs carried her along familiar paths and she stopped in front of the memorial stone. She looked to her left to see Kakashi. They had this silent ritual for some time after the war. Sakura came to remember those patients she couldn't save and silently protest that Sasuke's name was not on the stone. She viewed him as a victim of the masked man as much as any other person killed during the war. Kakashi still looked the same. His grey hair defied gravity while his face was covered by a navy mask. His sharingan eye was covered by his head band. After she said a small prayer for her fallen comrades she turned to leave.

"What happened?" asked the elder Jonin.

Sakura looked at her sensei. He seldom took an interest in her personal life. He looked up from the stone. He was intuitive and good at reading people.

"I have a difficult decision to make," she answered.

She didn't want to lie to him but she couldn't tell him the truth.

"So he told you about his legacy?" inquired the copy nin.

The medic nin observed her sensei. Kakashi gestured toward the forest. Sakura followed because she wanted to know more. They walked until they found a destroyed training ground.

"He was upset last night," said the masked nin.

Sakura saw the destruction. The entire village should have felt his chakra. Worse yet, he was out without escorts. He was an easy target.

"If you're worried about the village knowing he was out," he said before gesturing to several burn marks around the training ground. They formed a circle. She walked to the nearest burn mark and found the remnants of a scroll.

"Barrier ninjutsu," she said softly.

Kakashi walked next to her.

"He's gotten pretty good at it," complimented the elder jonin.

Sakura nodded. Naruto was amazing. He could overcome almost any obstacle. He'd overcome her barrier to get a glimpse of her heart. She could feel the feelings he'd planted taking root but she had to be practical. There were serious, long term factors that needed her consideration.

"There is much more than what he told you," said the copy nin.

The rosette's head snapped to him. How did her sensei know these things? Did Naruto really trust him so much more than her?

"The fake Madara told us before you arrived on the battlefield. Tsunade-sama made it an S-rank secret."

Sakura grunted. The rosette looked around the field to see if something would give her the clue she needed. She wanted something; a little thing would be enough to sway her. She closed her eyes and tried to find that small thing in her mind. She knew he did something that would justify her life with him. It needed to be a personal thing; something special to them. Her frustration boiled over and she stomped her foot. A crack spread away from the point of impact across the field.

"It won't be an easy life but it would be a life filled with love. He'd love you with his whole being. He'd accept you as you are and never ask for more."

Sakura knew this. She put her head down.

"But you don't feel worthy of his love," added the one eyed ninja.

Green eyes darted to her sensei.

"And in truth, you are not worthy," he continued.

Sakura clenched her fist tightly. His voice was the usual aloof tone. He wasn't angry or sad.

"It is a difficult realization to make, I know. I wish someone told me when I was a chuunin and a fresh Jonin. I didn't deserve my comrades' friendship or support. I walked away from everyone because I thought I knew better. My ninja way was so superior."

Kakashi closed his regular eye.

"You were terrible to Naruto. You berated him and belittled him. He offered you his friendship and love freely and you stomped on it. Some people gossip that you will ruin him as a man and as Hokage."

Sakura grabbed her sensei's vest. The fabric of the vest was tearing under her grip.

"What you have yet to realize is that no one in this village deserves him," said Kakashi after looking at her hand. "All of us abandoned him at one point or another. We lost faith in him. Only his parents had undying faith in him. They gave him the ultimate burden because they knew he could carry it. He took the Leaf's most feared enemy and turned it into our greatest ally. None of us deserve him."

The rosette released her sensei.

"But he loves us anyway. He cries for the lost and fights for the weak. The villagers were the ones that would spit in his face as a child and now they revere him."

Sakura turned and walked away. She took several steps before stopping.

"Then why does he stay with us? He could leave and never return. No one could stop him."

Kakashi walked next to her.

"He loves us. He sees the best in us. I hope that never changes."

The copy nin walked past her and back into the forest. There were times she wanted to smack him. He spoke the truth but he could be a little nicer about it. Sakura followed her teacher into the forest. She wouldn't be able to catch him. He'd vanish in the shadows as he always did. He'd pop up again when someone needed him.

Sakura walked into Ichiraku around lunch time. She knew Naruto had a lunch meeting so he wouldn't be there. She wanted to go to a place that was associated with him without him there. She walked in the stand to find the boy from a few weeks ago sitting on the stool. He was slurping down noodles like he hadn't eaten in days. She was concerned. After Naruto's trip out of the village, she thought the matter was resolved. It seemed she was wrong.

"Are you OK Daisuke?" asked Ayame with great concern.

The boy put the bowl down. His cheek was badly bruised. Sakura wasted no time. The boy was reluctant to speak up at first but when Ayame confirmed she was Naruto's friend and assistant he gave vague details. Sakura knew she needed to tell Naruto.

The rosette raced to his office and found him out. She grabbed the schedule book from her desk. A chuunin called out to her as he rushed up to the desk with papers. It seemed this poor sod was the first to encounter Naruto and had become his temporary assistant. The chuunin was grateful when he got to her desk but she assured him that it was still his job. She raced off to the Academy. He was giving a guest lecture on the Fourth War. Sakura raced into the Academy like it was an S-rank emergency. Iruka was walking his students to the practice field.

"Where is Naruto?" she yelled at Iruka.

The chuunin instructor was shocked by her outburst.

"Hokage-sama is in Kano-sensei's class," said Iruka pointing at a door down the hall.

Sakura raced passed the students. Many were chiding her for calling their Hokage by his first name. She threw the classroom door open. Everyone was looking at her.

"I need to talk to you," she said making eye contact with him.

She saw the message about this not being the time but this wasn't about them.

"The orphans are being mistreated. I found Daisuke at Ichiraku. He was beaten and starving."

Naruto's eyes were shocked for a moment. They quickly hardened. He grabbed her and she felt the pull. The world around them warped and they appeared outside the orphanage. A crying child was heard inside. Sakura tried to keep up but Naruto's superior speed gave him the edge. He was in the orphanage. She found him standing over Banna. A child was cowering in front of the fallen ninja. Sakura could feel the killing intent in the air.

"Take the children out of here," he growled out.

Sakura didn't like where this was going but she knew better than to cross him. She quickly gathered the children in the room and took them outside. In the sunlight the level of mistreatment became clear. She tended to those that needed immediate attention. The elder children pressed the younger children forward for treatment. It was an overwhelming task as more children poured from the orphanage. Each child looked worse than the last child she treated. The youngest were crying.

Sakura looked up for a moment when she felt chakra. Naruto was standing on the outer edge of the children. He snapped his fingers. A squad of ANBU appeared around him.

"I want medical teams here immediately. I want five squads of ninja ready to support them."

Two ANBU vanished. Villagers moved in to see the commotion. Many of the parents in the crowd followed their instincts and calmed the crying children. Sakura was treating a child when she looked up to see Banna. He was charging Naruto. The blonde was comforting a crying child. She reacted without thinking. She grabbed Banna's arm and twisted. He spun in the air onto his back. Naruto turned still holding the child.

"What are you thinking?" roared the rosette.

Banna's arm was broken.

"Release me, bitch," he demanded.

Rather than squeeze tighter, she sent a surge of her chakra through his arm. He cried out in pain. She'd activated all his pain nerves at once.

"Why did you do it?" she demanded.

Was he the one behind the attack? The man stopped but didn't answer. She sent another surge of her chakra through his body. This time he passed out. Sakura hadn't released him when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Let him go," said her teammate.

She released his arm. It fell lifelessly to the ground.

"Did she kill him?" asked a scared child.

A man near the child pointed out Banna was breathing. Sakura turned to see the girl holding onto Naruto. Her arms were wrapped around his neck. Her brown eyes showed so much fear. Naruto put his other arm on her.

"It's going to be OK. Sakura-chan overreacts sometimes. She's really nice when you get to know her."

The girl nodded before burying her face into his shoulder.

"Take this…man and have him interrogated," ordered the rosette to two Chuunin. "He attacked the Hokage and abused these children."

The chuunin confirmed her order. They were not gentle with Banna as they lifted him from the ground. Sakura watched his unconscious form carried off. A thousand horrible curses raced through her mind. Her cold stare warmed when she heard a medic nin say her name.

"Take all of them to the hospital for examination," she ordered.

The medic nin looked confused.

"Take all of the children to the hospital for examination and treatment."

The medic nin sputtered about space and resources.

"I don't care about things like that. I want these children in the hospital for an exam and treatment. I want them fed and cared for. They are the legacy of heroes and we will not treat them like trash," said the rosette sternly.

The medic nin nodded. He relayed the orders to the others. As quickly as they could manage, the ninja herded the children together and walked toward the hospital. Sakura walked next to Naruto. The girl was still in his arms. They arrived at the hospital to find the nurses and available staff members waiting. The Head of the Medical Corp was barking out orders as the children were taken in groups to rooms. As the last of the children was sent off for an examination, Nakamora Takeyasu walked up to the Hokage.

"I might need more resources for a few days, Hokage-sama," he stated.

"Whatever you need," said the blonde.

"Including Haruno-san," inquired the elder medic nin.

"Yes," replied the Hokage without hesitation.

Sakura was off to check in and get assigned a floor. Her problems seemed so small compared to the burden these children carried.

She was always amazed by a child's resilience. The boys were healed and supposed to be resting but they were bounding around their rooms pretending to be Naruto. She was amazed that the girls were pretending to be her using her 'death touch' as some were calling it. The nurses tried to calm the children but they were so happy and excited. In all thirty seven orphans were checked in. Most were in no immediate danger. A few children had internal injuries but they were treatable.

The rosette finished her rounds as the sun set. The next shift of medic nin came in. She briefed her replacement before moving to the stairs to leave. She was down two floors when she noticed two ANBU. She stopped on the floor and moved toward the ANBU. Neither masked shinboi moved when she approached the door. When she reached for the door handle an ANBU moved to stop her. Her green eyes met the ANBU's eye holes.

"Move," she said sternly.

The ANBU that blocked her way looked toward his partner. He stepped away after a moment. Sakura opened the door and entered. Naruto was sitting next to a bed with his back to her.

"It's her," said a soft voice.

Green eyes met blue eyes. He smiled.

"I told you, Amaya," he said. "Sakura is a friend. She won't hurt you."

The girl had his haori over her like a blanket. Sakura picked up Amaya's chart. She seemed to be one of the worst off. Her condition was improving and she would be fine. The rosette approached the girl to check an injury to her liver. She moved toward Naruto.

"Its fine," he assured her.

Naruto pulled back his haori. Sakura moved slowly to touch the girl. She let her chakra contact the young one's body and spread through it. All the injuries were healing nicely. She'd be well enough to leave in a few days.

"You're going to be fine," said the rosette in a comforting voice.

Naruto put the haori back over her.

"See," he said.

Amaya smiled at him.

"Will you stay with me tonight," she asked.

The blonde man smiled.

"I can't, but you can keep that," he said while gesturing to the haori.

The girl pouted but Naruto convinced her she would be fine and the nurses would take care of her. She relented after half an hour. The brown eyed child was asleep before they left the room. Naruto moved down the hall. The ANBU were behind him. Sakura watched him walk away without a word. Her heart was hurting. He was so good with Amaya. He'd be an amazing father.

Sakura took a step in his direction. It was quickly followed by another. Before she knew it she was behind the ANBU. One took notice but didn't say anything.

"Naruto," she said.

He stopped. The ANBU remained a step behind him.

"Can we speak?" she asked.

His head dropped.

"Sure," he said after a long pause.

They walked to the Hokage tower with the ANBU escort. She noticed the shadows barely moving. A full squad of ANBU was on the roofs above them guarding the Hokage. The ANBU escorted the Hokage to his office before Naruto dismissed them. The blonde ninja walked behind his desk and sat. He picked up a report.

"Naruto," she pleaded to get him to look at her.

He looked up but his eyes never focused on her face.

"I don't think I can give you the answer you want right now," she stated.

He nodded.

"But I don't want us to stop being together. I won't find the answer if we are distant. I need to explore this relationship with you. I can't do it without you. I'll never know if we are going to be happy if we are apart."

He closed his eyes.

"Sakura," he started but she cut him off.

"I know I'm asking too much, but I need you to trust me. I'll never betray you. The little girl that stomped on your heart is gone. I am a woman that can see that you are amazing. I see a man that gives so much of himself to his village. I see a man that had important things to do but decided to stay with a scared little girl because she needed you. You are my friend and teammate. I hope you will be the man that I give my whole heart to, but I need time. I was foolish with my heart before and it was damaged. Give me time to heal it before asking for it."

A serious or deep expression was appropriate but as usual Naruto had his amused smirk. After a moment he chuckled. Sakura spoke honestly with him and he laughed. Her anger was growing.

"What?" she growled.

He stood up and doubled over laughing. She was going to pound him but she decided to see it through.

"Amaya said you were scary and I told her that you could be scary but only when someone threatened what was precious to you. You were nice the rest of the time."

Naruto explained how Amaya thought she was too serious.

"She does your serious face so well. That's what funny."

Green eyes focused into a hard glare.

"I pour out my heart and you are looking at my face and thinking about Amaya," she growled.

Her fists clenched and opened several times before she smirked.

"Too serious huh?" she said with her head down.

"Sakura-chan," he said taking a step from behind his desk toward her.

He took two more steps before she pounced. She was on top of her teammate with his arms pinned above his head.

"Let's have some fun," she said with a smirk.

"No…not that…please Sakura-chan….don't do it," he said.

She ignored him and attacked his arm pits with her fingers. The Rokudaime tried to protect his ticklish regions but he was completely at a loss. Sakura knew how to win this battle and she was fighting with a purpose. The blonde was paralyzed by laughter. They were laughing so hard that neither heard the door open.

"Come on, stop. I'm going to pee my pants," he blurted out but Sakura continued her assault.

An angry huff caught Sakura's attention. She turned and saw the elders glaring down at them. Sakura immediately got to her feet. Naruto bounced up.

"Something I can do for you two old bats?" said the blonde coldly.

The happy time was quickly ruined. Both elders huffed. Sakura moved to leave.

"Stay," said the blonde noticing her moving.

The rosette bowed her head.

"We should talk in private," said Homura.

Naruto smirked.

"No. I think I will talk and you will listen," he said.

Koharu scowled.

"Respect your elders," she chided.

"Earn my respect, Aunt," he growled.

Sakura covered her mouth. She quickly forced her emotions off her face and uncovered her mouth. She took a more formal stance. She was here as a Jonin of Konoha.

"I paid a visit to Banna's little casino. I'm sure you know that it's no longer in operation."

"You robbed him," said Homura.

Naruto huffed.

"Unlike Tsunade, I am good a gambling," he replied.

The elders continued to glare.

"I was astounded by how much money I took out of that place. I had some folks look into it and they discovered your dirty little secret."

Neither elder showed any emotion. Naruto was building up to erupt.

"No mission in Konoha can take place without the permission of the Hokage. You were running illegal ANBU operations using the casino as a front to generate funds and launder mission money."

The elders remained silent.

"Nice of Banna to keep records of the ops which included missions from the syndicate that we are trying to stop."

Homura sputtered something out but Naruto waved his hand. The elder fell silent.

"You know the punishment for betraying your village and supporting our enemies."

Koharu nodded before speaking.

"Are you going to follow the law or are you going to make it up as you go?" inquired the retired kunoichi.

Naruto's face was cold.

"I will hand you over for interrogation and trial by the other Kages. I will abide by their decision."

The Rokudaime snapped his fingers. A squad of ANBU appeared.

"Arrest the elders. They are charged with treason."

The elders were chained. Homura cracked and begged for forgiveness. Koharu remained firm. She turned to leave when she stopped and looked back at him.

"You are finally acting like a Kage."

She bowed her head before the ANBU pushed her toward the door.

"To bad you never acted like my Aunt," replied the blonde.

The woman walked away without another word. Sakura watched him. He stared at the open door for a moment before walking over and closing it. The rosette was waiting for an outburst but it never came. Naruto walked to his desk. He sat down and rubbed his temples. His eyes closed.

"She is the last of my father's family. When she is executed, I will be the last of that line," he said in a normal voice.

"You could intervene," said the rosette.

Naruto shook his head.

"No one is above the law. Everyone must answer to our laws including me."

Sakura walked over to him. She stood in front of him for a moment watching him. Her hand moved without conscious thought. Her small fingers caressed his cheek lovingly. He looked up at her. Without any invitation, she sat down across his legs and put her arms around his neck.

"You are not alone," she said softly but firmly. "I am here."

His arms snaked around her waist and pulled her close.

"I'm glad," he whispered back.

After a long hug he released her.

"You should go and get some rest," he said.

The rosette raised and eye brow.

"What about you?" she asked.

"I have to catch up on paperwork," he answered.

Sakura nodded. She rose from his lap. She caressed his cheek again. He smiled at her. He stood and embraced her again. Her hand reached into his weapon's pouch. She withdrew something. He looked at her confused. She held up a trident kunai.

"In case you feel lonely later. Don't hesitate," she said.

Once on the tip of her toes, she teased his lips with hers before planting a soft kiss.

"I'll see you soon," she said before turning and leaving.

A smile was on her face the entire walk to her room.