"Are you sure about this Sarutobi-sensei, you know what Orochimaru is like, what if this is just another plot to take over the Leaf Village" Jiraiya questioned even as they prepared to set forth from the village with a heavy escort might he had to the Hidden Sound Village.

Said heavy escort consisted of himself, Fugaku Uchiha, two of his best Shisui Uchiha, and his eldest Itachi, Minato Namikaze, his three students Rin Nohara, Obito Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake, that's how serious this whole thing was being taken.

Brown irises flickered in his direction "He has been sending me letters for a few weeks now and Kakashi-kun did say that the young girl mentioned something about furthering his goals which was to be allies with us" Hiruzen nodded finally.

Jiraiya frowned "Your certain it was a young girl that had pink hair with blood red tips and jade eyes" Fugaku spoke up in a deep voice remembering the girl himself, Kakashi nodded in the next moment, it was hard to forget such colorful features.

"Her name was Sakura if I believe, came here a couple years back, though now I see why she refused to let us help her find her parents I bet Orochimaru killed them and hasn't told her the truth" Minato said suddenly.

It was certainly something to look into as they hurried down the path following the directions they'd been given to reach the village that had been created by the Snake Sannin, all of them wary but hopeful things would end on a good note.

After all they'd be staying there for two weeks if it did turn out that Orochimaru was serious about allying himself with the Leaf Village, well maybe not all of them, but they hadn't quite figured out all the details just yet.

Not more than a day and a half later they hit a road block, road block being a young girl "I've come to escort you per Orochimaru-sama's request" the very same who'd stayed in the Leaf Village for a day and had helped Kakashi on his mission.

"How's it feel being the Snake's servant" Obito snorted but Sakura didn't so much as glance in his direction, having promised to be nice and keep her temper in check at any insult that might be thrown, though she did have something to say.

While flashing him a bright smile "Orochimaru-sama does not treat me like a servant Uchiha-san" Sakura quipped in a light tone, Minato caught on quickly and his ocean blue eyes widened as he realized just who it was that had raised the younger female in their midst.

Just as the older one finally realized that the young girl did in fact have pink hair that had blood red tips at the very end "Kami you are just adorable aren't you" Rin exclaimed reaching out to hug the girl before Kakashi to stop her.

Sakura forced down her unease at being hugged by someone she wasn't familiar with "Thank you Miss and you can come out now Haku, stop being overprotective already geez I can take care of myself" the rosette with blood red tips in her hair sighed.

Less than a minute later they were joined by another person "Yeah sure so says the one who's always going off and getting injured, it wasn't more than a day after we left that someone tried to kill you" Haku scoffed.

Rin stood back in surprise "Let me guess one of Orochimaru's experiments" Shisui commented casually eyeing the girl carefully but she shook her head in response, while the boy, his name having been revealed as Haku glared at the ground.

"You should remember him Kabuto, he wasn't very happy about the change in plans and took his anger out on me" Sakura shrugged directing the lot of them into a mist shrouded area, courtesy of Zabuza and to the entrance of an underground base.

"Wait a second that would mean you tried to have your own comrade captured two years ago" Itachi said remembering how she'd come to them and informed them of an intruder in the Leaf Village, who was spying on Naruto and Sasuke.

A pink brow raised in response "Kabuto was never my comrade, he never made qualms about hating me for even existing but you don't have to worry, he is no more" the fuscia haired girl with blood red tips stated evenly.

Leading the way down the steps as torches lit along the wall the deeper they went, on the fourth floor they ran into someone unexpected "Figured you'd go and bother the br…." Zabuza trailed off as he appeared from a room only to pause at the sight of their guests.

Or rather one of them "It's true then you really did abandon everything to come back here" Kakashi said casually not sure if he could truly believe anything that was happening so far, running a critical glance over the rogue.

Who for once wasn't wearing his bandages and had no weapons on him including Kubikiribocho "Does it matter, come Haku and that old man is getting impatient better hurry brat" the raven haired rogue snorted tugging his apprentice away by the collar.

"Zabuza-sama must you drag me" Haku huffed waving to one of his very few friends in the base before they rounded the corner and he was allowed to straighten and walk properly a few paces behind his master.

Sakura sighed itching to whack Zabuza for calling her master an old man yet again for the millionth time, his tongue had loosened up quite a bit since his return nearly two weeks ago, in which several letters had passed between Leaf and Sound.

"Not much further, just one set of stairs left before we reach the last floor" Sakura squared her shoulders jade eyes bright ready to see the pride in Orochimaru's gold irises for escorting the Leaf Shinobi to him as he'd asked.

And like she'd promised one floor later they were all gathered in the main hall of the base, "Welcome Sarutobi-sensei and well done child, that was only one part of the task I had in mind for you" Orochimaru stood from his chair at their entrance.

Unable to help it Sakura darted forward and hugged him like she was so use to doing "Anything you ask Orochimaru-sama and I will see it done" the pinkette with blood red tips in her hair smiled brightly up at him.

Happiness in her jade irises "I know, take them to the training hall, the larger one, while Sarutobi-sensei, my old teammate and I speak, you'll have your reward later" the Snake Sannin handed over a key after tousling her pink and red locks gently in a fond manner.

Before nudging her forward "Please follow me this way Orochimaru-sama has graciously allowed you guys to use the largest training room we have here in the base" Sakura was practically skipping with happiness now with the praise she'd received and the promise of a reward.

Making those that followed her wary as they headed up two flights of stone steps and turned down a long hallway before coming to a stop in front of double doors that held a lock on them, which was promptly unlocked due to the key she'd been given.

"I do believe this is the largest room I've ever been in, but why was it locked" the Uchiha Patriarch commented looking around, then spotted damage, it as very slight, but something horrendous had happened in this room.

Sakura bit her lip with a grimace "A couple years ago one of our comrades, who went to a different base awhile back kind of lost his temper, we've been repairing it and Orochimaru-sama said no training in it so hence the reason it was locked" the twelve year old girl explained.

"And how I miss Jugo, Orochimaru-sama sent me to help" a white haired teenager glided into the room quietly on a straight path for Sakura, her emerald orbs narrowed and her gaze turned stern as she put a hand on her hip.

Ready to let loose with a scolding only to be interrupted "We don't need to be babysat you know, we are fully grown shinobi more than capable of taking care of ourselves" Obito stated with a scowl not liking this in the least.

The girl glanced to him "Not so much babysitting, to keep the others who are still a little reluctant about this from acting out and you know you are supposed to be resting Kimimaro, not pushing yourself, what do you think will happen if you collapse again" Sakura scolded harshly.

Not wanting her sick friend to get any worse than he already was "Collapse again are you sick Kimimaro-san, if you'd like I could check you over" Rin inquired carefully unsure if her help would be welcome or not, but went forward hands glowing green.

He shook his head "It's no use, the only person who might be able to cure me is Tsunade Senju and relax Sakura, I won't push myself I promise" Kimimaro assured sitting next to his friend in hopes to appease her.

Seeing the worry in her viridian irises that only dissipated slightly as she clutched his hand tightly to keep him from doing anything reckless and worsening his condition "How much do you truly trust Orochimaru actually Sakura-san" the blonde spoke up suddenly.

"With my entire life, I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Orochimaru-sama" she answered easily, her trust in Orochimaru was the very core of her being and she knew for a fact the man had never lied to her because truth was a harsher mistress.

Minato frowned deeply much like his friend "Can you say with absolute certainty that he didn't kill your parents and has been lying to you for however long you've been with him" Shisui questioned for his Uncle.

Sakura tilted her head in his direction "Yes and I've been with Orochimaru-sama my whole life, from a three day old baby to the twelve year old you see now, he raised me literally and doesn't even know the true place of my birth" the pinkette with blood red tips stated simply.

"And what of you Kimimaro-san, how long have you been here with them" the Uchiha heir inquired lightly of the white haired teen seated casually at Sakura's side, he had no doubts that if anything happened the girl would be the first one he protected.

Vivid green irises flickered towards Itachi "Since I was ten so five years exactly, Sakura came to me one day when my clan decided to be foolish and brought me here to serve Orochimaru-sama, a home without a cage" Kimimaro announced calmly.

Directing a very small smile at his friend before the smile turned pained "This is exactly what I was afraid of, see you pushed yourself up to flights of stairs and down an extremely long hall, and what's even worse you used chakra" Sakura saw immediately and turned scolding yet again.

Kimimaro grimaced a sheepish look in his eyes trying to convey his apologies "Why did you help us back in the Land of Waves" the silver haired nin asked when he saw that the girl was getting ready to head from the room.

"Give me a second Hatake-san, Sakon, Kidomaru, Kimimaro has done it again would you mind helping him back down to his room and whatever you don't allow him to use his chakra" the fuscia and blood red haired girl called.

Immediately two very creepy looking guys appeared and hefted Kimimaro up and out of the room "You got it kid, try not to push yourself either, we can't have Orochimaru-sama's most favored getting sick either" they snorted before vanishing from sight.

Sakura scowled at the back of their heads and stuck her tongue out childishly before shaking her head and returning to her previous spot then answered Kakashi's question "One it's like I said just helping Orochimaru-sama further his goals, which is to ally with the Leaf Village" she said first.

"And second I was a little furious that something had happened to Zabuza and that Gato had endangered both him and Haku with his stupidity" Sakura finished relaxing in her spot and keeping her eyes focused on the door.

Curiosity sated for the moment the seven Leaf Shinobi got started on a training session, though their hearts truly weren't into training, but it was something to do until they got bored "Do you have a library here" Fugaku cleared his throat after an hour.

Sakura sat upright "Yes and a cafeteria, lunch should almost be ready, we can go there afterwards or do you wish to head to the Library first to borrow a book or two" Sakura stood stretching her arms high above her head.

"Library first" the older kunoichi with brown eyes didn't even hesitate causing her boyfriend to groan loudly and Minato to chuckle under his breath as they headed from the large training room, waiting for a couple seconds for the lock to be put back on.

Before they walked up another flight of stairs and turned right down a long hall, then left, straight, right and left one last time before they came to a stop in front of another set of double doors "Welcome to the Hidden Sound Village's secret Library treasure trove" the pinkette with blood red tips grinned.

Spreading her arms wide to show off the rows of books most of them were hers since Orochimaru had indulged her reading habit and insatiable need for knowledge "Secret library and why do you call it a treasure trove" Obito choked out in disbelief.

The girl leading them around and being her absolute politest pointed upwards "That's why, sometimes gems fall from that hole, no ones dared climb through it though" Sakura exclaimed looking her happiest, not counting earlier.

"Why didn't you train earlier, didn't you want to get in a workout" Minato prodded when he found himself alone with the girl as the others spread out through the library to find a couple books to read for the rest of the day.

Considering they had no idea what there was to do there "My usual training partner is Haku, plus I have to keep my guard up" she said lightly running her fingers gently along the spine of a book, the memory associated with that particular book coming to the forefront of her mind in a fond manner.

"Right you know I've been wondering, did Orochimaru do that to you, that tattoo underneath your left eye" the ocean blue eyed blonde touched a finger to the tattoo only to find it not a tattoo at all but a scar, which was even more concerning to him.

Sakura shook her head "No, I wield sand, that has a mind of it's own, it tripped me once when I was six while I was chasing a butterfly and yeah I don't mind it and it's pretty" the rosette with blood red tips in her hair explained quietly.

Bringing her hand up to trace the outline of her butterfly shaped scar with a small smile "Has he ever hurt you, and do you have the curse mark like Kimimaro-san and those others that you called" Minato couldn't resist asking more questions.

Now that he had the chance to actually "I'm the only one in the base who doesn't have the curse mark and no, but his scoldings are something else entirely" Sakura laughed, proving she didn't mind getting scolded by Orochimaru.

He went to ask another question when a scream echoed throughout the base, it didn't originate from the room and Sakura groaned quietly recognizing the scream before going through a set of hand signs and sent her sand clone off to take care of the problem again.

Karin a red haired girl that had a special ability if you bite her and suck out her chakra you can heal yourself, she was also very sensitive about things and an annoying loudmouth "What the hell was that" the others in their group rounded the corner of the row she and Minato were in.

Rin being the one to have spoken "Karin-san, one of our newest comrades, her village was torturing her, but she's a bit touchy about the mice in the base, that was her (I saw a mouse) scream" came the answer from the fuscia and blood red haired girl.

"We're ready for lunch now if you don't mind" Kakashi breathed a little easier now that he was sure no one was dying in the base or being murdered, though he thought the scream was a little overboard as they headed from the library.

And back down three flights of stone steps to the last floor in the base and down even more hallways that confused the hell out of the lot of them to the dining room where lunch was being set up, Jiraiya, their Hokage and Orochimaru already there.

The Snake Sannin stood and beckoned Sakura towards him "I trust there have been no problems child" Orochimaru lifted an ebony brow at the young girl he'd raised as she came to a stop in front of him hands folded neatly behind her back.

"Absolutely none to report Orochimaru-sama, though Karin-san went a bit overboard with her scream earlier" here Sakura trailed off to shoot the red head an exasperated look before falling silent and waiting patiently.

Like she suspected a hand came down on her head to tousle her pink and red hair gently "Very good child, I meant to give this to you earlier" the Snake Sannin cleared his throat producing a very familiar case from behind his back.

Jade eyes lit up and Sakura couldn't help herself as she threw herself into his arms "Oh thank you Orochimaru-sama I'd been wanting a new one for my collection" Sakura squealed quietly arms wrapped around his waist.

Before taking the case of this time a glasswing butterfly then sped off to her room to put it with the others in her collection "Well that was interesting, just what was it you gave her anyway" Jiraiya prodded suddenly.

"For years now I've taken to giving her cases with common to uncommon and rare butterflies mummified within, that was one she didn't have in her collection" Orochimaru answered rearranging the chairs.

So that one was right next to his "What is she to you Orochimaru" Hiruzen inquired wanting to know much like everyone else in the room, including the few subordinates that were there, who'd been guessing for years.

Orochimaru blew out a breath, gold irises flickering in a direction discretely "The child I always wanted but never got to have, a daughter in every sense of the word" the ebony haired nuke-nin said loud enough for her ears to hear.

Knowing she was eavesdropping and knowing that she'd been thinking of him as her father for sometime but she came around the corner acting as if she hadn't heard anything and plopped down gracefully in the seat he'd put right next to him for her.

The afternoon meal was brought out then and they all ate chattering quietly amongst themselves "Sakura-chan do you want to train for a little bit" Haku called from halfway down the table as they prepared to head off to do their own thing.

As much as she wanted to say yes, she'd made a promise to keep an eye on their guests, but it didn't seem they minded as the whole lot of them nodded "Sure Haku, would you lead them back to the large training room, I have to go grab my ooohh ow" Sakura chattered.

Rushing a little to quickly as she stood only to trip over her bloody sand and land face first on stone breaking her nose in the process, Orochimaru sighed "Are you alright Sakura-chan" Haku grimaced as she stood slowly.

Blood gushing from her nose "Peachy Haku, it's not the first time after all" Sakura cringed as she set her bone properly, then healed it before glaring at her sand, one of these days she was going to make sure it couldn't trip her anymore.

Shisui couldn't help it "Are you seriously glaring at an inanimate object" he burst out laughing seeing the glare she directed at the gourd attached to her waist, his outburst caused a few others to chuckle or laugh as well.

While her cheeks turned a bright cherry red "It's what's in the gourd that I'm glaring at, anyway I'll be up in a few just going to go get my gear" the pinkette with blood red tips huffed lightly, before body flickering off to her room.

Orochimaru chuckled quietly "Never a dull moment with that girl" he shook his head leading his sensei and former teammate back to his office, part of the treaty had been left unfinished and he was still trying to convince them to find Tsunade to heal Kimimaro.

"If you will follow me" Haku cleared his throat only to wither beneath the many stares that were directed at him so he hastily turned on his heel and hurried from the dining room and up two flights of stone steps and down the hall to the larger training room they had in the base.

And found his friend already there "Your body flicker is quick for someone so young" Itachi commented politely, perhaps things would truly turn out for them in the end and they would have a treaty with Orochimaru and his Hidden Sound Village.

Sakura smiled brightly proving to be quite cheery and happy in a rather gloomy place "Thank you Orochimaru-sama taught me himself, everything I know" Sakura announced in a proud tone "Well not the medical ninjutsu" she added as an afterthought.

"Or puppetry don't forget that brat" Zabuza rumbled from towards the back of the group coming down the hall to get in a good session himself and try to play nice with their guests, since this was the place he'd chosen as his home.

Viridian irises lit up "Course not Zabuza" the fuscia and blood red haired girl snickered ducking low under the hand that came up to whack her and darting into the training room, her smile widening when she saw the scowl that formed on his face at her teasing.

Zabuza glowered at the little brat who'd treated him like she did everyone and Kakashi couldn't believe his eye "You know this reminds me, what was that trick you did back in waves, you know with the sand" Kakashi snapped his fingers suddenly.

And she paused "Oh that my sand protects me instinctively, though sometimes it has a mind of it's own and likes to cause me grief like earlier" Sakura explained removing the cork from her small gourd and using her chakra to manipulate the sand from within.

It formed a semi barrier around her, just a small part of what she could usually command but she was going to be as little destructive as she could "Don't mind us I think we're just going to watch" Fugaku cleared his throat sitting down.

As the two young ones squared off against each other "Ready when you are Sakura" Haku squared his shoulders already wielding his favored weapon, the throwing needles, doe irises narrowed in concentration knowing it would be a close fight.

Possibly or he'll still get his ass handed to him by a girl "Let us start then Haku" Sakura smiled innocently directing her sand in front of her as he slung his weapons at her only to be caught in her sand as she spun around bringing up her arm to block his kick.

"Guess I should have known you would have sensed me" the raven haired teen pouted lightly throwing a punch as she swung her foot out to sweep him off his feet before he jumped back to land a few feet away.

Sakura pulled a kunai from her pouch "Of course plus I know you very well Haku and our fights get pretty predictable from time to time" the fuscia and blood red haired girl commented watching her friends every move before throwing her kunai.

And speeding through a set of hand signs just as he did the same "Suiton: Senbon Needles" Haku called only to slam into her wall of earth as she called out one of the few earth jutsu she knew, then leaped right over the wall charging him fist raised.

"You'll have to do more than that Haku" Sakura laughed fully enjoying herself as the training session progressed and he finally brought out the big guns, which was his crystal ice mirrors, she was just about to smash through the first one.

When the entire base started shaking her charge slowed "What is that" Rin asked latching onto Obito with fear in her brown orbs, the shaking was followed by the scream from earlier and Sakura felt a familiar sensation.

Emerald irises shot in Zabuza's direction "Zabuza get ready with Kubikiribocho, Haku keep your guard up" she settled into a stance as Karin burst her way into the training room, on her heels was one of Orochimaru's experimental snakes.

It was large and scaly, not to mention ugly and covered in slime from the tank it had broken it's way out of "I'm sorry I didn't mean to set it free I thought it was dead and wanted to touch it" Karin shrieked launching herself at the only other girl who talked to her.

"Yes well obviously it's not dead Karin-san and really mice freak you out and yet you wanted to touch a dead snake that's classic now go stand over there with our guests and so help me don't try to help" Sakura stated in a sarcastic tone.

Leaping back and up to land on her sand before directing it forward, she didn't relish killing the snake since it was one of Orochimaru's favorite experiments so far, but she might just have to if it didn't calm the heck down.

"Calm down geez everything's alright" her chakra poured off her in soothing waves lulling the scaly creature into a more subdued state "There you go aww did you get woke up from your nap, shh, shh it's okay" Sakura hummed softly.

And before she knew it the large snake was sleeping in the middle of the training room, with a quiet sigh of relief Sakura gestured everyone out the double doors "That was some fancy wrangling skills there, you a snake summoner like Orochimaru" Minato inquired.

Once everyone was out and the doors had been shut and locked to avoid anyone from waking the snake again "Nope Manda took one look at me and hated my guts actually, besides that's not the first time one of Orochimaru-sama's snakes have rampaged" Sakura answered lightly.

"I'm sorry okay, I'm still new here and don't know how everything works" the red head sulked attaching to her friend with a wince as they headed to a different part of the base, which was surprisingly outside in a vast clearing.

Sakura turned to the girl "And we can't fault you for that, heaven knows that Kimimaro, Haku and Zabuza caused a lot of accidents when they first came here as well, even I have had a few accidents, but that's besides the point, the point is your allowed a little leeway for mistakes" she said.

Just relieved that nothing horrible had happened and the situation had been handled "Damn brat whatever the past is behind us anyway" Zabuza grouched out flopping down roughly underneath a large birch tree with a loud grumble to tend to his sword.

His grumpiness earned a snicker "So what exactly do you do for fun Sakura-san" Kakashi inquired looking around and somewhat seeing the appeal to the land they were in, it wasn't much, but they would probably benefit from the wheat.

"Explore and read books, practice my medical ninjutsu and puppetry and cash in on bounties of rogues" Sakura didn't even hesitate in answering before slapping her hand over her mouth as she got a little to excited.

The flu bug she'd caught a few days before wasn't completely out of her system it seemed "If you cash in on bounties of rogues why haven't you done him in yet" Obito jerked his thumb at the quiet Zabuza and earned a glare.

Viridian orbs flashed before her temper was suppressed "Because Zabuza is a friend and his bounty isn't high class enough for me" the fuscia and blood red haired girl stated not wanting to say out loud that she thought of Zabuza as a grumpy uncle really.

While Haku was the cousin, Kimimaro her best friend/brother, and Karin an annoying in law of some sort "I'll show you high class you little brat" Zabuza glowered in response throwing a few kunai for the hell of it.

Only to have his weapons stopped by sand again for the millionth time "It really protects you instinctively then" Shisui mused watching as it returned to the gourd without any effort on the twelve year old girls part.

"You know I've heard of a boy in sand who wields sand much like you, goes by Gaara Sabaku, come to think of it you bare eerie resemblance to the Kazekage, it's in the features you see" Itachi was the one to speak aloud on his speculations.

Sakura froze "Please if I were the Kazekage's daughter then why on earth would he send me off to die in a rundown village only to be found by Orochimaru-sama" her lips pulled down in a frown not wanting to admit that the Uchiha Heir might be right.

Zabuza frowned deeply himself "Brat come help tend to Kubikiribocho, I'm going to go find out what's going on inside" he ordered to take her mind off things, she bounded towards him with no resistance then sat gracefully.

The gargantuan sword was passed over to her and he was gone back inside in the next moment as she took up to polishing the legendary blade with a rag "What do you believe Sakura-san" Rin shuffled forward feeling for the young girl.

"I don't know right at this exact moment in time, no point in rushing after all oh drat" Sakura winced as she nicked her thumb on the blade from not paying attention and watched with fascination as her blood was absorbed by the sword.

Karin's ruby irises rounded in shock "The heck was that, that sword just stole your blood" Karin wigged out completely throwing an accusing hand at the sword in the pink and red haired girls lap, this finally pulled a smile from Sakura.

Who nodded "Yeah because it's Kubikiribocho one of the Legendary Swords of the Hidden Mist Village, it can repair itself with blood" the fuscia and blood red haired girl explained gently resuming polishing Zabuza's sword.

"And you don't seem to care at all that it just absorbed some of your blood, you are one odd little girl" Fugaku shook his head not entirely sure what kind of mess they'd all gotten themselves in, but at least it was proving to be a little amusing.

"Wouldn't be the first time that Sakura-chan has given her blood to Kubikiribocho, when we first met she asked to pay tribute to it's original wielder" Haku piped in smartly not wanting to be left out of the conversation anymore.

In response her emerald orbs grew distant "Juzo-senpai, he was the only one who actually tried to be nice to me before we left the Akatsuki" Sakura sighed softly finishing up, then sealed the ginormous sword in the scroll Zabuza had left behind.

"Nearly forgot about that Orochimaru was once in Akatsuki, which means you were there as well and once after the Tailed Beasts, one of which is sealed in my son" Minato said, the air in the clearing grew tense and Sakura visibly winced.

Then went about trying to rectify her mistake "If it helps Namikaze-san I only ever went on one mission and that was when we left Akatsuki and it didn't have anything to do with Naruto or the others, Orochimaru-sama kept me pretty sheltered at the base for eight years" she said lightly.

Minato blinked in response, she was so honest it was adorable "Alright, alright we believe you Sakura" Kakashi crinkled his eye at the girl while flipping through his favored book only to hastily stow it away as he saw his female teammate stalking towards him.

For awhile the seven of them sat in silence before Zabuza returned "The old man wants to see you brat" the raven haired rogue snorted snagging his scroll from her lap as she hopped up on her feet, while simultaneously glaring at him.

"Orochimaru-sama is not an old man you grouch" Sakura scowled, stuck her tongue out and then vanished to everyone's amusement as she hurried inside and to what Orochimaru had deemed his office at the base.

She didn't have to knock the door was wide open "Good you came young Sakura-san was it, we have a proposition for you" once in the room the door was shut and the Hokage started speaking to her in a polite tone.

Emerald orbs shot in Orochimaru's direction and the Snake Sannin nodded "It's for the good of the alliance Sakura if you accept this proposition" Orochimaru said, this was the only way to show that he truly meant forging a treaty with Leaf.

It was obvious she knew what he was talking about "We'd still get to see each other right" despite having gone out on missions that last for a week or so at times, or a month when they were in Akatsuki, she'd never been separated from Orochimaru for so long.

"Just for a month and a half during the Chunin Exams, that you have the choice of not participating in, but by being there in the Leaf Village, you'll promote unity between Leaf and Sound and of course Orochimaru has the option to come visit you as well during that time" Hiruzen explained.

Clearly that was all that was needed to convince her "For the sake of the treaty and furthering Orochimaru-sama's goals I'll do what I have to, count me in Hokage-san" Sakura nodded seriously, earning a chuckle.

"Now that, that's out of the way is it dinner time yet and when will we be returning Sarutobi-sensei" Jiraiya stood stretching his arms high popping his joints and relaxing as they left the stuffy office.

Orochimaru rasped out a laugh "Dinner should be ready soon, we merely have to go to the dining room, go collect the rest of our guests Sakura" the ebony haired male ordered nudging the girl off, knowing he would have to talk to her soon of his speculations and ask what she wanted for a reward.

She sped off with a quiet laugh as Hiruzen spoke "Three days time just to be sure, I'm sure you can understand that I still have doubts after all" the Third Hokage said lightly, Orochimaru nodded in understanding as they headed for the dining room.

Meeting up with the others at the doors before they all went in to eat and enjoy the evening meal before they were all assigned rooms to get some shut eye since they would be there for a few days, once he was certain that he was one of the few awake still.

The Snake Sannin snuck quietly from his room only to ram into something "Ouch what on earth…Orochimaru-sama what are you doing" Sakura it seemed had, had the same idea he had and was just reaching for the doorknob of his room.

"I wanted to speak with you before you left in three days time" Orochimaru gestured her into his private sanctuary a.k.a his bedroom actually, then shut the door and locked it before setting up a sound proofing jutsu to avoid any eavesdroppers.

Sakura sat on a wooden chair fidgeting and wringing her hands nervously "About what their saying that I look a little like the Kazekage, do you think it's true Orochimaru-sama, that I'm his daughter" the fuscia and blood red haired girl asked first.

With the most heartbreaking expression she'd ever given him "He'll be there during the Chunin Exams Sakura, he's bound to recognize you even if just a little, if he does, then it's your chance to ask any question, now for your reward what is it you want" the Snake Sannin explained.

"Mm co..could I call you T..Tou-san only in private of course" her cheeks burned hot as they turned a bright cherry red, finally asking the question everyone thought she would ask years ago, but only just now getting around to it.

Gold irises softened "Anything your heart desires child and I shall acquire it for you, will it please you if I allow this and go so far as to say adopt you should meeting the Kazekage not pan out for you" Orochimaru questioned.

Knowing that it would in fact please her as her jade irises lit up "Oh absolutely Or..Tou-san, goodnight" Sakura was pleased as punch about getting permission and possibly being adopted by him was just the icing on the cake as she hugged the man who'd raised her.

"And a goodnight to you Sakura" Orochimaru chuckled returning her hug before she sped from his room and to her own to get some shut eye as he did the same and soon the entire underground base was fast asleep.