Author's Note: EXTRA CHAPTER! In honor of my first hundred reviews and favorites (for anything ever) and two hundred follows (wow), I decided to do a Bonus Chapter this week which is basically an extra update. Thank you all soooo much for liking my story. I know I say it every update or so but I do appreciate it. You all are awesome and if not for you I would have abandoned this story already lol seriously otherwise I would have no motivation to write! So enjoy!
Several Months Later
The Uzumaki group approached the village with Sakura and Mito leading. The journey was almost as nerve wracking as the one for the battle against the Uchiha. Sakura was barely able to keep her nerves down, on top of feeling drained. She was returning to Konoha, though it's name was unknown to others at the moment. She could barely keep a conversation with Mito and keep an eye on her students with her mind racing.
Luckily Miyo did not sneak on the boat with them and stayed behind with Uzashi. Sakura loved the girl but she did not want her around. She could cause so much trouble and was too much of a hyper handful at times. That and she was the best medic to help lead the others back in the Uzushio hospital.
When they had arrived the group was greeted by Hashirama, Madara and a couple Senju escorts. The Senju all wore something similar to Hashirama, traditional pinstriped kimono pants with a kimono shirt, all having different colors, and long haori. Madara wore something similar to his last outfit from battle, but a lighter color with bandages in place of a belt and no gloves.
The Senju immediately led the way through the village, probably to show everyone around. Mito and Hashirama, as anyone could guess, were already stuck by each other, laughing and having a pleasant conversation. Sakura could admit she had never seen two people more in love, not even her own parents. She couldn't help but smile at the two.
She looked around the village, noticing how small it actually was and how much of the forest was still incorporated into it. There was only so much of the village that stayed that way after so long. Soon with the population increase more houses would be built. How far the village would come in less than a hundred years was somewhat amazing to her.
"You are going to be the lead Medic, correct?" Madara asked, looking down at her. She had to stop herself from jumping, not noticing him walking right next to her.
"Hai. As far as I know," she replied, trying to figure out a way to get away without seeming rude.
"Then follow me," he told her as he stopped, turning to a different direction.
"Why?" she asked watching him carefully.
"You're going to be staying near the Hospital," he explained pointing to Hashirama. "He said you would be in charge of finishing the Hospital as well."
"He did, did he?" she questioned, glaring at the man who was slowly but surely distancing Mito and himself from them all.
"With that woman around, I doubt you will be able to get his attention long enough for anything. Let alone trust him to show you the where to go," Madara said placing a hand on his hip. It was true so she really couldn't get out of it.
"I guess we are going to the Hospital," she said with aggravation.
She felt uncomfortable and awkward for the first time in two years. The silence was unbearable and she didn't know what to bring up just to make conversation. Madara showed her around but the conversation was only a few sentences between them before they continued on. She would have rather had Tobirama show her around because at least then she wouldn't have to keep her gaze away just so she could focus.
After she had gotten most of her rage out on the battlefield, she did feel much better about her life. There was a chance she would never see her friends again since their births were so far down the timeline. Yet she had finally accepted it. She accepted what her fate had become. Yet she could not forgive Madara, no matter how much she told herself she had to. For the sake of the future she had to, but she couldn't... so she had to suck it up and just go with it.
They finally reached the hospital and it was small, a fraction of the size she was use to. Then again it was just built. Literally. He held the door as she walked in, looking around to see what she did recognize. It was all the same, the reception desks, the windows and doors and even saw a thin and long crack on the ceiling by the waiting room area that always bugged her. How did that thing make it so many years without getting fixed?
Her guess was that they must have just extended onto it down the line. Before getting to wrapped up in memories she began to look over the entire building, starting from one end to the other. Nothing was stocked and she noticed that some of the rooms were still unfinished and locked up until then. She had heard a few different things about the construction of the hospital, including the extra rooms that no one knew what to do with at the time.
She knew where everything would go and what was needed. Only problem was getting the right amount of supplies. She went into the only room with anything stocked, obviously used for those who needed medical help before the place was complete, and grabbed paper, something to write on and a pen. She counted everything she knew she needed, including beds, sheets, needles, medical equipment and so on.
Once she was satisfied with the first estimate she made her way back to the front. Madara leaned against the door with his arms crossed in front of his chest, lost in thought. He did seem different, not so battle hungry and psychopathic as when they met him in the war. Instead he had a sad look on his face. After thinking about it, she realized he had no family left and lost his brother before the big battle.
It made her feel a little sad for him, knowing how he was feeling. She sighed lightly, gaining even more questions for Hashirama when they could sit and talk. She made sure to make a bit of noise on her way back over and looked around, giving him time to gather himself.
"The place doesn't seemed to be complete but I do know what I need at least," she said focusing back on that tiny crack.
"How long before it's completion?" he asked pushing himself off the door, opening it for her as she passed.
"Maybe a month if I get all the supplies," she said turning to look at the building, hands on her hips. It would take time but it would get there.
"Can I ask something?" he said turning to her.
"Sure," she said turning to look at him.
"Why did you save the Uchiha on the battlefield?" he said with a serious look. The question caught her by surprise but wasn't something she couldn't answer.
"Most of them were children. No matter what the risk and outcome would be, I refuse to harm a child let alone kill them. They were innocent, scared and too young to have to deal with war," she answered honestly, with a hint of anger on the subject. "That's why I even sent all the Senju children away."
"And the older Uchiha?" he asked with a confused look.
"I did not grow up with the same rules you all did. I am a medic and there were Shinobi on the battlefield who I seen take a hit for someone they cared about so I helped them. I couldn't let them die like that, not with that look." She had began to mumble, looking to the ground. They had that look of pleading, as if knowing something bad would happen to the person they tried to save without them. Something told her to help, she couldn't explain it but she knew she had to.
"Hmm," Madara said thinking about what she said. "I thank you for that. My clan means everything to me." She looked up at him to see he really was thankful.
"Where to next?" she asked, changing the subject.
"Follow me," he instructed, walking away.
She followed, this time being side by side with him. He seemed normal, something that was a little strange to her. But seeing him open up a bit like that took her uneasiness away. Just a bit. She noticed they were close to where the Hokage tower would eventually be, although it was hard to tell without the Hokage faces to give more of a guideline to location in the village.
Some houses started to come into view. Most of them had two floors, each house having two windows on each floor and side and they were all somewhat far apart. It was simple yet nice. Madara led her to the closest one, which had an Uzumaki symbol on the front door. He opened it up to show her the inside. It was a little bare but she knew she would need to customize it herself. The living space was huge with a decent sized kitchen off towards the back, with a staircase to the left.
She made sure to look around and figure out what she would do for her home. She would focus on the hospital first before doing onthing too drastic to the house. She quickly ran up the stairs and began checking the rooms. The two bedrooms, hers and a spare, had a nice sized futon in each with a dresser already in it. There was also a bathroom and another room she was going to use as a study room.
She went back down with a little bit of excitement and a smile. She was much happier than she had expected to be. Her only worry was that the homesickness from missing Uzushio didn't hit her too had later down the line. She took a few more looks around the place to get a feel for it. Before long a loud noise came from the doorway as two of her students tripped and dropped the luggage they carried. They two Uzumaki twin boys began to bicker over whose fault it was after just a minute.
"Why couldn't I have chosen all girls?" Sakura mumbled with a hand to her hip. She heard Madara chuckle from behind her.
"Zoku, Roiki! Knock it off!" Mito yelled from outside. The two quickly got up and began to move the crates inside.
"Why do we have to carry the heavy stuff?" The one with the high pony tail whined.
"Because you can't keep your mouth shut," the one with the low ponytail laughed.
Sakura rolled her eyes and followed Madara out the door to see Mito and Hashirama talking with each other. They only brought the essentials but Sakura didn't realize that hse was the only one who brought ALL of her stuff. Including her scrolls, and books, that were in the crates. And Mito was making those two do all the work. They were only fifteen and weren't exactly the strongest of the bunch.
"I couldn't have taken care of things," she commented.
"Let them do the work as punishment." With that statement Sakura left the subject alone.
When Mito was pissed, she was not one to mess with. Sakura was violent and had a short fuse, Mito was silent and planned out her revenge most of the time. This was only the beginning of their punishment. Sakura could not stop grinning at the terrified look Hashirama had when looking at Mito. That was always going to give her great pleasure.
Night finally came around and she was able to get most of her scrolls organized and her clothes put away. Luckily she was able to have Hashirama make a few tables for her with his wood release to save on doing it later. Even if it caused a bit of clutter. The twins just had to stack everything in one room. At least she got it all clear up and set the crates to the side for later use.
She was asked to attend a celebration by Hashirama, in which he had planned for the arrival of the Uzumaki. If anything Mito was the reason she considered going. They mentioned announcing the engagement to everyone so it seemed she had no choice. Not too many people would be there after an hour or two anyway. She brought out her simple red yukata with white flower looking snowflakes around the bottom, slowly moving up, with a green Obi to match her eyes. Mito had it made based off her own design for Sakura so it seemed appropriate. They did invite people telling them to wear something nice and bright after all.
After a while when everyone was there, well almost everyone, Hashirama made the announcement and it was almost as if he told everyone to compete in a drinking contest they drank so much. It was nice seeing people get together and having a good time, drinking. Even the Uchiha joined in and they actually seemed to have a good time... drinking. Some of the children did need to go home because they were tired so eventually the party did die down when parents left as well.
Sakura sat in a tree observing the scene that went on. Hashirama had a card game going with one of the Uzumaki, two of the Senju and three of the Uchiha. It was getting interesting to say the least considering the winner picks a person to drink. She sighed and looked to the sky, clearing her mind. In one day, from morning to night, she had no break. It wasn't as if she was physically exhausted, that would be a rare occurrence. She was more mentally and emotionally exhausted.
"Surprised you are still around," Madara commented, landing next to her.
"Are you stalking me?" she questioned with a look. He did seem to appear randomly, and sometimes conveniently, when least expected the entire day.
"Why would I stalk you?" he questioned in return. She rolled her eyes and patted the branch next to her. He sat down, leaning forward a little to get a good view of the celebration.
"You wouldn't have a reason?" she said, grinning when he made a face.
"Are we really doing this again?"
"Does it annoy you?"
"Can you be serious?" he said turning his head to look at her with his own smirk.
"Screw you," she said when she couldn't think of another question, making him chuckle.
Cheering was heard below, with a very drunk Hashirama complaining. The two continued to watch until Tobirama had to get his brother, who would almost fall over when he tried to stand and walk. Madara shook his head, slightly embarrassed at his friend. Sakura clasped her hand over her mouth to hold in her laughter.
"How do you put up with him?" Sakura asked, unable to understand how Hashirama and Madara were ever friends.
"I'm questioning that myself," he told her honestly.
She looked up to see the dark clouds in the sky. The party would have to end soon if it started to storm. She wanted to leave anyway so now would be the perfect chance. The sooner she was able to get home the sooner she could sleep and that was something she really wanted right now. Keep her eyes open was hard enough let alone keeping up with conversation. She stood up carefully and held onto the side of the tree for balance. She almost let out a yelp when she felt an arm wrap around her waist. Madara held onto her as they jumped down.
"Thanks," she said.
"You seem tired enough to fall over," he replied as they began to walk away from the party.
"I haven't had sleep in three days and I think my Chakra is finally giving out," she explained.
She had been working so hard at the hospital in Uzushio training some of the students for the last time that she wasn't able to take a break before they departed. And just before that she had to deal with a group of Shinobi who tried to attack the village thus she used a lot of Chakra taking them out. There was so much going on she had used most of her remaining Chakra just to stay awake before arriving. Not to mention all that had happened today. All she wanted to do was go home and sleep for a week.
The walk was silent but it was much more comfortable than it had been the first time. Madara wasn't bad company like she had always thought. He was actually pleasant to be around, and quite the gentleman. Whatever caused him to change had to be drastic and hit quite the nerve in order to change him. Though she could see it started already with the looks he had been given. It seemed not many trusted being around him, including some of his own clan.
She leaned against him as she yawned, her home finally coming into view. He held onto her tighter making her feel a bit more secured. Her seal must have disappeared by now due to the lack of Chakra so having help getting home was something she was thankful for. Though it did make her feel a bit embarrassed considering her walking as similar to that of a drunk. When they reached the house she back off of him and looked up at him. He had a small smile so she smiled in return.
"Thanks for bringing me home."
"My pleasure. I'll see you around," he said ready to leave.
"Have a good night." Sakura stood on her tippi toes and kissed him on the cheek. The look of shock on his face was priceless.
They both parted ways, she into the house and he down the road. She leaned against the door and sighed, question herself as to why she did that. Instead of spending any energy on the thought she decided to use it to get upstairs to change and get to bed. This was just the beginning, now that she was here she had so much to do.