Time is Relevant in a Déjà vu World

by Mistra Rose

Important Author's note- READ! “Why is it that Shukaku can smell me on you? He smells my blood, my death, but not his own scent. He is demanding answers and so am I,” demanded Gaara to the stunned girl. -Chapter 11 Preview--- Time Travel!

10. The Chosen Path we all Must Walk pt 1

Chapter 10- The Chosen Path we all Must Walk

In Rain Country, if people knew where to look, they would find themselves dead before they had the chance to speak of what they found. From within the village centered in the middle of Rain Country sat the headquarters for the organization known as the Akatsuki. From within their sanctuary each member had their own little piece of heaven that no other member dared to enter. In his room, Itachi could let his guard down completely, since he placed many traps all over his room to ensure his secrets were never found. Not that they would find any, since he burned all evidence containing his secret before it could be found and used against him or his village.

Itachi sat on his black, silk covered bed; the only link to his old home and life. Itachi looked down at the letter in his hands again to make sure that he was reading everything correctly since his sight was deteriorating. 'So the girl that he must speak of is the one that I fought within the Tsukuyomi. I wonder if she is who he says she is. I believe another visit with her is in order. But, will she be willing to talk? The last time we left each other, we were not on pleasant grounds,' thought Itachi as he pinched the bridge of his nose, desperately wishing the migraine would ease up. The migraine would never fully leave since he always had one; ever since he started to heavily use his sharingan for his clan.

Itachi got off the bed and stood in front of the only window within the stone haven and faced the direction of the village. The rain was falling like it always was and it was times like this that Itachi missed the village that he was raised in. It was during those moments of reminiscing that Itachi remembered the words that the kunoichi had spoken upon their first meeting when he left. 'While an olive branch isn't always visible, it's always there waiting.' Could she have known this would happen and saw fit to offer a way for them to speak on even ground?

She really was a puzzle, and he was having a hard time getting all the pieces to fall into place. He had already gathered that they had somehow met before, but he couldn't recall ever meeting her in battle nor on any of his travels. She knew the powers of the sharingan as well as the Tsukuyomi. She wasn't a novice to genjutsu and was older then she portrayed to the public. But what really bothered him was her having the sharingan and her saying that she gained it from the only person precious to him. She spoke in riddles, and if he wanted the answers that the Third promised she could give, then he had a meeting to prepare for. The letter within his fist erupted into flames and burned to ash, so the enemies' eyes would never see the secrets. It would take time, but he wanted answers.

*~*~*~*Back in Konoha*~*~*~*

Sakura was discharged from of the hospital after she persuaded the nurses that she was indeed fine and could take care of herself. She found out from the nurse who had brought her in after her collapse during training with the Uchiha, 'So they want to keep it under wraps what happened to Sasuke and I. Well at least I wasn't out that long, only five days since my chakra was healing the damage the sharingan caused me. It does help knowing everything about those eyes of his and having the same eyes since it cuts down the damage sustained to the body,' thought Sakura as she walked along, within her own world. Before she realized it she was in front of her apartment and looked down at the clothes the hospital gave her to wear home. They really were hideously bland clothes since hers were still dirty. It wasn't like the hospital was trying to earn points in the fashion pageant for their patients.

Once in her apartment, she discarded the clothes at the door and headed right for the bathroom to shower. While nurses did give patients sponge baths, nothing ever beat the feeling of a real shower and bath; they always made her feel cleaner. After her shower she walked out of the bathroom in a towel and headed for the closet to retrieve some suitable clothes for her meeting she had planned. It was a little before schedule, but she couldn't afford for him to get too snoopy and bring others into his plans.

After deciding on a simple dress, she wrapped her arms, wrists and legs. Reaching for the choker, Sakura caressed the stone as it twinkled at her and placed it around her neck. She remembered when she first got the chocker. It was bittersweet, but it was a gift from both of them and that alone was what made it special to her. Turning away from the mirror Sakura checked her reflection one last time before she left. On the way out the door, Sakura figured it might help if she grabbed the records book from her room. With the book safe in hand she locked the door and headed towards the one stop that she might find him at.

After saying hello to a couple of the people of the street that wished her a hello, she finally reached her destination at the steakhouse. Walking in, she found the table that Team 10 always occupied whenever they ate at the restaurant. Seeing only Shikamaru, Chouji and Asuma at the table Sakura figured that Ino must have been helping at the flower shop.

"Hey you guys, how ya doing," said Sakura as she stopped by their table, leaning her hip against the side of the booth. She observed Chouji feeding his face and the other two were locked in a game of Shougi. Getting a closer look at the board she spotted that Asuma was going to lose if he kept up with his current strategy; he was playing right into Shikamaru's trap. As she watched Asuma move his piece after studying the board she knew that he had been had. It really was a fun game to play and it always helped to improve strategies. She and Shikamaru had always played the game in the future and their games could go on for days, but in the end he always did beat her. She was proud to say that she had won one game once against him, but she chalked it up to him not paying attention since it was an easy win. He never denied her claim. Remembering that game did bring a smile to her face.

"Hey Sakura. If you're looking for Ino, she's at the flower shop since they got a new shipment of flowers in," said Chouji with a mouth full of food. He swallowed and started to dig in again; he did not want anyone else to eat his food and since Asuma was paying he was going to eat.

Shikamaru looked up from the board after putting the pieces at their starting point and faced Sakura. "I hear you and Uchiha got into a heavy sparring session and you two passed out. How troublesome," said a very lazy Shikamaru as he took a bite of his food before Chouji ate all of it. It was the talk of the village and everyone wanted to known the details, but since Gai and Asuma weren't talking people were left to speculating what had happened.

Sakura turned to look at Shikamaru and smiled sheepishly and nodded her head to answer his question. "It's embarrassing now that I look back on it. We decided all bets were off and were going to go all out in our sparring match and well…" Sakura blushed tapped her fingers together, "...you know the rest. It was a draw considering we both passed out," said Sakura still tapping her fingers together in embarrassment. If people were going to buy the story she had better act embarrassed. Because if it ever did happen, again, it would have merit since it was embarrassing. "You know how Sasuke is about getting stronger and with Naruto gone he had some major stream to blow off." Well it was true to some point because he would have been blowing stream off because he wasn't asked to go on the mission.

She finally turned her attention to Asuma and smiled at him. She really did need to thank him since he was the one to bring her back home. There was one thing that was bothering her though--if he went with Gai and in her world he hadn't, what else had she accidentally changed? "I never did thank you properly for bringing me to the hospital Asuma, so thank you. I really owe you one since we were being two stupid teens not thinking," said Sakura smiling appreciatively as she quickly grabbed a cooked beef stick before Chouji could.

Chouji looked at Sakura in shock with tears quickly appearing in his eyes. He wanted that piece since it was the last beef stick on the grill. Sakura smiled teasingly at him and threw the piece at him after she held it near her mouth for a moment. He caught the food between his chopsticks and smiled in thanks at Sakura. If it had been anyone else they would have eaten the beef stick just to taunt him, but she didn't. His respect for her grew a little bit more. He remembered when she earned Shikamaru and his respect all in one shot. She spoke of Shikamaru's brains and his strength.

*~*Flashback*~*

*~*~*~*A couple days before Sound Attacks*~*~*~*

Shikamaru and Chouji were out getting the groceries for a squad family BBQ when the two separated to get their lists done. They both split Ino's list since she was busy helping her mother get everything ready at the house.

Chouji was walking down the beef aisle putting the needed food in the basket. Once it was full, he handed it over for the person to send to the front for payment. He had just finished getting the beef when he started on the pork section when he heard pig noises behind him. He turned around and saw a kid about ten walking around making pig noises and looking at him. Some people laughed at the kids antics while others shook their heads in disappointment, but more laughed. Chouji was use to getting this treatment since he had gotten most of his life, but it never made the hurt any more bearable. He saw the kid turn around again and start laughing, when a hand came from behind the aisle and smack the kid in the back of the head, hard.

The kid turned around to see who smacked him to see a girl come around the corner and was glaring heatedly at him. The girl had pink hair and a wide forehead, and on that large forehead was a Konoha headband; she was a ninja. "What did you do that for?" demanded the kid rudely as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Well, I can think of a couple of reasons, but I'll give you two. One, it's not polite and two, you should respect those who are from strong clans," said Sakura angrily to the brat. Sakura really hated it when kids had to be so rotten to people just because they were different from them.

"He he he, ya a strong clan ya right. A clan of big, fat losers. He doesn't deserve to be a ninja. Ninja aren't fat," laughed the kid and pointed his finger back at Chouji, who still hadn't said anything to the kid to defend himself. The kid continued to laugh, while everyone else was quiet as they watched the drama unfold.

Sakura's anger was already pushing the limit, but to make fun of a person she considered family she smacked the kid, again. This time she put more power in the hit where the kid fell on his butt and was rubbing his head, tears appearing in his eyes. "I will not repeat myself, you little brat. He," and pointed to Chouji, "is not fat! He just happens to be muscular, big boned and besides, size and height, it doesn't matter. It's the Will of Fire in them that counts," lectured a pissed off Sakura. Sakura was not happy with this child and she wasn't afraid for the people to see her cause a scene in the market. It was brats like that that made it hard wanting to protect the village from enemies.

She watched as the kid got up off the ground and ran off crying, yelling that a bully hit him. Sakura didn't care if she was called a bully. She knew who the real bully was and sometime that kid would get put in his place. Sakura turned her attention to Chouji and noticed that Shikamaru had joined his friend at his side. She walked over to them, "You ok, Chouji?" asked a concerned Sakura. She knew that being called those rotten names never did anything to help his self-esteem.

Chouji looked at Sakura and nodded his head towards her. He didn't think she would defend him so passionately like she did since she was so new to the village. He just assumed that she would make fun of his weight just like Ino allows did, and still does time to time. Chouji was lost in thought, but was rattled out of it, by a BBQ Potato Chip bag. He looked up and saw Sakura smiling at him and caught the bag she tossed to him. He looked at her weirdly and wanted to know why she tossed the bag at him. He had never told her that these were his absolute favorite food. It wasn't like they really talked much since it was usually Ino she was talking to.

"I hear that you really like that type of potato chip, and wanted to give you a pick me up. Don't worry about what that brat said, Chouji; he doesn't know what a great guy you are. Well, I have more food to get for tonight's dinner, so I'll see you later," said Sakura smiling at the pair, as she turned and started to walk away. As if remembering something she stopped and faced the two again. "The chips are already paid for and Shikamaru… good luck. I know you'll do great in your match against Temari of the Desert. You are a genius, so I can't wait to see you in action again. Nor what you have up your sleeve." With that said Sakura turned around and walked away from them. What they didn't see was her face; it was all grins until she reached home.

*~*End of Flashback*~*

Shikamaru spoke highly about her, since he went on the mission to retrieve Sasuke from Gaara. Unlike most people she didn't talk bad about him since he liked to be lazy when he could be. She was always saying that he was one of the best ninja she knew and felt privileged to call him a friend. She kept telling him that if she was ever in danger that she wanted him in her corner since she knew that he was powerful and strong.

Sakura giggled at his antics and faced Asuma again. "Hey Asuma, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind showing me where Kurenai lives. I wanted to ask her for help on a genjutsu that I'm learning, since I keep getting it wrong," pleaded Sakura, giving Asuma what Ino called puppy eyes. She watched as he looked away from her face, but it didn't matter because he kept looking from the corners of his eyes at her. Wish it to stop.

Chouji and Shikamaru laughed at their teacher's predicament. Ino always pulled that same face on him when she wanted her way, and it mostly if not always worked. When they saw Asuma sigh, they knew he was had and that Sakura had won, and she didn't even have to use the water works.

Asuma knew that as soon as Sakura gave him the puppy face as he dubbed it, he was beaten. He didn't want to take her to Kurenai, but maybe he could use this to his advantage. Asuma sighed and agreed to show her where she could find the genjutsu mistress.

After paying the HUGE bill that Chouji had worked up, he told his students that he would be around later and to get some training done. He watched as the two walked off and he headed in the direction of Kurenai's apartment and had Sakura walking beside him. Not wanting to put his partner in any danger if there was going to be any, he started to walk towards his apartment. If there was going to be a battle, it was going to be on his terms on his ground. No conversation was made and he was glad because it gave him time to gather his thoughts and strategies if things didn't go as planned. If she was a spy, he would alert someone, and if she wasn't, then at least he didn't cause alarm.

Sakura followed Asuma and when they didn't head in the direction of the apartment she wanted to go to, she smiled. 'I figured you wouldn't put Kurenai in danger, Asuma. You love her too much,' thought Sakura as she followed beside him.

Once they reached his apartment, she followed him in the door and turned around to see him lock it. If she really wanted out of here she could break it down and he knew that, so he was showing her some trust. Too bad what she had to say needed to stay in the room between the three of them. "I know you do not trust me, Asuma and I have not given you much of a reason to trust me since I arrived. I happened to show up around the time of the attack on the village, but this was the time that the tides of change started to shift into motion," said a sad Sakura as she walked to the nearest wall. Once she was close enough she started the hand signs for the jutsu she had performed in the Hokage's office. After she was done, she placed her hand on the nearest wall and watched as the wall glowed a faint green before disappearing. She turned around to face Asuma and saw that he didn't look too happy about what she had just done.

Asuma saw the hand signs but there was nothing he could do to stop her since if stopping it could result in death if the jutsu wasn't performed correctly. The jutsu surrounded the apartment and when it was finished sealing the walls it receded. He wasn't happy. If she was a spy she could kill him and no one would know before it was too late. 'I didn't see this coming in my evaluation of the problem. She has got to be a high level ninja to know and perform that jutsu perfectly,' thought Asuma as he glared at the girl in front of him. He would defend his village the best he could, even if it killed him. "What is your purpose in the village?" Demanded Asuma as he reached for his chakra knives to defend himself. If she tried to attack him, he would at least have something to attack with and took his stance.

Sakura watched as he reached for his chakra knives and she held her hands out so he saw that she held nothing in her hands. It stopped him from reaching for his weapon, but it didn't mean that he moved his hands away from where they were. "Asuma, I mean no harm to you or your lover. I came to you in good faith that you would hear me out since you have been patient," pleaded Sakura, as she looked Asuma in the eyes. She dropped her guard and allowed her eyes to show her tortured soul. She didn't want to fight both of them because nothing would be gained by fighting.

Asuma was taken back by the eyes that stared back at him. They held so many emotions, but the most pronounced was misery. 'What in the world has this girl seen to cause this,' thought a astonish Asuma as he took a couple steps backwards only to run into someone behind him. He turned swiftly to face the attacker thinking she had made a shadow clone, only to find his partner and lover looking at the girl. 'Wait, she said earlier about my lover. She knew Kurenai was here, but never let it be known until she had the jutsu in place. I didn't even know Kurenai was here.... so that means that she can pick up chakra signatures that are well hidden. She also gave me the advantage over this situation; why?' "What are you doing here, Kurenai?" Asked a surprised Asuma as he turned where he could still see the girl, who hadn't moved from her spot.

"I was here waiting for you Asuma. I wanted to surprise you and when I heard you coming I saw that you brought her with you. What's going on, Asuma, and why are you demanding answers from her?" asked a bewildered Kurenai as she stared at standing still Sakura. The only problem was that the Sakura she knew didn't have eyes that held such strong emotions as the ones currently in her eyes. The Sakura she knew always had laughter or happiness shining within her eyes, and she never failed to cheer her fellow ninjas and friends up when ever they were down. 'Maybe this is a reason to want answers after all.'

Asuma told his lover about the girl that he met during the second part of the Chuunin Exams and how she left. As he told her about his suspicions he noticed that his lover too was becoming guarded with her stance. All he had to go on was what he had seen and some of his suspicions concerning no one seeing Jada since the Forest of Death. The two faced Sakura fully and were on guard for anything she might do to harm them.

Sakura silently listened as Asuma told his lover about her arrival and what he felt she was doing in the village. 'How wrong you are, Asuma. I'm not here to destroy the village…' tears started to well up in her eyes, 'I came to save it,' thought Sakura as she let the tears fall and her body started to shake. The memories that she had held at bay for so long finally rushed to the surface and started to overwhelm her. Sakura fell to the ground on her knees. She tightly closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself to protect herself and give some comfort.

Behind her closed eyes, she saw the destruction of her home and the events that followed. The battles shortly after Tsunade's death were the worst. Kakashi, who had been captured, was tortured for a week, then skinned alive in front of his wife, as she was raped by Orochimaru. It was that same week that she was tortured then she lost her innocence to that freak of a medic. He raped her after his mission to take the byakugan failed since she had set Hinata and Neji free. He took his revenge out on her body and it was because of him that she held so many scars. He wouldn't let them heal properly since he wanted them as a reminder of his victory over her. After he was done with her he left her to die in the laboratory, but he underestimated the Will of Fire. She was a wreck when she was finally saved and it took months for her not to flinch being near men.

From thereon the memories turned darker and bloodier. The slaughter or slow slaying of her friends as each one fell in battle, left marks within her already broken heart that would never fully heal. The memories of death haunted her dreams and never allowed her to sleep peacefully unless she was completely drained. She felt the weight start to consume her entire body and she let it. The air left her lungs, her body hurt all over and she screamed bloody murder.

As Sakura fell to the ground the two watched as the cried and she shook like a leaf. It seemed only like a moment had gone by when the scream left Sakura's mouth forcing both occupants to cover their ears. When the scream finally died down in volume and stopped, it was Kurenai that noticed Sakura had finally passed out on the floor. She was about to go to the girl when Asuma stopped her, shacking his head and they waited until she came to.

It would be another three hours before they would get their answers from the girl, but they didn't mind since it gave them time to think. When Sakura started to wake from her slumber, she jolted up and quickly assessed where she was. Once she figured out where she was, she calmed down and turned to face the two adults waiting.

Sakura wiped the remains of the tears and sighed. It was never racking on her emotions; remembering those memories. Sakura attempted to stand, but fell back down. After a couple attempts she stood up from the floor on unsteady legs. Sakura took the chair nearest to her and got as comfortable as she could and gathered her scattered thoughts. After a couple of silent moments she faced the pair and answered the question that Asuma had asked her in the very beginning. 'Time to gather that courage…well, what courage I have left at the moment.' "I'm here on a mission. A mission to rewrite the past and hopefully stop the destruction of the Leaf Village," said a disheartened Sakura as she finally looked up to face the two and judge their reaction to her answer.

The two looked at each other and wondered what hospital had let this weirdo out into society. They faced her again and nodded their heads for her to continue. They wouldn't completely judge her yet. "If what you say is true them how do we know that you're telling us the truth and not some elegantly woven tale to convince us you're right?" Questioned a suspicious and on guard Asuma he looked into the eyes of Sakura once again.

"I do not have really anything that would give you one hundred percent proof that I am telling the truth. The only things that I can tell you are some information I know about the both of you. Asuma, you never really got alone with your father, so you left the village after you became a genin. You went to the temple where you became one of the twelve guardians, until just recently. Your father asked if you would come back and take on a genin team for the upcoming exams. When you were introduced to your team, you worked them hard since you wanted them to succeed. All you really ever wanted from your team was to go far since you saw within them the future generation of ninja that would one day surpass you. Kurenai, I do not really know much about you except that you look at Hinata like a mother does a child. I know you are not her mother, but you see yourself as hers since her father doesn't really see or acknowledge her. You are trying to take the place of both family members and you encourage her to do her best and you truly believe in her abilities. You know that her teammates are protective of her and know that they will always protect her, but you also know that they will help her become who she could be. You two have been in a relationship since Asuma returned from the fire temple, but you keep it hidden. In two and a half years you will secretly get married and have a child. The only sad part is that you do not get to see the birth of your child, Asuma, since you die in battle against one of the Akatsuki," said Sakura sorrowfully as a couple tears escaped their prison. It really was sad that he never got to see his child or Kurenai to watch her son grow up because both parents died before their time.

The two looked at each other and if one looked close enough there would be a slight blush dusting their cheeks. The first part of the information she gave wasn't knowledge that people would just read in a book, but information that people found through time and observation. The thought that kept running through their minds was how she would know such private information. Kurenai was the first to come out of her thoughts and spoke what was on their minds. "If that's true, then how do you know such things about us? It's not like it's public knowledge, so how did you find out?" Asked a genuinely concerned kunoichi and she wasn't the only one wondering since Asuma nodded in agreement.

Sakura had a feeling that this question would be asked eventually, so she was glad that she had brought the book with her. It would answer most if not all of their questions, but she knew that she would have to answer the questions the book could not. Sakura started to reach behind her back, when the two pulled their weapon and she stopped her movements. "I was just reaching for a book that I brought with me that was written by Shikamaru before his death. It's a records book of the battles we fought, but I guess you could call it a battle journal," said Sakura softly as she held still so she wouldn't provoke them.

"Where is the book? And I will get it for you so you don't try anything funny," said Kurenai sternly as she lowered her one hand so she could retrieve the book. Once Sakura told her where the book was, she pulled it out of the backpack, but not without some effort since the book was very heavy. Once the book was removed from the backpack, Sakura watched as they opened the book and began reading. During the three hours that they took to read just half the book, they would look up in disbelief, whisper, and then continue reading.

Sakura could feel the anger beginning to rise from one of the two and waited for it to happen and lowered her head. When the book was slammed shut, she didn't even try to stop the punched aimed for her face. Sakura took the hit in the cheek. She was roughly pulled out of her chair and felt a hand holding her slender neck, but she never fought back. Sakura opened her sad eyes and looked into the furious eyes of Asuma and she could see the tears in the corner of his eyes that he denied to let fall. Sakura raised her shacking hand not to stop him from choking her, but laid it gently on his wrist, "If you wish to kill me then you may, but it will not bring him back nor did he want to stop it. He knew what was going to happen, but yet…….," Sakura choked the words out despite the fact that she needed the air to live. She allowed the tears to fall once again,"…He did not want to stop it. He said that he had lived his life and it was time for the new generation to step up because they will be our future…our savors," said a breathless and weakening Sakura. Sakura cried remembering the Third's last words to her the night before the exams. She closed her eyes, welcoming death cold embrace. When she started to fall unconscious her throat was released and she was dropped to the ground. Sakura gasped, taking in the air that her lungs had been denied and opened her eyes to see the pair both looking at her.

"If he knew he was going to die, then why didn't he inform people so that we wouldn't have lost so many lives? He didn't need to die," demanded Asuma angrily as he wiped his cascading tears away. He felt the arms and warmth as he was being comforted by his love. He may not have gotten along with his father when he was around him, but damn it he was family. He could feel tears along his neck and knew that his love was weeping for his lose.

"I gave him that option Asuma. Do you think I liked seeing him die a second time and still knowing there was nothing I could do? Even with all my knowledge I still couldn't stop him, and he wanted history to continue on, as it should. With his passing comes something far greater than you can ever imagine, it accomplishes one of his greatest wishes. Tsunade will take her position as the Fifth Hokage and bring a new and brighter age to this village," said Sakura harshly, but was more disappointed in herself. She had tried everything she could to talk the Third out of going along with it but he couldn't be convinced to change his mind. In the end she had her first failure since coming back to the past. Sakura touched her bruised and sore neck and healed it. She slowly stood up from the ground and headed towards the door.

"Where are you going," demanded Asuma, as he and Kurenai stood up from the floor. They started to walk towards her when they found that their bodies were no longer their own to control. They looked down and noticed that their shadows were connected to Sakura's. The pair looked up in shock. Somehow Sakura knew the Nara family's Shadow Possession jutsu. Shifting their eyes from the shadows they raised them to the caster and saw the Sakura before them was not the one who they knew. The one in front of them was different. The Sakura they knew had long hair, not the short hair that they saw from the back.

Sakura slowly turned her body around, but allowed the pair to stay as they were so they could see her, the real her. When she turned around fully she saw that Asuma wasn't all that shocked about her look. What did acquire a reaction was when they noticed her eyes were different; they were no longer her emerald orbs. "I am leaving this apartment so I will no longer get strangled or used as a punching bag. I have a purpose that I came to fulfill and once it is done, then you have my permission if I am still alive or if you two still live. Only then can you two kill me if you wish or punish me as you see fit," said Sakura firmly as she locked eyes with the duo. She knew facing the two was going to be trouble, but she had no choice since they were always together.

Sakura turned her full attention towards Kurenai and she knew that she wanted answers. 'Too bad! You will have to wait and see,' thought Sakura as she activated her byakugan in front of the pair. "You, Kurenai, would know these eyes since you have taught her since she graduated from the academy. She gave them to me before she died in battle. You know what she told me before she died? She said, "Maybe with my gift to you, we might stand a fighting chance in this chaotic world. I know you will use my gift well." Those were her last words to me before she died in my arms from her wounds. If you want to call me a murderer then fine, because you know what….?" Demanded a hurting Sakura. Sakura pointed to herself to get her point across even more to the pair. "I am a murderer because I have killed thousands without a second or hesitant thought and I have had to kill some of my best friends to survive." With those hurt filled words spoken Sakura disappeared in a swirl of petals. With the caster of the jutsu gone, the jutsu followed.

The pair stood in shock still in the living room and stared at the spot that Sakura had once been standing in. Kurenai was the first to make a move. She turned around and picked up the book from the same table. She walked over to the table, not saying a word and opened it back up and started to read from its yellowed pages. She was determined to learn all she could from it and see if what the girl had said was true. Asuma didn't follow her right away, but went and stood near the window and looked at the Hokage Mountain with his father's face on it. 'So, in the end old man, you knew, but didn't try and stop it. I do not know your full reasons behind many of the things you did in life, but maybe I will some day,' thought a mournful Asuma as he took a seat next to Kurenai and started to read the familiar writings of his student. The pair read into the night and early morning hours, never leaving the book or the story it told.

Two days after waking up in the hospital, Sakura was at the village gates to welcome back the travelers. Besides, she wanted to see Naruto again and ease his mind that she was fine. Knowing him he was probably driving everyone nuts talking about either ramen, Sasuke or getting home and healing people. 'But I can mainly see it being ramen on his mind. It's always ninety percent ramen and ten percent sparring, but when it's training, the percents are reversed. He is an easy book to read,' thought a smiling Sakura as she stood next to Kotetsu and Izumo, since they were on gate duty. It was early in the afternoon when the group appeared in the distance, but it was the loud voice that gave their position away. When the grouped stopped and were visiting with the two guards, Sakura crept up on Naruto and spooked him.

Naruto jumped into the air when he heard a voice behind him. When he finally turned around, he found nobody behind him, so he turned about and landed on his butt screaming. Naruto looked up into the smug face of Sakura as she offered to help him to his feet. Naruto was shocked that Sakura was up and walking around since the old lady said that only she could heal the damage that the sharingan had caused the three. Naruto wrapped his arms around his sister and held her close in fear that he was seeing things. "You alright Sakura? I thought you would still be in a coma," choked Naruto as he fought to keep the tears at bay, but failed miserably.

Sakura hugged Naruto tenderly and felt bad that he had to suffer and think the whole time that she was still in a coma, but there was nothing she could have done. "I'm sorry that I worried you so bad, Naruto. That was not my intention, but I had things to complete here in the village. And besides, the doctor said that I needed to take it," Sakura raised her hands and made quotation marks with her fingers, ""easy" since they didn't know the extent of the damage to my brain," said Sakura, who rolled her eyes, as she stepped back and faced the rest of the group.

She focused her attention on Jiraiya and nodded her head smiling, who nodded back. "It's good to see you again, Lord Jiraiya. I hope Naruto wasn't to much trouble for you on your journey," said a grinning and playful Sakura, who saw Naruto turn red out of the corner of her eye. It really was a lot of fun to tease her brother when she could. "Lord Jiraiya, I hate to be the barer of bad news, but you know that book you asked me to hold on for you?" Asked a very worried Sakura, who hoped he would understand her hidden meaning.

Jiraiya was curious what book she was referring to, when he finally understood what she was trying to imply. She needed to talk to him in private and he nodded his head. "Yes, it was the research for my new novel. Do not tell me that it got into the wrong hands?" Faked a ghost-faced sannin as he had tears running down his eyes.

"Well,…." Sakura allowed her one foot to drag in the dirt and her face turned bright red. "…. It kind of got legs and walked away into the hands of two love birds. They demanded to know if the information gathered in the book was accurate and when I told them it was, they kicked me out. They still have the book, and I needed your help since they have not left their apartment yet. They seems to still be considering the ideas, and I want to get it back before someone else sees the book you said to protect," said a blushing Sakura timidly as she still allowed her toe to play with the dirt and make designs. She hated talking in code, but she knew that he would know what she was getting at. He wasn't the number one devious researcher for nothing.

Jiraiya nodded his head to Sakura and huffed loudly. "Well, I guess it couldn't be helped. I am very popular with the ladies, so maybe she wanted to try out some of the positions. I do guarantee that my work is one hundred percent reliable," said Jiraiya proudly as he dodged a hit to the head, from one currently mad ex-teammate. "What was that for, Tsunade?" asked a pouting Jiraiya who was given a glare in return.

"Do not play dumb with me, Jiraiya!! What in the world were you thinking?" Demanded Tsunade as she pointed to Sakura. "How dare you give a minor some of your adult research," yelled an infuriated Tsunade. She got a good look at the girl and she had to say that she looked older than 14, but still held the innocence of a 12 year old. Tsunade turned her full attention to her teammate again and saw that he was currently in an argument with Naruto.

Sakura looked at Tsunade and walked up to her smiling. "Lady Tsunade, may I ask you a question and a favor? I know we have not met before, but I wish to get to know the Lady that I have heard a lot about," said a hopeful Sakura. When Tsunade nodded, Sakura heave a sigh of relief as she asked her question. "Would it be okay if I dropped by later in the day to give you something that the Third asked me to give to you? My favor is that you go to the hospital and heal my teammate and friends," pleaded a desperate Sakura as she allowed her eyes to tear up. After a while, Sakura caught the eyes of Shizune and noticed that she was trying not to laugh or giggle. Sakura really tried not to smile. But seeing Shizune again and her laughing caused her to break out in a giggle as well.

Tsunade watched as the girl before her broke out into laughter with her apprentice and she cracked a smile. Maybe she wouldn't mind being back in the village again. She nodded her head and agreed to Sakura's favor and headed in the direction of the hospital. She said farewell to the others as she headed to her new destination. Her assistant soon joined her, Ton-Ton and the knucklehead as she made her way to repair what damage had been done since the Sound attack.

When the three were far enough away Sakura yelled at Naruto, remembering what she wanted to tell him. "When Sasuke wakes up, tell him that I will see him after a bit. Could you tell him that please?" Pleaded Sakura as she yelled. Off in the distance she caught Naruto's smile and his thumbs up. She smiled knowing that he would remember and keep his word. Once they were out of sight she turned serious and at Jiraiya and pointed her head towards the woods. She slowly headed in the direction she wanted to go and he followed right beside her.

"So, who has the book that you are taking about? Could it be the two secret lovers that are trying to not let anyone know about their relationship?" Asked a puzzled Jiraiya, who was greeted with a nod in return. 'So she decided to bring them into the equation. I guess it's a good idea since I cannot always stay in the village and be her ears,' thought Jiraiya sadly as he looked as their surroundings change after they entered the forest. It did not take much for him to realize that she had placed a complex genjutsu over the area and noticed that they were near the back part of the Forest of Death. He stopped when he saw that she did as well. She turned to face him and got to see the byakugan evident in her eyes.

Sakura faced him and she wasted no time checking to see if there was anyone in the area that was a problem. When she noticed no one, but the one she wanted, she dropped her transformation genjutsu and before him was her older form again.

She didn't allow him much time to do much else as she attacked him head on with a chakra infused punch. She attacked him with multiple punches that he dodged, so she changed to her combo fighting. With each punch, Sakura finally saw an opening and took it as she kicked Jiraiya in the back of the leg, making him lose his balance. When he fell forward she made her clone come out of the ground and punch him in the jaw. She went to attack again when she found her legs wouldn't move and looked down.

Jiraiya took her accomplishments in battle to heart and knew that she would be a challenge to fight, but to actually be fighting her was something else. He knew that she was holding back because she didn't want to bring attention to them, as was he. When she managed to get him off balance and then hit in the jaw, he decided that he didn't want to be a punching bag for her anger. He smiled as he remembered he was that enough when he was younger for Tsunade. He completed his hand signs where she couldn't see them and watched as she was stuck to the ground with a mini version of the Swamp of the Underworld. Jiraiya landed on the edge of the swamp and smirked, only to see her smirking in return.

"Really Lord Jiraiya, do you think that I would be caught in this trap if I didn't want to? I will admit I was surprised, but I really must thank you since you just gave me an opening I wanted," said a smirking Sakura as she slammed her hands into the swamp and gathered it into her hands using her chakra. Once she had the desired amount she brought her hands out of the swamp and held the two balls of mud up. She looked at Jiraiya and saw that he was very confused, so she decided to explain.

"After your death, Naruto went into a deep depression, but with the help of his friends he was brought out of it. At the time you were teaching him this exact technique, and with you gone he had trouble mastering it. It was until a battle with Sasuke and myself that Naruto mastered it and learned something he could also use the swamp mud for," said Sakura as she brought the two hands together and started using the Rasengan in one hand while the other used Chidori. The mixing of the two powers was a sight that created beauty, and when the merging of the two elements and the mud was done; there in her hand was a sight to see. Within her hands were crystal clear kunai.

"How….how did you do that?" Asked a dumb founded Jiraiya, who was wondering how his idiot of a student was able to create a weapon of such beauty. His mouth just wouldn't shut. He never would have thought to use the swamp for such a thing.

Sakura giggled as she canceled the jutsu and walked towards him, only to stop once she was a couple feet from him. Sakura figured she better finish telling him about the kunai's. "Well, when you brought the swamp to the surface you pushed up minerals that are normally deep within the earth. Since I was in the swamp, I stuck my hands into it and used my chakra to gather the minerals I needed for my weapon. When I had the required amount, I used the Rasengan to mix the minerals together and the Chidori to bring them up to a temperature high enough to fuse them. I then used the Rasengan to shape the weapon, as I wanted. And this," holds up the weapon, "is the final product. Want to see what it can do?" Asked a very mischievous Sakura. She really was looking forward to seeing his reaction to her new toys.

"Sure, I might as well see what the idiot learned after my death….," said Jiraiya as the end of his words faded as he looked at the weapon now lodged into the tree's bark, near his cheek. His cheek had a small cut on it and when he locked eyes with Sakura he saw that she was not smiling.

"He may be an idiot now and a dead last, but when it counts people can count on him. He dedicated this technique to you in your memory and he was known for it in the future. Even with your death told of by Pein, Naruto took to heart your teachings and when people saw the crystal kunai they were usually dead or it was to late. The Lord's Charm is what he called it since you could charm your way into any trouble and out of it," said Sakura seriously as she lunged at him again, weapons drawn and he dodged.

Jiraiya was stumped that his student would take his memory to heart and was glad that Sakura had convinced him to teach Naruto. 'Maybe he will live up to your memory my old student. He might even surpass you,' thought Jiraiya as he turned his full attention to the battle he was taking part in. When Sakura got close enough to him, she went to attack his face but he covered his body in his hair using the underworld guardian spikes jutsu, as it became needles.

Sakura saw the needles and knew she wouldn't be able to dodge them, so she brought the sharingan forth and it allowed her to see a place she could hit without taking too much damage to her hand and arm. Blood slowly dripped down her arm, to her elbow and fell onto the green grass. Sakura winced feeling the spikes cut her arm and into her hand.

Jiraiya could not help but stare into her eyes. They were of the sharingan and the byakugan combined. She did not show him them before, but he had seen them individually. 'To bring two of leaf's strongest bloodlines together is truly extraordinary. She really has been blessed by her friends,' thought Jiraiya as he watched her remove her hand from the spike sticking out of her palm. He watched as she looked at the wound and didn't even flinch, as she locked eyes with him again. He felt pride swell in his chest. She was a strong fighter, and he felt privileged being her friend and ally.

"I must say Jiraiya, that was a dirty trick you pulled, but I can not say I blame you. But, you do realize that you just signed your own death?" said a devilish grinning Sakura as she used her wounded hand to pull on some clear wires.

Jiraiya felt his hair start to wrap around him tighter. It was making it hard to breathe. He couldn't bring his hands up to cancel the jutsu, so he locked eyes with her and saw her grin. 'Wait a minute….,' thought Jiraiya as he released a large amount of chakra to cancel the genjutsu. When his sight cleared he saw that she was no longer in front of him. He canceled the spike jutsu and looked for her. He looked around trying to place her when he was stomped on from above. From the ground he looked up and saw a sight he didn't think he would have saw. On his back, stopping him from moving was a toad. One of his own friends helped him lose the battle. 'Who knew she had a contract with the toads…. Naruto must have given it to her in the future.' "I'm impressed," praised Jiraiya as the toad removed its foot from his back and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Sakura smiled as her friend disappeared. It was a lot easier than she thought it was going to be to get the toads on her side. While the two were reading the book, she had sent a clone to walk around the village while she left to re-establish her friendship to the toads. The toad elders were not happy, she had to admit, but they got over it after she told them of what was to become of little Jiraiya. "Well, you were his teacher and it was times of great need that made Naruto decide to have me sign the contract. I will admit, the first time I tried to summon a toad, I only got Gamakichi. Naruto said that he was surprised that I was able to do that since he said the first time he did, he accidentally summoned the Chief Toad," said Sakura as she reminisce and stared off into the distance. She was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard snickering.

Jiraiya couldn't contain his snicker, and laughed. Naruto had the nerve to say that he summoned on the first try, Gamabunta. What a laugh, and after he got his laughter under control he turned to see Sakura glaring and tapping her foot impatiently on the ground and she didn't look happy. Shaking his head, Jiraiya answered what he guessed was on her mind. "Sorry to burst your bubble sunshine, but the first time he summoned, he just barely managed to summon a tadpole. It took him getting pushed off a cliff for him to be able to summon the chief," said a smiling Jiraiya. That had been an interesting sight as Naruto and the Chief tangled. 'Boy, that brings back memories when I had to try and get him to work with me. Naruto got the worst out of the two of us, that's for sure.'

Sakura was completely shocked that Naruto would tell her a little white lie, but she guessed that it made him feel better. She had been able to summon one of the chief's sons, while he had not. It did help in her favor that she could control her chakra better then him, but he had an unlimited supply. She wasn't mad. She could never be mad at him. "That doesn't matter," said a content Sakura as she walked over to a couple of rocks to sit down. Once she was comfortable she faced Jiraiya again. "Lord Jiraiya, I talked to the Toad Elders again so that I could re-establish my bond with them. They were interested in what I had to say, so when I visited they introduced me to everyone again. I must say that this time around Gamabunta was more of a pain in the ass then last time," grumbled Sakura as she stared off into the distance.

Jiraiya's mouth for the second time that day hit the ground. "You mean to tell me that you met with the elders and they did not mind. Normally they do not like uninvited guests," said a real puzzled Jiraiya. The toads were not the most trusting of summons and for her to get in to see the elders meant that she knew the way to get in. He had to know. "May I ask, how you got in since not everyone can just walk in without an invite?"

Sakura smiled knowing the question was going to come up and she was glad that it was now, rather than later. She brought her right hand to her left wrist and unwrapped the bandages covering her markings. Once the marking was free, she raised her wrist for Jiraiya to see. There on her left side of her left wrist was the summon contract for the toads.

'So, that must be something else she learned from Orochimaru's apprentice. She just needs to wipe blood on the mark and she can summon her chosen friend. To have that many, and to have gained his trust is something I wish to learn about,' thought an astounded Jiraiya. He looked at the markings on her wrist and had to admire that she did a good job at her concealment of them. No one would think to look on the wrist since most ninja wrap their wrists anyway. After he was done inspecting them, he looked up and saw two people were approaching them. He decided to step back and let them talk with her, but he would be near if they caused her trouble. Jiraiya walked over to some trees and leaned against them. He didn't know why, but he felt that Sakura needed protecting…even from herself, and he would do what he could.

Sakura had known that they were there and was beginning to wonder when they would finally make their presence known and talk to her. She had allowed them into the genjutsu, not that Kurenai couldn't have gotten them in anyway. When Jiraiya walked over to the trees, still close enough to hear and protect her if need be, she felt relieved knowing she had a friend close. She composed herself and her thoughts so they were not scattered. She turned and faced Asuma and Kurenai. "Can I help you two with something, because if not, I have other places to be," questioned Sakura as she slowly started to stand up. She started to walk by Asuma, when he grabbed her arm in a vice like grip. He gently turned her to face both of them. Sakura looked down at the hand, but let it be for now. It helped that she didn't feel any ill intention rolling off of him. It took a while for Asuma to say something and the whole silence was making Sakura nervous and jumpy.

"We have some questions for you," insisted Asuma as he pushed her back towards the rocks she had just gotten up from. Him and Kurenai had been debating over the book since she had given it to them and it had opened so many questions that they did not know where to begin asking. 'So many battles fought by kids before their time.'

Sakura waited for him to release her and when his hand didn't move she started to get upset. "How about letting go of my arm before I make you, Asuma?" threatened Sakura as she turned her stare towards the man who was leaving a bruise on her arm. She didn't care that she still had both blood limits still in her eyes. She was past the stage of caring with them right now. 'They were making everything so much more complicated then it had to be.' When Asuma let go of her arm she sat on the rocks and waited for them to start where they wanted to begin the questioning.

Kurenai sat down next to the young girl and turned her head and looked her in the eyes. Those eyes were of her student in the future. It was hard to believe, but the proof was in front of her. "Please start from the beginning and tell us what the book did not mention," pleaded a desperate Kurenai. She had to know, but not from a book, but a person who was considered family to the heiress.

"Well then, if you want the beginning then I guess I should start a couple years after the nine-tails attacked the village," said Sakura truthfully and she started the tale of the real reason the village was attacked by the nine-tails and the events that took place in the years that followed. She answered their questions when they asked and she would continue her story. It would be four hours before she would finally finish her story and she changed back into her younger form. "….and when Naruto finished his speech nothing happened until a bright light appeared and I started to fall from the sky. The rest you already know. I found Jada dead in the Forest of Death and since Team Seven needed to pass, I became her until now. It was easier this way," said Sakura as she took a drink of her water. She was thirsty after her long talk.

"If what you're saying is true, then why are you not killing people that are the major enemies in the future?" Questioned Asuma. If it was him he would tell the Konoha elders and kill all the people that were responsible for the village's destruction.

"I could, but then I know that some of the major players would go into hiding, and then everything I know would become void. I just plan to change little things for the big battle. Like for starters, Sasuke must leave the village, but make him promise to remember his bonds to his family here. I plan to help train the Konoha eleven so that when the time comes they will be ready for their battles. Another reason I can not take everyone on by myself is because I am just one person, and the one person I want to kill has not made his presence known yet," glared Sakura as she turned to face the setting sun. The sunset seemed to calm her down, if only a little. She really wanted to get out of here, so she could go see Sasuke.

Kurenai was the first to stand and took a seat next to Sakura and wrapped an arm around the tensed kunoichi. "We will help you in any way that we can. We won't tell a soul since you seem to be telling only certain people. We may not agree with your way of going about things, but you seem to know more about what is going on than we do." Kurenai gave Sakura a light hug, who received a small one in return.

"Kurenai….Asuma….may I ask you guys a question?" Asked a shy Sakura as she looked down as her thumbs that were twirling around the other. She was nervous and had a feeling they would turn her down. Why did she have to ask? She really was glutton for punishment.

"Sure Sakura. What do you need?" Asked Kurenai sincerely since she was next to the girl. She saw that Asuma had nodded his approval. Hopefully it wouldn't be too bad of something she wanted to ask.

"Well…I….wanted to know if. I mean…wanted to….," said a frustrated Sakura. She really needed to get her act together. After a moment she worked her courage up and asked the question. "When I'm feeling overwhelmed...could I seek one of you guys out and talk? I mean you don't have to if you don't want to because I would understand since it would already be putting more pressure on your shoulders and I…" rambled Sakura and would have continued it if Kurenai didn't stop her from her ramble by her finger on Sakura's lips.

"Easy there, Sakura. I think I speak for both Asuma and myself when I say that we would be honored for you to talk to us. It may be a weight that you have to bear, but know that we will be here to help you when ever we can," said a smiling Kurenai as she smiled at the blushing girl in her arms. 'No, she's not a girl. A girl is one who has not faced death and battle and still holds innocence. She does not, so she is a woman in more of a sense than others her age. Maybe as time passes, maybe she might let me get to know her better. I would like to have another female friend that I can talk to besides Anko.'

Asuma stood up from the log he had sat on during the story and approached Sakura. He really felt bad about his behavior, and hoped that she would forgive him for his actions. If what she said was true, he had attacked a Hokage, even if she wasn't one now, but in the future. "I agree with Kurenai, and I hope that you will forgive me for my transgressions towards you. I was in the wrong," said Asuma as kneeled in front of Sakura. He bowed his head, and awaited his punishment with disgust at himself. When nothing happened he looked up and saw tears in Sakura's eyes as she smiled at him. She held her hand out towards him and he reluctantly took it.

"Asuma, I am not mad, considering I would have done the same thing in your shoes, so no need to worry. You do not need to bow towards me, I am not your leader, but your equal. All I ask from you Asuma is your friendship and your help in shaping the world into something other than my world," pleaded Sakura as she pulled Asuma to his feet. When Asuma nodded his head she sighed with relief. She had more people on her team and willing to help. "Asuma, may I have my book back, now that you're through with it?" Asked Sakura as she held her hand out to take back the book that she knew he had in his vest. When he handed it back to her she placed it in her backpack that she carried around with her.

Kurenai and Asuma left after they said they would meet up with her later to discuss some of the plans for their groups' training. They figured that the best way to train them would be as they normally did. They would just take hints from Sakura about what each one needed to focus on. They went home and started to plan out lessons that they could start with their students.

After the two left, she turned to Jiraiya and told him she was glad he stayed with her during the meeting. When he asked to read the book since she didn't allow him to last time, she got it out of the bag and tossed it to him. She informed him to keep it safe and when he promised he would, she left and headed towards the hospital. She had someone important to see.

When she arrived at the hospital she could hear some arguing coming from Sasuke's room. When knocking on the door didn't get results, she just walked in and saw that Naruto and Sasuke were arguing about respect. She saw that Tsunade and Shizune were just watching the show and trying really hard not to laugh. She walked over towards the two, while her teammates bickered like little children over a toy.

"Lady Tsunade, thank you for healing my teacher and teammate. I do not have the knowledge yet on how to repair the damage to the brain that the sharingan can cause," spoke Sakura sorrowfully. She bowed her head in shame.

Tsunade looked at the girl before her and that was when it clicked in her head who this girl was. She was the one that Sasuke kept asking about if she was all right, since she too had been exposed to Itachi's sharingan. Her description also matched that of the one that Kakashi gave her about a student of his that would make a great medic someday, once she had better teaching. 'So this is the girl that those three were talking so highly about. To think she took on Itachi's sharingan and managed to heal herself on her own. That in itself is amazing. I think she will make a fine student to teach. She is coming highly recommended by her teammates and her teacher,' thought Tsunade as she placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder, who raised her eyes to meet those of her own. "You will in time Sakura, all you need is someone to teach you, and then you will become a great medic. I think I could use some help around the hospital when you're not busy. It will not be much, but it's a start."

"Thank you, Lady Hokage," said a smiling Sakura. At least now she had gotten close to her former teacher. Now it was time to deliver the mail. Sakura brought her backpack to in front of her and reached into it and pulled out a rolled up parchment. She placed it in Tsunade's hand and spoke seriously. "Lady Hokage, this is a letter that the Third asked that I give to you when you arrived. I ask that you open it once you get back to your office and let no other eyes see it but your own and Shizune." When the two nodded she watched as Tsunade placed the letter in her jacket in a pocket. Tsunade would come to her after she read the letter. She too would seek out the answers that the letter would give.

She now had another thing done; she now needed to focus on the two kids. Sakura walked over to the two still arguing boys and bonked them on the back of the heads to get their attention, which she did; two glares, one teary and one pissed.

"Sakuraaaa. That hurt. Why'd you do that?!" whined a teary eyed Naruto as he rubbed the back of his abused head. She may not have put a lot of power into that hit, but darn it hurt!

"Hn!……Where have you been Sakura?" Demanded a glaring Sasuke. He wanted to rub the spot she had hit, but he didn't want to appear weak. He was just glad that she was fine and well. She looked better then he thought she would after being exposed to the sharingan. If what Naruto said was true, then her body had healed itself without her knowledge. But knowing Naruto, his sources were not always right. However, this one seemed to hold merit.

Sakura faced the two and placed her hands on her hips and tapped her foot against the hospital floor. "Naruto…you two were so loud that I could hear you outside the hospital walls. You two needed to be quiet when you're in a hospital. Sasuke, I was at the training grounds talking with Lord Jiraiya. We were working out a way to get the book back that he asked me to watch, but it got stolen by some of his fans. We just got done getting the book back, when I ran here to see you. Sorry, that I wasn't here, but how about I make it up to you and cook you and Naruto dinner?" asked Sakura. She watched as Naruto rapidly nodded his head and Sasuke nodded his head once in agreement.

"That's great you guys. Come over in about an hour and it will be ready. Here is my address, and once you get to the door, please knock," said Sakura happily as handed her address over to Sasuke, who she knew would not lose it. She quickly kissed Naruto and Sasuke on the forehead and said her good-byes to the two men, then left. She ran out of the room, since she had a meal to prepare for and since she knew the two so well, she would need to make a couple stops at the market before she headed home.

The two boys showed up on time for their dinner and she was glad that she took time to stop and get some of their favorite food. During dinner, the three talked and told stories. Naruto told of the journey to get Tsunade. Sasuke didn't really talk, since he listened more, but he did ask Sakura to train with him. Sakura told them more of her journeys around the countries and more about herself. The two left late that night, but promised to meet at the grounds to train.

Sakura went to bed that night and fell into a fitful sleep. It just wasn't the death of her friends that she kept seeing, but her failure to save this world. "No, I made a promise that I would protect this world, even if it cost me my life. Like Tsunade said before her battle with Orochimaru. "This is where I lay my life on the line." Now it's my turn," said Sakura softly as she finally fell asleep.

*~*~*~* Hokage Office*~*~*~*

Tsunade and Shizune walked into the Hokage's office. She looked around the room that once belonged to her teacher and mentor. She walked over to the desk and ran her fingertips over the desk that still held piles of paper work, just waiting to be finished. Tsunade walked over to the chair and sat in it; turning to face the Hokage Mountain that one-day would hold her face on its mountainside. 'I hope you are happy where you are, Sarutobi. You sure left me a lot of paperwork, you old coot,' thought Tsunade as she turned to face the desk and her assistant.

She had work to get done, and she was going to start now. She reached for a medical book that Shizune had placed by her and opened it. She saw something that was promising on restoring Rock Lee's leg and arm. She went to open a drawer when the said drawer refused to open; she pulled it out violently causing the contents to fall onto the floor. She bent down to pick up the papers and pens that had come out of the draw, when a letter fell from her pocket on top of the pile she made. Tsunade looked at the letter still sealed and decided that she would open it later, after she got Rock Lee's problem figured out. Placing the pile of letters, pens and the letter in the draw she closed it, to read another day, maybe tomorrow. She had other things to do right now that demanded her attention. She could read the stupid letter left to her later, when she wasn't so pressed for time.

Sakura waited for a week for Tsunade to come to her and when she didn't she figured that she was waiting to confront her. Jiraiya still had the book and was using it to tie up some loose ends that he knew about, but was still not sure about some things. He used the book as a way to figure out what his next step would be, so that he could get information that was not known or in the book just yet. Asuma and Kurenai used this time to get their students training harder. They told them that since the village was attacked, everyone was going to be needed for missions, and they all had to be prepared.

Team 7 every morning continued to train until they were given the mission to Tea Country. This was the mission that Sakura had been dreading, but in a way, looking forward to. It meant that time was still flowing properly and not going out of line and changing. Tea the first time had been a pain and the second time around was no different. The only difference was that Sakura never hid in the shadows and protected their client, Idate better then she did the last time. With the two not having to watch out for her, they focused on their enemy, a former leaf ninja, Aoi. But sadly, the battle still turned out the same way that it did before. Sasuke caused a crack to appear in the sword after hitting it with Chidori. Naruto finished it off and the sword shattered after Naruto hit it with his Rasengan.

On the way back from Tea, Sakura never left Sasuke's side. It gave him a little comfort, but it didn't lessen the anger that had taken root into his mind. Naruto had bested him on a mission. Naruto was able to beat Aoi, while he, an Uchiha, could not. The more that he thought on it, the angrier he got. Despite his wounds he started to get up when he felt the power of the mark start to overcome him. With the new power starting to course throughout his veins, he stood up and went to approach his enemy. He only took on step when he felt arms wrap around his waist and a calming voice whispering in his ear.

Sakura saw Sasuke start to rise and saw that the mark was become active again. She knew that it was time to step in before there was bloodshed. She wrapped her bandaged arms around Sasuke's waist and whispered in his ear, to try and calm him down. "Sasuke, calm down. This isn't you and you know it; do not let this mark control you because you can control it." When this caused him to stop trying to walk towards their distracted teammate, Sakura continued to calm him down. "Sasuke, it was you that brought on the defeat of that ninja, not Naruto. Yes, Naruto did deal the finishing blow, but it was you that gave him that path. It was your Chidori that caused a crack to form in the sword, not Naruto. So, calm down, Sasuke and get that mark under control, before I hang you!" said Sakura sternly to her teammate. She knew that Sasuke would get a kick out of the last comment and she wasn't disappointed, when he "hn" and turned around to face her.

Sasuke turned around in Sakura's arms and raised a bandaged hand to rest on her cheek. "Not like you could anyway," smirked Sasuke as he felt the power leaving his body. He leaned forward and lightly kissed Sakura on her cheek. 'You really are something special to me, Sakura. Even though I do not believe it is a lover, but you are so much more. You understand me, when I even do not understand myself.' "You're right, but I still hate losing to that dead last, and you know it," muttered Sasuke softly as Sakura slowly lowered him back to his bed.

"That may be, Sasuke, but all he ever wants from you is acceptance. He is a lot like you in a way, when you think about it. But enough talk, you need to rest. Now sleep, before I knock you out," said Sakura playfully as she watched Sasuke finally giving into his body's need for rest. She was letting Sasuke use her lap as a pillow and it also allowed her to play with his silky hair. She would have loved to do this when she was younger and a fan girl, but then she never would have been allowed this close. It would be another three years before she would see him again, so she was taking everything in that she could, so she would remember him. He was one of the reasons she was here and she would be damned if she let him die a second time on her watch.

When they docked, Sasuke was taken to the hospital to get healed and checked up on. If the damage wasn't too severe, he would maybe be released in two days. The first day Sakura was in the hospital, Sakura went to talk with her two helpers. She only found Asuma, and told him what was going to be happening in a couple of days and he told her that the retrieval team was ready. He wasn't too sure about Neji, but from what he had heard from Kurenai's student Hinata, he was taking training serious like always. Sakura felt bad that she hadn't really been able to talk to Neji since the run in at the weapons shop. 'Well, I guess I know where I'm going today.' She thanked Asuma and headed towards Team Gai's training ground. Hopefully he would be there.

When she arrived at the training grounds she didn't see anyone, so she turned back around to leave when she felt it. She dropped to the ground and threw her own weapon at her attacker. Her weapons met that of her attacker's thrown weapons. She got up from the ground and turned around to face her attacker and saw Neji coming out of the shadows of the trees. 'Why am I not surprised? Aren't we being a little hostile towards a fellow leaf ninja. What's got your bandages in a twist?' thought Sakura bitterly as she dodged his attack a second time. This time he didn't attack with weapons, he attacked with his gentle fist. 'Well, I guess I needed a refreshers course in this. You are the only one to truly master its true power.' Sakura dodged each hit and blocked when she knew was appropriate.

Neji attacked the kunoichi that he had meet in the weapons shop. He had for the past couple days been hearing that she was a force to be reckoned with in battle and training, but why was she not attacking him back? When he thought he would have a good shot at closing a chakra point off, she would block it, with chakra around her hands to protect her own hands from his chakra. He would give her credit; she was smart and knew about the Hyuuga family's gentle fist. He finally saw an opening and hit her in the chest.

Sakura felt the finger tips hit right in between her breast and coughed up some blood. He had just hit the spot that had almost killed his cousin in the match after the Forest of Death. Sakura had a hold of his wrist and applied pressure to the wrist and sent her chakra to his nerves. When the chakra was where it needed to be, she smirked and sent the charge of chakra through his hand. The charge attacked his nerve endings throughout the upper part of his body.

Neji went to pull his hand out of her grasp, when he felt the chakra flare up his wrist to the upper part of his body. His whole body felt on fire and every muscle was dissolving under the attack. His legs gave out and he collapsed, and his hand came free, but the damage had been done. He couldn't move his arms and taking a breath was become hard, as his head was feeling heavy. His body started to shut down one organ at a time and he fought to breathe. He started to fall unconscious; his eyes started to close when he felt an electric shock to his heart. His eyes snapped open when his body slowly returned to normal. He turned to see Sakura kneeling next to him and she had chakra surrounding her hands, over his chest.

"Next time you use your chakra to attack my heart and lungs, you ass, I won't be so lenient and I'll let you suffer. I thought I would give you a taste of what you were doing to me. Doesn't feel very good, does it?" spat Sakura harshly as she continued to repair the damage her chakra had done to his nerve endings. It really was a handy tool to use. She used the idea of the gentle fist and made it her own. She didn't need to see the chakra points to get her point across. Once she felt the damage had been healed she fell backwards on her butt, gasping for air. She looked at Neji to see him looking at nothing in particular. She started to get up, when her legs gave out under her and she fell back down. She went to try again, when she saw a hand in front of her. She looked up and saw that Neji was offering her help. She slowly took the hand and she was pulled up. When she lost her balance she expected to hit the ground, but felt someone holding her up.

Neji watched as she struggled to get to her feet, so he offered to help her. When she went to fall again, he draped her arm over his shoulder and led her towards one of the benches near by. Once sitting her down, he got up and walked to the tree near her, but into the shade. He didn't want to be to close to her, even after that small amount of contact, he felt his body start of turn to fire again, but a different fire. "You are a different type of kunoichi than the ones I know. You give as well as you take and yet you never backed down from the challenge," said Neji as he watched the bird, but kept an eye on her.

Sakura was shocked by Neji's words. 'Did he just give a compliment somewhere in that sentence?! I think he did. WOW.' Sakura turned her attention towards Neji and replied, "Well, I sure hope so. I wouldn't be a kunoichi if it didn't." Sakura placed her hand over her chest and healed the damage that his gentle fist had done to her heart and lungs. It wasn't much, but given time it would have become worse.

Neji saw that she didn't like being talked down to. She wanted to be considered an equal to her adversary. 'Well, I think she is, considering she took me out fast enough,' thought Neji as he nodded his head. "I hope you will forgive me for my behavior the last time we met. It was not what I would call appropriate. I just assumed you would be just like their old teammate. She couldn't hit or dodge to save her life. I just figured you would be the same, until I started to hear about Team 7's training. You seem to be the talk of the town since you keep up with the two." Neji now knew why she was able to keep up with them. She was just as strong as them and she knew her defense.

Sakura nodded her head and looked into the sky. She always loved when the day was beginning to set into night. It was always that start of a new day beginning to take shape. "Well, when I first decided to become a member of Team 7, I was told that it would be to a team with two VERY energetic boys that liked to drive the other further in skill, as well as crazy. I knew that if I joined their team that I wouldn't be able to just rest and take a break because then I would be left in the shadows. I made a promise to myself a long time ago that I would never watch the backs of my teammates again. I would be right there with them, defending or attacking, not being the one protected," spoke Sakura truthfully as she allowed her hands to fist up. It was a promise that she would keep. She learned that the first time around and she wasn't about to let that happen again. After Sakura felt her strength return to her she stood up and tested her balance.

Once she felt better she head towards toward the hospital. "If you don't mind, I need to go and check up on one of my teammates? You're more then welcome to walk with me seeing as it is getting dark. You will need to be getting home soon and I need an escort since I am a weak, and defenseless girl," joked Sakura playfully as she stopped and faced Neji. Either he would take the offer to get to know her of just push it aside. The ball was in his court now.

When he smirked and walked towards her only to stop beside her. "Well then, since I am such a gentleman, I will walk to you to the hospital. I wouldn't want to learn later that something had happened to you, since you are defenseless," mocked a smirking Neji, who saw a smirk gracing Sakura's face as well.

The two took off towards the hospital and talked about their teammates and what they did for training. By the time they reached the hospital, they were just starting on taijutsu training tips. Sakura bid Neji thanks and went up to Sasuke's room where she fell asleep in the chair next to the bed. She never did feel the eyes upon her as she slept from the corner of the room.

The eyes watched from the shadows and couldn't wait to attack his prey. It would be soon and he would get what he wanted. When morning came the eyes were gone before anyone would spot them and report their findings. He would wait until later.

*~*~*~* ~*~*~*

Authors Note:

Well it looks like Sakura has just made two new allies and is waiting on her tardy teacher to read her letter. If all of you are wondering what is in her letter you have to wait until the chapter 11- Plans shift into motion. Congratulations to the people who guess the next people that Sakura would be telling her secret to. Well, those that wanted to see Neji again got to and I hope I did not disappoint.

Now I have a confession to make about this chapter that my beta readers found very funny. This chapter WAS originally 38 pages long, but I decided to divide it into two parts. I was really, and I mean REALLY considering stopping it in a nice cliffy part of the story. Oh, wait……I did! :D I hope everyone still likes how this story is going, since I have really put a lot of effort into the plot and story line of the story.

Take care people and I hope you all are seeing where this story might be going. Tell me where you think and those who are right get mentioned in the part two.

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