Going home a few days later once the bridge was complete and saying farewell to the civilians they'd stayed with made Sakura feel like she was going to her death 'Everything will be alright Koneko-chan you'll see' Matatabi kept trying to cheer her up thought it wasn't doing much.

Sakura let out a quiet depressed sigh and immediately Genma turned to her "Sakura-chan are you okay" Genma asked carefully, did she regret killing Gato or was it something else, he was rightfully concerned.

Especially when she gave him a completely heart-broken look "No, what am I going to do when we get home, I don't even have a house or a family to go back to" Sakura whispered, voice warbling with the threat of tears in her eyes.

"We'll work something out I promise" Yamato murmured from her right in a sure fire tone, livid at the sight of tears and vowing to have a few choice words with the girl's adoptive parents when he could to make them realize what they'd done.

She sniffled softly not wanting to alarm anyone else "Hey maybe you can move in next door at the apartment complex where I live Sakura-chan, that way we can hang out and share meals" Naruto piped in not wanting to hear his best friend cry.

He didn't think his heart could take it really, seeing such a strong girl break down like that "Tch Dope unlike you she's not a ward of the village, that would take time and lots of paperwork, where would she live in the meantime not with you for sure" Sasuke scoffed.

Naruto grit his teeth while the last remaining member of their team was silent, this mission had opened her eyes so to speak about the world outside and inside their village that not everything was sunshine and daisies and Sasuke wasn't perfect.

It was to that, that she made her choice "She can stay with me, I've got an extra room where she can put her bed and I live close to Naruto, so long as she helps pay rent and buys groceries, I'm cool with it" Karin huffed.

"That was mature of you Karin-chan, but we'll have to see what Hokage-sama says about it first" Kakashi ruffled the girl's scarlet hair, proud of his little student for growing up a little bit on this mission, no doubt thanks to Sakura though.

Off to the side was the last remaining Jonin and he felt his heart breaking "In the meantime until something gets worked out, I'm sure Ino wouldn't mind if you were around quite a bit" Inoichi offered knowing his daughter still cared for Sakura.

Wide viridian eyes shot to him full of doubt and just a tiny bit of suspicion "Pretty sure Ino hates my guts Inoichi-sensei" the rosette frowned and Inoichi scratched his head trying to figure out a way to explain to Sakura that Ino was only pretending.

But in the end he kept quiet, choosing to let his daughter do all the talking once she learned what happened "Do you have any female friends at all" the ruby haired girl among them gaped in horror, how could Sakura even survive without a girl to talk to.

Sakura shook her head "No cause all the girls in our class hated her, well Ino didn't until they started liking the Teme and then Sakura-chan quit and focused her attention on that Utakata guy, even after that no one wanted to be friends with her but me" the blue eyed blonde piped in again.

"And that was only because you latched onto her and refused to leave her alone…ow what was that for" the raven haired preteen scowled as he was scuffed over the back of the head by his sensei who gave him a pointed look that told him to shut up.

Ebony orbs widened a sliver and he looked back to the girl who'd been the bane of his existence in the academy and saw her withdrawing into herself even more than before "Could you be any less tactless you idiot" the brunet with hazel eyes snapped.

Furious at the boy for upsetting Sakura more than she already was, while wrapping his arm around her shoulders to pull her into his side "Yes that was tactless Sasuke" the silver haired Jonin agreed, kami that was probably worse than tears at this point.

Depression, upset, hurt, not good things to mix inside a jinchuuriki that had control over their beast "Now, now, lets just hurry and get home alright" the blonde with cerulean eyes grimaced trying to keep the peace.

But the damage was done, Sakura was now eerily quiet 'Don't let what that idiot boy said get to you Koneko-chan, he doesn't understand okay, Naruto's a good boy, he wouldn't befriend you for selfish reasons' Matatabi soothed her host.

Pacing around in her world restlessly eager to sink her claws into the Uchiha boy for daring to upset Sakura "Listen Sakura, your not alone anymore okay" the other brunet on her team whispered as he squished her between he and Genma.

In spite of herself, her lips quirked up into a small, very small smile and they even got a nod out of her, but Sakura kept quiet, no doubt falling apart on the inside as they trekked the last few miles home to the Hidden Leaf Village.

"Ah congratulations on a mission well done" Hiruzen greeted taking the mission reports to read over while the two genin teams and their Jonin sensei's crowded around his desk waiting for dismissal.

When he got to the end of the mission report, Hiruzen clasped his hands before him "Take a couple weeks off" the Third Hokage waved his hand, after splitting up the mission pay between the two teams.

No one moved "U..Uh Hokage-sama, my uh parents kicked me out, they came to tell me personally in the land of waves" Sakura was nudged forward gently by her teammates and as she spoke, she wrung her hands looking nothing like her usual bubbly self.

Hazel eyes widened before filling with pity, "I see and do you have accommodations ready until the paperwork is completed to declare you a ward of the village" Hiruzen questioned gently, being kind to this young girl who'd lost all manners of things in the past few months.

"I offered since I have a spare room at mine, I can even go with her to get her stuff" Karin piped in, avoiding looking at the girl she'd hated up until a couple days ago, but after everything they'd been through she did feel bad that Sakura seemed to be getting punished for no reason.

The Hokage nodded "And should that not work out, she's welcome at my home, we, Aiko, Ino and I would love to have Sakura-chan around" Inoichi spoke up as well not wanting the girl to think she was unwanted.

Because she was, she was just going through a rough-patch and things would get better, though it would take awhile for Sakura to see that "I'd let Sakura-chan stay with me to but I don't have a spare and my apartment's so tiny that I don't think she'd be comfortable" Naruto added quietly.

Wishing he could do more for his best friend who had always helped him "Should none of those things work out, Yamato and I can get an apartment to share with her until she's ready for one of her own or just share as a team for good" Genma shrugged.

Like offering such a thing was no big deal, for him it wasn't, he didn't know how their other teammate felt though "Precisely since Sakura's our teammate" Yamato nodded in agreement, even though it would be weird.

Sakura looked stunned that they would go that far for her 'It's your choice Koneko-chan' Matatabi reminded feeling the hope swelling within her host, all it took was just a bit of attention from her teammates and all the suffering and agony Sakura felt was being erased.

It was actually quite amazing "I'd offer, but I don't think it would be appropriate to have a genin stay in my apartment, especially not a young girl" Kakashi frowned, eyeing his two de-aged friends like they were nuts.

They completely ignored him though "Tch if she wants peace and quiet, she can come crash at mine anytime" Sasuke turned his head away glaring at the floor, in his own way apologizing for what he'd said.

A little surprised that most if not every one in the office was willing to give her a place to stay Sakura worried her lip, considering her options "For now I think I'll stay with Karin" the rosette finally said after thinking for a few minutes.

"Very well, I'll summon you once the paperwork is complete and we'll talk then, now go home and collect your belongings" the wizened old man dismissed the lot of them for the second time and they all left his office finally.

Genma and Yamato watched Sakura walk away from them with Karin, while everyone else headed off for home themselves "You think she'll actually be happy with that little redheaded harpy" the brunet with brown eyes scowled upset that Sakura hadn't chosen them.

"No, perhaps Sakura merely chose Karin-san until we get that apartment to share" the onyx eyed brunet rolled his eyes understanding Sakura's thought process better than his own teammate, Karin was probably the only person she wouldn't be imposing on right now anyway.

Since she could mostly take care of herself and Karin wouldn't try to mother her like they would "Anyway I don't trust her adoptive ex parents so want to go help Sakura-chan pack up" Genma smirked and thankfully his partner nodded.

And with that they headed after the two girls, arriving just in time to watch Sakura's adoptive mother slam the door in Sakura's face "You alright" Yamato was there just in time to stop the girl from falling on her behind.

"If we were alright we'd be inside already and getting her things" the redhead snapped furious that the woman refused them entrance to get Sakura's belongings, how low could the woman go as to refuse the girl her stuff after telling her to get it once she got back and to leave.

Sakura was radiating more hurt than before as she realized that the two who had adopted her, really didn't care anymore "We can get in through the window I think" the rosette sighed pointing to the window on the second floor.

The four of them gathered chakra in the soles of their feet and walked right up the side of the house to the window, figured out how to unlock it and snuck into the bedroom "Kami what did they do try to destroy your stuff" Karin gasped seeing the mess.

"Probably that's how much they hate me I guess" Sakura shook her head as she pulled out a storage scroll and tried to salvage what she could from the broken things that had once been hers, Genma and Yamato were quiet helping her alongside Karin.

Until the room was spotless, even the bed was sealed inside the storage scroll "Do you have anything else Sakura-chan, that was maybe downstairs" the brunet with hazel eyes asked when it was apparent they were getting ready to jump out the window to leave the house behind.

She shook her head again "I don't think so, kept all my stuff in my room after all cause they wouldn't let me put any of my things downstairs" the pinkette shrugged, shutting the window and locking it as they landed on their feet out in the streets again.

"We'll come with you to help you get set up at Karin-san's" the second brunet on her team offered lightly as they started walking towards Karin's two bedroom apartment where ever it was in the village anyway.

To their relief Sakura did nod this time clutching the storage scroll with all her belongings tightly to her chest "Here we are, sorry it's not much" the redhead huffed as she unlocked the door, making a mental note to get a spare key made and leading the way inside.

It took some effort on their part to clear out the second bedroom, sealing away all the junk in a storage scroll and put in a closet making the room spotless then came unsealing her own belongings, which caused a problem.

Seeing as how her ex parents had destroyed most of her things, she no longer had a dresser, Yamato bless that guy as he quickly made some things out of his wood, even going so far as to turn the dresser into a vanity complete with little stool to sit on all that was left was to get a mirror.

Tears misted her eyes at that "If there's anything else Sakura let me know okay, I can even make you a new frame for your bed since it looks like it's about to fall apart any second" Yamato chuckled pulling the girl into a quick side hug.

"Could you please and that's it I think" Sakura swiped her eyes trying to be strong unsealing the bed next and putting it in a spot that she liked, complete with new wooden bed frame, her clothes were put away and the rest of her odds and ends found their own places around the room.

Yamato however upon seeing how many books Sakura had in her possession saw fit to make a three shelved bookcase and a couple of end tables "Right we'll see you tomorrow" Genma gave Sakura another hug before he and Yamato were gone.

Leaving the two girls alone "Should probably check and see what I have in the cabinets for dinner" Karin zipped off wanting to let Sakura come to terms with the fact that she no longer had any parents and was in fact moved into someone else's place.

Her cabinets were nearly bare however so Karin sat down "Not much is there, suspected that might be the case" the rosette joined her about an hour later, eyes red and puffy but at least she was talking unlike before.

"Can you make something with just these and tomorrow we can go shopping" the ruby haired girl gestured to the ingredients she'd pulled out, the usable ones anyway, looking them over herself and not seeing anything that would make a halfway decent meal.

Emerald eyes roamed over the ingredients ranging from vegetables to some fruit, flour, cornstarch, sugar, chicken stock, and some packaged ramen "Err how about some soup" Sakura finally decided already pulling out the necessary utensils.

"Fine with me" Karin shrugged watching with intense ruby eyes as Sakura familiarized herself with the kitchen a habit the girl had no doubt since she liked to cook, finely chop up the vegetables, carrots, zuchini, squash, potatoes, and set them to boil in the chicken stock.

While creating an odd mixture of a tablespoon of water and the cornstarch she had and had never used, twenty minutes later Sakura tested the vegetables to see if they were soft and added the cornstarch mixture.

Letting it sit for another five or so minutes, stirring the soup before pulling it from the heat "There we go, dinner is ready" the rosette grinned proud that she'd managed to make something with the limited ingredients, proving that she wouldn't need much to get by.

Karin was a little surprised herself "Thanks for the meal" the redhead mumbled waiting patiently until a bowl was put down in front of her along with a glass of water, Sakura gave her a small smile and sat on the other side of the table in the remaining chair.

Giving her own thanks for the food before they both dug in, it wasn't the best sure, but it filled them up with plenty left over for breakfast the following morning as they bid each other goodnight and crawled into their beds.

The next morning, Karin was less than pleased to be woken at exactly 7:30 in the morning by someone knocking loudly on her door "What" Karin snapped yanking the door open with a glare in her ruby irises.

Only to pale slightly at the sight of those two, Sakura's ex adoptive parents and quickly shut the door in their faces before locking it and even putting a chair under the doorknob to prevent them from forcing their way in.

Panicking slightly Karin scampered towards the now occupied second bedroom and found her sudden roommate still sleeping, oblivious to the world "Is there a reason you came barging in here like that" Sakura sat up a few seconds later.

Waking up at her tailed beast's insistence "Your uh, those two are here the people that kicked you out" the redhead cringed, this was not how she wanted to start the day, by having those jerks come to her apartment and upset Sakura again.

"Just ignore them, they can't do anything or they'll be the ones in trouble" the rosette shrugged lightly, just done with the ones who had taken her in when she'd been little, her heart had settled knowing that she did have true family and that's all that mattered.

Knowing Sakura was right Karin nodded quietly as they ate the remains of their dinner for breakfast and cleaned up "Shopping right, maybe we should make a list of what we need" Karin suggested as they sat at the table.

Unsure of those two were still outside the door or not, neither of them were quite ready to leave the apartment yet anyway "Essentials first, you have flour, sugar and cornstarch, on the list probably vegetables and other fruits, plus a crate of eggs" Sakura ticked off her fingers.

Pencil and paper were pulled out "Hmm how about some meats, turkey, sausage and bacon that's about all I can stand really, ooh we can get some more chicken stock to and rice" the redhead scratched those things down on the list as well.

"Other types of noodles, cheese and milk, and maybe salt and pepper, baking soda and powder, I think that's it for essentials" the pinkette finished digging through her pouch for her wallet and counting up how much she had, it was enough for now until the paperwork was complete.

Though she'd probably have to convince the Hokage to let her take on extra missions until it was "For extra I think I can spare some ryo for some heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla flavoring" Karin suggested knowing the girl was good at sweets.

"Cake flour to then I could make crepes" Sakura perked up at the idea and with that they slid their feet into their sandals and after peeking out the peephole in the door, scurried from the apartment to the market to get their shopping underway.

Halfway there they were joined "Morning Sakura-chan, how was your night, did you sleep well" Genma greeted with a great big smile while squishing her into his side and glaring around daring anyone to comment on his uncharacteristic actions.

Seeing as how the rest of his classmates had taken to following him around and laughing about his current miniature form behind his back "Good Morning Genma and it was okay, though apparently kicking me out wasn't enough they had to track me down to" the pinkette frowned.

"Yeah they were pounding on my door earlier this morning, I didn't let them talk though and shut the door in their faces like they did us and they were gone when we decided to leave and shop for groceries" the scarlet haired girl nodded.

Genma scowled in response "Just let us know if they try to do anything okay Sakura, Karin" Yamato said concerned for not just his teammate now but for Karin, who seemed to be turning over a new leaf and bettering herself.

Both girls nodded in answer "Shopping huh, what are you gonna get" the brunet with hazel eyes grinned and took the list, frowning at how little there was until he realized that it was all they could get until Karin got her next stipend for being a ward of the village.

Or until Sakura became a ward herself, even then Sakura didn't have much money to her name either "Why don't we chip in as well, Genma so that you girls can get a little more than what you have written down" the second brunet suggested.

Daring his partner to argue, they had plenty enough to help out after all and they were damn well going to do it to, Genma shrugged and that was that "No it's okay, I can make a lot of stuff on just that alone" Sakura smiled.

"I don't see how, that's just the bare minimum and won't last you more than four or five days at the most" Genma sulked putout, there she went again and he feared that they'd never be able to break through her walls.

Even Karin seemed to be agreeing with Sakura "Hate to break it to you guys but after last night I have to agree, she made a large pot of soup with just the bare minimum and we still had plenty left over this morning" Karin admitted.

Still in awe over that and she wondered with her and Sakura how long could ingredients last, probably a lot longer than usual "Really well that's kind of interesting" Yamato commented, intrigued by the revelations.

Then he realized, Sakura had, had to fend for herself for the most part and no doubt those two who had called themselves her parents had left her very little so Sakura had most likely learned how to get by on very little as well.

Sakura was in truth a conundrum, the jinchuuriki that wasn't meant to be in the Hidden Leaf Village, one of the few that could control their beast and had sympathy from the creature because Sakura was the daughter of her former host.

"So no worries alright, if we do run out of something I'll let you know" and the rosette was talking to them so Yamato forced himself to listen, drawing out of his thoughts as they finally arrived at the market and started going around getting groceries.

Pouting, Genma nodded knowing it was the best he was going to get 'Oi Koneko-chan we've got incoming' Sakura going rigid had him alert in five seconds flat, especially when her eyes flashed green and yellow indicating the tailed beast was lying beneath the surface.

Then he turned and found the reason why his teammate was suddenly so tense "What do you what" the redhead snapped stepping in the way of the duo who were just tormenting Sakura for fun at this point she was sure of that anyway.

"Move brat or would you like to go with us to T&I and explain how you helped that thief break in and steal our things" Kizashi jerked his head indicating for Karin to move out of the way but the young girl held her ground.

Even crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at them with those red eyes of hers "Or we could go to Hokage-sama and have you explain how you refused to let Sakura get her belongings hmm, that wouldn't be stealing now would it" one of the brunets stepped forward.

He wouldn't allow for them to harass a girl who had done nothing wrong besides try to love them especially after they quit caring for her "Why you little…get the hell out of our way" Mebuki spat reaching out to slap the preteen standing in her way.

Before she could however, her hand was snatched in a tight grip "If I were you Mrs. Haruno, you'll leave these children be" Inoichi came to the rescue at just the right moment that had Sakura sighing softly in relief that she wouldn't have to talk to them.

"Not until that little bitch returns what she stole from our house" the blonde raged furious that she was being stopped and trying to get her hand loose from the grip it was being held in so she could try and take a swing at that brat again.

Inoichi narrowed his eyes "Did you steal Sakura-chan, anything that belonged to them" the blonde with cerulean colored orbs turned his head to spy Sakura who was in the middle between her de-aged teammates.

She shook her head "Exactly, we only got her things after you told her to get her things when she got back and leave" the brunet with onyx eyes piped in standing close to the girl, giving her silent support during this confrontation.

Kizashi grit his teeth, "I don't know how anyone could love that despicable child, I hope you rot in hell" he spat at the ground then turned on his heel, his wife hurried after him once she was let go and then the two of them were gone.

"Ignore them Sakura, you know their wrong, your not unlovable, you have that Raikage guy and his brother remember" Karin burst out thinking of something that would undoubtedly cheer Sakura up and thank kami it worked to.

Pulling a smile from Sakura who nodded "Yeah I know thanks Karin" Sakura said shyly and even hugged the other girl super quick, that had the males grinning as they finished up the shopping and decided to return to the house, leaving the guys behind.

"Yamato how much can you do right now with your wood style" Inoichi questioned suddenly, having an idea that would make four children happy, hopefully anyway if all worked out that was and the idea was given the okay.

The de-aged man tilted his head in consideration "Not very much just small things, considering I have access to only half my chakra, what are you thinking Inoichi" Yamato saw the deep in thought expression on the other man's face.

"Ah I see, you wanted to know for them, Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke and Karin, we could all share a house it would give them something to come home to, we'd all be one happy family" Genma nodded understanding in the next moment.

Making Yamato feel like crap because he couldn't do it "Don't worry about it, I'll figure something out" the blonde waved leaving the two males to scurry after Sakura and Karin who were putting away the groceries at that point.

"Figures" the redhead rolled her eyes when she opened the door to let them in, having guessed the two would show up and sensed them coming that way anyway as they took off their sandals and joined her and Sakura in the kitchen.

Sakura was a thorough sort of girl, cleaning out every single cabinet and organizing each one for certain ingredients and whatnot "Yes I'm a neat-freak okay" the pinkette huffed out a laugh feeling the stares.

Even Matatabi rumbled out a laugh 'Koneko-chan your something else' the two tailed cat purred and Sakura relaxed, nearly dropping the potatoes they'd gotten as an afterthought and hurriedly put them away before she did.

Jumping from the stool and landing neatly on her feet "So we were thinking what would you two girls say to sharing a house with not just us but Naruto and Sasuke to" the hazel eyed brunet came right out with it and asked the two girls.

Who froze and stared at him with wide eyed, probably not really believing him "We still have to ask Hokage-sama, plus talk to Naruto and Sasuke about it, but with all of us, we'd be able to get more groceries and pay rent together" the onyx eyed brunet explained.

Both girls were quiet, thinking on the idea "I'm okay with it I guess, though if Sasuke found out that I'd be living there to I think he'd refuse" Karin admitted, she knew he didn't like her and she was done chasing after him to.

"Pretty sure Sasuke hates my guts to, nor does he really like Naruto either" Sakura announced tapping her arm in thought, Sasuke was one of the few least sociable people she'd ever met and that was saying something because Shino had been pretty bad about his anti-social tendencies.

They were both right though, convincing Sasuke would be a difficult task "We'll talk to him" Genma shrugged having an idea of what to say to get the boy to agree, so long as he was left alone, he'd be fine moving into a house, probably.

"After we talk to Hokage-sama" Yamato reminded and after awhile of making sure Sakura was going to be fine on her own with just Karin, he and Genma left, heading to the Hokage's office to find out how things were going.

He was mostly expecting them "They sent me a complaint about Sakura-san stealing from their house and the paperwork is nearly complete, tomorrow most likely, now is there anything else" Hiruzen announced feeling bad for that young girl.

Her whole world had been turned upside down by just becoming a genin "Inoichi suggested that we all share a house, with not just Sakura-chan, but Karin, Naruto and Sasuke to" Genma explained carefully.

"You can leave the convincing of those two boys to us, but we wouldn't have a clue as to where to begin looking for a house big enough to house all of us" Yamato grimaced, hoping that it was possible or such a house existed.

Intrigued by the idea, Hiruzen gave his approval "Leave that to me, somethings bound to come up" the Third Hokage chuckled shooing the two from his office so he could get started on paperwork, Genma and Yamato shared a look.

Before going off in search of Sasuke first as he'd be the hardest to convince "What do you two want" Sasuke scowled when he opened his door and found them standing outside in front of his apartment "Please tell me you aren't pissed about what I said yesterday" the raven grumbled.

Letting them in when they simply refused to leave "Nothing like that Sasuke, how would you feel about sharing a house with all of us, Sakura, Naruto, Karin and the both of us" the onyx eyed preteen offered.

"It's not happening, I'm perfectly fine on my own and I don't need anyone" Sasuke shot the idea down immediately while crossing his arms over his chest, unimpressed that they'd come here simply to ask that.

Genma bit his cheek "That's fine and all Sasuke, however you find it hard to get by on your own don't you, with all of us you would never have to worry about running out of food or things you need until the next stipend" the hazel eyed brunet narrowed his eyes.

Sasuke straightened at that "Are you trying to blackmail me into agreeing or something" the raven haired preteen scowled angrily at the thought of it while the two before him simply raised their brows on him.

"Of course not Sasuke-san, just think about it alright, we swear you'd be left alone for the most part" Yamato turned on his heel heading off knowing it was better to let the Uchiha boy stew in his thoughts for awhile.

"It's off to Naruto's now right" Genma glared back at the apartment that housed one of the last few remaining Uchiha's, Yamato nodded and they headed towards the apartment complex the Uzumaki boy lived in.

He answered the door right away, looking as if he'd only just woken up "Sakura-chan's teammates what brings you two all the way here, is Sakura-chan okay, Karin didn't do anything to her did she" Naruto narrowed his eyes in concern.

Until they waved his concerns off "She's fine Naruto, getting along with Karin for now, we actually came because we had a brilliant idea, how would you like to share a house with all of us, Karin, Sakura, Sasuke, and us to" Genma blurted.

Eagerly waiting for the boy to catch on "What that would be totally awesome, what about Teme though, he'll never agree" the blonde frowned realizing that his other teammate was way to stubborn sometimes.

"Ah don't worry about Sasuke-san, I'm sure he'll agree eventually" Yamato chuckled watching the blonde bounce all over in excitement, having figured Naruto would be one of the ones that would agree to the idea right off the bat anyway.

So after promising they'd tell him when a house to fit them all was found, Genma and Yamato left leaving Naruto to his own devices for the day as they wandered the village, looking around at different houses none of which peaked their interest before going home and to bed for the night.