It was Wednesday before Yahiko, Nagato or Sakura saw Sakumo Hatake again and this time it when Dan was training them, "Hey it's you three little brats" he walked right up to them a scowl on his lips shocking Dan for a moment.
Before he could jump in "I heard you got that mutt back, and I heard the Inuzuka's were pretty pissed considering that mutt has ninken blood in him and can be trained to become a companion to the Inuzuka's" Sakumo continued not letting up for instant.
"In fact I believe the clan heiress has been searching high and low for you girly" he pointed at Sakura "To make a deal with you about giving up that pup of yours for a regular dog" Sakumo missed the glare she threw at him as he talked on and on about the Inuzuka's.
Until "There is no way we'd ever let Chibi go, he's our dog, we found him" Sakura's voice cut through his incessant chatter and Sakumo paused to take a breath "And even if he has ninken blood in him I'm already training him" she crossed her arms.
Sakumo blinked his eyes in confusion, never had a kid talked so brazenly around him before, usually they cowered, but this time before he could call her a rude name, Dan cut in "Now that's enough Hatake-san, stop antagonizing them" he crossed his arms and raised a pale blue brow.
"You shouldn't have taken their puppy in the first place" Dan frowned disappointed in the teenager, Sakumo spluttered and his cheeks turned red with his anger, signaling he had that famous temper he must of inherited from his own father.
Seeing as he had no choice Sakumo turned and stomped away promising silently to find the little brats later and show them exactly why they should have never involved an adult, in fact he would be the one to alert the Inuzuka Heiress of where they currently were.
Dan sighed "Okay just get back to training" he gave them a smile, just a couple of days and that's all it had taken for him to get hooked on the four orphans, no wonder Tsunade couldn't stop talking about them, though he had this feeling Sakumo was going to stir up trouble, he'd just have to be extra careful.
Sakura returned to practicing ninshu calling healing chakra into her hands without the use of hand signs, Konan did the same using the hand signs though she looked mildly interested in trying to learn ninshu as well, she'd ask later.
He could tell that none of the kids were really into training that day, they'd probably been practicing the same things for days now, "Why don't I show you guys something new and you can practice that instead of jutsu's for the rest of our time here" Dan suddenly offered.
Yahiko turned with wide expectant brown eyes, "Really Dan-san that would be so cool, we've been practicing tree climbing and jutsu's since we were brought here a week ago" he bounded over to the pale blue haired man hoping he would show them something new.
Even Nagato looked excited and that was saying something, Konan and Sakura however kind of looked like they were pouting "So what are you going to teach us hopefully something fun right" Konan inched her way over to the boys with Sakura following behind at set distance.
"Hmm let's see have you received any training to sharpen you're senses yet" Dan rubbed his chin, all four kids shook their heads and his dark green eyes lit up "Then I know just what we can do" he chuckled preparing to blow their minds.
All but Sakura leaned closer as they waited for whatever Dan was going to say he was going to teach them, the pinkette had her suspicions and truthfully it would be fun, a game that was equivalent to training, it was something she had played in the future a lot with Ino.
"It's kind of like hide and seek, only the person hiding has to keep their chakra suppressed in order not to be found, a game that trains someones senses to find hidden enemies" he explained before he crowded by three excited kids.
Nagato was the first one to speak "That sounds fun, who's gonna hide first, and do we all have to search for you, what do we do when we find you" he was at his most excited yet and Sakura stood back watching him with a fond look in her emerald eyes.
Konan jumped up and down with wide amber eyes, and Yahiko just stood there with this ridiculous grin on his face, Dan blinked not having expected them to be so receptive to his idea, they must have been really bored with their training that day.
Then he looked to Sakura to see her watching them all with this smile on her face "Okay now before I explain the rules of the game, I'll teach you how to spread out your senses" Dan cleared his throat and the kids got closer.
"What do we have to do Dan-san it's not difficult is it" Yahiko looked equal parts excited and worried that not all of them would be able to perform this technique they were about to be showed, he was hesitant because of his little accident on Monday.
Dan held up his hands "It's easy, even a five year old would be able to do this, all you have to do is concentrate on spreading out your senses, reach out with your chakra to your surroundings" he instructed and the four kids did as he asked.
She already knew what she was doing, but Sakura tried the trick anyway easily spreading her senses out with no trouble feeling out the surrounding area before opening her eyes "Okay now what Dan-san" Sakura spoke for the first time since Dan had mentioned this little game.
He waited until Yahiko, Konan and Nagato opened their eyes "What was the point of that, I didn't even feel anything except for us here" Konan pouted not really understanding the reasoning behind the trick, and Dan realized he needed to show them more.
"Okay I'm going to make a clone just wait a second" Dan concentrated before sending his clone into the little forest they trained by with instructions to suppress his chakra, but not to much so the kids would be able to sense him.
"Now try spreading out your senses again see if you can't sense my clone in the forest, then I'll explain the rules" he ordered lightly hoping they would catch on, enemy who could suppress their chakra completely were difficult to find but he wasn't going to be to hard on them.
Konan closed her eyes again doing as the man said and suddenly at the very edge of where her senses could be spread there was suddenly another chakra, sure it was Dan's she opened her eyes "I can feel you're clone Dan-san is that what you mean" she asked.
He nodded "Hey I can feel the clone to, it's different though but the chakra is similar" Yahiko exclaimed looking more excited than before "I am so ready" he pumped his arm before turning to Nagato who jumped in surprise.
"It's a little disorienting" the red head admitted where he stood next to Sakura, the pinkette patted him on the shoulder reassuringly "It will get easier won't it" Nagato questioned and Dan nodded, a relieved smile spread across his lips then.
Glad that they all understood now Dan had them sit down and he quickly explained the rules "Right so I'll be the one hiding, you're job from until the end of training is to find me, when you do, you have to stay next to me and hide you're chakra as best as you can" he instructed.
Then before their very eyes he vanished and they all jumped to their feet, hidden under a cloaking jutsu, and suppressing his chakra completely as he had his clone move around to distract them, Dan chuckled inwardly, this was going to be fun.
'Ha he thinks he can fool me' Sakura thought inwardly she knew he'd cloaked himself, and was using his clone fully to his advantage, Yahiko, Nagato and Konan shot off into the forest after the clone, while she slowly edged her way around the clearing.
He climbed a tree and waited watching curiously as the little pinkette searched the clearing for him, when she left to search the forest, he'd relent and let some of his chakra leak out intermittently leading the kids on a merry chase around the area.
"Come on where is he" Yahiko frowned as he spread out his senses as far as they could reach "Gotcha" he smirked speeding in the direction he felt the clone, though when he reached the area, he was gone, they'd all forgotten that Dan had sent a clone into the forest.
It was scary being in the forest by himself, Sakura hadn't even come with him this time, logically he knew that he couldn't act like a baby forever, but without the pinkette by his side, Nagato felt as if he was completely lost and that he'd never be able to find his way out.
'But I'll try for Sakura-chan, to prove that I can do this without her help' he vowed inwardly concentrating on the area around him in hopes that he would be able to feel out their current sensei, he of course felt Yahiko, and Konan's chakra, close by.
Sakura's was much further away, while their current sensei was moving around ahead of him, Nagato's eyes lit up, if he could just be the first one to find Dan, then maybe he would get some kind of reward, he didn't know but he was hopeful.
Halfway into the little forest surrounding their usual training grounds, Konan stomped her foot "Ooh this is frustrating why can't I catch him" she huffed feeling more than a little irritated with their sensei of the next two weeks.
Still in the clearing Sakura decided to enter the forest, disregarding Dan's clone immediately as she burst through the bushes before swinging around and making her own clone before suppressing her chakra, now all she had to do was wait.
Dan chuckled, this was quite fun, sure he wasn't a little kid anymore, and it was bound to be frustrating to them, but at least it gave him practice for any future kids he and Tsunade hopefully planned on having together.
Deciding it was time, he slowly let a little of his chakra leak out finally dispelling his clone, he'd been having it move around continuously for the last thirty minutes anyway, and they only had an hour left of training, of course he could make this type of training last for the rest of the week to.
'Ha' Sakura thought she'd just known that he was hiding somewhere close by as he leaked a bit of chakra, slowly she creeped around the edge of the clearing to the tree Dan was hiding in and sneakily climbed up to the branch he was on "Found you Dan-san" she smirked as he jerked.
He swung around to face the pinkette that had managed to sneak up on him while he'd been lost in his thoughts, "True, though now you have to hide as well" he pointed out leaking out a little more of his chakra and feeling the incoming of Nagato.
Just before the red head burst into the clearing they all trained in Dan suppressed his chakra again "You're terrible Dan-san" Sakura snickered, watching Nagato closely as he seemed to get depressed it made her heart squeeze in agony upon seeing his expression.
But he was obviously determined because Nagato perked back up a moment later and continued searching "It's call strategy, if Nagato-san is able to find me without me releasing a little of my chakra, that would mean he has natural sensory abilities" Dan whispered to the pinkette.
She fought to keep the smirk from her face, 'No doubt in the future he was an excellent sensor, but as a little kid' Sakura thought keeping her eyes on Nagato as he moved around the clearing staring into tree's and waving his arms around feeling the air.
"Perhaps, but we are just kids after all" Sakura shrugged settling on the branch more comfortably as her muscles started cramping up from the crouch she had been in, it shook and Dan anchored himself to the tree with chakra after sending her an exasperated smile.
Sakura snickered softly and got an eye roll, the first time she'd seen Dan do that, and she found it didn't not to laugh even more, but she managed it in time for Nagato climb the tree they were sitting in and heaved himself onto the branch.
"Hi Sakura-chan, Dan-san" he waved attaching himself to the pinkette's side, Dan looked mildly surprised before he patted Nagato on the head letting his chakra leak out again, just forty minutes left of training and then they'd be off for lunch.
At exactly thirty minutes left before the end of their training, Konan was the next to climb the tree and fifteen minutes later Yahiko found them all "Man am I really the last one to find you Dan-san" he pouted as they all jumped from the tree.
"Better luck next time Yahiko-san, we'll continue this kind of training tomorrow" Dan promised dismissing them fifteen minutes earlier than usual and they all ran off to do whatever, he sighed feeling a little exhausted and went to his own place to cook lunch.
When they made it back to their apartment, Yahiko, Nagato and Konan pulled out ingredients for lunch Sakura shaking her head at them in amusement before the four of them cooked the meal together "So what are you going to do for four hours Sakura-chan" Konan asked suddenly.
"Yeah the last time we left you on you're own you had chakra exhaustion" Yahiko pointed his fork at her eyeing her critically the pinkette looked alright but she had this habit of lying to them just to keep them from worrying.
Sakura held up her hands "I'm fine, the training wasn't even half as difficult today I promise and as for you're questions Konan-chan, Yahiko-kun, I'll probably go see the Inuzuka's to get them to relent in their pursuit of taking Chibi away from us" she shrugged.
Nagato immediately frowned not liking that idea either "What if they hurt you or go to the Hokage and demand him to make us hand Chibi-kun over" he spoke up with a voice filled with doubt and the pinkette sent him a reassuring smile.
This time it didn't work half as well as she was expecting "I don't like the idea of you going into that compound by yourself either Sakura-chan" Yahiko spoke through his latest bite swallowing it as he stared at her with worried brown eyes.
Konan wasn't sure what was going on but whatever it was couldn't be good "Me either, though I don't know what happened on Monday while I was at Zu-chan's Origami Shop, it doesn't sound like it was all fun and games" she joined the conversation.
Thinking quickly "What if I asked Dan-san to accompany me, would that appease you guys" she blurted before feeling as if she wanted to bang her head against something why the hell had his name slipped out of her mouth.
However, Nagato, Yahiko and Konan immediately nodded "That sounds like a good idea Sakura-chan that way you're not alone and the Inuzuka's can't hurt you" Nagato relaxed in his chair returning to his lunch it was silent for nearly twenty minutes until.
"Well I'll see you guys after work" Konan hopped from her chair putting her dishes in the sink, then grabbed her little pouch that Zu had given her and vanished out the door, fifteen minutes later, Nagato left leaving Sakura and Yahiko alone.
And then he was gone as well, Sakura took a deep breath and steeled her nerves, she was going to need it for the ensuing confrontation with the Inuzuka's against her better judgment though Sakura scooped Chibi into her arms before leaving locking the door behind her.
As she walked down the streets to Dan's place, hoping he was there and not out and about, Sakura got lost in her thoughts wondering how she always managed to get in these kinds of situations, was it the curse of team seven, had it followed her back into the past, she hoped not.
Sakura was so deep in thought that she walked right by Tsume Inuzuka and Sakumo Hatake, until there was a vice grip around her arm and a familiar voice was shouting at her "HEY I'M TALKING TO YOU DAMN IT" Tsume growled not liking the fact she was being ignored.
She blinked her emerald eyes slowly taking in her surroundings before coming to "No need to shout Inuzuka-san, I can hear you" Sakura frowned a sinking feeling forming in the pit of her stomach, she just had this feeling that something was going to happen.
Sakumo smirked watching the two girls interact, if the pinkette refused it would possibly degenerate into a fight "I'm here to make you a deal, if you release that pup to the Inuzuka Clan, we'll supply you a new dog, just a regular one" Tsume stared Sakura down.
Having known it would come to this "I'm sorry Inuzuka-san, but I can't under any circumstances give Chibi away, whether he has ninken blood in him or not" Sakura spoke though her stance didn't change to make it seem like she was challenging the older girl.
Tsume gave a start not having expected that but "Give me one reason why I shouldn't just take that pup away from you right now, by rights all ninken in the village, that don't have a contract or bound to a partner, belong to the Inuzuka" she crossed her arms.
The pinkette heaved a world weary sigh "Because Inuzuka-san, if Chibi were gone, a little boy would be horribly upset and he'd cry and even if we got a new dog, it wouldn't change the fact that it's not Chibi" Sakura explained tightening her arms around the puppy.
'Just a little more and this whole problem will be resolved' Sakura thought knowing exactly what to say next "Chibi saved us, well rather my friend, when we had no one but each other, and we are very attached, that's why Inuzuka-san" she finished.
Seeing no end to this petty stand off, Sakumo reached forward and grasped Chibi by the scruff yanking him harshly from the pinkette's arms and dropped him on the ground in front of Tsume "There problems solved" he huffed.
Chibi let out a whine and Tsume stared in horror "WHAT THE HELL" she snapped seeing red as her senses went haywire, and before she could get her boiling blood under control Tsume lunged sharp nails aimed at Sakumo's face.
Sakura watched all this in slow motion and just like before moving without conscious decision, she leaped between the two and razor sharp nails raked down her back, she could feel the blood dripping to the ground as she blacked out, the last thing she heard was a scream.
He stood frozen stunned at what had just happened before "What did I do" Tsume was on the ground staring at her hand, the one she'd used and her bloodied nails, she'd hurt someone, "Hey snap out of it stupid we have to get her to the hospital" she jumped to her feet.
Sakumo jerked in surprise scooping the pinkette into his arms "You take that pup go find Dan Kato, tell him what happened, I'll take full responsibility for what just happened" he shouted over his shoulder flying down the streets to the hospital.
Tsume didn't hesitate, even though she didn't really like being ordered around, she grabbed Chibi in her arms and took off in the direction of the aforementioned man's apartment, he was just entering it "Hey Kato-san" she called skidding to a halt.
He turned with a smile before frowning "What's going on Tsume-san and why do you have Sakura-san's puppy in you're arms..." Dan trailed off feeling as if he'd forgotten something, then he remembered what had happened during training "What happened" he asked finding it difficult to breath at that moment.
The Inuzuka Heiress lowered her eyes to the ground as her shoulders shook with silent sobs "I'm so sorry Kato-san, I didn't mean it, it's just that I was trying to get Sakura-san to release Chibi to my care and Hatake-san kind of yanked him out of her arms" she started not daring to look up.
Feeling as if he knew where the conversation was about to go, Dan gripped his door in a white knuckled grip listening closely "I got to mad and so when I went after Hatake-san, she jumped between us and I hurt her" Tsume finally raised her head.
Thick tears were streaming down her little cheeks and Dan couldn't even find it himself to be angry at her, no the blame was going to be laid squarely on Sakumo Hatake's shoulders "It's okay Tsume-san, we know you can't stand animals being hurt, that's why you got mad right" he asked.
She sniffled loudly and she nodded "Then don't blame yourself" Dan stood from his crouch and patted Tsume on the head "Did Sakumo-san take Sakura-san to the hospital" he asked and got another nod "Good, come on then Tsume-san" he gestured for him to follow her.
When they made it to the hospital, Sakura had been checked into a room, and Sakumo was out in the waiting area, at Dan's and Tsume's approach he stood "This is my fault, if I hadn't interfered then what happened wouldn't have happened" Sakumo admitted.
"Do you have any idea what you've done, Sakura-san isn't just a normal little kid, the three Sannin are her sensei's" Dan shook his head in disappointment making Sakumo feel even more guilty and look sick to his stomach as his skin paled in realization.
"Kami I had no idea Lady Tsunade was training that girl" he rubbed his face heart feeling heavy, not to mention fear took hold of him, when the woman found out what had happened to her student, she was going to make him pay, he was sure of it.
Dan sighed placing his hand down on Tsume's head as she stood next to him silently still holding tightly to Chibi "Enough of that now, how is Sakura-san, will she be able to go home" he questioned, his answer was a negative one.
Sakumo shook his head "The scratches are deep the medics in the hospital aren't competent enough to heal them in one go like Lady Tsunade, not to mention she hasn't woken up since they put her in a room" he explained with a sigh, he just had to go and fuck up everything didn't he.
He felt a headache forming "Great" Dan massaged his temples "What time is it" he asked looking around for a clock, he found one a moment later and his heart sped up in panic "Look just stay here Hatake, I have three little kids to explain to" he groaned.
How did everything get so messed up anyway he thought leaving the hospital, as much as he wanted to check on Sakura he couldn't not until he'd appraised the others of the situation and possibly calm down if they started crying.
When Dan made it to their apartment Nagato and Konan were within "Dan-san" the blue haired girl jumped up with wide amber eyes "Do you know where Sakura-chan is, we can't find her" Konan rushed at him hoping he knew.
"Let's way till Yahiko-san come home okay" Dan smiled it would do him no good to worry them just yet, but judging by both Konan and Nagato's expressions of concern, he wasn't doing a very good job, in the presence of kids, all his training as a shinobi flew out the window.
Twenty minutes later Yahiko burst into the apartment expecting to smell dinner cooking or possibly done but he didn't, it made him wary as he toed off his sandals and walked down the short hall to the kitchen, seated around the table were Konan, Nagato and Dan, but no Sakura, or Chibi for that matter.
"What's going on Dan-san" he asked cautiously sitting down when the man motioned for him to take a seat, "And where's Sakura-chan and Chibi" Yahiko pestered feeling dread pooling in his stomach as all the what if's ran through his mind.
Dan swallowed thickly "Listen this is in no way any of your faults, but Sakura-san is in the hospital" he started and Yahiko punched the table before cringing as his hand throbbed from the pain he'd caused himself.
"Damn it I knew we should have told her to wait to deal with the Inuzuka's, but she'd promised she wouldn't go to the compound without you Dan-san" his forehead was creased as he stared at the pale blue haired man with suspicion.
He sighed "She wasn't at the Compound, as I understood she was probably on her way to find me, and Tsume-san and Sakumo Hatake confronted her before she could, though it's not Tsume-san's fault either" Dan warned.
"No Sakumo-san took Chibi from her roughly and Tsume-san got angry she can't stand seeing animals hurt and she tried to attack Sakumo-san and from what I got was Sakura jumped between them and took the hit for Sakumo-san" he explained waiting for the trio to burst into tears.
When that didn't happen Dan stared around with an expectant look "That Sakura-chan always protecting us and others no matter who they are how much a jerk they've been" Yahiko shook his head not surprised in the least.
"Yeah no kidding and I thought the time when that guy tried to slap me and she took the hit for me was scary" Konan shuddered rubbing her arms as goosebumps rose on her flesh, though they were all still very worried about the pinkette.
Nagato was the only one to ask "Is Sakura-chan gonna be okay, will she be able to come home tonight" he asked with a frown of concern, when Dan grimaced "How bad was it" Nagato questioned feeling tears gather in his eyes but he shoved them back.
Dan sighed "The medics at the hospital aren't as competent as they seem and Sakura got scratched pretty deep, according to Sakumo-san she still hasn't woken up, and probably won't until tomorrow" he finally managed to get out.
Then the water works began as Konan and Nagato held onto each other and started crying while Yahiko let out a little sniffle tears silently streaming down his cheeks "Ca..Can we g..go se..see Sakura-chan" Nagato hiccuped as more tears slid down his cheeks.
He was quick to nod "You know I'd feel better if the three of you stayed with me for the night" he paused for a moment and they didn't hesitate to scramble to their rooms to gather a bag to stay elsewhere for the night.
Glad that he hadn't had to do to much to convince them to stay with him, Dan waited until they returned before leading the trio of orphans to the hospital, Sakumo and Tsume were still there waiting and they jumped up seeing them appear.
"The medics said Sakura-san woke up" Tsume spoke before Sakumo could, she was still holding onto Chibi who by now was sleeping comfortably in her arms, "Um here's you're puppy back" he passed pup over to the red head.
All three of them had tear stains on their cheeks but at least they weren't crying anymore "I'm gonna head back to the Inuzuka Compound, um tell her I'm sorry" Tsume waved escaping before she could do anymore damage.
Sakumo tried the same thing "Oh no you don't Sakumo-san, you have an apology to make to these kids and Sakura-san" Dan stood in his way and the teenager slumped his shoulders in defeat, but he did turn to Yahiko and Nagato.
"I'm very sorry none of this would have happened if I hadn't been such a jerk to you and you're friend" Sakura apologized, though neither boy looked very satisfied with it, probably wouldn't be until he'd said the same to the pinkette.
Dan ran his hand through his hair with a sigh as a nurse led them down the halls to the room Sakura was resting in, she was sitting up in the bed with a bunch of pillows behind her back to help her, though a pained smile was on her lips.
Before he, or the kids to speak, Sakumo cleared his throat and stepped forward, Sakura flinched just barely noticeable, "Right I'm very sorry for what happened, and I can understand if you hate me because of this" he started inching his way closer to her bedside.
"And just know that I won't ever interfere with you or you're friends or puppy again, I won't ask that you keep what happened between us or them, and I'll accept Tsunade's punishment when she comes back" Sakumo finished patting Sakura on the head gently.
Then he was fleeing from the room, Sakura blinked her emerald eyes slowly before "Idiot didn't even let me talk" she snorted before grimacing, that had hurt, 'Stupid incompetent nurses' a scowl formed on her lips, this was so not where she wanted to spend the night.
In her distraction Nagato scrambled onto the edge of the bed being mindful of the fact that Sakura was hurt and eased himself into a sitting position next to her "Are you okay Sakura-chan" he swiped his hair to the side to see her better.
"Not really, I'll probably be stuck in here for a couple of days" Sakura pulled another face at that but no one laughed, when tears started trickling down Nagato's face again she turned carefully "Hey now it's okay Nagato-kun, you're a big brave man aren't you" she asked.
He sniffled clutching Chibi tighter but he nodded waiting for whatever it was she would say "Then don't cry alright, men don't cry, especially over something as little as this, it could be so much worse just remember that k" Sakura smiled through her pain again.
"Okay Sakura-chan" Nagato reverted back to that hopelessly shy boy and she wanted to sigh, but she feared doing so would stretch the wounds on her back and then her bandages would have to be changed again.
Instead she gave him a side hug before turning her attention on Yahiko and Konan "Are you gonna give me a hug or not, sorry I wasn't there to make dinner" Sakura huffed when the two stood there staring at her.
At her remark they climbed the bed taking turns to give her hugs, being careful not to jostle her to much or hurt her anymore than she always was "That's okay Sakura-chan, so long as you get better" Konan rubbed her eyes sneakily.
No doubt the pinkette already knew she was crying but she couldn't help it "We were so worried when we came home and you weren't there, what happened really Sakura-chan" Konan asked wanting to get the whole truth from the girl.
Yahiko stood a little taller "Yeah, what happened did they really confront you on you're way to get Dan-san" he asked brown eyes boring into her emerald, he could see that she was tired, they all were but this was something none of them would relent on.
"I was halfway there when Tsume-san started shouting at me and Sakumo-san gripped my arm, and things were going well until he decided to forcibly pull Chibi from my arms, by the way is Chibi okay, he's not hurt is he" her eyes searched the pup.
They all relaxed some, so it really had been all Sakumo's fault for what had happened, "He's okay" Konan piped up and Sakura let out a sigh of relief relaxing into the pillows with a wince, then her eyes widened as she realized.
"Um Dan-san may I ask a small favor of you" Sakura creased her forehead, things just kept getting more 'Troublesome' she thought stealing Shikaku and his future son's favorite line for the moment, not that they knew it.
The pale blue haired man nodded wondering what the pinkette would ask "Go ahead Sakura-san what is it that you need me to do" Dan gestured for her to ask, it was probably to watch her friends, but what came out was differently.
She bit her lip sheepishly "Tomorrow I'm supposed to work at the flower show, do you think you could stop by and let the Yamanaka's know what's going on so they don't get angry" Sakura wrung her hands nervously as she stared at him with worry filled emerald eyes.
His own dark green eyes widened before returning to normal "I can do that" Dan nodded "Let's leave Sakura-san to her rest" he ushered Nagato, Yahiko and Konan from the hospital room and down the halls to the entrance and left the hospital.
Keeping his promise Dan led the way down to the Yamanaka Flower Shop hoping that the Yamanaka's hadn't closed up for the day, thankfully the door was still unlocked, Inoichi was just taking off his apron when the four of them entered.
"Oh Yahiko-san, Nagato-san, Konan-san and..." the eight year old trailed off not seeing the pinkette "Where's Sakura-san" Inoichi directed his attention to the adult he'd heard many rumors about, hearing the voice of their son, his parents stepped out of the back room.
Dan rubbed his hands together "Well Sakura-san is in the hospital right now" he paused when Mrs. Yamanaka let out a horrified gasp, "She's alright for the most part, but she won't be able to come into work for a couple of days" he explained.
"My goodness what happened to the sweet little dear" Mrs. Yamanaka came closer "Tell us Dan" she demanded, she'd taken a great liking to the pinkette she and her husband had hired, she was good with flowers, not to mention the customers as well.
"It is in no way Tsume Inuzuka's fault, Sakumo Hatake was the instigator, the issue has been resolved though so I ask that no rumors be spread, but Sakura-san got deep scratches on her back and well you know how well the medics at the hospital can heal someone" Dan rolled his eyes.
Mr. Yamanaka placed his hand down on Inoichi's head as the boy frowned deeply in concern for the girl he sort of liked, though was finding out it would be better to be friends with, since he'd taken an interest in another girl from the clan this time, he was torn though.
"And Tsunade is out on a mission" his father asked, though it was more like a statement, inwardly Inoichi made a promise to go visit Sakura during his lunch the next day just to make sure she was really going to be okay.
Shikaku, Choza and Minato might join him as well, he was pulled out his thoughts as Dan spoke again "Yeah, if she does get released before Saturday, I've no doubt Sakura-san will try to come into work" the pale blue haired man shook his head in exasperation.
"We'll send the girl straight home to rest, she doesn't need to work if she's in pain" Mrs. Yamanaka nodded "Thank you for coming to tell us Dan" she waved as he left leading the other kids out as well "Poor girl" she frowned as her concern showed.
"Yes it's awful what happened" Mr. Yamanaka patted his wife on the hand as they locked up for the night and got ready to sit down for a late dinner, it had been extremely busy in the shop that day which was unusual, or it could have been a sign that something had happened, they would never know.
Dan led Yahiko, Nagato and Konan to his apartment and got them set up in the spare bedroom "Sorry there's only the one bed, but it should be big enough for you three to share right" he raised a brow and they all nodded before their stomachs started growling.
He seemed to realize that none of them had, had dinner yet "Just wait here, I'll whip you up something" Dan promised pulling the ingredients for BLT sandwiches from the fridge or bread box, putting the bacon in the oven, cutting the tomatoes and preparing the lettuce.
And toasted the bread, it probably wouldn't be something half as good as what Sakura could cook, but at least the kids would have something to fill their stomachs for the night, until the next morning, fifteen minutes later the sandwiches had been assembled and they all sat down to eat.
When the trio of children were done, they got up washing their dishes to Dan's amusement, they probably did that all the time back at their apartment, then moved into his living room and sat down in a circle holding hands.
He didn't ask use to their strange ways and thirty minutes later, they stood "May we take baths Dan-san" Konan rubbed her eyes feeling exhausted, it had been a long day, he nodded and they took turns before crawling into bed to fall asleep.
Surprised he hadn't had to do much and that they were the politest bunch of kids he'd ever met, Dan flipped off the lights in the kitchen and living room setting up his traps and making sure the doors and windows were locked.
Before he headed to bed himself, he check on the trio of orphans, Konan was sleeping in the middle surrounded on both sides by Yahiko and Nagato, he felt a smile tug his lips upwards before he shut the door leaving it cracked open a bit in case they woke during the night.
Then Dan took his own shower and slipped beneath the covers of his own bed, shivering at the cool sheets and missing Tsunade in that moment, he sent another prayer to the kami for her to return safely with the others before closing his eyes and dozing off.