Three days into their break Sakura decided to teach her cubs how to finally climb a tree like a proper jaguar should be able to and the one she asked to help her was Fuyona who'd been sticking close all three days they'd been back in the village.
"Of course I'd be happy to help Sakura" Fuyona bounced around with all the excitement of a five month old cub as they exited the cave, Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi,since Ohnoki and Kitsuchi were busy, plus Mita and Tokei on their heels eager to learn themselves.
So they didn't fail next time "Right Mita, Tokei this is a very important lesson you'll learn today, if you ever find yourself in danger and need to get out of range, climbing a tree will protect you" Sakura turned to her little human raised cubs.
Who nodded their heads understanding what she was saying surprisingly before they focused their attention on Fuyona and watched her intently "When do you suppose they'll start talking, they seem intelligent enough after all" Kurotsuchi questioned.
As Sakura sat down on a rock and pulled out a book on herbs in braille "Yeah I've been wondering that myself, they act like they want to talk sometimes but then they don't and it's kind of disappointing cause I want to hear their voices" Akatsuchi said in agreement of his partner.
Her lips curved upwards into a smile just as Fuyona's voice drifted over to them "Use your claws Tokei, Mita, get a good grip with them on the bark of the tree and climb" the dark gray feline instructed already perched in a tree and finding teaching the cubs rather exhilarating.
"Perhaps soon, don't know for sure, Yasei and Tora didn't start talking until they were one so…" the pinkette trailed off not knowing a proper answer to give to her new friends as they sat on either side of her watching the pups struggling to climb.
Kurotsuchi wasn't to put out at that while Akatsuchi seemed to sulk a little before perking up when Mita managed to reach a branch of the tree she was trying to scale and hefted herself up onto it with great effort.
"Nice, good job Mita" the ravenette cheered, praising the cub, use to doing so now that she'd been hanging around the jaguars for over four days now, even Akatsuchi clapped while Sakura sent a smile in Mita's direction with ease.
Causing the red and brown pup to rumble out a purr of happiness until the branch decided to snap on her and promptly deposit her on the ground "You okay" the sixteen year old cringed as Mita lay sprawled out seemingly dazed.
Until she stood and shook out her fur, shaking off the dizziness of abruptly falling "Perhaps find a thicker branch next time Mita" Fuyona huffed out a laugh at the pouting cub as Tokei took his turn of finally climbing the tree properly.
Though he perched himself on a much thicker branch than his sister had, who lunged at the tree and climbed once more so that she wasn't left sitting on the ground, moments later both cubs were proudly sequestered away in a tree, completing their lesson.
When who they considered their surrogate mother stood they leaped to the ground gracelessly after Fuyona and scrambled over to her "Did we d..do good Mother" Tokei was surprisingly the one to speak for the first time as he butted his head into her knees.
As her hand found purchase and rubbed over his ears in a deliciously wonderful way that had him purring quite loudly for those in the clearing to hear "Yes my little cubs you did good" Sakura soothed pulling him into a bear hug.
Mita was silent though proving she wasn't ready to talk like her brother "Aw that was absolutely adorable and he even called you Mom" Kurotsuchi was beside herself at the cuteness she was witnessing from her jaguar blessed friend.
She wouldn't dare call the girl obsessed since jaguars just seemed to surround themselves around her whether or not she wanted them to "Is it because your raising them" Akatsuchi asked though his lips twitched in obvious laughter as the two cubs bounded off to play.
Lessons clearly finished for the morning, Sakura nodded silently and closed her book, stowing it away in her pouch "We missed it didn't we, Mita and Tokei climbing their first tree's" Naruto appeared randomly as they were headed for the Main Family House.
Her lips twitched in amusement "Unfortunately Naruto yes you and Sasuke missed it and Tokei speaking for the first time" the pinkette said while Naruto gaped after her as he froze upon hearing the admission that Tokei had spoken for the first time ever and he'd missed it.
"Wait you said Tokei, what about Mita" the blonde frowned realizing that Mita's name hadn't been mentioned and he wondered, Sakura shook her head signaling that only Tokei had spoken while the female six month old hadn't.
"Yeah it was really cute and he called her Mom" the ravenette grinned, she couldn't wait to see what the rest of the two weeks there in the Leaf Village would bring them and she knew all of it would be good, amazing, fun whatever adjective there was for it.
Naruto sulked a little "Don't worry now that he's spoken I'm sure he'll start talking more and you'll get to hear him eventually" the sixteen year old patted the blonde on the back as they arrived at their destination and headed into the house.
Where everyone else was lounging in the living room "Oh Sakura, Kurotsuchi-san, Akatsuchi-san what brings you three here" Itachi looked up from his book, sensing their chakra as they entered the living room properly.
Sakura bounded over to him with a bright smile "Yeah usually you guys stay near the cave" Shisui huffed a little put out, of course he understood that the cubs required a lot of attention but it seemed like Sakura was ignoring them sometimes.
Even if he knew that wasn't true, they were all just so busy what with still trying to finish up with the repairs of their village and now running around making sure that no one attacked the village again as other villages got wind of the treaty that they were forging with Stone.
It was an absolute bloody nightmare if he was being honest, he wouldn't dare blame Sakura though because that girl was a miracle worker "Indeed so what brought you here Sakura-chan, not that I'm complaining" Mikoto spoke up.
"Just wanted to be with you guys is all, Mita and Tokei can handle themselves for a couple of hours and the others are just fine on their own now that they can go off and hunt without fear" Sakura blushed as she admitted her reasons for coming there.
Mikoto smiled fondly and enveloped the young girl in a bone crushing hug that had Kurotsuchi's and Akatsuchi's eyes rounding in horror especially when Sakura didn't make a squeak of discomfort at the extremely tight hug.
"That happens a lot with those two, Sakura's the only one that can handle Mother's full on bone crushing hugs it seems" Sasuke snorted from his usual chair as the two females hugged for another second or two before releasing each other.
Only to settle down on furniture, it was then that Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi realized that their friend had adapted to human ways as she got comfortable and relaxed just as she usually did while in the cave surrounded by her other family.
Who was admittedly a lot more dangerous and wild, but family all the same "Guess we underestimated you Sakura" Kurotsuchi sat down in a cushy chair after gesturing to the bookshelf in which Itachi had nodded at her.
Sakura beamed at her "Yeah we really thought that well you know" Akatsuchi grimaced feeling terrible, they'd judged her only on her appearance of course, though she'd taken to wearing her shinobi attire around them to make them feel more comfortable.
"Don't worry you guys and I know, I'd be confused to, but I learned how to make the best of both worlds" the pinkette smiled fondly opening her book on herbs again and running her fingers across the pages to read in the ensuing silence.
Until a loud knock interrupted the lot of them from their leisurely reading, Mikoto closed her book and stood to answer the door, when she returned a wild looking woman was on her heels "Pink Stray my Kuromaru I can't bloody find him anywhere you know his scent don't you" the woman barked.
At Sakura who was on her feet in a flash knowing how important this Kuromaru was to the wild woman "Hold on let us come help look for him to Tsume-sama" the twenty one year old Uchiha rose glad to rid himself of the boredom he was feeling.
"This is not a game Shisui-san, if Kuromaru is missing then this is very serious, especially since Tsume-sama can not scent him for some reason" the Uchiha Heir scolded his cousin with a frown working it's way onto his forehead.
Let whoever so much as touched the Inuzuka Matriarch's ninken die a most quick death before the woman caught hold of him, Shisui winced realizing how he'd sounded "We'll help look to" the ravenette nodded rising herself.
It would show the Leaf Shinobi that they were willing to put in the effort to get over their terrible past by helping out in the village themselves "Us too, with all of us looking he'll be found faster" the ebony haired thirteen year old scowled.
Naruto nodded "Right then we should probably get going huh" the blue eyed blonde followed the others not wanting to be left out, even if Sakura would most likely be the only one to find the missing ninken.
Akatsuchi took a deep breath "So can you smell this Kuromaru-san" the sixteen year old questioned as Sakura led them out into the streets of the village subtly inhaling the air before making a beeline to the right.
Heading on a straight path to the village gates "Out there you sure Pink Stray" Tsume was extremely confused at the turn of events as they all signed out and she helped the girl sign her name on the sign out sheet.
The girl nodded her head seriously, picking up on the missing ninken's chakra now that they were getting closer to where ever he was, then she noted the way Kuromaru's chakra was flaring in distress and pain and quickly sped up.
Practically leaving everyone in the dust as she charged forward through underbrush and into a clearing that held more than fifteen bandits gathered around the injured animal "KUROMARU" the Inuzuka Matriarch snarled becoming outright hostile upon seeing her companion hurt.
All hell broke lose at that as the lot of them took on a couple bandits each, Sakura proving to be just as brutal as the other times much like a certain woman until all fifteen bandits were dead and Sakura dropped to her knee's next to Kuromaru, hands already glowing bright green.
"Very much appreciated Pup" Kuromaru nodded his head in thanks when his injuries faded into nothingness at the touch of the extremely advanced medical ninjutsu from the girl and he stood carefully before padding over to his partner.
Who hefted him despite his size and squeezed "Pink Stray was the one who scented you out here" Tsume admitted when she let him stand again a little embarrassed that she'd showed such weakness in front of others but relief of having her companion back was winning over.
Kuromaru bowed at the young girl "Then thank you for that as well Pup, I'm in your debt" the dark furred canine rumbled before they as a whole headed back to the village and signed in now that the danger was passing.
"Good thing we all went huh, though somehow I get the feeling that Sakura-chan would have been just fine on her own with Tsume-sama" Shisui shuddered remembering the brutality in which Sakura had taken down her own opponents during that little scuffle.
Naruto, Sasuke, Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi all laughed at him while Itachi appeared more amused than anything "Of course Sakura-chan would have been just fine without us" Naruto sniggered, she was scary in a fight much more than anyone truly realized.
So Sakura was severely underestimated which worked in her favor until it was time to fight "Yeah you should have remembered her fight during the Chunin Exams, she punted that Dosu guy on his ass" Sasuke grimaced.
Then when the Sound Village had attacked and the way she'd killed that man so brutally it had been a little fear inducing "That's right we never asked about that so what happened, clearly you got promoted but why does it look like part of your village was destroyed" Kurotsuchi asked.
"Cause we were attacked by the Hidden Sound Village that Orochimaru the Sannin founded some time ago, lost the Third Hokage when they invaded during the last match of the first round" Itachi explained carefully as they reached the mostly empty Uchiha Compound again.
Headed on a straight path for the house to hopefully get in some more relaxation time "Oh sorry for your loss" Akatsuchi winced, no wonder it seemed like everyone was rushing around and they'd come here and complicated everything.
"Don't worry it's not your fault" Sakura soothed as they all piled on furniture again to read and enjoy their downtime before someone else came knocking, by that effect it was nearly lunch time when Ohnoki and Kitsuchi appeared, done with treaty talk for the day.
And Mikoto made a delicious meal for everyone "I'm surprised, thought you'd be with those jaguars in the cave" Ohnoki raised a brow as he realized the girl was in fact sitting at the table which admittedly confused him.
"Now Dad, perhaps she merely wished to eat with the family that adopted her, those jaguars can hunt for themselves after all" Kitsuchi shook his head with a laugh before turning to his own daughter and asking her how her morning went.
Though he was quite surprised to find out that it had been chock full of excitement from watching the two older cubs learning how to climb a tree properly to going out to look for the Inuzuka Matriarch's missing ninken, defeating a bunch of bandits and healing said ninken.
Before they all returned to the house to read and be lazy for the rest of the morning in comfortable silence and company "Every day is an adventure for you isn't it" the Third Tsuchikage barked out a rough laugh as he dug into the food Mikoto had cooked for the lot of them.
"Yeah but we don't mind cause we learn new things" the blue eyed blonde piped in with a large whiskered smile on his lips "Plus the baby jaguar's are so cute that we can't help but interact with them" he admitted shamelessly.
Making everyone laugh in response "Agreed, even if two of them are getting way out of our league" the second Uchiha heir crinkled his nose in frustration, Mita and Tokei had grown up way to fast and it left him floundering on what to teach them since he had to use clones now.
Sakura patted his head "Don't feel to bad Sasuke, once they learn a little more restraint then you won't have to use the clones, it'll be awhile though" the pinkette said lightly and polished off her food and got more to Kitsuchi's awe.
Even though he was staring subtly she probably already knew he was looking at her "Sakura-chan's appetite is just as large as usual then" the twenty one year old sniggered only to get smacked on the back of the head by his aunt.
Who gave him a stern look and his lips turned down in a pout "Not helping you out of that one Shisui-san" the eighteen year old heir chuckled lightly, having known his cousin/best friend had said that for the Stone Shinobi.
"So what are we going to do once we're done here, go back to the caves or what" the fourteen year old questioned as everyone started getting full and began clearing the table of dishes by washing them in the sink so Mikoto didn't have to do so much work.
The Uchiha Matriarch was very pleased that all of her dishes had been washed as they headed back to the living room "Good idea, we could go with you as well" the raven haired Stone Jonin gestured to himself then Ohnoki who shrugged.
It was always amusing when the jaguars were involved "Honestly" the ebony haired woman shook her head with a laugh as the lot of them traipsed out the door and to the caves where all the jaguars were surprisingly lounging about outside.
Which included Chairo and Kurai who were curled up to their mothers while the rest of them watched the younger trio roughhouse with one another, tussling about and chasing each other, which gave Sakura an amazing idea.
Though it would exclude someone from the game "Kajiya you remember that chase and catch game from before, it would be a wonderful way to pass the afternoon don't you think" Sakura snickered suddenly and Shisui grimaced remembering very well the game in question.
"A few of us could sit out don't you think" Shisui coughed knowing that the jaguars had to be itching to move around but with the two three day old cubs it would be hard unless someone was sat watching over them.
"Chase and catch game what do you mean Sakura-san" the sixteen year old questioned curiously as immediately Ohnoki, Kitsuchi and Shisui sat down on the cushy sand/pelt, Chairo and Kurai curled up in Shisui's lap.
Sakura's grin widened "It entails running away from us Akatsuchi-san, have no fear, we will not harm you, we do know how to be careful after all" Kajiya explained soothingly knowing the teenager was nervous.
He gulped quietly "Fuyona, Mita, Tokei you three will chase after Sakura understand" Hyo took charge of the youngsters and with that the four of them were gone, Sakura vanishing in the blink of an eye to the Tsuchikage's astonishment.
Shisui shook his head with a quiet snort of laughter "That always happens, her nickname is the ghost of the forest after all" Itachi said seeing the confusion on Kitsuchi's features, it's how they'd all felt when Sakura had first come to Leaf.
Now, now they were all use to her odd ways and practically disappearing from sight as if she'd never been there in the first place "Just how is it you got them and her to come to Leaf" Kitsuchi lowered his voice as the jaguar's chose their targets and took off.
Laughter ringing in the air from the humans being chased carefully "Wasn't easy I'll let you, my mother chose me for the mission to bring them back and we had to wait two weeks since Hyo-san had moved them all to another cave two days away from Leaf" the Uchiha Heir admitted.
Remembering how Sakura had practically burst into tears as she realized Mikoto was there and that they'd be moving to this forest, not a sight he'd care to repeat or the first week, that had been awful as well.
"How long did it take her to adjust to being here" Ohnoki prodded curious as to what the answer would be, or was the girl still uncomfortable being in a village surrounded by her own species, maybe that's why she kept cooped up in the compound most of the time.
Itachi creased his brow "To long, maybe she's still not fully adjusted, we don't actually know unless we ask her" he finally said after a long pause in which Kurotsuchi had burst from the forest eyes glinting with excitement.
As she then leaped into a tree, and suppressed her scent, leading Yasei on a merry chase until the formerly pregnant jaguar spotted the teenager's hiding spot and scaled the tree only to find her target missing and vanished into the forest again.
Kitsuchi chuckled and let out a snort of amusement until the game of chase came to end thirty minutes later "Darn it Kajiya-chan you always catch me" Naruto sulked as the lot of them came to lounge with the adults of the group.
Purring emitted from the feline in question and Naruto knew he couldn't be mad at her "If we're being honest it did take a little longer to catch you and Sasuke-san, Naruto" Yori admitted having realized the two boys were getting faster.
No doubt because they'd been learning under Sakura somewhat "You think" Sasuke grinned as he flopped on his back and leaned his head on Tora who curled himself around his mate as Chairo was placed next to Muimina.
"Let's not forget Kurotsuchi-san and Akatsuchi-san" Yasei huffed, but was grateful that they'd gotten in a little bit of exercise, the only one they hadn't been able to catch like usual was Sakura, who was roughhousing with the youngsters of the pack.
Yori rumbled out a laugh "Though Sakura-chan's the champion like she always is" Tora shook his massive head before turning his head and began grooming himself, making sure to get all his fur back into it's proper place.
Funny how he use to hate getting bathed by his mother when he'd been younger, now he sorta kinda missed it even if he was a adult and a father of his own cub now "She's just beautiful, I hope she has your eyes Tora" Muimina rumbled, fussing over their pup.
Cleaning Chairo until the little cub was squirming to get away meanwhile little Kurai was content to let his mother groom him to her hearts content "Good gets praises right" Tokei purred as they settled down on either side of Sakura.
Who was leaned against Fuyona "Of course Tokei, Mita, you did good, you to Fuyona" Sakura patted each pup on the head, rubbing their ears before doing the same to the jaguar she was cuddling with at that current moment.
Earning a purr that vibrated her all the way to the core "What's it like sleeping with them at night" Kurotsuchi asked when there was a lull in the conversation and a question that was bugging her popped into her mind.
"Very warm, at least that's what I think anyway" Fuyona admitted quietly, still not use to being wanted especially by a whole bunch of her own kind, when her own mother had abandoned her when she'd been extremely young.
"Really, do you think we could join you tonight, maybe, only if they agree" Akatsuchi was the one to surprisingly request, Kitsuchi shrugged and the Tsuchikage let out a bark of laughter but didn't refuse while all the jaguars nodded.
Including Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura herself, while Itachi and Shisui showed amusement on their faces as they all settled down to lounge some more, well that was the plan until two very familiar people stalked towards them.
Hyo rose and let out a thunderous growl "You dare show yourself here near our cave" the snowy furred emerald eyed jaguar snarled knowing who these males were and how they'd treated his human cub for the entirety of the time she'd been in Leaf so far.
The Stone Shinobi were shocked at the sudden viciousness that was being displayed by the usually calm and tolerant male as the brunets held up their hands in surrender "If it helps we've come to apologize" Neji said in a hasty tone of voice.
While holding very still "Exactly if you allow us that is" Hiashi nodded, keeping his gaze locked with the jaguar's, a very dangerous creature and the both of them should have known the girl would be in their company when they went traipsing through the forest to find her.
Sakura crossed her arms and tilted her head in their direction, trying to read their emotions from their chakra "What do you think my cub, do they deserve a chance to apologize for all the trouble they've caused you" Hyo rumbled still glowering at the human males.
"Depends on how exactly they word their apology" the pinkette pursed her lips not amused by this situation in the least, but she would give them a chance, just one and the next time they would have to grovel at Mikoto's feet for forgiveness.
Realizing that it was only thanks to the girl they'd mocked and ridiculed for wanting to be the worlds first blind ninja they were jaguar food and began their apologies "We are truly sorry for how we've behaved Sakura-san, you were right, we were being arrogant" Hiashi admitted.
Tone thick with his regret for treating a young girl the way he had "And that I continued to mock and harass you wasn't very becoming of a member of the Hyuga Clan so I apologize Sakura-san" Neji bowed his head it was all his pride would allow for.
After being thoroughly put in his place by Naruto and Sakura both during the Chunin Exams, he'd seen the light and changed his ways, Sakura's features softened as she smelled shame and regret wafting from the duo.
With that she nodded "Forgiven just remember Hiashi-sama, Neji-san that just because someone is different it doesn't always mean they can't be just as strong or stronger than you expect or do things like normal people" Sakura scolded
Even Hiashi let out a chuckle while Neji showed open amusement on his face as they bowed their heads and left, leaving the lot of them to their own devices and they all settled down and relaxed again as the sun bore down on them, leeching their energy and making them lazy.
Before they could even contemplate heading back to the house, Mikoto glided gracefully into the clearing, clutched in her arms was a bunch of scrolls "Naruto-chan, Sasuke-chan, Sakura-chan, letters for you from Temari-chan, Kankuro-chan and Gaara-chan" Mikoto greeted.
And handed the scrolls to their intended receivers, all three of whom plopped back down and unrolled the letters to read them eagerly "Let's write our letters together" Naruto suggested as they all stood and followed Mikoto as they left the clearing.
The jaguars understood that it was time to hunt so they traded off in pairs, leaving Fuyona, Mita and Tokei the odd ones out "Good idea Dope" Sasuke smirked and ducked as a hand came out to smack him over the back of the head and Naruto sniggered.
Mikoto rolled her eyes "Boys behave" Sakura snorted elbowing the duo in the sides since she was stood between them, a snigger followed by a smack came from behind them as Shisui had his head abused by his aunt again, Itachi was the one to roll his eyes this time.
Shaking his head while the Stone Shinobi watched on in amusement at the family's antics even if two members of the family were adopted, they were family to the Uchiha's all the same as they finally reached the house and dinner was started.
When it was almost five o'clock supper was declared finished and they all settled around the table to eat and chatter to their hearts content, of course once they were done, Mikoto didn't have to lift a finger as even the Tsuchikage pitched in to help clean up for their host.
"Guess we'll see you in the morning, Akatsuchi, Kurotsuchi, hope you sleep well" Kitsuchi waved at the two teens who were dead set on cuddling with the jaguars that night, it was their prerogative and he wasn't going to stop them.
Ohnoki grunted out a goodnight to his granddaughter and Akatsuchi "Come Kitsuchi I'm weary and ready to rest for the night" Ohnoki grumbled floating his way through the house because he was exhausted and they still had over a week and a half to go.
Mikoto giggled as her children, adopted her others settled down on the floor around the low living room table and began writing furiously, though Sakura wrote in braille until they'd finished their response letters.
Which were taken away by a clone before Sakura, Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi traipsed out the door, Naruto and Sasuke leaving them to enjoy their first experience of cuddling with jaguars by themselves as they so did enjoy their own beds.
Itachi and Shisui however vanished to complete whatever mission they had for the night to ensure the village stayed safe and sound during the twilight hours and she was all content to curl up on the couch with a book to read.
Meanwhile, Sakura, Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi had reached the cave to find the jaguar's already curled up on the cushy sand/fur pelt style sleeping spot "Hey Sakura can I ask you a question" the raven haired fourteen year old asked to distract herself from feeling awkward.
As she hesitantly snuggled up against Kajiya's side, with her legs curled underneath Tora's paws as the jaguar shifted in his sleep instinctively to accommodate her "Yeah sure Kurotsuchi-chan" the pinkette yawned already feeling the tiredness creeping in as she curled against Hyo.
Fuyona on one side of her while the cubs she was raising were on the other side "Why did you have such a bad reaction to those two guys" the ebony haired sixteen year old sensed the question his partner wanted to ask and asked it for her.
Leaning against Tora and getting comfortable despite feeling a little awkward "That huh, well when I first came here, Neji-san treated me like I was insignificant, lesser than himself just because I was blind, he was arrogant and mocked and harassed me repeatedly" Sakura admitted.
Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi shared horrified looks "Didn't you tell your previous Hokage what they were doing to you" Kurotsuchi whispered feeling tired herself suddenly as the purring began and she was enveloped in warmth.
From the heat of all the jaguars packed together in practically a pile and now she understood why Sakura loved to cuddle with them "No, not that Lord Third would have been able to interfere since it was the Hyuga Clan doing it" the fuscia haired teen frowned.
Not that it mattered anymore, during the Final Round and the following weeks after the disaster of being attacked the two Hyuga's had changed for the better "Okay but why were they trying to interfere with your life so much anyway it's not like it was their business" Akatsuchi frowned.
"Hiashi-sama offered to transplant Hyuga eyes into me from a Hyuga that had died in return I would have had to marry Neji-san, but I refused and they were pissed that I wouldn't bow down to them" Sakura explained with a roll of her dull jade eyes.
Questions answered the three teens settled into a comfortable sleep as the purring and warmth from cuddling with a jaguar got them and they drifted off until sunlight filtered into the cave, waking the lot of them from their lovely rest.
Never before had they slept so wonderfully in another village, Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi were all to happy to have breakfast there in the cave with Sakura and the jaguars before disappearing to find something to occupy themselves for the day while Ohnoki and Kitsuchi were busy.