The next morning Hidzuke marched off for the academy after eating breakfast with everyone, Irakusa headed out the door to being work and selling her wares while Nagato went back to the Leaf Village, leaving his children in Sakura, Omoi and Karui's capable hands.
"So what are you going to do this morning" Chojuro was curious onyx eyes sliding from side to side as Sakura walked back and forth cleaning up the mess of breakfast, Momo glued to her hip, he doubted it even bothered the girl.
At his question, Omoi and Karui entertaining Shikke and Shimetta for the moment, she looked up "Probably finish up my shopping from yesterday, take Momo with me, unless you want to stay here" Sakura glanced down into honey eyes.
Momo hastily shook her head "I want to go with you Nee-chan" in response to her statement her arms tightened even more around her sister's waist, refusing to let go for fear that something else would happen and her big sister wouldn't be able to help.
Chojuro grimaced the girl had been traumatized, this was the only way she knew how to get comfort, from her older sister "What about those two little demo…I mean kids" Utakata piped in wincing as he got a warning look.
"I admit they are monsters though, and they'll probably demand to go to the park later, Omoi-kun and Karui-chan can handle them for a little bit" the pinkette shrugged lightly wiping down the counters meticulously.
The only blonde in the house currently chuckled in amusement "That will probably help in wearing them out again" Gengetsu nodded in understanding "But aren't you a ninja, what about missions" he frowned lightly.
She blinked at him "Raikage-sama's orders I have two weeks off, though it's been five days, so now only a week and two days left on my break" Sakura explained finishing up with cleaning the kitchen and they headed through the dining room to the front room.
Her sister attached to her side like velcro every step of the way even as they vanished down the hall to her room to collect her old genin outfits and donate them "Leaving already huh Sakura-chan" Karui asked holding Shikke this time.
And reading from one of the fantasy books at his demand, while Omoi bounced Shimetta on his knee "Do you know how long you two will be gone" Omoi inquired lifting the little red haired girl from his knee and tossing her lightly in the air causing her to squeal.
"Not very long, maybe thirty minutes, forty tops, I'm just donating these old outfits and getting new ones" she grabbed her wallet from it's spot on the table, no one ever bothered it and this was her house after all so someone was less likely to steal it.
Before Shikke and Shimetta could demand to go with her and Momo, Sakura and the white haired girl stood on the rug beneath the self summoning seal and disappeared in a large plume of smoke causing the duo to start pouting.
Cause they'd wanted to go to "Ne, ne Omoi-ni how come Sakra-chan's only paying attetion to Momo-chan" Shimetta waved her arms demanding to know still not able to speak properly on some words like her twin brother.
"Yeah, Yeah not fair, not fair we want Sakra-chan to play with us to" Shikke piped in with a sulk, he only saw that their slightly older cousin was clinging to their eldest cousin and she wasn't telling her no.
There was no answer they could give because Omoi and Karui knew that the Uzumaki Twins wouldn't understand that something bad and traumatic had happened to their cousin, so simply tried to keep them from asking more questions by playing with them.
Meanwhile Sakura and Momo had already traversed the two blocks to the market and had entered the clothing store, their first stop the counter "Excuse me I'd like to donate these old outfits back to the store, I promise their in good condition" Sakura held out the neatly folded clothes.
The cashier looked each outfit over before nodding in acceptance "Good, I'll just put these in the bin, have a good day and I hope you find what you're looking for" the woman said placing the clothes in a bin as she said.
And the two females moved over to a rack "Onee-chan do you think I could get a pretty outfit to from the Cloud Village" Momo asked quietly, she was beginning to despise that word it made her feel not good about herself anymore.
But like usual her sister indulged her on whatever she wanted "Mhm sure Momo-chan and don't let me forget when we get back I've got a souvenir for you from the Stone Village, a bracelet that I know you'll love" she smiled sweetly.
So they went around looking for an outfit for the white haired girl and finally settled on a frilly dress in the loveliest color of dark pink, along with purple sandals "I love it thank you Nee-chan" the girl squealed happily to announce her joy of the new outfit.
Crushing it to her chest gently, her sister's lips curved upwards "You're welcome Momo-chan, now it's Onee-chan's turn to get some new outfits" Sakura grinned nudging her little sister forward into an aisle.
In the end she got seven pairs of pants that clung to the skin in black and had fleece on the inside, seven pairs of dresses, skirts, shorts, tanks, short and long sleeved shirts all in varying dark colors, even a battle kimono, seven black thick outer yukata's, socks, gloves and new pairs of shoes.
Momo was in awe at the amount of clothing that had been gotten "Geez Kid got enough there" a somewhat familiar male voice sounded from behind them, her heart froze in her chest and Momo latched onto her sister in fear.
Sakura felt the grip and craned her neck around to spy Karai, who was looking warily at her little sister "Not exactly, there are still some things I need to get but I promised not to be gone for very long, you remember Karai-san don't you Momo-chan" she peered down at her sister.
Who was shaking just barely, and the white/orange haired man noticed "He…Hello Karai-san" Momo held tightly to Sakura honey eyes showing her fear, would he do what Mizuki had done to her, she didn't want to find out so kept close.
Onyx eyes narrowed that hadn't been her reaction last time they'd met so what had changed "Has something happened, cause last time you smiled at me Kid" Karai asked gently as they left the store, him following behind.
He was surprised to see the fury on the pinkette's face as he asked "A mishap at the Leaf Academy in which one of the sensei was thrown in jail for inappropriate behavior towards a student" Sakura nodded subtly to the white haired girl.
"My parents let me come stay with Sakura-chan for awhile" the nine year old piped in obliviously not wanting to remember what had happened and walked a little quicker to get home, it was only two blocks after all she could handle that.
Karai's skin paled "How bad was she hurt, what did they do to her, how did the situation get taken care of" he was utterly horrified, Imoi at the academy would never dare touch a student inappropriately, despite how rough he was.
Sakura sighed and rubbed her temples "The sensei was named Mizuki, he was new at the academy this year, and was jealous that Momo got praised, so took it upon himself to punish her, he left bruises on her bottom and bit her on the neck" she was still furious about that.
"Let me guess you had something to do with the guy landing a spot in a jail cell, you work quick Kid, and I'm sure the little one is glad to have such a great older sister" Karai ruffled Sakura's hair, that orange hair clip still conspicuously there pinning back the bangs.
"Nee-chan we're home, are we going to use the stairs" Momo called drawing her from her conversation with Karai, as the man went to visit Amai a couple houses over, while Sakura headed for her sister and they used the summoning seal to get back inside the house.
Momo vanished down the hall to her sisters room while Shikke and Shimetta demanded attention from their oldest cousin "Play with us" the twins ordered feeling slightly jealous that their white haired cousin was getting all the attention right then.
Left with little choice Sakura picked the duo up and spun them for however long they wanted until Momo returned having donned her new outfit, the dark pink dress went down to her calf's, to everyone's surprise the Uzumaki Twins didn't demand to go out to the park that day.
Contenting themselves with playing inside, they must have gotten scolded "Who's making lunch today" the white haired male in the room asked when it was nearing noon, which basically meant it was almost time to get started on their afternoon meal.
"Well Sakura-chan cooked dinner last night and you cooked breakfast this morning, so that means trade off right" the older red haired girl piped in from her spot on the couch, knowing she'd have to make dinner that night for the lot of them.
The pinkette nodded "Aww do you have to Sakra-chan we wanted to play more" Shikke and Shimetta were decidedly put out with their oldest cousin as she patted them on the head and disappeared through the dining room to the kitchen.
"I'm making stir-fry" Sakura announced throwing it over her shoulder as she went, and started pulling out the vegetables, meat, oil, wok and any other ingredients that were needed for her stir-fry that everyone even the children adored.
No one disagreed "That's acceptable Sakura-san" the blue haired teenager called back in response getting nods from Utakata and Gengetsu, despite the mishap from yesterday things were definitely going well on their own mini vacation.
"Right because the sauce you use is delicious, even if you won't tell us what you put in it" the only brunette in the house shook his head in slight amusement reading from one of the books he'd nicked from the shelf.
Gengetsu smiled "Indeed perhaps it's a secret recipe, we will never know" the blonde chuckled fully enjoying himself, he wondered far off in the future what she'd be like all grown up and an adult with possibly children of her own.
Momo was quiet as she sat curled up in her sisters chair until Sakura had a moment break while the meat cooked and came back into the living room and handed over a bracelet, with pink beads on a green string "Just like you're necklace" she smiled widely getting her hair ruffled.
Before Sakura returned to the kitchen twenty-five minutes later the lot of them were called in to the dining room for lunch and they all sat down to enjoy the delicious stir-fry that had been made for that particular day.
It was right around two that a little chaos ensued in the house, a large plume of smoke filled the house and every head turned to the right of the door until a figure emerged from the smoke, this person was revealed to be Shisui.
The pinkette jumped up "Don't you Dare Shisui Uchiha Not In This House" she narrowed her emerald eyes, already knowing what he was there for "I am taking a break from all training until further notice, so don't even suggest it" Sakura edged backwards.
"Aw come on how the heck did you know Sakura-chan" Shisui started sulking immediately as he was outed, he'd been hoping to get Sakura to unlock whatever other ability she had in her mangekyou and awaken the Susanoo.
Sakura huffed lightly "If I didn't know before I know now" she smirked earning another pout from a fully grown man, it was kind of creepy if one was being honest "Anyway really Shisui-san not now" her eyes shifted to the children.
The Uchiha sighed softly "Very well Sakura-chan, but when you get back in the swing of training and missions we'll be working on that" he stood on the summoning scroll once more "Eh could you give me a hand" Shisui laughed sheepishly.
"Unbelievable Shisui-san how did you get here if you don't even know the hand signs" Sakura threw her hands in the air leveling an exasperated glare on her friend like seriously this was freaking ridiculous.
Shisui rubbed the back of his neck "Lord Second actually by the way be prepared for a plethora of kids….wait a second aren't you supposed to be in the academy Momo-chan" he glanced to the white haired girl.
Who shrunk back a little at his stare, apparently word hadn't gotten around yet "Let's just leave it at something happened" the pink haired girl crossed her arms blocking her little sister from view giving her a reprieve.
No matter how suspicions the Uchiha was, he dutifully stood on the scroll and watched as Sakura went through the hand signs to the summoning seal until Shisui vanished in a puff of smoke and was returned to the Leaf Village.
"Just what did he mean by that" Gengetsu asked in the ensuing silence, he'd thought it downright hilarious the scene that had ensued, but he was concerned, just as much, "Do you have more to you than meets the eye" he prodded.
Her lips twisted into a frown "My Mangekyou Sharingan, he wants to see if we can't unlock the other ability, though I'm hesitant on using it, to much use causes my vision to blur" Sakura said picking up Momo and settling in her chair.
Before squishing her little sister against her side in the chair the brunette in the room choked on his spit "You have the Mangekyou, how the hell did that even happen, who died that you considered a best friend" Utakata paled lightly.
"Actually Utakata-san it was I that died, but Sakura-chan did something gave up her life force that which makes us live and gave it to me, we were all out of it for an entire month" Omoi spoke up from his spot on the couch, Shikke passed out across his chest napping.
Reminding Sakura "By the way I can finally tell you what happened cause I could have died to, as you know Naruto and Sasuke passed out to when I did, the reason for that is the spirits of my half brothers reside in them, are merged with their soul exactly and we're all connected" she said.
The blue haired teen narrowed his onyx eyes "Okay that's understandable, but that doesn't explain why those two passed out at the same time" Chojuro questioned getting this feeling that the answer would be phenomenal.
"Indra and Ashura while I was giving up my life for Omoi, were sharing the life that Sasuke and Naruto have and giving it to me, thus ensuring my survival and Omoi's though there were serious after effects" Sakura rubbed her arms.
And Momo looked up at her "Ne, Ne Onee-chan I love you" she buried her head in her sisters side hugging her the best she could in her current position squished between the chair and Sakura, though that was alright to.
"That's insane Sakura-chan, please never do that again it was scary, very scary to watch you laying in that hospital bed that first night" Karui shuddered feeling cold, she could have lost a lot of people in one single moment, in fact she herself could possibly be dead as well.
Everyone else nodded and they settled in for some relaxation time until Hidzuke returned from the academy followed by Joki and Ketsuro coming from the Leaf Village with Momo's homework and they all sat down to complete it.
Before Nagato and Irakusa came back and then dinner, bath and finally bed time "Goodnight everyone" the pinkette yawned cuddling Hoyo to her chest while Momo wrapped around her back, the poor girl was still wary, but Sakura had high hopes that everything would be okay in the end.
The next morning Momo returned to the Leaf Village with Nagato, and Hidzuke was carted off to the academy fifteen blocks away the day was basically a repeat of the other days, though the lot of them did venture outside to explore the village and show Gengetsu and Utakata around.
It was nearing 11:23 three days later, when a voice that was unfamiliar to Sakura spoke up, but it wasn't aloud no it was in her head *Please Somebody, Anybody Help Me* a desperate plea for help and she immediately on the alert.
"Sakura-chan is something wrong you seem a little tense now unlike how you were relaxed before" of course her boyfriend was the first one to notice her silence as she tried to figure out if there was someone in danger.
She spread out her senses to the others confusion and on the very edge a chakra flickered in distress and agony "Omoi, Karui go back to the house" then she was gone off to the gates to her relief Atsui was one of the guards.
"Hey Sakura what are you doing here aren't you supposed to be entertaining those Mist Shinobi, they did come all this way to the Cloud Village to visit after all so hot" Atsui tried to crack a joke until he noticed her serious expression.
Quickly she shook her head "Not the time Atsui-san, there's someone injured out there, about thirty miles out, surrounded by other chakra's" Sakura looked anxiously out the gates as a feeling of pain overcame her.
Times like these made her wish she wasn't connected to everything "Alright Sakura-san, let's both sign out and we'll go out to rescue the one in distress" the blonde nodded glanced to the other guard who nodded and the duo signed out.
A perk of being master over chakra control let her keep even with the man as they ran using her chakra to increase her speed "We're getting close" she warned sensing the chakra a little better now, it was being dragged off.
By the time they reached the area, it looked like a bomb had gone off, dead bodies lay everywhere "Over there Sakura-san" Atsui leaped forward wielding his sword, flames burst from the tip as he sliced clean through the man who was dragging a young red haired girl off.
Who was covered to their horror in bite marks, the girl scrambled back in fright, she couldn't be more than 13/14, the same age as Sakura "Hey relax we're here to help and get you to safety" Sakura assured holding her hands up to assure the girl.
Treating her like a wounded animal by being calm "Bu..But why I w..was sure Or..Orochimaru's experiments were going to d..drag me back to the Sound Vi..Village" a shy unsure voice that made Sakura want to protect her even more.
"Not anymore Kiddo those disgusting people can't touch you again, you're safe and will be protected in the Hidden Cloud Village, will you let me pick you up" the blonde knelt carefully not wanting to scare the girl anymore.
The red head nodded in fright "We have to hurry Atsui-san or she's going to bleed out, as it is she's barely conscious" the pinkette warned lightly as they changed directions leaving the carnage of bodies behind to return to the Cloud Village.
"K..Karin..my name is Karin" the girl introduced herself feeling faint from blood loss and she was unable to stop her head from falling forward to lean on Atsui's shoulder and closing her eyes to rest as they ran as quick as they could.
Sakura pressed her lips together and Atsui was quiet as they made it back to their village, the other guard was shocked at the sight of the third person situated on the blondes back, though Atsui hesitated, he couldn't leave his post "Here Atsui-san I can carry her" Sakura turned around.
Letting the man situate Karin on her back "Good luck and be careful and don't forget to tell Raikage-sama about her presence" Atsui called as Sakura started forward with a severely injured teenager on her person, earning a salute.
Before they were off to the hospital, Rurui was positively horrified "Leave it to us Sakura-san, we of the medical staff will ensure that Karin-san was it, makes a full recovery" the head medic nodded seriously before the girl was carried off on a stretcher.
"Thanks Rurui-san, now I have to go let Raikage-sama know about Karin-san" she turned on her heel and left the hospital, trying to come up with an explanation of how she knew that someone was in danger in the first place.
Ay was suspicious when she walked into his office "Is there something you want brat, hopefully not a mission, you still have at least four days left on you're break" he snorted signing his name on an official document to be sent of my Mabui.
She shook her head "No Raikage-sama, I came to let you know that we have just thwarted an attempt by Orochimaru to capture a girl named Karin and she is currently receiving treatment at the hospital by Rurui-san" Sakura stated simply.
"What but how, I didn't sense any danger, and I would know, because Cee would have told me" the Raikage instantly flew off the handle at the mention of Orochimaru and his hand came crashing down on his desk breaking it in half.
Sakura grimaced "Er this is probably going to sound crazy, but I heard Karin-san here, asking for help and when I spread out my senses I felt her chakra flaring in distress, thirty miles out, I had to really stretch my senses to find her" she fidgeted.
The Raikage paused in his temper tantrum because that's all it could be called "You heard her voice in you're head, you're right that is crazy, but I believe you, will she live" Ay was concerned, someone had been injured a child no less.
"Yes Karin-san will be alright, a week or so of recovery sure due to severe chakra exhaustion and blood loss but she'll be okay for the most part" Sakura breathed out a sigh of relief, she'd saved a life that day, it felt good, even if she wasn't part of the healing process.
Her expression lightened "Good I'll have Cee keep me posted dismissed brat" the Raikage shooed her off and Sakura hurried the couple blocks down the streets to her house, it was a little chaotic when she got through the door.
Because Karui threw herself at her much like Shikke and Shimetta and well all the children were fond of doing "Want to tell us what the hell is going on Sakura-chan, you order us to come back here and then you're gone for nearly an hour" the red head demanded to know.
"Someone was in danger thirty miles outside the village, Atsui-san and I went to rescue them, I had to drop her off at the hospital and inform Raikage-sama of our injured visitor" she explained lightly patting the red head on the back.
Omoi sat up from where he was seated on his couch, Shikke and Shimetta situated on either side of him "Is the girl going to be okay, the one you rescued Sakura-san" the blue haired teenager in the living room asked before the white haired teenager could.
"Yep Karin-san will be just fine with some rest, though it will probably be a week or so before she's let out of the hospital, I don't know what Raikage-sama intends on doing, but I don't think he'll evict her, she was attacked by Orochimaru's experiments" Sakura said.
Hand tracing along her throat as she remembered her own experience with the last remaining Sannin, to be honest she'd kind of forgotten about the man "A friend of yours, you know her name after all" the brunette asked.
But was surprised when Sakura shook her head "No actually I've never met Karin before, she told us her name before passing out due to blood loss" she explained lightly patting Shikke and Shimetta on the head, it was her turn to make lunch again, though it would be a little later than usual.
"Is that what had you so on edge before you disappeared on us child" the blonde in their midst inquired, how did she know someone was in danger, what made her spread out her senses to check to see if someone was in danger and in need of help.
Now came the hard part it seemed "This is probably gonna sound crazy to you guys, but just before I spread out my senses I heard a voice pleading for help, it was in my head, it was Karin-san asking for someone to save her I merely responded in kind" Sakura said.
Then zipped through the dining room and into the kitchen to get started on cooking leaving everyone behind in the living room to think about what they'd been told, it was crazy, but as they were beginning to understand with Sakura anything was possible.
All of them had a peaceful lunch though "Can we take a nap now Sakra-chan, we're tired" the Uzumaki twins piped in with matching tired voices, looking utterly exhausted, so they were picked up and carried to their house and tucked into their beds and read to, to go to sleep.
Sakura spent the rest of the time working on the seals on the glass aquarium adding a chakra suppressing seal to block Isobu's chakra once he was inside and a transportation seal, so that in the case of emergencies and she was caught, he would be sent to safety somewhere unknown.
It was the where she didn't know, perhaps Mount Myoboku or even to the Leaf Village, it was something she'd have to come up with later as Hidzuke charged into the house, followed by Momo, Joki and Ketsuro coming from the Leaf Village to do their homework together.
Before eating dinner, having baths and finally going to bed once Nagato and Irakusa had returned "You know I wonder if that girl ever runs out of energy, doing various things around the house, watching after her cousins, doing shopping, showing us the village and other things, I'd be exhausted by now" Utakata said that night.
As they all went to the guest house for bed, but weren't exactly tired "Part of Sakura-san's charm, she works unbelievably hard for everyone else and yet she says she's selfish, I don't think it's possible" Chojuro shook his head.
Gengetsu turned his blue eyes on the blue haired teenager "I see and you've been charmed by her then, you like her, it must be agonizing to watch her with that immature boy" the blonde pointed out bluntly.
Causing Chojuro to lower his gaze "Wait you like the brat, for how long, I thought something was up every time those two interact you look away" the brunette smirked finally finding some ammunition against the teenager.
Who sighed "Since back when we first met in the Leaf Village, before she ever got together with Omoi-san, and she knows I like her, that's why she keeps contact to a minimum with him, unless he initiates" he stated.
"If that is the case why did you never ask to date her first" Gengetsu asked in confusion, it didn't make sense unless "Unless you did and she rejected you" he frowned wondering if that was the case it would join Cloud and Mist even further if that were to happen.
The teenager sighed again "It's not that she rejected me and I haven't asked her, she's just to focused on Omoi-san, those two grew up together" Chojuro stood and disappeared to the guest room he'd taken up residence in, followed by the others until everyone was asleep.
Just a few days later with Sakura, Omoi and Karui returning to missions, training and hospital duty the Mist Shinobi bid their farewells of the Cloud Village for a good long while, they weren't gone more than a day when Yugito approached Ay with a request.
"Raikage-sama" the woman bowed lightly glancing to her little apprentice "I'd like to take Sakura out on her first seduction mission, the time has come for her to learn these things" Yugito said bluntly and Omoi choked on air.
Panicking at the thought of his girlfriend doing anything like that, he knew he couldn't stop it from happening but he didn't want to know when she was going to be sent on that kind of mission, even Darui and Cee were visibly tense behind the woman and Karui scowled.
While Sakura held tightly to their hands as the Raikage shifted his beetle black eyes onto her "How old are you brat" Ay barked out the order, usually only the older females were sent on such missions and then there was Omoi.
"13 Raikage-sama, will be 14 end of next month" Sakura answered in spite of herself, not wanting to be sent on such a mission either, but if it was for the sake of her village, she would do anything that was asked of her.
Ay glanced at the missions that were lined up and found such a mission on the list, it was a B Ranked Mission, his lips twisted into a scowl, he couldn't refuse as it was such a high paying job to bring more income to the village "Brat won't be participating" he finally said.
"Understandable Raikage-sama, I merely want her to see what such a mission is like, next time will be you're turn Karui, as you're already fourteen" the blonde woman with onyx eyes nodded in acceptance and took the mission scroll "Pack for a week" she turned to Sakura.
Who released her teammates hands "Roger that Yugito-sensei, where will we be going if I may ask" the pinkette paused, Yugito shook her head and waved her hands indicating she'd be told later so left with little choice Sakura hurried out the office door and back to her house.
Shikke and Shimetta were in Leaf being watched by Tobirama anyway and she sent Gamatori over there with a message to give to the family that she'd be gone for a week on a mission while simultaneously packing for a week and making sure she had her chakra powered lava lamp.
Then when she was done Sakura made haste to the gates "Good, now we'll be going to Water Country, women at a local bar have been attacked repeatedly, it's our job to find the culprit and put a stop to him any means necessary" Yugito explained the mission.
As they signed out and set forth in the direction of the Land of Water, Sakura's eyes widened as that image Kokuo shared with her flashed through her head "Yugito-sensei you know I'm looking for Isobu right" Sakura gripped the lapels of her pack tightly in hand.
"I do, that is also another reason I asked for the mission, lucky for us it's in the Land of Water, the village the bar is in, is extremely close to the three tails location" the woman hinted mysteriously, having heard about Black Zetsu from Matatabi, who'd gotten it from Kokuo and Son Goku.
Sakura's emerald eyes widened in open shock before she managed to reign in her expression to a more serious one, good thing she'd finished that seal and the aquarium, other wise she would have missed her chance this time to finally seek out the three tailed turtle.
With that silence settled around the duo like a comfortable blanket, there was no need to fill the air with pointless and annoying chatter as they went through the day walking nonstop, barely resting to eat lunch before eight finally rolled around and Yugito finally pulled them to a halt.
Camp was quickly set up, dinner was caught and eaten, before they climbed into their bedrolls to get some shut eye for the following morning, in which they rose early, ate and then hurried on their way until they crossed the border of Lightning to Water.
Their direction changed from a straight path to the Mist Village, to a small village, where they boarded a boat, it occurred to Yugito that her student had never been a boat before "First time huh" the blonde laughed and got a sulk.
"Yes that's my fault though cause I don't really travel on foot much and I think Raikage-sama tries to keep Omoi-kun, Karui-chan and I in the village or a village for safety" the pinkette admitted softly hand clenched around the railing of the boat.
It only took but an hour to reach the small island they needed to get and then they were let off by the boat as they payed the fare, she hadn't been to very many other places except for the five great hidden villages and a couple of smaller villages, Tazuna's and the one she had her first C rank at.
Fifteen minutes it took them to find the bar that was having it's female customers attacked, but the second the two females entered the bar, the matron flew over to them "Oh my heavens you are perfect for catching that culprit, he likes the pretty ones" and completely bypassed Yugito.
And latched onto Sakura "Sakura won't be doing anything except for watching, and keeping on the look out for any suspicious activity" Yugito interjected pulling her apprentice out of the woman's clutches.
Something fishy was going on "Th..That's right Ma'am" Sakura wouldn't admit it but being touched by strangers still really freaked her out and it was only her iron clad determination to see this mission through to a quick end that she didn't snap right there.
"Not good, not good at all, see he only goes after the customers with exotic hair and you are the only girl in existence that I've ever met that has pink hair you don't understand the rarity" the matron of the bar wrung her hands nervously pacing back and forth.
Dread pooled in her stomach "Why was that kind of information not put in the mission scroll, kami I brought my apprentice on a mission that's practically guaranteed to get her in some kind of trouble" the blonde let out a long suffering sigh.
Sakura held up her hands in response "I didn't do it Yugito-sensei, trouble just follows me wherever I go" she to let out a sigh that equaled her sensei's, why couldn't things just be peaceful and easy for once, not complicated with the chance of becoming outright chaotic.
"You shouldn't blame me, one of my customers is the one who sent the mission request in to all the villages, ridiculous really if you ask me and we would have managed just fine on our own until last night that is" more pacing ensued from the brunette in front of them.
Her lips pressed together "Just what exactly happened last night, give us all the details and we'll handle the rest, do you even have a suspect in mind" Yugito prodded forcefully growing more and more irritated with the pacing, it was driving her mad.
The brunette rounded on them "Ah one of my waitresses went out back and was drugged, he's becoming more forceful and we have our suspicions, this guy here" the matron held out a picture of a familiar man.
"What, but that's impossible my Dad would never do something like that let alone force a woman against their will or drug them, he's happily married to my Mom with two other children" Sakura clenched her hands into fists.
Yugito eyed her apprentice warily and then glanced back to the picture that they'd been shown, there was no mistaking it though, the man in the photograph was Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin "Do you think he's being controlled" she wanted to explore all options.
Right now they were completely ignoring the matron of the bar "Possible but there's no way it can be him, cause I just got a message from him via Gamakichi, and he's all the way in the Leaf Village, remember last night Yugito-sensei" the pink haired girl reminded.
"Impostor then, we'll have to get him and get him good, I'm sorry to have to ask you this Sakura, if he's after exotic haired girls, then he won't be attracted to me, but I'll be with you every step of the way and I won't let this man touch you" the blonde leaned down.
Worry in her onyx eyes as the pinkette shook lightly no doubt feeling sick "But what about Raikage-sama, what will we tell him or write in the report" Sakura grimaced, all the while her senses were screaming danger and to get far away from the village as fast as she could.
The blonde thought for a moment "I'll just write that the culprit was taken down by me as he chased after you when I was scouting around but caught up in the nick of time, I won't let any danger befall you Sakura" Yugito vowed.
Enough for Sakura and they both turned to the matron of the bar who looked more nervous than before which was even more concerning "Good, good, there's a hotel right across the street, bar opens at 7, we'll be waiting" the brunette turned and vanished into the back of the bar.
So the two of them went and got set up in the hotel, before going out to explore a little bit, only to return to the bar at exactly 7 o'clock on the dot, the bouncers were there and at the sight of the two females they were immediately let in.
And Sakura was dragged off to change "Wait why do I have to change" she looked pleadingly over her shoulder at Yugito who looked just a tiny bit furious that this was even happening in the first place.
"Not to worry, not to worry my dear, we have to pretty you up or you won't attract his attention" the matron whispered conspiratorially as she drug the pinkette into a backroom and stripped the girl of her ninja gear and clothing.
Before forcing the girl into a thigh length kimono in the brightest blue with pink cherry blossoms, Sakura scowled further when makeup was painted on her face and her nails were clipped and painted dark pink and shoved into two inch heels which were like bloody menaces.
When she reached for her weapons they were snatched away "How am I going to defend myself if I don't have a weapon" Sakura stamped her foot looking angry, her hair was down, she hated it, her face and fingers felt heavy and it was difficult to walk in those bloody heels.
And she couldn't breathe in this damn kimono "You'll just have to survive one night without them, now get out there and work" the matron ordered as if she were a simple waitress or one of her girls that tended to men.
Sakura grit her teeth and glowered furiously at the woman before stomping her way out into the bar "What the hell are you wearing" even Yugito looked disgusted and very sympathetic of her apprentice, who looked downright miserable especially as she stumbled in those heels.
"And where's you're weapons" the blonde looked the girl over and didn't spot a single one, Sakura lifted a painted nail and curled it furiously in the matron's direction without a single word, Yugito rubbed a hand down her face and spared a couple of senbon for her apprentice.
Who instantly looked relieved to have a weapon and she also discreetly loosened the sash of the kimono so she could breathe "I don't like this Yugito-sensei, that woman is up to something, why else would she take away my weapons" she looked up at her sensei with a frown.
She hated to admit it but she knew Sakura was right "Leave the fighting up to me Sakura, just for now bare with anything that woman asks of you, unless she orders you to sit with men, then blatantly ignore her got it" Yugito commanded.
"Got it Yugito-sensei and thanks for the senbon, even if they aren't my custom made with paralysis poison, they'll do" Sakura felt utterly exhausted already as she merged with the crowd on the dance floor and weaved her way through.
Hopefully they got their target tonight, because she really wanted to speak to Isobu, it would probably give her a piece of mind after this, it was nearing ten o'clock when the matron approached her with a request.
"Could you take this trash round back to the dumpster young lady" the brunette ordered lightly in an offhanded tone that had Sakura one hundred percent on edge, her eyes shifted around the bar/club and locked eyes with Yugito and nodded imperceptibly.
In the next moment the woman vanished out the door "Of course Ma'am" she grabbed the black bags full of trash and carried it effortlessly through the bar and out the door, her heart picked up in speed a little faster and she swallowed thickly.
Heading around the corner of the bar, Sakura could barely make out the dumpster, but a few moments later her task was complete, that's when she heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps and her heart froze.
"What a tasty little morsel she's sent to me this time, that woman is good at choosing winning girls and lovely pink hair" a gruff voice sounded behind her, terror swelled up on her as her suspicions were confirmed, the matron of the bar was in league with the culprit.
Lucky her though "To bad for you though that you won't get a chance to lay you're disgusting hands on my apprentice, now talk, who are you, you aren't Jiraiya that's for sure" Yugito made her appearance in the nick of time.
And Sakura relaxed only to tense up again as the features of her father melded away to a somewhat familiar face "White Zetsu huh, figures was it you're hope to draw me here to finish me off like Black Zetsu was unable" she glared furiously.
"Oh indeed or another one of you're little friends in hopes to set off you're fury and make you come to us in order to get revenge for what was done" white Zetsu with his gold eyes spoke in a joking tone that pissed the two females off even more.
Yugito grit her teeth and slashed through the white Zetsu clones neck "It's done Sakura, now we have more time to complete our other task, though we must make haste" she wiped her kunai clean "And collect you're weapons and turn that woman over to the authorities" the blonde said.
The pinkette nodded quietly "Yeah Isobu could be in danger even more now, he's never going to trust me at this rate" Sakura sighed as they returned to the bar, got her weapons and clothes back and the woman was taken away by the local authorities in the small village.
Before the two of them knew it they'd crashed out in the beds in the hotel they'd rented at exactly 11:23, the longest Sakura had ever stayed up and the next morning they were gone from the little village via boat and back on the mainland.
"How exactly are you going to protect the three tails anyway Sakura" Yugito glanced down at her apprentice as they walked in the direction Matatabi had told her the turtle had sequestered himself away in, in a large lake.
Glad to have something to talk about that didn't involve what had happened last night, Sakura perked up "An aquarium and a seal that lets him change sizes on a whim and the aquarium, that also has a transportation seal stained into the glass" she rattled off with ease.
Yugito was impressed but no more conversation flowed between them as they walked, for two days straight following Matatabi's directions until they came upon a lake "Is this it Sakura" the blonde asked lightly looking around warily.
The pink haired girl was doing the same as she brought the image Kokuo had shared with her to the forefront of her mind it was difficult to tell but she didn't have to worry as a monstrous chakra brushed against hers "Mhm, he's here" Sakura nodded focusing chakra into her feet.
And walking forward to stand nearly in the middle of the lake with Yugito at her side, the water started bubbling and waves rose up soaking them until Isobu in all his massiveness was before the two females, one eye closed, the three tailed turtle of the tailed beasts.
Sakura gulped quietly "Good luck Sakura-san don't let him intimidate you" Yugito pressed her hands lightly to the girls shoulder in reassurance as the pink haired girl hesitated for just a few minutes before she finally steeled her nerves.
"Right I'm going in then thank you for giving me a chance to speak with you Isobu" the pinkette called up at the turtle activating her sharingan before locking gazes with his one open eye, in a matter of moments.
She found herself on a lake similar to the one that she'd been standing on, and off in the distance was an island, on that island was Isobu, so with every ounce of courage she possessed Sakura started towards him fearlessly until she was stood before him.
"Interesting little girl aren't you, why are you so set on protecting us the tailed beasts, regardless of what Hagoromo asked of you child" Isobu rumbled out in a quiet tone "For that matter how do you intend on ensuring my own protection" he used one of his tails to draw her closer.
So she wouldn't have to shout up at him, he hated impatient and loud children after all "Because Isobu what this world has done to you, forcing you guys in human sacrifices and treating you guys and them like tools is wrong" Sakura spoke softly.
"And yet we've managed all this time without having someone come to our aide, do you have that little faith in us and our Jinchuuriki, even I do not have one that we are unable to fight for ourselves" the three tails asked.
Sakura swallowed thickly as she was overcome with emotions "I have a lot of faith in you guys but you're adversaries aren't the usual run of the mill bad guys, these guys are S Class Criminals and one of them has chakra like a tailed beast, Kisame Hoshigaki from Mist" she said.
There was no arguing just bluntly stated facts "Knowledgeable like you're father I see, now as for my other question how would you assure my protection beyond becoming my Jinchuuriki and I have no desire to be sealed in a human again I like my freedom" Isobu narrowed his eyes.
Relieved the conversation was moving along at a quick pace "By use of Fuinjutsu, I have bought a glass aquarium that I have stained multiple seals on, transportation, chakra blocking, enlargement/shrinking and another seal that will allow you to change sizes on a whim" Sakura explained.
"Very interesting indeed hmm what of food, surely I won't be starved if I allow this" he wanted to hear what she said in response to that one, to be honest he knew the danger that was creeping upon the world, but seeing her so desperate to save him and the others was not good.
Sakura blew out a breath "Well what do you like to eat Isobu, I can put krill in the aquarium or even fish I can make them smaller to fit in the aquarium and the seals will merge with their flesh and won't have any affect on you" she announced.
His tail lowered her onto her feet "You have made an interesting argument young one and given me proof that you're desire to protect me is borne from genuine feelings and not from nefarious feelings, I will allow you to place the seal on me" Isobu nodded.
And then suddenly she was back outside standing next to Yugito and she nearly fell over blinking her emerald eyes rapidly as her sharingan deactivated "Did you do it Sakura" the blonde asked righting her apprentice properly on her feet.
The pinkette nodded and pulled out a tag before walking closer to Isobu, in response one of his tails wrapped around her and brought her closer "This won't hurt a bit I promise and to change sizes you'll merely flood it with you're chakra" Sakura instructed carefully.
Placing the seal upon his forehead and he lowered her onto her feet on the lake again, Sakura would have never imagined how beautifully the seal would turn out as Isobu flooded it with chakra and shrunk drastically.
Until he was the size of a normal turtle she hastily unsealed the glass aquarium it was the perfect size for the three tails, but he resized himself once more and she shrunk the aquarium to fit comfortably in her pouch after catching some fish and shrinking them for Isobu to snack on.
With Isobu secured and in her grasp Yugito turned "Come Sakura let's return home I'm sure you're exhausted and ready to sleep in you're own bed again, just this once we should use you're seals to get back" the woman commanded gently.
"Roger that Yugito-sensei I'm just glad you guys will be safe in the future, cause I'm sure those guys will step up their game sooner or later to acquire the tailed beasts and I'm not about to let that happen, you should place you're hand on my shoulder though" she said lightly.
In a matter of moments the two of them were all the way back in Lightning Country stood outside the gates of their Village, the Village Hidden In the Clouds "I'll never get use to you doing that" Cee shook his head at their appearance.
And Yugito smirked haughtily at him "Let's just be glad their home and that no harm befell them right" Darui leveled a look on his little friend/apprentice and looked her over in semi concern and found not a scratch on her.
"She's fine Darui, exhausted as am I, the mission was kind of a well let down" Yugito explained as they signed in at the gates and hurried off down the streets, Sakura waved silently at the duo on gate duty before following after the blonde.
"See you later Darui-san, Cee-san" her voice trailed over her shoulder as she walked leisurely in the direction of the Raikage Tower, part of her dream had come to fruition, now the rest was sure to follow right.
The Raikage was pleased to find out that nothing major had happened, and the mission was named a success, before he released the two females and the two split up outside the tower heading in opposite directions to get some rest for the following days.
