Her second day out of the test tube was spent being introduced formally to various new family members as Asuma so kindly explained "This is your Uncle, this is your Aunt and that's Konohamaru-kun your cousin Sakura-chan" Asuma pointed to the three before him.
Little newborn Konohamaru capturing Sakura's attention the longest as she padded quietly up to him not straying to far from her adopted Father's side and peered at the baby with wide confused eyes then glanced back up at Asuma.
Before nodding in acceptance "Well at least someone approves" his sister in law giggled softly, bending with baby in arms so that Sakura could see Konohamaru a little more clearly and the girl gently patted the baby on the cheek.
Surprisingly careful "I stressed the importance of not being rough before we came over and while she's not to communicative yet, Sakura does understand" Asuma explained the odd occurrence that had just happened.
Peering in amusement at Sakura who was simply enraptured by Konohamaru, her stony expression was something to work on though as the baby merely yawned and rolled over in his mothers arms signaling it was time to go.
They made their rounds to various other family or clansmen until finally arriving at the Hokage Tower "Now this next and last person is what you'll call Grandfather or Grandpa only in private of course other than that you call him Hokage-sama okay" Asuma explained.
Making the trek up the steps and Sakura nodded her head with all the emotion of a rock "Asuma-kun and ah I see you brought Sakura-chan with you, what brings you both to my office" Hiruzen greeted with a smile.
Still just a little suspicious of his newly adopted granddaughter who met his gaze evenly "Visiting, I was introducing her to the family, teaching her who they were in relation to her now and other clan members" Asuma informed.
Cautiously placing Sakura on her feet again though as he was beginning to expect her hand attached quite firmly to his pants leg and wouldn't move an inch without him doing so first "Has she said much in regards to her past or anything" the Hokage questioned.
Wanting to find out more "Unfortunately while understanding when I tell her something the only thing she's said is No" Asuma deadpanned knowing he would have to teach Sakura a lot before she could be considered a potential academy student.
"Really" Hiruzen mused as he stroked his chin in thought "Well in any case I'm glad you came to see me, the both of you now come here and give your grandpa a hug Sakura-chan" he opened his arms in hopes that she would come to him.
Sakura eyed him warily then glanced up at Asuma who nudged her gently forward and so moving her slowest yet she carefully stepped into the Hokage's arms that wrapped around her firmly but snugly and not at all restrictive.
And she decided in that moment that she really liked her grandpa as he'd called himself "Jiji" little Sakura giggled mimicking the same sound her aunt had made earlier, saying her second ever word as well all in the span of a moment.
Both new males in her life smiled at her proudly "You're a fast learner aren't you Sakura-chan" the Hokage tickled the child only to be met with silence and the expression of stone again like she had no clue how to react to being tickled.
"I think it's less about being a fast learner right now and more repeating some of the things she hears" Asuma commented, watching in a small manner of amusement as his Father, the Hokage tried his damnedest to get Sakura laughing by tickling her in different places.
Only to fail repeatedly as the five year old merely sat in his lap looking at him confusedly like she had no idea what he was doing in the first place or what the proper reaction to it was "Perhaps" Hiruzen huffed softly.
Handing over Sakura to Asuma who shifted her to his hip to be more comfortable "Right well we'll leave you to your work" Asuma saluted, turning on his heel and exited his Father's office, once he was back out in the streets.
Another thought occurred to him so he sought out a book shop and bought several about child development, a book on sign language, and a large picture book with descriptive words, and many other books that were important, all the while Sakura stayed firmly situated on his hip.
Garnering more than one look from the female variety, only one of whom had the audacity to try and reach out to Sakura who recoiled in shock "NO" she repeated the same word she'd said probably a million times since yesterday.
Not wanting to be touched by someone she didn't know as she clung tightly like a bur to Asuma who turned swiftly "That would not be wise" he warned carefully shifting Sakura away from the woman not wanting Sakura to cry again.
"I just wanted to pet her hair it's so unique and adorable" the woman scowled contemplating a very stupid decision no doubt "And it's not like you're her father or anything seeing as you two looking nothing alike your probably just babysitting for a friend or something" she continued.
Reaching out undeterred "NO" Sakura yelled with rising panic thinking the woman was trying to take her away from Asuma, something inside of her was threatening to burst free in an extremely violent away.
Thank god for small miracles though as his former classmate and crush appeared "Oh my Kakashi wasn't just spouting nonsense, you really did adopt a little girl" Kurenai gasped seeing the child on her crush's hip.
Clearly cowering away from the other woman who froze and realized how badly she messed up "Yes that's right I adopted Sakura so when I tell you don't touch her I mean it" Asuma nodded, soothingly rubbing Sakura on the back.
Who was finally calming now as the woman she didn't want near her retreated thoroughly chastised "Sakura-chan huh, did Hokage-sama name her or was that what she said her name was" Kurenai inquired.
Keeping her hands to herself until she was given the go ahead "I named her actually, because I don't think she even remembers what her name is or if she even was named in the first place before she was abducted" Asuma grimaced.
Unfortunately Sakura found his expression funny and let out a little giggle "That's terrible, poor Sakura-chan" Kurenai announced in a horrified tone that finally drew bright green eyes onto her for the first time since she'd joined Asuma.
Then Sakura tilted her head at her expression like stone once more as all amusement faded from her features "Yeah and what's worse is I'm probably going to have to teach her everything, and I mean that literally not just figuratively speaking" Asuma sighed.
Earning a small sigh from Sakura in response "But your obviously willing to put in the work of doing so otherwise you would have never adopted her" Kurenai guessed the rest he'd left unsaid easily able to tell because of how long they'd known each other.
"Precisely, Kakashi probably won't understand that though" Asuma nodded sagely in answer, adjusting Sakura a little and the bag of books that Kurenai took for him obviously not going anywhere for awhile at least.
As they continued walking until they passed by a clothing shop and Asuma peered down at Sakura in realization, besides what she was wearing which she'd had on since the medic put it on her, a light blue cotton dress that's all she had.
His companion bit her lip as he stopped and turned towards the store "I probably should get her some more clothes and other personal affects" Asuma said slowly eyeing her pleadingly because he had no idea what a girl might like, especially not a five year old girl anyway.
"Of course Asuma-kun in that case I shall see you around" Kurenai hid her amusement well as she tauntingly turned away from her crush and edged away from him just to see how far he'd go to get her help.
Not that she had to wait long as he grabbed her hand looking completely terrified of the idea of shopping alone so she took pity on him "Honestly I was joking Asuma, of course I'll help you" Kurenai finally let the laughter she was holding back out.
Asuma just huffed at her but they entered the store and bought clothes, various types of shirts, shorts, pants, dresses, skirts, in all varying types of colors ranging from dark to light, the most eye catching to Sakura seemed to be a dark gold color that complimented her nicely he supposed.
Shoes, sandals, boots and socks were also on the agenda to be bought along with personal affects such as a comb or hairbrush, a few hair clips or ties, shampoo, conditioner and body wash and that concluded his shopping trip.
Which thankfully hadn't depleted him of his stash of money in his wallet, Sakura had been quiet the entire time mostly unless she saw something that she really liked but it was at a point in the day he really needed to get her back home.
"Good luck Asuma and if you need any help don't be afraid to call for me or something" Kurenai waved when he was headed in to his apartment after walking all this way with him seeing as her house wasn't to far away and he greatly appreciated the offer.
Dinner was a quiet affair it being just the two of them and he attempted to get Sakura learning some sign language and he thought she might have caught on to a couple of things but the true hell started when he tried to give her, her first bath.
The minute he tried to place her in the tub that was halfway filled she locked her arms around his neck and refused to let go shaking her head adamantly in refusal "What's the matter Sakura-chan" Asuma frowned not understanding what was wrong.
"NO, NO, NO" Sakura cried seeing the liquid known as water and thinking he was trying to put her back in something similar to the thing she'd burst her way out of just yesterday, true fear consumed her at the thought.
And just as she was on the verge of exploding quite violently like before Asuma drew back away from what was causing her to be so afraid "Is it the water" he rubbed her back gently trying to understand and rationalize.
Sakura blinked at him in confusion then eyed the tub with something akin to holy terror in her eyes "How about this then" Asuma suggested grabbing a wash cloth and wetting it before running it over her arm allowing her to feel and see there was nothing to be scared of.
Feeling something dripping down her arm though caused Sakura to panic "Okay, okay" Asuma pulled the rag away quickly unsure of what to do now, then he thought of the wipes and decided to try that.
Thankfully they worked while being damp they were safe enough in Sakura's mind "Ugh" Asuma sighed about an hour later after putting Sakura to sleep and staying with her until she was asleep because she didn't want him to leave for fear of never seeing him again.
And the year that followed before Sakura was allowed to sign up for the ninja academy to become a ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village was something he would fondly call her year of firsts for years to come.