The next morning after breakfast Sakura sat down with the Uchiha Clan Heads and her parents to figure out what the next course of action would be now that Kizashi and Mebuki were back, her parents however wanted to surprise her apparently.
As Kizashi asked the question "Would it be at all possible for Sakura to continue living in that house with her Team" Kizashi requested not wanting to rip his daughter away from her team who clearly adored Sakura.
Fugaku blinked at the other mans straightforwardness then nodded "Of course, in response to that I claim you both as wards of the Uchiha Clan as well which means a house will be prepared for you here in the Compound if you wish it" Fugaku informed.
Taking the initiative in giving the two Haruno's the highest protection he could "Good, we were worried for a moment that we'd have to return to our old house" Mebuki released a sigh of relief in answer.
Beside her Sakura bounced in excitement "Now thanks to Hokage-sama we learned you brought back someone named Jugo, what's he going to do, does he wish for his own place here or is he going to stay in the house with the rest of you" Mikoto giggled before becoming serious.
Sakura frowned "Honestly I think he's probably going to end up staying at the house, Jugo-san wasn't in a good place before and he most likely feels like I'm his safe place right now" Sakura admitted having noticed that Jugo hadn't strayed to far from her side.
Case and point she could even feel him milling about outside the Uchiha main family house, at her confession four pairs of eyes rested on her, Fugaku's gaze didn't stay on her long as he eyed the window spying a bit of orange prompting his lips to quirk up into a small smile.
"Very well he'll stay and once he's finished his trial period Jugo-san will be claimed a ward as well on that note do you need any help moving your belongings from your old house and selling it" Fugaku refocused his attention on the conversation at hand.
Trying not to let the pleased smile that Sakura sent him pull any more smiles out of him "That would be nice I know Kakashi-san and Sasori have offered as did Sakura but a couple more people helping wouldn't hurt" Kizashi grimaced.
Knowing he probably wouldn't be doing anything strenuous courtesy his daughter "We'll send Shisui, he's got the energy of two people so it should do, don't you think" Mikoto suggested and the Haruno's got the sense that the woman was irritated at Shisui for some reason or another.
Not that they dared to ask "Right that's it I believe come on Sakura lets start moving our things" Mebuki cheered eager to put the past behind her which included the old house she'd lived in with her husband and daughter.
Who would no longer be living with them but thanks to Fugaku neither she or Kizashi would be far from Sakura ever again "Got it Mom" Sakura smiled radiantly, before she left however Sakura turned and bowed low at Fugaku and Mikoto who nodded their heads in acceptance.
Then a moment later the Haruno family exited the main family house where they were joined by Jugo who walked as close to Sakura as he could but left her some breathing room as well "Your leaving the compound" Jugo noticed.
As they walked out the gates of the practically empty clan compound and further into the village "My parents are moving into the compound we just have to pack up stuff from the old house" Sakura explained kindly.
Fifteen minutes later they reached her childhood home and she did the honors of unlocking the door, this being only her second visit to the house in all the time her parents had been gone "I guess you really haven't lived here in all the time we've been gone" Kizashi winced.
Seeing the build up of dust among other things "At first I lived in an apartment across the hall from Naruto in a complex for the first two years but this past year I've lived in that house" Sakura confessed quietly.
Resisting the urge to flee, until her gaze met Jugo's who smiled reassuringly "Well suppose we ought to get started then" Mebuki ordered moving swiftly so by the time Shisui joined them the foyer, living room and bathroom had been cleaned thoroughly.
"Yeesh Mebuki-san slow down before you hurt yourself" Shisui just had to open his mouth and say something idiotic as he was known to do, Mebuki paused in wiping the bookshelf then gave him a hair raising glare.
And he shuddered realizing now where Sakura had gotten her glares certainly not from Sasori that was for sure "Really when are you going to learn to think before you speak Shisui-san" Sakura sighed not sure why she'd expected any different of the man.
Immediately Shisui began sulking at her but she continued packing things in boxes and labeling them so they'd be ready to unpack in the appropriate rooms once a house was chosen "That's normal for him I take it" Jugo joined her on the floor.
Helping because he wanted to "Unfortunately and no matter the years that pass he stays that way with the mentality of a child" Sakura rolled her eyes with a snort, though that wasn't to say she hated Shisui and sometimes he could be mature if the situation was dire.
Jugo lifted his gaze to watch the man that had angered Mebuki and had clearly gotten on Sakura's bad side more than once before shrugging "So do you have someone special that you like" he inquired softly.
But everyone heard him including Sakura whose vivid green eyes widened with panic "Er no not at the moment and I'm going to keep it that way for awhile longer" Sakura answered hastily but not unkindly.
It was just a simple question after all and over by the wall where he was still taking past family pictures down Kizashi let out an inward sigh of relief that his baby girl hadn't gotten herself a boyfriend while he and Mebuki were busy stuck in a cell for three years, four days away from Leaf.
Sensing the subject was touchy Jugo wisely didn't bring the topic up again instead found small inane things to talk about that helped pass the hours until the entire house was packed up from the kitchen to the bedroom, bathrooms to living room, dining room and office all of it.
Which meant it was time for a break, Sakura eagerly cooked lunch for her parents Jugo and Shisui who had equally helped "My little girl became a cook while I was gone" Mebuki cried softly hugging on to her daughter again.
Clearly upset that she'd missed such happenings in Sakura's life and Jugo who'd often been sent to keep an eye on the couple was swamped with guilt, he could have released them made sure they got home but instead he'd relied on Kabuto and Kimimaro to keep him sane.
Securing his loyalty that was before Sakura had come along but he still felt guilty about it all "Come now dear Mebuki we have all the time in the world to learn all the things Sakura-chan can do now" Kizashi came to the rescue a moment later.
All smiles for his wife and daughter who had a wet spot on her yukata thanks to her mother "And it's not just me, Naruto and Sasuke can cook to, their the ones who made last nights dinner remember" Sakura smiled brightly.
Mebuki perked at that and Sakura considered it a bullet dodged then she focused her gaze on Jugo who looked mighty guilty about something so to reassure him she squeezed his hand beneath the table his red-orange eyes snapped up to meet her emerald eyes.
Guilt clouded his eyes still so she squeezed his hand again this time more firmly and discreetly shook her head, the guilt lessened then dissipated after a moment "Right we should probably start picking out which house we'd like to move into" Mebuki announced.
Eager to get on with her life and on the way back to the compound Sakura slipped out from between her parents and walked casually along at Jugo's side "Are you okay, I mean you looked pretty guilty back there" Sakura asked wanting to make sure he was alright.
Jugo jolted at the realization she'd been able to read his mind apparently "I just think, what if I'd let them go, during my moments of lucidity, you would have grown up under their kindness and maybe I would have had a chance at peace earlier" Jugo grimaced.
The guilt rearing it's ugly head again as Sakura hissed in response "Orochimaru and Kabuto are two of the foulest people to walk the five great nations Jugo-san they can get almost anyone to do their bidding with the exception of several people who wouldn't fall for their tricks" Sakura reminded.
Feeling bad that someone had suffered so obviously under Orochimaru's thumb "True, they promised me that I would be cured of my rampaging, securing my loyalty but all that happened was that I became their test subject" Jugo sighed.
"Look on the bright side though Jugo-san your free, with real freedom to do what you want now without having to worry about hurting anyone ever again, relish in it and don't let your mind be bogged down by guilt" Sakura clapped him amiably on the shoulder.
Then slid between her parents again to walk amid them happy as a clam "Brat Hyuga was looking for you" Sasori jogged up to them as they entered the compound, Sakura groaned loudly "The girl Hyuga" he rolled his eyes at her melodramatics.
And just as suddenly Sakura quit her bellyaching "What did Hinata need Sasori-sensei and honestly when are you going to get your new students so you can stop pestering us all the time" Sakura shot back after asking her initial question.
Mebuki and Kizashi shared an amused glance with one another at Sasori's indignant expression "Believe me brat I would love to stop pestering you all the time as you put it but the new batch of brats haven't graduated yet" Sasori growled at her.
Sakura grinned cheekily in response "And the girl said something about the other Hyuga wanting to go on an outing with you and her to get you use to him and susceptible to possibly dating him sometime down the road" the redheaded menace that was her sensei explained.
Oh and there went Sakura groaning again "For the love of kami I just don't understand why he won't leave me alone when I've told him no a thousand times" Sakura tugged on her long pink locks in utter frustration over Neji freaking Hyuga.
Even when he'd changed he was still bothering her and it was honestly getting extremely ridiculous "Don't shoot the messenger brat and really would it be so bad at least Hyuga seems to have pulled his head out of his ass" Sasori held up his hands warily.
Then things had to get worse as Neji himself appeared "Ah there you are Sakura-s….." Neji began only to trail off at the older teenager stood suspiciously close to the girl he fancied "Who are you and why are you allowing him to stand so close to you" Neji frowned.
"Hyuga-san this is Jugo, Jugo-san, Neji Hyuga, he came back with us after rescuing my parents" Sakura intoned flatly putting up her emotionless mask again and hoping that by pointedly using Neji's last name he would get the hint that she really wasn't interested.
Jugo feeling like he was being judged took a step back away from Sakura already feeling like he was missing something despite her being less than three feet away from him "You brought back one of Orochimaru's experiments don't you know how dangerous that is" Neji scolded.
Only realizing afterwards that maybe he shouldn't have said anything "Tsunade-sama herself deemed Jugo-san safe given that it's my seal that makes him so, anyway if your here to invite me out please don't waste your breath I'm Not Interested" Sakura informed harshly.
Working herself into a fit most likely, Neji wisely turned on his heel and left without saying anything further, Sakura deflated like a balloon at his departure "We were in the middle of something" Kizashi cleared his throat.
Reminding his daughter that they still had to choose a house in the compound and have it cleaned up "I'll go retrieve Hatake so he can help out like we both promised" Sasori grunted, wondering at how long Neji Hyuga had been hounding Sakura.
Until he remembered that day when he'd been summoned back to evaluate the new members of Akatsuki and had come back to insanity and winced in sympathy for the girl "Are they ready" Kakashi barely looked up when a shadow fell over him.
In the familiar shape of Sasori Akasuna "Picking out a house now so soon no doubt but I thought to inform you ahead of time since you have a habit of being purposefully late" Sasori said, picking at the younger man.
Kakashi raised a silver brow finally tearing his gaze away from the pages of his book "I hate it when Sakura's right, you really do get a kick out of tormenting people don't you" Kakashi scowled not having thought the man would ever do that to him.
Sasori lifted a brow in return a smug little smile settling on his lips that had Kakashi's irritation sky-rocketing for some reason "Maybe Hatake and maybe you shouldn't let me get under your skin so easily" Sasori taunted.
Clearly in some sort of strange mood "Kami your worse than Sakura-chan" Kakashi huffed, finally shutting his book and stowing it on the top shelf of the bookcase, Sasori's smile widened into a smirk.
"The brat did learn from the best after all" Sasori intoned casually as they headed from the shared house Sakura's chakra leading them like a beacon until they came to a stop five houses over and found the Haruno's, plus Jugo, and Shisui helping clean up a house.
Apparently waiting for others to arrive hadn't been on the agenda so the two men simply got to work, there were dark stains here and there that Sakura scrubbed viciously so her parents never saw them and freaked out.
And Shisui wore a grimace on his face the entire time, probably remembering who this house had belonged to before the massacre "I think maybe he could use some cheering up Sakura-san" Jugo whispered to her.
Worried about the man, prompting a wince from Sakura "Your sweet Jugo-san but I can't cheer Shisui-san up from that" Sakura admitted sadly, knowing that he was thinking about his clan's mass execution by the hands of Itachi Uchiha, his best friend.
"Promise me Jugo-san when your trial period is over and your able to leave on missions and such if you ever encounter a Itachi Uchiha you'll get as far away from him as you can, he's a murderer and he'll kill you without second thought just like he did his clan" Sakura whispered.
Giving him a pleading stare Jugo tilted his head in answer, acknowledging her request should it ever happen he'll leave as quickly as humanly possible, this massively relieved her and then by dinner Mebuki and Kizashi were fully moved in to their new house.
Shisui having exhausted himself helping out waved and body flickered home without another word, while Kakashi and Sasori returned to the house leaving Sakura and Jugo to have dinner with the older Haruno's.
Before trudging tiredly home to crawl into their beds once they reached their rooms after a long day and Sakura wanted to scream at something when the next day brought more drama in the form of Hiashi Hyuga.
Who must have heard that her parents were back as she was dragged to their house to have a meeting with him and his nephew, her displaying very little interest in hopes the two Hyuga's would get the hint this time.
"As you can see my nephew would be able to mentally and physically stimulate Sakura-san and birth an entirely new generation of Hyuga that would be stronger than the previous generation if you agreed to a betrothal contract between them" Hiashi explained.
Sipping delicately at some tea that her mother had made him "Does that look like the face of a girl who is interested in your nephew Hyuga-sama" Kizashi raised a brow at the general lack of attention his daughter was paying Neji.
Hiashi obviously didn't care for her opinion at all "Whether she's interested or not is besides the point of the conversation, will you agree to sign the contract so Sakura-san will have no choice in the matter" Hiashi informed.
Sakura's head whipped around to glare at him "EXCUSE ME Hiashi-sama, I respect you yes but I will not allow you to try and take away my free will by forcing your nephew on me" Sakura jumped up from her seat like it was on fire.
Then stormed from her parents house and past a concerned Jugo who followed her all the way to the private training grounds in the Uchiha compound only to start punching the ground and destroying it to get her aggression and frustration out before she accidentally hurt someone.
"As you can see our daughter has a mind of her own Hyuga-sama and we will not be signing any contract today or any other day by anyone who offers, our daughter deserves the right to choose who she wants to be with" Mebuki declared.
Not taking enjoyment out of the situation in the least because this was three times now someone had tried to force them into binding Sakura to someone who she clearly didn't want to be with, twice by this very person in fact "Perhaps you just need time to sit on the offer maybe" Neji chimed in.
Clearly not knowing when to quit "Our answer is no" Kizashi repeated knowing that Sakura didn't need them to make choices for her anymore anyway seeing as she was technically considered an adult now being a shinobi as she was.
"And Neji-san it will remain no, no matter how much time passes" Mebuki informed with that both Hiashi and Neji left their home and subsequently the Uchiha Compound and they both heaved a long suffering sigh at their departure.
Before attempting to go find their daughter, it wasn't very hard honestly what with the ground shaking every few minutes until they arrived at the training field to watch Sakura mauling the earth with her fists.
Jugo off to the side watching her with a wary yet concerned expression on his face "She'll be alright, Sakura-chan just needs to get the anger out of her system" Kizashi assured the teenager who seemed devoted to his daughter.
If there was someone he would want her to be with it would be someone devoted like Jugo was but she'd practically had a mini heart attack when he'd asked her if she liked someone so Sakura being in a relationship was still a long ways off.
Red-orange eyes snapped in his direction "Can I ask why she's so angry, it's not like before but I don't think I care much for her being upset like this" Jugo dared to inquire, unsure if he would really be told anything.
Imagine his surprise when Mebuki answered "Ah Hyuga-sama, Neji-san's Uncle and head of the Hyuga clan basically told Sakura that whether she was interested in his nephew or not was besides the point and if we signed the contract she'd have no choice in the matter" Mebuki admitted.
Focusing on Sakura who looked like she was finally running out of steam as she punched the earth one final time then nodded in satisfaction "Please tell me it's over and Hyuga will stop hounding me finally" Sakura questioned when she spotted her parents and walked over.
Just glad that she was alright now as Mebuki and Kizashi nodded at her question, Jugo sidled up to Sakura, smiling down at her from his taller height right as more news was delivered "Hokage-sama wants you two in the hospital asap" an anbu informed.
Nodding at the teenagers "Your friend must be awake" Sakura guessed, leading Jugo to the hospital, though she wasn't sure what Tsunade wanted her along for seeing as the last time she met Kimimaro face to face she'd delivered him a smack down he'd probably never forget.
Upon reaching the hospital the two of them found Tsunade pacing the lobby "Jugo your positive you'll be able to get through that obnoxious little punk" Tsunade swiveled on her heels when she saw them entering the doors.
He quickly nodded "Yes, he was, is still my friend, he's not a truly bad person just a little to obsessed with Orochimaru I think" Jugo explained letting himself be led along by the older woman, Sakura pacing along at his side looking confused.
A few minutes later they reached a heavily sealed door "For his own safety and others we had to put him in here the door will only open by my chakra" Tsunade said, placing her hand on the seal and injecting her chakra into it.
Bracing herself as she opened his slowly admitting the three of them into the room, Kimimaro was resting on a bed, awake but rigid until he saw Jugo "Were you captured as well" Kimimaro leaped up from his bed.
Sakura reacted on instinct alone as chakra strings attached themselves to Kimimaro stopping him from coming any closer "I'm here by my own free will Kimimaro, Sakura did what Orochimaru promised but never delivered on" Jugo announced.
Taking a seat as Kimimaro was forced back onto the bed and a barrier rose preventing him from getting up again in response Kimimaro narrowed vivid green eyes at Jugo's lack of respectful title for their lord and savior.
"How, she's just a little girl that Kabuto is obsessed with and that's Orochimaru-sama to you Jugo" Kimimaro frowned trying to process what was going on but coming up short because he couldn't see the bigger picture just yet.
Jugo sighed but lifted his shirt over his head prompting an embarrassed squeak from Sakura, when the orange haired teenager looked down he didn't see the seal however and looked to her with panic in his eyes.
So in spite of her embarrassment at remembering being pressed against his bare chest Sakura pressed a chakra coated hand to his skin and the seal appeared "This Kimimaro is a seal that prevents me from going out of control" Jugo smiled.
A little worried when the seal faded again "Don't worry Jugo-san it's still there even if you can't see it" Sakura assured speaking for the first time since they'd entered the sealed hospital room easing his mind greatly.
Before he finally slipped his shirt back on over his head "Question is how long will it last" Kimimaro pinned equally vivid colored eyes on Sakura in the next moment not sure he could trust the girl in the least.
Plus he was still a little sore that she'd managed what no one else had which was injury him "For as long as he wants it to, at some point it will have to be updated but that won't be for many years" Sakura declared.
Kimimaro frowned deeper "Kimimaro, your fixation on Orochimaru is unhealthy, he's blinded you from the real world but I'm asking you to wake up and face reality now so that you can see that he's not the savior you think he is" Jugo frowned as well.
Trying like he'd promised to reason with his friend "And you barely know her yet you offer your loyalty to her, what if she turns out exactly like Orochimaru-sama or even worse than him" Kimimaro pointed out.
Having guessed his friend would be stubborn Jugo straightened "I offer because I can sense what others do not from her, Sakura is kind, her very presence soothes my soul, Kimimaro make a choice either disassociate yourself from Orochimaru or be locked away for the rest of your life" Jugo informed.
Giving his friend an ultimatum, Kimimaro stared at him warily before sighing "I suppose I owe the woman there a life debt for ridding me of my illness when Kabuto had been unable to" the ivory haired teen said slowly.
Chewing on his words for a moment before saying them as he glanced to Tsunade who'd stood by the door and hadn't said a word the entire time since entering the room "Can you behave if I let you out of this room" Tsunade sneered at him.
Obviously not a pleasant to deal with sort of person "As long as I'm allowed to go with Jugo to wherever he is staying" Kimimaro nodded wanting to remain near his only ally in the village right now, though he was distracted as Sakura visibly cringed.
"Probably not a good idea, my teammates and sensei's are liable to well not be nice to you at first due to you attempting to kidnap me" Sakura grimaced looking like she'd bit into a lemon, Jugo let out a laugh at that.
Startling her as she looked at him with wide green eyes it was the first laugh he'd let out since his arrival in Konohagakure "Where am I to stay then" Kimimaro eyed Tsunade again who wore a contemplative expression.
In the end she simply snapped at Sakura "Tell them to get over it, he's staying with you at your house and Sakura tell Akasuna to be at the academy at two tomorrow to meet and greet his genin students" Tsunade barked.
Flinging open the door and stalking off down the hallways "And to think I'll be training with her as her apprentice in about five and a half days" Sakura sighed, she didn't regret asking the woman to take her on though.
Twenty minutes later Sakura was proven right when Kimimaro was rejected "Hokage-sama's orders and you know it's impossible to deny her demands and Sasori-sensei you will meet your new genin team tomorrow at the academy at two" Sakura informed.
When Naruto and Sasuke aimed weapons at the new but unwanted person in their house, they both groaned at the news however while Sasori nodded and went back to reading as Sakura led Kimimaro up the stairs.
He happened to pick an available room closest to Jugo, with that she disappeared into her own room and the lab in her closet to work on a new puppet while still drawing the design for Kankuro's requested puppet.
Her new one was turning out to look like a creature with a very sharp horn, so busy as she was that she didn't near the knock or Jugo calling her name only to get no answer which prompted him to awkwardly enter her room.
Letting her chakra lead him to where she was in a hidden room within her closet and found her in the midst of work, "Sakura-san" Jugo called again only to have a throwing needle thrown at him that he didn't take any offense to as he realized he'd startled her.
"Sorry, yes what do you need Jugo-san" Sakura apologized with a horrified expression but did ask him what he wanted it didn't seem like Jugo was upset from having a weapon tossed at him so she relaxed somewhat.
But she did still feel a little guilty about it, here Jugo seemed to become shy "Would you mind if I sat in here with you, Kimimaro's not up to socializing and the others have left the house" Jugo requested quietly.
Sakura's expression softened "Hang on let me grab another chair for you to sit in and maybe you could give me a few opinions" the pinkette shrugged a second later, unable to deny him his request apparently.
It was as she was going around Jugo to fetch the second chair that he accidentally stepped on her foot which caused her to let out a yelp and send them both crashing to the floor "I'm sorry" Jugo apologized with her face mere inches away from his own.
And bright red "No worries it was an accident" Sakura blushed, feeling a feeling she'd never felt before, then she attempted to get herself off of him which didn't work out so well considering the place they'd fallen was half in her special room and half out of it into the closet.
Meaning there was limited space to move around "Need some help" Kimimaro commented having heard the commotion only to see his friend in a compromising position, Sakura's head snapped up before she gave him an uncomfortable look.
"Please" Sakura said knowing she wouldn't be able to get up on her own without hurting herself or heaven forbid Jugo in the process thankfully with Kimimaro's help she was up on her feet again and helping Jugo to his feet in the next moment.
The two teenagers watched her vanish from her room in the next moment "I accidentally stepped on her foot, when she jumped backwards it tripped the both of us and I unthinkingly grabbed her so she fell on me while I fell backwards" Jugo explained.
When he got an eyebrow raised at him "So what were you doing in her room" Kimimaro questioned suspiciously as he looked into the room that was hidden within the girls closet and it looked like a lab full of experimental equipment.
Jugo flushed and let out a cough "Nothing indecent Kimimaro and technically I'm not in her room, but in a room that's attached to her room, she was working on that puppet there" Jugo assured, nodding at the half finished wooden creation.
A second later Sakura returned with a couple of extra chairs to stow away in her lab "Quite the laboratory you have here, run any experiments lately" Kimimaro commented wanting to see how she'd react to the accusation.
Viridian orbs blinked at him "Oh uh yes actually over there in the corner I was experimenting with herbs to come up with a new complex poison but that was weeks ago and I finished it already so since then no" Sakura smiled.
Before frowning, Kabuto already knew how to craft the antidote to that poison which meant she would have to make an entirely new one "The poison arrows, you know Kabuto's just going to figure out an antidote for it" Jugo breathed in realization.
Sakura pursed her lips "Yes I know Jugo-san for now though I want to finish that puppet" Sakura informed setting down the chairs seeing as neither were leaving and took her seat again, adopting an expression of concentration.
As she fiddled with the wooden mass before her and she stayed that way for the next hour, Kimimaro and Jugo simply watching her until "Alright you hunk of wood it's about time you actually went together like I drew" Sakura scowled.
Picking up her creation, it was small in size, preferring littler puppets to the larger ones that most puppeteers used and attached chakra threads to the puppet only to have it fall apart "What happened" Jugo frowned seeing her frustration.
"I'm not entirely sure to be honest, maybe the design I drew simply won't work" Sakura sighed gathering the puppet parts and dropping them on her desk, snatching the notebook with the puppets design from the corner.
Then the three of them left her lab and her room all together, her searching until she found who she wanted "Sasori-sensei can you tell me if this design will work at all or if I need to redraw it" Sakura thrust her notebook at the crimson haired man.
Sasori raised his gaze from his book, snorted inwardly at the two stood behind Sakura then glanced down "Redraw it brat, it's a nice idea but it won't work the way you have it drawn now would just cause it continually to fall apart" Sasori informed immediately.
Having suspected as much Sakura flopped down in her chair and started drawing furiously by the time she was finished it was lunch so she put her notebook down and disappeared into the kitchen to cook the afternoon meal before Naruto or Sasuke could.
Both of whom liked to monopolize the kitchen nowadays when she was done everyone had returned to the house "Darn it I wanted to cook lunch today I had a really cool recipe I wanted to try out to" Naruto sulked.
"Are you complaining Naruto be glad you get anything at all" Kakashi rolled his eyes at his students melodramatics and he caught Sakura doing the same across the table in between the two newest members of the house.
He had to admit to having some doubt about Kimimaro mostly while Jugo had proven himself somewhat on the way back home "Don't pick on the Dobe, Kakashi, that's my job" Sasuke chimed in wondering when the man would be telling Sakura of their plans.
Minato bit his lip to keep from laughing, then his gaze met Kakashi's "Sakura-san, we have some news to tell you" Minato cleared his throat suddenly deciding to be the one who told Sakura of what the four of them would be doing.
Sakura paused in the middle of giggling and focused her entire attention on him "News Minato-san come to think of it where did you four go without telling me earlier" Sakura questioned.
Getting the feeling that she was about to be shocked "To meet with Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sama, Fugaku-san and Mikoto-san we all agreed that the three of you need to be trained, you by Tsunade-sama, Naruto by myself and Jiraiya-sama and Sasuke by Kakashi-kun" Minato explained.
As she was opening her mouth he held up his hand indicating he wasn't finished "The five of us will be leaving the village for two and a half years" Minato announced, watching her expression warily.
Jade eyes filled with fear and worry met his ocean colored ones "Of course it's not like we're being completely cut off from one another Sakura-chan, we can write to one another every day" Naruto burst out in a panic as tears gathered on her lashes and trickled down her cheeks.
She was showing them her emotions instead of hiding them away like usual "So don't cry alright" Sasuke grimaced hating her tears more than anything it was the first time since the day they graduated that he'd seen her cry actually.
The girl gave a start and pressed a hand to her cheek to feel wetness "Didn't even realize I was crying….promise me you'll all be careful out there, especially you two Naruto, Sasuke, listen to Kakashi-sensei, Jiraiya-sama and Minato-san when they tell you to do something do it without question" Sakura narrowed her eyes on the boys.
Both of them gulped and nodded then quietly resumed eating their lunch "When are you leaving" Sasori asked at the table with them and silently getting a kick out of how Sakura still terrified her teammates out of stupidity.
His question was mostly directed at Kakashi "Five days from now at the end of our break" Kakashi eventually relented and gave the time frame in which they'd be leaving, Sakura nodded solemnly in understanding.
If they were going to take Naruto and Sasuke out training it was better to go sooner rather than later, and as soon as lunch was done being devoured Sakura vanished in a flurry of purple cherry blossoms clearly wanting to be alone.
"Good job leaving me with the temperamental brat of the lot" Sasori scoffed, knowing he wouldn't be around all the much what with having new students to focus his attention on now, Minato looked genuinely guilty while Kakashi simply rolled his eyes.
Three hours later Jugo decided to go find Sakura who obviously wasn't in the house, Kimimaro was a silent tag along as they left the compound behind even in his search for the pinkette, her chakra led Jugo like a beacon straight to her.
To where she was sitting at the highest point in the village atop the Second Hokage's head staring out over her village "Are you still upset" Jugo asked gently as he settled himself at her side as she mindlessly stroked a cat who had claimed her lap for the time being.
With nothing else left to do Kimimaro also sat sandwiching her between the two of them jolting Sakura into awareness "How can I not be, but I know I can't stop them from going either, they need the training as much as I do" Sakura sighed.
Glancing down into her lap obviously only now noticing the creature that was in it "I'm not sure I quite understand why your so upset by the news of their leaving anyway" Kimimaro commented still trying to wrap his head around not declaring fealty to Orochimaru anymore.
"Naruto's one of my best friends, we've been through a lot together, then Sasuke joined our little group and we became a trio of inseparable friends, two and a half years will be the longest we've ever gone without seeing each other" Sakura explained.
Kimimaro should have guessed he'd get a complicated answer like that "Your afraid for them" Jugo realized suddenly that guilt reared its ugly head again as he realized why she would be so fearful of their leaving.
Sakura grimaced "Those two are reckless morons and just charge straight in without even thinking sometimes it's why I warned you about Itachi Uchiha, it was because of him that Sasuke ended up in the hospital for two months while I was in a coma thanks to Yakushi" she admitted.
"And let me guess it was all Sasuke-san's fault" Kimimaro guessed, Sakura curled her lip in response indicating that yes it had been Sasuke's fault, if he hadn't of run off like an idiot he wouldn't have even been hurt in the first place.
Which would have prevented the ass-whooping she'd given him "Is it because of Kabuto that you fear becoming attached to someone like you are those five" Jugo asked carefully knowing that the subject was very touchy.
Case and point Sakura sent him a panicked look before sighing "Never know when the bastard will attempt to kidnap more people I care about so what's the point of falling in love if they'll just be targeted" Sakura relented.
Unaware that a certain unrelenting Hyuga was eavesdropping on her conversation "So that's why you refuse to give me a chance, you know Sakura-san you should have just said you were worried, I'm more than strong enough to protect myself" Neji chimed in.
She whipped around wrath incarnate "That is so not the point Hyuga-san I'm not interested in you either way regardless of what I just said" Sakura glared, really tired of his crap at this point that if she had to punch him in order to get him to leave her alone she'd gladly do it.
"Why are you fighting me so much, we could be a good couple I know it, both of us strong, intellectually capable and think of our children they'd be something that the elders could only dream about" Neji frowned.
Sakura gave a weary sigh "Go away Neji, just go away" Sakura waved her hand dismissively as she resettled herself between Kimimaro and Jugo taking comfort in their silence, ignoring Neji further by refusing to let him get under her skin anymore.
Eventually he did leave to her relief and the three unlikely people sat there over looking Konohagakure for another two hours before returning to the house for dinner, Sakura chattered with her teammates then disappeared again this time to her room to go to bed.
And the next day Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi and Minato started packing and at two Sasori left to meet his genin, then before everyone knew it their break was over and Sakura, Kimimaro and Jugo were seeing the four aforementioned off on their two and a half year training trip.
Not that Sakura had long to really agonize over their absence as Tsunade tracked her down and dragged her off for some training of her own as the woman's apprentice and she returned to the house covered in cuts and bruises from the harsh training session.
