Three months later Sakura had practically resigned herself to being left alone with Kimimaro and Jugo for her only company with the odd appearance of Sasori who was busy with his new students ninety percent of the time nowadays.
That day was no different as she wandered into the house bruised and battered thanks to Tsunade "Again Lady Tsunade really needs to ease up on you Sakura-san" Kimimaro sighed, before disappearing up the stairs.
Sakura huffed after him while Jugo did the most fretting by tending her cuts with surprising delicacy "You'd make a great medic Jugo" Sakura noted, she could have healed them herself sure but Tsunade would just give her more the next time they trained.
Jugo flashed her a patient smile "For being a medic yourself you can be quite stubborn towards someone else treating you" Jugo said, taking the petri dish that Kimimaro handed to him as he returned from upstairs.
And rubbing some ointment on Sakura's arms followed by wrapping them "Can't help it, I'm not the one who usually gets injured regularly like this, that was Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei if you can believe it" Sakura sulked.
Kimimaro shook his head with a snort "You know from our fight I get the feeling you really hate Lo…Orochimaru and Kabuto but seem to like pissing them off at the same time" Kimimaro commented having to cut himself off from calling Orochimaru by that damn respectful title.
Being out from under the man had really opened his eyes to the real word and thanks to Sakura he and Jugo now had a chance to experience true freedom and happiness "Hmm I suppose you make a good point Kimimaro" Sakura nodded in answer.
After thinking about the statement before deciding it was true it was probably a bad habit that had rubbed off on her from Sasori if she thought about it "What are you getting at Kimimaro" Jugo saw beneath the comment though with narrowed red-orange eyes.
"Orochimaru promised a lot of people that he would save them but in the end he only enslaved them, I was thinking we could rescue the ones truly deserving of that freedom" Kimimaro explained.
Eyeing Sakura who had straightened "First lets get through our trial period Kimimaro before we think about liberating people from underneath Orochimaru" Jugo suggested not sure he wanted a pissed off Sannin after him and he wasn't talking about the Snake Sannin but the Slug Sannin.
Fortunately Sakura seemed to be in agreement with him to "Yeah I don't want Shishou getting mad at me for suggesting something like that to her face when I'm still inexperienced dealing with her" Sakura shuddered.
Later on she crawled into her bed to get some sleep as Jugo and Kimimaro did the same, midway through the night however Sakura got the sense that she was being watched so slowly opened her eyes to peer blearily around her room.
It took a good couple of minutes before her eyes adjusted to the darkness and it was only then that she saw him sitting backwards in the chair at her writing desk just staring at her, he had long unruly dark hair but what was most notable about the guy was his piercing red pinwheel eyes.
She did the only real proper thing to do in such a situation by screaming loud enough to wake the dead with her shrieks, immediately he was up off the chair slamming a hand over her mouth "Quiet I'm not going to hurt you" he hissed.
Doors flinging open snapped her out of her frozen state and Sakura took a swing at the perpetrator in her house right as her own door flew open and slammed into the wall the obvious Uchiha male went sailing across her room to hit the wall with a thud.
Followed by her being engulfed in warm arms "I told you I wasn't going to hurt you" the man stood rubbing his back then pinned his pinwheel red eyes on her again, Sakura took a large step back making Jugo and Kimimaro do the same.
"Hahaha you think I'd really believe you, who the hell are you and what the hell were you doing in my ROOM" Sakura laughed still very afraid for her life as the unknown Uchiha strolled forward, hands held up in the universal I'm harmless gesture.
Face a mask of confusion "Does the academy not teach you about historical figures and how I came to be in this room is a matter of coincidence, why I'm here I can not tell you exactly as I have no idea where I am at the moment" the man admitted with a frown.
In response Sakura swept her gaze over him again now that she could see him better and nearly fainted at the realization of who he was "Madara, your Madara Uchiha" Sakura whispered going as pale as a ghost.
Madara as they knew who he was now nodded "Yes, there was another Uchiha with me a bit ago, but he left the room to see if he could find someone who was awake to speak with" Madara informed.
Seeing that the girl was near hyperventilation he deliberately took several steps back "Sakura if this man is really Madara Uchiha then why is he not attempting to kill us as the history books detail you went rogue and had to be killed by the first Hokage" Kimimaro spoke up suddenly.
"I do wonder that myself but for some reason I feel no urges to murder you or anyone, my mind is at peace" Madara said undeniably sane as he deactivated his sharingan and stood there allowing Sakura to calm down further.
He really didn't want her passing out on him, she was just opening her mouth to say something when a manly shout echoed in their ears loud enough to be heard from five houses over, Sakura was gone in a flutter of purple blossoms "You should probably follow us" Jugo sighed.
Hurrying after Sakura and by the time the three of them actually caught up with her, more than Sakura was at her parents house, Mebuki and Kizashi shuffled behind Shisui while Fugaku, Mikoto and Izumi who mostly kept to herself was there.
Surrounding the other Uchiha who had also come back like Madara had "What's going on here" Fugaku demanded to know seeing the elder Uchiha, his gaze was mostly focused on Sakura who looked like she didn't know what to do for once.
"We're not sure Fugaku-sama, I woke up and he was there in my room" Sakura nodded at Madara who tilted his head in acknowledgement, bloody red eyes glanced in his direction for a brief second then resettled on Sakura.
Before his gaze softened upon realizing she was telling the truth "I was there to for a moment what I didn't expect was to get knocked on my ass and why are non Uchiha even allowed in the Compound" the Uchiha on the ground stood confused about what was going on himself.
Fugaku and Sakura sighed in sync "Sakura-chan's protective over her parents Great Uncle Kagami and as for why their here it's because we are all that remains of the Uchiha clan barring three others who are not here amongst us right now and Fugaku-sama claimed them wards" Shisui chimed in.
Recognizing the person before him thanks to countless photographs he had of the man, at the admission Mikoto flinched, Fugaku closed his eyes, Izumi bit her lip harshly to stop any tears from falling, and Sakura lowered her head.
While Madara and Kagami looked like their eyes were about to bulge out of their eye sockets, "May I ask why you claimed them as wards" Kagami requested not sure if he would like what he'd be told next.
The little girl who'd punted him on his ass went stony faced in answer "Because as long as Kizashi-san and Mebuki-san are in this compound they'll be protected by Anbu who watch and ensure our safety twenty four seven" Mikoto announced.
"Some anbu, if they were truly watching as you think, why aren't they here now dealing with this situation" Madara pointed out lightly unable to sense anyone's chakra besides the ones all gathered in the street.
Only wanting to take back his words immediately after when in a plume of smoke "Who says we're not watching Uchiha" a purple haired woman hissed once the white cloud had dissipated, having heard the entire conversation thus far.
Taking up a protective stance in front of Sakura as she did so the girl had a little more cover "I stand corrected then, they are watching" Madara relented to the truth displayed before his very eyes.
In the next moment Anko turned on Sakura "Don't Anko-sempai none of this is my fault" Sakura snipped out before the woman could lay into her, Anko glared more intensely at that denied having someone to blame for this whole thing.
"Bleeding hell Pinky could you be less of a fucking danger magnet though, I swear you get in worse trouble than your idiotic teammates" Anko snapped at her prompting Sakura to throw her hands in the air and glare right back.
Equally as furious "Right sure whatever Anko-sempai" Sakura curled her lip not happy that she was being blamed for this somehow in someway "I'm going back to bed" she said after a moment then stalked off back to her shared house.
Jugo and Kimimaro followed after her wearily "Way to go Anko, blame the kid who adores the lot of us and run her off in a fury because you can't keep your mouth shut" Shisui scowled at the purple haired interrogator.
Anko's expression soured in response "You two stay put with that brat for the night and so help me if you do anything I'll have you thrown in a cell" Anko snarled at the two returned then was gone in another plume of smoke.
Leaving Kagami and Madara to trek back to the house they'd found themselves in and settle on the couches until Sakura came down a few hours later to make breakfast "Sakura are you still upset by what your superior at T&I said" Jugo questioned.
Upon seeing her tight expression "Upset doesn't even begin to explain how I feel at the moment Jugo" Sakura admitted a little stiff towards him but he supposed he couldn't blame her after she was blamed for the two Uchiha coming back.
In fact it wouldn't surprise him any if she gave the woman the cold shoulder for a couple of weeks, like she was still religiously ignoring Neji any time he came around, sure Sakura was perfectly polite to Hinata but Neji was a no go.
Halfway through breakfast the one person who was certifiably able to get Sakura to open up again walked into the house "Brats I'm ba…." Sasori called out entering the kitchen only to pause at the two unknowns sitting at the dining table.
For a moment it looked like he was torn before ultimately deciding on something by sitting down "I'm back now who are you two, you look like Uchiha's but I don't know either of you" Sasori reiterated.
Casting an inquisitive glance at the ebony haired duo "Kagami, we sort of came back last night due to some unforeseen reason" the shorter one greeted, introducing himself with a well known name.
Sasori frowned "Like blonde brats Father then and you" hazel eyes focused on the taller, obviously older Uchiha who reminded him of someone but the memory was out of his reach at the moment.
Until the man said his name "Madara" Madara informed only to find himself caught in chakra strings in the next moment as the redhead flew up out of his seat, Sakura jolted out of her haze and reached out stopping her sensei from further action.
"He's not a threat Sasori-sensei" Sakura assured shocked at how quickly Sasori had moved, it was his first show of temper in three months actually and she didn't like it in the least, at her words Sasori clenched his teeth and tightened the threads around the Uchiha.
Obviously disbelieving of her claim "Like hell I'll believe that, that bastard works for Akatsuki so what are you here for blonde brat and the nine tails or maybe Sakura to induct her into that organization since I left it" Sasori growled.
Madara blinked at him confusedly in response "Akatsuki I'm not sure what your talking about" the elder Uchiha confessed, memory hazy at best due to his unexpected return, Sasori loosened his control over the chakra threads.
Before altogether releasing Madara "You know I'd like to go one morning without drama if that's not to much to ask" Sakura sat down with a huff glaring at the crimson haired former rogue turned double agent, turned Leaf-nin.
Prompting the man to roll his eyes and sit down as well after that breakfast was hurriedly devoured and Sakura vanished from the house as anbu came to escort the two new revivals to speak with the Hokage.
It was a long drawn out meeting with Hashirama's granddaughter and council of village elders before they were finally released getting threats of pain should they step a toe out of line and with that the two hurried back to the Uchiha Compound.
Only to find the house empty so they went in search of the houses occupants and found the four of them on the training field just one of them was training, it was the lone girl and to at least Kagami's horror they found her quite brutal.
Even against a clone of herself "The result of last night, it's the only way Sakura knows how to relieve her stress" Kimimaro said when he saw the two, just glad that her fury wasn't directed at him, that one time had been enough.
"Do you think she'd spar with one of us, we need to know what we can do now that we're back" Kagami asked and as the teenager was about to answer the man from last night arrived and cut Kimimaro off.
By offering himself up "If it pleases you Great Uncle Kagami I'll train with you" Shisui said wanting to prevent Sakura from having to hold herself back against the two newly revived men they didn't know her compassion yet.
Kagami shrugged apparently not caring who he sparred against but Madara was an entirely different matter and before anyone could stop him he was interrupting Sakura "Let us spar" Madara requested of the girl.
Wanting to find out how much stronger she actually was since she'd managed to nail him last night, Sakura eyed him like he was crazy "Well if that's what you want" the pinkette finally relented after a couple of minutes.
And the elder Uchiha hadn't budged an inch nor retracted his request "It is" Madara nodded so they both settled into their fighting stances, not noticing how Sasori watched intensely and to start the spar.
Sakura brought her fist to the ground shattering the earth beneath their feet, her moves were carefully calculated when she made them against her opponent, a jump here to avoid the kunai, a cartwheel backwards to get out range of what could have been a painful kick.
This all made Sasori very proud as the fight progressed neither combatant winning to Madara's apparent frustration as he finally activated his sharingan to help him fight, Sakura grinned "Hidden Mist Jutsu" she flashed through the hand signs gleefully.
Obscuring the Uchiha's vision as she hid all trace of herself in the mist just like Zabuza had taught her "Son of a bitch" Madara cursed when suddenly he was sent flying again ending the spar as the mist dissipated and he could see again.
"Good thing that spar wasn't for real huh Madara-san" Sakura snickered, peridot orbs twinkling with her mirth as she knelt and healed him of his injuries that she'd inflicted upon him before tending herself.
Clearly done with all training now as she flopped back and passed out in her exhaustion "I've got her" Jugo declared, tenderly lifting Sakura into his arms, extremely fond of the rosette, before taking her back to the house everyone following along behind him.
When he came back down the stairs after putting Sakura in her room Jugo settled himself in his favorite chair in the living room where the others were gathered "Tell me something, that girl she was holding back on me wasn't she" Madara questioned almost immediately.
Prompting a snort from Sasori "And you only just now realized it…but yes Sakura was holding back, above everything else Sakura can't hurt people unless they honestly deserve it" Sasori grimaced.
Thinking back to Kabuto Yakushi "What of that jutsu she used, it was practically designed to prevent Madara from using his sharingan against her" Kagami commented having been impressed with Sakura's strategic fighting.
Sasori curled his lips "You can thank a rogue by the name of Zabuza Momochi for teaching her that little trick, however much I dislike the thought of her even associating with the bastard from Mist, he's bound by honor knowing she could kick his ass anytime she wanted" Sasori scoffed.
Beyond irritated over that "Maybe that woman from last night had it right Sakura is a danger magnet" Kimimaro said before glancing over his shoulder to make sure she wasn't behind him right as he said that.
He didn't want to be the next person to upset her "Can I ask why she seems so protective of her parents, their non shinobi correct so she shouldn't have to worry about them being in danger of getting killed or targeted right" Madara questioned next.
Three sets of eyes in varying colors snapped to him, Sasori scowled thunderously but kept his gaze even while Kimimaro was the one to actually look away it was Jugo who answered "Until three months ago they were held by a madman named Orochimaru" Jugo explained.
Kagami choked but any further questions that the two fully returned men wanted to ask were stamped down on and an hour later Sakura came back downstairs, Sasori took note of how she practically wedged herself between Kimimaro and Jugo.
But leaned more on the orange haired teenager than the ivory haired one and just knew right then that she had found someone to focus her attentions on "Right well I have business to take care of brats" Sasori stood then vanished.
Sakura rolled her eyes with a snort but there was this fond little smile playing at the corners of her lips that told everyone she was more amused at the redheads antics than annoyed "You know I can't help but wonder how strong you actually are if you didn't hold back" Kimimaro said.
Equally green eyes focused on him at that "Strong enough I suppose, I don't really have many chances to test my strength against non allies" Sakura stated with a roll of her shoulders, not to sure what she was capable of anymore.
Jugo chuckled lightly in amusement "I never did ask, that technique what was it…the one you unleashed when you knocked me out" Jugo asked in the next moment, having to clarify when she looked confused.
Her eyes widened though "Well it doesn't really have a name but I sync my chakra up with my summons, bat summons and use their high pitched range to scramble someones brain, there's another form of that called the brain scrambler jutsu but that's how I do it" Sakura grimaced.
The only one who didn't cringe away from her was Jugo "Bats" Kagami inquired in a cautious tone of voice not sure if he wanted to truly know what else the girls summons could do if she could scramble someones brain just by syncing her chakra up with the creature.
"Vicious little creatures bats are how can you even stand to have them as your summons" Kimimaro shuddered more than a little freaked out by the news, Sakura rolled her eyes and snorted at him.
Before answering "I stand them because I care for them, and yes while they are considered not of the norm and quite vicious at the very least they respect me as their summoner" Sakura quipped obviously fond of her bats.
"Don't you train under Tsunade as her apprentice, surely the woman will have you sign on with the slug summons Katsuyu won't she" Kagami chimed in remembering that bit about how Sakura was the woman's apprentice.
Sakura grinned "Fortunately I have the skill necessary to summon two different types of creatures thus keeping my bats while being able to use Katsuyu-sama at the same time" the pinkette snickered.
Simply relieved that she would never have to give up her bat summons "Amusing little girl aren't you" Madara snorted, settling on the couch as the living room lapsed into silence until someones stomach growled which meant lunch was soon on its way.
Imagine Madara and Kagami's surprise when the house got visitors in the form of Sakura's parents "Sakura-chan hope you don't mind but Mebuki didn't feel like cooking" Kizashi called from the foyer letting his daughter know they were there.
"That's fine" Sakura hollered back from probably the kitchen given how far away she sounded, the married couple shared an amused look and took off their sandals before heading into the living room, finding that their guess was right when they found it empty.
So headed into the kitchen "Ooh looks good" Mebuki hummed upon seeing that Sakura was cooking quite the spread this afternoon, if there was anything she and Kizashi had learned in the three months following their return it was that Sakura loved showing off her culinary skills.
Her statement earned an indulgent smile and soon lunch was ready to be eaten and it was thoroughly devoured by hungry people, Kizashi and Mebuki felt afterwards, followed by the kitchen being cleaned until the day was done and over with.
And before everyone knew it another three months had come and gone, it was the day Jugo and Kimimaro had been waiting for, the day they received their official Konohagakure hitai-ate's and became Chunin on Tsunade's recommendation.
It's how Sakura got her first mission outside the village in six months, Jugo and Kimimaro her mission partners "The situation with Earth Country" Tsunade began during the mission debriefing when she'd called the trio into her office the following day.
"Has always been precarious what with our shinobi being killed on sight if their ever seen in that country by Iwa-nin, not to mention what they've done to Kiri-nin, however I'd like to rectify this and get the Tsuchikage to agree to another treaty at long last" the busty blonde informed.
Glaring at her apprentice "Anything you want Milady and it will be done" Sakura bowed her head, nearly fourteen years old now and growing up way to fast for her parents to keep up with, everyone else to, to their horror.
Because they'd all obviously expected the girl to remain a little girl forever apparently "Well if Sakura's going then we have no choice but to go too, seeing as we can't just leave this to her" Kimimaro crossed his arms over his chest.
Looking the Hokage in the eyes bravely now that he had nothing to fear from the woman "Precisely, we're not saying you can't handle yourself Sakura, but you need back up from people you trust and right now we fit that stipulation" Jugo assuaged gently.
Seeing Sakura's indignant expression in response to what Kimimaro had said, though he did nod helping calm the rosette down, with that the three of them were dismissed to return home and pack for their mission.
Which would take however long it would take since Tsunade hadn't given them a time limit to complete the mission "You know, I kind of hope some idiot gets in our way just so you can test out your new skills" Kimimaro commented.
Once they were at the house, empty house that was Madara and Kagami visiting with the Clan Heads for whatever reason, and headed up the stairs together "Right, I learned how to use wind natured chakra for a reason" Sakura nodded.
Jugo chuckled softly "Quite and no one will ever expect you having a command over your namesake" Jugo smiled kindly before vanishing into his room, twenty minutes later the three of them were on their way out after leaving note for the remaining occupants of the house.
And soon they were on their way towards Earth Country to settle the score with Iwa-nin at long last and have Iwagakure as allies like they had so long ago "What I can't believe is that it's really only been six-seven months since the last time I was outside a village" Kimimaro said.
As they set up camp hours later "Don't blame you there Kimimaro I've pretty much been in the same boat" Jugo agreed with his friend who was in perfect healthy condition thanks to Tsunade, something Kabuto had never been able to do.
"Hey I haven't been outside in all these months either" Sakura huffed at them reminding the two males that she'd been equally as cooped up as they had, Kimimaro started laughing first prompting Jugo and her to laugh as well.
But it wasn't raucous laughter, it was calm and easily contained after a couple of minutes as they continued to set up traps to ensure their protection during the night, cooked then ate dinner followed by going to bed so they could be ready to face the next day and all it would entail.
Right after breakfast immediately once they'd packed up camp and started walking again, a bunch of bandits surrounded them "Oh no what are we to do we're surrounded" Sakura fake gasped in horror playing on her acting skills a little.
Kimimaro smirked while Jugo chuckled softly "Perhaps if we ask nicely they'll leave" Jugo suggested hopefully, less inclined to fight though he knew Sakura was acting and really wanted to test out her newly acquired skills.
"Not a chance boy so if you want to live past this day you'll hand over all your valuables and the pretty girl you have there" the bandit leader strutted forward making his demands, Jugo sighed realizing that his attempt had failed.
Here Kimimaro laughed outright at their stupidity "Unfortunately you picked the shinobi to try and rob" the ivory haired teen shook his head with a disgusted snort as he took a step back deferring to Sakura.
Who grabbed a scroll from her pouch and unsealed it, dark purple cherry blossoms floated all around them then she started flashing through hand signs "Futon: Sakura Storm" Sakura called out the jutsu she'd created.
And in a swirl of wind, the cherry blossoms whirled around them becoming sharp and deadly, sending the bandits screaming off into the distance after the attack had ended "Fools" Kimimaro rolled his eyes at how quickly they'd run off after one little jutsu.
"Hmmph cowards is more like it Kimimaro" Sakura harrumphed her displeasure as they started walking again undeterred by idiots this time, so they kept trekking along, keeping a wary eye out for any more fools that wanted a chance to best them.
Jugo however had an interesting theory "Perhaps the use of your name is what scared them off Sakura, you are building a rather frightening reputation" Jugo suggested with a smile, Sakura bit her lip to prevent the smile from forming on her face.
Before she cleared her throat and shrugged in answer, and two days later they found themselves in front of Iwagakure "And what would Leaf-nin want with our Tsuchikage" the gate guards growled as soon as they flashed their shinobi I.D's.
Kimimaro and Jugo nudged Sakura forward "On behalf of our Lady Hokage Tsunade-sama we have come to negotiate a peace treaty between Konohagakure and Iwagakure" Sakura declared standing tall and speaking in a clear voice.
The two behind her kept their heads bowed even when they were thoroughly searched for anything suspicious and even then when they were found clean the guards still weren't satisfied but since Sakura wasn't doing anything they remained still.
Until finally after what felt like hours they were escorted by a large party of what had to be Iwa's strongest shinobi to the Tsuchikage "You Leaf brats think I'm simply going to agree to a treaty do ye well guess again as it is I ought to throw you in a cell and have you executed" Ohnoki grumbled.
Once the three of them were stood before him, Sakura had an ace up her sleeve however "Tsuchikage-sama what if we were to prove Tsunade-sama was serious that she isn't trying to trick you in any way" the pinkette inquired kindly.
It was right then that Jugo and Kimimaro realized that Sakura was a damn good actor "Oh and what would little brats like you be able to do, nothing" the Tsuchikage chortled in a disbelieving tone of voice.
Sakura let a saccharine sweet smile form on her lips "If you would give us something to work with Tsuchikage-sama you'd find us capable of more than you think we are" Sakura said meeting his gaze evenly.
Behind the Tsuchikage, the Tsuchikage's son coughed out a laugh "Gutsy aren't you, Father lets, let them have a chance to prove their serious about a peace treaty between our villages" Kitsuchi requested, soft towards young girls since he had his own daughter.
Ohnoki growled and generally threw a tantrum until a crack sounded through the office signaling he'd thrown his back, Sakura visibly cringed in response "Tsuchikage-sama are you alright" Sakura asked with a pained expression on her face now.
Surprising Kitsuchi yet again and when his Father didn't answer panic filled her entire being, she didn't even think about how her action might be taken instead hastily rounded the desk hands glowing a bright green.
Pain in his back steadily going away now Ohnoki managed to speak once more "Perhaps there are some things you can do even though your just a brat from Leaf" Ohnoki grunted obviously not happy but he wasn't going to throw out the person healing his back clearly.
Her expression softened from concentration to kindness "We won't let you down Tsuchikage-sama whatever you ask of us we'll accomplish it" Sakura assured medical chakra fading from her hands as she returned to stand in front of his desk again.
Seeing as it was so late in the day Ohnoki decided that making demands right that minute wasn't the best idea so had the three Chunin escorted to an inn for the night "You sure it's wise" the Tsuchikage asked of his son.
"They seem genuine, plus if the girl had really wanted to she could have taken your life as she was healing you and been gone before I reacted probably but I don't believe that girl is the type to kill indiscriminately" Kitsuchi informed so the rest of the evening passed by with no more interruptions.
