Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

The cherry blossom impact

03

The trip back to the village was a strange one. Sakura lacked the words, well, that wasn't true. She had an ample repertory of words to choose from and yet none of them could come close to describe what she felt as she walked side by side with her team once again.

That feeling lasted until Sasuke was ripped away from their side by the head interrogator himself, Morino Ibiki. The man had waited for them along his team in a village at the outskirts of Konoha. He had approached them calmly with a firm step as his team spreaded around them, covering any blind spot effectively, leaving them with no escape route.

He addressed Sasuke and only him when he spoke, reading the long list of the crimes committed against his homeland and the rest of the allied nations. He completely disregarded Naruto's bewildered shouts to at least let the Uchiha walk into Konoha like a free man, like the war hero he was.

The blonde's pleads fell on deaf ears as Sasuke allowed them to take him. Ibiki raised a brow at her, as if silently asking her if she wouldn't plead, beg and fall on her knees for Sasuke's fair treatment.

She didn't. Neither did Kakashi for that matter. Even Naruto knew he was fighting a lost cause after a bit. The Hokage had made her decision, Uchiha Sasuke was to be treated and escorted like the s-ranked criminal he was.

Just like that, any feeling of joy she had felt vanished in an instant. Being replaced with dread and fear of what was about to come. As the Hokage's student, Sakura knew the laws like the back of her hand, and she knew that was Sasuke had done and almost did was penalised with a life long sentence to root in one of the many cells underneath the Hokage tower until he drew his last breath or to be given the death penalty and end it all at once. Both of those options left her feeling empty and useless as there was nothing she could do to stop it.

Not even Naruto, the child of the prophecy and war hero had that power. Only the councils of elders did and Sasuke had killed one of them. He had helped them, yes. But one good deed didn't erase all of the bad ones. So they stood there as a thick, black bandage was tied around Sasuke's eyes, hiding away, perhaps forever, his dojutsu. The white imprinted seal on the fabric indicated that it wasn't a regular piece of fabric and that it had more purpose than to block his dojutsu.

They bound his hands last, opting to go all out and use a restraining jacket that they had no mercy tying as tightly as possible before Ibiki's gruff voice told them not to cut off his air supply, 'We need him alive,' he had said, folding his arms behind his back, posture stiff and straight, 'He has yet to pay for his crimes.'

The way Ibiki had so casually spoken had raised shivers all over her body, and Sakura couldn't tell if it was because she wanted to cry or if it was her contained rage threatening to spill and swallow them all along, specially the guy that smirked sardonically as he whispered something into Sasuke's ears that made him tense up.

'How dare they,' Sakura murmured in the safety of her mind, over and over again, 'He could've died fighting Madara, fighting Kaguya, a literal goddess! And this is how they repaid him.'

Sasuke's reasons to join the fight were his own as Sakura couldn't phantom why he had a sudden change of heart. Perhaps Naruto had a better understanding than she did as he had mentioned he had a run in with Sasuke's brother, Itachi before the main fight. Then Sasuke had confessed that he too saw his brother and fought alongside him to bring down Kabuto.

After he told them that, Sakura had reached to squeeze his hand and for once, he didn't push her away. Instead, he squeezed back, and for a few seconds Sakura wondered if she had imagined all, but then she looked down at their still intertwined hands and then at Kakashi's knowing look and she blushed. Quietly relishing on the warmness of his touch, how their hands seemed to fit perfectly together and how even after all this time, being near him made her feel like a young girl in love.

Then Naruto had ruined the moment, pointing at them with his used chopstick, the broth from the package ramen still dripping down and staining his shirt, he loudly exclaimed, "Huh, What's with you two? Don't tell you're stealing Sakura's-chan love from me all over again, teme!"

That had earned him a smack from a very flustered Sakura that made Kakashi chuckle at his expense. With her back turned, she missed the way Sasuke's lips lifted in a subtle smile as he watched her.

She would give anything to go back to the early days of their travel, when team 7 existed within their own happy bubble, recalling old stories from their genin days or catching up Sasuke with the events of their life. Nothing could top the feeling of Sasuke confirming he knew about most of her feats, that he had kept an eye on her all of this time, explaining how he knew about her medic nin status back when they clashed at the land of iron.

Again, Naruto ruined this moment, chiming in with a teasing smile as he made kissy faces at his teammates, "Aww, did you check on me too, Sasuke-kun?"

That had earned him a smack from Sasuke and Sakura had laughed gleefully, truly enjoying their time together, blissfully unaware of the many hatred looks directed at them, at Sasuke.

They watched Sasuke walk away, using his shinobi training to guide him as none of his captors were willing to aid him.

Kiba was the first to approach them, Akamaru by his side, he grinned at them, "Finally! It was about time they locked the guy away. Can't believe they let him roam free all this time!" He said.

Sakura didn't know what he expected them to say, to agree with him? He couldn't be this dense, could he?

Kiba elbowed Naruto, "Am I right?"

It was Shino who came to his rescue, dragging the confused Inuzuka away from them as Hinata apologized on his behalf, keeping her eyes focused on Sakura, a silent message passed between them and Sakura knew that the Hyuga girl sympathized with their predicament as much as she could.

The remaining traveling days were mostly silent, at least for them as it seemed the rest of their comrades had eased at Sasuke's absence. It stung to know that the person that meant so much for them was the cause of their distress. Sasuke was gone, taken into custody to be interrogated if not tortured for information and here they were, happy and merry by it.

She was troubled and torn in two pieces, the one loyal to her friends and village and the other that wanted to break free Sasuke and run away like she had proposed twice before. Of course, the latter was nothing but a naive fantasy that she counted as a choice to ease her guilt.

When they were still in the academy, a mere group of kids of 8 years old, 9 years top, Ibiki Morino walked into their class, a terrifying grin on his face as he announced that he would be breaking down the different methods of interrogation used for intel gathering missions for them.

Sakura had been disgusted by it, even more when he explained, without an ounce of shame the role most kunoichi tended to play in that type of missions. 'When your fist and kunai fail, there's always another choice,' he said, proceeding to explain, very graphically the first methods of torture developed by the second Hokage. After all, it had been Tobirama who had created the T&T unit. Then he had explained his own improved methods and jutsus created especially for the task.

It pained her to think Sasuke was being subjected to any of it as she knew Ibiki was particularly ruthless with those he was tasked with.

Sakura couldn't meet Tsunade's eyes because she feared her Shishou would see the anger within her. So she stayed by Naruto's and Kakashi's side, avoiding Sai as much as she could since the pale boy still lacked the emotional intelligence to deliver proper comforting words. He had tried once and it hadn't turned well, but he was very persistent if not a bit of a masochist for he seemed to only come for her.

(...)

As soon as she stepped into the village Sakura was engulfed in an embrace from her parents, their tears fell on her destroyed shirt as they clung to her with desperation. She returned their affections just as eagerly, her own tears added into the mix.

Kizashi pressed a kiss on her temple, "I'm so happy you're okay, honey."

Mebuki sniffed loudly, wiping her tears with a tissue that had the Haruno symbol embroidered in the corner, "I feared for the worst- I can't- you can't leave like this ever again! I don't think my heart can't handle another war." She pleaded, tears clouding her vision.

Sakura couldn't lie to them and promise them she would ignore the call of her Hokage if another war fell upon them. Instead, she buried her head on her father's chest, inhaling his scent and dragging him into another hug.

"I missed you both," Sakura said, "I just want to go home and sleep for a week."

Mebuki's face softened as she caressed her daughter's matted pink locks, "You need a shower and a good home meal first. Then you can sleep all you want."

By sleep all you want, her mother meant two days straight before she was rushing Sakura out of her room to attend the funeral of her fallen comrades. That had gotten her out of bed in a flash, she had changed into the issued clothes, a black long sleeved shirt and a black skirt that reached her knees along with her boots.

When she reached the cemetery, the place was already packed with people, civilians and shinobi alike. She lost count of how many times she muttered the word 'sorry' as she walked around the mass of people to reach the front row where most of her friends were standing.

Her condolences went first to Lee, as he was the first one she spotted. He looked so out of place without his usual green spandex and his bright smile that Sakura didn't think twice to hug him. He accepted her embrace, sobbing against her shirt. They stayed like that for a minute or so before Sakura spotted Ino's long ponytail in the distance. She excused herself, squeezing him one last time before going to her best friend's side.

"Ino," she whispered and the blonde's face slowly turned to face her, "I'm sorry about your father." She said, lip quivering as she suppressed a sob.

Ino stood like a statue and then she came to life. Tears flowed freely down her face when Sakura hugged her, muttering comforting words as she rubbed her back.

They only broke apart when Tsunade climbed the stage, dressed in the same standard clothing as every kunoichi. She rested her hands on the podium, devoid of any written speech, the words that came from her mouth were her own and spoken in the heat of the moment.

"When children sign up for the academy, civilian and clan born, all alike are aware of the risks that our profession truly entails. When we left the village, our home, promises were made, promises about returning safe and sound and with the victory in our hands. Not all of those promises were fulfilled as war is unpredictable and unforgiving and is not picky about who dies. We gather here to commemorate and say our goodbyes to those who couldn't keep their promises. They won't be forgotten as their sacrifice pushed us closer to victory. May they rest in peace and watch over us and the peaceful world they helped us build."

(...)

Sakura visited her mentor exactly two weeks after the war ended. She was better now, more rested and energized than she did before, dressed in her casual clothes.

She knocked on the open door, watching her Shishou shove handfuls of paperwork in unlabeled boxes without much care. Tonton lifted her head at the sound, letting out a small 'oink' in greeting before returning to her nap on Tsunade's desk.

Her Shishou rested her hands on her hips, with a raised brow she questioned her student, "I see you're no longer mad at me." She commented offhandedly.

Sakura's mouth went dry as she tried to sputter an apology that Tsunade waved away.

"Don't bother. I know how you feel, Sakura. No need to pretend with me." Tsunade said, stepping over to stand in front of her desk, "What brings you here today? Please tell me you're here to help me pack. Shizune's busy handling the organization of the ceremony and I could use a hand."

Sakura watched the many boxes and piles of paperwork yet to be packed and grimaced. She adored her Shishou but she wouldn't be swayed into doing this, "Sorry, Tsunade-sama. Actually, I'm here to ask you a favour."

"You're finally ready to read my Oji-chan scrolls? I was wondering when you'd come around to ask for them." She smirked, "I also took the liberty of adding my uncle's notes as well, though you may have a hard time reading them."

She blinked, taken aback at the gesture, "Thank you, Shishou. This means a lot to me."

"I know, and I also know my Oji-chan would approve of this," Tsunade said, handing her what seemed to be a permit of sorts that she accepted with great confusion, "This is a permit that allows you to access the Hokage's private library. There's lots of things there that you might find useful for your situation," she said, referring to the seal on Sakura's back.

"Thank you, Shishou."

"Think nothing of it. Consider it my last act as the Hokage and a parting gift."

Her eyes widened, almost dropping the permit, "Parting gif? " she repeated, bewildered, "You're leaving again?"

Tsunade hummed, her expression became nostalgic as she looked at her student, "Yes, it was about time I returned to my old habits. Besides, I promised Mei to teach her how to gamble. I also hear Iwagakure has nice thermal waters-" Sakura's sudden hug cut her off and once she registered the gesture, she wrapped her arms around the girl, resting one hand on the back of her head, ''Now, Sakura, don't cry."

"You're leaving!" She sniffled, eyes watering, "How can y-you ask me not to cry, Tsunade-sama? Is Shizune-san leaving too?"

"No, she's staying behind to help Kakashi with his new title."

Sakura nodded, a bit relieved, "Please, write to me every once in a while. I want to hear everything about your endeavours."

"Will do. I might even get a place, somewhere nice for you to visit me and complain about the Uchiha boy all you want.

At the mention of Sasuke, she sobered, growing serious, "Do you think he is going to be given the death penalty?"

To her relief, Tsunade shook her head, "I doubt it. He's the last living Uchiha and the only one capable of using the two most powerful dojutsu. My best bet is that the elders are going to offer him a dealt, some sorts of punishment will be given but they will leave him to walk away. Don't get your hopes up so soon, they still need to discuss it with the other Nations and from what I seen, the Tsuchikage is not keen on letting him go unscathed."

"I feared so." Sakura sighed, breaking the hug, "When can I pick up the scrolls?"

Tsunade noticed the abrupt change of topic but didn't comment on it, she knew Sakura was going through a hard time and didn't need her adding any more fuel to it, "How about now?" She suggested, "We can have some tea and talk like we used to when I was training you."

Sakura frowned at the messy office, "You don't have to finish this?"

Tsunade shrugged, amber eyes shining with mischief, "If Kakashi wants it gone, he can clean it himself. I'm done here."

Sitting alone in Tsunade's house felt strange. The weight of her absence was more evident today, a week after her departure. Sakura sat in her Shishou's living room, piles of documents and scrolls cluttered the area as she nursed a cup of coffee to chase away the remaining sleep from her body.

It didn't work as expected, as she had to stifle a yawn behind her palm, eyes watering and blurring the words written on the scroll resting on her laps.

A breeze flew past her, carrying the morning chill inside the room making her shudder, Sakura snuggled closer to the blanket wrapped around her, rejoicing on the warmth it provided. She drank the remaining liquid on the cup before returning to her reading.

When Tsunade had told her that she would have a hard time reading Tobirama's notes she had simply dismissed it as a joke to lighten the mood after she shared the news of her departure. Tsunade wasn't joking and Sakura realised that just now as she suffered to read the chicken scratch he called calligraphy.

It seemed his brain worked a mile per hour, hundreds of thoughts raced across his mind that he struggled to log down on his journals. A single page could be filled to the brim, barely any space left between the words as he wrote vertically and horizontally, up and down the pages, not wasting any free space so she often found herself tilting her head to the side to read everything he had to share.

Most of it were theories, unfinished theories about jutsus he never got to test for himself as he was too busy helping his brother, first with war and then to run the village. The second Hokage seemed to never have a moment of rest.

Sakura was fascinated, turning the thin, yellowed pages with great care. Her eyes devoured the words quickly, eager to learn more about the man she had briefly met on the battlefield not long ago.

She had long since lost hope about removing the seal on her back. It wasn't meant to be removed, that's why it was placed on objects, one of the journal's entries had confirmed it meaning Tobirama had known all along that he had branded her forever.

She had been annoyed, tempted to speak ill of the dead before she recalled that he had done it out of concern for her safety. He meant well but that didn't mean she couldn't be pissed at him.

He had definitely ruined bikinis for her as she wasn't keen on explaining the mark to any one. Even more so that she knew that his hiraishin technique was highly sought. Many had tried to mimic it to no avail, and here she was with the answer inked on her back. At least she wasn't big into wearing backless dresses.

With her problem 'solved', Sakura had started to read Hashirama's notes. To her relief, this was easier to understand. The way he wrote was clear but he was a fan of using analogies to explain his infamous Mokuton technique.

Sakura had yet to try the jutsu for herself. She'd wanted to read what he had to say first to grasp an idea of what she was supposed to do and feel when performing the jutsu.

According to his words, the Mokuton represented the connection between one self and nature. Chakra turned into life, he had called it. The way he described the technique was beautiful, he had obviously been very proud of it. His cheerful personality shone through the pages and Sakura tended to imagine his voice as she read.

She couldn't wait to start her training with Captain Yamato. He had gladly accepted her request, curious to know about her change of heart. As far as he knew, Sakura hadn't been interested in learning wood release until recently. But he was more than happy to teach her what he knew and guide her on her new path.

Thanks for reading!

See you shortly. I'm currently editing the next chapter.