When she came to, the first thing she saw was the ceiling of Konoha Hospital. She was connected to various machines and chakra pumping inside her to regulate the condition. Her body ached all over, not used to housing the Kyuubi. It wasn't even tenth of its full potential, but it left her knackered.
Tsunade's chakra ran in her, attempting to repair her broken body. Sakura didn't have to try a diagnostic jutsu to know there was some horrific internal bleeding happening. Her skin felt raw, she didn't have the Naruto's signature healing power that left him less dead after such a power play.
"Hanari-san, it's over."
Itachi was sitting on a chair, hands clasps on his lap. Obito sat next to him, covered in bandages from head to toe.
"Should he be here?" She asked, pointing at the man. Her whole body cracked at the sudden movement, releasing her from the aches. He looked deathly, better suited to be in bed than by her side.
Obito scratched his head. "Probably not, so don't let them catch me."
Sakura sighed. "I'm a little annoyed that we didn't catch Orochimaru, but it was hard when you were basically already crippled from the moment I arrived."
Itachi stood up hastily, bowing his head down. "I apologise for trapping you in my Tsukuyomi and using my chakra then. If I did not do such a thing, I would have been able to contribute to the fight. I also apologise for tricking you."
She fell back to her bed. "What's done cannot be undone I suppose. Doesn't mean that I'm not going to break your bones from your fucking toes. Stop deflecting the fill me in."
"Yes, After you killed Danzo and passed out, Tsunade-sama healed you and she is now the Hokage. Orochimaru is still gone, but we'll be able to track him down soon. Tsunade-sama is now the acting Hokage." Itachi nodded solemnly, thankfully realising her words were not a threat but a promise.
Obito sagged in his chair. "You didn't tell us that you were a jinchuuriki, Hanari." The tone was light, yet the Sharingan eyes bore into her.
Could she really call herself the jinchuriki? She was a pseudo-jinchuriki at best, only having left over chakra fester in her. Thanks to Naruto's seals, she didn't feel it go off every time she felt angry, which Sakura considered a telltale sign of being a jinchuriki: the power up mode from emotion.
She didn't dare to steal what was Naruto's title.
Sakura ignored him. "And of Sai?"
"The Root Operative is safe, still under interrogation."
Sakura hastily got up, regretting as her head spun from the sudden change in blood pressure. "You still put Sai under interrogation after catching Danzo? Who's in charge of this?"
Obito pushed her down back to her bed. "They just want a thorough report of Root now that his silence seal is gone. I'm sure that once T&I is done, Sai will be released. Maybe you'll meet him in T&I after showing that."
Sakura shrugged. She wouldn't mind a nice trip to see everyone, perhaps she'll be able to take a peek at Sai. She was more concerned with what a hypocrite Obito was, shoving her into bed when he himself looked gravely injured. "And Kakashi?"
"He's in here. Chakra exhaustion."
Kakashi and Chakra exhaustion went along like peanut butter and jelly. Nothing to be too concerned about.
She settled back into bed, realising that Itachi's original words were correct. It was over. The evils that corrupted Konoha were now gone kind of.
It struck her that Obito and Itachi were by her bedside, the two homicidal ninja were there to give a report? It was hard to tell the reason.
"The words you said in Tsukuyomi have affected me alot. I agree that being a brother to Sasuke is the best course of action. I promise that I will not attempt anything like this ever again."
"Glad to see that you didn't find my threat empty."
Sakura placed her palms next to her ears, jumping up and out of bed. Her whole body felt a little stiff, and everything in her felt as if it's been stopped by heels. She stretched out her muscles. "How did you explain the fact that you trapped me in a Tsukuyomi?"
"Lack of teamwork."
She rolled her eyes. It was a barely plausible explanation but still plausible. Tsukuyomi was a jutsu that involved eye contact, and maybe could've happened by an accident in the most unluckiest circumstances. No one was going to question them now, when she would tell the same story.
"I want to say my sorries for having such an idiotic cousin. I'll try to make sure he sticks to the straight path from now on."
Those words from a previous pretending to be dead man, technically a missing nin, that helped his distant relative to kill the entire clan was not at all reassuring.
The door slammed open and Obito disappeared in a Kamui, his Sharingan flashing.
"What are you doing getting up? Go back in bed!"
It was incredible how Tsunade looked exactly as she did in her memories and the illusions. The woman did not age even a single day, especially the timeless no nonsense expression from face. The only thing absent was the smell of sake.
Shisho.
At least everyone else had looked different, a younger self, but Tsunade looked so much the same as the last fleeting smile that Sakura straightened up in an automatic response.
"Actually, I feel fin-"
"Back in bed I said."
Sakura climbed back into the hospital bed.
Tsunade placed her palms on her head, chakra running through Sakura. It felt brutal without an inch of consideration to Sakura, yet Sakura relished the familiar feeling.
"You're going to put in work on your teamwork, no missions until then. Two days of medical rest, no intense chakra use. Tell Hatake the same thing because I know he's already gone. Leave and make space for someone who actually needs that bed. Report tomorrow 9am sharp." As abruptly she appeared, Tsunade stormed out. Her eyes followed Tsunade's back until she disappeared.
Tsunade didn't look particularly happy that Sakura had essentially brought her back due to her illness, getting the Hokage seat thrusted upon her. It was strange to have Tsunade not like her, the blond has always at least tolerated her in the worst of tempers.
"I insist that you come over to have dinner, you are in no state to cook." Itachi offered.
Sakura shook her head. "No more Uchihas for the next two days. I'm sick of you."
Itachi opened his mouth to speak, but Sakura was already gathering her belongings and hopped out of the window.
It was too late for Itachi's apology, she didn't care that they were genuine and heartfelt. The fact of the matter was, Sakura had almost made Sasuke sans a brother again, the man unpredictable like a Naruto on a caffeine high. She had no idea that Itachi thought Orochimaru was such a threat, so much so that he would make himself a missing-nin to kill.
Sakura thought that going back in time would fix all the troubles, yet the world was trying to return to its chaotic state. She would have to actively make sure the mistakes of the past did not happen again.
Sakura pretended that she didn't feel the overwhelming panic and bile that arose when thinking of the future.
The Third and Danzo were dead. At least she had eliminated some possible causes to trouble later down the line.
She ran through the sombre streets to reach the red light district. This palace was lively as ever, the changes in Hokages sprouting many political meetings and celebrations for some.
She was almost at her house, only a turn away. Then she saw her house.
The already precariously standing house with bloodstains and holes she had yet to fix was in shambles. She could see her bathroom, bedroom, and the living room in one straight person-shaped hole. Sakura stiffly looked around the room to find if anything was salvable.
Everything was charred, exploded or melted.
Her house!
The training ground was a mess with craters, smoldering trees, and water turning patches of it into mud. Seriously, they choose her house to have the fight? This must have been the place they had their first fight before she awoke from the Tsukuyomi.
The worst part was the genins crawling all over her house to clean the place.
"Hanari!" The green wearing ninja waved. "We are cleaning your home with our youthful spirits!"
Indeed, three tiny Neji, Tenten, and Lee were busily attempting to fix her house. D-ranks. They must be fresh out of the academy to be given this kind of mission.
Sakura stepped into her property, still not able to comprehend the sight. "Why does my house look like it's been hit by the Kyuubi?"
The three genins stared at her, eyes widening at the mention of Kyuubi. Sakura remembered how the name of Kyuubi was an almost forbidden word, too much fear that came with the very notion of it. No wonder Naruto had been so ostracized.
Naruto would be still living in that world now.
"My dearest Rival used your abode in the battle in order to lead to utmost victory. Do not worry! Team Guy will fix this place up in no time? Right guys?"
The grumbled chorus of yes with Lee's enthusiastic voice filled the clearing.
That bastard. The three men had fought in her house and didn't bother to mention it to her. Sakura was going to break their bones.
Tenten was now reaching to the mess that used to be her lab with a sturdy black garbage bag in her hands. Sakura leaped forwards, pushing Tenten back. "There are poisons in there, you better be careful."
She stepped with medical chakra in her lungs in case there were poisonous fumes, but the whole entire room was empty.
The tubes were there, the wooden cabinet which had various labels so painstakingly written on them, but it was on the floor. Shards of glass littered the ground, different coloured liquids melting the wood underneath. This was a scene of a biohazard crime.
Her goddamn team had used her goddamn house and her goddamn poisons. Kakashi must have already surveilled her lab when he broke in last time and moved the battle here to make use of her stuff before going to that empty plain she arrived at. That was the reason they could survive that long in that fight.
Sakura had been moderately annoyed before but now she was furious.
"Where does Kakashi live?"
"Hanari, I don't think Kakashi would approve of me telling you where he lived." Gai said sagely, yet his eyes twinkled.
Sakura knew exactly what to say, "Guy, I believe I won that drinking battle. As a victor, I demand that you tell me." She said with an exaggerated high-and-mighty tone.
Guy was loyal but also righteous. He laughed. "Such nice to see the youthful spirit inside of you! Kakashi lives in Jonin Block 1202!"
Sakura shushined away with the destination clear in her mind.
Sakura considered kicking the door down but after considering, she opted for picking the lock.
She had expected a kunai at her neck already shoving her out, however, nothing came.
The apartment was sparse with furniture but filled with scrolls, two opened wide windows in the living room with the rooms on either side. The kitchen was horrifically empty, looking like it hadn't been touched in ages.
The silver hair ninja was draped across his couch, eyes closed. His jonin jacket was used as a makeshift blanket, covering his upper half of the body. The chakra exhaustion must have been grave if he didn't even hear her break-in.
She had come to say some words - maybe with her fists- to the man, but the words died out on her tongue.
The sun was hitting his ruffled hair, covering it with an ethereal glow. His black mask was loose, barely revealing the straight nose bridge underneath. There was still tension in his muscles, the guarded form evident even through this state, but hints of vulnerability poured of him with his every huff of a breath.
Sakura walked closer in a hypnotised way, drawn with fear and delight all curling inside her. Her hands reached out, hesitantly yet surely, to touch his face. The cotton mask was soft underneath her, but his skin was even softer. She traced over his eyelids, over the scars, wisps of silver hair brushing against the back of her hand.
Kakashi shifted minutely, leaning into her touch. His cheek was warm against her palm.
Sakura pulled her hand away as if burnt.
What did I just do?
Her heart was hammering widely inside her ribcage, fingertips tingling from where they touched. I'm just concerned about his well-being, she told herself. Don't think about it. There was some intruding thought in her mind, but she squashed it before it could make its full presence.
I'm a medic. Nothing more nothing less. It was clear that this man should be in the hospital rather than passed out on his couch.
This time, Sakura innocently hovered over his body with her hand lit in green. Healing chakra exhaustion was something she had learned when Sensei was continuously admitted to the hospital since using the Sharingan was detrimental to his reserves. With her efficient chakra control, she could transfer it with almost no waste.
Drip by drip, her chakra poured into his nearly empty reserves, his body greedily taking her in.
The man gave a sigh, shifting around to find a comfortable state. Content, Sakura drew away. He should be awake in a day now, rather than the three days it would have taken to actually recover.
Good thing that Kakashi was sleeping on his couch because it meant that she could take his bed.
Kakashi's bed was soft and it smelled so much of him. Sakura had slept in Sensei's sleeping bag before, but this had a whole different scent. The sheets gave a particular musky shampoo that Kakashi carried, mingled with a faint wisp of pine.
Sakura snuggled under the blanket, and she was asleep.
Sakura thought she would be awake to a kunai to her throat, or some aggressive anger but she was wrong again. Turned out that she wasn't that great at predicting what Kakashi would do. What woke her up was the soft sounds of groans alongside half-strangled screams from the living room accompanied by whimpers.
She had come to his place as revenge, a statement of what he had done to her house. Sakura already felt bad for violating his personal space earlier - purely medical reasons - but here she was, violating it again. When she heard the sounds of unsteady footsteps with the flow of the kitchen sink running, she realised that Sakura had cornered herself in this room. Normally, she would stay in her room, pretending that this didn't happen for both of their sakes. No one liked to have their weak side exposed.
But she was a force out of place, out of time with promises to fix, so she hesitantly walked outside.
The copy nin was looming over the running sink, rubbing his hand under the water. From the steam that was arising from the basin, it must have been very hot, yet the man was shoving his hand through it as his life depended on it. He turned to face her, face pulled in utter pain.
"It won't wash away. The blood- it's still here. It won't go. I keep washing it but it's still so red." His voice was hoarse. His bones cracked with the sheer force of him he was holding them together.
This was a man so deep in his grief, he had lost himself in it.
Her heart twisted in a way because she understood what he felt. At least when the past haunted her, Sakura had killed her own very demons. Kakashi was still trapped with no reprieve to name. His pupils were wide blown, gaze straight at her without any acknowledgement or reason inside them. The normally relaxed posture was straight, brows furrowed in panic, now even caring that his mask was dropping down almost to his lips.
Sakura wasted no time standing next to him, thrusting her hands into the water next to his. The tap was turned into its highest setting, Kakashi's hands already so red. Her pale fingers were turning pink as well, but Sakura took no care. Instead, she wrapped her hand against his in a calm methodical method.
"I'm a medic, don't worry." She said. Starting from his pinky, she glided across his digits to wash away the imaginary blood. She continued for every single member, rubbing his hands in a circular motion against hers to give a demonstration of thorough washing. Sakura scrubbed it roughly, clasping it tightly just so he would be able to feel.
She could tell him that the blood wasn't real or that he was just trapped in a nightmare but what good would that do? It was easier to give in to the madness. She was a medic, not a psychologist.
"I wiped off all the blood, Kakashi. You can rest now." She ordered, pushing a wave of calming chakra into his. Even under this duress, the pale hands were steady, a testament to the will this man carried.
Kakashi's hands moved lightning quick to cover her wrists, reversing their situation. He looked at her as if she was his prayer. "You did it." He said, voice cracking.
She wondered how it felt to be elevated from the pain he had suffered. Would it be like the closure she felt?
"Yes, I did." She said softly.
"It's gone now." The words were in absolute disbelief.
Her hands were getting pins and needles from the lack of blood flow, needing chakra in order to not snap under his strength. "Your hands are clean."
Whether she was telling him or herself, it was hard to tell. The whole house was silent except for the sound of droplets of water falling on the floor.
Sakura maneuvered the man, using his hand on her to lead through his room, pushing him gently down to the bed. He stumbled after her with still the dazed expression upon his face.
When Sakura stood up intending to find her place on the couch, Kakashi's grip on her tightened, even more, eliciting a soft wince. If she hadn't been coursing it with chakra, it would have surely broken just then.
This was unknown territory. Should she pry his hand off or stay? It was clear that he would not appreciate that she had seen this side of him after he truly became coherent, but it was too late for that. It was his fault for destroying her house, really.
A fake lazy drawl interrupted her inner debate. "The blood, it's seeping through again. Your competence must be sorely lacking."
Sakura frowned. She had no idea what this was exactly about, Kakashi had soaked his hand with the blood of the many. It was better this way, perhaps, to be at least a little disconnected from the exact emotion of the man. Especially since he was an asshole even in a half-delirious state. His subconscious at least must have recognized her if he was being this rude.
"I'll make sure to follow-up." She folded her hand around his, using some numbing chakra in a pretence of doing work.
Kakashi gave a sigh, eyes drooping close again. His breath was still irregular, beating in sharp staccato. She sat cross-legged on the floor, letting her wrist be caught by the man. His fingers were quick to place themselves on her pulse point on top of her pulsing veins.
His grip was still ironclad with fingers digging into her.
It was… odd seeing Kakashi like this. The man seemed impenetrable yet vulnerable at the same time, the epitome of duality. This was indeed his weakest state, Sakura was sure that this emotional volatility fuelled him better than any loyalty to the village.
The walking paradox was entirely enthralling. It urged something inside her. Curiosity, she mused. Sakura wanted to strip this man raw until she could see the ugly inside. She would see his bleeding heart with emotions written in them like a seal, ready for her to take apart.
"Whose blood is it?" This was a step towards something else, Sakura had stepped inside the boundary that they have set. Fully aware that Kakashi was not in the right state of mind, she was taking advantage of it by probing him.
"My teammate's." The words were spoken devoid of emotion.
That would be Obito and Rin. She remembered that Sensei had killed Rin with his own bare hands, the reason for Obito to turn into Madara's influence. It was hard to tell whether the blood was from killing Rin or getting the eye out of Obito. Whoever it was, there was one common denominator.
"It's not your fault." Sakura persuaded.
The previously relaxed man became taut in mere moments, tugging Sakura's arm up to his bed. A strangled yelp escaped her as she was hoisted up unceremoniously into the bed, legs uncomfortable tangled. The moment of unguardedness was already gone and Sakura moved to slide out of the grip, only to find her wrist being pressed down by the figure above.
Kakashi was on top of her, pushing her hands down to his sheets until the wood planks in his bed snapped. His thighs were pressing down legs, trapping her underneath his whole body weight. But this was nothing, Sakura would be able to shake herself free with minimal effort- the man was weaker in strength after all.
Except for some sort of sick curiosity flooded inside her, a toe-curling novel feeling that was hard to identify. It told her to stay still, just to see what the man would do.
His face was struck with terrible anger, the Sharingan ominously crimson in the low lighting of the bedroom. It was too easy to read him right now, torn between killing her just to make her or tear her throat out to make her stop talking.
She raised her eyebrows at him. "Coward." She spat the word at his face.
Her words worked like a prison, trapping him still. He was the one on top of her, pinning her down, but he was the one trapped by her. Victory was dancing along her tongue, ripe for taking. All she had to do was push.
"Are you so afraid to admit that this isn't your fault? Are you afraid that this guilt isn't yours? The only thing you are is guilt, isn't it?"
The relentless questions were drumming against the tense air. Sakura knew that she was so close, to see the side of this man that no one had ever seen before. It would be all hers to relish, that monster he reigned in with a tight leash. Pulling him apart so deliciously in front of her- why did she want to do this again? Right, because she wanted to ensure that Kakashi would live up to the man he could be. That was the only reason of course.
The tortured eyes started to relax, nononono, turning into a poor apathetic blank mask. "Time for self-introductions?"
Sakura read Kakashi like a book and Kakashi read her back.
Naruto's bright smile, ensuring that she would do great. He trusted her fully and completely, not even a shadow of doubt in her capability. Sakura screamed with everything inside her, begging him to stop. She didn't care if she was going to die, she would die next to her teammates. He would not dare to give his life for hers in this cruel turn of fate.
Of course, the guilt was part of her, building up the very fibre of who she was. The whole of Konoha's lives resided in her as a reminder of all the sacrifices made just for her.
Kakashi didn't miss the expression that flickered in her face. "I have killed for lesser reasons than threats to Konoha. Do not." He leaned down until his lips were almost touching her earlobes, "Tempt me." His hot breath ghost along her ear, sending shivers.
He rolled away, turning his back to her.
Sakura stared at the ceiling, keeping her mouth shut not to let the fastened breath out of her. Her heart was pounding hard against her ribcage threatening to burst out. She should be feeling fear, the rational part of her brain knew. All she felt was excitement. For a brief second, Sakura understood him more than anyone could. She understood the heaviness that he carried with him, mirroring the one that she had.
Through his chakra exhaustion and delirious nightmares, he had given himself away. Sakura saw underneath the underneath.
Sakura brandished a kunai, setting the blunt side of the cold metal against his neck. Kakashi didn't even tense.
"You can never kill me," She purred, daring him to respond.
The copy nin stayed still. They both knew his words were empty, Kakashi would never be able to kill her when she was so closely afflicted with the Uchihas and Root. More than that, he would never be able to slaughter her outright.
Satisfied, Sakura leaned back in the pillow. Running away now would show that she was unnerved by his threat, proving that he was right. It would show that was intimidated by him as if his words affected her. She could feel the faintest hint of warmth radiating from the man.
Sakura closed her eyes, letting the soft blanket of sleep take her.
Kakashi didn't question why she was here, and Sakura didn't tell him off for destroying her home. If it was to keep her teammate alive, her home was a cheap price. She doubted that he regretted his moves. It was actually probably good for Kakashi as he was basically her babysitter who was required to watch over her.
Tsunade had taken advantage of the fact so when Sakura reported to her office, it meant Kakashi arrived on time for a meeting.
The Fifth Hokage stared at her, very unimpressed. "You're the Uzumaki brat? You better be ready to roll in the dirt for the trouble you caused."
Uzumaki brat. The title felt foreign to her, it was Naruto's not hers.
Sakura stared at Tsunade's amber eyes, trying to judge how serious she was. "It was all Itachi-san, Hokage-sama. I was incapacitated due to his jutsu."
The woman crossed her arms, giving an unladylike snort. "I'm not senile, shinobi. Anyone with eyes could see that it was just the groundworks to get rid of Danzo and shove this hat down my throat." She tossed the very symbol of power and authority, the hat fluttering unremarkably to the floor. "You're treading on thin ice here, your acts could almost be considered treason."
It wasn't fair, Itachi was the one plotting actual treason here, yet she was one being reprimanded. Sakura swallowed the complaint rising up inside her knowing airing it out would do nothing but to irritate the blond woman. "I apologize. I promise that I am a loyal ninja of Konoha."
"Yes yes, we all are. I'm more interested in your plans."
"I'm not planning anything, Hokage-sama. I did hear that the Uchiha clan is working to establish the Konoha Police Force. Perhaps my expertise will be needed there. I just want to have a peaceful life."
Tsunade ignored her bullshit and focused on the substantial part. "And what are these expertise you speak of?"
Sakura paused. What was her expertise that didn't basically echo Tsunade? "I am well versed in Medical Jutsu, have the Strength of the Hundred Seals, and have the Sharingan." Basically my sensei and shisho combined together.
"Come on girl, we haven't got all day." She gestured at Sakura's temple.
Raising her arms, Sakura unsealed her Sharingan. Sakura could see everything now, from the dust trailed patterns that sat on the window, to the way light refracted off the wisps of the blond hair.
Tsunade reached over, placing her hands on the side of her head.
Sakura tensed. Is she going to dig it out? It's technically a Konoha dojutsu, but surely Tsunade wouldn't? She wasn't sure what she would do if someone actually attempted to take away this gift. If they dared to touch what her Sasuke had given to her in his dying breath- clutching her with the odd twisted smirk which told a story of trust in that simple movement- Sakura would not be able to control herself.
With her enhanced vision, she could see Kakashi visibly change his stance to alert, wearily glaring at her. The man knew of the violence that was stirring inside her, the one she kept boxed. His eyes were brazenly staring at her with open hostility, almost tempting her to do even one false move.
A minty chakra travelled through her skin, a sign of diagnostic jutsu. It was travelling up through her chakra pathways to see how it all led to the Sharingan.
"Hmm, interesting way to put them together. The seal is a genjutsu, isn't it? You can't actually see out of this eye. Whoever put this in you understood a great deal about the Sharingan."
Sakura nodded. After dealing with maniacs with Sharingans in her past, a basic understanding was a given. When Sasuke took the dojutsu from Itachi's long-dead body, she realised that the Sharingan did not decay, only able to be deactivated. Thankfully, this was useful in the oddest way.
Inside her eye socket sat the Sharingan by itself without any pathways connecting it, giving it the power. Only when she activated the seal and injected chakra into it, did it flare back into life again. This cut down on the chakra drain as she didn't have to have it on all the time. The genjutsu was just to hide the Sharingan, nothing less. Technically, she was living her life with only one eye and a half-dead eyeball inside her.
"The Mangekyo, the strain must be pretty great for a non-Uchiha to carry."
"Yes, Hokage-sama. I only activate it in battle situations."
"And your Kyuubi situation…"
Even if it was a fraction of its power, her teammates had noticed its chakra signature. The potent intent was hard to forget.
"A gift from a friend. The only reason that I can control even the one tail is because of the Sharingan." Although she tried, it was hard to keep the pride out of the tone.
Tsunade placed her hand under her chin in a questioning motion. "Most people don't call having a tailed beast inside them as a gift."
If this Tsunade wasn't such a remarkable look-a-like to Sakura's Shisho, Sakura might have snapped. Anyone who dared to delegitimise her Naruto's gift was begging to get their jaws shattered. Instead, Sakura let out a thin smile. "It's the only thing I have left of him." She whispered the terrible confession.
The small piece of Kurama even with the loss of his sentience was, and always will be, a connection to her Naruto. It was hers and hers only, ready to relish and sit inside her for forever.
This was nothing if not one of the greatest gifts in the world.
The Fifth Hokage grunted, leaning back in her chair again. "I see why the old man wanted you. But it doesn't mean that I want you."
She… haven't thought of that. Living in Konoha was the only thing Sakura really knew, never considering that it would be getting ripped from her again. Knowing that Sai was here, waiting for her in some terrible dark cell meant that Sakura couldn't leave. She had to save him, he deserved that much. And gods, Naruto. Naruto would be alone right now. Sakura had to approach him as naturally as possible to avoid suspicion, something that she could only do if she was a Konoha-nin.
Sakura already had a taste of Konoha, addicted beyond belief. She rather that they killed her than to kick her out of the village.
She steeled herself. There was no use falling down this rabbit hole of worry now. Sakura kneeled in front of her in a display of perfect obedience. "What can I do?"
Tsunade swirled the sake cup in her hands in an impressive snap of her wrist. "A jonin is the crux of Konoha. If you truly want to be part of the Will of Fire, make yourself be important to Konoha in a, how about a week." The blue eyed woman drank the sake in a one quick gulp. "If not, I'll have you executed."
Sakura nodded while standing back up. A blanket statement like proving to be important to Konoha was just another way of saying that she had integrate herself into the village and really make this place her home. This was more than a chance, it was an invitation.
The threat of execution was, well, she wouldn't mind her last resting place to be Konoha.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama. I promise not to let you down."
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "You already dragged me to this hellhole, there's no place but up for you in my books. Go down to T&I, they're expecting you"
Sakura bowed quickly, her torso almost parallel to the floor at the lowest point. She knew that Tsunade's words meant dismissal, and she couldn't ask this question. But she couldn't stop herself. "Hokage-sama, may I inquire about the Root? I was wondering what happened to the operatives?"
"Hanari." Kakashi barked out, a clear rebuff for crossing the line.
Sakura curled her hands against her shirt, feeling the material crinkle under the fingers. This was none of her business in the village's eyes, Hanari was just an foreign ninja. This would raise even more suspicion regarding her motives to come to Konoha. They could easily assume she was here to break Konoha from inside, take the head of the throne, or coax a brainwashed member to spill village secrets.
"Hanari Uzuamki."
Sakura snapped up. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Do you know why I became the Hokage after refusing it for these many years?"
That was indeed odd. Previously it was Naruto that convinced her with his strongest jutsu, what Team 7 dubbed as Therapy-no-Jutsu.
Tsunade poured more sake into her cup. "Itachi asked." She paused, giving her a curious look. "I've seen that boy a few times as a candidate for my apprentice, he had such brilliant chakra control. I couldn't take him of course, he was too valuable. But even in my short encounters with him, I've never seen him ask for someone else's service. That boy thinks the world is his responsibility, you know."
Sakura couldn't agree more. Itachi had one of the biggest hero complexes and martyr streak inside of him, happy to be in pain if that meant he would be saving someone else. He always took matters into his own hands.
It was heartbreaking in a way. For a Konoha ninja, he had no trust in others competency.
"That boy came and asked me to heal you and be a Hokage to save his brother. You know what he gave for this deal?"
Sakura shook her head again. It was possible to come up with something that could satisfy the woman in the mental space she was in now.
"His offer was that he would help me to change Konoha. That stupid boy, as if I gave a damn about this run-down village."
It was like Tsunade to call one of the biggest hidden villages, and the village she is a leader to, as a run down.
"Then that other Uchiha brat convinced me with all his gallancy which I am regretting being convinced by after being in this dumpster. But what I find most interesting, Uzumaki, is that they both insisted that you would be the one causing change. They were both deadset on this fact actually, even Kakashi."
Even Kakashi? That man had declared her an ongoing threat to the village in their fight, yet he was going around telling Tsunade she would be causing change in Konoha? Could it be that he actually thought she was genuine in her intentions? She glanced at the man who was doing his best staring fixedly at the Hokage like she wasn't even here.
"Although they make questionable decisions, I like to think their abilities to read people are pretty good. It's also rare that they reach a consensus." Tsunade continued speaking, corners of her lips tugged upwards in a half smile. "You're a brazen brat, and that's the only reason that you're alive right now. If you prove yourself as a Konoha-nin, the answer to your question will be closer than you think."
Sakura just blinked at her, confused.
What?
Too many questions raised in that little anecdote. Why did her teammates think she would make a difference? Why was Tsunade convinced by Obito? Would this mean that Naruto and Tsunade wouldn't foster a relationship? Sakura couldn't bear to think she was the cause to rip his mother figure away. What did she mean that her answer might be close?
"...Thank you for your wisdom, Hokage-sama."
"The docile behaviour doesn't suit you, girl. Get out before I throw you out. And you, Kakashi, how are you leading your damn team? "
Sakura closed the office door behind her, drowning the sound of Tsunade yelling at the copy nin.
She stared at the unrelenting blue sky of Konoha while walking through the Main Street.
Everything was so messy beyond comprehension. Time and relationship slipped away at her very fingertips, changed. She was just a small being but caused too much change for her comfort. Too many things happening: Naruto, Sai, Orochimaru, the Police Force, and Kakashi.
"Fuck!" she shouted as loudly as possible. "Fuck this! Fuck you! Fuck me! What the fuck!"
It was a little ridiculous to shout into the sky but it did make her feel a little better. Everyone was staring at her with weary eyes, afraid that a shinobi had lost its mind in the middle of the street.
Sakura shoved down the nervousness and fear for the future, putting it in a locked box in her mind. She'll cross that bridge when it comes.
A flicker of chakra, and Sakura whipped back to see an actual snake appear behind her. "Hanari, I come with a message." The voice was deceptively young but held a certain charisma.
Apparently, that bridge demanded to be crossed now.
Hi everyone!
Thanks for the reviews~ Makes me happy to see other people are enjoying the fic.
Just a p.s.
1. Kakashi's recurring nightmare about having blood on his hands is straight from the anime.
2. You're also probably wondering why Itachi and Obito didn't ask about why and how the Kyuubi is in her. It's because they are snobby elites who don't believe in asking but knowing intuitively and figuring it out & Sakura probably isn't going to answer.