~Authors Note
Sorry for the long wait everyone I've been busy working on a separate story than this that will be called Heritage that I don't plan on posting until it is one hundred percent done, plus I got Covid and I'm finally over that horrible mess so there will be more chapters for different stories soon to be posted.
Anyway hope you all enjoy the latest chapter of Puppet Sensei
End Authors Note~
The following morning she was woken by a knock on her hotel room door "Sakura your being called for by Kazekage-sama" Kimimaro warned through the wood, prompting the rosette to flip her blankets down and stand to hurriedly dress.
Seven minutes later she was ready for the day and after snagging a cup of water and some bread with jelly on it to eat on her way was headed for the Kazekage Tower "You summoned me Kazekage-sama" Sakura inquired.
Once she was stood in front of the Kazekage who was impressed that it had only taken her less than fifteen minutes to respond to his summons "Indeed" Rasa nodded, pleased that his former rogue's student was giving him her undivided attention.
"Due to that unfortunate incident during the survival round yesterday, I have decided that it would be best to send those two back to Leaf along with Yakushi so that he's not just sitting around in one of the cells attempting to find a way to escape" the auburn haired man explained.
Prompting the girl to straighten and narrow her eyes, pure rage glinting within those verdant depths, proving that she absolutely hated Kabuto Yakushi "Alright and you want me to go with them to make sure they return unharmed" Sakura guessed.
Reigning in her temper "Quite, in fact they were the ones to request that you be the one to escort them back to their village, what I will do however is send Baki along and take care of any extra security that is needed myself until you two return" Rasa informed.
Just waiting for any sort of disobedience but he got none "Okay sounds fair…..is something wrong you seem dissatisfied" Sakura frowned, seeing the look she was being given after agreeing to what was being asked of her.
"Akasuna truly found a gem in you didn't he….go on now and enjoy breakfast afterwards you'll be leaving" Rasa commented, watching her eyes lit up at the mention of Sasori before shaking his head lightly and dismissing her from his office to have the morning meal.
With a bow she was gone on her way back to the hotel "What did Lord Kazekage want from you so early in the morning Sakura" Jugo questioned, scooting over to allow her space in-between he and Kimimaro when he saw that she was back.
Sakura blew out a breath "Shodaime-sama and Nidaime-sama asked that I escort them back to Leaf, Baki-san is coming along as well who will be dragging that bastard with him so I expect I'll be back in about four-five days" Sakura explained.
Disappearing from the table to grab something to eat from the cafeteria chefs "Are you sure that's wise, wouldn't it be better for someone to go that won't lose her temper when faced with that man" Madara cocked an ebony brow at the kunoichi.
Who graced him with a pained look "I admit the thought of escorting him anywhere, while he has the chance to run his mouth will be extremely hard but keep in mind I am a professional Madara-san and I'll perform my duty without losing my temper even once on him" Sakura declared.
And she would to no matter how hard it might be "Can't say I like it, this idea of you going without us, even though I know you'll be fine" Jugo sighed, hating to be separated from one he cared about and was in a relationship with.
To that he reached out and threaded his fingers through hers beneath the table so that they were sitting there holding hands beneath everyone's noses, Sakura squeezed his hand gently "Jugo's right before I was with you now your going without someone who's familiar" Shikamaru frowned.
Usually the first to try and get out of more work yet here he was now wanting to be part of the escort party back to Leaf for the 1st and 2nd Hokage "Oh honestly you guys we know Baki-san and the other ones are our former Hokage" Sakura rolled her eyes lightly at the duo.
Even Kimimaro didn't look happy "They care do you blame them" Kagami chuckled at the quartets antics, Sakura's eyes softened in response, obviously very fond of the fellows sitting around her.
"I know your just worried but you three need to keep an eye out here while I'm gone until I get back to help out alright" Sakura said, moving to stand and Jugo released her hand quickly to avoid anyone asking questions.
He along with Kimimaro and Shikamaru nodded grudgingly in understanding as all three of them realized how difficult it was to argue with the kunoichi, then when Sakura returned her tray she disappeared for several minutes to collect some things for the trip back to Leaf.
So by the time she actually made it to the gates of the Hidden Sand Village there was an extra there that she didn't know "I want to see my cute grandson Sasori" the old woman grumbled, indicating that she was Chiyo.
"We're ready if you are Sakura-chan" Hashirama commented after watching her shoot a look at Kabuto before signing out and with a deep breath start them off in the direction of Leaf all without having said a single word so far.
Probably trying to keep her temper reigned in where Kabuto was concerned "If your wondering why he's silent, the mask has a seal on it that prevents prisoners from speaking, Leaf won't be his final destination no that will be Hozuki Castle in Kusagakure" Baki explained.
Seeing the looks being cast their prisoners way "You mean the prison where truly heinous criminals go" Sakura perked up with interest while inwardly deciding there was no better fate for Kabuto Yakushi to go there where he'd never be freed.
Chakra was limited and if he tried anything his chakra would be sealed "Not surprised that you know about it, you truly are knowledgeable Sakura-san" Baki chuckled, keeping a firm grip on Kabuto though even if he did escape he wouldn't get very far.
Of that he was certain, Sakura might decide to just kill him and he wouldn't stop her "A break would be nice" Chiyo grumbled four hours later since a fast pace had been set and her energy was dwindling.
Sakura came to a screeching halt in response "Of course Chiyo-sama" the pinkette relented and went about setting up a temporary camp, Tobirama didn't seem happy with the unscheduled stop and she shot him an apologetic frown.
Hashirama nudged his brother "Now, now nothing will come from rushing after all Tobirama, a break does sound nice" Hashirama placated easily, watching Sakura work quickly by making tea and a snack.
The 2nd Hokage relented with his grumbling while accepting the tea as it was handed to him along with the jerky that Sakura passed around, the softer pieces going to Chiyo "Question Haruno-san why" Tobirama demanded.
Once they were walking again and he'd sped up to walk even with the girl "Hmm oh, well her grandson is like my brother, plus I can't help but be nice not to mention she is one of Sand's important Elders" Sakura admitted.
Keeping a careful eye out "And this girly knows better isn't that right, wouldn't want Sasori to find out you were mean to his ole Grandmother would you" Chiyo cackled, Baki shook his head at the old woman's antics.
But kept his mouth shut to avoid having her turn her attention onto him at least Sakura could handle Chiyo, just then thinking that they were all distracted Kabuto tried to make a break for it and got free of Baki's hold.
An arrow whipped past his face a second later causing him to freeze "Did you think we weren't paying attention Kabuto, you should know we're always watching and if you don't wish to die where you stand you won't move another muscle" Sakura warned.
Training one of her poison arrows directly at his heart, Baki quickly grabbed the fool and she lowered her weapon "Just where on earth did you pull that out of" Baki couldn't help but ask when they were walking again.
"A seal on my arm here" Sakura explained turning over her arm for them to see the enclosing seal wrapped neatly around her wrist that she sealed her bow and arrows inside of after retrieving the one she'd shot at Kabuto as a warning.
Kabuto glared murderously at her, perhaps for the first time hating her while looking like he had a myriad of things he wished to say but was unable thanks to the seal "So for how long have you been using that weapon Sakura-chan" Hashirama laughed.
Curious about the young kunoichi in their midst "Got it when I was ten and started learning then so about four years, it was a reward from Sasori-ni like my hairpin" Sakura grinned, touching a finger to her hairpin.
Dark orbs went wide "He actually allows you to call him that, I'd heard he cared for one of you Leaf brats but I hadn't thought it went to that extent" Chiyo commented, a lot more contemplative now and she intended on watching how the two interacted with one another.
Jade irises softened "Usually he prefers to be called Sasori-sensei but he does let me get away with calling him that ninety percent of the time" Sakura answered, able to look back on that day fondly now that the taint from his abandonment had been purged with his permanent return.
Eventually as they neared the border between Wind and Fire, another stop was called for the night, she didn't need to be told, Sakura merely dropped her pack and made camp followed by dinner and while that cooked she went around setting up traps to ensure their protection.
Then changed into a thicker yukata to sleep in once they'd eaten and the fire was put out, Baki took first watch allowing her to rest since she had actually pulled her weight during the day and five hours later she was woken to take over watch.
In the middle of her shift, what sounded like many tiny little feet scrambling across the sand reached her ears which had her instantly on high alert as she reached over and patted Baki on the shoulder "Sakura-san what is it" Baki frowned.
Not liking that he'd been woken three hours to soon "We've got company I think, it doesn't sound like a human but there is definitely something moving out there" Sakura murmured quietly, honing her hearing to hear better.
She withdrew a senbon from her pouch as Baki moved to wake the others, watching Sakura as she tensed then threw her weapon a thud sounded indicating she'd hit something and then suddenly they were under attack by little white creatures.
Reflexively Sakura pulled out her special scroll and unsealed it "Futon: Cherry Blossom Storm" she flashed through unfamiliar hand signs, controlling the purple blossoms that were floating down around them.
The blossoms surrounded the group protecting them from the onslaught and taking out the white creatures in the process, followed by unsealing her bow and aiming her weapon upwards over their heads.
An explosion sounded moments later as something with someone dropped out of the sky and she was on top of the guy seconds after pinning his arms back and tying him up quickly yet efficiently since he was currently dazed.
"How did you even know in the first place, I heard nothing" Tobirama frowned, a bit disoriented from being woken suddenly and for things to happen to rapidly for him to keep up, Sakura sealed her captive in an enclosing seal that she drew just for him.
Before turning "I spent two weeks in total darkness when I signed on with my bat summons, Aimai sort of kidnapped me and took me to the bat caves and I really wanted to be their summoner so I learned how to navigate myself in darkness" Sakura began.
Glaring around warily ears perked up "Since forth my hearing has been extremely sensitive to the point I can hear things that most can't" she finished, not sure who it was she'd just caught because it was still dark but smart enough to not lower her guard just in case.
Tobirama sighed "Perhaps we should get past the border into Fire, we'll be closer to Leaf then and no more idiots will come after us" Chiyo grumbled, peeved that her sleep had been disturbed even if there had been a reason for it.
Camp was broken down but Sakura kept her bow out at the ready for any more attacks "Relax Sakura we'll be fine" Baki soothed, use to the girl more out of the others, he knew what she was like deep down.
She slanted him a look, sighing as she did so before ultimately relaxing a bit "I don't know Baki-san between that bastard, Orochimaru and Akatsuki I don't get a break for the fear of someone I care about being taken away from me" Sakura confessed.
Lowering her weapon somewhat but still didn't seal it away "Or being kidnapped yourself" Chiyo snorted, knowing about that due to Sasori, the two former Hokage looked mildly alarmed at that statement while Kabuto looked furious.
No doubt attempting to say something only the seal prevented that "Yeah that I have no desire to repeat two months in a coma ever again thank you" Sakura scowled at Kabuto before facing away from him because she didn't really want to look at the bastard.
With that they redoubled their efforts to get across the border and were soon safe in the Land of Fire allowing for a quick stop to have breakfast "And soon we'll be home Tobirama" Hashirama reminded, admitting that he wished that had already happened.
His brother nodded and they set a more grueling pace than before, Chiyo surprisingly keeping up to them anyway not to Baki or Sakura who had no doubt suspected the Elder would manage just fine since she was tagging along to see Sasori.
She wouldn't have wanted to slow them down any and around dinner time they reached Leaf after traveling for almost two whole days "Sakura" Tsunade stood, looking over her apprentice having heard about the girls run in with her grand-uncle, Yakushi and Akatsuki all at the same time.
Once the group had entered her office "I'm alright Shishou" Sakura assured quickly when the woman rounded her desk to look her over properly only to find the pinkette in perfect condition with no bruises or injuries to be found.
Tsunade exhaled in relief because she had come to care about her apprentice "Good, just no more scaring me please now about Yakushi, from here he'll be put in a cell and then tomorrow he'll be on his way to Hozuki Castle" Tsunade set her honey eyes on Kabuto.
Smirking all the while as he glared at her positively pissed off "There's also one more, we were ambushed early this morning by someone and I caught him in this" Sakura said, placing a scroll on her mentors desk.
"You can take him to T&I then, Morino will accept it better coming from you since your his assistant of sorts, now who else do we have here" Tsunade nodded pleased with the extra work Sakura had put in.
Before turning her gaze onto the extra she hadn't known would be tagging along "I'm just here to see my grandson Sasori, Rasa and I thought it would be a good time to check up on him and make sure he was settling in well" Chiyo grumbled.
Looking like she was ready to go back to sleep "Alright he should be in the compound, once you deliver whoever this is to Ibiki go ahead and take Chiyo to see Akasuna, while I handle the rest" Tsunade nodded.
Pretty much agreeing to whatever the woman wanted "Understood Shishou, Lady Chiyo this way please" Sakura bowed low for her Hokage then gestured Chiyo out of the office ahead of her and shut the door behind her.
Which left Baki, Hashirama and Tobirama in the office "Quite the apprentice you have there Tsunade, a bit high-strung, very temperamental but with her heart in the right place" Hashirama commented after a moment.
His granddaughter groaned "You can thank Sasori for the high-strung bit, the temper is all hers mostly and yes Sakura has her priorities straight even after everything that's happened to the girl" Tsunade smirked.
"Did she really spend two months in a coma and what do you mean by everything that's happened to her is there more than just that" Tobirama frowned, watching as Tsunade signaled for Anbu to take Kabuto away.
Before taking a deep breath "She did thanks to Yakushi, he also abducted her parents when she was ten, only got them back not to long ago really, then there's the missions each one have been dangerous, Sakura's terrified of losing people" Tsunade sighed.
Baki lowered his gaze "I knew she'd been taken during the last Exams but I hadn't thought she spent all that time unconscious" the Suna Jonin grimaced, wishing that he'd arrived in time to stop Kabuto from taking her back then.
"Either way Sakura still saved everyone that day by breaking the barrier, preventing the deaths of Sarutobi-sensei and the Kazekage, we also managed to capture 5 of the most important subordinates of Orochimaru that day as well thanks to her" Tsunade chuckled.
Though her apprentice would argue that fact and be modest about the whole thing "So if her parents were abducted how did she get them back, also where will we be living" Hashirama questioned.
Deciding they'd stood around long enough and he was ready to sit down and relax "A beetle called the Bikochu that tracks scents, Sakura always carried something with her parents scents and the caught insect before introducing the scent to the beetle" Tsunade explained.
Scribbling a missive for Fugaku though she knew her grand-uncle wouldn't care much for the idea he was just going to have to get over it as she sent the message off "Hokage-sama you summoned me…ah I see" Fugaku arrived in a poof of smoke eight minutes later.
Taking note of those in the woman's office and instantly understood "Fugaku will take care of you two for now so go with him and allow him to settle you in the house, you go as well Baki" Tsunade ordered in a non-negotiable tone.
Fugaku bowed his head to the woman and led the trio from the office, meanwhile during this meeting Sakura had dropped the scroll with the sealed person in it off in Ibiki's capable hands, something he was quite pleased with.
Before making a direct bee-line to the Uchiha Compound, Chiyo on her heels "Nice house, you live here with him" Chiyo whistled once they were stood in front of the shared Team Seven house with extra's.
"Most of the time he's out teaching his current genin but yes he lives here with us…Sasori-sensei, I'm back briefly and I brought a guest with me" Sakura called, knowing that he'd be the only one in the house at the time.
Immediately Sasori was right there having appeared seemingly out of thin air "Sakura welcome back and Grandmother what a surprise let me guess this is that checkup Kazekage-sama mentioned would be happening" Sasori greeted.
A smidge uncomfortable but he knew he couldn't complain it was one of the conditions that had been imposed on him by Rasa in order to be here with his students "Somewhat, the other reason was that I merely wished to see your face" Chiyo grumbled.
Taking off her sandals and making herself right at home on one of the couches, Sasori rolled his eyes causing Sakura to giggle which pulled a smile out of him "Well I'm going to go see my own family, have fun Sasori-ni, Lady Chiyo" Sakura waved.
Vanishing from the house and five down "Is the Chunin Exams already over with" Mebuki asked once the three of them were settled comfortably on the couch together, simply basking in each other's presence.
"Not exactly Mom, we caught Kabuto, he's going to be sent to Hozuki Castle in Grass, that's a prison for heinous criminals, plus the 1st and 2nd Hokage came back like Minato-san, Madara-san and Kagami-san did and they asked that I escort them back here" Sakura explained.
Finding herself able to completely relax now "How wonderful that's one less person for you to worry about from now on" Kizashi said, sighing his own relief at the news that had just been imparted on he and his wife by their wonderful daughter.
Sakura merely smiled and spent a little more time with them before deciding it was time to return to the house where she saw Fugaku entering ahead of her "Uchiha-sama" Sakura greeted as she slipped in behind the group.
Causing him to turn sharply "Your getting better at masking your chakra I didn't sense you there for a moment Sakura, in any case our Hokage has decided to place Hashirama-sama and Tobirama-sama here" Fugaku chuckled.
Especially when she smiled sheepishly at him "My apologies and of course, your welcome here in my home Shodaime-sama, Nidaime-sama please follow me so that you may choose a room, you as well Baki-san" Sakura bowed after apologizing.
Gestured for the extras to follow her up the stairs where rooms were chosen "After dinner stop by to see Mikoto, while you've been gone the past week or so, a few letters came for you from those two" Fugaku requested.
"Of course Uchiha-sama" Sakura relented to the command, she had no reason to refuse anyway, with that Fugaku exited the house leaving her to get started on making dinner, Sasori deigning to pitch in when he saw that she was exhausted.
He even called the others down for supper "So you got Kabuto huh, good job Sakura and if Orochimaru comes for you, I'll meet him myself" Sasori commented when it was just the two of them in the kitchen still waiting for their guests.
Tired jade orbs met his hazel ones "Just make sure you leave the heart for me, I want to accomplish my goal of putting one of my arrows straight into it remember" Sakura reminded with a grim smile on her lips.
Sasori snorted but he wasn't going to deny the girl what she wanted "Mm smells good, who made it…you did brat and who taught you" Chiyo asked, inhaling the delicious aroma that filled the kitchen enticing her stomach to growl.
"Well Sasori-ni did pitch in Lady Chiyo but my Mom taught me for the most part" Sakura answered quietly, looking like she was ready to go to bed, considering the jaw cracking yawn she let out after answering.
Conversation kind of fizzled at that as they focused more on eating "Go see Mikoto then go to bed Sakura, I'll clean up" Sasori nudged Sakura off to do as Fugaku had asked while gathering up the dishes and setting them in the sink.
With a tired sigh Sakura disappeared from the house, spoke with Mikoto for a few minutes, accepted the letters from Naruto and Sasuke then returned not bothering to read the letters just yet as she climbed the steps after telling everyone goodnight and headed straight into her room.
Later on after making sure the kitchen was put back to rights, Sasori poked his head into Sakura's room to make sure the girl was actually sleeping before heading to his own at the opposite end of the house where he tinkered with his puppets throughout the rest of the night.
Until morning dawned bright and early "Did you sleep well Sakura-san" Baki inquired as they settled around the table to have breakfast courtesy of Sasori this time who need a former international rogue could cook so well surely not him.
But Sakura had known "Yes Baki-san I slept just fine what about all of you, were the beds alright to sleep on" Sakura questioned, directing the question at the extra guests in the house because she knew better than to be remiss in her manners as a host.
"The beds were fine, slept like a log…well I did hear some strange noises coming from the room next to mine" Hashirama said, wanting the issue to be addressed especially if he was going to be spending more time in the Uchiha Compound until he found a more permanent solution.
Like making his own house "Room next to yours….ah that's the room my Bikochu beetle is in, he sometimes gets out of his terrarium and fly's about the room, I'm sorry I hadn't thought to check if he was out" Sakura apologized.
Quietly excusing herself from the table to rectify the problem "I hadn't thought she'd keep the beetle that found her parents, what is she afraid that they'll be taken again even with all the protection they've been offered" Tobirama frowned.
The redhead at the table turned to him "And you've answered your own question, of course she's afraid, the fear of losing Mebuki and Kizashi is deep rooted within her mind so yes she kept the damn beetle the annoying little bastard that it is" Sasori scoffed.
"Hey I resent that, he's not that annoying and that beetle is the only thing keeping me from constantly checking on my parents multiple times a day" Sakura growled, hearing the comment upon her return to the table.
Sasori rolled his brown orbs "Oh right I forgot, it's you that's annoying, really what was I thinking training you and your teammates, all three of you drove me completely insane" the redhead smirked just daring her to say anything.
A fuschia brow twitched before "You could have stayed away Sasori-ni but your the one who came back to be with us, so really its only your fault if your being driven insane" Sakura grinned, knowing she had the man at that.
When he scowled at her "Brat whatever….anyway what did those two say in their letters this time" Sasori sighed, because he knew Sakura was right he had returned of his own volition so it was in fact his fault if he was going further insane than before.
"Huh oh I haven't read the letters yet" Sakura admitted, only to jump when Chiyo burst out laughing like a crazy person and she realized that they'd had an audience to their usual antics, she at the very least had the grace to look embarrassed for herself.
While Sasori scoffed "It takes a certain person to be able to keep up with Sasori and I'm glad you've found someone like that" Chiyo cackled, relieved that Sasori was doing better, he'd really changed thanks to the pink haired brat.
"This is very nice and all but I need Akasuna down at T&I, we've got your former Akatsuki partner in a cell complete with chakra suppressing cuffs and chained down" Anko popped into the kitchen as they were finishing up.
Sasori was gone in the next second, followed by Anko "Guess we know who I shot out of the sky yesterday is now" Sakura grimaced, moving onto cleaning up because she couldn't leave without doing so it was against her nature to do so.
And then it was time to get started on heading back to Sand "You go on Baki, I'm going to stay for awhile" Chiyo waved Baki off when the woman sat her behind down on the couch and didn't move another inch.
The Suna Jonin blinked then shrugged "Ready to go Sakura-san" Baki inquired, realizing that it was just going to be him and her on the way back to Sunagakure, Sakura tilted her head in acknowledgement and with that they were headed out the door.
Followed by the gates "I think to avoid any more ambushes by Akatsuki we should take our time Baki-san and when night hits I'll summon the leader of my bat summons to get us the rest of the way if that's alright" Sakura frowned.
Not willing to risk another attack by the organization of rogues who were no doubt furious that one of their own had been captured "Fair enough, will your bat be able to carry the both of us though" Baki shrugged.
Understanding her reasoning "Oki-sama is the largest bat in the caves, she could carry probably five people comfortably" Sakura confessed, so with that they took their time walking and she even went so far as to pull out the letters she'd received from her teammates to read.
Which made her very eager to get back to Sunagakure but she wasn't going to rush herself either, good thing to as someone called out to her from behind "Sakura slow down would you, we can't walk that fast anymore" Kizashi hollered.
Verdant orbs went wide as Sakura skid to a halt and turned sharply on her heels to spy her parents barreling down the path towards her and Baki "Dad, Mom what are you two doing I thought you said that you weren't going to leave the village" Sakura asked.
Near hyperventilation "Calm down Sakura we'll be fine as long as we're with you, plus we want to start getting back into the groove of selling our merchandise" Mebuki soothed as she and her husband reached their daughter's side.
Seeing the panic in her eyes "That's right, it's been a long time that we've gotten to go anywhere and we need to know what's cool and what's not you know" Kizashi nodded, knowing that Sakura was just scared for them.
But he wasn't going to be afraid anymore to leave his village "Just stay close, we were already intending on taking our time to get back and tonight Sakura was going to summon the leader of her bat summons to fly us back to Suna where you'll be safe there" Baki chimed in.
"Perfect, that way we'll have plenty of time to do what we want" Mebuki smiled, just as worried as her daughter but like her husband she didn't want to spend the rest of her life being afraid of leaving the Leaf Village when they were trying to get their lives back on track.
By doing things they use to "Lets go then" Sakura sighed, knowing that she couldn't keep her parents from doing what they wanted, they graced her with reassuring smiles but with that they were off down the path again.
Until nighttime arrived and they were no where near the border between Fire and Wind, before summoning Oki, Sakura made dinner for the four of them "It still amazes me that your capable of this" Baki commented.
Definitely enjoying the evening meal over a roaring fire, Sakura smiled lightly and polished off her supper then sat to meditate "Ninja Art: Summoning Jutsu" Sakura weaved the hand signs and placed her hand neatly on the ground.
A patchwork of seals spread out from the spot her hand touched, much larger than usual and out of the smoke came a huge dark brown brat "Ahh my young summoner what need do you have of me" Oki greeted slowly.
Quite obviously the elder bat "Oki-sama would you please take us four the rest of the way to Sunagakure" Sakura requested with a low bow of her head, knowing what was coming next as the leader of her summons got close.
"The young ones speak well of your kindness very well I can accommodate on two conditions my little summoner, first you continue to take care of us, treat my little ones well and continue to give them rewards and second I wish for you to raise my replacement" Oki demanded.
Raising her wing to reveal many little bats, younger than Aimai and Uri that was for sure and with her teeth plucked one from her underfur, a small fuzzy white bat that was placed carefully in Sakura's hurriedly outstretched hands.
Sakura stared for a moment then nodded "I'll take good care of him Oki-sama and raise him to be the best that he can be" Sakura vowed, tucking the creature under her hair where he hung from her ear upside down since he was small enough to do so at the moment.
With that Oki leaned down, gesturing for the four humans to climb onto her back where she spread her wings wide and took to the dark sky in the direction of Hidden Sand "Wow its so wonderful up here" Mebuki murmured.
Head tilted back as she stared up at the evening sky with its many twinkling stars and the moon beginning to shine its pale light down upon them "Your so lucky Sakura-san, truly to be able to travel like this" Baki commented.
Turning his head to spy Sakura from where she was cuddling the bat pup "Heh, lucky is right, Oki-sama doesn't usually allow this, said that since I'm a two-legger with my own feet that I can walk" Sakura laughed.
Making him realize that this wasn't a privilege that happened often or at all really but the bat leader was feeling generous that night with the acceptance of her requests of the pinkette "A question what do you need to feed him and what is his name" Kizashi questioned.
Eyeing the tiny creature in Sakura's arms "His name ah Mushoku and he is old enough to start on the regular diet I believe" Sakura paused for a moment, came up with a name after looking the white bat pup over then guessed at his age of over three months.
Nodding from Oki could be see out of the corner of her eye as the huge bat began her descent just outside Sunagakure and a minute later they were crawling from her back as she went back to the caves in a large plume of smoke.
"Regular diet and that would be what exactly" Baki inquired as they began the process of signing into his village, he was glad they were back without any extra trouble happening, Sakura grimaced at him in response.
And bit her finger allowing a few drops of blood to fall to the ground before healing it, his eyes widened in horror while his stomach rolled uncomfortably in realization that Sakura's bats drank blood "Mostly animal though and meat" Sakura said in the next second.
Before his mind could delve to deep on the thought, Baki didn't say anything to that merely led the way into the village "Right go on Sakura-san take them to the hotel just take a moment in the moment to see Kazekage-sama in the morning alright" Baki informed.
Once they were near the hotel that the others were using "Gotcha, come on Mom, Dad, we'll get you settled in a room alright" Sakura nodded, tucking her little creature under her hair again while beckoning her parents to follow her into the hotel.
Where a room was rented for the two of them and she headed for her own that had sat empty for the last three almost four days "Sleep tight Sakura" Kizashi and Mebuki bid their daughter goodnight as the three of them disappeared into their separate rooms for the night.