Some pictures of The Pinks, including Sora and Mina: /a/isWxTYv
Author's Notes: This story turned into something a bit unexpected for me. As such, I've removed the tags indicating SasuSaku doesn't play a prominent role in it, because not it does. If the pairing isn't your jam, this may not be an enjoyable read. If that pairing is your favorite and you like them super fluffy, this also won't be your jam.
Usuratonkachi = idiot; loser; Sasuke's nickname for Naruto in the series.
Although Sakura oversaw the entire medical division, after the children's arrival she spent most of her time in the children's center, even transforming an empty office into a temporary space where she could hold meetings and complete paperwork but still be near them. The staff began to affectionately call the group "Sakura's Pinks" and "The Pinks Parade," as they quickly took over every corner of the center and made it their home. Sakura was surprised but also delighted when the children took to the nicknames, their hair color finally associated with something fun instead of damning.
She came to love and care for each of them as they came into their own and sprouted personalities in the same way their stomachs grew larger and their limbs grew stronger with health. But Sora, with her perceptive, dark eyes and her quiet way of moving about a room, endeared herself to Sakura quickly and completely. It seemed even in adulthood, Sakura's heart was no match against a brooding child.
So she watched over all of them, but especially Sora, and her excitement soared with every small success: the smiles from the younger ones, the squeals of delight from Mina when Kiba brought the Inuzuka's dogs for some play, and the shift in Sora's stance from vigilant protector of the other children into the easy gait of one who felt protected.
When Sakura brought Naruto in to meet the children as part of their program to rebuild trust with adult males, she pulled Sora aside to meet Sasuke instead, believing their temperaments better matched.
She left the two of them alone to walk the outer playground, but hovered protectively at the entrance of the building so she could step in if she saw any signs of discomfort in Sora's movements. During the first visit the pair settled on the swing set, Sora's thin legs rocking her back and forth in a comforting motion Sakura had seen her partake in while she watched the other children play. Sora never allowed enough momentum to let her feet come off the ground. Sasuke, sitting stationary on his swing, would look over at Sora to answer a question, but otherwise kept his gaze outward, giving her space from his stare in the same manner he gave her physical space in the form of the empty swing between them.
After a half an hour, Sora left with a small head tilt and went into the building. Sasuke's gaze connected immediately with Sakura's and she made her way over to him, sitting herself on the swing that was previously empty.
"What do you think of her?" Sakura asked, carefully.
"Quiet, but clever and inquisitive," Sasuke offered. "I'll come by next week to meet with her again."
Sakura was surprised by that piece of information. It seemed she had made the right assessment; Sasuke's personality was much better suited to Sora than Naruto's. To his word, Sasuke came to visit the following week, and Sakura watched as the two walked the perimeter of the center grounds, and they walked in-step even as Sasuke kept a careful distance between them. They remained out there longer than the first time, and eventually Sakura was called away by her work. She took a final glance at Sora's relaxed posture and decided Sasuke could handle a situation if one occurred.
There was another visitor that surprised Sakura, though she should have anticipated the visit. Six months into their rehabilitation, Kakashi arrived at the center unannounced, missing his Hokage robes but carrying a large bouquet of purple hyacinth. He asked Sakura if he could meet with the children, his eyes shadowed and his voice soft with a vulnerability that made Sakura's heart clench with worry.
When she spoke with the children, she said the visit was completely voluntary—visits were always voluntarily, as victims sometimes lacked the mood or energy to deal with such meetings. The children, however, were intrigued to meet "Sakura-sensei's sensei", and welcomed the visit without reservation.
"They may have some questions for you. They're like to hear about when I was a kid," Sakura warned Kakashi as she led him down the hall toward the lounge where the children were enjoying a late lunch.
"I'll manage. I'm sure I have some embarrassing stories saved up—"
"Don't you dare," Sakura warned, then opened the door to the room. "The Hokage has come to say hello," she told the group.
"Is that really your sensei? He looks too young," one of the triplets asked, his skepticism clear.
Sakura frowned in confusion, glanced back at Kakashi, and let out a noise of surprise. The fabric of his mask was pooled around his neck, and the smile he gave Sakura was warm but also mischievous. He was gorgeous and youthful-looking, and Sakura wanted nothing more than to punch him in the face for holding out for so long.
"Yes, he's a very old man," she assured when her breath returned, and several of the children laughed at Kakashi'a dramatic pout. He kept his demeanor friendly and non-threatening as he set the flowers, then himself down at a table. The more confident of the children came to meet him, pulling along their snacks and pulling out nearby chairs as they started to ask questions, eager to learn more about the place and people of their new home.
He helped them with cleaning up after they finished, all the while regaling them with stories of Sakura as a young kunoichi. The stories left a blush in permanent residence across her cheeks; she was embarrassed that his tales made her sound like an excellent shinobi and filled her with warmth that he remembered those moments at all.
Sora, for much of the exchange, stood to the back as she took in the entire scene with a critical eye. Sakura, knowing Sora probably had some questions of her own, came to stand against the wall with her while cleaning commenced.
"You can ask serious questions, too, if you wish," she told Sora. "Kakashi-sensei is not a man you ever need to fear or fawn over."
Sora was quiet for some time, but her eyes never wavered from watching Kakashi interact with the younger children.
"He talks a lot about you as a great fighter, but doesn't his title mean he's the best?"
"The best leaders are usually people who don't flaunt their strength. Kakashi-sensei is certainly one of the best shinobi I have ever known, but his kindness and care for others is what have always made him a good leader."
"Why has he brought us purple hyacinth, then? What needs to be forgiven?"
Sakura sighed and offered Sora a sad smile. Such a clever, perceptive girl. "That's a question you need to ask him for yourself."
Sora nodded her understanding. "If I could speak with him after the others leave, then."
"Of course."
Sakura eventually told the other children it was time to carry on with their day, but she signaled for Kakashi to remain, her fingers flicking in Sora's direction in silent explanation. He nodded and returned to the table, making a show of wiping his hands and brushing imaginary lint off his sleeve after waving goodbye to the others.
She returned to the lounge after passing off the children to another of her assistants, and then watched from the door's window. She couldn't hear, but Kakashi's posture hunched with a heaviness she had come to associate with the ever-present guilt her sensei carried. Sora, meanwhile, had moved away from the far wall and was sitting cross-legged in the seat across from Kakashi, her eyes boring into him (aside from a quick glance when Sakura appeared in the window), her frown in place but her expression thoughtful. The flowers sat on the table next to them in silent offering, untouched.
They were exchanging words slowly and quietly, and Sakura wanted nothing more than to swoop in and protectively curl herself around both of them until their pain melted away. But she knew she couldn't be the healer of this for either of them; forgiveness or comeuppance could only come from the other. So instead, she stood in the hallway and waited despite knowing Sora could make it back to her room.
Eventually they exited, Sora first and Kakashi following, his mask back in place. They remained silent as Sakura followed Sora down the hallway toward her room, a silent wave of farewell the only sign between her and Kakashi. She planned to check in on him later.
"Did you get some of the answers you were seeking, Sora?" Sakura asked tentatively. She eyed the hyacinths that were bundled carefully in Sora's grasp.
"Yes, Sakura-san," she replied, eyes intent somewhere in the distance. Suddenly, the girl quickened her pace and reached to open one of the hall supply closets.
"What do you need?"
Sora came back out a few moments later. "I need some water," she declared, her serious expression in stark contrast to the colorful vase she waved in her previously free hand as though she were celebrating a small victory.