As the year anniversary of the children's arrival neared, Sakura considered the rehabilitation an overall success. They all would remain in counseling through their childhood, but as time passed and their confidence built, they clung less to each other for support and their group sessions became individual ones.

All of the children but Sora were adopted to families within Konoha, though at different times. The youngest were the easiest to match with a family and the first ready to leave the center, but Sakura was pleased that all twelve lived in close range when they wanted to seek each other out. Sakura was especially happy with the success of matching siblings in the same homes—even the set of triplets of the group. Kakashi also assigned an ANBU agent to each child once they left the center, and though the agents would change every few years, the children would have quiet protection until they all reached adulthood.

If it bothered Sora that she was the last child standing, she didn't let it show. She remained a solemn child even as she successfully opened up in individual counseling and walked around the center without physically recoiling at the sight of a strangers. While the other children played on the grounds, Sora would often shadow Shizune, or Sakura when she was able, showing interest in the inner workings of the center. When Sakura asked if she was interested in medicine, she said she wasn't; instead, she desired to see how things worked: places, people, politics and everything in between.

Sasuke's visits remained a regular part of Sora's rehabilitation, much to Sakura's surprise. While there were still stretches when Sasuke was off on a mission, his return inevitably included four places: the Hokage Tower, home, the children's hospital, and Naruto's. Their talks were always quiet, active in movement, but solely theirs. Sakura had stopped observing from afar as she grew busy with the adoptions for the other children, but she did join them one cool afternoon, she and Sasuke taking turns in showing Sora basic taijutsu. Sora was lithe and quick for a child with no combat experience or chakra, and Sakura marveled at the easy smile that spread across her face even as her muscles took a small beating.

"You seemed to enjoy today," Sakura remarked as she bandaged Sora's knuckles and sent a small bit of chakra through to assure Sora wouldn't be in pain the next day. A bit of soreness, though, was good to measure growth.

"It feels good to move," Sora agreed. "I can feel where in my body I hold some strength and where I still need work."

"We'll continue with training then, as long as you want."

Another smile, this time softer around the edges. "Thank you, Sakura-san."

One day when the chill of winter had penetrated the halls of the clinic, Sakura stopped by Sora's room and instead found her husband with a packed bag. She glanced around, but Sasuke was the lone occupant. "Where's Sora?"

"She and Usuratonkachi went to visit Kakashi. I think I overheard her say Shikamaru was going to teach her how to play Shogi."

"Is that so?" Sakura smiled, her eyes returning to the pack in his hand. "You're leaving on a mission?"

"No." For the first time since she entered, she noted the smug expression her husband wore. "This is Sora's pack. She's leaving today."

"…leaving?"

Instead of an explanation, Sasuke came over to her and held out a packet of papers that she recognized as those for adoption. She wondered how Sora's adoption went through without her approval, flipping through the documents as she noted Shizune and even Kakashi's signatures of approval. Before betrayal could consume her, she noted the name at the top of each page.

Uchiha Sora.

Her heart simultaneously soared and clenched in pain as her tears flowed, unbidden. "I haven't talked with her about this at all. I don't know if she wants this."

"You're such a crybaby," he told her affectionately, then pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Sora and I have talked about it at length during my visits. This is something she wants. She understands the dangers that can come with her new name, and she's decided to accept it anyway."

"Sasuke-kun! The house isn't ready. The extra room is filled with my work documents and books."

Sasuke shrugged, Sora's small pack now secured over his shoulder. "There's a new bed in there and a small desk for her. We brought them in when you were working overtime last week."

Sakura huffed, but couldn't help her smile as she brushed away the stubborn tear tracks. She could guess who 'we' encompassed, and the rest of her former team were going to pay dearly for sneaking around behind her back.

"The council may take issue with giving her the name Uchiha."

To this, Sasuke gave Sakura a look she knew well: He dared them to try. "The Uchiha name is ours to make what we want of it. Konoha has no claim on our children other than to be their home."

Sakura curled against his side, her anxieties momentarily forgotten in the face of Sasuke's promises. She still had a few hours left to her work day, but she had a hunch Shizune had cleared her schedule. Feeling lighter and happier than she had been since her wedding day, she followed him out of the room, the adoption papers clutched against her chest.

-end