((AN: I want to thank all you readers for the lovely reception I've gotten here, and all of your comments. As I've mentioned, I am currently on a weekly schedule for SBATC, but I found the time to post a bit early this week. I hope you all continue to enjoy. :) ))

Naruto filled their time traveling with words, to the point where Sakura was convinced he'd learned how to exist without taking in air. Perhaps it was because they had been apart so long, but Naruto felt the need to tell her everything that she had missed. Not even just what he had been up to, but what Ino had been up to, and Shikamaru and Chouji and Hinata and Kiba and Shino and...well, the list went on. (To the dismay of the InoShikaCho trio who were also along for the journey and, as Ino pointed out, perfectly capable of telling Sakura exactly what they'd each been up to, thank you very much.)

But Naruto's excitement held a bit of nostalgia in Sakura's eyes, and she found it funny that while in the past she might have found Naruto's ranting a bit annoying, at this moment it was the most comforting thing in the world.

At the moment he was discussing his training under Tsunade, and in light of the upcoming chuunin exams, that had expanded beyond the 'Hokage training' that Naruto had been put under in the past.

"She told me that she won't even think of passing me unless my chakra control is better, so she's been making me stand on the side of the Hokage monument while using wind chakra to keep a leaf a meter above my head. Which means I have to blow out wind chakra for a whole hour." Naruto lamented as they walked, and it finally dawned on Sakura how Naruto was able to talk in such long bursts now. Had Tsunade realized what she was encouraging by refining his wind jutsu? "It took me two weeks to be able to do it for that long but now she wants me to stand on a waterfall while doing it, and it has to be exactly a meter above my head or else I have to start over! She's brutal, Sakura, I think I'm gonna die before the exams even start!"

Sakura just laughed at this. As much as Naruto grouched, she knew he wouldn't begrudge training that made him stronger, and chakra control was just the area he was lacking. Tsunade was doing right by him.

"Don't even talk Naruto, I'd take the damn waterfall training over what I've got." Ino piped in. "My mom's making sure I build up poison immunity by nearly killing me with them. I've barely been able to keep down food without heaving. Though…" Ino looked down at herself, grinning. "My figure's the best it's ever been, don't you think, Forehead?"

"It's pretty good for a stick, Ino-Pig." Sakura stuck out her tongue. "Haven't you heard? Muscles are the new beautiful."

It was at that moment that Fuu, who had been quiet since the Konoha shinobi arrived, finally found the courage to pipe up. "Yeah!" She exclaimed suddenly, startling both Ino and Naruto as she thrust her way into the conversation. "I mean, look at Pinkie, she could lift a bear and she's perfect."

Sakura felt a flush come to her cheeks, and Ino sputtered as she tried to argue back.

"Y-yeah, well, you just haven't seen what a lean, mean, fighting machine can do! I'll just have to show you at the exams you...um…" Ino frowned. "I...don't know your name yet."

"I'm Fuu, I'm only the greatest and most powerful kunoichi in all of Taki-"

And then it was Fuu's turn to ramble on. Sakura couldn't help but notice a dismayed look on Shikamaru's face as they walked; the introvert was probably in his own personal hell having three long-winded talkers in his vicinity. Sakura wanted nothing more than to take Shikamaru aside for a chat but...not now. She caught his eye and he gave her a small shrug, but she knew from his glance that he understood.

Later.

Behind her walked Gaara and Sai, the former appearing a bit too shy to join in the conversation proper yet, and the latter looking as though he was...taking notes? Sakura let herself slow down enough to peek at the words. Sai had written down the names of every new shinobi in the group, as well as a series of descriptive factors. She noted with a snort that Ino had been jotted down as 'Ino-Pig'. Sai was going to suffer if he called her that but...it was a learning experience, right?

It was when she saw Jiraiya's notes that she held pause. Though her peers had gotten perhaps sillier descriptions, (Shikamaru had been compared to a pineapple), Jiraiya had simply gotten two words: Sannin, dangerous. Sai was working on Asuma now, the jounin in charge of the InoShikaCho squad, and while the word 'stinky' had been written next to the name (referring to the cigarette, perhaps?), Asuma too had a more serious description. Sai was...very good at taking succinct notes. A testament to his time in Root, perhaps, but Sakura was realizing how useful his blunt observations might be for her own situation. Sai could read a room while she was occupied with interacting with it, and he could definitely notice things that she might miss.

She gave Sai a warm smile before turning her attention back to the squabbling in front of her. The conversation had swung from Ino and Fuu competing over the 'most powerful kunoichi' title to Naruto and Fuu getting ready to just throw hands in general. Naruto had always been a sucker for a challenge, and Fuu seemed to get a kick out of riling him up. Could she tell, Sakura wondered, that Naruto held the Kyuubi inside of him? She'd told the Taki shinobi that her old teammate was the Jinchuuriki, but…

Well, either way, it was probably good for both of them to interact. She could tell that Gaara, too, wanted to join in, if only just to have a chance to speak with Naruto for the first time since their own chuunin exams.

There was so much to do, and a whole month before the exams were even set to begin. Sakura needed to convince the visiting kage to join her pact, if they hadn't already, and also find a way to aid Shikamaru in taking down Root. Sai wouldn't be free until Root was exposed. Konoha wouldn't be able to move forward until its dark past was ripped into the light. And on top of all of that...Sakura just wanted to see her friends and family again. For all she knew, once the exams were done, it might be the last time she saw them for a long while.

It was a further two days' journey to Konoha's walls, and Sakura had hoped for a stress-free trip. But when Jiraiya approached her during their first night's rest, Sakura felt a pit in her stomach.

Sannin. Dangerous.

Jiraiya was Naruto's mentor too, and while that normally would have been enough to put her at ease, now Sakura just felt uncertain. Other than Kakashi and the shinobi her age, she wasn't sure who in Konoha that Root had their claws in. Jiraiya was a known hermit and, by Naruto's claims, a bit of a lecher, but all of that could have been an act to keep his real intentions unknown. She had to tread carefully until the truth was brought to light.

"Hey there, kid." Jiraiya held up a hand in greeting as he came near. "We need to talk, if you don't mind. Just you and me."

Sakura felt Gaara tense at the last part, and she didn't blame him. The last time he'd let her go somewhere without him...well, Jiraiya wasn't Itachi, and Sakura knew that nothing could happen to her here without everyone in their group being aware of it. Sakura gave Gaara's hand a squeeze before standing up. She was an ambassador, damn it all, and she couldn't let herself be afraid of a talk.

He took her to a section of the woods that was far enough away that the rest of the camp couldn't hear. There, he sat down on a log with a heavy sigh. Sakura couldn't help but notice that the man seemed...tired. Worn thin. She might have jokingly chalked this up to mentoring Naruto full time, but...this was different.

She sat down on a stump across from him, doing her best to look professional. "What did you want to talk about, sir?"

"Please, just Jiraiya." The man replied with a wave of his hand. "If you're going to take on such a big project, kid, you need to realize that it puts you on the same level as the Kage. Someone like me won't be worth wasting the pleasantries."

"I still feel as though I should respect all I speak with, Jiraiya sir." Sakura pointedly made a note of including the title again. "It would be rude of me to think myself above others."

"A nice sentiment, but there are going to be people who take that as a sign of weakness. You're getting into a game you don't know all the rules to yet." Jiraiya reached into his pocket, pulling out a scroll that looked familiar. Her scroll, Sakura realized, the one she'd had Sai send to Tsunade months ago. It was a breath of relief to know he'd actually sent it; back then, she hadn't been sure. "This stuff on Akatsuki is pretty good." Jiraiya admitted. "But you got lucky that they didn't see you as a threat."

"Luck seems to be my dominant trait lately."

"Well, you're gonna need it, kid." Jiraiya sighed again. "You know...Naruto thinks the world of you. But Konoha? Most are going to see you as a traitor. Tsunade is only tolerating you coming here because you're offering her something more than your life is currently worth. Information. Alliances."

Sakura frowned. "Is there a point to all of this or did you just want to lecture me?"

"I'm saying that I want you to succeed, and you aren't going to unless you figure a couple things out. You've gotten lucky that old man Onoki's lost a few of his fangs, and you've gotten lucky to impress anyone from Taki at all. Not even Hashirama managed what you've done here. But now you're walking into a lion's den. Suna is going to be coming to the exams, and it's not just because of social obligation. They want their Jinchuuriki back and they're not going to take no for an answer."

"Gaara…" Sakura glanced to the camp, biting her lip. "Gaara left of his own free will. If he doesn't want to return, Suna can't make him."

"Maybe not. But Suna can absolutely refuse to sign your treaty. You've pissed them off, and there's not going to be a way to luck yourself out of this. What you need to figure out is what to give them that's worth more than Gaara's life, and that's a big life you're gambling with. And right now, Konoha is stuck in the middle. We're allied with Suna, currently, but also tied onto this pact. If Suna doesn't sign on, that screws us over too. Do you think Suna is going to stay aligned to someone who supports the theft of their Jinchuuriki?" Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "If you, and I mean you, don't sort this out...it could mean war."

Sakura swallowed. She hadn't considered yet how Suna would react to the pact. She hadn't really been considering Suna at all. And not only that...she could be putting her home in jeopardy if she failed.

Out of habit, her hand went up to touch her amulet. She'd gotten lucky before. This time...this time everything was on her.

But something is looking after me. Something I don't understand yet. Something that...didn't want me to suffer Itachi's Sharingan.

Things didn't happen for no reason. Something saved her, and she wasn't going to be saved just to fail at the next step.

"I understand, Jiraiya." Sakura replied. "I will take care with my interactions with Suna, and I will do my best to ensure a satisfactory conclusion for all involved."

"...well, you listen a bit better than Naruto does, at least." Jiraiya seemed less tense with her proclamation. "And for all our sakes, I hope your luck holds out." He stood up, pocketing her scroll again as he did. "Also...don't think I haven't noticed that amulet of yours. It seems rather similar to the one you described our Akatsuki friend wearing."

Sakura flushed at this. "...h-he gave it to me. As I mentioned in the report, there seems to be a group that venerates the same god, and this amulet is their symbol. If I wear it, it's possible I'll be able to approach them and learn more about Hidan's abilities."

Jiraiya chuckled at this. "Well, you've certainly planned things out. But keep this in mind, alright?" He met her eyes, and Sakura felt a twinge of fear as the man stared her down. "If I think you're going to do anything that threatens Konoha, either through this treaty or anything else, I won't hesitate. Even against a kid like you."

"...I know you won't, Jiraiya sir."

Sakura stayed close to Gaara and Sai after that. What had once felt like a relieving trip home now felt like she was walking into a web of trip wire. One wrong move could start a war. One wrong move could lead to Sai's death, or even her own. One wrong move and everything fell apart.

She spent her time trying to distract herself. She almost felt jealous seeing Naruto interact with the InoShikaCho trio, but in the same thought she felt an overwhelming joy for Naruto. Team Seven...she had deluded herself into thinking that Team Seven had camaraderie, but it was nothing compared to what Naruto had found here. Even sullen Shikamaru seemed drawn to Naruto's energy, and the team seemed to gravitate around him, no matter the context. Sakura didn't miss that Ino seemed to always be looking Naruto's way, even when he wasn't paying attention to her. Did Ino still think about Sasuke, she wondered, or perhaps…

Naruto had grown several inches since she'd seen him last, and while his outfit still held traces of his favorite obnoxious orange, he'd since traded in for something a bit more battle practical. His longer coat reminded her a bit of Tsunade's style, and Sakura saw now that he kept not just kunai, but medicinal pouches and scrolls on his person. And with his hair a bit more grown out, Sakura could definitely see his resemblance to the late Fourth Hokage.

Had Jiraiya told him of his heritage yet? Sakura wasn't sure, but she did know that Naruto would know about his birthright before she had to leave Konoha again, even if she had to tell him herself.

Regardless, Naruto wasn't exactly a boy anymore. He was a teenager in full now, and though at times he appeared a bit too gangly for his own body to sort out, he was still growing up. They all were.

Eventually, around midday of their sixth day of travel from Taki, they reached the Konoha gates.

Sakura saw familiar shinobi, patrolling, manning the gates...and while they put on a pleasant air, Sakura couldn't help but notice that their smiles faltered when they saw her. Even more painful to witness was the old team that Tsunade had assigned her to, back before she'd left the village. They didn't even bother hiding their contempt.

Traitor indeed. Jiraiya had been right. Being here wasn't going to be pleasant. Konoha was a village known for its bonds, and she had broken them. Even if it was for a good cause…

Sakura felt herself inching even closer to Gaara as they walked to the Hokage's tower. No one would attack her while she was here, she was certain of that, but Sakura still couldn't help but be afraid.

Shibuki went to speak with Tsunade first, and for that Sakura was grateful. It was a small delay for her to gather her inner strength for facing the Hokage. Kakashi would be with her, and that was a comfort as well, but Jiraiya had said it himself: Tsunade only tolerated her now because she was more useful as she was than a dead missing-nin.

Eventually, the time came, and with a shaky breath Sakura made her way into the Hokage's office.

"Sakura Haruno."

"Lady Tsunade."

Sakura made sure to bow in the Hokage's presence. Respect here was paramount. "Thank you for receiving me, and for the esc-"

"Oh, cut the crap, Haruno, and sit down."

Sakura flinched, but quickly sat. Tsunade didn't look angry, per say, but she didn't exactly look pleased to see her either. For a moment, the two sat in silence. Gaara took a place at her side, but Sai stayed in the shadows by the wall, looking as though he'd rather not be seen.

And then, finally, Tsunade spoke.

"I suppose it'd be hypocritical of me to be angry with you."

"N-no, no, I think you're well within your right."

"I was twenty-five when I left Konoha, Haruno. A several decade sabbatical, one that was definitely not approved by the Hokage at the time. But whereas I went and drank and gambled myself into obscurity, you left and somehow convinced Iwa and Taki that inter-village relations might be worth pursuing. I'm angry, Haruno, but I can't stay angry. Not yet, anyway. If you leaving the village means never having to have another war again, then as far as I'm concerned, you're the best shinobi to ever leave this place. But…"

"But we're not there yet." Sakura finished for her.

"But we're not there yet." Tsunade agreed. "And because we're not there yet, I can make sure you know what a foolishly lucky idiot you've been, running off on your own. You are a child. This responsibility should not be on your shoulders."

"But the responsibility of being a genin can be?" Sakura countered. "Kakashi was a jounin at my age, Lady Tsunade-"

"And it wasn't right."

Sakura blinked. This...wasn't the direction she'd expected this conversation to go.

"I'll support your treaty, Haruno. I'll sign it in full, myself, now that you're here. But I will only continue to support you on two conditions."

Sakura hastily pulled out a scroll to write. Conditions, of course, conditions…

"The first is that you will work to an an inter-village agreement that all future genin must be eighteen years or older before allowing to participate in war activities or any mission rank above D."

Eighteen? It seemed so old, considering that she'd been a genin for two whole years now. "Why eighteen specifically?" She asked. "Why not seventeen or nineteen?"

"Because I have sufficient evidence through my years of medical study and my work with the Yamanaka's on psychology that one's brain continues to develop long into one's twenties. But around the age of eighteen, most begin to learn the maturity needed to properly approach higher ranked mission. It is my belief that allowing our children more time to grow and develop will lead to lower mortality rates in both war and peacetime, as well as better stability in shinobi that survive to later adulthood." Tsunade leaned forward, looking more serious than Sakura had ever seen her. "I'm tired seeing children being broken by war, Haruno. I'm tired and I'm done. Whether or not this is implemented into your pact, I will be moving to implement it here. My soldiers won't be children. My soldiers won't fight children. If you push for this, you will have my full support."

Sakura could be sympathetic to the thought. Convincing the other villages, however…

"Well, Lady Tsunade, through the tenants of the pact, we can put forth motions to be added as addendums. However, these addendums must be agreed upon through popular vote. You talked about having sufficient evidence, so I would recommend putting this evidence together so that we can present it to the other Kage. However, with that in mind…" Sakura met Tsunade's gaze, determined. "I will put forth this proposal yearly until the other villages comply and allow the amendment to be added."

"Good." Tsunade nodded. "And now for my second condition."

"Right…"

"I want you to establish a medical division among your ambassadors, Haruno. And I want this medical division to compile knowledge from every country to be publicly available to anyone who requires it."

"Oh." Sakura felt relief. This request...this was easier. "Well, while I cannot force any village to share medical knowledge with me, I can still meet this requirement without much hassle. Until I have more ambassadors to fully dedicate to the role, I can take on this request personally and start a repository for any knowledge you are willing to share. I will make it known that anyone who approaches me will have free access to it."

"I find that acceptable." Tsunade replied. "Give that pact over, I'll get the damn thing signed. If you're going to start a fire, Haruno, we'd better make it a big one."

Sakura didn't stay with Tsunade for much longer. She was tired from the journey, and more importantly had somewhere important to go before she addressed anything else.

"Stay close to Gaara and me." She warned Sai as they walked. "Actually, I think it's best if you don't leave our view while we're here, okay? I'm a bit worried."

"Only a bit?" Sai retorted. "You might be underestimating the situation."

Sakura stuck her tongue out before continuing to walk. "Listen, everything you're worried about right now isn't going to even compare to what we're about to walk into. So please, Sai, try not to say anything that will get you killed. In fact, just let me do most of the talking, alright?"

"...and what are we about to walk into?"

"Well." Sakura swallowed, turning a familiar corner until a certain house was in sight. It was achingly familiar, and Sakura had never been more nervous, even when facing down Kage.

"This is my house." Sakura told them. "And the two of you are about to meet my mom and dad."