Regression

They stumble across a section that talked about crossbreeding with Earthlings. Jor-El, Clark's birth father, had stated it was possible with no harmful side effects possible for the child conceived. It was part of the reason he sent Clark to Earth in the first place, to make sure a part of their history continued on.

Sakura wasn't exactly from Earth. Yes, it was possible for her to travel from Konoha to Earth but she was certain that Jor-El didn't know about her people. How could he? They were adept at keeping themselves hidden. Clark was the first outsider to ever come to one of the Five Shinobi Nations. Diana was the second and Barry would be the last. So she didn't know what this meant for them, for Conner.

Conner was still asleep and Sakura didn't want to wake him.

"We can stay here tonight and return tomorrow. I'll put him in bed." Sakura nodded at Clark and watched as he gently lifted Conner into his arms and strode away. When she could see the pair no longer she closed her eyes and let out a deep breath in order to stave off panic. Conner needed to make a decision and she was doing her best not to rush him because she was afraid of what he'd choose. But she couldn't keep putting off the conversation because his life was literally on the line.

She heard Clark come back and sit down at her side but she didn't bother opening her eyes. She didn't know what she expected him to say but if she'd had expectations they'd had been wrong. He remained silent until morning.

:::

When Conner awakened the next morning he called for them. Clark had immediately informed Sakura and they rushed to the room he was resting in. He had sat up in the bed and Sakura sat at his side within easy reach just in case he needed her. Clark remained standing. That bothered Sakura for reasons she didn't understand but she dismissed it when Conner started talking.

"I'm going to agree to the age regression." Sakura choked back a sob and reached for Conner's hand. He let her take it and squeezed lightly. "I trust you. I know you'll protect me." Sakura opened her mouth to assure him but Conner shook his head. "I don't want to give up my life, my friends, M'gann." Sakura thought that was a plus but didn't say so. She didn't have to she had a feeling, given Conner's narrowed eyes, that he could see it all over her face. "I don't want to forget them."

Sakura sighed. "I don't want you to, but don't you think it would be a little much if you retained the memories of them while trying to grow up again? Wouldn't it frustrate you?"

"I don't want to forget them." Conner reiterated.

"Remembering them will make it harder to adjust to your circumstances." The words came from Clark and Sakura was glad he agreed with her. Then he proved her wrong. "But deliberately forgetting them and all they've done for you would be disrespectful." Sakura scowled. "But maybe your mother's people can come up with a compromise."

Sakura blinked and felt relatively stunned that Clark had a modicum of faith in her people. She ran a hand over her face when she realized that yes, they could come up with a compromise. "I have a friend. Your Aunt Ino. You haven't met her yet but let me talk to her and my Master and maybe we can."

Conner gave her a small smile. "Let's go home then," Sakura said eager to get to work.

:::

Ino immediately told Sakura that suppressing Conner's memories would be an easy thing. The jutsu would dispel on its own when he really turned sixteen. Conner reluctantly agreed to that after Sakura said she wouldn't stop his friends from being a part of his life as he grew up once again.

Where he would live was also thrown to debate. Conner wanted Sakura to move to Metropolis. Clark wanted that too but Sakura wasn't willing to play that game. She hadn't had the chance to talk to Barry. What she wanted was for the two of them to compromise and move back and forth between Central City and Konoha. They could be their own variation of snowbirds.

She couldn't make an on the spot decision without talking to her partner first. She told both of them that she was willing to do something that would work for them all but they shouldn't postpone Conner's treatment to wait on that. Both men had agreed.

Tsunade performed her age regression jutsu and Ino suppressed Conner's memories and Sakura was left with a two-year-old son who's gummy smile melted her heart into pieces. She found her own place to stay separate from Naruto and Sasuke. Neither man had been happy with that, especially since Conner was so small but Sakura knew she needed to create a respectful distance between her and the two men—or Sasuke was only going to get worse. Especially since children loved him—and Conner was no exception to Sakura's surprise.

Barry agreed with Sakura on traveling back and forth to Konoha. He made some type of agreement with Batman and a few other heroes to keep an eye on his city and contact him if he was needed because if anyone could travel back and forth with no problem it was the Flash.

Sakura and Clark shared custody of Conner. Until Conner grew older summers belonged to Clark. Sakura took that opportunity to stay in her village and if she was needed for longer missions then she took them. Barry hated that. And if she were out on a mission he typically stayed in Central City until she returned. That is until he made friends in Konoha. Sakura was shocked at the friendship that developed between Barry and Rock Lee, but they were good for each other. Sakura also appreciated that one of her friends made the effort to include Barry.

The rest of the time they divided based upon their schedules. It worked out well for them all and they were generally happy raising Conner.

And then Sakura's world went up in flames.