Author's Note: Sorry everyone! I haven't forgotten about the story or you guys. I've just been under so much stress with my relationship (almost broke up), try to find a job and some other stuff to the point I was running on a total of eight hours of sleep for three days x.x , but I made sure to keep adding to the story until I was able to update. It will not be the best but I tried to do a little something before the wedding chapter. As always thanks for the support of my story! :)


Hashirama couldn't stop smiling, and laughing to himself. At the moment he was trying to find a way to ignore Tobirama's questions as to why he was so happy, luckily he had a short Uzumaki pestering the man. He wanted to say more to Sakura but did not think it would be the right time. The Senju was no fool and knew exactly why Madara brought him along last night when he saw Sakura. Hashirama was just very good at acting clueless... since it was expected of him.

He was not sure just how well the two would match up, given the situation. But then again he had never though Madara to take interest in a woman. And of all women to take an interest in it had to be Sakura. The way she would react was the only thing that worried him. It would be hard for her to even find a significant other if she did at all but for it to be Madara, well that would be out of the question.

But with the way she was it made it hard for him to imagine how she would react. If she reacted the wrong way or ended up saying or doing something wrong, Madara would surely begin to go back to his old self. To the angry, hateful and revenge seeking Uchiha he ended up as. Hashirama wanted nothing more than to keep his village safe with his friend by his side. Heartbreak to that degree would make things worse in his opinion.

Those thoughts were why he was trying to give her a little push emotionally, to try to get her to accept him in some way. It was wrong to be doing what he was, practically manipulating the situation but it was for the future. He could have just told her what he expected and asked her to just give in. After a good punch, more so a possible near death experience, she would think on it. He didn't want her to feel forced just to save the future. He wanted her to be able to do what she needed and still be happy.

With a sigh, he looked over to Tobirama and Miyo. He couldn't help but stop for a second in complete shock, speechless. He was wondering why the were no longer arguing but did not expect to see him giving her a piggyback ride...willingly while holding a conversation. Especially after what she pulled the other day. No one really knew this girl before Sakura took her in. Which for a moment made Hashirama wonder, what happened to Miyo in the other timeline?


Sakura washed her hands from the blood, thankful the emergency surgery was a success. She had very few patients in her life that needed surgery to that degree. It ended up being exhausting. But she got the man through and was able to give some information to the team that headed out to find out what happen. She dried her hands and left the room, heading back to her office to finish paperwork.

She was starting to understand why Tsunade never got anything done. There was just so much crap piling up and barely anytime to get to it with every little problem coming her way. She sat down, leaned back in the chair and sighed. She was stressed beyond belief, but that was because it was only a couple days away from the wedding, Uzashi has been having terrible mood swings and she hasn't been able to talk to anyone since breakfast the other morning.

Sakura sat up straight and began to go over everything. It took a few hours but she was able to go through most of it, finish putting records together and filing them. She walked out of her office and went down the halls, until she spotted Miyo running. She was about to yell when she saw Madara round the corner, instantly understanding why the girl was running for her life. She quickly grabbed the collar of her shirt, even though Miyo tried to dodge Sakura as she ran, and yanked her back.

"What did you do this time?" she asked, looking down at her.

"Nothing," Miyo answered with swiftness. Sakura immediately looked over to Madara.

"She's insulting," he snapped, putting a hand on his hip.

"Hah," Miyo simply stuck out her tongue like a brat. In return Sakura brushed her finger over it, causing Miyo to freak and start spitting.

"Clean your spit up when your done," she said walking down the hall.

"That is disgusting," Madara commented, walking beside her.

"It's what she gets," Sakura replied, wiping her finger on her outfit. It needed washing anyway.

"Aren't you worried about germs and diseases you might get. Or give her?" he asked with his arms crossed.

"Iie. I have no worries when it comes to Miyo. Besides, I know what I touch and I sanitize more than anyone. For good reason," she smiled in response.

"Are you busy?" he asked after a moment.

"Not really. I did all I can do today and I only have less than an hour here with nothing to do when I get home. Why?"

"Curiosity. Perhaps we can take a walk when you are finished," he suggested. Sakura thought of the idea for a second, she didn't want to go home after she got off since Uzashi, who was still being a prick, would probably be hanging around.

"Sure. I probably need some time to relax," she smiled.

They exited the Hospital as Sakura said her goodbyes to the staff before they began to walk. They held a simple conversation, as Sakura seemed to have a hard time concentrating. She tried to pay attention but her mind was blanking when it came to answering a question or focus on talking. Every time she started to talk about something she would have to stop for a minute just to get her mind back on track.

"Sakura-chan, are you okay?" he asked while stopping, concerned.

"Yeah. What was I saying?" she asked, rubbing her head. It was beyond embarrassing, considering in an hour this would be the third time she asked.

"You were complaining about Inomi and Miyo. The usual," he joked.

"Oh right," she laughed. "The two have been getting into so much trouble. I am ready to just tell Uzashi and Miyo to go home before the wedding."

"Less than a week. Then you have no more problems," he half told her and himself. The sooner Uzashi was gone the quicker Sakura would be able to focus and Madara could finally do what he wanted without worrying about the annoying redhead getting in his way. "What exactly could those two possibly do to cause trouble?"

"Ano..." Sakura started, trying to think of an answer without giving away the secret mission. "Miyo likes to annoy people and has chosen Tobirama as we all know. Lately the two have been working together on that."

"Oh of course. The one thing that gives me pleasure in seeing," he smirked. Even though she annoyed him to no end, that fact that Miyo annoyed Tobirama even more made him feel good inside. It was almost worth dealing with the little girl sometimes.

Sakura stopped when when they were passing by the Academy. Inomi had actually starting going for her training to become a strong Shinobi. It was a relief and she was thankful for Miyo giving the girl a push. The two had a rivalry that reminded her of the way she and Ino would always pushed themselves to be better than the other, when it didn't come to Sasuke of course. Unfortunately times like this got to her emotionally.

"Are you okay?" Madara asked with concern, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Just thinking about some things," she said letting out a sigh.

"You need to relax," her said lowering his hand to grab hers, pulling her with him.


He dragged her to a small tea shop to sit and talk. Both nodded to the woman who served the tea, though Sakura had to hold back a growl at the way she smiled at Madara. She didn't know why but it made her stomach turn. She grabbed her tea, sipping at it to distract herself as the woman went by. Her eyes following to make sure she didn't look back at them. Sakura focused her attention on Madara, who had a slightly confused look.

"What's with the nasty glare?" he asked.

"No reason," she replied with a smile.

"You need to try to relax more often. It is like you have been overworking yourself," he told her honestly.

She sighed, knowing the truth. She did have a good time with her friends lately but in the pit of her gut she felt as if something was wrong. Madara had obvious concern for her, which made things worse. Since her conversation with Hashirama, she started to think about everything that had happened before she was sent back. It was as if more and more reminders of her original time popped up and started to get to her emotionally.

And the fact that Hashirama was like Naruto to her caused even more pain. But the worse was thinking of Madara being so similar to Sasuke in the beginning. Though there are many differences and for some reason it was a good thing. But also a bad thing. Her feelings began to stir and she wanted nothing more than to be able to repress them. The last thing she wanted in life was to start crushing on her enemy. That's all he would ever be.

"Sakura-chan, what is really wrong? No matter what you say or do it is as if you can never be happy," he said truthfully, tapping his finger on the table.

"I... I don't want to talk about it. There is no point in talking about," she sighed with aggravation.

"You honestly do not need to know," she thought.

"Then what can I do to help. It is one thing to try to avoid people and try to pretend but I can see you are exhausted, worried and lately confused. You have dark circles under your eyes from it all," he said with a stern tone, arm folded in front of his chest.

"Not my fault I can't sleep properly," she snapped in her head.

"I just need time for myself. Between keeping up with Hashirama and Uzashi, making sure the Hospital runs smoothly, Miyo causing trouble and having people tell me to get out and have a life, I am starting to wonder if I even have a chance to..." she stopped herself before finishing.

"To what?"

"Be happy," she answered in her mind while gripping her cup with both hands.

"Sakura-chan?" he asked, stretching his hands across the table to overlap hers.

She looked up at him, unsure what to do. Before she could speak they both turned to the scoff that came from beside the table to see Uzashi standing there, eyebrows knitted and detest in his eyes. Madara glared, as if ready to respond to any remark the Uzumaki had to say. Sakura already could tell this was going to end up like the other night if they did not leave. She quickly grabbed her money and paid before grabbing them by their sleeves and rushing out.

"Do not do this again Uzashi, I am warning you now," she threatened. He opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself.

"I just came to inform you that Mito-sama has been looking for you," he said crossing his arms.

"Oh sure, that's the only reason YOU found us," Madara commented.

"She needs to see you, Sakura-chan, immediately. I am only doing what Mito-sama had asked," he said clicking his tongue.

At this point Madara was infuriated. He knew Uzashi interrupted on purpose. He could tell Sakura was about ready to scream and cry out in frustration like she had the other night. He wanted to hold back for her sake but the way Uzashi had said that simple sentence made him angry.

"Do you think I am really that stupid, boy? If she was looking for her she would have found her. Mito-san is a sensor and given her personality and such, no matter what she was doing or who she was with Mito-san would make sure she got to Sakura-chan on her own if it was a rushed situation. If it was a suggestion to want to see her then someone like you would get the idea to interrupt us on purpose," Madara ranted.

"Why would I do that?" he asked with an arrogant attitude.

"Because we all know that you cannot stand me and possibly hate my very existence," he replied crossing his arms.

"Damn right I do," Uzashi said through his teeth, getting up in Madara's face.

"For the record, the feeling is mutual."

"Damare!" Sakura shouted, both immediately turning to her. She couldn't hold back the tears of frustration and anger any longer. "I am sick and tired of you two fighting. For the rest of the time you are here, stay away from Madara," she directed at Uzashi. "And stay away from Uzashi. And then both of you stay away from me!"

With that being said she stormed off, wiping the tears from her cheeks. It would make things easier once Uzashi left. It also gave her an excuse to stay away from Madara for a while until she could get her head on straight. She was overly emotional and just needed time away from certain people to hopefully get things cleared up. It was not to long before the wedding and once it ended she would never have to worry about the two, at least not any time soon.


Quick Note: Miyo's story is up as well :)