Unfortunately despite Sakura's wishes Rasa called her into his office again six days later as the negotiations were wrapping up "You must think of me as the most evil bastard to walk this planet right" Rasa said when she entered his office.
But kept herself far away from him, though her eyes widened "Well I don't think your necessarily evil, your trying to make amends after all and believe me I can think of someone way worse" Sakura spoke quietly.
"Orochimaru right….come here Sakura-san" Rasa sighed, gesturing her over to him, Sakura clearly didn't trust him not to try something again as she stood rooted to her spot by the door "I'll come to you then" Rasa sighed again.
Rising and slowly walking over to her by the time he was stood before her she was rigid, hand on the doorknob prepared to bolt at a split seconds notice "I've done a lot of terrible things over my life most of which I'm not overly proud of" the Kazekage began.
"That is why, should you find yourself in a situation after depleting every other option, use this, it is some of my gold dust and will bring you and whoever is with you to safety, use it wisely Sakura-san the technique can only be performed once" Rasa held out a medium sized guard.
Sakura took it with shaking hands "So I just channel my chakra into it or something" the pinkette asked, relaxing as he backed away from her, proving that he wasn't going to try anything funny this time.
He nodded and dismissed her with a wave of his hand as she headed back to the hotel "You sure visit my Father a lot don't you Haruno" then suddenly Temari was walking leisurely a long at her side on the way to the hotel.
"Only when he calls me into his office Temari-san, I don't make it a habit to pester Kage when their working like Naruto's fond of doing with Hokage-sama" Sakura announced, still trying to break the blondes habit for calling the Hokage old man all the time.
Temari sighed "Look I'm not proud of what we did, and all I'm asking for is a chance to prove I'm better than that, damn it what I'm saying is that I would like to be your friend" Temari ranted obviously not use to playing nice with people.
"Friends, you know I think I'd like that, Anko's more of a big sister and it's really awkward talking with her sometimes so it would be nice to have a female friend, my first one" Sakura nodded, smiling up at the blonde.
Who furrowed her brow "You being serious, you don't have any female friends back in your village" Temari asked, glad the younger kunoichi had accepted her request for them to be friends, Sakura would be her first female friend to.
She nodded sadly this time "Unfortunately most of my own gender hates me, it's been that way since I was little and being an orphan didn't get me any favors either" Sakura admitted, Temari grimaced in response.
They chatted for awhile longer before Sakura headed into the inn she and the others had been staying in, the next morning on their last day in Sunagakure, a scout rushed into the village, running as if the hounds of hell were nipping at his heels.
"Lord Kazekage a massive group of bandits are heading straight for the village, they'll be here in two hours and most shinobi are out of the village trying to collect bounties on your command, what's worse it seems they have a hostage with them" the man informed.
Breathing heavily from his mad dash across the village "Where are those four, they did say they were staying this last day correct, FIND THEM" Rasa demanded, hoping that the Leaf Shinobi would help them when they needed it.
Twenty minutes later Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru and Sakura bustled into his office "You called for us Kazekage-sama" Shikamaru inquired, wondering what was going on, this was their last day and he had wanted to spend it being utterly lazy.
"Massive group of bandits, will be here in approximately an hour and forty minutes, as I have sent most of my shinobi out hunting for bounties we don't have the manpower to fight and it's also a hostage type situation" the Kazekage explained.
Shikamaru frowned "Y….ouch Sakura the hell did you stomp on my foot for" Sasuke was the one to open his mouth only to have Sakura grind her heel into his foot to curb his desire to say something that probably wouldn't be nice.
His mouth snapped shut when Sakura shot him a look "What's the plan" Naruto sighed, knowing that Sakura was going to accept anyway, she was all noble like that after all and there was no way in hell he was going to argue with her.
"Thank you Naruto…..shadow clones lots of them…stick close to Sasuke, cast your genjutsu, amplify it with your sharingan Sasuke..Shikamaru you'll be with me, we'll rescue the captive by coming up underneath the ground using subterranean voyage" Sakura declared.
Gears turning as she thought up a plan on the spot "What an utterly terrifying girl" Sasuke muttered under his breath, Sakura shot him a saccharine sweet smile in response and patted his cheek with a light giggle.
"And don't you forget it, so is anyone else coming with us" Sakura questioned looking around the office, she'd help of course but she wasn't going to do all the work, Rasa stood and two his children stepped forward.
Indicating that they'd be coming along as well 'Just to warn you daughter, the person your about to meet is someone I brought back from beyond the grave, you deserve it for all the hard work you've been doing lately' Jashin informed suddenly.
Sakura nearly tripped "Careful, we don't need you knocking yourself out before the fight even begins" Shikamaru caught her arm before she face planted in the door, confused because Sakura wasn't clumsy in the slightest.
She laughed sheepishly "Accidents happen, haha, come one we don't want to let these bandits any where near the village" Sakura cleared her throat avoiding the stares from Naruto and Sasuke who knew why she'd act so uncharacteristic all of a sudden.
Inwardly she promised to tell them later as the seven of them headed out of the village to intercept the large group of bandits "There's kami so many of them at least fifty" Naruto said when they got closer, sensing the amount of people headed their way.
"Fifty…that's insane are you sure…..third eye" Rasa echoed dubiously before sending his third eye to scope out the situation when the boy nodded "Seems you were right, and the hostage, he looks a lot like you Naruto-san" the Kazekage commented.
Naruto's features twisted in confusion "Must just be coincidence, think nothing of it Naruto" Sasuke soothed because everyone knew that Naruto's parents had sacrificed themselves to seal away the nine tails into him.
Oblivious to Sakura's inner turmoil "Can he be retrieved without issue that is the question" Temari inquired, readying herself for a fight and glad that Sakura was on their side this time, she was sure the pinkette hadn't showed off all her skills.
So it would be a sight to see she was certain "If it's timed right yes" Rasa nodded, seeing the bandits getting closer to their position so he relented with his third eye and prepared his gold dust, intent on protecting his village properly this time.
Ten minutes later Sakura made a clone then with Shikamaru and a Sasuke clone disappeared from sight "Damn I didn't think we'd be met with the Kazekage and a bunch of brats…hand over Sakura Haruno or we'll kill this fellow" the lead bandit said.
When they came into view fifteen minutes after Sakura had hidden herself "What do you want with her" Gaara intoned in that gravely voice of his, inwardly thinking that perhaps Sakura had it right and they were in more danger being outside Konohagakure than inside it.
"Someones going to pay us a lot of money to bring him the girl, even said we could have fun with her on the way to how did he put it to make her submissive to his orders, since she's refused him twice now" the lead bandit informed.
Naruto and Sasuke instantly knew who he was talking about "Like hell we'll let you take off with Sakura nor will we let that bastard put his disgusting hands on her or you for that matter" Sasuke sneered, activating his sharingan.
Right as Naruto made the hand sign for the multi-shadow clone jutsu, creating over a hundred clones this time "Eh….ehhhhh" Temari gaped in shock when the sea of orange clones rushed the bandits.
The real one hanging back to prepare his genjutsu on a large scale "Don't gape it's unattractive Temari" Rasa scolded, crushing a few bandits with his gold dust as Gaara did the same with his sand.
His daughter shook her head and waved her fan casting a wind jutsu "Genjutsu's ready, Ninja Art: Black Dream Jutsu" Naruto announced after four minutes of molding his chakra properly and after weaving the hand signs flung his hands out.
Ensnaring the bandits in his illusion "Sharingan" Sasuke flashed his dojutsu, amplifying the genjutsu so it caught all the enemy, just then they heard a familiar jutsu being used as Sakura secured the hostage.
Disappearing under ground again though her clone had already been taken out "Hey this guy really does look like Naruto" Shikamaru noted once the hostage was safe "Your going to fight aren't you" the Nara heir asked.
When she made a couple of clones and prepared to join the fray "Can't leave all the fighting to those two, we're a team after all, by the way you might want to start heading towards the village" Sakura smiled, emerging to find most of the bandits had released themselves from Naruto's illusion.
No matter when she was finished they wouldn't want to mess with her again "Idiot what are you doing out here, these guys are after you" Sasuke scowled when she showed up in front of him, and she dared to roll her eyes at him.
"To fight of course, so throw me, up" Sakura snorted, pointing at the sky, while kicking a bandit in the chest as he tried to sneak up on her "Oh for Ja…..fucks sake Sasuke, throw me in the air you prat" Sakura snapped when he stared at her in confusion.
Right as Sasuke was moving to do as she asked Rasa gripped her and tossed her upwards "You should feel lucky she didn't deck you Sasuke, by the way I suggest we move, this area is about to be destroyed" Naruto suggested.
Already backpedaling to get out of range as Sakura aimed herself at the ground, arm cocked back, at the last moment right before impact she thrust her fist forward "Doton: Earth Stitching Jutsu" the pinkette sped through hand seals.
Flipping backwards after destroying the ground with her chakra enhanced punch then placed her hands neatly on the ground, the earth stitched together like she was healing a wound and the few bandits who'd avoided her attack were quickly crushed by Gaara.
"Well that was rather anticlimactic" Gaara rumbled out, having expected the bandits would put up more of a fight, he highly doubted the bandits had been prepared to face Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura though.
All of them were dangerous especially when they teamed up together "Indeed, I see now why Hiruzen pushed their promotion to Chunin ahead of schedule" Rasa nodded, avoiding thinking about how he could have ended up just like those bandits if he was less of a man.
They were just turning to head back to the village when a chime rang out from behind them and Sakura dropped, clutching her head "Heh seems he was telling the truth, you do have a weakness, nobody move unless you want her to die from brain damage" a hidden enemy revealed himself.
Continually ringing the chime in his hand having heard from his contractor that the girl couldn't handle an attack on her senses like this, Naruto and Sasuke paled, watching as the rogue ninja slowly approached Sakura.
Keeping up with his assault on her head until he was within range, he was just bending when Sakura started laughing "Fooled ya, Cha, Shannaro" she slammed her fist into his chin sending him flying with a crack that echoed loudly in their ears.
"Sakura-chan what the hell was that" Naruto was the first one to her when the rogue didn't get back up again and she slid to her knees, pressing a glowing green hand to her head, obviously whatever had been done had really hurt her.
She curled her lip "That Naruto was an attack on my hearing, I'll admit the first one hurt like hell but I didn't spend a freaking month learning how to protect myself from such an attack to waste the training even though I didn't even need it" Sakura announced.
Naruto winced "Is that why you said to never leave you alone with Anko-sensei ever again for a month" Naruto asked helping her onto her feet again once the green glow around her hand faded, after checking to make sure there were no more idiots hiding.
They finally started towards Sand without interruption this time "Ouch and here I thought you liked that crazy insane lady, didn't you say she was like your big sister or something" Temari sidled up to Sakura with a laugh falling from her lips.
"I do, I did, but I don't ever want to train under her again, she's sadistic" Sakura shuddered and rubbed her arms, looking about as if she expected Anko to randomly show up and sic her snakes on her or something.
"Such a strange child" Rasa shook his head, not sure he would ever understand Sakura Haruno who was as complex as they come apparently, though he did have to wonder how she turned out like that in the first place.
Beside him Gaara nodded "Sakura-san we need you in the hospital, the hostage is in quite the injured state, life threatening Lady Chiyo said and I know you healed Hayate Gekkou from the deadly wound I inflicted up him" Baki appeared before them suddenly.
Sakura was gone from the group in the next moment "She's going to be exhausted tomorrow" Sasuke sighed, rubbing his eyes and already exhausted himself as this mission finally wore down him and he couldn't wait to get back home.
Meanwhile at the hospital Sakura was healing the unconscious blonde 'I suppose he returned back to life damaged, my apologies daughter' Jashin said from her subconscious, he wasn't use to bartering with the blasted Shinigami for souls he'd collected as payment for using his seal.
She shook her head inwardly at him 'No it's alright, this is nothing compared to Hayate-sensei's wound' Sakura assured, finishing up in record time, just as the man's eyes snapped open, ocean blue met viridian.
"Well hello there, don't suppose you could tell me where I am, you see I woke up from a long nap and then this bunch jumped me when I was unable to fight back due to my injuries, I'm sure I died though so I don't know how I'm alive" the blonde asked.
Mumbling as he tried to make sense of his now alive status "Uh Hidden Sand, and I couldn't tell you, I healed you though so you don't have to worry about your injury anymore, so who are you" Sakura informed.
Hating that she had to lie "My name is Minato Namikaze, you know I had a daughter, adopted though, who had pink hair, your name wouldn't happen to be Sakura would it" Minato smiled at the girl kindly.
Who nodded her head "Yes, that's my name, Sakura Haruno, though I suppose you would know me as Sakura Uzumaki and that's not all Naru….." Sakura flashed him a blinding smile, chattering all the while.
Then suddenly she went pale and fell forward "Ahhh Sakura-san" an unfamiliar shinobi caught her before she could hit the floor "Guess she did to much, apologies I'm Baki, if you'd like since your all healed you can follow me to the hotel so she can rest comfortably" Baki offered.
After introducing himself "Here I'll carry her" Minato held out his arms, not going to take no for an answer so Baki carefully passed Sakura over to him until she was cradled tenderly against his chest no longer that small toddler he remembered.
He had to adjust her a bit and then Minato was following Baki from Sunagakure's Hospital to the inn Sakura was staying at while she was there in the Hidden Sand Village "Your awake and Sakura's not, what happened" a boy rushed towards him.
The moment they entered the hotel lobby, if Minato wasn't wrong the boy was a Nara, possibly Shikaku's son "She pushed herself if I'm not wrong, I don't think you have to worry though, Sakura-san will be awake in a few hours I'm sure" Baki explained.
Prompting a long suffering sigh from Shikamaru "Come on those two brainiacs are out wandering so I'll show you to her room here, Shikamaru Nara by the way" Shikamaru introduced himself to the blonde as he led the way down the hall.
However when he tried to open the door he received quite the shock and he meant that literally "Apparently you weren't listening when Sakura told you she put a seal on the door filled with lightning nature that shocks you" Sasuke snorted from behind him.
Exiting his room "I thought you were out wandering Sasuke and why the bloody he….." Shikamaru rounded on the Uchiha, working himself into a fit, Sakura sighed softly and Sasuke slapped a hand over his mouth.
"Do you want to wake her, no then be quiet…anyway luckily for you I can undo the seal" Sasuke hissed knowing that Sakura deserved all the rest in the world at the moment, she'd been working hard since the day they'd become genin actually.
And this was the first time he'd seen her so peaceful "Yes, please if you don't mind, and I'm Minato Namikaze" Minato nodded, watching curiously as Sasuke put his hand on the door and pulsed his chakra into it while twisting the knob.
The door swung open admitting them into Sakura's hotel room and he was quick to place her down on the bed so that she'd be more comfortable "Hey what are you all doing in Sakura-chan's room" a third person joined them in the room a moment later.
Minato turned to spy a person who was practically his clone "Naruto" Minato whispered, Sasuke's head snapped in his direction then back onto Naruto, understanding dawning on him as he looked between the two of them.
His mouth opened and closed for a few seconds before he shook his head, shooting Sakura an imperceptible look "Who are you" Naruto frowned, crossing his arms over his chest wary at best of the newcomer.
"Well it's hard to explain the details but in short I'm you Dad and Sakura here is your adopted sister" Minato announced, scratching the back of his head in confusion because he had no idea of how to explain his miraculous return to life.
Naruto didn't look very impressed "Yeah I already know that, but I know for a fact that my Dad is dead from sealing the nine tails in me so forgive me if I don't trust or believe you after someones already tried to impersonate my sensei" Naruto intoned dubiously.
Sasuke bit his lip harshly to keep from laughing "Knucklehead lets not have this argument here or do you want to have Sakura after you for waking her up" the Uchiha reminded that they were intruding on someones rest.
"Oh…right, Sakura-chan would be like a fire-breathing dragon and I really don't want to be smashed by her fist" the blonde flushed, scurrying from the room with the rest of them on his heels, missing the arrival of the Kazekage in Sakura's room.
As the door swung shut behind them "So…I know it's hard to believe and I can't really explain it either because all I know is that I woke up after all this time when I was sure I was dead and that's it" Minato explained when they were in Naruto and Sasuke's hotel room.
"Guess we'll just have to give you the benefit of doubt and trust you for now until we return to Leaf and a Yamanaka can look in your head to confirm the truth" Shikamaru shrugged, deciding there was no point in arguing.
Two hours later Sakura woke to find Rasa sat at her bedside in her hotel room "Kazekage-sama no offense but how did you get in here" Sakura questioned brow furrowed in confusion because she'd made sure not even the Kazekage could body flicker into the room.
"I walked through the door….was I not supposed to, I was sure those four noticed me coming in here, perhaps not though" Rasa lifted an auburn brow on the rosette who according to Baki had passed out after finishing healing the hostage.
Sakura shook her head lightly careful not to jar her head as a migraine pounded through her skull "Well the reason I was surprised is because I put a barrier around the room along with anti-transportation seals and on the door is a seal that shocks you" Sakura admitted.
"Seals, fuinjutsu, you know Baki mentioned something to that effect awhile back that the door to your apartment had something on it that shocked him quite thoroughly" Rasa mused remembering Baki saying something similar.
And the girl smiled "Yeah I remember that to, Baki-san looked extra crispy" the pinkette snickered softly under her breath not fully up to performing her usual antics what with having a migraine that was making her nauseous.
The corner of his mouth twitched in slight amusement before deciding on something "Does your barrier prevent chakra from escaping the room, if I shared my chakra with you since your obviously nearly depleted of chakra would others feel it" Rasa questioned.
Again she shook her head "The barrier is designed to keep others from feeling flares of chakra, say a training session outside your house so no, no one would feel the flaring of your chakra except me" Sakura said.
Wondering what the man was up to "Will you indulge me one last time" Rasa inquired, not making any sudden moves, he would leave it up to her this time, though he secretly enjoyed the way her face turned beet red as she understood his implications.
"There are other ways of sharing chakra" the rosette scowled to exhausted to really move around which would give him the opportunity to press himself on her again, which she didn't want at all, but she doubted he'd take her feelings into consideration.
Rasa nodded "Quite…..Sakura-san I have no intention of forcing you, it was a mere request, one I knew you wouldn't accept" the Kazekage admitted, remaining in the same spot as he'd been in when she'd first woken.
She stared at him dubiously for a moment 'Naughty child aren't you daughter of mine, you liked his attention' Jashin chuckled darkly from within her mind as she considered the Kazekage's request seriously for a girl her age.
A second later Rasa was very surprised "It's just to share chakra nothing more Kazekage-sama" Sakura crossed her arms, steeling herself for what was about to happen, he eyed her curiously then leaned down.
Crushing his mouth against hers, his chakra flowed into her like a piece of red hot candy, it burned her as her chakra reserves were re-filled, she jerked a bit when his tongue slithered into her mouth, one of his hands coming up to capture her chin and hold it in place.
As he explored her mouth before finally pulling away with a satisfied smirk curling his lips, hazel eyes alight with desire "I should feel lucky you aren't here to assassinate me, that would have been your chance just now" Rasa commented.
Sakura sat upright on the bed in response staring at him in horror "That's…not something you should joke about Kazekage-sama, I would never contemplate something like that, especially not after all the effort we put in to negotiate a reformed treaty" Sakura spat.
He'd obviously hit a nerve "What a compassionate child, even should I deserve being assassinated….I see, on that note I'd like to wish you safe travels on your way back to Leaf tomorrow, farewell" Rasa bowed his head.
Before heading over to the window and leaving that way, an hour after his departure Naruto and Sasuke entered her hotel room "Jashin" Sasuke asked, knowing there was no one else capable of bringing people back from beyond the grave that he could think of anyway.
"Jashin…..he said it was a reward for doing so well lately, though he hadn't intended on him coming back with the same injury he died from" Sakura nodded, pleased that she didn't have to go through the process of explaining.
Naruto's eyes rounded "You mean….he really is our Dad and I was rude to him, oh no….by the way this passing out thing isn't going to keep reoccurring is it" Naruto winced, before scowling at her because he'd been worried.
Sakura flinched "Probably Naruto…believe me though I'm pretty sick of fainting all the time myself but there's nothing I can do…oh there's one more thing I need to tell you two, Akatsuki is on the move" the pinkette informed.
Sasuke's expression darkened "How….that Hidan guy, he attacked you specifically to get you alone" Sasuke grimaced, it was good to know the only other immortal in existence was on their side apparently.
"Basically, yeah, and try not to uh get mad but their uh sending….Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki to Leaf in about a weeks time to kidnap Naruto" Sakura announced, passing along the message Hidan had given her.
The reaction was immediate Sasuke went rigid "Cool it Teme, we don't need you losing control and running off after your brother, your avengers crusade against him will only get you hurt" Naruto jabbed his elbow into Sasuke's side.
Reigning in Sasuke rather effectively and he flashed the both of them an apologetic smile, a second later there was a knock and Naruto opened the door to admit Minato into the room "Shikamaru-san is napping" Minato chuckled.
Glad that Sakura seemed to be doing well even if she was still sitting in the bed "Nothing new I guess, he's always been lazy" Sakura giggled to his amusement and he couldn't help ruffling her short hair, while wishing he'd gotten to be there while she was growing up.
"Hey Dad….I'm sorry about doubting you earlier, we've just been through a lot and it's been hard to trust new people coming into our lives" Naruto chimed in, with an apology towards the older blonde that was his Father.
Minato quirked a pale brow at the change in his demeanor "That's okay Naruto-kun, your allowed to be suspicious, in fact I'm proud of you for not outright believing me because you should never just trust what someone tells you as the truth" Minato assured.
Patting the boy on the head "Okay we need to talk about what to do with the elephant in the closet" Sasuke said suddenly, staring at Sakura who immediately understood what he was saying and rolled her eyes at him with a snort.
"Really Sasuke you couldn't have just said that we need to send a message back to Leaf ahead of time to let Hokage-sama know" Sakura deadpanned shaking her head at his attempt to act all cool and secretive about the whole situation they were in now.
Naruto burst out laughing when Sasuke flushed in answer "You're a bright one aren't you Sakura-chan…but yes do….Sakura-chan don't move, there are two black mamba's on the end of your bed" Minato chuckled before tensing at seeing the venomous serpents.
"Oh there you two are, Chishi, Chimei" Sakura held her arms out for the snakes and they slithered upwards to take their usual places upon her person "Don't worry their quite tame, fully trained as well to not bite people unless told to do so by me" Sakura assured.
When Minato shifted clearly uncomfortable before forcing himself to relax as nothing happened other than the two serpents settled and didn't move another muscle once they were in position "Me and Sasuke have green mamba's" Naruto added to his horror.
And was the one to get elbowed this time by Sasuke "Knucklehead your not helping him…but like Sakura's, ours are fully trained" Sasuke scolded the hyperactive blonde, Naruto blushed this time in embarrassment.
Until Minato ruffled his hair, knowing he would just have to accept the deadly serpents because he didn't know how long they'd had them "Anyway go ahead and write that message Sasuke, I'd like to get changed and then we can go to the messenger bird tower together" Sakura declared.
Intending on getting up, Sasuke was gone out the door a second later, Naruto and Minato following him at a slower pace, leaving Sakura to change into clean clothes that didn't reek of sweat and weren't filthy.
This new outfit was more conservative to Sasuke's pleasure, he knew better than to say something about it though lest he get punched "Letters ready" the Uchiha held out the hand written message, so they started down the street of Sunagakure to find the bird tower.
"Heard you passed out earlier Haruno….was a little fight against some bandits to much for you, you should have known better than to involve yourself if you couldn't handle a little exercise" Kankuro suddenly taunted from the other side of Naruto.
Her head whipped in his direction "Kankuro-san kindly stop talking, I passed out because I almost completely depleted myself of chakra, using jutsu's consecutively, chakra enhanced strength and healing at the same time is extremely difficult even for a Jonin" Sakura scowled.
Kankuro flinched taking a couple steps away from them "No need to bite my head off…sorry that was uncalled for and I shouldn't have insulted you" Kankuro apologized in the next second, feeling guilty obviously.
Sakura sighed softly "Could you show us to the messenger bird tower, we have a message to send ahead of us to Hokage-sama" the rosette requested politely, seeing no point in remaining angry now that he'd said sorry.
"Sure I can do that" Kankuro shrugged, taking point and ten minutes later the letter was being flown off by one of the carrier pigeons, and afterwards the three of them returned to the hotel to rest or do whatever they pleased for the rest of the day.
And the next morning the five of them set forth from Sunagakure to return home to Konohagakure "Make sure you write Sakura, I want to know everything even the nitty gritty, like when you get your first kiss and all that" Temari hollered after the quintet of Leaf Shinobi.
"Yeah" Sakura waved with an awkward laugh, unsure of how to tell the older girl that she'd already had her first kiss, she would never admit to it actually, and then they were out of hearing range and on their way back to Leaf.
Thankfully it was an easy two day journey and then they were home "Pinky/Sakura-san" Kotetsu and Izumo who were on gate duty greeted when they saw her, since it had been awhile since they'd seen her.
Not since the promotion party Anko had thrown her down at T&I actually before she could greet them back, Kakashi appeared in front of her "Sakura-chan welcome home, Naruto, Sasuke you two as well and Shikamaru, you did well" Kakashi praised.
Giving each of his students an affectionate pat on the head, then met Minato's gaze determinedly "Sensei, Sandaime-sama awaits you in his office, don't worry about reporting you four, I'll just take the report and do it for you so you can go home and rest" Kakashi informed.
Shikamaru got the sense they weren't being given a choice in the matter so quickly handed over the mission report scroll he'd written up to detail how things had went along with a duplicate of the reformed treaty with Sand.
Then scurried off to home after a long two week mission away from the village once he'd signed in that is "Geez that Kakashi-sensei is as intense as ever" Naruto huffed when the two men disappeared in a puff of smoke to get the meeting underway.
"When hasn't he been, anyway I can't wait to sleep in my own bed again, in my own room without having to share" Sasuke snorted, taking his turn last and signing in efficiently, Sakura waved at the two Chunin and then the three of them hurried home.
~Hokage Tower~
In Hiruzen's office, pandemonium had hit "EVERYONE QUIET" Hiruzen flared his chakra, when the Elders refused to let Minato speak in order to defend himself considering they kept cutting over him and yelling accusations about how he was an impostor.
Danzo was the instigator not that he was surprised by his old friends actions "Thank you Hokage-sama but I neither know nor am really all that interested in finding out how I've come back to life if you need proof however have Inoichi look in my head" Minato announced.
Kakashi smirked, that was his sensei alright short and to the point "I don't think it will be necessary, your clearly an impostor and I want the whole of Team Seven executed" Danzo spat inciting another yelling match.
Until Minato spoke up "Careful Danzo those are my children and former student your talking about and while I don't know Sasuke-kun very well none of them have done anything wrong" the blonde warned shooting a sharp glare at the elder in question.
Hiruzen spiked his chakra dangerously in warning "Minato's right you can not blame those children and on that note I'd also like to offer you the chance to take back your position as Hokage Minato-kun" Hiruzen cleared his throat.
Minato's brows raised in surprise while Danzo scowled darkly in response "Hokage-sama, Minato-sensei's been back for less than a week, give him a chance to re-acclimate himself before you ask him to lead the village again" Kakashi chimed in.
Sensei bowing his head in agreement "Of course, take as long as you need Minato-kun, with that I declare this meeting over with….ah and if you could send those four my way for the after mission debriefing Kakashi-kun that would be wonderful" Hiruzen declared.
"No need Hokage-sama this is their mission report and a duplicate of the reformed treaty with Sand and I must say they did a pretty damn good job of it to" the Copy Ninja admitted, placing down both scrolls on the elderly Hokage's desk.
Who snatched up the mission report to read for himself "Heh I couldn't have done it better myself, I knew I wasn't making a mistake in promoting them to Chunin ahead of schedule, very well, here is their pay and have them take these next few days off" the Hokage chuckled.
Once he'd finished reading and he'd looked over the treaty only to feel rather proud of his newest Chunin "Come on Minato-sensei, we're going to the house now" Kakashi declared once he'd collected his students B rank mission pay.
Shikamaru's would be delivered later by another chunin possibly "House, I would have thought those two would be living in an apartment or something" Minato inquired, following his grown up student out of the Hokage's office.
"Use to all three of them, but then Naruto and Sasuke asked Sakura-chan if they could share space and they've been living together since, I suppose I'll have to have Tenzo add on to the house to make a room for you" Kakashi nodded.
Making sure he wasn't being tailed "Kakashi this is our old training grounds, why did you lead me here" Minato frowned when they stopped in front of a rock on training grounds seven and his former student weaved hand seals.
In a poof of smoke Sakura was stood before them "You know the drill, we're using this path today" Kakashi instructed, well aware that Minato was confused as the Sakura clone sped through her own hand signs.
Before hefting the boulder up to reveal a hole beneath it, dropping down into it revealed a long tunnel with lit lanterns lighting the way for them "What is all this, I don't remember this at all" Minato questioned.
Hoping that he was going to get an explanation soon "Just a few minutes longer Minato-sensei, ah here we are" Kakashi assured as they reached the end of the tunnel after the rock wall had been raised behind them by the Sakura clone.
Who had turned around since her duty was complete and a second later they were exiting through a hatch and Minato found himself stood in the middle of a comfortable living room "Kakashi" Sasuke raised his hand in greeting.
Not holy surprised to see the man again "Okay someone better explain why we didn't just simply go through the front door" Minato demanded, feeling like he was being left out of some huge loop that involved his children.
Sasuke shot Kakashi a look "Danzo…he's after Sakura, so Lord Hokage told us that we weren't allowed to give out our address to anyone, your only the sixth person to be let in here" Sasuke explained glad that no one could eavesdrop on them.
"Before you ask I'll tell you why, it's because our first mission was a disaster and Sakura-chan got placed under anbu watch for a week to make sure she was doing okay since she'd had a harder time than either Sasuke or I" Naruto chimed in as he meandered down the stairs.
"And when he tried to find out why he used the sharingan that's underneath his bandages to control her mind and she managed to throw him off so he's been trying to induct her into root" Kakashi finished.
Minato slumped into a chair looking as if he was about to spiral into despair "Perhaps I should take back my position as Hokage" the blonde muttered darkly under his breath, imagining all the ways he could get rid of Danzo.
Then he looked around and didn't spot Sakura "Is she up in her room still" Minato asked, unable to sense her chakra, as he'd found out the pinkette was quite good at sealing jutsu so she could be anywhere in the house.
Both boys on opposite couches nodded in answer "Anywho I'm going to go find Tenzo, this is your pay from the mission you just finished and Hokage-sama says to take the next few days off" the Copy Ninja whistled.
Disappearing down the hatch in the floor again, five minutes later Sakura came strolling through the door that concealed the stairway leading up to the second floor of the house, relaxed the most Minato had seen her so far.
"Have any suggestions for supper, me either, ramen it is….unless you want a homemade meal" Sakura offered when Naruto and Sasuke shook their heads, distributing their mission pay evenly amongst themselves while looking at Minato at the same time.
Minato chuckled softly "That's kind of you Sakura-chan but ramen is just fine for tonight at least" he shrugged, knowing she had to be exhausted, it showed on her face actually, so he couldn't ask her to cook not yet anyway.
Sakura seemed relieved that he wasn't going to make her hop up and cook as a clone was sent out to order several bowls of ramen from Ichiraku and it returned at the same time Kakashi did, with his friend who vanished upstairs for a short time.
"An extra room has been added if that's all Kakashi-senpai" Tenzo announced, sinking through the floor to Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura's awe before the five of them dug in to their meal where afterwards they all headed to bed.