The next morning when Sakura was heading down the stairs to prepare breakfast, hands emerged from the guest room she passed and dragged her in, the door shutting with a quiet click behind her "Itachi-san what are you doing" Sakura quirked a brow at the Uchiha.
Partly amused and partly exasperated, though that turned into worry pretty quickly when Itachi reached out and gripped her beaded prayer necklace "You, Otouto and Naruto, please tell me you don't follow Hidan's insane occult" Itachi frowned deeply.
Sakura closed her eyes inwardly groaning in frustration "And if we did, there would be nothing you could do about it Itachi-san and it's not an insane occult but a religion, just because Hidan's insane don't assume the rest of us are like that" the pinkette scoffed.
Itachi furrowed his brow "Occult, religion I see no difference, so how many people have you sacrificed, are you forcing Otouto to be a member of the occult or Naruto, how do you suppose people will feel when they find out what your really like" the Uchiha heir questioned.
And the girl rolled her eyes at him "None, I've sacrificed none Itachi-san, nor have Naruto or Sasuke, who both asked if they could be acolytes on their own and quite a few people already know and guess what they've accepted me as I am" Sakura declared.
"Huh as you are, shouldn't it be as you, otouto and Naruto are…no what do you mean are you saying it's just you that is immortal" Itachi asked only to have Sakura shake her head and then nod once he asked his last question.
She was staring at him in amusement "Exactly, Naruto and Sasuke simply pray, I don't force them to perform the blood letting rituals or anything because that's all they wish to do and I have the power to bend the rules for them" Sakura informed.
There went his brow creasing again "Bend the rules, you have that kind of power, Sakura-san…the god Jashin doesn't exist you know that right, he's made up, Hidan has some sort of freak ability a kekkeigenkai that makes him the way he is" Itachi frowned.
Still confused and Sakura shook her head "Jashin does exist, just because you haven't heard his voice or seen his visage doesn't mean he's made up and I was born from his power, have been in his garden several times, so yes I have that kind of power" Sakura laughed.
Patting Itachi on the arm as she exited the room and finally padded down the stairs to the kitchen leaving a bewildered person behind as she got started on cooking breakfast "Good morning Sakura" Minato popped into the kitchen a second later.
Making sure she wasn't busy before squeezing her in an affectionate hug "Morning Dad how's work have the letters begun arriving from angry people yet" Sakura grinned as she quickly returned his hug.
Blue eyes twinkled with amusement "One or two, mostly from the Tsuchikage, who's already heard that I'm revoking Itachi's status, news travels fast to other countries I guess and he's not very happy that two other Kage have given their approval, overruling him" Minato shrugged.
Not to worried about it apparently "Gossip grapevine at it's worst, even the most protected secrets sometimes get leaked to other countries because of that" Sakura shook her head with a snort as she resumed cooking.
His lips quirked upwards "So Sakura-chan what do you and Naruto intend on doing with all those little ones that were hatched yesterday" Minato questioned, hoping that the duo didn't intend on keeping all of them.
Sakura pursed her lips "I might give two to Anko-sensei, then possibly set up a sort of deal with the pet store that Naruto and Sasuke got theirs at to sell the rest off as pets once their properly trained of course" Sakura said after a few minutes.
"That's a great idea Sakura-chan, though I'll be sad to see Shisha's babies go, I suppose its best they went to better homes" Naruto exclaimed as he sat down, pouting a little bit but ultimately knowing it was the right thing to do.
Next to sit at the table was Tsunade who rolled her eyes "Don't see how you can even stand to be around those things but whatever" Tsunade scoffed, like a cranky she dragon that morning after a late night emergency surgery.
And as Minato had kindly put it since Sakura had only just returned from a mission she couldn't make the girl help her so Tsunade and Shizune were the only ones who'd saved the man's life while Sakura had gotten to sleep the whole night through.
Naruto huffed but said nothing else "Of course not everyone's going to love snakes, their reviled and feared by many" Sasuke nodded, understanding what the woman was thinking, he'd at first been reluctant to.
Until he saw how Sakura was with Chishi once Anko had given the black mamba to her "Here's the real question though, Sakura-chan how did you get to two villages in completely different directions in a single day that shouldn't even be possible" Shisui asked.
The girl smirked "Let's just say I have a special summons that allowed for extremely speedy travel" Sakura announced, it perked Tsunade up for sure who raised an elegant blonde brow indicating she wanted an explanation.
Since Sakura was going to be her apprentice here soon "Wolves" Sakura admitted, not saying what else her wolves could do, prompting Tsunade to roll her eyes again and immerse herself in breakfast as it was set before her.
"Guess it's back to the hospital, see you all for lunch or later possibly" Shizune sighed, grabbing up Tonton as she and Tsunade left the house via the front door, considering they were able to now thanks to all the hard work Minato had been putting in.
Minato left next as he headed back to the office leaving the Chunin with Itachi and Shisui "Right so what do you three plan on doing" Shisui leveled his gaze on the trio of inseparable teammates seeing as he'd hardly seen them apart until yesterday and the day before.
Both boys glanced to Sakura "First I'm taking those little ones to Anko-sensei, then hmm I'll probably reorganize my room a bit" Sakura tapped her lip in thought all while heading for the sun room to collect Chimei's hatchlings.
Shisui felt his brow twitch in frustration when immediately after Naruto and Sasuke asked if they could help and Sakura said no "Oh well it was worth a try" Sasuke shrugged, apparently not to put out at the rejection.
Itachi frowned at his best friend who'd been entirely to accepting of his return to the village "Everything alright Shisui-san, your unhappy with something, my return perhaps" Itachi asked the man who he thought had died that day by the cliffs.
"No, her, I've tried all I could think of but Sakura still doesn't trust me, no matter what I do, she won't let me in her room and I've been on my very best behavior to" Shisui sulked, Itachi narrowed his eyes.
Before he could question Shisui on the matter Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke returned two of the Chunin carrying a box with holes to most likely transport the baby serpents that had hatched just yesterday.
A few minutes later they were gone out the front door "Why exactly is it important to you that you get in Sakura-san's room Shisui-san" Itachi asked, knowing what his friend was most likely going to find in the girl's bedroom.
Shisui grinned "Because I'd be the first one to see it of course and I'd be able to hold that over Naruto-chan and Sasuke-chan's heads, seriously though I think she's hiding something from everyone but I want her to feel like she can be honest with me" Shisui said after a moment.
"I concur Shisui-san, however that is not your place to unveil her secrets, nor is it mine, it's Sakura-san's when she feels ready, so as far as you know she could already trust you, but you can't rush her into spilling her inner most thoughts alright" Itachi lectured.
Earning a pout, meanwhile Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke were all the way at T&I "Anko…uh I think she's down in the training room, a new batch of anbu trainees were promoted so she's helping Morino whip them into shape" Iwashi explained when they asked for Anko.
And seeing as they were Chunin all three members of Team Seven received badges that allowed them further into T&I "Just how is it you know where the training room is Sakura-chan" Naruto questioned when Sakura led the way down the halls.
"When Anko-sensei was training me for the Chunin Exam, she got a message and we spent the entire day here once, while she was busy Izumo-san and Kotetsu-san brought me there to work off some steam after Tenten-san harassed me" Sakura grimaced.
Sasuke winced but didn't dare ask, a couple minutes later they reached the training room and upon entering they had to duck as someone was thrown towards them, the guy flew over their heads and landed in a heap on the floor in the hallway.
"Brats, Pinky what are you three doing here" Anko perked up at the sight of them and was before the trio in a puff of smoke after sneering at the trainees she gripped the brats up in a hug until Sasuke squirmed and she put him down.
Knowing that he wasn't good with to much affection "Well we thought we'd bring you these Anko-sensei, they hatched yesterday and we'd like you to teach them, you also get to pick out two of Sakura-chan's to keep for yourself" Naruto bounced.
Carefully as he opened the lid of the box to allow Anko to see the contents "Two conditions, once I'm done you make sure these guys go to proper homes and I get to pick one green mamba hatchling" Anko requested.
Naruto glanced to Sakura "Sure Anko-chan we were already going to set up a deal at the pet store so take your pick" Sakura nodded, if any one would properly take care of the hatchlings it would be Anko so she didn't care how many the woman wanted.
Once their business was concluded the trio left T&I and headed back to the house arms empty of the boxes of snake hatchlings, once back Sakura vanished on her teammates and entered her room, rolling up her sleeves as she did so.
The first thing Sakura did was make a dozen shadow clones and started by rearranging her dresser so that it was over in the corner behind the privacy screen that way it was easier to access and she didn't have to walk naked across her room anymore.
Just in case anyway, her bed was moved next to where her dresser had stood previously along with the bedside table, giving her space to build a sort of window seat and a clone was sent out to buy the materials necessary to do so.
However when her clone returned she hit a snag "Psst Sakura may I come in" it was Shisui, who had been hounding her since moving in pretty much, Sakura growled under her breath, then sent her clones to clean up the ritual room before stalking over to her door.
Whipping it open to glare at the second most annoying Uchiha in existence, Sasuke had been the first until they'd become teammates and he could still be that way but Shisui really took the prize on being the most annoying.
And if that wasn't bad enough Itachi was stood right behind Shisui, both males were getting quite the eyeful of her room "Fine….once Shisui-san, once and never again, I really don't like people coming into my room" Sakura snapped.
Irritated that he simply wouldn't just leave it alone "Thank you" Shisui grinned, as he walked through the door way, ignoring her glare, Itachi shook his head and turned to head back down the steps, it would Shisui's own fault for snooping if he saw whatever horrific thing Sakura had hidden in her room.
Sakura glared harder in response when the first place Shisui headed was the ritual room, thankfully her clones had done their job efficiently enough, so any evidence of her religion was expertly hidden away.
As Shisui slid open the sliding door to reveal an empty room "Oh come on I thought for sure you were hiding something in here" Shisui sulked, realizing that maybe he was just being paranoid where Sakura was concerned.
"No, but if your done intruding on my privacy, I would appreciate it if you left now" Sakura crossed her arms and scowled doing her best Sasuke impression, Shisui feeling as if he'd pressed her enough quickly skedaddled.
Leaving her to continue working on her project and with the help of her clones it was done in two hours, the crimson wood stain drying nicely so it matched her floor and ceiling "Oi Sakura-chan you got a visitor" Naruto called out just as she was cleaning up.
"Give me a sec, there done, coming" Sakura yelled back as she stowed away her supplies in the space beneath the window seat and a few moments later she was showing Shikamaru into the house who had Ino on his heels.
So of course there was a little tension "Ino's been bugging me for awhile now to help her find you even though everyone knows this is where you live since you officially moved out of the apartment and was able to tell people this was your address again" Shikamaru sighed.
Ino clenched her hands into fists "Fo….Sakura I know this is like practically four months late but I really wanted to apologize for my behavior, I have no excuses for it but I also want to make it up to you by being a friend to you now if you'll have me" Ino rambled.
Barely stopping to breathe in order to get it all out "Sure Ino, friends" Sakura smiled kindly, holding out her hand as she did so to see if Ino would take it and a second later they were shaking on their decision.
"Great, lets go shopping, I know that's one thing you like to do" Ino squealed, grabbing Sakura's hand more firmly and dragging the girl out the door behind her, Sasuke smirked and graciously tossed his teammate her wallet before the two kunoichi were out of sight.
Shikamaru shook his head "What a drag, mind if I lounge for a bit, because I really have no desire to trek all the way back to my house at this current moment in time" Shikamaru asked gesturing to the couch, Sasuke waved his hand indicating he could do whatever.
Halfway to a store Sakura managed to regain control of the situation to walk more calmly instead of being yanked along "You ain't startin something are you Yamanaka" Anko randomly appeared, wary at best considering past incidents.
The blonde hurriedly shook her head "No Anko-chan we're hanging out and going shopping, doing girl stuff, since we're friends now" Sakura explained calmly not afraid of Anko in the least and seeing her actually made her feel a little better to.
Anko quirked a violet brow "Have fun then you two" the purple haired interrogator waved disappearing as randomly as she'd appeared, Ino gaped but Sakura rolled her eyes and let out a snort of laughter at the woman's antics.
"Right here we are then it's my favorite store, I saw that you liked to wear a similar style to me so thought this would be a perfect place to begin our shopping spree" Ino announced when they finally got the store.
Sakura looked around with wide eyes "Crop tops, I've been looking for a style like this, thanks Ino" the pinkette grinned, loading up a basket with at least four sleeveless crop tops in her usual colors, one of which was crimson.
Ino blinked but followed after Sakura once she'd picked out a couple things for herself "So what's it like, being a Chunin and all" the Yamanaka heiress asked, watching Sakura who rifled through a clothing rack for lower thigh length spandex shorts.
"It's been pretty rough actually, for the past three months it's been C rank to B rank missions and those can be hard on a person especially if it's one right after another with barely a break in-between" Sakura admitted.
Walking towards the skirts now "No kidding, I guess Lord Third knew what he was doing when he promoted your entire team huh and what you did during the final round I don't think I could have ever done that" Ino grimaced.
Speaking a little more freely now the more comfortable she began to feel "Only did what had to be done Ino, for the village and the people I cared about, it didn't matter what I was put through, I endured because I'm a shinobi" Sakura chattered.
Getting the sense that Sakura was done talking about the subject Ino quickly changed their discussion topic and two hours later they were back at the house where Ino shoved Shikamaru off the couch to wake him up so the two of them could leave.
A week later after yet another B rank mission Genma Shiranui, Raido Namiashi, Iwashi Tatami, Itachi with the entirety of Team Seven and Tsunade were called into the Hokage's office "Ohnoki's demanding a Five Kage Summit Meeting" Minato informed.
Eyeing the shinobi before him and hoping he wasn't making a mistake "And I've decided to assign the lot of you to escorting Itachi and I to the Land of Iron, the Samurai's Headquarters is where the meeting will be held since it's neutral grounds" Minato announced.
"Team Seven this will be your second A rank mission since the Land of Waves incident and during our absence Tsunade your in charge, now here's how things are going to go, Team Seven you will be protecting Itachi from any threat and there will be many no doubt" Minato continued.
Breathing in "So pack up we leave within the hour, don't let me down on this alright" Minato finished, blue eyes so dark they were almost black as he stared intensely at each of the shinobi stood before him.
With that they scattered as Kakashi put a hand on Sakura's shoulder, Naruto and Sasuke gripping her arms to be body flickered back to the house where they disappeared up the steps to their bedrooms.
Heavier clothing was donned and sealed away along with a cloak, weapon supplies were stowed in the backpack along with medical gear mostly on Sakura part and she found herself the first one done "Don't you think it's a bit much for Chunin to undertake an A rank mission" Shisui frowned.
Already having heard from Itachi apparently "Maybe but if we could do it as genin then we can do it as Chunin" Sakura shrugged causing the Uchiha to choke and splutter in outrage, demanding to know how she and her team had gotten on an A rank mission as genin.
"Total accident, our mission client lied and because of who was after him it made it all the way to an A ranked mission" Sasuke admitted, joining Sakura and Shisui in the living room, wearing a long sleeved outfit with pants.
Knowing that the Land of Iron was cold "I'm just glad that Da….Hokage-sama is giving us a chance to go with him on this mission" Naruto said as he skidded to a halt before his teammates, pack slung across his shoulders like them.
Last to return were Kakashi and Itachi "Good you all packed, nothing left behind, right lets go" Kakashi declared leading the way out of the house through the front door, his teammates as they were now surrounding Itachi in a triangle formation.
Performing their duty already despite having not left yet "You know there is no danger yet right" Itachi pointed out calmly uncertain of what his future would be like, there was a very real possibility he'd be executed after this meeting anyway.
And in his mind he would deserve it for the countless lives that he'd taken, Sakura snorted in response "Variables Itachi-san….danger is always afoot, even inside the village where you think your safe" Sakura intoned flatly.
Just one of the lessons she'd learned in her time since becoming a shinobi "Heh that's the Sakura I know, all bite and no bark, figuratively and literally speaking" Genma smirked as he joined the group on their trek to the gates.
Even though he could have already been there and waiting, but that was to boring "Oi what did I say about fraternizing with pink haired baby faced genin….though your not a genin now anymore are you so it would be a baby faced Chunin" Raido commented.
Showing up at Genma's side to see his friend talking with Sakura again like there was nothing wrong with a grown man chatting it up with a little girl who huffed at him but said nothing in retaliation to his surprise.
She was really taking this mission seriously before they even left the village "Anko says you better not screw up on this mission brats or else…" Iwashi informed them as they finally reached the gates.
To find the last members of their group waiting Minato chuckled lightly "Before we leave there's a few things you need to know, Sakura, Naruto when we get back you two will be going on a training trip with Tsunade and Jiraiya respectively for two years" Minato announced.
Stunning his children who then sent him waning smiles as they realized what the news meant for them, all of Team Seven would be separated "And Anko's decided to train you in becoming a snake summoner Sasuke-san, that's it, now lets move out" Minato finished.
Turning on his heel and leading the enlarged group from the village, down the path in the direction of the Land of Iron to the Samurai's Headquarters, they didn't know what they'd be facing sure but they would face it with caution and surety no matter what the cost was.