As things turned out over the course of the next three months Sakura did not have an affinity for wielding nature energy despite how hard she tried so the lot of them left Mount Myoboku and decided to head to Sunagakure for a change in scenery.
"You've even been here to, your getting to be quite the seasoned traveler aren't you Sakura-chan" Hashirama chattered, now that Sakura was use to him she tolerate slight amounts of affection like pats on the shoulder or even a hug.
Sakura smiled and nodded but didn't elaborate 'Relax Child, I've revived many in the time you were on the mountain, some such people happened to include the first and third Kazekage along with the currents wife and brother in law' Jashin assured.
When her thoughts turned to the Yondaime Kazekage 'How many people did you bring back Jashin-sama' Sakura asked warily and now she had to tell Tsunade yet again about more revivals because of her god.
'Lets just say many my precious daughter and leave it at that' Jashin snorted, presence fading, he'd warned her at her request, what she did with that knowledge was all up to her as they continued their trek towards Sunagakure.
It was a little while later as they stopped for lunch that Tsunade caught her apprentice shooting her subtle glances so she passed Kasumi over to Dan and dragged Sakura a fair distance away from camp "Alright talk what's going on" Tsunade demanded.
Knowing there was only one reason Sakura would be looking at her like that "Jashin-sama's brought back more people, some of whom are in Suna" Sakura informed confirming her suspicions on the matter.
Tsunade exhaled "Well I hope he's quite finished because I'm getting tired of hiding the truth from those that surround us barring Dan" Tsunade grumbled, Sakura nodded her head indicating that there would probably be no more returned.
As they headed back to their camp "Everything okay Sakura, your not on your monthly are you" Dan frowned, not overly worried as he passed Kasumi back over to her mother where she immediately settled and stopped squirming to his frustration.
Though at his question Sakura felt her face burn in embarrassment "Definitely not Dan-san but it was important all the same" Sakura hurriedly said which reminded her of something she was almost fifteen and she hadn't had her first period yet, it was mildly alarming.
"Okay what would be more important than a girls natural monthly cycle" Tobirama cut his gaze in Sakura's direction, having felt for awhile now that Tsunade, Dan and Sakura were hiding something from him and Hashirama.
Case and point as Sakura flinched then to Tsunade's surprise opened her mouth "I know how you two came back to life, there are others now like Dan-san and Hokage-sama back in Leaf and you two as well" Sakura blurted.
Not sure if they were truly ready to hear this but she was going to plow on ahead anyway and tell them, Tobirama narrowed his eyes while Hashirama frowned, both waited patiently however as they sensed she wasn't done speaking yet.
Sakura blew out a deep breath then let loose with the most unbelievable explanation they'd ever heard "Uh-huh and we're just supposed to believe this" Hashirama intoned dubiously while Tobirama remained silent.
"And if I prove it Hashirama-sama would you believe me then" Sakura inquired all prepared to do one of her rituals if necessary, Hashirama eyed her warily for a moment then nodded gesturing for her to go ahead.
With her dagger in hand Sakura made the symbol she'd become intimately familiar with for the couple of years then recited the chant for the specific ritual needed to let those who didn't know hear Jashin's voice and feel his presence for themselves.
By the time she was finished neither Hashirama or Tobirama could refute the undeniably truth she'd showed them "So that's what makes her special then, what I don't understand is why you felt the need to hide it from us for so long" Tobirama commented.
Understanding what Tsunade had meant now back in the Final Valley "Nidaime-sama if someone told you right after you were returned that a god of slaughter was the one who brought you back in spite of proof being given how would you have reacted" Sakura asked.
Tobirama frowned then grimaced "It would not have been a positive reaction most likely" Tobirama admitted, people feared what they didn't understand he would have thought her someone to dispose of at all costs if she'd told them back then.
"Speaking of we've been together for awhile and I've never noticed you complaining about your well cycle have you not had your first one Sakura" Hashirama inquired back on the previous subject to her mortification.
But Sakura knew she couldn't lie "No I haven't actually, it could be because of my religion" Sakura explained glad that she didn't have to omit the truth from the two previous Hokage anymore, things were a lot less tense now.
Hashirama rubbed his chin "Hmm or your body is only just now beginning to mature into your womanly attributes Sakura-chan so I wouldn't worry, you'll probably get it soon" Hashirama shrugged unable to come up with anything that would explain the delay of her monthly cycle.
Especially at the age she currently was, not long after they finished eating lunch and continued on towards their destination, needless to say Rasa was very surprised when they showed up in his village "Sakura-san you've been well I hope while out traveling" Rasa greeted.
Much calmer than she remembered him being "Oh yes Kazekage-sama very well indeed" Sakura bowed her head politely at him, Rasa gave her a very small smile in response, glad she hadn't changed to much while gone off training to who knows where.
Once the greetings had been given Rasa turned his focus on the girls companions and mentor "Kazekage we'll be staying for two months if that's alright, our two years are almost up so I want to remain in the vicinity of Fire Country" Tsunade requested.
Rasa easily agreed to her demand "Do me a favor Sakura-san and try not to have fifty bandits after you again, the village has been quite peaceful since then" Rasa teased earning a frosty glare from Sakura proving she still had her temper.
And that she wasn't afraid to direct it at him "Fifty that's outrageous who would have sent so many to capture one person, was it the Akatsuki" Tobirama frowned as they left the Kazekage's office on their way to find an inn.
Sakura cringed in remembrance "I'll explain, you go find those siblings and enjoy whats left of today" Tsunade declared nudging Sakura off so she didn't have to suffer through another painful explanation that day.
Tobirama clearly wanted to object but she didn't let him as she passed Kasumi over to her father then dragged the lot of them to a hotel where four rooms were rented and they all gathered in one "Okay explain Tsuna-chan" Hashirama sighed.
Having this feeling he wasn't going to like what was about to be said and he was right "Danzo Shimura Uncle, he was not the man that grew up under your teachings, he was sabotaging Sarutobi-sensei at every turn and had an illegal organization of child warriors" Tsunade said.
"I knew Danzo's jealously would eventually lead to him hating Saru for me picking Sarutobi over him to become the next Hokage, but that's a little far-fetched Tsunade" Tobirama sighed, wondering what the hell was going on in the world.
One thing he wouldn't do was blame it on Sakura "Unfortunately it's the truth Uncle, there were children from many clans in the organization he called root, and he was trying to recruit Sakura into it when she thwarted his attempt to mind control her with a stolen sharingan" Tsunade stated.
Explaining properly "Stolen Sharingan are the Uchiha alright, I can't imagine they were very happy to learn someone that wasn't of their clan possessed their dojutsu" Hashirama frowned, utterly horrified.
"The Uchiha were massacred Grandfather, as of this moment only three remain, four if we count the one in Akatsuki named Tobi and then there is Sakura's sensei who wields a sharingan, it was a gift from a dead comrade who was an Uchiha" Tsunade admitted.
Hashirama closed his eyes and turned his head towards the ceiling inwardly apologizing to Madara for being unable to protect the Uchiha clan from almost extinction "Who did it Tsunade, who killed the Uchiha" Dan inquired.
Since he'd been silent thus far "Current heir of the former scion, they were plotting a coup d'etat because of Danzo so Itachi was ordered by Sarutobi-sensei to stop them by any means necessary, he's back in the village now, thanks to Minato" Tsunade informed.
All questions came to a swift halt after that, meanwhile Sakura had found where at least one of her friends from the Sand Village was hiding "Sakura what are you doing here" Gaara sensed her almost immediately.
He'd always been aware of her presence "Tsunade-shishou of course she thought it would be a good idea to make this one of our various pit-stops we've made along the course of our training trip" Sakura quipped.
Gaara's lips quirked upwards in slight amusement "You two know each other I take it" then he became distracted by his uncle Yashamaru asking a question, Sakura's head snapped in the mans direction before nodding eagerly.
"For a long time now Sir isn't that right Gaara" Sakura nudged her friend teasingly who actually blushed to her surprise, he still wasn't use to girls apparently but that was okay someday he would get use to them.
Yashamaru chuckled in response "That's right since the Chunin Exams, I can't believe it's been nearly two years" Gaara rumbled in his familiar gravely tone, discretely looking Sakura over to find she'd grown up quite a bit while she'd been gone.
When her smile widened he knew he hadn't been as subtle as he thought and even his Uncle looked similarly amused "Do you have a crush on Sakura-san, Gaara-kun" Yashamaru teased/asked curiously.
The blush darkened though Gaara shook his head "Just friends Uncle, I'm fairly certain that Sakura has no feelings for beyond that of friendship as well" Gaara cleared his throat feeling fairly awkward now.
"I'm not saying that you wouldn't be a great person to be involved with Gaara but your right seeing as I've already promised someone else that I'd wait for them" Sakura nodded, being extremely delicate with her words.
Because she didn't want to hurt his feelings while her own face erupted with a blush at the thought of Cee, reminding her that she hadn't wrote many letters to him lately considering for the past three months she'd been on Mount Myoboku.
No doubt Cee was wondering if he'd done something to cause her to not write him as much as before like they'd promised though she hadn't gotten a letter from him either so the blonde was probably extremely busy.
Both Gaara and Yashamaru shared an amused look over her head "Fear not Sakura I'm not offended that you have no feelings of the romantic nature for me" Gaara smirked, knowing she'd said that for his benefit in case he got upset.
"Oi you there Leaf shinobi what are you doing in this village" then the entire relaxed atmosphere was shattered as one of the revived Kazekage stormed over after spotting Sakura and seeing her headband or headbands as the case was when he saw the Kumo-hitai-ate around her waist.
Sakura turned and leveled her most unimpressed look at the First Kazekage, Gaara settled his expression into a neutral one so he didn't accidentally laugh when Reto-sama paused upon seeing the glare being directed at him by a tiny twig of a girl.
Then slowly Sakura forced herself to reign in her urge to snap at the man "I'm here because of my mentor Sir, she thought this would be a great place to rest in for awhile while out on our training trip" Sakura informed politely after several seconds.
Reto glowered at her in response tempting her to roll her eyes "And you just so happen to be wearing a Kumogakure headband why" Reto scowled, glaring at the second foreign hitai-ate on her person.
"That's because I'm an honorary member of Kumo, I worked at their hospital for three months and even went out on a mission once" Sakura shot back at him flatly, Gaara closed his eyes and she vaguely realized he was trying not to laugh.
Even Gaara's uncle looked like he was fighting off laughter "You will not speak to me in that sort of tone young lady" Reto scolded not liking that the girl did not even feel threatened despite him leaking his killing intent at her.
"Come off it, I didn't work my ass off helping to reform the treaty between Leaf and Sand just to get yelled at by someone who doesn't know me" Sakura snapped finally letting out her temper just as Gaara known she would eventually.
Gaara shook his head "Lord Reto, Sakura is an honored friend and guest of mine and Father's, please try not to upset her, she's very welcome here in our village" Gaara took over the conversation at that point.
Seeing as the first Kazekage would just continue to antagonize his friend if he let things continue as they were currently which would result in a violent explosion "Gaara-kun is right in that you have no authority over guests of the village" Yashamaru nodded.
"Is it in your nature to argue with Kage Sakura-san or is that just a unique talent that you picked up somewhere from someone" Rasa stormed towards them in the next moment, looking quite exasperated with her.
And she didn't even have the decency to look apologetic "Forgive me Kazekage-sama but I will not simply let myself be harassed for no reason other than being in a village not my own" Sakura scowled.
Lips twitched slightly in an infinitesimal amount of amusement before Rasa settled his gaze on Reto who wouldn't back down even with his arrival "Why Rasa, you shouldn't let her speak to you that way either" Reto glared.
By this point Sakura was past her limit of patience "Sorry Gaara I think I'm going to go find Kankuro and Temari" Sakura leaned up to whisper that to him before turning on her heel and stalking off.
Rasa pursed his lips watching her leave before the argument could escalate not quite her usual "Reto-sama, Sakura has been a valued ally and while it might seem like she's speaking disrespectfully she is in fact not" Rasa turned on Reto again.
"No then what do you call that just now and the blatant disrespect she gave me, I am the First Kazekage and I will not have a brat…what do you have something to say Yashamaru" Reto snapped at the sandy haired blonde man.
Yashamaru nodded "Lord First are you not the one who stormed over here yelling at her and even after she spoke respectfully towards you, you continued on despite that so who's really at fault here" Yashamaru reminded/asked.
Grey orbs narrowed in response as the man replayed the past several minutes over before realizing Yashamaru was right "I might have come off a little strongly I suppose, in that case I apologize" Reto grimaced, looking around but the girl was no where in sight.
"In case your wondering she stormed off a couple minutes ago to find my older siblings Lord Reto, just be lucky she didn't react violently like she normally does" Gaara explained/warned, having seen it enough to know that Sakura had been very close to doing just that.
When Reto next found the girl she was indeed with Rasa's two oldest children and she became visibly agitated at the sight of him "Are for real Sakura, why does nearly everyone seem to hate you when they first meet you" Kankuro groaned suddenly.
As he saw his first Kazekage glaring at Sakura for some reason or another "Unluckiness Kankuro but like I said back in Tea I'm pretty much use to it" Sakura shrugged tiredly just waiting for the man to yell at her some more.
Imagine her surprise when he actually apologized instead "It seems we got started on the wrong foot with one another so I humbly ask if you'd accept my apology" Reto bowed his head, hoping that Rasa was right.
Temari grinned as Sakura blinked at him in surprise "Okay" Sakura said after a moment, seeing no point in holding a grudge since he had said he was sorry for harassing her earlier, this time it was Reto's turn to blink.
"You are an extremely complicated female Sakura-san" the First Kazekage sighed and that was just his observation from knowing her for less than an hour, Sakura smiled grimly in response not really giving him a response.
A moment later "Seriously though Sakura it's really good to see you, hows Lady Tsunade you haven't driven her insane yet have you" Temari rounded on her friend again, itching to hug the girl but after she'd whacked Kankuro she wouldn't try it just yet.
Curious Reto settled himself nearby and was joined by the Third Kazekage who'd also been returned like he had as he listened to the trio's conversation "Leaf Shinobi what is she doing here" Tetsu questioned.
Once the friends had moved on "A guest of Rasa and his children, better to leave her be, they seem rather protective of her" Reto explained, adding a bit of a warning at the end of his statement because he didn't want Tetsu after the girl next.
"Hmm I'm well aware of the treaty but I saw nothing special about the girl that would allow her that kind of honor" Tetsu commented, hazel eyes focused on the kunoichi from Leaf, Reto shook his head realizing his warning hadn't been heeded.
He supposed Tetsu would just have to find out for himself, hours later Sakura decided to head back to the hotel "Did you have fun with your friends Sakura" Hashirama greeted when he saw her wandering down the hall.
Looking confused "Mhm, plenty, Hashirama-sama" Sakura hummed softly, then allowed the First Hokage to escort her to the room that had been rented for her and give her the room key as well before leaving her to get settled for the night.
The next morning Tsunade dragged her apprentice outside the village for more training, inwardly amused when she saw Gaara sneaking out after them "Oi brat, if your going to follow then I'll make use of your skill with wielding sand" Tsunade barked at him.
Gaara froze like a deer caught in headlights and Sakura had the nerve to laugh at him "What would you have me do Lady Tsunade" Gaara inquired once he'd caught up with the two frighteningly strong kunoichi.
"Use your sand to test her evasion skills" Tsunade ordered standing back, Sakura dropped into a crouch as sand rushed from Gaara's gourd and shot towards her with deadly accuracy then she jumped backwards to avoid the second attack.
All of them unaware that they were being watched by the two revived Kazekage's and the current Kazekage who was making use of his third eye jutsu "Your going to have to do better than that Gaara" Sakura teased.
Spinning elegantly out of the way reading his attack patterns with knowing eyes, Gaara exhaled then stepped up his attacks a little and to his frustration she adjusted easily to the new speed in which he was attacking her with.
For the next two hours she dodged his sand before something distracted her "Tsuna-chan I can't get Kasumi-chan to stop fussing" Dan came running towards them right as he caught Sakura in his deadly ability.
Though he didn't do anything more to her than that "Keep training brat got it I have to go deal with my daughter" Tsunade sighed, Gaara lowered Sakura onto her feet and quirked a crimson brow at his friend.
"Yeah hehe Tsunade-shishou got pregnant awhile back that's Dan-san and she had Kasumi five months ago" Sakura explained, preparing to evade his sand some more until they were interrupted by Reto and the other returned Kazekage.
Sakura kept her mouth shut knowing what was about to happen "Well speak girl or do you not know how to bow down before a former Kage" Tetsu demanded in the next moment, Sakura pursed her lips but said nothing.
Not really wanting to get into an argument right now "Lord Tetsu…..Sakura" Gaara began in an edgy tone but Sakura gripped his arm in warning and shook her head "You've changed, I thought you hadn't until now" Gaara noted.
"It does happen from time to time Gaara, people do change" Sakura sighed tiredly, giving him one of those waning smiles that made him and everyone else extremely uncomfortable, dread hit him like a punch to the stomach.
Tetsu frowned eyeing his predecessor "Sakura…..did something happen, we heard about Hoshigaki of course but no one was given an explanation as to how" Gaara asked carefully, becoming extremely concerned.
When Sakura violently flinched at the mention of the executed rogue "Ah you know" Sakura waved her hand face tight with pain because she really didn't want to remember or tell Gaara what happened in the least.
Fortunately Gaara had the sense to not ask again at least not her anyway "Boy why did you take orders from that woman" Tetsu demanded seeing as the two young shinobi were about to resume training again.
Gaara closed his eyes for a brief second as annoyance welled up on him "Lord Tetsu I am the one who followed them so I see no point in arguing when Lady Tsunade asked something of me that was within my abilities to do so" Gaara informed in his gravely tone of voice.
Just glad he was leaving Sakura alone this time they were allowed to start without interruption and twenty minutes later Tsunade returned carrying the most adorable five month old girl, Kasumi as Sakura had told him the child's name was.
"Sorry about that but she was being downright stubborn towards Dan, now lets see some improvement brat and you better not get distracted this time" Tsunade apologized, then began barking orders again.
Two hours later Sakura flopped onto her back utterly exhausted even Gaara seemed to have worked up a bit of a sweat attempting to catch her in his sand "Good work Sakura, go eat lunch and make sure you don't forget to work at your other skills" Tsunade nodded in satisfaction.
"Right understood Tsunade-shishou" Sakura waved after forcing herself onto her feet then she made a hand sign to create a bunch of shadow clones like she'd gotten into the habit of doing lately to train in many things at once.
Gaara snorted at her "No inactivity, laziness or boredom was it, your teams motto I mean" Gaara questioned as they headed back for the village, former Kazekage's on their heels since they'd stayed to watch.
Sakura grinned in response "Mhm, Naruto and Sasuke have been working as equally as hard I have been" Sakura informed, relaxing as they signed back in at the entrance and at the end of the passageway they found Kankuro and Temari waiting for them.
"Come eat lunch with us at our house Sakura" Temari latched onto the younger kunoichi, Sakura knew she wasn't being given a choice really so let the blonde drag her where she willed for the afternoon.
Which was the Kazekage Estate "So are you free for the rest of the day or what" Kankuro asked once they were crowded around the table eating the lunch that had been cooked for them, Sakura blew out a breath.
Then shook her head "More training is to be had according to Shishou and there's no possible way I'm going against her orders" Sakura admitted with a shudder, Tsunade had gotten even scarier since giving birth to Kasumi.
Kankuro grumbled "That woman's a slave-driver, please tell me that's not all you've been doing since you left Leaf Sakura" Kankuro questioned hopefully imagine his surprise when Sakura shook her head again.
"Shishou does let me have breaks here and there Kankuro because I haven't just improved on my evasion but also my fuinjutsu, taijutsu, ninjutsu and chakra enhanced strength, I can summon two different types of creatures now and my kenjutsu skills have gotten better to" Sakura listed.
Prompting the brunet to choke on his food "Oh my are you alright Kankuro" a woman Sakura surmised had to be the Sabaku siblings mother wandered in, Kankuro waved his hand, coughing until he drank some water.
The green chakra faded from Sakura's hands seeing that he was going to be just fine thankfully "Yes mother I'm alright, I was just surprised by what Sakura said is all, Sakura this is my mother Karura, mother this is Sakura Haruno er Uzumaki which one is it I forgot" Kankuro introduced.
Momentarily becoming confused about which last name to call his friend "Either or Kankuro whichever she feels more comfortable with" Sakura bowed her head politely at Karura who smiled kindly then moved out of the way as Yashamaru entered the kitchen.
Carrying bags of groceries "Sakura-san we meet again I see, Lord Reto hasn't given you anymore trouble has he" Yashamaru greeted kindly at the pinkette who looked comfortable surrounded by the Sabaku Siblings.
"Try Lord Tetsu Uncle" Gaara grumbled under his breath, Yashamaru frowned but when he looked at her Sakura shook her head "On that note there is something I must speak with Father about" Gaara stood, finished eating already.
Sakura's expression became grim in response as he vanished in a flurry of sand particles his unique variation of the body flicker technique "You said you had more training didn't you Sakura, well mind if I join you for a little spar" Temari hopped up.
When Sakura cleared her plate of food and even washed the dishes she'd used "Sure Temari" Sakura shrugged with that the two bounded off, meanwhile to find out what his youngest wished to know Rasa called Tsunade into the office.
"Figures you'd notice something off about Sakura….are you really sure you want to know brat, it will not be pleasant, very well then…Hoshigaki tried to rape her, he was this close to destroying Sakura's innocence" Tsunade relented when Gaara nodded adamant he wanted to know.
Then used her fingers to show the boy how close Kisame had been to stealing that which was important to Sakura "You mean he penetrated her" Rasa asked, face pale, even at his worst he never even thought to do something that depraved.
"Yes that's right Kazekage and every night since she's had nightmares, their so bad to the point Sakura soundproofs her room before she sleeps so we don't hear them" Tsunade sneered furiously before reigning in her anger.
Rasa closed his eyes feeling sick and Gaara did the same "Tsunade you know about her don't you, her religion I mean can you tell me the truth" Rasa inquired hoping that the woman would be a little looser lipped than Sakura was about her mysterious religion.
A pale brow quirked upwards, honey orbs swiveling between him and his son "Can you keep it to yourself if I tell you, regardless of whether you believe what I say or not, do not tell Sakura I told you" Tsunade hissed finally.
Both redheads nodded "Sakura is what you call a Jashinist and the religion is based on slaughter as she follows the god of slaughter Jashin, because she was born of his power Sakura is immortal hence why Akatsuki might be after her now" Tsunade explained.
Knowing she'd done a bang up job of explaining things given their expressions of confusion "Immortal…..is that why Sakura does not fear death" Rasa questioned very slowly, pieces coming together like a jigsaw puzzle.
"Wait…the last day we had in Iron, Sakura was very out of sorts, she told us something tried to kill her….she was lying wasn't she, someone did actually kill her that night didn't they" Gaara realized suddenly.
Tsunade nodded solemnly at him "Correct, both of you, just remember your promise until Sakura feels ready to tell you herself" Tsunade growled before stalking off back to the hotel to help take care of her daughter until Sakura returned for dinner before going to sleep right after.