The time had finally come for them to go back home and Sakura was never happier as she waited for the others Dan and Hashirama mostly to finish packing, they were still on her birth island and she was equal parts glad/sad to leave.
"Kind of reminds you of the morning we left doesn't it Sakura, with the blonde brat running around since he hadn't packed properly the night before" Tsunade chuckled, flashing back to their leaving day from the village.
Little one year old Kasumi snuggled in her arms "Your right Shishou this is almost exactly like that day, only Naruto's not here this time…..though Hashirama-sama does have some of the same personality" Sakura grinned, feeling comfortable with teasing one of her former Kage.
Earning a pout from the man in question who was like both her brother and Shisui rolled into one "So different from the day we met aren't you Sakura" Tobirama smirked, peering down at her as she smiled calmly up at him.
Of course she was different, she'd grown up "Children do grow you know Lord Tobirama, ah don't forget Moyashi and Tsubomi, Sakura" Dan reminded, gesturing to the felines that had followed Sakura across the lands like faithful canines.
Sakura hefted the two onto her shoulders "Alright I think I'm finished" Hashirama declared as he zipped up his pack and slid it onto his shoulders, Tsunade nodded, cradled her daughter closer then led the way out of the house.
Four hours later a little past lunchtime and ignoring her grandfather's whining about wanting to stop and eat real quick once Ivory had dropped them off outside the rift and gone back to Jashin's garden they were two miles away from the Leaf Village.
Until Tsunade finally got fed up with Hashirama's complaining "Fine we'll stop, Sakura make something and do it quick got it" Tsunade growled, eager to return home herself, Tobirama shook his head while Hashirama shot the woman a kicked puppy look.
"Got it Shishou" Sakura saluted, setting up a temporary camp before vanishing into the forest to catch something, five minutes later fish was cooked and they all dug in, eating quickly so as no to waste anymore time.
And once camp was broken down Tsunade snagged Kasumi from Dan then marched down the path "Everyone's going to be very surprised I bet when they see Tsuna-chan with a child" Dan commented to Sakura.
Who nodded her head in agreement "Oh your brother is nearby" Hashirama chimed in, feeling the chakra signature he'd only felt once since coming back to life, Sakura spread her senses out for herself and easily felt out Naruto's chakra.
In fact it was heading towards her rapidly and less than two minutes later he burst through the trees "Sakura-chan" Naruto greeted enthusiastically as his blue eyes alighted upon her, excitement written all over his face.
Her features softened completely "Hello Naruto, good to see you, you as well Jiraiya-sama" Sakura greeted back with all the warmth she could muster which was a lot by hugging Naruto before waving at Jiraiya.
As he shot down behind his apprentice "You know I never heard anything from the Toads, but how was your nature chakra training Sakura" Jiraiya questioned when the lot of them hurried after Tsunade, Dan and Tobirama.
Seeing as the trio hadn't waited for them any "It was ineffective Jiraiya, Sakura couldn't wield it" Tobirama explained once the others had caught up, Jiraiya winced and shot the girl in question an apologetic smile.
It didn't seem like she was to upset about the whole thing though as they continued walking, until finally two miles later the gates of the Hidden Leaf Village came into view and who would be waiting at the gates for them.
None other than Minato, Kakashi and Sasuke, the last of whom darted towards his teammates upon seeing them "Naruto, Sakura, welcome home, it's really good to have you back" Sasuke greeted with a lot less attitude than they remembered.
The duo shared a smile before shifting position so they were walking as they use to "Shocking, I expected Sakura to grow up, but not you as well Naruto" Kakashi teased once they trio was nearer and signing in at the gates.
"Well I did so there Kakashi-sensei" Naruto rolled his eyes 'Kakashi-sensei is unbelievable sometimes, first thing he does when I get home is make a jab about how he hadn't expected to see me grow up and become mature' Naruto huffed inwardly.
Carefully not letting any of his true feelings show on his face "Now, now, no fighting you two" Minato chided with a chuckle, hardly able to wait until he was able to introduce his children to their mother who had come back in the same way he and others had lately.
Jashin, the immortal god of slaughter, Naruto pursed his lips but relented "May I ask what's up with the cats" Sasuke asked suddenly, spying the felines perched comfortably on his teammates shoulders as if they belonged there.
"She found them in her birth village, in the house she lived in as a baby and grew attached to the cretinous heathens end of story Uchiha brat" Tsunade sneered, prompting Kasumi to giggle, and Tsunade smiled fondly down at the little girl.
Before she started fussing and was handed over to her Father to hold for awhile "There, there Kasumi-chan we'll be somewhere you can get down here soon I promise" Dan bounced his daughter gently.
When her fussing turned into a full blown tantrum because she wanted to be set down to wander like she was use to "Guess I better wrap this up, Tsunade, Jiraiya please come with me to the office I want full reports on everything that's happened in the past two years" Minato ordered.
Supposing he would just have to wait to introduce Kushina to their children and vice versa "House first" Sakura declared seeing that Sasuke was about to say something considering he'd been opening his mouth to speak.
Sasuke relented easily "It's quicker this way" Kakashi suggested, placing his hands gently upon his students shoulders and body flickering them and a second later they were stood before their house for the first time in two years.
To find that it had been expanded some just as Tobirama, Hashirama and Dan with Kasumi in arms arrived "Wow that's one beautiful house, almost as wonderful as one of the pieces I made while we were wandering huh Sakura-chan" Hashirama whistled softly.
Because he didn't want to upset Kasumi anymore than she was already upset at the moment, Sakura nodded her head but was otherwise silent as she and Naruto headed through the front door first and took off their sandals.
Almost immediately the pinkette was accosted by two black mamba's as they curled around her shoulders ignoring Moyashi and Tsubomi, Naruto pretty much got the same treatment from Shisha all three serpents had grown to massive proportions while they'd been gone apparently.
Though neither were truly bothered by this fact since they simply continued on through the foyer to reach the living room where Shisui, Itachi and an unexpected was sitting waiting for them, Shisui however was impatient.
And hopped up when he saw the duo and tried to rush them but Itachi tripped him in one smooth movement "Mean what was that for Itachi-chan, I just wanted to hug them" Shisui whined, something that Sakura didn't miss at all.
Considering Hashirama did enough of that all the time "Be more considerate of their feelings Shisui-san, perhaps Sakura and Naruto don't want to be hugged just yet" Itachi rolled his eyes before sharing an amused smile with the pretty brunette at his side.
"Itachi-kun is right don't overwhelm them Shisui-san, I'm Izumi Uchiha by the way" Izumi waved at the two teenagers who'd come home at long last after scolding Shisui who flopped down on the couch rubbing his nose.
Sasuke snorted from behind his teammates then stalked forward, hand glowing green "One of the things I was going to speak with you about Sakura, there's one more thing to….my parents are back as is Kagami Uchiha, their set up in the old compound though" Sasuke admitted.
Naruto clapped him on the back but Sakura squeezed his hand to let him know she was happy for him in an entirely different way "Can I ask what made you want to learn medical ninjutsu Sasuke, I'm not saying you couldn't or anything just curious" Naruto inquired.
Tone curious "Mostly because I got sick and tired of being poisoned by Mitarashi's snakes during our training, secondly that woman in the lobby and third because I want to help contribute more to the team, with my sharingan I can also help with more delicate procedures" Sasuke explained.
All valid reasons to become a medic-nin "Where are the guest rooms" Tobirama interrupted in the next moment, wanting to drop off his pack so that he could head towards the Hokage Tower and speak with the current Hokage about things.
Sakura gestured for him to follow her, prompting Naruto, Dan and Hashirama to follow her "This is the guest floor, if you want more permanent rooms that's up to you two, Dan-san, Shishou's room is up here" Sakura informed.
Heading up a second flight of stairs the remaining two on her heels and a moment later she was alone so she turned towards the cherry wood door that guarded her room, a pulse of her chakra was all that was needed and she stepped over the threshold.
Closing her door behind her, Moyashi and Tsubomi vacated her shoulders to explore their new surroundings, Chishi and Chimei stayed coiled around her person however "Sakura may I come in" Sasuke knocked five minutes later.
When she'd moved on to putting her ritual stuff away "Yeah, sure Sasuke" Sakura called back, deciding to stop being so touchy about others entering her room, instead she'd seal the ritual room to make it only accessible to her.
The door opened and Sasuke slipped in shutting it behind him again "I wanted to tell you before Shisui could blurt it out like an idiot, but everyone knows, well in the house anyway that we practice Jashinism" Sasuke announced.
"Okay, I was thinking it was about time we told Shisui and Shizune-sempai anyway, but if they already know then I don't have to, but I get that's not the only thing you have to tell me so go ahead you have the floor" Sakura shrugged.
A completely different reaction than he was expecting "Your mother is back…as is Mito Uzumaki, also my mom and your mom have been talking about engaging us to one another just to warn you" Sasuke grimaced.
Hoping he wasn't about to get his head cut clean off "Relax Sasuke, I'm not mad, we just have to show them that we're not interested in each other that way and the whole matter will be dropped" Sakura assured.
Definitely not wanting her choice to be taken away from her like that, considering the rapidly growing feelings she had for Cee "So do you remember what I asked before you all left…did you pick up any souvenirs for me" Sasuke cleared his throat.
Sakura snickered at him and reached for a scroll out of her pack, she was in the process of unsealing it when Shisui barged into her room without even knocking "Ha no being shocked that time" Shisui laughed triumphantly.
Indicating he'd tried many times to get in only to fail, this earned him an eye roll "Really Shisui what are you five" Sakura scoffed, ignoring him to the best of her abilities as she focused chakra into the unrolled scroll.
The seal lit up blue then in a poof of smoke a pile of objects appeared on her bed "Ooh souvenirs I choose this one" Shisui reached out thinking that she'd just brought back random things for them to pick out.
Only to have his hand snatched in a vice grip "Shisui these are for Sasuke, I have a couple for you in a different scroll" Sakura informed bluntly releasing his wrist just as quickly as she'd grabbed it before picking up the first thing.
"This came from my birth village Sasuke, I thought you'd appreciate it" Sakura explained holding out a book on Jashinism, followed by a book on advanced sealing jutsu, a sword, a third book on lightning jutsu, a pendant from Suna and a unique curved kunai from Kirigakure.
Sasuke couldn't have asked for better souvenirs if he tried as they were all sealed away in their designated scroll, Shisui was next as he got a couple of even more random objects to his chagrin nothing as cool as what Sasuke got.
Before she booted the two Uchiha out of her room so that she could finish unpacking without the duo distracting her like they were known to do quite often "You done Sakura-chan, cause Dad wants us in his office" Naruto called out fifteen minutes later from the hallway.
"Mhm I was just undoing my seal is all" Sakura admitted softly as she exited her room, Naruto gaped at her in surprise "What I figured it was time to stop barring others from entering my room, this is for you to open later Naruto" Sakura huffed.
While handing over a scroll "Souvenirs, man your mean, giving this to me when you know Dad wants to see us" Naruto pouted lightly but stowed the scroll in his pouch anyway then led the way down the stairs again.
To find everyone crowded in the living room though on their way out of the house Tobirama and Hashirama joined them "I wish to speak with Minato myself about how things are in the village, perhaps become his adviser" Tobirama commented.
When Sakura shot him a questioning look "And I heard my beloved Mito-chan was alive from your teammate" Hashirama exclaimed, saying why he was tagging along not that she blamed him, Mito had been back for awhile, yet he'd stayed with them on the trip.
Eight minutes later they were crowding into Minato's office, three things happened at once, one Hashirama spotted his wife who stood calmly as he rushed over to her and they embraced lovingly, second, the other redhead started crying.
Hand over her mouth as she saw her two children then hugged them before releasing the two from her hold and third Mito looked straight at Sakura with wide eyes "Sena-chan no that's not possible" Mito frowned in confusion.
Seeing someone who bore an eerie resemblance to her cousin standing in front of her, at the utterance of her name however Tobirama whipped around staring at the girl in a whole new light "What, what is it Tobirama-san" Minato asked.
Glancing to Kushina reassuringly as Tobirama looked Sakura over "There are no records of this but I took a wife myself once, her name was Sena Uzumaki and Sakura, she looks exactly like her, like Sena which makes her my descendant because I had a son" Tobirama announced.
"She was devastated when you died at the hands of the highly skilled Ginkaku/Kinkaku unit from Kumogakure not one of us could do anything to help her and she soon passed a month after you left us Tobirama" Mito admitted.
Placing a calming hand on her brother in laws arm "Holy cow Sakura-chan your really lucky aren't you" Naruto whistled suddenly, sensing that Sakura was feeling uncomfortable with all the stares she was getting.
Sakura grimaced feeling the exact opposite of lucky actually and Naruto realized he might have actually made things worse with his comment "Sakura is still my daughter" Kushina declared, hugging onto the pinkette again.
Unwilling to relinquish her hold on the girl she'd adopted a long time ago "Of course she is Kushina-chan, while some things will probably change no one can take Sakura away from us" Minato assured.
Eyeballing Tobirama who shook his head "I couldn't even if I wanted to Minato, I just hadn't expected my bloodline to continue as it had, I already knew she had some Uzumaki in her but it does explain the extremely foul temper" Tobirama smirked.
Earning a huff "Shishou's just as bad so where did her temper come from, surely not from Hashirama-sama" Sakura shot back to his and everyone else's amusement, Mito smiled innocently however indicating that's where Tsunade had gotten her temper.
"By the way your getting engaged Sakura-chan, to Sasuke-kun" Kushina interjected and Sakura knew that she would have to nip this whole thing in the bud quickly before it escalated out of control on her.
As she shook her head "Mom…..no offense but Sasuke and I really, really don't like each other that way, plus I don't want to give girls more of a reason to hate me than they already do" Sakura explained delicately.
Minato watching worriedly "Figures, Minato-kun just has be right about everything doesn't he, don't worry Sakura, I only said that to see how you'd react really, I won't force you to marry someone you have no feelings for and vice versa" Kushina assured suddenly.
The fifteen year old breathed a sigh of relief in response "I did tell you that the two felt more like siblings than anything else Kushina-chan" Minato chuckled, relaxing as did everyone else in the office who'd probably expected Sakura to become angry.
It said a lot about Sakura's temper to be honest "Bummer, guess I'll just have to choose one of the other ones" Kushina sighed, muttering to herself mostly to Sakura's chagrin though she knew it was to soon to reveal her crush on Cee to everyone.
So let the woman carry on for the most part "Kushina perhaps we should allow Sakura to choose who she wishes to marry later on down the road" Minato suggested gently, inwardly thanking Tsunade for constantly updating him about things.
Kushina huffed but relented to the idea with a nod "Either way expect a new little sibling to be coming along within the next six months or so" Kushina warned, carefully rubbing her stomach, Naruto and Sakura immediately brightened at the news.
"On that note welcome home you two, your free to leave and go visit your friends now" Minato chuckled, dismissing his oldest children, Kushina frowned "Could you stay for a few moments longer Sakura" Minato requested.
Seeing that Kushina was shooting the rosette a couple of concerned looks "I'm gonna go see Anko-sensei down at T&I" Naruto waved, disappearing out the door quickly getting the feeling that the following conversation was going to be painful.
And Sakura was ready for it "Look, we're all aware of your religion Sakura, and I won't tell you to give it up, but please for my sake don't ever let me see that side of yourself, I'm not ready for it nor is anyone else really" Kushina informed.
"Can do, don't worry I keep it fairly under wraps anyway" Sakura assured, others besides Mito nodded their heads in agreement because they knew that she was pretty secretive until there was no choice but to tell someone the truth.
With the conversation over or so she believed Sakura turned and reached for the door "One more question Sakura, with the power Jashin has, being able to revive so many, why hasn't he done so for your biological parents" Hashirama asked.
Having always wanted to ask, Sakura smiled sadly "Their souls already moved on back into this world Hashirama-sama…Moyashi and Tsubomi, the souls of my birth parents reincarnated into cats" Sakura admitted quietly.
Leaving them with that as she finally left the office and took off in the direction of T&I to visit Anko and the others like Kotetsu and Izumo before finding where Genma was hiding, along the way she saw Kiba and his team heading out on a mission.
And after a brief stop to see Ino, Sakura headed back to the house where she cooked dinner to Kushina's surprise because she'd gotten into the habit of doing so, then everyone went to bed rather early except for Minato, after a long day of reintegrating themselves back into the village.