Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction, I own none of it.

Summary: A more rational Danzo takes on team 7. The world changes accordingly

Chapter 5 - A Day Off

3 months ago if you had told Sakura she would be spending one of her few and far between days off shopping, she would have been ecstatic. What she could have never predicted was her partner for the day. From a distance the pink and blond hair was a familiar pairing, but upon closer inspection it was not, in fact, Yamanaka Ino accompanying her today. It was an unusually nervous Uzumaki Naruto.

Why was her shopping partner so nervous one might ask? Well with their recent completion of an A-Rank mission they were allowed to make modifications to their shinobi outfits, and while they were at it they decided to update their casual wear and grab some extra household stuff. However, much to her shock, even when she was the one to try and pay for things they were being grossly marked up. Seeing as the only thing different from any of her other shopping expeditions was her partner, it wasn't hard to figure out why.

"It's… It's okay Sakura-chan. I can just stick with what I've got. I'm sure they'll deal with you still if you go back without me." He was trying, so very hard to throw up that gigawatt smile of his, that awkward little head scratch he does. You'd almost think he was okay, that is if you hadn't spent almost every waking moment around him for months. If you couldn't see the lingering pain lurking in the back of his normally vibrant blue eyes.

"No! No it is NOT okay Naruto. You're a shinobi of this village, no scratch that. You're a PERSON that lives here. You deserve better than this. I won't be dealing with those stores anymore and you shouldn't try to either. They don't deserve our money." Almost vibrating with repressed rage, the mixture of chakra and killing intent she was radiating was beginning to draw some eyes.

"Sakura-chan… We can't do this here. People are watching…" Wait, why would NAruto of all people sound so nervous about that? Prankster king of Konoha getting shy about attention? SAkura was putting her foot down. Literally, dust and dirt billowed up from the cracked road, the fury in her green eyes forcing all but the bravest (or most foolish) to turn down their heads and continue their day.

"So let them watch! Let them see that UZUMAKI NARUTO has friends, that he has a TEAM, that he has a FAMILY, and that they're done with their shit. YOU HEAR ME YOU COWARDS! WE'RE DONE WITH YOU!" From the corner of her eye she was becoming aware of ANBU presence, she needed to get away from this, cool off some.

"Come on Naruto. I know someone we can trust to help." ANd with that she grabbed an almost shell shocked Naruto by the hand and began racing towards the clan homes.

It was a peaceful day in the Yamanaka flower shop, or as Ino tended to think about it? A boring day. Why bother wasting her time watching the store on when- Oh hey the bell! A customer!

"Welcome to the Yamanaka flower shop! Is there anything I can help you with today- SAKURA!?" In a heartbeat the purple clad heiress was across the room, flying to hug her best friend that had seemingly vanished. The surprise that she didn't fall over on contact hadn't quite set in yet and she clung tightly to her lost friend. Ino was talking again before Sakura even had the chance.

"We've all been so worried! No one's seen any of you in months, and your parents said Danzo had you and when I asked Daddy he looked so shocked and he couldn't find you and…" It was hard to make out the rest because she was happy crying into Sakura's shoulder. Now it was Sakura's turn to be shocked silent.

"Ino… I" She tried to talk but Ino cut in again.

"And you got Naruto out too! Oh no, is Sasuke-kun okay? EIther way, I'll go get Daddy. He can keep you safe from that man, with the two of you as witnesses we can probably get Sasuke back too and-" Ino almost got away from Sakura before she was caught by the hand.

"Ino, what are you talking about? Got out? Safe? That man? I've been training and doing missions with my team? This is the first full day we've had off."

"Wait so… You weren't kidnapped by your Sensei and brainwashed into emotionless soldiers?"

"I mean, I guess technically he did kidnap us. And… well there was some… motivational genjutsu use… And Sasuke's fine, he's just spending some time at the Uchiha shrine right now I think. Why has everyone been so worried? Didn't our Sensei tell people where we were?"

"Sakura, your Sensei is Shimura Danzo. The Shinobi no Yami, he's basically the boogeyman. When he takes students for "Accelerated Training" they're usually never seen again!" At this point Ino takes an actual good look at Sakura.

"Holy shit, Sakura. You're ripped, what have you been doing for the last few months? And what are you wearing? And don't tell me he turned Naruto into a mindless soldier. He hasn't said a word!"

"Ino, you haven't given us a chance to! And I told you we've been training. And Naruto's just having a bad day. Actually, that and the clothes were parts of why I came to see you! I had planned to come after dinner but the way our day has been, I kinda figured you were who we needed!"

"Well of course I'm who you need! I'm your best friend Forehead, you should have come to me sooner though I've been worried sick! What's going on with Naruto though? He kinda looks like he's in shock." Switching to address Naruto now "Sweetie do you need to sit down? Are you having a stroke?" The genuine concern in Ino's voice takes Naruto further by surprise. Leave it to a Yamanaka to see right through him.

"I uhh… Sorry I'm fine? I think?" Which convinces Ino not at all as she looks back to Sakura.

"Well between you letting us know everyone thought we'd been kidnapped and everything we just went through trying to get our shopping done I think he's probably a little confused. I doubt anyone's ever shown him as much care as he's had today." Ino's eyes go a little wide as Naruto tries to cut in.

"Well Iruka trie-"

"Tried his best, we know. But he also had a full class of students, a traitorous best friend, and his own training to keep up on. I doubt he ever tried to go shopping with you and saw how you got treated."

"What do you mean how he got treated, Forehead?. What's going on here?"

"Right, guess we haven't gotten there yet. So today's our first day off from training while Sensei gets some stuff ready for the Chunin exams or something. And we completed an A-Rank mission so sensei says we're allowed to customize our uniforms, and none of our casual clothes really fit anymore so we thought we'd go shopping. But all the stores we went to kept trying to overcharge us because of some stupid predjuidous againts Naruto. So I got pissy and almost pounded a bunch of civilians into the dirt, which made Naruto have some kind of anxiety attack and some ANBU start showing up so I brought us here! Figured who better to deal with anxiety and shopping woes then you!"

First Ino blinked.

Then Naruto blinked.

"What? Is there something on my face?"

"I'm sorry, did you say A-Rank mission? And you came here for Naruto's benefit? And you have a day off and you aren't with Sasuke, and you didn't come straight here, or go to see your parents? And? What? Who are you? Are you sure you haven't been brainwashed?" Ino got in first, completely flabbergasted.

"...Anxiety?" Naruto manages to sneak in, just loud enough to be heard. Which is about all Ino can take.

"Oh, okay no. Sakura you can wait. You two come up to the house with me so we can get this one sitting down. MOM! COME WATCH THE STORE MY FRIENDS NEED ME."

And before either of them can react Ino's got them both by the hand and is dragging them upstairs. Naruto is really unsure of what it is he's apparently gotten himself into but isn't going to complain about being away from the public eye. His time spent basically hidden away only made him more adverse to the village proper.

Before long the three of them are all seated on Ino's oversized plush bed drinking tea Ino had somehow conjured up.

"Alright Forehead, what exactly is going on? Why are stores trying to gouge the two of you? Because Naruto pranked them or something?"

Unsure of what exactly to say to that, Sakura looks to Naruto to see if he'll say anything. And he does, in a voice so quiet you would be forgiven for not hearing.

"...Kyuubi." Which leaves Ino even more confused, but brings a small smile to Sakura's face as her teammate opens up to more people.

"Um, I'm sorry but, did you just say Kyuubi? What does the Kyuubi have to do with this?" Ino looks between them for explanation only to see Sakura look pointedly between herself and Naruto, who's looking down nervously.

"You don't mean… You can't… Why? How? The Fourth killed it." Sakura just shakes her head.

"You can't kill a Bijuu anymore then you can destroy Chakra. Change it, move it around, even seal it sure. But kill it? Not possible. The Fourth sealed it in our knuckleheaded friend here the day he was born. Most of the adults hate him for it, only some of the better mannered clans and level headed ninja even treat him like a person." Naruto won't even look at them while they talk, waiting for Ino to freak out. And she does, but not in the way he expected.

Because for Ino the gears are turning. Hindsight is 20/20, and with context she sees it all. She sees clearly the neglected and abused child sitting in her bed trying not to have a breakdown. She's been learning psychology her whole life and she never once thought to look at the annoying prankster she thought she knew in the academy through that lens.

"Sweet Kami and he's been exclusively around people that see him for himself for months and then dropped back into what must be a hell hole for him just to try and get some clothes. And for Sakura to draw so much attention to it when he's probably been trying to ignore it his whole life…." Ino thinks to herself.

"Well! None of that matters. The Yamanaka clan will always back you and your team up Sakura-chan! That means you too Naruto! And of course I speak for the Akimichi and Nara clans as well!" She says that part with a little giggle.

"But, it sounds to me like you two are in need of a makeover and wardrobe update! I'll be right back. I'm gonna go raid the clan storage stuff, I'm sure we'll have some stuff tucked away that'll fit the two of you. Casuals and battle garb you said right?" She's basically glowing with excitement as she races out of the room leaving a bewildered Naruto and a giggling Sakura behind.

"Makeover?"

"Oh just go with it Naruto, this is how Ino is. You'll feel better when she's done with you."

In fact, by the time Ino was done with them they both felt better. Laden with gifts from Yamanaka heiress. Once they got started and she realized Naruto was actually following all the stuff they were talking about she started involving him more and more. He even got a bottle of Ino's favourite shampoo… That she had used to wash his hair in the sink before brushing it out and pulling it back into a loose braid. Somewhere Ino had managed to find him a faded orange hoodie that was only a little too big of him, and comfier than anything he's ever owned. Ino had protested at first when he picked it out of the pile of clothes she had returned with saying it was a girls hoodie, but he couldn't find anything girly about it? It wasn't like it was pink or anything. Something about it being a "pastel" not "faded orange", like there's a difference.

He had however protested when she started getting out her makeup equipment. Pretty sure that was a joke anyways but he was certain that would irritate his whiskers. Not that he'd tell anyone that.

"Earth to Naruto? Hello? Are you in there?" Apparently Sakura had been trying to get his attention, must have been in his own head a little too much still.

"Oh! Sorry Sakura-chan! What's up?" Sakura narrowed her eyes just a little at Naruto of all people being lost in thought.

"We're almost at the Uchiha Shrine, I doubt Sasuke would appreciate you not paying attention to his family's most sacred monument."

"Oh yeah, thanks Sakura-chan!" She was right of course, Sasuke didn't let anyone into the shrine, not even the genin teams that kept the rest of the district clean and in good repair. He was a little religious that way. Family only

Walking through the Uchiha district was a little surreal. You couldn't help but be struck by how little had been changed from when it was a living, thriving part of Konoha. You almost wouldn't believe it had been empty for 5 years… Sasuke must be spending a fortune to keep it so pristine. They'd…. They'd need to do something about this one day.

But in the meantime, they needed to collect Sasuke and make a trip to the Haruno house… It had been too long, and Sakura wanted her team with her. If Ino had been any indication her parents would likely be a little freaked out.

When they got to the shrine Sasuke was deep in prayer, wearing what looked to be borrowed robes… Robes that had almost certainly been from one of his fallen clan members. They didn't talk about it much, but it was fairly common knowledge that the Uchiha clan held Shinto faith. And with the life Sasuke had lived… Well it was no surprise he would seek solace in faith. And with his own "rebirth" as part of team 7 he had only rededicated himself to his faith.

He knew they were there, and finished his prayers before too long. Slipping out of the robe to reveal that he'd gotten more casual clothes as well. He waited until they were out of the shrine to talk.

"Uchiha Shisui. He was my brother's closest friend and died shortly before the massacre. His clothes fit." It went unsaid that Itachi had likely killed him, or that Sasuke knew he'd almost needed to have let him. Shunshin no Shisui was one of the few that could go toe to toe with Itachi and win as often as not. Part of the reason Sasuke was trying to learn to fight like him, if it worked against Itachi once it might again.

"Hey Sasuke… You know you don't have to come, Naruto and I can just go."

"No, you'll have your team with you." At this point he actually takes a look at the two of them.

"You both look nice, even if Naruto does look like a girl. Good shopping trip?" Which of course makes Naruto go bright red, and Sakura burst out laughing.

"Oh no, it was terrible actually but I'll fill you in later. We ended up going to Ino's and she sorted us out. Oh, and a heads up. Apparently everyone thinks we were kidnapped and brainwashed so my parents are probably gonna FREAK. So I donnu, try and act normal I guess?" A quick look at her team sorta dashes any hope of that. "Or, you know. Just act like yourselves maybe?" Oh who was she kidding, they were doomed.

"Hn. We can debrief afterwards." Ever unphased, who doesn't react to finding out they've been kidnapped?

The Haruno residence was a nice place. A nice civilian neighbourhood, friendly neighbours. At least, it was when every pair of eyes on the street wasn't staring at them like they'd seen a ghost. Sakura's awkward smile and wave didn't seem to help any. At least they were so surprised to see her that they didn't seem to register "The Last Uchiha" or "The Demon Brat". Perks of staying out of the public eye is that people that don't know you don't recognize you as easily it seems.

Oh, they were at the door now. Just… standing there. Luckily for Sasuke he wouldn't need to say anything, Naruto could never tolerate standing in the open like this. Standing still in public is how people notice you.

"Sakura… Everything okay?"

"Oh, uh, yeah. Just nervous I guess." The spell seemingly broken, and a deep breath to steady herself later she was knocking. It didn't take long to hear some scuffling around from inside before the door was opened by a kind-faced man with blue eyes, and dull-pink hair that could only be Sakura's father. He had the look of a man who had just walked away from an argument laughing. Only now he was staring owlishly at the three of them. Sakura waving awkwardly, with Naruto almost tucked behind her, Sasuke standing tall and proud on the other side.

"Uh, hey Dad… I uh… I got a day off from training so I thought I'd bring my team by to meet you and say hi?" And while there were a lot of reactions that could have been expected from this, the way he lunged forwards and pulled all three of them into a giant bearhug was not one of them.

"Dear Kami, my prayers have been answered. My Sakura-chan is home! MEBUKI! MEBUKI GET OUT HERE IT'S SAKURA AND HER TEAM!" Sakura's father shouts over his shoulder as he somehow manages to pick the three of them up and twirl them around like children. Naruto and Sasuke, who had of course frozen up at the unfamiliar touch, started to relax, Naruto was even giggling at the whole situation. Sakuta on the other hand was trying to wiggle out of his seemingly iron grip.

"Dad! Put us down! All the neighbours are watching. We're Shinobi not kids! Put us down!" She manages to get out around her own laughter.

"Oh not a chance little miss, you vanish after school one day and don't come back for three months? I'm never letting go again." At this point he looks behind her head to have a look at her teammates.

"And you'll need to introduce me to your team, if I'm never letting go I should probably know who I'm entrapping!" Luckily he decided to stop twirling to give her a chance to introduce them.

Only they don't get a chance before a fair-skinned woman with shoulder-length, blonde hair and green eyes to match her husband and daughter comes out of the door.

"Kizashi! Put them down this instant and get inside! All of you! In the house you're disturbing the neighbours."

Kizashi almost comically deflates at his wife's scolding, the little smile he bears letting them all know he doesn't actually mind. Seemingly the joker of the household however, rather than let them down gently he drops team 7 into a heap on the ground.

"You heard the lady! In the house youngsters, what are you all doing on the ground? You know when I was a young Gennin I could land on my feet!" He starts to gesture them inside, all the while laughing at their predicament.

The moment they're inside with the door closed, Sakura's Mom has her wrapped in a tight hug.

"Oh my precious Sakura-chan, we were so scared for you. That Sense of yours has the nastiest reputation and we weren't sure we'd ever see you again and-" As she started to cry, Kizashi directed the boys further inside to give the reunited mother some time with her daughter.

"You'll have to forgive Mebuki, she's a bit of a worrier. Though I have to say given the circumstances… Well we all had some reason to worry. I thought that friend of hers, Ino was going to tear Lord Hokage apart when he refused to get her back from your Sensei. Me though? I know old Sarutobi too well to really believe he'd let my daughter get wrapped up in any of that "root" business. Anyways, where are my manners? I'm Kizashi, you must be Naruto and Sasuke, yes?"

The two young ninja share a glance before nodding, then bowing deeply to the man and replying in stereo.

"Hai, it is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Haruno, sir!"

"Oh enough of all that formality, you'll call me Kizashi and I'll be calling you Naruto and Sasuke." Looking eyes with the boys individually he settles on Sasuke.

"Now tell me. Man to man. Have you two been looking after my daughter? Is she cared? Protected? She was always so good in class but you know… I was a genin once. And I'm not so sure what they teach in school these days is enough for the world." The care and concern in his voice evident, Sasuke almost wasn't sure how to answer. Luckily for him a chuckle from Naruto broke the man's stare.

"Oh jeez, that's funny. We all look out for eachother but if anything it's Sakura looking after us. Did you LOOK at her? She's strong as an ox! No one kicks ass like Sakura-chan!"

Kizashi went quiet and narrowed his eyes a little, before clapping and bursting out laughing again.

"Ah that's my girl! Got her mother's fire does she? Aww it warms an old man's heart. And what about that Sensei of yours? Is he treating you lot right? Nasty reputation that fellow has."

Now it was Naruto's turn to look to Sasuke for help, not being sure how to say it. Sasuke was better at being blunt

"Danzo's training is brutal, but fair. Team 7 has much to accomplish and I doubt there are many with the resources and willingness to push us as far as Sensei has."

"Ah well, that's as good as can be hoped for I suppose. Well I'll tell you boys what, why don't I get started on dinner? A nice family meal will be just what Sakura needs after Mebuki's done tearing into her for vanishing like that. I know I know not that she had much of a choice but that won't stop a worried mother. Make yourselves at home!" Without really giving either of them a chance to talk, Kizashi sets off for the kitchen.

Back with Sakura and Mebuki

As Mebuki started to cry and Kizashi led the boys away Sakura began to panic a little. What was she supposed to do? She'd never seen her Mom cry before, and crying over her, when she'd barely even thought about them? Sure maybe in the beginning but as time went on she adjusted to her environment, and her father was a retired Genin surely he would have understood that the Hokage wouldn't let anything bad happen to the three of them-

That was when it occurred to her, "people will react when they find out I am your Sensei. You will likely be shunned. I am known to many as Shinobi no Yami, or the Darkness of Shinobi.". Her parent's didn't know she was okay. She hadn't thought much of it when their Sensei told them that at formation, thinking to herself that any Shinobi as old as him would have some history. Hell you could occasionally hear some dark stories about their Hokage even.

No, whatever it was her Sensei had done had earned him such a feared reputation that her parents had thought her lost to them. She knew what she had to do. The same thing Naruto did when she broke down that first day.

"H-hey Mom, it's okay. It's okay Mom I'm here now. I'm safe." And she wrapped her arms around the older woman, who could now realize that Sakura was just as tall as her now. And had more muscle then her and Kizashi put together.

As Mebuki got herself back under control she couldn't help but giggle a little at her little girl being so big and strong. "Kami sweetie… What kind of training have you been doing? I thought you wanted to be a med-nin or Genjutsu Specialist?"

Sakura broke out in an almost wolfish grin, "That's every Kunochi's plan isn't it? That or Intel. They're always so surprised when they get in close and find that the pretty little Kunochi can bend steel with her bare hands." Mebuki's eyes widened just a little before Sakura continued, seeing a side of her daughter she never had before. "But honestly I just…. My team…. They've had horrible lives. And being strong like this? A way they're not? Maybe they can finally have someone to protect them. And… And I want to protect them."

Going into this conversation, that was the last thing that Mebuki expected to hear from her daughter. She expected to hear about the horrors of Root training and instead she was hearing… What got her through that training was wanting to protect her team? All the while Mebuki had been hoping the boys would protect Sakura…

"While, it sure seems like they're in capable hands. Why don't you go join them in the other room while I help your Father with dinner, I can already smell him burning something." Her tears whipped away, Mebuki laughed a little as she pushed her daughter towards her friends. "Go on, I'll be fine."

And Sakura did go, she smiled and went along with it. But behind those bright green eyes Sakura's resolve hardened in a way it never had. She would be strong of body, because no one would ever cry in fear for her safety again. She would be strong of Mind, because never again would she leave a loved one behind, even by accident. And she would be strong of Heart, so that Team 7 would never break under the weight of its past.

This is The Way of Sakura. Her Nindo.

The rest of the night was… Nice. Naruto had never been to a family dinner, and while he was nervous, and certainly the atmosphere was somewhat awkward, this was Sakura's family and she was determined to make all of Team 7 a part of it. And so they talked. They talked about Naruto's plants, some of the food Sasuke had made for them (Which of course led to Kizashi chiming in that maybe he should cook next time), they talked about some of their training. And at one point Naruto even talked about this lovely girl Haku he'd met on a mission, none of the dark stuff but he almost started crying anyways. He likely would have if not for Sakura putting a hand on his shoulder and telling him how happy she's sure Haku would be to see Naruto happy and surrounded by friends. And maybe the smile was sad, and maybe there was one tear, but he was smiling again.

Sasuke's heart ached a little, it had been so long since he had a proper family dinner, and he couldn't help but remember his parents. But Sakura was right in what she said to Naruto. At the very least his Mother would be smiling down on him tonight.

They had of course been made to swear on their honour not to be away so long in the future. But they would talk to Sensei about that tomorrow.

For now, it was time to focus on the Chunin exams.

Note: Changed