Three weeks and one day later after her sixth birthday and her family wishing her well "Good luck imouto and make sure you send me a letter at the end of every week with the royal messenger phoenix that Koron-chan has" Musubime hugged his little sister tightly.
Not wanting to see her go off by herself but nothing he'd said had swayed her from this decision "Quite we're all expecting a letter a week, for each of us individually my little princess" Sayuri squished her now six year old daughter to her chest.
Finding it difficult to hold back her tears "Don't worry Madam Sayuri-sama, we'll protect Sakura-hime with our lives" Koron and her twin brother Kyogo, both with green hair and pink eyes, two of the royal samurai guard vowed since they'd be going with their princess to Leaf.
And helping with her undercover princess training as well since they'd been given all the material to help Sakura learn all she needed in case something happened to Musubime, their oji-sama, "Good, good and now I believe it's time for you to go" Juhi gave his daughter a farewell hug.
Before helping her into the kago, "Bye, bye Musubime-ni, Mother, Father" Sakura waved as she'd been taught before the sliding door was shut and the wheel-less vehicle was picked up by the other two guard that would be escorting her all the way to the Hidden Leaf Village.
It took a week and each night she would rest in her kago since she could fit quite comfortably within it and not cause trouble for her escorts and permanently assigned samurai guard, before she knew it they were signing in at the gates of her home for the foreseeable future.
Halfway to her Aunt, Uncle and cousins house a commotion started up "Sorry Ojo-sama we'll have to stop for a moment" Kyogo called from outside the kago and then she heard the unsheathing of his sword Zoge, a white ivory sword with a phoenix crest engraved into the hilt.
"What on earth is going on here" a voice barked in a commanding voice suddenly and through the sliding door she saw a shadow stride by, large with an intimidating presence at least that's how she felt anyway.
Then the sliding door to her kago was slid open "My apologies Sakura-hime but we'll have to walk, apparently those Uchiha won't let us keep carrying your kago through the village" Koron was right there lifting her out and onto her back so she didn't have to walk.
Kyogo was at her side in the next moment, seeing the other samurai escorts off for a few moments and the kago was carried off to be returned to the Capital of Fire Country "That's okay, I like it out here anyway" Sakura hummed softly.
Emerald orbs glancing every which direction and taking in the Leaf Village for only the second time, the first being her coming out party which she doubted anyone really remembered, considering it had been a whole year ago, even if it had lasted for a week.
Koron and Kyogo shared a smile with each other continuing the rest of the way to the Haruno Household in the civilian section on foot and then they were there and knocking on the door, and only seconds after that the door was being thrown open.
And Sakura found herself snatched off Koron's back and being squished to her Aunts chest "Mebuki-oba-chan it feels like it's been forever" Sakura squealed wrapping her arms around the woman's neck and squeezing gently.
Before wiggling free and lunging at her uncle "Kizashi-oji-san I miss your silly jokes, Father isn't nearly as funny when you aren't around sometimes" Sakura giggled before turning her attention on her cousins and greeting them as well.
"Hello Sakura-chan, still can't believe your here though, we got to move into a bigger house and everything so everyone has their own room, even Koron-chan and Kyogo-kun" Koeda, who was eight years old and already in the academy chattered.
While Eda was still only two "Saku-chan, Saku-chan pway, pway" the little dark blonde haired boy demanded holding his arms up wanting to be held and so his cousin obliged him by picking him up carefully and spinning gently until he got bored and toddled away to play with blocks.
This was watched by her Aunt and Uncle "Now that all the greetings have been made, why don't we show you to your room my cute little niece" Mebuki hefted Sakura up into another hug before placing the girl on her feet again.
Moments later she was led to a lavish room, with a canopy bed, changing screen, dresser with kimono and yukata of all types, plus training clothes and accessories and personal bathroom "Decked it out in all your favorite stuff so what do you think princess" Kizashi asked.
Knowing the girl was already ridiculously spoiled but they couldn't help but spoil her even more, their daughter had gotten the same treatment as well as their son "Love it Mebuki-oba-chan, Kizashi-oji-san" Sakura squealed flopping down on her new bed.
Before hopping up again "That look means your ready to be enrolled into the academy, which starts in a week, you got here just in time to" Mebuki smiled and Sakura nodded her head eagerly following them from her room in their house.
She could still hardly believe the girl wanted to be a shinobi, but that was probably due to Darui's influence since he was a ninja, she wanted to be one to "I'll take her, Kyogo can come with us just in case" Kizashi strapped his sandals onto his feet again.
His little niece doing the same and then she was being lifted onto Kyogo's back this time and being carried out the door "Ne, Kyogo-kun don't you think I should walk get some exercise in, I won't be able to be carried everywhere as a shinobi after all" the little pinkette pointed out.
"Very well your wish is my command princess, you have the power after all" Kyogo let his charge down slowly until she was stood on her feet for the first time in the middle of a street in a village that was now larger than life to her.
With emerald eyes blown wide she took her uncle by the hand and tried her best to keep up and not trip over her extremely long kimono, in fact she still had her head piece on and phoenix crest necklace signifying her status as the Feudal Lord's Daughter the Princess of Fire Country.
Probably something she would never take off even if someone demanded it of her, the bracelet Darui had sent her for her sixth birthday was also firmly situated upon her wrist and also something she would never take off.
Then the three of them were passing through the academy entrance gates and heading into the large building that she would be spending seven years studying in learning how to be a ninja a kunoichi in training essentially.
Not long after that they were stood in an office before the Principal of the academy "Now who do we have here a late entree to the a…..good heavens my princess what are you doing here" the Principal suddenly recognized the crest around her neck and bowed low.
Clearly the girl hadn't expected that sort of reaction "Want to become a kunoichi" Sakura hadn't thought her presence would cause that much fuss just cause she wanted to be enrolled into the academy shinobi program.
"Yes, yes of course anything you wish Princess we shall deliver" the Principal quickly handed over all the paperwork so it could be filled out and thirty minutes later, she was being led from the academy and back down the streets by her uncle and samurai guard to the house.
Kizashi glance down to his niece as they walked back slowly towards his house, watching her take in everything with wide emerald eyes, when suddenly something caught her attention and he was pulled to a stop.
In the window of a shop, displayed for all to see was a complete beginner medic kit, ointments, creams, fever reducers, medical textbooks, bandages, mortar and pestle, a kit to make antidotes, and herbs of all varieties.
Her Uncle chuckled and nodded to Kyogo "Be right back Ojo-sama" the green haired, pink eyed male hurried into the shop and bought the entire kit including a little bit extra, elbow and knee warms, gloves and an outfit that was suited to being a medic.
Both males knew where the sudden interest was coming from "Made a decision didn't you, to become a medical ninja just like Cee-san so that in case he can't get to Darui, you can heal him yourself someday" Kizashi questioned.
Sakura nodded humming softly in answer "Cause I really like Darui-kun and sometimes this profession can be dangerous" the little pinkette knew because Darui had told her and she was taking all of this as seriously as she could.
Glad that he didn't have to stress that particular thing they made it back to the house without further incident "All signed up at the academy then" Mebuki appeared from where she was making dinner in the kitchen at the sound of the door opening up.
"Mhm and I also decided to become a medical shinobi just like Cee-san if Darui-kun was ever in any danger" Sakura exclaimed hugging her Aunt again because it had been a year since she'd last seen her extended family.
Mebuki's lips quirked upwards in amusement "That'll keep you out of trouble for sure, now go play with you're cousins while I finish up dinner then it will be into the bath for the lot of you" the blonde shooed Sakura towards Koeda and Eda.
Who were both playing with blocks to entertain themselves "I'm still having a hard time believing your really here Sakura-chan" Koeda murmured when her younger cousin sat down and put a couple of blocks together for Eda to knock down.
"Thought for sure Father and Mother would never go for it either but I'm here and I'm going to be a kunoichi someday and a medical shinobi" Sakura smiled helping Eda to his feet when the little blonde demanded it.
And he made them go on an adventure around the living room until it was time for supper "Okay Princess time for a bath" Koron led Sakura to her personal bathroom and had her wait on the toilet while she drew a bath for her.
While the water was filling the tub, Koron went back into the bedroom and from the dresser collected a sleeping yukata and house slippers "Ne, Koron-chan is there a difference between samurai and ninja" the little fuscia haired girl asked suddenly.
Upon her return to the bathroom, Koron blinked before nodding as she pulled out a towel, along with some two in one shampoo and conditioner along with body wash and a rag to make sure she scrubbed the girl down.
"Of course Sakura-hime, whereas we samurai use our chakra mainly to charge our swords, shinobi use their chakra for jutsu's and many other things" the green haired, pink eyed woman explained helping Sakura out of all her clothing and jewelry.
First was the head piece, it was set carefully on a shelf, followed by the necklace and lastly the bracelet each handled with care, then the obi of her kimono was untied, then came the under obi and finally her underthings.
Before she was deposited firmly in warm water and her body was being scrubbed "Really Koron-chan that's kind of cool" Sakura hummed when she had to tilt her head back in order for her short hair to be washed until she was all squeaky clean.
And the water was being drained out of the tub, a towel was wrapped around her body so she could be dried along with her hair, before she was being dressed again in the sleeping yukata, feet already in the little fuzzy house slippers.
When they started leaving the bathroom she jolted to a stop "Don't worry hime-sama I have your necklace, bracelet and head piece, which will be put up and I'll help you put them on tomorrow for now it's time for bed" Koron instructed.
Left with no other choice and quickly scurrying off to bid her Aunt, Uncle and Cousins goodnight Sakura scrambled into her canopy bed where the curtains were slid shut enveloping her in usual darkness, not but a few minutes later a music box sounded through her room, helping her drift off.
The next morning came quickly and after breakfast "See you after the academy lets out Sakura-chan, Mom, Dad, Eda-otouto" Koeda waved, grabbing her backpack and bento before heading out the door.
Eda was taken away to play in his playpen "Now it's time for your lessons, and yes we're starting now get you use to them this week so you might be able to jungle them during going to class" Mebuki laid out a calligraphy set, ink brush, ink well and plenty of blank paper.
"Every Prince or Princess must have legitimate writing skills so we'll be working on your calligraphy this morning, history in the afternoon and math before dinner" Kizashi instructed setting down some words his niece could practice writing in ink.
She led out a long suffering sigh "Right got it Mebuki-oba-chan, Kizashi-oji-san" Sakura nodded taking the ink brush in hand and dipped it into the ink, being careful not to drip any all over the table and began her first official lesson as a princess.
Now she knew why Musubime use to complain a lot at the start of his lessons, because by the time it was lunch her hand hurt, not only that but she was made to practice how to be ambidextrous to and that just hurt even more.
"There, there Hime-sama once you get use to it, you won't feel any sort of pain" Koron announced as she rubbed some pain relieving cream gently onto Sakura's wrist to help relieve the pain that she was feeling.
Off to the side was her brother "Quite and your already proving to be a lot more talented than oji-sama" Kyogo tried to make the little princess feel better and finally got a smile before it was time for history lessons for a couple hours and lastly math lesson.
Before they knew it the entire day had passed and Koeda was back from the academy "What happened" Koeda freaked out when she saw her cousin laying on the floor looking as if she'd had her soul sucked from her body.
While her parents sat on the couch looking scarily amused they had these freaky little smiles on their lips "Oh nothing but her lessons Koeda-chan, she's being melodramatic" Kizashi snorted eyeing his niece again and that smile came back to his lips.
"Indeed, math proved to be her downfall" Mebuki snickered and stood heading into the kitchen to make dinner for her family, the royal samurai guard and niece, thirty minutes later she was calling them in to eat.
Sakura looked moderately better as she got food in her "Feel better Hime-sama" Koron had also been amused by her charge's antics, though the girl hadn't thrown a fit in the least, just had felt a little tired after several math equations.
The fuscia haired princess turned and nodded "Mhm my brain hurt for a bit but I'm okay now Koron-chan" Sakura hummed softly eating with the manners that her mother had drilled into her from a young age.
"Good because those lessons will last throughout the week" Kyogo reminded, it didn't seem as if he had to because Sakura simply nodded and returned to her meal before it was time for bath time again and the nightly ritual was conducted yet again for the second night, her second in the Leaf Village.
And before they all knew it, it was Saturday with only one day left before she would go off to the academy with Koeda "What are you gonna do today Sakura-chan since Mother and Father let you out of your lessons" Koeda asked as they sat in Sakura's room.
"Mm maybe right letters to everyone, Darui-kun to" the pinkette giggled as her eyes brightened how she missed her betrothed, it had been over a year now since the last time she'd seen him, perhaps she'd be able to convince to come and visit her in Leaf.
Koeda smiled "You really like that Cloud Shinobi huh….guess I'll leave you to it then and if you feel up to it later we can go play at the park, though you'll have to put on something other than a kimono cause it will get dirty" Koeda stood and vanished out her cousin's bedroom door.
Leaving Sakura to make good on her promise and write an individual letter each to her family, her Father first, then Mother, older Brother, her calligraphy must have improved over the course of the week cause her handwriting was much neater this time around.
Those three letters were sealed in an envelope to be sent with the royal messenger phoenix, before she turned her attention on a letter to her future betrothed, she had to think long and hard before she could begin and it came out a little like this.
~Dear Darui-kun,
You probably didn't know but I decided to become a kunoichi and go to the academy, so now I've moved all the way to the Hidden Leaf Village, my Mother and Father agreed only on the condition I complete my lessons on how to be a Princess while staying with my Aunt and Uncle.
Been in Leaf a week already and sometimes it feels like my wrist is going to fall off or my brain is going to melt because of all those math equations, mathematics is not my forte to say the least, but I think I might be getting it a little.
My older cousin Koeda loves having me here and she's going to walk me to the academy everyday, Eda is adorable though and loves to make loud noises when he knocks over his blocks but that's okay I love playing with him when I get a break.
Also thank you for the bracelet for my birthday Darui-kun, I never take it off unless I'm bathing or sleeping, it's one of my most important items in the entire world, miss you though and wish I could see you again.
Anyway Koeda-chan is back staring at me so I'll end my letter here and stop rambling on and on about things that are probably confusing you, tell Cee-san hello and that I'm going to be a medical shinobi someday to help heal you.
Your Princess,
Sakura Haruno~
After signing and dating her letter and writing Darui's name on the envelope like she had the others so the phoenix knew who it was being delivered by, Koron helped her into clothes that were befitting of playing outside so she could go to the park with Koeda and play.
With her royal samurai guards in tow, they headed out the door and all the way across the village, where she saw even more of it than the first time she'd been out when her uncle had taken her to sign up at the academy.
There were many other children there but Sakura kept close to her cousin for the most part, becoming shy in their presence since she wasn't use to being around so many kids her age just yet and together they played before it was time to go back home, eat dinner and repeat the nightly ritual.