By the time Sakura was eight Darui had come to visit her in the Leaf Village five more times, only for two weeks each time sure, but he also brought souvenirs and a gift for her birthday if he managed to time his visits well.
It had also been two years since she'd seen any of her family, her Father, Mother and Brother and so when they were given a month off from the academy after Sasuke's own eight birthday she decided to go back to the Capital.
"Do you really have to go Sakura-chan" Eda, who was now five himself and would be going to the academy next year asked latching on to her kimono clad form, she'd just finished her lessons on good posture and how to be graceful.
Emerald orbs shifted to blue "I love being here Eda-kun, but I miss everyone there since it's been over two years, sure I get letters and gifts, but I miss them" Sakura knelt before her youngest family member not wanting him to feel as if she was abandoning him.
The little boy sniffled "Okay just promise to bring a souvenir back from the Capital pwease" Eda pleaded with his three year older cousin, Sakura smiled fondly and wrapped her arms around him pulling him into a careful hug.
"You got it Eda-kun and don't worry Koeda-chan I'll bring something back for you and Sasuke and Hinata-chan" Sakura exclaimed heading to her bedroom to pack some belongings for the month, even if she would only be home for two weeks, the last two would be spent traveling.
Koeda followed her "Just be careful okay, it's getting dangerous out in the world Sakura-chan and I worry about what could happen to you, even with Kyogo-kun and Koron-chan with you" Koeda admitted in a worried tone.
Sakura faced her older cousin, who in just under two years would be a genin, emerald locked with emerald "Understood Koeda-chan besides, Mother and Father have sent escorts and the kago, they should be arriving any minute now" Sakura announced.
Just as she said that the door opened "Princess your kago awaits at the village gates" Koron was there hurriedly finishing up the packing and taking Sakura by the hand to lead her from the room and into the living room.
Where her extended family was gathered "We'll see you at the end of the month Sakura-chan, so make sure you take care of yourself while home" Mebuki crushed her niece to her chest worried much like her daughter.
Now she knew where Koeda got her constant worry streak from which brought a smile to her lips "And promise that you'll continue your reading and not forget all you've learned" Mebuki continued not wanting to see something her niece really wanted slip through her fingers.
This caused her husband to chuckle and snag his niece from Mebuki's arms to her chagrin "Honestly, anyway good luck Sakura-chan and we'll see you in a month" Kizashi hugged Sakura just as he always had.
Before placing the now eight year old girl on her feet "Come along Ojo-sama we mustn't keep your kago and other escorts waiting" Kyogo tapped his foot and Sakura sighed letting herself be hefted onto the green haired males back.
The one time she wished she could walk but because she was this Country's Princess and she was going home as the Princess she couldn't and had to be carried "Right then off you go" Kizashi waved as the three that had stayed in his house for two years left with small waves.
"Bye bye see you in a month Mebuki-oba-chan, Kizashi-oji-san, Koeda-chan, Eda-kun" Sakura called enthusiastically her last stance as a kunoichi in training for a month before she focused her attention on becoming the Princess she was expected to be.
As they arrived at the gates and signed out before she was helped into the now slightly larger kago, two more escorts than usual just as the sliding door was slid shut and she felt weightless knowing that she was being carried now.
To home, where her family was waiting "Goodness you have grown my sweet little blossom" Sayuri was waiting for her at the doors entrance and couldn't help but crush her daughter to her chest in a move reminiscent of her sister in law's.
Sakura's eyes widened and she felt as if a piece of her had been returned "Mhm and I've learned lots of things Mother from the academy and made two awesome friends, Hinata-chan and Sasuke" Sakura chattered excitedly.
Returning her mother's hug a lot more calmly because now she had to act like the Princess everyone expected her to be "So there's no chance of convincing you to quit, we could always hire you a tutor to learn that medical ninjutsu" Sayuri offered.
But as she suspected her daughter was hooked and there was no chance in blazes that she would quit her chosen career path, with that they started inside, guards, maids and butlers alike lined up in a row bowing low to welcome their Princess home.
Until they were there stood in the main hall/throne room, Juhi stood when his daughter appeared after two years of studying how to be a ninja and calmly walked down the steps to greet her "My Princess" the term of endearment left his lips in a whisper as she was enveloped in his arms.
Warm and loving just as she remembered, even if Kizashi's hugs gave her the same sort of feeling it was different he wasn't her Father, even if he was her Father's Twin, they were different "Father" Sakura buried her face in his chest wrapping her arms around his waist and squeezing.
As tears filled her eyes, she'd really missed him "Don't cry Sakura" Juhi chuckled rubbing her back soothingly, she'd always been emotional and that hadn't changed in the last two years it seemed, which was a relief.
She sniffled one last time before pulling away "Just hit me suddenly that I've really missed you" Sakura smiled sheepishly glancing around for the last person she had yet to see for over two years and finally spotted him coming towards them at a quick walk, still graceful though.
Quick as she could she let go of her Father and when her brother was near latched onto him "Imouto-chan welcome home" Musubime murmured into her bright locks of pink hair feeling as if his family was whole again for the first time in two years.
"Ni-san, Ni-san I've missed you so much" Sakura cried the tears coming in full force, this person was the person she'd missed the most, cause seeing Sasuke with his older brother nearly every single day for two years had torn at her because she didn't get to see her own brother.
Musubime was surprised and shot a look to their parents, who were both sporting matching fond smiles "There, there Sakura, and I know, I've missed you a lot to, to the point I almost demanded to go visit you a few times, but lessons kept me busy as you know from our letters" Musubime said.
Sakura pulled away drying her eyes with a handkerchief that she was handed by Koron, then blew her nose "I know cause the lessons are important, never mind about that I brought gifts" Sakura chattered back to her usual self now that she'd seen all of her family again.
Causing both of her parents to laugh and for her brother to smile widely "Why don't we do this in the sitting room my blossom" Sayuri offered knowing that the gifts were no doubt going to be elaborate with some sort of ninja twist to them.
With a wide smile on her lips they headed to the sitting room where she started doling out the gifts "For you mother a hair piece, it has bells in it, see you can add genjutsu, that's an illusion, to it and hide you from sight with ease, but it's really pretty and suits you" Sakura announced.
Handing over the beautiful hair accessory to her Mother, who stared at it in shock "Genjutsu hmm well that does sound rather interesting" now Sayuri was just a hair bit more curious about her daughters chosen profession.
The smile grew wider yet "It is, it all happens in the mind, someone can cast one of these genjutsu's and it alters reality, sometimes people think that the illusion is real because there's some really good genjutsu users in the village" Sakura explained easily.
Sayuri sat back at that "What did you bring me my little princess" Juhi was as equally as curious, he hadn't thought that his daughter would really be all that excited about ninja things as they called them but here she was and she was making him curious.
"For you Father, a sword and a book on kenjutsu, that seems like your sort of thing, Kizashi-oji-san said that you use to be interested but none of the samurai would teach you, but there's different ways for shinobi" Sakura held out the next two items.
One a sword in a dark pink almost red color that gleamed in the light of the room, with a dark blue hilt and a book to learn the art of kenjutsu "Very good you know us well my little hime" Juhi surprised himself by chuckling.
Now in the case of emergencies he could learn how to protect his wife and children, the shinobi way, Sakura's eyes sparkled with her happiness "Course I do Father, just because we've spent the last two years apart hasn't changed anything" Sakura pointed out matter of factly.
Causing both of her parents to laugh again, such a joyful sound that brought back memories "What about me Imouto-chan, what did you bring me from the Leaf Village" Musubime didn't want to be left out and drew her attention onto him.
When she turned and faced him with a mischievous smile he knew it was going to be good "For you Ni-san, I had Koron-chan and Kyogo-kun look for relentlessly, three books on beginner fuinjutsu with this we can play all sorts of pranks" Sakura snickered.
Hopelessly a mischief maker in that single moment "Fuinjutsu what's that" Musubime was confused, even if he was also extremely amused especially their parents matching looks of exasperation of course she'd bring back something to use to formulate her pranks.
"Fuinjutsu is sealing jutsu, you write out seals, that's where the calligraphy lessons come in real handy and then you take this a camouflage seal, add just a tiny bit of your chakra to it and wham your invisible to everyone else" Sakura explained.
Taking one of her hand drawn camouflage seals, added just a bit of her chakra exerting control and vanished for a few minutes before their eyes and then she was suddenly there again stuffing a tag into her sleeve again.
All of her family was in awe "But wait I thought you had to be a genin before you could learn how to use your chakra" Sayuri said the last word slowly because she was still extremely confused, despite getting letters every single week from her daughter.
Sakura turned again "You have to learn that stuff in order to become a genin Mother, we've already learned the escape jutsu and clone jutsu, but I took it a step further and learned how to add my chakra to other things" Sakura admitted.
"Intriguing, anyway thank you my little hime for the wonderful gifts, we'll be sure to use or wear them accordingly, now I must return to my duties and it's time for your lessons Musubime" Juhi stood ending their time as a family.
Musubime sighed "Right since you only just got home you don't have to join lessons today, but I'll see you later so we can work on these" Musubime held up his gifts then vanished after his Father to start his lessons for the day.
Even Sayuri disappeared which left Sakura to her own devices for most of the day, so she headed to her room which was still as she remembered, large and clean and full of all of her things she'd liked a couple years ago.
Before she flopped down on her large canopy bed, secretly admitting to herself that her room at Uncle Kizashi's and Aunt Mebuki's was a lot nicer cause it was smaller, and pulled out her books to read further on medicinal plants, herbs and flowers.
She'd moved on from reading about chakra control and medical jutsu, through anatomy and the favored weapons of medics all the way through what she was currently reading now, plus tending to people the civilian way.
"Already studying I see Hime-sama" Koron appeared suddenly noting what Sakura was reading, she really was obsessed with learning how to be a medic-nin like Cee, who had come a couple of times with Darui to visit and give some pointers.
Green eyes flicked up to meet pink before Sakura nodded "Mhm I can't neglect my own studying even if I'm home for a couple of weeks" the little pinkette hummed softly lowering her gaze onto her book again to read the information within.
Koron smiled "Your going to be the most famous Feudal Princess of them all, the only one to become a shinobi" the green haired pink eyed woman laughed lightly knowing that her little charge would go down in the history books someday.
With that because she'd wanted to assure herself that Sakura was really happy being home and adjusting well Koron returned to her station outside the young girls room "How is she" Kyogo whispered to his sister.
Earning a smile "That's a relief that she's adjusted already" the green haired pink eyed male sighed in relief seeing the answer in his twin's facial expressions with ease, they were twins of course it would be easy.
The rest of the day passed by quickly until it was dinner time "So what did you do all this time, I thought I'd see you at least once but you never came out of the family wing of the palace" Sayuri scolded with a smile.
And her daughter grinned "I studied, since I'm going to be a medic-nin I have to study extensively on the subject just to be prepared and I haven't even started learning the mystical palm that's the healing jutsu" Sakura said before using the etiquette that had been drilled into her.
Ate like she was supposed to, didn't lean forward, kept her back straight and had a polite voice "What all do you have to learn in order to be a medic" Juhi questioned waiting until she'd finished chewing her broccoli with her mouth closed.
She set her fork down and swallowed quietly not noisily like some people did "Lots of things Father, I've already got one redeeming quality, good chakra control and I've been working on that, but there's also anatomy, knowing which plants to use and plenty of other stuff" Sakura ticked off her fingers.
Juhi blinked "How far have you gotten on your studies Imouto-chan" Musubime was as equally as curious as his parents and because he'd never considered that it might actually be hard what his sister was trying to learn.
"Not as far as I like, the first year I studied medical ninjutsu and chakra control in theory, second year anatomy and extensive reading on pressure points, plus throwing needles, now I'm working on medicinal plants, herbs and flowers and learning how to tend to people the civilian way" Sakura listed with ease.
Making her parents and brother realize that yes being a medic-nin wouldn't be easy "And what else do you still have to learn my blossom" Sayuri prodded wanting to learn more, perhaps this wasn't just a bad idea after all.
Even if they didn't get to see their daughter for years at a time "Mm wrapping wounds, learning all the ointments and creams and things in the medical pouch, how to stock it, how to use each item, antidotes, poisons, treating injuries just to scratch the surface" Sakura announced.
"Looks like you have quite a few eventful years ahead of you my little hime, is there anything else to being a medical shinobi that you've learned so far in your studies" Juhi leaned forward waiting for the extensive answer that was sure to come.
And come it did "To be a medic-nin I have to go through extensive evasion training, learn throwing needles and anatomy inside out and be able to heal in the thick of battle because without the medic, the whole team might die, learning how to spot injuries and many more" Sakura smiled.
"Wow imouto-chan and what about fuinjutsu can you incorporate that into your medical shinobi training as well" Musubime questioned from her other side suddenly and her emerald orbs flicked in his direction.
But it seemed she had to think about this particular answer "Possibly, but one wouldn't really have time to sit down and draw seals in the middle of a fight Musubime-ni, they would have to be prepared beforehand" Sakura finally answered.
Conversation finally died down after that and dinner was finished without incident, then they all retired to the sitting room in the family wing of the palace to chat some more and ask further questions before it was bath time and finally bed time.
That was her first day home, the second day consisted of her lessons, which she finally got to sit in with her brother "Excited are you imouto-chan" Musubime realized that his sister was practically beside herself with excitement as they walked down the corridors and halls of their home.
To the lessons room to partake in lessons "Definitely Ni-sn and if we can convince our instructors to let us go a couple hours early we can work on our next big prank" Sakura snickered quietly, though not quietly enough.
Because the two samurai guards trailing behind them shared a smile at each other through their helmets, Koron and Kyogo were like her ever present shadows, they'd never let her out of their sight so long as they were able to.
Musubime smiled "Hey how's Koeda and Eda doing, it's been about three years after all since they've come to visit" Musubime asked right before they were to enter the room and Sakura's eyes widened in surprise.
"After Ni-san then I'll tell you but for now we have to focus on our lessons" Sakura scolded cutely making him smile and then they were sitting down and learning the history of their country, family etc, math lessons, calligraphy, etiquette and more lessons on how to be graceful.
When it came to a new lesson that she'd never been given Sakura was stumped "Is something the matter Ojo-sama" the instructor of these lessons questioned when he saw the confusion, what was so hard about pottery.
Then he realized "Er I've never done this before, do I really have to learn pottery" Sakura frowned lightly not sure if she really wanted to do this sort of thing, then she realized that in order to be a ninja their hands needed to perform complicated hand signs.
Forgetting all about her question as she delved deep into her mind and just as the instructor was going to let her out because the lesson was rather optional, Musubime had taken a liking to pottery the year before, Sakura started working with the wet clay anyway.
"Odd aren't you imouto-chan, thought for sure you were going to opt out and leave me behind" Musubime said concentrating on his bowl that he was making but trying to talk at the same time which was difficult.
Green eyes flickered in his direction briefly "Ninja's use their hands a lot to perform their jutsu's Ni-san, this will help keep my hands working until I go back to Leaf to continue my studies as a kunoichi in training" Sakura admitted lightly.
Another ninja thing then, he should have known he guessed and an hour later they were being released from their lessons early "Now will you tell me how Koeda and Eda are doing, even Mebuki-oba-chan and Kizashi-oji-san" Musubime pleaded wanting to know.
Sakura's lips curved upwards into a smile "Okay, okay their all doing well, Koeda is the top student of her academy class and Eda is going to go in to the academy next year, Uncle Kizashi is still goofy and Aunt Mebuki is kind of like Mother in a way, such a worrywart" Sakura giggled.
As they found a hidden alcove in their gigantic home and holed themselves away to work on their prank "Good maybe when I have a chance I'll come visit you in Leaf and see what all the hubbub is about" Musubime smiled sitting in the proper seiza position.
While his little sister lay out several items, two ink wells, two brushes, blank tags and then he remembered his books that he'd been gifted with the day before, they chose a seal from within the book and started drawing.
Thanks to their calligraphy lessons it was a little easy to replicate the seals in the book "Now we find someone to prank" Sakura snickered quietly as she cleaned up all their belongings and put them in a scroll which was hidden away in her sleeve.
Musubime held tightly to his little sister's hand as she helped him connect with his chakra in order to activate the camouflage seal he'd drawn on the tag, "Exactly what are we going to do anyway" the blonde asked suddenly as they dodged their samurai guards.
"Perhaps we could go poke Father that's a good one or hide Mother's slipper again" the pinkette offered those were two of her favorite past-times and it seemed that hadn't changed in the last two years, so off they went to the main hall.
They had to wait for a bit so they didn't distract their Father to much before making a dash towards him and they both poked him simultaneously before running away as fast as they could before he caught on.
And hiding their Mother's slipper was as equally as easy before they grew bored of playing pranks "It's not as fun being able to hide in plain sight" Musubime realized as they flopped down on her canopy bed and she cracked open a book she must have brought from Leaf.
"Yeah but that was a ninja thing and there's lots of other uses for Fuinjutsu, a barrier tag, exploding tag, sound proofing tag, summon scroll, healing scroll, storage scroll and many more" Sakura listed for effect.
Musubime quieted down at that and resolved himself to still read the books even if he didn't use them as much, then he settled down at his sister's side and tried to read her book with her before he realized it was extremely advanced.
Now he knew why she said she wasn't as far along in her studies on how to be a medic-nin as she'd like learning the individual plants, herbs and flowers that were medicinal must take time and patience "Geez imouto-chan I know you like Darui-san but that's hard stuff" Musubime whistled.
"I know but I'm not going to quit, my nindo, goal if you will is to be a medic-nin so that I can heal Darui-kun if anything ever happens to Cee-san" Sakura hummed not looking up even when the door creaked open and Koron poked her head in.
Before she was gone and the door shut, they'd given their samurai guards the runaround "Nindo huh is that a fancy term for Ninja way" Musubime guessed getting a nod from his little sister as she flipped through her book taking in all the medicinal plants, herbs and flowers.
"Got it Ni-san, most still haven't figured out what they want their goal to be, but one boy in my class Naruto Uzumaki wants to be the future Hokage, he says it over and over like a mantra, some adults and our other classmates are really mean to him" Sakura frowned.
Realizing that she hadn't exactly been the nicest, nor had Sasuke, but they didn't physically go out of their way to torment him like adults did or some of their classmates like Ino and Ami, now those girls were still bad news and Ino had yet to pull her head out of the clouds.
With that no more chatter came and then it was time for dinner again and before they realized it they were sitting at the table with their parents again, who looked extremely amused "Ahem I know two little mischief makers who snuck into the main hall late this afternoon" Juhi coughed.
"And hid one of my slippers again, oh yes we know it was you two even if you can use those fancy ninja things now my little sweets" Sayuri laughed lightly not to angry more amused than anything because her children were mischief makers through and through.
The two children in question smiled sheepishly before they all dug into their meal to eat, before chatting about their day normally in the sitting room that was purely theirs, they got another bath and finally it was bed time.
Her third, fourth, fifth and sixth days home went the same as the second, but at the start of the second week they got guests in the form of the Raikage and two very familiar escorts "Sakura what are you doing in the Capital you didn't quit did you" Darui was surprised to see her.
"Oh that we got a month off from the academy, I only have two weeks left, this week home and the last traveling back to Leaf to pick up in the academy again" Sakura latched on to him immediately as equally as surprised to see him as he was to see her.
Next to Darui "Good to see you still studying the books I lent you" Cee commented, they'd interrupted her reading in the main hall because there was no lessons that day for either her, or her brother, so she'd chosen to read her books to study more and memorize all the plants.
Sakura smiled widely still holding tightly to Darui "Mhm, though I still have a lot to memorize, I promise to return them soon" Sakura hummed before focusing her attention on her Father as he greeted the Raikage.
Who was just as big and bulky as Darui had described to her, once the greetings were done the man turned to her "You've grown big brat" Ay commented carefully trying to match the image of that three year old to the now eight year old he saw before him.
"I did Raikage-sama and I'm also studying to be a shinobi a medic-nin to be exact" Sakura curtsied just as she was expected, knowing that at any moment he could call off the arranged marriage contract if he wanted, the adults had the power after all.
Ay narrowed his eyes and turned to the girls parents "She's been studying in the Leaf Village's academy for the last two years" Juhi explained smoothly knowing his daughter was an oddball but not wanting to see her get snapped out.
In the next moment Ay turned back to Sakura "What reason could you want to be a medical shinobi, you know it won't be easy don't you brat" the Raikage demanded a lot more moderately, hoping she didn't have any ulterior motives.
The girl straightened "So that I can someday be able to heal Darui-kun like Cee-san and I know but I'm willing to put in the effort because that's my nindo" Sakura answered dutifully meeting his gaze head on fearlessly, with that Ay threw his head back and laughed long and deep.
Before patting her on the head "There you go brat so long as you stay like that, all heart you won't get swept up into the dark side of the shinobi world" Ay finished in a serious tone, not wanting to see anything happen to the girl.
Since Darui did seem to actually care about her considering he asked for a month off every few months to go visit her, though now the visits in Leaf made sense, Sakura nodded quietly knowing that there was a dark side to the world she was trying to be a part of.
Juhi grimaced "If you will Ay-san we'll commence with our talk" Juhi cleared his throat wanting to get away from ninja talk and move into politics, with that they headed to the meeting room to talk about what was needed to be done to prevent war with both Lightning and Fire.
It seemed some villages, mostly civilian were getting irritated at seeing Cloud Shinobi passing through their villages unrestricted and it was causing plenty of problems since the villagers would run the shinobi out if they were caught.
And not all Leaf and Cloud Shinobi had accepted the treaty yet, but that's what these talks were for in order to find a common ground that would make everyone happy "So only a week huh" Darui chuckled crouching before Sakura.
Who's face lit up in a brilliant smile "Yep but that's okay it's worth it cause I get to see you again here in my home" Sakura giggled wrapping her arms around his neck unable to really detach herself from him.
Darui returned her light hug before raising to his full height "Well how about I give you a quiz to see how much information you've retained" Cee offered suddenly, knowing that she had a photographic memory, it would also help her find out what she needed to go over again.
Or if she was ready to move on to another step to her medical studies, at his offer her eyes sparkled "Can you please Cee-san" Sakura pleaded fiddling with her kimono sleeves and looking up at him adorably.
More chuckles filled the air from the seventeen year old's before she was leading them down the halls to a smaller lesson's room so she could be given a quiz to test her knowledge on all things medicinal, just from the first book alone.
"All be looks like your ready to start on the second book" Darui chuckled when he saw the score his friend/partner wrote out on the mock test, she really was going to be one smart cookie when she became a full fledged kunoichi.
Sakura grinned "Really Darui-kun, Cee-san" she hadn't thought that she'd be able to remember that much already, but apparently she'd underestimated herself a bit and was now going to take that information into consideration.
The blonde nodded "Definitely, you have a photographic memory Sakura-san use it to your advantage, nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it" Cee patted her gently on the head as they left the lessons room and headed to some other part of the palace.
Ay, Darui and Cee stayed in the Capital for four days and during those days while their Raikage was busy with strengthening the treaty between their lands and villages, Darui and Cee stuck close to her helping her work on things she still struggled with.
Before she knew it, it was time for her to go as well "Guess we'll see you when you get another month off from the academy or even when you get out for the summer or something" Musubime sighed wishing she would stay.
He figured that was because it had been over two whole years since he'd seen her and having her home for two weeks had made him grow comfortable with her there in their home again "Yeah I can always see about the three months we have off for summer Musubime-ni" Sakura nodded.
"Now you take care of yourself you hear my little blossom, don't let those mean girls you're always telling us about bully you and try to make more friends and make sure your careful on the roads back to Leaf" Sayuri crushed her daughter to her chest again.
A worrywart much like her sister in law before she was snagged and hugged by her Father "Good luck my little hime don't let all your hopes and dreams slip through your fingers" Juhi murmured into her hair before it was time to go.
"I'll see you again Musubime-ni, Mother, Father, take care of yourselves as well" Sakura waved as she was once again helped into her kago, the sliding door was slid shut and they were off to the Hidden Leaf Village.
When they arrived the day before she was supposed to be in the academy again after the month long break, all was quiet and she noticed more security than usual "Did something happen" the little pinkette questioned as she was let out of the kago and placed on her own two feet again.
Glad to be able to become her kunoichi in training self again, Koron and Kyogo shared a look considering to not tell their charge the truth, but in the end they realized she would just find out anyway because of who she was friends with.
So they faced her seriously "Itachi Uchiha slaughtered his entire clan, the Uchiha are no more" Koron said in such a straight laced tone, but what she didn't expect was for Sakura to suddenly to start crying.
Then it hit her "Sasuke is the lone survivor" Kyogo assured hastily knowing that Sakura had come to really care for the second Uchiha Heir as one of her best friends alongside Hinata, but the tears kept coming.
"Oh poor Sasuke, why would Itachi-san do such a horrible thing" Sakura cried for all her friend had lost, his entire family just gone in the blink of a moment and to drive the final nail in to the coffin it was his beloved Ni-san who'd done it.
Koron and Kyogo grimaced "Nobody knows Hime-sama now dry those tears, you'll get to see him tomorrow" Koron instructed knowing that Sakura was and always would be an emotional child, this moment just proved it in spades.
"Indeed for Kizashi-sama and Mebuki-sama are waiting for you no doubt Ojo-sama" Kyogo took charge waving the other escorts off and with them they took the kago, then they started down the streets to the civilian section and the Haruno House.
Where Kizashi, Mebuki, Koeda and Eda were waiting for them "Your back did you have fun while in the Capital what about our souvenirs you promised" Eda latched on first before anyone else could, missing the drying tear tracks and red rimmed eyes of his cousin.
But everyone else saw the signs that she'd been crying and knew that she knew that a tragedy had hit the village while she'd been gone "I'm back and yes and just a moment Eda-kun, you'll get your souvenir" Sakura mustered up as wide a smile as she could.
Not feeling right about feeling happy while one of her best friends had lost everything "He's been by a few times asking for you Sakura-chan" Koeda was the one to tell her, getting a head of her mother for once to give her younger cousin lookalike a hug.
"At least he's not shoving his friends away I guess" Sakura sniffled quietly not wanting Eda to feel as if it was his fault that she was crying and on the verge of another meltdown as she hugged Koeda tightly.
Then it was finally their turn "Sasuke-san is strong Sakura-chan just believe in him and you can have a good cry together tomorrow" Mebuki nudged her husband forcefully out of the way not wanting to be the last one to greet her niece.
Her husband grunted at the elbow "Mean your Aunt is mean to me Sakura-chan" Kizashi fake sniffled and got an eye roll for his troubles as he was finally allowed to greet his niece as well which brought back a smile to her face.
"For the souvenirs, I brought you Eda-kun, a kunai designed bedspread and pillow cases, since your going into the academy next year, for Koeda-chan books on elemental jutsu, for Mebuki-oba-chan a unique hairpin from the Capital and Kizashi-oji-san a new go set" Sakura handed out the souvenirs.
While her aunt, uncle and cousins oohed and awed over their gifts, Sakura felt unsettled by the fact that she still couldn't go see Sasuke and for the rest of the day she was in a state of unrest, she found it even difficult to sleep.
Before she knew it, it was the next morning already and she hastily jumped out of bed without waiting for Koron to dress her in the clothes that had been set out dressed herself and hurried into the kitchen to eat.
"Geez slow down Hime-sama" Koron smiled knowing that her charge was merely worried about her friend, who was probably in really bad shape because he had no one anymore besides the friends he'd managed to make in the academy.
It did kind of suck the situation "I can't I have to find out how Sasuke is faring and it wasn't right of me to put this off until today" Sakura huffed still eating with manners despite her hastiness to leave and see how her friend was.
"Selfless to a fault Ojo-sama and Sasuke-san should feel honored to have a friend in you" Kyogo commented lightly trying not to sound as if Sasuke better feel honored about getting to be friends with the princess of his Country.
Mebuki winced and he knew he had kind of failed but it slipped right over Sakura's head "Baka what if you'd upset her" Kizashi shook his head as his daughter and niece hurried out the door after grabbing their packs and bento's.
Kyogo grimaced "Oh well at least she didn't truly hear you" Mebuki shook her head helping her son clean up after breakfast, knowing he was undeniably bored with playing with his blocks because he was impatient.
"Ne, ne I will get to go to the academy next year right" Eda sulked not liking that he didn't have any friends for himself, while his sister and cousin got all the luck, thankfully his parents nodded and so he contented himself with playing with his toys.
Meanwhile Koeda and Sakura were practically flying down the streets to the academy "I'm glad Sasuke-san has a friend like you Sakura-chan, you'll be able to help him out of his funk" Koeda whispered as they arrived a bit to early.
The play yard was dotted with fewer children since it was only 7:46, a full fourteen minutes earlier than they usually arrived, Sakura went to answer when she spotted the very boy she was worried about trudging towards them.
Looking quite the sight "S…Sakura" he looked at her as if he'd seen a ghost and then he was there crushing her in a hug, the first real bit of contact between them if she was being honest and crying his heart out.
"Oh Sasuke, I'm sorry, I'm sorry" Sakura immediately started crying herself as she held the crying boy not sure why he was crying because he didn't really seem the type but unable to keep her own tears in check.
Sasuke pulled back in the next moment "I thought for sure that he was going to go after you Sakura cause you're my friend" Sasuke admitted the reason he'd stared at her as if she was some sort of ghost, he'd thought Itachi would come after her.
And her skin paled in response "D..D..Do you know why he di..did it Sasuke" Sakura shuddered feeling sick to her stomach, anything could have happened while on the way back or even on the way there since she didn't know when the incident had happened.
"He said he did it to test his strength against me and that when the time comes I'd have to kill my best friend in order to get the same eyes as him, I vowed that I would never do that and he used his sharingan on me, it was horrible seeing all those lifeless eyes staring at me" Sasuke shook.
Still greatly unsettled but glad that nothing had happened to his friend "That's awful Sasuke and I promise you this when the time comes we'll take him down together and force the truth out of him" Sakura huffed summoning up all of her strength.
To become the friend Sasuke currently needed, he didn't need her to tell him that everything would be okay, the pain would fade, he didn't need her to hold him and let him cry, what Sasuke needed was someone to be able to rely on not just as a friend but a teammate hopefully.
Onyx eyes widened "Thank you Sakura, thank you" Sasuke relaxed as his tears ebbed away knowing that what she said was truth, she would be there with him, even if she didn't get to physically join the fight, she would be in his thoughts as his friend to prove Itachi wrong.
He wouldn't need those eyes to beat Itachi, he wouldn't, he didn't need hate but love, it would strengthen him beyond what Itachi would think him capable "W..Wel..Welcome ba..back Sakura-chan" Hinata coming up behind them started both eight year old's.
"Hinata-chan and yes it's good to be back cause now I have something new to work towards, it's not my nindo sure, but a goal and I'm damn sure going to complete it" Sakura hugged Hinata glad that nothing horrible had happened to anyone else.
Sasuke couldn't help himself as he started laughing "You just cussed Sakura" Sasuke sniggered feeling the tightness in his chest going away at the normalcy and ridiculousness of the moment, especially when Sakura's eyes widened and she realized the truth in his statement.
Causing her to blush horribly "I..It's okay S..Sakura-chan n..no doubt Ki..Kiba-san or e..even Naruto-kun's mouth has rubbed off on you and you didn't realize it until this ex..exact moment" the little blunette commented.
Making Sasuke laugh even harder "Honestly but I'm glad that everything else is good for the most part now are you ready for class" the little pinkette grabbed her friends by the hands just as the bell rang and led them forward into the academy building.
"We're ready Sakura and we're going to make our marks as shinobi and rock the world to it's very foundation" the little raven vowed knowing that they'd be able to do it because they had the determination to do it and with that Iruka greeted them all back and they sat down to begin.