Sakura didn't get a wink of sleep that night, as her dreams took a turn, now instead of seeing Shisui dead, he was alive and mocking her for being so trusting, that was worse than any other nightmare she'd ever had before.
"Poor kid" Jiraiya sighed when she disappeared out the window to commence with her training, he had no doubt she'd be able to master chakra enhanced strength sure but the emotional turmoil she was going through might put a damper on her control.
Not having complete focus would seriously mess with her but as he'd learned Sakura was more stubborn than Tsunade on a regular day "Did Sakura-chan leave already, but she didn't even eat" Naruto frowned worried about his friend/adoptive sister when he was the last to wake.
"Actually she did gaki, you should eat to then hurry after her" the Sannin shooed the blonde brat off after Sakura, summoning Gamakiri to keep an eye on the two kids, both jumped out the window just as a knock came on the hotel room door.
Upon opening it he found Shisui, who looked disappointed "She's really avoiding me" Shisui sighed letting his shoulders droop, he couldn't blame her really but still just what the hell had she been through that she wouldn't even so much as talk to him, let alone look at him.
Jiraiya lifted a brow unimpressed "How did you survive the massacre" he decided to get on with his interrogation right then and there, Shisui deserved to be avoided right now by Sakura, who was choosing to focus on the mission and not let her emotions interfere with it.
Like he expected she would do once he'd told her that emotions had no place on a mission "Washed up on the bank of Naka River, Shizune-san and Lady Tsunade happened upon me and Shizune saved me, later on she transplanted these eyes into my eye sockets" the Uchiha admitted.
Gesturing to his eyes, it had taken him awhile to get use to them though "Okay and why didn't it occur to you in these past four years that Lord Hokage might like to know that you were alive, so that he could tell Sakura that to keep her from being hurt" Jiraiya demanded.
Making the other man gulp "Because I didn't have the right to keep being in her life, I ruined everything, shoved to many responsibilities on her shoulders" Shisui sighed looking pathetic, acting that way to.
"Foolish, because of you Sakura keeps on going, she won't say anything right now, but from the way she talked about you, she still cared deeply for you, you say you ruined her life, I'd say you helped her flourish into a respectable Chunin of the Hidden Leaf Village" the Toad Sage spat.
Ebony irises widened "I'll never be able to make it up to her will I" the raven haired man put his head in his hands, of course Sakura would never see it that way, she would have argued with him to, but now she might never be able to forgive him for what he'd done.
"Wait that's all you can do until she comes to terms with the fact your still alive, leave her be until then" Jiraiya shrugged callously, Shisui did deserve it after all and Sakura had the mission to focus on, later on was fair game after the goals of the bet had been accomplished.
Shisui nodded silently watching as Jiraiya stalked off to go find Tsunade and entice her into having a drink with him no doubt, he sighed then spread out his senses in hopes of finding Sakura to keep an eye on her while she trained.
It took awhile, several minutes to his absolute frustration until he found her chakra outside Tanzaku Town in the next second he body flickered, masking his chakra as he hid in a tree, only to choke as he found her brutally massacring earthen clones of herself.
Demolishing them into dust practically, arms and legs free of the wraps he'd seen on her the other day which had probably been hiding weights, seemed little Sakura-chan had grown up a lot in over four years, nearly five actually now that he was thinking about it.
He wouldn't admit to Tsunade but Sakura was so close to mastering chakra enhanced strength, maybe not to it's fullest potential, sure but Sakura was already a powerhouse, with her natural talent and chakra control, it probably wouldn't even take her a week if he was being honest.
Two hours later Sakura took a quick break to replenish her chakra "Can you give me a few pointers Sakura-chan" Naruto ran over to her in the next moment having been practicing on the tree's in the area.
A toad watching them "Huh oh sure I guess, you've done pretty well to get that far Naruto, however you aren't containing and keeping the first two steps rotation and power consistent, find a way to do that and you'll have the rasengan down no problem" Sakura smiled.
Deep purple bags under her eyes from lack of sleep "Later on want to go check out the festival with me, maybe we can even get some pictures framed" the blonde requested with a hopeful pout keeping to the promise he'd made Sasuke again to take care of Sakura-chan.
That meant her emotional state to even if it was that Shisui guys fault that she was having nightmares again "Sounds like a plan Naruto" the pinkette threw her head back with a laugh, before popping up from the ground.
Flashing through hand signs as she did so and creating five earth clones, then set out to demolish them, repeating each time she destroyed the previous five clones until she couldn't ignore her rumbling stomach anymore.
Naruto joined her on the ground as she plopped down pulling out several scrolls and making a little fire pit at the same time to cook lunch for the both of them "Say Sakura-chan I know I'm not Ino's old man or anything but if you want to talk about your nightmares I'm here" Naruto said.
Keeping his head down and waiting for the rejection "The heart is an irrational thing Naruto, I don't hate Shisui, however my heart won't let me forget that these past four years I've been mourning him and his reasons for hiding the truth from me manifest in many ways" Sakura sighed.
Lowering the skewer in her hand of roasted vegetables and meat "Like what Sakura-chan, what do you see in your nightmares, beyond blood and death" the blonde prodded gently when it looked like she wouldn't say anymore.
She blew out a breath "Hateful, hurtful words, agonized screams of people I care about, echoing in my ears pleading for me to save them, even as I struggle I can't reach them, being mocked about being to trusting things like that" the rosette admitted.
And he felt horrified on her behalf because he thought he was the only one, while Shisui had to fight down the urge to body flicker and hug her after listening to her explanation "Was it really bad when you were put in that Tsukuyomi jutsu" Naruto asked yet again.
While Shisui choked and inwardly cussed Itachi out for using that jutsu on sweet little Sakura "More horrifying than you know, but I think I'd rather face that again than be put through seeing Shisui mock me in my dreams" Sakura grimaced.
Understanding lit up in baby blue eyes as Naruto realized the trauma she was going through still to this day "You really loved that guy didn't you Sakura-chan" the blonde questioned hesitantly unsure if she would answer this one.
Tear filled emerald met his eyes a second later "With my whole heart, Shisui was the older brother I wanted and never got when my parents said they weren't having any more children after how I turned out, he was the one who taught me the will of fire" the fuscia haired teen nodded.
Fighting back the tears with great struggle "Shouldn't you reconcile with him then, even if he did hide the fact that he was alive from you Sakura-chan, he's alive and that's what's important" Naruto waved his arms.
Not wanting to see her suffer anymore "I will Naruto, eventually just not now, we have to focus on Tsunade-sama first" Sakura rubbed her eyes then polished off the rest of her lunch, popping up from the ground determination glinting in her peridot orbs.
Shisui body flickered when she started training again to find out what the hell had happened "Master Jiraiya care to tell me how Sakura got put in Tsukuyomi, did you three come into contact with Itachi at some point during this mission, happened to overhear her talking about it" Shisui started ranting the moment he found the man.
Sitting with Tsunade having a nice relaxing drink "Well there went the mood" Tsunade sighed knowing the Shisui pretty well, he was weird, almost disturbed in a way, then she caught on to what he was saying and grew furious "How could you let her stay on the mission do you not even know the kind of mental trauma that causes" Tsunade rounded on Jiraiya.
Who grit his teeth and exploded when they stared at him expectantly "You don't think I haven't realized that damn it, I wanted to send her back, but that bloody kid is more stubborn than you are on one of your good days" Jiraiya snapped.
Tsunade and Shisui reeled back "Of course she is, how did it happen though that's what I'm concerned over for the most part" the Uchiha sighed, then re-asked his previous question, he hoped to kami Itachi hadn't done it on purpose.
"He was actually going to put your bratty little cousin Sasuke in the jutsu, but Sakura intervened, it's been hell I'll tell you, bloody hell what that girl has put up with, but she's strong, in mind, heart and body, even when it doesn't seem like it" the Sannin chuckled dryly.
Sue him he'd grown fond of the girl over the past few weeks, while Tsunade gaped "Just how is she even awake though, that jutsu tortures the captured for seventy-two hours, the amount of mental trauma she was put through should have kept her out for at least three weeks" the honey eyed woman frowned.
Jiraiya shook his head "Don't ask me Tsunade, that girl, she's probably use to mental trauma, I would say so after what that Sasuke boy did to her" Jiraiya admitted, remembering all that had been said in the wake of the incident after the two rogues had escaped.
"Sasuke did something to her….." Shisui felt his gut clench painfully and his mouth went dry, he felt sick when Jiraiya nodded, face thunderous, clearly not happy about whatever it was himself and he feared the answer.
Especially when Jiraiya looked him dead in the eye "Called her annoying, told her to butt out of his life, and to stop thinking she was better than everyone else, she slapped him hard enough to crack his cheek, apparently she use to help him through nightmares of the massacre" the Toad Sage explained.
Only the bits and pieces that he knew sure "Wait why would she be helping him through nightmares from the Uchiha Massacre" Tsunade creased her brow in confusion, not understanding a single thing going on anymore.
Shisui was as equally as confused because for all intents and purposes he was dead and Itachi didn't know that he was still among the living which was a good thing because if he ever saw his best friend he was going to kick his ass.
"Would you ask Master Jiraiya, I need to know what the hell has gone on since I've been gone" the Uchiha requested pitifully, something had happened to Sakura and he hadn't been there to protect her like he'd promised.
Kami he felt like a horrible person "I can but there's no guarantee that she'll answer, the one most likely to know is Naruto, he's the one that's been helping her through the nightmares after all, cause she won't talk to me about them" Jiraiya curled his lip up in frustration.
"Right of course cause Sakura-chan has always been different than most kids" Shisui chuckled, while inwardly devising a plan to go behind Sakura's back and talk to the blonde kid she was close to and find out what had gone on for four years.
Then he body flickered to check on the two kids again and found them sitting down for another break, Sakura was healing chakra burns from Naruto's hands so it seemed she'd managed to accomplish one part of her dream.
While the other she was still working ridiculously hard on "You think you could try to teach me medical ninjutsu again Sakura-chan" Naruto pouted suddenly, watching her renewed his determination to learn again.
Seeing her passion for healing, the sparkle of delight she got in her eyes whenever she successfully healed something inspired him "Sure I can Naruto, promise that you won't give up this time okay" Sakura grinned wide.
Naruto nodded his head eagerly in answer "Course Sakura-chan cause that's my motto to never give up and never back down, I'm going to be Hokage someday after all" the blonde grinned just as wide as she had.
Making her laugh "And we'll help you Naruto, Shino, Sasuke, Kiba, Hinata, Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, plus our sensei's and I, you'll be the best Hokage the Leaf Village has ever seen" the pinkette vowed patting the knucklehead on his back.
It was a wonder how she was even still going with those dark purple bags under her eyes, looking like she was about to crash any minute now, but she turned and started training again, while Naruto wandered away to a still in tact tree.
Shisui made his move then, body flickering, grabbing the blonde and body flickering away in five seconds flat "What the hell do you want can't you see I'm trying to train" Naruto scowled at the Uchiha who'd upset his friend/adoptive sister.
Who held up his hands "Peace Naruto-chan I want to reconcile with Sakura-chan but I don't know all that she's been through since I've been out of the village, keeping a low profile" Shisui cringed realizing that getting information wasn't going to be easy.
Especially when blue eyes narrowed full of suspicion "Why should I tell you anything after the amount of agonizing Sakura-chan has done over you, for a long, long time she wasn't even able to hear your name did you know without crying" the blonde crossed his arms over his chest.
Well that was something he supposed "I know pretending to be dead might not have been the wisest choice to make and I probably would deserve it if Sakura-chan never forgave me either but I at least want to try and make things right with her" the Uchiha admitted.
Looking forlorn and lost "You don't deserve her forgiveness, but that's up to Sakura-chan to decide, she was there you know, when that Itachi guy killed off your entire clan, after that she was never the same, it wasn't until recently that I found she's even been having therapy sessions" Naruto huffed.
Knowing that if Sakura really wanted she would reconcile with Shisui, even if he thought the guy didn't deserve it, "She was there, kami I had no idea" Shisui rubbed his eyes feeling for the girl, and having therapy sessions, just what sort of trauma had she been through these past almost five years.
"There you are Naruto, don't run off like that you'll worry me…." Sakura body flickered in that exact moment trailing off as she caught sight of who else was with the blonde knucklehead, her breath caught in her throat and tears misted her eyes.
Before she bowed her head, shielding her face with her curtain of hair and heart beating painfully in her chest "I was gonna let you know that I was heading back to the hotel" the rosette explained in a strained sounding tone of voice.
And body flickered before either male could get in a single word "If I thought her not being able to hear my name was bad, it's even worse knowing she can't even look at me now" Shisui let his shoulders droop.
"Can't tell you I don't understand, but I do, I know what it's like knowing people can't stand to look at me that was until Sakura-chan became my friend, anyway I'm going to the hotel" Naruto waved body flickering like Sakura had.
Leaving Shisui alone to think for a little while before returning to the hotel himself "Looks like you've really screwed up huh Uchiha" Tsunade laughed when he stared at the door that led into the room that was being rented by Jiraiya, Sakura and Naruto with despair in his gaze.
"If only I'd been strong enough to stop Danzo, then the Uchiha clan wouldn't have had to die, Itachi wouldn't have been burdened with that responsibility and Sakura-chan wouldn't be having to suffer for my mistake" the ebony haired twenty year old sighed.
Tsunade scoffed and carried on down the hall to her own rented room to get some shut eye for the night, it was four days later that things changed "Let's take a break Sakura-chan go see the festival and stop worrying about things for a little while" the blonde Uzumaki piped in that morning.
Meeting Sakura's bright excited gaze "Ooh I might even be able to find some souvenirs to bring back" the fuscia haired teen added, thinking about her parents and the males of her team, even her sensei probably.
She really was the sweetest "Hold up you two, I'd like to go as well if you don't mind, Uchiha, Jiraiya you come with us" the honey eyed blonde they were trying to convince to come back with them stopped them from running off the moment they got done eating.
Jiraiya creased his brow wondering what sort of trick his old teammate was up to now "Fine but don't expect me to participate any" the white haired Sannin rolled his eyes, following the brats out the door and out into the streets of Tanzaku Town to where the parade was going on.
"What are you playing at Lady Tsunade" the Uchiha frowned not liking the gleam in her eyes at all, it meant she was up to something and he was certain he wasn't going to like it in the least, it meant trouble and he would prefer to avoid any sort of trouble right now.
Not like she'd really listen anyway "Nothing, nothing I merely wish to check out the festival, maybe try some games you know" Tsunade waved her hand, an innocent smile on her lips, that neither Shisui or Jiraiya believed.
But they followed her anyway as they trailed after Naruto and Sakura "Jesus just how much can that kid eat" Jiraiya watched in horror as Sakura checked out several food stalls, getting one thing from each of odd cuisine that he'd never seen before and eating it.
Despite having just finished breakfast less than twenty minutes ago "Sakura-chan's always had a large appetite, it's due to her fast metabolism actually from being proactive since a young age" Shisui explained though he was surprised Naruto was keeping up with her.
Proving to have as large an appetite as Sakura did, he let his guard down just then and found himself flat on his back under a large slug, Jiraiya and Naruto whisked away by Tsunade, before she shoved Sakura at him "Reconcile" the woman ordered disappearing on the two of them.
"Easier said than done Tsunade-sama" Sakura grumbled, rubbing her hands together nervously and staring intently at the ground unable to meet Shisui's gaze still after five whole days, it was just so hard and she had no idea what to even say to him.
In the next moment Katsuyu dispelled in a plume of smoke and Shisui sat up feeling gross and ready for a shower, when he went to move away he found a chain adorning his wrist "Great, thank you very much Lady Tsunade" the Uchiha spat.
While Sakura flinched "Damn it I'm not mad at you Sakura-chan, I'm mad at her oh screw it please just look at me Sakura-chan, I'm begging you here" Shisui pleaded not able to take being ignored by the girl anymore, it was to much for him.
Tear filled emerald met his through the curtain of pink hair, he was half a step away from getting on his hands and knee's to beg for her forgiveness when she finally spoke to him "Why, I would have understood if you'd told someone but you didn't, so why" the rosette questioned.
Breaking her silent treatment of the man she still adored so much like a brother "Because I felt like I didn't deserve to be in your life anymore after I abandoned you, lied to you Sakura-chan, my life would have been difficult if I'd stayed in the village because of Danzo" the ebony haired adult said.
Ready to tear his hair out in frustration "Danzo's been sentenced to death, he was found guilty of several crimes, Sasuke and I got the proof necessary to take him out" Sakura admitted flatly unimpressed with how this was going.
Now that she wasn't a kid anymore she could see the countless flaws in Shisui he'd hid so well before from her, he wasn't perfect, no one was and she could understand that now "That was dangerous Sakura-chan" Shisui scolded.
"So is negotiating with a rogue, but I did that to Shisui, and it was to save countless lives, maybe no one knows except for Hokage-sama and a couple others, and maybe Sasuke and I will never be acknowledged for it but you know I'm just fine with that" she crossed her arms over her chest.
This made Shisui realize how much she'd changed since that day in the library, the last one they'd ever spent together before he taught her the body flicker technique, a technique she still used to this very day it seemed.
"There's no arguing with you is there Sakura-chan, Naruto told me that you were there when Itachi massacred the clan, how did you get mixed up in it may I ask" the Uchiha inquired hesitantly unsure if she would even want him prying into that.
Especially when she went rigid "Itachi asked me to keep Sasuke busy that day, it was late and dark out already when Sasuke said he was going home, I had a bad feeling, asked him to stay the night, but he was insistent because Uchiha-sama and Mikoto-sama were strict" Sakura began.
Recounting that horrible day, "We got to the gates and I immediately noticed that there were no guards, then there was this awful smell lingering in the air as we walked through the compound to his house and when we got in we found Itachi there standing over their bodies" she continued.
"He mocked me about being to trusting, cause I thought he was planning a surprise for Sasuke, then he told me he killed them to test his strength against the clan, and when I accused him of killing you he didn't correct me" was said next.
It was a wonder how she was even still talking "Then he came after Sasuke, when I tried to protect him, Itachi threw me against the wall, Sasuke snapped out of his stupor and was put in the Tsukuyomi, the next thing I knew I was waking up in the hospital" the pinkette finished.
"B..But we found out the actual truth, why Itachi did that, Danzo detailed everything about how he stole one of your eyes and ordered Itachi to kill off the clan to keep the peace, before he went rogue he told Hokage-sama everything and he was ordered join Akatsuki to keep tabs on them and give information on them to Leaf" Sakura added.
"Why did he put you in Tsukuyomi then or try to do it to Sasuke-chan rather before you got in the way somehow" Shisui frowned seriously confused by his best friends actions, though it sounded like Sakura was still a little afraid of Itachi from her recent experiences with him.
Sakura sighed "Itachi had a partner from the Akatsuki with him, he had to keep up appearances or be found out as a spy in the organization, he's approached me as a clone twice now, to apologize for all he's done, the guilt is eating him alive from it all" the rosette admitted seriously.
"Of course because Itachi-chan's always been self-sacrificing, what about the other question" the Uchiha prodded lightly curious though horrified because he hadn't thought that his best friend was going through such horror.
"I actually performed a very difficult technique, I synced my chakra up to Sasuke's, like one would do if you were healing them, and switched places with him through the body flicker technique, Itachi was already in the midst of using Tsukuyomi I just got caught up in it" Sakura grimaced.
Answering the much sought after answer "So your learning medical ninjutsu, I saw you healing Naruto-chan's hands a few days ago, from the burns he gave himself trying to learn the Rasengan" Shisui inquired wanting to learn more.
In response Sakura let out a laugh and he felt more than a little hurt especially when he was trying to make normal conversation with her "Learning Shisui-ni, uh try fully qualified medic after three months of becoming a genin, Sasuke to" the fuscia haired teen grinned.
"Hold up Sasuke's a medic since when the hell did that happen" the ebony haired adult gaped in shock and surprise, what happened next he didn't expect as Sakura whipped out a camera and snapped a picture before stowing the device away to his disbelief.
Clearly fighting off laughter as her lips twitched at his expression "Our first major mission outside the village, Sasuke, Naruto and I we formed a temporary team with Naruto's sensei, and escorted a bridge builder back to his village, he decided he wanted to learn so he did" Sakura announced.
"Did he also manage to make Chunin like you and Naruto-chan" Shisui questioned further but Sakura shook her head to his disappointment it was then he finally noticed what she was wearing in her ears and his eyes went wide.
Just as he was about to ask a tiny voice spoke up from Sakura's shoulder "Sakura-sama, we have trouble the unexpected arrival of the Raikage, who's heavily injured, report from Jiraiya" there was a tiny spider and Shisui was surprised at the sight of it.
Because he hadn't thought Sakura would actually sign on with the spider summons he'd given her, though he didn't have to wonder if the Hokage was giving the gifts to her anymore as she grabbed his hand and body flickered them in a flurry of cherry blossoms.
Holding her breath the moment they arrived on scene to find a heavily injured Raikage, a shaking Tsunade, a concerned Jiraiya and a confused Naruto, who probably didn't understand a bloody thing that was going on anymore.
"Raikage-sama what happened" Sakura tossed down her pack and knelt at the man's side, hands glowing a bright green, where the heck was Cee when the man was needed, she thought he was the Raikage's medic and bodyguard after all.
Ay snorted "Ambush from Orochimaru's experiments on our way back from a mission that required my skills, I got separated from Darui and Cee, felt blonde brats chakra, so naturally thought you'd be with him" Ay explained.
Trying not to let the fact she was holding her breath bother him, it was the smell of blood she was avoiding, it was a tragedy really to have two talented medics with an aversion to blood, though Tsunade's was more debilitating than Sakura's.
Who could hold her breath, while Tsunade couldn't stand the sight of blood nor close her eyes while healing a patient "Orochimaru huh, maybe Hokage-sama should have let Shino-kun come along on this mission so we could blow up his barrier in that bastards face again" Sakura huffed.
Irritated that the Snake Sannin was so annoyingly persistent, Ay pressed his fist against his mouth, "Again you mean you've blown up a barrier in Orochimaru the Sannin's face before" Shisui guffawed drawing attention onto him.
Beady onyx eyes narrowed on him but Ay remained silent not asking questions "Yes, Shino-kun, Sasuke and I, after he tried to curse mark Sasuke in the Forest of Death, Shino's been working on barrier seals, that have a draw-back, when their cracked they explode" the rosette smirked.
Thinking back to that day in the forest it had been "I also kicked him in the face to when he tried to kill Naruto" Sakura scowled furiously while Naruto nodded it had been the first time he'd ever thought she was scary.
Shisui felt faint at the admission while Jiraiya chuckled "Raikage-sama, we're sorry for getting separated from….Sakura-san what are you doing so far away from the Leaf Village" Cee and Darui chose that moment to appear.
Only frowning at the sight of her healing their leader "Mission Cee-san, Darui-san, though I could use a little help with the deeper injuries, I'm still working on that, other than that I've got the superficial and the broken rib covered" the pinkette admitted.
Not afraid to ask for help until every injury on Ay had been healed "Go take a bath brat you reek of blood" the Raikage ordered in a brusque tone, knowing she would even if he didn't command her to, she couldn't stand the smell of blood after all.
"Hold up brat, you've been holding your breath all this time, why" Tsunade seemed to finally snap out of whatever stupor she'd been in for the last several minutes, stopping Sakura when she prepared herself to body flicker back to the hotel for a bath.
It was getting hard not to breath by that point and still talk, her lips were turning blue from lack of oxygen while Darui, Ay, Cee and Naruto turned their heads away knowing why, Sakura grit her teeth then body flickered anyway, not wanting to answer anymore questions.
Jiraiya creased his brow in confusion "Sakura-chan has an aversion to the smell of blood, it's hard for her to talk about because it gets in the way of her being a medic, whenever she smells it she pukes" Naruto piped in with a grimace.
"Doesn't stop her from saving someones life though, a Jonin from Sand killed a Hidden Leaf Shinobi, with help from another medic from Hidden Cloud, and myself they brought him back to life and healed him, now he's getting married to his fiancee" Darui chuckled.
Shisui narrowed his eyes "And why are Cloud Shinobi walking about the Leaf Village so freely, last I heard we weren't allies" the Uchiha glowered, if they so much as put a hand on Sakura, he was going to kill them.
"Back down Uchiha, what right do you even have to worry about the brat or village after faking your death, and we are now, have been since before the Chunin Exams about three or so months ago" Ay snarled right back.
Recognizing the man for who he was "I didn't fake my death alright I just didn't tell anyone I was alive after Shizune, Lady Tsunade's apprentice saved my ass okay" Shisui grumbled irritable that, that fact kept getting thrown in his face so brutally.
Like seriously how many people did Sakura have wrapped around her cute little fingers "Now, now, no fighting alright" Sakura returned in the nick of time, free of blood, and smelling like cherry blossoms, Darui tensed at the scent and flashed through a set of hand signs on reflex.
Even Ay couldn't stop the laughter this time as he realized why his shinobi had reacted like that "That's right Sakura-chan used you and that Amai guy as test subjects for her genjutsu" Naruto sniggered while Sakura clapped a hand over her mouth.
"What genjutsu would cause you to have that sort of reaction" Jiraiya frowned confused more than he thought possible as the Cloud Shinobi flushed in embarrassment, his own leader was laughing at him which was probably mortifying.
Darui grimaced "Nightmare scent based genjutsu, she activates it when your focused on the scent of cherry blossoms and it's terrifying" the younger dark skinned male cringed not able to get that month out of his head and the countless times he was put in that genjutsu.
"For what it's worth Darui-san I'm sorry, if I'd had more time with Kurenai-sensei to work on it you and Amai-san wouldn't have been subjected to it so much" the rosette apologized looking genuinely sorry.
The man held up his hand "It's alright Kid, that was merely a knee-jerk reaction I know you wouldn't use it on me anymore, hang on is that a Chunin Vest" Darui finally seemed to realize what she was wearing over the dark green yukata.
"Yep Naruto to, plus one other, Sasuke didn't get promoted however, he's still way to immature sometimes" Sakura pressed her lips together, even if she had forgiven the idiot, those words had been hurtful and she wasn't able to forget them so easily just because he apologized.
Cee frowned "Did something happen between you and Sasuke-san for you to say that Sakura-san" the onyx eyed blonde inquired, knowing her moods rather well at this point and he would go so far as to say she was upset at the boy.
Sakura grimaced "On our first day of this mission, we had an encounter with Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki, Sasuke showed up and I tried to stop him from attacking his brother, he called me annoying that I should stop thinking I'm better than everyone else and to butt out of his life" the fuscia haired teen admitted.
Those words also haunted her dreams at night "After all the effort you put in to helping him learn medical ninjutsu, what a little idiot" Ay snorted harshly, eyeing the girl up and down to assure himself that she was okay.
It was then he spotted the light purple bags under her eyes indicating lack of sleep and he wondered was she getting enough rest or was she having nightmares again "Hah an Uchiha medic now there's a laugh, impossible it's never been done before" Tsunade scoffed.
Not expecting the tirade she got in the next moment "Do not make fun of Uchiha's, their just as capable of becoming medics as everyone else, their people to like the rest of us and just so you know Sasuke happens to be fully qualified" Sakura snapped.
Still hating people who looked down on Uchiha's because of bloody freaking Danzo, it was all his fault and she wished they would just get over their prejudice already "What happened to the sweet polite Sakura-chan I use to know" Shisui sighed sadly.
"I grew up Shisui, I'm still polite but I really dislike people who look down on others or don't give them a fair chance just because of some bullshit or hearsay from someone else" the rosette scowled before storming off a short ways to cool down, it was a method she'd developed to reign in her anger when it got to be to much.
"Got to ask Shisui, that brat isn't a secret Uchiha is she, it would make sense actually now that I'm thinking about it" the honey eyed blonde questioned suddenly, eyes narrowed on the young girl, who'd made the bet with her initially.
His brows went high and Shisui snorted "More like a secret Aburame I think, kami that girl loves insects, her parents don't know where she got it either, and it's the natural talent she has that makes one think that way, but nope, Sakura-chan's just a little different than your average teenager" the Uchiha chuckled.
"A little different Uchiha, a little, try bloody weird is more like it, that girl and the blonde brat covered their house in seals that fucking zaps you if it perceives you as an enemy" Ay growled still a little miffed about that one incident.
Shisui clapped a hand over his mouth to keep from full on laughing while Naruto flushed in embarrassment "It was an accident I swear and Sakura-chan fixed it" the blue eyed blonde puffed up his cheeks and stuck his tongue out.
"What the hell would you need to cover your house in seals for" Jiraiya asked incredulously finding out a lot more about his apprentice in the span of a couple of minutes, than he ever did in one month training the little brat.
Sakura's eyes flashed with repressed anger as she returned much calmer than before "Danzo Shimura was sending people after him to kill him Jiraiya-sama, what else were we supposed to do, let them continue breaking into our house I don't think so" Sakura huffed.
Naruto nodded "Right, anyway thanks brat for healing me, I knew I could count on you until Cee got here, but we have to get on our way" the Raikage stood brushing his pants off, sounding unnaturally kind to which Tsunade was honestly surprised over.
Then with Darui, who waved and Cee, who smiled, in tow were gone "Can we get back to checking out the festival please" Naruto pouted in the next moment, Sakura grinned at him before the two of them were off to enjoy the festival.
It was a few hours later that they finally grew bored and were ready to head back to the hotel when someone stood in their way "Oi brats down now" Tsunade barked harshly, Sakura twisted on her heel and shoved Naruto out of the way, right as arms curled around her body and held her tightly.
"What's going on old lady….huh Kabuto what are you doing here" the blonde Uzumaki asked in confusion while Tsunade tensed and grew rigid, Sakura frowned deeply seeing the older woman's reaction and not liking it in the least.
Not that it took her very long to figure out really as she craned her neck enough to spy Kabuto out of the corner of her eye and notice what headband he was wearing "My I never expected to see you two out here Sakura-san, Naruto-san" Kabuto smiled a fake smile.
Her eye twitched did he think she was stupid or something "Just what do you think your doing Kabuto" she narrowed her eyes in suspicion, trying to get information even as Kabuto held her at kunai point, she could feel the cold metal against her neck.
"Orochimaru-sama is very interested in you Sakura-san, your skills at evading him in the Forest of Death first infuriated him but now he can see what talent you possess, he wants you, so what do you say Sakura-san come with me to Hidden Sound, in Leaf you'll just waste away" the gray haired teenager propositioned.
That was twice now someone had propositioned her to leave her village and go with them, she grit her teeth "Sakura-chan don't even think about it, you don't want to be like them do you, killing people for the sake of experimentation" Shisui grew worried at her suddenly calm expression.
Viridian orbs grew blank so he didn't even know what she was thinking, then, then she was smiling a guileless smile "Kabuto how naive do you think I am, like hell I will SHANNARO" Sakura snapped grabbing Kabuto's arms.
And throwing him over her shoulder onto his back with a loud satisfying crack she made to move further when he disappeared in a plume of smoke, indicating he'd been a clone all along "Th..That was totally awesome Sakura-chan" Naruto laughed having seen the whole thing up close and personal.
"Freaking brat stop worrying me" Jiraiya grumbled but he was glad that the girl seemed to have her priorities straight, no one would ever have to worry about her going rogue, she was to good for that really as he shook his head with a quiet chuckle.
While Shisui let out a sigh of relief "Trust me a little Shisui-ni, I'm not a little kid anymore, I know what I'm doing now" the pinkette saw that and frowned, trust was a big issue with her it seemed and he let out a sheepish laugh.
"Sorry Sakura-chan it's just after everything you've been through I wouldn't be surprised if you got fed up with everything and just left" Shisui admitted rubbing the back of his neck, he kept screwing up it seemed.
She sighed softly "Perhaps your right Shisui I've been through a lot and some would think it's about time I got fed up with all of it, but that's no excuse to run away or quit, and I can't abandon the people who care about me or that I care about" Sakura lectured.
It struck a cord in Tsunade, who truly took in this young girl that had experienced loss at such a young age "Even if it means watching your loved ones die, would you still continue" Tsunade questioned hands clenched into fists.
"Yes, because even if someone is gone, their still always with you in mind and heart, that's love and something I'll fight to the very death for" the rosette nodded, feeling philosophical in that moment, her heart had taken a very big blow, but she continued on regardless.
Tsunade felt tears prick at her eyes, then threw caution to the wind and grabbed the brat for a hug "So very different from myself, I've been living in the past, while you've been living in the present and for the future, you don't let anything keep you down" the woman murmured.
Letting the tears flow free into pink hair "Course not because there are people who count on me, Naruto, Sasuke, Shibi-sensei, Shino-kun, my parents, the people of the Leaf Village" Sakura sniffled not entirely unaffected by the emotional display.
Jiraiya watched on fondly, as he finally figured out why Sarutobi had sent the girl, it wasn't because of her skills, she could connect with Tsunade on a deeper, more emotional level than anyone else could.
Even if the person she'd lost was in fact still alive, she'd still known loss and it had shaped the girl into someone entirely different and completely unlike Tsunade "We're going…we're going back to Leaf Shisui, go tell Shizune" Tsunade took a deep breath.
Accepting in that moment that Sakura wouldn't have backed down against her "Just like that huh Tsunade, Sakura flashes though big green eyes at you and you fall hook line and sinker" Jiraiya chuckled and her cheeks grew hot in embarrassment because she knew he was right.
"It's not just that, Sakura-chan understands that's the point" Naruto piped in grinning from ear to ear, as they headed back for the hotel, maybe this mission had started off bad, but now it was going to end on a good note.
With that the lot of them repacked their things, having only been there one day less than a week "Okay so how exactly am I going to explain my suddenly alive status" Shisui cleared his throat when they started from Tanzaku Town.
Tsunade crinkled her nose "I suppose since I'm going to be Hokage, I'll just tell those two Council members that you've been with me the whole time and I felt that it was to dangerous to reveal yourself thus going unnoticed" the honey eyed blonde shrugged.
Coming up with an explanation on the spot that would satisfy Homura and Koharu "Lord Orochimaru their getting away" Kabuto noted as he saw the group traipsing from Tanzaku Town, their whole plan had been ruined.
"Not to worry Kabuto, we can head them off, maybe find something to entice the girl over to me" Orochimaru hissed still furious that nothing was going right for him anymore, first he's thwarted not once but twice in the forest of death by a mere girl and now that very girl was interfering again.
Kabuto smirked, glasses glinting in the sunlight as the two of them body flickered ahead of the group of Leaf Shinobi on their way home, "Hmm what's this, running away Tsunade, I thought we had a deal" the Snake Sannin appeared suddenly.
And Sakura was able to finally get a good look at the man "I never agreed to that Orochimaru, you can't bring back the dead after all, not truly, they'd be imitations of themselves" Tsunade glowered having not expected the other Sannin to stick around.
Gold eyes narrowed "You refuse then such a pity" the Snake Sannin shook his head in disappointment clearly unhappy that his old teammate refused to even consider helping him, Tsunade grew wary when a smirk formed on his lips.
Then Sakura was gone from their sides "SAKURA-CHAN" Shisui shouted seeing what had happened, they'd been distracted by Orochimaru that they'd forgotten that Kabuto was the man's right hand allowing him to swoop and snap Sakura up right beneath their noses.
For the second time now she was caught in Kabuto's grip, held tightly against his chest, "LEAVE HER ALONE" Naruto screamed when Orochimaru appeared before Sakura, trapping her between the two males.
"Do something Jiraiya, don't just stand there, help her" Tsunade whispered furiously at the Toad Sage when Orochimaru bent and began murmuring in Sakura's ear, but because they were to far away, she couldn't bloody hear what he was saying to the girl.
Jiraiya was panicking just as much as Tsunade was "We can't do anything Tsunade, their to close to Sakura that if I tried, she'd be caught in the middle of any jutsu I used" Jiraiya growled frustrated at himself.
~Meanwhile~
Sakura met those menacing yellow eyes head on "My what a gutsy little girl, such passion and life, a flourishing blossom in essence, come with me, I can teach you any jutsu you wish, if you heal me child" Orochimaru whispered.
"The Reaper Death seal isn't something that can be removed so easily, even healing you right now won't give you back use of your arms" Sakura informed bluntly trying to figure out an escape plan at the same time to get out of this terrifying situation.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes further "Knowledgeable to huh such an interesting child you are, even faced with death you refuse to stand down, I admire such bravery, but your nothing more than a trembling little rabbit aren't you" the ebony haired man chuckled darkly.
Picking up on her light trembles "Fear is a perfectly human reaction, when a person becomes numb to such emotion they become an empty shell, life is meaningless to them and death soon finds them" the rosette stated.
Brow furrowed in concentration when she finally thought of a plan not a moment to soon either, she could tell Orochimaru was growing angry with her lecturing "You test my patience girl, is there anything I can offer you to join me" Orochimaru snapped.
Right on cue to "I don't know, you see I really hate being held at weapon point, let me go and I'll think about it" Sakura quipped keeping their gazes locked as she moved her hands carefully in front of her, thinking about the kind of genjutsu she wished to make him see.
If it would even work that was but it was something she had to try so she could escape "Why won't you just give him a straight answer Sakura-san, Sound isn't so bad once you get use to it, you could even set up a clinic to heal people there with me" Kabuto spoke up for the first time.
Sakura remained silent this time, flashing through a few hand signs and activating a genjutsu on Orochimaru, through their locked gazes, his vision clouded over "Like hell bastard, there's no way in hell I'll ever join either of you" the pinkette heaved him over her shoulder again.
Wide onyx eyes met hers just as Orochimaru broke free of the genjutsu, only to grunt as his retainer slammed into him, sending them both crashing to the ground "NARUTO, BARRIER NOW" Sakura shouted.
And four Naruto clones body flickered around the duo on the ground, throwing down tags "Four Point Diamond Sealing Barrier Jutsu" they flashed through hand signs and a transparent barrier rose entrapping Orochimaru and Kabuto within.
Then they each placed a tag on the barrier each one bore a different formula on it, chakra suppression, jutsu sealing formula, jutsu enhancer tag and a formula to strengthen the barrier for at least twenty minutes.
"Futon: Wind Scythe Jutsu" the jutsu was unsealed from the tag, and another Naruto enhanced it with his tag, during that Sakura body flickered to safety and was wrapped up in the warm familiar arms of Shisui.
Who held her close "That won't hold them long" Naruto warned wishing he didn't have to ruin the heartwarming scene, if it were normal shinobi and not crazy insane ones like Orochimaru or Kabuto the barrier would last those twenty minutes, but with them the most they'll get is a few.
"Ahem right sorry, let's go" Shisui cleared his throat as they took off down the road trying to get as far away as they could to avoid having Kabuto and Orochimaru catch up with them, it wasn't more than twenty miles later that a huge explosion sounded behind them.
No one turned to look but Shisui gave Sakura a confused expression "Worked the explosion formula into the barrier formula so if they cracked the barrier it would explode on them" Sakura answered simply, it was the only plan she'd been able to come up with in a few minutes after all.
"Here I thought fuinjutsu was a dying art, yet you brats know how to successfully create a working barrier formula" the Toad Sage was in awe of the next generation's talents, then again his gaki of an apprentice was an Uzumaki.
Fuinjutsu was their birthright, but what really impressed him was that Sakura seemed to have a high understanding of the subject herself "Once I become Hokage, I'll put it on the academy curriculum as a necessary skill for students to learn" the blonde brat grinned.
Proud of himself for having practiced all these years on his sealing jutsu skills "Interesting or you could petition Hokage-sama, challenge the curriculum at your rank and completely change it for the better now" Shizune piped in with a much better suggestion.
"That's right Naruto, we're no longer genin" Sakura snapped her fingers in realization, idea's were half a step away from becoming reality if they could find a good enough reason that the changes they wanted to implement would be a good thing.
Blue eyes lit up in excitement, all was well in their group for the next nine miles until a blur shot past his face and Sakura let out a scream "What the hell was that" Naruto turned his head only to cover his mouth at the sight of that thing.
Saidai, Sakura's obsessed goliath beetle "Ridiculous, when we get back I'm so hitting Sasuke for letting Saidai loose" Sakura seethed prying the insect from her shoulder and tossing him in the air avoiding letting him sit on her shoulder again.
"Hold up I thought you were joking about her possibly being a secret Aburame" Tsunade gaped in shock and surprise at the sight of an insect following Sakura like a bloody duckling, it was creepy and a shudder crawled down her spine.
While Shisui full on laughed "Did you make a new friend Sakura-chan" the Uchiha teased relentlessly, only to find his feet swept out from underneath him and eating dirt in the next moment as Sakura rolled her eyes an unimpressed glare in her eyes.
Eyebrow twitching in irritation "He got clingy after the invasion okay when my house got crushed, he got loose and found me in the hospital, Saidai's been attached ever since" Sakura huffed glaring at the beetle in the next moment.
"Like seriously shouldn't you be trying to find a mate instead of sticking to me" she mumbled irritably, Naruto snorted loudly, narrowly avoiding the same fate as Shisui in the next moment as she tried to kick his leg.
Grinning from ear to ear "Speaking of new friends, Ino and I manage to get over our differences, she's the one who sought me out and apologized" the fuscia haired teen exclaimed in remembrance while Shisui smiled fondly.
With that they continued on their way back to where home was, getting far, far away from anymore potentially dangerous encounters with Orochimaru or Kabuto and any other rogue that might be after them.