a/n. sakura's hair: if you're wondering what it looks like, it's exactly like the hair in new generation, just longer. Side fringe/bangs (sorry, I'm Australian and we say fringe, but i think most of the world says bangs, that's why i write bangs in here haha) um, probably you can see it in the photo for this story, i don't know if the image is big enough to see.

Chapter 6: Support

Hikari Shimura was used to putting on a smile and acting like the 'naive little girl' she was supposed to be. But Hikari wasn't a child anymore, and she was beginning to feel like she was suffocating as she acted like it. Her father had died from the terrible disease when she was little, like many of her clan, and her mother had lost a lot of her own life force from all the clan's troubles that followed.

When Hikari first came to Konoha, she was immediately amazed and taken in by everything she saw. It was so full of life, so full of energy. There were so many people she'd never seen before. It was the first time in all her twelve, almost thirteen, years that she felt like she was… home.

She helped her mother and the other clan ladies settle into the village at first, taking care of the children and getting to know the town. She was praised for being such a bright and happy child, so dependable and diligent. The praise was always nice and taken with a smile, but it was the moments stolen alone that she treasured. She found a tree by the hospital and sat on its branches, hidden from view by the foliage. Not many too many people passed by the hospital, so it was a nice place to rest and be alone.

She was getting restless by then. She was thirteen and didn't know what to do. Most of the boys in her clan were already learning advanced jutsu, but she was being shut out, subtly at first, by being pulled from training to do some more menial housework and 'womanly' tasks. It was becoming glaringly obvious. It wasn't until she saw the Hokage, and his brother and Lord Madara one afternoon and overheard what they were saying about the girl in a coma.

She asked her mother if she'd heard anything, and her mother, who rarely associated outside the clan, told her no and to ask other villagers. So Hikari did. She found out there were a lot of rumours. People said crazy things, about how she was some kind of goddess that appeared in a ball of chakra during a battle - the Uchiha and Senju men who were apparently there swore up and down that it wasn't a lie, and Hikari wasn't sure if she believed them or not - or how she was a witch who enchanted the Uchiha clan, which most people found ridiculous. But the thing that Hikari heard about the most was that the girl's name was Sakura and that she was a hero. Sakura was a strong kunoichi, so strong she apparently defeated Lord Tobirama Senju in a battle during the festival, and that she was beautiful and kind and powerful, and the Uchiha mourned that she had fallen into a coma.

Hikari made a decision after the next clan meeting when she was informed that she'd be required to act in the service of the clan within the households. She didn't want that, to be confined to a house just because she was a girl. She didn't want to be that kind of woman, not that she thought it was wrong or horrible, it just wasn't what she wanted for her life. She wanted to be a shinobi, like Sakura. So Hikari grit her teeth, wiped her false smile, and walked right into Hokage Tower and knocked on the Hokage's door. It was the most nervous she'd ever been, but he seemed to listen to her through all her mutterings and stammering and anxious thoughts. And... to her immense surprise, he understood. He looked at her in a way that she'd never been looked at before: he actually saw her, he really looked at her, not just as a 'little girl', but as a person.

So it was with the blessing of the Hokage that Hikari was able to defy her clan's order and begin to work in the hospital. Medical jutsu had always been a fascination of hers, and she knew that she had enough chakra control. With the right kind of training, Hikari knew she'd be able to figure out a way to use her medical training to stand alongside the other great warriors of Konoha. Like Lady Sakura. It took a while for her mother and clan to accept her disobedience, but the Shimura were so small now that disowning anyone would be pointless, and going against the blessings of the Hokage would look bad for Lord Yori.

By a stroke of luck, she was taken under the wing of Madoka, the head of the hospital, and it meant that she became one of the primary caretakers of Lady Sakura. Hikari spent every day putting Sakura's limp and unconscious body through daily exercise so the muscles would stay limber, although they still seemed to disappear more and more each month. She learned that Sakura's most frequent visitors were the Uchiha, in particular, the clan leader, Madara. Lord Hokage came by one day and started telling her stories about Lady Sakura. It was obvious that Lady Sakura was a very important person to him, to Lord Madara, and to Lord Tobirama. They all wanted her to wake up, and Hikari was desperately starting to feel the same way.

When she did wake up, Hikari was overjoyed and overwhelmed. Finally, she would be able to meet this person, this young woman she'd been idolizing. But it wasn't what she thought it would be. Hikari had forgotten something important: Lady Sakura was just a person like everyone else, and she was in pain.

Hikari had never seen the depth of the sadness that Sakura was carrying around with her. It was more than just losing this Itachi that the people talked about - the man she loved, Hikari learned, who died the same night she went into a coma. There was some bigger weight she seemed to carry around, and no one seemed to know what it was, but they liked to gossip about ridiculous stories that Hikari knew weren't true at all.

Lady Sakura had good days and bad days, good hours and bad hours. When she started working with the Hokage, Lady Sakura had a different look in her eyes. But there were times when she grew angry for no reason and was harsher than necessary to the people around her. Sometimes the other medics talked badly about Lady Sakura, even in places she could hear them. Lady Sakura never corrected them, she just pretended she couldn't hear them. But Hikari knew that as much as they didn't like the way Lady Sakura acted sometimes, they all knew that she was some kind of medical prodigy. Their respect for her skill evened out their feelings about her tumultuous attitude.

Hikari watched her, and was one of the only people who saw the look on Lady Sakura's face after she snapped at someone. The look of regret, of self-irritation, of apology. Hikari hated hearing the others say that she was just mean and arrogant. They didn't know the pain Sakura was in, and the way she looked sometimes like she would do anything to get rid of the pain. Sometimes it scared her.

It had been two months since she woke from her coma and Hikari had spent the last month working by Lady Sakura's side. She was amazing. Focused, dedicated, smart. The hospital was in a state of transition, the new training for the doctors and nurses had begun. Hikari had never learned so much in such a short time. But today was a bad day for Lady Sakura. Not an angry day, which would have been easier for Hikari to navigate. Today was different. Lady Sakura's eyes were close to lifeless. Her sad days were hard, and they were hard for Hikari too, because as much as Hikari idolized and respected Lady Sakura, she wasn't someone Lady Sakura thought of as a friend. Hikari was just a student, a subordinate. But Hikari knew she needed a friend, and something Hikari had noticed lately was that Lady Sakura was more alone that she'd ever seen her.

Matsuri paced nervously around the house. Kagami bounced on her hip and Yuri watched her from his position, lying across the couch.

"What are you so worried about?" Yuri asked her.

Matsuri blew out one cheek in worry.

"I haven't seen or heard from Sakura in a while," she muttered. "Every time I try to see her, she's always busy."

Kagami, on hearing Sakura's name, cooed his nickname for her.

"Kuku, Kuku."

Yuri let out a little sigh and sat up.

"Come here," he said, opening his arms wide for her.

Matsuri glanced at him and stopped her pacing. She let out a sigh and smiled a little smile of affection for her husband before she walked over and took a seat across his lap. The little family of three all smiled at one another, snuggled together on the couch. Yuri kissed her forehead.

"Suri, love, you've never been one to back away from a challenge. Why are you hesitating now?" Yuri asked her.

Matsuri bit her lip.

"Sakura's not a challenge," she answered. "Sometimes…" she sighed. "Sometimes it's like she's lost in her head. I feel like I can't reach her."

Yuri chuckled, and Matsuri frowned.

"What's so funny?"

"I know you're worried that you won't be able to measure up to whoever she left behind," Yuri said quietly, tucking Matsuri's hand behind her ear. "But you don't have to. Sakura will always remember those people. But the people who are here now, that's who she needs. She needs you."

Matsuri looked at her husband and kissed him.

"I really love you, you know that right?"

He smiled at her.

"Of course I do."

She gave him a playful tap on the nose and Kagami did the same, with his whole hand, and Yuri tried not to show that it hurt a little.

"I just have to remind her that I'm her friend," Matsuri said with determination.

Yuri nodded and his smile softened.

"That's the Suri I know," he whispered. He placed a hand on her stomach. "It's starting to show," he said softly.

Matsuri looked down and put her hand over his.

"Are you ready to be a father again?" She whispered.

Kagami put his little hand over his parents and gurgled. Matsuri looked at her son with an affectionate smile.

"When I married you, Suri, I knew I had to be ready for anything," Yuri said with a laugh.

Matsuri frowned.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"That you're a force to be reckoned with," Yuri said, kissing her on the lips. "And I'll brave any storm with you."

Kagami pushed Yuri away from his mother with a pout, and Yuri ruffled his hair while Matsuri giggled at her overprotective son.

"Why don't you go find her?" Yuri said, taking Kagami from Matsuri. "I'll have some bonding time with this little guy."

"Thank you, Yuri," Matsuri said. She kissed both their heads. "I'll be home later."

Sakura sat in the corner of the room, pretending to supervise the lesson while the medic's practiced their chakra control in reviving fish, much like how Sakura was first taught by Lady Tsunade.

She stared out the window. Since the meeting with the clan heads, she'd spent the last two weeks so busy she could barely find time to sit down for herself. She'd visited all of them, apologised for her behaviour and, in a much calmer manner, discussed her ideas and proposals for the future of the medic-nin, hospital, and village. Although the meetings with the Shimura and Yamanaka were a little more trying than the others, she'd forced herself to stay calm, collected and rational.

She was avoiding the Hokage too. She hadn't answered any of his summons, which she was completely ashamed of, but knew that if they were urgent he would have come and gotten her in a storm of fury. Or, more likely, sent his brother or Madara to forcibly bring her in front of him. She sighed tiredly. She'd woken up from a dream that once upon a time might've made her swoon. Now, it just left a cloud of depression in her heart and mind, a reminder that everything she thought she could have was dead and buried.

Hikari stepped up towards her.

"Excuse me, Lady Sakura. It's time for lunch."

Sakura looked at the clock on the wall and nodded. She stood and the small group of medic-nin turned their attention to her.

"You can all take a break for an hour," she said. "Please return promptly and continue your training."

She didn't miss the relieved sigh from the students and wondered if she was a terrible teacher that they hated.

"Lady Sakura, I'm to inform you that Lady Matsuri is waiting for you in your office," Hikari said.

Sakura flinched slightly, hearing that. Matsuri. She didn't know why, precisely, but she'd been avoiding Matsuri for weeks. Or maybe she did know why and she didn't want to admit it or think about it.

"Have you been reading the scrolls I gave you?" She asked Hikari.

Hikari's eyes lit up.

"Yes, I've been memorising it just as you asked."

"Good," she said. "Go have some lunch and get back to studying. If you want to be a medic, there's a lot you need to learn and memorise."

"Yes, Lady Sakura," Hikari nodded. She hesitated. "Lady Matsuri said to tell you that, well, if you didn't see her today she was going to - " Hikari cleared her throat, " - hunt you down until she could talk to you."

Sakura stared and then laughed hollowly.

"Okay, thank you."

Hikari left with a smile and Sakura's face dropped again when she turned away and was alone. She walked through the hospital and into her office, where Matsuri was sitting in her chair behind her desk.

"Where have you been?" Matsuri demanded.

Sakura looked at her and closed the door.

"Hello to you too," she said.

Matsuri looked at her with a frown.

"Sakura, you look pale."

"Really?" Sakura asked, completely uninterested. She sat in the spare seat in the corner. "I don't have time for an interrogation, Matsuri. So if that's what you're here for, you can just go."

"So this is how it's going to be then?" Matsuri said, her voice wavering slightly. "You're too busy to see me and then when you do, you're just going to push me away?"

Sakura stared at her.

"I don't need people prying into my life," she said irritably.

Matsuri looked affronted.

"Really? So you're happy to be all alone and miserable?"

Sakura grit her teeth.

"Yes. Maybe I am."

Matsuri scoffed.

"You're many things, Sakura, but you're not a loner."

"You don't know anything about me!" Sakura yelled, standing up.

Matsuri glowered.

"I don't know anything about you?" She asked. "Is that really what you think?"

Her voice was low and angry and Sakura flinched back from it.

"Whatever you tell anyone else, your name is Sakura Haruno. You're nineteen years old, I'm guessing since you won't tell anyone when your birthday is. You were born about one hundred years into the future, and you were friends with my great-grandson. You fell in love with Itachi Uchiha and you lost him during a battle to save the lives of everyone you know, knew, and love."

Matsuri stood up and walked over to Sakura, who was shaking. Sakura stood still and Matsuri stopped in front of her and wrapped her arms around her.

"You're always thinking about others," she said more quietly.

Sakura had to bite her lip to keep it from trembling.

"You're strong and independent and you never want to see someone you love in pain. You're compassionate and proud. You're in pain, Sakura," she said, hugging tighter. "Let me be your friend. Let me be here for you."

Matsuri stepped away and gave her a smile. The kind of smile that said 'I'm always here for you, even if you hate me.' Sakura felt her knees go weak, and her emotions tumble through a mix of gratitude, guilt, shame, and regret. She wanted to say so much, to do so much. She was just so angry all the time, or so sad, she didn't know how to be around someone like Matsuri, someone who made her feel normal and good. Someone who she knew was a real friend.

"Suri, I'm - " Sakura stopped and looked down. Her eyes suddenly widened. She looked Matsuri up and down. "Are you pregnant?" She blurted out.

Matsuri looked a little shocked and then grinned.

"Well, I suppose I can't hide it from a professional. Yeah," she said. "I'm sort of - well, I came here because you're an idiot and you need me."

She laughed, but her eyes turned away and her expression became anxious.

"But, also, I'm scared."

Sakura blinked, immediately becoming her medic-self.

"Sit down," she said.

Matsuri sat and Sakura pulled her chair from behind her desk to sit across from her.

"What are you scared of?"

"Kagami was really hard on me," Matsuri replied after a moment. "I was sick quite often, and the last few weeks I've been very tired again. But, well, Sakura, I'm only here now because you saved me," she said. "You saved my life, and you saved my baby."

Sakura swallowed. She'd forgotten, she'd forgotten that she'd saved Matsuri's life. Kagami's. All she'd been thinking about was death.

"I'm scared that something like that might happen again," Matsuri whispered, looking at her hands. "I want to be around for my children. I don't want to leave Yuri here, not after - not after Izuna. He's only just becoming himself again."

Sakura reached out and took Matsuri's hands.

"You won't," she said. "I'm not going to let that happen."

She wasn't. No one else she knew would die while she was here. Matsuri looked relieved.

"Well, I think you were in the middle of apologising to me before, so you can go ahead and finish doing that," she said with a smirk so familiar to the Uchiha.

Sakura looked at her and then laughed, a real laugh, that filled her in ways she hadn't realised she needed.

"Matsuri," she said grateful and exasperated. She hugged her. "I'm sorry for being distant and a little crazy."

Matsuri laughed a little.

"It's okay to be crazy when you're hurting, Sakura." She put a hand comfortingly on Sakura's arm. "Just don't shut yourself off from the people who care about you."

Sakura stilled for a moment, a familiar white-haired face flashing through her mind, and she finally understood what dream-Kakashi was telling her. Don't be like me. She smiled a little.

"If you're feeling up to it, would you like to come into town with me tonight? You can be my date," she grinned. "We'll make Yuri jealous."

Matsuri giggled.

"Well. Only if I get to dress you up. Your hair's really long now. Is there some special occasion?"

Sakura let out a sigh.

"Yeah. I have to see the Hokage first though, and…" she slumped her shoulders, feeling guilt wash over her. "I should probably apologise to Madara."

"What for?"

"Um." Sakura bit her lip and looked away. "I don't think I've been very fair to him."

"Well." Matsuri stood up. "My work here is done. Come to my house later. Kagami wants to see you," she said, waving good-bye.

Sakura smiled. Matsuri was a bit like Ino, coming and going like a storm, all on her own time and how she wanted. For the first time in weeks, Sakura felt a little more like herself, a little lighter. She walked out of her office and found Hikari.

"Can you watch over this afternoons lesson?" She asked with a tentative smile.

Hikari looked up and stared at her. Sakura frowned.

"Is there something on my face?"

Hikari shook her head.

"No, no, Lady Sakura. It's just - " Hikari shook her head and smiled. "You're finally taking a break, and you look like you've had a big weight lifted off your shoulders. You're smiling."

Sakura's expression froze for a moment.

"I've been terrible, haven't I?" She asked quietly. "I'm sorry, Hikari. You've been putting up with a lot. I'll do better."

She patted Hikari's head in the way that Kakashi used to pat hers, and was amused when Hikari's face immediately went bright red.

"So, I trust you to take care of the lessons for the afternoon. If anyone manages to complete the training today, tell them that they're free to leave and do their own study until I return tomorrow."

"Y-yes, Lady Sakura," she stammered, stunned. "Thank you for believing in me!"

Sakura left Hikari and the hospital and walked to Hokage Tower. For the first time in a while, she allowed herself to move at a leisurely pace. She breathed the fresh air deeply. Her face felt relaxed, her shoulders weren't tensed. Seeing Matsuri was like a much-needed wake-up call for her. She entered Hokage Tower with a little anxiety creeping into her. She knew she wasn't going to enjoy the next part of her day. Hashirama was, to Sakura's surprise, diligently working when she knocked on the door. He looked up and stared at her. No smile, no greeting. Inwardly, she cringed. He was very unhappy with her.

"Excuse me, Lord Hokage. Do I have permission to speak with you?"

Hashirama gave a short nod and Sakura entered the room and closed the door behind her. She took a deep breath before she turned around and stood before his desk. He had returned to his work, writing. So Sakura stood and waited for him to finish. It was a technique that Lady Tsunade often employed, to remind her subordinates who was in charge. After four minutes of silence, Hashirama finally put his pen down and sat back to look at her.

"What do you need, Lady Sakura?" He asked.

She was careful to keep her face impassive. The use of her new title hurt. He was being distant and professional. She bowed deeply.

"I wanted to apologise for my conduct over the last two weeks," she said.

"To what are you referring to exactly?" Hashirama asked. "To storming out of an official meeting? Leveling some hills outside the village? The outbursts while your training of the medics that I've received complaints about? Or ignoring the summons of your Hokage?"

Sakura still bowed, answered slightly shamed.

"All of them, Lord Hokage."

There was a moment of silence then he told her to stand tall.

"Sakura," his voice was softer now. "There is only so much leniency I can give."

"I understand. It's not necessary for you to give me special treatment. I've been lax in my duties and my attitude has been poor. I will be better from now on," she said firmly, hoping he would believe it.

She was going to be better, she had to be. Hashirama stood and smiled.

"Good." He said brightly. He swiftly walked around the table and hugged her. "I'm glad."

Sakura, a little surprised at the hug, stumbled when she was released.

"I'm really sorry," she apologised again weakly.

Hashirama patted her shoulder.

"Loss is hard," he said. "But you being here now, and saying these things with that fire in your eyes, it means that something has changed, and for that I'm glad."

Sakura swallowed.

"Thank you," she said. "Um. I was wondering if it was okay if we could have that party you talked about? To celebrate the councilors and all that?" She asked hesitantly.

Hashirama practically glowed.

"Of course we can! I'll organise it right now! Let's go and see Tobi and Madara."

"No," Sakura practically shouted. He turned to her in surprise. "No. I'll go see Madara if that's okay."

Hashirama looked at her for a moment and then nodded.

"That's probably a good idea. I don't know what happened, but whatever it was, it's better to clear the air."

Sakura gave a little nod. The only thing that had happened was her and her attitude. She sighed. She missed the easy presence of Itachi, where she knew exactly where she stood. Her heart clenched at the thought of him, at the flash of memories she had. They left the office and Hashirama turned to the right, looking for Tobi, while Sakura went left and stopped outside the closed door of Madara's office. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, raising her hand to knock. But she couldn't bring her hand to make contact. She sighed and lowered her hand.

Don't be such a scaredy-cat, she thought furiously. But, what if he doesn't forgive me? Madara hadn't stopped being someone important in her life. This new life of hers, that she was slowly working her way into. Sakura bit her lip and finally just knocked.

"Enter," came the muffled reply.

She opened the door and saw that Madara was sitting on the edge of his desk. Sharingan activated, arms folded over his chest. She closed the door behind her. He'd known she was there. His stupid dojutsu had seen right through the door. Stupid Uchiha, she thought.

"What do you want?" He asked, the red fading from his eyes until they were the normal Uchiha black.

She thought of Matsuri just while earlier, basically telling her to get a grip.

"I wanted to apologise," she said, gathering some courage.

She felt nervous and guilty in front of him, awkward.

"I've been reminded of something important recently, very recently, and I've been treating you unfairly."

"And?" Madada said impatiently. "I haven't heard an apology yet."

Sakura was taken aback.

"I'm sorry," she said, slightly startled.

Then she saw the slight glimmer of amusement in his eyes. She calmed down.

"Madara, I'm sorry I've taken out my anger on you when all you've done is be there to support me."

He unfolded his arms and leaned back on his desk. Sakura took in the sight of him and then looked away. An odd feeling settled over her, one that brought back memories of sake and candlelight, a night she remembered and didn't want to.

"Is there anything else you need?" Madara asked.

She looked back at him, careful to keep her eyes from meeting his, and swallowed.

"The celebration, for us being named councilors is tonight," she said. "I spoke with Hashirama about it. I want to… apologise really."

"Mmm. So you're entering society again?" He asked.

She gave a weak smile.

"It's probably time, don't you think?"

He gave a little shrug.

"That's not for me to say."

He caught her eyes and Sakura felt that same unsettled feeling.

"When you're ready, you're ready," he said, his voice dropping slightly lower and she quickly looked away from him.

"I'll keep that in mind," she said.

She turned to leave. Just as she had opened the door an was about to go, she turned back to him.

"I'll see you tonight."

She felt his eyes burn into her, even as she walked away down the hall and out of his line of sight. Her face felt hot and she refused to think more deeply about the way he made her feel whenever he looked into her eyes. It was not a good idea to be alone with Madara Uchiha.

Sakura was amazed that the Yamanaka flower shop that Ino's family had worked in was in the exact same place. She had no idea that it was a shop that the family had always had. With two small bouquets, she wandered from the village towards the Naka Shrine. It was only the second time she'd come and the first time in the daylight. It really was in a beautiful and peaceful area of the forest. She placed flowers on Izuna's grave, and then she walked to Itachi's and knelt in front of it.

Her hand came up over his name, her fingers dragged across it.

"You were so stupid, Itachi," she whispered. "I'm so mad at you."

She put the flowers at the base of the stone.

"I don't want to be here without you. I don't know what I'm doing. Everything is so mixed up inside me." She closed her eyes and sighed. "I miss you so much. I still haven't slept in my bed. I can't stand being in the house by myself, it's so quiet. I miss your cooking too."

She laughed sadly. Her eyes watered.

"Itachi, I just want you back. I just want you to come back."

Sakura sat there alone and quiet for a while longer. She swallowed back some tears and rested her hand on his grave.

"Sorry for almost punching you," she whispered. "I love you."

Then she went back to her house and bathed before she headed over to Matsuri's.

Madara arrived at Matsuri's door to escort them to the bar that Hashirama had organised the party at. Sakura heard him greet Kagami from the room she was preparing in. Matsuri had, once again, made Sakura look like a lady. Unlike her usual toned down appearance day-to-day. Her hair was down, with one side pulled back by a flowered hairpiece. Her bangs had been cut a little, so they were neater and framed her face.

Matsuri had expertly covered the tired bags under Sakura's eyes and allowed her to borrow more clothes. Sakura grimaced, borrowed was the wrong way to say it. Matsuri had forced Sakura into new clothes. Because there were so many different villagers from all different areas, there were new styles of clothing available. Matsuri had bought Sakura something special, something almost close to what people wore in her time.

It was a dress, a summer dress in a dark pink that was almost red. It was long, with a slit up to her knees, and fit well. It had thin shoulder straps, and fit quite well around her waist and chest. It made her look like she had curves. Sakura felt normal in it, but she was almost certain that no one else in the village had been walking around in clothes like this. She was bound to stand out, but, she was feeling like maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing.

The saving grace was that Matsuri had bought herself a similar outfit, but it was a high waisted skirt and top combo, instead of a dress. She would be able to hide her little bump for a while longer with the skirt. At least Sakura wouldn't be the only one in something possibly a little risqué for the times. She smiled at herself in the mirror. She felt good, for the first time since she'd woken up from the coma, she actually felt a little excited.

Matsuri opened the door.

"Sakura? Are you ready?"

Sakura stood.

"Yes," she replied.

Matsuri gasped and grinned.

"You look amazing! I knew that dress was perfect."

"I feel - I actually feel kind of myself again," she said, shyly. "Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me, Sakura. Yuri's just taking Kagami over to our friend's house, so we can meet him at the place. Madara's here to take us."

Sakura felt a slight flutter of nerves.

"Great," she said brightly.

Matsuri gave her a quizzical frown and then shrugged. Sakura followed her out of the room and they put on their shoes at the door. Madara was already outside.

"You really look beautiful, Sakura," Matsuri said with a smile. "I hope this doesn't make you sad, but I think Itachi would think you looked wonderful too."

Sakura gave her a little smile.

"Thank you," she said softly.

She suddenly put a hand to her forehead, remembering the little taps he gave her and smiled.

"I think he would too."

"You're weird," Matsuri laughed. "Come on, let's go. I'm looking forward to this. I haven't really had a fun night out with people since before… well, we were always at war. So we never did much like this. It was really rare."

Sakura and Matsuri left the house, she saw Madara leaning against a tree. Wearing that familiar Uchiha high-neck shirt, and black pants. He looked up and saw her, eyes catching for a fleeting moment before he immediately turned away. Sakura felt her cheeks heat up a little. Matsuri, who Sakura knew full well was not oblivious to anything ever, acted like she hadn't seen anything and chatted the entire way until the village, filling in all the strange tension and making Sakura laugh and feel at ease again, although Madara remained silent.

Tobirama, Hashirama, the clan heads, Madoka and several other people were already in the bar when they arrived. Sasuke Sarutobi and Yuri came over to greet them.

"Welcome!" Sasuke said. "We were just waiting for you to arrive before we seat ourselves."

Yuri smiled at Matsuri.

"You look beautiful," he said. He looked at Sakura and winked. "So do you."

Sakura grinned.

"Thanks, honey!" She joked.

Matsuri stuck her tongue out and took Yuri's arm protectively.

She took Sasuke open arm and walked into the bar to greet the group that was waiting for them. Her heart pounded a little. The atmosphere was jovial, and she was greeted by everyone with politeness and a beaming smile from Hashirama. They were given private room for the evening, and Sakura had a seat beside Matsuri and Tobirama. She spent a lot of the evening laughing, so much that her cheeks and her stomach hurt. Matsuri and Tobirama tended to clash more than they got along, and the more sake Sakura indulged in, the more she laughed at them.

After some time, Hashirama, who'd drunk more than his fill, demanded that the tables be taken away because they took up too much space and made it hard to talk to everyone. Tobirama sighed with exasperation, and the rest of the group laughed. Shikaru Nara came to talk to Sakura after the tables were gone.

"Well, he had a good idea, but it's hard to sit down now," he said.

"True, but where I'm from, this is more normal," Sakura smiled.

"And where is that?" Shikaru asked. "You're a mysterious woman, Sakura Not-Haruno."

Sakura shrugged and grinned.

"I'm from Konoha."

It wasn't a lie at all. Shikaru laughed.

"Keep your secrets then," he said. "But come see Shikata. He's been asking when you'll come back to the house."

"He's a good kid," Sakura replied.

"Make sure you dress down when you see him though," Shikaru said. "I don't think he'd know what to do if you showed up looking so beautiful."

Sakura blushed.

"You flatter me."

Shikaru laughed.

"Or do. I'd like to see his reaction."

"You're a cruel father!"

Sakura suddenly felt a hand on her arm. She turned to see Matsuri looking at her with wide eyes. Immediate understanding flashed through her.

"Don't make a scene," Matsuri breathed.

"Bathroom break," Sakura announced, pretending to be a little drunker than she actually was.

There was a short bark of laughter in the room and Sakura left with Matsuri, quickly but unhurried. Once they left the room, Sakura immediately scooped her friend into her arms. Matsuri winced in pain.

"I might fall for you," she breathed, trying to joke. "You've swept me off my feet."

Sakura quickly walked her into the bathroom, ignoring the confused look of the other patrons. She sobered quickly, her heart raced.

"What do you feel?" She asked, setting Matsuri down on the ground.

"This is so unsanitary," Matsuri said.

"Suri," Sakura said warningly.

She let the chakra flow from her hands into Matsuri's stomach and concentrated.

"It's just some sharp pains and nausea. Like what I had with Kagami," she said.

Sakura nodded, feeling a little more relaxed at what she could feel with her chakra.

"This is fairly normal for a lot of women," she said. "I think you're just one of the unlucky ones who has more painful cramping early on."

Matsuri gave a grimace and rolled her eyes.

"Lucky me," she muttered.

Sakura gave her a smile.

"I think you should get Yuri to take you home. Try and rest tomorrow, and I'll come and see you in the afternoon. But if anything happens, send Yuri to me right away."

Matsuri nodded.

"It feels better already," she said.

"I'm just trying to soothe the area a little. I can't do too much more than that. If the type of pain changes you have to come straight to the hospital, okay?"

"Babies suck," Matsuri sighed.

Sakura smiled, drawing back her hands and letting Matsuri sit up.

"But you'll love them forever."

"Of course. I'm a mother," she said.

Sakura felt a tinge of pain, and Matsuri must have seen it.

"I'm sorry," she said. "That was insensitive."

Sakura shook her head.

"No. It's okay, really. There's something I might be able to do."

"Really?" Matsuri asked with some shock.

Sakura gave her a little shrug.

"Don't get your hopes up," she said. "It might not work."

Matsuri stood with her help and let out a breath, her hand coming to her stomach.

"Well, make sure that you tell me whenever you're going to do this, whatever you're going to do. I want to be there for you."

Sakura nodded.

"Let's get Yuri," she said.

Yuri took one look at Sakura and Matsuri in the doorway and excused himself. Sakura explained the situation and he nodded.

"Thank you," he said to her.

The happy couple left and Sakura looked back at the party, feeling worn out. Maybe it was time for her to go home as well. She looked down at her dress. It was pretty. Matsuri had good taste.

"Sakura!" Hashirama boomed, startling her.

His drunk happy aura was overwhelming. Sakura stepped back, but he bounded over to her and took her hand, dragging her into the room.

"Come enjoy the night, it's for you!"

Sakura stumbled slightly, not realising how strongly he was pulling her.

"Hashirama!" She cried out, about to face-plant.

She was caught around the waist and put upright. She glanced to see her saviour and wasn't at all surprised when she saw it was Madara.

"Hashirama, stop being an idiot," he snapped.

"Brother, apologise to Sakura," Tobirama said with a disapproving frown.

Hashirama looked sheepishly at her and bowed his head.

"Please forgive me Sakura."

Sakura pretended to be mad and folded her arms over her chest.

"No," she said, pouting and looking away.

There was a chuckle around the room. Hashirama fell into a depression that made everyone except Madara and Tobirama laugh.

"All right, I forgive you," Sakura said with a grin.

As she joked with Hashirama, she was not unaware that Madara was still standing close to her and hadn't moved away. Nor was she unaware of the fire under her skin at the place on her lower back where his hand was still resting.

She saw Shikaru give her an interested look and quickly stepped away from him, rejoining the party for another few minutes before she left, guilt conflicting with the things she shouldn't have been feeling. Sakura should have known by now. Sake was a bad idea, and the combination of sake and Madara Uchiha was dangerous.