because i'm nice, i spent like all day yesterday writing this chapter.
so, lucky you !
for those of you asking/wanting more MadaSaku = INCOMING. okay, so maybe there might be a tiny OOCness but OMG I DIED THINKING ABOUT THE SCENE WITH THE RAMEN (you'll see) and i couldn't help myself. so please forgive me for the slightly OOC haha.
there is some filler in this chapter, but it's fun, and important for the next few chapters. aside from the Kumo stuff, the next part of the story will have a lot of daily life and relationship developments between lots of different people. kind of more introduction to different shinobi that Sakura interacts with, since she's stepping out of her grief and accepting her new life. and the Hyuga, Hatake and Aburame will come soon too.
i hope hashirama's response doesn't disappoint, but i kind of think mito does her job well as a wife and shinobi to make him see how he needs to react, otherwise yeah, you'll see i guess.
the kids were stuuuuuupid. i agree with you kosmas, it is annoying, since both Shouta and Hikari are basically newbies, and Shikata is still inexperienced. they literally couldn't have done anything against the nine-tails.
mito x sakura x matsuri friendship also coming up in later chapters.
i'm super happy people were anxious while reading, that means i was able to do my job :)
REVIEW PLEASE IT MAKES ME HAPPY AND I LIKE TO READ WHAT YOU THINK AND THEN TRY TO INCORPORATE YOUR SUGGESTIONS.
in reply to..
guest: yes, i will write the scenes about the marriage proposals thingy because i was already planning on it and you reminded me! thank you. but, in regards to Madara/Elders and the Senju-power balance - in canon, the Uchiha were actually fine with Hashirama being hokage and all that, it was just Madara who was worried about it, he tried to tell his clan but they blew him off. so thats the same as in my story too, they're all good and especially since Madara has a central role in the village its no worries. also, sakura on a mission is also coming soon-ish.
Chapter 14: Outcome
When the slug Sakura had left him disappeared in a pop of smoke, a sense of foreboding came over Tobirama. If Sakura's chakra was so low that she couldn't maintain the summoning something must have happened.
"Lord Tobirama."
Shikaru Nara appeared in the doorway of the Hokage's office. Tobirama looked up at him.
"Yuri Uchiha and Takuma Senju have returned. They're going to the hospital, Yuri is injured."
Tobirama nodded.
"I'll meet them there." He eyed Shikaru. "Your son will be fine," he said, trying to sound like he meant it.
Shikaru pursed his lips.
"If he is, he won't be," Shikaru muttered. He handed Tobirama a scroll. "Here. An urgent message from the Uzumaki, it's been deciphered. Apparently, Mito sent one out before she left."
Tobirama took it and opened it with a frown.
"Ashina is coming," he said, reading it over and handing it back to Shikaru. "I hope Mito's back by the time he gets here. He might be an old friend and ally, but the Uzumaki temper is a force to be reckoned with."
Shikaru nodded in agreement.
"Let's hope they're all back."
Tobirama left for the hospital, leaving Shikaru in charge in the tower for the moment. He easily located Yuri and Takuma, although Takuma was the only one he could speak too while Yuri was being checked over by the medics. Takuma explained what had happened. That Madara had defeated the Gold and Silver Brothers, while he and Yuri had taken on the rest of their entourage. Sakura had come after the battle, and she'd stabilised Yuri before he'd brought Yuri back to the village. On the way, they passed by Mito and a group of three young shinobi, and not long after, the Nine-Tails had begun to attack. They didn't turn back since Yuri needed treatment.
"So, the group of Kumo shinobi was defeated," Tobirama mused. "Tell me about them."
"They all wore matching headbands and jackets, much like we do," Takuma explained. He hesitated. "I don't know for sure, but they didn't seem like they were some crazed faction of warmongering shinobi."
"You think they were there on orders from their leader?" Tobirama asked.
Takuma nodded.
"I do. But I don't have proof. We captured three of them, maybe the Yamanaka can find the truth of it."
Tobirama clenched his jaw thoughtfully.
"Thank you," he said to Takuma. "If either of you thinks of anything else, come find me."
Takuma nodded.
"Yes, Lord Tobirama."
Tobirama left, deep in thought. The political ramifications of this could be really troublesome. They were going to have to meet this new Raikage, and soon before things became more unstable.
Madara sat beside Sakura's hospital bed, his elbows resting on his knees, hands loosely clasped together and head lowered, staring at the ground. He couldn't get the image of her with a giant hole through her chest out of his head. He could see the world through her. The dirt, the blood, the feet of the people behind her. His eyes had captured that in his memories. But that look on her face, and what she said.
"You'll have to do better than that, Kurama."
Madara was only just now beginning to realise that Sakura had far more secrets in her head than he ever realised, then maybe she knew what to do with. Kurama. Was that the name of the Nine-Tails? He didn't even know the tailed-beasts had names. He shook his head slightly, breathed in and closed his eyes. Whatever power she possessed in her seal was akin to Hashirama's regeneration abilities. But it seemed she could use her seal for a wide variety of things. He remembered her using it to help Matsuri and Kagami. His thoughts echoed Hashirama's words. What was Sakura's power?
According to Hikari, she should wake up at any time. The girl had diligently worked to the point where she almost passed out due to chakra exhaustion as well, but Shouta hadn't been able to even come into the same room as Sakura. Everyone responded to guilt in different ways, and Madara was going to make sure that he understood exactly what his stubbornness and arrogance had almost done.
"Madara?" Sakura murmured quietly.
He looked up and saw that her head had turned slightly, and she was looking at him through heavily lidded eyes. He stood abruptly and went to her side, leaning down, his hand pushing the hair back from her face and his fingers and thumb brushing her cheek.
"How are you feeling?" He asked her quietly.
She turned her face tiredly, pressing into his hand.
"Tired, but good," she replied. "You're warm."
She had a small smile on her face. Madara let out a breath and pressed his forehead onto hers.
"You scared me," he breathed, closing his eyes.
He stayed there for a moment before he pulled back slightly. She was looking at him with tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't - I just - is Mito okay?"
Madara nodded.
"Her father arrived yesterday morning, and he checked her seal work. She's fine," he told her.
She swallowed and breathed out in relief. Madara gave her a small smile and stepped away, drawing his hand back. To his surprise, she reached out an gripped his sleeve, looking at him with wide, frightened eyes.
"Where are you going?" She asked.
Madara stared at her for a moment before he pulled up the chair he'd been sitting on to her bedside. He took her hand in his and sat on the chair. Their fingers were intertwined, and Madara rubbed his thumb over her knuckles.
"I'm not going anywhere," he whispered to her.
Sakura fell back to sleep with a smile on her face.
"Inorou discovered the Kumo shinobi were acting under orders from their Raikage to capture the Nine-Tails," Tobirama informed the Hokage, who sat at his desk, hands folded in front of him with his elbows on the table. "But they didn't see what Mito did," he continued. "Inorou managed to seal away the memories of Madara's units attack."
"Can they be unsealed?" Hashirama inquired.
"Inorou believes not. It would take someone of considerable skill," Tobirama said. "In any case, we've sent a message to the Raikage, informing them of the intrusion of three shinobi on our lands. We made no mention of anyone else or the ninja tools," Tobirama said. "It's precarious, but even if the memories are unsealed, if they say anything about other Shinobi, they're admitting to invading our lands."
Hashirama let out a sigh.
"So it's our word against theirs," he muttered.
Tobirama nodded.
"To avoid further conflict, it's the best option," Shikaru said. "It's not ideal, considering the loss of life on both sides. But if we send them back their shinobi, who now have some intel on our villages development, we're giving them the ball to play. Each side will know that the other is lying, but no one can move without risking a major conflict."
"We've asked for them to meet us to exchange the shinobi on the borders of the Land of Hot Water and Frost," Tobirama said. "There's a teashop on the border."
"So we wait for their response?" Hashirama asked.
Tobirama and Shikaru nodded. Hashirama stood.
"I've been informed Sakura has woken up," he said.
"She's resting," Shikaru replied. "Lord Madara is with her."
Hashirama pursed his lips.
"I'll go to the hospital. I want to check on Mito as well."
Shikaru left the office, leaving Tobirama and Hashirama alone.
"You know she cares about the village as much as you do," Tobirama said to him.
"I know," Hashirama replied. "But that doesn't excuse insubordination."
Tobirama raised an eyebrow.
"Sakura isn't…" he sighed. "I understand."
Hashirama left the office, donned his Hokage hat, and headed to the hospital. Mito and her father were talking quietly in her hospital room when he arrived. She looked tired, but well. No one would know to look at her that her body was now the host to the Nine-Tailed Fox.
"Hello, darling," Mito smiled at him.
Hashirama took off his hat and laid it on her bed.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, worried.
"I'm completely fine," Mito replied. "My father has checked over the seal many times, and my health is normal. There's nothing wrong with me."
Hashirama glanced at Ashina, who nodded.
"Mito might be the only person in the world who could've done that on her own," he said. He stood and looked between the two of them. "I'll let you speak alone."
He left the room and closed the door behind him.
"Really, Hashirama. There's nothing to worry about," she said, squeezing his hand.
Hashirama sat beside her, slouching.
"Of course there is," he said, shaking his head. "How could I not worry?"
Mito leaned forward and held his face in her hands, forcing him to look up at her.
"Hashirama Senju, believe in me," she said sternly. "No matter how powerful you are, understand that I am not just your wife. I am a shinobi of Konoha and I have every right to stand beside you to protect my village."
He gave her a small smile.
"Tsumo misses you," he murmured.
Mito's eyes softened.
"I miss him. If they don't let me out of here tonight, I'll break down the walls to get home."
He laughed softly and Mito let her hands fall.
"Hashirama, let me tell you about what Sakura said to me before you decide to blame her for this," she said.
His shoulders tensed.
"And let me tell you why I agreed to become the jinchuuriki of the Nine-Tails."
He nodded reluctantly.
"I didn't consider it before, but Sakura's mind is filled with knowledge and memories of things that are both good and terrible. Have you ever wondered what it must be like for her? To walk around with all of this in her head and not know what to do with it? Surely she must be in constant conflict with herself on how much she can or should reveal. She wants her influence to be minimal, but when something happens and she knows the repercussions are tragic, what should she do?"
Hashirama considered her words. He had often thought about Sakura and what she knew. It was obvious there were a lot of things that she didn't talk about, that she tried to talk around, just like when she'd spoken out in a panic about the Gold and Silver Brothers.
"Sakura came to me with reluctance and I could see and feel how much she didn't want to ask me to do this," Mito continued. "But she didn't see another way that she could save Tobirama's life."
Hashirama froze and looked at Mito, who nodded sadly.
"Sometime in the future, your brother would be killed by Kinkaku and Ginaku. She was desperate to stop them from doing whatever it is that they aimed to do with the Nine-Tails, which ultimately had some impact on Tobirama's death, although she wasn't sure what."
"She was trying to save him," Hashirama muttered.
"When I arrived at the battlefield, I'd had more time to think about what she was asking of me." Mito drew his attention back to her. "You said yourself that the tailed beasts are dangerous. I know you've been thinking of ways to contain them and as more villages are formed, all I can imagine is that there will be fights for power and that will involve the tailed beasts."
"You took the Nine-Tails out of play," Hashirama said, understanding, "in an effort to protect the village."
Mito nodded.
"This is what I was born to do, why I am here," she said, a fervour in her eyes. "I feel that very strongly. Sakura did not ask me to do this because she wanted it. She knew that I had done this before, that it had worked and I was safe. She would never have asked this if she felt there was any other choice."
Hashirama let out a deep breath and held Mito's hand. She was so reassuring, telling him everything he needed to hear, to clear his thoughts and help him see past his immediate responses and reactions.
"But now you will become a target," Hashirama realised.
Mito nodded.
"I am prepared for that, I always have been. Just as you are, just as Tobirama and Madara are, and just as Sakura will surely become, especially as more rumours spread about her after this."
With Sakura's abilities, Hashirama knew that she'd become someone coveted by nations - that is why he and Tobirama were desperately trying to tamper down the rumours already being spread about her and her identity as both healer and destroyer.
"I need to find a way to work with Sakura in times like these, where she doesn't feel like she has to do things on her own," he said after a moment.
Mito nodded.
"She's afraid of how she's impacting the world. You need to make her understand that she's no longer a part of a different time. She's a part of this time now, and she needs to trust you to help her not feel so isolated."
He leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"What would I do without you?"
"Probably something very stupid, like make her feel worse" she replied, with the ghost on a smile in her tired eyes.
Sakura woke slowly to the sound of voices speaking softly close to her. She blinked slowly and saw Hashirama standing at the end of her bed, talking to Madara who was beside her. She was tired. The effects of chakra exhaustion were annoying. She glanced down at her hand, wondering why it felt warm and saw that she was holding Madara's hand. Surprise washed through her, but also a more pleasant feeling. She felt comfort in his presence, knowing he was there for her made her stomach flutter in a way she hadn't felt for a while. She squeezed it to let him know that she was awake. The talking ceased immediately as he turned to look at her.
"Sakura?"
She used her other hand to wipe her eyes and push herself into a sitting position, not letting go of his hand at all.
"Don't force yourself," Madara said.
She blinked rapidly, waking herself up. She looked at Hashirama.
"Lord Hokage," she greeted him deferentially, lowering her eyes.
She felt a wave of guilt and regret come over her at the sight of him. She wondered where Mito was, and whether or not she hated her now.
"Lady Sakura," Hashirama replied to her. "Would you mind leaving us alone?"
Sakura looked at Madara, who had a question in his eyes. He'd stay if she asked him too. Her lip twitched slightly.
"Can you get me some water?" She asked him.
He looked at her a moment longer and then nodded. She felt the warmth leave her hand with regret. When Madara was gone and she was alone in the room with Hashirama, she felt her heart race with some fear, panic, and anxiety. What was he going to say to her?
"Look at me, Sakura Haruno," Hashirama said quietly.
Sakura slowly raised her eyes to meet him. To her surprise, they weren't angry or filled with hatred. They were open and questioning. The eyes of a friend, rather than a Hokage.
"I'm so sorry," she choked out, her eyes watering quickly. "I didn't see another way to - " she cut herself off.
"To save Tobirama," Hashirama finished for her.
Sakura looked at him in surprise.
"Mito told me everything," he said. "Lucky that she did, otherwise I might have come in here with a much different attitude."
Sakura lip her lower lip to stop it from trembling. Hashirama gave her a gentle smile.
"You might not believe me, but I don't blame you, Sakura. I think if I was in the same position, I might act the same way as you. But this has to stop now."
His eyes turned serious.
"What does?" Sakura breathed.
"You acting alone," he said firmly. "You need to stop thinking that you need to do everything on your own. I've shown enormous trust in you, haven't I?" Sakura nodded. "So you need to show me that same trust. I'm your Hokage, work with me, not around me."
Sakura swallowed. Honestly, she hadn't even considered that she'd been acting the way that he said she was. Was he right? Did she trust him or not?
"I don't want this responsibility," Sakura breathed, realising what she'd been trying to hide and push away. "I don't want to be the reason someone's life is destroyed or someone dies." She began to cry in earnest. "I don't know how to do this."
Sakura felt his hand on her shoulder.
"You don't have to do anything you don't want to," Hashirama said quietly to her. "Have you thought about sealing your memories?"
She looked up at him in surprise.
"What?"
"It's an option," Hashirama said. "No one would blame you."
Sakura stared at her hands. Could she do that? Seal away everything she had been to be someone else, someone new? It was appealing, but...
She shook her head.
"No. No," she said. "I can't forget. I can't let the people I love to be lost like that."
Hashirama smiled at her.
"I know," he replied.
He sat on the bed and she moved her legs slightly to make more room for him.
"You're not infallible, Sakura, and you don't know everything. So no matter what happens or doesn't happen, it's not on you."
"But I - "
Hashirama shook his head.
"I always hoped that one day Madara would see that our lives could change for the better if we became allies, instead of enemies. But I was never completely certain that it could happen. Sakura, without you and Itachi, it may never have happened. Or it could've become like it was in your time again." He gave her an encouraging smile. "Sakura, without you, we might not be here. You are as much part of the lifeblood of Konoha as me, as Madara, as Tobirama. So lean on us more. We need you and you need us. But I'm still mad at you for going behind my back, so you'll be playing diplomat again for the next month."
"Okay," she whispered, accepting her punishment without resistance. "Then I should tell you not to trust Kumo."
Hashirama gave a chuckle.
"That's the first thing you're going to say? After an amazing speech like that?"
Sakura shrugged, smiling shakily.
"It was very amazing," she giggled. "But if I think about it too much, I'm going to cry."
Right on cue, more tears poured out of her eyes. Hashirama hugged her and she felt him chuckling to himself. The door opened, and Sakura pulled away from Hashirama to see Madara looking at them skeptically.
"What are you doing?" He asked them. "Why is she crying?"
Hashirama and Sakura shared a smile.
"We came to an understanding," Sakura said softly.
"What kind of understanding?" Madara asked.
"Don't sound so suspicious, Madara!" Hashirama said jovially. "Sakura has decided to stop trying to change the world alone, that's all."
Madara hmph'd.
"She didn't have to worry about that," he muttered. "I was always going to be here."
Sakura felt her face turn red and hot at his words, and Hashirama's eyes lit up. Madara ignored him and passed Sakura the cup of water he was holding. Their fingers brushed and Sakura felt the hair on her arms raise up. Hashirama let out a low, amused whistle and chuckle.
"Well, it seems you're well taken care of here," he said. Sakura glared at him a little. "You even have the same glare!" Hashirama teased.
Sakura threw her water at him. Hashirama skipped out of the room, poking his head back in for a moment to say that they'd continue their conversation about Kumo later. Madara slammed the door on him, leaving the two of them alone in the room. They were quiet for a moment before they both started laughing a little. Madara came back over to take his seat, and Sakura watched him, uncertain if she'd ever seen him laugh before. His smile made the corner of his eyes fold and crinkle, in a way that made him look like just a little boy again, but the way he sounded was certainly that of a man: deep, with a rich yet slightly rough texture, like he was still figuring out what a real laugh was but enjoying the process of finding it. She liked the way he looked and sounded at that moment. For the next ten minutes, they sat together talking quietly. At some point, their hands had come together again, as naturally as breathing. Sakura wondered when that had changed.
"Madara, do you want to do something that'll get us both in trouble?" Sakura asked, grinning.
He gave her an amused raise of on eyebrow.
"What do you have in mind?"
"A hospital break-out," she said. "And real food?"
She looked at him hopefully. He smiled.
"Definitely."
Sakura might have complained at any other time, but she found herself enjoying the fact that Madara was taking her across town on his back. Due to the amount of hair on his head, he'd been forced to swing it over one shoulder while Sakura rested her chin and head on the other.
"You know, people are going to talk about this if we keep heading further into town," Sakura reminded Madara.
"Do you care?" He asked.
"Not really," she shrugged. "I thought you might."
"There are worse things to be spoken about than to be seen carrying a desirable woman," Madara replied after a moment.
Sakura blushed.
"I guess we'd better find one then," she laughed.
Madara chuckled, she could feel it through his back.
"What do you feel like eating?" He asked her.
Sakura thought for a moment.
"Is there a good ramen place?" She asked.
"Ramen?" Madara said the word like it was something he'd never heard before. "I don't know."
Sakura huffed a sigh.
"Well, let's find one. That's what I want to eat."
Madara readjusted her.
"Fine," he said. "Hold on tight."
Sakura turned her head slightly to see him smirking at her and she crossed her legs over his front and held around his neck tightly. Madara jumped from the ground to the buildings, and Sakura laughed and let out little screams and shouts of delight as he proceeded to run above and on the sides of the buildings around the village. She saw people pointing at them from the ground and laughing or smiling. Some looked shocked, especially the Uchiha she saw.
But she was glad that Madara was having fun, it made her feel better about him telling her that she scared him. These little moments of freedom they shared were quickly becoming something irreplaceable in Sakura's mind and heart. Madara landed on the ground in the midst of a crowd of people, stood tall and walked on as if nothing had occurred. Sakura bit back laughter at the looks of astonishment on the people in the crowd.
As they walked and evening fell, the streets of Konoha lit up with lanterns along the road, and Sakura sighed with contentment until she spotted Tobirama ahead, arms folded over his chest and staring right at them.
"Oh, great," she muttered.
"Unless he forcibly removes you, we're going to get ramen," Madara said to her.
"I think he'd enjoy that," Sakura muttered.
She gripped Madara's shirt a little tighter. Madara continued to walk towards him, and Tobirama fell in step beside them.
"I've been told to retrieve Lady Sakura and take her back to the hospital," he informed them.
Sakura sighed.
"But I'm hungry."
"They have food in the hospital," Tobirama said.
"It's not good," Sakura muttered. "As Head of the hospital, I demand more financial support so we can get some decent food served to the patients!"
"Yeah, right," Tobirama scoffed. "Listen, Sakura. You're supposed to be on bed rest, and as 'Head of the hospital' as you put it, you're setting a bad example to your fellow shinobi and patients."
Sakura pointed ahead.
"Ramen! Madara!"
"I saw it," he replied.
"Tobi, look. I'm on bed rest still, see, I'm not even walking or using any chakra," she said.
Tobirama sighed.
"If I have to pull you off his back, I will."
"I don't think you want to do that," Madara said in a low voice. "We're busy. I'll take her back later."
Tobirama looked at the two of them incredulously.
"Honestly. The two of you are ridiculous. Enjoy your date, and don't blame me if Hashirama interrupts it since the entire village is now gossiping about you two."
Madara stalked off leaving him in the street, and Sakura smiled and waved back at him. Tobirama shook his head and walked away.
"So," Madara said in a quieter voice. "You didn't say. Is this a date?"
"Well. I'm dressed in some ill-fitting hospital clothes and haven't washed my face, so I'm going to say it's not," Sakura replied. "But," she paused and swallowed, feeling a little nervous. "I won't say no if you ask me," she whispered.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Sakura woke up in the hospital, and she realised that she wasn't alone. Hikari was curled up on the bed beside her, sleeping soundly with drool rolling out of her mouth, and Shouta was leaning against the wall, looking at the floor. Sakura stayed quiet as she took in what she saw and remembered what had happened.
"I didn't think I would take on students," she said after a moment. Shouta turned to look at her. "I'm not like everyone else here. I have circumstances that are almost impossible to explain. So I didn't want the extra responsibility. But when the two of you came out of nowhere and just fell into my lap, I couldn't say no."
She looked at Hikari, who was slowly waking.
"I've lost every single person that I loved. My life before Konoha doesn't exist anymore. I don't want - I can't lose anyone else."
Hikari sat up and wiped her eyes.
"We don't want to lose you either," she said. "We want to stay with you."
Sakura felt an overwhelming sense of pride and love and emotion at her words. She reached out an arm to Hikari, who leaned over and hugged her. Shouta came to her outstretched hand and took it in his. Sakura looked up at him and saw that his dark eyes were brimming with unshed tears.
"I just wanted to save you like you saved me," he said, his voice breaking.
Sakura pulled him into a hug. They sat on the bed together, wrapped in each other's arms. Each of them were like outcasts in their own way. Hikari, for going against her clan ways and Shouta, for his injuries and isolation. It was, Sakura realised, the reason why'd she felt drawn to the two of them. She let them go and Shouta and Hikari sat back on the bed.
"I'm sorry," Shouta said, looking at Sakura and then at Hikari. "I'm so sorry."
Hikari put her hand on his shoulder.
"If I didn't want to come, I wouldn't have come," she said. "I wanted to be with Lady Sakura too."
"But you almost - and Lady Sakura - the Nine-Tails it - "
Sakura took a breath.
"There is a reason why I gave medics the four laws of medical ninjutsu," she said. "You understand me? My seal is extremely complex and difficult to master, and while I have chakra, in a way I'm immortal and that is why I am the only medic-nin in the world that can fight on the frontlines."
They stared at her in shock.
"Will you promise to listen to me in the future?"
They both nodded.
"Then I'm glad you understand," she said. "Sometimes we have to learn the hard way, but we'll be better for it."
Hikari's eyes flickered up to Sakura's seal.
"Could we learn that?" She asked.
Sakura gave a little smile.
"I don't know. You can try. But it requires perfect chakra control and three years to master."
"Three years?" Shouta asked.
Sakura nodded.
"It's not something many people can master. Even the greatest medics I know or knew, couldn't master it. But Shouta, I'm training you to become a field medic, to be on a team. It's more important for you to focus on healing your body, studying medical jutsu and training."
He swallowed and nodded.
"You want me to be on a team?" He breathed.
Sakura nodded.
"You're strong and smart and loyal. I know you'll thrive with the right people around you." She turned to Hikari. "And Tobirama has high hopes for you," she said.
Hikari gasped in shock and delight. Sakura gave her a little smile. "
Both of you are and will be skilled medics, but you're going to be more need as the new generation of field medics, keeping your comrades alive and protected. I believe in you both."
"We won't let you down," Hikari said, suddenly energetic.
"Thank you, Lady Sakura," Shouta said with deference.
There were few things in life that shocked Matsuri Uchiha. Learning her husband had been injured in battle wasn't a shock, it was a sad part of reality. Learning that Sakura had been put in the hospital as a patient was a small shock, but not particularly surprising. Hearing all around town about how Madara broke Sakura out of the hospital, was carrying Sakura on his back, jumping off buildings like a child, and taking her to eat ramen - now that was a shock.
Considering two of her most beloved people were in the hospital at the same time, although one of them usually was but not as a patient, Matsuri had every right to visit them. When she walked in to see her husband was completely fine, just worn out, she dumped their children onto him with a quick kiss and promise she'd come back, and burst into Sakura's room. Sakura looked at her in surprise, feigning innocence and ignorance at her dramatic entrance.
"Hey," she said.
Hey. Hey. Matsuri could've strangled her. Instead, calmly and collectedly, Matsuri walked into the room and took a seat on the bed, looking at Sakura very seriously.
"I think it's time to tell me what you've been doing with my clan leader," Matsuri said.
Sakura blushed. She blushed and Matsuri felt like flying. Finally, finally, there was some movement happening. She was, of course, primarily happy that Sakura was beginning to move on from Itachi. It meant that she was healing, accepting his death and that she would be all right.
"First things first," Sakura said, taking Matsuri's hand. "Remember how I told you that I was going to try something, and maybe it would work?"
Matsuri frowned.
"Did you do it? Because I explicitly remember telling you to make sure I was there."
Sakura gave her a smile.
"I don't need to do it," she said. "I kind of got stabbed through, well, everything, by the talon of the Nine-Tails claw." Matsuri stared at her dumbly. "So when I regenerated," she shrugged, "I re-grew it all back."
Matsuri shook her head.
"Excuse me, you got stabbed with what through what?"
Sakura pushed some of her hair back behind her ear.
"Well, you see, I was protecting my students from the Nine-Tails, and I ended up with his claw in my gut."
"So just a normal day in Konoha then?" Matsuri said, staring at Sakura in some disbelief. "How are you alive?"
"That's what I'm trying to tell you!" Sakura said she was brimming with excitement. "I have regeneration abilities with my seal. Anyway, it regenerates organs and everything in the body no matter the severity of the injury. I sort of just used the jutsu automatically while everything else was healing. It's kind of why I ended up here, instead of being able to go out for ramen like a normal person."
"So, what does that mean exactly?" Matsuri asked with a frown. "Are you…"
Sakura nodded, her cheeks flushed.
"I can have a baby if I want to, and it'll be okay."
Matsuri gasped and hugged her.
"That's wonderful! Sakura you're amazing! What on earth? You're seriously unbelievable! Regeneration?"
Matsuri was floored with wonderment and awe. Sakura was not an ordinary shinobi, at all. She really downplayed herself. Sakura was beaming, grinning from ear to ear, and Matsuri felt an overwhelming fondness and happiness for her.
"Okay. I'm happy for you, so happy I could die," Matsuri said. "But, Sakura, please. Tell me the gossip is true? Did you really get carried by Madara all over town?"
"Well, not all over town," she teased.
Matsuri squealed.
"So what does this mean? Are you and Madara - I mean, did you kiss?"
Sakura's face went bright red.
"No, no, no, no," she denied, shaking her hands back and forth in an X across her face. "I'm just…" she sighed. "I'm going to feel what I feel and see where it takes me."
Matsuri pursed her lips.
"If you drag him along, I will hurt you, even though I love you because I have never seen nor heard of Madara ever doing something or anything like what he does with you."
Sakura brought her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on then, smiling with a hint of fondness.
"That makes me weirdly happy," she whispered, burying her face in her knees.
Matsuri laughed.
"Sakura, you're so cute. I'm glad you're opening up again."
Sakura peeked at her over her knees.
"Thanks for being my friend," she mumbled.
Matsuri smiled.
"Thanks for being my source of entertainment."
Sakura looked shocked and offended and Matsuri avoided her pretend hits with ease.
"Thanks for helping out my silly husband," she said.
Sakura lay back on her bed.
"I think you guys just want to test my limits. Try to keep Sakiko out of trouble, please, for my sake."
"When you get out of the hospital, come for dinner," she called out to Sakura as she walked out the door.
Sakura had decided that in this time, she was going to take every advantage of the hot springs and spas as she could. Her training had been so crazed and intense in the last year before the war that she barely had a chance to relax. So now, while she could, she would take every opportunity and since she had just been released from the hospital, it seemed like an excellent idea. She was submerged in the Konoha Hot Springs when a young woman nervously approached her.
"Excuse me, are you Lady Sakura?" She asked.
Sakura nodded.
"I'm Asami Senju," she introduced herself. "I was - "
"I know who you are," Sakura said, sitting up toward her.
"Yes," Asami gave a slow nod. "I suppose you would. We both lost people we loved on that terrible night."
Sakura swallowed and nodded lightly.
"I'm sorry, I meant to introduce myself to you earlier but - "
Asami shook her head.
"Don't worry," she said with a soft smile. "It took me time to find out how to interact with certain people too. But that's not why I'm here."
"Is something wrong?" Sakura asked, feeling worried.
"No, no," Asami said. "My brother, Takuma, he's a shinobi. He was with Madara and Yuri in the pursuit unit the other day."
Sakura gasped.
"That was your brother? I had no idea."
"He spoke very highly of you, and I've heard a lot of complimentary things over the last few months," Asami continued. "I just felt that I'd like to meet you."
"I'm happy to meet you too," Sakura said.
"When you come into the village next, come find me at a little pie shop in the market," Asami said with a smile.
She left Sakura in the spring, and Sakura reflected on her memories of Izuna Uchiha. That afternoon, before she went home to sleep, she visited the Yamanaka flower shop and laid flowers at Izuna's grave, and sat and talked to him for a few minutes before she sat with Itachi quietly, just leaning back on the stone, and imagining they were spending their time like they had in their lives before. Quiet and comfortable alone with each other.
Just for a moment, in the moment between her drifting into a light sleep and staying awake, she could imagine him sitting beside her, his hand taking hers, the butterfly-light touch of his lips on her forehead, and when blinked, he was gone, but the feeling of peace lingered.
Sakura, Shikaru, Madara, and Tobirama all stood in the Hokage's office, listening as Sakura explained what she knew about how Kumo had acted in her timeline. It gave them a good insight into what they needed to be aware of when they dealt with Kumo. They had been, Tobirama surmised, quite shameless and underhand in their dealing with and between nations. But they were powerful, and they had the eight-tails or at least were working towards having control of it. Both the Lands of Fire and Lightning needed to ensure their villages were stable and war would only hurt them both. Other nations would swoop in if given the chance, now that there were reports coming in from other nations about the development of their own hidden villages.
"Thank you, Sakura," Hashirama said at the end of Sakura's report.
She nodded in response.
"I believe we should still meet with the same intent," Shikaru said. "Give them back their shinobi, and see what they have to say about it."
"Bring the ninja tools as a negotiation point if things go sour," Tobirama suggested.
"When is the meeting set for?" Hashirama asked.
"A week from tomorrow," Shikaru said.
"It'll take about four days to get there," Hashirama said.
"I'll lead a scouting unit and we'll head out tomorrow," Tobirama said.
"Is that necessary?" Hashirama asked, eyebrows raised.
"Didn't you listen?" Madara asked. "Kumo can't be trusted. Do you think they won't do the same thing?"
"Very well," Hashirama said. "Madara, I want you to stay in the village. If anything should happen to me, you'll take my place as Hokage."
There was a time when that statement might have worried Tobirama, but not now. He'd felt the change in Madara's chakra since the time that Sakura and Itachi had arrived. He'd seen the difference in the man in the last two years. Madara was more than capable, although Tobirama judged that from the look on his face, he didn't appear to want the title.
"I don't want your stupid hat," Madara said.
Sakura looked at him in surprise. Madara looked at Tobirama, his eyes seemed to be threatening him to make sure nothing happened to Hashirama, or else.
"Well, if you don't want it, the next best choice is… Sakura," Hashirama said casually.
Everyone's eyes turned to Sakura, who was staring at Hashirama in open-mouthed shock and then she began to vehemently deny it.
"No, no, no, no. I can't be the Hokage. I'm not suitable. I can't do it."
Hashirama grinned at her.
"Well, you'll just have to make sure Madara takes the job then."
Sakura walked up to Hashirama and chopped him on the head.
"Or Tobirama can. Why don't you just make sure you don't die? I think that's a better idea."
"A much better idea," Tobirama agreed with a sigh. "If that's all, I have work to get back too," he said.
"Me too," Sakura sighed.
"Ah, Sakura, would you drop by the house later?" Shikaru asked. "Shikata has some things to say."
"I can't today, I'm eating with Mito and Matsuri," she said. "Shikata can suffer a little longer."
"I admire your mercilessness," Shikaru laughed.
They all proceeded to leave the office, ignoring Hashirama who was calling out for attention as he was being ignored, crying out that they didn't care about him enough and he was the Hokage so they should say good-bye. Tobirama wondered if he was going to be like that for his entire life, because Tobirama had hoped fatherhood might temper Hashirama's moods, but it seemed to have had no effect whatsoever. He sighed with familiar exasperation.