mm. im kinda sad. the last two chapters had less than half normal engagement. considering the content, that kind made me feel bad.

however, for those of you who did review, thank you!

i will answer a few of your reviews:

- asami was in the hot springs already, she wasn't stalking, lol sorry for the confusion. it was a chance meeting.

- thank you for saying it wasn't OOC. i appreciate it! i was trying to keep it within the boundaries of what i'd built so far.

- badass sakura, badass sakura! i have been WAITING to write that too! i love sakura - she's AWESOME.

- anbu-chan: we have great names ! haha my name is just Alex, but when i was a ppl used to write like 'alexandra' or 'alexis' on my cards all the time haha.

seriously guys, like four of you thanked me for updating fast and i'm so grateful. really, it's a lot of time and effort, and i'm really happy that you appreciate and acknowledge it. i just want to write the best story i can. tbh, i literally have like, 2 big events im working towards but like i haven't planned out anything really im just making it up as i go along so haha, yeah, it's a story from feeling, so i promise your reviews are really being read and thought about chapter by chapter.

anyways, this chapter... madasaku madasaku madasaku madasaku madasaku omg.

Chapter 15: Punishment

There was something that hadn't changed in Konoha, despite the different era's, and that was the speed and amount of gossip. Sakura wondered if the other villages were as bad as Konoha with gossip. It seemed that despite shinobi having a proclivity to keep secrets from enemies and outsiders, the internal grapevine grew fast and thick and whispered constantly. There seemed to be an endless amount of things to talk about, and most of it revolved around Sakura, the Nine-Tails and Mito. It had come from several of the shinobi who'd accompanied Hashirama and witnessed everything that had happened in the battle.

All of Konoha was now under the impression that Sakura was some legendary un-killable kunoichi. It wasn't a secret that Mito now held the Nine-Tails inside herself, and both of their reputations had sky-rocketed.

For Mito, it didn't mean too much change, but there were some people who became warier of her. The difference in the way she was treated and looked at compared to how Naruto was seen, broke Sakura's heart. Mito was looked on as less of a monster, and more just with some caution, while he had been hated and despised. It wasn't fair, but she couldn't blame anyone for it, so she kept the little flickers of resentment she felt deep inside.

Sakura, however, was treated in two new different and extreme manners. On one hand, a small number of people looked at her like she was some kind of unnatural thing to avoid death like she had. But those people were few and far between. The others treated her like she was some god. She knew it would pass, but it was embarrassing, to say the least, when people bowed to her in the street. For the most part, however, Sakura felt like it was just curiosity that people looked at her with, especially since people didn't know whether or not to believe the gossip about Madara carrying her through the village. His actions had seemed so out of character for him that she now understood why he had no problem. If people didn't see it with their own eyes, they wouldn't believe it.

But in the eyes of Shikata Nara, she saw very little that was decipherable. Like she'd promised Shikaru, she came by his house to speak with Shikata. She'd waited a few days because first, he hadn't come to the hospital, and second, she'd been busy. He'd been out, so she sat on their usual place on the balcony with some tea and the shogi board, waiting for him to come back.

He'd returned from his training, seen her, changed and then sat silently across her from. She made the first move. From his retaliatory move, it was clear to her that his heart wasn't in the game. He let her win easily. Sakura sipped her tea and looked at him. He sat moodily, staring at the board with disinterest. His shoulders were slumped; not in his usual manner of boredom, but heavily.

"So what did you learn?" Sakura asked him.

There was no point in asking Shikata the traditional way what on earth he was thinking when he decided to come after her. His intellectual abilities meant that he could be out of touch with his emotions, and so she knew she had to get into his head before she could get anywhere else.

Shikata briefly glanced at her, before she looked at the shogi board again.

"Each piece has a role to play," he said. "If a piece is moved into an unfavourable position, another must be sacrificed for its mistakes."

"Sacrificed, huh?" Sakura mused with an ironic twist to her mouth.

Wasn't that exactly what she had been in Indra and Asura's hands?

"Is that what you think I did? Sacrificed myself for you?"

Shikata swallowed. "What else do call that?"

Sakura felt like she really, truly, finally understood what Itachi had done that day.

"Love," she said with a soft smile.

Shikata's eyes widened with surprise and his brow furrowed in confusion.

"It was love."

She leaned over and placed a hand on his cheek. He stiffened under her touch.

"I love you, Shikata," she said.

She drew back her hand and grinned with amusement at the contortion and reddening of his face. She laughed a little.

"How can you laugh?" He asked her, his voice strained. "I never should have let them go," he whispered. "I knew it would end badly, but I - "

"You were just being a child," Sakura said with a shrug. "Impulse and instinct can be useful tools in our lives, Shikata, but you're smarter and better than that." She looked at him seriously. "You understand that if I were anyone else, I'm dead, right?"

He nodded.

"I don't understand why all you Nara have to learn things the hard way," Sakura muttered under her breath.

He quirked an eyebrow, wanting to know what she said, but she just gave a small shake of her head and shrugged.

"The burden of your intellect is that you'll be relied on to make decisions that will either kill your teammates or keep them alive. Are you prepared for that?"

Shikata gave a shaking nod.

"That's not good enough, Shikata!" Sakura snapped. "You can't hesitate when your friends and village are in danger. What are you going to do, Shikata?"

"I'll…" he trailed off.

"You'll what?" Sakura demanded.

He seemed to shrink back from her, confused and scared of her sudden change in attitude.

"What are you going to do? Lives are in danger, Shikata! Decide! Will they live or die?"

"Live!" Shikata yelled. "I'll make sure everyone lives!"

His breath was quick and his eyes fierce. He stared at her, and after a moment, Sakura let her hard and mean facade go. She gave him a smile, and he sat back, blinking with shock at his outburst. She put her hand on his head.

"Well done, Shika," she quietly, comfortingly. "Well done."

Shikata looked at her, and finally, he let go of everything he had been holding inside and cried.

Madara sat before the elders of the Uchiha clan with irritation. They droned on about useless matters he had little time for, and only began to pay attention when they brought up marriage. They were getting nervous about his lack of an heir, his inactivity in finding a wife, and general lack of care about the whole matter.

"There is an heir," Madara reminded them.

"Lady Matsuri is adamant that Kagami will not be the heir," Kana Uchiha said.

"I'm aware of her intentions," Madara said. "I was speaking about Kaito Uchiha. I've spoken with him already, and he understands his position."

They murmured between themselves.

"Lord Madara, we understand you've been spending time with Lady Sakura," one of the elders said after a moment.

He raised an eyebrow.

"What of it?" He asked.

"Indeed Lady Sakura is a respectable kunoichi, and our clan is greatly indebted to her, but we would advise against pursuing a romantic attachment with her."

Madara took a deep breath. He knew this was coming. He wondered how long it would take for the old fools to try and meddle in his life.

"Is that so?" He asked sardonically. "Is there any particular reason?"

"The Uchiha is a noble clan, whose lineage can be traced directly back to the Sage of Six Paths. But, Lady Sakura is… below us, for lack of a better term. She has no clan, no family, and can only offer a prestigious place in the village, of which you have already. Added to the fact that she's unable to have children. There is no benefit to involving her more in our clan than she already is."

Silence fell in the room, and Madara fought himself to stay calm and collected.

"These are the moments I wish my brother were here to deal with this farce," Madara stated with a disgusted twist to his mouth.

"Lord Madara, that is no way to - "

Madara's dark gaze silenced the room.

"I would suggest, honoured elders," he spoke with sarcasm, "that you reexamine your opinion of Lady Sakura before you call me before you to discuss this again. Because if I marry anyone, be assured that the only choice for me is her."

"So. Your punishment."

Hashirama's eyes were filled with a gleeful cheek that made Sakura shiver.

"Each of the clans has requested that you have dinner with them."

Sakura frowned, confused.

"What?"

"A formal dinner where you can be introduced to the clans as a whole."

Sakura looked at him tiredly.

"I have to go to eight parties?"

Hashirama nodded and grinned.

"Yes, you do. The Sarutobi are expecting you in two days time."

Sakura groaned.

"While you're still on limited chakra use, make use of your time by forming stronger ties with the clans," Hashirama said. "All the clans believe you favour the Uchiha, so it'll be good for you to show your face around them more often."

Sakura scrunched up her nose.

"It's not my fault the Uchiha seem to invade my life without prompting all the time," she muttered.

Hashirama laughed.

"Perhaps not. But it'll do you good, and you maybe even meet people you connect with and feel more connected to your life now."

Sakura twisted her lips thoughtfully.

"You might be right," she murmured. S

he looked up at him and saw Hashirama was grinning at her.

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"

He gave her a shrug.

"I don't know, it must be your imagination."

Sakura was highly doubtful of that. She excused herself and went back to the hospital to finish off her work, feeling like there was some other intention behind this, but she couldn't figure out what.

Tobirama sensed Sakura leave Hashirama's office and went in after she was gone.

"You didn't tell her the truth, did you?"

Hashirama gave him a smile. Tobirama sighed.

"She's not going to be happy with you."

Hashirama laughed.

"It's punishment," he said. "It's not supposed to be enjoyable."

Tobirama shook his head.

"She'll figure it out eventually, and then she'll come for you," he warned Hashirama.

"Come on, Tobi, let's make a bet how long it'll take for her and him to come in here and yell."

"I know better than to make a bet with you, Hashirama," Tobirama said. "I'm leaving within the hour, I'm just here to say good-bye."

Hashirama became serious.

"Be safe, brother," he said.

Tobirama nodded.

"Always am."

The Sarutobi household was friendly and open. She hadn't had a lot of contact with Sasuke Sarutobi, but when she had, it was always pleasant. He had a similar presence to Lord Third but was lacking the distinction of a Hokage, that air of command and authority that she remembered from Lord Third and Lady Tsunade. Sakura had dressed nicely, in a flowing skirt that reached her mid-calf and a v-necked singlet made from nice silk-like material. Her hair was braided over her shoulder and when she saw how long it was getting, she wondered if she should cut it again. She was greeted at the door to the Sarutobi main house by Sasuke, his wife, the three-year-old Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Welcome, Sakura," Sasuke said with a smile.

"Thank you for having me," Sakura replied.

Keiko greeted her with a smile and a bow, and Hiruzen looked at her curiously. She could see the intelligence in his eyes. She smiled and then crouched down to be at his eye level.

"Hello," she said, holding out her hand in greeting. "I'm Sakura."

Hiruzen looked at her hand, and then after a moment, he took it. Sakura wrapped her fingers around his small hand and they shook hands for a moment.

"I'm Hiruzen Sarutobi," he said. "It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too," she said. "I hope we can be friends."

"You're a bit older than me, but I think we could make it work," he said, surprisingly thoughtful and serious.

Sakura held in a giggle. "

That's good to hear," she replied.

"Come on inside," Keiko said, taking her son's hand.

"He's a smart kid," Sakura said to Sasuke.

He nodded proudly.

"He is, and already he's showing skill far above his age," he told her.

Sakura smiled as he babbled about his son, thinking that if only he knew what she did, he would probably keel over with overflowing pride. The dinner was simple and nice, with good food and constant conversation. Sakura was seated between Natsuo and another young Sarutobi named Haru. When dinner was finished and the mothers took their children home, or to rest, and the adults stayed to drink sake, Sakura began to understand the purpose behind the dinner. She was surrounded by Sarutobi men. It was a clear indicator of intent. When she had a moment to herself, she tugged on Natsuo's shirt.

"This this what I think it is?" She asked, raised eyebrows.

He gave her a sheepish grin.

"Can you blame us?"

"Even you?" Sakura was a little surprise.

She'd encountered Natsuo a few times at the hospital, and once or twice in town, but she wouldn't call him a friend exactly. He gave a half-hearted shrug.

"Well, there's no harm in trying?"

She laughed a little.

"I hope this isn't going to make things awkward," she said quietly. "Should I just pretend I don't know anything?"

Natsuo glanced around the room.

"Probably," he replied.

Sakura sighed and looked at him apologetically.

"You're a nice guy, Natsuo, but I - "

He held up his hand and shook his head.

"No, no," he said with a laugh. "Don't do that. I already sensed you weren't interested. It's not a big deal, I've got my eye on a Yamanaka anyway," he winked.

Sakura gave him a grateful smile.

"I can help if you like?" She offered.

"I might just take you up on that offer," he grinned. "I hope this means we can be friends, at the very least."

"Of course," Sakura smiled. "I'd like that."

She spent the rest of the evening alongside Natsuo and Haru, getting to know them better while they fended off the more persistent men of the clan for her. She didn't want to completely disregard what Hashirama had told her, there was merit in forming new friendships amongst the clans. Natsuo and Haru were both entertaining. Natsuo was cheerful and teasing, and Haru was known as a flirt within his clan and Sakura could see why. He was very smooth and charming and handsome. Natsuo laughed and joked that Haru had half the young women in the village after him, and Sakura didn't think it was as much of a joke as they made it out to be. She said good-bye to Sasuke and Keiko, thanking them both for a nice evening, and headed home, accompanied by Natsuo who said it was the gentlemanly thing to do.

"Just so you know, you won't have to worry about anyone pursuing you, at least from our clan," he told her.

"Oh really?" Sakura asked, amused. "I'm not sure if I should be happy or offended."

Natsuo laughed.

"I don't mean it like that," he said. "There's just a lot of speculation that someone very intimidating already has a claim on your affections. Most of the Sarutobi men would prefer not to get on the bad side of the Uchiha."

Sakura huffed with annoyance and looked away without responding.

"Did I say something wrong?" He asked, nervously.

"I just wish everyone would stop gossiping. It's irritating. It's not like I'm dating anyone," she said, feeling a little grumpy.

Admittedly, it had only been less than a week since the ramen incident, still, Sakura did say she wouldn't say no if he asked, but he hadn't said a word.

"You're not?" Natsuo asked with some surprise.

"No," Sakura replied shortly. "I have not been asked on a date by anyone."

Natsuo peered at her.

"You want to be?"

"Doesn't everyone?"

Natsuo chuckled.

"All right. Then let's go on a date."

She stared at him.

"That's not what I meant," she said.

He gave her a grin.

"Oh, I know," he said. "But maybe if you do go out on a date with somebody, people will stop gossiping about supposed relationships, and then two things could happen: you'll be asked out on a lot of dates by different people, and you'll be asked out on a date by the person you clearly want to be asked out by. A little competition never hurt anyone."

Sakura bit her lip thoughtfully, a small grin spreading across her face.

"What's in it for you?" She asked.

He shrugged.

"We both might get what we want," he said, a sparkle in his eye.

"Ah," Sakura said, understanding. "So, the Yamanaka girl does like you?"

"Oh, definitely," Natsuo grinned. "She just doesn't know it yet."

Sakura laughed. She held out her hand and he shook it.

"We have a deal," she said.

"I'll pick you up in three days time. Dress fancy, maybe a little risque. We're going to go all out," he winked.

She smiled playfully.

"This is going to be fun."

Sakura, Matsuri and Mito walked through the village together with Matsuri and Mito's children. Sakura carried Kagami on her hip, and he excitedly glanced around at the people and the stalls passing by. Mito and Matsuri rescued Sakura from all her paperwork, leaving Hikari despondent since she had been tasked to complete half the mountain of it while Sakura escaped.

"I'm so glad that Shouta looks so well," Matsuri said to Sakura. "I've never seen him look so relaxed and free."

Sakura smiled.

"Well it couldn't have happened without your intervention," she said.

"Is this your student?" Mito asked. "The Uchiha boy?"

"Yes," Sakura replied.

"Can I ask what happened to him?" Mito inquired. "Why do you say he looks different?"

"He was sent to the battlefield too young," Matsuri said bitterly.

"Ah," Mito said.

"He was only ten, and he was caught in the crossfire of a fire jutsu," she explained. "It was a miracle he survived, but his body was burned."

"I've been working the last few months with him to help heal some of the burn scars, loosen the skin and give him back mobility," Sakura said.

"It's worked?" Mito asked, surprised. "After so long?"

Sakura grinned.

"Of course it did. What do you think I am?" She laughed, then shook her head slightly. "Hikari's made it her mission to create the perfect balm for him. Life-long treatment for a real and active life is a better alternative than a life of misery."

Mito and Matsuri nodded sombrely, they, more than Sakura, knew how children were used by the clans. Sakura was glad those barbaric practices were outlawed in her time. Genin and younger had no place on the frontlines.

"It is good that the one thing we can all agree on now, is that the children will grow up safer," Mito said.

Matsuri nodded.

"We're lucky that both our clan leaders felt so strongly about it."

A trestle table of leather-bound books caught Sakura's eye. She stopped and stared at them. After a moment's thought, she bought three blank books.

"What will you do with those?" Mito asked her curiously.

Sakura gave a secretive smile.

"I know someone who loves reading," she said. "I thought I'd try and write something a little more high-class than his usual tastes."

Both women looked at her with quizzical brows, and then Matsuri sighed.

"Someone you used to know?" She asked.

Sakura shrugged, that same smile on her face. Mito and Matsuri shared a look.

"Ah, Lady Sakura." Sakura heard a voice call her name.

She turned to see Asami Senju smiling at her.

"Asami," she said with some surprise.

"Hello, Asami," Mito greeted her.

Asami gave both Mito and Matsuri little bows of her head.

"Lady Mito, Lady Matsuri."

"It's nice to see you again," Matsuri said with a smile.

"Is that your newborn?" Asami asked, her eyes wide with interest.

Matsuri smiled.

"Yes," she said. "Her name is Sakiko."

Asami cooed over the baby softly.

"She's lovely."

"She was named for Sakura," Matsuri said.

Asami looked at Sakura with interest, and Sakura blushed.

"Really? How lucky," Asami said.

Matsuri laughed.

"I hope so," she replied. "Sakiko is currently the only member of my family whose life hasn't been saved by Sakura. We're hoping it stays that way."

Mito smiled, and Sakura shook her head.

"Would you like some lunch?" Mito asked the two of them. "Asami and her mother make the most wonderful pies."

Asami blushed.

"Sure," Sakura said. She tickled Kagami's stomach. "Kagami's hungry too, aren't you, little one."

Kagami giggled.

"We've upgraded from out pie cart into a small shop now," Asami told them. "I was just on my way back from buying some ingredients."

She had a brown paper bag in her arms.

"Then lead the way!" Matsuri said.

Faced with the matriarch of the Senju clan, a reluctantly looked upon young female leader of the Uchiha, and Sakura, Asami was forced to sit and eat with the three of them. Her mother was more than happy to allow the small break for her daughter. Sakura discovered that Asami was not a fully trained shinobi. Her father and older brother were talented, but she discovered she shared a love of cooking like her mother when she was young, and happily, her father allowed her to choose her own path. Sakura found herself watching and listening, more than talking, and in doing so, she overheard whispers on the street of 'demon' and 'nine-tails.' It was clear by the tense set of Mito's shoulders that she also overheard them.

"They're ignorant," Sakura whispered to her. "They don't know what they're saying."

Mito gave her a small, grateful smile.

"People are always afraid of what they don't understand. But sometimes fears are justified, after all, this is the Nine-Tails. One day, something may happen and I could lose control."

"That won't happen," Sakura said.

She truly didn't know if Mito ever lost control of the Nine-Tails, but she somehow doubted it. She saw Asami and Matsuri giving them curious looks, but Mito quickly changed the topic of conversation, and Sakura went back to listening and thinking. She didn't know what training Naruto had gone through to gain control of the Nine-Tails, and part of her felt that no matter what, he was going to be the only one that could do it. Somehow, she just knew that it was his role, and his place in life and Mito becoming the jinchuuriki was the first step in that journey.

"What do you think, Sakura?" Matsuri asked her.

Sakura blinked.

"Sorry, what?"

"Are you busy tonight? Mito invited us all for dinner."

"Oh." Sakura shook her head and grinned. "Sorry. I have a date."

There was silence, and then an explosion.

"What!"

"Really!? With who?"

Sakura cringed away from the eagerness, covering Kagami's ears from the loudness.

"With Madara?" Matsuri squealed. "Finally!"

"Uh no," Sakura said, clearing her throat.

Everyone looked at her in surprise.

"What?" Matsuri asked, confused. "Who else would you be dating?"

"Natsuo Sarutobi," Sakura said, wincing away at her tone.

"I've seen him a few times," Asami said thoughtfully. "He seems very kind."

"Sarutobi?" Matsuri looked betrayed.

"Did you have dinner with the Sarutobi's?" Mito asked, a small smile on her face.

"Oh yes," Sakura drawled. "Don't be angry when your husband comes home with two black eyes."

Mito laughed.

"I'm sorry. Natsuo Sarutobi?" Matsuri asked in disbelief.

"Yes," Sakura answered.

"Why?"

Sakura sighed.

"Because he asked me."

Matsuri narrowed her eyes.

"What about Madara?"

Sakura shrugged.

"He hasn't asked me."

"Mada love Kuku," Kagami said.

Everyone paused and looked at him and then they all laughed.

"What have you been telling him!?" Sakura cried, hugging Kagami, who was a little confused but happy at the affection.

Matsuri grinned.

"She makes a fair point," Mito said. "Unless Madara asks her, they're not dating."

"Exactly," Sakura said. "I told him I would say yes if he asked, and he hasn't."

Matsuri sat back.

"I'm not happy."

"Clearly," Sakura smiled. "I'll tell you a secret." She leaned in, as did all the other women. "It's just for show."

"A fake date?" Asami whispered.

Sakura nodded.

"Ah, I understand," Mito said, nodding. "A good plan."

Sakura smiled.

"It's for both of our benefits."

Matsuri looked relieved.

"Well. I hope someone learns his lesson, and fast," Matsuri muttered. "Because, Sakura, there are plenty of young men out there."

"Who knows what might happen," Mito agreed.

"You might be swept off your feet!" Asami swooned.

Sakura giggled.

"I only have eyes for Kagami," she said, kissing him on the cheek.

Kagami giggled happily and gave her a kiss back. The trio left Asami to her store and parted ways before heading to their homes and Sakura back to work. She was glad to see that Hikari had finished not just what she'd left her, but half of the rest of it too, and was soundly sleeping on Sakura's desk. Sakura poked her shoulder and the girl startled awake. Sakura laughed and sent her home before she finished the paperwork, checked in with Madoka and then went home herself to get ready for her date.

She put the leather journals she'd bought on the kitchen table, so she wouldn't forget them and then took a bath. Fancy, Natsuo had said. Even risque. It was likely that he knew many more of the 'new' and 'cool' places to go out in Konoha, since she was stuck in the hospital most days and too tired to go out much, nor did she want to go alone which would be likely especially since her two close friends were young mothers.

Sakura dressed according to what Natsuo had said. More like the time she came from than the era she was in. Her hair half-up and half-down, tied back with an intricate clip, leaving off her regularly worn headband. She did make-up that she normally wouldn't wear - her eyes were lined with black, making the green colour really stand out. Her lips were plumped and red. With the purple diamond on her forehead, she thought she looked quite striking.

She channeled Ino in her choice of style, although she was more covered up than Ino had been. She wore a pair of fitted black shinobi pants, that tapered at the bottom of her calves, and sat low on her hips. Her shirt was a loose red camisole of silk and lace. Her midriff was a little more exposed than usual, showing off the toned muscles of her stomach from her belly button to the top of her pants. Sakura had made it a point to find a seamstress who wasn't averse to making new styles of clothes and ordering several things in a style she was more comfortable and familiar with, with her happily large salary. Gladly, she'd managed to create a suitably large wardrobe for herself. She paired her outfit with black heeled sandals and looked in the mirror. A little more risque than she'd ever looked before, and certainly more than was normal for the era, but it made her excited.

There was a knock at the door. She hastily called out that she was coming, and put some of her money into a little pouch, which she sealed in a small scroll and slipped it into the pocket of her pants. She opened the door to see Natsuo standing there. He looked her up and down.

"Woah."

Sakura smiled.

"Ready to go?" She asked.

He nodded.

"Woah." He repeated. "How lucky am I?"

She smacked his arm.

"Come on, I'm looking forward to tonight, I never go out on the town."

"It's the end of the working week," Natsuo said, offering her his arm. "So there's going to be a lot of people in town."

"Good," Sakura said, closing and locking her door and taking his arm. "Let's have fun."

Natsuo took her to a bar where there was music, gambling, alcohol, and dancing. The second she walked in, she regretted her shirt. She tugged on the hem, and Natsuo took her by the waist and whispered to have confidence in her ear. She leaned away from the intimacy of his gesture, frowning at him, and he only grinned.

"I'm letting them know you're taken," he explained, his hand tightened on the bare skin at her waist and he drew her closer.

Sakura gave him a look of disapproval, but then shrugged. It was supposed to be a night to just have fun and not be serious. None of it was real, so she relaxed. Natsuo sat them at a table for two, and ordered two honeyed wines from the waiter, "with a kick," he added. The waiter nodded.

"What's the kick?" Sakura asked.

"Purely distilled alcohol," Natsuo said with a smile.

Sakura stared at him.

"What?"

He laughed.

"Don't worry, you'll enjoy it."

"If you say so!"

She looked around the bar. There was a dance floor, with gambling booths along one side, and tables around the other, with a stage for the musicians along the back wall.

"What's through there?" Sakura pointed to a door on the back wall.

"Private room," Natsuo said. "Apparently the Hokage is a frequent customer, and the gamblers don't like to show how much money he takes from them."

Sakura laughed. Hashirama was a winner, apparently. Where had Tsunade learned to lose so well?

"At least he can fund the village," she joked.

"Until he runs out of people to bet against!"

Their drinks arrived and Sakura discovered the burning of the 'kick' with the honeyed wine was not terrible. Haru arrived and spotted them, joining them at their table. Three drinks in, and she, Haru and Natsuo were laughing so much she almost fell off her chair, only to be saved by Haru, who was standing. The bar was filling, the music became louder and more lively, and Sakura was having a great time. Haru pulled her to the dance floor, and she jokingly admonished Natsuo for blowing her off since they were on a 'date' but then she saw a group of pretty young Yamanaka walk in, and understood. She wished him luck with a thumbs up as Haru spun her around.

As she danced with Haru, she realised that a small circle was forming around them, and people were watching and clapping. She smiled widely. This was exactly what she needed, the release of all her tension and worries. Haru confidently twirled her and a lifted her and held her as she leaned back, stretching an arm out. She laughed as she stood back up, and the circle closed as everyone started dancing again. She felt Haru's hand snake a little low on her back, and she slipped away from him, feeling uncomfortable with the direction their little dance was taking.

Hot and sweating with her mind a fuzz, Sakura made her way back to her table, only to see Natsuo and - most likely - the Yamanaka girl he was aiming for, flirting away. She smiled and decided to get some fresh air. She made her way past the bathroom and out the back door, into the little alleyway outside at the back of the bar and leaned against the wall, closing her eyes.

In her mind, she remembered the days before, before the war, when she'd snuck into the bar that Shisui had taken Itachi too to try and get him to 'be human just once before hell breaks loose' and been caught spying by Kakashi. Kakashi of course, understood Sakura's temptation to see an Itachi under the influence, and it was the one incredibly childish night that they had that ended in the two of them running away from the mock-furious Itachi and amused Shisui across the rooftops of Konoha, and Shisui falling drunk into the lake.

She smiled softly to herself, remembering the way Itachi had laughed, the rare laugh that came bubbling up from within. That beautiful, free sound. She opened her eyes and took a deep breath, finding nostalgia instead of sadness, and fondness for the memory. Feeling calmer and more collected, Sakura decided it was time for her to go home. She went back inside to say good-bye to Haru and Natsuo. She gave Haru a quick kiss on the cheek, fending off his drunk advances with slaps to his hands, and gave Natsuo a hug, whispering thanks.

"He's a good one," she winked at the Yamanaka girl, who blushed.

She smiled and turned, and ran into the last person she thought she'd see.

"Madara."

She blurted out his name in shock. He just stared at her.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"We were gambling!" Hashirama came from seemingly nowhere and drunkenly declared.

His eyes widened when he saw her.

"Sakura!" He said. "You look incredible!"

Sakura laughed slightly.

"Thank you," she said, feeling herself blush a little. "And you look drunk."

She could feel Madara's eyes on her still and sensed Natsuo and the girl behind her watching them curiously.

Hashirama boomed out a laugh.

"Of course I am! It's the best way to live!"

Madara still hadn't spoken.

"I was going home," she said awkwardly, trying to inch passed the two of them.

"Nonsense!" Hashirama denied her exit. "I'm leaving tomorrow and I might die! We must drink to my good health," he declared dramatically.

Sakura sighed and then shrugged, smiling.

"I guess I have no choice then," she said.

Hashirama grinned.

"I knew I liked you." He turned to the barkeep. "Kenji! Three honeyed wines with a kick!" He demanded.

Kenji, the barkeep, nodded.

"Take our table," Natsuo offered, standing. "We were leaving."

Sakura saw him holding the girl's hand and grinned.

"Thanks," she said to them.

Natsuo winked at her.

"I enjoyed our date tonight Sakura," he called out over his shoulder. "Let's do it again sometime!"

Sakura waved at him and took a seat. Hashirama pulled up a third chair.

"You were on a date?" He asked her.

She shrugged. Madara still hadn't said a word, but at least he had moved and sat across from her. She didn't look at him.

"Yeah. Isn't that what you told me to do?" She asked Hashirama, with a raised eyebrow. "You're the one that's sending me to the clans to meet the young men."

Hashirama looked sheepish and then laughed out loud.

"Ah, you figured it out!"

"It was painfully obvious," she said. "That was Natsuo Sarutobi. He asked me to come here and I said yes," she said.

"He left with another girl," Hashirama pointed out.

Sakura smiled.

"It was more of a friendship date."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Madara's shoulder relax ever-so-slightly. Their drinks arrived and Hashirama and Sakura continued to talk animatedly, with Madara sitting in silence. Haru came back to see her.

"Come dance with me again, Sakura," he slurred.

Sakura looked at Hashirama who just shrugged and then she left with Haru to dance again. He spun her out, and on the way back, she caught Madara's eyes for the first time. Dark. Brooding. Her heart thumped. She collided with Haru, who held her tightly as they swayed together with the music. The next time she looked at the table, Hashirama was gone. Madara looked at her and then walked out the front door. Sakura untangled herself from Haru and rushed out to follow him, ignoring Haru's protests. As soon as she opened the door, her wrist was caught, and she was flickered away.

She didn't know where she was, and her world was filled with black. Black night. Black eyes. Black hair. Black shadow around the two of them. Sakura swallowed and she felt his fingertips play across the skin of her bare stomach. She shivered. Madara still hadn't spoken to her, but his eyes staring into hers said everything. She felt his hand grip her hip, the very tips of his fingers just in her waistband. Her breath caught in her throat and she felt his body tremble. He breathed hot and heavy, and her heart raced. Unable to contain herself, Sakura gripped the front of his shirt and their lips crashed together.

She tasted heat and wine and sake as they kissed passionately, her back pressed against a cool wall, his hand pulling her hips to him. Sakura felt like she was losing her mind as she kissed him. She was lost in him, in Madara. A groan tore from his throat, and he deepened the kiss, and Sakura's legs trembled with the passion she felt and the feeling of their tongues clashing. She took her hand from his shirt and wrapped it around his neck and in his hair.

She moaned, feeling her stomach coil with desire like it hadn't done in so long. Suddenly, he pulled back.

"Sakura."

His voice was low and guttural. Her name was a question and a statement. She looked at him, and for the first time since she woke up. She was ready.

"Madara," she breathed his name, put her hands on his shoulders and jumped up slightly, wrapped her legs around his waist.

He gripped her to him and flickered them away until they reached his house. Sakura didn't let go out get down when they arrived. She pressed her lips to his neck as he carried her to his bedroom. When he closed the door behind her, the atmosphere between them changed. She slowly untangled herself from him, arms and then legs and stepped back, feeling suddenly shy. He licked his lips and then told her to sit.

She was confused, but she did as he said. He knelt before her, and she didn't realise what he was doing until she felt her hands on her legs, slide down her calves and one by one, remove her shoes. She swallowed, goosebumps appeared on her skin. He looked up at her, took her hand, brought it to his mouth and kissed the inside of her palm before he pulled her back to her feet. With some hesitation, her fingers played with the hem on his shirt, and slowly he raised his arms, and she pulled it over his head.

"Now you sit," she whispered, taking in the sight of his bare chest, broad shoulders and his muscular form with a little lick of her lips.

He gave her a little lift of his lips and did as she said. She took off his shoes for him, and he stood again. They stood close together, and Madara's hands moved up her arms from her wrists and over her shoulders, across her collarbones. He brought one hand, his fingertips brushing her sternum, drawing them lightly down her middle and her eyes fluttered between open and shut until they reached her pants. There, he hesitated. Then, slowly, he lowered himself again to his knees, kissing the places that his hand brushed down as he went. She shivered as he kissed the skin under her belly button, and she swallowed as he slowly pulled down her pants.

It was so slow it was almost torturous. He missed the bare skin of her upper thighs that was revealed as he continued to pull them down. They dropped to the floor, and he slowly rose up again, and she was left standing in her underwear and camisole. Sakura felt nervous. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest. His hands snaked their way up her legs and continued to press against her skin, pulling up her camisole as they came higher. One hand found the tie of her chest bindings and undid them. As her camisole rose, covering her face as he pulled it off, her bindings fell to the floor, revealing her bare chest. She heard him breathe out and shivered, feeling her nipples harden. When the camisole was dropped to the floor, Sakura looked away nervously and tried to bring her hands to her chest to cover up, but he lightly took her wrists.

"You're beautiful," he whispered.

With trembling lips, she reached up on her toes and lightly pressed her lips to his. She drew back, and he hooked his thumbs around his waistband and pulled off his pants and underwear, and he stood naked before her. She took in the sight of him and swallowed before she slipped out of her own underwear. Naked before one another, they looked in each other's eyes and Sakura felt an unbelievable sense of vulnerability but a sense of safety and comfort. He reached out and took her hand, and walked her over to the bed. He whispered for her to lay back, and she did. Madara loomed over her, his knees around her thighs, his hands at each of her shoulders.

"You're so beautiful, Sakura," he whispered to her, looking into her eyes.

Sakura swallowed, feeling too overcome with emotions for words.

"Madara, I - "

She cut off, not sure how to speak what she felt. He brought his lips down to kiss her cheek, their noses brushed as he moved to the other cheek.

"You're mine," he breathed in her ear.

She nodded, feeling his leg move from beside hers to between them, moving and separating them. She brought her hand up to his cheek.

"And you're mine," she said.

He brought his lips down to hers again, and they kissed gently as he slowly lowered his body down to hers.

After their lovemaking, Sakura lay with her head on his chest, listening to the strong, steady heartbeat. Madara's arm was wrapped around her, his hand held her shoulder. She moved her hand across from his stomach to hug him.

"What are you thinking?" He murmured to her tiredly.

"Nothing," she whispered.

"You're lying," he said, sounding a little more awake. "What's wrong?"

Sakura grimaced a little before she let out a little breath.

"I'm scared," she admitted quietly.

She felt him still slightly and then he sat up, and she moved away. He looked at her, his hand caressing her face.

"Of what?" He asked her.

"Everyone I ever cared about is gone," she said, her voice catching.

She looked down at the bed, her eyes filled with tears and she turned away from him, swinging up to a sitting position, her legs hanging off the bed.

"This wasn't - I shouldn't have done this," she muttered.

She stared at the wooden floor, then at her hands. Her mind racing with thoughts she couldn't grasp, all she knew was that she felt intensely afraid. Madara wrapped an arm around her waist, his lips rested on her bare shoulder.

"I'm not going anywhere, Sakura," he said to her. "You don't have to be afraid. This wasn't a mistake."

She swallowed.

"How can you know that?" She whispered.

He moved his lips to her neck and hugged her tighter against his chest.

"Because I do," he said simply. "Look at me, Sakura."

She sniffed and hesitated before she turned slightly to look at him. He was looking at her so softly, so lovingly. Everything inside her told her to run, to get away, but she couldn't move. She couldn't move because it was him, she realised. The look in his eye that held her there, it was the truth. She blinked and a tear rolled down her cheek. He wiped it away with his thumb and kissed the place it was.

"Come back to bed," he said quietly.

Sakura nodded and they resumed their position, and he held her a little more tightly than before.

"I love you, Sakura," he said.

Sakura swallowed. She felt it. She did, she felt it strongly. She wanted to say it, but her throat closed up and she couldn't speak. Instead, she turned her face to him, pulled herself up a little to look over him more clearly, and pressed a kiss to his lips.

"You know, usually you're supposed to take a girl out before you take her to bed," she teased him quietly.

He smirked at her and brushed some hair back behind her ear.

"Usually girls don't come back in time and bring their tempting fashions with them, and go on fake dates."

Sakura giggled.

"How about we go out for some breakfast?" Madara suggested.

She bopped him lightly on the nose.

"We have to see Hashirama off," she reminded him.

He made a face.

"He ruins everything," he scowled.

"Let's get some lunch," she said instead. "Maybe I can convince them to cook breakfast food."

"Okay," he kissed her temple. "Go to sleep."

She settled back against his chest. The anxiety from earlier settled in her again, the fear curled up and made a place in her heart, turning into a dream where Sakura was all alone and couldn't escape it. It swallowed her and she woke with a bleak, heaviness in her soul she felt would crush her.