Three days into their break, Sasuke got pulled into the Hokage's office "Ah Uchiha so glad you could make it, so here's the thing and there is no point in beating around the bush but in five days you'll be leaving the village to train, she will be your mentor" Tsunade nodded.
Relieved that Sasuke wasn't late like his sensei who'd already been told about the changes that were going to be made, all of his students would be leaving him for training, then gestured to the woman stood at her side "Anko Mitarashi little Uchiha, pleasure to meet ya" Anko grinned madly.
"Likewise, Anko-sensei, Hokage-sama may I ask...alright then what's the reason behind me having to leave" Sasuke inquired carefully even after getting a nod giving him permission to speak, Tsunade sighed, steepling her fingers as she did so.
Before gesturing him to sit "I doubt I have to remind you of the fact that Orochimaru is after you I presume, good and then there is the issue of your brother Itachi, hence training, you aren't the only one, Naruto and Sakura both will receive all the necessary training as well" Tsunade informed.
Sasuke winced at the reminders of the biggest threats to his livelihood "Good you understand, five days Uchiha so I suggest you start telling people you know that you'll be gone for two and a half years, now scram" Anko ordered, sending the boy scrambling from the office to Tsunade's amusement while they chatted.
And two days later found Sakura and Haku on the training grounds, still none the wiser about things while working with their kekkeigenkai "Here, try this one" Haku suggested, using a wind jutsu that had a bit of his ice style in it, making it colder and giving Sakura some new ideas for Yuki Style clan jutsu.
The pinkette grinned and countered with a water jutsu, mixing a bit of her own kekkeigenkai into the normal jutsu and creating an entirely new one, partially at least "You know I never thought I'd have this much fun with a kekkeigenkai" Sakura commented.
Once they were sat back-to-back, her almost out of chakra again but feeling a little more accomplished "Me either, before it was always just a tool for me to use as Sensei's weapon, but now it's something I happily share with my beloved" Haku admitted.
Cautiously turning to face Sakura, cheeks tinted pink at the confession "Oh Haku, I love you to, you know and I think I'm ready to try for a proper relationship" Sakura admitted, giving her own confession, slowly, like magnets their lips gently pressed together in their first proper kiss.
Not counting the one they had in Kumo "Together" Haku pulled away first, enjoying the sight of Sakura's flushed cheeks, she nodded quietly, mind still reeling from the kiss as the two of them stood, holding hands and headed back to the house.
"By the way I might have come up with a few new Hyoton jutsu's for the clan jutsu book" Sakura hummed, relaxed and content for the time being as they walked, wolf pups on their heels, Chie and Yui nearly reached their calves now that's how big the two were getting nowadays.
Her beloved quirked a mahogany brow "Really, like what, maybe we can practice them together tomorrow" Haku offered, eager to use some of the Yuki Clan jutsu his betrothed had come up with as she got better and better at making her own original jutsu.
Sakura nodded "Yes and one of them I'm going to call the Slushy Jutsu, water that's partially frozen gets expelled from your mouth" the pinkette explained, stunning her boyfriend in response, because that was a pretty cool and thought out jutsu.
"I assume there are others though" Haku inquired and got another nod just as they reached home where the screaming of two babies could be heard, sharing amused smiles the couple entered the house and hurried into the living room.
Where Kizashi was alone attempting to calm his newborns down "Please help Sakura-chan, Haku-kun, I have no idea where your mother has run off to but I need to go" Kizashi pleaded upon seeing his eldest and her fiancé enter the room.
Luckily the two took pity on him and accepted Kaede and Haruhi from his held-out arms, free for the moment he hopped up like he was on fire and disappeared in the direction of the bathroom, when he returned it was to blissful silence as his twins were now quietly being rocked from side to side by the ones who held them.
Eye twitching in slight frustration because he'd been trying to calm them down for hours, Kizashi settled back down in his chair and allowed himself to relax for a little bit "So how long has mom been gone, it's not like her" Sakura asked.
Keeping up with the rocking motion for little one week old Haruhi "A few hours and I have no idea when she'll be back" Kizashi grumbled, somewhat worried, fortunately he didn't have to wonder for long as the sound of the front door opening greeted their ears.
But as soon as Mebuki walked into the living room they were all shocked including Haku "Mebuki-sama, why are you dressed like that" Haku inquired, not wanting to piss the woman off but her attire was that of a ninja's and she was even sporting a hitai-ate on her forehead.
Mebuki didn't answer right away, instead greeted Haruhi and Kaede first, then her husband, before sitting primly in her chair "Well Haku, the reason I am dressed like this, well it's because I decided to become a shinobi, even if all I am is a genin, I need to be able to protect my family" Mebuki informed.
Quite firmly in fact so that no one could argue with her on the matter "Does that mean you'll be learning the Yuki clan jutsu" Kizashi question, able to understand where his wife was coming from, his eldest and Haku, plus Karin were all chunin and busy most of time.
"Of course, that way I'll actually feel like the matriarch that I was appointed as when we registered as an official clan" Mebuki nodded decisively, tired of having her daughter in danger, even if that meant putting herself in danger.
She needed to be able to protect her children "Alright, tomorrow your training begins then Mom, it won't be easy, you've a long way to go, but Haku and I will get you where you want to be" Sakura declared, reaching a hand out to her partner and he clasped it gently in his own.
Apparently, the children had themselves all figured out to her amusement and so that's what they did, the following day Mebuki followed Sakura and Haku to the training grounds "Whoa, whoa, whoa what's going on here" Mangetsu asked, seeing the extra on the betrothed couple's heels.
Dual jade orbs rolled upwards in sync of one another "Mebuki Yuki, Sakura's mother and as of yesterday a genin of the Leaf Village, these two are going to train me in the clan jutsu and other things and also I'd like to meet with Tsume-san if I can" Mebuki introduced herself.
Explaining the situation as she did so "You sure this is a good idea Ma'am, didn't you just have two little ones a week ago or so, Mangetsu Hozuki, Suigetsu is my little brother, I don't think we've been formally introduced until now" Mangetsu frowned.
Ignoring the pale face of Sakura in favor of speaking with the girl's mother properly "That might be so Mangetsu-san, however I can't just sit around and wait for someone to attack or rely on Sakura, Haku or Karin to always be there to defend us, I need to learn how to protect myself and my family to" Mebuki announced.
Clearly determined to do this it seemed "Well I won't stop you, that's your prerogative, but now I know who she takes after the most" Mangetsu shrugged, seeing as he wasn't going to be convincing the woman to choose otherwise, which reminded him of how Sakura was really.
And now he knew who she took after "A given no doubt, she is my daughter after all" Mebuki laughed, before turning to Sakura and Haku, both of whom got her started on some basic kata's and Mangetsu watched for the following three hours as the two traded off teaching Mebuki.
While practicing their kekkeigenkai and some never-before-seen jutsu's, it was scary how sharp Sakura's mind was that she could come up with several original jutsu's and it was even scarier how fast Haku and Mebuki were able to learn them.
Though the older woman was definitely in need of a lot of training when she was practically wiped out from just a few hours "Come on Mom, this will help a little bit, if you still want to meet with Tsume-sama that is, then we can go home and have lunch, that I'll cook" Sakura said.
Holding out half a food pill and caffeine pill to her mother, Mebuki grimaced but crunched the pills quickly to get it over with and felt somewhat better once they kicked in "I feel like I could go another round" Mebuki commented, full of energy for the time being.
Sakura knew however that once the caffeine pill wore off her mom would be exhausted so hurriedly led the way to the Inuzuka Compound waving to Mangetsu as they left "And who do we have here" Tsume asked upon opening the door of her house.
And found two of her favorite stray pups on the other side along with another woman "The Yuki Clan Matriarch and Sakura's mother Tsume-san, Mebuki Yuki, I came to inquire about that third wolf pup, if it was still available" Mebuki introduced.
Enquiring about the other wolf pup that was part of Chie and Yui's litter "Your her mother alright and yes he's still around, you want him, okay" Tsume smirked, getting a nod at her question, then led the way to the kennels where the last wolf pup remained.
Upon arriving there was an almost instant connection between Mebuki and the little wolf pup as he came straight to her "Aww you're so smart yes you are Toma" Mebuki cooed, granting her companion a name, impressing Tsume at how natural the woman was.
With that they bid Tsume farewell and headed home, as promised Sakura made lunch then after managing to stay awake an extra hour to take care of her twins Mebuki went to take a nap "Must have been one heck of a training session I guess" Kizashi grimaced.
Left to look after Kaede and Haruhi again "She'll be like that for a while until Mebuki-sama gets use to using her chakra and physical exercise" Haku explained, reclining back, cuddling with Sakura as he did so, helping to keep an eye on the babies.
Until Mebuki woke a couple hours later and started making supper for the lot of them, meanwhile, during this Tsunade had called Naruto into her office "Gra...Hokage-sama is it a mission" Naruto began in his usual way only to notice the serious expression on Tsunade's face.
Even Pervy Sage looked pretty serious "Listen Naruto, Akatsuki is never going to stop hunting you, they'll try and try until they eventually succeed, no matter what we do to stop them, which is why you need to train" Tsunade informed.
Blunt like usual but Naruto already understood the situation that he was in "Exactly, that's why in two days you and I will be leaving the village, I'm taking you to Mount Myoboku to learn under the Elders in Sage jutsu" Jiraiya took over the rest of the explanation.
Naruto bit his lip harshly to keep from having an outburst or throwing a tantrum about not wanting to leave, he didn't want to be treated like a kid forever "I... I understand Jiraiya-sensei, Hokage-sama and I'll be ready to leave in two day's time" Naruto bowed low, accepting his orders.
Tsunade waved her hand dismissing the blonde from her office and the first-person Naruto went to was his father "Lady Tsunade told you I assume, Naruto-kun I know this might be hard to accept and you might not want to be separated from your friends, but in order to protect you this has to happen" Minato winced.
Seeing the look on his son's face and feeling awful for suggesting it "Yeah I know, I don't want Sakura-chan to keep putting herself in constant danger for me, but yes, it is hard, extremely hard and I just want to throw a fit but I can't because I don't want to be seen as a useless cry-baby knucklehead anymore" Naruto ranted.
Wiping his eyes as tears blurred his vision only to be pulled into a hug "Naruto, Naruto, it's okay to cry" Minato soothed, holding his son close until the tears ebbed away and the boy had calmed "Feel better" he asked after a moment and got a nod.
"Thanks Dad, anyway I've got other people to inform about my impending departure in two days" Naruto waved upon pulling away, a moment later he was gone off on the search for his sensei, Kakashi had also already known about the trip to Mount Myoboku.
So, the third person he went to find was Hinata "Oh Naruto-kun w..what brings you here so late in the day" Hinata jumped at his sudden appearance, stuttering lightly but nothing like the earlier days of them knowing one another thankfully.
For a moment the blonde stood there shuffling his feet, trying to figure out the best way to explain before deciding to just get it over with "I'm leaving, for how long I don't know on a training trip and I wanted you to know, so wait for me Hinata, I'll definitely be back for you" Naruto blurted.
Before dashing off in rush face red at his pseudo-confession, not allowing Hinata to get in a word edge-wise, though once he was gone Hinata went over the short conversation and blushed five shades of red in realization because it meant that Naruto liked her and wanted to be with her when he came back.
Sasuke was next on Naruto's list who grimaced "Guess we're both going to be gone for a time huh, I was told a couple days ago and hadn't figured out how to tell you or Sakura yet" Sasuke admitted, finally finding the courage to tell Naruto about his own impending departure.
"Where are you going and who is going to be training you let me guess Shisui-san or maybe Kagami-san, those two make sense since you all three have the sharingan at your disposal" Naruto asked, taking a seat on the opposite side of the booth.
Since he'd found the Uchiha in Yakiniku Barbeque "Neither, it's Anko Mitarashi and I have no clue where she's taking me, anyway after this want to go tell Sakura together, she's less likely to hit us if we told her at the same time...I hope" Sasuke asked.
Polishing off his food "Right... you and I both know that Sakura-chan, if she wanted to would hit both of us" Naruto snorted, then followed Sasuke all the way to the Yuki house and watched him knock nervously on the door, only breathing a short sigh of relief when Karin was the one to answer.
But there was no chickening out now when the redhead left and Sakura took her place "Naruto, Sasuke if you're looking for dinner it's a bit late for that, we already ate it all" Sakura remarked, wondering what the heck the two were doing there so late in the day.
"No, no, we already ate, there's actually something we have to tell you Sakura, both of us, you see the thing is..." Sasuke trailed off, unable to say in fear of upsetting the rosette who had really helped him turn his life around.
The blonde at his side rolled his eyes "Honestly you're such a coward sometimes, we're leaving Sakura-chan, on training trips, we don't have a choice in the matter, things have already been decided" Naruto informed, a little braver than his roommate.
While feeling awful as Sakura looked at them sadly "Looks like we're being separated after all huh Naruto, Sasuke, I wish it wasn't necessary but it is" Sakura sighed, her good mood fading, Sasuke grimaced and then after sharing a nod with Naruto, they hugged their female teammate.
Hoping to make her feel better about the situation they would soon be in as they wandered home afterwards leaving Sakura to head in and give the news, imagine the pinkette's surprise when after her mother's training had ended on the sixth day of their break, she was called in to see Tsunade.
And Sakura had this funny feeling in her gut that she knew what the meeting was about "Shishou what can I do for you" Sakura inquired, eyeing Yagura who was stood at the blonde woman's side, arms crossed and eyes closed with a patient look on his face.
"I'm sure you've heard by now about Naruto and Sasuke yes, well they're not the only ones who need all the training they can get, you need training as well Sakura, Yagura here will be taking over you're training for six months and you'll be leaving the village for that time frame" Tsunade informed.
Sakura absolutely hated it when her gut feelings were right as she glanced again over at Yagura, his eyes were open this time "Correct, we'll be going to Kirigakure, I've corresponded with Mei-san and while we are there you will be a temporary Mist Shinobi, even undertake missions" Yagura explained.
Giving the girl something to look forward to during their time in Mist "When will we be leaving, do I have time to prepare" Sakura asked, taking the news in stride, at least she would get to experience what it was like as a Kirigakure shinobi.
Yagura nodded "Tomorrow afternoon, so yes you have plenty of time to prepare and say your goodbyes" he assured, not wanting to waste another minute of this rare opportunity and by the time he was done with Sakura, she would never have to worry about running out of chakra so fast ever again.
Dismissed Sakura didn't automatically go home or hurry off to find her friends to inform them that she'd also be leaving, instead went to the market "If I'm going to be a shinobi of another village for half a year then I need to dress the part" Sakura remarked to herself.
Looking at several racks of clothes, nothing was standing out to her yet, until she found the winter kimono section, and pulled out a dark blue one, followed by a dark green one, dark silver, dark red, dark purple, black and dark brown, so that she had seven in the cart in total.
Then she picked out a week's worth of black under shirts and pants to go along with her new style, even got new sandals in dark blue with socks before buying everything in her shopping cart and sealing it away in a scroll when the transaction was finished.
She wasn't done however as she headed off to the next store and got new weapons pouches and a new storage pouch, new weapons, including a tanto and medical supplies for her brand-new medical pouch, Sakura also bought a new mission pack along with several other things that she would need while in Mist.
Before figuring it was time to get her farewells out of the way, Hinata and Kiba were first, both understood, Kakashi was next followed by Naruto and Sasuke, all of whom weren't surprised "Hey brat what are you wandering about the village for" Zabuza called out to her.
Just as she was on the search for him and Juzo, who was with Zabuza "Was looking for you two actually, Yagura-sama is commandeering my training from Shishou for six months so like Naruto and Sasuke, I'm leaving the village during that time" Sakura explained.
Knowing that she was only half way finished with her task "Good luck brat, the Yondaime is strong so I have no doubt you'll be terrifying once your back" Juzo snorted, waving the girl off, where she found Minato, Mangetsu, Shisui, Kagami, Suigetsu and Tobirama.
Which meant it was time to tell her family "Are you sure Sakura-chan, but what about your training with Hokage-sama and Mebuki's training" Kizashi frowned, he should have known it wouldn't just be the boys getting training, Sakura needed it as well.
His eldest sighed "Just temporarily put on hold and I'm sure if moms alright with it Haku can continue teaching her, I'll even leave the book, but I need to go" Sakura admitted, even though she didn't want to, she needed to really.
Kizashi nodded in understanding "Don't worry Sakura-chan, Haku and I will help take care of Kaede and Haruhi, we promise" Karin chimed in, trying to not cry because she thought she'd be able to handle Naruto and Sasuke's departure as long as Sakura was still around.
But now Sakura was going away to and it sucked "Thanks and I swear I'll bring back souvenirs" Sakura promised, glancing around the room, Haku didn't meet her gaze and she knew that he was having a hard time accepting that she would be gone.
"As matriarch of this clan I vow to get stronger in order to protect this family while you're gone" Mebuki vowed and got a hug from her oldest child before Sakura set her sights on Haku, a moment later the couple were gone from the house.
They walked clear across the village in utter silence "You may not want to hear this Haku-kun, but I need this training all of team 7 if we're going to be strong enough to take on Akatsuki and Orochimaru someday so Kaede and Haruhi can grow up in a safe world" Sakura whispered.
Once they sat atop the 2nd Hokage's stone face "I wish I could go with you" Haku sighed "But I know one of us needs to stay here and help Mebuki-sama, to teach her the ins and outs of the clan jutsu, just promise me you'll be safe and write letters" he continued.
Realizing all he could do at this moment was accept the fact that Sakura wouldn't be here at his side for six months "Of course Haku, always and I highly doubt they'll let me go anywhere by myself over there considering the whole danger magnet problem" Sakura soothed.
Pressing a gentle kiss to his lips afterwards "Not just you but Naruto and Sasuke to" Haku laughed, feeling a little better about the whole thing now as they stood hand in hand "What are you going to do about Chie though" he asked.
"Chie will be coming with me" Sakura said as they headed back home, Mebuki and Kizashi shared a knowing smile with one another when the younger couple returned, issue settled as the pair cuddled on the opposite couch for the rest of the afternoon until it was dinner time and then afterwards Sakura went to bed early.
Where she showed up at the gates with Team Fourteen and the rest of their extra's to see Naruto and Sasuke off for the next two and a half years "Sorry we won't be here to see you off later Sakura" Sasuke apologized, wishing that he could.
Anko, however wanted to get an early start to their destination so the pair of them were the first to disappear "There goes a brave soul ooommpph" Shisui saluted, only to get elbowed by Mangetsu, who should feel lucky that it wasn't Sakura who'd done it.
"Good luck on Mount Myoboku, I know you have what it takes Naruto-kun to learn Sage jutsu" Minato said, hugging his almost thirteen-year-old son in a few months he would be and yet again he was missing out on another of the boy's birthdays.
Inwardly wishing that Kushina was there as well but there had been no sign of her yet "Thanks for the vote of confidence Dad, I'll do my best, see you Sakura-chan, Haku, Karin-chan, everyone else" Naruto waved and in a plume of smoke, he and Jiraiya were gone to the Toad Summons mountain.
Jiraiya promptly introduced him to the elder toads Fukasaku and Shima, Fukasaku immediately got him started on meditating underneath a waterfall after splashing special oil on the blonde to help learn how to take in the natural chakra around him, followed by getting smack repeatedly over the head for the next couple of hours.
During this time Sakura went over the things in her new backpack three times just to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything then hurried to the gates when she knew it was time "Prompt, are you ready then" Yagura nodded, glad that she wasn't making him wait.
Sakura took a deep breath and faced the ones who'd come to see her off, some smiled, some scowled like Zabuza and then there was Haku who gave her the courage to nod "Yes I'm ready Yagura-sama, be back in six months" Sakura waved and lifted Chie into her arms.
Having already said her goodbyes so she didn't need to hear them again as the odd duo started down the path away from the Leaf Village "Man this sucks" Suigetsu grumbled, already missing the pinkette who when it came to reigning him in was the best of the best at it.
Zabuza snorted and scuffed the boy over the head "Be on the training grounds tomorrow you three, it's time to get back to training and missions understood" he growled, a little antsy himself about the fact that the girl had gone off without any of them and he knew she was going to get in a lot of trouble.
Thankfully three days later after a peaceful trip across the ocean and no trouble showing itself, Sakura and Yagura reached Kirigakure safely "Welcome to Mist again brat and of course a very big welcome to Yondaime-sama" Ao greeted the pair at the gates.
Earning a slight huff from the rosette as she set Chie on the ground "We're heading straight for the office" Yagura informed, once they were all signed in, Ao bowed, gesturing them on through into the village, Sakura taking the lead when it was clear Yagura didn't quite remember the way to the Mizukage Tower.
Subtly though so it didn't seem like she was directing him entirely in the direction they needed to go "Mhm thought I felt your chakra, Sakura-san, Yagura-san, so training huh" Mei smiled, knowing the reason the two were there in the Hidden Mist Village.
"Precisely, we'll need an accommodation and access to the training grounds, one other thing this is from the Hokage" Yagura nodded, handing over a scroll, Mei quickly unrolled it, green eyes flickering over the words written within before letting out a soft feminine sounding laugh, then handed it to Sakura.
~Dear apprentice
Hope you found your way to Mist with no trouble, I hope to hear from you soon, like immediately upon your arrival and I want to be kept up to date with your progress, so here's the thing, while your there ask Mei to work at the hospital.
Even as I tell you this, I know that things won't be as simple for you in Kiri as they were here, certain rumors about the hospital and all that, helping out over there will improve your own skills in medical ninjutsu so good luck.
Your Shishou~
Her face twitched at the end of it, letting out a long-suffering sigh as she did so "So be it then, Mizukage-sama if you will allow it, I would gladly put my talents to use in the hospital" Sakura offered, not one to back down from a challenge.
Not especially one presented by her, she'd make Mist's Hospital second to Leaf's by the time she left if that was what it took, Mei laughed softly behind her hand "Anything for you Sakura-chan, I'll send them a note to expect you, now for accommodations, already prepared" Mei winked.
Turning serious afterwards "And a special training field has been allocated for your use during the next 6 months, that has been brought out of storage and finally a hitai-ate plus Chunin vest for your use here in Mist" Mei quickly finished.
Writing out a missive to the head doctor, Chojuro was called in to deliver it, while Yagura and Sakura were escorted to their living quarters "Put your things away then we'll head to the hospital first" Yagura instructed, holding the scroll that he'd been handed tightly.
It was his club, something that he intended on giving to Sakura once their time ended, Sakura quickly disappeared at his order into a room that had a separate bathroom, leaving him to find the other one, which meant they really were going to be living together for the next several months.
Fifteen minutes later they were done and walking across the village to the hospital, Sakura in attire that he'd never seen her wear before "I decided on a change" Sakura explained when she noticed his stare, Yagura nodded then pointed out the hospital.
Steeling her nerves Sakura went in alone "Let me guess the little brat Mizukage-sama wants us to allow onto my staff" a stern-faced middle-aged man stormed up to her, having been waiting in the lobby for almost half an hour for the stupid girl to show up.
Jade orbs peered up at him with a dangerous glint in their emerald depths "Quite and I have intentions of making this hospital one of the best in the five great nations, second only to Leafs, so no matter what you do or how you treat me I will not back down from a challenge understand" Sakura snapped.
Leaking a little KI to make them see that she was serious "You're not a pushover like I thought you'd be brat, the names Bizu, the Chief of this here hospital, your turn, state your name and rank brat" Bizu demanded, curious about the girl.
"Sakura Yuki, rank Chunin from last month's exams" Sakura declared, showing off her blue pin-striped vest that was beneath her dark blue winter kimono, whispers immediately filled the air from other medics milling about in the lobby.
Until Bizu told them to shut up "Hmm Yuki you said as in the clan of ice style users, I thought you were all extinct" Bizu asked, extremely surprised that there were living Yuki clan members and according to this girl in front of him, there were five of them in Konohagakure which included her.
Realizing he was wasting valuable time Bizu took Sakura off to test her and was again very surprised "Lady Tsunade is my Shishou after all, she'd bash my skull in if I wasn't able to do this much" Sakura snorted lightly when the medical chakra faded from her hands.
After healing a patient that was in critical condition "Perhaps we're going to be able to get along after all girl, now scram, come back later if you can and I'll have a schedule for you and I will adjust it as needed" Bizu shooed the pinkette off.
Yagura as she expected of him was stood outside waiting for her "Judging by the look on your face, things went well" Yagura commented, Sakura nodded with a smile, several minutes later after a quick pitstop to send off a letter to Tsunade, they were on the allocated training grounds.
Or rather clear marsh with a small waterfall "I'm going to go out on a wild limb here and guess that you want me to meditate under the waterfall" Sakura inquired, not looking forward to this training in the least, especially when he nodded.
Then gestured with his hand for her to do so "Correct, the reason being is that it will increase your concentration and help you focus your chakra, also increase your chakra reserves to allow for more time fighting which at this moment is your biggest weakness, lack of chakra" Yagura explained.
Sakura grimaced but walked steadily across the marsh to his surprise though he really shouldn't be considering how advanced she was with her chakra control, then sit beneath the waterfall and thus her training had officially begun under his tutelage.
Hours later, soaked to the bone and teeth chattering from how cold she was and stomach growling for skipping lunch, Yagura told her to stop for the day "Ugh I wonder if Bizu-san will mind if I get my schedule tomorrow morning" Sakura groaned.
"Perhaps next time take the kimono off so that way you have something warm to wear when your finished meditating" Yagura suggested, leading the rosette to their accommodation, where she vanished to have a shower then came back to make supper.
Right about this time they received a visitor in the form of the Mizukage "Did you just get back from training, Bizu wasn't sure if you'd make it back to see him today so had this delivered to me" Mei asked, seeing Sakura whipping up something to eat.
Meaning it hadn't been very long since they'd returned from the training grounds "About twenty minutes ago actually Mizukage-sama and that must be my schedule for the hospital" Sakura admitted in a tired sounding voice, who wouldn't be exhausted after traveling and then being made to train for almost an entire day.
"Well, here you go Sakura-san, you two look it over and figure out any adjustments that is needed" Mei smiled, handing the scroll over to Sakura and left, eight minutes later dinner was ready to eat, this time Yagura was really surprised because he hadn't known she could cook.
But after eating the schedule was reviewed and revised "I can spare you for the mornings but from after lunch to dinner is when you need to meditate, once we're past this type of training, your hours at the hospital can be increased and that's not counting any mission you could be sent on" Yagura offered.
Knowing that his temporary student was needed in the hospital "Right, but mostly I want to focus on making my chakra pool larger" Sakura grimaced, planning on taking a towel with her the following day and leaving her kimono off to help stave off the cold once she was finished.
And so that's what she did for the next two weeks, work at the hospital, even teach other medics how to improve on their medical ninjutsu and meditate under that bloody waterfall until she was numb from the cold but what she didn't do no matter how much she loathed it, was quit.
Unfortunately, when Yagura was due to begin her training on something new, they were called into Mei's office "Sorry Sakura-san but I have a mission I think you'd be perfect for, Yagura-san will be going with you for safety" Mei apologized.
Handing a C rank mission scroll to Sakura "Find and collect herbs in the marshes for the hospital, um no offense but why is this a c rank mission" Sakura read off in confusion, missions like this would normally be classified as D rank.
"Maybe in your village Sakura-san it might be a D rank mission, however, the marshes can be dangerous, what with poisonous plants and animals living within them, hence it is a C rank" Mei explained, able to understand her confusion somewhat.
Sakura nodded accepting her task and after spending twenty minutes preparing a pack, followed by letting Bizu know she had a mission, signed out at the gates with Yagura on her heels, headed into the marshes that surrounded Hidden Mist.
Thankfully the task didn't take long, no more than a few hours to collect all the medicinal herbs that she could find, but when she stood scroll in hand, she found her companion missing "Yagura-sama" Sakura called out warily, reaching for her gourd to uncork it.
No answer and she was really starting to get worried about the man when the bush to right rattled, Sakura was going to sigh in relief when a blonde man she'd never seen before stepped out into the clearing, locking gazes with her as he did so.
For several minutes the two stared at one another, neither speaking and not knowing who each other was, despite wearing the same hitai-ate, during the silence Sakura took in the strange man, looking him carefully up and down before noticing the thin whisker like moustache.
"Wispy whiskers" Sakura giggled quietly to herself, despite trying to be quiet, the man still heard her and she suddenly had to dodge an attack, watching in horror as the chibi-clone of her attacker violently exploded, thankfully someone came to her rescue.
Yagura with a woman she vaguely recognized "Gengetsu-san if you would please stop attacking my student" the Yondaime Mizukage requested politely, clearly recognizing the man when she hadn't, Gengetsu narrowed his blue eyes.
Then pointed "Don't call me wispy whiskers again got it little girl" Gengetsu grumbled, a little miffed that his moustache had been insulted by the cute pinkette just as he'd been about to speak to her, she goes and says that which had set off his temper.
Sheepishly Sakura bowed lightly to the Second Mizukage "My apologies Nidaime-sama, I truly meant no offense, I actually quite like your wis...moustache, it's unique looking" Sakura apologized, nearly slipping up and saying wispy whiskers again.
"Now as for you" Yagura focused his attention on the unknown woman with long raven hair and brown eyes, there was something familiar about her actually but it was Sakura who recognized her first as she threw out a finger, jade eyes wide.
As she burst out excitedly "YOUR HAKU'S MOM, oops sorry" Sakura shouted, only to clap her hand over her mouth a second later after startling a flock of birds from a nearby tree and remembering the warning that had been imparted.
Breathing out a sigh of relief when nothing happened, she focused her gaze on the young woman again "Haku, you mean my little Haku is still alive, sorry I'm Yukina Yuki and I'd thought for sure that my husband had killed the both of us" Yukina asked, tears in her doe eyes.
That were so like Haku's that it was unbelievable, Yagura about to ask his own question quickly shut his mouth at the admission "No Yukina-san, Haku lived, you see when your husband tried to kill him, his kekkeigenkai protected him" Sakura explained gently.
Such news wouldn't be easy to hear after all "Oh a..and where is Haku now, is he here, in Hidden Mist like we are" Yukina inquired hopefully, wanting to meet her grown up son, and be a part of his life now that she was back like Yagura had told her.
"Um not exactly, he's back in Leaf with your best friend Kizashi Haruno, my dad, so you don't have to worry Yukina-san, Haku is safe and happy I promise" Sakura assured, carefully walking up to the woman and hugging her future mother-in-law.
A conversation for later "Kizashi-kun and would your mother happen to be Mebuki" Yukina asked when they started for the village, Sakura nodded, launching into an explanation of how she even had two little sisters now and that Mebuki was a shinobi.
Something her blonde friend had sworn she'd never be "Sounds wonderful" Yukina sighed softly, wanting to meet Haku right then and there but reminded herself that she had to be patient for a time as they signed in and headed to the tower.
Where Sakura turned in her mission report and disappeared to her disappointment, though the pinkette did return half an hour later sans the scroll of medicinal herbs, Yagura decided that they should get in a couple hours of training for the day.