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"What makes you think that we'll take you to him?" Shinrai asked gripping the sword tighter.

"I don't." Nasake closed her eyes in conclusion. Then she opened them and pointed to Kakashi and company. "But they will."

"What makes you think we'll do it?" Yamato asked. He saw in the corner of his eye, Naruto and Sasuke take a step back. Turning around he saw Kakashi giving him a terrifying death glare. "What?"

"You could let her finish."

"Why?"

"Because she may propose something of value."

"That isn't the mission, plus we do not know them."

"Yes, but..."

"If it's introductions you need," Nasake interrupted while moving away from Shinrai. "Yuu-chan," she called out.

"Hai onee-chan!"

Both girls respectively bowed.

"My name is Kaido Nasake, the first heir and current ruler of Rock."

"My name is Hanryo-Kaido Yuu, the second heir of Rock."

"And wife of?" Nasake asked in a sing song voice.

Yuu and Shinrai blushed.

"I am the wife of Wind's first-in-command, Hanryo Shinrai."

"What?!" Naruto exclaimed. "You two are married?" Naruto ran over and grabbed Kakashi by the collar. "I thought you said they are at war?"

"They are." He replied, scratching his head in confusion.

"But how?"

Nasake coughed. "We'll dicuss that later if it's that important. Now our proposal states this, you will escort us to Wind capital. By doing so, I will give you this." Nasake slipped on gloves then pulled a wooden chest out of her satchel. Upon opening it, Nasake uncovered an orb with a green swirling light.

Kakashi pushed everyone over and his eyes went wide. Pulling on fully enclosed gloves, he gently lifted the orb for inspection. They watched as a happy smile made his eye crease.

"You have a deal."

Nasake smiled in reply.

"Now wait a minute Kakashi-san." Yamato butted in.

"Yeah Sensei, you can't just volunteer us to everyone." Naruto said back.

Kakashi carefully put the orb back and stood toface them more.

"Do you even know what that is?" Seeing their heads shake, he continued. "That is the orb of Genbu, a god's orb

A little pink haired girl was running down the corridor with one of the maids chasing her.

"Sakura-sama please slow down. You just got over being sick. Do you not remember the pneumonia?"

Sakura ran into a nearby door. The maid followed only to stay by the door seeing her climbing on the bed. The young mother with her newborn smiled at Sakura's enthusiasm. The woman's mother and husband sat in nearby chairs. He got up and helped Sakura seeing her slip.

"Sakura-sama, you should still be in bed." She said while patting the girl on the head.

"I wanted to see obaa-chan's baby." Sakura pulled out a surgical mask. "I came prepared so not to get the baby sick."

The adults laughed at her.

"Tanaka obaa-chan, what's her name?" Sakura asked while staring at the baby in wonder.

"Actually sweetie, we were just discussing it."

"So she doesn't have a name yet?" Her eyes almost popped out.

"No not yet. Did you know Sakura-sama that you're bound to her?"

"How so?" She asked while tilting her head.

"Well take the previous generations, your grandmother and mine, your mother and I, we are all best friends."

"Really!? Then we'll be best friends too?"

The adults laughed at her happy face.

"She's as pretty as the moon. Can we call her Tsuki?"

They all looked at Sakura in wonder.

"Sakura-sama!"

Sakura snapped out of her daze and looked at Tsuki.

"What?"

Tsuki looked stunned and was cowering behind the door.

"You're... you're making breakfast without me!" Tsuki pointed an accusing finger at her.

"So?"

"Where's Itachi-sama?" She questioned looking around the kitchen.

"Sleeping, not using his eyes is a bit hard on his body."

"Oh..."

Tsuki looked at Sakura who waved her over. Tsuki sat on the stool. Sakura put breakfast in front of her.

"Happy fourteenth birthday Tanaka Tsuki."

Tsuki's eyes widened then a gorgeous smile broke out across her face.

"Thank you Sakura-sama!"

Sakura sat across from Tsuki as they shared breakfast.

"So that's what a god's orb looks like?" Sasuke commented, holding his chin in thought.

Yamato, Sai, and Naruto got a closer look. Previously when they had fought the Akatsuki, in Fire country, they had been too busy figting to get details on the orb. All shinobi knew that a glance away when fighting an Akatsuki member it was as good as asking for a kunai in the chest. Naruto reached to touch it when Kakashi smacked his hand away.

"No!" Nasake, Yuu, and Shinrai screamed.

"What?" Naruto questioned complexed.

"Never, touch it bare-handed." Nasake warned. "Unless you want to contaminate and anger the respective god."

"Oh..." Naruto said with his mouth in an oh shape. "Is it possible for anyone just to touch them?"

"Yes, descendants can, but even we still take that precaution."

"We?" Sai asked.

"Yes, Kaido family are descendants of Genbu."

"Wait, Prince Kazaya stated that the direct descendants of the gods had died out." Yamato contradicted.

Yuu nodded her head. "That's what we all say in order to protect ourselves from those who wish to use us to access our respective god's powers."

"Which descendants can you account for?" Sasuke questioned.

"There's myself and Yuu-chan," Nasake counted off while pointing to herself and Yuu. "Then there's Shin-kun," Nasake counted off while pointing from herself and to him. "The only other one we can account for is Sakura Grove's Hime-sama."

"Oblivion?" Kakashi asked.

Nasake and Yuu nodded their heads.

"Wait! What do you mean I'm a descendant. Do you have any proof?"

The look Nasake gave Shinrai was bone chilling. "You'll have to take that up with our other childhood friend."

"Whose that?" Naruto barged in.

"Haruno Sakura."

Sakura sneezed and it made it hard for Itachi to dodge the kunai she threw. It barely scrapped his arm. Everyone observing the training shivered from the sneeze. Tsuki refilled Sasori's cup of tea. Kisame popped another takoyaki in his mouth. Deidara just smiled at Itachi's growing scowl.

"Cherry Blossom." Itachi growled out. "Where did your killing intent go?"

"Excuse me." Sakura rubbed her nose. "Sorry about that, the sneeze caught me off guard. Here we go again."
Everyone basically shivered feeling the rise of Sakura's killing intent. Even though Itachi was blindfolded, the amount he felt being pushed at him was surprising. Sakura tossed another kunai and Itachi flipped to the side then dropped dodging a couple shurikens. He wasn't too sure since Sakura was not using any chakra at all. Itachi had been hurt when they first started out. He was getting a hang of it a bit though. He needed to use his ears for sounds. His fingers tried to sense the movement or shifts in the air. Itachi misstepped and a shuriken cut his leg. He hissed in pain as the others snickered.

"Kisame-san."

"Hai Cherry Blossom?"

"What's that?" Sakura pointed to something behind them.

All three men turned to see what she was talking about. The next thing they knew, a kunai cut each of their left arms. They all turned to Sakura, each of them didn't sense anything. Itachi smirked. He had heard Sakura slip the kunais out. His suspicions were confirmed hearing the three thunks. The sound of the kunais embedding themselves into the wooden walls. Sakura waved to Tsuki.

"If you wouldn't mind?"

"Not at all, Sakura-sama." Tsuki smiled at Sakura before pulling out the three kunais. She used chakra to toss them back to Sakura, otherwise they wouldn't have made it to Sakura.

Itachi smirked. Tsuki had just given Sakura's location away. He quickly tossed kunais at her. Sakura caught the ones Tsuki tossed and jumped back to avoid Itachi's. He appeared behind Sakura guessing the distance she used to flip back. Itachi had guessed a little too snug, feeling her right up against him. He felt the air shift. Sakura had stepped forward and tried to land a round house kick. Feeling it coming from the left, Itachi blocked it.

"Oi, Cherry Blossom?"

"What?" She grumbled out blocking a punch Itachi threw at her. "Didn't I tell you no chakra?"

Itachi shook his head just remembering. His kick came at her more slowly. Itachi realized that no chakra was hard. Even when one uses taijutsu, they still use a little chakra. Sakura was moving like a breeze without any chakra. Maybe this training would be good. His mind's eye could already see a new found power opening itself to him. Or maybe this was Sakura's plan. He noticed her look of concern about his eyes. Why else would she offer to help a S-rank criminal get stronger?

"What did you do that for?" Sasori was inspecting the cut on his cloak.

Sakura turned her eyes to them. Her killing intent now being turned on them. Itachi smirked and laughed inwardly at the poor bastards' mistake. Now was not the best time to be pissing off Konoha's number one Anbu. Itachi felt like Sakura had redeemed herself a little. When it came to her knowledge, he no longer questioned it. During sparring matches or training, Sakura held herself like a veteran. With he imagined such a low supply of chakra, Sakura was using pure stamina to battle him. He was surprised to hear however, Sakura's breathing hadn't even picked up despite the moving around they were doing currently. Maybe they all did underestimate her. Perhaps there was some truth to those rumors.

"If you want to make fun of Itachi-san while sitting on your asses, I'll kill you." The men shivered at her death glare. "If you want to complain and snicker at each other, than let's see you do better." Sakura ducked from Itachi's kick.

That's how one pink haired girl roped in three more Akatsuki members into training.

The small group were currently taken an unused path back to the Wind palace. Sai and Sasuke, the two ice men, were leading the way. Naruto was walking along side Nasake with his hands on his head. Yuu and Shinrai were walking hand in hand. Yuu was obliviously happy while Shinrai was contemplating something. The two senseis were bringing up the rear, with the prisoners behind them tied up.

"So you all grew up with Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked Nasake.

Nasake giggled at Naruto's overeagerness to know this tidbit of information. "Yes, Saku-chan lived in both Wind and Rock every summer until she was six." Her expression became a very sad one. Sasuke, who looked back to observe, and Naruto noticed Yuu and Shinrai become sad. "I believe she moved to Konoha after that. Am I right Uzumaki-san?"

Naruto seemed to be in deep thought, which only happened every once in a while. "Now that you mention it, my earlier memory of Sakura-chan was when we were six. I never knew Sakura-chan wasn't originally from Konoha. Ne Teme, did you know?"

"Che," Sasuke turned back forward. "Why waste my time on her?"

"Teme! Oi, Kakashi-sensei did you know?" His attention clearly turning to Kakashi.

"No." Kakashi shook his head. "I never read her official record, and I'm afraid we can't now."

"Why not?" Naruto nearly shouted.

Sasuke turned back around now interested.

"Anbu records, especially Anbu who report only to the Hokage, are only privy to one person to see. That person being the Hokage of course. Her mission records are a part of her personal records. Sakura-chan being a high-class Anbu must have taken on a couple S-rank," Sasuke scoffed, "that are only need to know."

"So you're basically telling the dobe, Hokage would not give us permission to view her records." Sasuke summed up.

"Pretty much."

The girls laughed seeing Naruto's pout. Naruto snapped out of it and noticed Shinrai's complexed look.

"Hey Shin-san, what's with you?"

Shinrai snapped out of it and looked at everyone's questioning looks.

"I was just wondering..." He looked off to the side.

Princess Yuu gave his hand an extra squeeze. "Shin-kun?"

"If I'm truly a guardian, then why now, and only now did my powers unleash?"

"That's because of the power sealing jutsu." Nasake said as if it were obvious.

Kakashi made the I-get-it gesture. "So that's what that was on Hanryo-san's forehead."

"What?" His hand instantly went to his forehead. "My forehead?"

Kakashi snickered as the two sisters giggled. Yuu brought her hand up to bring down his.

"It disappeared." Kakashi explained.

That seemed to ease Shinrai's uneasiness.

"But who? Why? How?" Shinrai was tripping over himself.

"What were you thinking about when it happened?"

"Someone..." Everyone caught Shinrai's death glare at Uragirimono." He threatened Yuu-chan's life."

The two girls gasped. Shinrai squeezed his wife's hand feelig her body begin to shake in fear.

"Giri-kun?" Nasake askd in astonishment.

"You be surprised to what Uragirimono-san is actually capable of Hime-sama."

Nasake's face grew sad again hearing the royalities being use. It reminded her of the war. It reminded her of the torn and broken friendship of her and Shinrai. The strained marriage between her sister and their best friend. The hatred between Uragirmono, Shinrai, and Kazaya. It reminded her what was broken between her and Kazaya. She remembered Sakura's visit one year ago. Her calm smile and her gentle words of reassurance. 'It would all work out.'

"You still haven't answered me Hime-sama."

"Which one?"

"How?"

"Saku-chan thought it was best since you didn't have any training yet."

His eyes grew big. "Saku-chan?" When?"

Her eyes grew serious and her mouth set in a tight line. "One year ago, when your powers began to manifest."

Sakura was slightly annoyed at the current situation. She had to stop attacking them due to this event. The skilled and deadly Akatsuki members were currently falling over each other again. Kisame and Itachi walked into each other. Kisame fell infront of Deidara, who in turn tripped over the shark man. Sasori eneded up tripping over Deidara's falled form. Itachi was trying to keep balance. Sakrua shook her head and sighed. Maybe she had just been a fast learner herself. Then again it could have something to do with Tsunade attacking you full force. Sakura sweatdropped realizing if one had actually connnected she would have died.

"Drunken idiot..." she mumbled under her breath.

Itachi had caught her saying something but couldn't make it out. The fallen three finally got up and stood steady. They were all trying to find Sakura. First one to land a punch in the next hour would get out of this training the next day. Each one of them wanted it for one reason. To never become this uncool infront of the prisoner/toy again. Sakura shook her head realizing it was too easy to bait power hungry fools. She was getting bored just standing there. Itachi knew she was moving when the air picked up. Sakura flipped in front of Deidara.

"Hey."

Deidara threw a punch which Sakura ducked and rolled out of because behind her had been Kisame. Kisame fell back and kicked out taking Deidara down too. She shook her head in exasperation. Akatsuki members had too high of pride. Sakura evaded a doll. She grabbed its arm and flipped it over, crushing it into the ground. Then she tossed it into Sasori, who had just turned around. He realized his reaction was too slow to the change in air when he felt the hard body of his doll bring him down. Itachi appeared in front of her Sakura instinctively flipped back on one hand. Itachi followed up and grabbed her collar. They both fell to the training ground's floor.

"If I get the punch, do we get to have some recreational fun?" He asked with a smirk into ther ear.

Sakura grunted in response when she flipped him off of her. He easily balanced himself. Sakura leaped forward and her punch connnected with the ground where Itachi had been. Her fist didn't leave its usual crater due to the fact that she wasn't using chakra. Itachi swiped kicked but Sakura easily dodged. She bit down a bit beginning to feel drained. She knew they weren't the only ones to pay a price. Sakura turned to see Itachi's fist flying towards her abdomen.

After the little revelation, it became extremely quiet among the travelers. No one wished to speak. Each of them had too much to think about. Kakashi eventually had everyone stop once they were halfway back. Naruto, Sai and Sasuke were sent out to find firewood. Yamato dealt with trying the prisoners to the firmest oak tree. Kakashi watched the food and quietly talked to Princess Nasake about Rock country's well-being, polite talk. Yuu sat with Shinrai, who clutched to her hand because he felt like was loosing bits of himself.

"I don't know who I am anymore."

Nakase and Kakashi looked over to young couple. Yuu guently stroked his cheek trying to comfort his tortured soul.

"Did Kaz.. Did Ouji-sama know?" Shinrai looked at Nasake with such heartbroken eyes. He didn't want to know the answer.

She didn't want to tell him, nothing what its effects might lead too. But there could be no more lies, just the hearbreaking truth. "Yes."

Shinrai's eyes widened in surprise. He then lowered his face so no one could see. "I shouldn't be surprised." He stood suddenly and kicked the cup in front of him across the clearing. "Why would my best friend by any different? I don't know any of you anymore! Who am I?" He looked at his hands angrily.

No one expected what came next. Princess Yuu, gentle like her name, slapped her husband across the cheek. Shinra's hands instantly rose to his cheek. Yuu was fighting back tears and a deep scowl was placed on her lips. The boys just returned to enter the awkward moment. Kakashi and Princess Nasake looked worried and ready to intervene.

"How dare you," were her first words. "You are Hanryo Shinrai, orphaned at birth. A boy who grew up kind and thoughtful despite his drunken mother's abandonment. He grew up into a strong second-in-command to his best friend's order. A man who wrote constantly despite the war between two nations. Someone who put his feelings above anything else. If you question that," tears spilled down her cheeks. "If you question that, then don't you also question the man who married me." Princess Yuu covered her face as the sobs broke out of her chest.

Shinrai felt tears begin to prick the back of his eyes. He enveloped Yuu in the ever warm hug of his. She clutched tightly to him afraid that the man she married would disappear because of all that had been revealed.

Sakura got out of the tub. She walked over to the sink while wrapping towel around her. Moving her hand across the fogged mirror, it revealed a very tired looking girl. Sure enough, Itachi had been right. Her hair was bit long. It was a couple inches passed her shoulder. She had never taken notice how fast it had been growing. Sakura tossed the towel into the corner as she dressed in the baggy black slacks and shirt. She walked out while drying her hair to see Itachi fumbling with dinner. Itachi accidently tipped his tea cup, spilling its contents.

"Are you still angry?" Sakura asked him.

Itachi threw the cup her way, not realizing he had thrown it at her. Sakura easily caught it. She walked over to the small table. She had requested one be brought in for the week. Sakura didn' t want what was happening here out in front of the others. An unattractive, no an uncool Uchiha Itachi, not being able to eat dinner flawlessly. Sakura was kind enough to spare him the humiliation. Thus the reason for the small table with chairs in between the bed and window. She placed down the cup with a loud clank so Itachi knew where it was. She carefully refilled it. Itachi's hand was two inches off. Sakura sighed. Itachi would need more time. Itachi scowled hearing her sigh. Sakura blew on the cup to cool down the tea before taking some in. She then liplocked with Itachi, who swallowed the warm liquid. Sakura began to move away only to be pulled back into another kiss. She felt herself be pulled into his lap as the kisses escalated. Her breaths came out labored as his hand went under her shirt and onto her breast. Itachi passed his tongue up her neck, causing her to shiver.

"You're wearing my clothes."

"You need to finish eating."

"I'll eat you." Itachi nibbled on her ear.

"You won't get energy back that way."

His hands stopped as did his mouth.

"Don't you like to see me when we do it as well."

Itachi thought about it for a few minutes.

"Get off of me. I need to eat."

Sakura smirked. She watched his hand fumble for his chopsticks. Sakura shook her head.

"Stop that."

"Stop what?"

"I know you were shaking your head."

"No I wasn't."

"You were too."

"How do you know?" You can't see me."

"I felt it through your muscles."

Sakura just ignored him and picked up his rice bowl and chopsticks.

"Don't ignore..."

Sakura violently shot rice into his mouth. Itachi began to cough as Sakura just helped him find his tea. She patted him on the back.

"You should know better than to argue with me."

"You're so cruel today."

"Are we talking about training? Are you still upset?"

"You blocked my punch."

"I didn't want to be hit."

"You've been holding out on me." Itachi picked Sakura up as he stood. He set her back down as he entered the bathroom.

"You just said your rather see it when we do it though."

Sakura was answered by the closing of the door. She just shook her head as she walked over to the desk. Sakura scribbled something down. While she folded it up, Sakura opened the window. A small bird landed on the window sill. It took the offered note and flew off.

The group finally made it back to the main village. Something was wrong though. The whole village was quiet. Shinrai instantly knew what happened. He quickly dashed towards the palace. The others caught up, despite all the dead weight they were carrying.

"What's wrong?" Naruto shouted at him.

"An attack," came his curt reply.

They busted through the tall doors that led to the throne room. Shinrai instantly sought out the one person he swore to protect. He saw fallen guards. A few guards stood up ahead as well as the Prince's council.

Kazaya!" Shinrai dropped the formality due to panic.

"I'm here!"

The group parted so Shinrai could see his best friend. The doctor was treating a sword wound to Kazaya's shoulder. Shinrai instantly rushed forward. He kneeled in front of his prince.

"What happened?"

"Akatsuki came here and attacked. There weren't many casualties despite their reputation for loving bloodshed. They seemed more concerned about getting what hey came for and leaving."

"What they came for?"

"Byakko's orb."

"They took the god's orb?"

"Not just that, we just had received word that they also took Seiryu's orb out of Wave."

"Damn them! What are they planning? I'm sorry I wasn't here to protect you."

Kazaya smiled at his friend. He then took noticed of Princess Nasake and Princess Yuu. "Nasake..."

"Hello Kazaya." Nasake smiled at him.

Kazaya stood despite his pain. "Why is she here?"

"I'm sorry Ouji-sama, she promised them Genbu's orb to bring her here. She also said that if she should die, it would be by your hand."

"So be it."

Kazaya unsheathed one of the guard's swords. He pushed Nasake into one of the ivory columns. Nasake could see the sadness but most of all anger. She touched his cheek. He batted it away.

"Where did you get all tha anger?"

"From you." He spat out.

Her eyes widened in question Kazaya was bringing the blade down to cut her, when something flew by stopping its decent. They all looked up to see a small bird cirlce aroudn and land on Kazaya's arm. It was indeed small, but they were chosen to be the fastest messenger bird. Kazaya took the note.

'Kazaya-kun, you shoud question Uragirimono-san and your council for their hand in the war.'

Prince Kazaya recognized it as Sakura's writing.

"What does it say Ouji-sama?" One of the council men asked.

"It's a not from a dear friend, Haruno Sakura."

"What?" Sakura-chan" Naruto exlaimed.

"She told me to question your hand in this war." Kazaya turned his cold stare onto his council. "As well as yours." He faced Uragirimono now.

"I knew it." Shinrai confirmed.

"Well? Anyone who lies will die."

"We couldn't let you do it," came from one.

"Do what?"

"Marry that Rock whore," came another.

"She only wanted your kingdom."

"Plus she already loved another man."

"Do you have any proof?" Yuu blurted out. She covered her mouth seeing the glares directed at her, but Shinrai hugged her and sent his own, scaring the council.

"Rock's Hime-sama's personal bodyguard, Uragirmono Giman, told us so."

"Oh? And pray tell who did he say this man was?" Kazaya's horrible suspicions played violently in the pit of his stomach.

"Himself. He said the Princess had vowed passionate love for him."

"That's a lie!" Nasake shouted.

Kazaya looked at her and her heart broke at the hurt in his eyes. The bird tapped Kazayz. He tilted his head. Kazaya looked down at the note, then turned it over.

'She wears your ring every day.'

Kazaya looked up and sure enough there it was. Nasake didn't understnad his look of relief. The blade's tip raised the ring for everyone to see.

"You fools, see this here. If Nasake Hime-sama indeed wanted the kingdom, she could have taken it at any time. The protocol reads, 'that whomever bears the insignia of the kingdom shall rule it.' Gentlemen, my birth ring, given to the girl whom I chose to marry. A show of our dedication."

"My lord! How could you?"

"Shut up already. Guards throw them all in the dungeon, if the Prince has no objection?" Shinrai smirked at Kazaya.

He nodded and they were all taken away. Nasake sank to the floor crying.

"Nasake-chan!" Kazaya called out in alarm.

"So... happy..." She managed through her tears. "I thought Kazaya would blow away just like his name."

Kazaya smile and hugged her. "Never."

The small messenger bird flew off.

"Wait!" Naruto called out to it, but Kakashi stopped him.

"Sensei? That this is our only link to Sakura-chan!"

"I know Naruto-kun, but our priority is here." Seeing Naruto about to argue. "Plus, we would never catch it Naruto-kun."

Naruto looked defeated.

"Now what Kakashi?" Sasuke questioned.

Kakashi's face grew serious.

"We need to find out Sakura's connection to all of this. How does she have eyes to everything going on?"

Sakura held the bird on her index finger.

"I see. Thank you."

She let the bird fly off as she closed the window. Itachi walked out right after.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing, just enjoying the night air?"

"Are you lying to me Cherry Blossom?"

"Partly, yes."

Itachi was about to say something else but Sakura just pushed him down on the bed.

"This thing wouldn't come off ofr my shower."

To prove his point, he tried to take it off, only for green chakra to stop him.

"A promise is a promise Itachi."

"Yeah but..."

Sakura had pressed down on his one pressure point. She easily removed the blindfold despite Itachi's futile attempts. Sakura began to check his eyes before covering them with her hand.

"You'll run out of time if we don't do this."