Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Author's note: I am changing the order of when they approach Tsunade slightly sorry people.

Chapter 16: A Month's Respite, Busy Sakura

Hiruzen didn't intend to allow Sakura to worry resting on her laurels while others prepared for the finals. For the month he gave her a mission, to find Tsunade alongside Naruto and Jiraiya and bring her home. He hoped her seal was proof enough that going back to the village would be worthwhile even if she couldn't remain. Her own suggestion was that instead Hinata would become her apprentice. Aside from Sakura, who else would be a capable student but the heiress who proved to have the will to fight.

Before her departure she had a preliminary spar with Hinata and took time to teach her the forms she learned from Genma, Hayate, and Tsunade respectively from both her old life and this one. "It's not a bad idea to use your style against people who don't know it well but, always have other styles to switch things up in case you meet someone who does." Sakura pointed it out kindly.

Hinata thrived and a solemn Neji and Hiashi watched her flourish with the help of her friend. Hanabi was proud of her big sister showing everyone whose boss. Hinata had already made waves among the elders by threatening to have them branded if their abuse of their relatives didn't cease. She refused to bow to them and even as they demanded it she said firmly, "Respect is earned and bullies like you have earned nothing from me."

Kurenai, Kiba, and Shino not only adored but supported their comrade as she grew into her own. Kiba whined about being shown up by all the girls in their year but the girls just giggled and Ino offered some pointers. Though it was questionable whether he learned anything since he was too busy drooling over her. Ino just winked at Sakura who snickered at the predictable behavior of the dog-nin partners.

She had warned her team and her friends she would be leaving with Naruto and his Sensei due to a mutual mission in the same direction. They wished her well and she exited the gates with the spymaster and his godson. Watching the bond between them reassured her that even with her gone he would not be alone. Sasuke was with Kakashi training in preparation for the finals. Dosu would be her opponent which she wasn't expecting but she was fine with it. She knew he wouldn't be prematurely murdered as the Hokage made curfew requirements for all finalists and had Anbu enforcing it even before she left.

Sakura continued her meditation and practiced the techniques "inspired" by Tsunade. She knew Jiraiya was watching but she couldn't have cared less so long as Naruto didn't suffer from neglect any further. When he came to approach her she asked, "Don't you have a student to prepare for the finals Jiraiya-san?" Those simple comments seemed to refocus him on the son of his dead apprentice, which was exactly what she wanted. Her studies and training were for her to sharpen and preserve her existing skills and knowledge for the time being. She could ask another time for guidance should she need to.

Naruto both thrived and became more thoughtful as time passed on the journey. Sakura split with them upon arriving at the gambling town where she was rumored to be. Sakura searched the hot springs and casinos wanting to avoid confrontation between Tsunade and Naruto as long as possible. Though it may still become necessary to allow it all to happen again. It certainly helped Tsunade understand him better and if she wasn't around to play mediator it would be a crucial standpoint.

'In order to do the right thing sacrifices must be made…I can only pray I change all that needs to change and can truly prevent the 4th shinobi war.' Sakura thought cautiously as she settled into her bedding on the floor so she could meditate comfortably that evening.

She once again sunk deeper into her meditation and found her friend waiting for her. "Kisame, its good to see you again."

The shark grinned and looked her over, "You ready for this?" Sakura just cracked her neck and knuckles, "Ready as I'll ever be. I assume you're here because once I make contact with your younger self you may disappear huh?" Kisame chuckled 'She isn't an idiot that's for damn sure.' "It's likely Pinky. Still if anyone can pull this schtick off its definitely gonna be you."

Sakura chuckled, "Well if it doesn't work and I somehow die. Meet me at the bar." Kisame just chuckled as he faded out, "Sure thing!"

Sakura was jolted awake by a panicked Naruto slamming the door shut, "Sakura, we gotta get outta here and find pervy sage!" Sakura watched him run around before hearing a calm knock on the door. "Naruto go out the window while I answer the door."

Naruto leapt out the window to find Jiraiya and Sakura calmly answered the door. She had her Kubikiribocho and Samehada around her neck visible to the man she knew would be on the other side of the door. "Hello Nin-sans can I help you?" She was calm and kept her manners in place.

The shark saw the necklaces and paused, remembering Zabuza's warning from several weeks before. This was the girl they called Angel in Wave. One of the two young kunoichi that the village named the "Great Blossom Bridge" after. "Sakura-san, Zabuza told me we would have to have a chat eventually."

Sakura looked at his partner in question, "Apologies Nin-san, I am aware of Kisame-san, but I don't have access to my copy of the bingo book at the moment so I don't know your name."

The green eyes darted from his money to her and returned to his money before his gaze snapped back up at a nudge from Kisame. "Kakuzu…"

Sakura nodded, "Ah hello Kakuzu-san," She turned her gaze to the sharklike nin who was her friend's face but not his memories. "I apologize Kisame-san but what I have to say to you is delicate and can only be done privately. I can't have anyone overhearing it no matter how much you trust them at this moment." She turned her gaze to the older man who was counting money, "You're a bit of a money-clepto aren't you?" She tilted her head in curiosity more than anything, 'Is this the Kakuzu who was with Hidan when Asuma died last time?'

'He is also a member of the Akatsuki yes, Sakura" Hashirama's voice leapt through her head. She knew she couldn't befriend this man quite yet he was fierce even in reputation but she was truly curious about the man. She shook herself from it and looked to Kisame who stared at the young girl in disbelief. "How can I reach you when we can meet alone? Preferably a way to notify you when I'm not under a Sannin's direct supervision. You won't get Naruto by the way…he's gone looking for Jiraiya. So,…"

Kisame just sighed, "Well do you have a summons? Mine are a bit large." Sakura sighed, "I was afraid of that…no not yet but I will send one to you when I do have one with a note." She wrote her name on the page and pointed, "This is my handwriting for my name if a summons finds you with one like this you will know its me."

The two nin left and she closed the door returning to her meditation only for a loud boom to blow up the room. Jiraiya in a strange pose, "They're already gone…left as soon as they realized Naruto had left to look for you." She gave the sheepish Sannin a dirty look, "The cost of the damage and room is coming out of your purse not ours…stupid toad sage." She packed her undamaged things away and her damaged possessions she took note of. As she exited the hotel she knew she was being watched, "You owe me 3 new outfits and armor sets to my specifications to replace the ones your moronic antics destroyed Stupid Toad Sage!" Her green gaze glaring and granting no quarter to the older man who wrecked their room. He winced and asked Naruto.

"Kid is she always such a hardass…she's so young." Jiraiya saw Naruto shrug.

"Sakura's pretty awesome she's usually the mom friend but, you did destroy our hotel room and several sets of armor and clothes. That stuff is expensive and if you'd checked first you would have known those cloaked guys were gone and could have avoided the whole thing." He gave a sideways glance, "What was with the stupid pose anyway."

Jiraiya sputtered as the two youngsters walked away, "Those moves used to be considered cool you brats."

Sakura sighed, "Can we trade him in for a smarter Toad Sage?" Naruto laughed as the Pervy Sage pouted. "Good one Sakura."

"That was so cold…Sakura-chan." Jiraiya stood and looked to the sky, "It's almost like you're," he paused as a cold wave swept over him in warning. He shook himself from his thoughts to catch up to the kids, "No way that's just crazy talk…there's no such jutsu in existence that would allow for that."

Sakura entered another hotel and booked two rooms next to one another. She paid in full for 2 weeks to cover the time and in case anything happened again. She gave Naruto a key and told him, "Stick to Jiraiya like glue Naruto. I can handle myself and you need the extra security while those cloaked guys are still around just in case."

Naruto looked at the closed door in concern before following Jiraiya into the neighboring room. He knew Sakura her own work to do while they were here. Sakura settled her decoy things in the room before taking off out the window. She traversed to the other side of town delivering missives as Hiruzen requested and picked up several packages. On her last stop she saw their target of pursuit and she approached and sat down across from her.

The blonde woman glanced up before looking at the younger girl with a hard stare at the seal on her head.

"Hello Tsunade-sama, I have a missive from Hokage-sama of the upmost importance. Please read it and I will wait." Sakura said respectfully. She handed the missive over to the woman and remained silent as her gaze went across the lines of crucial information. Her hazel gaze hit the forehead of the young girl, "Your seal's real and not a tattoo like I thought…impossible for a kid so young to have that kind of control."

"Improbable, not impossible…it took me 2 years from when I started storing chakra 2 years before I graduated to genin that was 6 months ago. I am a participant in the Chunin exams and will be fighting in the finals at the end of the month." Sakura corrected kindly. She knew the older woman was watching her like a hawk and she wouldn't lie to the woman who had once been her Shisho whom she still respected even if their bonds were no longer destined for closeness.

"So you're here for the Hokage and not yourself," The woman acknowledged. Sakura nodded firmly, "There are plenty of things I could learn from you but, Hokage-sama and the villages needs take precedence. I know others who could use your guidance desperately…the hospital isn't nearly as prepared for a problem like what we could be facing if our suspicions are correct." Tsunade paused, "Our suspicions?"

Sakura sighed, "Yes, my friends encountered Orochimaru in the 2nd stage and his appearance and summons were described to a T. He is in the village for what we don't know beyond the fact he has a grudge against Konoha's leaders and his kidnapping attempt on Sasuke Uchiha which failed." Sakura allowed her chin to rise, "It's our belief that he may be attempting some sort of ambush to take Sasuke against his will and kill the Hokage. If he succeeds that would leave a vacuum of power and it's crucial that you take his place. Letting any of the Second Hokage students take power is an oversight and mistake that could lead to Konoha's destruction from within. Homura and Koharu are puppets and Danzo is a plague with many enemies."

Tsunade took a moment to consider what the young girl had said and much like in the letter her sensei sent the girl's logic was irrefutable. To leave her home in their hands would spell failure and disaster in the legacy of her grandfather and grand uncle. Failure of that magnitude was never going to be an option for her. She didn't want the hat. If there was no one else though, "Why not Jiraiya?"

Sakura smirked, "What good is a spymaster who is strapped to a desk unable to meet his many contacts?" She shrugged, "If Ibiki is anything to go by trying to work from a desk in espionage fucking sucks."

Tsunade reluctantly found herself liking the odd girl her sensei had sent after her. "Where is the idiot anyway. Sensei said he sent 3 of you."

Sakura groaned, "They should be back at the new hotel considering Jiraiya blew up our old hotel room for nothing…Stupid Toad Sage!" Tsunade rose and waved her companion Shizune over with their pig friend. "Let's go say hello and get this show on the road."

Sakura stood and bowed to them both, "Thank you. Please follow me, I have a room with 3 beds in it for us hoping that you'd join." She moved to lead the two women to their hotel and walked them to the room letting them inside. She heard rushed scuffling next door and firmly intoned, "Stupid Toad if you make any more messes for me I will Maim you!"

A yelp sounded through the wall causing Tsunade to chuckle fondly. "You seem to have him well in hand."

Sakura gave her a dry look, "Only because I paid for these rooms for two weeks since all his money went to paying for damages in our last place…he still owes me 3 new sets of my outfit and armor to my specifications when we get back to replace what he broke. Thankfully my favorites survived."

Shizune looked surprised, "You look a bit young for armor." Sakura shrugged, "I'm civilian born and I need all the help and tools I can get alongside my current advantages." She tapped her forehead and the seal glowed with chakra for a moment before dimming again.

What are the longer times for then Sakura-san?" Shizune was curious. Sakura grinned, "Part of it was to search for you two and the other part to give Jiraiya time to focus on training Naruto for his own match in the finals.

"What about your training, kid?" Tsunade asked plainly. Sakura was calm and said, "I've been meditating morning and evening but, I haven't had much training beyond my own routine taijutsu and my chakram. Naruto needs help more than I do." Sakura motioned to her beads, "These beads have poison, antidotes, weapons, and some jutsu in here."

Shizune looked over all the different colors realizing she had them organized by colors for different purposes or jutsu. "Can you store medical ninjutsu?" Sakura hummed thoughtfully, "I haven't tried because most situations are case by case basis…something to consider for the future."

"You train with me kid starting tomorrow." Tsunade said firmly. Sakura looked surprised and nodded in acquiesce. "Yes Tsunade-sama." She then readied for bed like the other two ladies before heading into slumber.

Author Note: I'm so sorry about the mess up with the text hopefully this fixes it!