This story just seems to move in a sin-wave. I wanted to keep the action going, but I needed another set up or else too much important stuff would get dropped. Still, I put some pretty neat action oriented stuff in this chapter as well. Sakura Season is already going to be about a third longer than Kissing the Wind, so I mnight as well go all out. I feel for Kishi now when he has a lot of explaining to do! LOL

Minato is said to have pleaded with sad eyes,

"Don't look at me like that, Kushina, Sensei. Just keep the ritual going. You both know there's no other way. We weren't prepared for this, and the responsibility is mine. This disaster that's befallen us, there's something strange about it, but figuring out what it is, I leave that to you. And him, my precious boy."

-From "The final moments of a Hokage" – Konoha Archives

From the Training Journal of Haruno Sakura, 20 April 112th Year of the Leaf

I don't know how, but I set everything aside. My fear for Sasuke, my longing for Naruto, my unspoken works with my father – all of it became a whisper in the dark in that dojo today. Kurenai-sensei stood before me just as she had so many days before; an ominous obstacle that I once feared would take far too long to overcome. Her ruby eyes flickered, and our minds connected again.

"Well Sakura," she said. "I've read the reports. Let's see if you had time to teach yourself anything about yourself in the middle of all that. I'm starting!"

I began with a leaf, as I always had, dancing between us. The leaf would not become remain my anchor for long. I waited. I waited until the vines crashing through the ceiling reached for me, waited when the trees burst fourth from the wooden floor, even waited as thorns shot out like shiruken from one of the trees. It was a three pronged attack on my mind. Every time I progressed Kurenai-sensei had been adding something new to her initial assault. In the past I dodged around while I tried to hold my anchor.

It took me until now to realize that I didn't have to dodge around. I just had to not be there. As the first vine coiled around my ankle, I exploded. I let my body dissolve into hundreds of tiny petals. I became an intangible swirl of Sakura blossoms in both my mind and that of my teacher. I was everywhere in that spiral of pink and I was also at the heart of it. I swirled faster and faster, and raced with the wind – a wind of my own creation.

I delighted in the surprised face of my teacher as I became a vortex of soft petals around her. I could feel her mind reaching out for my memories, my hopes, my fears. Her eyes darted back and forth as she tried to find me in the swirling flow. They would find nothing as long as I kept moving like this. I was anchored to her, and secure in myself.

I condensed into my true form behind her but kept a swirl drifting lazily about her as she turned to regard me. My face was set with determination. I wondered what she would try next.

Kurenai smiled and gave me only a slight nod of her head. Then she clasped her hands in front of her face and said, "Release!"

The connection broke instantly. And I was returned to the same spot where I had begun, and the dojo was as untarnished and as beautiful as ever. The morning sun filtered through the paper windows and doorways, and this time brought a glow of triumph with it.

Kurenai turned and began walking toward they exit. She was acting as if she wasn't going to say anything at all. I took a step to follower her.

"Sensei?"

She stopped with her hand paused on the sliding door.

"That was . . . impressive, Sakura. Meet me tomorrow morning at zero six hundred at training ground three."

"Tomorrow?"

I didn't try to hide the disappointment in my voice. I wanted to move forward today.

"I need to make some preparations. We're accelerating your training, unless you think you're not up for it?"

She tilted her head and smiled at me. It was warm and genuine. It was filled with something I had not seen in Kurenai-sensei in quite some time. Hopefulness.

"I'll be ready," I said smartly.

My genjustu teacher nodded, and then walked out the door. After she was gone, I did a little jump and dance to congratulate myself. I think I even did a back flip I was so proud. I can't help but wonder what she has in store for me tomorrow.

Working Document for Research: Haruno, Sakura Date: 20 April 112th Year of the Leaf

Classification: Secret

They won't tell me anything. So far my promotion to Special Jonin hasn't gained me access to any more information. Not even information that I collected. Tsunade-sama is being very careful with information these days, and who could blame her. Danzo still seems to be able to do as he pleases, and right now he's gaining support in many circles within the clans. I know we have to proceed with caution, and I must take care what I write or what I say about recent events. I know Kakashi-sensei will find something soon, if he hasn't already. I just want to be – need to be involved in the investigation surrounding Sasuke and the Akatsuki, even if Tsunade-sama insists I just focus on my training for now.

Since I have some time off today, I decided to look into a few things that have been bothering me about Sasuke's letter to himself. Sasuke seemed to imply that Konoha itself was behind the massacre of his family. Or at least, that it what the masked Akatsuki was telling him.

Madara Uchiha.

Sasuke's writings also indicated that this was the identity of the masked Akatsuki. But that was impossible, and Konoha – the Third Hokage – would have never allowed the destruction of one of its own clans. That had been Itachi's doing. Nothing in Sasuke's note seemed to make any sense. It was possible he was just delusional. In fact, Shizune had suggested just that. But my master and Kakshi-sensei seemed to know something that they would not say, and it was obvious they were taking the note seriously.

Finally, Sasuke had mentioned the Kyuubi, and the attack that night. This disturbed me most of all because the rest of the note was torn off. How did it all relate?

For many hours I ran into nothing but dead ends at the classified vaults in the Hokage mansion. I made searches in classified computers and checked the safes frequently for hard copy scrolls. Everything surrounding the Uchiha Clan massacre and Itachi was above my level of clearance. I found this odd, as the event is common knowledge within the village, but the case is considered closed and not warranting further review. Records all indicated Itachi had acted alone, and that was all there was too it.

The events surrounding the night the Kyuubi attacked are also closely guarded. There were many accounts of bravery and heroism during the battle with the beast itself, but there was little chronological order to it all, and many details were blanked out with thick black lines. There was also a good deal of general history on Madara Uchiha, but the most personal scrolls were removed and marked with a pink invoice that read, "Under the personal care of the Uchiha clan."

I decided to go back to the beginning and start with what I knew. I now know, without documentation, who Naruto's parents were thanks to his trust in me. I also know that he is the son of the Fourth Hokage, and that it was his choice to seal the Kyuubi inside Naruto. 

Researching the sealing techniques needed to seal a bijuu lead to more "access denied" screens on the computer, so I tried a different approach. I ran a search for medical records from that night. Hospital invoices on supplies used to treat the wounded, types of drugs used; blood donors, and names and numbers of patients were my target. I was looking for the name "Uchiha" to pop up among the lists. None did.

It was like the Uchiha had miraculously escaped any involvement in the attack. Not a single wounded person or even a blood donor had come from their clan. I found this disturbing, but then I saw a name on the lists that made my heart stop for at least three beats. Rin Haruno.

I held my breath as I clicked her name. Several articles came up describing and honoring a fallen hero. I scanned her story quickly, looking for clues to what had happened to her. I had always been told she died trying to tend to those the Kyuubi wounded in the field, but the patient list indicated she had been in the hospital.

It began the day before. The words "Hokage" and "Naruto Uzumaki" caught my eye. I remembered something Ino had been babbling about several weeks ago, just after my birthday, before she got sidetracked again.

"Of course. Everyone knows your aunt Rin was the one who . . .

I thought she was going to say, "gave her life for my father during the battle."

But as I read on, I began to wonder exactly what it was that "everyone knew" that I did not. It could have been a number of things. Like the fact that it was Rin Haruno, who delivered Naruto Uzumaki for Kushina and Minato. The world was suddenly getting much smaller. But the story didn't end there.

On the night of the attack, it was Rin who carried the infant Naruto to a secure location, while Minato carried Kushina, who the article only describes as "the boy's mother", at her request. Rin and Minato had argued against her coming, for she was still in recovery, but Kushina would not be parted with her son. The article ended, and I searched for more by referencing Minato and his final night.

"The Hokage faced the demon on his mighty toad summon," the story read. "while a small group of trusted individuals, which included the infant's godfather, mother, and doctor prepared the sealing technique in an underground room of Konoha's Fire shrine. The demon sensed what was happening, and attacked the shrine. Kushina Uzumaki gave her life in holding a barrier to the shrine while the Hokage completed the sealing technique. The godfather tried to assist her but was knocked unconscious. The others made certain that the infant remained ready to accept the seal. When the technique was completed, only the young infant remained untouched in a half buried room."

I tried to image my aunts last moments, as she hurried to prepare Naruto for the sealing technique. As Kushina and Jiraiya stepped out of the room and went outside to hold off the beast just a moment longer. All of them doing all of this knowing exactly what it would mean for Minato and for Naruto. As Minato completed the seal, and the room collapsed around her . . .

I wiped tears from my eyes with trembling hands.

I wondered how I could ever face my father, but I knew if I was ever to get the whole story, and the truth of that night – If there was ever to be peace between us and my love for Naruto – it would have to be done. And soon.

I tried to push these thoughts aside for now, as my research was far from complete. My curiosity about the Kyuubi itself had been ignited, and I researched the history of its attacks. That's when I stumbled upon the link I had been looking for so many hours.

The last time the Kyuubi had been seen prior to its rampage toward Konoha was in none other than the Valley of the End. My gut told me this was no coincidence. I cross checked the Kyuubi with Madara.

And there it was. Madara was rumored to be able to control the Kyuubi with the Sharingan, but the article, which was a historical account of the final battle between the two founders of Konoha. The article dismissed the ability as a typical embellishment of the truth on such legendary events. Yet, if it were true . . .

Surely, there has to be someone who can tell me if this ability of the Sharingan existed. If anyone would know, I knew Kakshi-sensei would. He's been able to make the Sharingan do things I don't even think Itachi or Sasuke knew of. I'll have to discuss it with my team leader when he returns from wherever it is that Tsunade-sama sent him.

If the "legendary ability of the Sharingan" described in this classified article were true, and Madara were still alive somehow, then Sasuke's scribbles would logically mean the massacre of the Uchiha and the Kyuubi's assault were related somehow. The total lack of Uchiha involvement in the Kyuubi attack gave me a sinking feeling on the matter. It was a shame that the best person to ask was one of our worst enemies, and was now dead.

Itachi is the link. He has to be, I just need to figure out how.

If Itachi had learned how to control the Kyuubi with his level of Sharingan, it may be that he wanted Naruto for himself instead of for the good of the Akatsuki. Perhaps he was even helping Madara. Whatever this so called Madara is planning, I'm certain it involves the Kyuubi, and if Sasuke is willing to help Madara in Itachi's place . . .

Everything just always seems to lead back to Naruto. They'll be after him again soon, I know it. This time, Sasuke might even be with them. I must be ready to protect them both.

From the Training Journal of Haruno Sakura, 21 April 112th Year of the Leaf

Training ground three. Where everything that is important to me now all began. I wonder if Kurenai-sensei called us to this place on purpose. She was already waiting for me when I arrived, and had laid out a blanket and what looked like a breakfast near one of the old tree-stumps. She was sitting cross-legged on the snow-white blanket, meditating. She had a white, portable bassinet set up near her, and I realized with a surprise that she had brought her daughter, Kimiko with her.

Before I could ask, Kurenai-sensei took a deep breath, opened her eyes, and greeted me with a warm smile.

"Sakura," she said. "Good morning. Come, sit with me and have some tea. It's a bit chilly for an April morning, don't you think?"

The baby began to stir and make small cooing noises at the sound of her mother's voice. I had not yet met the infant, and I peered curiously into the bassinet before sitting down. She was beautiful. She already had soft dark hair, and her features looked so much like Asuma sensei. I couldn't help but smile as the baby began to whimper a little. Kurenai held a bottle and shook some milk onto her wrist to test the warmth.

"Please excuse us," Kurenai said. "The entire Nara clan is on assignment at the moment. Maybe you've heard of their mission."

I hadn't heard. I shook my head, and Kurenai shrugged as she switched to a high pitched girlish baby talk. I suddenly felt very awkward.

"Oh well, its not important. Isn't dat right, Kumi-wumi? You're going to stay with mummy while she trains Sakura, cuz Uncle Shikie isn't here. Do you wanna help?"

Kurenai scooped up the baby and sat down with her, then fed her the bottle.

"Go ahead and pour yourself some tea, Sakura, and I'll explain the next phase of your training."

I carefully poured some enticing smelling green tea from the thermos into a plastic, camping style cup, and took a sip. It was warm and refreshing. Still holding the baby with one arm, and holding the bottle between her chin and chest, Kurenai began laying out items in front of us on the blanket: A flute, a harmonica, a small satchel bag, a ring, a gold necklace, a feather, a tiny spherical bell on a chain that was just like the ones we used to try and get from Kakashi-sensei, and a small mirror.

"What are these for?" I asked.

"These," Kurenai said, "Are connection tools. You'll need to choose your primary sense for your connection method, though eventually you should become proficient at them all."

"I see," I told her with an enthusiastic nod. "I can choose whatever I like?"

"No," Kurenai said seriously. "You're primary method depends on your talent. The rest of the time . . ."

I squealed in surprise as tree roots snaked their way out of the ground to bind my arms to my side. The ground opened up behind me, and the roots began to drag me underground. I tired desperately to find my anchor, to become the swirl of Sakura blossoms that had given me such strength the day before. But I couldn't find Kurenai-sensei's mind anywhere. It was as if she had never connected to me. I couldn't release the genjustu either. The speed and timing had simply overwhelmed me.

Just before the earth closed around me I heard Kurenai's voice say. ". . .depends on the situation."

I awoke from darkness a little later still feeling out of breath. I shook my head and half expected dirt to pour from my ears, but I was sitting just as comfortably under the sun as I had been a moment before, and Kurenai was cooing and making sweet little noises at her precious baby wrapped snugly in a lavender blanket.

"Sensei!" I whined. "What was that for?"

"What was what for?" the happy mother before me said innocently.

"You just put me under a genjustu!" I growled impatiently, folding my arms across my chest. "How? I didn't even feel it coming."

"Exactly," said Kurenai.

"Huh?"

She was doing it again; being all cryptic. I had hoped we were past that phase.

"Sakura, up until now you've been training in a controlled environment. Do you expect it to always be that way?"

"Of course not," I said. "But . . ."

"But this is essential, Sakura. The key to genjustu isn't power or technique, its subtlety and imagination. You must, I repeat must catch your enemy unawares and put them off balance. Do you know how I connected to you just now? Think about it for just a moment."

I thought hard about all five senses. I didn't think it was visual, unless she had used the baby bottle somehow. The answer came to me quicker than I realized. Kurenai hadn't had any of what she served, just like someone trying to poison the other, but in this case . . .

"The tea," I said. "You used taste."

Kurenai gave me her little approving nod that I've grown accustomed to.

"It was a rare opportunity to connect that way, yes," she said.

She stood and placed the baby in the bassinet, and the child immediately began to cry. Though she was full, I imagined the poor thing was more comfortable in her mother's arms.

"Now," said the proud mother. "You're going to practice connecting, on Kimiko here. See if you can use a little genjustu to lull her to sleep."

"Sensei!" I protested in shock. "I . . .she's just a baby."

"And?" Kurenai asked as if I should have some bigger point.

"B-But . . . she's your baby, and I've never . . ."

My teacher sighed as if I she was annoyed with me, when I felt she should have been thankful I was looking out for her child.

"Sakura, the mind of an infant is pure and the memories are small. They are easiest to connect with, and you will become familiar with the process while at the same time be welcomed into a purely uncorrupted mind."

"But, your own . . ."

"And ," Kurenai said, "I trust you, Sakura."

Of course she trusted me. I had always felt that trust, and it was mutual. But to trust me with her child, her world, Asuma's legacy and the legacy of the Third Hokage, the level of it all was overwhelming to me, but simple to Kurenai. I almost teared up, but Kurenai set me right to business.

"Start with touch," she said before I could get too emotional on her. "Make dragon, lion, tree, and river signs, and then apply light touch with both hands to the sides of her head. It's a simple method. On the next attempt, try infusing some of the tools here with your chakra. Eventually, you should be able to connect without signs. Just practice connecting and disconnecting for abut five or six times, then on the seventh, try and lull her to sleep. I'll be watching, but it's only to 

help you choose your primary connection. After she's asleep we should have company soon, and we'll move right into the next phase of your training today."

It took me the better part of the morning to make seven connections, and another half hour to actually get Kimiko to fall asleep. Making a connection as easy enough, but making a connection too forcefully and not having the young child reject me was much harder than I thought it would be. I had no idea how to play a flute or a harmonica, but I could ring a bell. But it reminded me of that girl Shikamaru fought in the Chunin exams all those years ago, and I jest felt uncomfortable with it.

The satchel bag was full of fragrances. Some were foul, and some made my airways tingle with giddiness. It was those that I connected with the easiest, and it was with the mixed floral scent that I finally helped a squirming and whining baby into her afternoon nap. It was easy, once I thought about it. All I had to do was leave her with the impression of being in her mother's arms and then cycle the chakra. This allowed the illusion to continue even after I broke the connection. When she woke up, the illusion would fade.

I wasn't surprised when Kurenai handed me the satchel bag.

"I suspected ad much before we began, but I had to be sure." Kurenai told me.

"Suspected what, sensei?" I asked.

"You connect best with scent. It's in your nature. It must be all that time in the flower shop with Ino, I suppose."

I wiped sweat from my forehead. It was getting warmer outside.

Kurenai turned and looked over her shoulder at nothing in particular.

"Ah! Good timing Sakura." My teacher said. "They're here."

"Uh, who's here?"

"You're training partners, of course."

Three whooshes and three light crunches on the ground announced their arrival. When I saw them, I wasn't sure if I should laugh or pout. Of all the training partners, of all the Genin that I could have started with, it had to be them. A Kid with scraggly hair and round glasses sniffled at me. A girl with bright orange hair and too much makeup on her rosy cheeks beamed at me. And a dark-haired boy with a grin even wider than Naruto's leered at me.

It was Konohamaru and his two teammates, Udon and Moegi.

"Oh, great." I said with minimal enthusiasm.

"Heya, Sakura-chan!" Konohamaru bellowed. "Woah, looken sexy in the new threads! Hey, hey, you think Boss Naruto would like to see how well they come o-"

Konohamaru got a lump on his head before he could finish his sentence. I hope he learned his lesson.

"Let's begin please," Kurenai said with a small laugh. "Konohamaru, be sure to thank Ebisu-sensei again for letting you help us out today.

"Sakura," Kurenai began explaining. "Team Ebisu here will one at a time try and get past you to the end of the training ground half a mile away. They may use any methods necessary, but you may only use your new techniques. I'm starting you off with the Genin we had available, but eventually you'll move on to dealing with more than one opponent at a time, and finally onto more experienced opponents. Complete enough of these training rounds successfully, and we'll move on to the final phase of your training."

I bowed. I noticed Kurenai had not mentioned I would be using genjustu. This way, my targets would not know what to expect, at least the first time. I vowed that none would get by me. I didn't have the time to lose.