Karin and Sakura stepped into the Tsuchikage's office at precisely 12:06 p.m. Due to a bout of morning sickness, Sakura had been unable to travel as early as she had desired. Karin had noted that Sakura had been impatient during their three-hour journey, but now that she was finally at her destination, her chakra had calmed into a state of relaxation. Karin looked around the office. It was a large room, with several stone statues of the former tsuchikages standing proudly. The room was draped in silver and red fabrics, with a few yellow accents mixed in. It was luxurious, but in a very sturdy, almost handsome way. Standing staring out of the large window that looked down upon Iwagakure was a dark-haired kunoichi with. She turned around upon hearing the door open.
"Ah, Sakura!" The woman, who could only be the Tsuchikage, exclaimed. "It's been a long time."
"Tsuchikage-sama," Sakura greeted a woman sitting behind a desk. "It has been a very long time. You look well!"
Sakura was right. Kurotsuchi was a lovely young woman with large charcoal eyes and black pixie-cut hair. Her scarlet one-sleeved dress fit her curvy body perfectly as though it was made for her. She radiated confidence and boldness, exuding the fact that she knew she was made to hold a position of power.
"This is my friend, Uzumaki Karin." Sakura introduced, pulling Karin from her reverie. Karin gave her a slight bow, feeling awkward. She knew it was proper protocol, but it still felt odd to show anyone that kind of respect besides Orochimaru.
"Ah! An Uzumaki, huh?" Kurotsuchi said, her hand holding her chin as if considering Karin's existence. "You just can't get rid of 'em, huh Sakura?" The kunoichi threw her head back and laughed.
"What can I say? They're wonderful people," Sakura jokingly returned. While she playfully returned the tsuchikage's banter, she also began to consider Karin's heritage. She knew that Karin was an Uzumaki, but never gave the fact that she was related to Naruto much thought. Sakura made a mental note to discuss it with Karin later.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Karin." Kurotsuchi turned to her. "A friend of Sakura's must be a friend of mine."
"Likewise," Karin gave her a small, but did not say more.
"As much as I wish for this to just be a visit of pleasantries, unfortunately we have some important matters to discuss." Sakura told Kurotsuchi.
"Ah, yes, the criminals," Kurotsuchi sighed. "Why don't you tell me in depth what happened."
As Sakura launched into an explanation of Sasuke's mission and the encounter with the criminals, Karin listened, and interjected when necessary. As Sakura finished the story, Kurotsuchi was silent for a moment.
"I know Sasuke's safety isn't necessarily a concern for Iwa," Sakura said after a pregnant pause. "But the document he is trying to recover definitely is. And the way these criminals were talking about their boss, Goda, it seems he has a monopoly on crime in the Land of Earth. These men could help us find Sasuke while helping you cut down on crime in your homeland."
"This is definitely an issue that cannot be overlooked," Kurotsuchi said. "And not only because innocent people's safety could be at state. If this scroll is really so important that all the Kage must see it, then it has to be found at all costs. I was just instated as the Tsuchikage six months ago. I have to prove to my people and the other Kage that they can indeed trust me. I will send the prisoners to the interrogation room immediately."
"They won't actually be awake until around 6 o'clock tonight," Karin interjected. "The perfume I used to knock them out usually only lasts for twenty-four hours. However, these men were slightly intoxicated, meaning it lasts for twenty-six to twenty-seven hours. Unless they have a very high constitution and recovery rate, they still have about 5 more hours of sleep."
Kurotsuchi sighed, but her face quickly turned to a smile. "That's fine. I'm sure that Sasuke is handling these men well, and that there is no reason why we have to interrogate them right now. I will wait until they awaken before having my shinobi extract information." The tsuchikage paused, observing the two women before her. They looked exhausted. Sakura, who usually would be fine in her normal shinobi attire, was sporting an incredibly thick crimson cloak, which uncharacteristically consumed her small frame. She was oddly glowing, but her back was slightly hunched over. Karin had dark circles under her eyes, indicating she hadn't slept well, and her clothing looked mussed up. "In the meantime, you two look like you could use some serious rest. There's a hot springs resort a few blocks away. I suggest you stay there. I will summon you as soon as we receive information, and then we can discuss our next move."
"Thank you, Tsuchikage-sama!" Sakura said, a lovely smile gracing her delicate features. While she couldn't use the hot springs, Sakura was glad for the opportunity to shower in privacy and sleep in a warm bed.
"Thank you," Karin echoed. She was going to soak in the hot springs for hours, until her body felt relaxed and her mind was at peace.
"You are now here as my guests, and will be treated as such." Kurotsuchi replied, a kind smile on her face. "Now, go get some rest. You've been traveling far too long. Souma will show you the way."
A boy no more than fourteen with long black hair tied back in a ponytail walked into the room. His kind green eyes smiled at them, and he bowed. "Hello. I am Araki Souma. I will be escorting you around Iwagakure."
"Hello, Souma. I'm Uchiha Sakura." The pink-haired woman said with a smile.
"Uzumaki Karin," Karin said with a nod.
"Souma is a chunin, so you'll be in capable hands. If you need anything, he will be there to help."
The two women gave the Tsuchikage a bow and another round of "thank you" before following Souma out of the office.
"How do you know her so well, Sakura?" Karin asked as soon as she left. The tsuchikage and her had been cordial with each other in a way that made it seem like they were lifelong friends.
"We fought together during the war," Sakura said, slowly considering her words. "It's not that we have had many chances to meet since then, or that we've even gone shopping or had dinner together. But when you're out there on a battlefield, not knowing whether you're going to live to see the next day…the comrades you make in those moments are ones that will stick with you for life. We were fighting for the same future, and now, we have a bond based around that ideal. Because of that, we will support and provide for each other. We lost too many comrades before. We don't want to lose more."
When Sakura said no more, Karin began to contemplate. Sakura had a bond with Kurotsuchi, but it was different from their bond. It wasn't formed around companionship or lightheartedness. It had been formed on the basis that they were working together to protect the world around them. A friendship had blossomed on comradery rather than friendliness. It was interesting for Karin to consider.
"They have a bond consisting of female friendship," Karin considered mentally. "But it's not the same as ours. So not all female friendships are the same. No bonds is the same. Hm."
"Souma?" The sound of Sakura calling their guide's name pulled her from her thoughts. "Could we possibly visit a clothing store before we reach the inn?"
"Can I ask why, Sakura-sama?" Souma said, surprise in his eyes. These women looked like they were about to drop of exhaustion. Did the two pretty kunoichi really want to shop at this time?
"Well, you see…" Sakura began. "You see…I'm five months pregnant and my clothes are getting too tight around my stomach." Sakura hung her head a little. She hadn't wanted to make it so obvious that her clothes were too small, but she had no other choice.
"Oh! O-of course, Sakura-sama!" Souma stammered, his cheeks turning bright red at the thought of the beautiful kunoichi carrying a child within her. An Uchiha, nonetheless. He decided he had better take extra care of her, or face the rath of the infamous war hero, Uchiha Sasuke. "Actually, if you want, I could have some new clothes delivered directly to your door. We could place an order at Kurotsuchi's favorite tailor, and they would be ready in about an hour."
"Ah, that sounds wonderful! Please, take us there. Karin needs some new clothes as well." Sakura gushed.
"New clothes?" Karin said before looking down at herself. She hadn't really looked at herself in a long time. Her dress was torn in a few spots, parts of her leggings had large holes, and her left sleeve had a small burn mark on it.
"I suppose I do," Karin begrudgingly said aloud to Sakura, allowing her to drag her after Souma into a tailor two doors down from the Tsuchikage's tower.
"What the hell are you doing?" Iwasa Goda yelled as his two guards went crumbling to the ground. The lecherous man took the cigarette from his mouth and threw it on the ground as the three Konoha ninja approached him in his office. Goda had been attempting to unlock the same scroll unsuccessfully when these damned shinobi barged in and took out his guards. How the hell had they escaped from their cells?
The man dressed totally in black with red and purple eyes took one look at him before ordering "Restrain him." The other two shinobi approached Goda faster than he anticipated, and he found his hands were tied with chakra-laced rope.
"Screw you, Uchiha!" Goda yelled, instantly overcome with anger. This one man, who had been captured the day before, had somehow escaped his cell, rescued his friends, and probably taken down every thug in his path on his way to Goda. "You're ruining everything!"
"Hn," was all Sasuke replied before appearing directly in front of Goda. The crime lord looked up, directly into Sasuke's strange eyes.
That was his biggest mistake. Immediately, the man felt as though he was on fire. He was burning, and could not find water. No one was around, and no one could help him. He was all alone, burning inside his own office. And then it all went black.
"Did you use a genjutsu on him?" The ninja with sunglasses asked Sasuke. Aoba adjusted his glasses and looked closer at Goda, examining the man's limp body and glassy eyes.
"Yes," Sasuke said. "Grab the scroll." He motioned to the ninja was a scar trailing from his nose across his left cheek. Raido nodded, and tucked the scroll in his pocket. He then moved with Aoba to lift Goda up so they could carry him.
"How far away from Iwa are we, Sasuke?" Raido asked.
"Hn. About 66 miles away." Was Sasuke's curt reply. "We'll fly there in Susanoo."
With that, Sasuke activated his Susanoo, safely trapping Raido, Aoba, and Goda inside. The two conscious ninja gaped open-mouthed at the chakra surrounding them.
"You are truly a genius, Sasuke," Aoba said to him. Sasuke remained silent, and after breaking through the thin walls of the hideout they were in, the group began their flight to Iwa.
Sakura sighed contently and stretched out her arms while sitting in a warm bath. After taking a short nap and having a hot meal at the inn, her clothes had been delivered. At the shop she had picked a style she liked and gotten her measurements taken before the tailor had gotten to work making adjustments on the garment Sakura had chosen, and even added the Uchiha clan's symbol on the back. Karin's clothes had been delivered to her room next door, but Sakura was sure the Uzumaki woman was currently lounging in an indoor hot spring downstairs. Since Sakura could not participate with her, she had instead chosen to soak in a bath that was just the right temperature for the pregnant woman. She felt truly clean for the first time in months, and contentedly pat her belly.
"You haven't even been born yet and I already know you'll like baths, just like me." Sakura chattered to her unborn child. "Your papa used to prefer showers, but I've convinced him that baths are enjoyable, too." Sakura began to giggle to herself, thinking of exactly how Sakura had convinced Sasuke that baths were enjoyable.
After a few more minutes of soaking, Sakura began to wash. She then soaked for a few more minutes before lifting herself from the bathtub, grabbing a towel, and wrapping it around her swollen form as much as it would go. She went and dressed in her new clothes, which fit her perfectly, before brushing and drying her wet hair. She styled it for the first time in months, and even put on a small amount of perfume that Karin had given her.
"This perfume should be healthy for the baby," she had said. "It's meant to increase relaxation and thoughtfulness. That's why the base is water rather than alcohol."
The perfume smelled of lavender and sakura blossoms, a combination that somehow worked. Not being big on makeup, the pink haired woman chose to avoid it altogether. Sakura turned to look at herself in the mirror. Her new red dress fell to her mid-thigh and she work white calf-length leggings underneath. Her sleeves fell to her elbows, and her qipao collar was held in place by a small white button. The dress came in right under her growing breasts before flaring out slightly, flattering her body and making her baby bump appear endearing. Her hair curled under her chin, and she had replaced her forehead protector with a red headband. Sakura felt happy with her appearance for the first time in months. She wondered what Sasuke would think of her appearance, especially since he hadn't seen her since she started showing.
"Would you like how I look, Sasuke?" She wondered aloud. Sakura turned slightly in the mirror so she could see the Uchiha crest at her back. She smiled, knowing that Sasuke loved seeing his family's crest on her. "I think you would."
Sakura was torn away from the mirror by a swift knock on her door. She opened to see Karin in front of her, looking refreshed and, surprisingly, chipper. Her form was now sporting a new purple dress with loose butterfly sleeves that reached her elbow and an under-layer of tight black sleeves that went to her wrist. The collar of her dress was tied together by a small black ribbon. There was a diamond shaped cutout on either side of her waist wear the same sheer black material of the undersleeves was seen. The dress reached mid-thigh, and she sported lavender leggings that reached her just above knees below it. She had opted to get new boots as well, and they reached the bottom of her knees. Rather than a bun, the top half of her hair was pulled into a fishtail braid. She looked lovely.
"Karin, you look wonderful!" Sakura gushed. Karin blushed a little. She obviously wasn't used to praise.
"I came to get you." Karin said, ignoring the compliment. "Souma is going to show us around Iwa."
Sakura smiled and nodded before grabbing the new cloak that had been delivered. It was a lovely shade of dark rose, and even had the small Uchiha fan on the back. While Sakura usually preferred a jacket to a cloak in the winter season, she had found that during her pregnancy it felt too confining. She donned the cloak and tied the small crimson ribbon at the collar before following Karin out into the hall, down the stairs, and into the streets of Iwagakure. Souma was waiting outside for them, and bowed slightly before greeting them. The three departed and began touring around Iwa. All around them were bustling crowds of families and friends, looking around markets and dining together. Some were shopping for accessories and baubles, while others were simply enjoying the company of their companions.
While the stone city did not resemble Konoha, the people reminded Sakura of her hometown, and she felt a longing in her heart to be back where she belonged. She missed her pervy sensei-turned-hokage, both of her loudmouth blonde bestfriends, and their much calmer dark-haired lovers. She missed her drunken mentor, her ever-worried companion, and her tiny little pig. She missed her warm home, her little garden where she could make anything grow, and most of all, she missed her husband. She wished they were home together.
"Sakura?" Karin asked, pulling the rose-haired woman from her reverie. "Sakura? Do you want some dumplings?" Karin gestured towards the stand. "I swear, it's like you haven't been paying attention to a word I've said! What's going through your head?" Karin teased her. She really was feeling lighthearted. She had experienced a hot spring soak for the first time in a very long time, and it had put her in a jovial state that she couldn't recall having before.
"Ah, nothing. I was just thinking about Konoha. And yes, I would love some dumplings!" Sakura smiled at her. The trio moved to the stand, bought their dumplings, and went to sit at a table. Karin was quiet for a moment before deciding something.
"Would you like to talk about Konoha, Sakura?" Karin asked. Not only was she curious about Sakura's thoughts now that they were friends, but she also hoped to learn more about the different bonds Sakura had.
Sakura beamed at her. She hadn't really talked about Konoha because she wasn't sure if Karin would show any interest. Now that she did, Sakura jumped at the offer. "I'd love to! What would you like to know?"
"Well, what were you just thinking about it?" Karin prompted.
Sakura sighed for a moment, before delving into her feelings. "I was thinking about how much I miss everyone. Kakashi-sensei, Naruto, Ino, Hinata, Sai, Tsunade-sama, Shizune, and even Tonton. I hope Ino's been watering my garden so that all my flowers don't die. I hope Sai hasn't been giving her too much of a hard time in their marriage. He doesn't really have any knowledge of how to interact with people, and while he loves Ino, sometimes he doesn't always say the right thing, so Ino's working on it with him. There have been numerous days where Sai has sported a black eye after telling Ino the wrong thing." Sakura giggled at the thought. Sai would often come to her and ask her to heal him, and Sakura would give him advice about Ino. "I wonder if Kakashi-sensei is ever going to stop reading his damned Icha Icha books. The hokage shouldn't be reading that filth while on the job. I wonder how much money Tsunade has lost recently, and how well Shizune is doing at the hospital without me." Sakura paused, and proceeded fighting back tears. "I wonder if Hinata and Naruto are doing alright. Their baby was due in November. I wonder if it was a boy or girl, what they named it, and how they're adjusting to parenthood. I wanted to be the one to deliver the baby, but unfortunately, I had to leave a month before Hinata was due. Naruto was probably a mess during labor." Sakura paused, cackling to herself as tears spilled. Naruto, as powerful as he may be, simply could not take it when Hinata was in pain, and would freak out if she so much as cut her finger.
"You have a lot of bonds, Sakura." Karin said thoughtfully. "I'm sure they all miss you too."
Sakura wiped her tears and smiled. "They'd better miss me...shanaroo…". Karin smiled at the sound of Sakura's now-familiar verbal tic. "If it weren't for Hinata being pregnant, I'm sure Naruto would have discovered by now that I'm pregnant and come after me." Sakura felt a pang of guilt when she realized that other than Karin and Souma, only Kakashi and Tsunade knew that she was pregnant. Naruto would blow up when he found out that his two best friends had hid their pregnancy from him. She was certain he would give them the silent treatment for a few days.
"To be fair Naruto, Sasuke doesn't even know yet," Sakura thought.
Thinking about Naruto made Sakura remember her earlier mental note to discuss the blonde troublemaker with Karin.
"By the way, Karin, I meant to ask you something earlier."
Karin chewed and swallowed the dumpling in her mouth before saying "What was it?"
"Have you ever considered that you and Naruto are related?" Sakura blurted out. "I just mean, you're both from the Uzumaki clan. Do you have any idea how you're connected?"
Karin thought for a moment before responding. "I've actually discussed this with Orochimaru. I don't remember anything before being in Kusagakure with my mother, who didn't really talk about her family. It was just the two of us. I have no idea how Naruto's mother, Kushina, is related to us. He could be anything from my first cousin to my fourth. There's no denying that we share the same name and bloodline. How close in structure our DNA is, however, has not been determined. I'm sure we could figure it out if we wanted to. Orochimaru has the equipment. We would just feel a need to do it, which I currently don't."
As Karin finished speaking, Sakura swallowed a dumpling. "But you two are definitely related! It's just interesting to think about the fact that despite losing his parents and not knowing you very well, you're still part of his family. Whether you speak or not, you two have a bond." Sakura paused and began snickering. "You have similar tempers too."
Karin thought for a moment. "A bond? With Naruto?".
"I guess I never thought of that," Karin quietly said. "A family. Even if we're not close…he's still family." Karin smiled. She really wasn't alone as she thought.
"C'mon, let's go shop around some," Souma interjected, standing and smiling. The two women were growing very thoughtful, and he wanted to keep them perked up. They were guests of Iwa, and the man was frightened at the prospect of the head of the Uchiha clan thinking he kept his wife upset. The kunoichi were receptive to his suggestion, and got on their feet immediately.
"I've heard Iwa has some of the most beautiful jewelry in the world!" Sakura stated.
"It's true," Souma said with a smile. "The Land of Earth is rich with minerals and gems."
The group shopped around for a few hours before the sun began to dwindle in the sky. It was getting late, and Sakura was getting hungry. The trio was about to head back to the inn when a kunoichi appeared in from of Souma.
"Tsuchikage-sama has summoned you three," the blonde said. "Please get to her office immediately."
"Thank you, Sen." Souma said, before motioning to his companions. "Follow me, please." The blonde kunoichi disappeared as they began to walk ahead. They reached the Tsuchikage's office in no time, and were quickly ushered in by Souma. It seemed Kurotsuchi didn't like to be kept waiting.
"Ah, hello ladies." The tsuchikage said as they entered. Sakura and Karin both gave her a slight bow of respect. "You look well-rested and refreshed."
"Yes, thank you Tsuchikage-sama," Sakura thanked her earnestly. Karin nodded next to her.
"I've summoned you because my interrogation unit has just finished picking the minds of the three shinobi men. It seems the one called Kiki was the leader of the trio, and they were carrying stolen weapons on them. They were making their way to a small village to the south of here in order to sell the weapons for twice their worth. We have confiscated the items, and intend on returning them back to their rightful owners. We've also learned that Iwasa Goda is a crime lord with a heavy control over all the black market dealings that occur in the Land of Earth. Illegal drugs, weapons, medicines, and stolen goods have passed from hand to hand under his control. He uses low-level shinobi and average thugs to do his dirty work. Luckily, after reading their minds, we have pinpointed his exact location, and we fully intend on sending several teams of skilled shinobi after him. It seems we are dealing with a dangerous criminal, and if he has his hands on Kakashi's scroll, then it could only be used to hurt us. Our teams are preparing as we speak."
At this, the door swung open and a bright voice that Sakura recognized spoke "Don't even bother."
Sakura gasped "Aoba?" as she spun around. Her heart stopped immediately. If she payed attention, she would have seen Aoba and Raido carrying a seemingly unconscious man. The man was filthy, and reeked of cigarettes and booze. If she payed attention, she would have seen that the man's eyes were glassed over as though he was in a genjutsu. And if she noticed, she would have heard Karin and the Tsuchikage both gasping behind her.
But she didn't.
Instead, she was focused on the man bringing up the rear. A graceful, tantalizing man with raven-black hair and onyx colored eyes set into a face that she knew better than her own. His tall, muscular form was open for her to see, as his cloak was tossed behind him. His right hand rested lazily on Kusanagi. His incredibly handsome face twisted from a look of apathy to one of pure shock as he laid his eyes on her. His eyes seemed to ask her what she was doing, and both shock and worry flashed through them.
"…Sakura?" His velvety voice said slowly.
"Sasuke-kun," Sakura breathed, relishing in his beautiful presence.
"Why are you here?" Sasuke said, scowling. She wasn't wearing mission gear. "There's no reason for you to be outside of Konoha."
She took a very deep breath.
And then, forgetting that there were other people in the room, the very pregnant and temperamental Uchiha Sakura lost her temper with her husband.