vindication | noun | vin·di·ca·tion | proof that something or someone is right, reasonable, or justified | the act of clearing someone from blame or suspicion
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Her ANBU guard is around her embarrassingly often. Sure, Sakura understands that it is for her own safety and all that mumbo jumbo, but the lengths that they go to is more than just a bit ridiculous. They insist on staying within the office at all times, sometimes hidden, sometimes not, even through the most mundane activities. How they don't get bored, she'll never know.
It gets worse at night, when she goes home after a long day and just wants to relax and sleep for as long as she is able to. They accompany her, barely giving her privacy when she is bathing or changing. Seriously, do they ever sleep?
And if she really feels like complaining, she will bring up the fact that she does not, in fact, need five guards as opposed to the usual three or four. But they will have it absolutely no other way because Team Seven is a fucking family and hell if the Hokage is going to be the one to tear them apart.
She supposes that they one good thing is that they're awfully good company. She hardly feels lonely when they are around and if she needs a good distraction, she just has to call one of them by their animal face masks and they will indulge her. Technically, the ANBU know they really are not to speak on the job, but Sakura knows they are never able to say no to her.
If anything, Team Seven spoils her more now than they ever have. If she is feeling particularly stressed, she may find a plate of dango appear on top of her paperwork. Anyone who barges into her office to annoy her is promptly found in an alley with a broken wrist and sprained shoulder.
They always find a way to protect her.
Sakura rips another letter from some irrelevant noble, containing demands for Sasuke Uchiha's execution and a very unconvincing threat that the noble's army will carry it out if she does not comply. She throws the shredded remains in the trash, along with several other decidedly unimportant documents.
Little do the other members of Team Seven know that she protects them just as well.
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Sakura never calls them by their real names while they are on duty. Well, sometimes she slips up or has a reason for it, but this is rare. It is not because she simply wants to, it is out of duty and respect for their esteemed position. Or something equally as pretentious along those lines.
All she knows is she will be in a lot of trouble if certain people hear her call them by their names and reveal their identities. After all, the identity behind the mask is supposed to be a secret to all except a mere handful of people. Additionally, Sakura also knows that there might be some sort of public outcry if it is revealed that the Hokage's Personal Guard is none other than the rest of Team Seven themselves. No doubt they will accuse her of using her title to bring her friends up the ranks with her.
Which is dumb. Because really, who would be more competent than the people who are already overprotective of her? They are all impressive shinobi in their own right as well and anyone who spouted nonsense about her teammates being too "emotionally attached" to do their jobs can shoves their complaints right up their asses.
Seriously, the Council can just stuff it for once. When Sakura slips up for the first time in front of them, Homura is quick to scold her, citing reason upon reason why such a thing is both a "disgusting lack of respect" and a "complete disregard for authority".
She notes that as Hokage she is, perhaps, the highest authority. Really, she knows that they do not approve of her holding the title she has, but would it really hurt to give her just a hint of respect? Or even pretend like they don't thoroughly and completely hate her guts?
Sakura decides can either disregard them and not make any sort of effort or try her best to never let it happen again. Apparently, she is a masochist because she chooses the latter because she doesn't think she can handle yet another lecture from any of them. Besides, they already think she can't do it and this is just another opportunity to spite them.
So she sticks to her decision, even in private, because the Council would probably hear about it in some way. They have ears like that.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto (er, she means Monkey) screams as he enters her office through the window, "We brought lunch and I promise it's not ramen! See? Dango, just like you asked." Proudly, he holds the plastic bag inches from her face.
"Thank you, Monkey, I appreciate it."
He does a double take, staring at her through his mask with wide eyes before looking around the room, a confused look on his face as if he is missing something. "There's not, like, someone hiding is there?" he asks, scratching his cheek nervously, "Because you only call me that when we're in front of people and I'm on duty."
"Oh no, Homura-san and I had a pleasant talk about how I must call my personal guard by their codenames because otherwise I would be doing a larger huge disservice to this village than I already do by being Hokage." Her lips are curled in a tight, strained smile and the vein on her forehead bulges. The pen in her hands threatens to snap in half.
"I-I'm sure they mean nothing by it, Sak-Hokage-sama." Hawk (not Yamato!) says, trying his best to placate her, "But the Elders aren't here right now, so it should be fine."
"You know damn well that after that lecture, they're going to be looking extra hard for any slip ups. At least for a while." She shakes her head. "Look, I'm just going to have to deal with it," Sakura sighs, leaning back into the cushion of her seat and crossing her arms, "And now I'm asking you to try your best too. For me?"
And while Sakura certainly holds up her decision with sheer determination and thinly veiled anger, they are not as motivated as she is. She is only able to relish them calling her "Hokage-sama" for a week before they slip back into informalities.
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Sometimes they switch masks just for the hell of it. Or just to piss her off, which is the same thing in their books.
"Lion, can you come here?" Sakura asks, not looking up from her work. There is a small shifting sound and he appears in front of her. Her eyes narrow, but the pen against the paper does not stop moving. "I said Lion, not Monkey, dumbass."
"I am Lion," comes the muffled voice behind the mask.
She looks up, unimpressed. "Switch back or I swear to Kami I'll send both of you in a diplomatic envoy to Iwa for the next three months. Lion, what's the hold up? Get your ass out here."
"Sakura-chan, you're no fun," Monkey whines, unclipping the painted porcelain to trade with the other ANBU who has just appeared, "And I can do everything Sai can! I'm going crazy not getting to do anything."
"You're not supposed to take off your mask in public, dickless," Lion remarks, though he is doing the very same. Soon they have their appropriate disguises in place.
"Because I need Lion, and not Monkey, to send a message with his little ink rats, so unless you magically gained the ability to do that, you're shit out of luck." She hands Lion the scroll and flicks his nose when he tries to read it. "Hey! Very confidential information in there, get it to Ino as soon as you can."
With a nod, Lion disappears, but Monkey is still in the room standing in front of her desk. Sakura raises a single eyebrow and he simply stares back at her. Somehow, even though there is no way to see it, she knows the pleading expression that he is giving her right now.
"Alright, alright," she finally relents, pulling open the top right drawer of her desk, "I'll get you something to do if you stop complaining."
He cheers, throwing a fist into the air in triumph and taking the scroll as soon as she presents it to him. He is gone within moments, not even bothering to look over the details of the mission she has chosen for him.
The captain of her guard appears in the room, quietly taking a position to her left. "You spoil him, you know."
Sakura smiles and picks up her pen to start up her work again. "Shut up, Boar."
He chuckles and leans against the wall.
"Besides, I gave him guard duty."
"I always knew you were my favorite."
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"If you fight with my political guests again, I will not hesitate in dismissing you," Sakura fumes, nails digging into the palms of her hands as she resists the urge to plant her fist in his face and break that stupid mask of his. Maybe even break his nose while she's at it. You know, just to teach him a lesson.
Sheep crosses his arms and the eyes that stare down at her through the slits are as defiant as ever. "Regardless of his status, Takahara was portraying himself in an unfavorable light and I took it upon myself to rectify the situation. Besides, he didn't even know it was me."
"Sasuke, I will not repeat myself. Unfortunately for you, being part of the Hokage's guard includes playing nice with some people you won't like because you represent my and my name," she says, making a point to use his real name.
He stiffens slightly in response because there is another ANBU team in the room and he distinctly remembers her tirade about her recent spat with the Council over codenames. She has not slipped since then.
Still feeling as if her point has not come across, she adds, "I know there is a very willing Rabbit who can take your place if you don't feel like listening."
Rabbit is Neji, who has recently been made Captain of his ANBU squad. It is a sore spot for Sheep and she knows it. To be replaced is bad enough, but to be replaced by a Hyuuga is even worse. With a very overexaggerated groan, Sheep bows his head. "I'm sorry for my actions, Hokage-sama."
It doesn't sound very sincere, but Sakura knows it is the best she will get out of him. And he even has the courtesy to use her title. "Apology accepted." She ruffles his hair in a very Kakashi-like manner and smirks when she can practically see the scowl on his face. "Actually, apology will be accepted if you get me some ice cream. It's just the perfect weather for it!"
He mumbles something under his breath.
"And you will be temporarily assigned to Takahara-sama's own security force to escort him around the village for the duration of his stay."
"Dammit, Sakura!"
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"I hate you," Sakura whispers, "Don't you ever scare me like that again." She bites her lips and continues to heal them, taking care of their remaining wounds with relative ease. The deep gashes and broken bones seem to melt away as she works over them. They are in much better condition now than when they first arrived, now relaxing on her floor with their masks pulled to the side of their faces.
Sitting with his legs crossed, Hawk tries to laugh, but coughs up blood instead. "Yes, Hokage-sama," he chokes out, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He grimaces and quickly wipes his hand off on his already bloodied shirt.
Boar is lying on his back next to him, holding a bright orange book over his face and pretending like he was not just bleeding out moments before. "Yes, Hokage-sama," he repeats, a bit delayed, and turns the page.
The two of them have just gotten back from a mission. Officially, it is a simple reconnaissance mission to a small town on the border of the Land of Fire. Unofficially, it is an assassination of a previous ally. Their informant, who has always been a bit sketchy and more than a bit untrustworthy, is apparently also selling his services to Iwagakure and that is simply is not acceptable.
It seems their former operative is not as dumb as he looks and it also seems that Iwa is willing to pay much more than Konoha because when Boar and Hawk arrive, there is more than just their informant waiting for them. It ends bloodily, but at least Iwa is now missing five ANBU and an informant whose greed got the better of him.
The chakra gathered in her hand dissipates when Sakura finishes and she sits back to look over her handiwork. It's some damn good work for middle of the night and not having the luxury of having immediate access to the hospital's facilities, if she says so herself. "I'm serious," she sighs, "If you die I'm not giving you that raise you guys have been asking for."
At the mention of money, Boar snaps up to a sitting position with keen interest. His hand flies to his side, where she has just closed one of his more serious injuries, and he winces.
"Don't you dare reopen anything! I worked hard these past two hours so you wouldn't die."
He ignores her. "We won't be going anywhere anytime soon, Hokage-sama." It translates into: "I can buy the new collector's edition of Icha Icha with that raise."
Her eyes narrow dangerously before she suddenly breaks into a smile, albeit a fake one. (She learned this nifty trick from Lion). "This is why Hawk is my favorite. He's the only one who takes his injuries seriously. I have to drag the rest of you to the hospital."
Hawk looks much too happy with himself. She dares say he's preening.
"But Sakura-chan!" Boar whines.
"Sorry Boar, maybe try coming in for routine check-ups every once in a while."
He visibly deflates and Hawk gives him a sympathetic pat on the back.
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Sakura stares at the empty expanse of wall, one hand on her hip and the other cupping her chin in thought. "I'm thinking a overview of Konoha. It would really bring something of interest into the room. I'm tired of staring at just an empty wall."
"That's incredibly sappy and unoriginal of you, Hag," Lion replies, giving her an unimpressed look. The mask that usually adorns his face is in his hands so he can get a better look at the canvas in front of him.
Resisting the urge to punch him, she balls her fists and scowls. "You got a better idea?"
He looks at her like the answer is supposed to be glaringly obvious. "Of course. I'm an artist."
"Alright well, get it done then. I'd say take as much as you want, but I want to send you on a mission in a few days so. You know. Hurry up." She pauses. "But not like, rush it hurry up. Make it good. If I really like it, I'll officially consider it a mission and pay you for it."
"Don't you want to know what it is first?" Lion asks as he tilts his head slightly in confusion.
"I trust you. Enough." To be honest, she half expects him to draw a scene from Icha Icha. But if that happens, then Sai is practically volunteering himself to be her punching bag after the next time she has a meeting with the Council.
It takes him almost two days to complete the work, which is much faster than any other artist she can hire. He insists on her taking a temporary office a few doors down, however. "The paint fumes might get to your head and you'll be even more of a bitch than normal," he says as an excuse, but she knows he just doesn't want her to see it yet. She still elbows him in the gut for it though.
Sakura is moments away from packing up to go home when the door to her temporary office swings open. "It's done?" she asks, but already knows the answer by the glint in his eyes that only ever appears whenever his artwork is involved. He nods and she follows him down the hallway with poorly contained excitement.
It's amazing and beautiful and perfect and all the more positive adjectives she can't think of at the moment because she loves it that much. She reminds herself never to doubt Lion's artistic judgement again.
A nondescript figure wearing the Hokage robes and hat faces away, displaying the flutter fabric with the kanji for "Hokage" stitched in red on the back of the robe. The vagueness is obvious, but she excuses it. The fabric is tattered and worn, like they have just survived a terrible battle, but the figure's posture is obviously one of pride and determination.
Surrounding the scene are flames that seem so lifelike, they might just burn if she gets too close. But through the fire is the overview of Konoha she remembers asking for. Sakura resists the urge to snort, apparently Lion didn't think her idea wasn't so bad after all.
There are no words on the painting besides those on the robe, not even a title to describe it, but she knows the raw emotions that Lion has painstakingly directed into each and every brushstroke. With only a single glance, she knows everything. All the pure, unadulterated thoughts and feelings that are practically bursting from the painting.
It is the Will of Fire, the very one that burns bright in all of them. The one that she fights for and the one she knows she will eventually die for. And Lion, the cheeky asshole, somehow manages to both capture its infinite meaning in a single painting and intertwine it a definition all his own. The artistic flares are unmistakably his.
She suddenly remembers to breathe. "Sai, you're a genius," she exhales, her fingers hovering over the dry paint, though not daring to touch it. They hypnotically trace the wisps of flames and the flow of the cloak as it flaps in the wind.
"I know."
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"I don't know, Sakura-chan, you look good with a mustache." Monkey says, staring up at the painted stone faces of the Hokage with a forcibly thoughtful look on his uncovered face. Seriously. Did he ever wear his mask? His charade would be convincing if there wasn't a streak of orange paint, the same shade as that on the monuments, that ran down his left cheek and onto his chest.
Sakura gives him an unamused glare and shoves his mask on his face, causing him to stumble back slightly. She turns away from the scene to head back to her office. "Monkey, wash the Hokage monument right now or I'll send your ass back to Genin so fast you'll have caught Tora three times by the middle of next week."
"Y-yes Hokage-sama!" At the mention of the devil cat, he pales. D-ranked missions were never any fun, but that little furball was a force of pure evil that even the most skilled ANBU should never have to deal with.
There is a snickering behind them. She does not need to turn around to know that Sheep is sporting paint trails of the exact same color. He is a bit sneakier, she'll give him that, since he at least tried to wash off the evidence. It's futile, however, because first of all he missed a spot right on the underside of his chin and second of all she knows him much too well. Though he will never admit it, he loves pranks almost as much as Monkey.
"That goes for you too, Sheep."
There is a loud smacking behind her, the sound of Monkey's head being forcefully hit by Sheep's open palm. "Teme, that hurt!"
"Hn. Good."
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Konoha at night is pretty. The stars are bright in the cloudless (for once, thank Kami, but don't let Shikamaru hear her) sky and the streetlamps illuminate the city oh so prettily. It's a shame she doesn't get to enjoy this more: the simple, often overlooked, pleasures of Konoha.
These are the reasons she's fallen in love with it, after all. From the buzz of fireflies flitting about, to the laughter of content families behind drawn curtains and illuminated windows.
Sakura gives a contented sigh.
A gruff voice interrupts her quiet contemplation. "If you make falling asleep in your office a regular habit, you might as well just put a bed in there."
"A girl slips up one time and this is what she has to deal with?" Sakura groans and presses her forehead into Boar's back in annoyance, "A snarky ANBU who has a horrible and uncomfortably hard back?"
He snorts, shifting her ever so slightly in his grip. He may seem exasperated with her, but she notices the care he takes in making her as comfortable as possible. "Oh so sorry Hokage-sama, I'll just leave you face down on the wooden desk which is obviously so much more comfortable than my back. Which is, if I may remind you, a result of many years of difficult, intense training."
"At least my desk doesn't talk back," she huffs, finally bringing up her head to rest her chin on his shoulder. She blows a puff of air in his ear, smirking when he flinches ever so slightly.
In retaliation, he shoves his thumb into the back of her knee, the rough leather scratching her skin painfully. "I'll drop you," he says.
"Hah! You wouldn't dare. I have a suspension with your name on it. I wrote it a few days ago, all I have to do is sign it and you get some nice, relaxing vacation time for two weeks."
"You know, teasing you's no fun now that you pull rank all the time."
"What? Like you didn't do that before?" She distinctly remembers her Genin days when he would laze around as the rest of Team Seven picked weeds or completed whatever insufferable D rank mission they had been assigned to that day.
"Alright, that's it. Down you go." Boar unceremoniously unclasps his hands from under her knees, letting her drop to the floor where she lands on both feet, if not after stumbling a bit. He fails to mention that they're in front of her door anyway.
And like the gentleman he is, he fishes the spare key from his pocket and unlocks the door for her. He pushes her in none too gently.
"Thanks, Kakashi," she says quietly, sliding both his masks away and pressing a chaste kiss to his cheek.
Her smiles at her affectionately. "Not Boar?" he asks, with a hint of mirth in his voice.
The animal mask slips fully away from his face and she taps him on the forehead with it. Mismatched eyes stare back at her. "I suppose not," she laughs, "But don't get used to it. It's just cause you didn't dump me on my balcony this time."
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Monkey appears in front of her desk, hands clasped behind his back. "So, you come here often?" he asks, sliding up next to her to sit on the arm rest of her chair and resting his elbow on her head.
"Oh ha ha," Sakura responds unamused as she brushes his arm away, "You can say that I practically live here." Unfortunately, this is true. In the past 72 hours she has only been home twice to shower, even though her bed sounds like a slice of heaven right now and all she really wants to do is fall face first into it. Sleeping and eating are now activities she spends while at her desk. At least while the Southern District Renovation proposal is still being passed.
"Does that mean I can buy the pretty lady a drink?" There is obvious excitement in his voice as his hands reveal themselves to be holding a very large bottle of sake. "She looks like she needs it to get her mind off of whatever the hell kind of political shit is stressing her out this week."
Her face splits into a grin upon seeing the bottle, taking it from him and practically salivating over it. It's the good kind too, the one that has enough alcohol to get drunk from and not just the cheap watered-down shit. "Holy shit!" she shrieks, "How the hell did Shikamaru let you bring that in here?"
"He didn't."
Amazed, Sakura can only shake her head in response. "Naruto, you motherfucking legend."
"Now if only I could get that in writing?"
"Maybe when I finish this."
"Sakura-chan!" he whines, "That's supposed to be for both of us! Didn't you learn how to share back at the Academy?"
"Ha! Get me three more bottles and maybe I'll consider letting you have a sip."
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Out of all of them, Hawk is the only morning person.
She used to be one too, before the whole Hokage business happened, of course. Now, early mornings are something she dreads. It's necessary and she occasionally gets to work at 5 AM if there happens to be some particularly pressing issues that day. Unfortunately, one of those days is today.
She yawns, eyes half closed due to grogginess as she enters the Hokage Tower to get her day started. Before she can reach the staircase, however, strong hands land her her shoulders and steer her away. "Hawk? What are you doing?" she mumbles, barely making out the mask when she looks up at the intruder.
He holds a finger to his lips, or rather, where his lips would be if they weren't covered. "Secret."
The vagueness is mildly irritating, but Sakura is unable to fight him off. Especially not without her morning coffee. As if he reads her mind, a mug is shoved into her hands. She gives him the best questioning look she can muster at the moment.
"I want you to be able to open your eyes and see what I'm gonna show you."
Strange. She decides not to question him further and instead takes a sip of her coffee. Mmm, two cream, two sugar, just how she likes it. If she knew he could make coffee like this, she would have made him her assistant instead.
Hawk directs them towards a window and he releases her shoulders to unlatch and then open it. Well now she's definitely curious. It's a good thing her mug is empty because quickly, he hoists her over his shoulder and shunshins them both through the window.
"You crazy asshole!" Sakura huffs when they reappear on the top of the building, clutching onto his arm with her free hand as he sets her down. She tests her balance before finally letting go.
He doesn't respond, only plopping down on the tiled roof and then patting the area next to him. "Sit down, you'll miss it."
"Hmm? Miss what?" she questions, but complies anyway.
No response. She should have expected as much. Hawk has been strangely cryptic today and she thought she's gotten enough of that from both Lion and Sheep, who can both be infuriatingly mysterious when they want to be. Hopefully this new change in Hawk isn't permanent, but she decides to roll with it.
And she's glad she does. The dark soon breaks into the soft light of day, filtering out from over the top of Hokage mountain in a hazy stream of warm yellows and oranges and the bright colors clash with the fading night sky. The sun peeks over the top of the horizon and makes its slow, steady ascent.
The people Konoha begin their day. First, only a few litter the streets, which is no surprise, because not many willingly get up this early in the day. But soon the city awakens, the streets fill slowly, and then much more rapidly as it becomes a more acceptable hour, until there is a bustle of civilians going about their daily routines. Vendors are setting up shop and wares are exchanged in the town center. Children are laughing and running around, watched over by parents who sit back and occasionally gossip with one another.
In the distance, there are shinobi at the training ground. A few are new Genin teams, who have just recently graduated from the Academy and been assigned to Jonin instructors. Among them are Kiba and TenTen.
Sakura leans her head on Hawk's shoulder and continues to watch the day unravel itself before her.
Before she knows it, the morning is well past. She is only aware of the time because Shikamaru climbs onto the roof to yell at her before eventually giving up and lying down to watch the clouds while they continue to look out over Konoha.
It's a rather unproductive day, almost no paperwork get past her desk save for what little Shikamaru had been able to do without needing her signature. Not even the trade bill that's been stagnating for the past week makes it out. She's quite sure that the Elders have heard and are out for her throat (and not to mention her position, but when aren't they trying to usurp her?).
She can't quite bring herself to care.
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What she is truly most grateful for is the fact that they never question her suitability for the role. Not even Sasuke, who Naruto swears up and down is the literal definition of asshole. Sai is a close second, though.
Sakura appreciates it more than the forgotten dinners left on the windowsill at exactly 7:30 every night. More than the surprise flowers or fruit baskets that never have a name or card attached. Even more than the midnight talks they have to distract her from work and keep her from going insane from stress.
It is comforting to know that in these dangerous times, she has at least a few people she can rely on.
Above everything, all Sakura wants is for her citizens to trust her like they have trusted their previous Hokages. Trust that she will protect them and serve them and if need be, put her own life on the line for them. Trust that she, of all people, loves the village so much that sometimes it hurts.
If they could only know the pain in her heart every time a death report shows up on her desk. It feels as if a piece of Konoha has died and torn off part of heart along with it. The knife lodges itself in her chest, twisting with each faint whisper that this is entirely her fault.
She has heard what people say about her. The questioning, though they dare not do it in front of her, is heartbreaking in a way she cannot describe. It's unlike the heartbreak when Sasuke abandoned her them and unlike the heartbreak when she lost her first patient.
It's something entirely new and she can not help but to wonder, though she is still so young, if she hasn't already been through enough heartbreak already. Her heart hasn't even healed from the first time.
The question that hurts the most is "How will she be able to protect the village if she can't even protect herself?" She's only ever heard it once, from recently promoted Jonin whose name she fails to remember but whose face will be burned in her mind forever.
He tells it to his teammates during some B rank mission to the Land of Snow. In the same breath, they neither refute or support his words and her name is not brought up again until it is time for them to return to the village and report to her. One of the teammates tells Lion in secret.
Sakura remembers handing him his flak jacket and congratulating him two days after the Jonin exams. Three others have passed alongside him, a few years younger then he. She even remembers smiling as she asks for his signature to officialize the process.
He smiles back.
This hurts the most.
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I tried to give Sakura a little interaction with everyone, but I'm also planning on devoting individual chapters to all their relationships and backstory and etc. Action and plot will pick up soon. Right now I'm thinking alternating chapters of plot and chapters meant to establish characters and relationships.
The only question is do I make this a KakaSaku fic? It's probably gonna end up that way tbh, but for now we'll keep it Sakura-centric.
Just in case, I'll provide a list of who is what animal mask. I made their assigned names a bit different. For example, Naruto is usually "Fox", but I felt like the point of a codename is to make it hard to guess who is behind the mask. These names weren't chosen randomly tho.
Monkey - Naruto
Sheep - Sasuke
Lion - Sai
Boar - Kakashi
Hawk - Yamato
Thanks for reading!