Chapter 18
"How was everything Kakashi?" Tsunade asked one morning when Kakashi was on her office to deliver some delayed reports which the copy-nin had forgotten to submit to her on time. It was a week after he and Naruto had return from Tea.
"Hm, I may be suffering from memory loss, or I didn't understand it, but what are you asking about in particular?" Kakashi asked in his lazy voice.
"I'm asking about Sakura, Hatake Kakashi. You have returned from Tea and I haven't heard any news, rather reports from your visit there. I have waited for you to report it to me personally, but it looks like the two of you have really forgotten it!" She shouted at the silver-haired man. She sighed and sits back on her swivel chair, "I want to know her decision,"
Kakashi scratched his head upon hearing his full name. The Godaime was getting irritated and it wasn't good news for him when he had come late this morning to deliver his late report from his last mission a week prior to his visit to Tea. And now, he's late to tell her about the result of their mission from Tea.
"Ahaha~ yeah, sorry I forgot about that,"
"Don't ahaha me Kakashi," Tsunade said seriously.
"Yes, ma'm! About Sakura, she'll comply with your orders and will return in Konoha anytime within this week,"
Tsunade relaxed her features and a genuine smile draws across her face. "So, she'll finally return huh," she stood up and faced the wide window, "Now, time to work something for her, right Kakashi?"
"H-huh?"
Kakashi didn't get it, but he knows there was something on that smile of hers. And he didn't like the feeling.
-===SxS==-
"These are the last on our stuff, take this please," Sakura said to one of the Konoha Genin, a boy named Shun who's around the age of 11 who came to Tea as their 'mission to assist Haruno Sakura on her travel back to Konoha'. The boy eagerly got her duffel bag and ran towards the door. He was with the other members of a team headed by Tenten. They were aboard the Konoha vessel which was captained by Morino Ibiki. Their group came from a mission in Sea Country, and was on their way back and since they'll pass by the Tea Country, the Hokage had put them an additional mission to get Sakura. Two birds in one stone.
"Is that all your stuff Sakura?" Tenten asked as she entered the house.
"Yeah, I didn't bring any unnecessary stuff. Just the important ones," she said as she looked around the house, "I'm gonna miss this place,"
"It can't be helped. This was your home for the last five years. But Konoha is your home, your real home. We have missed you, y'know,"
"Thank you. I miss everyone in Konoha!" she smiled at Tenten. Looking closely at the brunette, they weren't that close even before. Probably because Tenten graduated ahead of their batch, but the girl who was an expert in handling different kinds of weapon, the tomboyish member of Team 9, was now a beauty to behold. Her favorite hairstyle, her hair which was always tied in buns was still the same, but instead of two, there's only one. Loose tendrils of her hair accentuated her facial features. This was not the first time in five years that she had seen Tenten. The weapons master had also visited her when she got the chances in those five years, giving her bits and pieces of news on everything, "I just remembered, how are you and Neji?"
Tenten's eyes became wide and there's a tint of red on her cheeks. She hurriedly turned around and walked towards the door, "we're just fine," she mumbled. Sakura followed her and had the intention of teasing the weapon's master.
"Oh? So he finally had the guts to propose to you eh?" Sakura teased.
"S-Stop it," Tenten said, and Sakura saw the sadness on her eyes.
"Don't tell me…"
Tenten looked at the pinkette as if she was about to cry but instead, she nodded slowly.
"Uhg…what takes him so long to notice your feelings towards him?"
"Well y'know he has a big responsibility in the Hyuuga clan. Even though his family line is not the main house, taking care and overlooking the main house's heir is his job, y'know…HInata, though if you were to ask me, it seems Hanabi was treated more like the Heir. And you know the 'noble' rule right? They tend to marry who has a noble blood or marry within the Hyuuga clan for many reasons, like keeping the bloodline limit exclusive to them. There are many factors and even though I…I love him, I can't….I'm not worth it okay?"
"Tenten, listen. Love is not about status. It isn't about why you can't be with him. It's about how much you are willing to fight for the one you love. How far can you go? I'm sure Neji feels the same about you! Also, it's in the history records that not all Hyuugas had internal marriage,"
"Sakura…,"
"It's time for you to be happy Tenten. A ninja's life is a fleeting moment, and we must enjoy what life can offer us. Do it, or regret later, it's your choice,"
Tenten brushed the tear that strayed on her cheeks, "Okay,"
"Now, let's go. Ibiki-san must have been waiting for us,"
"No worries, aside from picking you up, we also had to replenish our supplies. So I'm sure we won't be held liable if we were late," Tenten said.
"Oh, okay. That's good. Where's that loudmouth by the way? I was so sure he and Kakashi-sensei will be the ones to be here today,"
"I heard Kakashi-sensei was on some Rank A mission while Naruto needs to go to Suna for some preparation. Konoha's quite busy with the Chuunin exam coming up and to be held there soon. We were actually under staffed with all the events going on, with half of the Konoha's force to be sent to Suna. To guard the Hokage and as delegates. Tsunade-sama's one of the overseer. The other half of the force is to secure Konoha's safety,"
"I see, well. It's a good thing. At least I'll be having a quiet journey back home,"
"You bet,"
The two of them laughed as they dashed towards the Degarashi port where the Konoha ship was anchored. Before moving on, Sakura stopped for a while and looked at place where she had spent her five years away from Konoha, where she had raised and born her daughter Ryuna… I won't forget this place, thank you. She silently prayed and followed Tenten towards the Port. They found Dr. Tenkou, Michiko and Mika together with Ryuna just in front of the ship. The resupplying was done and it was time to set sail.
"Sakura, I'll go on ahead," Tenten said as she climbed up the ship. She immediately approached Ibiki to inform that they could set sail anytime.
Sakura went towards Dr. Tenkou and his wife.
"Dr. Tenkou, I don't know where to start –"
"Then start by taking care of yourself, your daughter and put what you have learned so far to good use," Dr. Tenkou said seriously, looking at the sea. He was in a foul mood since this morning.
For a moment, Sakura was surprised and wasn't able to speak up. Then she smiled.
"Yes, thank you for everything!" she said, almost teary-eyed. She understood everything. The old man was sad she was about to depart. Dr. Tenkou was like a father to him. He actually reminds her of her own father who got a twisted sense of humor. He was a bit clumsy and forgetful, but no one can beat him when it comes to his skill and ability in the medical field. She had learned a lot in these five years under him.
"Sakura-chan, this old prune is not good in goodbyes, so forgive him okay?" Michiko said, looking at Sakura as she nodded, "these five years with you and your daughter have not only brought so much joy and happiness with us, but always remember that you are a family now, okay? Don't forget to visit us sometimes,"
"Hai!"
"And take care of her," Michiko looked at Ryuna who was still talking with Mika, "she's a very bright child. She'll be a good shinobi like you,"
"Don't worry Michiko-san, there's a bright future for her in Konoha. I will protect her. Konoha will protect her, I'm sure about that,"
"Go now, it will be a long journey back in Konoha. Say hello to Tsunade-sama for me,"
Sakura embraced the old woman, "Thank you for everything Michiko-san, and Dr. Tenkou. I'll see you soon,"
"Here," Dr. Tenkou gave her an item that was wrapped in old cloth, "I told you I'll give this to you the time you'll go home,"
"W-What is this?" Sakura asked in bewilderment as she tried to remember something he had said related to that.
"Just open it," Dr. Tenkou said, frowning. He really hated this day. Sakura reluctantly opened the wrapper and gasped when she saw what was inside. It's a Konoha hitaite, the symbol of being a Shinobi of Konoha, newly made and polished, the band still in her favorite color. Red. The metal shone brightly against the sun.
"Oh…. ! Thank you so much!" Sakura said, teary as she traced the Konoha symbol on the metal. She immediately put it on her head, like a headband. She sighed. How she missed this feeling, her hitaite on her head., "I'll treasure this Dr. Tenkou!"
"Yeah, yeah. Just go already and bring that little brat of yours outta here," Dr. Tenkou said. Sakura, though her eyes gleamed with happiness, a tear was on the corner of her eyes. Saying goodbye to people you cherished was really a hard thing to do. But this does not mean it's the end. They can still see each other anytime. Going to Degarashi Port is a just a days travel on the sea. "And show to the Hime that you're almost as good as her okay? Maybe even better!" And he laughed.
Sakura smiled. The Hime that Dr. Tenkou was talking about was her Shishou, Tsunade. She nodded and composed herself and turned to call Ryuna who was busy saying goodbye to her friend, Mika. "Ryuna, it's time to go!" she called as she waved her hand. Ryuna turned to her and waved back. She saw her daughter embraced the crying Mika. It saddened her to see that Ryuna will be separated from her friend, but as long as there was that bond between them, distance doesn't matter. Friends will be friends till the end. And also, Ryuna will make a lot of new friends in Konoha. Her child had that open air around her which makes her easy to approach and befriended.
'Unlike the father' her Inner self said. Sakura rolled her eyes on that simple phrase. Yeah, so unlike him, who seemed there's always a stick stuck up in his ass. Her Inner self howled with laughter.
But still, what will he do when he learned that he had a child….with her? Will he acknowledged her or just pretend and simply deny her? What if he did acknowledge her but then he demands to take the custody of the child? Ryuna, afterall was an Uchiha.
That was one of her biggest worries.
Get a grip Sakura! You're thinking too much! Sasuke will never know about Ryuna!
They boarded the Konoha ship and it set sail. Their route will pass through the Fisherman Village on the left and the Nagi Island on the right which was still part of Tea Country. They go through the islets of Water Country and follow the southeast shoreline of Konoha that borders them with Wave Country, passed the Great Naruto Bridge. As they passed the Great Naruto Bridge, Sakura told Ryuna why it was named that way, and told her the tale and adventure of Team 7. It brought so much memories and pride. It was late the next morning when they passed the small country of Whirlpool, where the Uzumaki clan came from, Naruto's ancestors. Ryuna asked why there's no Whirlpool Country anymore and Sakura just told her, she'll learn it when she started to go to the Academy. Ryuna's excitement to see Konoha and learn all of these intensified when Sakura told her that they finally reached the Port City, the only port in Konoha that lies east of the country, just South of Yu Country.
To reach Konoha by foot from Port City would take two days, non-stop running. But since Sakura's with her child, she decided to take the train, and will drop off to the last station and from there will walk towards the village. It's another one a half mile kind of walk.
"Sakura!" Tenten shouted as she approached them. Sakura and Ryuna had their lunch in one of the restaurants in Port City, after Sakura had stocked up some supplies on their travel towards Konoha. "I just purchased your tickets. The train will depart in an hour,"
"Thanks Tenten. So from here you're going straight to Konoha now?"
"Yeah, most of the supplies are already boarded in the train, and from here we need to stop in some village. Mission," Tenten winked.
"Okay, see you in Konoha then. I guess we'll arrive ahead of you,"
"Yeah," Tenten said warily, "Tsunade-sama just knows how to drive her people to work harder than usual,"
Sakura laughed and eyed the three Genins under Tenten's, "Just don't drive them too hard too," she winked at Tenten.
"Haha, don't worry, I'm not a slave-driver like Lee. We have to go now Sakura. Ryuna-chan, take care of your mom okay? Ja ne!"
"Bye-bye, Tenten-san," Ryuna waved goodbye to her.
As Tenten approached the Genins, there was a thought that was still bugging her when she arrived in Tea Country up until now. "Ryuna looks familiar. Hmm, I wonder who she looks like with…hmmm," she mumbled as her eyes looked in the sky trying to remember where she had seen that face.
"Tenten-sensei, let's go now! We need to reach the next village before the sun sets!" says one of her students.
"Hai, hai!" she shouted. "Oh well, what ever," she murmured shrugged at the thought.
Sakura and Ryuna boarded the train that will take 8 hours for them to reach the last station. It was already night when they arrived and Sakura won't risked travelling in the dense forest at night when she had a child with her, so she rented a room in an Inn and spent the night there. She's been in this town before so she knows the place very well. Sakura thought this whole travelling was like she was under an escort-mission. She giggled at the thought. When in an escort-mission, they always stopped in inns or hotels to spent the night, the pace is slow and instead of going through the forest to travel, they would take the town by foot or to take the transportation method to arrive in one place or another. They always consider that their clients were ordinary people. Except when its Ranked B or A Escort mission, it means danger. Their client might have requested their service as escort to simply guard them from assassins. On that matter, they always take the forest route to travel faster.
"Ordinary people huh?" she whispered as she stared lovingly on the sleeping Ryuna in the bed, "it won't be long before you'll be in a world of shinobi. It's a dangerous world, but it is your right to see that world," then she kissed Ryuna on the forehead, "I'll be there when that happens," she smiled, "and Uncle Naruto..and Kakashi-sensei, and Tsunade-sama, and the whole of Konoha….and –"
She stopped.
….and Sasuke.
"Hey Ryuna..." she whispered, so low, she even barely hears her own voice. It was as if she's afraid Ryuna would hear her, "what if I told you….you're Daddy's in Konoha?"
She paused. Was there a hint of hope in there? What would be Ryuna's reaction when she learned that her father's actually in Konoha…was her Uncle's bestfriend, one of the great shinobi in the world, and the last Uchiha?
Scratch that, he's not the last anymore. Says her innermind.
What strange about it for her most was that Ryuna never asked about her father. She never looked for it or inquire about it which was strange for children at that age. She had heard her daughter one day playing with Mika at the back of their house. Mika had asked her daughter why she doesn't have a daddy, which was answered by Ryuna 'I have my mommy'.
Truth be told, she was worried then. She knew her daughter was intelligent and she knew she wants some answers. How could she tell her? Where should she start? Maybe in Konoha. Not that she's not aware that this time would definitely come, it's just this was harder that she had expected.
The next morning, the two of them have started early; it's still in the wee hours of the morning. Sakura was fixing Ryuna's backpack.
"Mommy, how long are we going to be there? I wanna see Uncle Naruto, and Konoha," Ryuna pouted. Sakura was combing her hair now and decided to gather it in a ponytail.
"We will walk honey, because Konoha is a village hidden in leaves. Normal villages can be reached by normal means, but for a ninja village, it's not that easy to find it or to reach it. We have to walk through the forest to get there. For example, in Suna, the village hidden in the sand, you'll have to travel in the desert where the temperature could exceed 60 degrees!"
"Ninja villages are interesting Mommy, I can't wait to see it!" Ryuna giggled.
"Really?" Sakura smiled as she doubled-checked Ryuna's attire, "well, we could reach Konoha before noon if you want but I'll carry you on my back. We will jump from tree to tree in an amazing speed,"
Ryuna twirl around to face her, her little hands gripped the straps of her backpack, "No Mommy! I want to reach Konoha on my own! And…and I could also do that, the jumping on trees when I became a ninja too!"
"Ohhh, that's my little girl!" she laughed as she messed up her daughter's hair.
The sun was about to peek in the horizon when they where already walking in the dense forest. The rustling of the leaves made by the soothing breeze, small animals running here and there, chirping of the forest birds, the running water from the nearby stream, all these made Ryuna excited. She was talkative during the travel, making topics to almost all of the things she could find in the forest. It's another trait she had observed from her daughter. And to compare it to an Uchiha, it's a bit weird knowing how little they can utter words and sentences. Well, according to Kakashi-sensei, there was another one who was considered as a bit different from the always serious Uchihas…Uchiha Obito. He was much more like Naruto, loud-mouthed, noisy and all.
Suddenly, there were spikes of different chakra around them. Sakura had estimated their location of around less than a mile from Konoha. This alerted her and grabbed Ryuna and put her behind her. Nuke nins this near from the village? Was Konoha lacking in ninjas guarding the vicinity around the village? Ryuna stopped talking and worry was on her face. She looked at her mother to see her face became serious and focused, "Mommy?"
"Shh, don't worry. Just stay behind me," she whispered. She curled her fist to a ball and started enveloping it with chakra. Her strength, pure and raw which she had developed over the years was more powerful than ever. Just try to attack us and you'll get what you'll deserve, she thought. "Come out!"
Then one, two, then three masked people wearing a robe with hoods landed five feet from them. They wore the recognized ANBU masked of Konoha. Sakura relaxed a bit when she recognized them.
"Sakura!?" said one of the masked ANBU who started to approached her, "hey it's me," he said as he removed the mask.
Sakura relaxed her hands, but Ryuna gripped her shirt harder when the ANBU approached them. She hid behind her mother. As the man removed his mask, so was the hood and long tresses of brownish-black hair fall behind his back. Milky white eyes stare at them.
"Neji?!"
"This is a bit surprising Sakura! You came alone? I thought Ten-ten and Ibki-san will escort you?"
"Ten-ten has another mission in a nearby village while Ibiki-san remains in the Port City to investigate something,"
"I see," Neji nodded. He noticed Ryuna who was peeking behind Sakura, "is she your daughter, Sakura?"
"Ah, yes," she looked at Ryuna and urged to step up and assured her through her touch that it's okay, "Neji, meet my daughter, Ryuna. Ryuna, meet Neji, one of my friends in Konoha. He's a Hyuuga and he's Hinata's cousin,"
"H-Hello, my name is Ryuna," she said shyly and made a very formal bow towards Neji. It amazed the man that the little girl learned a proper etiquette at such a young age. A small smile formed his lips and thought how Sakura had taught her daughter with proper manners. He saw she toggled her mom's hand and gestured to whisper something to her, so Sakura kneeled to her level. Ryuna whispered to her ear, "Mom, can they see with their eyes like that?"
Sakura chuckled and eyed Neji. She knew Neji heard what her daughter had said, rather, had read the words in her lips. It's a basic skill for a ninja to read the words with the lips. "Yes they can, and they have the most amazing eyes in the world with their Byakugan," she whispered back.
"Byakugan?" Ryuna asked
"You'll learn it soon," Sakura whispered again as she winked at her daughter, this time they heard an ehem from the man who was their topic.
"I'm sorry Neji, shall we go?"
"Ok," He turned towards the other ANBU, "it's okay, you can continue the patrol around this area," and then they vanished immediately after a slight tilt of their heads. After that, the three of them have started to walk towards Konoha.
"You're now in ANBU Neji?"
"Temporarily. We lack people nowadays because of the upcoming Chuunin exam in Suna,"
"So I was told,"
Silence falls between them as they continue to take the cleared path in the forest. It means they're near Konoha now. Ryuna was walking ahead of them with a stick on her hand which she used to playfully swing around. Neji eyed her intently. Then she shook his head.
"What's the matter Neji?"
"An Uchiha is still an Uchiha wherever they go. Their chakra-signature will still be the same no matter how much you hide that fact,"
It was like Sakura had been splashed with ice-cold water. It made her stopped from her strides and color was drained from her face as she looked at Neji ghastly. Ryuna was already walking ahead of them and they just let her be because there was no danger around this area.
"Y-You…knew?"
"Who do you think I am?"
That made Sakura shut her mouth. Of course, Hyuugas can read chakra signature. It's one of their abilities and skills. Damn Byakugan eyes. He must have known her situation back then. Wait, how many people knew it back then?
"I—"
"Mom! We're here! We're here!" Ryuna's enthusiastic shout and waving hands had cut her and immediately look towards where her daughter was. She had walked a few meters ahead of them and probably had seen the huge gate of Konoha.
Sakura looked at Neji and for the first time, she didn't know what to say the man. So she lowered her head.
"Let your head held high Sakura. I admire how you brought up the Uchiha's kid. She's intelligent and bright and beautiful. And I admire your courage and spirit to bring her back here even though you knew the possible consequences. Well, if you asked me, I'll be proud of her," Neji said before he turned and started to walk towards where Ryuna was. Sakura sighed and started to walk too, somehow in mixed emotions. She's happy that she's back, and also together with it, she's worried.
They reached the gate and Ryuna's excitement was more evident now. Her eyes shone like bright orbs under the sun.
"Wow, it's so big!" she exclaimed as she stared at the huge gate. Sakura and Neji have already entered.
"Come now Ryuna, we still need to greet Tsunade-sama," Sakura shouted. Neji had approached the two people stationed at the gate entrance and talked to them. Ryuna run towards her and held her hand.
"Sakura, go on ahead. Hizashi-sama needs me. See you then," and then he vanished in thin air.
"Whoa~ Ninjas are so amazing Mom! Can you do that too? Disappearing like that?"
"Yeah, but you'll be able to learn it too when you go to the academy,"
She stared at the village and straight ahead, "Is that the hotage mom? The faces on that wall?"
They started the walk towards the Hokage tower. "Yeah, and that last one is the current 5th Hokage, Tsunade-sama," she pointed out the fifth face on the wall. "This place had little changes in the past five years," she mumbled more to herself as they walked the busy street that leads directly to the tower. Many people passed them by, busy as they were. Civilians and shinobi's alike. Children running here and there, and vendors selling different kinds of items and food. It was already past noon and they haven't eaten yet, but she decided to take the lunch after their visit to the Hokage. There were many things to settle after that like the place to stay. She haven't had settled that one. She regretted selling her old apartment when she had left. She can't used her parents' home either as she learned that they were in Wave Country to visit a distant relative. Thinking in that train of thought, she sighed. They were now in the vicinity of the Hokage tower. She hoped the Hokage will know of a place to stay temporarily.
..::SxS::..
Sasuke was pissed. It's already been five days and he still hadn't been given any missions after the one from Suna. He asked the Hokage to be included in Naruto's party who was sent to Suna but he was declined with a stern face. The Hokage had told him that Konoha will need people of his caliber in any case something would happen. So he spent his time training in the woods to sharpen his focus and concentration or on the training grounds to kick some dust. Today, he chose to be in the training grounds where he could vent out his frustrations on the dummies. He would often spar with Naruto or Sai, but seldom on Kakashi. He would often complain about his backache and he would just doze off on the tree branch with the Icha-Icha Tactics covered his face. Right now, all the mentioned people were out for a mission. Naruto and Sai were on Suna, and Kakashi was on some A Rank mission. He was offered to be included in the ANBU temporary staff, but he refused when he learned that he will be under the command of Hyuuga Neji.
Hyuugas and Uchihas together in a field was a big no no.
So instead he was here, killing time on his own.
"How long are you gonna stay there, Suigetsu?" he asked. He was actually lying on the ground and he noticed someone was watching him.
"Ohh, you're no fun~! I thought I could surprise you. Damn Uchiha senses," Suigetsu said as he approached the stoic man who had now stood up and dusting his pants, "And I was so sure I masked my chakra perfectly!"
"And?" he ignored what he said, he picked his water container and drank the water.
"The busty woman wants you in his office,"
"Hn," he grunts. The last person he wants to see was the Hokage.
"Ah yeah, you might want to know, but that pretty girl is already here. What is her name again…" Suigetsu said while rolling his eyes up thinking hard. Sasuke wasn't interested with any of his stories so he tried to walk away and didn't stop to listen, "-ah, Sakura!"
Okay that made him stopped.
"She'd returned?" he turned and asked Suigetsu.
"That made you interested eh?" Suigetsu teased.
"No, I'm asking," said Sasuke and still that dead-panned expression on his beautiful face. Suigestsu shrugged his shoulders.
"Yeah, I saw her walking towards the Hokage tower. Man, you should see her! She's so hot and so woman now and that curves and—"somehow, something made Suigetsu stopped talking. Though there's no expressions on the Uchiha's face, he could feel something dark and sinister coming from him. "—I..well, the Hokage calls you and I still need to go somewhere. Ok, message delivered!"
Suigetsu left him standing there. The impassive man clenched his teeth and sighed.
Sakura had finally returned.
:::SxS:::
Sakura knocked on the wooden door. "We're here," she whispered to Ryuna who held her hands firmly. They heard a loud shriek behind the door urging them to come in. Sakura smiled. Tsunade was still the same. She opened the door and let themselves in.
"Sakura!" Tsunade exclaimed. Shizune was also in the office with Ton-Ton on her arms. Shizune rushed towards Sakura immediately and hugged her tightly.
"I missed you Sakura!" Shizune said
"How are you Shizune-san? It's nice to see you all well," Sakura said giving Shizune a bear hug.
"Shizune, give Sakura a break will you?" Tsunade shouted.
"Geez, you're just jealous," Shizune said as she wiped stray tears from her eyes. Visible veins popped in Tsunade's temple. So Shizune let go of Sakura and stood back on the Hokage's side.
"How are you Tsunade-sama. I've finally returned and to report,"
Tsunade smiled and nodded and directed her eyes towards the little girl behind her apprentice who was silently observing them. "And the pretty girl over there is Ryuna-chan, I presume?" Upon hearing it, it was only the moment that Shizune had noticed the little girl in the room.
"Oh my, what a cute girl!" Shizune said. Tonton agreed with pui.
"Ryuna, introduce yourself to the Hokage," Sakura said.
"O-Ok," Ryuna said and stepped slowly towards the table "Konnichiwa, my name is Haruno Ryuna, I'm glad to meet you," and bowed gracefully towards the Hokage. It amazed both Tsunade and Shizune. Sakura beamed with pride.
Tsunade watched the little girl and scrutinized her very closely. She smiled.
"Ohhh, very impressive! So how do you find Konoha so far-" then she directed her eyes towards Sakura with some wicked smile on her face, "Haruno Ryuna-chan?"
"It is very interesting, H-hotage-sama,"Ryuna said in a formal possible way. Mika had told her that Hokages are the most important person in a village. It's like they are the rulers like a king and a queen.
Tsunade's brows knitted and it really took her a while to absorb what the little had just said. Then she laughed so hard. She howled like a banshee and Shizune put a hand on her mouth to prevent from laughing so hard. She turned around to hide herself. Sakura had tried her hardest not to laugh by biting her inner cheeks. She had taught Ryuna proper manners indeed but she's way too cute for her own good.
Ryuna's expression was that of asking what the matter is, so Tsunade stood up and approached the little girl.
"There's no need for you to be so formal. Just call me Baa-chan okay? You're the only one I permitted to call me that,"
"Really?" Ryuna's emerald eyes turned towards her mother, "Mom, Uncle Naruto said she called the Hotage Baa-chan too right? He said that she's already old too that's why she's a Baa-chan,"
Upon hearing it, Tsunade veins made a visible appearance on her face, "Really? Uncle Naruto said that?"
"Uhuh, but you are not old like Baa-chan Michiko or Jii-chan Ten," Ryuna said bewildered.
"Sakura you really have taught and raised your daughter perfectly!" Tsunade said. Shizune giggled. Tsunade stood up and faced the both of them, "Anyway, welcome home!"
"Hai, tadaima," Sakura said.
"Sakura, we have a lot of things to talk about. Ryuna-chan, would you like to go with Shizune-san and go look around Konoha?"
"Okay," Ryuna answered.
"Let's go," Shizune held her hand and off they walk outside the office.
When the two of them have remained in the office, making sure that no one can hear them. Sakura's face had became serious.
"First things first Hokage-sama, I have a request to make," she then grabbed a small scroll from her bag and placed it on the table. Tsunade looked at it for a few seconds and untie the ribbon around it. She read the contents.
"And here I thought you despised the idea," she just said before rolling the scroll and tying it back.
"Please, only you can do it," she pleaded.
"Don't worry. I'll do it," The Hokage said with pleased smile on her face. This is better that I had expected. "Now, let's talk about certain things…"
:::SxS:::
Ryuna and Shizune were walking in the tower ground when Shizune stopped.
"Ohh, I forgot to lock the door to the archive room. I'll be dead if Hokage-sama finds it! Ne, Ryuna-chan, can you wait for me here? I'll be back in a flash I promise! Here, grab Ton-Ton for me so you'll have company while waiting for me okay? He'll protect you from bad guys! Stay and don't move!"
And before Ryuna can utter a word, Shizune have already vanished inside the Hokage tower. Ryuna sighed and soon after that, her tummy growled.
"I'm hungry. Mommy said we'll eat ramen at Ichiwaku but she still needs to stay there. I guess we'll ask Shizune-san to lead us there right?" Ryuna said as she talked to Tonton who answered her with an enthusiastic pui! Ryuna scanned her surrounding and no one's around. But she saw an apple tree and approached it. "Whoa~ look TonTon, there's fruits in there! Maybe we can have one?" She put Tonton on the ground and looked around the ground. She saw a marble-size stone and picked it up and then threw it on the lowest apple she found. It didn't hit the fruit and that made Ryuna frowned. She picked a lot of stones again and this time she threw them at the fruit hoping it would hit and make it fall. Unfortunately, one stone had only slightly grazed the fruit while the rest never hits. Frustrated, she removed up her shoe and threw it towards the fruit. Somehow, it got stuck in the branch.
And it was at this exact scene that Sasuke had arrived in the Hokage tower. Actually he had arrived a bit earlier than that and had actually noticed a little girl throwing stones on a tree. He had recognized the pig silently sitting near the girl but she didn't recognize who the girl was. She must be a kid of one of the shinobi working in the tower. It was not his intention to stop by but somehow there was amusement on that scene.
The girl was cute and pretty, he observed. And it amused him that her little expressions of frustrations have kept him engrossed. It had finally struck him that he was actually enjoying watching the kid trying her best to hit the apple in the tree! He observed her more. He assumed she was about 4 or 5 years old. She had a long black silky hair, skin was fair like porcelain, and what astonished him most was her face. It reminded him of something. It was odd for him to scrutinize people, even more so when its children. He can't help it somehow. She was something interesting and like a magnet, it's hard not to notice her. When the girl had finally turned towards his direction, he saw that she had big and expressive emerald eyes. His breath hitches a bit. Why did he remember something, or rather someone with that color of her eyes? He shook his head and when she saw the girl threw her shoes and got stuck in the tree, he sighed. He looked at the girl and he was actually interested on what the little girl would do.
Ryuna looked around if she could find a long stick but there's nothing of that kind. Should she wait for someone to help her instead? "No, I must do this all by myself!" she said.
So she removed her other shoes and started to climb the tree. Tonton walked back and forth, uttering worried puis towards her.
"Don't worry Tonton, I'll be fine!" she said to the pig. She had climbed over half-way towards the branch, and was about to grabbed the branch where her shoes was stuck when her hands slipped and she fall.
Sasuke saw the little girl looked around the ground again. When she couldn't find what she was looking for, he saw that she had removed her other shoe and started to climb the tree. Sasuke snorted. The kid had actually guts to climb the tree with her size! "Don't worry Tonton, I'll be fine!" he heard her said to the pig. The girl had climbed a good four meters and had almost reached the branch where her shoe got stuck. He saw her small arms had reached the branch but her hand slipped and slowly, he saw her falling instead.
Fast and graceful, he caught the little girl on his arms.
The girl was curled like a ball and her eyes were close. Looking up this close, the kid was really cute and pretty in his opinion. When her lids flutter slowly and she had finally opened her eyes, she looked at him and something in his guts twisted horribly. Sakura!
Yes, it was eyes like Sakura's.
He decided to put the girl down.
"T-thank you mister—" she tried to say but he turned his back on her and grabbed his Kusanagi and slashed the branch. It fell together with the shoe and the apple. And without saying anything, he went towards the door of the Hokage tower, teeth clenched and hands gripping the Kusanagi tightly.
He heard the girl shouting thank you again, just as he met Shizune on the way.
Up above, Tsunade had seen the whole spectacle. She was facing the window while talking to Sakura. There was a grin on her face.
"Tsunade-sama, are you listening?" Sakura said.
"What is it again?"
"I said we need a temporary place to stay for at least two days at the most. I need to find a permanent place first before I resume my duties here. I need to settle down my daughter too and there's so much to do,"
"Oh don't worry about that, I know someone who has such a spacious place people have been actually thinking he was sharing it with some ghost,"
"He? What do you mean he-" she was stopped by a loud knock from the door.
"Oh that must be him now," Tsunade chirped, "come in!"
And coming marching in was none other the last person she wished to see on her first day of arrival. Uchiha Sasuke.
"Sasuke…kun," she breathe. Dear Kamisama, she was not ready for this! She thought that he was not in the village and was with Naruto in Suna! The two of them were always together, and yet he's freakin' here, this moment in this office! Her heart beats so fast after seeing the man who had made her world upside down. Her body felt so numb she didn't know if she was breathing properly anymore.
He had changed so much. He was not that skinny anymore. He had a toned muscle, and he just looked so sinfully beautiful from the last time she had saw him.
Don't waver, Sakura. Get a grip girl!
He's still wears that same stoic and expressionless face of his so you'll never know what he's thinking. Looking closely, he was neither shocked nor surprised to see her. He just looked at her for a mere second and directed his eyes afterwards to the view outside of the office.
Still cold as an ice, asshole.
So, as fast as her shocked had come, she had composed herself. She swallowed that large lump on her throat because of nervousness and had tried to calm down her betraying heart.
Tsunade grinned secretly.
"Ok, the reason why I summon you Uchiha was, Haruno Sakura, and her daughter will stay at your place for two days,"
"WHAT?!" Sakura shouted.
TBC 06.03.13. 632
A/N
Sorry for the delay, but I hope you enjoy this chapter! I was busy and blah-blah. And there's a lot of stress at work that sometimes I wish I could just not go to work anymore.
Last thing is, I totally enjoyed the flow of the story in the manga. I won't spoil but it's a nice progress, leaning towards some of my/our playful predictions.
Anime sucks though with all the fillers and all.
Ok, so Sasuke had finally met his daughter and Sakura, so what will happen now? Is it going to be a game of hide and guess, or just plain love rollercoaster.
or both? hehe. See yeah next chapter, I promise I'll update soon.
Ja!
Don't forget to leave a review! :]]
XoXo
SnowRabbit