A Cherry Blossom's Life

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Unless I somehow own millions. Which I don't.

Chapter 4: Wedding and Arrival

In the southern region of the Land of Fire, was a man of many feats sitting awkwardly behind the wall of the Communal Hot Springs of a small touristic village. A man that, despite his flaws and less than honorable quirks, was well respected among Konoha's villagers, ninjas and civilians alike, and beyond its gates. Needless to say that he was particularly viewed in high regards by men due to his romance novels which were reserved for adults, in other words his pornographic novels. However, one must not underestimate the strength of one of the Legendary Sanin, even if he was caught peeping on young, unsuspecting naked women...

"JIRAYA-BAKA! How many times do I have to tell you to stop being your disgusting self?!"

... Perhaps a few exceptions should be made. The booming voice of a singular woman managed to freeze all of the white haired ninja's movements; thus letting a tense silence replace the once happy atmosphere that was familiar to the Hot Springs. A silence that only lasted a few seconds before the other women, who were not a certain blond haired infamous ninja, screamed in such high-pitched voices that it was a miracle no one had gone deaf. The poor women caught in such a state of undress scrambled to their feet, putting on their wet towels that stuck to their body, doing nothing to hide their feminine attributes. They ran away hurriedly to the changing rooms, leaving behind a large cloud of dust in their wake.

"Aa! Tsunade-Hime! What a pleasure to meet you in such a wonderful place. What brings you to this part of the world?" He replied with a goofy grin that soon morphed into a rather lascivious leer upon noting the lack of clothing on his long time partner's wet body. He truly did respect and care about the only female of the Legendary Sanin Trio, perhaps even more than just friends. However, he was a man driven by his needs. So how could he, the greatest romance novels writer, deny such an excellent muse for his next book? When the only woman he had ever truly chased after and tried to gain her affection, was standing in front of him, clad in only a flimsy towel that clung to her body like a second skin?

"Don't try to act dumb, it doesn't suit you." The blond woman growled at the man with whom she once used to work. "You have thirty seconds to explain yourself. And if I don't like your answer then, well, you'll just have to wait and see." She finished with a sadistic smirk gracing her rosy lips. Her honey eyes burning with determination to save all females dignity, especially since he used to be her teammate. Senjū Tsunade was not a woman to be messed with. Her long blond hair and innocent face were misguiding. As behind such an angelic mask hid an enraged woman that just wanted to be let loose.

"I-um-well you see... I was walking from here?" He stumbled on his words before answering her with what sounded more like a question. Just as the angry blonde prepared to attack the lascivious man she was ashamed to have called teammate, a resounding 'poof' stopped all movements. A well-timed appearance as the legendary fists for which Tsunade was so much renowned stopped inches from Jiraiya's left cheek. A small grey smoke appeared between the two adults, letting place to quite a large frog compared to the normal ones but horribly small compared to the other Summons. The frog was of a light shade of orange with red markings on its back and legs. The relatively small frog had his beady brown eyes set on the cowering white haired man.

"Minato-sama has requested your immediate presence in Konohagakure no Sato, Jiraya-sama." The frog's voice was squeaky, betraying his young age. "He and Sarutobi-sama require the aid of your spy network. Minato-sama express his pardon for interrupting your holidays but wishes that you do come to Konoha as soon as possible."

And without waiting for a reply, the messenger frog disappeared with another loud 'poof' leaving the duo of Sanin coughing in the smoke left behind. As the small cloud of smoke settled, the two legendary ninjas were left seeing the ghosts of their past again. Remembering as they had been taught under the watchful eye of one of the greatest Shinobi in the world, as they grew to become legends themselves and make a name of their team. They became the legendary Sanin with their missing teammate and friend. A silence ensued thereafter before the white haired man invited his teammate for a drink which she couldn't have simply refused. But before...

Bonk. Crash. Thud.

Tsunade hadn't forgotten that Jiraiya was supposed to be hit for his peeping.

"By the power vested in me by Konohagakure no Sato, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Konohamaru-san, you may kiss your bride." The officiant, a blond man in his early fifties, smiled at a tall dark haired man.

The room where the ceremony was held was large and illuminated by high windows that let the sun shine brightly through its multicolored glass. Bouquets of white roses were hung underneath each window or pinned to the large pillars that supported the rectangular room. Pale rose and lilac rubans twirled around the tall pillars. Rows upon rows were filled with relatives, clan members and all the head families of Konoha's clans. The officiant was wearing a long black dress. He had twinkling grey eyes and a warm smile on his chapped lips. He was standing at the altar, between the couple. In front of him stood the heir of one of the oldest and most powerful clans residing in Konohagakure. Sarutobi Konohamaru was a lean man in his early twenties, well-built thanks to his career as a ninja and had chocolate brown eyes that shone with pride and a hint of mischief.

"I've been looking forward to this bit..." The newlywed man smirked, before crashing his lips on his wife passionately, unwilling to forget their first kiss as husband and wife. As they broke apart, the young bride let out a small giggle as everyone attending the ceremony cheered. Although the matriarchs of both clans, the Sarutobi and the Haruno, were sniffing loudly in a small tissue while leaning on the shoulder of their husbands who none too stealthy rolled their eyes over the silliness of their spouses.

The bride was none other than Haruno Sora, younger sister of the patriarch of the Haruno clan and secretary of the Youndaime Hokage. Her chocolate brown hair was held in a high chignon, decorated with pearls and a grandiose hairpin that appeared to be a family heirloom. Her heart shaped face was split in a wide grin and her excited green eyes seemed to glow in the big room. She was standing in an elegant pose, her back straight and her chin held high. She was dressed in a strapless white gown that brushed the floor. The dress was tight around the bodice and fanning out in layers of white taffeta. The corset was encrusted with jewels here and there. She was wearing a simple diamond pendant that her husband -a word she decided she preferred more than fiancé- had bought her during the early stage of their blossoming relationship.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you for the first time, Mr and Mrs Konohamaru Sarutobi!" The officiant announced and the whole room burst into even louder cheers if possible. Facing back the crowd, Sora took her bouquet in hands and waited for the single women to assemble behind her. She closed her eyes and chucked the varied bouquet high in the air. It was a dark haired red-eyed teenage girl who caught it and blushed a bright shade of red, before glancing shyly in Asuma's direction whose cheeks were tinted with a light pink. The newlywed couple laughed softly and kissed each other again.

"You're now Mrs Sarutobi!" Konohamaru smiled.

"Yes I am!" Sora laughed and nodded merrily.

The couple started jogging through the same path not even a hour ago, Sora walked through for the last time as a Haruno. They were followed closely by their families and friends, all of whom congratulated them and wished them a merry wedding. As the newlywed exited the shrine where they had just gotten married, they saw a white carriage pulled by two horses waiting for them along with a coachman. Stopping abruptly in their walk, the couple turned toward the Third Hokage who was standing with a certain gleam in his eyes that announced trouble to anyone who knew him well enough.

"It was a gift from Biwako-chan who wanted you to spend a honeymoon with no interruption." The older man explained to the couple through the loud cheering of the crowd. "He's going to take you to where Biwako had deemed far enough not to be interrupted by any Shinobi and work related duty. You both have a one month prepaid honeymoon, so enjoy it to its fullest." He finished while winking at them. Just then, the woman who had planned everything appeared behind her husband, tearful yet a wide smile lighting her face. She hugged her son and her now lawful daughter tightly, before smiling slyly at the couple making them cringe.

"I expect a pregnant Sora when you come back."

"So what do you think your blond brat wants." A busty blond woman who didn't look older than twenty asked after a long gulp of sake.

"Now, now Tsunade-chan, Minato's no brat." Chided a slightly tipsy Jiraya judging by the light blush marring his cheeks. "He's become a Hokage now. Last I heard he married Kushina and she's about to pop a child some time this month."

"Hmm. Good for him I guess." The woman known as Tsunade rested her head on her left hand while her right one was loosely gripping a sake bottle. "She's that last Uzumaki?"

"Yeah a feisty one, that girl." He grinned at the reminder of his apprentice's wife. "He's been chasing her since they first met and she never accepted his advances until last year. The poor lad almost gave up, but I guess that he finally grew on her."

"Hm hmm." The legendary woman nodded airily. "You're returning to Konoha then." She stated, her eyes serious in contrast to her drunk behavior.

"Yeah... The kid needs me so it must be pretty serious. I just hope it's nothing too bad. Konoha really doesn't need another war." The white haired man shook his head mournfully as he thought silently, especially after Orochimaru's betrayal.

Glancing at his long time teammate and secret love, the white haired Sanin felt that she too was thinking about the loss of their third teammate. Thinking hastily, he asked her a question to which he already knew the answer. "You coming with me?" He knew what she was going to say, yet it at least tugged her thoughts away from their missing friend. You know why I don't want to come back to Konoha, so stop asking me this stupid question. She would say this with a dark look in her amber eyes. They would lose their shine and remind him of murky waters found in stagnant lakes. And then, like always, she would bring up another subject, signaling to let it go and more times than he could count, dismissed him.

And just like that, history repeated itself.

It was a peaceful night in the forest surrounding the Hidden Village in the Leaf. The crescent moon lit lightly the way to the man heading to the ninja village in its silvery glow. However he was not traveling in the most othortodox manner, to civilians that is. He was jumping from tree branch to another. His body was a mere shadow in the late night light of the moon, hidden to the untrained eye by the thick foliage characterizing the Land of Fire.

Tunk... Tunk...

The man's wooden sandals resounded each time they hit a branch, propelling him forward faster and faster. One moon ray hit his body as he passed through a slightly less dense area. He had long spiky white hair tied in a ponytail flittering behind his back. He wore a green short shirt kimono with matching pants over a mesh armor. His kimono was tied with a black belt. The running ninja was wearing a red haori and had a large scroll tied on his back. His face was shadowed but his tense posture gave away his uneasiness. His dark eyes skimmed over the gates of his birth village in the distance. He was getting closer and closer to a village he hadn't seen since he participated in the Second Shinobi War. And he had mixed feelings about this fact.

The loss of the Ame orphans that he had come to cherish as his own team was still too recent. His rage and helplessness were still too raw. The white haired man didn't know how he would react when he would arrive. The forest was silent. The only sound heard were the sporadic cry of the owls and the periodic reverberations of his sandals hitting the branches. He knew that if he wanted the forest to be completely silent, he only had to add some chakra to the sole of his feet and his footsteps would be muted. As for the nocturnal creatures lurking in the shadows, they would sense the dangerous nature of his chakra and recognize him as a predator, prompting them to hide as if being pursued. However the man needed something to pull him from the dark turn his thoughts were steadily taking.

The village's gates were growing bigger and bigger as he came closer to Konoha, until they were looming ominously over him. Landing with a resounding tunk in front of the two Chunin standing guard, the man nodded in greetings.

"Stop where you are and state your business here!" The gruff voice of the dark haired, tanned man preventing the taller man from entering the village. As the unknown ninja turned, his face was lit by the nearby streetlamp. "J-Jiraiya-sama... Please accept my apologies. The Fourth Hokage had been awaiting your presence impatiently."

"Aa. There will be no time for a little sightseeing then." The man known as one of the legendary Sanin stated with a light chuckle before jumping to the nearest rooftop.

Jumping from rooftop to another, the legendary ninja made his way to the largest building in Konoha the Hokage Tower. Glancing up, he saw that the face of his apprentice was already sculpted in the Konoha Monument. The man couldn't help but snicker at the uncharacteristic serious expression he was sporting. Glancing over the sky, he noticed that it was moon would son disappear in the horizon. Clearly dawn was upon him. Jiraiya silently wondered if his one time apprentice would be awake at this hour.

The village was as he had left it. The streets were lit with the hundreds streetlamps and the last drunkards were making their way to their houses. Some shopkeepers were already opening their stores. He looked over a tempura shop he was particularly fond of and noticed that the older man was setting out the tables. From the corner of his eye, he noted a 24/7 shop was open next to the hospital. These kind of shops were becoming more and more popular and spread, especially since ninjas had a completely different schedule than the civilians; thus, making them arrive at the most unceremonious hours.

Jiraiya was getting closer and closer to the village's center. Fortunately, he could see that the Hokage's room was still lit. At least, he didn't have to make this trip for nothing.

"It's good to see you, Jiraiya-sensei." Were the soft spoken words that greeted the Sanin as he entered the room.

"It's good to be back, Minato." Came his tired response. "So why are you still in here? Trouble in paradise?"

"Hehehe... No, it's nothing like that. Although Kushina has become a little bit more... cranky because of pregnancy. Thankfully it will only last for a few more weeks before Naruto is born."

"I see that you've decided on a name for the boy. It's a boy at least? If not, you both have a horrible taste in names." The man asked in all seriousness, earning a chuckle from the blond Hokage.

"No, no, it's a boy." He laughed some more before he regained a serious expression reminiscent of the sculpture on the mountain overlooking the village. "Jiraiya-sensei, I don't know if you've heard or not, but Sarutobi-sama has adopted a baby girl and-"

"Wait a minute. Sarutobi Hiruzen adopted a girl?!" The Sanin asked in disbelief before letting out a loud guffaw. "I guess that Lady Biwako had finally managed to convince Hiruzen-sensei to get a girl." He commented before wiping a tear from his eye. However all traces of humour left his body upon seeing that the blond man hasn't joined him. "So what's the problem?"

"Of course, it would be a joyous day if the girl was picked from an orphanage. However, she appeared in Konoha mysteriously-" the fourth Hokage stopped talking upon hearing the door creaking open. "Aa, Sarutobi-sama, I was just explaining the situation to Jiraiya-sensei."

The elderly man entered the room and closed the door behind with a firm clic. At the corner of his mouth hung his usual pipe. He held it in his hand before greeting the two men standing in front of him.

"I see. How have you been Jiraiya? I hope you still see Tsunade from time to time."

"Aa. She's fine. She and Shizune are just traveling around. So tell me a little but about the mystery child."

And so the two powerful men launched in a long speech, each adding a detail to the other man's observation. From explaining the mysterious circumstances in which she appeared to her intelligent outlook on life and people, they each gave away all the information they amassed. The Third Hokage added in the end the incident that happened between the pink haired child and the Uzushiogakure survivor, to which said survivor's husband chuckled.

"Kushina-chan was inconsolable when she came back." The blond man explained. "It wasn't until we went to Ichiraku that she finally calmed down slightly.

Jiraiya chuckled lightly, but instantly his expression turned grave and troubled. "There were rumors of a revolutionary organization to overthrow Hanzō. It used to have the same logo. But for the last month, there has been no way to infiltrate Ame. It seems as if the village is going in complete lockdown. It has stopped all trades with the neighboring villages and even cut off ties to its resident Damiyo. We don't know if the village is preparing for a war, though its quite doubtful. Especially since it was used as a battlefield for us." Jiraiya's last sentence was spoken bitterly. It was clear that he was still mourning his lost students, despite putting a strong front for everyone.

A few moments of silence lasted between the three men, during which each was lost in his own thoughts. However the comfortable silence was broken by the steady sound of a wooden walking stick hitting the floor. The three men tensed, two more significantly than the other. They all knew who was coming and were rather apprehensive of what the old man would want from them this time. They honed their senses on the hallway, trying to discern if the man was followed by any of his faithful slaves, for that was what ROOT was.

"Excuse me Danzō-sama, but Hokage-sama has an important meeting and-" the soft voice of the substitute of Sora Haruno now Sarutobi could be heard through the large wooden door. The poor woman was rudely interrupted by the council man's harsh voice, as he entered the room without knocking.

"Danzō." The youngest man's greeting was sharp like kunai. His eyes were set in a icy glare as he stared down the older man who entered his office without warning. "My new secretary clearly told you not to enter. Now the question is why did you not comply like many before you?" As soon as the older man entered the office, the Anbu guarding the Hokage took their stationary place. They were standing on the external walls of the Hokage office, not to intrude on the clearly important meeting their charge was having with his ancient sensei.

"What is the meaning of this?" The man's only eye was darkly glaring at the white haired Sanin who stood leisurely in the office as if he owned it. " I thought that as Konoha's informant that he wouldn't set foot inside Konoha until he had enough information about the current war against Kumo. Unless you were making decisions without our council, then I see no meaning to have such a secretive meeting."

"Danzō, what I do on my own time is none of your business. As a council man, your duty is to only give your opinion on the matters on which I request your advice. However I have not. As Hokage and your leader, you are to follow all orders I give without batting an eyelash. Thus, when I order my secretary not to let anyone enter this office, no one is to enter this office, not even a respectable member of the council. Am I clear?"

A tense silence followed the small speech given by the young man, during which each man stared down the other. A battle of wills happened inside the office and dangerous chakra started leaking out from the two obviously powerful men. A few moments of silence passed before the older man turned abruptly, muttering a disgruntled 'crystal' as he did so, his cloak billowing after him.

As soon as the door closed with a resounding click, the blond Hokage's shoulders sagged with relief. His face seemed to look far older than his age. His spiky hair fell over his headband, shadowing his facial expression from view. Glancing at the guards, Jiraiya recognized an Aburame and a Hyūga. Although the last one had no distinctive feature, the Sanin could bet his novels that it was a Nara just by his lazy slouch, though not obvious as the current head of one of Konoha's honorable clans.

Turning his head from the guards, Jiraiya searched for his sensei. Sarutobi Hiruzen was overlooking the village through the large windows in the office. It was one of the two places where he preferred spending time to think, the other being on top of the Hokage Monument. It gave him a view of the entirety of the village he cherished so much. The older man was especially fond of watching Konoha wake up slowly. He would watch as the shopkeepers opened their stands and stores, preparing for a day full of the best and most exquisite food. He would see as the houses slowly woke up and the children began running through the streets to get to either the Ninja Academy or the Civilian School. As the parents prepared for another day, as the Konoha ninja departed for a new mission and he would pray for their safety.

The older man would listen to the trees swaying lightly, as they shook off the slight morning rain. He would watch over all of the animals living in the formidable forest surrounding his village come out of their homes, whether be it perched on the tallest tree or down the darkest hole. Konoha was truly a beauty, especially in the morning. It was the beginning of a new day full of surprises and whatnots, the shedding of the previous day and the brith of a new one. Sighing in contentment, the Third Hokage turned to his exhausted successor. It was clear that he had been up all night, undoubtedly working on the endless paperwork, even if he claimed otherwise.

"Perhaps you should take the day off, Minato-kun." The older man spoke softly, though catching the attention of all men present in the office. "I will take over this day's paperwork and let you decide upon anything of importance for tomorrow."

"But-"

"I don't want to hear a word." His voice took a more definitive tone. "It's clear that you have spent the night here, Kushina-chan must be worried over you, which is not good for the baby." He finished softer.

The blond Hokage's eyes widened almost comically before the young man regained his composure. "I-Arigato Gozaimasu, Sarutobi-sama." Minato bowed slightly to the man he looked up to, before disappearing with one of his kunais.

The Third Hokage sighed softly before making his way to the chair behind the large desk. "You too, Jiraiya. Go rest for a little bit, you've just returned from what I'm sure was a lengthy trip. And I don't want to hear any complaint from a perverted Sanin roaming around for this whole day, am I understood?" He fixed him with the only stare that used to work on him while a genin. Thankfully, it seemed to still be working for the Sanin had disappeared immediately.

"PERVERT!"

Or maybe not. Sigh.

Soo, how has life been treating you?

Hehehe *awkward chuckle* so obviously I've disappeared for most of this year or simply all of this year :s which can easily be explained that this year is one of most freaking annoying (to quote Sasuke though he gets on my nerves more than he appears on screen) years of school. It has been pure hell on earth and for the next month or so it's going to be waaaaaaay worst. Let's just hope I make it to the other side in one piece.

Onto other matters, I said in the last chapter that this chapter was going to focus mainly on the Kyuubi attack, but it didn't. Because honestly speaking, it needs a whole chapter to describe everything and I didn't want to have it be too rushed, especially since Danzō wasn't supposed to make an appearance in this chapter. At all. But c'est la vie!

I know this chapter wasn't as long as the previous ones, but I will try to post the next asap, unless I somehow jinx it -again- and I don't publish it until after I finished school. I'm ashamed to say that for a moment I had lost complete interest in anything related to Naruto and I had refused to read fictions I had once found amazing and couldn't wait for another chapter. But now I'm proud to say that, bit by bit, I'm regaining interest in the Naruto-verse. So hopefully I'll know what to write for the long awaited Kyuubi attack.

Don't forget to review, say what you think, because we're approaching a time-skip.

sharkswillruledaWORLD is out ;)