A/N: Day nine. This is where the struggle to write begins, I fear.

The past few months have escalated to a new level of difficult, she's noted. Ever since the massacre of generally old people within the Uchiha clan, Shisui's been training them with more pleasant ferocity. Rather than because of stress in regards to his clan, it's because the Hokage has issued an order for all ANBU to increase their training as Uchiha Itachi is possibly one of the most dangerous ninja to have been created in Konohagakure. Now, that same shinobi has abandoned it and left a mess in his wake.

Luckily, the Hokage's also implemented break periods as per the pestering of his Jounin Commander. It's still recommended to train during break periods, but at least they don't return home half-dead by the end of the day.

Shion's been sleeping more, but it doesn't worry Sakura too much. There are still many mysteries surrounding her mental companion, and though she's questions what Itachi's definition of a monster is… she still accepts Shion. What would be the point now, to reject Shion when she's already become an inseparable existence?

At least, Sakura knows a little more about Itachi himself. Even someone like him wants someone to understand and accept him, but the unfortunate part is when he becomes a little too attached to the person who gives just that to him. It's also curious to know that Shisui and Itachi seem to have a positive relationship, so why hasn't Itachi become obsessed with the elder Uchiha? It's a question she verbalises.

"What a random question, Sakura-chan." Shisui comments, swatting an irate Neji away with an infuriating sort of ease. Sparring one on one with their ANBU captain is always such a pain. "Well, to answer that… It's because Shion-taichou met him first, since her sister was friends with Mikoto-obasan. He was such an adorable little psychopath, clinging onto her and glaring at me whenever she and I visited together."

Sakura blinks at this, exchanging a glance with Sai. "You and Shion were close?" she questions him, frowning when she hears the bone of Neji's hand snap. With a sigh, she resigns herself to practice healing him with medical ninjutsu. He always sulks whenever he's hurt enough to be in need of healing.

Shisui's grin is somewhat terrifying. "Shion-taichou was my ANBU captain back when the ANBU Initiate Program was first implemented. We were Team Koumori for three years before the Yondaime Hokage split us up. She was only fourteen, but she was the best captain I ever had. She's the reason your first test was to find your masks in the Shi no Mori, you know? That happened to us! She even hid one of the masks inside some creature's stomach, using a seal to protect it from the stomach acids." he reveals, looking up at the sky in what she assumes to be remembrance. For some reason, his expression relaxes and becomes less disturbing.

"Yeah, she was a riot. We had these bat masks with the same colour structure that Team Yamaneko has, you see? Red, black, white and grey. I wore the red mask, but she used food-related nicknames rather than our codenames. We were dango berry, silver bun and sweet cheese. No real meaning to them other than her love for food." the smile on his face takes on a more reminiscent tone as he stares at the ground. "Now that I think about it, you could say I miss her and her monstrous ways."

Sakura digests all of this information with a thoughtful frown, once again thinking that Shisui is such a strange specimen. He speaks with such life in his tone and even if it still has an undertone of unsettlement, it's not a monotone or a creepy caress of a whisper. His demeanour is animated, if in a somewhat psychotic way. Even though he works them like a demon, he has be the most favourable of all the Uchiha she's known so far. When he talks about Shion, it's almost as though he's human again.

"Right! Enough of story time!" he pipes up, planting his hands on his hips and beaming at them. Her stomach sinks in dread. "As compensation for sharing such a piece of my life, I think it's time for some team exercises!"

This year is far too long, Sakura thinks with a sigh.

Sakura blinks as she holds the entrance door open, taking a few moments to digest the fact that Shikamaru's at her door step with a higanbana bouquet. He's shuffling, no doubt flustered by what she thinks to be a romantic display.

"Kaa-san said I should do something nice…" he explains with a face and tone that makes him appear to be in pain. "Since it's been two years since we confessed to each other and apparently that's significant."

She blinks again, watching as his face steadily reddens the longer she remains silent. Then when it finally clicks, she feels the blood rush to her cheeks as a smile stretches her face. Reaching out, Sakura accepts the bouquet.

"So this is like an anniversary?" she queries with a tilt of her head. When he nods, her smile softens. "Thank you. I hadn't really thought about the definition of… us. I suppose this means we're basically in a relationship, aren't we?"

Shikamaru raises a brow at her, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand and shoving the other in his pocket. "Well, yeah. We may have never said it out loud, but I thought it was obvious what our relationship is." he replies, his gaze shifting to Sai who's appeared behind her. "Hey, Sai."

"Hello, Shikamaru." Sai greets without a smile, which is actually a sign of respect. "Have you come to sweep Sakura-neesama away on a date for the festival tonight?"

"I guess, but we don't have to do anything spectacular." Shikamaru shrugs, stepping inside their household as per her gesture's request. "We could watch the stars and I'd be content."

Sakura looks for a stray vase, as Father has a tendency to collect weird vases and scatter them around the house. She finds one just by the entrance to the lounge, and places the bouquet within it. She'll put water in it later.

"How's the Academy?" she asks, walking into the kitchen to prepare some tea as Sai and Shikamaru wait by the dining table. Father and Kakashi are at work, so as usual they're home alone.

Shikamaru yawns, taking a seat and slouching. "Eventful. Ever since the massacre, the clans have been frantic. Sasuke's being ostracised more than usual, not that he really cares. He doesn't even really seem surprised that his brother killed their parents and the elders." he informs her with a drawl. "He actually seems calmer now, compared to how anxious he was."

"He might have known." Sai guesses, wandering towards the fridge. "They appeared to be close, if we go from the creepy string of words Sasuke has imparted to us in the past."

Sakura hums in agreement, her mind flashing back to the time Itachi bid her a temporary farewell. Her stomach knots and she pushes the memory away. "And the others?" she prompts, preparing the cups.

"Chouji and Ino are closer lately, but she insists that they're only friends. She's in the group now. Hinata still hasn't worked up the courage to confess, so Naruto's being rather aggressive by actively teasing her. It's troublesome since she nearly always faints." he sighs, muttering a thank you as she sets the tea down on the table. "Speaking of Naruto, he and Sasuke have been distant. I think he suspects that Sasuke knew, like us and that's probably pushed him over the edge."

She and Sai settle down on the table, Sai across from her and her next to Shikamaru after procuring some snacks.

"Naruto-san has been the one to stick by Sasuke-san since the beginning, has he not?" Sai frowns, tilting his head. "Why would he have a problem with Sasuke-san now?"

Sakura blows on her tea before taking a sip. "Naruto's clan is dead." she answers, looking to her brother. "His life began with the death of his parents, whilst Sasuke has always had his entire clan. When Sasuke reveals to be uncaring in regards to the death of his parents and his other clansmen, Naruto would be enraged because of the lack of appreciation his best friend has towards their memory. His family may be gone, but he loves them as fiercely as if they were alive."

Silence reigns for a few moments as they all think on it. Yes, Naruto has stuck with Sasuke despite all the latter's flaws… but the massacre is a line that's been crossed. It really makes her wonder how they became best friends in the first place.

"At least Sasuke seems to be conflicted about Naruto." Shikamaru sighs, picking up his tea. "He's been frowning more often whilst he stares. I think he's slowly changing, but it's hardly noticeable. There's also the fact that he's the next clan leader to consider, but he's too young to lead." he frowns at his cup, irritation marring his expression and aura. "I… asked him why he thought it should be you and him."

She blinks, leaning forward to rest her elbows on the table. "I'd be surprised if the answer wasn't something disturbing." her lips tilt upwards for a moment, then falls again when Shikamaru ruffles his hair in frustration.

"He said that his brother would have her, whoever that is. Then that he would have you, when the time came!" Shikamaru groans, obviously aggravated. She reaches out to rest a hand on his shoulder, prompting to place his hand over hers and release a drawn out sigh. "Is it bad if I don't like him?"

"No," Sakura returns, "Sasuke is a rather hard person to like, especially when he's pining after the girl you like."

"My girlfriend, you mean." Shikamaru smirks, eliciting the tightening of her stomach and a discomforted expression. "You're going to have to get used to the term eventually."

She sighs, forcefully relaxing herself. "It's just… strange. I was in the state of mind that children's romantic relationships aren't exactly official until they're at least pre-teens." she admits, though she doesn't particularly know why that is. Perhaps it's because of the fact that the relationships between children are often childish, where saying that they have a girlfriend or a boyfriend doesn't really mean anything. It's a title with little value at this age, generally.

"I want to draw you together, as a gift for your two-year anniversary." Sai smiles, holding his cup of tea in a rather sophisticated manner. The bed hair belies the tone, though. "I have learned that gifts are great for increasing the strength in bonds." even though Neji wasn't very happy that his hair was exaggeratedly silky in the last drawing.

Sakura retracts her hand from Shikamaru's shoulder, leaning against the table with a soft smile. "I suppose I'll just have to go with it." she murmurs, though she does wonder what the future will bring.

Feelings change, after all.

Team Yamaneko stands before the Hokage, who looks like he's aged decades since they last saw him three days ago. What a poor old man whom Shion wishes to suffer in paperwork.

"Congratulations are in order, I believe." Hiruzen announces, taking a puff from his pipe before putting on his proud smile again. "As of today, Team Yamaneko has completed its year of intensive training and officially registered as a fully-fledged ANBU team. Each initiate has been promoted to an ANBU operative, the proof of your status will be chakra seared into your left shoulder once you leave this room."

Sakura feels accomplished, after having gone through one hell of a year. She's sure that Neji and Sai feel the same, though she wonders if Shisui is proud of them. It would be strange to see a proud smile on his face. Honestly, it would be rather disturbing.

"With the status of an ANBU team having completed their training, you may operate without your designated ANBU captain should the situation call for it. You may also be slotted into ANBU teams created for certain missions. As for Team Yamaneko itself, you will be a team specialising in sabotage and assault, with side-specialisations of reconnaissance and assassination. Mission difficulty limit has risen to S-rank, in which you will be paid accordingly should you survive them."

When they're finally dismissed with Shisui remaining behind, she and the rest of her team are escorted to a small room where they're to get their ANBU tattoo. Neji is first, but he has to roll his sleeve all the way up since he doesn't wear sleeveless turtle-neck shirts.

The tattoo applier is like a large stamp, but the mild wince from Neji implies that the ink binds to the skin. Chakra seared, as the Hokage said. Her paranoia wonders if it's like a tracking device, but tries to push it out of her mind. No point in worrying.

When it's her turn, she's surprised to see that the tattoo's turned into the shade of rose. Looking to the elder ANBU in charge of tattooing them, she hopes that they can explain why that is.

"Are you related to the Uzumaki or Senju, Murasaki-san?" the monotonous voice drones in question. When she tilts her head, he elaborates. "The Uzumaki created the chakra ANBU tattoo. As such, members of their clan and their relatives, the Senju, often experience a phenomenon such as a change in pigmentation."

"I believe I'm distantly related, yes." she answers, rather than telling the truth. Her modulated voice from the mask really makes her sound androgynous. "Shouldn't it be too dilated though?"

"We do not understand how or why the process works the way it does towards certain individuals, but we do know that it has no detrimental impact on your body. If that is all, then you are all dismissed." the ANBU operative steps back, cueing for them to leave.

Team Yamaneko files out, then glance to another to let the moment truly sink in. It's ruined when some genin passing by farts then releases a peculiar cackle. Shion's laugh booms in her head, eliciting a large grin to form on Sakura's face. Luckily, her expression is concealed by her mask.

"I have to inform Hiashi-sama that I've finished my training, as he accepted my proposal to allow me to move out once I completed it." Neji states, turning his head towards her after giving the stink eye to the passing genin. She can't see his expression but it's obvious that he's frowning. He's always frowning. He smiled once. It had changed his face entirely.

Sai faces the Hyuuga. "Where will you be moving to?" he queries with a light tone of curiosity.

Neji whips his head over to her brother, likely making an expression of irritation. "With you, don't you remember?" he snaps. "Since you two already live together, all I have to do is move in and it'll be more efficient for us as a team. I can't stand living in the compound."

"I was not informed of this." Sai responds, facing her. She nods, confirming that Neji is indeed coming to live with them for convenience's sake. "That would explain why the room beside mine has been cleared out."

"Do you need help with your things?" Sakura asks. "We could help, if you want."

Their uptight teammate struggles with his decision. "… Fine. You'll have to wait for my meeting with Hiashi-sama to finish." then he turns and begins to walk off in an almost dramatic fashion. It's the long, shiny hair that billows behind him. They might have to start wearing wigs or something, since distinctive hair isn't very inconspicuous.

Shion has redubbed him as a secret baby gummy turdmuffin, to emphasise that Neji secretly loves them but will punch either her or Sai in the face if they decide to confront him about it. For short, he is a turdmuffin.

She and Sai follow after their teammate.

Father's home, surprisingly, when she and her team arrive at the house. He's in the lounge, until he's in her arms because he's lunged at her and lifted her up off the ground. She holds onto him, both pleased and amused.

"Cupcake, my darling! My treasure! Congratulations on the promotion and…" Father blinks at Neji, who's standing by Sai with a rather discomforted expression. "A new pet?"

Of course, the Hyuuga bristles at such a comment. "I'm Hyuuga Neji… Sakura and Sai's ANBU teammate. I'll be in your care from now on." he introduces himself with a terseness to his tone and posture, bowing like a stick trying to bend unsuccessfully.

"He's trustworthy?" Father queries with his usual casualness, stilling holding her up. It belies the calculative glint in his eyes.

Sakura hums in confirmation, looking over to him and meeting his narrowed eyes. "Neji won't betray our family." she answers, a certain undertone to her words. "I'm sure he understands why that's a bad idea."

In response, he nods when Father looks to him. "Whilst I don't know the details of your business, I know enough. However, as per the… request of my teammate, I will remain silent." he really needs to relax sometime. So she might have made some precautions that are currently hidden in his blind spot, but it's all for a… good reason. Sort of. Perhaps a productive reason?

"Well, I've trusted my blossom's choices up until now. Welcome to the family!" Father finally puts her down before he walks over to Neji and slaps a hand down on the younger male's shoulder. She can see the large, ominously pleasant smile plastered onto Father's face. "Take care of each other, yes?"

Neji nods with all seriousness. "I will." and she knows he means it. He may still be a little bit of an uptight gummyrod, as Shion says, but they've had an entire year of horror to create a relatively strong bond. Even though she's constantly tempted to use her genjutsu to blow up his eyes again.

"We still have to set up his room, tou-chan." Sakura murmurs, walking over to the vase of higanbana to check on them. They're doing well. She'll leave them alone, since she already has a garden of modified flowers in her backyard. "Are you staying for dinner?"

Father releases her teammate before releases a dramatic whine. "No! Goddamn work and all its demanding shit! That wrinkly old crow seems to have an even larger metal beam shoved up his ass lately!"

What with the Uchiha massacre leaving the clan without a suitable clan leader, there's been lots of debate over who should substitute for Sasuke until he's of age. It's not only a clan decision, but a village decision and there's yet to be a conclusion. That toad lurking in the shadows is probably scheming in anger.

"We'll leave some dinner for you." she states, patting Father in consolation. "Let's go set up your room, Neji."

Neji's room is about the same size as hers and Sai's, but the empty space makes it seem larger. She enjoys looking at the paintings on the wall that Sai did a while back, though she's not sure if Neji does. It might be difficult for him to adjust, considering the absurdity of their family and him being used to a traditional household.

"Your father is… eccentric. I wasn't expecting that kind of personality." Neji reluctantly comments, with an even deeper frown of bemusement marring his expression as she grabs his belongings from her scroll. "Since you two aren't… like him."

"Yes, well…" Sakura herself then frowns in thought. "He may be like that, but I believe he's somewhat of immoral being. After all, the true nature of his business isn't orientated towards moralistic people."

"That would explain some things." Neji almost scoffs, eliciting a raised brow from herself. "Our first meeting was you employing a genjutsu on me to make me think my eyes ̶ my most valuable feature ̶ exploded. A moralistic child wouldn't do such a psychotic thing."

Sai blinks, apparently confused by their teammate's words. "Sakura-neesama was only testing to see you would be able to dispel a genjutsu as quickly as the rumours say about the Byakugan."

A scowl contorts their new housemate's expression as he turns towards Sai like he's a moron. "That doesn't change that it's psychotic." Neji retorts, folding his arms for effect.

"That's true." Sakura agrees, standing up after dumping all his stuff onto the floor. "I admit that my consideration for strangers is rather low, so your well-being wasn't much of an importance to me at the time. Of course, now, it's changed. We've worked too hard together as a team and you dying would just be inconvenient."

"We would have to get a replacement and start the bonding process all over again." Sai continues with his transparent smile. Their teammate doesn't seem to appreciate anything they're saying.

"Sounds like you care more about the effort it would take to function with a replacement." he glowers at the floor, meaning he's sulking again. Is it supposed to be easy to read a Hyuuga?

She laughs, walking towards him and forcing him to look up at her. "We're only half-teasing. You wouldn't be living with us if we didn't care about you, Neji." she assures him, amused when he looks to the side with a heavy frown. It means he's pleased and he doesn't like it, because he just wants to wallow in his anger at the world.

"That is correct. With all the blood that we have shed together, it would be surprising if we did not care about you." Sai's lack of smile reveals that he's genuine as he looks upon their secret gummy baby of a teammate.

"I get it already." Neji sighs, running a hand through his unnaturally silky hair. "You guys are a nuisance."

Sakura shrugs. "You're always free to leave, but I'd have to ensure your silence before then."

It's nice to see him twitch in discomfort sometimes.

Chapter Word Count: 3,691

Total Word Count: 28,595

Targeted Word Count: 1,667

A/N: So whilst I sort of wanted to show more of the development between Neji and his team, I decided I might as well be consistent with one thing in the pacing. That would be that each chapter begins a few months after the previous one, if I'm remembering correctly and not off my face.

Also trying to make a relationship between children both adorable and reasonable. It's difficult, but now I will begin the true struggle of writing chapters. It was expected to happen at some point.

Reviews are love. Reviews are life. It's never ogre.