"Hey Sakura" Shikamaru wheezed out from having the wind knocked out of him by Sakura who was sitting on his stomach her emerald eyes lit up with a happiness that his teammates could see "You really like Shikamaru don't you Sakura" Asuma chuckled out this caused Sakura to hop up with a squeak of embarrassment "Sorry I didn't realize, oh never mind sorry for the disturbance Pein-sama" Sakura bowed her head "I take it you know these people" Pein asks when the chatter in his office dies down.
"Yes, sir" she nodded "This is Shikamaru, Ino, Chouji, and Asuma" Sakura pointed to each person and introduced them "Well they'll be here helping out with paperwork so you'll be seeing them a lot" Pein had to stop the smirk from forming on his lips when she smiled fondly at the boy "You, Sakura will be going with Konan and I" with those words Pein stood up directed one of his underlings to show the Leaf Shinobi to the office that needed the most help and ushered Sakura out the door where she fell in line behind Konan.
10 minutes later the trio walked into the town center where many citizens of the rain village were gathered "Sakura take notes on what everyone says" Pein ordered her as he sat in the high backed chair that looked oddly like a throne, Sakura didn't dawdle though as she quickly pulled out a notebook as the first person approached told them what his or her problem was and then explained what they wanted done, and then the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and so on and so forth until half of her notebook was filled up with notes she had taken.
"Pein-sama who's that" one citizen asked before Pein could conclude the town meeting this causes Pein to pause and look at Konan who shrugged seeing he would get no help from her Pein cleared his throat spying the chakra receiver on her lip an idea forms quickly walking over to her he pushes a little chakra into the receiver and then discreetly forms a handsign *Sakura go along with my plan* Pein called out within his mind *Pein whats going on* came her confused reply.
*I'm speaking with you through our minds now go along with my plan and make it believable* he ordered and she nods just enough for him to see before closing the connection "This is Sakura she is the Cherry Blossom of the Rain Village" Pein called out generating cheers from the towns people a few minutes later the cheers die down and the trio head back to Pein's office "I'll teach you the handsigns to open the wall" Pein sat down facing Sakura who set her notebook on his desk for him to look over and compare to Konan's later.
"I think I've got them" Sakura smiled a moment later before trying out the long set of handsigns Nagato had created to keep himself protected when the wall parted she breathed a sigh of relief and went through the wall it closing behind her flipping on the switch Sakura found Nagato sitting up looking a lot better than he did 2 weeks ago "Cherry Blossom of the Rain Village huh" she giggled "Don't let the title go to your head" Nagato scolded and Sakura nodded "I wouldn't dream of it" she smiled.
"I'm going to do another medical exam to check on your muscles have you done the 15 minutes of arm and leg exercises" Sakura asked him as her hands glowed blue "No I was waiting for you" Nagato answered "Oh" she breathed checking his muscles before concluding her exam "I have to do a little healing some symptoms are coming back but that's only because of how long you've been in this condition" Sakura explained while her hands glowed green "I see" Nagato answered wisely.
"Let's get started on your fitness exercises" she stood up pulled his legs out from underneath the thick blanket and placed them on the floor attached the ankle weights and for 10 minutes instructed Nagato to lift his legs to build up muscles and then for the last 5 minutes had him lift his arms up and down when they were done Sakura took the weights helped Nagato slide his legs underneath the blanket again jotted down some notes and with a wave left the room shutting out the light and parting the wall again before it closed behind her.
On the otherside she nodded to Konan, Pein was elsewhere and left the office walking through town she spotted a training ground and decided to start training again Midori had joined her the minute she had left the building and was soaked all the way through her thick white fur getting closer to the training grounds though she found it already occupied by Pein so she found a different spot further down and faced Midori who was waiting for her mistresses order "What should we start with Mistress" came her soft voice over the rain.
"Snow Style: Snow Field Jutsu" Sakura called pouring chakra into the ground and turning half of her part of the training field into snow this causes Pein to stop in his jutsu's and watch her practice "May I train with you Sakura" Pein was curious about this new style of jutsu and wanted to see exactly how much the girl had improved "Yes, sir" Sakura called back climbing Midori while forming her now usual armor, shield and sword "That's pretty impressive Sakura" Pein smirked making it rain harder decreasing visibility.
Sakura knew exactly what Pein was doing and so she concentrated chakra in her eyes before leaning down and whispering in Midori's ear while she was doing this she connected their chakra through the receivers in the case they got separated before ushering Midori to charge forward thrusting her blade forward she slams right through the clone he had created destroying it with a pop ducking when Pein swung out at her with a fist from her left she brought her shield up to block the next.
"Snow Style: Snow Jet" Sakura channeled her chakra into Midori allowing the wolf to shoot a stream of snow at Pein who rolled to the left out of his path "Snow Style: Snow Clone" she whispered next discreetly forming the handsigns before "Snow Style: Cool Down" Sakura created the genjutsu waiting to activate it when she was with in range jumping off Midori she dropped her blade and decided to get a little taijutsu work out ducking and dodging and rolling only to have her feet kicked out from underneath of her.
Before she was to far Sakura locked eyes with Pein and vanished with a flash of light breathing a sigh of relief she formed more handsigns "Snow Style: Snow Daggers" now this jutsu would take awhile to generate because of the amount of rain it would be difficult but Sakura thought she could manage as long as she had 15 minutes and Pein remained in the genjutsu 10 minutes later she her teeth was chattering in the frigid air and she thought Pein was messing with her anyway so she released all of her jutsu's.
When Pein came to he blinked and started laughing at the freezing girl "I've never been stuck in a genjutsu like that before" he laughed loudly lessening the rain "I think I've learned a very valuable lesson" Sakura shivered as he walked over to her "What's that" Pein asks helping her climb on Midori so they could get out of the rain "Don't spar with Rain Shinobi especially if you use something that's much colder than rain" she huffed out teeth clacking together as they walked through the village to his office.
"You are most amusing Sakura" Pein smirked smugly at her "I'm sure glad that your on our side though I would hate to fight you for real" she whispered hugging Midori around the neck so she wouldn't slip off when they entered Pein's office Konan ran off to get three towels and Sakura breathed a sigh of relief at the warmth a few minutes later Shikamaru came in carrying a stack of papers and he almost dropped them at the sight of her "Sakura what happened" he asked in concern "She's just a little cold" Pein spoke up from behind his desk .
"I'm fine Shika, you should get back to work" Sakura waved off his concerns feeling much warmer now "If your sure Saku-chan" Shikamaru smiled, dropped the stack of papers on Pein's desk and prepared to leave the room when Pein called out to him "Why don't you stay I'm sure Sakura would enjoy your company" he smirked when both teens turn around to look at him in shock "Are you sure Pein-sama" Sakura asked looking at him with hope in her eyes that it wasn't a joke "Yes" he answered simply before starting on his paperwork.
When Konan walked into the room 10 minutes later she almost dropped the towels there laying on Peins couch was Sakura and the boy Shikamaru napping snuggled so close together you wouldn't even be able to slide a piece of paper between them "I decided to relieve them of work this afternoon and let them spend time together" Pein said while rolling his eyes "And they choose to nap on my couch" he snorted in amusement without looking up at Konan who handed him a towel before throwing a thick blanket over the two teens.
Several weeks later a lot of paperwork finished, changes in the amount of fitness exercises the Hidden Rain Village was coming along nicely homes were being built the hospital was running smoothly, shinobi were being sent out on easy missions Nagato was being re-taught how to walk after Sakura had deemed him alright to start, Sakura had been training with Midori and spending time with Shikamaru, she was even getting used to being called Sakura-hime there was just one person missing Hidan.
The more they integrated themselves into the village the longer Hidan was gone it was to the point where Sakura no longer even saw the silver-haired man that had become her constant companion over the months they had been traveling and training together she was still of course doing her rituals and getting stronger and stronger each day 'Face it Saku-chan he's like a big brother' Inner snickered at the depressed girl as she dragged herself out of bed that morning to take a shower.
'Shut up Inner' Sakura snapped angrily rushing through her shower so she wouldn't be late to work sluggishly dressing she had spent most of the night going through old notes she nearly missed Konan appearing in the middle of her hotel room "Sakura-chan" the blue-haired woman asked worriedly she had noticed over the past few days how depressed Sakura was getting and she had guessed it had something to do with Hidan so Pein had so kindly given the silver-haired man the next week off so that the two could spend some time together.
"Oh hey Konan-chan" Sakura looked up when her name was called and found the older woman standing in front of her "Why don't you take the next week off I'm sure I can handle you know who" Konan smiled kindly at the girl who blinked in surprise "I have to much to do" Sakura finally answered only stopping when Konan places a hand on her shoulder "Sakura that's the point take a break your no good to us if your exhausted" she patted Sakura on the head right as Hidan entered the room he took one look at her and then started laughing.
"We are a couple of sad fucking shinobi aren't we Sakura" Hidan chuckled when Sakura ran over to him looking much more awake than a few minutes ago and with a squeal of joy hugged him tightly "I know a shop just down the street from here that serves your favorite food" he offered he had drilled her friends before he got here to learn what Sakura's favorite food was tea and dango's because of how much her sensei back in the village enjoyed them Sakura herself had gotten a love of dango's and green tea.
"Really that would be great let me just change out of this" Sakura hopped up and down excitedly before grabbing a new outfit and rushing into the bathroom a few minutes later she ran back out and firmly attached herself to Hidan's side with that the two head out of the hotel and down the street when Sakura spotted the shop she smiled widely and physically dragged Hidan inside "2 green tea's and 4 orders of dango's please" Sakura smiled politely at the waiter who hurried off to place their order.
"What's it like being Pein's second advisor" Hidan asked the moment the waiter was gone "So much paperwork no wonder he gets angry anytime someone interrupts him I would be pissed as well if I had that many interruptions in a day" Sakura groaned slamming her head on the table "It's no wonder Lady Tsunade drinks a lot I would be driven to drinking as well" she admitted causing Hidan to start another round of laughter "I don't think I ever want to be a leader of a village" Sakura announced sharing her thoughts with him.
Before they could talk more Shikamaru flew into the tea shop and sat down next to her "Glad to see you looking much happier" he smiled, kissed her quickly on the cheek and then disappeared causing Sakura to blink in surprise "Well I think that's the fastest I've ever seen him" she said a moment later taking a stick of dango and sipping on her tea "You've been worrying him" Hidan accused it was actually because of Shikamaru that they both had gotten the week off Shikamaru promising to work twice as hard in their absence.
"I didn't mean to I guess I was just so used to being around you that I didn't truly realize I was missing you" Sakura avoided his violet gaze when a question she wanted to ask him popped into her mind "Hidan have you ever met a bug summons named Rora" she asked softly wincing at the crack Hidan's neck made when he swung his head around to stare at her "15 years ago, Rora belonged to my best friend her name was Yukina Kamizuru where did you hear that name" he asks staring at Sakura intently.
"You remember Tomo don't you" Sakura said instead of answering the question "Yeah the little twerp that you had help find my pendant" he nodded in acquiesce "Well Tomo is Rora's son, she's my summons" Sakura explained "That's impossible you, yourself said that your last name was Aburame" here he paused and Sakura nodded "Unless you were of the Kamizuru clan then Rora can't be your summons" Hidan finished "It's true though when I was 5 she was summoned and I became her mistress I remember it like it was yesterday" Sakura argued back.
"Show me" Hidan stood when Sakura stared nervously at him "See, the thing is I haven't actually been able to summon her yet" she frowned slightly disappointed in herself "We should get to work on that I feel like you haven't been truly pushing yourself since we came here" he smiled when Sakura hopped up excitedly "Absolutely" she breathed out "Let's get permission to head out of the village for a week long training session" Sakura suggested as they boxed up their dango and drained the rest of their tea.
"You think Pein will allow that" Hidan asked glancing down at Sakura "I don't know" she shrugged "If you asked I might allow it" Pein called down to them from above "Well then Pein-sama may we leave the village for the week for a training session" Sakura bowed low in respect "We'll all be joining you, I think after the last several weeks we all enjoy a week off" Pein looked down to Sakura his lips twitching up in amusement when she gave him a flat unimpressed stare.
"Don't worry Konan will check in every day of the week" he assured her "Awesome-sauce" Sakura laughed happily speeding ahead of Hidan to pack some things "Hey brat wait for me" Hidan called but she was too far away to hear him "I swear" he sighed giving Pein a wave and running down the street to the hotel where Sakura was already hurriedly packing "So maybe we can practice with your hair whip" Hidan suggested when she left it on her bed intending to leave it "Sure" she murmured in distraction and quickly shoved the pink whip into her bag.
After Hidan had packed they dropped their keys off at the front desk letting them know they would be gone for the entire week and with that they left the village and found the perfect spot Midori joining them a few minutes later half an hour later they were gearing up for their first training session in weeks "Show me what you've got Sakura" Hidan shouted from across the clearing as Konan, Pein, Asuma, Shikamaru, Ino and Chouji joined them on the sidelines to watch the training session.
"Your on Hidan" Sakura smiled widely before going through her first set of handsigns "Water Style: Liquid Bullet" she called jumping on Midori so that Midori could shoot the bullet from her mouth it was moving so fast that Hidan didn't have much time to move out of the way "What the heck where did you learn that one" Hidan wiped his face feeling the sting from the bullet "Not telling a ninja never reveals all of his secrets" Sakura laughed teasingly as she dodged the kunai he threw at her.
"Water Style: Rising Water Cutter" Sakura whispered out slamming her foot on the ground as Ino starts cheering for her biting her lip in concentration the wave of water is sent rushing straight at Hidan who jumps into a tree to avoid the attack 'Fucking hell people really need to stop teaching her ninjutsu' he thought moving his head to the side to dodge the senbon needles hopping down he pulls out his triple bladed scythe and thrusts it at her slicing right through her clone he hadn't even seen her make.
Spinning to the side he dodges the water blade she had thrown flipping over Midori as she comes at him from his otherside to avoid the wolfs massive jaws as they tried to clamp down on his arm "That's no fair brat two against one is never fun" he laughed ducking and then throwing his scythe up to dodge the next water blade "Well your more than one person so I think it's fair enough besides how am I supposed to learn how to fight properly with Midori if we don't fight together" she called back sliding under him and sending a kick towards his ankle.
"I can't argue with that" Hidan grins lifting his leg and slamming his heel down on the ground where she cartwheels back to dodge the hit flipping onto Midori expertly as the wolf circles around after her failed attempt at catching Hidan "Come on Midori, Snow Style: Snow Jet" she yelled channeling her chakra into Midori again as the wolf spits out a wave of snow sending it crashing into a tree when Hidan rolls with a yell "You've definitely gotten better at that" he breathed out feeling his lungs burning at the exertion.
"What's the matter Hidan getting tired, at least while I've been helping Pein-sama, I've still been training you've just been running around hunting down contacts" Sakura giggled sending Midori to lay flat on the ground to avoid Hidan's scythe "Ok Midori I'm going to try something else" she whispered to the wolf as she jumped off allowing Midori to go sit on the sidelines for the time being as she ran through a new set of handsigns "Snow Style: Snow Field Jutsu" she slammed her hands on the ground creating a snowy training field.
The water turned to ice as the temperatures dropped and both combatants landed on the lake Sakura slid to pieces of metal onto the soles of her feet quickly using chakra to anchor them there so that she could slide around at a fast speed "Snow Style: Snow Disks" she called out ducking low avoiding getting beheaded but her cheek is sliced as the scythe is reeled back in by Hidan quickly chopping the snow and sending snow disks at Hidan she giggles when one hits him right in the face.
"Sakura" Hidan growls warningly trying to keep up with her "You've been improving on your speed I see" he dodges slipping and sliding on the lake as she skated towards him at an alarming speed forming handsigns behind her back "Snow Style: Snow Daggers" she whispers keeping Hidan distracted as she weaves her chakra into the snow concentrating on that while she moves into a taijutsu stance thrusting her palm out hitting Hidan in the side before kicking, punching dodging until the lake breaks from the force of their blows.
Frowning Sakura pours more chakra into her jutsu biting her lip and making it bleed before trying her genjutsu again waiting for Hidan to get in range before breathing out the words "Snow Style: Cool Down" her voice echoes confusing Hidan as he gets sucked into the genjutsu allowing Sakura to concentrate on her previous jutsu that still needed a little more chakra "Midori, Snow Style: Snow Blizzard Jutsu" she called out to the white wolf channeling her chakra into the wolfs receiver feeling Hidan breaking her genjutsu.
A flurry of snow decreases the visibility on the field allowing Sakura to full concentrate on forming her snow daggers as Hidan runs around on the field in a panic smiling widely as they finally finish right as Hidan locates her she calls out her jutsu again "Snow Style: Snow Daggers" she smirks sliding on the ice as her daggers slice into Hidan she knew it wouldn't do much damage but at least it would buy her some time to try something new pulling her pink hair whip out she channels her purple/silver chakra and lashes out catching his arm.
Using chakra she hauls Hidan up into the air his wide eyes seeking her out in the blizzard and not finding her and then with a downward flick of her whip sends him crashing into the ground huffing she struggles to do it again but she was finally reaching her limit 'I can't believe she's lasted this long' Hidan thought when the pink whip is retracted hastily and she comes running at him he hops up as they move into another round of hand to hand combat he must have hit to hard because Sakura is sent crashing into a tree dispelling all of her jutsu's.
When he ran over to her she was smiling widely at him as she healed her various cuts and bruises "Are you ok Sakura-chan" Chouji asked worriedly "I'm fine just a bit tired I think I used up most of my chakra with those last two jutsu" Sakura reassured the boy as Shikamaru came to sit next to her "Well at least we can tell the Hokage you haven't been slacking off while your out here" Asuma lit a cigarette before blowing out the smoke it drifts to Ino who spins around and glares at him disapprovingly causing the man to chuckle and ruffle her hair.
Speaking of hair Ino had just realized what it was about the girl that was so different "HEY WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR HAIR" she screeched causing everyone to clamp their hands over their ears at the volume in which she had screamed "I cut it" Sakura shrugged seeing no other way to explain it "But why it was so pretty and long" Ino cried horrified that someone could treat their hair so callously "It's not the end of the world Ino, my hair will grow back" Sakura rolled her eyes while announcing this "I guess your right" Ino muttered sheepishly.
Brief conversation over Sakura finished healing herself and stood up "I'm starving" she laughed when her stomach rumbled in agreement "We still have our dango from earlier" Hidan gave her the box and she let out a happy shout before digging in "Mmmm" she moaned softly before sharing her dango with Shikamaru "So you two have been getting awfully cozy" Konan grinned down at the two teens who immediately turned red in sync "Well we are going to be married" Shikamaru blurts out wrapping an arm around Sakura's waist and bringing her closer.
Sakura was so close that she was almost sitting in Shikamaru's lap "Awwww that's just so cute" Konan squeals "Can I plan your wedding" she hurriedly asks wanting to get the promise first she was so excited she missed the look Shikamaru and Sakura shared "Konan-chan" Sakura whispered not wanting to hurt the womans feelings "It's an arranged marriage so Shikamaru's parents are obligated to plan it, we have no control over who plans it" Sakura stated softly "Oh" Konan answers sheepishly.
"Can people outside the clans be in the wedding" Konan asks again "We'd have to ask that ourselves" Shikamaru spoke up this time "Well do you know when the wedding is" Konan stares down at them wanting to get some kind of information "Whenever Shikamaru decides to propose in the future" Sakura laughed causing the woman to huff in exasperation "Do you know anything" Konan threw her hands up in the air when they shook their heads "Konan we promise to inform you when we have more information" Sakura giggled making the woman laugh.
"So have you two ever been on a date in your lives" Ino asks joining the barrage of questions "The day before I left" Sakura announced while rolling her eyes "Oh well have you two ever kissed" Ino grinned at them hoping to catch them off guard "Yes, we have Ino" Shikamaru gave the answer this time onyx eyes twinkling in barely concealed humor "So you were Sakura's first kiss, hahaha that's so uncool at least you knew what you were doing" Ino bursts out laughing missing the annoyed expression on Sakura's face and then suddenly it was silent.
Sakura had wrapped the sand she had around Ino's mouth cutting her off "Now, Ino your going to listen to me very carefully" Sakura stood up hands on her hips "Shikamaru, was not my first kiss thank you very much, it was Gaara" she finished and firmly sat back down before taking the sand from around Ino's mouth who was staring at her in shock "Gaara's that creepy redheaded guy that you always hung out with right" Ino blurted out immediately and Sakura nodded "How did you manage to get mister emotionless to let you kiss him" Ino snorted in amusement.
"Actually Ino it was the other way around he kissed me" Sakura announced smugly "What but that's not fair, I had to chase Shikamaru around just to get him to let me kiss him" Ino glared at Shikamaru who just shrugged and pulled Sakura until they were laying down and cloud watching "Women are troublesome" he yawned out getting a few chuckles from the adults "All I know, Ino is that I love Sakura" Shikamaru twisted his head to look at the blonde a fond smile on his lips as Sakura's breathing evens out signaling she had drifted into sleep.
"I've known I've wanted to be with her since we were kids Ino" he admitted "Aww that's adorable" Konan gasped out as they all settled around the fire Hidan had started making when it was clear Sakura wasn't going to do it like usual "So where did you learn to make a fire like that" Pein asked remembering how much the silver-haired man used to complain whenever they had to fend for themselves out on a mission "Sakura, whenever we camp out under the stars usually at her request she would build this massive fire and I would watch" Hidan whispered.
After the week long training session, Hidan and Sakura stayed in the Hidden Rain Village for 3 more months, Sakura turned 15 on her birthday the whole village gave her a birthday to remember and then Hidan decided it was time for them to move on Sakura was all for it she just had to do one thing so with the promise to hurry she ran to Pein's office and flew through the doors startling Konan "What is it Sakura-chan" Konan asks when Sakura looked at her sadly "Hidan wants us to leave the village" she admitted drawing a laugh from Pein.
"I think I can manage without you for awhile Sakura" Nagato came through the wall leaning on his stick Sakura had handmade for him "Are you sure Nagato" Sakura had at first found it weird to talk to the same person two different ways and still have to call each of them different names "Yes, I'm sure just leave any orders you have for me to Konan and I'll check in with you occassionaly" Nagato reassured her.
"Well if your sure" Sakura asked worriedly "I'm sure now go Hidan is getting impatient" Nagato ushered Sakura out of the office her waving the entire way as shey ran back through the streets towards the Hidden Rain Village gates where Hidan was tapping his foot impatiently "What took you" he folded his arms exasperated "Sorry just wanted to let Pein and Konan know so they wouldn't worry" Sakura grinned as he rolled his eys "I'm sure they'll manage" he quipped dryly "It's gonna be weird not being in a village again" Sakura announced and with that they were gone.