Hidan and Sakura spent two weeks in Hidan's old village on the last day, Sakura met someone she'd never seen before as she soaked in the hotsprings, she was a blonde woman with black eyes "Hello" she called out softly drawing the womans attention "Oh hello" the woman stretches like a cat "My name is Sakura Aburame, are you really from the Hidden Cloud Village" Sakura asked excitedly "Ah so your the one who's got Bee all in a hype, I'm Yugito Nii and yes, Sakura-san I'm really from the cloud village" Yugito yawned again and settled in the water.
After that Hidan and Sakura left after getting gifts for her friends back home and a new headband for her collection as they travelled across the lands heading straight for the last two villages by now they had a year left on their 3 year journey, Sakura was starting to long for her village "We're almost done Sakura" Hidan ruffled her long hair again as they set foot onto rocky terrain soon after they met an old man with red hair who hopped up upon seeing them "No one passes into Stone territory by order of the Tsuchikage" he called standing in their way.
Seeing Hidan getting ready to fly into an angry rant Sakura pasted her sweetest smile on her lips before walking forward "Sir, we are here by order of the Tsuchikage, his name is Ohnoki and his granddaughter is named Kurotsuchi" she explained the closer she got the more relaxed Roshi felt it was like this girl was calming to Son Goku the blasted four tailed monkey never relaxed he was always restless "Where's your proof of this order" Roshi asked waiting for the girl to sigh in frustration as she headed back to her friend.
A few minutes later she comes trotting back over to him and holds out a scroll for him to take opening it Roshi allows his eyes to scan across the scrolls contents before sighing "Very well then I am Roshi and I will be your guide through the Rock Village until we reach the Hidden Stone Village" he told them before taking off at a quick walk part way through the rock village he had to stop due to Sakura stopping and grabbing several items before stowing them in a scroll "Sorry Roshi-san" she smiled sheepishly at him.
"Oh that's right we haven't introduced ourselves" Sakura smacked her forehead lightly "That's Hidan, and over there is Midori" she introduced first "And I'm Sakura Aburame" Sakura leaped to his side with a jump as she held out her hand "It's very nice to meet you Roshi-san" she bowed her head politely "Your a strange girl" Roshi blinked but shook her hand anyway "Not the first time I've been told that" Sakura laughed softly all while keeping pace with him "Do you have a beast inside of you" Roshi finally asked.
"You mean tailed beast right" Sakura questioned and he nodded "I don't but I've been told that my aura is soothing to a tailed beast" she rattled off "What brings you this way Roshi" a brown haired man stop them before they entire Hidden Stone "These people claim to be Ohnoki's guests" Roshi gestures to the two "Are you from the Leaf Village, if you are I'm Kitsuchi and I'll be your escort to the tower" Kitsuchi quickly introduced himself when the two nodded and he quickly took over dismissing Roshi.
"See you later Roshi-san" Sakura waved sitting on Midori sideways "I swear Sakura your to kind to strangers" Hidan let out a long sigh as they now followed Kitsuchi "Can't help it that I didn't get the anti-socialness of the Aburame clan" she giggled back as they entered the Stone village and walking through the streets getting wary and suspicious looks as they went "Here we are, just head on in and you'll be taken to see the Tsuchikage" Kitsuchi pulled the group to a stop in front of the weirdest building they had ever seen.
"Thanks Kitsuchi-san" Sakura smiled brightly before hopping off Midori giving the wolf a couple of orders before letting Hidan lead her into the building once in they were ushered straight into Ohnoki's office "It's about time you got here" Ohnoki griped the minute they were within earshot "We are very sorry Ohnoki-sama" Sakura bowed low while Hidan only dipped his head with that Ohnoki began grumbling under his breath a few words loud enough to be heard before the old man let out a sigh and called Kurotsuchi into the office.
"Sakura-chan" the female smirked eyes sparkling mischievously internally laughing when Ohnoki let out another round of grumbles before falling silent "Hello Kurotsuchi" Sakura smiled softly at the older girl as Ohnoki searched for some official documents on his desk "Here" he finally handed a white sheet over to Sakura before handing another to Hidan "Sakura, you get to stay with me and Hidan get's to stay with Akatsuchi" Kurotsuchi smothered her next laugh with a hand before attaching herself to Sakura and quickly leading her from the office.
"Later Hidan" Sakura called softly so as not to disrupt anyone from working, once they were free of the building Kurotsuchi grinned and lead her around a cliff side building and up 7 flights of stairs to her own apartment "Welcome to my place" Kurotsuchi threw her arms out to show off her house which was dirty and needed a lot of cleaning up, seeing Sakura's slight grimace Kurotsuchi rubbed the back of her head sheepishly "I know how about we work on cleaning this place up" Kurotsuchi offered and Sakura nodded eagerly.
"Let me just go get some trashbags" Kurotsuchi sighed but before she could go far Sakura had pulled out several sealing scrolls "Don't worry Kurotsuchi, I've got these" she held them up for the older girl to see before handing over 3 of them and soon they were hard at work, neither of the girls barely noticing when Kitsuchi walked in, he would have been completely missed if Sakura hadn't raised her head and looked straight at him and with another smile "Hello Kitsuchi-san" she greeted again this cause Kurotsuchi to pause on her side of the room.
"Hey dad" Kurotsuchi greeted before turning back to cleaning up her home "I see Sakura-san here is a good influence on you" Kitsuchi held back his smirk, ignoring the small glare his daughter threw at him before handing over a scroll to Sakura "Ohnoki-sama wants you to take on missions while you are here" he explained simply with a shrug of his shoulders, nodding at both girls he left the apartment chuckling "I swear old man can't leave anybody alone" Kurotsuchi grumbled under her breath sulking.
"I'll make dinner" Sakura offered wanting her new friend to smile again "I can't ask that of you" Kurotsuchi flung her head up to stare at Sakura before shooting her offer down as quickly as Sakura had offered it "It's ok, I love cooking" Sakura announced "Alright" Kurotsuchi grinned again and soon they had the entire apartment clean "Wow I don't think I've seen this place so clean" Kurotsuchi whistled in awe as Sakura emptied the sealing scrolls in a giant trashbag before heading outside to dispose of it.
When Sakura came back in Kurotsuchi had flopped down on the couch, completely sprawled out "Should be enough ingredients in the cabinets" Kurotsuchi yawned before closing her eyes only to open them a moment later, stomp over to her door and yank it open right as Akatsuchi and Hidan come around the corner of the building "Is Sakura here" Hidan asked leaning against the door arms folded and a cocky smirk on his lips, this caused Kurotsuchi to roll her eyes and point at the kitchen where soft whistling could be heard.
"Could you bring her to the training grounds after you eat dinner" Hidan straightened letting his arms hang limply by his side as Kurotsuchi nodded before abruptly shutting the door in his face 'I probably deserved that' he groaned rubbing his nose before following Akatsuchi down two flights of stairs, meanwhile Sakura was making her homemade white sauce throwing seemingly random ingredients into the pot "What ya cooking there" Kurotsuchi asked she was curious having always eaten out most nights.
"Oh well I'm making homemade veggie lasanga, I've already got the sauce and noodles cooking all thats left is the meat and veggies" Sakura looked up briefly from her cookbook to explain before spooning out some sauce to taste "Uh no offense Sakura, but that just sounds absolutely disgusting" Kurotsuchi felt a little sick at the thought of eating something so nasty "That's what Naruto said until I made him eat it now whenever I visit him that's all he wants me to cook" Sakura giggled tossing a bit more salt into the pan before straining her pasta.
Seeing that the conversation was over Kurotsuchi sat at the newly cleared off kitchen table that already had plates, silverware and some cups on it and watched Sakura finish their meal Kurotsuchi was at least determined to try this new dish even if it sounded revolting soon enough Sakura was placing the dish on the table before cutting a square and putting it on Kurotsuchi's plate before doing the same for herself and then she poured some tea into the cups before sitting down on the opposite side of the table.
Gulping slightly Kurotsuchi took a bite of the veggie lasanga, she chewed slowly before swallowing and promptly dug in "This is absolutely delicious" Kurotsuchi complimented between bites as Sakura laughed joyously "That's what Naruto said as well" Sakura gave a bright smile before taking a sip of her ginger tea "What kind of tea is this" Kurotsuchi had just taken a large sip of her own "Ginger tea" Sakura told her before polishing off her plate "Can we save the rest of that for later" Kurotsuchi asked gathering up the plates and putting them in the sink.
"Of course" Sakura nodded covering the food and placing it in the fridge before following Kurotsuchi out the door and to the training grounds where Hidan was ranting and raving when he spotted Sakura he whirled around "Geez how long does it take for girls to eat" he huffed which caused Sakura to laugh "It's called cooking takes time" she rolled her eyes "I want you to practice your summoning jutsu" Hidan ordered and Sakura nodded "Of course Hidan" she sighed and sat down on the ground.
5 hours later Sakura still hadn't made any progress on summoning Rora "That's enough for the day" Hidan stopped her when he saw how frustrated Sakura was getting "Alright, I was getting a little hungry anyway" Sakura admitted sheepishly stretching when she stood before following Kurotsuchi back to her apartment Midori trailing along as well when they got to the door Kurotsuchi turned around and jumped back in shock "Uh Sakura" she whispered not wanting to alarm the girl about the gigantic wolf standing behind her.
"Yeah" Sakura looked up "There is a giant wolf behind you" Kurotsuchi murmured causing Sakura to swing around and hug Midori, this caused Kurotsuchi to freak out a little bit and grasp a kunai "It's ok Kurotsuchi, this is my companion Midori" Sakura grinned patting Midori on the head "Your companion" Kurotsuchi was massively confused when they had been at the summit Sakura didn't have Midori "I saved her from a shop back in the grass village" Sakura explained seeing the confusion.
Nodding at the explanation Kurotsuchi watched as Sakura gave the wolf a treat that she previously hated giving her a quick pat Sakura prepared to send her off when Kurotsuchi called out to her "She can come in and what ever we don't eat she can have" Kurotsuchi offered but it wasn't Sakura who responded "Thank you Kurotsuchi-san" Midori bowed her head, this caused Kurotsuchi to let out a shout of surprise and press into her door "Sakura that wolf just talked" Kurotsuchi was obviously panicking.
"I apologize, I didn't mean to startle you" Midori closed her crystal blue eyes and bowed her head again "It's alright" Kurotsuchi finally relaxed seeing that Midori was no threat to her before leading the duo into her apartment, Sakura headed into the kitchen to heat up the food when she was done Kurotsuchi sat and both of them ate before Sakura set the leftover food before Midori who quickly dug in "Thank you mistress" she thanked Sakura profusely in between bites once she was done Sakura quickly washed all the dishes before heading to the spare bedroom to fall asleep.
The next day Sakura woke up to a loud howl from Midori which immediately set her on edge throwing the covers off of her Sakura flew into the living room where Midori was growling viciously at Ohnoki "Midori that's enough" Sakura ordered and the snow wolf flattened her ears to her head and whined softly "Ohnoki-sama what brings you here this early" she yawned with a small bow "I have a special mission for you" Ohnoki smirked and Sakura nodded.
This confused Ohnoki, who had been expecting to hear a complaint from the young girl, and so he decides to question her "Aren't you going to complain" Ohnoki asked and Sakura shakes her head "No" Sakura blinked in confusion "Nevermind just take this scroll and headband and start your mission" Ohnoki grumbled flying out the open window to get back to work while Sakura laughed softly not wanting to disturb Kurotsuchi before quietly slipping out the door Midori following her as Sakura read the scroll Ohnoki had thrust into her hand.
Switching her headband for the new one Sakura pulls her hair back into a long braid before putting it into a bun shoving the little scroll into a pouch she jumps atop Midori before ushering her through the village 'Ok I've got to find someone named Han and convince him to come back to the village' Sakura thought as she headed into the forest that connected with the Stone Village she travelled through the day before finally stopping for the night building a fire and gathering some food to eat before curling up next to Midori to fall asleep.
The next day was the same and so was the next and even the next day after that when she finally ran across a man wearing what looked like armor so she called out to him, however she wasn't prepared for the man to attack her 20 minutes later it was embarrasingly obvious that Sakura still had a long ways to go in her training as she slammed into the ground again "Wait, I'm not here to attack you" Sakura groaned out quickly healing the scrapes and throwing her hands up in the air to protect herself.
"Then why are you here" Han growled harshly 'Han calm down this girl, I don't know what it is but I like her' from within came Kokuo's voice which caused Han to completely halt his next attack "Ohnoki-sama sent me" Sakura's voice draws him from his impromptu conversation "Who are you" Han narrows his eyes in suspicion "My name is Sakura Aburame, I came from the Leaf Village on the request of the tsuchikage" Sakura healed the rest of her cuts and bruises as she introduced herself and explained why she was there in the first place.
"Your lucky little brat that Kokuo likes you otherwise you'd be dead" Han snapped before stalking off into the forest seeing this Sakura groaned and scurried after him "Wait, oh please wait" Sakura called only to promptly slam into his back as he stopped abruptly "What do you want from me" Han shouted angrily shoving Sakura away from him "Ohnoki-sama wants you to come back to the village" Sakura gulped silently as Han whirled around and glared at her "I refuse" Han's answer was swift and stubborn before he started stomping away again.
'This guy clearly needs a lot of work' Sakura huffed jumping onto Midori who had leapt out of the way when Han had started his attack before ushering Midori quickly after Han who was getting further and further away several hours later Han stopped for the night but he didn't build a fire so Sakura quickly ran around the small clearing and gathered everything she needed before lighting it and then pulled out a scroll that she had stored some food in and started cooking it before passing some over to Han who was stubbornly ignoring her.
After she finished eating Sakura gave her leftovers to Midori before crawling into her sleeping back when Han was sure Sakura was asleep he grabbed up the food and ate it "Stubborn brat" Han sighed before settling against a tree when he woke up the next morning Sakura was grinning at him mischievously ignoring her, Han stood cleaned up the clearing and left Sakura following him just like the other day, this goes on for the next several days until Han finally snaps "Alright fine I'll return to the village with you" he snapped in frustration.
"I was wondering how long it would take you to sn.." Sakura trails off when he glares murderously at her before turning Midori around leading Han back in the direction of the stone village a few days later Sakura, Midori and Han emerge from the forest Kitsuchi who had been walking by at that moment dropped his pack in surprise "You've had everyone worried" he accused "I'm very sorry Kitsuchi-san, Ohnoki-sama had me immediately start a mission" she jerked her thumb at Han who was clearly sulking.
"Well you better get him to Ohnoki-sama then" Kitsuchi stopped himself from chuckling, everyone knew Han didn't like people but obviously Sakura had managed to get through to him and bring him back to the village "Alright and again I'm terribly sorry" Sakura grinned before jumping from Midori and walking through the village, Han at her heels where she left him in Ohnoki's office before heading back to Kurotsuchi's apartment, however when she passed Akatsuchi's, Hidan who had just exited the house grabbed her into a bone crushing hug.
"Meet me on the training grounds" Hidan ordered before releasing her and heading down the streets with that Sakura carried on her way where she met Kurotsuchi who was grinning "So old man tsuchikage had you doing a mission" she started the conversation with a roll of her eyes before letting Sakura and Midori into her apartment "Yeah it was easy for the most part except for stubborn men" Sakura giggled dropping her things off in the spare bedroom before making a quick breakfast for the two of them.
"Well I'll see you later, Hidan wants me to meet him at the training grounds" Sakura washed the dishes before exiting the apartment Kurotsuchi following her a little ways to the training grounds she walked in a different direction when she reached the spot where Hidan was waiting for her, Han was practicing taijutsu on a dummy "Oh hey Han" she greeted sitting on the ground gracelessly and immediately got started on practicing summoning Rora after 3 hours Sakura let out a sigh and stood.
"I'm gonna get started on doing other missions so later" Sakura gave Hidan who was staring at her in concern, a small wave before trudging off "Does she usually get depressed like that" Han asked impulsively "No, but that summoning jutsu is a constant point of irritation for her" Hidan rubbed a hand down his face, Han who was somewhat curious about Sakura now that she wasn't bugging him stealthily followed her as she made her way around the village helping people out here and there and checking off things on a small scroll.
Suddenly she stopped and whirled around to stare at him in surprise "Oh hello" she greeted and he gave her a small wave and then in a move so unknown to him "I'll train you" Han offered which caused Sakura to stare at him in shock "You will" Sakura refrained from giving him a hug like she was used to do when she was happy "Yes but I expect you to train hard" Han nodded before leading Sakura in the opposite direction seeing as how she was now done with missions and to a different training ground.
And thus Sakura's training with Han began, every day after training with Hidan and doing little missions around the village Sakura snuck off to train with Han and when she was done she healed herself of the cuts and bruises before heading back to Kurotsuchi's to cook their dinner one evening Kurotsuchi struck up a conversation "Hey Sakura do you have a boyfriend" came the question, Sakura almost dropped the plate she was holding "Not exactly but when I get back to the village then yes" she admitted shyly.
"Well how did you get his attention" Kurotsuchi inquired curiously "I spent time with him" Sakura announced simply not understanding where this conversation was going "And what else did you go on dates" Kurotsuchi leaned forward eager to hear more "As of today we've only been on one date and that was before we left" Sakura furrowed her brows in confusion "But you like him" Kurotsuchi asked again "I love him" Sakura corrected, hearing this Kurotsuchi stared at Sakura in shock "Your just a teenager" Kurotsuchi stated "We'll be getting married" Sakura said again "When" Kurotsuchi asked in utter confusion.
"It's whenever he decides to propose" Sakura shrugged not worried in the least as she dried the last of the dishes and put it away "So is it true Deidara is a Leaf shinobi now" Kurotsuchi dropped her previous line of questioning for a new one "Oh Deidara-san, yes it's true" Sakura gave a half smile, seeing this Kurotsuchi turned out the lights in the apartment and they flopped down on the couch for a little while letting the silence settle around them before the both of them went to bed, Sakura was feeling a little more tired than usual.
The next morning Sakura didn't have training with Hidan as we sent out on an errand for the next couple of days and she didn't have any missions to do around the village so all that was left was training with Han so as quickly as she could she made breakfast ate hers then left a note for Kurotsuchi who was still asleep and slipped silently out of the house and down to the training grounds where Han was waiting "Today we will work on expanding your chakra coils" Han ordered her, and with that Sakura stood on the lake.
She stood on the lake the entire day focusing her chakra on the soles of her feet, Sakura most definitely felt the burn because her focus was crumbling and she was sweating horribly until she fell into the lake having finally reached her limit "That's enough head back" Han ordered again and so Sakura swam to the shore pulled herself out of the lake and trudged back to Kurotsuchi's apartment to make a quick dinner for Kurotsuchi and herself, making small conversation with the older girl before heading into the spare bedroom after a shower and she fell quickly asleep.
And thats how the rest of the month goes until it was finally time for Sakura and Hidan to leave they wanted to spend the last 10 months on the road and so they left 4 months later and Sakura training until her breaking point she finally felt ready to summon Rora "Hidan let's stop for the day" she called out pulling Hidan to an abrupt stop turning around Sakura had already gone through the handsigns "Plume Moth Summoning Jutsu" she called and the giant moth Rora finally appeared, before anyone could speak a voice called out "Big Sister Yukina"!