Another week preceded Yamato and Sakura marking it a month since they'd been shoved into the past as they tried desperately to forge unbreakable bonds of friendship with Yahiko, Konan and Nagato, the former two or rather Yahiko was being difficult in their attempts.
It got to be so much that Sakura threw her hands in the air "Gah okay, I'm just gonna go for a walk" the pinkette exclaimed needing to cool, 'Seriously what's a girl got to do to prove herself around here' she thought seething at the idiotic boy.
Yamato watched his mission companion storm off probably fed up with all the crap Yahiko did on a daily basis to piss her off "You shouldn't do that Yahiko-san" Nagato frowned returning from taking Chibi outside to use the bathroom.
The orange haired boy crossed his arms and huffed "I trust you Nagato, but those two, especially her are to weird right now, plus none of you have proven yourselves yet" Yahiko nodded decisively pointing at Yamato.
With a sigh "That's because you won't give us any chances" Yamato pointed out and the boy faltered in his arrogance, above all else, he was still an eight year old and extremely immature, but even he was struggling not to snap at the boy.
"Yamato-kun's kind of right Yahiko-kun, you haven't exactly given them any chances to prove themselves that they are serious about staying here, even if they have been here for a few weeks now" Konan couldn't help but contribute to the conversation.
Not liking that he was being attacked on all sides, Yahiko sulked "Fine, in a couple weeks we have to go out and steal more food anyway, you guys can help out with you're ninja tricks" he pouted before turning away from the trio.
Konan heaved a sigh "Sorry about Yahiko, he's kind of a stick in the mud sometimes about strangers" she giggled apologizing to Yamato and Nagato on her friends behalf, Nagato hunched his shoulders smiling sheepishly and the brunette nodded taking the apology without a single word.
A few minutes later "Do you think Sakura-chan will come back, she seemed kind of angry" Nagato spoke up shyly glancing to Yamato since he knew the pinkette better than anyone else for the time being and his onyx eyes widened.
"I've no doubt she will return Nagato, because Sakura cares about us, even if she does get irritated, we are after all only children" Yamato nodded resolutely flashing the boy a reassuring smile, it appeased the red head somewhat who relaxed and turned his attention on Chibi.
Walking the streets of the rain village having left the mountain behind minutes before hand, Sakura trudged wearily through the mud trying to take her mind off Yahiko's irritating ways, she was certain that if he could get over his fears, they could all be great friends.
Sakura sighed tiredly and rubbed her face 'Oh Tsunade-shishou what am I to do' she thought squeezing her eyes shut as they brimmed with tears, she missed the honey eyed blonde more than she'd thought possible and all she really wanted to do was find the woman and hug her.
"Out for another eavesdropping attempt" a voice filled her ears and Sakura whirled a sharp yell falling from her lips that was mostly drowned out over the rain to face the one who'd spoken to and if she could have seen his face, Sakura would definitely say that Hanzo of the Salamander was smirking.
Before she managed to remember he'd accused her and she narrowed her eyes "Hmmph" Sakura huffed with a playful smile, this was probably the weirdest thing she'd ever done in her entire life, but the more she could interact with the man, the easier it would make things in the future.
Hanzo simply raised a brow at her unintelligible answer "Or perhaps just wandering around as I am enjoying the village" he gestured around him and Sakura gave him a true smile this time, she was tiny that was for sure and it made him wonder her age.
"No eavesdropping just cooling off, I'm trying to make friends with another orphan and they are proving to be rather stubborn against my attempts, while I just want to forge a bond of true friendship with them" Sakura rattled off an explanation, not daring to lie to the man.
His eyes narrowed suspiciously "You seem to treasure bonds above all enough to train yourself at such a young age, might I inquire as to that" he inquired seeing the opening she'd presented and taking it just to find a little more information on the girl.
By now her eyes had widened so wide that he could see the whites of those bright emerald eyes, she probably hadn't expected him of all people to take an interest in her, a child of all things, before she schooled her features into a mask "Seven" Sakura stated smoothly.
Her voice didn't tremble, and he nodded in acceptance "Proper academy age, sadly though this village does not have one yet, perhaps in the future" Hanzo raised his head to stare at the cloudy sky "Do you know why the Rain Village is always raining" he asked wanting to hear her answer.
Glad that she'd looked up information on the land that was to be her new home for awhile, Sakura grinned "A backed up air mass from Cloud sits right out of the Rain Village and that's why it rains all the time here" she reeled off using her book smarts impressing Hanzo further.
He could give her that much "You're smart for one so young, you will be an invaluable shinobi in the future, don't give up on you're goals" Hanzo patted the pinkette on the head and moved passed her missing Sakura's expression of awe.
Sufficiently cooled off, but not quite ready to return to the mountain shelter yet, Sakura continued on her original path trying to think up more ways to make Yahiko give her and Yamato a chance to prove that they were genuine about being friends with him and Konan.
Her frustration started rising again until she passed by a stall that sold an assortment of items, her emerald eyes took in the rings and it made her truly think, five minutes Sakura stood there as an idea took root within her mind.
It was absolutely perfect and hoping Yahiko wouldn't complain about the slightly girly gift, her lips quirked up at that and Sakura hastily dug into her pants pocket for any change, no such luck, she really ever carried spare yen on her, a habit that had formed in her younger years.
'Guess I'm doing things the old fashioned way' Sakura thought sprinting from the stall and back towards the mountain keeping her eyes glued to the ground trying to see if she could find any yen or ryo that someone might have dropped without noticing.
Several minutes passed by before Sakura struck lucky and hastily scooped up the yen she'd spotted counting it up to five ryo, not nearly enough, so again she searched before coming up with five more ryo this time in the actual bill, making it a total ten ryo before heading back towards the stall.
"Can I get those five friendship pendants over there please" she held out the ten ryo she'd found hoping the stall owner didn't think she'd stolen it, technically it wasn't stealing if it had been forgotten about and left in the mud.
The woman running the stall eyed her curiously not commenting on her shaggy and dirty appearance accepting the money and handed over the five bracelets, the pinkette took the bracelets and then was running off for the second time.
Deciding that she'd spent long enough outside in the village, Sakura legged it towards the mountain wanting to present her newest attempt at forging a bond to Yahiko right away, well that had been her idea until "Oomph" Sakura rammed into someone and she landed roughly against the ground.
A hand appeared in her line of sight and she took it "In a hurry aren't you" that voice again and Sakura's head snapped upwards staring at the tall and imposing man, it was to much and her eyes rounded in confusion.
"Uh, uh, um" Sakura shook her head, what were the chances that she'd meet Hanzo three times in less than a week, it was totally unplanned, "Yes, I came up with a new idea and I wanted to show it off immediately to the stubborn boy I've been trying to become friends with" she held out the bracelets.
Hanzo actually chuckled, what were the chances of meeting the pinkette twice in a row in just one day, it was slim to none but it had happened "Interesting and what do you plan on telling him those bracelets are for" he asked.
She flashed a blinding smile his way "Stubbornness and Passion go hand in hand, so long as you don't let yourself be overcome with arrogance" Sakura exclaimed "Compassion and Gentleness, Silent and Unyielding, Feminine and Sweet, and Kindness Enduring" she finished.
"Are you intending on giving all five of those bracelets to one person" he questioned in a tone full of amusement, the pinkette sure was interesting he had to give her props for that, hardly any children were half as smart as she was.
Another head shake "Nope they are for my cousin, and two others and one for myself" Sakura quipped in an upbeat voice certain that with this idea that she'd be able to break through Yahiko's walls and have him warm up to her.
Behind his mask his lips quirked upwards "Good luck then, perhaps I'll see you around" he waved moving passed her like he had earlier, though she didn't seem to realize he was going deliberately slow keeping his eyes glued to her form as she sprinted toward the mountain.
It made him surer than ever that the girl was an orphan, Hanzo shook his head this time walking back to his office, soon he'd been needed on the battlefield and then he'd make his move against those who thought they could ruin the Rain Village.
"She's not coming back" Nagato sniffled sure of it this time, it had been hours since Sakura had stormed off and Yamato was left trying to calm him down, though it wasn't working and he was looking pretty worried himself.
Though he had to try "Now, now Nagato, Sakura wouldn't just up and leave like that, perhaps she just got stuck out there in the rain and had to wait under an awning for it to calm down" Yamato soothed and Yahiko snorted.
He was very tempted to glare at the boy but held back on the urge to do so, focusing completely on the red head "What if you're wrong Yamato-kun" even Konan was feeling hopeless on the fact that it seemed like a very real chance the pinkette wouldn't return.
"Yeah Yamato, did you think about that, what if she found a family and isn't coming back" Yahiko mocked only to flinch when the brunette sent him an onyx eyed glare, perhaps he'd been just a tad out of line with that comment.
Trying very hard not to snap and sure that Sakura wouldn't just abandon the mission "I'm sure that Sakura will be back, we are cousins after all and we promised never to leave each other behind, nor would she leave you guys" Yamato nodded resolutely.
Just then the very girl they were talking about charged into the cave from the entrance inside the cave "Hey I'm back" Sakura called and like before Nagato pushed himself to his feet and in a flash was before the pinkette throwing his arms around her shoulders and pulling her into a hug.
"Yamato was right you did come back" he breathed squeezing her tightly before finally releasing her, his fears were totally rational after losing his parents he'd had no one until Sakura and Yamato had stumbled into his life and then they'd stumbled onto Yahiko and Konan.
Blinking rapidly in confusion Sakura tilted her head to the side "Wait how long have I been gone" she asked trying to determine the amount of time that had passed since she'd stormed off in a rage trying to calm down.
Her mission companion frowned "A few hours, possibly four" Yamato stated flatly and Sakura cringed "Hopefully you have a plausible explanation" he tapped his foot, not really angry with her but having to act like the protective cousin he was supposed to be.
Sakura nodded her head slipping into their familiar acting "I do, I do, look see" she held up the bracelets "I found some ryo on the ground and bought these for all of us" Sakura spun facing the Rain Orphans cheeks flaring in faked embarrassment.
Konan inched her way closer oohing and awing over the jewelry "What did you get them for though Sakura-chan" she asked amber eyes wide and completely interested, she'd never been given jewelry before not even by her parents.
Even Yahiko looked interested "Yeah what exactly did you need some girly bracelets for Sakura" he tried to be nonchalant but once again he failed as Sakura pinned her emerald eyes on him a determination glowing bright within their depths.
His lips twitched in amusement as Sakura let loose "Bonds, for Konan-chan, Feminine and Sweet, you personify what it means to be a girl" a bracelet with flower charm, that coincidentally meant sweet and Konan took it amber eyes sparkling with happiness.
"To Nagato-kun, Compassion and Gentleness, you will become someone that people will be proud to follow someday" Sakura nodded resolutely another bracelet with a flower charm, that explained the two words that described Nagato to a t.
Yamato started when the pinkette faced him "Silent and Unyielding, you're advice and protectiveness will always be here" Sakura pressed a hand over her heart, emerald eyes filled with an inner light showing her gratefulness that he was there with her.
He took the bracelet with little fuss and slipped it over his wrist, no charm on this one, but he would have taken it anyway even with it being such a girl item, "Kindness Enduring, all of us need that little bit of extra kindness and I'll give it freely" Sakura clasped a bracelet around her wrist.
The only one left, Yahiko "Stubbornness and Passion, you will overcome many obstacles, don't let you're arrogance bring you down, remember who are you're true friends" Sakura gestured around her at Nagato, Konan and Yamato handing over the last remaining bracelet.
Swallowing thickly as he took the gift, "Thanks Sakura" Yahiko slid the bracelet onto his wrist and it settled heavily against his flesh as the weight of the words she'd used to explain him that she truly wanted to be his friend, it made him determined to give her and Yamato a chance now.
An amused smile formed on her lips "Don't thank me Yahiko, I said before that I want to protect my precious people and even if you don't see it yet, I couldn't stand the thought of anything happening to you or Konan-chan" Sakura shook her head.
Yamato's eyes widened realizing what his friend had done and smiled in exasperation "For Everlasting Bonds" he cheered holding out his hand, Sakura placed her small hand over the top of his staring into his onyx eyes with her own emerald.
"Trying times and Overcoming Obstacles" she called staring at Nagato hoping he'd join in the little group thing, seeing her expectant look the red head bustled over to them placing his hand on top of the pinkette's own hand.
He took a deep breath gathering every bit of courage he had "No one Gets Left Behind" Nagato breathed and Sakura and Yamato flashed him smiles making him feel happy, a moment later Konan joined the group in determination.
Amber eyes filled with a light that hadn't been there for awhile "Together Forever, Friendship Never Ending" Konan stated with a giggle lightening the seriousness of the mood for a moment before she peered over her shoulder at Yahiko.
The orange haired boy waited for a moment before jumping from his chair and padding towards the quartet, at least they weren't leaving him out "Share the Burden" Yahiko breathed and they all broke apart to do their own things until dinner and then bedtime where they all curled beneath warm blankets.