Hiruzen peered over his desk at the four orphans stood before him, the ones his former students had brought with them and claimed that they were going to train them, he stared each one over as they said their names filing away the information until he came to the pinkette.
"I'm Sakura" she smiled, how long had it been since she'd seen the third, to many years, she'd almost hugged him on sight 'That would have been embarrassing' Sakura thought to herself as Jiraiya explained that he was going to go out and find them an apartment.
"That's fine and all but just don't forget we are still in the middle of a war with the Stone Village" the hokage warned, the white haired man nodded in understanding "As for you four" Hiruzen returned his attention on the orphans again.
Yahiko stood a little taller and stepped forward bravely "We'll do anything you ask of us, just know that we will be future rain shinobi" he stared right at the Hokage not even looking away and Konan smiled in awe, he was so cool.
Sakura looked between the odd colored duo and smiled inwardly 'I bet down the road those two end up together, I just have to make sure it happens' she vowed sneakily grabbing Nagato's hand, he was still scared, but so long as she was there, nothing would harm him as she'd promised.
He was for certain surprised, he'd thought they'd be afraid after all they weren't in their country anymore, but the four orphans were displaying more courage than he'd thought possible, almost as if they'd had the Will of Fire instilled into them.
"Very well then, I accept you're request to take these four on as you're students" Hiruzen blew out a stream of smoke leaning back in his chair, "But as soon as their training is done, they will be going home right" he stared each child down and they nodded their heads eagerly.
Jiraiya burst back into the office through the window ten minutes later "Okay, I got an apartment for you four, two bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom" he clapped his hands ushering the four kids out of the office through the door, Tsunade and Orochimaru walking behind them.
"Oh what about Chibi, is he allowed" Konan piped up pointing to the pup in Sakura's arms, Jiraiya scratched his chin before slowly nodding, she relaxed and resumed walking in the direction the man was leading them to until they finally made it to an apartment.
Sakura almost froze at the sight of it, granted it wasn't the same one Naruto use to occupy, it was the same building, her heart stuttered and a pain blossomed in her chest, but she kept smiling for all their sake's, even if it hurt and tears gathered in her eyes that she forced back.
Once they were fully in the apartment, Jiraiya unsealed some bags and placed them on the counter "I'll help you go grocery shopping tomorrow, for now I got you some beds and what not to use" he shrugged then left the apartment.
Knowing that it was up to her to unseal the scrolls and help set up the rooms "Konan and I are sharing this room" Sakura called out claiming the room, as the beds came unsealed, then she and the bluenette pushed them to opposite walls.
"Hey Sakura-chan, do you think we can get a divider, I mean I have no problem sharing a room with you, it's just I kind of want my own space to call my own you know" Konan fidgeted she definitely didn't want Sakura to think she was being selfish.
Sakura nodded "If that's what you want Konan-chan, though you might want to get a nightlight, for the room to be equally divided in half, one of us will have to deal with the window, and it would be safer if I did that" she explained.
Konan didn't waste a second "That's okay Sakura-chan, I doubt I'd be able to sleep with the light streaming through the window anyway" she blurted out twisting her hands into her pink shirt, she got a smile from Sakura and she lay back on the bed.
"You girls done yet" Yahiko knocked on the door frame of their room, Nagato trailing behind him holding Chibi again, "It's a little bare, but I'm sure, while we are training we can find something that will get us money so we can buy things" he looked around the room.
Nagato nodded quietly before speaking "Jiraiya-sensei's been really kind to us so far, and I feel as if we are moo..mooch..mooching" he finally spit out the word, before he frowned "What does that even mean anyway" Nagato asked.
The pinkette giggled "Well mooching is when someone asks or takes things without intending to pay that person back or doing anything for them" Sakura rattled off the definition for the red head so he wasn't left feeling confused.
Yahiko sniggered "I wonder sometimes about you Sakura-chan, you're like a walking dictionary" he ruffled her hair gently "Right we might as well unseal the foo...oops, just realized that Jiraiya-sensei doesn't know we have enough food to last us for a long time" he rubbed the back of his head.
"Oh Yahiko, your so funny" Konan snickered behind her hand, "But he's right Sakura-chan, we should unseal all the food and put it in the fridge and put away all the stuff, since it seems like Jiraiya-sensei is giving us today to settle in somewhat" she turned to the pinkette.
They were right of course, "Okay, we'll divide up the jobs, Nagato can put away the dry food, while I'll deal with the food that needs to be put away in the fridge or freezer, Konan can handle the silverware and Yahiko can put away the canned foods, is that okay" Sakura listed off.
None of them argued and soon food was put away and lunch was being cooked over the stove, "You really are a good cook, being able to cook over a fire and the stove, now that's impressive" Yahiko whistled in the chair, they only had a few of them, but Sakura was okay with that.
"Yeah, are you sure you're parents taught you" Konan eyed the pinkette suspiciously for a moment until she realized what she was doing and gasped in horror "Oh I'm sorry, I just didn't, sorry Sakura-chan" she mumbled apologetically.
She'd expected this would happen of course "It's okay Konan-chan, anyone's bound to get suspicious, anyway they didn't exactly teach me everything, some of it I learned from a book, the rest well can be said for the amount of practice I've done" Sakura flipped the steaks over.
Glad that she hadn't been told off, Konan relaxed "So what do you think their gonna teach us Sakura-chan" Nagato chose that moment to speak up, and Sakura craned her neck around to stare at him briefly before taking the meat from the heat deeming them ready.
"Well expect some chakra exercises, like tree climbing or water walking, some jutsu's, stamina training, maybe how to use a sword or something, and plenty of other things, who really knows" Sakura dished out the food and prepared to sit down on the floor.
Nagato jumped from his chair just as Yahiko did and both she and Konan found themselves sitting on the two chairs before she could complain "Don't Sakura-chan, you do enough for all us already" the red head nodded in determination not allowing her up.
Seeing as she couldn't argue with him, Sakura slowly reclined back in the chair and ate her food, it sucked they didn't really have a table, but soon they would, all they had to do was find a job, even if it was just spare change, if they saved up enough that is.
Of course she could always crack open her scroll, maybe it was time to come clean "Listen um I have something to tell you guys" Sakura started picking at her food now and no longer feeling hungry as her stomach rolled with her uneasiness.
Yahiko, Konan and Nagato all looked at her with concern in their eyes "What's wrong Sakura-chan, did something happen, did you get burnt by the stove, do you feel alright" Yahiko became down right panicky eyes searching along her face for any sign that she was in pain.
Giggling softly "Nothing like that" Sakura shook her head pulling out the only scroll she hadn't unsealed, "I should have told you guys a long time ago" she sighed sadly, here it goes, either they'll get angry at her and she'll have to protect them from the shadows, or they'll just accept it like always.
When the scroll was unsealed and a large pouch was in her hands, Sakura opened it to unveil all the money she'd been given, Yahiko's eyes almost popped out of his head "Did you steal that" he asked, walking closer.
"You're parents" Nagato questioned when Sakura shook her head at Yahiko, this time she nodded while biting her lip, then it hit him why she was being so hesitant, she'd had that money all along, he wasn't the only one, Yahiko and Konan knew it as well.
Feeling very upset in that moment, Yahiko struggled to reign in his temper, it would do them no good if Sakura ran off crying, they'd never seen her cry, but it wasn't going to be him that had done it, besides she'd taught them valuable things.
"Okay so you've had that money since you left after you're parents died" he breathed out and she nodded silently staring at the pouch, Sakura feared their reactions, explains why she'd been almost shy for the first time since he and Konan had met her and Nagato.
Konan jumped in before he could say anything "We aren't angry Sakura-chan, just tell us next time k" she smiled widely pulling the pinkette into a hug, put out that he hadn't been able to say the same, Yahiko took his turn giving Sakura a hug, and Nagato went last.
Happy that the fact she'd had all that money on her all along had been taken well, Sakura resealed it in her last remaining scroll and returned to her meal, then they all moved to the living room and sat down to do their meditations.
Once they were in bed, at exactly two in the morning, Jiraiya snuck into the apartment he'd gotten the orphans to check on them, each of them were asleep, he grinned and got to work on decorating the place for them, a couple more chairs, a couch, a couple of recliners, a love seat.
A table for the kitchen, some more cooking utensils, some pots and pans, silverware, pillows one for each of them, new blankets that were soft to the touch, a fan when it got hot, for each room, towels, rags, hand towels, books, a couple of games, shogi and cards.
Shampoo and conditioner, and clothes for each of them, three sets, 'Sometimes I'm to nice' he grumbled staring at his almost empty wallet, when he was done, Jiraiya locked up and headed to his own place to get some sleep.
The next morning when Sakura ventured out of the bedroom she shared with Konan, she froze, then blinked, was it just her, or were there more things in the apartment than there had been last night, as she padded to the kitchen, her assumptions proved right.
They had a table now and at it sat Jiraiya, Tsunade and Orochimaru "You're an early riser" Orochimaru stood letting the pinkette have his chair, but she bypassed him reaching into her bag and pulled out her scroll unsealing it.
"How much Jiraiya-sensei did you spend" she sent him a small scowl, why the hell they could have done all this themselves, the white haired man shrugged and Sakura resisted the urge to punch him, instead, she pulled out a couple thousand ryo and slapped it down on the table.
Jiraiya jumped reaching for the pouch, but it was sealed before he could grab it "Hey brat unseal that again, where did you get all that money" he narrowed his eyes on her, Sakura remained stubborn against his glare not cowering in the least.
"For you're information Jiraiya-sensei, when my parents died they had a lot of money saved, I just took it and sealed it away, to be honest I kind of forgot about it" Sakura shrugged like he had before turning to the fridge pulling out cooking ingredients and what not to make breakfast.
Tsunade pressed her lips together as her honey eyes filled with amusement, 'Poor Jiraiya being showed up by a little girl of all people' she snorted inwardly fighting down her laughter as her teammate began sulking in his chair, but he did grudgingly accept the money he'd been given.
It made her curious "You seem awfully comfortable here, not to mention giving away money just like that, why are you so different than those three" Tsunade nodded her head at the hall indicating Konan, Yahiko and Nagato.
Sakura thought about the question for a moment as she stirred the mix to make waffles, grateful she'd had the foresight to stow away a waffle iron before she'd come here, "Well, I love traveling, seeing new places" she began.
"My parents were merchants and they always took me with them, the one time I didn't go, they died" Sakura partly lied again, again with the freaking lies, she hated it, but a shinobi had to lie if they wanted to survive, and all of her lies were to protect those she'd chosen to protect this time around.
Orochimaru retook his seat to listen to the explanation "As for the money, I have more than enough, but money doesn't bring people happiness" Sakura hooked the waffled iron up and started making waffles, it shouldn't be to much longer before the others woke to the smell of food.
While the waffles were cooking, Sakura made some sausage patties, and made chocolate sauce, along with cutting a few strawberries and putting some blueberries in a bowl for extra, Nagato was the first one to emerge, just as she started making the second batch.
They were all silent as the boy trudged forward wiping his eyes and carrying Chibi, "M'ning Sakura-chan" Nagato yawned preparing to set the pup on the floor, but stopped "I'm just gonna let him out to use the bathroom" he turned to the door and opened it.
Chibi ran out did his business before running back in, Nagato sulked and cleaned up the mess, they weren't exactly on the ground floor, and tossed it away "Good Morning Nagato-kun" Sakura greeted when the boy was sat down.
When he was more alert, Nagato blinked his eyes staring around in awe "Wow" he murmured awe thick in his voice, "Where did all this stuff come from" he asked pointing at the table, the extra chairs and well just about everything else.
Sakura smiled to herself as she made her final batch of waffles, thankfully they only took a couple of minutes to make "You should thank Jiraiya-sensei, he's the one who bought all this stuff" she gestured with her free hand at the white haired man.
Nagato's eyes rounded in surprise "What really sensei, but why though we don't want to be mooches" he pouted slightly, after spending a few days with the man and his teammates, he warmed up to them, it was just the new village, he was having a little trouble with.
Not quite sure what to tell him, Jiraiya scratched his head "Well you can't be without a table, or other personal effects, besides, it's not like I spent all that much" he lied and Sakura craned her neck around to stare at him in disbelief, but she didn't call him out on it.
"Thank you Jiraiya-sensei" Nagato bowed his head politely as Yahiko and Konan padded barefoot into the kitchen, Tsunade and Jiraiya stood letting them sit down, while Sakura finished up breakfast and started plating up the food.
When they were done, the dishes were cleaned and Chibi got the extra waffle, "You know that there is food for dogs right, it's called dog food" Tsunade snorted having watched this, Sakura raised a slender pink brow at her and smiled.
"Yeah but we haven't been able to get any for him, hence the human food, plus he was almost starved to death when he came upon us" Sakura explained, jumping from the stool "Do we have time to meditate" she inquired suddenly.
Orochimaru looked out the window, it was better if they got done sooner rather than later so that they'd be able to teach the kids more "Thirty minutes" he relented and the four kids sat down in their circle and began meditating.
They cut it close though and soon they were being led through the village to the training grounds "Right Yahiko, Nagato with Jiraiya and Orochimaru, Konan, Sakura with me, I'm going to teach you how to be a medical ninja" Tsunade barked separating the boys from the girls.
Yahiko wanted to argue, cause they had all decided to learn medical ninjutsu together, but Sakura shook her head causing him to deflate as he and Nagato were carted off to the other side of the training field to begin their lessons.
Having missed the subtle movements of the pinkette, Tsunade had them stand before her "Okay do either of you know what it means to be a medic" she questioned eyeing the bluenette, but Sakura was the one to answer her question.
"To be a medic is to put aside all feeling and heal until you can't anymore, until that person is deemed dead, to make sure even in the heat of battle you can't be captured, and above all a medic should never be on the front lines, but..." Sakura trailed off.
Then took a deep breath "If you have the abilities, then only then will a medic be able to fight on the front lines" she finished with an inward smug smile, Tsunade was going to get a shock, like hell she was going to let the woman knock her around.
Tsunade's eye twitched "Why you little brat" she snapped temper heating and just as she swung her hand down on the pinkette's head, Konan squealing in fright, Sakura disappeared with a pop, then she dropped from the tree she'd been hiding in.
Surprised a little kid had gotten the drop on her, Tsunade pressed her lips together angrily "For that little stunt you get to go first brat" she growled placing a melon in the girls hands and then creating a long thick gash in the rind so that it would be a little harder to heal.
Before she could teach the girl the hand signs to the medical jutsu, Sakura placed her hand over the melon concentrating because this was her first time using her chakra without hand signs and nudged her medical chakra along her chakra point to her hand.
Slowly but surely her hand became encased in the familiar green glow, her emerald eyes lit up with pride just before her hard earned glow fizzled out, Konan stared in awe "What was that Sakura-chan" the bluenette asked as Sakura struggled to get her breathing under control.
"That's the fruits of all my meditating, to be able to use my chakra without hand signs" Sakura smiled though her heart was racing and she was still breathing heavy, at least she had been able to manage producing medical chakra.
Konan twisted her head to the side "It looks more difficult than I thought, I'll just stick with hand signs" she muttered sheepishly facing Tsunade who was still stood staring at the pinkette with a dumbfounded look on her face.
A minute later Tsunade got her emotions under control "Okay then Konan repeat after me" she ran through the short list of hand signs for the bluenette to try her own hand at medical ninjutsu, though she was still quite impressed with the pinkette, it must have been difficult.
Over on the other side of the field Jiraiya and Orochimaru were showing Yahiko and Nagato how to focus their chakra into their feet for the world renowned tree climbing exercise, it was the easiest thing to teach them, without pushing them past their limits just yet.
"Okay it's you're turn Nagato" Orochimaru instructed repeating the trick for the little red head, then gestured at the tree, when the boy didn't move an inch, he sighed wondering why he'd offered to teach them anything again.
Yahiko paused in his own practicing and walked over to his friend "It's okay Nagato" he clapped the boy on the back hoping to encourage him, but unlike all the times Sakura did it, if anything Nagato got even more scared.
"I'll be right back" he announced suddenly running to the other side of the field, Yahiko watched him go with a smile as Nagato pulled Sakura in to a quick hug distracting her and getting the encouragement he needed before running back "Okay I'll try now" Nagato nodded.
Orochimaru watched as the little boy focused his chakra to his feet like he'd showed him then got a running start at the tree, six feet up Nagato tumbled downwards and he moved to catch him "See there not so bad" he praised the red head ruffling his hair.
Nagato sent him a hesitant smile and Jiraiya chuckled "You're pretty good with kids when you aren't being all moody Orochimaru" the white haired male pointed out and got a golden eyed glare from his teammate, but the raven haired man didn't deny the statement.
Two hours later after switching, and Tsunade found herself teaching both little boys some medical ninjutsu while the girls learned how to climb a tree, Sakura pushing herself to not use a single hand sign impressing Orochimaru who was showing her the technique.
The three sannin released their students and headed home "Do whatever you want with the rest of you're day, just try not to get lost alright" Jiraiya warned Yahiko nodded as sagely as he could taking the warning to heart, when they were out of sight the orange haired boy turned to Sakura.
"Now what, I know we said we'd each find a job we could do, but where do we start" Yahiko questioned, the pinkette tapped her lip trying to think of something they could do so they could each earn money without Jiraiya, or her having to pay for it all the time.
A couple minutes later "Why don't we go talk to the Hokage, see if he can't help us out" she suggested and Yahiko, Konan and Nagato nodded in acquiesce, then they were walking through the village towards the Hokage Tower, using a map Orochimaru had given them of the village.
When they were stood in his office again before Hiruzen's desk with him staring at them all in confusion, Nagato was the one to speak up for the first time in his presence "Please Hokage-san, is there anywhere we might be able to find a job" he kept his eyes glued to the floor as he spoke.
Hiruzen really couldn't stop his brows from climbing into his bangs at the question, kids that were willing to work, now that was a true laugh, and for probably many others, "Well there a plenty of things you kids can do to earn a little cash" he puffed on his pipe as he spoke.
"Like weeding someones garden, doing laundry, helping old people with their shopping, and other chores that would be available, why do you ask" he set down his pipe to speak to the four kids wanting to find out what would possess them to come here.
Konan stepped forward shyly "Because we don't want to be mooches of Jiraiya-sensei, Orochimaru-sensei, or Tsunade-shishou, or Sakura-chan, and we want to be able to get our own things" she fiddled with her hands as she talked but unlike Nagato she kept her amber irises locked with those of the Hokage's.
Even more shocked, Hiruzen felt the urge to rub his temples as a headache formed behind his eyes, "Okay then try these places and tell them I sent you, if that doesn't work, then I'll see if I can't acquire a job that will suit the each of you better" he finally sighed.
More marks were placed on the map indicating those were the places they were to go, all within vicinity of their apartment, and Hiruzen handed them a note each to give to the owners of the store, or whatever shop it was they were going to.
The first place turned out to be a little origami shop and Konan's eyes went so wide, she'd always wanted to do origami, the only thing she'd learned before her parents had died and so before Sakura could say she'd take this place, "I'll call the origami shop" she stared her friends down.
Though she didn't have to worry, neither Yahiko or Nagato wanted anything to do with such a girly thing, Nagato being much less vocal about it, and Sakura wasn't even remotely interested in learning the art of origami, so Konan was decidedly happy as they entered the store.
"Oh my what cute customers" an elderly woman came around the counter to stand before them "Can I interest you in anything, by the way my name is Zu, but you can call me Zu-chan" she introduced herself, Sakura nudged Konan forward when she stood frozen.
Turning unbelievably shy, the bluenette lowered her eyes to the ground "You see Zu-chan, I um really like origami, and I was wondering if you were looking to hire anyone" Konan mumbled softly as her cheeks turned a dazzling red color.
Zu smiled patted the little girl on the head and folded her arms as she thought on her request "Can I see you in action, I need to know if a future employee of mine is any good" she finally asked handing the bluenette some paper.
Konan took it and sat down in a chair that was suddenly placed before her swallowed and steeled her nerves fiddling with the paper folding it expertly with her little fingers until she'd finished her origami angel shocking Zu.
"My stars, and what did you say you're name was child" her hazel eyes were wide, with a little girl like that in her shop she was bound to get more customers, Konan looked up at her with proud amber eyes and smiled widely.
"Technically I hadn't introduced myself yet, but my name is Konan" she exclaimed happily, best of all she hadn't even needed to show the woman the note the hokage had given her, it made her happier than she'd felt in a long time.
Sakura's lips curved upwards "I think you just made Konan-chan's day, Zu-san" she pointed out and the bluenette puffed out her cheeks at her, but she didn't refute the statement, Konan was practically vibrating with excitement.
The elderly woman laughed kindly "Now I want you in here on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at exactly what time do you get out of the academy" Zu frowned realizing that the little girl was possibly going to the school.
Before Konan could panic "Zu-san, we aren't in the academy, but we do have training from nine to eleven thirty, then lunch, so is around one okay for Konan-chan to come in to work on those days" Sakura took over.
"You're quite insightful for a child, very well then on those days come in at exactly one o'clock and I'll pay you six ryo an hour for four hours each day" Zu nodded hoping the little girl accepted her terms, Konan's smile widened until it was spread from ear to ear.
And she nodded so eagerly that it caused Yahiko to laugh until she glared at him "That will be fine Zu-chan, I'll see you um what day is it Sakura-chan" Konan paused clueless as to what day it was, outside they hadn't had to worry about that.
"It's Tuesday, so tomorrow" Sakura said "Thank you very much Zu-san, we should go see about those other jobs for us" she grabbed Nagato's hand so he didn't get lost as they left the origami shop and headed down the street together walking close to each other so they weren't separated.
The next store happened to be one she was very familiar with and just like before when she'd seen the apartment building, tears gathered in the corners of her eyes but Sakura shoved them away "I'll take the flower shop, it's good because flowers have medicinal or poisonous properties" she said.
Yahiko shuddered, even something as innocent as a flower could be dangerous, Konan snickered at him as they entered the Yamanaka Flower Shop following behind Sakura, upon entering a little blonde boy walked up to them.
"Hello welcome to Yamanaka Flower Shop, My name is Inoichi Yamanaka what can I help you with" he smiled in a polite way taking no notice that the four that had entered the shop were children just like him until his blue/green eyes opened when no one spoke.
Sakura eyed the younger version of the adult she'd known for most of her life as a child and she strongly resisted the urge to glomp him, Inoichi was downright cute, Sakura shook her head mentally berating herself for crushing on Ino's dad.
"Um excuse me I was wondering if the owners were around, see I'd like to get a job here if possible" she cleared her throat realizing she was staring and finally spoke, Inoichi blinked before he gave her a polite smile and then stepped into the back room.
A couple minutes later Sakura met Ino's grandparents for the first time "Our son said you were looking for a job, aren't you a little young, and why here specifically" Mrs. Yamanaka leaned over the pinkette and she almost backed up but stopped herself in time.
She took a deep breath getting an encouraging nod from Nagato, "Ma'am" Sakura started politely keeping eye contact to show she wasn't afraid "We recently were brought here to be trained, and well we want to be able to get our own things without have to rely on our sensei all the time" Sakura said.
"Plus, it would be nice to have some money saved up when we left here to go back home, and I love flowers, I could tell you the name of every single flower in here and all their uses whether it's poisonous or has medicinal properties" Sakura exhaled.
Mr. Yamanaka chuckled "Okay then a test to see if what you say is true, recently we just got a new shipment of flowers in and we got stuck on this rare flower, and we can't really determine if it has poisonous or medicinal properties" he suggested stepping into the backroom again.
Three minutes later he returned with a light purple flower, Sakura's eyes widened, if she remembered correctly "Did that come from Rain Country" she asked and Mrs. Yamanaka nodded "Ah Aconitum Napellus or Aconitum, and depends, it could be used for poison or medicinal" Sakura reeled off.
Inoichi had stood by with a book and flipped it open to the desired page "She's right Father, Mother" he announced reading off the information for all to hear "Can she work here please, it's rare to find someone who has a great interest in flowers" he pleaded with his parents.
Mrs. Yamanaka smiled "Okay dear no need to pull a muscle, she can work here, what would you're preferred hours be" she turned to the pinkette pulling out a notebook and a pencil, her emerald eyes lit up with pure excitement causing them to smile.
"We," Sakura gestured to herself and the other children behind her "Have training until eleven thirty except on the weekends, and we eat lunch before meditating, so around one everyday I'm free, also I'm Sakura" she introduced herself finally to the Yamanaka's.
None of them had expected that "Why aren't you in the academy" Mr. Yamanaka narrowed his eyes on the quartet of children, now that he was getting a good look at them, they all seemed a bit like, 'Orphans' the word popped into his head, now he understood, they didn't have any parents.
Yahiko jumped forward "Cause that's when our sensei trains us, see he brought us here with his teammates and they are training us and then after we are done with our training we'll be going home" he explained easily knowing exactly what to say now.
"How long is you're sensei training you for" Inoichi piped up, he really didn't want to lose the only other little kid that seemed to like flowers just as much as he did, and it was really going to suck when she left, maybe if he knew how much time they had he could convince them to stay.
Sakura smiled sheepishly "I believe sensei said he was going to train us for three years, so we'll go back home when we are about ten, or nine as the case is for me" she pouted suddenly and Yahiko sniggered causing Konan to smack him over the head and Nagato to clench her hand tighter.
"Right then, show up around one thirty on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays, that's our busiest days, also you'll get five ryo for working to five thirty so that's four hours each day" Mrs. Yamanaka finally gave the pinkette her schedule.
She gave them a neat little curtsy "Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Yamanaka and Inoichi-san, have a great rest of the day" Sakura waved over her shoulder as they left the flower shop behind going to the last to places marked, the weapons shop going to Yahiko, and the pet store Nagato.
By the time they made it back to their apartment, none of them had gone shopping, instead Sakura made dinner for them, sharing some food with Chibi again, since they still didn't have any dog food for him, then they meditated, took their showers and finally flopped down in their beds to sleep.
Across the village "I'm worried about them" Tsunade frowned, she Jiraiya and Orochimaru were having a celebratory drink, to commemorate their first official day as sensei's to the quartet of war orphans they'd brought back with them to the Leaf Village.
"Yeah I kind of expected them to come searching for us, but after we released them for the day we haven't seen hide nor hair of them around the village at all" Jiraiya knocked his drink back before speaking and Orochimaru grimaced.
He felt the same way, it's just he felt a little more awkward around the children than his two teammates did, "Do you think we should go check on those four" Orochimaru suggested not wanting the night to pass by without making sure they were alright.
Surprised that the suggestion had come from the raven haired golden eyed male, Tsunade and Jiraiya each sent him befuddled looks, "What, just because I'm an ass ninety percent of the time, doesn't mean I don't care" Orochimaru glared at the table.
"Easy there Orochimaru, we aren't judging you, it's just that usually it take's a lot longer than that for you to get attached to someone" Tsunade held up her hands glaring at Jiraiya in case he even so much as dared laugh at Orochimaru.
Jiraiya leaned back getting the message loud and clear, keeping his mouth shut in the process "Well I'm not sure but I think it has something to do with Sakura, even though she's an orphan, she's more outgoing and bubblier than the other three, it just makes me feel like..." Orochimaru trailed off.
"Like I need to protect her from the harshness of the world, a flower so innocent like her is rare, but if we get beneath the surface, I bet she's just as lost and heartbroken as Yahiko, Nagato and Konan" he finished and Tsunade's eyes widened.
Not sure if it was a good thing that his male teammate was taking such an interest in the pinkette, Jiraiya tossed back his last drink and stood placing some money down "If we're going to go, we might as well go now" he shrugged.
Orochimaru and Tsunade did the same and then they were soon arriving at the apartment the four orphans were probably sleeping in, Jiraiya unlocked the door not expecting the trip wire and he hit the floor with a loud thud.
Barking sounded from the living room and Sakura flew out of the bedroom after making sure Konan, Yahiko and Nagato would stay put, "Jiraiya-sensei" she blinked slowly taking in the sight of the white haired sannin/toad sage caught in her trap.
Just before "Pffttt ninja are supposed to be graceful Jiraiya you buffoon" Orochimaru snorted in amusement as Sakura helped the man from her ninja wire and reset the trap, he would have to watch his step later, considering he remembered.
"It's not my fault I wasn't expecting to be tripped" Jiraiya grumbled "And we come all this way to make sure you four are alright" he crossed his arms acting like a child and Tsunade rolled her eyes whacking him over the head.
Sakura shuddered and took a couple of steps back, she definitely didn't want to get whacked right now "Right thank you Jiraiya-sensei, Tsunade-shishou, Orochimaru-sensei, for checking in on us, but we're okay" she smiled softly.
Orochimaru cracked a smile, the first she'd seen from him that wasn't full of awful intent, "Well now that we know you are all, alright, we'll be going" he drug Jiraiya up from the floor making sure to step high over the ninja wire and the door was shut behind Tsunade.
When she returned to her room, Sakura peeked in on Yahiko and Nagato, the red head had gone back to sleep, but Yahiko was sitting up in his bed "Was that Jiraiya-sensei" he yawned running a hand through his orange hair ruffling it even more into an unmanageable state.
"Yeah, Orochimaru-sensei and Tsunade-shishou to" she murmured softly "Night Yahiko-kun" Sakura whispered returning to her and Konan's room, the bluenette had gone back to sleep, but she suspected questions in the morning, Sakura climbed back into her bed, a moment later drifting off to sleep.