Like she'd thought she would Sakura woke up the following day feeling much better and no fever at all and happily took her shower before making breakfast half way finished Yahiko, Konan and Nagato padded into the kitchen when they spotted her their eyes narrowed.
"I'm fine chakra exhaustion is easily cured, if I still hadn't felt well I would have stayed in bed" she pointed out and Yahiko pressed his hand to her forehead just to check, he let out a sigh of relief before he sat down with Nagato and Konan.
"That's good you're feeling better, just try not to over do it today okay, you do have to work in the flower shop" he scolded it was to easy for them to get sick it seemed something as innocent as chakra exhaustion was more dangerous than they'd all thought.
Sakura nodded hopefully the sannin would switch up their training for that day, if not she would have to ask if they could possibly learn a jutsu, that way they'd be able to focus on something different and not get bored with the training they were being given.
Nagato stared at the pinkette with worry in his eyes "Are you sure you're really feeling better Sakura-chan" he sniffled already feeling the tears gathering and preparing slide down his cheeks, she spun and rushed over to him after lowering the heat.
When her arms wrapped around him the dam broke and Nagato cried "There, there Nagato-kun, I'll be alright" Sakura soothed in that calming way running her hand through his hair, 'Children' she thought 'Cry so easily over the simplest of things' she groaned inwardly.
The red head wasn't the only one crying and soon Sakura found herself calming not only Nagato down but Konan and Yahiko which was a rare sight to see the boy crying, considering how he hated to seem like a baby or even when someone thought he was.
Once they got all the crying out of their systems Sakura returned to finishing up breakfast, which consisted of almost burnt eggs, bacon and mini pancakes which she assembled into a sandwich before plating it up and making sure they all had water or something to drink while they ate.
Afterwards Chibi let out a whine and Nagato hopped up and grabbed the puppy "Be right back have to let Chibi out" he called exiting the apartment and walking down the stairs to let Chibi go in the grass instead of on the flooring of outside their apartment.
Ten minutes later they were back and Nagato finished off his food before he realized "Did we get more stuff in our rooms" he questioned remembering the little origami kunai he'd seen on his bedside table when it hadn't been there before.
Sakura smiled "Mhm, everyone got three origami sculptures, I did my best in picking out ones you two boys would like, but if you don't, then you guys can go shopping today, there are still things that need to be got after all" she placed her list on the table and Yahiko snatched it up.
"We'll finish the shopping Sakura-chan, so you don't have to" he nodded, stuffing it into his pocket for safe keeping, he was determined to do that for her no matter what, the pinkette grinned and prepared to wash up but Konan was quicker.
And Nagato grabbed her hand before Sakura could complain shaking his head "Rest for just a little bit longer please Sakura-chan" he pouted in that way using his cuteness to his advantage, she sighed softly and squeezed his hand back not attempting to get up again.
Soon dishes were washed and set to the side to dry for lunch and the four of them moved into the living room to meditate, when the normal time for someone to pick them up came, Orochimaru showed up to find all four of the orphans ready to go.
He led them to the training grounds, tomorrow they would make it here on their own, when Sakura realized that none of the sannin planned on changing their training around, she stepped in "Do you think we could learn a jutsu today" Sakura bounced eagerly to make it seem like she really wanted to.
Not having expected that, Jiraiya took off "Just practice some stretches or something, I have to buy some chakra sensing paper" he called over his shoulder, Orochimaru and Tsunade blinked before showing the quartet of kids how to properly stretch before a fight.
Fifteen minutes later their white haired sensei returned and passed around little papers "Okay since Sakura asked you're all going to learn what you're chakra natures are" Jiraiya said staring between the four orphans and seeing confusion on most of their faces, except for the pinkette's.
"What are we supposed to do with a piece of paper" Yahiko sulked, this new training was already proving to be very boring as he held the slip up to his face and eyed it closely with his brown eyes until Orochimaru let out a quiet chuckle.
He took his turn explaining to them what they needed to do "Focus chakra into the paper, then it will either get wet, for water, crumble, for earth, burst into flames, for fire, rip to pieces, for wind, or crackle with lightning for lightning" Orochimaru instructed.
Grateful they had more than one sensei to teach them things, Yahiko quickly tried his hand at pushing chakra into the slip he held in his hand, it got wet "So does that mean I have water nature and can use water jutsu's" Yahiko asked tilting his head to the side in thought.
"Mhm I bet you'd be a great sensor to Yahiko-kun, just think about all the possibilities" Sakura called in her soft voice as she sent a small spike of chakra into her paper, it got wet then crumbled "Earth and Water" she was relieved, the time travel hadn't messed with her natures.
Nagato went next revealing he had wind, and Konan last had Earth, though she already intended on inventing her own style with her paper origami "Right now that you've all learned what natures you have it's time to learn a jutsu" Tsunade strode forward and handed each kid a scroll.
"Now choose an easy one from that scroll, like water style raging waves, or earth style mud wall, or possibly wind style gale palm" she listed for reference "But it doesn't have to be those particular jutsu's" Tsunade shrugged.
They sat down in a circle to come up with something in the end Yahiko went with raging waves, while Sakura chose water manipulation and earth clone, Konan picked a simple jutsu like rock staff, and Nagato just decided to try the gale palm jutsu.
When they were done the four of them stood and faced their sensei's telling them what they chose, Orochimaru decided to help Nagato, while Jiraiya went with Yahiko leaving Tsunade with the two girls "Okay because it will be easier, I'll show Konan the hand signs to her jutsu" she grumbled.
"That's fine Tsunade-shishou, since I'm not using hand signs, I'll just start practicing" Sakura piped in with a smile, hopefully it would be easier considering how much she'd managed the day before, and that this training lasted through the time they had.
With that Tsunade turned to Konan and ran through the hand signs to the rock staff jutsu "It's simple and depending on how much chakra you use it will either be as long and thick as a tree, or as thin as you're wrist but shorter like a sword" the blonde instructed the bluenette who immediately began.
Sakura faced the opposite direction closing her eyes to focus, now came the ultimate test with her self training in the ways of ninshu, if she could use her two natures independently of one another that would be awesome.
She found her earth natured chakra and moved it along the chakra points to her hand as she placed it on the ground kneading her chakra into the earth as she thought the jutsu hoping it worked "Earth Style: Earth Clone" she murmured as the ground shifted and shook.
Five minutes later a stone head that looked just like her started rising from the earth until it was stood before her, Sakura sat back checking her chakra and sighed in relief, she hadn't had to use to much chakra, and it had gotten easier like she'd thought.
This distracted Konan from her own earth style jutsu "Wow Sakura-chan that's pretty impressive but are you okay" she called worry bright in her amber eyes, Sakura leaned her head back to peer at the girl before nodding.
"Everything's okay" she raised her hand not even breathing half as hard as she had the days before, the more she practice the smoother she'd be able to use her chakra without hand signs, it was an amazing feeling, Sakura smiled 'Guess I just have to keep practicing' she nodded.
Tsunade shook her head "Okay try it again Sakura, you to Konan, keep practicing you're jutsu" she clapped her hands and the two girls got back to work, eventually the bluenette was able to create a really short thick rock staff that she could hardly hold up.
On the other side of the field, Orochimaru was showing Nagato the hand signs to his jutsu for the fifth time "Okay repeat after me" he ordered as gently as he could promising himself that he wouldn't get irritated no matter what.
"Ok...okay Orochimaru-sensei" Nagato shakily repeated the hand signs messing up on the last one, he clenched his eyes as the raven haired man showed them to him again, he took a deep breath and tried again before finally managed to repeat them several times without screwing up.
Orochimaru sighed inwardly with relief 'Thank kami he got it, this is why I'm probably never gonna take on another student again' he shook his head, that was for a later time and if he found someone interesting then he might but until then he was going to focus on these four orphans.
"Good job Nagato, now let's see you try the gale palm jutsu" he instructed showing the boy the proper way to execute the jutsu, Nagato watched closely taking everything in with his eyes, that he had yet to show anyone besides Sakura, because she hadn't judged him for the pattern being weird.
Then suddenly it was his turn to perform the jutsu, he inhaled and nervously went through the hand signs, no one said he had to be fast after all, and then held them up in the proper way "Wind Style: Ga..Gale Palm" Nagato stuttered and a blast of cutting wind shot from his palms.
It slammed into a tree cutting it before fading "Not bad for you're first try Nagato, as you practice and use more and more of you're chakra, you're jutsu's will get stronger and stronger" Orochimaru praised patting the red head on the head.
Nagato smiled timidly at the man, they were lucky have not one but three sensei's and it would have never been possible if Sakura had never come across him and then when they'd run across Yahiko and Konan, he'd been happy, they were family blood wasn't always thicker than bonds.
"I'll try again Orochimaru-sensei" he nodded in determination performing the jutsu again just to show that he could do it, he would make Sakura proud of him to, with that in mind Nagato practiced as hard as he could with his jutsu.
By Jiraiya, the poor man just couldn't seem to catch a break "Okay Yahiko, when you're using you're jutsu, you must first use hand signs then mold chakra properly, before using it" Jiraiya ran through the hand signs needed for the raging waves jutsu, then inhaled and exhaled.
"Water Style: Raging Waves" water spewed from his mouth and crashed into a target he'd set up "Now it's you're turn do exactly as I did, hold you're breath for a moment and then release the pent up chakra" Jiraiya instructed.
Yahiko narrowed his brown eyes going through his hand signs, then inhaled a lungful of air, allowing chakra to build up in his throat, he held it for as long as he could before releasing the jutsu "Water Style: Raging Waves" he breathed out as a weak stream of water splashed uselessly on the ground.
Jiraiya covered his face with his hands in frustration "You aren't molding you're chakra properly, you're just needlessly holding you're breath" he said for what seemed like the millionth time showing the orange haired boy the jutsu again.
By this point Yahiko was getting irritated himself so in a fit of anger jerkily formed the hand signs to the jutsu he'd been taught molding his chakra with little thought and wham water flew from his mouth in a good strong stream and slammed into a target destroying it.
When it was over, the boy stood staring at the destruction before shakily turning to Jiraiya "Was that supposed to happen" Yahiko grimaced, perhaps he'd been to hasty, he certainly didn't want to accidentally hurt someone while practicing.
"It happens sometimes Yahiko but you need to learn how to control you're anger and learn a little patience, though you correctly executed the jutsu, let's see you try again without getting angry" Jiraiya prodded and Yahiko returned to his task of using the jutsu.
Back on the other side of the field with Tsunade, Konan and Sakura, the pinkette was now practicing with her water nature using her right hand instead of her left keeping the two natures separate, it wasn't to hard of a thing and was easily manipulating the moisture in the air.
Being able to shoot little balls of water in random directions was fun and Sakura briefly contemplated shooting one at Yahiko and Jiraiya, but decided not to, when all that was left were thirty minutes of their training session Sakura made a decision.
"Hey Jiraiya-sensei what do you think will happen if I combine my two natures together" Sakura skipped over to the long white haired male hand behind her back as she stood in front of him, Jiraiya looked surprised at the question before shrugging.
He didn't really have an answer for her "Well why don't you try and find out, see if you can't make something different" Jiraiya gestured for Sakura to go ahead and she sat down on the ground bringing her hands together combining her chakra natures.
The moment Sakura put her hands on the ground, he had this sinking feeling form in the pit of his stomach he went to warn the girl but spoke to late, a wooden beam shot from the earth from where Sakura was sitting and she shrieked flying upwards into the air.
"Sakura-chan" Nagato called when Orochimaru caught her and placed on the ground, she faced him looking a little frightened while Jiraiya stared at what the pinkette had created, how was it even possible, only the first had been able to use the wood element.
Inwardly Sakura was lamenting the fact that her abilities had been messed up in the transfer of time, and wanted to scream at someone or something, it was silent for several long minutes until "That was so cool Sakura-chan" Yahiko bounded over to her awe in his brown eyes.
"Yeah cool" she mumbled still a little freaked out by what she'd done, how the hell did she have wood style, it was basically impossible and only the First Hokage and Yamato had been able to use it because Orochimaru had experimented on him when he had been a boy.
Then, Sakura thought back to the old time line Orochimaru had come to them escaping from Black Zetsu, he and Yamato had gotten together talking for weeks when it was almost time for her to come back into the past.
Three months before she was to be turned back into a child, she'd blacked out and woken up in her bed, she'd thought nothing of it until now 'Yamato you ass, I can't believe you'd pull a stunt like that' Sakura ground her teeth together in agitation but what she didn't know was that she was completely wrong and that it was just her natural ability.
Her parents had never told her, but some of her ancestors had come from the Senju clan directly connected to Hashirama Senju, whether that be a cousin, aunt or an uncle, and that she was somewhat related to Tsunade, as a really distant cousin.
"We'll talk about this later, for now you guys are free to go" Tsunade dismissed the children and they trudged off going back to their apartment "Should we tell Sarutobi-sensei" she faced her teammates, a little girl had wood element it was scary to think what could happen to her if people found out.
Jiraiya scratched his chin while Orochimaru stood off to the side silently, before he'd met the four orphans, he'd always wanted to try his hand at experimentation to see if the wood style could be replicated, Danzo had told him it was okay, but if that was the result, he didn't want anything to do with it anymore.
"I think we should tell Sensei, that way we can acquire a scroll for her, but we'll have to stress the importance of this to him that should Sakura's ability to use wood element get out that the girl would be targeted for it" Orochimaru spoke out wanting to keep the pinkette and others safe.
Both looked at Jiraiya who'd been silent since the moment that wood had shot from the ground "You're both right, let's just hope those kids don't go blabbing" he groaned rubbing his face, maybe they should seal it away, that sounded like a better idea, but he wasn't going to suggest it.
Together the three of them trekked towards the hokage tower to apprise their sensei who was the Hokage, of what they'd witnessed, hopefully they'd be able to teach the pinkette something, if not then they'd tell her to never use it again.
Across the village, Sakura was pulling ingredients out of the fridge preparing to make a big lunch "Why so much stuff" Konan watched closely as she cut up the onions and Yahiko and Nagato made the homemade noodles.
"I guess I forgot to tell you, um Inoichi-san and two of his friends are coming over to have lunch with us, since they can use their chakra, they can leave the academy grounds, then afterwards they'll go back and I'll head in to work" Sakura exclaimed cheerfully sipping her broth to see what it needed.
She grimaced 'Apparently a lot' Sakura sighed taking a large pinch of salt and adding a couple more flavorful ingredients, such as onions, carrots, celery, as Konan sliced and diced them, each of them working together flawlessly as they cooked lunch together.
Just as they dishing it out a loud knock came and Sakura took off her apron and went down the hall opening the door "Inoichi-san, Shikaku-san, Choza-san" she greeted before her eyes spotted the final boy "Minato-san" Sakura murmured with a nod of her head.
"You look okay" Shikaku reached out poking her forehead and Sakura's eye twitched in irritation "Sorry but Minato tagged along is that alright" he asked, the boy had just followed them wanting to make sure the pinkette was alright.
Knowing she couldn't turn the second blonde away, "Yeah that's fine, though we only have six chairs, but I suppose we could eat in the living room today" Sakura led the four boys to the kitchen to find Yahiko, Nagato and Konan already sitting at the table.
At her words though their eyes lit up in excitement "Ramen that's the best you can make" Shikaku groaned, he'd thought they would be having an awesome lunch, not ramen, Sakura raised a slender pink brow at him before smiling.
"Just wait until you try it, then you'll think otherwise" she rubbed her hands together with a snicker dishing out the food as they all moved to the living room and chose a spot to sit, with her taking the only reclining chair, Nagato, Yahiko and Konan on the love seat.
And the four other boys on the couch, "So who are you guys, we know Inoichi-san, but not you other boys" Yahiko jabbed his chopsticks in their direction wanting to get the introductions over and done with so they could get to eating.
Shikaku took over after getting a nod from the two boys "I'm Shikaku Nara, this is Choza Akimichi" he pointed to the red head "And that's Minato Namikaze" he gestured to the second blonde on the other side of him before digging into the ramen.
His eyes widened when the flavor hit his tongue and the ramen noodles went down without the usual bad after taste of packaged ramen, "Okay well I'm Yahiko, this is Nagato and Konan" Yahiko pointed to himself, then the red head, then the bluenette.
Sakura snickered silently to herself enjoying the chatter and the good food, no one could resist homemade ramen noodles, with veggies and homemade broth, "Hey this stuff is amazing" Choza was eating with a vigor that made Yahiko snort and open his mouth.
She slanted a look at him quickly before he could say anything and the boy slammed his jaw shut, grateful that all she had to do was give him a look, Sakura settled back in her chair "I heard you passed out yesterday" Inoichi piped up suddenly.
And she felt Nagato staring at her, great she'd wanted to hide that little fact "I did" Sakura said not denying it "But that was because of minor chakra exhaustion, I'm fine today" she nodded and Nagato relaxed resuming his eating.
"What" Konan exclaimed in horror "You didn't tell us that you'd passed out because of you're chakra exhaustion, tell us the truth Sakura-chan, how bad was it really" she narrowed her eyes on the pinkette who lowered her chopsticks.
With a sigh "Not as bad as it seemed, fever, pale skin, exhaustion is all signs of minor chakra exhaustion, including passing out for no reason" Sakura explained soothingly, ugh all she wanted to do was eat her ramen in peace, but Inoichi just had to open his mouth.
Satisfied for the time being everyone continued eating with Choza working his way through four bowls and there still being extra which she put in thermoses and gave to the four boys to have for lunch the next day if they wanted.
Fifteen minutes to one thirty Sakura hopped out of the recliner "Right then I'll see you guys at five thirty and don't forget to finish up the shopping, it's imperative that we get some of that stuff on the list" she reminded strapping her sandals on her feet as she headed out.
Once she was gone, Konan grabbed the storage scrolls Sakura had left out for them, after showing them how to seal and unseal items from within and a couple minutes after she was gone, the three of t hem left the apartment to conduct their shopping using a map she'd marked.
Sakura walked quickly down the streets to Yamanaka Flower Shop and entered the store where Mr. Yamanaka was waiting for her "Until Inoichi gets off, I'll be out here showing you the ropes" he stated handing her an apron and a water bottle.
"Right now the flowers need a little sprucing up so go around spraying the water on them" he instructed heading to the counter as the customer in the shop walked towards it, easily ringing up the total as they bought a bouquet of flowers.
The pinkette rolled up her sleeves starting with the right side of the store working her way through each and every flower spritzing them with water, until she made it to the left side doing the same, in this manner, thirty five minutes passed by easily.
At exactly 2:07 the older Yamanaka stepped into the back room "If someone comes in help them out to the best of you're abilities" he told her before he disappeared from view, Sakura took a deep breath stealing her nerves checking the flowers again.
Seven minutes later the bell on the door chimed and Sakura swung around to face the customer "Welcome to Yamanaka Flower Shop, I'm Sakura is there anything I can help you with today" she bowed her head politely at the elderly man.
"Yes you see it's my wife's and I's anniversary today and I promised I'd get her a bouquet with pretty flowers but I just really don't know what to get, I love her very much" he rubbed his hands together nervously looking more than a little lost.
Sakura's eyes lit up "There are several flowers that mean love, take for instance these red carnations, they represent deep love and the white ones for undying devotion, put them with a few roses as the centerpieces and a couple of red tulips, you'll have the perfect bouquet" she rattled off.
The elderly man blinked in surprise "But will that really let her know just how much she means to me" he prodded, "Like I want to represent honesty, loyalty and tender affection as well in the bouquet" he said and Sakura tapped her lip.
"Well other flowers can be added into the arrangement as well, like for honesty you could add in a Daphne Flower, and loyalty a Daisy, an ivy for tender affection, and if you really want to blow her away, I'd add a hibiscus flower" she tossed in sneakily hoping he'd take it.
His forehead creased "What does a hibiscus flower mean sweetie" the elderly man asked leaning a little closer so that he would be able to hear better, now that she'd said it he was most curious, because all the flowers she listed were definitely perfect.
Sakura took a deep breath and with a bright smile "It means Eternal Beauty, all women are versed well in the language of flowers and I've no doubt you're wife, probably a wonderful woman will know exactly what you mean, for beauty is in the eye of the beholder" she announced.
"You drive a hard bargain little girl, I'll take all the flowers you mentioned" he smiled peering over her shoulder as he shook her hand at the older Yamanaka, it had all been a test yes, but it was really his wife's and his anniversary too.
Her shining emerald eyes lit up to an almost painful degree as she padded around the shop putting together the bouquet and Mr. Yamanaka chose that moment to exit the backroom, Sakura handed the bouquet over before wandering to the other side of the shop as the elder Yamanaka rung up the total.
"So what do you think" the elderly man smiled at the flowers, he'd been coming to this shop for years, knew them all like the back of his hand because his wife loved them, and this had been the first time he'd met such a dedicated little worker.
Mr. Yamanaka chuckled "She's a bright one that little girl, when she said she knew flowers, she meant it and now I have no regrets hiring her" he nodded giving the elderly man the extra ryo and yen that he was owed before he left.
"Congratulations Sakura-san, that was a test to see if you could help a customer without supervision" he walked over to the pinkette who was arranging the flowers in a beautiful way, it was almost as if she was born to work in this shop or something.
Sakura looked up "I know Mr. Yamanaka and thank you for trusting me, I promise not to let you or Mrs. Yamanaka, or Inoichi-san down, I'll always do my best because the customer always comes first" she pumped her arm with a bright smile.
Surprised at hearing the conviction in her voice, and the words she'd said, Mr. Yamanaka patted the girl on the head leaving her to her own devices for awhile until more customers swarmed the shop, all buying something.
Then Inoichi came back from the academy for the last hour and forty five minutes, he quickly tied his own apron around his waist jumping into the fray of customers until business died down twenty minutes later, "Phew Thursdays are always busy" he wiped his forehead.
"No kidding, it was like rush hour in here" Sakura giggled leaning against the counter to rest for a moment, Inoichi smiled in that way and she held back the urge to hug him, after his death in the war Ino had never been the same, this time he wouldn't die and Ino would get her dad back.
He fiddled with his sleeve for a moment "You have Sunday free right.." Inoichi trailed off nervously, Sakura nodded "Would you like to get together with Shikaku and Choza and me, you're friends are welcome to come to" he offered.
"Sure" Sakura shrugged, being in a group would keep her from doing something rather than being on her own, she had no time for such frivolous things as love, she had people to save, villages to protect and what not, besides Inoichi would find the perfect girl and they'd have Ino.
His blue/green eyes lit up "Awesome, I'll let Shikaku know because he plans on teaching you shogi" Inoichi warned and Sakura smiled in exasperation "Yeah, I doubt he'll let you out of it" he chuckled softly before pushing off the counter as more customers entered the shop.
Back at the apartment, Yahiko, Konan and Nagato were finishing up shopping, it had taken them almost the entire time Sakura had been at work to traverse the village buying what the apartment and they needed, when they made it home and set to work putting things away and what not.
Then they also decided to make dinner so Sakura didn't have to, until Konan realized something "Oh shoot, we forgot the arrow root flour" she frowned "Keep cooking Nagato-kun, Yahiko-kun, I'll go back to the market and get a bag of the arrow root flour" Konan dusted her hands off.
"Okay just be careful Konan-chan" Yahiko threw over his shoulder focused on flipping the bratwursts properly, while Nagato made the scalloped potatoes and broccoli boiled in the water on the stove, Konan strapped her shoes on and sped from the apartment.
She hurried down the streets to the market searching through the stalls for the arrow root flour that they were supposed to have gotten, but had forgotten in the excitement of doing shopping for Sakura, the girl was the heart of their group and none of them wanted to take advantage of her.
At the Yamanaka Flower Shop, Sakura finished up with her final customer "Good job today, we'll see you on Saturday, Sakura-san" Mrs. Yamanaka called, while Inoichi waved, she flashed them a smile and left the shop to get back to the apartment.
Half way there as she was passing through the market a familiar scream sounded and her heart thudded in her chest 'Konan, what's Konan doing in the market still' Sakura thought panicking, as she leaped forward searching through the mass of people for the familiar blue hair.
Sakura found her kneeling on the ground cowering away from a man, she grit her teeth and jumped between the two taking the hit, pain blossomed in her cheek and her head twisted sideways from the blow and Konan shrieked in dismay.
More people crowded around the trio and the man who'd done struck out backed up in horror "Konan-chan stop crying" Sakura breathed taking calming breaths keeping her eyes pinned on the bluenette, Konan sniffled but eventually stopped crying.
"That little brat owes me an apology for ramming into me" the man started and Sakura snapped her head around emerald eyes hard and anger leaking from her in waves, causing him to back up some more to get away from the pinkette.
"You don't hit a little girl, especially if it was an accident, it's people like you that make me sick, and make me trust adults less and less, did you actually ask her to apologize, no you just tried to hit her first before demanding an apology from her" Sakura said in as calm a voice as she could manage.
Behind her Konan stood on her feet still cowering behind the pinkette and listening to her talk and the man stuttered, everything Sakura had said was true, she hadn't run into him on purpose, "I'm sorry mister" she mumbled suddenly.
Seeing as he was the one being made out to be the bad guy in this situation, he wisely accepted the apology without further complaint and before the two girls could make their way to wherever they lived someone stepped out from the crowd.
"You should go the hospital and have that checked out" a woman pointed at her cheek, and Sakura lifted her hand to her face feeling up the bruise and wincing, it wasn't broken though it smarted for sure, she'd had worse things happen.
"Thanks but I'll just have my shishou heal it in the morning, it's just a bruise, come on Konan-chan" Sakura smiled through the pain she felt and held out her hand, Konan didn't hesitate and took the offered hand, her other still clutching the container of arrow root flour.
Nagato was decidedly upset when they returned to the apartment "What happened" he frowned deeply seeing the bruise that covered most of the pinkette's cheek gently tracing his finger over it until she cringed and took a step back.
Konan by that point looked guilty "I accidentally ran into someone and he tried to slap me, but Sakura-chan stood in the way at the last moment" tears welled up in her eyes again and dripped down her cheeks, and Sakura wanted to go back and kill that man for what he'd done.
Even Yahiko looked downright murderous "Freaking adults" he growled stomping his foot, "Should we go to the hospital to have that checked out" he paused in his tantrum to worry about Sakura, and the pinkette shook her head.
Before she could speak "You should Sakura-chan, it looks really bad and by tomorrow it could be worse, dinner will still be waiting for us when we come back, and we can just heat it up again if it it's cold" Nagato crossed his arms trying to assert himself for once.
When Konan joined in and told that she should go, Sakura let out a long suffering sigh "Okay, okay, okay" she held up her hands in exasperation, as if she didn't have enough crap to worry about "Let's go then" Sakura sulked inwardly.
"We'll be back" Nagato took her hand and the map in his other leading his friend out the door and down the streets to the hospital, "How bad does it hurt" he asked as they walked, and Sakura peered at him from the corner of her eyes.
Knowing she wouldn't be able to get away with lying this time "Pretty bad but I didn't want Konan, or Yahiko, or you Nagato-kun to worry so much" Sakura admitted looking to her feet, her body had just moved, a knee jerk reaction that seemed to always happen with her.
Nagato pushed aside his own feelings of worry as they finally made it to the hospital "I'm glad it was mean though you know, Konan didn't deserve to get hit for something that wasn't really her fault" Sakura chattered softly.
He paused "You didn't deserve it either Sakura-chan and that guy should be made to apologize to you" Nagato turned around to face the pinkette getting really animated for once as all of his anger came out in one fell swoop.
Surprised that Nagato could get angry like he currently was, Sakura felt even more guilty, though not because she'd stood in the way, but that she'd worried the rain orphans again, why couldn't she do anything right anymore "Sorry Nagato-kun, next time I'll be careful" she promised.
"Good" Nagato nodded as a medic approached them and he explained the situation, when Sakura was taken away by the hand, he sat down to wait, half an hour later she was returned and signed out "Ready" he held out his hand again.
Sakura smiled grateful that the pain in her cheek was gone, though not all of it, considering the hospital didn't have very many competent medics, and took Nagato's hand, they walked back to the apartment they shared with Yahiko and Konan.
They ate dinner in the living room that night "You know this is kind of fun eating in here" Yahiko exclaimed loudly spearing his brat on a fork and tearing into it, causing Konan to giggle, she'd been rather quiet until then and they all knew why, it was scary to know how close she'd come to being hit.
"You can say that again Yahiko-kun" she laughed choosing to scoop a bit of scalloped potatoes and broccoli onto her fork first, she'd kept close to the orange haired boy since she and Sakura had returned to the house together after that man had tried to slap her.
None of them said anything about it though choosing to let her off the hook for the night, "Mhm" Nagato hummed softly agreeing with his friends before he shifted his gaze onto Sakura who was rapidly eating her broccoli.
She smiled when she felt him staring and lowered her fork "Definitely, though we do have to be careful, it won't be easy getting stains out of the carpet if we drop food on it" Sakura warned hoping they'd be a little more cautious.
All three of them froze and eyed the pretty carpet they'd gotten that day at the store warily, along with cleaning supplies, sheets, pillow cases, an extra pillow for each of them, more decorations for each room instead of their bedrooms, and plenty of other things.
"We understand Sakura-chan" Nagato was the first to respond before eating some more until he was to full to eat anymore, he was sure tomorrow he'd be hungrier considering he and Konan had work after lunch while Yahiko and Sakura didn't.
Konan nodded sagely being careful not to spill anything as she stood and padded into the kitchen also finished, leaving Yahiko and Sakura to polish off the rest of their food, Chibi's food and water bowls were refilled and after dishes were cleaned and left to dry they all took a bath.
Just before they were going to crawl into bed a knock sounded and Chibi growled "Down Chibi" Sakura ordered wondering who would be knocking on the door at this hour, "Get in mine and Konan's room on Konan's side" she nudged the rain orphans off to hide just in case.
Cautiously she crept down the short hall to the door and peered through the peephole not seeing anyone, it set alarm bells ringing again so Sakura hastily backed away from the door waiting as she pulled out a poison coated senbon, a slow acting poison this time that didn't kill right off the bat.
And if it turned out to be a friend, she had the antidote on hand, another knock and Sakura peeked through the hole again, this time she unlocked the door and stood back, body tensed like a coil waiting to spring, if it turned out to be an enemy.
The doorknob turned and the door swung open, Sakura almost lunged but held back as she realized who it was "Are you stupid or something Shikaku-san, I almost attacked you" she released all the tension in her body as she put away her senbon.
"Sorry, I just came to make sure you were serious about learning how to play shogi, I don't just teach anyone you see" he held up his hands treading carefully, he had wondered why no one had answered the first time, and he understood that his presence at such an hour would be scary.
Sakura really wanted to hit him anyway "Yes, I'm serious, I thought Inoichi-san would have told you that" she fought back the urge to snap as her shoulders relaxed and her beating heart calmed within her chest, kids were ridiculous, no sense of self preservation at all.
Shikaku held up his hands "He did, but I just wanted to check and see, that's all goodnight Sakura-san" he waved and hastily escaped, the fastest she'd ever seen a Nara run, then Sakura shut the door and locked it resetting her traps before heading to bed.
"It was just Shikaku-san" she assured the trio of huddling kids and they hurriedly separated, Yahiko and Nagato heading to their own room, while Konan climbed into her bed, Sakura did the same and soon all of them were sleeping soundly without a worry.