"You guys ready to go?" I shouted. Moments later, I heard Hanami and Shinachiku scrambling to the front door where as Arashi just walked up to me. "Always so calm.." I said as I picked him up.

"Come on mom!" I heard Hanami shout from outside.

I shook my head and grabbed my keys. "Why couldn't you sister be as calm as you Arashi chan."

As I walked, again, I could see the villagers staring at me and whispering. Most likely surprised I'm out and about for the second time in four years. It's so hard to come out of the house now, I don't know how I did it the other day.. My hands started to sweat and get clammy, my chest heaving up and down more and more.. I could feel an anxiety attack rising.

I was just about to call it quits and let them go alone but I heard them. Their laughter.

I looked on as all three of my children played in the street. They look so happy just to get out of the house. It warms my heart to see them like this after so long. Back in my past life, the contact I had from them were occasional letters and photos of their families. Shinachiku wrote to me the most out of all three, not that I blame them. He always write about his team he was guiding, his adventures to other countries leading the charge of new medicine. Though I never wrote him back, he never stopped writing.. I kept Evey last letter and pictures they all sent me in a box under my bed. If I felt an episode was coming, I'd go through that box and calm down. Seeing them smile in those pictures reminded me of the good days before it all happened.

But this is a new life. A new timeline. A second chance. Trust and believe, I'm not going to fumble this. Pictures are great but.. nothing compares to the real thing.

"Mom!" I heard my name being called upon and instantly snapped out of my inner thoughts.

"What is it sweetie?" I ask my daughter.

"Are..you alright?" Shinachiku asked me. Since he's been just a little boy, Shinachiku has been very observant. He was always pointing out things others didn't see, especially in emotion. He must've sensed me almost having an attack.

"Yes. I'm..alright Shina chan, thank you." I reassured him. He nodded his head, a little hesitant.

Hanami then spoke. "Shinachiku and I are going to have a race to the top of the hill and back, watch us?"

"All right." I took a seat on the park bench. "Whenever you're ready."

"You're obviously going to lose Hanami." Shinachiku teased.

"Not likely.." I heard her mumble.

Arashi stood with both arms pointed in the air. "Ready... set...go!" As soon as he set down his arms, it was like a flash. Shinachiku and Hanami were gone, halfway to the hill.

As Arashi played on the monkey bars, I took in the scenery. It was such a beautiful day. The air was crisp, just the right amount of temperature outside..just perfect.

"See!" Shinachiku yelled. "You're going to lose!" He was already down the hill almost to me.

"Oh yeah?! Watch this!" Hanami declared. I watched her do some hand signs...signs that were so familiar and in an instant, she was gone. In a blink of an eye, she was here!

"Ta-da!" She exclaimed. "I finally mastered it!"

"Wait-" I was confused. What. Did she master?

"Grandpa's ninjitsu! I mastered it Mom!"

"H-How did know what hand signs to use? Who taught you?" I asked.

"Dad did." Arashi chimed in.

I turned my attention towards him. "When?"

"When you were at the hospital trying to find that cure? For the outbreak that Happened last year." Hanami explained. "You worked long hours at he hospital so I so..I was talking to Dad about learning a new ninjitsu. The one Grandpa uses that earned him the name, the yellow flash.! So he taught me how do it. When he passed, I promised him that I'd master it.. and I did!"

When I was a medical expert huh? I remember those days. The break out happened so suddenly in a rural village. I was the leader of a group of medical experts, including Lady Tsunade, Shizune, and Chiyo, who were tasked with creating a cure before it gets uncontrollable.

"I see.." I got off the bench and approached and snatched her into a hug. "I'm so proud of you!" I kissed her forehead as she giggled.

"Thanks mom."

I let her go and addressed them all. "You all go back to playing. I want to enjoy the air for a minute." They nod in understanding and walked towards the playground chatting among themselves most likely planning who would be in during his and seek.

Such a nice morning.. I wish Naruto were here to enjoy it with me. He love the view..

As I leaned back basking in the afternoon sun, I heard footsteps from behind and I turned to see who it was.

"S-Sakura-chan! Ah I didn't mean to startle you!"

"L-Lee-san!" I was a little taken aback by his sudden appearance.

"Metal-san!" I heard Shinachiku yell as he rushed over. I turned to the little boy by his side, whom I somehow missed, and took in his appearance. He looked exactly like Lee! Well, not exactly. He had the same bowl cut as his father, same grass green jumper with orange ankle warmers and ,of course, same bushy eyebrows. The only thing different about him were his eyes.

"Shina-chan!" He rushed to him and embraced each other in a tight hug. "I did not expect you to be here!"

"Me neither!"

The boy, Metal, turned to his father and asked him a question. "Father, can I play with them for a bit? I already did 200 push-ups and 100 sit ups."

Lee smiled brightly at his kid and gave him a thumbs up. "Go ahead! I do not mind you playing with your friends."

Metal thanked Lee and ran back to them.

"Uhm, Sakura-san," He turned to me. "Do you mind if I sit?"

I shook my head no and scooted over a little. He sat and let out a breathe of relief. Guess he just got done exercising and took a break?

"So.."

"So.."

So awkward

"I've heard that you've recently talked to Ino-san, Hinata-san, and Kiba-san. It's been a long time. Are you doing well?" He asked.

Why do people keep asking me that? I mean u get why but..I just hate that it's the first thing I have to talk about.

"Lee.." I thought about it for a second but decided to answer the question anyway. He doesn't mean anything by it but.. "I'm.. doing better these days. But uhm.."

"What is it?" He said looking concerned.

"I...just would appreciate it if we don't talk so much about how I'm feeling or how I'm doing.."

"Oh."

"I-Its not you, please understand, it's just that, I don't want to be constantly reminded about how bad I'm doing ,rather were doing, but move forward. That's my goal, to move into the present. That's why I'd rather talk about..you." I tried to explain the best I can.

"I understand." He reassured me in soft voice. "What would you like to know?"