Chapter 2: A New Outlook on Life

Kizashi and Mebuki Haruno were civilian but, neither could ever be labeled as stupid or unobservant. One day their daughter was a crybaby being bullied constantly and never wanting to leave the house. Their daughter had come home crying last night again because of the troubling behavior of another child named Ami. She had been bullying their daughter non-stop since the day they met in preschool.

Sakura was a uniquely beautiful and sweet child. She had light blossom pink tresses that were growing long and gemlike green eyes that sparkled with wonder whenever she saw something new. Her skin was pale in a creamy sense and she looked like she belonged in a fairytale. She was small though and some of her inherited features that would smooth at as she got older stood out now. Ami in particular like to make fun of her forehead which on her small body seemed rather large.

Mebuki had dealt with similar teasing as a child but had been a bit rough around the edges and hadn't hesitated to fight back or hit her bullies. Sakura on the other hand was taught to be better than that and go find an adult to help her if there was a problem. The only issue was that they weren't there when Ami and her friends did the bullying and Ami's mother believed her daughter could do no wrong since she had so many friends.

Kizashi would always try to be nearby in case he could catch one of the bullying incidents in action but, he wasn't very stealthy and the kids seeing him wouldn't bully her when he was around. Mebuki had come up with the idea of hiring a genin team to maybe check in on her during the day. Kizashi had been hesitant thinking that a genin team was overkill but, his daughter needed to be looked after. The family business as merchants was becoming more demanding on both he and his wife calling them away for weeks at a time. The neighbor Mrs. Inari was kind to check on her but, they needed someone more reliable since Mrs. Inari wouldn't be around forever.

"We have enough guest rooms we can set them up in the house while they watch Sakura. It doesn't have to be genin it could be a pair of Chunin or a single jounin. I just want someone who can be here to care, is that so difficult Kizashi?" Mebuki said frustrated.

Kizashi sighed in response, "If you would feel better but consider this, what if she decides to become a kunoichi when she gets old enough because we do this." His eyes passed critically over his wife's form, "Will you support her without complaints about how you dislike shinobi?" Mebuki looked torn and Kizashi said nothing waiting for her response on the matter patiently. Neither realized they were being heard by and eavesdropper.

~10 minutes earlier~

Sakura opened her eyes and looked around the room. She was in her childhood room easily able to recognize it since she hadn't let it change much over the years. She slowly climbed out of bed her steps naturally light as she used her little level of chakra to plant a buffer between her feet and the floor so she wouldn't make noise to attract her parent's attention. She moved over to the mirror to see her reflection and was blown away. 'I didn't realize even then how small I was…what a difference.'

Sakura quickly moved to the bed and made it quickly while picking out her clothes for the day after she ate breakfast and brushed her teeth. She then crept down the steps quietly where she heard a conversation she didn't recall hearing when she was little. 'Mom wants to hire a shinobi babysitter? She hates shinobi though!' Her father then posed his question and she held her breath waiting for her mother's response.

~Present time~

Mebuki took a deep breath, "If that's what she truly wants and she works hard at it then I will support her wholeheartedly. If she goes and then gets distracted by boys then I won't be supportive unless her progress reports from school are positive. Is that a fair compromise?"

Kizashi smiled at his wife and nodded saying, "I will speak with the Hokage after I drop Sakura off at the park. I will see if there is anyone available for recurring missions regarding Sakura." He hummed thoughtfully, "If they teach her any valuable skills that can help her later I may even offer to pay more for them to be recurring simply because I want her safe. I also want to have witness accounts regarding the bullying she continues to endure."

Mebuki nodded her agreement, "I don't want her to come home crying anymore…I don't like it. Kids should enjoy being kids not have to constantly worry about being attacked by other children." She then dished the fresh breakfast onto the plates that she prepared for her family and poured the morning juice for Sakura while she and her husband would drink tea. "I'm going to get Sakura from upstairs I'll be back."

Sakura smiled and quickly bolted up the steps silent with her chakra buffer trick and went to straightening up her closet sorting her clothes by dresses and separating it from clothes useful to being outside playing or training. She heard a knock on her door and said easily, "Morning!"

Stepping inside the room, Mebuki was pleased to see that the bed was already made and her daughter had already picked out her clothes for the day. She moved to see what Sakura was doing in her closet and smiled asking, "What are you doing sweetheart?" Sakura looked up lovingly at her mother with a fond and childish smile, "I'm sorting my closet," she pointed at two different areas and said simply, "play clothes and girly clothes Mom."

Mebuki laughed and picked her little daughter up covering her face with kisses and laughing at her toddler's squeals as she carried her downstairs and handed her to her father. Kizashi happy to hear his home filled with laughter tickled his little girl until she said squealing, "Daddy Stop!" He then gently placed her on her booster seat so she could sit and enjoy breakfast at the table.

Sakura looked at the pancakes on her plate with only a little egg and saw the other things on her parents plates and asked, "What's that stuff Daddy?" She pointed at the bacon and sausage as she laughed internally already knowing what it was. If she was going to possibly start training she needed protein and carbs.

Kizashi and Mebuki shared a look and Kizashi cut up a sausage into smaller bites and placed a piece on her fork, "Here Petal, try it for yourself this is sausage." Sakura happily reclaimed the fork and took the tiny piece of sausage in her mouth chewing a bit and saying, "Yummy!" Kizashi happily shared some of his sausage with her and said, "You can try a piece of bacon and if you like it maybe Mom will make more for you next time."

Sakura tried half a piece of her dad's bacon and hummed happily causing her parent's to grin. Both were happy to see she was willing to try new things so young because it would open many doors during meal times in the future. "I like it Mom, can I have more of that next time?" She found being with her parents made it easy for her to fall into her childish personality.

Mebuki pretended to be thinking hard and said, "Well I may only be able to give you one pancake if I do that but, I suppose I can make you a more rich breakfast from now on." She smiled as Sakura cheered and finished her breakfast. She slowly finished off her juice while her parents continued to eat since her smaller body was full. Kizashi finishing first grabbed his and Sakura's plates and moved to the sink quickly washing the dishes Mebuki cooked with and dished their food on before placing them in the dish strainer to dry.

Sakura was lifted gently out of the chair and taken back upstairs by her dad. As they both reached the top Sakura chanted, "Race you to the bathroom!" and she bolted down the hall with her father following after chuckling warmly. Sakura appeared in the bathroom and stood up on her kiddy stool to reach the sink saying happily, "I win!"

Kizashi chuckled and wet her toothbrush placing a bead of toothpaste on it before handing it to her. Sakura went on her merry way brushing her teeth while thinking to herself, 'So, the massacre hasn't happened. I can prevent it or I can let it happen and save Shisui, Sasuke, and Itachi-san by making it look like an outsider did it.' She continued thinking and weighing the pros and cons. 'Obito said Itachi was a bonus but he never said it was necessary.'

Sakura smiled and she allowed her father to take her to the park. She looked up at him and said softly, "I'll be okay Daddy. When will you be coming to get me?" Sakura was patient as her father kneeled in front of her and said quietly, "I have to see the Hokage for a moment…would you rather come with me? Or wait here?" Sakura grinned and pointed at the rocks, "I'll be on the other side of those big rocks…I want to try meditation."

Kizashi nodded and chuckled, "Well be careful and don't try too hard if it doesn't work at first. Just remember is anyone starts a fight with you seek help from an adult." Sakura nodded remembering her father's rules. The man then stood up and left his daughter watching from the entrance as she went behind the rocks. He hoped today would be a peaceful day but, if not then only more reason to make sure she had protection from now on.

Sakura clambered behind the rocks and settled into a meditation pose for her first time since waking in her child's body. She wanted to get used to meditating now so that expanding her chakra coils would become easier with time making it easier for her to accomplish her goals. Sinking deep within herself, Sakura found herself in the center of her mind and saw a much smaller inner than she remembered before. "Inner is that you?"

Inner nodded almost sad, "Why don't you need me anymore?" Sakura was shocked and realized in her mind she was herself again not as a child but as she had been at wars end. She smiled softly and said, "Of course I need you inner we're a team." Inner sniffled, "Nu-uh, you have those fancy seals on that door in the forbidden room…no one but us was supposed to get in there Sakura."

Sakura sat down and cuddled the smaller Inner in her mind, "I promise we are always a team…how about I explain everything so you understand?" Inner stopped sniffling and said, "Okay…it's only fair I listen." Sakura explained everything about the future she lived in, how she died, her plans to save as many people as she can. Inner sat patient waiting until the end and Sakura guessed gently, "If I had to guess those seals are to make sure no one but the two of us can see these memories unless we let them. Is that fair?" Inner nodded her agreement and set out her pinky, "Always a team, Pinky Swear!" Sakura hooked their pinkies together with a smile before returning to reality only to see her father in front of her with an older man.

Sakura jumped up in surprise bowing, "Oh Hokage-sama and Daddy, I'm sorry I was meditating…I guess I went too far huh?" Her father was asking her a question and she focused on him, "What was that Daddy?" Kizashi grinned dryly, "Sakura were you meditating the whole time?" Sakura blushed and her foot began toeing the ground shyly, "Maybe…is that bad?" Kizashi grinned and looked at Hiruzen, "Today seems to be an odd day." He gently poked a small bruise on her forehead and asked, "Sweetie did someone bother you…you have a bruise here."

Sakura winced at the poke and said honestly, "If they did I didn't know it…I was too deep to feel it I guess." Kizashi frowned but looked at the Hokage, "You see why I'm concerned with leaving her unattended. Someone is attacking Sakura when we're not around and I want to know who. Even if it's a bully I need evidence to present to the parents of the events, photos, videos, something to put an end to it."

Hiruzen moved to greet Sakura gently, "Hello Sakura-chan, are people bullying you often?" Sakura frowned but nodded, "Yes…mostly Ami and her friends." Hiruzen nodded in understanding, "Do you have a friend to play with?" Sakura hid her eyes her voice straining to prevent her tears, "No, kids are mean and others don't want to get bullied so no one plays with me." Hiruzen stood and looked at Kizashi who was waiting for his Hokage's response.

"Normally Kizashi, we only give babysitting and protection to families with infants for part of the day. The teams are normally genin but, at the moment your concerns are certainly valid. Also, the depth of her meditation, that she didn't notice being harmed is troubling." Kizashi nodded concerned about the day's turn out and Hiruzen gave a proposal, "I have two shinobi…they recently returned from a darker mission and I believe has long since earned a break. They are both jounin and if you'd like I can have them jointly watch her so that she isn't ever alone. Both can take other missions throughout in turns but, your daughter will have the security she needs."

Kizashi took a moment to consider it and added, "Since they are jounin…my daughter may show interest in being a kunoichi or something like it. Would they be allowed to teach her throughout? I could always pay them extra if they teach her valuable skills for when she's older."

Hiruzen was surprised because he knew civilians didn't commonly support shinobi in such an open sense. Kizashi added with a smirk, "My wife and I already discussed our feelings regarding this and agreed that our discomfort with shinobi was far outweighed by our need to keep our daughter safe." Hiruzen then gestured to Sakura, "Sakura-chan, would you like to come to my office and meet some nice men who will be watching you when your parents are away?"

Sakura nodded with a friendly smile, "I'm gonna meet a ninja? Yay!" She bounced in place and added, "I wanna be the best medic ninja ever when I grow up! I'll be even better than Tsunade-same just you wait!" Hiruzen chuckled and guided the pair back to his office he looked at one of his Anbu guards Tora and said kindly, "Please retrieve Gekko and Shiranui for me Tora."

Sakura watched the ninja leave out the window with wide eyes and played up her amazement, "Whoa! Is that safe Hokage-sama. I hope Ninja Tora-san doesn't get hurt…I can't fix them yet." Sakura turned back noting both her father and the Hokage and remaining Anbu were chuckling a bit. She pouted and added, "What it's a legi-legirta-legitimate question!"

Hiruzen looked surprised and Kizashi looked proud before he asked his daughter, "Have you been reading more books when I wasn't looking Sakura-chan?" Kizashi tried to look scolding as Sakura looked out the window, "Maybe…I like books, they're nicer than most people and can't be mean to you." Sakura was having fun being a child again knowing that while she had a mission she could truly embrace her childhood this time around. Kizashi ruffled her hair lightly and said unsurprised, "You're right. I think though that there are so many different types of people that you will meet a nice one sometime."

Sakura bounced on her feet, "I hope the ninja man is nice! It would be nice to have a friend for once. They can do all sorts of cool things like walk on trees, water, that's not even some of the best parts!" Hiruzen was warmed at the excitable child thinking calmly, 'This girl is exactly what Hayate and Genma need after that last mission.' He also looked at the bruise on her forehead and was disappointed that it seemed children were capable of being cruel.

A knock was heard on the door and Tora had returned from the window. As the door slid open two young men stepped in the room and glanced around quizzically. Genma saw the little kid and moved over to say hello frowning at the bruise he saw on her face. He gave a grin, "Well if it isn't a little Fairy-Princess? I didn't know we had one of those here, how are you?"

Sakura giggled and said, "I'm okay…I was in the park meditating and then Daddy brought me here with Hokage-sama." She couldn't help but feel warm at seeing a friendly face, 'Oh Genma, you really were a big flirt with a heart of gold. I missed you, jerk.' She felt him lightly touch her forehead and the bruise from today faded away. 'I didn't know he could do that!' Sakura looked surprised and happy, "It doesn't hurt anymore…" She hugged Genma, "Teach me ninja-san pretty please!"

Hayate smirked from behind Genma who was shocked at the excited child hugging him so openly. He watched with amusement as Genma looked from the Hokage to the girl's father who were both entertained at the position his friend was in. He moved forward and greeted the little girl gently, "Hello Miss, I think you scared Genma with your excitement…poor guy just doesn't know how to handle the cute girls," Hayate winked ignoring his friends glare. "He's hopeless with the cuties…I'm Hayate. What's your name?"

Sakura looked at the man she recognized from the Chunin exams in her timeline, 'Hayate Gekko, jounin rank ninja, the proctor who was murdered by Kabuto and Baki.' She grinned and offered her hand not releasing Genma, "I'm Sakura, nice to meet you Hayate-san!"

Hayate stole Sakura from Genma and Sakura relinquished her grip with a giggle hugging Hayate instead who turned to the Hokage. "You called for us Hokage-sama?" He enjoyed being around children and was suppressing his desire to cuddle the child closer due to present company.

Hiruzen laughed enjoying the shock on his jounin's faces when they met the small child, 'Absolutely perfect Sakura-chan. They will be much better for knowing you!' He decided to get to business, "I called you here because you both have a client, meet Kizashi Haruno and his daughter Sakura. Mrs. Haruno is at home for the moment I believe."

Kizashi stepped forward and ruffled his daughter's hair laughing, "I hope you're brave enough to face Sakura. She doesn't get company very often so she's easily excited by new people." Sakura pouted, "No fair, Daddy…not my fault kids are mean and that I'm smarter than the bullies."

Genma and Hayate looked curious since neither normally did protection details, "Are we escorting you somewhere Haruno-san?" Hayate asked plainly. Kizashi chuckled, "I will let Hiruzen-sama explain."

Hiruzen took over professionally, "You both will share joint custody of this ongoing mission. The Harunos are called away due to their merchant business several weeks of the month ongoing. Since their daughter is so young they want to have her watched. There is also the matter of her being bullied where her parents don't see. They want you to collect evidence video, photos, anything you can on her attackers so they can address the parents directly." He also looked at the excited child and smiled adding the final piece, "He is also willing to pay for lessons for his daughter should she show interest and potential in the shinobi arts. She seems quite ambitious."

Sakura pouted, "I just wanna be the best medic nin in the world." She shrugged cutely, "What's wrong with that?" Genma cooed and stole the child back from his partner, "Ya know that's a big dream. Tsunade is known to be the best medic in the world. To earn that title you'd have to surpass her." Sakura just looked so serious, "So what? I can do it!"

Kizashi looked over both men pleased with the interactions he saw between his daughter and the shinobi. He glanced to Hiruzen who seemed equally pleased. Hiruzen informed them, "You both would share this mission due to both needing separate missions from time to time. Both of you will never be out of the village at the same time though due to her needing to be watched."

Genma and Hayate allowed their eyes to meet over the girl's shoulder as Sakura remained relaxed in Genma's arms and she hugged him back. 'I missed Genma. I can't wait to be able to talk to him as a friend again.' Genma smirked around his senbon keeping it pointed away from his new charge and said, "I've got no problem with that…how hard can watching a kid her age be?" Hayate added his own agreement, "I like a change of pace every now and then."

Hiruzen nodded to Kizashi, "I will allow you to explain the schedule and when everything will begin. I'm sure Sakura-chan has no intention of releasing her prisoner from her grasp just yet." Sakura piped in with her young squeaky voice, "Nope, my ninja." She hugged Genma's neck laughing as she thought internally, 'At least until Shizune-nee shows up.' Kizashi snickered and thanked the Hokage before leading both men out, "It's true my wife's and my merchant business has grown and expanded and it's required us to travel more. I don't want to risk bandits getting their hands on my child…her features are unique." Both ninja couldn't help but grin in agreement. Pink hair with green eyes wasn't common at all and both knew she'd be very pretty as she got older.

Sakura simply allowed the adults to talk as she focused on details to prevent the massacre, save 3 Uchiha's, and ideas to save Hayate from Kabuto. 'Only time will tell I guess.' She then was gently placed on her feet once the group arrived to her house, "Welcome home!" She skipped into the building and greeted her mother with a skip in her step before heading into the study. She grabbed out her practice books and sat down to work on her letters and numbers somewhat bored but, to keep up appearances it was necessary. 'The things I do for my precious people…'

She couldn't hear the voices clearly as she focused on the bookwork but, her father came to watch her from the doorway as Mebuki became acquainted with the young men who would watch after their daughter in their absence. He was happy to see she went straight to work and seemed to be doing well and not getting stuck on problems like she was the day before.

Mebuki served tea in the kitchen and smiled at the two shinobi, "So, how was she so far Genma-san, Hayate-san?" The initial introductions out of the way as she joined them at the table, "She's cute, got really excited when Genma healed a small bruise on her forehead, bullying seems to be a big issue." Hayate answered to start things off. Genma not to be beat added, "She's very affectionate…that was new."

Mebuki thought fondly, 'Oh Sakura-chan never change.' She grinned, "That's a surprise she's normally very shy unless it's directed at her father or myself. She must know you are the good guys." Genma seemed curious, "What makes you say that?" Mebuki sighed, "She runs from people like Councilman Danzo-sama. If you ask me that man is bad news…he left her alone when he learned she came from a civilian family and not a ninja clan though. She seemed terrified of him a few months ago."

Genma and Hayate shared a look, the Hokage didn't mention that particular detail but, if Danzo snuck around they'd mention it if needed. "So you want us to find evidence of the bullies and provide lessons while you're gone?" Genma was clarifying the mission with both parents. Mebuki added, "Yes, any help you can offer her in our absence is appreciated. Sakura hasn't made friends because it seems the other kids are scared of the bullies. It worries me, Sakura's lack of friendly interaction with other children." By the time both ninja left the residence everything was cleared away and Genma would have the first shift of child watching since Hayate was joining Izumo and Kotetsu for a small 3 day mission to Suna.

Sakura knew it was only a matter of time before her true journey would begin but, first to make friends with Ino at the park the next day.

ZIL: I wanted to thank my lovely reviewers for your response to this story I am excited to be able to present you Chapter 2 so quickly this plot bunny really has my mind running full of creativity and it's so much fun! I hope you enjoy please Continue to review and let me know what you all think!