Chapter 9: A Challenge in Trust, an Unexpected Friend

The 3rd Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, Sat in his office thinking peacefully to himself 'I wonder how the teams are doing in the land of waves.' he wrote his chin thoughtfully as he stared out the window glancing down upon the page of a report before him. He had to take great care in the next steps they took to prevent the next Shinobi War.

Well he knew his young accomplice could handle herself quite well there was always a small lingering underlying doubt in her abilities dear to her age and size physically. She was intelligent and cautious but in her current state there wasn't much she could do to prevent the people around her from taking advantage of her knowledge should she fall into the wrong hands.

'Maybe I need to assign an Anbu to co-coach with Asuma. A little extra security wouldn't be unexpected considering their diplomatic assignments are more high risk.' He took a moment to consider the possible ramifications of his actions. His approach had to be particular to keep his old teammates from interfering in his plans and affairs for this team. Sakura was careful not to alert anyone to her knowledge and she had taken steps to keep it that way. He allowed his fingers to clasp together as he considered all the angles of the circumstance before deciding consulting her would be best.

He returned to his paperwork as he wondered about his grandson's next escapade. He smirked a bit thinking of how Ebisu struggled with the boy's more mischievous mannerisms as he's grown older and more defiant. Since his admiration of Naruto began, he became more engaged in his studies and pranking with both Udon and Moegi.

~ Sakura's Return to Tazuna's~

Sakura carefully navigated her way back to the clearing where she'd been gathering herbs in order to find her way back to the village. She could use chakra detection, but she wanted to truly improve her navigational skills without it in the event that she was ever without chakra. She heard a brief chuckle in her mind like a whisper 'Not likely Sakura-chan'.

She froze in place and whispered to herself, "Shodaime-sama?"

'So, you can hear me now. Good to know one of us can reach you at least from here.' His voice strong and filled with humor as he tended to be during their afterlife chats.

'Hashirama-sama…how is this even possible right now. If I'm in the past by all logic, we haven't connected yet.' Sakura was baffled and yet also relieved that she could hear someone who truly knew her. No skepticism in tone and it was a relief she didn't know she needed.

'Hagoromo believed that in gifting my chakra it would create a connection between us that thankfully time couldn't alter. Since I'm dead still an all.' His voice gentled, 'Neither of us wanted you to go through this completely alone. We know just how much we are asking of you. Especially with the changes already being made. Zabuza and Haku disappeared from here so as it stands you've succeeded so far.'

Sakura smiled as she moved along on her way back better able to focus now. 'I appreciate the thought Hashirama-sama. I suppose you'll chime in if I'm needed elsewhere?'

'Only if it's urgent. For the most part I'm here to remind you that you're still the woman you grew to be and not a child. I'm also here to listen and offer advice when you need me to.' The man informed in a more serious tone. 'What you've done so far has worked in your favor Sakura. You must be cautious about getting caught up in the lives of your friends as you were before. You have an entire world full of people like them counting on you.'

Sakura paused as she felt the severity of her mission pressing down on her, 'I understand Hashirama-sama. Thank you…for reminding me.' Her eyes closed carefully as she took a moment to brace herself and allowed her true self to rise to the surface for the world to see. 'No more hiding me then. No more façade, just me.'

She entered Tazuna's home easily as her eyes opened, she saw both Kakashi and Asuma before her gazing at her with caution. Neither seemed to react waiting to see what she had to report. "Zabuza and Haku accepted and swore to become my allies."

Kakashi paused, "Your allies not the Leaf?"

Sakura looked at him and informed him, "Hokage-sama's orders were to make him an ally by any measure. He wouldn't trust another village so easily but, a single person yes. The return of his comrades did well in my favor."

Asuma hummed thoughtfully, "Well done Sakura. Rest for a bit. Shikamaru and Chouji just returned from speaking with the Wave council and we will see what more can be done once they've reported back."

Sakura nodded and moved to the kitchen seeing as evening was going to come soon and wanting to spare Tsunami the extra work of cooking for so many mouths as she did before. Kakashi watched her critically and whispered, "I don't like this girl at all. She isn't a child."

Asuma sighed, "Just because she is more mature doesn't mean she's not a child Kakashi."

Kakashi seemed incited by his lack of concern, "Doesn't it concern you that she collected allies for herself and not the village? What if she leaves the leaf? What will you do if she ever goes rogue with an ally like him in her corner?"

Sakura scoffed, "You can stop talking like I'm not right here Kakashi-san. If you have a problem with how I fulfilled the mission write to Hokage-sama and I will send my report with you. If he responds with acceptance to my approach you leave things be." She then turns to face him, "If not you can personally escort me to T&I for interrogation, do we have a deal?"

Asuma began to choke a bit at his students bravery, "Sakura-chan isn't that a bit mu-"

"I accept your terms Sakura-chan." Kakashi said as he summoned Pakkun to be prepared to deliver the messages to their Hokage.

Sakura glared, "That's Haruno-san to you. We aren't teammates and we are newly minted comrades at best Kakashi-san. Use proper etiquette when you speak to me." A small part of her was sad he wasn't her happy go lucky sensei with baggage but, a soft voice assured.

'You're doing the right thing. People will take you more seriously if your known well for doing things right. I'm sorry things are twisting you away from your loved ones Sakura-chan' Hashirama offered gently to assure her.

'He isn't the Kakashi that I loved so much. This is him as a bitter detached soldier that hasn't admitted to himself, he's afraid to love again…no he isn't my Kakashi yet.' She took a deep breath turning back to making dinner which was a therapeutic habit for her. 'But someday, he will be that man again. When he is, I'll give him a smile he'll never forget.'

She felt a push of awe wrapping around her heart, 'You really are something special Sakura-chan. We all knew it…but this is why you were chosen. You don't realize how precious you are and even more I can't wait to see who you become when this all ends.' Hashirama spoke reverently to her mind.

Sakura concentrated to prevent a large blush from taking her over, 'All I ask when this is over is to rest…rest and if I'm lucky enough to live through it all a love that will last a lifetime.'

Hashirama pushed a feeling of hope towards her, 'If Hagoromo is right, you will get your wish and more than you ever could have dreamed of Sakura. Nothing that you do will be for nothing. Every change, every victory, brings you a gift to treasure. I can't explain how but it will.'

Sakura smiles softly forgetting for a moment that she was being watched and yet neither man was willing to interrupt whatever thought brought that peaceful expression to her face. 'I'm not going to ask…thank Hagoromo-sama for me. Tell Kisame when we meet again as adults, I'll see him at the bar. He owes me a dance for that bet he lost, and I still haven't forgotten it.'

Hashirama's laughter can be felt through the link and she finishes the simple dinner smiling softly but no less bright as he replies. 'Will do, want me to tell you how he responds.'

Sakura sends a burst of mischief to her Guardian Angel, 'Even better I want you to show me through a dream if you can. Wouldn't that be something of an accomplishment.'

Her partner in crime fades from her as she finishes setting the table and glances up to see the surprised faces of both teams and the family hosting them. Her soft emerald eyes glimmering with mirth and warmth that only Ino could truly label.

Ino moved forward to dish a serving on Sakura's plate and then her own bustling her into a chair. "Sakura-chan you did all the heavy work let us do the rest." Sakura smiled even wider and nodded before resting and she handed her report to the waiting summon.

"My report for Hokage-sama, thank you dog-san." Sakura said kindly as she nodded somewhat reverently to the pug, she had both adored and annoyed on many occasions in her previous life.

"Pakkun, wanna touch my paw?" The pug said as he lifted his paw to the polite girl. The summons didn't work the same as humans. He was aware of who this woman was and all she'd endured. Not that he could tell her that openly.

Sakura smiled and gently touched his paws saying softly, "They're the softest paws I've ever touched." She gently released him not wanting to give too much of herself away by being familiar with the summons of a man who currently had no trust in her or her motivations.

Pakkun looked to Kakashi and said bluntly, "I like this one Pup. Keep her around." He took both his summoners message and the woman's reports to deliver before vanishing before their eyes. Kakashi's stunned glance towards the girl as she had turned to a soft conversation with Tsunami. Pakkun was the pickiest of all his summons. For him to like her so quickly…something more was going on then he knew of just one more thing to interrogate his summons about.

'Let's see what Hokage-sama has to say…then I suppose we'll see.' Kakashi thought to himself.

Asuma looked at Sakura and noted the familiarity that the summon seemed to hold to her. He was curious, but he knew the only way to be sure was to talk with King Enma his father's main summon. Maybe the Monkey King would shed some light on his curious student. In the meantime, he would enjoy the company and food and wait to see what comes of Kakashi's suspicions with his student's best interests in mind of course.

Sakura enjoyed the atmosphere of camaraderie as she remained calm in the face of adversity. She couldn't let herself be impacted by doubt. Too many people needed her to make this work and if it meant separating from her loved ones to do it, she would. Her eyes met Ino's across the table who smiled at her and nodded always understanding Sakura more than she herself could. Sakura was always mesmerized by the knowing of Ino when it came to her.

It was a lot of pressure and in truth so many things could go wrong. Sakura believed however, that with the right steps she could make a better and brighter tomorrow that would make losing all the love she left behind worth it in the end. She and Hiruzen both knew that a time would come when he would face his student and die. Tomorrow was not that day but soon…and it only meant that the more involved part of her journey would truly begin.