Chapter 10: Eyes of a Leader, Ready for Tomorrow
Another several days had passed Sakura playing go between with Zabuza and her leaders in order to make the bridge battle appear to be a true fight without leading to mortal injuries. She knew she had to be careful around Kakashi as Pakkun had not returned with an answer to her knowledge. So, she followed orders and kept her head down.
'Soon Gato, soon you will fall, and the people of this land will be free.' That thought sprung a warmth from her heart and hope lit anew. 'Just as Naruto always wanted.'
~Back in Konoha~
Hiruzen looked down at the summon in surprise. He never knew that summons existed outside of time in such a fashion. Pakkun had delivered both message and report as instructed but had no problem informing the Hokage that his Pup was just being obstinate in the face of someone he didn't know how to handle.
At the man's confusion Pakkun chose to elaborate on the situation explaining how summons didn't perceive time the way humans do and that he knew who Sakura truly was. He remembered being there with her through the years as she'd grown and become the woman she is. He recounted the moment of her death with traumatizing clarity proving in no uncertain terms the kind of woman Sakura had grown to become regardless of her physical state.
A woman who didn't lie, who healed, who would protect, who would guide, who would tease, who would love all she met and never ask for more than friendship in return. Even her most selfish desires were for the sakes of the people she loves. Only one wish was ever truly for herself and that was to find a love that would last a lifetime with someone who would treasure her for who she is and never let her go.
Hiruzen took a moment to breathe and think from within himself, 'How could I have failed such an extraordinary person? Even in youth the signs of who she could be should have been there and I had let her down.' He looked at the report and smiled with pride knowing she did what she had to do. 'I will not fail you this time Sakura. You will flourish even in my death I will make sure of it.'
He began writing a response to alleviate Kakashi's worries. He swore the man to secrecy on the cover he gave for the well-meaning no nonsense woman in a child's body. He knew that the truth about her was hers to reveal when she was ready and not a moment before. He provided his response to Pakkun who left without delay.
Hiruzen then summoned his own friend King Enma, "How do you know Sakura Haruno?"
The Monkey King smiled, "I know quite a bit about her. There aren't a lot of summons who don't know of her and speak of her with reverence even that damned snake Manda."
Hiruzen paused, "Will he tell Orochimaru of her?"
Enma shook his head, "No, he too wants a better future then what would be. Unless circumstances demanded he know the Snake King would tell him nothing of the woman. That knowledge isn't commonly ours to share and several of the Great Summons would be greatly displeased if it were to be shared without proper cause."
Hiruzen nodded in acceptance understanding that Enma would not tell him more unless he needed to know. Sakura was safe from most of the summons then which was a relief. Even though she could not summon them knowing that their interests allied with hers was a reassurance that she truly had the best interests of the masses in mind.
Summons were much like guardians of nature in the sense that they were to protect the balance in the natural world. If the scales tipped too far, they were to work with their summoners to tip it back. That was the stance Enma had once told him of that he hadn't truly understood years ago when he was a much younger man.
~Back in the Land of Waves~
Sakura continued guiding the other genin to help the workers building the bridge explaining and demonstrating with Ino the theory behind how to support the posts for the workers to secure before moving on to the next task. With all three pairs of kids doing as instructed much of the bridge was being done at a pace faster than expected.
The workers often got to go home to their families and thanks to the efforts of the sensei were able to provide good warm meals to them all for the first time since Gato invaded their home. On Sakura's suggestion both Asuma and Kakashi asked what had been lacking in the village longest. The horror they'd felt when the answer was proper food spurred the two team leaders into making a schedule. One would supervise the genin and the other would go off into the wild to hunt and bring back proper nutrition to the people of the village.
Kakashi normally wouldn't allow the problems of such a small village to trouble him but, in dealing with his students he was reminded of the empathy that the young feel for the suffering of others. There was also the point that this village was to be an ally of Leaf to consider. The more they helped the people the better the relations the ambassadorial team could build with the village and its leaders.
In the time he had waited for the answers from his leader he found himself watching how the people swarmed to Sakura and took her guidance like a law. She had a sense of wisdom to her in youth that many took decades to contain within themselves. He looked to the genin even the moody Sasuke as he gracefully although reluctant would listen to her words and follow instructions to the letter to make the job easier. His 2 male students have been rivals at each other's throat from day one and Ino sometimes got impatient with them both. He found the rivalry could help them grow…so long as it was kept under wraps and supervised closely.
At the time of team assignments, he had been horrified by how similar Sakura was to Obito, but now he looked closer to find her reminding him of Minato-sensei. Which made no sense considering the age of his sensei at death and the lessons both hard and grueling the man must have learned to become who he was. It was in her eyes he saw what struck him the most, her eyes held an air that he didn't want to name fearing what it could mean for the future.
He heard the paws on the earth as they slowed in their approach to him. Kakashi nodded in greeting and gratitude as he took the message with his name from his summon who then moved to Sakura with a response for her from their leader as well.
Kakashi-kun,
You need not fear Sakura's intentions she did as she was instructed by me. I will say no more than there is more to her than meets the eye. As you do, she holds the keys to Konoha's future in her hands. The weight of her responsibilities is large, and should you earn her regard you to will be privy to the depths in her character that you can only see hints of on the surface.
Trust in her as you trust in me. Look underneath the underneath and I think you'll be pleased by what you see. She is the "Will of Fire" made flesh and she will lead us to a new era. One step at a time.
Do not pry further than she allows.
S. Hiruzen.
[Seal of the 3rd Hokage]
Kakashi looked almost mystified by the words in the letter. They were both revealing and vague. The great and venerated leader of their village had such faith in a child? His eye turned to gaze upon her once more and he finally admitted the gleam he witnessed in her eyes all through the day. She held they eyes of a leader. One that people would come to follow even into death if it meant providing a future bright to those who would come after them.
He watched as Sakura paused only long enough to accept the message patting Pakkun with care on the head before continuing her task. Pakkun followed closely remaining close to the very conundrum he wanted no…needed to solve. His gaze only left when it became time for the builders to take a break. At the rate they've worked the bridge would be complete in 3 days meaning that the 'battle' would occur tomorrow.
The team carefully regrouped and helped divvy out the meat Asuma hunted that day before taking their portions and cooking the meat back at their hosts home while Tsunami set the table with her son Inari who remained cold since his outburst against heroes and Naruto 3 days before. Sakura showed wisdom even then in stopping Naruto from pursuing the boy. She made them all understand that in the face of loss grief tears at anyone especially a child. Many say things they don't truly mean and in those moments its up them people like them. Shinobi of the future to prove them wrong and give them proof to hope again.
With a drive he'd never seen all his student had banded together with Shikamaru's strategy and Sakura's temperance to create a system to help the people. There would always be at least one pair and a sensei at the bridge with the builders. But aside from one day each week the rest would rotate the responsibilities to aid the people of this village and bring good food, herbs, and care back into the drained society that Nami no Kuni had become. Chouji taught the local wives and some children the simplest and yet healthiest sides to make with the protein rich dinners the sensei hunter of the day would provide.
Sakura spent her time healing and treating the physical ailments of the people. He hadn't known she was a medic but, Asuma confirmed that she was already self-studying the theory and healing minor injuries by the time she'd been assigned to him. He too had been amazed at the variety of the ways the children stopped to aid the people.
Sasuke spent time helping with menial labor mostly building repairs and using his fire jutsu to help blacksmiths with making metal sturdier frames for the home repairs the people needed. He had no problem using his skills or money to help the destitute people. Gato with his tyranny robbed these people of everything as he felt Itachi had robbed him. The parallels in Sasuke's thinking weren't hard for Kakashi to see. He'd been around the avenger long enough to see it.
Naruto was perfect for the role of keeping most of the more rambunctious children occupied freeing up many of the adults to allow them to work with one of the other students with labor.
Shikamaru took his knowledge of medicine from his clan and set up the healthcare center for Sakura to work in with the areas local herbalists banning together to create treatments and a small stand to be a vendor for tonics to kickstart the trade once routes opened up.
Ino focused on helping the women with mending the clothing and taught them the flower arrangement language that she and Sakura grew up with to give them something beautiful to make from the flora in their region. She also worked alongside some of the seamstresses to create more clothing and apparel for the people who lived there and would in the future pass through. Something that paid homage to them but in an artform they could sell to make goods for trade.
When both Sakura and Shikamaru were free from their other tasks they would approach the village leaders with the reports on the current state of things and go over any other tasks that needed to be completed to help the people as much as possible before they would have to leave for home. Sakura and Shikamaru amended the treaty to the current standings of the people with recorded understanding that as the village began to prosper again the terms would adjust to match. Neither team leader expected the children to go so far to secure the treaty and yet couldn't help but be proud of them.
Sakura had been working in the clinic all afternoon until late in the evening. Under her care the villagers managed to slowly recover the strength they'd lost to Gato's madness and began to thrive in the privacy of their homes. After her clinic closed for the night and the herbalists returned home Sakura leaned against the wall and slid down. Her chakra was low from the days exhaustion and she wanted to catch her meditation time before anyone else came.
It was in meditation that Haku, who had disguised himself found her with the confirmation of the battle for tomorrow. He realized she was not going to respond immediately, and he settled observing the features of the girl…no woman before him.
It was easy to see in body that she was young but, her practiced manners, cutting tongue, and deep-seated intelligence all came from the woman she died becoming. One had to wonder why send only one person back to complete such a large job such as changing the past to save the world. The more she'd met with Zabuza the more he began to understand and even envy.
Love, her unconditional and powerful ability to love even the harshest of people was why they'd sent her. Who but this woman, who gave her life to save her heart brothers from killing one another, could change the minds and hearts of the coldest and most calculating people? Who could turn the tides in favor of a better future than someone who rails against the hatred that it takes to amass a war. One of whom suffered the magnitude she had previously endured. How much did she lose to become who she was today?
Haku smiled at peace with his limited understanding of the woman before him. He couldn't imagine the sacrifice it took to give up her peace in death to risk it all for the chance to have her die again as she once did. He too began to slip into meditation until she was ready to surface once more. Time had passed and before either knew an hour had gone by. The state of meditation was a peaceful one in which Sakura gently rose from only to open her eyes and see Haku. She had sensed he'd arrived but, was grateful that he hadn't interrupted her second dose of daily meditation.
Almost as if he'd read her mind, he opened his eyes, "Sakura-sama, I've come at Lord Zabuza's behest to make sure tomorrow was the day." Sakura nodded and smiled gently, "Yes, tomorrow's the day we all face each other on the bridge and make it convincing without casualties until Gato plays his hand."
She gestured out the window, "So, what do you think of all the changes we've made to the village? I think these people will have plenty to occupy themselves with and make everything better once Gato's gone."
Haku smiled, "It was nice to see the people moving around again. Before they would hide in their homes. Now they are starting to live again…it's a good thing to see."
Sakura nodded in agreement as she stood offering her hand to Haku kindly. "I will see you tomorrow. Have a safe night."
Haku nodded his agreement and easily departed to return to his master with the news. He was cautious of his approach as he sensed that Gato's men were there. He entered with herbs and swiftly stepped between Gato's thugs and his Master who was resting calmly on his seat. The thugs weren't acting up for the moment but he knew how quickly that could change and refuse to take the chances of anyone touching his Master.
His role as tool was to serve and obey his Master's wishes acting only in his best interests within his capabilities. To fail was to become useless and to be useless was to die. He would not allow anyone to bring trouble upon his Master and savior. For without Zabuza, he would have died in the streets as he'd lived long enough prior, alone.
Gato's voice was one that could grate on the nerves of those around it luckily Haku and Zabuza had plenty of practice ignoring the voices while hearing the message loud and clear.
"Some jounin, the unbeatable ninja just got beat limping back home like some pathetic has been." Gato said with a sneer his two thugs snickering as the remained on-guard, "More like Coward of the Hidden Mist!" Gato approached the bed still speaking derisively, "Alright, lets hear what you have to say about this fiasco and don't play possum I know you can talk!"
Haku swiftly gripped Gato's wrist a cold severe gaze upon his face as he said sternly, "Keep your filthy hands off of him."
"ARGH! You're gonna break it!" Gato cried out as Haku's grip tightened before the young ninja swiftly moved to counter the guards with a cold warning.
"Don't push me I'm in a really foul mood."
Gato and his men were swift to retreat Gato calling out before he left their base, "If you fail this time I'll cut you off and there will be no one left to cover for you."
"Haku, that wasn't necessary." Zabuza stated after the annoying lout and his grunts had left with him. Their swords clanging to the floor as they fled.
"Perhaps, but it's too early to take out Gato. Until tomorrow he's still our best cover, without our back up plan in motion. Think about it the murders would draw their attention and they'd be after us again." Haku pointed out referring to the Mist's Hunter nin who would hunt them both. "Right now, we need restraint."
Zabuza simply closed his eyes and took a deep breath knowing that his apprentice had a point. He would be at his best tomorrow for the times to come. It's the only way they would slip away clean and allow them to swiftly escape the Mist territory until Sakura needed them for the future. Who knew he'd give up his aspirations for a pink haired woman in a child's body sent to save the world after dying.
"What's your opinion on the girl Haku?" Zabuza asked curious since he'd been the one with more interaction.
"She's selfless, to a fault but, she's suffered for it and chooses to remain as such anyway." Haku mentioned in a sense of reverence. "She is extraordinarily organized almost to the point of being Obsessively Compulsive in her way of doing things. From what I've observed that comes mostly from her medic training."
"Selfless, with a professional case of OCD. That's an interesting combination. What else?" Zabuza demanded.
"She's got an old soul for obvious reasons and she cares greatly for people around her. She however doesn't take care of herself in ways that she should. She does meditate regularly but, no one seems to notice her mannerisms. Her comrades seem ignorant of her current status as a dead woman sent back through time to save them. I wonder how they'd treat her if they knew." Haku was almost contemplating the idea.
"Not your place to tell anyone Haku. We got permission to mention something to Kisame and that's it." Zabuza said firmly. "Can't have the whole world knowing about her or she'll never be left alone. Kage would kill to get their hands on her. Worse people would possibly find out her plans and work to prevent them causing even more trouble for her. She'd really never get a break if that happened." Zabuza understood enough was at stake to make sure that leaks didn't come from his corner. He had seals all over the base to prevent being overheard even with an open window.
"Understood Zabuza-sama…do you think she will ever get to live after it's over. Or will she be dead again?" Haku seemed almost hesitant in asking such a question. Death was a natural part of shinobi life, in normal cases his question would have earned him a lecture on the harsh reality of the world and how everyone dies.
Zabuza was reluctant to answer. Part of him understands why the question came about even if the following reply would annoy him to give. "If the people who sent her back don't have some way to reward her for her efforts at the end, I'd say they're pretty shitty people Haku. Considering, you also were part of this group what do you think is likely?"
Haku stopped to think and answered almost fondly, "If it were me, I'd find her dying to be a sad way to end things after she had to live through her life twice. Maybe, they have better plans for her, a position in leadership, a future in fame, or something domestically related?"
Zabuza chuckled, "Domestic, really Haku. Like soulmates or something that's rich coming from the likes of us."
Haku smiled and softly added, "I think we all have soulmates. Some are destined for friendship, some for love, and others as rivals." He added subconsciously, "I thought you had to be my soulmate to find me as you did all those years ago. Fate certainly, had something in mind for us."
Zabuza just scoffed but said nothing more to his apprentice about the matter. His eyes closing as he returned to sleep knowing he was guarded by his loyal apprentice. After all, what use did a missing nin like him with the blood on his hands have for a soulmate. He couldn't bring happiness to anyone, when death and violence was all he knew.
~Back in Tazuna's Home~
Sakura entered in quietly and noticed that everyone had waited for her. She startled saying, "Don't tell me you all let dinner get cold waiting for me?"
Ino laughed with Tsunami, "Nah, we made dinner later when Chouji mentioned he saw the line at the clinic." Tsunami smiled kindly before turning to speak with her father.
Sakura sat down in between Kakashi and Asuma and asked gently, "So, still suspicious of me now Kakashi-san?" Her eyes filled with an impish glint as Asuma looked on a bit apprehensive as the two faced off.
Kakashi presented a closed eye smile and said, "Not anymore Sakura-san. Hokage-sama put most of my concerns to rest."
Sakura was quick to say, "Most but not all, naturally." Her green eyes held a glint of mystery and dare that Kakashi could almost see himself becoming fond of if they were to interact more in the future.
"Naturally, as shinobi, no one should have all their eggs in the same basket." Kakashi said and was surprised to see Sakura nodding in agreement.
"Too true," Sakura agreed. She'd learned that lesson well being the head of a hospital when Tsunade had been comatose. It was crucial to know who you can trust with what information and how to delegate the necessary responsibilities through out the staff to support the hospital.
Kakashi felt that she may have been exaggerating her understanding until he recalled the kids organized break off schedules to cover the village's different needs.
Sakura had taken to handling the bartering of the treaty from the civilian standpoint as Shikamaru took control of the more shinobi related policies. Both partners sat in with each other to learn the expertise of their fellows for future reference in the event they ever had to negotiate solo.
Asuma took the dishes from the table with Sakura's help and decided to send the kids off to bed regardless of Sakura's attempts to assist with the cleanup.
"The battle is tomorrow, and you all need to be ready. If Gato is going to bring thugs then he's going to bring a lot if he's trying to take down us, Zabuza, and Tazuna." Asuma said certain.
Shikamaru piped up after a shared glance with Sakura and Ino, "What about leaving a pair here? Someone, needs to be here if they try to take the family as leverage."
Kakashi took a moment to hum as he thought to himself. "Good point Shikamaru-san, I can even leave one of my summons here with them as back up?"
Naruto and Chouji stepped forward as Sakura threw in, "It might be best if Shikamaru and Naruto stay behind…just in case."
Chouji looked a bit hesitant and Sakura smiled, "Naruto can clone spam any amount of thugs into submission and if," she emphasized the word 'if' heavily, "someone manages to get past that Shikamaru can shadow possess them until Naruto and he can deal with them securing the family safely."
Chouji smiled, "I get it the family needs the most strategic and the one with stamina. That way they can quickly dispose of the thugs and come join us after at the bridge."
Sakura grinned and then turned to both the sensei. Asuma looked proud but Kakashi interjected, "We need those two on the bridge Sakura. I'm thinking that you and Ino should stay here with the family. They won't send that many men to capture one woman and child. It would be a waste of resources."
Ino looked disappointed that she wouldn't be able to use any of her beads as she fingered them lightly with a pout. "Leaving me out of the fun again Sensei?" Ino's tone had turned to ice which sadly Sakura in her younger years from before could completely relate.
It seemed no matter who it would have been if you're a girl you get the short end of the stick on his team. Sakura was both comforted and annoyed with this fact. Kakashi had 2 clan heirs and Naruto on his team…the village can't afford him neglecting any of them. With her being civilian and no known skillset it had sadly made some sense when it was Sakura being neglected. Kakashi's negligence could cost Ino her future though not to mention her clan's troubles if something happened to her.
Sakura guided Ino upstairs, "If you think that's best Kakashi-san." Her arm was supportive around Ino, "Come on Ino let's go meditate and hit the hay. We'll be up in the morning and ready for anything." Ino nodded but didn't leave without a parting glare at her sheepish sensei.
Naruto and Sasuke looked confused at Ino's reaction she didn't seem to care back at home. Why was she suddenly upset about not getting in on the action? Neither of the boys could seem to figure it out. Until Chouji asked Shikamaru.
"Aren't those jutsu and weapon beads like Sakura has in her hair?" the kind Akimichi said curious.
Shikamaru smirked, "Yeah, the not safe for play sparring kind. I'm guessing Ino wanted to finally stretch her tools a bit since she can't safely test them on her teammates." He shrugged as he looked to Asuma, "It's the same reason that Sakura will only use them against you in spars right, Asuma-sensei?"
The man nodded as he did dishes, "Definitely not safe against you kids yet. I can barely dodge some of the ones Sakura's managed to store in her beads. I don't have a clue what Ino's are holding in them." He finished dishes before he turned to the boys, "You all get to bed now, you all need to sleep too."
Shikamaru groaned, "We should wait a bit, Sakura always meditates before bed. I don't wanna mess her up." He stretched standing, "It'd be a drag since she works so hard to improve to catch up to us with our clan training. She's civilian born so she didn't have the same home advantage."
Chouji pointed out, "Maybe not a whole clan but she and Ino had Gemna and Hayate didn't they?"
Shikamaru nodded, "I forgot about that…then if she's okay why does she train so hard?" Chouji sighed not entirely sure himself. They weren't expecting their new team assignment since they'd all been prepped for Ino-Shika-Cho having Sakura instead through off everything they'd thought before.
Naruto and Sasuke went upstairs quietly as they noticed both girls in meditative positions. They didn't want to ruin their concentration and carefully crawled into bed. Chouji and Shikamaru doing the same carefully as both of their sensei peeked into the room to see the girls meditating as they faced each other holding hands. Neither had reacted to the presence of their sensei remaining in meditation. Ino didn't take long to head to bed but, Sakura remained.