Chapter 11: Sakura's True Smile, Death of the Tyrant

Sakura would normally quit meditating since she'd already done so twice that day but, she felt something good would happen if she remained.

'Hey Bubblegum," A raspy voice said softly as she reached her inner space. Her eyes opening only too see Kisame sitting before her and nod Hashirama.

Sakura's green eyes glimmered, 'Hey Sharky,' She wanted to smile and cry at the same time but, that would spoil the mood. Kisame tended to run away when faced with overly emotional people. He didn't know how to handle himself well.

His gaze was both warm and harsh as he seemed at war with himself, 'You're gonna get through this Bubblegum. When ya do we'll have that drink and I'll take you to a nice spot for dancin' for real.'

Sakura gave a soft gaze that most wouldn't recognize but, it made Kisame tense. He hated to see her like this. Joking and Wit was the best parts of their interactions when she started becoming solemn and serious it frankly scared the shit out of the older man. Suddenly, as if reading his mind, she gave something so precious that it stopped him from breathing for a moment. Her smile both soft and teeth hidden behind soft lips as her eyes sparkled with sparkles of light like seeing the sun through leaves in a tree.

'I'll hope for it but, there's no guarantee that this version of you will ever trust me let alone be my friend as you have Sharky.' She laughed softly a light flush hitting her cheeks, 'It'd be nice though.'

Kisame paused as he stared at her wanting to shake her but, knowing she was right. In life he was a violent but, intelligent man, he may agree to work with her but, their friendship wasn't guaranteed. He was an ass to people a lot of the time in life.

Sakura moved to hug her friend as she finally allowed a single tear to fall. She held tight not wanting her friend in death to see her pain as beautiful as she found her own suffering to be. She just wanted to cherish this closeness knowing that life before hadn't been kind and that she would likely put herself on the line for this beautiful future to protect it for everyone else.

Kisame smirked and returned the strong embrace his confidence boosted until he smelled the salt in the air. He sighed and simply allowed her the hug since most times he would have pushed her off with a joke and picked a match with her. He knew he wasn't the one meant for her…he'd already had a talk with that one even knowing that it wouldn't reach the version of him she would meet. He felt that he needed to do something for her. He didn't know how yet but, if there was a way, he'd find it. He figured he could simply ask Hagoromo later when the chance arose.

'You're gonna go far kid and one way or another I'm going to keep my promise.' It was the last thing he could say before their time was up.

Sakura could feel her body being disturbed and said softly, 'Goodbye Kisame. Until we meet again.' She vanished from the plane her inner world had become and woke.

Kisame remained sitting there as Hashirama, Obito, and Konan joined him. Konan could feel his disturbed mind and placed her hand on his shoulder in comfort. It was obvious as more people began disappearing from the realm of the dead little by little that she had been the right choice. However, they refused to discredit her continuous sacrifices for them. It took a lot of willpower not to keel over in agony as she faced the people she was losing with every step she took even as she was gaining new ones.

Sakura's eyes opened to see Ino in front of her as she got up and stretched. She saw the sun had risen up and realized that her meditation and meeting with Kisame had lasted all night.

'You may not need to meditate tonight or at all today really Sakura-chan.' Hashirama said softly.

'Thank you Hashirama,' Sakura thought with a softness he hadn't heard before. 'For Kisame, for being here, for everything.'

Hashirama sent warmth but with a tang of pain unable to truly give her everything he felt she deserved. He remained steadfast with her through it all and said finally. 'You don't need to thank me…now go end that corrupt mogul.'

She smiled at Ino and asked, "Need a hand with breakfast?"

"Yes please, the guys are still passed out and I think our sensei passed out watching over you as you meditated. Did you really do it all night?" Ino asked a bit concerned since her friend hadn't done that since they were young.

"I did, guess I had a lot on my mind though I can't remember what it all was, so it must've been resolved." Sakura replied and the two snuck out even though Kakashi had opened his eyes as Ino entered to wake her up neither had noticed him.

Kakashi glanced at the door as Asuma also opened his eyes, "What do you think was on her mind?"

Asuma looked after his student who in the short time he'd known her proved to be a maternal and devoted comrade. It reminded him of how Genma always looked after Gai and Ebisu as well as Hayate once the two had become friends. She was the mom friend who took care of those around her and did everything possible to make life easier for them.

"She's like a younger Genma. She's the person who will leave their place open for anyone who needs it." His brown eyes met Kakashi's visible eye. "She takes care of people to make life easier to bear. Just gotta hope she doesn't overdo it is all."

Kakashi couldn't refute the statement and accepted it since Asuma knew her better than he did. 'Caretaker, I guess that's part of who she is.' He turned to look at the door and wondered, 'Where'd she gets those eyes then. Leaders aren't born…they're forged by life. Is her home life okay?'

"What's her home life like?" Kakashi had to ask.

"Troublesome, her parents are nice. They have come a long way from how they felt about ninja before she entered the academy." Shikamaru lazily opened his eyes and gave Kakashi a severe look. "There's nothing wrong with her family. Her civilian parents hired Genma and Hayate as babysitters when she was little, and they stuck around through in her life ever since. It's why she's trained more than the average civilian born ninja. She has to work ten times harder to achieve anything we do. Stop looking for what isn't there."

Asuma chuckled and patted Kakashi's back, "He doesn't mean anything by it Shikamaru. Kakashi just doesn't understand our Sakura-chan so he's being overly cautious he's going to lay off from now on." He gripped Kakashi's shoulder in warning as the food smells started coming from downstairs and he emphasized, "Right?"

Kakashi was a bit sheepish, "Of course, I'm just trying to figure her out is all."

Chouji yawned and stretched, "If you wanna understand her then be her friend." He gently rubbed the sleep out of his eyes before sniffing the air with a pleased smile. "The girls are cooking awesome they make the best breakfasts." He sheepishly covered his mouth and looked at his teammate who smirked alongside the sensei in the room. "Don't tell Mom I said that."

"Too troublesome," Shikamaru said with a laugh as he poked Sasuke awake with his foot while Chouji gently woke Naruto. "Though I bet the girls would appreciate you letting em know. Girls like being appreciated at things they're good at."

Chouji smiled and nodded in agreement as he went to shower and get ready for the day. Sasuke and Naruto bathed the night before, so they went directly downstairs to prep the dishes and potholders for all the food. Sakura and Ino laughing and having their own girlish conversation as one by one the remaining people in the house came down.

Tsunami smiled in relief at all the help she'd gotten from the kids while they stayed here protecting her father and helping her village. She moved to assist the girls with carrying the prepared breakfast spread to the table. "Thank you both so much for taking such good care of us!"

Ino smiled and said happily, "You're welcome. Glad we could be here." She moved to dish out Sakura's plate before her own so that she would have plenty. She heaped the leaner foods on her plate to supplement her energy since she meditated rather than slept the night before.

"Thanks, Ino I could have gotten my food." Sakura laughed as Ino gave her a bland look. Ino's hand whipped out to where everyone else had already dug into a large portion of the food. Sakura gave an embarrassed shrug and quipped, "Good point."

Sakura sat and noticed that her tea was already prepped for her and she saw the sneaky grin on Shikamaru's face and gave him a gentle smile filled with gratitude. It was the first time any of Team 7 beside Ino had seen Sakura smile and they all froze from surprise. Her smile was so genuine and soft without any teeth being seen.

Without delay all the guys prepared to leave the house while the ladies cleaned up and Sakura went outside for the first watch. She knew it would be a bit before anyone would show and Ino would remain with the two inside and keep both occupied with some games she brought from home.

Sakura's green sharp eyes took in the view of the village once destitute and how every mingled quietly the tension in the air able to be cut with a knife. She took her time to expand her senses beyond her eyes view and felt emotional impressions from a few people as medics were to do for patients. She kept herself in a state of readiness until she was tapped on the shoulder an hour into her watch.

Ino sighed, "The kids being a bit difficult about being kept inside. I've tried games but he won't go for them anymore."

Sakura rolled her eyes and said dryly, "I'll take care of it. Just keep yourself aware of any trouble. Remember that chakra trip Genma showed us?"

Ino smirked and flipped her hair, "Of course I do. You can count on me."

Sakura leapt from the roof and entered the house hearing Inari yelling and complaining to his exhausted mother. With a stern face she said, "Hey Kid, time to quiet down."

Inari turned to glare at her but something made him calm down. Tsunami smiled at Sakura in relief nodding her permission to take control of the situation. Sakura gestured for Inari to sit down beside her. The young child grumbling all the while, but he did as instructed.

"You know we're here to protect you right?" Sakura said earnestly. She gave a kind smile as she explained, "All of our friends are at the bridge protecting your Grandpa right now. Our job is to stay here and protect you two." She gestured towards his mother, "How do you think your Mom would feel if something bad happened to you? How would you feel if something happened to her?"

Inari sniffled a bit and looked at his hands that were fisted in his last, "I'd feel really, really bad."

Sakura hummed warmly, "Your grandpa took a huge risk asking for help, building this bridge, resisting Gato like Kaiza-san did." She gestured to the torn picture on the wall. "It's people who take risks that have the most to lose. Your grandpa knows that, and he asked for us to come so we could keep you safe until his bridge could free you all from Gato." She tucked the smaller child under her arm with the warmth of a person who'd brought comfort to many. "The amount of love he has for you and even now he risks it all so that someday…"She paused and smiled, "someday you could grow up to be a hero to someone else like Kaiza-san and your grandpa are to you, hmm?"

Inari looked up with teary eyes and sniffled before he curled into her arms hugging her tightly around her waist. She looked up to see a teary smile on Tsunami's face and blushed. What they were all unaware of was that outside Ino and several people in the shadows were also moved by her words. Four pairs of eyes met in the dark.

~At the bridge~

Much tension was wrought on the bridge as the planned battle had long since begun. Even with their years of training Zabuza and Kakashi were both tiring as Asuma stayed hidden waiting for the expected double cross.

Just as Zabuza seemed to collapse from Kakashi's Sharingan hid ninken hiding that the jounin was perfectly fine did they hear a voice from the end of the bridge. Gato walked out surrounded by thugs he announced quite boldly, "Did quite a job on you didn't he Zabuza? You look like yesterday's sashimi." He continued with his vitriolic drivel, "I must say I'm disappointed."

Thugs lined behind him in a large group, "Well ya see there's been a slight change in plan. According to the new plan, you and your little apprentice brat die right here on this bridge, Zabuza."

"What?" Haku asked to keep his master's cover.

~Back at Tazuna's Home~

Sakura heard Ino move quickly and checked, "Ino, any trouble?" A few grunts were heard through the line and a response finally peeked through.

"Nah, seems like he thought we were gonna be easy pickings. I got these punks…go help the others." Ino pointed out knowing Sakura might be needed if they only sent 4 guys to the house.

"Understood, I'm leaving two clones as back up." Sakura stated firmly and summoned two clones. She directed the first one, "You stay inside and protect these two." She turned to her other clone, "You go be on the lookout with Ino. If it looks like you need more help come get me right away." Both clones nodded in understanding and moved as instructed.

Sakura then swiftly bolted from the house with a firm, "Good luck, Ino"

"Knock em dead Petal." Was her only reply.

~Back at the bridge~

Gato's voice grated on everyone, "That's right you're-"he was cut off by another appearance.

A female voice said in a droll tone, "Let me guess they're too expensive." Sakura looked down on the mogul with disgust. She looked to her sensei and asked, "Who needs attention?"

Asuma gestured to Kakashi, Zabuza, and Haku who all seemed to be running low on energy. "They could use the energy boost."

Sakura smirked and moved to provide chakra pills to each of them, "Always be prepared for anything. Don't go wasting them on me now." She was so cheeky as she turned to look at Gato, "Looks like with got ourselves a dirty double cross. How's it feel, slime ball?"

Gato growled in annoyance and told his thugs, "Kill em all and bring that little bitch to me!"

Sakura batted her eyes like a girl in love, "Oh you say just the sweetest things!" Admittedly she was channeling Mei a bit. She always did admire the woman's effortless fem fatale persona.

Zabuza twitched, "She ever met Mei? That's the kind of crazy shit she'd say to piss someone off so they couldn't see straight."

Asuma chuckled as the mogul fell for Sakura's attitude and allowed the thugs to be bottlenecked. He crossed atop the water to swing around behind the rear of the mob as planned. Shikamaru was the team defacto leader. He knew how to instruct his teammates for this plan.

Shikamaru smirked and looked at Chouji using a simple hand signal to go to the client. Sasuke following him. Shikamaru looked at Sakura who took one of her beads from her hair for the first time and added her chakra. After the glow died down she had a large chakram in hand that she spun over so it was both her weapon and shield with her in the center. (Think Tira from Soul Calibur.) "Sakura, heavy hitter, I'll act as back up you know how it goes."

"Got it Shikamaru!" Sakura said as she moved forward her chakram ring spinning and breaking several of the spears thrown at her by the enemy.

Kakashi looked terrified at the large weapon as Zabuza just chuckled, "Kisame'd love that kid." Zabuza would have to remember to tell the shark man all about her when he ran into him. Monstrous weapon and all, oh and the whole "coming from the future with your Samehada necklace to save the world before everyone else fucks it up" part too.

Naruto summoned a bunch of clones as Haku readied more of his ice senbon. Naruto looked at Sakura's weapon and asked a bit frightened, "You do know how to use that right Sakura?"

Sakura rolled her eyes, "Nah, I just summoned a giant weapon out of my hair bead, and I have no clue how to use it." She scoffed, "Of course I know how to use it Naruto. I've had this weapon since academy!"

Gato looked both angry and pale yelling, "What do you morons think you're doing charge! I said bring me that little bitch! I don't care if she's dead or alive" He stood behind not knowing that someone was waiting to snatch him for prisoner. Zabuza wanted to deal with the dirty turn coat personally since he'd technically done so in the previous life. Not that Sakura could care less about him. She was a medic not a saint.

Asuma waited until the remaining men abandoned their master and moved to capture the business mogul before joining in the battle. He used a careful neck chop to knock the man unconscious and secure him away from any weapons before throwing himself into the fray.

Sakura waited for Asuma's charge and joined into the masses of thugs her body twirling and maneuvering as the chakram cleanly cut through man after man. She knew before they were all dealt with that, she would look like she'd come straight out of a horror film, but a mission was a mission and they'd all get their first kills eventually. Might as well get it over with first if possible. 'At least these thugs are the kind of people who threatened rape and pillaging over this poor town. Plenty of reason to not let the guilt overwhelm me.'

'Dodge right Sakura-chan and parry left.' Hashirama's gentle voice warned and she simply obeyed. Sakura trusted Hashirama's experience over her own in mid-battle. She continued to dodge, parry, counter, and attack the thugs as they approached. Only one or two of them slipped passed and Shikamaru handled then easily enough.

The end of the battle with the thugs approached where only a few had surrendered. Most of them corpses on the edge of the bridge. Those that surrendered were turned over to the villagers who had rallied on the village's side of the bridge with Inari, Ino, and Tsunami in the lead. Tazuna moved to hug his family relieved that they were all safe.

Sakura started moving the dead to throw them over the unfinished bridge into a decent sized boat at the bottom. With Zabuza's idea to use and arrow to burn the bodies to prevent pollution from them in the water. While she felt they weren't worthy of it she understood the protocol to dealing with massive amounts of bodies.

As the battle came to a close she sat on the edge of the almost completed bridge and sighed, "What a mess." She began to wring the blood out of her hair and cleaned off her chakram before she sealed it away. Sakura's eyes turned to the sky where it cleared from the groggy atmosphere it had been. She smiled in relief. 'Step 3 done.'