So, this is closer to my usual chapter length. There wasn't a good place in the last one to split it. Promise her landing site will be explained... eventually. It is less dramatic and fluffy but don't worry. It's coming. Let me know what you think!

Chapter 2

Sakura

The past

Bright light flashed behind Sakura's eyes, blinding her. She was cold—so, so cold. Then there was a tugging, a rush and a warm feeling spread through her body.

The bright light flashed again, and suddenly, she could see. Before she could determine where she was, there was the sensation of falling. Then, something lumpy and soft came up from nowhere, arresting her fall.

Her throat burned from screaming and it was dark. Something was grabbing her, tangling her legs and gripping her arms. "Let me go!"

A male voice, rough as if from sleep but somehow familiar, answered, the owner of the voice gripping her arms harder and shoving her to the side. "You fell on me!"

Legs tangled in something soft and warm, her back hit a solid wall. She grunted at the impact, and then a hard body was caging her in place, the unmistakable feel of a kunai blade pressing against her throat.

The voice was back, a dangerous edge making it even more familiar. "Who are you, and how did you get in here?"

"What the…" Sakura reached for the arm holding the kunai to keep it from breaking skin. "Kakashi-sensei?"

There was silence for a moment, as the body stilled. "Sensei?" A derisive snort sent hot breath across her face. "I've been called a lot of things, but that's a new one." The cold pressure on her neck disappeared, and he shifted as though reaching behind himself. A whistling, the sound of metal thudding against plastic, and then there was light.

When he rolled back to face her, one Sharingan eye was open and focused on her. It moved across her face rapidly, both eyes void of any recognition.

"I don't know you." He stared deeply into her eyes and glanced at her hair. "I'm certain I'd remember if I had ever seen you before." The hand bracing her face toyed with a strand of hair. "Very distinctive."

Unable to help it, her eyes burned. How could he not recognize her? He had known her since she was eight years old, been her Sensei, allowed her to practically adopt his son. He knew her.

"What are you talking about, Kakashi-sensei?" His recent treatment of her came to mind. "I know you've been distant lately, but this isn't funny."

He finally let the Sharingan eye close and frowned. "I told you already, I'm no one's sensei. You know my name at least though, so… who are you?"

Feeling herself growing more irritated and confused and—frankly—hurt by the second, Sakura huffed. "The same as it was last night when you were smoking and eating my rakugan on my parents' roof." One pale brow arched with interest but he did not interrupt, clearly waiting for an answer.

"Haruno Sakura, kunoichi of Konoha, former member of your team, team seven, former apprentice to the legendary Sannin, Senju Tsunade." She slid a hand up between them to tap at the diamond seal on her forehead. "Surely you at least recognize this." It was embarrassing how she could not keep the hurt from her voice.

"I did notice that." This stranger Kakashi opened his Sharingan again to inspect it briefly before switching eyes. "It's the same as Lady Tsunade's." He looked down into her eyes and she had the distinct feeling he was grudgingly impressed. "Are you a medical nin, too?"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Duh, Kakashi-sensei. Probably the best there is, besides Tsunade-shishō herself."

He hummed in thought, his gaze dropping from her eyes to her lips, and then down between them where their bodies were still pressed together. Realizing their position in what she belatedly noticed was his bed, a fierce blush burned Sakura's face. "Kakashi-sensei!"

His eyes snapped back to hers, and he had the decency to look sheepish. "As good as Lady Tsunade, huh?"

"Ya, well… medical jutsu wasn't all she taught me." With a rush of chakra, she threw him off of her and halfway across the one room apartment.

Surprised, he rolled gracelessly across the floor before catching himself and landing in a ready stance five feet away. "Interesting. I was unaware she had ever taken an apprentice. Then again, she's been gone from the village for years. Besides drinking and gambling, who knows what she's been up to." He cocked his head to the side. "But the fact remains—I've never seen you before."

This had gone far enough. Sitting up, she glared furiously at him. "I don't know what your problem is, but it's got nothing to do with me! Where's Kazuki-chan?"

"Who?"

A stuttering gasp left her. For all that he had been avoiding her, overly cordial and distant, Kakashi lived for his son. It was then Sakura realized something must be very wrong. "What do you mean, 'who'?"

He looked at her like he thought she must be stupid. "I mean, who? That name means even less to me than yours. At least I've got a face to put with 'Sakura…' Assuming that is your real name."

Taking several deep breaths to combat the sudden dizziness, Sakura looked closer at the Kakashi in front of her. He looked the same as he had the night before. Only… no, that wasn't quite right.

"You still have your Sharingan!" she shouted, pointing a finger at the offending eye. How had she taken so long to notice? It had been almost three years since he had lost it. But she had known him with the gifted eye longer than without. That, and the chaos of her attack and suddenly finding herself in his bed, must have thrown her more than she'd realized.

"Do I not have it where you're from?" His tone was flat, as if speaking to an especially dense genin.

"Where… no…" An impossible idea occurred to her.

"We're sending you on quite the adventure."

It was impossible. No such jutsu existed. Did it?

"How—" a sudden, hysterical laugh erupted, which she stifled by slapping a hand over her mouth. "How old are you, Kakashi-sensei?"

With a put-upon sigh, he answered. "I've told you, I'm not your sensei. And I'm twenty."

Barely making it in time, Sakura scrambled to the edge of his bed and vomited. Her vision swam as she retched. Dimly, she was aware of her hair being held back from her face. "Are you finished?"

On shaky arms, Sakura pushed herself back into a sitting position. Kakashi—a younger Kakashi than she had ever known—crouched beside the bed, his one open eye looking up at her with faint disgust. She might have been embarrassed, but apparent time travel was a far more pressing matter.

"Twenty? Are you sure?"

The disgust turned to annoyance. "I'd think I would know."

"Um…" She tried to think of something else to ask. "Who is the Hokage?"

He huffed at first, obviously thinking her question a stupid one. But then he wrinkled his nose, and looked between her sick and her no doubt shaken expression. "The Sandaime, Sarutobi Hiruzen."

Okay. She took a deep breath. What else? "The Uchiha clan? Are they still…?"

His eye narrowed and his head tilted just so. "What about the Uchiha? Still what?"

Shit. What was it Sasuke had told them? Itachi hadn't acted out of malice and a desire for power as he had always thought. If Kakashi was only twenty, that meant she, and so Sasuke , were only six. She was pretty sure he had been a little older when his family had been massacred.

"Uh… actually nevermind about them."

The one eye watching her narrowed even further. "What do you know about them?"

Trying very hard to stay calm without sharing too much—holy shit, she was actually accepting the time travel idea—Sakura feigned innocence. "Nothing. Um, I just… know an Uchiha like I know you. Twenty you said? Not… not thirty-four?"

She could tell he was still suspicious but he rocked back onto his heels and sighed. "If you expect me to believe you're from the future…"

Sakura wrung her hands. "I'm still not convinced this isn't a dream. Time travel is impossible, right? There are a lot of crazy jutsu out there, but this is just…"

"Stretching the bounds of reality just a little too much?"

"Yeah?"

He sighed again. "I'm definitely awake, so it can't be a dream."

Grasping for anything, she glanced at his closed eye. "A genjutsu?"

The Sharingan opened, and he made the hand signs for a Genjutsu Kai. Nothing happened. She copied him. Still nothing. "No. This is reality."

"Ok." In through her nose, out through her mouth. Repeat.

Repeat.

Repeat.

"I need to see the Hokage. And… don't ask me any more questions."

Kakashi stood and looked at the door, her and then her sick. "We should clean that before we go."

Crawling to the edge of the bed, careful to step around it, Sakura stood too. "Just call one of your ninken."

His head snapped up, and the way he looked at her suggested she might as well have told him to summon his grandmother. "Excuse me?"

She had only been half-serious, trying desperately to push away the rapidly bubbling panic, but his highly insulted reaction was amusing. Shrugging tightly, she wrinkled her nose and tried to smile. "I've seen Pakkun eat way worse, and they all lick their own—"

"I'm not doing that." He put his hands in his pockets and sighed in exasperation. "Dealing with you is more important. Let me get dressed properly, and we'll go."

Unable to argue with that, Sakura waited as he ducked into what she assumed was the bathroom to change. When he was ready, dressed in standard Jōnin blues, she followed him out. The situation did not feel any more real as they flew across the rooftops in the gray pre-dawn light toward the Hokage tower. Dream or not, tears stung at her eyes to see the village as it had once been. Before Pain, before the rebuild, and the war. Looking ahead at the man racing along in front of her, memories of that day came flooding back.

She had been working with Shikamaru when the violence started. When she'd realized what was happening, giant summoned beasts attacking in the street, her first thought had been of Kazuki. She'd split up with Shikamaru and raced to the academy. Kakashi had met her there, her parents not far behind. In all of the years she had known him, through all of the dangerous and devastating things which had happened to them, she had never seen Kakashi look so afraid. The idea that Kazuki could have been hurt—or worse—had filled Sakura with dread. The then eight-year-old was all the family Kakashi had in the world, his precious son. She could only imagine what it had felt like for him.

They had taken Kazuki and her parents to the evacuation site, leaving them with Kurenai in the flood of people fleeing the village before returning to the fight. Before they'd gone their separate ways, Kakashi had pulled her aside and reassured her she would be ok. It was so strange at the time. She'd scoffed and told him he'd better not do anything reckless before racing to the hospital. It was the only time she had seen him that day, until after the fighting had ended. Until after he had died and been revived.

She was positive he'd never told Kazuki about that.

They arrived at the tower, Kakashi muttering to the ANBU guarding the private residence. Without much fanfare, they were let into the Hokage's office to wait. Not four minutes later, a sleep-rumpled Hokage joined them.

"Kakashi." He dropped into the chair behind his desk, his eyes flicking between the ANBU captain and the stranger he'd brought with him. "I'm not sure I believe what they told me to get me out of bed. Why am I awake at this hour?"

"I know how it sounds, Hokage-sama."

Tears stung her eyes, again. She needed to get a hold of herself. Letting Kakashi explain what had happened from his perspective, Sakura took several more deep breaths and tried to think of any other ghosts she was likely to run into. There were too many to count. Hopefully, she wouldn't be there long.

"You're right, Kakashi. This is not only hard to believe—it should be impossible. You say there was a flash of light, and then she fell out of the air and into your bed?" Sakura looked back at the dead Hokage in time to notice the faint smirk. "I must say, Kakashi, at your age, I would have reacted a little differently if a beautiful woman suddenly fell into my bed."

She blushed, horrified, and he chuckled. "Hokage-sama!"

Clearing his throat to suppress the laughter, the Hokage nodded. "Forgive me. That was inappropriate." He coughed, face turning grim. "If what you're claiming is true, it is a very serious situation indeed." He eyed her for a moment, tapping the edge of his desk. "Do you have any idea how you came to be here? What was the last thing you remember before ending up with Kakashi?"

Blush fading, she recalled the last few hours. "I had been sent on a solo mission to a nearby village. I'm a medical kunoichi, Hokage-sama, trained by Lady Tsunade—and as of last year, a Jōnin. Normally, I don't go on solo missions; I am at my best on a team. But this was just a routine medical visit. I was supposed to be there for a few days treating the locals before returning."

The Hokage looked impressed, but did not interrupt.

"As it wasn't far, and the day was pleasant, I had chosen to take a leisurely pace on the road. Unfortunately, I walked into a trap." Shame burned in her gut at the memory. It was such a stupid mistake. She could easily detect such basic traps. But she'd been caught off guard. "Chakra suppressing wires were hidden underground." Her hands clenched and her teeth ground. "I knew something was wrong. I just didn't know what until it was too late. I tripped the wires and they flew out of the ground, stringing me up."

From the corner of her eye, she could see Kakashi watching her. He must think her an absolute moron. Her blush returned. "There were two men. I have no idea who they were or where they were from…"

A sudden migraine behind her eyes cut her off with a gasp. Pulling chakra to her hands, she pressed them to her temples, attempting to soothe the ache and remember what had happened next. "I… I didn't get a good look at them, only one even showed me his face. He didn't wear a hitai-ate, but he didn't look like a shinobi." She gestured at her face. "Short dark hair and glasses. He said they were going to 'send me on an adventure', and then he injected something into my neck. A sedative, most likely."

She shook her head, trying to clear it. "That's all I remember. It went dark after that. I saw a bright light too. Then it was cold, and then warm, and I felt the sensation of flying, being pulled towards something, and then I was falling into… Kakashi-sensei's bed."

The aforementioned sensei grumbled under his breath.

"Sensei?" Both of the Hokage's brows rose in shock. "Interesting. Where, or perhaps when you're from, how old is Kakashi? He mentioned you were rather surprised to hear his age."

"Thirty-four, sir."

"Hmm." He steepled his hands, pressing his index fingers to his lips. "Fourteen years in the future." For a long moment, he stared solemnly into the distance. "These men who kidnapped you must have discovered a new jutsu. Tell me, are you familiar with Orochimaru in your time?"

A complex blend of sorrow and hatred lanced through her at the mention of the Sannin's name. Judging from the Hokage's reaction, it must have shown on her face.

"Was it—"

"No, Hokage-sama. I do not know who they were, but I am absolutely certain they are unconnected to Orochimaru."

He relaxed back into his chair, clearly disturbed by her reaction but satisfied for the moment. "Perhaps a man of a similar… scientific interest, at least." Silence hung in the room for a long moment as he processed his own thoughts. Finally… "As I am not well versed in the theoretical ideas of time travel, and incarcerating you for the duration of your stay feels like a mistake, I think it would be best if you tried to blend in. Interfere with events you remember and people you know as little as possible."

He glanced at Kakashi and the corner of his mouth twitched. "Other than Kakashi, of course. I have a feeling it must mean something you landed in this time, quite literally on top of him. It goes without saying, though, do not tell anyone else the truth. If word got out, it could be dangerous. The last thing we need at the moment is another war over a potential weapon."

Sakura was stunned. "Wait. You're talking like you don't know how to send me home." Her brain caught up. "A weapon?"

"Yes." He frowned down at his desk. "There are many who would find the temptation of exploiting what you may know irresistible. Attempting to recreate whatever jutsu was used to send you here, even more so." There was something almost dangerous in his eyes that told Sakura he was not above such a temptation himself. It unnerved her. "And as to returning you… Unfortunately, time travel is impossible."

She scoffed, waving her hands at herself. "Obviously not."

"Yes, well…" He cleared his throat and reached into a drawer, pulling out several blank scrolls and an empty file. "I'll have the matter looked into, but I don't think you should expect much. Now, you said you were trained by Tsunade?" He nodded at her forehead. "I see you have mastered her Strength of a Hundred Seal. That is quite impressive. You must have excellent chakra control. Tell me…" He huffed a laugh. "Are you as strong as she is?"

Blinking at the sudden change in his demeanor and the praise, she nodded. "At least, sir."

He smiled. "I am pleased beyond measure to know Tsunade will return to Konoha and begin training our medical shinobi again." With a satisfied nod, he began writing something in the file. "For now, I'll send you to work in the hospital." He paused. "Do you think that would be safe?"

"Um…" World reeling, Sakura tried to think of the answer. "I think so. I don't believe I would know anyone there currently, and I can't think of anything significant my presence there would affect."

"Excellent. We haven't had anyone with your skill here since Tsunade left. In this, at least, I am willing to risk disseminating your knowledge. Do you think you could train others?"

She shrugged. "I've been doing that for the last two years."

He nodded, again. "Any particular specialities?"

"Poisons and cellular regeneration."

Clearly pleased, the Hokage continued writing. "Excellent. We will say you are here by my special request, to work in your capacity as a medical kunoichi and to train our newer medics. Ah…" He looked up at her. "You said you were a Haruno. Kizashi and Mebuki's girl?" She nodded. "Perhaps a different name then. How about… Hana?" Clearly the first name which popped into his head. "Yamada Hana?"

"Fine." She still felt almost too stunned to speak. This couldn't be happening. She had hoped the Hokage would be able to send her home. Instead, he was fitting her into the past. Did she ever remember hearing of a 'Yamada Hana'? So far as she knew, she hadn't. Perhaps that meant she eventually did make it home.

"Now, as for you, Kakashi..."

Beside her, Kakashi straightened. "Yes, Hokage-sama?"

"I'm reassigning you."

Kakashi stiffened, but did not open his mouth to argue.

"Your ANBU team will have a new captain for the time being. As you're the only other person who knows the truth of Miss Haruno's origin here, I'm making her your responsibility. I want her watched to ensure she isn't a threat." He glanced at Sakura apologetically. "My first priority is to protect the village, you'll understand."

She did understand, and told him so.

"As I've asked her here personally and consider her such an asset, officially, you will be her personal detail. If she needs anything, she will come to you. Accompany her to the hospital. Be unobtrusive but present." He considered a moment. "Not as ANBU—a regular Jōnin. An ANBU guard would be more suspicious. Depending on how long she remains with us, this may be temporary. I'll organize a place for her to stay and have the necessary documents prepared immediately."

Curious to his response, Sakura risked a glance at her silent companion. He didn't say anything to the Hokage, but she had known him long enough to detect his annoyance. "Yes, Hokage-sama."

The Hokage dropped his chin to rest on his palm as he looked out the window. Dawn was breaking, and the village below was starting to wake up. "For now, why don't you take her down to the third training ground? It will take a couple of hours to get the details worked out for her stay. Get a feel for her fighting style. As skilled as I'm sure she is, I'm sure I'll be sending her out on missions if she is here very long." He glanced at Sakura. "You said you are at your best on a team?"

She nodded. "Yes, Hokage-sama."

"Well. I'd like to know where best you'll fit. I'll send word as soon as I'm ready for you. You're dismissed."