*TsukikoUchu here, sorry for everyone who has been waiting patiently for this chapter, I couldn't for the life of me figure out what direction I wanted to take this story, but I do believe I've finally figured it out, so expect to see more chapters for this story in the coming future*
The following morning after breakfast Toneri took himself off somewhere and left Sakura on her own "Well I guess not entirely alone, Yomo is with me" Sakura huffed, hugging her fox summons to her chest as she hesitantly left the hotel to explore the Leaf Village.
Being extra cautious as she walked around and took in her new surroundings, how different they were to her treetop village, when Sakura had been wandering around for a couple hours the strange man, Jiraiya she remembered, appeared before her in a poof of smoke.
"Sakura-hime I am to escort you to Minato at once" Jiraiya proclaimed, holding his hand out for his friend's daughter, she really was quite pretty, and it would be the spectacle to watch her grow up into a beauty.
It was clear however Kizashi's daughter was a lot more reticent and wary than Kizashi himself had been and so was extra slow in taking his hand, then with a quick twist of his fingers they were gone in another plume of smoke.
All the way to the tower to stand in front of the blonde haired Hokage once again "Ah so you did retrieve her Jiraiya-sensei, hmm where is your companion, Toneri I believe it was I thought he'd be with you, Kakashi said he was very protective of you Sakura-san" Minato smiled.
Only to frown as he realized someone was missing "He took himself off somewhere this morning after breakfast and contrary to belief I can defend myself without his help" Sakura informed politely, curtsying for the leader of Konohagakure.
Very polite it seemed with manners of the highest degree "Yes I heard…from Naruto-kun my son, you punched Sasuke-kun and almost broke his nose, not a normal occurrence I assure you as Sasuke graduated top of his class from the academy" Minato chuckled.
Mostly amused, not to mention Sakura had only been defending herself from the threat Sasuke had made so it was no ones fault but his own that he'd had to carry the damning proof of another catching him off guard across the bridge of his nose for a few days.
What was more interesting however was when Sakura's green eyes lit up with intrigue "Academy Hokage-san, what's that" Sakura couldn't help herself, she was a very inquisitive girl and knowledge was power in her clan.
Pale brows rose upwards into his hairline "Does that mean you don't have an academy in your village Sakura and yes, it's where all children from the age of 5-6 to the age 12 are taught in the shinobi arts then graduated out as genin but that's a simplified explanation" Minato inquired.
Somewhat answering her question "Nope, we receive lessons but it's mostly singing, dancing, sewing, hunting those kinds of things, ninety percent of what I learned was for my own survival once it was time for me to set out and cool, I think I'd like to see it" Sakura shook her head.
"Hmm I'll have you escorted if you'd like and also getting to the main reason I had you brought here, the list I promised of potential candidates, their civilians but some of them do have a shinobi background" Minato offered, meeting his sensei's gaze who nodded.
While handing over the list of candidates with some genin from civilian background or straight up civilian so Sakura could carry out her duty to find a husband "Off to the academy then" Jiraiya declared once the list was tucked away in a pouch.
And the rosette had clutched the fox in her arms, with a grin, Jiraiya scooped the girl up and placed her on his shoulder then in a poof of smoke they were gone from Minato's office to the academy, Sakura's eyes lit up with excitement.
Even as she remained seated on his broad shoulder since her father's friend seemed intent on carrying her, she wasn't going to stop him "Interesting and everyone attends when the appropriate age right" Sakura hummed.
Wondering if something like this could be done back in her village "Correct Sakura, though some kids are taught at home, mostly clan children to be precise" Jiraiya nodded, moving through the halls of the academy.
Drawing more attention than he meant to, when he was finally approached by one of the sensei "Master Jiraiya what brings you here to the academy and who is this girl with you, is she wanting to join the academy" a brunet inquired.
But the girl shook her head "No Sensei-san, he's merely giving me a tour of your academy since I was curious about the concept of going to school, I believe I am over the attending age, I'm Sakura Haruno" Sakura introduced herself.
Speaking in a polite indoor voice "Well Sakura-chan you can call me Iruka and if it's a tour you want, please allow me, you really shouldn't bother Master Jiraiya with such a trivial matter that someone else can do" Iruka scolded lightly.
Not missing the suddenly narrowed eyes of the pinkette "Iruka-kun, I offered myself to take Sakura-hime around, she's the daughter of my old friend Kizashi Haruno" Jiraiya chuckled, cutting Sakura off when she was about to say something scathing no doubt.
Probably from her mother if he had to guess "Hime, are you saying she is some kind of princess Master Jiraiya, please forgive my rudeness then and allow me to make it up to you by answering any question you might ask" Iruka bowed.
"From what I understand, Hokage-san said I was the equivalent of a clan child on the importance scale so no I'm not a princess or anything of the sort, he just started calling me that and what are your classes like, what kind of lessons do you teach your genin to be" Sakura said.
Asking her first question "I see and my class, I specifically teach history and later on I help the students practice their throwing on targets, there is also math and theory work, and the children are taught basic academy level jutsu to start them out" Iruka answered.
Leading the way down the hall, an hour later, Sakura having turned out to be very inquisitive about everything to his surprise, the tour was over, and Jiraiya took the girl off to wherever her fancy suited.
Hours later around noon when Jiraiya was about to leave her to have lunch, Sasuke showed up, still with a bruise across the bridge of his nose but this time he had others with him "Itachi-kun what brings you this way" Jiraiya greeted.
Kind of suspicious about this random appearance out in the village "No one to hide behind this time you annoyance and I'm going to make you pay for almost breaking my nose, no one gets away with doing that to the second heir of the Uchiha clan" Sasuke cut over his older brother.
Then lunged before someone could stop him, unfortunately Sakura was quick as she twisted around him and flipped him on his ass instinctively "Sasuke-chan that is not the reason we followed you here to watch you attack someone as cute as this sweetie" his cousin frowned.
Peering down into his baby cousin's eyes from where he was sprawled out on the ground thanks to Sakura "Heh she might be cute but Sakura has one hell of a nasty temper so it might be best if you simply avoided picking fights with her, you won't win" Toneri smirked.
Finally deciding to return from where he'd disappeared off to, after witnessing his companion throw the idiot boy on the ground "Like hell I won't" Sasuke snarled, rolling onto his feet, swinging out his arm, attempting to land some kind of hit on her.
But Sakura was ready as she caught his wrist and slammed her open palm into his stomach with enough force to knock the wind out of him "Is this yours, then please keep him away from me" Sakura asked.
Looking straight at the one Jiraiya called Itachi as she dropped Sasuke unceremoniously before the teenager in hopes that he would be taken away and out of her sight so he couldn't bother her again and got a nod from Itachi.
Who shook his head in what appeared to be disappointment at Sasuke "My seems your friend was right, you are quite the interesting little kunoichi aren't you, Shisui Uchiha at your service….Sakura-chan right" Shisui grinned.
Holding out his hand for her to shake "Haruno, Sakura to be precise, I came from all the way across the ocean, and the purpose of my visit to your village, to find a husband on my succession venture, also I'm not exactly a kunoichi" Sakura smiled brightly.
Itachi tilted his head to the side "And I'm Itachi Uchiha, Sasuke's older brother and the reason we followed him to you is because our Father and Mother had a question to make of you Sakura-san, if you will accompany us back to our compound" Itachi introduced.
Shooting a glance to his otouto that basically told him to behave, Sasuke sneered but was silent as the group minus Jiraiya and Toneri began their trek to the mentioned compound "Oh my you really do have pink hair" a raven haired woman gasped.
Covering her mouth in shock "Just like Kizashi huh and if I'm not wrong your last name happens to also be Haruno, any relation" the brunet behind her narrowed his eyes, intent on getting his questions answered.
"He is my Father, Sir, may I ask…. you also seem to know him, was Father your friend as well like he was Jiraiya-sama's" Sakura curtsied for the imposing male, sneaking in her own bit of questioning, clearly intelligent if she was able to guess that much.
As she got a chuckle "Indeed, he was such a spirited man….and I have missed his presence since his return to his homeland, Fugaku Uchiha, Itachi and Sasuke's Father and Patriarch of the Uchiha Clan, would you consider one of my sons for your husband or perhaps my nephew" Fugaku asked.
Only to get a glare "Fugaku, the girl has barely been here a day and now you're trying to hoist our children and my nephew on the poor thing, let her adjust first and get to know them before asking and I'm Mikoto, their mother and Aunt" Mikoto scolded.
Before aiming a kind smile at the pinkette "Why are you being nice to that nuisance, it's not like she cares about anybody but herself" Sasuke scowled, pissed off that his parents seem to know the girl even if they'd never met before, they knew her, Dad.
Immediately his mother whapped him over the back of the head "Sasuke Uchiha, I will not tolerate you insulting a guest we invited into our home, don't make me use it against you, because I will, you are more than old enough for that particular punishment" Mikoto threatened.
And her youngest paled in response "Please I'm begging your forgiveness S..Sakura-san, I did not mean to insult you" Sasuke got down in seiza to apologize grudgingly to the pinkette, even if he did so reluctantly.
He simply didn't want to have his mother use the shuriken-jutsu on him, he'd heard enough and witnessed enough of it because of Shisui, jade orbs peered down at him, carefully blank, though he was sure she was inwardly laughing at him for causing trouble.
Then after a moment Sakura nodded "I forgive you...I'm also sorry for punching you Sasuke-san, I panicked and took it out on you" Sakura also made her own apology to his surprise, perhaps getting to know her wouldn't be so bad after all.
"No, I shouldn't have threatened you in the first place, you aren't weak or useless by the way, this still hurts" Sasuke admitted, pointing to his nose where his bruise was still visible even after a whole week had gone by.
Sakura winced then faced Sasuke's parents again, both of whom wore amused looks upon their faces, more Mikoto than Fugaku "But back to your question, I'm afraid that if I chose a member of your family, I'd have to abscond away with them when I turned eighteen" Sakura said.
Reminding Fugaku of the clause in her succession rite "Right and it would also mean losing a connection with them for the rest of our lives, I know" Fugaku nodded, not sure he could lose either of his sons or Shisui no matter how annoying the man got sometimes.
Onyx orbs widened "Are you for real, we wouldn't get to write or anything" Sasuke spluttered in horror, realizing that Sakura had been given one hell of a task in choosing a husband, whoever it was would have to give up everything here when she shook her head.
And writing was strictly forbidden "It's the same for me, for a month now and I'm dying to know how they are, but I can't go back nor write to them" Sakura confessed quietly, really missing her parents at that particular moment.
"Come join us for lunch please Sakura-chan, you can tell us what it was like growing up as Kizashi's child, I know you can't give us details of your village or whereabouts, so just talk about him as much as you want" Mikoto clapped her hands.
Dispelling the melancholy look on the pinkette's face and after a moment coaxed the girl into joining them at their table to have a meal as she regaled them with stories of her father and what it was like to grow up with him as her dad.
Once lunch was over Fugaku sat back in his chair hand on his chin "Hasn't changed a bit since I knew him then" he finally said, mostly glad for that fact "By the way who was it he chose as his wife in the end" Fugaku inquired.
Very curious because Sakura's mother hadn't been mentioned at all "She was a merchant's daughter, I only found that out the day I left almost two months ago, he found their caravan being attacked and saved her from the bandits, Mother's name is Mebuki" Sakura explained.
"You know I don't think I've heard you call your father or mother, dad or mom even once during this whole conversation why is that" Shisui chimed in, sensing that she was about ready to leave and probably find her companion.
Jade orbs focused on him "Well I am the Haruno clan's next leader and from the time I could talk I was taught to defer to my parents and respect their decisions for the whole of the clan, so it was always Mother or Father for me and never anything else that could be seen as disrespectful of their positions" Sakura informed.
Shisui blinked in horror at the answer "Yikes, don't you think they were far too strict with you about that" he questioned but she shook her head "Okay care to explain why" Shisui prodded curiously finding this young girl strange.
"For one simple reason, I know they loved me with all their hearts, so as their daughter I wanted to give them all the respect they deserved, even if they were strict" Sakura smiled, her eyes sparkling brightly with the love she had for her parents.
Obviously Kizashi and Mebuki had lavished their love upon their child, all the way until the day she set out probably "There is one last question I'd like to ask, did Kizashi ever wish that you had been born a boy rather than a girl, I can't imagine it was easy for him to let you go" Fugaku asked.
Knowing that it could potentially upset the girl, especially when she and Mikoto frowned at him in response "No, not once did he wish that and no, he said as much, but Father wished for me to experience what he had, perhaps follow the path he did if you know anything about that" Sakura shook her head.
Deciding there was no point in getting angry when the question hadn't been asked with the intention of upsetting her, it had been merely curiosity "If I recall Kizashi actually visited Sunagakure first, before coming here and after he headed for Cloud" Fugaku said.
Watching in amusement as Sakura then thanked them for lunch, waved to Sasuke with the promise to meet up later and vanished, outside the gates of the Uchiha Compound Toneri was waiting for her "Took you long enough" he snorted derisively.
Shoving Yomo into her arms at her approach "Sorry, they knew my Father, were even friends with him, so I had lunch with Sasuke's parents" Sakura huffed lightly, letting Toneri take the lead for the time being as they explored the Leaf Village by themselves until dinner time.
And they went back to their comfortable hotel, her second morning in Leaf, Jiraiya didn't show up to whisk her away to anywhere while Toneri disappeared on her again, so with a roll of her eyes, Sakura decided to see if someone would give her directions to the library in Konoha.
Luckily there were several shinobi out and about that were happy to help and soon she was seated at a table inside with a few books to read in front of her before someone came to interrupt her an hour or so later.
"Can I help you or are you just going to stand there staring at me" Sakura asked without looking up from her book, though she knew there was someone there, she could feel their gaze on her, no doubt her larger than life forehead.
After a moment the two unknowns sat, and she finally lowered her book since it was obvious, they weren't going away any time soon "Is it true you punched Sasuke Uchiha in the face and almost broke his nose" the blonde girl her age demanded.
Jade orbs rolled upwards "Yes and I've already apologized for that, just yesterday in fact" Sakura scoffed, not impressed in the least, especially when the girl demanded she stay away from Sasuke because he was hers and no one else could have him.
"Honestly, it's no wonder he has issues with girls if that's what all of you in this village are like towards him, listen up miss I don't know how to introduce myself before making demands, Sasuke is his own person not a possession and you don't get to choose who he ends up with" Sakura informed harshly.
Not caring one bit if it hurt the other girl's feelings in the least, it was the simple truth as the blonde spluttered in response while the boy hid a smile in the palm of his hand "Well it certainly won't be you little miss billboard brow" the blonde snarled.
"Exactly, because if he did, you would never get to see him again" Sakura glared, getting tired of the other girl's attitude, who paused, no doubt repeating that sentence over and over again in confusion as her brows furrowed.
Before demanding an answer as to what she meant "What did I just tell you...you want an answer, introduce yourself and don't demand, I might do the same in kind, provided your polite for our remaining conversation" Sakura snapped.
Quite fed up at this point "Fine, Ino Yamanaka...this is Shikamaru Nara, one of my teammates on my genin squad...so what did you mean, that if Sasuke chose you, we'd never get to see him again" Ino grumbled, introducing herself and Shikamaru at the same time.
"Sakura Haruno and precisely that, because anyone I so happen to choose as a husband, they'd have to go back with me to my homeland far across the ocean where leaving the village is strictly forbidden, the only exception is the rite of succession ceremony" Sakura answered.
Horrifying the two in front of her "But what if you had a kid, surely you'd want it to know its paternal grandparents right, wouldn't that be an exception to your village rules" Shikamaru asked but Sakura shook her head.
"Though it's possible for the child to meet any of its relatives once they reach the age of twelve, until then all contact is completely cut off, but anyway I've already established Sasuke is not the one for me, nor is his brother or cousin" Sakura informed.
Hoping that the blonde didn't regain her previous attitude, she really wasn't in the mood for it to be honest, Ino went to ask another question when Toneri suddenly appeared at her side "More books, really Sakura" Toneri scoffed.
Earning a glare "Really not in the mood for your particular brand of teasing Toneri and yes, more books" Sakura sniffed delicately to his amusement as he joined her at the table and focused his face towards the extras "Ino-san and Shikamaru-san" Sakura introduced.
Sensing his question "Toneri, I'm Sakura's traveling companion, we met at the beginning of her journey" Toneri introduced himself reluctantly, knowing that this was probably going to be a reoccurring them for the next several years.
Especially as Sakura branched out and made friends though he hated the term with a passion "Oh uh right, anyway we have clan training, so see you around Sakura" Ino gulped, feeling the massive chakra the white-haired teenager had, it made her feel faint.
And so made a speedy exit with Shikamaru slowly trudging behind her as they left the library "Do you want to explore some more before lunch Toneri" Sakura asked, putting her book down at last about half an hour later.
"Whatever come on then, you and your fox" Toneri snorted, helping Sakura carefully onto her feet, though he had to wait as she put the books back where she'd gotten them, before they left to explore the Leaf Village some more.
Until stopping at a tea stand for lunch "Hmm" Sakura hummed in consideration as she had her curry, Toneri quirked an eyebrow "It's definitely different, I guess my tastebuds are used to meals made with wild ingredients rather than processed now" Sakura explained what her problem was.
Thankfully Toneri could understand "Perhaps instead of the hotel we could find an apartment to rent for a short time while we are here so that we can prepare our own meals" Toneri suggested, wanting to stay at least for a few months.
It helped Sakura come to a decision on the matter that much faster because she needed time to pick through the list given to her by the Hokage for potential husbands "Okay, maybe I can find Jiraiya-sama and ask him about that" Sakura offered.
Just then as if having been waiting for her to use his name Jiraiya appeared before the two in a puff of smoke "Did I hear my name being called by the lovely Sakura-hime, whatever can I do for you that would acquire my assistance" Jiraiya bowed to her amusement.
"Yes, we were wondering if there were any apartments that we could rent for a short time, mostly so that we can prepare our own meals and not use up a lot of money while staying here at the same time" Sakura inquired.
Hoping there was something as Jiraiya rubbed his chin "For that you'd have to be a resident of Konoha...not to worry though Sakura-hime, there are temporary resident ID's that end after however long you desire, so I'm sure we could sort an apartment out as well" Jiraiya announced.
Pleased when the girl lit up "Can we go to do that now Jiraiya-sama" Sakura requested, standing at his nod, prompting Toneri to do the same and with that they were led to the Hokage's office of all places for some reason.
Though they had to wait half an hour until Minato was available as he was currently in a meeting, but when the group did show up in his office, the Hokage was definitely confused "Sensei what's going on, nothing happened did it" Minato frowned.
"No Hokage-san, err, Toneri and I'd like to request a couple of temporary id cards, since this is technically my first stop, I want to spend at least a few months here, but be able to cook my own meals in an apartment" Sakura shook her head.
Explaining her request "Ah I see, hmm, it's possible...though I'd like to ask a favor in return, you see the shinobi chunin selection exams are coming up soon and my student has entered my son and Sasuke into the exam, but they are one teammate short" Minato began.
While eyeing Toneri warily, having been warned about the young man's protectiveness over Sakura, apparently Kakashi had been current when Toneri immediately bristled and opened his mouth to protest no doubt.
"That's all I'd have to do, be their teammate for a short time...Toneri" Sakura inquired dubiously, which was understandable, before peering up at her companion, who sighed in response, clearly unable to refuse her.
Kakashi had also been correct about that as well, that Toneri gave in where Sakura was concerned which was to their advantage, especially with his monstrous chakra, if they trained her up, she could keep him on a tight leash hopefully.
"Quite, that's all, and it would last for about a month and one week, starting next month, you won't have to go on missions, just participate in the exam with them, it's okay if you don't pass the tests" Minato nodded.
Not daring to push Toneri's buttons any further than that for the time being as he handed the two paperwork to fill out and got them their temporary resident cards or a temporary shinobi id in Sakura's case.
Before the two filed out of his office with Jiraiya on his heels as they found a small apartment in the middle of the village for rent that was affordable and fully furnished with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room and a good-sized kitchen.
It was promptly rented and the pair took the rest of the day to settle into their new living quarters by purchasing groceries to stock their kitchen with before Sakura cooked dinner, then afterwards the two of them headed to bed for the night.
