The busy streets of Tokyo never failed to amaze Sakura. Technology here was a far cry from the one in Konoha, more advanced at every level. It was almost like she was in Naruto's videogame. Plus the population, she was sure over half the total population in Japan was in Tokyo. She had read in a book somewhere that Tokyo was the world's most populated city and it truly was. She had arrived in the city a few hours ago after taking a ferry with her Uchiha teammates Shisui and Itachi. "If you keep staring at the skyscrapers like that, you'll walk into a lamp post," Shisui said as he placed a hand of her forehead, stopping her before she walked into a lamp post

The kunoichi smiled sheepishly as she walked around it whilst Shisui retracted his hand. "It's just so amazing how developed Tokyo. Back in our days, it was just a strip of land between Konoha and Suna," she breathed out as she adjusted her sling bag. "Just like how Suna is no longer a desert but an island with enough green to pass off as a playground." They had booked two rooms at an inn: one for Sakura and the other for the two males. After dropping off their luggage, they decided to walk around.

"So then, how are we going to find Karin again?" Shisui asked. They were nearing Inokashira Park. "I looked for her profile on Facebook and luckily, I found her. The internet really comes in handy these days. It said she lives in Tokyo around the Meiji Shrine," the kunoichi replied. "When are we going to start looking for her?" the Uchiha asked again. "After a meal, I guess. I'm starving," she said at the same time her stomach growled inaudibly. "If that's the case then I know just the place," Itachi spoke behind them.


"Why are we even doing this? Last time I checked, you didn't even win," Shikamaru sighed. "Of course I won. Isn't that right Chouji?" Ino spoke as she handed the said boy a packet of potato chips. "She won," the chubby boy sang as he eagerly opened the packet of Lays. "Still, isn't it a bit too far? I'm not sure if Sakura would appreciate-" "Shikamaru," the blonde gnashed out. "I am this far from punching the living daylights out of you," she said as she pressed her thumb and index finger together close to his face.

"You think I don't know that? As far I'm Sakura's best friend, I know she'll appreciate us. Too bad Team Eight and Team Guy couldn't make it," she said the last part with a sigh as she stared out the window. They were taking a bus to Tokyo. She was seated between Shikamaru and Chouji. Naruto and Sasuke were on the opposite seat with just the two of them. The Uzumaki was asleep with his head rested on the brooding Uchiha who had his eyes closed and arms akimbo. She didn't know whether he was asleep or not. "I'm actually surprised Sasuke came," the spiky-haired boy spoke.

"Is it that surprising?" Ino asked with a raised eyebrow. "From what I remember of Sasuke, he was an emotionally detached person especially after the Uchiha Massacre. There were very rare moments where he displayed affection which is why Naruto was his only friend. He considered everyone else comrades but that's as far as it went. Even after the war, it was still hard for him to become attached to anyone. Seeing him want to visit someone who wasn't even in his previous timeline or doesn't remember him is surprising," Shikamaru explained. "It may be so but in this lifetime, he has opened up a bit. Sure, he isn't talkative like Naruto or Kiba and we're not really close but I can tell he's not as emotionally detached as he was back then," she replied with a wistful smile.

"If you say so," the Nara resigned.


For the next thirty minutes, the memory-sealing trio looked for the restaurant Itachi said was one of the best and cheapest in the city. However, it was all fruitless as they didn't find Taki's Teashop. "Are you sure that we're going the right direction?" Shisui asked for the umpteenth time. He took out his Samsung and checked the time, it was almost 3pm. He put back into his cargo pants as he huffed in annoyance. "Dear cousin, you know that I support you in whatever you do but I think we should just try another restaurant," the older boy ground out. "Just a few minutes and we're there," was the reply.

They were walking in a crowded marketplace. Shisui had almost lost Sakura but her yellow dress and blue jacket made it easy for him to find her. They rounded into another alley and in a matter of minutes, they were standing in front of the teashop. "We're here," Itachi breathed out. It was one of those rare moments that Shisui saw him smile at something which didn't include his family. They entered the teashop to find it crowded. It was larger on the inside with over three quarters of it occupied. They took a seat at a corner table after placing their orders at the counter.

"Seems nice so far," Shisui said as he looked around. Sakura nodded in agreement as she did the same. There weren't any shinobi in the teashop so far, save a single chakra signature at the back she had sensed. Perhaps it was another reincarnated shinobi just like her. "So Sakura, do you mind telling us the extent of your relationship with Sasuke? I know that you were teammates but that's all," the Uchiha said with a grin. "Let me guess, he was your crush. Or maybe a lover at one point in time. Or even unrequited love on your side. Were you friends with benefits?" he fired as her face burned.

"Shisui you-"

Her words died in her throat. She blinked once in wonder, she blinked twice in disbelief. She wasn't supposed to be here . She wasn't supposed to be here. She wasn't supposed to be here! She was several years early. She was only supposed to be a childhood thought, an avenger's goal. Standing several tables away from her stood Sarada Uchiha. She looked to be around eight years old. Her hair was jet black and short, red glasses in place. The girl was dressed in a red dress with a black jacket and sandals. Everything about her screamed Uchiha from her posture to her stare and features. As if sensing eyes on her, the child raised her head and the two connected eyes. There was no recognition in her black eyes or spike of chakra whenever memories from the past life resurfaced, only the blank stare of a curios child. But there was no doubt about it, it was her daughter alright.

"Earth to Sakura Haruno!" The pinkette snapped out of her reverie as Shisui snapped his fingers in front of her. "Is everything okay? You seem unwell," Itachi spoke with a hint of concern in his usual monotone voice. She tried to speak but nothing came out. It didn't make sense. Why was she here? Who were her parents? Why was she born to a different family? "I-" she croaked out. "Hey, what's wrong?" Shisui asked as a frown marred his features. "She isn't supposed to be here," was the only thing that came out.

Her eyes remained fixated on the child. "Sarada!" Her name was called and the dark-haired girl turned to the sound of the voice. The chakra signature she had sensed earlier became prominent as Sarada's face lit up in joy and recognition. "Mama," she said with a smile as the older woman came into view furthering shattering Sakura's heart into pieces. Crouched in front of her daughter in a past life was none other than Karin Uzumaki. The woman looked older than her by at least a decade. She was dressed in black jeans and a lavender t-shirt. Her red hair was in the hairstyle she wore as an adult in their previous timeline, red glasses in place.

Sakura stood up, knocking her chair over and marched over to the duo. Itachi and Shisui were already on her tail. She stopped a few steps away from them. She took a deep breath. "Karin, is that you?" At that, the redhead looked up. She scrunched her features before recognition flashed in her eyes. "Sakura, as in Sakura Haruno of Team 7?" the woman said as she stood up. Her voice sounded mature as well. "I never thought I'd see you here. I thought you were in Konoha," she told her. "I do live in Konoha 'but I came here looking for you," the pinkette forced out. She was composing herself as much as she could. "For me? Why's that?" Karin said with a questioning gaze. She noticed her clutch Sarada's hand out of the corner of her eye.

"We should probably talk in private," she replied. "Really? Is that why you invited Sasuke and co as well?" Sakura raised an eyebrow in question. Karin motioned towards the door. At the entrance stood Naruto dressed in black jeans and an orange t-shirt with an arm slung over a very irate Sasuke who was dressed in similar jeans and a grey t-shirt. Had she been in a different setting, she would have found it funny. The duo was pushed forward and Team 10 walked in. Ino's eyes immediately lit up in happiness just as Sakura's widened in shock. What were they doing here? Why were they here?

Sakura found herself unable to speak. The situation had suddenly gone south in a few minutes. She felt a warm hand wrap around hers. She stared down to Shisui's hand entwined with her. She silently thanked him. The high schoolers made their way towards them. "Surprise surprise Sakura," Naruto sang just as Ino flung herself at her. "Sakura, do you know all the trouble I went just to be here? I had to drag Shikamaru and Chouji here, Naruto and Sasuke agreed easily though but you have to thank me with a girls only date this week before we go back," the blonde blabbered with the pinkette in her embrace.

"Ino, it's good to see you," Sakura spoke, pointedly ignoring Sasuke's heated gaze as she returned the hug. "Okay, can somebody tell me that's going on here because I can literally feel the tension all the way in Konoha?" the Yamanaka heiress said as she put a hand on her waist. The jean shorts and halter top she was wearing made her look more like a model instead of an interrogator. She turned her eyes to oldest woman in the group. "Karin, how nice to see you," she said with a clearly fake smile. "Ino, still a bitch as ever," the redhead replied with a smirk of her own. "Me? I'm not the one who had a child in high school," the blonde shot back as she pretended to study her nails. "You're still going on about that?"

"Wait, you two know each other?" Sakura asked in disbelief. How could they know each other? "We know each from way back than you can imagine," Ino said as she shared a look with Karin. She had almost forgotten that she was supposed to act like she hadn't been in the previous timeline or at least remembered them. "Cousin," the redhead said with a nod at Naruto. "Karin, how could you forget to tell me that you were in Tokyo? I sent you a message that I was going to be here!" the exuberant blonde exclaimed, shattering whatever tension had settle between the group. "I'm here aren't I?" she sighed with an eyeroll. "We have to catch up before I leave," he said as he walked over to her.

"Hey Sarada, long time no see," he greeted the girl with a grin as he crouched in front of her. "Uncle Naruto, how are you?" she replied with a smile. "I'm good as always, dattebayo. You're all grown up from the last time I saw you," he said cheekily. "That was two years ago," she replied with a huff. "Ever the smart one. I wonder where you got it from because Karin was just as bad s me in high school," he teased. "Don't embarrass me in front of my kid, you little twerp," came the warning. "Good to see though, the both of you," the blonde said warmly as he ruffled Sarada's head. Her admiration shined bright in her eyes.

'Some things never change,' Sakura thought with a smile as she watched the exchange. She looked at Sasuke who was looking at Sarada with a thoughtful expression. She hoped her didn't suddenly recover memories of his past. His chakra remained unchanged though. She released a sigh of relief as she looked back at Sarada. Sensing eyes on her, she looked up to see Sasuke staring at her with an unreadable expression. He looked at Sarada then back at her with a quizzical expression. His eyes seemed to say why does she look like you? The pinkette didn't know what he was thinking and she didn't want to find out. Having a panicked mind on a mission cost a lot.

"Why don't we all sit down and have the whilst we chat? My treat," Karin offered. That was new. Karin rarely offered anything but then again time changed people.


Beta'd by Yours Truly. Enjoy!

Special shout-out to my top reviewers Shel21 and merendinoemiliano. Thank you so much for the support, this chapter is literally dedicated to you. And my other reviewers as well as everyone following this story, thank you for the support!

Tozoonana

AfricanFire