Prologue

"I have to leave…"

"I don't understand…the war is over… the village has forgiven you."

His onyx eyes averted her jade ones. "It isn't about the village's forgiveness, it is about my own. I have to heal Sakura…and that starts with understanding what I did and forgiving myself for doing it."

Tears were forming in her eyes, she hated how weak he made her feel. She was surprised to feel his finger stroke the escaped tear floating down her cheek. Still not ready to face the inevitable truth of their situation, she whispered "I could help you…I could come with you."

He smiled at her, relishing in kindness he always noticed but also the beauty that she recently acquired with her age. "The hospital needs you. Tsunade needs you to carry on her will to future medics. And more importantly…" he sighed, now cupping her cheek, forcing her eyes on him, "Naruto will need you the most."

She intertwined her hand with his, now looking at his soft but troubled features. "He surpassed us all…"

"But you will keep him grounded, his next steps will be watched very carefully. Apart from Shikamaru, you have always been his greatest confidant and the village will need you to help him before and when he becomes hokage."

"I most certainly agree." Their silver haired sensei said, surprising them both. "It's time Sakura."

The onyx eyed shinobi looked reluctantly at their former sensei and back to the only woman who has ever truly seen him for who his, "I will write." He said as he poked her forehead.

Chapter 1

BEEP BEEP BEEP

"Ugh…" Sakura moaned as she crawled to turn her alarm clock off. "I just fell asleep…" Having been promoted to second in command at the hospital, Sakura had been called in late last night to preform an emergency surgery and with Shizune out of the village on a mission, it was up to her. "That was…ugh! 3 hours of sleep…" she said as she climbed out of bed.

Slowly dragging herself over to her bathroom, Sakura filled her glass of water and drank it sluggishly. Looking in the mirror she could see the bags growing under her eyes, the strain in throat, and the pure exhaustion of her muscles. Tying her hair back, she turned the sink on to cleanse her face, trying to wipe off the fatigue. Looking up from the sink, she sighed "I guess water can only do so much."

Walking to her kitchen, she threw her kettle on to the stove. She was desperate for a cup of tea, thinking she may add some lemon in it to brighten her mood. While waiting for her water to boil, Sakura leaned against her kitchen counter looking at her apartment. Although minimalist at best, she was quite proud of what she accomplished since the war. Her apartment was a light shade of grey accented lightly with pillows, throws, and paintings all within an emerald and mustard colour scheme. Several photos adorned her walls, including pictures of her family, with her sensei, and many of her and her childhood friends. Unfortunately, no living plant existed within her apartment. With the random mission here and there and with her promotion at the hospital, she barely even had time to sleep and eat here.

"Knock Knock" her former sensei said while climbing through her window.

"Ever heard of a door? You know it looks creepy when an older man sneaks into a younger woman's window?"

"Is that so Sakura-chan?" The copy-cat ninja interjected, "hmmm, I guess some would say that it would be creepy to bring a young woman free break…" before he could finish, Sakura was grabbing the bento out of his hand. "I heard you had a late one last night" he replied with a chuckle, taking out his favourite copy of Icha Icha.

"Yah, one of the genin broke their spine in a freak accident. Apparently, he and one of his teammates were sparring when all of the sudden the one partner dropped to their knees and started screaming in pain before going limp and passing out."

Kakashi took his eyes off his book, eyebrow arching, "hmm".

"We were lucky the other genin had some training with the medical units during the war, because they treated the transport to the hospital with care to his spine." She stated handing him a glass jasmine tea.

"Interesting" he replied taking the tea. There was a comfortable pause, a technique they developed after the war. Something they used to comfort each other from their memories. "Are you ready for today?" he asked suddenly

"Yes…No…I don't know. I actually forgot it was happening today, I have been so busy lately" she said, scratching her head in embarrassment. She is the one person that should have remembered.

"At least you will see him, clear the air." Kakashi replied. He loved all three of students; however, the way Saskue always seemed to string Sakura along unnerved him. He was a boy in a young mans body, not knowing how to treat a woman.

Sighing, "I can't believe its been 2 years since he left the village. This trial should have happened long ago…"

"You know how complicated it is to gather the Kage's."

"Will he even show up? He didn't the last time they tried to organize this. I haven't heard from him over a year…he stopped writing me." She said, eyes glued to her tea cup.

Her former sensei looked at his student with empathy. She wasn't a child anymore, so it made his feeling even more confusing. "There are people who love you Sakura" her sensei murmured, turning is gaze back to his book, "…don't forget that."

She looked up, meeting with the man she has trained with for over 10 years, "If I knew we were going to get sentimental, I would have worn something nicer." She said pointing to her p.j.'s.

"Mint has always been a lovely colour on you…" he said slyly.

"mmmhmmm…PERVERT!" she screamed before poking his nose.

"Okay Okay, get dressed Sakura, Godaime Hokage has requested your presence." He said grabbing the plates from her hands and putting them in the sink to wash.

"Wait for me?" she said, walking towards her bedroom.

"Always." He replied, eyes lingering on her form a little longer than they should have.

"And the technique was successful?" her sensei asked eagerly.

"Yes Tsunade-sama. I used the new technique I found while researching in Getsugakure a couple months ago. By harnessing my chakra and aligning it with their own, I was able to manipulate the body into thinking it was healing itself. Now we wait and see if the patient gets 100% mobility back and whether the recovery time quickens. At worst, he will only be able to walk and lightly job, but I have my hopes up" Sakura replied proudly. The new technique, called Iyasu Karamiau jutsu, was incredibly difficult and took 4 months to master…on a fish. Last night was the first time she ever used it and it was only because she had no other choice, the broken vertebrae were close to puncturing other organs. However, with that being said, she was the only one in the near by villages that had ever practiced such a technique.

"Hmmm…" the honey eyed Hokage said as she turned her chair to the window. It ws a beautiful day out. The sun was shining, her people were safe, and her student was flourishing beyond expectations. Sensing multiple eyes on her, a slow methodical laugh burst through the woman's lips, "Only my student would be capable of such a feat! I am one hell of a mentor, aren't I Ton Ton!" she laughed while looking at the pig.

Sakura rolled her eyes, while Shikamaru smirked. "Lady Tsunade…" the young Nara heir cleared his throat. "The other Kage and their acquaintances will be joining us soon."'

"Ugh, Nara's…always so smart…or is it one of the acquaintances your interested in?" she said slyly, arching her eyebrows.

The Nara blushed heavily, urging to reply with "you are such a drag" but knowing the limits of respect. Trying to save her friend and comrade, Sakura perked up and said "Shikamaru is right, we should be going! Being late makes us look unprofessional!"

The spikey haired ninja looked at his friend, silently thanking her. "Again, my student, so clever!" Tsunade remarked as she walked over and threw her arm around Sakrua. "Lets go greet our guests!"

Several of the leaf ninja came to greet the first of the Kage's to arrive. After the war, not only were peace treaties signed but life long friendships were forged.

"SAKURA-CHAN!" called Naruto, whom was standing with Hinata.

She walked over to them greeting them with a smile, "Morning!"

Hinata's gentle smile crept on her face, "I heard your new medical nin justsu is coming along"

"Yes Hinata-chan, I actually tried it out last night! It is all thanks to you though!"

The purple eyed Hyuga blushed, "No no, it is your skill that…"

"No, really Hinata! Without the help of your byakugan I wouldn't have been able to see where I needed to forge my chakra with a paitents!" Sakura stated.

Still blushing, Naruto slid his arm around the embarrassed Hinata, "I told you. You are amazing." He whispered into her ear, making her turn an even riper hue of red. The blonde then turned to his former teammate. "Hey Sakura…" Naruto hesitated, "do you think he will come?"

She looked at him, knowing that he cared for Saskue as much as she did. "I hope so." Was all she could muster.

"His letter said that he would try." Naruto offered

She perked up, Sakura didn't know that he was still in contact with Nartuo. "When did he send that?" she asked curiously

"hmmmm" the blonde pondered, "About a week ago"

"Oh…well hopefully he follows through." She said, trying to hide her disappointment that Saskue was writing to him but stopped writing to her.

Seeing the discomfort this conversation was bring to her friend, Hinata offered her a loving hand. No words were needed, as the simple gesture conveyed everything Sakura needed: love and support.

The Raikage and killer bee were among the first to arrive, obviously moving to greet Naruto first. A trusted friend and mentor, did Killer Bee become during the war. As Sakura stepped aside, giving them some privacy, she noticed that Hinata Naruto introducing the two men to his bride to be. One could see Hinata blush from miles away as killer bee took her hand and kissed it, yelling at Naruto for not bringing her to his favourite "uncle's" home village yet.

Onoki and Kurotsuchi, followed soon after. Once Onoki stepped foot into the village gates, it didn't take long for him to start to complain about his back to Tsunade. "I am telling you, it is the air here in konoha that breaks my back!" he said.

"I'm sure it is!" Tsunade replied as she slapped his back. Pure agony was plastered on his face, but not for long. Tsunade's green chakra working quickly on his back to relieve any pain he had caused for himself while travelling.

Sakura waited on the side with Shikamaru. Playing with the dirt around her feet, she asked, "So you gonna ask her to dinner this time?"

He looked up in surprise and then smirked "The damned woman won't let me take her out without a fight."

"I guess she really likes you then." Sakura said, smiling reassuringly up at her comrade.

He smiled back at her, knowing how love has treated her thus far. In an unfamiliar gesture, his hand came up to her making her look him in the eye. "We are with you..." he said, "…always."

She grabbed his hand as her eyes started to cloud from her imminent tears and gave it a reassuring squeeze. No longer able to look at him, but also not ready to let go of his hand, her gaze turned to the gates of the village. She remembered all the times her and her boys would set off for their next mission, Naruto always being late, Kakashi always reading smut, and Saskue always trying to come off as cool and off-putting. "I am tired of feeling this way." She admitted to Nara. "I am tired of being tied to something that will never want me in return. I am tired of being weak in everyone's eyes"

Shikamaru eyes hardened, he had never experienced this kind of heartbreak, so he didn't really have much advice for her. "Sakura, I…"

"Wow, she is beautiful Shikamaru." Sakura interrupted, looking at the blonde walking up. Although he knew his friend was in pain, he couldn't help but look up for the blonde, to find her eyes. His home. His eyes grew soft, looking at the Suna native…"she will fit right in to the Konoha village. Your clan will love her" He heard Sakura murmur.

Walking with the blonde, was her two brothers. One adorned with war paint and wearing all black, probably packing a dozen puppets or so. The other in his kazekage robes, turquoise eyes piercing through, looking slightly out of place. Temari ran past the two towards Sakura and Shikamaru. "Hey cry baby" she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Sakura never took Temari to be so informal in terms of affection, but she also respected her for it. To take her feelings and run with them, to be confident in the one she loves and who loves her.

As Temari released her beau, she turned to Sakura, "You look awful." She smiled and brought the pinkette in for a hug. Temari and Sakura's relationship had grown after the war, both working on putting their village, but more specifically, their boys back together. The physical injuries were relatively easy to handle, it was the mental illness that had stricken the villages that became more troublesome. Sakura witnessed first hand one of Shikamaru's PTSD episodes and took it upon her self to teach Temari how to help him ride through them. After that, Temari asked for more information and training on the medicines of the mind, as more of the Suna nin started to experience illnesses and through this tragedy a quick, but strong friendship emerged.

Pulling back, Temari brushed the hair from Sakura's eyes, knowing what pain this day will give her friend. "We will stand with you Sakura." She said confidently, as Shikamaru's hand slid into hers.

"Always." He repeated with a soft smile as the blonde nodded towards her friend.

"Oi! Tem, why you gotta be so lovey dovey! They are going to think you went soft!" Someone yelled.

"Cause I have to watch you put on your makeup everyday." She retorted as her brothers approached.

"My favourite leaf nin!" Kankuro said, picking Sakura up into a hug and spinning her around, "How are you Pinky?"

"I'll be better when you put me down cake face!" she laughed, glad to see her Suna friends

"Kazekage" Sakura turned to Garaa and bowed.

"Sakura-chan" he said uncomfortably. She knew he hated the formality, it made him feel distanced from the rest of them.

"Don't worry, I will drop the formalities once everyone dissipates from the gates" she whispered and then winked at him. Giving her a thankful smile, Sakura couldn't tell if the red head ninja was blushing, but he soon turned to look at giant tree just behind them, "has he arrived yet…Kakashi- san?"

Jumping down from the tree, the silver haired ninja greeted the group. "No sign yet, but I am hopeful." He smiled, making reassuring eye-contact with Sakura. Garaa felt the tension, he remembered the situation between Sakura and Saskue. Although he was not one for knowing a lot about relationships, he couldn't help but wonder why the black haired nin could ignore someone like Sakura. She was intelligent, incredibly strong, and knew what she believed in, she was a natural leader. To top it all off she was one of the most beautiful women he had ever encountered, only getting better with time, but also so humble about it…almost as if she didn't even know. He looked over at the pink haired shinobi, she looked nervous, but also frustrated. He could tell that she disliked the attention she was receiving.

"Come, lets go towards the meeting hall!" They overheard Tsunade say to the other two Kage that arrived. "We shall wait there to see if our young Uchiha will arrive."

As the crowd started to walk towards the Hokage tower, Garaa slowed his footing, trying to pace himself with Sakura. He didn't know why, but he felt a sudden urge to comfort her in anyway he could. "Sakura-chan…I…I want you to know... that if you ever need anything, the sand village will stand by you."

She looked over at the red head, noticing his eyes never straying from the path in front of them, he had a way of always looking so regal. She smiled nervously towards him, hand coming up to her long pink hair. She had to remember to cut it, it was getting to long. "I have been getting that a lot today." She sighed.

"I want you to know, if you need ears to listen or a…" he paused looking down at his hand "anything at all, I will be here. I can be whatever you need."

She smiled at the once feared Kazekage. People don't realize how kind and gentle he is, "what a shame" she thought. Looking around to make sure no one was looking, she grabbed the hand of the red headed shinobi, ignoring the unusal pleasure that sparked through her fingers where their skin touched, she squeezed it reassuringly. "Thank you Garaa."

No honorific he thought…interesting…