I am not dead, well not physically anyway. New year, new problems and more reasons to go on hiatus. Sorry, it took so long I honestly forgot this was a thing after the stress of the holidays. I'll be sure to keep all outside emotions out of the fic, don't worry.

Chapter 113 Mark on the world.

"Sakura Haruno!"

I paused in my watering, turning back towards the house at the call. My mom sounded angry. I tried thinking of why she should be mad at me to the point of yelling, but the list was too long.

Standing, I stepped into my room, closing the balcony door and sealing it. The last thing I want is for someone to wander into that poisonous place. Hm? Kakashi has a habit of breaking in through my balcony. Well, there's no issue there.

"Coming!" I called back before she busted into my room and strangled me. With the beat of her chakra, this wasn't the playful anger but the 'I was a shinobi and I will kill you' anger.

Sighing I made my way downstairs.

Dad stood behind Mom, massaging her shoulders, and she was fuming at the table.

"It's fine, dear. I'm sure there's a logical explanation for this," he said, though he didn't sound convinced.

"What did I do wrong this time?" I signed loudly like I was the disappointed parent.

"I heard something while out in the market today," Mom started darkly. "They said the chunin exam was cancelled because of an attack from a rogue ninja association called the Akatsuki."

I nodded. "I've told you this."

"They also said you were a main factor in the battle against the reanimated corpse."

I nodded again. "You have taught me well." my chest swelled with pride.

"So then, is it also true that you are now the nine-tail Jinchurki?"

I flinched. No, that wasn't something I told them. It was a risk to tell them about what happened in the land of Iron; I wasn't going to tell them about my bodymates. I know my mom, she will find a way to rip them out.

I chuckled, rubbing my neck sheepishly. How was I going to lie my way out of this?

"Did that old man do anything to you?" Mom asked suddenly.

"Eh?"

"Did he lock you up somewhere and put a seal on you?" she asked, her eyes red with tears. I blinked. Looking away.

"Well, they did lock me in a box and said it was for my own good," I admitted, memories of the white room making me frown.

"I see." Mom stood taking a battle axe half her size with her. "Mommy will avenge you." what was Saskura's axe doing here!? Was Mom the one who had it all this time!? Wait, wasn't she supposed to be graceful as water? Why is she a tsunami now?

"I will watch your back," Dad said, oddly seriously.

Ah, chakra swelled around them and the air became heavy.

I raised a hand.

"As much as I hate the old man for his failings as a human, I am afraid this predicament is my own ignorance." they looked at me with confused eyes.

I lied again. The nine tails suddenly appeared before me and I didn't know what to do, so I sealed it inside me. In truth, I forgot about the ninetail that tagged along with Minato but I didn't want to tell them about the madness in my head. I already saw how people act when they know.

"They will kill you when the truth comes out," Tobirama warned. "And it will come out, too many people know."

"I'll burn that bridge when I get to it, I responded. Comforting my parents as they cried about my 'sacrifice.'

I didn't feel a hint of guilt.

I forgot about the incident when it was time for the team meet-up. Naruto was bragging about finally finishing his technique yesterday though I don't know why. It took him three months to do, I was beginning to worry he couldn't do it even with Minato's teaching. I grumbled at the thought that Jiraiya would have to teach him after all.

Ha! No.

"Oh, Lady Sakura!" I turned to call and was met with a Hyuga servant.

"Oh, Rabenda, It's been a while," I resounded. Her blank eyes sparkled.

"It's good to see you're well. After what happened in the land of Iron, everyone on the compound was worried about you."

"Oh?" I tilted my head. "Why is that?"

"You went toe to toe against the dragon of death!" she exclaimed. "I was so frightened when Lady Hinata told me the story."

"Hinata?" I couldn't help but ask. I know she wasn't the shy girl of the original, but a storyteller…

"Lord Neji was also telling us of your feats during the chunin exams, I expect nothing less from Lady Sakura!"

"Neji too!" I recoiled. Mr. "I'm too cool to hang out with children" was telling people about me? I felt faint. Was that a good or bad thing that their personality was so different?

Oh wait, there was something ominous about this.

"Oh, Sakura-chan," How are you?" we turned to the Akamichi aunty. The plump woman smiled brightly and handed me a bag of goodies.

"You're way too skinny to be fighting Dragons," She scolded, patting my head. "Make sure to eat a lot!" wait, wasn't this woman Choji's mother?

"Choji told you?" I didn't have to ask.

"Oh he wouldn't shut up!" she laughed, my stomach sunk. "He said you were like a butterfly flying around and exchanging blows with a dragon!"

"I know right!" Rabenda cheered. "I was on the edge of my seat when I heard from the lady! Lady Hanabi said she would be as amazing as Lady Sakura one day."

My groan was ignored as the two ladies gushed about my 'performance.'

At least no one was mentioning my feats of swallowing the Kages.

I slipped away while they were distracted, but didn't make it far. Everyone seemed to forget my past intimidations and showered me with gifts. With the chaos of the new Hokage and the upcoming war, it was a wonder they didn't do this earlier. Well, it wasn't that I was hiding away or anything. Sure I was training with Sasuke and Naruto but I wasn't avoiding the villagers. Not at all.

I had two scrolls filled with goods when I made it to the training field. My face burned at the memory of what I saw. You know it's bad when the children are running around proclaiming themselves the next Lady Sakura. When did I become Tsunade?

I pointedly ignored the laughter of my bodymates who found my misery entertaining.

"Sakura-chan!"

I smiled when the familiar voice reached me. Ah yes, Naruto really can wash away all my stress. I turned and my smile faltered.

Before me was a stage.

Well, calling it a stage was a bit underwhelming, but that's what it was. Made of Yamato's wood, Naruto stood on a raised platform looking down at me with his arms crossed.

His grin was bright and wide and blinding, his chakra excited.

"Today I will show you the results of my hard work!" he proclaimed.

Yamato appeared beside me and offered a chair. I smiled and sat down content to watch the madness.

Madara in his teenage form stepped onto the stage dressed in long black robes; he looked every bit like a villain. Ironically, his villain outfit was white. He was missing for the whole day. Judging by his sour expression, he wasn't here willingly.

The sound of a shamisen played alongside a flute, the pace increasing as the two moved.

Their fists clashed; the two exchanged taijutsu blows. Madara stood firm, unmoved by Naruto's relentless attacks. He swatted the blond away casually, and Naruto retreated a few steps grinning at the Uchiha.

Naruto summoned the winds and flew into the air, raising his hand and summoning a ball of pure chakra.

The Rasengan!

He formed it with one hand! I stood amazed. In the end, Minato was the best teacher!

He dove down, his hand outstretched.

"Rasengan!"

The ball of energy created a crater in the wooden stage, grinding the wood to dust. I felt like crying. Could I become more proud? So what if it took longer than normal? Madara looked unimpressed standing a distance away. He swept his hand and a blue ribcage formed around him. Crossing his arms, he silently challenged Naruto. The Uzumaki grinned.

"Multi Shadow clone jutsu!" in a puff of smoke a gang of Narutos appeared.

Flying into the air, the clones transformed into blades and fell on the Uchiha. As the dust cleared Madara remained unmoved, not a scratch on his susanoo.

Unperturbed, Naruro's grin widened. A clone stood by his side helping to compress the air in his palm.

Wait, was that?

The Rasengan was simply a ball of rotating chakra, with chakra control, anyone could do it. I was a bit impatient and wanted Naruto to learn a stronger technique first. I asked Minato to teach him the Rasen shuriken first, though from the reports it seems Naruto was having issues with the technique. I thought he gave up and learned Rasengan instead. My vision blurred.

It seems I could become more proud.

The ball of wind spun dangerously in Naruto's palm. With the jutsu stabilized, the clone channelled wind around them, lifting them into the air.

"Rasen Shuriken!" Naruto announced! Throwing the spinning ball of death towards Madara. The musicians were sure to increase the pace of the music once more to reflect the tension.

I couldn't help but smile. It was impressive, but this was the Susanoo, you're gonna need to try harder than that.

As expected the dust cleared and Madara stepped forward unscathed.

"My turn," he spoke simply.

Weaving a hand sign and taking a breath. With an exhale, the stage was engulfed in flames. The flames roared towards Naruto but his smile didn't falter.

Lightning flashed and the flames parted.

I blinked.

Did I see that right? The flames faded and Sasuke stood before Naruto, sword in hand.

The young Uchiha smirked confidently.

My face heated.

'So cool!'

Without a word, Naruto and Sasuke charged towards Madara. The stage shook from their blows, wind howled and lightning sparked. Madara danced around them, the look on his face one of amusement.

He grabbed Naruto's collar and tossed him into Sasuke. With ease, Sasuke caught Naruto who turned into a giant shuriken and threw him back towards Madara coated in lightning.

Surprised Madara leaned back until his head touched the ground, the shuriken flying overhead. Just then, Naruto transformed back holding a Rasen shuriken and threw it at the older Uchiha.

The stage exploded from the impact. I was on the edge of my seat and the music wasn't helping!

A dark chuckle emerged from the smoke as Madara stood.

"There's a tear in my robe, he said casually, holding up the rip in his kimono sleeve.

Confidence swelling, the two genins moved with a single mind. The wind roared and birds cried.

"Chidori!"

"Rasengan!"

The two attacks landed on Madara's Susanoo but the boys didn't waver. With a roar, they increased their output. Lightning whipped around wildly as the chakra howled.

Rasengan met Chidori and a disaster took place.

I stood but it was too late.

Chakra mixed and an explosion destroyed the entire stage and ground. I didn't even know when I was carried away from the blast range.

I cursed, wasn't that supposed to happen only with Sasuke's curse mark and Kurama's chakra? What was this!?

"Those idiots actually did that move!" Itachi cursed above me. Looking up I noticed he was the one to pull me to safety.

"When did you get here?" I asked, ignoring the chaos behind us.

He looked down at me with a blank expression.

"Should I be the one you're worried about?" he asked in the silence.

I chuckled. "No need to worry about anything else," I told him, looking back at the destruction. As the smoke cleared Madara stood with two boys tucked under his arms, and his Susanoo cracked.

"I'm surrounded by idiots," he grumbled. Dropping the two when his Susanoo shattered. Pride swelled in my heart and I rushed out of Itachi's arms as soon as we landed nearby. Naruto and Sasuke stood with displeasure, complaining about the rough treatment.

"I should have let you die," Madara said with regret.

"We broke your Susanoo though!" Naruto cheered, "This is our victory Sasuke!"

"Hn," Sasuke smiled but was too cool to cheer.

I leapt down from the edge of the crater.

"You idiots!" I called as I crashed into them. We tumbled to the ground in a heap of limbs. Laughing with pride I pulled them into a tight hug.

"I am the happiest right now," I confessed with tears in the corner of my eyes. "I'm so proud of you." Tears fell uncontrollably and my hold tightened. "So proud."

They didn't move as I bawled my eyes out. In the end, I didn't mess up.

I'm so happy.

It was sunset when we made it back to the village. A celebration was in order, and we needed to decide where. Naruto went on and on about his training and how he came up with his technique and moves that matched Sasuke. I was reminded that Naruto was actually an idiot genius.

Turning to my side, I opened my mouth to speak only to slam my lips shut. Itachi looked down at me with a raised brow. I looked to my left and was met with the single smiling eyes of Kakashi, behind me was Yamato, and before me were Naruto and Sasuke.

Where did Madara go?

I expanded my senses and felt him a distance away along with Kurama. Just when did those two sneak away? I turned and moved towards them.

"Sakura-chan?" Naruto called when he noticed my movements.

"Start without me," I told him with a reassuring smile. "I'll be right back. Here." I ejected the remaining souls into puppets. "They will keep your company."

Minato rushed to his son and praised his performance. I was surprised he didn't do that earlier.

The Senju brothers were sure to praise them, expressing their awe at the result of their training. Madara wasn't an easy opponent and they managed to shatter his Susanoo.

With the boys appeased, I rushed off.

I found Madara sitting on Hashirama's head carving looking out at the village, Kurama standing behind him.

"So this is where you ran off to," I announced my presence. Kurama turned to me, their feminine face sour. "We're going to celebrate. Aren't you coming?" Kurama looked back at Madara who remained silent.

"Sounds like fun," Kurama said sarcastically as they stepped away.

"Don't forget," Madara spoke and the fox stopped.

"I'm afraid this will haunt my nightmares, and I don't sleep," Kurama cursed. They walked by me and frowned.

"How did you deal with him for so long?" they asked.

"He's not as grumpy as he appears," I confessed.

"Hmph," they turned their nose up at me. "I'm afraid you are the only one he's nice to." I was about to tell them he was nice to Hashirama but the fox disappeared in a flash. I tracked their chakra. After confirming they were heading towards the team I turned my attention to the silent Madara.

"What is it this time?" I asked walking to his side. "Are you dissatisfied with the fight?" I sat down beside him, bumping into his side. "It was amazing! To think they would develop so well in just 3 months. With a little more time they might surpass their Shippuden selves."

"Hn."

I frowned.

"What is it?" I asked again. His dark eyes looked down at me lacking emotions, even his chakra was calm. I couldn't read him at all.

"This village was the world Hashirama and I envisioned, " He said suddenly. "In those times of war, when you didn't know when you would die, a peaceful place like this was a fantasy." He looked at the setting sun.

"After we lost so much, we were able to create that fantasy and even made it a norm," he chuckled. "In the end, I was the loser."

Why was he thinking about these things now?

"I lost my family, my brothers, my village, my friend and my life." he turned to me, his eyes red with the Sharingan. "Aren't I pathetic?"

I frowned. "Just a bit," I said honestly. He scoffed, lowering his head.

"But you know," I turned his head towards me. "You still have me! And I'm not going anywhere!"

He stared at me unblinkingly.

"What am I to you?"

I didn't hesitate.

"My soulmate!"

He dropped his head on my shoulder.

"You're the worst."

I hugged him to me.

"I'm your terrible soulmate that you can't escape."

"Forever then?"

"Hm, sounds good."

The sun sat on that glorious day.

No need to worry, the fic will be complete this year! the ending is within sight; now if I can just upload consistently.

not sure about Jan 15 but I'll do my best, ok?

Happy New Year.

Next Chapter

Jan 15 ... probably.

we'll see.