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To say Hatake Kakashi didn't see this coming would be an understatement. Surely, he did make a rather unbecoming mistake by sending his genin squad fresh off the academy to the Chūnin Exams, but the punishment he is receiving for this act is too cruel, even the Gods would agree. He rubbed his good eye again and lifted up the cloak of the Sharingan eye, observing the absolute fuckery in front of him. Hatake Kakashi had been born 26 years ago in the Village Hidden in the Leaves and today, he is thinking of the man who put the Leaves in the Village, the First Hokage. To Hatake Kakashi's limited knowledge, the man fathered one child and had two grandchildren. To his limited knowledge, none of his descendants, not even the legendary Slug Princess, inherited his incredible gift of manipulating sentient chakra. Maybe he should have put the pieces of the puzzle sooner, after all, he saw the adoption papers and two clueless civilian parents who didn't understand why their adoptive daughter didn't have any interest in anything else but in becoming a kunoichi or why her chakra reserves were concerningly large for someone her age, size and heritage. Maybe the hair, that god awful pink hair, should have been the clue. Maybe the eyes, the eyes which made the Third Hokage who was standing right behind him always take a double take. Then again, Kakashi figured it was too late to cry over spilled milk. Or overgrown trees. Standing in the middle of a newly grown forest inside of the Forest of Death (such a preposterous name), The Third Hokage, Hatake Kakashi and Mitarashi Anko were in a state of panic, to put it mildly.
"You say she never displayed such abilities?"
"In all honesty, Lord Hokage, many ninja have a dual chakra nature. I know Earth and Water Release together are rare, but I thought she's adopted, who knows who her parents are, maybe they're not even from the Land of Fire."
"Yes, I'm aware of the adoption process, my successor saw it fulfilled in his short tenure. Do you think he was aware?" The Third drawles, taking in a long smoke of his pipe.
"I can't be sure."
"And what triggered this?" Anko asked, gently touching a blooming branch. She thought of Tenzō, his wood was polished and almost industrial, this power was raw, natural, almost as if the Earth herself was whispering.
"They were under siege from those three Sound Village kids, according to Sasuke, Sakura just panicked and he said she touched the ground and I guess, this followed." Kakashi spoke, gesturing towards the large trees which were hosting the Sound Three. Almost in awe, Hiruzen Sarutobi touched a branch, a faint smile growing across his face. Maybe his youth wasn't so far ago.
"The girl must be a prodigy. Controlling this sentient chakra takes a master of chakra control. Not even my sensei was this skilled at her age. To suppress a power of this magnitude for thirteen years, without anyone noticing takes a master of their craft. Mitarashi."
"Yes, Lord Third?"
"Get those three out of the wood. They pass. Get Yamanaka Inoichi to wipe their memories. If Sakura is awake, I'd like to speak to her myself. She's evidence that a line I thought was erased is still with us."
"Lord Third…", Anko inhaled deeply, the sweet scent of forest and moss following her. "She's a baby. She's terrified, alone and confused. Her only blood relation, if she is even that, is who knows where. Let her stay innocent."
"She will, but first, I must know. The Senju clan never ceases to amaze me. One of their thousand skills, I suppose."
“What do you know about the girl’s abilities?” Asked the Third, pinching his nose bridge.Sasuke sighed.
“She has a good understanding of genjutsu, and might even have an aptitude for it. Good analytical skills, very studious.” He spoke, as if he was analyzing a sample of soil.
“She’s freakishly strong, Old Man!” Naruto shouted, grabbing his head. “Sakura is strong enough to throw me 40 yards.”
“I don’t want to know how you know that.” Kakashi sighed. “I have to apologize, Lord Third. The issue is, I never paid much attention to Sakura, I pegged her for a future desk genin. She’s been studious, smart, good with tactics, but that’s all I noticed.”
“Freakishly strong?” The Third asked, ears perking up. “How strong?”
“She’s able to pick any of us up without breaking a sweat! She can lift tree trunks, she even carried Kakashi-sensei when he passed out!” Naruto shouted. “How can you not notice, man?”
Sasuke and Kakashi exchanged looks. Naruto was right, Sakura was physically stronger than the both of them and probably on pair with Kakashi, a grown man and elite ninja. Another day, another muck up on Kakashi’s resume.
Sakura was half awake, every inch of her body was hurting. She heard nurses coming in and out, Naruto's shrill scream, Sasuke's huffing and she could have sworn she's heard Ino somewhere. Doesn't matter. The cat was out of the bag and she can hear the bitch purring into the Hokage's ear. When she was off-duty one morning, Sakura managed to sneak into the Hokage's library and there was where she learned of the First Hokage and the failed attempts to clone him. Was she one of those failures? From what she understood, Mokuton was a blood limit that somehow only appeared in the First Hokage. This caused a certain, pale little evil someone, to attempt to clone him and he failed miserably. There was something extraordinary about Hashirama Senju. When she was little, Sakura was a bit disappointed about not having an extended family, but her adoptive parents were from a foreign land and did the best they could. Sakura would dream of a fictional grandfather, who had eyes just like hers and loved to read and study and had the same curse as she did. He was a loving and caring man who would constantly talk about his wife and how much Sakura resembled her, but to be honest, Sakura saw a lot of herself in her fictional grandfather, which to her scientific mind made sense, she was a lonely child who wanted a grandpa. After today's events and the library discoveries, she wondered what the hell her dreams even were.
"Are you awake, dear?"
"Lord Third?" Sakura whispered. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. You are an extraordinary young lady. Do tell me, when did you learn you could do this?"
"In the Academy, age 6. The first time I tried to manipulate chakra. It felt like a beating heart."
"A beating heart?", Hiruzen whispered, a faint smile growing across his face. "Tell me, are you interested in finding out where this ability comes from?"
"Do you think I'm related to the First Hokage?", she asked, sitting upright.
"Yes. We'd like to perform a DNA test."
"Fine." She said, "Do you need hair, a swab?"
"A swab and a sample of blood. Just to be certain."
She nodded. "Does this mean I'll have to leave my life?"
"Absolutely not. You will proceed as you were, without showing your abilities. We'll start training after the exams."
"We?"
"I'll overlook your training myself. Don't worry, you are in safe hands."
The Third Hokage never lived to see this fulfilled. What Sakura saw that day, the reanimated First Hokage, will forever be etched in her memory, tattooed in her conscience forever. Sakura will never forget eyes just like hers staring back at her. She forgot about the stupid DNA test because of the several tragedies she was hit with in the last month, but when a nurse showed her a sealed letter, she didn't even need to read the results. Nevertheless, Kakashi almost gasped when he saw the results, his "easy", civilian descendent student, who was prone to outbursts of anger and had a penchant for books and studies was the great-granddaughter of the First Hokage through an unbroken patrilineal line. The geneticist who performed the analysis drafted a small family tree- Senju Hashirama- son-son- Haruno Sakura. Kakashi might just know how to fill the blank spaces. He gave Sakura a sad look.
"It's not easy being you right now, kid."
After Orochimaru left, Tsunade descended from her slug. The legendary woman dusted herself off and observed her newest guests.
"I don't get why you made such a fuss over me becoming Hokage. You should take the damn job yourself, Kakashi."
"There is another reason you should come with us." He finally spoke. "I don't think you understand the importance of what we have in Konoha."
"Unless it's an infinite cellar of booze, I'm not interested."
"How about a niece?" Jiraiya finally spoke, his face barred from any expression. He watched Tsunade's eyebrows rise, then fall. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Nawaki's girl?" She whispered. "The girl is alive?"
"Yes. She's very excited to meet you." Kakashi confirmed. This was a half-truth. Sakura was still shell-shocked and under the careful care of Yamato and her parents, trying to process she has a living aunt out in the world.
"We need to leave immediately." The woman confirmed, grabbing Shizune. The medic-nin gasped and nodded, sprinting towards the inn to pack.
"Who the fuck is Nawaki?" Naruto asked, scratching his head.
"Very likely your friend Sakura's biological father." Jiraiya said. "Great shinobi, dead before his time. He and his wife were assassinated and their baby daughter was presumably killed. We recently learned she wasn't."
"Where is the daughter? Oh, I see." Naruto said. Kakashi's shoulders dropped.
“Did you meet this Nawaki?”, Naruto asked, observing Tsunade’s movements. He wasn’t familiar with families, but he was aware of one thing- they all looked alike, to him, Hinata and Neji could pass for siblings. Maybe Tsunade and Sakura looked a little alike, there was something oddly similar about their personalities. Naruto was actually very happy for Sakura, finding out you have a family sounded like a complete dream to him.
"Very briefly. Jiraiya knew him very well." Kakashi smiled.
"A fine man, his wife too. Two good, strong shinobi. He was a kinjutsu and sealing master, and she was a very skilled poison expert." He sighed. "Tsunade wasn't the same after their death. They were assassinated by Kiri nin, we thought they killed the baby too."
“I can’t teach her anyhting.” Yamato sighed, sliding down next to Kakashi on the bench. Anko’s head snapped to the left, observing Yamato with clear confusion.
“Yamato, Sakura was top of her class. She’s a smart girl.”
“It’s not her fault at all. Her Mokuton is so much different than mine. The way her chakra moves and functions is nothing like mine.”
“Interesting.” Kakashi said, finally putting his book down. “Maybe the First Hokage’s chakra was more similar to hers.”
“The Fifth agrees. She said she will think about how to proceed, in the meantime I should do easy drills with her. The girl- she’s freakishly strong with an aptitude towards medical ninjutsu. Tsunade mentioned the girl is ready to perform surgery.”
“Impressive.” Kakashi nodded, a pool of guilt bubbling down in his stomach. There she was, his most cooperative and curious student and in his own arrogance, he neglected her. Maybe he was like his sensei after all. He thought Sakura became a ninja just to settle for a comfortable desk job in the Hokage Tower, she certainly had the grades, yet here she was, a wielder of the Mokuton and a potential field-medic, something the Village had been lacking for years and years. He even thought about suggesting such after the exams, especially after seeing Naruto’s sheer, raw potential and Sasuke’s genius. Turns out, Sakura had that in spades.
“I have an idea.” Came a booming, feminine voice. Three heads snapped around and spotted their leader, who was carrying a large, dark green scroll. “I’m embarrassed I didn’t think of this first.” She confessed. “We are at that point where I think Sakura is ready to sign a summoning contract. I’ll send her to the Shikkotsu Forest. The slugs can teach her what you just don’t know.”
Anko rose from her seat. “Are you sure she’s ready? I know the slugs are very specific to who they allow to come near their knowledge.”
“Orochimaru tried and failed. You have to have kind intentions when you come, Katsuyu and her kind sense what you really want. She’ll do good.” Tsunade nodded.
“Do you think she’ll want to go?”Kakashi asked carefully.
“The Uchiha boy is gone, Naruto is safe and sound with Jiraiya. I’d like to accompany my niece as well but I suppose she has to go alone, just like her great-grandfather did.”
Sakura returned as a changed person from the Shikkotsu Forest. A signed contract in hand, so much history learned, she felt more settled in her place in this world. Sakura truly felt like a part of Konoha, the history of that village was coursing through her veins. Her brilliant aunt, yes aunt, taught her the secrets about healing with no hands, something that sounds like magic to Sakura. She was growing, changing, evolving. Raising an entire forest with her chakra might not be in the near future, but she understood how it’s done and how to balance her powers. In tune with herself, she finally understood what she wanted to do. And per usual, she had to start in the library.
She thought of her great-grandfather’s colorful life, how he learned what he was capable of and how the slugs taught him what to do. Her blood was unique, just as his once was. Sakura’s personal theory was that the Mokuton must be held inside of a recessive gene carried out through the family tree, popping up once in a while like all recessive genes do. Lost in her thoughts, she almost didn’t notice Shikamaru Nara observing her, lost in her thoughts.
“It’s been a while.” He drawled, dropping into the chair across from her.
“Oh, hello!” She spoke cheerfully, smiling at an old friend. “I agree, it’s been a while.”
“Ino told me you went on a trip.” He spoke, observing her carefully. “Was it a mission?”
Sakura nodded. It wasn’t a lie, she was on a mission, just as she was now. “Why are you at the Hokage library, never took you for someone who likes to go over history books in their free time?"
“I was bored.”
“Right.”
“Mind explaining to me why you have the Mokuton?” He asked. Sakura learned to appreciate people like Shikamaru, never beating around the bush, straight for the jugular.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“Try me.”
“Turns out, my biological father is Tsunade’s younger brother.”
“Which would make you a direct descendant of the First Hokage.” He spoke, folding his arms behind his neck. “You’re royalty.”
She shrugged. “I guess. Can’t do much with it.”
"Are you considered a member of the Senjū clan?"
"Yes, I was born Senjū Sakura, but my adoptive parents gave me their last name to avoid confusion. They had no idea who I was. I understand my parents died when I was less than a year old."
"Does Ino know?"
"Not yet. I tried telling her, but there never was the right time."
"I see. Your secret is safe with me." Shikamaru figured Sakura traveled somewhere where she could train as the only man who shared her ability was long deceased. Shikamaru saw the Hokage monument nearly every day, he wondered how much Sakura resembled the first head on that mountain.
"I'm terrified." She blurted out, observing the book in front of her.
"You'd be insane not to be."
"Thanks." Sakura skimmed the pages briefly, reading about the sparsely recorded history of the Uchiha clan, an idea as dangerous as the man she was looking for brewing inside of her mind.
"Shikamaru, you wouldn't know where to find a bingo book, would you?"
Sakura didn't expect Naruto's return to be so emotional. Maybe because she was an emotional, bumbling mess inside, beneath the layers of studying medicine and sheer brutality.
"Congratulations on your promotion!" Chirped Shizune, giving Sakura a hug. Making jōnin at fifteen was no laughable feat. She was now on equal standing with Kakashi-sensei in the eyes of the village, something that sounded improbable and distant just two years ago.
"Thank you, I'm happy as well. I didn't expect to get it this fast, to be honest."
"Nonsense, you deserve it. A little birdy has told me that Naruto and Jiraiya are expected around noon." She grinned, before disappearing between the rotating doors of the lab.
Sakura was patiently standing by the gate at exactly 1158 when she heard a commotion. The commotion, dressed in orange, was running towards her.
“Sakura!” A happy shout, with Naruto jumping into her arms. Almost three years after their separation, the two teenagers were now reunited.
“I’ve missed you.” He grinned.
“I’ve missed you, too.”
Sakura established a solid routine. Her day job at the hospital was occupying most of her day. As someone who had a steady mission every day, she wondered if Naruto is bored by the fact he has to wait for Tsunade to assign him missions. After Sakura finished her shift, her other job, in her head, perhaps real job would start. Once Sasuke deflected and Naruto swore on his life to bring him back, Sakura started crafting a different approach to resolving this particular difficult issue. Studying about the Uchiha clan had been tough enough, but what she learned chilled her to the bone. The sole reason Sasuke was so hell bent on tracking down his older brother was because one fine morning day, the poster boy for the village’s policy of secrecy woke up and decided to massacre the entire Uchiha clan, wiping the clan from the face of the Land of Fire and leaving a young Sasuke Uchiha as the sole survivor. Sakura never prided herself on detective skills, but to her, this just didn’t add up. Everything she learned on Itachi Uchiha, every single report that existed in the archives, pointed towards a pacifistic prodigy who was interested in serving his village and did absolutely everything by the book. Most of the reports were written by Morino and various Yamanaka clan members, all in agreement he was the perfect servant. That perfect servant proceeded to join an anarchist, terrorist group which is hell bent on doing something she didn’t understand quite yet, but certainly, there was a goal and it involved Naruto’s evil little tenant.
To Sakura, this could mean two things. Either Itachi was a con artist or something else must have happened, something which triggered him to commit such a heinous crime. Itachi must have been hiding something deeper, she could just feel it. Something told her this was just the tip of the iceberg. Sakura was a woman on a mission and her mission was to learn everything there was to know about the disgraced heir of the Uchiha. She slowly unraveled a scroll, gently reading through the noted information. A sharp knock on her door made her snap her neck around.
“Forehead, open up!”
“What’s wrong?” Sakura huffed, cracking the door open.
“The Hokage wants to see you. Apparently good old Team 7 is going on a mission.”
Aunt Tsunade’s office was always a busy place, full of paperwork and shinobi coming in and out. Tsunade stamped a document and signed it, casually ignoring the five guests in her room. Kakashi cleared his throat.
“Sakura, be a dear and pour me the strongest drink we have here.” Today was not a good day. “The Fifth Kazekage has been kidnapped by members of the Akatsuki.” Tsunade announced the way Sakura would tell a patient she needs to amputate their limb.
“Gaara?” Naruto screamed, grabbing his head. “We need to leave immediately.”
“Sit down, brat.” She snorted, chugging down the drink in one clear shot. “You are tasked with retrieving the Kazekage, nothing is off the table.”
“Is the Kazekage even the real target?” Spoke Yamato, the cold tone in his voice making Sakura shiver.
“Yes and no.” Tsunade answered. Yamato slowly nodded, making Sakura’s brain go into overdrive. Gaara had the same status as Naruto, making him a target. They need to send more than one agent of chaos and at that, one familiar with the desert and Suna. She grinned. Sakura knew who took Gaara and she had an idea how to take him down. After all, someone who uses puppets made out of wood would be in a certain disadvantage to someone who can manipulate wood.
“Congratulations.” Kakashi announced unceremoniously, observing the absolute fucking carnage Sakura unleashed on the cave. “The first person to take down an Akatsuki member.” He quickly performed a simple fire style, burning Sasori’s remains.
“And live to tell the tale. I don’t know how I would have done without Granny Chiyo.” She snorted, staring at the jar which contained Sasori’s essence. The strange, tube-like object was sealed shut and Sakura realized opening it would cause another layer of massacre so she destroyed it with a kunai. Strangely, the demonic object started bleeding.
“That was just disgusting.” Naruto said, sticking out his tongue. “What kind of technique is that?”
“If I had to guess, it's probably forbidden and sacreligious.” Their old ninja sensei spoke.
“All that matters, Gaara is safe.” Naruto said, cracking his knuckles. “We should get going, go back to the village and report to Granny. I think we need to visit the rest of the jinchuruki and protect them.”
“Easy there, tiger.” Yamato spoke, staring at the remains of Sasori. “How did you get him?”
“I hid my Mokuton until I was able to touch him.” She said, throwing the cursed jar in the lake.
“Crazy. Smart, but crazy.”
“That’s our unofficial motto.” Kakashi said, putting his hands on his hips. “I think we should get going.”
They wouldn’t be Team 7 if they didn’t get ambushed by a mass murderer and a human shark hybrid on their way back, wouldn’t they? Sakura decided there was only one outcome here, if they all die, Naruto must live and escape. To her surprise, the fight was half-assed at best, but nevertheless, this left her shell shocked.
As the Akatsuki members were retrieving, Uchiha Itachi leaned over to her, grabbed her wrist and whispered:
“You are on a suicide mission.”
Sakura’s insides froze, her heart stopped beating inside of chest. If anything, she just realized she is on the right track.
Sakura knew in her heart of hearts that Sasuke would change under the Snake Sannin's influence, she just didn't expect him to evolve into a borderline homicidal maniac. Maybe she did. Sasuke looked older, more mature, stronger, yet behind his dark, already soulless eyes, was a slight layer of something deep, dark and completely unhinged. She prepared for the worst. She feared his accomplices knew of the wood release, so she almost folded her hands into the Snake sign, before being stopped by Kakashi.
"No, not yet."
"Welcome." Sasuke spoke. "It's been a while."
"Is the pink one their medic-nin?" Asked a strange man with white hair. "Nice to know who to take out first."
"Suigetsu, take care of the woman and the grey-haired man. I'll deal with the one in orange."
Sakura cracked her knuckles. Naruto just turned to her and nodded. Sakura's fist connected with the soil beneath them, causing a minor earthquake. So it begins. Maybe she'd be happy with carrying Sasuke's body to Konoha. Before she knew it, Naruto was engaged in battle with him, punches flying left and right.
"Kill her, now!" Shouted someone. Sakura dodged the wall of water easily. Any self-respecting medic had to excel at evasion. Standing atop a pillar, Sakura shattered it, creating just enough distraction so she can pluck the other one out of the ground. No backing out now. She wondered what it would take to bring Sasuke back and make him realize how unhinged. Then again, she never had her entire family massacred right in front of her. Thankfully, her clan died out a long time ago. Even after all this time, she wasn't used to being a part of an actual clan. Another explosion. She exchanged glances with Kakashi. They needed to leave immediately.
The wall in front of Sakura was covered with scribbled notes,old photographs, maps and records, illuminated by her lamp. A gentle breeze dusted the room, cooling her off on this hot summer night. She felt hot, not even the open window would make her feel cooler. She took off her top and threw it behind herself, right in the little woven hamper in the corner of her makeshift office. Her office, perhaps even a war room, was the second bedroom of her apartment in the old Senju compound, which was now inhabited by Sakura and Shizune. Sakura opened the windows wider, letting more cool air in. The courtyard seemed tranquill, the only sound was made by leaves gently rustling in the wind. From Sakura’s understanding, the room she was now in, used to be a nursery, she could almost imagine a little cot with her aunt or hell, even her biological father in it. The walls were a muted, yellow colour with gentle green vines painted over. The furniture there currently was a desk, a chair and a mat, which she liked to bring out in the early morning for stretches. And of course, all the data she managed to gather on the Uchiha massacre. If there was one thing Sakura understood far better than Naruto, the key to bringing Sasuke back is taking down his estranged older brother, dead or alive. Sakura always hoped for Itachi to stay alive, she actually had so many questions for the man. The one brief experience she had with him left her skin buzzing, the man appeared to be a mystery woven in even more mysteries. Sakura hoped to solve them all, if this heat didn't kill her first. She wiped her forehead and continued to read an unsent letter from the Fourth to the Third and wanted to get up for some water, when she realized something very disturbing, her skin was bone dry and she was shivering, as if she were cold. This could mean only one thing.
“Release!”
“Impressive.” Said a deep voice, followed by heavy footsteps. “Took you much less to figure out than I expected.”
“May I cover myself?” She hissed, realizing she has her naked back exposed to an S-rank missing ninja.
Itachi Uchiha inhaled deeply. Even the most calculated of plans had to go off the rails, as he didn’t consider Sakura was a) female, b) thought she was alone, c) naked from the upper body.
“Please.” He said, almost feeling disgusted with himself he didn’t consider this uncomfortable possibility.
The girl raced over to the large linen closet in the corner and grabbed a random shirt she found, pulling it over her back quickly. She walked back a few paces, never turning her head towards the man with the red eyes.
“Afraid to look?”
“I’m not stupid.” She said, thinking of what she can do.”I know what you do to people.”
“You don’t even want to know the extent of it. Miss Haruno, I asked you once and I will not ask you again, stop investigating things you shouldn’t.”
“Or what?”
Itachi raised a single eyebrow. The girl had guts. He inhaled again, feeling slightly faint. His head was ringing, perhaps the exhaustion from constantly using the Sharingan was finally getting to him.
“Or else, you will end up like the people you’re investigating. This is between me and my brother.”
“Are you trying to tell me you eradicated your entire clan only to force your brother to seek unlimited power and fight you to prove a point?”
“Ah. You figured it out.” He lied, feeling fainter by the minute. He knew he had to leave soon and recuperate, the soldier pill stash should help. The girl seemed scared enough. Itachi was ready to faint when he noticed her shoulders fall.
“That’s just bullshit and we both know it.” She spoke, slowly turning around. Eyes still closed, he noticed her hands were performing seals all the time. The sequence wasn’t exactly something he recognised, but he could feel his chakra slowly being drained.
“How are you doing this?”
“That wooden floor you’re standing on is made from my chakra.” She spoke, looking faint herself. As draining as the jutsu was, as low on chakra reserves she herself was due to the draining of creating the seal on her forehead, Sakura was determined to come out alive.
“You can’t do this much longer.” Itachi spoke. Slowly, he put two and two together. “As unique as you are, you’re still human.”
“The same applies to you.” She retorted, trying her absolute best to restrain him. It was nothing short of a miracle she managed to hold him for this long.
“This is why Sasori was burned.” He said, shaking his head. “Konoha shinobi have improved their ways since I was one of them.”
“Why not come back?” Sakura inquired.
“And be executed for treason? Pity, I took you for someone far more intelligent.”
“I’m sure we’d work something out.” She watched his face grow a pained expression. She didn’t even drain him that much. Unless…
“Turn off the Sharingan.”
“Release the jutsu.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
They both fell to the floor, Sakura knew she was more exhausted than Itachi and that if he regained strength, she was done for.
Itachi broke the silence. “You took a big risk.”
“So did you, with your brother. I’ve seen him quite recently. He looks like he sold his soul to the devil.”
“An unfortunate turn of events.”
“Like this?”
“I suppose.”
“What now?”
“You stop investigating.”
“No.”
“Then you know what follows.”
“Or maybe you tell me what happened, so I can help you. I want to see him safe and happy as much as you want, Itachi.” Sakura bluffed, hoping she was right in her investigation. “I’m a medical ninja, I can tell something is off with you. A shinobi of your level shouldn’t be struggling with someone like me. Are you sick?”
And then he disappeared.
Sakura fell on the floor, heart beating out of her chest. This time, she started sweating. She heard footsteps again and sighed as she saw Shizune.
“Sakura, is everything alright?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Barely.
“Did you have a boy over?”, she grinned, poking Sakura’s side.
“No, not really.” To be fair, Sakura always loved a good romance. For a brief second, she wondered what it would be like to have a boyfriend to chat with, go on dates and kiss. Sasuke was a stupid childhood crush, something that distracted her from her dark secret. She always noticed cute boys, but time and time again, they tried to kill her. Sakura groaned. She had a type.
The old Senjū compound was an architectural marvel designed by Hashirama Senjū, her heart almost breaking for how empty it always was. Tsunade attempted briefly to live in her childhood home again, but she didn't have much choice and took up residence in the Hokage apartments. Sakura decided to occupy the "children's wing" where she set up an office. Today, Naruto and Sai were painting the basement underneath, while Kakashi, Ino and Sakura were carrying in beds, medical supplies, lab equipment, an ultrasound machine, a surgical table and many more items needed to have a personal, illegal clinic for their shenanigans. They had to do things off the books now and the hospital just wasn't cutting the mustard.
"You could move in here if you want to." Sakura offered to Naruto, making him cock his head around in excitement.
"Where would I sleep?" He asked, grinning.
"There are plenty of wings and several empty houses around the compound. Maybe you'd like a house for privacy."
"Oh." Naruto said. "I'll think about it. We could be neighbors!"
"Yes, that's true. Take a walk after we're done. It's just Shizune and I here, it does get empty. Plus, we have great security, courtesy of great-grandpa and great-great-uncle."
Naruto nodded and opened another can of paint. Yamato peeked his head out of the future OR, looking for Sakura.
"How long does the sterilizing solution need to work for?"
"At least 24 hours! Take a breather." Sakura answered, handing Ino a box of bandages. Ino looked at her with slight contempt in her eyes.
"What's wrong, Piggy?"
"Why are you fucking with Naruto?"
"What do you mean?"
"You can't tell me you don't know he's been hopelessly in love with you his entire life."
"He'll grow out of it." Sakura spoke. "I see him as family." She leaned over to Ino, whispering. "We really do might be related."
"Oh poor guy!" Ino said, shaking her head. "I mean, besides the relation, have you ever thought about it?"
"I'd lie if I say I didn't. He just isn't my type."
"You like the broodier kind." Ino teased, pushing her slightly with her hip. Ino opened a box full of pain medication and stashed it in the makeshift medicine cabinet. "You know who you should sink your teeth in?"
"Oh Gods."
"Gaara. First, you get that sweet Kage money. Not that you need it, but you get it. Second, he is your type, broody, handsome and mean."
"Is broody the same as homicidal?"
"I guess. Or do they have to have black hair?"
Sakura snorter. "Not really. Besides, do you think they'd let a carrier of the Mokuton gene to date a foreign Kage?"
"Girl, I meant like… a hookup. Like let loose for once. You are so tightly wound, ever since…"
"I know. I wish I could have a normal boyfriend."
"Yikes! Naruto slipped on some paint!" Shouted Kakashi.
"We're on our way!" Ino said, shaking her head.
"Your ocular nerve is more damaged than I expected. You should be blind." She sighed. Was this Sasuke's fate as well?
"It's common with Sharingan users. It's just a matter of time before it happens to my brother as well."
"Which is one of the many reasons we should bring him back here." She spoke, filling up a syringe with anesthesia. "This will hurt if I don't apply some local anesthesia."
"I trust your judgment." He spoke. Sakura injected the anesthesia slowly, watching as the Sharingan disappeared and his eyesight relaxed. She slowly started the healing process. This was only their 4th session. Between fighting and burying loved ones, she rarely retrieved to find some piece of mind. Even then, she spent her spare time rendezvousing with a disgraced nin who was in dire need of her help. Once she learned the truth, she couldn't bear to look at the face of the Third Hokage upon the mountain anymore.
"Shimura Danzō has decided to resign from the council." She announced, watching as Itachi's eyebrows slightly twitched. Sakura might have influenced that decision, but the elders and clan heads weren't as fond of him as he might have wished.
"Hn."
"I know this means many things in your native tongue, Uchiha." She snorted. "He's retiring, allegedly."
"We both know that will only be on paper."
"What do you think I should do?"
"Recruit 2 people you can trust and take down Root."
"That's a plan."
"I'll help you devise a strategy." He offered, grabbing her waist for support. He let go just as quickly.
"Apologies."
"I usually have patients laying down when I treat their eyes. Would that help?"
"I suppose."
Once he was laying atop of a bed, Itachi actually opened his eyes a little wider. He actually felt better from the treatment, both to his lungs and eyes. Sakura was very particular about medication and how to take it, but to his surprise, he was really good at incorporating it into his own schedule and already feeling light years better. He could feel himself growing healthier by the day.
"Your lungs have significantly improved. I see you're taking your prescribed therapy. I'd say about half a year of treatment and you'll be as right as rain." She smiled, pleased with her work. "Are you happy?"
"Anything to help my brother." He confessed. Grabbing Sakura's hand, he nodded at her. "Thank you, Sakura." He observed her features a little longer, lingering on her forehead and eyes, then darting over to her lips. Sakura felt a sweet blush creep up her cheeks. He let go of her hand, still observing her.
"Ah, your hair is pink." He said.
"You can see my hair colour?"
"Yes."
Sakura smiled from ear to ear. Progress. After the session, she offered him some dinner, which he declined at first. After some convincing, he followed Sakura to the kitchen, which was allocated to the main part of the compound. As they were walking over, Itachi's eyes darted toward the symbol of the Senjū clan, which was elegantly carved into a green stone pillar supporting the entrance room.
"Forgive me for asking, but which branch of the clan do you belong to?"
"Hey, I know your secrets, it's only fair if you know mine. I belong to Lord First's branch. He is my great-grandfather on my father's side."
"I see. I never understood the rivalry between our clans."
"I'm sorry? A rivalry?"
"You didn't know?"
"Clearly!" She yelped, thinking about the thousands of documents she went over. None of them ever mentioned a rivalry.
"From what I know, our great-grandfathers didn't like each other."
"And?"
"That would be all my father told me."
"I need to break into the archives again."
"You too? I tried so many years ago. There is nothing there, the records start from Lord First's tenure, which means this was before, in the Era of Clans."
"That's next to impossible. We'd need to talk to someone who was alive back then."
The two history nerds sighed. Sakura peered through the window, watching rain slowly drizzle down. The night seemed awfully peaceful, perfect to curl up in a ball and sleep.
"Itachi?"
"Hn?"
"You should stay the night. Shizune is working the graveyard shift, she won't be here until 6 AM. You had a long healing session, you should sleep."
"I'm afraid my partner will have questions about my whereabouts."
"The shark-man?" She asked, pouring him more soup.
"Hoshigaki Kisame." Itachi spoke, suppressing a laugh. "If you have a bingo book, look him up."
"I'm not that good, I'm afraid. My bingo book only covered the Lands of Fire, Wind and Iron. Tea and Grass too."
"I suppose I could bring you one the next time I visit."
"Tell him you have a girlfriend. Are criminals allowed to romance?"
"I haven't had a girlfriend in a long time. Don't you think he'd become suspicious?"
"I could knock you a bruise on your neck."
"And why would you do that?"
"To make it look like you have a love bite." She grinned, poking him with her chopstick. Maybe they were getting too comfortable.
"I see." He contemplated. "We could do that."
"Would he rat you out to the rest of those criminals?"
"No, he'd amuse himself for a couple days."
Sakura rolled her eyes, tying her long hair up in a heavy bun at the nape of her neck. The kitchen suddenly grew warm, a heat wave washing over her.
"How should I bruise your neck?" She asked, fingers lighting up with chakra.
"However you see fit."
Sakura tried, she really, honestly tried, but the bruise ended up looking like a burn mark. She huffed. "I thought I'd be better at causing injuries."
"Use your mouth. You have my permission."
She blinked slowly, a blush tinting her cheeks. Slowly leaning over, she created a pretty looking bite mark.
"Did it hurt?" She asked, wiping her mouth.
"It was oddly comfortable."
What on earth just happened?
Taking out ROOT was easier said than done. Imagine finding out there is an evil, secret organization hell-bent on taking out your friends and family who were technically government officials and everything had to be done off the books, otherwise they were risking being prosecuted as insurgents. Sakura breathed out, watching Danzo's arm burn in the pyre. An arm which was created out of her family's cells. Shimura himself was incarcerated and a forged letter of resignation was on Tsunade's desk. Illness, apparently. He just wanted more time to relish what was left of his life.
"Kakashi-sensei, good news. Sai will recover. He was very brave."
"I'm glad to hear that. That was one of the more disturbing things I've seen as a shinobi."
"How many eyes did you count? I counted 18. I feel bad for the Uchiha. Grave robbed like…"
"Your great-grandfather. And to think you might be able to create those cells on your own."
"I don't know if I can. Tsunade told me my umbilical cord was preserved at birth, I wonder where it is."
"Oh?"
"The stem cells might help me learn a lot about the Mokuton." She explained quickly. Naruto was still asleep in the makeshift ambulance in the Senjū clan compound, while Sai received a full blood transfusion. The battle was tough but they did it.
"Where did you send Danzō?"
"He's in my basement."
Sakura cocked an eyebrow."You're joking."
"No. He is truly there, powerless after you patched him up and rendered him useless. I'll have him transported to an old base in a few days. Lady Fifth is a genius. Do you know she's been asking Danzō if he's doing well for nearly 3 months at every meeting?"
"No? Oh my." Sakura laughed, for the first time that day.
"Hook, line and sinker. We made the village a safer place today."
"I don't understand why Danzō was obsessed with the Sharingan. There is a reason why bloodline limits exist. Bodies become exhausted. Even native Sharingan users' ocular nerves get damaged after overuse."
"How did you know?"
"It's a trait of all dojūtsu users!" She sputtered on the spot.
"Ah, will, let's say, Neji have issues down the line?"
"Possibly if he doesn't rest his eyes and get them checked regularly by their clan medical nin. Hyūga are very secretive and their Byakugan is far less understood."
"And Sasuke?" Kakashi asked, concern lacing his voice.
"There is a strong possibility. I can't know."
"I see. Ah, one of your patients is waking up."
"You two! Back to bed immediately!"
Sakura was a baby the last time the Hidden Leaf experienced an attack of this magnitude. It’s going to take at least five years to rebuild the village, even with Yamato and Sakura doing the most and exhausting themselves to death.
However, Sakura suffered a loss incomparable to anything she lost, ever. The village was about to bury a Hokage, but Sakura was burying her family today. Her family, her teacher, her aunt, her role model and leader. The final Sannin was gone. The end of an era. A piece of Katsuyu was planted on her shoulder, in mourning with her.
“My dear…” Katsuyu whispered. “Nothing I can say can help you with this loss.”
“Thank you, Katsuyu.” She whispered.
“Sakura?” A faint voice behind her spoke. Sakura turned around, seeing she was eye-to-eye with her sensei. Without any hesitation, she grabbed and hugged him. Finally, she let out a loud, choking sob.
“What can I do for you, Sakura?”, he whispered. “You were always my kindest student, so easy to work with.”
“That’s like saying you have thinner brows than Gai-sensei or Lee.”
Kakashi gave her a weak half-smile. “Is there anything I can do for you now?”
“Yes. Become the Sixth Hokage.” She said, pulling out of the hug.
“Ah, I had a suspicion you’d like that crazy idea. In all honesty, I don’t have the time, perhaps someone else can take the mantle.”
“Sensei. You don’t get it, no one else can or should do the job.”
“Sakura…”
“Please, Kakashi-sensei. We’re going to have to go to war and the only shinobi who has experience with war-leadership is you.”
“I’ll never learn the paperwork. Ah, and the elders…”
“Don’t worry, I did Aunt Tsunade’s whenever she had a hangover and I’ve been bullying elders since I was 14. I’ll teach you in a day. I’ll volunteer to be your assistant.”
“You have yourself a deal, Sakura.”
“Congratulations, Lord Sixth.” She gave him a weak smile. Maybe the Senju were indeed the kingmakers of Konoha.
Why wasn't Sakura surprised that having all five Kage in one room would make them sitting ducks for an attempted assassination, kidnapping and terrorist attack? She should be used to this fuckery by now. One of the spawns of Akatsuki was almost caught, but he managed to slip through their fingers.
"How bad is the damage?" Temari asked, observing her injured leg.
"Take some pain meds after, you should be fine. I fixed the bone and muscle, you'll need a week or two to recover fully."
"Gotcha." She grinned. "Thanks. You will have my vote for becoming Head Medic."
"No, that's Shizune's job. She has more experience than me."
"Head field medic. Were you even at the meeting?"
"I'm sorry, we just survived a terrorist attack!"
"You're right." Temari huffed, leaning back. "How's Nara?"
"Missing you, probably." She giggled.
"You're horrible."
Sakura stuck out her tongue, giggling.
"What's that purple thing on your forehead?" Temari asked, observing the diamond.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
They were interrupted by a panic-stricken Yamato.
"Sakura! SAKURA!"
"What?" She shouted, jumping up.
"Sasuke was here! Naruto went after him!"
Fuck.
“And you can see the smallest letters?”
“Without a single issue.”
Her heart was beating out of her chest. He was cured, all the damage done previously was fixed. A small win in this difficult world. Sakura wrapped her arms around her favourite patient’s shoulders, sporting a large grin. Maybe he was turning into her favourite person.
“You’re healed. We’ve done it!”
His look was one of warmth and concern. “You’re going to war.” He started, gently holding her waist. She crooked her head to the right.
“Where does this come from?”
“Concern and love, I think.”
“And love?” She beamed. Maybe when she was twelve or thirteen, Sakura dreamed of marrying someone and starting a little family, having a child or two with her husband and eventually retiring from the Forces. Maybe have a nice little house, with a garden patch, maybe even a pet. Those plans had to be placed on the backburner the moment she made trees appear out of nowhere. For a brief second, Sakura imagined what it would look like if she married Itachi, had babies and lived her life out in peace. The thought warmed her heart.
“I’d like to stay near. Protect you.” He confessed.
For the first time in forever, Sakura felt like she was near an ending. Stretching her arms, she realized Team 7 was finally reunited. The genin class boasted the Konoha 12, probably one the most talented generation in a while and the three of them were the creme de la creme, the new Sannin according to many.
“Nice to see us all together.” Naruto grinned, cracking his knuckles.
“And alive.” Sakura exhaled, wondering what was brewing inside of his mind. She took off her hitai-ite, ripping off the metal piece. She used the remaining navy ribbon to tie up her hair, revealing the Yin seal on her forehead.
“I thought medics aren’t supposed to fight.” Sasuke snorted.
“I have insurance.”
“Nonsense! If you can heal yourself without using your hands, you can fight! Everyone knows this!” Boomed a strong, deep voice behind them. The hairs on Sakura’s neck rose, for a brief second, she thought she recognised the voice. Gently, she turned around on her heel, meeting a pair of eyes which looked quite a bit like her own.
“Nice to meet you!” The man shouted. “Fellow medical ninja, I suppose?”
“Lord First…” Sakura spoke.
“Yes, I was the First Hokage a long time ago!”
“I’m Sakura.” She smiled. “Your great-granddaughter.”
“Great-grand…? Tobirama, look!” He shouted, grabbing Sakura’s shoulders. He pulled her into a bear hug, cooing over her. “My, you look just like my beloved wife! Maybe even a little like me! This is wonderful! And you’re a medical ninja?”
“Of course, what else would I be?” She smiled.
“Good, good!” He grabbed Tobirama's shoulder, pointing him towards their new relative. Hashirama Senjū lived a really simple life, in reality. He grew up during a war, made a friend, married a woman he adored, had a son, lost that said friend, reigned as Hokage, had two grandchildren and died happily. However, the knowledge he had of a little great-granddaughter, one he passed down his gift to, warmed his heart more than he expected.
"You look so much like Mito." He smiled. "She would have loved you!"
"Ah, now you say that, I can see it." Tobirama spoke, observing Sakura's face. "It's never too late for a nice family reunion."
"My little darling great-granddaughter!" Hashirama squealed again, hugging her once more like a toddler. Naruto watched in clear confusion.
"Man, he's a hugger."
"Eh, the Senjū have always been like that." Minato Namikaze deadpanned.
"The Senjū?" Tenten spoke, blinking.
"Man, you have to catch up." Shikamaru snorted.
"Alright guys, let us take down that monster!" Naruto shouted, cracking his knuckles. Sakura grinned. Today, she can grow.