#sakura haruno protection squad

[brighteuphony]

I love Chiyo- and I kind of headcanon her as a Witch of the Woods (Sands???) archetype- a bitter old woman who has sacrificed too much, experienced and committed more atrocities than anyone can imagine, and who knows the truth about what lies in the hearts of men to live among the villages anymore.

In my AU she's got a pretty dark backstory. Back in time when Villages were just getting established, women weren't allowed to be shinobi in the same capacity as men. There was too much warring and death among the clans to risk women, so they were only ever allowed to serve as spies or medics. (Chiyo started off as a medic).

And like any military/fascist dictatorship, serving the state was more important than anything else- so women who were kunoichi were given missions to steal and return with powerful bloodlines. Even before villages, this was a common fear among clans (which is why so many of them have protective measures and inbreed/arrange matches very carefully).

Chiyo was one such woman, who took a X-rated mission in her youth because she was told it would 'serve her nation'. There was a powerful bloodline whose Kekkei Genkai could harden sand to something akin to Steel- something Suna very desperately wanted.

Chiyo succeeded in her mission, but despite the veneer of 'serving your nation', when she returned, she was considered, in her words, "Just another whore."

Then when her son didn't manifest the bloodline- it was worse, but Chiyo was happy because that meant her son was HERS. (This is when she met Enji, and he saved her son's life at great cost- so Chiyo owes him a blood/life debt.)

Then the war came, and they needed women to fight so now serving the nation meant something different, and Chiyo became a full fledged 'shinobi' and turned her healing towards poison and death- especially when she had to fight the Salamander.

Then she sealed Gaara and that was the atrocity straw that broke the camel's back and she dipped out Suna and retired to an oasis. She's still a healer, but adamantly refuses to serve shinobi.

Once again, thank you so much for these asks and all the support for this AU?

@youngpeacearbiter

[ladykissingfish]

*in a crowded marketplace*

Kakashi: I think we’ve just about got everything we need; you got your squad?

Gai: Yeah, Lee and Neji are waiting by the gates and Ten Ten is paying for our produce at the south counter. What about yours?

Kakashi: *looks around* Oh, damn … I think I lost them …

Gai: Oh no; in this crowd it’ll take forever to find them!

Kakashi: No, hold on, I’ve got an idea.

Kakashi: *clears throat and yells, loudly* KAKASHI HATAKE IS UGLY UNDER THAT MASK!!!

Gai: What the —

Sasuke, sharingan activated: Who the hell has the balls to talk that way about my Sensei?!

Sakura, punching her way through several walls: COME OUT AND FIGHT ME LIKE A MAN, YOU DAMN COWARD!

Naruto: *comes barreling out of the crowd, running on all fours, kyuubi mode activated*

Naruto, speaking in Kurama’s deep voice: Whoever dared say such a ridiculous lie, come stand before me and face my wrath, pathetic mortal!

Kakashi: There they are <3

Gai:

[herowithbadpublicity]

A lot of naruhina fandom content has Sakura like telling Naruto to treat Hinata right and I’m like…she would probably tell Hinata to treat Naruto right.

Personally, I can imagine her telling Naruto that in a joking manner when they’re with Hinata (like busting his balls), but when she’s with Hinata alone, she’ll gently tell her what she’s seen Naruto go through as one of her best friends, and how she knows he wants to be loved and cared for. But like in typical Sakura fashion, some undercurrent of like he’s really important to me and he’s a clown, but I would pull up on your ass if you hurt him.

[animanga-bonanza]

sakura vs the sound ninja

Sakura Haruno is one of my favorite characters from the Naruto series, and like many Sakura fans, I have my criticisms of how she is written. However, I also recognize that much of the hate directed at her is based on misunderstandings/misrepresentations of the canon text.

In this post I will re-examine a moment from the Chunin Exams arc in Naruto: The Dosu squad vs Team 7 (and allies). Many claim that Sakura was outshone in this battle by Rock Lee and Team 10 and looked pathetic in comparison to the other Leaf genin. However, upon closer inspection, an interesting fact emerges: Sakura inflicted more damage upon the Dosu squad than Rock Lee and Team 10 combined. She was the first to draw blood from the enemy, and she did it by using basic Academy-level ninjutsu and a simple yet effective strategy. Narrative-wise, this was a big moment for Sakura, and the details back it up.

Before the Battle

Sakura is quick-witted, and early in the Land of Waves arc, she was more quick-witted than Naruto. This is demonstrated here: when the Demon Brothers attacked Tazuna, both Sakura and Sasuke jumped into action while Naruto froze in fear.

Another example of Sakura’s quick thinking in this arc is when, in the next chapter, Zabuza appears. He throws his sword in an arc, making it spin like a helicopter blade, and the Leaf shinobi and Tazuna must get down on the ground to avoid getting decapitated. You can clearly see that Sakura had to push Naruto down (in the background, Sasuke pushes Tazuna out of the way). Sakura literally saved Naruto’s life in this moment.

Later, during the Chunin Exams arc, Sakura’s quick thinking once again saves Naruto’s life. After Orochimaru knocks Naruto unconscious, he starts falling from a height that would have killed or at least seriously injured him. Sakura somehow pins Naruto to a nearby tree trunk by throwing a kunai with perfect precision and force.

These are small moments, but they demonstrate that Sakura has real talent as a shinobi and has protected her teammates in the past. However, like Naruto and Sasuke, she had to reach her limits to surpass them. Naruto is the first on their team to learn the meaning of courage, during the Land of Waves arc. Then, in his fight against Orochimaru in the Forest of Death, Sasuke must overcome his fear of death, which had literally paralyzed him. Finally, it was Sakura’s turn to discover her inner strength and resolve to fight even in a hopeless situation.

Another thing I’d like people to recognize is that Sakura is not the only member of Team 7 to be outmatched by the enemies they had to face. Remember, Team 7 wasn’t supposed to be on that mission in the Land of Waves arc, it was above their pay grade and their skill level. Although Naruto and Sasuke got the spotlight, they were still no real match against Haku – they only survived that battle because Haku was too compassionate to kill them (although it's likely that the Kyuubi would have saved Naruto from a lethal attack). Plus, Sasuke’s Sharingan was a great aid to him, and Naruto could only break out of the Crystal Ice Mirrors jutsu with the power of the Kyuubi. Sakura, who lacks a kekkei genkai and a tailed beast, was an ordinary genin, so it makes sense that she couldn’t do that much.

That said, I think there could have been a way for Sakura to contribute more during that arc, but that’s a topic for another time.

Furthermore, during the Forest of Death, both Sasuke and Naruto got taken out by Orochimaru, because Orochimaru is a literal Sannin. And then, there’s the Sound Ninja…

The Sound Ninja

The Dosu Squad is strong, let’s be clear about that. And they were not normal participants in the exams. They were assassins targeting Sasuke. Once again, Sakura is put in a situation that she had no reasonable way to expect or prepare for. But she still rose to the occasion, despite being completely exhausted due to a whole night of no sleep and no food or water.

First, let’s compare her to Rock Lee. Now, I love Rock Lee, and in fairness to him, it’s stated by Tenten that if he hadn’t been distracted by protecting Sakura, he could have beaten the Dosu Squad. However, it’s also a fact that despite using advanced taijutsu moves – which Dosu acknowledged were quite lethal – Lee couldn’t really injure the Sound Ninja. Instead, they were able to block or neutralize all his attacks, then knocked him out flat.

Here, Lee makes a dynamic entrance, landing a hit on all three members of the Dosu Squad, but you can see that all they got was some bruises:

Then he uses the Primary Lotus against Dosu, but thanks to Zaku, Dosu takes little to no damage:

So, despite Lee’s best efforts and the fact that he was using specialized taijutsu, the Dosu Squad emerged from that fight relatively unscathed.

Now, Lee was outnumbered. Surely a three-on-three battle would have been more even, right? Well, that didn’t work out for Team 10.

Choji couldn’t hit Zaku, who was able to just jump out of harm’s way. Shikamaru could only temporarily paralyze Dosu. And although Ino possessed Kin’s body, it was Zaku who made Kin bleed when he attacked her.

So, neither Rock Lee nor Team 10 could really injure any of the Dosu Squad. But Sakura? She stabbed Zaku. She made him bleed. And she targeted his arms because she was smart enough to realize that they were his most dangerous weapons. Again, just by using basic ninjutsu and simple tactics, Sakura inflicted more damage on Zaku than Rock Lee and Team 10 combined.

Character Growth

People often mock Sakura for cutting her hair as if it was no big deal. But the reality is that it was a big deal, hence why the manga emphasizes it so much. Sakura’s vanity was literally holding her back, as represented when Kin grabbed her hair to immobilize her. Kin even openly states that vanity is Sakura’s weakness, she cares too much about her looks and doesn’t push herself hard enough. Then, as Sakura takes a beating from Zaku, Ino remembers how Sakura used to be so insecure in her appearance and put effort into making herself prettier. Sakura allowing her face to be battered shows that she no longer cares about her looks. Literally, Zaku strikes Sakura in her forehead, which was the part of her that she was most insecure about.

Later, Ino even states that they all would have been dead if it weren’t for both Sakura and Sasuke.

Conclusion

Sakura’s actions in the Forest of Death should not be downplayed. Although her skill set was not as impressive as that of her teammates or the rest of her peers, her intelligence and resolve showed that she could stand her ground even against formidable opponents like the Dosu Squad. Indeed, I think that Sakura’s peers during this encounter are held back by their specialized skills, relying on their special abilities instead of creative tactics. This battle demonstrates that it’s not the tool that determines the outcome, but the ninja that uses it.

[moonlight-xxs-stuff]

Kiyo: *tries to hold a sword*

Kiyo: *falls*

Tanjiro:

Sakura: no.

Tanjiro: just give her sometime to-

Sakura: I said no

Naho: *accidently hits Sumi while trying to help Kiyo*

Sakura:

Tanjiro: I'm sure they can-

Sakura: get out.

AU:

After killing Muzan, the world is finally in peace once again. Soon after, all the demon slayer have retired and went to live a normal life including the Kamaboko squad.

What could go wrong after this?

A new kind of demons had appeared and now they want to conquer the world. No one knows who created them but what they know is that there are no more demon slayers to protect the world anymore.

Tanjiro and the rest decided to leave and stop as much demons as they can but they won't be able to do that alone so they needed some people for help.

Luckily, the caterpillars and senjuro offered to become demon slayers and help the others to save the world.

Senjuro was left under the care of some random flame breathing master.

The caterpillars were left under the care of the one and only blossom pillar and the last master of the byakugou seal, Sakura Haruno.

After the horrible death of her husband, Indra (yes indrasaku, got a problem with that?), she planted Wisteria flowers all around her mansion and isolated herself from the world. She was asked by Tanjiro to train the caterpillars but she refused after seeing how pathetic they are, however after hours of hearing Tanjiro's speeches, Zenitsu's crying and Inosuke's threats she gave up.

She might look sweet and nice at first sight but when it comes to training she has no mercy. She started the first training session with 35 push-ups, 100 rounds around a nearby mountain, a cup of tea for refreshing, a sword training, martial arts sessions and a whole night of memorizing types of herbs.

2 months passed with that routine until Sakura had realized a big developement on each one of the girls. Kiyo was better in hand-to-hand combat while Naho got much better at using the katana and Sumi was faster and more flexible than the other two. And I'm too lazy to think about more ideas so yeah bye!

[wipbigbang]

Shit: Finished!

Story Title: We Don’t Talk About Fight Club

Fandom: Naruto

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/40978722/chapters/102696600

Summary: 

“That was entirely uncalled for! There is no reason for anyone to have to know I wear reinforced compression briefs, and besides, it is simply for protection while fighting! It has nothing at all to do with decency—” Lee cut off his tirade, stalling his waving arms mid-air, his face flaring a red even brighter than Gaara’s hair.

It would be really nice if Gaara had thought to wear reinforced compression briefs himself, because the mental image that had completely mugged his entire thought process was putting him in serious danger of being completely indecent in the middle of a foreign village.

Or, the one where beating the shit out of your best friend is definitely considered high romance.

Warnings: NSFW (both writing and art). Like Really NSFW. graphic depictions of sparring/fighting

Characters: Gaara, Rock Lee,Temari, Kankurou, Tenten, Hyuuga Neji, Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, Nara Shikamaru, Naruto Ensemble Cast

Pairings:

Main: Gaara x Rock Lee

Background: Neji x Tenten, Shikamaru x Temari

Implied/referenced: Kankuro x Kiba, Naruto x Sasuke

When I Started: 

I first had this idea back in May after being in this fandom for about 3 months? It was originally a goofy little oneshot idea at first based on the ideas of 1) fighting as a form of courtship and 2) meme format “is that a X or are you just happy to see me?

How I Lost My Shit:

I actually wasn’t planning to make this my WIP fic, I had another one that remains incomplete, because when I started closing in on the submission date my first fic was floundering and in the background of my brain this one started knocking at the door like, "Sup babey, take me out to dinner?” and I was like, “Aye YO” and decided to roll with it.

How I Finished My Shit: 

I owe my entire life and soul to my bang fanartist, who signed on and drew not one, not two, but FOURTEEN FANARTS covering every chapter, single panels, comic style, everything (which are all embedded in the fic, have a look and scream with me, thanks). In the process of oh-my-god?-ing all over the floor, this fic blew out into first 5 chapters, then 6, then ended up at 8 chapters and about 64k words of absolute shenanigans jet fuelled by art and the gaalee discord, which has been like a hype squad in my pocket. 

Thanks so much to WIP Big Bang for inspiring me to finish my shit!

[loobs-ki]

sakura: you guys put aside everything and came all this way for me? how did you even get here so fast? naruto: several traffic violations sasuke: three counts of resisting arrest sai: roughly thirteen cans of energy drinks kakashi: also, that’s not our car

[uzumaki-sayuri]

Do you think the Sakura hate is deserved?

No- and it's really weird how people hate on her "useless" character instead of directing their anger at Kishimoto/writers.

Honestly to me she was really annoying in the first few seasons and at times a pretty unlikable kid with anger problems...though still with a good heart.

As she matured and saw life through her orphan teammates' perspectives her character grew many kind traits. She cut the hair she grew out for Sasuke, tried to prove herself against her rival, trained under Tsunade, and grew to love both Naruto and Sasuke despite their flaws.

I think she had some great character development and it's a shame part way into the series Kishi just made her sit and watch all the male characters fight. For a main heroine she hardly had any cool scenes and I think that's one reason why people found her boring :(

[landing-amongst-the-planets]

Naruto Anime-watcher/Sakura Hater/hinatard/naruhinatard: Sakura is such a bitch! She’s treats Naruto horribly!

Me, an intellectual Manga Reader: Nah, she’s no more of a “bitch” than Tsunade and Kushina are. 🤷‍♂️ 90% of her treating him “badly” is anime-only filler bullshit. The only reason she gets more attention is because she’s not a side character like them.

[madara-fate]

I guess the one thing i hate about Sakura is hwr in Shippuden her love for Sasuke that grew fucked up her ability to speak out against for herself. Knowing hes dangerous she drops her guard several times and unlike Classic when she called him out on his stupid behavior shes lost her voice in the time skip? Did anyone else notice that? Or is it just an irritation i have of her grown love for him?

No I’m afraid I really don’t know what you’re talking about.

I don’t know what you’re referring to when you say that Sakura apparently lost her ability to speak out against Sasuke; It’s not like she ever just went along with what he did. She made her intentions very clear when they met at Orochimaru’s hideout, and did so again when she tried to find the resolve to kill him in the Land of Iron. In any case, what more were you expecting her to do exactly? During Pt.1, she called him out on his cowardly behaviour because he was letting his fear get the better of him in the Forest of Death (despite the fact that Sakura was being even more of a coward than he was at the time so she really had no right to say that to him, but I digress). But during Pt.2, she actively went against his plans, so I’m not sure what you mean by she lost her ability to speak out. She didn’t have to explicitly say to him “Sasuke, what you’re doing is wrong”, in order for that same message to get across though her actions.

Furthermore, the only time Sakura let her guard down around him during Pt.2 was when he asked her to kill Karin, that’s it. Every other time she displayed as much caution as anyone else - When he arrived during the War, her interaction with him was apprehensive at best because she wasn't immediately just happy to see him. No, she wanted to know exactly why he was there:

And this was only reiterated when she displayed that fake smile to Sai, further signifying that although she was genuinely happy that Sasuke was fighting on their side, she didn’t yet trust him completely.

That is Sakura very much keeping her guard up around Sasuke. So no I don’t really agree with this at all. It seems like it’s just a subjective irritation on your part, and to be honest I’m still not even sure where it’s coming from or what exactly you’re hating on because what you said just isn’t applicable to Sakura.

[thefairyletters]

Do you think sakura will make Anbu? I've read from somewhere that it is a ranking above jounin and others say that it's just a group of ninja who does dirty work for the village.

Sakura awoke her Byakugo/Yin seal, an S-class jutsu, at the age of 17 and it took her three years to master the technique against over a decade of Tsunade. Yin seal is considered the pinnacle of chakra control and mark of the legendary medical ninja. So, already at 17, Sakura was the top medical ninja, second only to Tsunade. Something Shizune, who was the first apprentice to Tsunade, a great medical ninja in her own right but failed to awaken.

Therefore, as a medical ninja, Sakura is exceptional and one of the very best.

As a fighter, Sakura is shown to possess monstrous strength which is a great defence technique and combat skill in combination with Taijutsu. At 15, Sakura, even if with Chiyo's assistance, managed to battle Sasori, an S-class nukenin, and destroyed all of his puppets. Chiyo may have helped control Sakura's movements – pulling her in and out of the range – but it was all Sakura who fought him head-on. She was in the frontline, took the brunt of attacks and retaliated harder. She showed incredible analytical abilities and observation skills, which is important in a fight with any ninja who ranks higher than you and odds are stacked against you.

During the war, Sakura punched Kaguya in the head, something which doesn't seem like a big deal at first glance except it is a big deal because she was in Kaguya's teeny tiny blindspot that allowed her to punch the goddess, a blindspot Sakura noticed and pounced upon to weaken Kaguya's guard that led to her sealing. She was opportunistic and smart enough to one-up a goddess who can see everything – well, almost, because she clearly didn't see Sakura's fist coming.

In fights against powerful people you're assigned to kill, or when you're undercover and gathering intel, or in cases where you are outnumbered and need to escape, you are forced to use your brain first and foremost before you use your powers regardless of whether or not you're powerful enough to take the opponent. Sakura has got that brain – she thinks before she jumps. She is analytical and has good observation skills. She was the smartest kunoichi of her generation during her academy years, which she continues to remain. She can survive.

To summarize, Sakura's got:

Top-notch medical ninjutsu skills

Jutsu that can pull her from the brink of death and give her tremendous amount of chakra to use

Brute strength that acts as an incredible defence and offence attack

A resourceful mind that zeroes on openings and make great strategic plans

A summon contract that can be used to protect her/comrades from any kind of attack, used as an offensive counterattack in the battlefield, and used to gather/deliver intel

With that said, Sakura would have no problem in joining the ranks of ANBU if it's about the power or intelligence factor. Even without all her strengths, if she only has her medical skills, basic combat skills and intelligence in her arsenal, she can still make it to ANBU.

But what is ANBU?

(Based on what I've seen in canon and read in numerous fanfictions)

ANBU, also known as ANBU Black Ops which means 'Darkside', is a special branch division comprising of soldiers who work for the Hokage, directly under Hokage, and not directly for the village. This means the operatives in this division do not bring money into the village for their services. The Hokage pays them for their services. These members are grouped into squads with squad captains assigned to each team. Each member has an alias they go by in the division for the anonymity sake.

The difference between a normal shinobi and an ANBU operative is that a third party (not Hokage) pay the normal shinobi (which means these shinobi are the source of income in the village) whereas an ANBU operative would be assigned a mission by the Hokage (who will pay for the mission) that usually reflects the corrupted side of the village – that means, these assigned missions usually involve elimination of the threats to the village, gathering intel from other villages, infiltration into enemy village, and collecting/removing/ridding of bodies. The reason why ANBU operatives have masks is to preserve their identity so that they could not be traced back to their villages should any operative gets caught in action. ANBU members are the real cannon fodder of the village. They are disposable to the village which is why they need to be exceptional shinobi so that they don't get caught. 'If you don't keep up, you'll be left behind.' Meaning: teamwork is important but importance of each member is not above the mission itself.

Therefore, an ANBU member must:

• Be ruthless

• Be able to forget their ideals

• Be able to follow orders effectively

• Prioritize mission above everything else

• Not run on emotions

So, the questions comes:

Is Sakura Haruno exceptional enough to be appointed into ANBU Ops? Yes.

But for all her strengths and abilities, canon!Sakura couldn't make it to ANBU Black Ops NOT BECAUSE she is not worthy of becoming an ANBU member, BUT BECAUSE that goes against everything Sakura believes in. She's a medical ninja who prioritizes life above everything, she is not a shinobi who can leave behind a comrade, she's not someone who can follow orders if it means leaving one of their own behind, she's someone who is always high on emotions, and most importantly she reins tight on her ideals.

In fact, Sasuke is the only team 7 member who can pull ANBU effortlessly. Both Naruto and Sakura are too emotionally volatile to pull that off. Unless it's happening in some other AU where Sakura has an ulterior motive to join ANBU/ROOT (say, infiltrating ROOT under the orders of Hokage to take down Danzo) I can't see Sakura pulling ANBU without losing her character or undergoing trauma.

ANBU sounds like a glamorous profession, except, it's not, at all. It's a bloody business where you need to be emotionally restrained, at all times. I can't remember a single character who joined ANBU because they loved being in ANBU. They joined it to cope (Tenzo/Sai), by force (Itachi || it isn't made clear why Itachi joined ANBU but given his personality, there's a good chance that it was Fugaku who wanted him to join ANBU for the clan), or to escape their reality (Kakashi). It isn't a beautiful place to be.

If Sakura joins ANBU, she will most likely quit it within a month on her own accord because she simply doesn't like it. Regardless, she will be highly demanded the missions by ANBU squad captains, so if she has to join in a mission, she will do it when her schedule is open and it will be as the squad medic.

Besides that, if Sakura joins ANBU, it will only be alongside her genin teammates in one team, with Kakashi as the squad Captain, Sakura as the squad medic, Naruto as the backup, and Sasuke as the second-in-command. In fact, team 7 members will only join ANBU if they will be in it together.

I hope this answers your question.

[ladykissingfish]

*at a Halloween party*

Kakashi, dressed as a scarecrow: Okay, boys; you know the mission, right?

Naruto, dressed as a fox: Yeah, dattebayo. Stand guard by Sakura and keep perverted guys from hitting on her.

Sasuke, wearing a T-shirt that says “This IS My Costume”: Nobody’s getting past us.

*Sakura comes up to them, dressed like a pink flower*

Sakura: This is so much fun, isn’t it, guys?

Kakashi: It certainly is. This —

*Ino walks up, dressed like a bumblebee*

Ino, to Sakura: You look so adorable, Sakura-chan. And look, we’re matching. You’re a flower, I’m a bee. *puts arms around Sakura’s waist and pulls her close* You want to make some honey with me?

Sakura, blushing: Ino …

Kakashi:

Naruto:

Sasuke:

Naruto, to Kakashi: Do we … do we do something?

Kakashi: … no I think we’re good.

[tcookies]

Fandom: Naruto, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Relationships: Haruno Sakura/Uchiha Sasuke, Dai-nana-han | Team 7 & Haruno Sakura Characters: Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Sarada, Uchiha Sasuke, Hatake Kakashi, Uzumaki Naruto, Yamato | Tenzou, Sai Additional Tags: Dai-nana-han | Team 7 as Family, Major character death, Grief/Mourning, Sarada has 1 father and 4 uncles, Canon Divergence

Summary: It was an unspoken rule to protect the team medic; they were the ones trusted to increase the squad’s overall survival rate and thus the success of the mission. And yet, among the gods and the legends of Team 7 who protected the cherry blossom, nobody ever expected that Sakura would be the first to die. But of course, she dies doing what she does best: saving the lives of her comrades.

[kayparker20]

Inner Turmoil - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 - Nightmares, Rescues, and Memories

FFN | AO3

She was paralyzed as she watched the scene before her. No matter how hard she tried to move, she just couldn’t get her body to respond. Her eyes were wide as the tears streamed steadily over her cheeks. 

Kakashi was limp as the raven haired man held him by the throat. A large shuriken was protruding out of his back, one of the blades wedged in between his right shoulder blade and spinal cord. He coughed up blood as he tried to speak.

“Sa...kura.” The silver haired nin coughed. 

Sasuke’s cold gaze stared at him. “Did you really think you would keep her from me?” He seethed. 

“Kakashi!” Sakura cried out. “Sasuke, stop!”

Kakashi struggled to turn his eyes towards Sakura, his chest heaving as it became even more difficult to breathe. 

“None of this would have happened if she had just come with me, Hatake…” He smirked. “Say goodbye.”

Sakura tried to force her body to move as she watched Sasuke throw him. Horrified as she watched the man she loved die as Kakashi landed directly with the shuriken as it pulled him backwards, and finished puncturing through his body, the tip of the blade coming out of his chest. He convulsed before going still as his eyes rolled back.

“Kakashi!” She screamed in her sleep. 

The silver haired nin jumped up instantly, glancing down at Sakura. Her skin was pale and she was soaked in a cold sweat. 

He knew this state all too well.

“Sakura…” He called out softly. He gently shook her shoulder. “Sakura, wake up.” He kissed her forehead. She started trembling and tears were streaming down her face. 

“No...No!” She sobbed. “Sasuke, no!” She thrashed around, flipping over. She had flung her weight into his chest, her arms coming around him, gripping his torso tightly.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, holding her close and kissing her head. He buried his face in her neck before talking in a low, consoling, but slightly firm timbre. 

“Sakura, I love you,” He rubbed circles into her lower back. “I’m right here. Wake up and look at me…” He shook her shoulders a little more roughly this time. “Sakura, please wake up.” His voice gained some urgency as she continued to cry out in a panic.

The pink haired woman suddenly shot up out of bed, stiff as a board. Her eyes were wide and stinging with tears. A chill ran through her body as she shuddered. She raked her fingers through her hair as her chest heaved with the heavy exhales. Her heart thundered in her chest and she could hear it pounding in her ears.

“Sakura, I’m right here.” He grabbed her hands and brought them to his face. “Look at me,” He carefully and slowly brought his hands to rest over her face, brushing his thumbs over her cheek bones. He steered her gaze towards him, making eye contact her. “It was just a nightmare…” 

She looked at him, staring into his eyes. She let out a shaky breath, trying to calm her breathing. It wasn’t long before she buried her face into his neck. Her arms moved to wrap around him. She sunk into his embrace, anchoring herself to him.

She focused on the fact that she could hear him breathe. She could feel his pulse, which was slightly elevated, on his neck against her arm. She could also feel each rise and fall of his chest, feel his breath run across her messy locks on top of her head. She focused on the circles he still continued to massage into her lower back, grounding herself in everything that showed life in him. 

It had seemed so real, so vivid. And she knew deep down that it could become a reality. She didn’t know what to do, she didn’t want to see Kakashi get hurt because of her. However, she also knew he would give his life for her, or anyone else. 

Kakashi just held her, he didn’t know what to say. He knew there was nothing that would stop the rush of fear that was rushing in her veins right now. Nothing he could say would stop the horrors she was shown from returning. It was months before he stopped waking up in cold sweats, believing he was still being pecked away by birds from Itachi’s tsukuyomi. He felt her body slowly calm, her breath evened. She seemed to be grounded now. 

“I’m not going anywhere, Sakura…” He murmured softly in her ear.

She nodded softly. “I’m… sorry that I woke you.”

Kakashi shook his head and tightened his embrace a moment. “It’s okay, I understand…”

“Kakashi…” She sighed. “I can’t bear the thought of people getting hurt over trying to protect me…” 

He took a sharp intake of breath. “Sakura, no.” His voice was stern, but it was earnest. “You are not going to join him…” 

She frowned. “What choice do I have?” She snapped. “Ino could already be hurt because of me, and now he’s threatened you over me!” 

“Sakura, listen to me!” His voice had an edge to it. “I will not let you sacrifice yourself.”

He stared into her eyes. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. She was the embodiment of happiness. She was his happiness. This was the exact thing he feared before he let his walls down. He couldn’t lose her, like he had lost everything else. She had promised him she wasn’t going anywhere. His heart pounded in his chest as the thoughts of not having her in his arms ever again raced through his mind. Thoughts of never seeing her smile again or kissing her. He brought his hands up to gently cup her face, not sure what else he could say, knowing full well he was probably just making her angry.

“I will not let my best friend die over selfish emotions!” She hissed, trying to keep her voice low, despite her anger. He tried to pull away from his grip, her eyebrows turning down in a glare towards him.

“It’s not selfish!” He insisted. 

“Oh, yeah! We get to stay happy and together while Choji suffers knowing the girl he's loved all his life was killed in an attempt to bait her best friend!” She retorted, her eyes narrowing. “Totally not selfish!” Her voice dripped with venomous sarcasm.

Kakashi winced softly, realizing that, maybe okay, yes, it might be selfish for him to choose his love over their friend’s love. 

No one thought about choosing between them, himself included. Why did she? 

Does she ever think to take care of herself, to protect herself too? Her heart ached. She always put their team first, healing and healing until her hands burned from chakra use and it flickered out. They would have to force her to stop, or else he was sure she would pour ever bit of her life source into them if it meant they would be okay. 

So naturally, she’s more than prepared to give herself over to the snakes of the leaf if it meant her best friends lived and loved and went on as a ninja. Even if it meant her misery, or her death. 

The silver nin pulled her close once more, despite her attempts (rather weak ones, in his opinion with his knowledge of her own strength) to fight his pull. She settled for huffing in annoyance and refusing to look at him.

He gently grabbed her chin and turned her to face him and  gave her a chaste kiss to her lips. “I just got you, I’m not going to lose you, damnit. This isn’t about you or Ino coming home. It’s about both of you coming home.” His tone was resolute, no argument. “If you think for even second that anyone on this squad, especially Naruto, and me, would ever let you join those traitorous snakes, then you truly don’t see how much we care for you.” 

 Sakura’s gaze at him softened at his words, and she reached up to press her hands against his. Her eyes welled up with tears, which only angered her a little more. She wasn’t supposed to be this person anymore. People weren’t supposed to suffer because of her and she wasn’t supposed to cry anymore. “Kakashi…” She spoke softly.

He wiped her tears away softly with the pads of his thumbs. “Sakura, I love you.” He mumbled softly. He pecked her cheek, her nose. He just showered her face with kisses. “And I will protect this team and the people I care about, and especially you.”

“I don’t need protection…” She grumbled, even as she smiled at his affection.

“We are dealing with Orochimaru and Sasuke.” He chastised. “There’s a reason we have a 12 man squad.” He sighed. “And it’s not about whether I think you need my protection or not, Sakura…” He said with clear irritation.

Sakura raised an eyebrow at him. “You’ve always protected me, and me first. I’ve always been the weakest one of Team Kakashi…” 

He took a lock of her hair into his hands, playing with it. “That may have been true once.” He smiled. “But now, I’d protect you first because living life without you in it isn’t bearable. Because I care about you, and I know I can keep you safe…”

Before she could say anything back, he winced slightly before resting his head on her shoulder. He took a deep breath before slowly letting it out.

She frowned, knowing exactly where the pain was coming from. “Why didn’t you say something?” Now she sounded like an irritated nurse, Dr. Haruno coming into action now. He knew that tone much too well, and knew the lectures that usually came with it. It was the same tone she used on all of their team after hunting them down after missions to force heal their injuries, even if they were minor.

“I didn’t want to add to your stress, or have you using precious chakra on me.” He inhaled and exhaled slowly once more. “I’m fine, the pain will fade in a few moments. I didn’t always have orders to be healed regularly, if you have forgotten.”

She gave out an aggravated noise before pushing him onto the bed and straddling his hips. “How many times do I have to tell you? We are literally in the field, right now!” She scolded before raising her hand, the green glow of her healing chakra already present, and gently pressing her palm over his sharingan. “And that was before it started to effect your body in such a way, before you had used it to such extents to where it would fucking bleed.” She huffed something about ‘stupid and overly resilient men’ under her breath, but he just smiled as he gave in.

He let out a defeated sigh, and then another one of relief as her chakra worked its way into his eye. He rested his hands on her hips, before a smirk played across his features.

She frowned. “What the hell are you down there smiling about?”

“We should play doctor more often.” He said in a playful tone, before pressing his hips upwards.

Her face instantly turned a dark shade of red. “Kakashi!” She hissed, completely undignified.

He could tell his eye was fine now, so he rolled them over so that he was towering over her. “Hmmm?” He kissed down her neck, nipping softly. “I think you could use the relaxation release gives you…” He gently ran his hands up her sides and cupped her breasts. “Your entire body is still tense, and we have to be able to run today.” He chuckled mischievously. “It would be a shame if we had to stop because your muscles got too tense.”

She was still cherry red as she let out a small whimper. “Kakashi…” He used all her willpower to push her very irresistible man from her body with her hands pressed to his chest. “I… can’t.” She looked away. “Not right now.”

The older ninja instantly stopped his teasing and turned her face back to look at him again. “Okay. I understand.” He pecked her lips softly before laying back down on his side to watch her.

She turned on her side to face him. She just gazed over all of him, knowing she could never bear the thought of not having him. They had been together for hardly two weeks now, but it felt like so much longer. She gulped softly as the guilt settled in. 

“Kakashi…” She reached out to grip his hand tightly. “I’m sorry.”

He shook his head. “Don’t be, it’s fine.” He brought an arm around her and pulled her close to his chest. “I understand.” He kissed the top of her head.

He rested her forehead against his chest and sighed. “Thank you..”

He nodded, running his fingers through her hair. He learned quickly that that calmed her and he tried to note anything that could ease her anxiety.

He knew she wouldn’t want to think about it, but he also knew she needed to talk about it. Things ate at Sakura from the inside out, and he didn’t want her to be in such distress.

“Sakura, what were you dreaming about?” He asked her quietly.

She stiffened at the question but took a deep breath. “It was just one of the many visions I was shown of Sasuke killing you…” Her hands stopped moving along his back. “I was paralyzed and couldn’t do anything but watch and scream…” She shuddered at the memory.

Kakashi nodded softly, not asking for any more details. “I’m right here. Just remember that.” 

She nodded softly, before slowly falling back asleep. She felt safe in his arms, and took the feel of his body against hers as a constant reminder that he was safe, at least for the moment.

Kakashi knew they still had a couple hours before the others woke up, well, if her screaming hadn’t woken them. Now that he really thought of it, he was sure the sounds of screaming definitely woke up a squad of camping shinobi. 

He was thankful that no one had come to the tent, she would have hated for anyone to see her in such a distraught state, maybe besides Naruto and Hinata. He also knew he wouldn’t be going back to sleep, so he just continued to stroke her hair, hoping the relaxing effect would last through the rest of her sleep.

Sai had been sitting at the fire, finding himself unable to sleep, before he heard Sakura cry out. He had instantly run over to his teammates’ tent, before he could hear Kakashi already beginning to console her. He smiled a bit, a bit shocked to hear such a comforting tone come from the legendary copy nin that would be, Kakashi Hatake. He listened for awhile, making sure Sakura wouldn’t need any other assistance. 

Soon he returned to the fire to sit and watch the flames dance in the dark. He heard another tent open and turned to see Hanabi walking towards him. He gave his usual smile and waved at her. “Hello, Hanabi. Are you well?”

The young Hyuuga watched him for a moment, fighting a blush before nodding. “I’m okay, just a little cold.” She sat next to him by the fire.

“Neji is on watch at the moment, but I haven’t been able to sleep.” Sai spoke matter of factly. 

She nodded. “I think it was Kakashi-sensei’s next, right?” She wondered aloud.

Sai nodded. “I believe so, but I may take his watch.” He said thoughtfully, thinking Sakura may need their team leader at her side.

Hanabi smiled, also having heard Sakura’s terrored screams. “So, is it true that Kakashi and her are together?” She asked.

Sai nodded. “I don’t think I’ve seen Sakura as… Happy since I met her.”

She nodded softly. “I think it’s sweet that you’ll take over Kakashi’s watch so he doesn’t have to leave her.” She scooted a little closer to him.

“The book says that building friendships is easy when you do things to help them.” He smiled at Hanabi. “I’d protect my team anyway I can, but I will also protect you if that time ever comes.”

She stared back at Sai, before kissing his cheek. “I’m glad.”

Sai watched her for a moment, before raising a hand to touch the spot her lips had caressed ever so lightly.

Neji watched the scene from a branch above their camp, a small smile gracing his lips. He could only imagine the thoughts running through the socially inept shinobi’s thoughts at the moment.  He wasn’t surprised to see Hanabi make a move. She had always been more bold than Hinata, even going as far to have disputes with Hiashi as she got older. He also knew that Sai would protect her and she would never be in danger in his presence. 

“What was that for..?” He asked the girl quietly.

She shrugged. “Because I wanted to.” She got up then and walked back to her tent.

Sai pondered for a moment, not sure what to make of her action. He decided he would have to ask Naruto and Sakura for advice on this one.

Just then the obnoxious blonde came out of his tent and stretched. He came to sit down on the log across from Sai by the fire. “Can’t sleep either, huh Sai?”

“No, not quite, Dickless.” 

Naruto scowled at the nickname. “I’d tell you to ask Hina all about that just to prove it’s wrong, but I think she’d faint.” He laughed off.

“Do you think Sakura is okay?” Sai asked softly.

Naruto’s expression turned back to exhausted, which was exactly how he felt.

It was obvious to anyone who knew her well that she was far from okay. Her best friend was just kidnapped by the guy she used to pine after. Sasuke put her through a tsukuyomi, showing her Kakashi’s death by his hands over and over again. His teammate had already been through so much emotional torment by Sasuke, and the fact it continues even after she finally moves on angered him beyond belief.

He sighed heavily. “Sakura wears her heart on her sleeve. As a shinobi, she bears many more emotions than most, as do I.” He smiled a bit. “Most people have grown accustomed to that part of us. Some still point it out as weakness. However, this time around, I think she’s trying to hide them.” He sighed. “She is supposed to be the one to save people, and right now I’m sure she has convinced herself she has put Ino and Kakashi in danger by refusing Sasuke, let alone everyone else on this mission.”

Sai nodded. “Do you still believe there is hope in bringing Sasuke back?” He knew this was a sensitive subject, having learned to not call him a traitor and so on.

Naruto was silent for a few moments before shaking his head slowly. “I would have believed it, even after him kidnapping Ino. He’s done so many things, and I tried to believe that once he got his revenge, he would come back to us.”

Sai watched him intently, knowing the story of the Uchiha clan.

“But, after finding out he put Sakura in a tsukuyomi, and doing it basically out of pure jealousy…” His expression hardened, and the firelight only made him look even more angry.

“I can’t believe he still cares for us if he would put Sakura through that. He has threatened to kill us, tried to kill all three of us many times.” He laughed coldly. “However, it was antagonized, or we were in the way of his real goal. It was able to somehow be excused. But for him to suddenly decide he was going to just use Sakura for a means to an end, not even deciding he did love her…” He shook his head. “It’s unforgivable. She’s a shinobi, not just some baby machine. I don’t even know if she wants kids at all…”

Sai nodded before glancing at the tent. “She had a nightmare…”

Naruto nodded. “I heard, but I figured I’d let Kakashi handle it.” He smiled. “Sakura doesn’t like to be seen as weak, even though she isn’t, the less people who see her in a shaken state, the better for her.”

Sai smiled genuinely. “She is quite strong, as we both know, so why doesn’t she think so?”

“Oh, she knows.” Kakashi came out of the tent and chuckled. “But it doesn’t stop her insecurities and comparing herself to the rest of her class, let alone her teammates.”

He looked up at the trees above them. “Neji, it’s time for my watch.”

“Actually, I was going to take your watch for you, Kakashi.” Sai smiled.

Naruto watched the two before smiling.

Kakashi looked at him before shaking his head. “I’ve got my watch, but thank you Sai.” Then he gave an eye crease. “Besides, I believe you have a question and something to maybe explore on your own, Sai.” 

Sai’s eyed widened before he smiled again. “Ah, yes.” He turned to Naruto. “What reason would a girl kiss my cheek?”

Naruto stared at him blankly before busting out laughing, trying to quiet himself. “Why do you ask, Sai?”

“Because the young Hyuga girl I’ve been paired up to protect kissed my cheek, after telling me I was sweet.” Sai watched Naruto, confused by his reaction.

Neji landed silently between them. “Naruto, you’ll wake the whole camp with your howling if you don’t shut up.” He turned to Sai and couldn’t help the slightest bit of a smile. 

Kakashi sighed and shook his head at his team’s antics. “Sai, are you sure you didn’t read anything in a book about this?” 

“No, I have not. Nothing comes up about kisses in friendship books.”

“Didn’t I suggest you read Icha-Icha?”

Sai frowned. “Sakura told me not to read those if I was looking for ways to build relationships with people…” 

Kakashi only raised an eyebrow. “Well, I beg to differ. You would know what a kiss means if you had read them.”

Naruto just rolled his eyes. “Pervy Sage is smiling down on you, such a loyal fan you are Kakashi.” He smiled fondly, before laughing even more.

Hinata came out of her and Naruto’s tent to see what was going on. She rubbed her eyes blearily as she approached them. “Naruto…?” She called out softly. “What’s so funny?”

The poor Hyuga fought the urge to go check on Sakura herself, remembering Naruto’s words about trying to not draw more attention to her. She wondered when her sometimes absent-minded boyfriend became so careful.

Neji looked at Hinata and shook his head softly. “It would seem that Hanabi kissed Sai’s cheek, and the former ANBU is not quite sure what to make of it.” 

Hinata's eyes widened before she smiled. “I remember a certain person who was confused when Tenten made a similar action.”

Neji’s face turned a light shade of pink before defending himself. “I knew what it meant! I was just surprised!”

Sai looked at Neji, noting that he was sure him and Tenten were a couple, and wondering why he was embarrassed by the information.

Kakashi sighed before sitting next to Sai. “Okay, Sai, let me explain this to you.” He gave his normal eye crease of a smile. “When Sakura and I got together, she kissed me.” He smiled at the memory. “Now, me and Sakura had been treading that boundary between friendship and romance for awhile, and Sakura is also a grown woman and bold about it, so her crossing such boundaries in a bold manner suits her.” 

Sai stared at his team leader with curiosity. “So, a kiss is a show of affection…”

Kakashi nodded. “Yes. Or lust, take your pick, it all depends on the situation. It can even be both…” He added the end with a sly tone.

“Kakashi!” Naruto hissed, hating the insinuation behind it. Hinata turned a little red herself now and hushed Naruto.

“In terms of the young Hanabi, Hyuga tends to be more reserved. She’s not as shy as her elder sister, but she won’t cross such blatant boundaries as Sakura would. Not to mention she’s also a young girl who tends to be more insecure.”

“So, Hanabi, is expressing romantic interest in myself?” Sai concluded out loud.

Hinata giggled softly. “Yes, and believe me I hear all about it. She’s quite curious about you.” 

Sai frowned. “But she is fourteen …”

Naruto had finally calmed down but chuckled nonetheless. “How many years are between Kakashi and us again?” He said with a smirk.

“Hey now, that was... different.”

Sai was not quite convinced. “She’s so… Young.”

Hinata nodded, and Neji showed no response. They were well aware that Hiashi seemed to kind of like the ninja, but it was never talked about in ways of now idea. 

“It would seem pretty much everyone besides our medic is awake.” Shikamaru commented as he walked up to the scene, the concern hidden somewhere in his lazy tone.

Kakashi took a look around and nodded. “She needs the rest…”

Everyone nodded, well aware of the unspoken.

“Let’s start packing up and covering our tracks while we wait for her to wake up. We need to get moving quickly in case of injury to Ino.”Yamato called out as he began taking down his tent and repacking his gear which he had already pulled out of the shelter.

Everyone followed suit, packing up their own shelters while Kakashi stood watch, keeping a close eye on the perimeter. After about an hour, Sakura came out of the tent. She had slept for almost two hours since falling back to sleep.

He glanced at her, and was happy to see she seemed much more rested and calm. The stiffness in her body was gone. Her hair was put up pulled back and she seemed just as confident as she was any other day. He smiled softly behind his mask.

“Have any of you ate since yesterday?” She crossed her arms and eyed her squad. She knew ninja had a bad habit of eating poorly on missions.

They looked at each other before laughing nervously.

She huffed. “Figures. Don’t even think of putting that fire out.” She ducked back into the tent before coming out with her pack. She always brought things to cook quickly on missions that were of actual sustenance. She fished out finding one of her storage scrolls before making the hand signs to release it as it rolled open. She started plucking around finding things she knew her usual team members liked.

“Ramen!” Naruto pounced over to her to grab one of the instant cups. “I already know where I’m going to get the water!” He whispered excitedly.

Sakura just rolled her eyes as Naruto bounded off to some stream nearby. “There’s jerky and dried fruit rations as well. Help yourself.”

She stood up and walked away. She began pulling the cots and things from the tent while everyone found something to eat from her scroll.

Kakashi came back to help her silently. They packed everything up quickly. Once the tent and the rest of their belongings was packed up she eyed Kakashi. “Did you eat?” 

He nodded and gave his normal eye crease as he held a bag of fruit and a bag of jerky. “I was going to make sure you did as well.” He said as he tossed her the bag of dried fruit.

She caught it with ease before her lips formed a small smile.

“Everyone, get back in formation and let’s head out.”

Kakashi summoned one of his ninken. “Lead Yamato and Neji to the hideout, Pakkun.” 

Pakkun bounded up to the front with Yamato and Neji, following his orders.

“What the fuck is your deal, Sasuke?” The blonde spat out venomously as he dropped her to the ground in front of Orochimaru.

“What is this?” The elder man asked curiously.

“Motivation.” Sasuke said bluntly.

Ino hands her tied behind her back but she still forced herself into a sitting position and stared back at Sasuke. “You’ve got some fucking nerve.” She spat.

Sasuke looked back at her. “I forgot how chatty you were.” He scowled.

“I forgot how painfully arrogant you were.” She growled.

“Is this the Yamanaka girl?” Orochimaru asked.

“Yes, she’s Sakura’s best friend.” He glared at the floor. “Turns out, she’s not so head over heels for me anymore. She’s slutting around with Kakashi.”

Ino fumed. “Oh wait, that’s right, she was just supposed to wait for your self righteous ass to just suddenly decide revenge wasn’t more important! Sorry, I forgot to remind her when she smiled a real smile for the first time since you left her on a fucking bench.” She seethed. “At least Kakashi has a fucking heart.”

Orochimaru chuckled. “Well, she’s terribly feisty.”

Ino turned to look at the creepy man before her. She had heard enough about him. He killed the third hokage. Tried to kill Naruto. She knew he was the deranged teammate of Jiraiya and Tsunade. 

“Ah yes, the irony. One traitor trained by another.” She retorted in disgust.

“I imagine your plan is for Sakura to come rescue her. Her joining us in exchange for Ino’s safety?” Orochimaru pondered.

Sasuke nodded. “I also plan to kill the copycat bastard, I’m sure he’ll be with her.”

Orochimaru laughed. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you Sasuke.” 

“I don’t know what the fuck he’s got to be jealous over.” Ino glared at the two men before he.

Sasuke slapped her across the face. “None of your goddamn business.”

Ino glared at him as she spat the blood from her teeth cutting into her cheek at him. “Everything about my best friend is my goddamn business, you prick.” She narrowed her cerulean eyes at him. “Then again, you know a damned thing about friendship, would you!” She continued to glare at him, her body tense and ready to react to more blows. “And if you think for a second any of us will let her join you, you don’t know the first thing about being a Leaf shinobi!” 

“How do you expect them to find us?”

“I’m sure they have a whole squad coming for us, and Kakashi has his ninken to track. I didn’t bother trying to hide myself.”

The snake shinobi frowned. “That means I’ll need a new hideout when this is all over, what a shame.”

“You’re the one who wanted Sakura in the first place.” Sasuke chided irritably.

Ino stared on in disgust. “What the fuck for?”

“To heal these wretched arms.” Orochimaru sneered.

“You think she’s going to help you?” Ino laughed now. “Sakura wouldn’t do a damn thing for you, even if her life depended on it.”

“True, but now it’s yours that depends on it.” He chuckled darkly. 

Ino glared. “Team Kakashi won’t be the only people coming, you know.” Then she smiled. “I would just bet my own team leader is itching to do some damage to the man that killed his father.” 

Orochimaru gave a sinister smile before licking his lips and kneeling down to Ino eye level. “I’ll kill him just as easily as I killed Hiruzen-Sensei, darling.”  

She glared. “Oh yes, so easily. That's why you had to call upon the first and second right?” She smirked. “Because you knew you couldn’t beat him on your own.”

Ino shivered then, the fear setting in, even as she braved against them. She hoped there would be enough people to save her, and that Sakura wouldn’t really sacrifice herself to him.

She longed for Choji’s embrace right about now, the feeling of safeness she felt in his arms. Here it was cold. Everything was, the air, the floor. Sasuke and Orochimaru just looked cold hearted as they stood there silently, just waiting.

She wondered what she ever saw in Sasuke back then. He was always cold and distant. Arrogant. He couldn’t be bothered with any of them. She remembered what she had heard Naruto tell of the story.

I’m done playing ninja.

“It shouldn’t be too long before they arrive.” Sasuke said, before grabbing a kunai and grabbing Ino roughly by the hair and raising her up. He stabbed her in the top of her thigh, not vital but enough to bleed and cause a lot of pain. She cried out in pain and thrashed, trying to get away from him.

“You sick bastard…” She growled out as she clenched her teeth in pain. 

Sasuke just smirked. “Just a little more motivation.” He chuckled darkly. “They should be here soon, I wonder how many they sent.”

Orochimaru smiled pleasantly. “Ah, well the more the merrier.” He stated with a sinister pleasantry lilting in his voice.

She groaned out in pain, her breathing ragged. It hurt so much, but she could heal it. She was trying to decide if it was such a good idea. If she healed this non-life threatening wound, would they dish out that was? Was that a risk worth taking? 

For now, she decided to deal with the pain. She’d prefer to at least be alive if her friends were coming to the trouble of retrieving her. And she knew they would, there was now way they would leave her behind.

Not Sakura. Not Choji. She knew she drove Shikamaru insane but she didn’t doubt his loyalty for a second, not one bit. She bit her lip, tears pricking her eyes, but she fought them. She growled out as she ground her teeth. If she was going down, she’d be damned if she was a little bitch about it.

She couldn’t tell how much time had passed as she watched her blood pool around the floor. It seemed to be forever, just sitting in silence. She turned and wretched around to try and not so much pressure on her arms. She could feel that there were rope burns on her wrists at this point. They were burning and she could feel an extra sting of pain everytime she moved. It was agonizing. She had just let her eyes slip closed when something brushed against her.

Mice? She glanced around before she realized it was an ink creature. 

Hope rushed through her veins as she realized it was the same scouting mice she heard Sakura tell her Sai used. She heard the angry voice of one certain blonde knucklehead echo through the corridors. 

“SASUKE!” 

She saw wood penetrate the floor around and create a cage over her body. She wanted to panic at first, before she sensed the chakra signature.

Or rather, signatures. Her eyes widened as she realized how many of them came. Some of them were even unfamiliar. 

Sasuke jerked his head to somewhere down the hall, she supposed the entrance.

“I expected them… Later.” His eyes narrowed. “Surely they had to rest.”

Orochimaru laughed. “Ninja from the lead are persistent, don’t you remember?” He looked over at Ino, distaste clear in his yellow eyes. “Of course, my experiment is here. Tsk.”

“Ino!” Sakura called out, the distress clear in her voice. 

Panic rose in the blonde's heart. Why the hell is she out in the open! She should have been somewhere safe, stayed back. Not right here with them. No, no, no. That’s not how this is supposed to fucking work, damnit.

“Sakura…” Sasuke called out in his distant, but deep lilting tone.

She heard the footsteps hasten. So many steps. She was shocked. What were there, maybe 9 people? No, there’s more…

“Sasuke!” 

“Naruto, get her out of here!” Ino screamed.

They came running into the room where she could see them now. Yamato, Neji, and that one little pug of Kakashi’s. They were followed by Shikamaru, Choji, and Temari?! Another Hyuga(is that Hanabi?) and Sai? And then there was Asuma, Sakura and Kakashi, followed by Naruto and Hinata. 

Twelve people. All for her. She knew she was the next head of one of the five main clans, but she didn’t think they would risk so many of their best ninja against Orochimaru, even for that length. 

Tears flowed down her cheeks. “Choji, Shika!” She sobbed, not able to seem so strong anymore. What good would she have really done for herself? Her hands were tied, she couldn’t have made a single hand sign if she wanted. She wasn’t Sakura, she couldn’t channel chakra into strength to break the ropes.

“Shut it!” Sasuke snapped. His eyes landed on Sakura. “Have you made a decision then?”

Her eyes were dark emerald and angry as she met Sasuke’s gaze. Her eyes slid over to Orochimaru, the same disgust lying in them. “Let Ino go.” 

Ino couldn’t ever remember a time when her pink haired friend sounded so dangerous.

“I believe there was an arrangement in order for this to happen.”

Kakashi had his sharingan uncovered and activated. He stood tall and foreboding, ready and waiting for someone to make a wrong move. Him and Asuma on either side of Sakura, Asuma had his chakra blades out, ready to attack.

She felt something wrap around her wrist. She looked down to find a shadow circling her arm. 

Sakura took a step forward. “You will release her before I do anything.”

“I’m afraid that’s not how this works…” Orochimaru said sweetly.

Sasuke’s eyes didn’t leave Sakura. He grabbed his katana, moving to weave it through the wood limbs surrounding her to stab her once more.

Suddenly the wood moved and wrapped around his wrist, and shoved him out.

“Now!” Shikamaru called. She quickly ripped the ropes with his shadows.

The wood dispersed from Ino before she jumped up and heaved herself in their direction as she sent a burst of healing chakra to the gash on her thigh. 

Orochimaru went to stand before finding himself paralyzed. His eyes narrowed deeply. “A Nara.” Before he shot out his snake sword toward Ino.

Hinata was in front of her in an instant. “Protecting Eight Trigrams Sixty Four Palms!”She continued to block the blows of the sword from Ino. 

She lurched towards them once more, before Choji ran for her and brought his arms around her. “I’ve got you.”

“Ino! Are you alright!” Temari ran over to her, immediately cutting the fabric around her wound. “I’m so sorry, we didn’t get to the village in time to warn you!” 

Sakura ran to heal her, knowing Shikamaru could only hold Sasuke and Orochimaru for so long. “Oh my god…”

“Motivation…” Ino grumbled. “It wasn’t fatal, just painful and lots of blood…” She huffed.

She turned to Temari and offered a smile. “It’s no problem, really.”

After Sakura finished she turned around. She channeled chakra into her fist as she ran towards Sasuke and punched him straight in the face. She heard the definitive crack of his jaw breaking. Temari hurriedly bandaged the wound properly.  

Shikamaru let the shadows go as his arms began shaking and he couldn’t hold them anymore, and the part of the plan was done now. 

“I will never fucking be a part of this.” She seethed. Orochimaru was on her in an instant, but not before Kakashi and Naruto were at her back. 

“You won’t lay a finger on her!” Naruto growled.

She shot another chakra laden punch into his chest, knocking the breath out of him just as he was about to perform his fire jutsu. 

She was the distraction, using the main target to keep their attention. She hoped it worked.

Sasuke's eyes became activated just before Neji’s hit landed, neutralizing his chakra use. Another hit, and he’s unconscious

Sasuke fell to the ground, another thump following Orochimaru’s body doing the same from Hanabi’s gentle fist.

Everything held silent as they held their breath, ready to attack, just in case it didn’t work.

Naruto was the first to loosen. “I still don’t understand why!”

Yamato sighed. “This mission to retrieve Ino, and it was supposed to be before she got here.” 

“We need to go, they won’t be out for long.” Neji said distantly, his byakugan active. “The chakra is already breaking the barriers. Hanabi needs to leave now.”

He retained a fighting stance as Yamato nodded.

“We all need to leave now.”

Kakashi watched Orochimaru carefully. “How many of you have emergency transfer scrolls?” 

Yamato, Asuma, Temari, and Neji indicated they had them. 

“My scroll is for my village, but I need to report back there anyway…” Temari explained.

Yamato nodded. “Everyone divides up into groups of three then.” He stated matter of factly.

“Hinata and Hanabi can come with me, ours is set in the Hyuga compound unlike the rest.” 

“Asuma, take Choji and Ino. Take her straight to the hospital after.” Sakura said in her medic voice, an order not a request.

“I’ll take Sakura and Naruto.”Kakashi said plainly.

“That leaves Sai and Shikamaru for my scroll.” Yamato smiled curtly.

Temari gave Shikamaru a chaste kiss on the cheek. “I’ll contact you as soon as I can.”

He nodded before returning a discreet kiss on her forehead before she made her signs with her scroll and disappeared.

The four with scrolls quickly made the signs over them as their pairs held onto them in some way. Just as Sasuke’s eyes opened, the air around them swirled and went fuzzy as their surroundings changed.

Sakura felt her stomach turn, this particular jutsu was harder on the body, which is why it was for emergencies. She felt dizzy.

They all appeared at the gates, with the exception of the Hyugas. 

She instantly grabbed onto Kakashi’s arm as the world continued to spin. She closed her eyes as she waited for it to fade away. She felt hands on her hips, steadying her.

She heard Naruto whine. “I hate doing that.” He huffed.

“Agreed.” She groaned. 

Kakashi chuckled. “Nausea and dizziness is much better than being mortally injured or dead.”

Naruto straightened and nodded. He watched Sakura before taking a deep breath. “You need to go to the hospital too.” 

Kakashi raised an eyebrow at him, surprised Naruto was going to be the one to address this further.

“Why does Forehead need to go to the hospital?”

Everyone went silent, looking at one another, deciding who would tell, if they would tell. If it was worth Sakura’s wrath to tell.

The blonde narrowed her eyes before setting them on Sakura. “You had better tell me.”

“I’m fine.” Sakura tried to insist as she opened her eyes and stood straight. The world was no longer spinning.

Kakashi frowned. “Sakura…”

Naruto groaned. “Stop that! You can’t get mad at us for not taking care of ourselves if you won’t do it!” 

Sakura wanted to knock him upside the head, but she knew he was right. And she was trying to get a hold on her anger issues these days. 

“Sasuke used his genjutsu on me when I refused to go with him… Before he abducted you.”

“Sakura!” Ino stood up with effort and stomped over to her, well as much as you could stomp with a limp. “Let’s go. Infection check for me, psych eval for you. You idiot!” The blonde simmered. “What the hell were you thinking going on that mission! Did you even tell Tsunade!”

 “I was saving you!” She huffed as Ino grabbed her arm and started dragging her towards the hospital.

“They could have done that without putting you at risk, damnit!” 

“I’d be damned if I wasn’t on the rescue squad when I was the reason you were kidnapped in the first place!”

Ino stopped and looked at her seriously. “You cannot seriously be blaming yourself for this.” She frowned. “Sasuke being a traitorous and unrightfully jealous bastard is not your fault.” Ino sighed exasperated. “So help me, Forehead, if you ever risk yourself for me again, I’m going to knock you into next month, you hear me!” Ino shrieked at her. 

Sakura grumbled as she crossed her arms. They walked on to the hospital for a minute, before Sakura stopped and hiked Ino up onto her back, insisting she only worsen the damage by toughing through the pain, telling her she did stop the bleeding but nothing else.

Shikamaru came to stand by them. “Sakura is just as troublesome as Ino isn’t she?” He smiled softly.

“I wouldn’t call her troublesome, but stubborn is definitely a word that comes to mind.” Kakashi smiled and laughed before it died out.

“She really would have given herself to them if there was no other way, wouldn’t she have?” Asuma stated.

Naruto frowned. Kakashi nodded.

“Why! She just got with you. She's the head medic of the village! She’s supposed to be my advisor, alongside Shikamaru, when I become hokage!” He emblazoned. “Why would she give all that up, to become miserable, a missing nin, and Sasuke’s personal baby maker!”

The entire thought made Kakashi ground his teeth, but he understood. He couldn’t be too mad at her for it, because he would have done the same for any of the current Team Kakashi.

Shikamaru shook his head. “Naruto, if you really think about it, it makes sense.” 

“Her and Ino are the same in a lot of ways. Rivals all the same. Ino and her both take care of other people, long before they take care of themselves. Ino checks us over herself, even after mandatory mission return check ups. She makes sure we eat, go out and socialize.”

“She makes us live a little, not just be a ninja. It’s bothersome but it’s necessary.” Shikamaru laughed. “Let me guess, Sakura chases you down and heals you all herself? I know you have a habit of avoiding hospitals at all costs. Kakashi. Naruto, you think you’re invincible. Sai, you just follow the suit of the other males in the team, right?”

Yamato nodded. “Even though I go for my visits, Sakura always comes to check and make sure everything was healed correctly.”

“Sakura blamed herself for this, she blames herself for a lot of things. She felt responsible for Ino’s safety as her friend but also because she feels like if she had agreed to go, she wouldn’t have been hurt in the first place.” Kakashi sighed.

Everyone began to go their own ways as Kakashi began walking home, sure that Sakura would come to his place after she was done at the hospital. There was a dreadful feeling in his chest, the very feeling he was so intimidated by before he finally let himself love her fully. That fear of losing her, the thing he would have to get used to living with. 

She wouldn’t always be safe within the hospital, within the walls of the village. Sometimes her medical capabilities would be required on missions. Sometimes she would go on missions with her team, just like the past couple days.

He couldn’t stop protecting her, but he couldn’t expect her to put them first. He started to realize why most couples aren’t on teams together.

But he’s loved her before and it worked, it had to keep working. 

He steered away from the path to his apartment, towards the grave stone. He found his way there easily. He weaved his way through the village and it’s people with ease. 

He stood at the cenotaph once again, like a stone. Silent and sad. His shoulders were hanging. Relationships of any kind have always been difficult. Everything seemed like it would be easy with Sakura. Now he feared this need for her would start to interfere with that. She didn’t like being treated like she was fragile. 

She seemed so mad at first, was she still mad? Did she understand? Was he actually selfish like she said, or was she just angry because he wasn’t going to let her sacrifice herself?

He knew she didn’t have any less value for him, but it didn’t make it hurt less that she was willing to give him up so… Easily?

Could it really be that easy, to choose saving Ino over having a life with him? To save Ino and have to be demeaned to nothing more than a homemaker by Sasuke everyday?  Something she didn’t want, or at least not at this current point in her life?

There’s no way that was an easy conclusion, but how could she just accept it so well?

Then he thought of every time he’s thrown himself to her protection, the exact same thoughts flowing in his mind as hers for Ino

As long as she will be okay...

“God, I don’t know how the hell I’m supposed to do this…” He sighed out loud. “Sakura takes the protecting ones she cares for to such an extreme degree… How is it I was able to let myself love her now, but fifteen years ago, I couldn’t let myself love you? Even when I tried? I don’t feel healed. I don’t feel any less… Pain.” 

He ran his hand along Rin’s name on the stone. “She’d make the same decisions you made without a second thought. She’s so much like you, Rin…” He smiled. “Falling for the distant team mate and being such a caring person, never giving up on people. She believes in Naruto just as much you believed in Obito. Falling for me.”

“Why do they parallel us so much? Our team and the sannin, in so many ways. In some ways, it’s so painful to watch.” He frowned behind his mask. “But in so many ways, they are so much better. I believe in them.”

“I have to believe in them. Not because I love them, not because they’re my team, or because they are the first genin I ever passed. Because they are the ones to lead the next generation.”

He smiled, looking up at the sky. “I can see it clear as day more and more as I spend more time with these jounin and chuunin. The Third had such a big flame, and it burns within each of this class, the ones who witness his death.”

“I come here to talk to you and Obito often, always after missions. This one scared me, the simple thought to lose Sakura, even if she still lived, wretched at my heart. It was so different. It was terrifying, really.” He laughed.

 “Ah yes, so funny, something scares the legendary copy cat ninja, the cold blooded killer of ANBU. He’d fall apart if he lost one little ill tempered medic. Sounds kind of cliche in a way?” He pondered. “I bet Jiraiya knew we’d be together long before it was a thought in our hearts. He probably would have written an Icha-Icha novel with the main characters in love resembling us in subtle ways.”

The copy nin stared at the stone. “Things are different now than they were back then. After Minato-sensei passed…” He tensed a bit. “I was… I couldn’t take it. It was too much. I couldn’t see Naruto without it bringing everything back. I just went back to ANBU, a deadly tool for the village. It wasn’t until Kurenai and Gai pleaded to the Third that I got out.  Feeling anything hurt too much, so I didn’t let myself feel.” He smiled wide. “And then they put that little brat on my team, except now calling him that is a term of endearment.”

“I remember how uncanny it was when I first saw them. Naruto instantly reminded me of Obito, acting like a fool and spewing about being hokage. Absolutely in love with Sakura and cared so much for her.” He ran a hand over Obito’s name on the stone. “Sakura was just like you, open and caring, and head over heels for the other teammate. Sasuke was a spitting image of me; cold, dutiful, and distant. A prodigy, the last of his clan. When they passed the test, I couldn’t refuse them. I tried to be what Minato was, but I’ve felt I never filled that expectation. Sasuke never listened to me the way I listened to him…” 

Kakashi huffed and looked at her name again. “How were you able to love me, how is she able to? I’m no good at this. I like being in control of things, but now it feels like everything is slipping from my grasp. I had steeled myself, told myself no matter how I felt, I would never act on my feelings. I’d never be able to be what she needs anyway, I couldn’t be that for you…”

“How did I know I’d find you here, sulking like always?” 

Kakashi turned to the voice of the senbon user. “What do you need?” He tried to sound bored.

“I think the real question is, what do you need?” Genma looked at his hand on the stone, placed over Rin’s name. “We all know she’s like her, you know.” He chuckled. “It’s part of how we could tell you fell for her. I bet they would have been best friends. I can see it now, Rin taking Sakura around the hospital as an intern. Welcoming and cheery. Ready to teach her the entire medic nin way.”

Kakashi smiled and chuckled a bit himself.

“You know, talking to your dead friends about advice is counterproductive.” He drawled past his senbon. “They can’t answer you, and tell you’re acting like an idiot, like a completely normal man. ” 

Kakashi glared at him slightly. “Just how am I being an idiot?” 

“You’re not going to mess it up, and you think you will. You’re staring at Rin’s name, thinking about how you couldn't love her, even when you tried at first, so how can you possibly love Sakura?” The brunette deadpanned.

Kakashi stared at him. “That wasn’t exactly… What I was thinking.”

“Sure it wasn’t, but it is in between the lines of your thoughts. I’ll tell you the answer. You refused to feel anything back then, we all knew it. We all seen it, and it started to look like our arrogant bastard friend wasn’t coming back, those three went to the Hokage.” Genma smirked. “You still tried to be distant but we, I drug you out of the house.”

He bounced his senbon. “You refused to teached anyone until the angsty mix of two failed team become one come across you. Nostalgia hits and something in you turns and you wonder many, many things and suddenly decide it’s worth trying life again. I’ll let you think back on what some of those thoughts were.”

What is Minato’s son really like?

Can I help Sasuke not become like me?

Will Naruto become Hokage like Obito wanted to, or will he tragically die too?

Sakura reminds me so much of Rin, it hurts. 

She also seems to act like a lovesick teenager, not a shinobi.

They actually passed, they cared more for their teammates than rules…

“What brought you here today? Besides the guilt of surviving yet another mission past them. What’s really the stress here?”

Genma had always been blunt, he learned a long time ago it did no good to tiptoe around the silver haired man. Just get to the point, it’ll irritate him either way.

Kakashi stared at him a moment before sighing. “It didn’t strike me just exactly how similar she was to Rin until today. Sure, she was caring and outgoing like Rin, but she was also ill-tempered. Today, when she was willing to sacrifice herself to save Ino, she had accepted it openly. Willing to give up everything she has, everyone she has. Her job, her future as the medical director, being by Naruto’s side, being a medic. Being a kunoichi.” There was a shudder that went through him as the memory came back, one he tried not to recall ever. “Just as Rin gave her life to my chidori without a second thought to save the village… Sakura was ready t give up everything if it meant we would be safe from them...” 

“Give up you, and your relationship.” Genma said plainly, not beating around the bush like Kakashi was. “Kakashi, you do realize it’s acceptable to not be okay with that? You’re her man, of course you’re not okay with her throwing herself to the fire. Or to feel even an inkling of doubt when you witness something like that.”

“But I understood it!” Kakashi defended. “I couldn’t be mad at her, because I would have done the same thing for her, for Naruto, for our team or even you! Asuma, Kurenai, or Guy!”

“You can accept something, and still be hurt by it.” Genma said dryly. “I thought you of all people would understand that? Or is that why you have your hand on Rin’s name? Even though no matter how many times we tell you it’s not your fault, you still don’t believe it. She loved you, and she loved this village, and it’s people. So does Sakura, and I guarantee you she would have done the same damn thing if she had been Rin instead of Sakura. But that’s one thing you love about her, isn’t it? Her sense of duty, even past her emotions?”

 Genma’s gaze flickered over his shoulder and then he smiled. “Kakashi, we’re ninja. Our lives hang by a thread and things change every day. No one expects you to let go of the one person you let in completely. Not even her.” He winked before puffing away in a cloud of smoke after a series of hand signs.

Kakashi felt her chakra before he heard her. He couldn’t turn to look at her, what if she’s still angry? Angry that he wouldn’t have let her do it if it came down to it? 

He felt her hand on his shoulder, and it squeezed. It trailed down his back, before she wrapped her arms around his waist, and buried her face between his shoulder blades. He took a deep breath and let alone but it didn’t release a single bit of tension. His hand was still over Rin’s name, it wouldn’t even be the first time she found him like this.

He felt her chest expand against his back, but she said nothing. He tried to keep breathing. Her presence calmed him, even just the tiniest of bits. She would wait until he was ready to talk, she always had waited. 

Why was she able to be so patient with him? Would she ever tire of it, of him? 

How much did she hear? Is she mad that he was here, comparing her to the girl he might have loved and married if life wasn’t so cruel? He couldn’t love her then, but would she be like Sakura is now if she had ever made it to adulthood? Patient, caring, never giving up. 

He was sure she would have. 

He sighed. “Sakura… I’m s-”

“Kakashi, are you really about to apologize for comparing me to Rin, for seeing parts of the girl you loved in me?” There was a touch of humour and affection in her voice and it surprised him.

He turned around to face her, glancing down at her face, and caught the happy glimmer in her eyes.

“I…”

“You’re not the first or only one to see it, or tell me. We learned about her in the academy you know, it’s even taught that she had loved you.” She placed her hands on his face. “And there is no shame in realizing that if given the chance, you would have loved her back. That you love her now. I’ve known that for forever.”

“And it doesn’t...bother you?” 

“Why would it?” 

“Uh… Most women don’t like comparisons.”

“Most women also have types and so do men. I don’t think it’s insulting to know you fell in love with another medic who insistently took care of you, even if you were indifferent and distant.”

“Damaged.” He said softly.

She frowned, before pulling him to start walking back to his apartment. “We’re all damaged. That’s part of our lifestyle.”

“What’s it with you medics being overly understanding.” He chided.

“Empathy makes the job worth it.”

He smiled sadly. “Life’s unfair, you shouldn’t have to bear burdens such as emotionally stupid men like me.”

“Stop that, you deserve someone who cares for you, you’ve spent the last however long sacrificing yourself and feeling guilt over people who cared for you. You’re far from a burden. You’ve more good than harm to me.”

 “But now I have you… who frets about her teammates' health. Who believes in her idiot best friend, falls for the distant and damaged boy, and is more than ready and willing to give her life to save someone else’s. However, I can’t say Rin had a temper or loved our sensei romantically... ” He cracked a smile under his mask.

“Hey, my temper is usually justified...And she loved you, which is similar enough.”

His eyes softened. “I think you both have this incessant need to take care of people. Or the whole village itself.” He sighed. “And it scares me that I’ll lose you to that, just like I lost her…”

“And to take care of you.” Sakura said before kissing his masked cheek. “I’ll bet she’s up there, happy that you are happy, that there’s someone that cares for you as much as she did.”

“Maybe…” He kissed the top of her head. 

“I can’t promise you that I wouldn’t do the same as her, because we both know it’d be a lie.” She sighed. “But I would never expect you to agree with it…”

“Were you mad at me this morning?”

“No. I couldn’t stay mad anyway. I can’t be mad at you for loving me, Kakashi…”

“I still think you deserve better. Rin deserved better. So much better…”

Sakura nodded. “But so do you, now let yourself be happy this time.” She squeezed his hand before he nodded softly.

“I came here today because I remember barely surviving mentally after Rin died, especially from my jutsu, even if it wasn’t my fault, her blood was on my hands…” He squeezed her hand, hard. “Minato-sensei was the reason I made it through that, and when he died… It was you three that brought me back, and at first it was just pure curiosity. But now you’re my family, my precious people, and I love you. I don’t know if I could survive losing that again.”

“You better not be blaming yourself for Sasuke again…” 

Kakashi shook his head and glared at the ground. “No, not for this, Not for how far gone he is. I blame myself from not being able to stop him from leaving. Not for what… Not for how he is today.”

“You know, he won’t stop.” 

“Neither will I.” Kakashi looked at her as they entered his apartment. “I will die protecting you before I ever let him take you from me unless it was of your own desires to be with him, not go be a martyr to save the village from his wrath at the cost of your happiness.”

Sakura went to open her mouth to argue against before snapping it back shut. She remembered Ino, Tsunade and Shizune telling her one time a long time ago.

When someone decides they will take care of us, because we absolutely refuse to do it ourselves, don’t fight it. Just let them, because it’ll be useless to fight it anyway, because they love you and won’t sit back and watch you destroy yourself. 

One of these days, some hot ass shinobi is going to make you sit down and be cared for instead of being the one doing the caring, and you had better let him. 

Sakura kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She felt his strong hands grab her waist and hold her close. “I’ll be counting on it, cause someone has to, and I’d trust no one else but you…” She whispered into the kiss as he picked her up from the ground. “I love you, too…”

[saki-chan16]

✨Back on my bullshit✨

I'm currently writing four naruto fanfics. I write Sakura centric stories y'all, just a forewarning. Let a girl know if you like any of the ideas mentioned! My pride and joy is The Bloody Blossom because I've been writing her for 6 years. Feel free to check that out on Fanfiction (dot)net or Wattpad under Sakura-san14 ✌️

For the others (which are not published) ~

Weeping Cherry - this one centers around Sakura's parents being murdered by the zombie duo when she's very young (between 4-6). They're traveling merchants and she's an aspiring kunochi. She's saved by an ANBU squad who happens to be passing through and take her to the Leaf after being orphaned. I plan on having her be a little revenge centered but nothing too crazy. Pretty sure I'll have some Papa Kakashi in this & HEAVY involvement of his pups. It's also non-mass so we get Uchiha goodness (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.) Also, not sure on a pairing yet but I'm leaning towards ItaSaku or SasuSaku or even NejiSaku. Thoughts? Does it sound good?

Oh Raven ~ this one centers around Itachi and Sakura. I want it non-mass however I do want this to showcase the power struggle Itachi is dealing with between his clan and the 3rd Hokage. Sakura will be a young girl he looks out for because she's always alone and he finds out she's being bullied; he takes it upon himself to befriend her so she isn't alone. Fluff. Sweet. I haven't thought farther than getting past the power struggle when she's still very young, so I'm not sure where to bring it. Thoughts? Suggestions?

& finally

{This one doesn't have a title yet} : The Uchiha, Haruno, and Uzumaki clans are close. It all started with Fugaku and Kizashi going on ANBU missions together, the 4th Hokage looking for friends for his wife, and it eventually morphed into family diners and friendships. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura grow up as close as siblings, never far away from the other. How will this change things? What will their team dynamic be? Will they ever stop being so protective? Thoughts? Suggestions?

[kitsunefireshadow]

Chapters: 3/? Fandom: Ao no Exorcist | Blue Exorcist, Naruto Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Okumura Rin/Suguro "Bon" Ryuuji, Haruno Sakura/Uzumaki Naruto, Other Naruto Character(s)/Original Character(s) Characters: Okumura Rin, Ao no Exorcist Ensemble, Other Naruto Character(s) Additional Tags: Angst, Protective Kushina, BAMF Okumura Rin, Crossover, Rin deserves all the things, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Not Canon Compliant, Naruto AU, Manga & Anime, Okumura Rin Protection Squad Summary:

The training camp fiasco is over and Rin's secret is out in the open. Mephisto takes measures to ensure Rin's safety and mental health by having Kushina take him in. He has a new life with teammates/classmates that understand him. But what happens when his past comes back into his life with a bang?