Notes: Here we are, at the end of this adventure and what an adventure it has been! Thank you for your support through the years; it is what pushed this story to be what it is and brought about its completion. I hope to have your support in future endeavors. I'm not really sure what else to say, though I suppose I'll leave you with the meaning of this work's title:

Satori
noun

Sudden enlightenment.

[Read] Between the Lines
figure of speech

To deduce hidden meanings from what is actually said and written. The term comes from cryptography, in which one kind of code actually presents a message on every second line, with a quite different sense imparted if one reads the intervening lines as well.

Satori (Between the Lines)
Chapter 30

Sakura is shuffled off into Ibiki's office as the clan leaders begin to arrive. She meets Chōza's inquisitive, concerned gaze with a wan smile before she's closed off from them. Sakura doesn't begrudge Anko, Ibiki, or Jiraiya for cloistering her away like this; she's heard more than enough state secrets tonight.

Sakura slumps into Ibiki's chair, figure dwarfed by the seat suited for Ibiki's stature. She rubs at her eyes, exhaustion hitting her like a wall. It's been a long night, truthfully it's been a long couple of months. A weight has lingered over Sakura since Torune's disappearance, since she was given his goodbye bouquet. But now?

Sakura's heart warms as she remembers Anko, Ibiki, and Jiraiya's grim determination.

She's glad that there are others to share in the burden.

"Sakura, are you alright?" Kizashi rushes into the room, face pale. "They wouldn't say what happened."

"Otou-san," Sakura says, leaping up from her seat to throw herself at her father. "I'm okay."

Kizashi catches her easily, lifting her until they are eye level with each other. Even though Sakura knows on an intellectual level that the shinobi she surrounds herself with are far stronger physically, Sakura's never felt safer than in her father's arms. The tension drops from her entirely as she holds his gaze.

"Are you?" Kizashi asks, brushing back her bangs. His expression is solemn. "You haven't been well in a while."

"I know," Sakura replies. She leans into his warmth, soaking in his steady presence. Mebuki, upon ascertaining Sakura's safety, demanded to attend the clan head meeting. It was something to see Mebuki cow three high-level Intelligence officers into submission. "It's been difficult. I'm sorry that I've been difficult."

"Hey now," Kizashi says, jostling her. "That wasn't what I was saying. Your best friend disappeared under mysterious circumstances; that's bound to affect you drastically. Your mother and I don't blame you for being a bit withdrawn."

Sakura nods into his shoulder. "I've been so worried," she speaks into his shoulder. "About Torune, about Celandine, about my safety and yours." She feels her body shaking with the force of her tears. "I've been so scared."

Kizashi holds her close, the weight of his arms comforting and grounding her. He murmurs nonsensical nothings, doing what he can to soothe Sakura. Eventually, her sobs soften and cease and Sakura closes her eyes, leaning against him in exhaustion. It feels good to let everything out like this.

"You alright?" Kizashi asks. Sakura nods, rubbing away the tacky tear residue. Kizashi hums, the sound vibrating through Sakura too. "So...who's Celandine? Sounds like a boy's name," he grumbles.

Sakura hiccups before devolving into laughter, the tears streaming from her eyes now of joy rather than relief. "Yes, he's a boy, otou-san. But that wasn't the way he introduced himself to me. He introduced himself as 000347…"

0

Anko coils with tension as the last of the clan heads, a bedraggled Tsume, rolls into the interrogation room. Anko slaps a seal on the door, watching as it takes hold. This is the largest of the Intelligence Division's rooms and best suited for a secret meeting like this. They have to move quickly and deftly if they're going to pull this off. Jiraiya's sprouts confirmed everything that Sakura—that Kōri—said.

Anko crosses her arms, latent energy demanding her to move, to scream, to break the bastards who stole Kōri away from the world, away from her. Anko closes her eyes, concentrating on her breath. They'll get what's coming their way; she'll rend them to pieces regardless of how this meeting turns out. Hopefully though, the act won't get her branded as a traitor.

It all depends on these clan heads.

Truthfully, Anko doesn't hold out much hope for the outcome of the meeting; clan heads never did anything for her.

(She remembers those nascent, dewy years, when everything was coated in optimism and she was a bright, rising star. She was nearly scooped by the Hyūga clan for sponsorship, only to instead become the only protege of Orochimaru. Anko suffers no delusions; even if she'd chosen the Hyūga, the story would be much the same: chewed up and spit out by a system that only wanted her as its tool.)

Still, Anko remembers Kōri, what she sacrificed, and Sakura, what she managed to achieve, and Anko dares to hope.

She's already seen the impossible happen today, why not extend the miracles tonight?

"What's this about, Jiraiya?" Shikaku asks, sloe eyes sharp despite his indolent posture. "You aren't the sort to summon us without good reason."

"You aren't the sort to summon us at all," Inoichi says, curiosity brimming in his expression. "Typically, we summon you."

"This isn't a typical sort of day," Jiraiya replies.

This isn't the full Council of Clans, only the members that Anko, Ibiki, and Jiraiya unanimously trusted. As such, only the Aburame, Akimichi, Hatake, Inuzuka, Lee, Nara, Onikuma, and Yamanaka heads are present. Mebuki is there as well, earning some odd looks from the shinobi clan heads, but none of them have spoken against her presence yet. The Uchiha head is included too, even though Jiraiya doesn't particularly trust Fugaku.

After all, the Uchiha were at the center of this conspiracy.

(Anko cannot help but wonder if Jiraiya's distrust of Fugaku is personal or born of prejudices harbored by his teacher. After all, Hiruzen is complicit in the subjection of the Uchiha.)

"What we're about to discuss involves internal sedition," Jiraiya says. Ibiki and Anko flank him, alert for signs of flight or distress. "Treasonous actions that violate the tenets of the Will of Fire have been taking place in Konoha, spanning decades now."

Anko's eyes track the expressions of the different clan heads. She sees the varying levels of shock on each of their faces, all except Fugaku, who appears an interesting cocktail of expectant and resigned.

Curious.

Her eyes cut to Ibiki who nods her way; he's caught it too.

"Which tenets?" Inoichi asks.

"The tenet regarding military drafts," Ibiki replies. " 'During peacetimes, no naturalized citizen of Konoha can be forced or coerced into taking up arms for the sake of the state.' It was one of the first statutes that Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara officially set as law in Konoha. It was to protect children from being forced to take up the fights of their elders."

"Your intel on this is credible?" Tsume asks.

"The initial intel was from Badger," Jiraiya says. Inoichi and Shikaku's gazes flash to Anko, sympathy crossing their expressions. She ignores them, tightening her hands into fists. "I've verified through my own network of sprouts; the intel is good."

"Badger has been MIA for over a decade," Shikaku says, tone even. "How did we receive this intel?"

"It's intel that existed prior to Badger's disappearance. It was...lost in the shuffle of paperwork," Jiraiya mutters. "A recent operative found the cipher and decrypted it."

Anko doesn't listen as Jiraiya rehashes all of Sakura's exploits, scrubbing out the details that trace them back to Sakura. Anko is appreciative of Jiraiya's forethought; the clan heads do not need further cause to scrutinize Sakura.

Still, Anko studies their faces as Jiraiya details the ciphers. She sees the way those with kekkei genkai blanch at the description of extraction and she also sees the speculative gleams in Mebuki, Shikaku, and Chōza's gazes and the cant of Shibi's head as he looks in her direction.

She is sure that they, despite Jiraiya's obfuscation, are aware of the role that Sakura played in all of this.

Most curious of all though is the grim tightening of Fugaku's jaw, like a bow overstrung.

"What's the matter, Fugaku?" Anko asks caustically, interrupting Jiraiya's detailed description of book ciphers. "This old news to you?"

Fugaku's eyes flash and Anko knows he's repressing the urge to activate his Sharingan. She's repressing the urge to roll her eyes; the Uchiha tendency to flash their kekkei genkai as an intimidation technique is tedious and mundane. Scratch that, she's rolling her eyes.

"The specifics are new, but the gist isn't," Fugaku says, sounding like the words are forced from him. "I've discussed my concerns with the Council before, only to be dismissed out of hand."

"It wasn't exactly brought up in this manner," Onikuma Naya says, her tone soothing as she tries to deescalate the tension. Her delicate features are sallow, obviously unbalanced by all the information heard. "You lobbed accusations of subjection without evidence to support you. Now however…"

"We have tried for decades to get anyone to hear us out, my father, his father before him," Fugaku says, strained. "Since the founding of this village, the Uchiha have been treated unfairly. The moment the Uchiha lost to the Senju, we lost all respect and dignity within this village."

There's a damning silence that follows this proclamation.

How can any of them disagree, given the evidence brought by Kōri, Sakura, and Jiraiya's sprouts?

"No one has been willing to listen to our complaints," Fugaku continues. "Children have disappeared from our clan, even from other clans, and yet our investigations were laughed off." He turns his gaze toward Shibi, who looks pale and ill. "Your child is the most recent of many to be abducted by Danzō."'

"We were wrong to dismiss your concerns," Shibi says. "The prejudice against the Uchiha clan has long existed within Konoha." He sighs, gesturing to the papers being passed among the clan leaders. "It's evident that these prejudices were purposefully sown so that Danzō could prey upon your clan. It's also clear that the Council of Elders and the Hokage are complicit in the abduction and destruction of many children." He crosses his arms, staring down the rest of the group. "So, what is the plan? You summoned us here for a reason."

"Badger was sent undercover to investigate Danzō's actions," Shikaku says. "We were aware that he was engaging in illegal activities, however there was no concrete proof. It was a covert operation mounted while the Yondaime Hokage reigned. The project fell apart following his death; there were not enough operatives left to mount an investigation. Given that Sandaime Hokage has clear involvement in the disappearances, he may have wanted to silence the investigation."

"You think he was involved in Badger's disappearance?" Inoichi asks, eyes flashing to Anko.

She grimaces, hating the pity in his gaze.

"It would explain why her documents ended up scrambled across the different Archives," Jiraiya chimes in. "I've had my Summons combing through the Intelligence Division since we were made aware of the original document; several of Badger's codes were mixed in among the wrong documents, all low level in nature. If Badger was aware of Hiruzen's complicity, Badger may not have felt it was safe to submit documents through the official avenues, instead submitting them among all the files of the Archives in the hopes that another operative would come across and decipher them."

Anko clenches her fists, lips curling into a snarl as she stares down at her feet. Just imagining Kōri's desperation tears at Anko. Was Kōri hoping that Anko would come across the documents? She and Ibiki were the only ones who would know Kōri's personal cipher off-hand.

Did Kōri hope that Anko would save her?

"The plan is to tear this shit down," Anko says, voice carrying a bite just daring anyone to speak against her. "Danzō, Hiruzen, Homura, Koharu, all of them go down for their crimes."

"It won't be easy—" Chōza begins.

"Screw easy," Anko snaps. "This is going to be fucking difficult. All of them are celebrated war heroes from the Second Shinobi World War. But all of them are implicated in acts of terrorism against Konoha. No one can deny that they've used and abused children in the pursuit of their aims; children who were not yet made genin and therefore not considered adults in the eyes of the state."

Anko moves to stand before them. She catches each of their eyes, holding them steadily even as some choose to look away in shame. Anko knows that some of them were at least somewhat aware of the goings on in Konoha, choosing to turn a blind eye to the crimes committed against children. After all, how could a single clan stand against the might of the state? But now, looking at the documents, at the files nicked from one of the abandoned laboratories…

"How can we leave this be?" Anko demands. "Who is to say it isn't your child who will be taken next, disappeared for the sake of the state? Listen, we have chosen to train many of our children to become killers; it's training that we ourselves received as children. However, these children did not have a choice nor had they received the flimsy certification we give them to call them adults in the eyes of the state. There is no other way to paint this; these are innocent children abducted and either broken down to be crafted into tools for Danzō's use or broken down into what he considers useful parts. It is not acceptable or excusable."

"Shinobi are only a part of the equation," Shikaku says. "Within the grand scheme of the state, shinobi are a minority; a powerful minority, but a minority nonetheless."

Mebuki scoffs, her eyes hard as steel. It's the first noise she's made throughout the unraveling of the ciphers and uncovering of sedition. "You think that any civilian will choose to back the traitors? It is our children who were preyed upon the most." Mebuki's mouth twists wryly and Anko wonders if she's aware of how close Sakura came to being one of those children. Anko thinks she does. "The Council of Elders and the Hokage preyed upon the most vulnerable of our state for the sake of what they called safety." Mebuki sneers down at the files. "It's clear that any investigations made were paltry at best."

Fugaku stiffens. "Are you insinuating that the Police Force didn't do its job?" he asks, glaring at Mebuki.

Mebuki holds his gaze fearlessly, unknowingly mimicking her daughter. "I'm stating it outright. You said it yourself that the investigations weren't taken seriously. Even comparing the investigations between shinobi children and civilian children reveal discrepancies. There weren't even criminal investigations launched for the civilian children, just wellness checks. Can you claim your officers weren't prejudiced against civilians?"

Mebuki stands, moving past Fugaku to stand alongside Anko. "All of this must come to light. I understand that the state must keep secrets; our highest official is called a 'shadow' after all. But this case must be revealed to Konoha at large. Or, at least, some portion of the truth. Redact the information about kekkei genkai and proprietary clan knowledge. However, it must be made known that these leaders took and broke Konoha's children to further their own agendas. It's the only way to get the civilians on board with a system overhaul." Mebuki gazes over all of them, her eyes cool. "You can even obscure the fact that some of you had more knowledge than you're willing to let on. An operation of this size could not be completed without people acting in apathy or turning a blind eye. It's understandable," she says, lip curling in a sneer. "After all, what can a single clan leader do in the face of their leader demanding compliance?"

Glancing askance at Mebuki's proud mein, Anko can see where Sakura gets her bravery.

"If you wish to have the civilian sector back this decision, you have to give them some information. They possess just as much sense as you; reveal the torture of children and they'll stand with you," Mebuki says.

Fugaku sniffs. There is more respect in his gaze, but from the curl of his lip, Anko can tell he's still in a snit over Mebuki's comment about the Police Force. "And who are you to speak on such things?"

"I am Haruno Mebuki, head of the Haruno merchanting clan," Mebuki replies. "My clan has ties in all of the elemental countries and beyond. I am a member of the honored fire daimyo's committee, assisting him in his decision-making for both the state of Konohagakure and the Land of Fire. I am the lead seat of Konoha's Guild of Merchants. I am a civilian of Konohagakure and I spend most of my days speaking to and on behalf of the civilians of our state. I know the civilians of Konoha; can you say the same?"

Fugaku regards her in turn, the working of his jaw her only response.

"So?" Anko says, feeling her position bolstered by Mebuki's words. "Should we proceed?"

"Yes," Shikaku says. "We must. If we wish to right the wrongs of the past, we must."

0

Sakura groggily lifts her head as Ibiki's office door is thrown open. "Ino?"

"Sakura!" Ino replies, throwing her arms around Sakura. Sakura, drowsy and off-balanced, pitches forward deeper into Ino's embrace. "What were you thinking?"

"What do you mean?" Sakura asks. There are no windows in Ibiki's office ("Windows make for far too cliche assassinations, kid. If someone is gonna kill me, they better be creative."), but glancing at the clock, it seems like she's only managed a couple hours of sleep.

"My father is up in arms," Ino says, her eyes wide. "He came home to get my mom and escorted me here. What did you do?"

Before Sakura has a chance to respond, there's a knock on the door and Shino enters, surveying the scene before nodding.

"Should've figured it'd be you," he says, smiling.

"So, what'd you do?" they ask, watching Sakura with expectation.

Sakura rubs the gritty sleep from her eyes and launches into her tale. When she finishes, Ino and Shino look ill.

"Do you—do you think that's what happened to Torune?" Shino asks.

Sakura reaches out to grab his hand, nodding. "I think so." She glances at Ino. "I think it's what happened to Fū too; it's what was supposed to happen to me."

Ino squeezes Sakura's other hand. "It wasn't supposed to happen to you; it shouldn't happen to anyone."

Sakura thinks back on the scant information that's been shared with her since the clan head meeting. "I think our parents are putting a stop to it."

"Thanks to the information you gave them," Shino says.

"You're truly worthy of your name, Borage," Ino sighs, flopping onto the floor and pulling the other two down with her. "You're going to send my hair gray before we make genin."

"We're going to get Torune back," Shino says. "We're getting him back, thanks to you."

Sakura smiles hesitantly in response, anxiety rising within her once more. Given the account she read, she's not as certain that they'll get Torune back in one piece. Regardless, she has to hold out hope.

So, the trio settles in to wait out the actions of their parents and hope for the return of their loved ones.

It's all that they can do right now.

0

Ino, Shino, and Sakura are escorted to the Academy by several Intelligence Division operatives. They're tight-lipped about what is going on, but Sakura hasn't seen any of the clan heads, her mother included, since she's been placed in Ibiki's office.

"Gladiolus, Borage," Shino whispers as they file into the classroom. "Did you notice?"

Ino and Sakura shake their heads.

"There's operatives posted around the Academy," Shino says, discreetly motioning toward the roof and the gates. Sakura doesn't see anyone there but, upon focusing, she can feel the flickers of energy. "More than usual."

"Higher level too," Ino says, squinting in concentration. Sakura sees her pupils grow in size, though Sakura isn't sure of the exact effect or even if Ino's engaging her hiden in some fashion. "I think they're all jōnin."

Sakura's pace stutters for a moment before she seamlessly picks it up once more. "Really? Aren't they usually genin with one or two chūnin?"

"Yep," Shino says. He lifts his hand, one of his kikaichū landing upon his glove. "Seems like several of them are Anbu."

Sakura, Ino, and Shino exchange a long look and, simultaneously, their pace picks up.

"What'd you do?" drawls a familiar voice.

All of them turn, on edge, to find Shikamaru slowly walking toward them. His eyes are trained on Sakura.

"What do you mean?" Ino asks.

"Otou-san left very early this morning for the Intelligence Division," Shikamaru says. "Oka-san was called out a few hours later, despite not being on the roster this week. Considering your escorts—" His gaze flashes to the operatives on their way back. "—it isn't too difficult to ascertain that somehow you're involved."

"And why do you think it's Sakura?" Shino says, smoothly stepping in front of her. Despite the easing of tensions upon the merging of their groups, there's still a slight bite to interactions between Shino and Shikamaru. Ino calls it "petty courtship displays" but Sakura thinks it's just a holdover from her falling from a tree. It was the Aburame she went to in the immediate aftermath; they were the ones who comforted her as she fell apart. And, as the saying goes, no one holds a grudge quite like an Aburame.

Shikamaru rolls his eyes, but his lips quirk with affection. "Isn't it always?"

Sakura shakes her head. "Can't say." Glancing around and finding no one paying them too much attention, she lifts the collar of her shirt, displaying the flourishing seal shaped like a sunflower. "Gag order."

The seal was the only reason she, Ino, and Shino were able to leave the Intelligence Division; it prevents them from speaking anything that they know of the clan heads meeting and, on Sakura's part, the cipher. Jiraiya profusely promised that the seals would be removed as soon as several knots were untangled and that they should be highly cautious about allowing people to seal them like this.

Shikamaru blinks in surprise before his expression settles into its usual apathy. "Should have figured." He deftly steps around Shino, nudging Sakura's shoulder in a friendly way. "Always complicated with you, isn't it, rival?"

Sakura lifts a shoulder in a helpless shrug. "My curiosity constantly gets the better of me."

Shikamaru snorts, dodging the twin swats from Shino and Ino. "That's one way to put it. C'mon; Chōji and Naruto brought breakfast."

Sakura laughs. "We already had breakfast!"

"Second breakfast then," Shikamaru says, laughing lightly. "Don't go breaking their hearts; food is sacred."

0

Classes pass normally for the most part, aside from the increase in security on the Academy grounds. Sakura notices that many of the clan heirs seem a bit nervous or confused, indicating that they have some knowledge of what's going on. Though truthfully, Sakura isn't entirely certain what is happening. She knows that her mother, Jiraiya, Ibiki, Anko, and the clan heads are mobilizing toward some end. Are they dismantling Danzō's operation? Will all the members of Root—Celandine, Fū, Torune—be returned safely?

Sakura isn't able to focus during any class, thoughts circling around the potential possibilities.

"Sakura, could I speak with you?" Mizuki asks lightly.

It barely catches anyone's attention, as most students have already filtered out for lunch. Her little cluster, however, pauses.

"Sakura-chan?" Naruto says, wavering as he looks between her and Mizuki. Mizuki has, since Naruto was made an official Akimichi ward, acted more neutrally toward the boy, rather than treating him with that distinct disdain that so many adults show his way. Sakura doesn't like the way Mizuki treats Naruto; it's aberrant compared to his behavior with other students. Still, this neutral behavior is vastly better than outright dislike. Hopefully, with time, Mizuki will overcome his prejudices. Naruto, for his part, does not shy away from Mizuki's gaze, meeting it stalwartly. If it's to defend his friends, Naruto displays no regard for social niceties. "You want us to stay?"

Something in Mizuki's expression warms at the clear display of protection, even as Sakura waves Naruto's concerns away. "It's okay, Naruto; I'll meet you in a few minutes."

"Rooftop alright?" Shikamaru asks, eyes keen as he crosses his arms.

"Always," Sakura says.

The rest of her group file out of the room, some more reluctant than others, until Sakura and Mizuki are alone.

"Mizuki-sensei?" Sakura asks.

Mizuki glances around the room and Sakura can feel his chakra flare for a moment before falling placid. "Are you alright Sakura?" he asks as he kneels beside her. "You weren't paying attention in class today."

Sakura flushes, scuffing the floor with her shoe. "I was a bit distracted."

Mizuki stares at her for a long moment before nodding. "Maa, Sakura," he sighs, running a hand through his hair. "When you do something, you don't do it by halves."

Sakura freezes for a moment before cocking her head to the side. "What do you mean, Mizuki-sensei?"

He watches her with a slight smile, shaking his head. "Seems like Morino and Mitarashi haven't taught you to hide all of your tells just yet." Mizuki ruffles her hair. "The daimyo and his retinue arrived this morning unannounced. They're calling a grand tribunal; all of the Councils are being called in, even the non-shinobi ones."

There's silence between them as they regard each other. Sakura can't interpret Mizuki's expression; his poker face is as good as if not better than some of the Intelligence Division operatives. Yet, despite her inability to read him, Sakura isn't afraid.

She trusts Mizuki-sensei.

Mizuki begins to laugh, truly fully laughing, doubling over from the force of his laughter. He catches a hand on the side of the desk alongside them as he nearly pitches forward from his guffaws.

"Mizuki-sensei!" Sakura exclaims, rubbing her hand along his back. "What's going on?"

Mizuki shakes his head, swiping at his streaming eyes. "It's—" He hiccups, laughter subsiding. "It's nothing." He pauses, straightening. "Actually, it's everything. Sakura, I have no idea what you did, but I heard the rumblings about what's going on today. Everything is changing, Sakura. Everything. And all at the hands of a civilian-born Academy student." He shakes his head, astonishment clear in his eyes. "And, if I'm reading you right, they have no idea. No clue they were brought to their knees by a child."

Sakura wonders if she should feel offended by his incredulous tone, before shrugging it off. She's a little flattered by his amazement; Jiraiya, Anko, and Ibiki purposefully hid her hand in the cipher discovery. She doesn't disagree with their decision in the least, but it's nice to be recognized like this. "I don't know what you're talking about, Mizuki-sensei," she says.

"Of course," Mizuki replies, his gaze warm. He reaches out and grabs her hand, squeezing. "Thank you, Sakura. Well, I apologize for keeping you, Sakura. Go on and join your friends for lunch. I'm sure they're lingering a few steps beyond the doorway."

Sakura nods, squeezing his hand in turn, releasing, and darting out the door. Sure enough, her friends are clustered near the door. Sakura giggles at the sight of them, all piled together like this.

"Ah, Sakura-chan," Naruto says, fidgeting with a nervous look on his face.

"Lunch?" Sakura asks airily.

"Lunch," Ino agrees, linking her arm through Sakura's.

0

Kizashi is at the gates of the Academy at the end of the day. He escorts Sakura and all of her friends to one of the Akimichi restaurants. Kizashi is tight-lipped in the face of all of their questions, but the dark circles beneath his eyes and the conspicuous lack of clan leaders' presences reveal that whatever is going on it is keeping everyone busy.

Kizashi leaves them with a tired salute, heading back to the grand tribunal that has been going on for hours now.

Shikamaru hums, placing his head on the table. "Troublesome."

"What is?" Ino asks. "Be a bit more specific; there's a lot of troublesome things happening right now."

Chōji and Naruto leave them at the table for the moment, moving with purpose into the restaurant's kitchen, undoubtedly to rustle up some snacks. It's mid-afternoon, meaning that the restaurant is mostly empty and open to the hijinks that their group may get up to.

"What could Shikamaru be referring to?" Shino asks. "It could be the increased security around the Academy. Perhaps it is the conspicuous lack of Konoha Police Force members or Anbu members patrolling. Perhaps it is the lack of any clan heads being available currently."

Shikamaru lifts his head from the table, eyes narrowing on Shino. "We should play shogi."

Shino snorts into his collar. "Should we? Thank you for the offer, but no. I have seen the bouts between you and Sakura; I do not wish to invoke a tension headache."

Shikamaru shrugs. "Fair enough. I was considering the lack of clan heads truthfully. Though the lack of Uchiha was apparent as well. Sasuke is always picked up by a family member, but today he was escorted by one of the few Police Force officers who isn't an Uchiha. It's strange."

They all turn toward Sakura, waiting for her to weigh in. Sakura just pulls at the collar of her shirt, again displaying her seal. "Pretty restricted here," Sakura says. "Jiraiya-sensei didn't want me speculating or colluding."

"Taking all the fun out of things," Shikamaru grumbles.

Ino has a different opinion. "He knows you too well. Your curiosity constantly leads you into trouble."

"And out of it!" Sakura replies.

Their conversation is cut off as Chōji and Naruto return, laden down with treats galore. They dig in, conversation quieting as Sakura nods off into a much needed nap.

Still, it's nice to be among friends.

0

The next several days pass in much the same manner. Sakura, Shino, Ino, and Shikamaru all stay at the Akimichi compound alongside Chōji and Naruto as their parents are involved in...whatever it is that is going on.

Sakura has caught snippets, both from her friends' connections and Konoha's rumor mill, but it all seems fairly fantastical. Regardless, tons of information comes into their little sextet and they spend the afternoons filtering through what information seems true and what seems false.

Here is what seems true:

Shimura Danzō has been deposed and disposed of, his laboratories routed and purged. His operatives—the Roots of Konoha—have scattered, slowly being gathered together once more. Sakura believes—hopes—this at least to be true. It is what they aimed for above all else and there certainly seemed enough evidence to drown him in.

But the other information seems a bit beyond Sakura's understanding. The state agreed to a massacre of one of Konoha's venerated clans, the Uchiha! Danzō's desire for such a massacre was clear to Sakura; more Sharingan for the taking. However, it seems that both the Council of Elders and the Sandaime Hokage agreed.

And for their parts, the Council of Elders was dismantled and the Hokage forced into retirement. Sakura hears mention of "chakra constraints" and it heralds back memories of Shikamaru's offer. She is unsure of the fates of the Council of Elders (would they be slain like Danzō or crippled like Sarutobi?).

The Council of Civilians and the Guild of Artisans were endowed with more power by the daimyo, so that they could have a say in how the state is run. It seems that in the power vacuum left by the Council of Elders, the daimyo has chosen to empower civilian interests to influence shinobi issues. Sakura finds this to be perhaps the most confounding piece of all. She wonders, somewhat bleakly, if it'll last or if this power will be nominal in nature.

And, as of yet, there is no word regarding Torune or Celandine. Fū, Ino's relative, is one of the first Root operatives found. Ino hasn't been allowed near him yet; he is still undergoing evaluation at the Intelligence Division. But, from what Inoichi has told Ino, it seems like Fū will be released in the next day or so back to the Yamanaka Compound. Sakura hopes he will reveal the location of the other Root members so that she can bring Torune home.

It's an ache within her, a phantom limb where Torune is supposed to be.

Sakura turns to her group of friends, imagining what they will be when they become a septet.

"C'mon Sakura," Ino calls, waiting for her slow-paced friend near the gate. "We're going to my house today; oka-san is making honeysuckle cakes!"

Sakura grins in return before it falls away as she is confronted by an obscenely bright scarf and she is lifted into a hug. "Shisui-san!"

"Hey miracle worker," Shisui replies, rubbing his cheek against her hair.

"Miracle worker?" Sakura says, pushing against him. His scarf is ticklish.

It is only because they are hugging that Sakura can feel him tense before forcibly relaxing. "Yeah," Shisui murmurs, voice soft. "I don't know the details, but I know this is all you."

It's Sakura's turn to stiffen.

Sakura feels the vibration of his chuckle through her. "Not to worry, kid. I won't ask any questions. Doubt you could answer anyway; the Intelligence Division is scarily thorough. All I wanted to say is thank you. You've done more than you'll ever know."

Sakura pulls away from him, regarding him seriously in turn. "No more missing children."

Shisui pales and his smile shrinks. "Maybe you do know."

"Haruno-san?" a soft voice inquires.

Shisui releases Sakura, pasting on an exuberant expression. "Ah, pint-sized, I wanted to introduce you to someone." Shisui turns, presenting a slight adolescent with an extravagant flourish. "May I introduce you to my cousin, Itachi?"

Sakura swallows as she regards the Uchiha heir. In her periphery, she can see the commotion of her friends, doubtless concerned or confused by the two high profile Uchiha engaging her. She hopes that Chōji and Shino will keep Ino, Shikamaru, and Naruto from acting recklessly. Sakura has seen Itachi several times before; generally when he comes to pick up Sasuke. His hair looks slightly unkempt and truthfully, he looks exhausted. But, there's a tranquility to him, an inner peace that Sakura's never seen.

"Uchiha-san," Sakura greets, offering him a slight head bow.

Itachi stares down at her, hands flexing open and closed, until it becomes awkward.

Shisui nudges him, even as Sakura inquires, "Uchiha-san, may I help you?"

Itachi pitches forward, wrapping Sakura in a hug. It lasts for maybe three seconds, but it is one of the most unwieldy hugs Sakura has ever been given and she's hugged the most unhinged of the Intelligence Division members. It is perhaps made more awkward by their audience as several things occur at once.

One, Sasuke releases what he would term a "yell of rage" but Shino and Shikamaru would call a "tantruming scream."

Two, Naruto shouts, "Sakura-chan!"

Three, Shino, Ino, Shikamaru, and Naruto converge on them, ready to start a fight with the Uchiha heir.

And four? Well, four is that Shisui bends himself in two, laughing his ass off.

"Thank you, Haruno-san," Itachi says sedately, completely ignoring the chaos around them. Though, given that it seems Shisui is his best friend, Sakura is sure he is desensitized to shenanigans. He offers her a formal bow. "I appreciate your service."

Sakura shakes her head, cheeks warm at all the attention she's receiving. She has no doubt this will be added to the rumor mill though, given the current rumors being ground through Konoha, this one will hopefully be little more than a blip.

"Please don't bow! I didn't do anything," Sakura says.

Itachi raises his head, quirking a brow at her panicked expression. "You did enough," he says, offering her a small smile.

Shisui finally gathers himself, punching Itachi in the shoulder. Itachi glances at Shisui, twitching as he catches sight of his monstrous pink scarf. "You're upsetting the other clan heirs," Shisui says, gesturing dismissively toward Sakura's friends. Sakura shuts her eyes, knowing she'll never hear the end of it from the others regarding this slight. "And your brother." Sakura opens her eyes, glancing at Sasuke. She winces at the scathing look in his eyes. She has new bruises to look forward to on the sparring field from this encounter; Sasuke adores his brother. "See you, kid!"

Sakura waves, shellshocked as the trio of Uchiha boys traipse off toward their compound. Ino comes forward, clucking over Sakura even as the boys fall into an argument. Sakura keeps her gaze on the Uchiha boys. It seems like a weight has been lifted from their shoulders; the complaints and petitions of their clan finally being recognized and heard. She's glad she had a hand in that, however small in part.

The Uchiha deserve to live in a Konoha that is a home to them, rather than hostile.

It's what's owed to any of Konoha's citizens.

0

"How do I look?" Mebuki asks, turning slowly, full sleeves fanning out around her.

Sakura's breath catches as she watches her mother's movements. Again, she cannot help but compare her mother's grace to that of shinobi's. And once more, Sakura finds her mother superior. It's just something that can't be taught; an ineffable quality solely possessed by her mother.

Her mother is dressed traditionally in a kimono that is resplendent in the colors of Fire. Her maru obi contrasts the warm tones of yellow, orange, and red, with the traditional colors of Konoha, leaves embossed in greens against a gold backdrop. Sakura knows that the gold is gold thread and there is additional gold foil used to etch in the symbols of the well-known and -regarded civilian clans of Fire. It is a recent addition to Mebuki's wardrobe, a pointed comment to onlookers regarding where Mebuki's loyalties lie.

"You look wonderful," Sakura says, watching the repetitive motions of her mother brushing out her blonde hair. It's soothing.

Mebuki's hand slows as she meets Sakura's gaze in the mirror. Her mouth doesn't smile, but her eyes do. "Would you help me with my hair? I could use your assistance choosing my accessories."

Sakura grins, jumping off her parents' bed and moving to her mother's jewelry box. She gently sifts through the items, searching first for an appropriate obidome to decorate the obi. She pauses over a Haruno crest wrought in gold and decorated with tiny emeralds. Sakura moves past it, settling on a simpler clip. It is gold as well, embossed with the symbol of Fire with the symbol of Konoha within it. Sakura thinks it's a good representation of all that is happening these days, the corruption rooted out of Konoha by the Land of Fire as a whole.

It is a reminder that Mebuki, as a representative of the daimyo, wields quite a bit of power.

Sakura moves over to her mother, avoiding the cords of the obijime and the obiage as she clips the obidome into place.

Mebuki pauses in putting up her hair, glancing at Sakura's choice. "A wise decision," Mebuki says. "A well-placed reminder to bring some of the more recalcitrant clan leaders to heel."

Sakura laughs, wondering who exactly Mebuki is speaking of. From her own experiences with the shinobi clan leaders, she thinks it's probably the Uchiha or Hyūga heads.

She moves back to her mother's jewelry, turning her attention to the hair accessories instead. Since her mother is presenting a very traditional look, Sakura passes over the pins and tiaras to instead focus on the hair combs. Of the dozens of combs, Sakura chooses a more subtle look, picking a lacquered green comb decorated with fine cherry blossoms made of pink opals.

Sakura shows it to her mother, a bit more hesitant about this choice.

After all, the meaning is much more personal.

Mebuki looks at it, eyebrows rising as she glances to Sakura once more. Her gaze softens as she reaches out to cup Sakura's cheek. "Sentimental," she says lightly.

"It's a bad habit, I know," Sakura replies.

"Not in moderation," Mebuki says. "It's a fine trait you've inherited from your father. He's certainly more adept at matters of the heart and emotion than I am."

Sakura bites her lip. "So you'll wear it?"

Mebuki plucks the comb from Sakura's hands, situating it within her hair. "Of course. I carry you with me everywhere I go." She pinches Sakura's chin lightly.

Sakura smiles in turn, restraining her urge to hug Mebuki. There will be time for that later.

Right now, they have things to do.

0

Sakura fights her nervousness as she is escorted through the Kage Tower. She's only been in the building once before, during her application to the Academy. From her fuzzy memories, she can tell the Tower is very different now, with all sorts of people hurrying about with purpose. Perhaps the most different thing is that there are civilians working within the Tower; high-status individuals from the various non-shinobi sectors. She recognizes a few of them as people her parents spoke highly of or groused about during dinners.

She isn't able to stop to talk though as the operatives—members of Ibiki's wetworking team in T&I—are focused on getting her to their destination. She knows that the Intelligence Division is stretched thin these days as Inoichi's Analysis Team heads up the investigation into all active shinobi to smoke out any remaining vestiges of corruption. The ash is still settling and not all enemies are yet known.

The operatives stop at the door and Ranka ruffles Sakura's hair before taking off to their next task.

Sakura knocks on the door, waiting for a voice to call, "Come in!" before stepping into the office.

"Hokage-sama," Sakura greets, sketching the traditional Konoha bow.

"Don't call me that!" Jiraiya nearly groans, sinking into his chair. The Kage hat rests on the desk, nearly buried beneath files. "This is temporary."

Sakura lifts from the bow, stifling a giggle at the beleaguered look on his face.

"You are a terrible student," Jiraiya mumbles into his hands as he slumps over the desk. "Why did I take you on?"

"Because you are a generous and kind soul," Sakura says, moving to seat herself in front of the desk. Given the volume of paperwork, she can no longer see Jiraiya. Sakura moves her chair until she's almost around the desk, able to see Jiraiya in full. Now that she can see the other side of the desk, she can see the puzzle cube that Jiraiya fiddles with in his lap. "Because you took pity on a kid over her head."

Jiraiya pauses, cutting a look her way. "It wasn't pity, kid. I was impressed by your guts, a no name, no rank student to so boldly recite decades old rites in a bid to get a Sannin on your side. It was a gamble." His eyes twinkle as he says the word, some sort of private joke. "And it paid off. It was a gamble for me too and it's certainly paid dividends."

Sakura glances around the office and again at his posture. "Seems more like a punishment."

Jiraiya snorts. "Again, temporary. What is so difficult to understand about an interim role? I'm bringing Tsunade-hime home, even if it means I'm dragging her by her pigtails. Wouldn't be the first time." Jiraiya shakes his head, ending the tangential mutters. "In any case, you've done more for Konoha prior to graduating from the Academy than some people do in their entire shinobi careers. I'm pleased with this gamble and hope you are too."

There's silence between them for several moments as Sakura soaks that in.

"Well, just because we're in a larger office doesn't mean that we're slacking off today. Might as well make use of this space," Jiraiya says. "Now, I've left a message for you to discover within the Tower. It's a combination substitute and transposition cipher spread across multiple locations. Go ahead and get to it; you have until tomorrow to figure it out."

Sakura blinks as Jiraiya returns to his puzzle, ignoring the paperwork. "That's it?"

Jiraiya glances at her, eyes crinkling with laughter. "What, you need more than that? You've demonstrated an ability to reshape the infrastructure of a state with the breaking of a single cipher; the kid gloves are coming off!"

Sakura shakes her head, hopping to her feet. She's glad he can make light of the situation; even as chaos runs rampant during the structural overhaul. She can see the exhaustion that rings his eyes. She glances back as she opens the door, seeing Jiraiya sigh as he sets aside his puzzle box to flip through the paperwork on his desk.

Perhaps it is the size of the room or perhaps it is the responsibility that weighs on him, but Jiraiya seems somehow smaller.

Sakura swallows, overwhelmingly grateful for his guiding presence and mentorship. She doesn't know where things would be, without the gamble they both took.

She truthfully doesn't want to know.

0

"Haruno-san."

Sakura slows, turning toward the voice. She's in one of the maze-like corridors of the Intelligence Division, leaving after dropping off some umeboshi with Anko. Sakura knows that Anko is hurting; that she is grieving Kōri anew, Kōri's heroic actions being directly responsible for unearthing the corruption in Konoha.

"Nara-san," Sakura greets, offering him a nod.

Shikaku stands in the corridor, the fluorescent lights exposing bloodshot eyes and sallow pallor. Sakura knows the current upheaval is taking a direct toll on quite a few people and Shikaku has not emerged unscathed.

"Are you available to speak?" he asks.

Sakura watches him in turn. Although Sakura and Shikamaru have reconciled, she and Shikaku have not. Well, they somewhat did during her petition before the Council of Clans, but they haven't spoken directly since then. She hasn't formally offered forgiveness, should he even want it.

She thinks that resolution to this relationship is deserved, on both sides.

"I am," Sakura says, following Shikaku into his familiar and missed office.

It is more chaotic and messy than usual, doubtless a result of recent events. Still, the chair she usually used during her field experience assignment was free and Sakura takes the seat, regarding Shikaku openly.

"Are you well?" Sakura asks.

"As well as can be expected," Shikaku replies, chuffing a laugh. "And yourself?"

Sakura shrugs. She is happy to see the changes wrought in Konoha, the duplicity exposed. However, Torune and Celandine have not appeared. It isn't fully resolved.

Shikaku watches her above folded hands. "You've done something monumental, Sak—Haruno-san. Something truly historic in nature." He leans back in his seat, pressing fingers to the bridge of his nose. "You know, I spend a fair amount of time replaying our conversations. There are many things I regret about how I treated you," Shikaku says, sloe eyes doleful. "It was wrong of me to consider you a tool to invigorate my son." Shikaku shakes his head, looking ill. "Especially given what has come to light in recent days regarding the actions of the Council of Elders and Hiruzen. Children should never be treated as tools."

"It wasn't the same," Sakura protests. "It was unkind and unfair, but your actions were different."

Shikaku sighs. "I thank you for your words. However, I find I must disagree. I've reflected a lot on myself since our apprenticeship dissolved and especially since you cracked the cipher." Sakura restrains the urge to flinch; she knows no one told him but Shikaku is a Nara through and through. "I have become aware of my biases and shortcomings. I treated clan-born shinobi differently than civilian-born shinobi."

He pauses, looking down and away. "In my tenure as Jōnin Commander, I have been biased against civilian-born shinobi, treating them more often as fodder in preference of clan-born shinobi. There is blood on my hands for actions I sanctioned. And I have to live with that."

"I forgive you for what happened between us," Sakura says. "You've made amends, assisting me in my marriage candidacy petition, mentoring Shiho-san, and sending Jiraiya-sensei my way." Sakura catches the slight widening of Shikaku's eyes and smirks. "There's no way a Sannin would take interest in an Academy student sitting alone at a park otherwise. You know, you and Shikamaru are pretty similar in the way you offer gifts and favors."

"Oh?" Shikaku asks.

Sakura details the way that Shikamaru spent months leaving books in her Academy cubby. Shikaku grins and outright laughs as Sakura describes the traps she set in response.

"So that's where those books went," Shikaku says with a wry shake of his head. "Shikamaru refused to tell me."

They laugh a bit over that, the easy camaraderie of their former relationship welling up once more.

"I'm retiring," Shikaku says abruptly.

"What?" Sakura yelps, surprise scrawled clearly on her face.

"Well, once things cool down," Shikaku amends. "I don't want to make Jiraiya cry."

"Is it—did I do something?" Sakura asks, scrambling for an explanation.

"No, no," Shikaku replies. "It's the right time for it. I am not the best fitting person to serve as Jōnin Commander. I failed to recognize the corruption of other high-level Konoha officials." He offers a smile. "Besides, there's a more fitting position. Because of the use of ciphers in this case, the daimyo ruled the establishment of the Cryptanalysis Unit. You're looking at the new head of the department."

Sakura grins in return, remembering their conversation over a year ago regarding the way ciphers and code was overlooked in Konoha. She's sure that will change very soon. "Shiho-san will be excited."

"She isn't the only one," Shikaku says. He falls silent. "Thank you." Sakura looks puzzled. "Thank you for your forgiveness." He snorts, giving a sly smirk. "And thank you for saving Konoha."

Sakura flushes. "Nara-san!"

Shikaku shrugs. "Just being honest."

Sakura laughs, glad to fully resolve this turbulent chapter of her life. It's a weight off her chest, one she didn't even realize was there.

0

Sakura secrets herself away into the small garden attached to the library. It's a little difficult to find time for herself these days; everyone is hypervigilant in these days of unrest. However, she is rarely disturbed at the library. After all, it is her and Torune's spot.

And Torune has yet to be found.

Sakura sits down beside the small bench among the overgrown weeds. No one cares for this little garden; it's overlooked and neglected. It seems a fitting spot to pull her knees up to her chest and begin to sob her heart out.

More Root agents have been recovered in the days following the cipher breaking; more and more appearing in clusters. All of them are in rough shape, seemingly emotionless and limited in knowledge. It is clear that they have been cultivated to be tools, finely honed for a specific purpose—Danzō's personal army—but dull and blunted to the task of being human. However, each passes the interview and investigation from the Analysis Team, being readmitted to their families. She knows Ino is struggling to adjust to Fū, so different from her memories of him. Sakura has noticed Fū's keen interest in her, the way his gaze follows her with the slightest of furrows between his brows.

Sakura remembers Celandine, his hidden warmth and deep protectiveness. Even without knowing how to express himself, Celandine acted as her shield innumerable times against Danzō. He is just as human as she is; he just never learned how to express it.

Or, perhaps, Danzō broke him of it.

Regardless, Celandine has yet to show up either, leaving Sakura a mess of anxiety over both of the brave boys who embraced the shadows to keep her in the light. Sakura draws her knees in closer. It just isn't fair.

They've fought so hard—she's fought so hard—why can't they just come home?

Sakura knows it wouldn't be easy, trauma never is, but at least they would be together again.

She noticed the worried looks from Ibiki and Anko, the whispers sent out to try to find Torune and Celandine. And yet nothing so far; it's as if they are nothing more than smoke and shadows.

Sakura even asked Fū about them, thinking they may have encountered each other. His response was frustratingly vague; he'd encountered both operatives but not in those final few days…

He called Torune stubborn.

Sakura remembers it well, the muted incredulity that shone in Fū's gaze as he discussed Torune's iron will. Torune refused to bend...so Danzō tried to break. There was respect in the blunt way Fū spoke of Torune's trials in Root; he didn't have the training to sugarcoat the torture Torune faced.

Sakura digs her nails into her arms. Ino cut Fū off before he could get too into the weeds regarding all the methods involved, but Sakura knows it was extensive.

And it was because of her.

Torune traded himself for her sake. It was the devil's bargain Danzō offered to lure Torune into his trap. Anytime Torune stepped too far out of line, Danzō snapped him back to compliance with threats against Sakura's safety. And every time Torune immediately complied.

Sakura thinks that he's alright; from what little they've heard from other Root members, Torune was whole in body on that final day.

But still, he hasn't returned.

And truthfully, Sakura thinks the fault lies with her.

The only reason Torune went to Root was to keep her safe. The whole time he was there, the several months being molded by Danzō's twisted program, Sakura's safety was held over his head to keep him complicit. Sakura doesn't doubt Torune's love, not in the slightest. His willingness to stay is proof enough.

But Sakura knows something about torture; she's spent over a year around operatives who specialized in the skill. Despite their best efforts, Sakura has more than a working knowledge of the ins and outs of the profession. Within Torune's mind, Sakura herself has to be associated with the torture he faced; the fear he lived with day in and day out.

Sakura was the mechanism used to break Torune's spirit and keep him obedient.

How can he return with such an albatross around his neck?

Sakura presses her face further into her arms, struggling to breathe evenly around the force of her sobs.

Anytime he looks at her, won't he just be reminded of the worst moments of his life? For her sake, he left his family, his home, his bright future. For her sake, he lingered in the darkness as the world kept spinning on.

Sakura forces herself into one of the simplest katas, knowing that she needs to calm down before someone comes to investigate the noise she's making. She closes her eyes, focusing.

She refuses to leave Torune out in the cold. If he cannot return to a home with her in it, she can simply remove herself from the equation. She can leave her current career path, return to her family's origins.

After all, as Jiraiya said, she's done more prior to graduating than some shinobi are able to accomplish in their entire career.

For Torune's sake, this can be enough.

She wouldn't be reinstated as clan heir and she doesn't want that burden in any case. But she could travel, maybe apprentice in one of the other elemental nations. Her parents could come to visit, Ino too. That way Torune could feel comfortable in Konoha once more.

It is as she's considering and rationalizing more absurd plans for the future that she hears a tentative, "Sakura-chan?"

Sakura glances up, rubbing her red-rimmed eyes as she meets Naruto's gaze. He watches her with concern, wringing his hands in an uncharacteristically nervous manner.

"Naruto," she croaks, sitting up and clearing her throat. "What brings you here?"

"I was looking for you," he replies, stepping forward and helping her to stand. "What's wrong? Did someone say something? Was Shikamaru a jerk?"

There's a storm promising retribution in Naruto's expression, but Sakura waves him off. "No, nothing like that. I'm just sad."

Naruto stares at her, pondering for several long moments. "It's about your friend right? Shino's cousin?"

Sakura's throat closes, visceral pain lancing through her. Even though she tells herself that she can leave Konoha—leave Torune—behind, it hurts. "Yes," Sakura replies quietly. "Torune."

Naruto nods. "He'll be back, Sakura; I have no doubt about it." Sakura doesn't say anything. "Hey, look at me." Naruto waits until Sakura peers at him through swollen eyes. His expression is set, determined. "He'll be back, Sakura. There's no way he'd stay away with you here."

Sakura's lip quivers. "How...how can you be so sure?"

Naruto glances at Sakura for a moment before looking down again. "You know, I didn't have any friends before you and Chōji. Most of my life I've been hated by everyone in the village. Only person I had was oji-san...er, the Sandaime Hokage, and that was only on rare occasions." He scratches his cheek. "I appreciate what he did for me, setting me up in an apartment and all, but he didn't really take care of me beyond that. I think I reminded him of someone; it was hard for him to spend time around me.

"And you know, it was fine. It sucked, but it was fine. I didn't know anything else back then. But then, I was assigned to work with Chōza-oji and he was nice to me. He took care of me, gave me hot meals, asked me how I was. And I realized what it was like to have a parental figure. It wasn't until that Ino-Shika-Chō dinner though, that I learned what it's like to have a friend."

Naruto stares at Sakura, his sky blue eyes open and sincere. "You reached out to me at the Yamanaka compound. You gave me advice, you held my hand and led me into the dinner." Naruto smiles, reaching out and threading their fingers together. "You know, you're the first person to hold my hand that I can remember. They're so small but so warm. That dinner ended poorly, but your warmth lingered with me even after that. It's why I decided you would be my first friend. My world has expanded beyond those days, I have friends, I have family, and I still have you.

"I don't know Torune," Naruto says. "But if he's anything like me, there's no doubt in my mind that he'll make his way back to you. How can he not? It's you."

The stalwart certainty with which Naruto says this paired with his kind words brings further tears to Sakura's eyes. She uses her free hand to wipe them away, grateful that Naruto holds her hand through it all.

After she settles a bit, Sakura sniffles, regarding Naruto. "Why did you come to find me? We were in class only a few hours ago."

Naruto grins, squeezing the hand he still holds. "I had some news and I wanted to let my first friend know." Sakura smiles in turn, infected by his visible enthusiasm. "You know how impatient I can be."

Sakura laughs, shrugging. "Sometimes impatience is a good thing."

"Well, I petitioned the Council of Clans today," Naruto says. "Well, also the Council of Civilians since they now have a say." He shakes his head, refocusing and offering her a wide, feline grin. "You're looking at the newest Akimichi!"

Sakura gasps. "Are you serious?"

Naruto nods. "Akimichi Naruto. You think it suits me?" There's a tense edge to his smile.

"I think it suits you perfectly!" Sakura breaks their handhold to catch him in a hug instead, which Naruto accepts with aplomb. "Truthfully, I'm a bit surprised it took Chōza-oji so long."

Sakura feels Naruto's laughter vibrate through her. "Apparently he's had the paperwork ready to go for months. Just waiting for the right moment." Naruto pauses, pulling away from Sakura to regard her seriously. "Maybe that's what Torune is doing too. Waiting for the right moment to return."

Sakura nods slowly, soaking in his words. She feels buoyed by his faith and realizes her earlier thoughts were a bit drastic. She just needed to vent her pressurized worries in some way. "Maybe so. I hope so."

"I know so," Naruto—Akimichi Naruto at that—replies.

0

"Your traps are even better now."

Sakura turns, gasping as she catches sight of Celandine. He sits against her windowsill, watching her in turn. He looks healthier than when she last saw him, still pale but not pallid and a serenity to him that was sorely missing in their last encounter.

"Celandine!" Sakura greets, moving toward him. She steps into his space, grabbing his face and inspecting it gently. Celandine holds still beneath her touch as she checks him over for injuries. Physically, he seems well. "I've been looking for you."

"I know," Celandine replies, pressing his cool cheek further into her cupped hand. His dark eyes slide shut for a long moment, savoring the sensation. He's missed this. He's missed her. "I had to take care of some things."

Sakura swallows, looking at him. Like this, Celandine seems blissful, so different from the desperation that haunts her memories. "Were you...were you punished?"

Celandine shrugs. "No more than usual." He opens his eyes to regard her. "It was worth it."

Sakura's heart squeezes as her imagination combined with the realities of the cracked cipher put forth all sorts of creative punishments within her mind. She pushes those thoughts away as best she can. It's over now; Danzō is gone.

It isn't right to allow his presence to linger if they can help it.

Sakura hums in agreement. "Have you…" she trails off, unsure how to continue.

"Have I reconnected with my family?" Celandine queries, guessing at what she's trying to ask. Sakura nods hesitantly. "Not yet. They're members of the Uchiha clan: Uchiha Kyoko and Eiichi. I don't really remember them; Danzō took me as a newborn, making it seem to the couple that I was killed."

Sakura gasps in horror. "They didn't know you were taken?"

"No," Celandine replied. "If possible, such subterfuge was Danzō's modus operandi. Better to believe the child dead rather than have an investigation opened. There were quite a few Root members in my cohort; the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Attack left Konoha weak and susceptible to children disappearing through the cracks, falling to the tailed beast."

Sakura's eyes sting with tears at the blank way Celandine relays this information, as if merely discussing the weather. It hurts to see him so remote as he recounts what is essentially his own life story.

"I will meet them in time," Celandine says. "They've mourned me, set up a grave...they need time to come to terms that their child isn't dead...that their child is me." Celandine's lip quirks into an ugly expression. "I am one of the lucky ones. I never manifested the Sharingan; I'm one of the 'defective' ones with recessive genes. I can't develop Sharingan, though it didn't stop Danzō trying."

Sakura cups Celandine's face with both hands, forcing him to look at her. "You aren't defective," she says, fighting the catch in her voice as tears fill her eyes. "You aren't lesser for not having a kekkei genkai or for going through what you did. You're a whole person, Celandine, just as you are." She leans forward, until they are eye to eye. "You're worthwhile."

Celandine's eyes warm, creasing at the corners. "You know, I learned the name my parents gave me. It's Sai, which means 'to paint.'" Celandine raises his hands, placing them over Sakura's as she touches his face. "I find that I gravitate more toward Celandine. I like the meaning more. Is it alright to have multiple names?"

Sakura smiles, gaze misty. "Of course. In fact, I have a flower name too. Borage."

"What does it mean?" Celandine asks.

"Courage," she replies.

"Courage," Celandine says softly, lips tipping into a nearly invisible smile. "Courage and joys to come." He steps away, breaking contact. "000367, your friend, is well. He will return to you soon."

"Torune?" Sakura says, grasping for Celandine again. "He's alright."

"He will be," Celandine says, catching her hands loosely. "He's…" His brow furrows slightly, in that way Sakura notices that many former Root members do when they encounter anything emotional in nature. It's a nearly constant expression they don when among reunited family members. "He's concerned."

"Concerned?"

Celandine nods, giving a shrug. "Concerned about how you'll receive him. It is foolish, but he is worried. Is there anything you want me to say to him?"

Sakura is speechless for a moment, overwhelmed with the number of things she wants to tell him. Then, it strikes her.

She turns to her desk, gesturing for Celandine to wait.

She grabs a loose sheet of paper.

You've given me so much, Helianthus. I hope my feelings come through to you.

What I feel toward Helianthus. Blue buttons. Pansy. Honeysuckle.

He gave me fairy lily. It is his fairy lily that allowed me to break the code and burn out the Roots.

What I wish to tell him. Beet. Sea lavender. Yellow zinnia . Volkameria.

For us both. Aster. Tea rose. Cicely. Beargrass.

What I hope for our future. Meadow rue. Basswood. Gorse.

Amaranth, Torune, amaranth.

Always.

Sakura glances over the note again, mentally transposing the meanings into it.

You've given me so much, Helianthus. I hope my feelings come through to you.

What I feel toward Helianthus. Sweet memories. Affection and faithfulness. First emotions of love.

He gave me self-sacrifice and sincerity. It is his self-sacrifice and sincerity that allowed me to break the code and burn out the Roots.

What I wish to tell him. You have my heart. I miss you. Daily remembrance. May you be happy.

For us both. Fidelity. I'll remember, always. Gladness. New beginnings and renewal.

What I hope for our future. Flourishing. Love and marriage. Love in all seasons and love for all seasons.

Eternal, endless love, Torune, eternal, endless love.

Always.

Sakura nods, snatching up the note and passing it to Celandine. He glances at it for a moment, eyes curving. "You seem fond of this flower language. Next time I visit please teach me more."

Sakura nods, seeing Celandine off safely.

She stands at her window, staring unseeingly into the street below. Now she must wait and hope that her message comes through to Torune.

0

Sakura stretches, staring out over the field. She is situated well within Aburame territory, giving herself time to just be in nature. Of all the places in Konoha, she loves the Aburame compound best, both for all of the happy memories she's had here and also for its wide and rolling lands filled with little pockets of wonder.

Such as the field she currently surveys, filled to the brim with swaying sunflowers. She and Shino planted them in an open plot shortly after Torune's disappearance, binding them closer together in action. It's amazing to see the progress in just over two scant months, the sunflowers loom seven to nine feet in the air. Sakura comes here sometimes, to think, to reminisce.

She knows Shino often does the same.

Sakura feels closer to Torune here, watching the sunflowers as they track the sun across the sky. It's quiet in the field and Sakura closes her eyes, absorbing the heat of the day.

She isn't sure what it is, a small rustle, a soft sigh, but something catches her attention and she opens her eyes.

Across the field, among the flowers, stands Torune.

Sakura's breath catches in her throat. She stands, unwilling to break eye contact with him. Is it really him?

Somehow, she musters the air enough to say, "Torune?"

He nods, a familiar cant to his lips.

Sakura releases a laugh, stumbling forward down the hill toward him. She runs, cursing the fact that she can't Shunshin to close the distance between them faster. Torune moves too, opening his arms wide as Sakura throws herself into his embrace.

Sakura sends up a silent prayer of thanks to the Sage as her hands and arms meet his solid body. He's here. He's real. He's here.

She smells his sweat, the leather of the headpiece she gave him that he wears even now, and an undefinable scent that is just Torune. And around them, weaving throughout it all is the earthy, resinous fragrance of sunflowers.

"Torune," she murmurs repeatedly.

There's a buzzing in her ears, maybe it's the sensory overload, maybe it's his hive, but distantly she realizes he's repeating her name too.

She isn't sure if it's him, if it's her, if it's both of them, but they are shaking, lightheaded and suddenly they are on the ground, snapping several of the towering sunflower stalks beneath their fall.

Sakura stares down at Torune, laying a wavering hand against his chest. She's entranced with the rise and fall of his chest, with the unique vibrating of his rinkaichū. It's comforting to feel his chest vibrating through her body, grounding her to the moment. She lifts her hands, circling them around his neck. Slowly, waiting for his unspoken permission, she begins to unbuckle and remove his headpiece.

She isn't sure what she'll see, she's tormented herself with images of him eyeless and bleeding, but she has to see.

She has to know.

The headpiece falls away, revealing Torune's breathtaking midnight blue eyes. His curls flop across his forehead, longer than before. Sakura raises her fingers, tracing the shape of his eyes, captivated.

"You're here," she says, holding back her tears. She doesn't want her tears to blur her sight of him.

Torune has no such compunctions, tears trailing down his face, catching tacky against Sakura's fingertips. "I got your message."

Sakura gives into the urge, leaning forward and sobbing into his neck. He tucks up against her too and they cling to one another in the middle of the field.

"I'm sorry," Sakura wails. "I'm so sorry."

Torune's hands tighten on her, as if he's trying to protect her from her own words. "There's nothing to apologize for. I'm sorry I took so long."

Sakura shakes her head, tears rubbing against his collar. "That's my line. I'm sorry it took me so long to figure it out."

Torune snorts, stroking a gloveless hand through her hair. "You did the impossible and you apologize for your tardiness?" He laughs wetly. "You're such a teacher's pet."

Sakura hiccups, helpless to her urge to giggle. "You're ridiculous."

"Maybe so."

They subside into silence, emotions calming as they immerse themselves in the fact that they are here, together again.

Sakura raises her head from his shoulder to peer at him. He looks tired, a little bit older, a little bit jaded, but the smile he offers her is as familiar as the back of her own hand. She cups his face, basking in the pleasure of being together again.

Torune's brows furrow for a moment as he releases a groan. "I botched the reunion," he mutters, reaching out for something beyond Sakura's periphery. "I meant to give these to you when I first saw you, but then my hands became occupied with something far more important."

Sakura blushes at the roguish smile he dons. The smile fades into nervousness as he regards her.

"I am sorry it took me nearly two weeks to return after you did the impossible," Torune says. "I was worried that you wouldn't be able to accept me. I was in the shadows without any sun," He brushes her cheek, "for two months. I worried about who I've become without you." Torune shakes his head as she opens her mouth to rebut. "I know. It was foolish, but those were my worries. But then Celandine gave me your message."

Torune's smile is a quiet, soft thing that unfurls across his face. It's different than any smile she's seen him display before, perhaps a facet gained in their time apart.

"I was an idiot to ever doubt you," Torune says. His eyes shift, taking on that lovely iridescent sheen as his emotions heighten. "I told you 'constancy' and yet I didn't follow through on that. You reminded me of who we were, who we hope to one day be."

He pulls his outstretched hand back, lifting two flowers—a feathery fuschia stalk full of tiny flowers and a series of beautiful blue-purple flowers—and offering them to her.

Amaranth and bellflowers.

Eternal, endless love and unwavering love.

It's the promise they ended on in their notes, the promise of always.

The flowers are a bit worse for the wear, doubtless their tumble didn't help at all. But they are precious reminders of their promise and absolutely perfect for what they represent.

Sakura takes them from his hand, tucking the bellflowers behind her ear and the amaranth behind his.

Torune catches her hand as she lowers it from his ear, pressing a kiss to the back of it. Then, he belies the serious motion entirely with a playful wink.

"Thank you, Borage, for giving me the courage to return home," Torune says.

"And thank you, Helianthus, for giving me your constancy and strength," Sakura replies.

Torune's lip trembles for a moment before he firms it once more. He sits up, helping Sakura get disentangled from him as they stand. They take a few moments to assist each other in tidying up their mussed states.

"Ready to go home?" Sakura asks.

"Absolutely," Torune says, taking her hand. They begin the trek toward the Aburame home.

Sakura glances down at the few fallen sunflowers, before turning her attention to their clasped hands. It feels somewhat different than it was before—their hands are bigger; there are new calluses, new stories (some painful, some not) to be shared—but there's nothing wrong with that.

In fact, Sakura thinks that—given how perfectly their hands fit together, just as their disparate amaranth and bellflowers do—different might be good.