forward, always

“Sakura!” Hashirama boomed, his deep voice encompassing the entire room. On his desk before him was the proposal she had made for Tobirama. “This is amazing! Truly, will your wonders never cease?”

Sakura preened before the Shodaime, her eyes catching Tobirama’s. The red eyed man scowled and looked away. It was just that morning that she’d handed the thick scroll over to younger Senju, a whole day earlier than expected. Surprise had been evident on his face as he took the heavy scroll from her, and he’d looked at her with a mixture of curiosity and something else before hiding away in his office to read her report. 

After that, Sakura and Saburo wandered about the village while they waited. Even though winter was well under way, Konoha, being in the Land of Fire, was still very temperate. There were more cold rains in the winter, the sky turned hazy, and occasionally a chilling wind blew through, but Sakura would take all of that over the best summer day in Iron. 

Knowing Madara would be working closely with Hashirama all morning, Sakura had brought Saburo with her to keep her company. After the incident with Tobirama outside the Uchiha lands, she apologized to him for putting him in such a position. He hadn’t been comfortable leaving the compound, and Sakura had ignored his concerns. That hadn’t been fair of her. Luckily for her, Saburo was not only extremely loyal, but forgiving as well. 

They had just finished having lunch at the Akimichi restaurant–the barbecue had tasted even better than it had smelled–when they’d been summoned to report straight to the Hokage. 

Slapping the top of his desk with the flat of his hand, bringing Sakura back into the present, Hashirama continued his praise. “Why, you’ve planned out Konoha’s medical development for the next ten years. You even came up with several contingency plans for possible wars or famines. Not even Tobirama could come up with a reason to reject this.” He laughed, sending reverberations throughout the room. “And that’s quite the feat, let me tell you!”

“Brother,” Tobirama sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’ve already given my approval, must you drag me through the mud like this?”

“Must I? No. Will I?” Hashirama’s smile turned devious. “Always.”

Madara, standing behind Hashirama, snorted as he tried to control a laugh. Tobirama’s glare found a new target. 

“Now, Sakura, you mentioned you’d be able to train these new medics, yes?” When Sakura confirmed that detail, he nodded. “Good, then I want you and Tobirama working together to find suitable candidates for the medical corps.”

“What?” Madara hissed.

“What?” Tobirama asked.

“What?” Sakura winced.

“I didn’t realize we had an echo in here,” Hashirama chuckled. “But you all heard me.”

“Why him?” Madara asked, standing straighter and crossing his arms over his chest.

Tobirama threw a withering glare at Madara, but from the tick of the muscle along his jaw, Sakura could tell he was just as annoyed with the situation. 

“As you know, Madara–and Sakura,” Hashirama smiled gently at her, “as you might not know–Tobirama is one of the best sensors alive. It’ll be much easier to root out recruits based on their chakra control and reserves with him on the job.”

While it was true that Tobirama was one of the best–if not the best sensor–of all time, Sakura could only imagine the headaches working with him would brew. For so many people. She looked over to Madara. His face was flushed red with anger, his lips so thin they all but disappeared. He’d curled his hands into fists and Sakura wondered if he was shaking with the exertion it took not to lash out. 

“And if I do not agree?” Tobirama asked, his face like a pillar of stone; too blank for Sakura to read. “I have other projects to prioritize, brother. You know this.”

Sakura wondered what else he was working on. The man created dozens if not hundreds of jutsus and seals during his lifetime. Or perhaps he was working on something regarding the village. Regardless, none of it seemed to matter to Hashirama. 

Steepling his fingers together and resting his elbows on his desk, Hashirama leveled his brother with a somber look. It was rare for the Shodaime to become so serious. The change in demeanor created a ripple effect that could be felt by everyone around him. Sakura felt a chill go down her spine and waited with baited breath for what came next. 

“This is not a request from your brother, Tobirama, but an order from your Hokage. You will work with Haruno Sakura on this project and help her bring her vision to fruition. Regardless of how you may feel about her or,” he paused slightly to give Tobirama a significant look, “anything else, you must recognize how crucial this endeavor would be to our people.”

Tobirama was silent for a long moment, his eyes narrowed in thought. Eventually, he nodded. “The village above the clan.”

Hashirama nodded back. “The village above the clan. Well then, now with that settled–”

“It’s not settled,” Madara interrupted, his voice quiet and deadly. “Sakura has not agreed to this proposition yet. Just because Tobirama is a good sensor, doesn’t mean that there aren’t others.”

“Why Madara,” Tobirama sneered, “it almost sounds like you don’t trust me.”

“Trust the man who tried to skewer my brother? Of course I don’t.”

A dreadful silence fell in the room. Sakura and Hashirama locked gazes. The Hokage’s eyes were wide with panic, and Sakura felt much the same. Madara and Tobirama had been working together somewhat civilly the past few months, with only a few grumbles here and there from her betrothed. Sakura wondered if this spike in animosity was due to her involvement in the office dynamic. If it was, that was a problem she needed to nip in the bud. 

“I don’t mind!” Sakura said loudly, shocking the men in the room. Suddenly she had three sets of eyes on her. “Having Tobirama-san involved will speed up the process, right? And it’s for the good of the village, so,” she made sure to look directly at Madara as she said this, “I don’t mind.”

“Consider it a personal favor to me, Madara,” Hashirama said, trying to coax Madara into accepting this arrangement. 

Madara’s dark eyes darted between Hashirama and Sakura. Finally, they landed on Sakura. “You are sure?”

Sakura nodded. “I am.”

Madara nodded back, then turned his head to glare at Tobirama. “Watch yourself, Senju.”

After deciding on a time to visit the resident clans together, Sakura took her leave with Saburo and returned to the Uchiha compound while Madara stayed to continue working in the Hokage Tower. The next few weeks were going to be a brutal yet delicate dance. Hopefully there wouldn’t be any hiccups between Sakura and her new partner, and she could just focus on getting this project off the ground. 

The next few days passed by quietly. Sakura kept busy with her greenhouse and the steady trickle of patients that came to see her. Her strategy was working. A good number of farmers, perhaps half the total population, came to her for their aches and pains on the referral of Masaru. Thanks to Kaede, several women, including all of her sisters, came seeking her tea blends and other herbal remedies. The usual cluster of young shinobi still stopped by, but their numbers were bolstered by their senpai joining them on their visits. 

Sakura was immensely pleased with the turnaround of the clan’s mood towards her. If she had to guess, she’d say about sixty percent of the clan now approved of her and at least thirty percent were fond of her. All in all, not too shabby. 

It was becoming very busy at the main house all of a sudden. Madara loved how much Sakura loved being useful, and had no qualms about the frequency of unannounced guests. Izuna, however, huffed and puffed whenever someone knocked on the front door and stole Sakura’s attention away from him. She’d laugh at him every time, knowing he was acting melodramatic on purpose to hide his boredom. Soon enough though, Izuna would be good as new and his entertainment wouldn’t rely entirely on Sakura or his brother. 

It was on the day before Sakura was set to start working with Tobirama that Miyoko informed Sakura of a surprise waiting for her in her room. What she found made her jaw drop. Nestled inside several beautiful boxes, protected by a layer of gossamer paper, were gorgeous kimonos. All of the dresses were of high quality, detailed with beautiful embroidery, and all bore the Uchiha symbol on the back. 

“How beautiful,” Miyoko sighed. “Would you like to try them on, Sakura-sama?”

Staring at a beautiful, pale blue kimono with branches of sakura flowers in bloom down its side, Sakura shook her head in wonderment. “These must have cost a fortune.”

Miyoko hummed in confirmation, rubbing her fingers against a pastel yellow kimono covered in white chrysanthemums. “Madara-sama wouldn’t settle for second best, not when it came to you.” 

While that was nice to hear, a part of her felt guilty. Madara had spent a lot of money just to buy her some new dresses. Considering she had three perfectly good kimonos already, it just seemed unnecessary. Frivolous, even. 

“Is this even okay?” She held up a sage green kimono decorated with emerald-colored leaves. She flipped it over to view the Uchiha fan. “We’re not officially married yet, after all. Won’t this make some clansmen angry?”

There was a strange expression on Miyoko’s face. It was like she was trying to keep a smile from bursting across her lips. She wasn’t doing a very good job suppressing it. “You mentioned that you’ll be working more closely with Senju Tobirama. Right, Sakura-sama?”

“Yes.” Sakura raised a brow, patiently waiting for her friend to continue.

“Then I’m sure Madara-sama is just looking out for your best interests,” she said simply, but with no small amount of humor. 

Staring at her for a long moment, Sakura digested what she said and looked back to all the new clothes before her. “Are you seriously telling me Madara bought me seven new kimonos just because I’ll be spending a few weeks with a Senju?” 

What was Madara thinking? What was this all, then? Him marking his territory?

Miyoko shrugged, “Who am I to try and understand the inner workings of our patriarch?”

Throwing Miyoko a flat look, Sakura pushed the kimonos away. “That’s ridiculous.”

Miyoko simply held up the kimono in her hands. “Would you like to try them on?”

Sakura thought about refusing the suggestion. She considered tracking Madara down and interrogating him on his motivations for all this. Or Izuna, if Madara proved too elusive. There was no way the younger Uchiha didn’t have a hand in this scheme. She could also ignore the new kimonos altogether, and continue wearing her old ones until the wedding. 

But what good would any of that do? Create strife and discord between her and her betrothed? All because of some dresses that, when she really thought about it, she would need eventually anyway? Knowing when to pick a fight, Sakura swallowed her irritation and returned her attention to Miyoko. 

“I do, yes, but there’s something I need your help with first. Can you help me cut my hair?”

It took some time to set everything up for their task. First, Sakura had to wash her hair which took time and water. She did this while Miyoko went on a hunt for a pair of scissors. They met on the engawa just beyond the main room. 

Taking the time to comb through the pink locks to ensure it was all even, Miyoko asked, “How much would you like me to take off? One inch or two? It’s already a bit short.”

Sakura hummed mildly, “This is longer than I’m used to having it, actually.” 

She stopped cutting it once she’d traveled back in time. Most women in this age kept it long. To fit in more, she’d needed to grow it out. Pink hair was conspicuous enough, after all. 

“What?” Miyoko asked incredulously as she stared at the hair that reached just past Sakura’s shoulder blades. “But it’s so beautiful! Why wouldn’t you grow it out?”

Blushing at the compliment, Sakura smiled as she explained, “I don’t like it getting in my way.”

It was more practical for her, both as a kunoichi and as a medic, to have short hair that she wouldn’t have to tie back all the time. She had liked her long hair while growing up, but there was also a certain feeling of independence that came with keeping her hair short. 

Trying for nonchalance, she told Miyoko, “Actually, I was thinking of cutting off more than a few inches. What about cutting it here?” She grabbed her hair just above her shoulders, indicating where she’d like to cut it. 

“ What? ” Miyoko shrieked. “Why so short? You’ll look like a man, Sakura-sama! And your wedding! How am I supposed to style it when there’s nothing to style with , and –”

Sakura laughed, unable to contain herself any longer. “I’m sorry Miyoko, I was just teasing you.”

Miyoko huffed, her cheeks bright red now. Sakura wasn’t sure if that was because of how heated she’d just been or because of how embarrassed she was now. “You’ve been spending too much time with Uncle, Sakura-sama. You’re becoming just as mean as him.”

Getting to work, Miyoko began to cut Sakura’s hair half an inch at a time, making sure to gain Sakura’s approval regularly. Although she had been joking earlier, it’d be nice to have short hair again. Now that she had re-entered the ninja world, it would have its benefits. 

She’d never forget the day she learned that long hair could be used against her. That it could be a weakness. She was much older now, and much stronger, but she’d never forget the lesson she learned that day in the Forest of Death. Perhaps she’d chop it off herself after the wedding. There was a chance that, if she went through with that idea, Miyoko may have a heart attack.

Sakura was a medic, though. So it’d be fine. 

Later that day, well after the sun had set and dinner had been eaten, Madara returned home. Sakura waited until he’d bathed, eaten, and drank his evening tea before cornering him on his walk back to his room. 

“Madara,” Sakura called out in singsong as she took a seat next to him. Wrapping both her arms around his left bicep, she smiled up at him playfully. “You’ve been awfully naughty.”

“I have?” Madara raised a brow. His lips quivered downwards in confusion. 

Sakura hummed, hugging his arm closer to her chest. “What were you thinking buying me all those kimonos? Really, it’s too much.”

“Are they not to your liking?” Madara asked, his eyes suddenly too sharp and too intense for her liking. 

“They’re exquisite. Truly, the most beautiful dresses I’ve ever laid eyes on.” Reaching up on her tiptoes, she kissed his cheek. “I love them, thank you.”

Confusion clouded Madara’s face. “Then why–?”

Sakura thought about telling him that it was too much, too expensive. While that was all true, it wasn’t what really bothered her. Madara knew what was in his coffers. He was a responsible clan head. He wouldn’t buy something beyond his means and implying anything of the sort would surely put him in a sour mood. 

So instead, she focused on what was really on her mind. 

“No one’s going to steal me away. Especially not Tobirama-san.” 

Madara stared at her for a long moment, and then closed his eyes and sighed. “I know. I just . . .” He swallowed thickly and tried again. “I hate him so much.”

Sakura laughed. “I know, and I understand why.” Stepping in front of him, Sakura released his arm to wrap her own around his waist. Pressing up close to him, she looked up into his eyes. “It’ll just be for a few weeks. A month, tops.”

“And you’ll wear the kimonos?” Madara’s arms came around Sakura’s shoulders, holding her tight. “The one with the uchiwas?”

“I promise.” 

Madara hummed. “I still don’t like the way he looks at you. Like some puzzle he wants to solve.”

Pressing her cheek to his chest, Sakura reassured him, “Well I only have eyes for you.”

A sigh slipped past his lips. It looked like he was about to say something, like he wanted to say something, but whatever it was got trapped behind his teeth. Instead, he squeezed her tightly before pulling away to ask, “Take a walk with me?”

Sakura smiled. “I’d love to.”

Hand in hand, the couple took a turn around the estate gardens. Silently, they meandered past bridges, through the small islands scattered about the large pond, just basking in one another’s presence. They walked by the light of the moon and Madara’s Sharingan. The night was cold, frigid, even. Neither of them wanted to return to the main house just yet, though, not even for its comforting warmth. Instead they circulated their chakra to extend their time together. 

“I think this is my favorite spot within the whole compound,” Sakura said softly, not wanting to disturb the peace encapsulating them. They were on the smallest of the three isles. It had a lovely view of both the house and the rest of the pond and a good amount of trees to keep it private for when she needed a moment’s reprieve. “All it needs is a small bench and it’d be perfect.”

“Then I will have one brought here for you,” Madara said easily. 

Sakura smiled, “You don’t have to.”

“If it makes you happy, then I want to.”

Curling a hand around the back of his neck, Sakura brought Madara down for a kiss. Fire spread through her veins the moment their lips touched, warming her much better than her chakra ever could. 

After pulling away, Madara pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You make me happy, Sakura. Happier than I’ve ever been.”

Sakura hummed, “I’m glad.” She moved to step away, but found she couldn’t. Madara’s arms remained firm around her as he titled his head, narrowing his eyes at her. “Madara?”

“I never noticed before, the mark on your forehead–you’re channeling chakra towards it.”

“Oh.” Sakura reached up to touch her Byakugo seal, a bit self conscious. “It’s not continuous, so that may be why.”

Madara continued to stare at it, like a cat stares at a canary. “What’s its purpose?” He blinked, looking dazed. Remembering his manners, he added, “If you’re willing to tell me.”

Sakura nodded. After everything they’d been through, and everything they would continue to go through as partners in life, there was nothing she wouldn’t share with him. “It stores chakra. Every day I add a bit more into it, in case I ever need to tap into it for healing.” She grinned up at him and tapped the purple rhombus. “It makes me pretty hard to kill, too.”

His eyes, so red and stark against the dark of the night, brightened at that information. “Oh?” Taking her face into his hands, Madara took a moment to admire her. So softly, with his breath caressing her cheeks, he asked, “Do you have any idea how grateful I am for you, Sakura?”

Leaning up until their lips brushed, Sakura told him, “I think I have a pretty good idea.”

Without another word, Madara closed the distance between them.

It was time for another meeting with the chief priest about the wedding, so it was only fitting that the weather reflected Sakura’s bad mood. The sky was a blanket of gray, the ground a frosty, frozen tundra, and a bitter wind swept through when you least expected it. And to top it all off, Madara had been called away at the last minute on village business, leaving Izuna to accompany Sakura in his place. 

It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy spending time with Izuna. She rather enjoyed his company, even when he was at his most irritable. It was just that she enjoyed spending time with Madara more. Even with Kame’s presence, she looked forward to these meetings because it meant she’d have him mostly to herself for at least an hour. Now that her days were filled with clients and her work on the hospital, she was finding quality time with Madara hard to come by. 

So caught up in her own bad mood, it took almost half the journey to the shrine for Sakura to realize something was on Izuna’s mind. 

“You’re being very quiet today,” she commented. Her eyes raked over him, making sure his silence wasn’t due to any pain he was trying to subdue. Nothing about him looked amiss, though. Perhaps it was the cold wind biting into his bones? “Don’t tell me you’re nervous,” she teased. 

Scoffing, Izuna rolled his eyes. “Hardly. Kame-san will be like putty in my hands.”

“Okay, then what’s on your mind?”

“You said you were an only child, right?” When Sakura nodded, he hummed thoughtfully. “Have you and Madara discussed children?”

Taken off guard by his abrupt question, Sakura tried to think of where this conversation was going as she answered, “Not much, besides the fact that we want them.”

Izuna nodded, his dark eyes focused on the road in front of them, his mind deep in thoughts. Then, suddenly and without warning, he told her, “Five is a good number.”

Spit catching in her throat, Sakura coughed as she tried not to choke. “ Five? As in children?”

“More is acceptable, of course,” Izuna added with a shrug. “But a minimum of five would do. That’s how many our parents had, after all.”

A nearly hysterical laugh bubbled its way out of Sakura’s mouth. “How about this, I can promise you at least two.”

“ Two? ” Izuna’s head snapped over to glare at her. “That’s not nearly enough nieces and nephews for me to spoil!”

This was ridiculous. It had to be a joke. Based on the fire in his dark eyes, though, Sakura knew that Izuna was taking this very, very seriously. “If you want to spoil children so badly, then get a few of your own!”

“No, no,” he waved her away. “Your own children you have to raise; nieces and nephews you get to spoil. Everyone knows that. What about four? I’m open to four.”

Sakura barked out a laugh. “You might be, but I’m not. Do you know how hard labor is? Or pregnancy? If you did then you wouldn’t be asking for five babies right out the gate.”

“Aww, come on, Sakura!” He all but whined. “You can’t just have two–they’ll get sick of each other! You’ll need a third one to keep the peace, and if you have three you might as well have four.”

“I’m not agreeing to four.” This was bizarrely hilarious. Why were they talking about this, anyway? Just because Izuna was Madara’s brother didn’t mean he had a say in their reproductive decisions. “But if I tell you we’ll have at least three, will you be happy?”

Izuna pouted. “Barely.”

He sure was a brat, but, she thought with a smile, she loved him all the more for it. Bumping her arm against his, she said, “Don’t look so glum. Why are you even thinking about this in the first place?”

Izuna shrugged, “Who knows. Our conversation the other day just got me thinking . . . It was fun, growing up with so many siblings, you know? Even with the constant training and fighting. We at least had each other. I want that for Madara’s children, too.”

“They will,” Sakura promised. Regardless of how many children she and Madara had, she’d make sure they all grew up happy and healthy. And alive. 

“All five of them?” Izuna asked, looking at Sakura out of the corner of his eye. 

Sakura chuckled. “You’re lucky you’re still on the mend. You better be careful. One day I might smack you into a tree for being so cheeky.”

“No you wouldn’t,” Izuna said confidently. “You love me too much.”

Sakura thought back to all the times she pummeled Naruto and Sai. She’d clock them on the head or the arm for much less. “Don’t be so sure about that. The more I love someone, the harder I hit.”

Izuna was quiet for a long while, mulling over her warning. Eventually he said, “It’ll be worth it if I get five nieces and nephews out of the bargain.”

“Good heavens, you are stubborn aren’t you.”

Izuna grinned, “As a mule.”

Sakura groaned.

Thankfully, their meeting with Kame was a quick one. With Izuna present, they were able to decide on the type of wines to be served after the ceremony, what foods they’d serve at the reception, and what flowers would be used in decorations.

Sakura was getting her snapdragons!

They weren’t able to get to everything on Kame’s to-do list. He’d wanted to schedule a date for their wedding portrait to be painted, but Sakura hadn’t wanted to set anything in stone without Madara’s input. His schedule was much too chaotic to make a decision on her own. They also needed to choose a design for their wedding invitations and find a venue to act as their backup location in case it rained on their wedding day, but that could all wait until their next meeting in a month. In the meantime, Madara and Sakura would need to have their wedding kimonos made. 

Filing a plethora of information away in her mind to discuss with Madara later, Sakura and Izuna decided to take a stroll in the market before heading home. This was the furthest Izuna had pushed himself since his injury, but his spirits were high, his cheeks flushed with good health, and his breathing was calm and regular, so Sakura had no issue extending their excursion.

Everyone in the market was over the moon to see their heir up and walking around. Uncles slapped Izuna on the back while aunts pinched his cheeks and gave him kisses. Children would come up and pull on his hands, excited to show him this or that. He had to decline many offerings of free items from the vendors, so many that Sakura had to hide the giant, delighted smile splitting across her face. Izuna was well loved, and it was amazing to see that love in action. 

“Thank you, Sakura-sama,” one elderly woman said while taking Sakura’s hands in her own, “for saving our Izuna-sama.”

A few people gave their thanks in a similar fashion, and soon it was Izuna who was trying to hide a gleeful smile of his own.  

They were rifling through a few vegetables that had caught Izuna’s eye when Sakura saw a familiar face. “Kaede-san! How are you?”

“Sakura-san, Izuna-sama,” the young mother-to-be nodded to them both. “I have been well, thank you.”

“I hope the tea has been working out for you.” She hadn’t heard anything more from Kaede after dropping off the herbal tea she’d prescribed to her. Hopefully that meant the vomiting had stopped and not that Kaede just hadn’t wanted to reach out for help. Giving her a quick glance over, though, she looked well enough. There was a rosy hue to her cheeks and she’d put on some weight which was good. “Has your husband returned from his mission?”

“He has,” her eyes softened, “thank you for remembering. He came home just the other day.”

“Genji-san did well on his mission, so I’m told.” Izuna said, not looking at either woman. He was distracted by a babbling baby waving at him excitedly over his mother’s shoulder, so he didn’t see the way Kaede’s eyes turned bright at his praise. 

“Thank you, Izuna-sama. I’ll be sure to pass on your compliments.”

Izuna hummed, now making faces at the baby to make him laugh. 

Kaede looked back to Sakura, a question clearly on the tip of her tongue. Sakura waited patiently for the woman to decide whether or not to ask it. Eventually, Kaede made her decision. “Sakura-san . . . do you remember that discount you mentioned when I last saw you?”

Izuna, his curiosity piqued, looked down at Sakura with a raised brow. Sakura merely smiled and nodded. “I do.”

“And does that apply to–to all Uchiha?”

“Yes,” Sakura told her. The answer easily came out of her mouth. She’d even help the likes of Kame if he asked for it. “So long as my help is welcome, I’ll happily give it.”

“Ah,” Kaede nodded. “That’s good to know.” And with that, Kaede bowed to both of them again and took her leave. 

“What was that about?” Izuna asked a few minutes later as he inspected a tomato. 

Sakura shrugged, taking the tomato out of his hand and placing it, along with a few others, into her basket. “Not sure. I helped her out a few weeks ago with some nausea. Maybe she knows someone else who could use some medical care.”

Izuna paid the merchant for their items and they made their way to the next stall. “More and more people have been showing up at the manor for your help. You’re becoming quite popular.” Quicker than a snake, Izuna snatched his tomato out of her basket and took a bite, ignoring her indigent squawk. “And now with your duties in the village and the wedding, don’t you think you’re spreading yourself a bit too thin?”

Slapping him on the side of his arm–hard enough to make him grunt–she told him, “I’ll be fine. Plus, I can always delegate wedding planning over to you if I need to. I’m sure Kame-san would love that.”

“Kame-san could suck a frozen toad for all I care.” 

Sakura laughed, and the two of them meandered slowly back to their home. 

“How was your meeting with Kame-San?” Madara asked later that day as Sakura poured their tea. He’d returned home only a few hours after Sakura and Izuna, just in time to take an afternoon tea break with Sakura. “He didn’t give you any trouble, did he?”

“Not today.” Sakura grinned. “Izuna’s presence seemed to keep him in pure bliss.”

Madara chuckled. “He’s always had a soft spot for Izuna. In fact, he once hoped Izuna would become a priest himself, and one day take on his title, but our father would never allow that.”

“Oh?” Sakura asked, taking a small sip of her tea. It was still much too hot so she blew on it. “How come?”

“My father wanted shinobi.” Madara’s lips twisted into something ugly as he remembered the past. “He’d rather his sons die young as ninja than live to see an old age as a cleric.”

Sakura hummed around the rim of her cup. She could see the darkness brewing behind Madara’s eyes as the past weighed him down. Pulling at straws for a subject change, she asked, “Madara, which would you prefer first? A boy or a girl?” When Madara stared at her blankly, she clarified, “For our first child, I mean.”

It wasn’t like the question mattered. Neither of them would have a say in the sex of any of their children, after all. Sakura also assumed that Madara, like most battle-hardened men of his time, would want a son first. Perhaps he’d only want sons. She hoped not. Doubted it, even, considering some of Izuna’s remarks. Still, it was a fun question to pose. One that she hoped would help to distract her betrothed.

Madara smirked. “I see Izuna’s gotten to you.”

Sakura laughed. It was true in a sense. “I suppose so. We were talking about it earlier today. He requested at least five children from us. Can you believe him? Five! ” Shaking her head, she rolled her eyes dramatically. 

Madara chuckled along with her. “He’s always had lofty dreams. Though I can’t say I wouldn’t mind so many children myself.”

Sakura blushed, but didn’t say anything. 

“As for what I’d like first, hmm.” He crossed his arms and looked up at the ceiling, mulling the question. “I think a little girl would be nice.”

“Really?” Sakura blinked in surprise. She placed her tea cup down to properly stare at him. “How come?”

“Perhaps it’s because I grew up with only brothers, so having a little girl in this home would be a novel experience. I’d be able to dote on her as well, and keep her from harm in a way I wouldn’t be able to with a son.”

Sakura frowned, not entirely understanding what he meant by that, but then he shot her a small, shy smile and added, “If we did have a daughter. I think I’d like to name her after my mother, Midori.”

It was the first time she’d ever heard Madara speak of his mother. Hell, it was the first time she’d heard the woman’s name. “Midori,” Sakura repeated softly. “It’s a beautiful name.”

Madara looked down at his tea. “She was a beautiful woman.”

Reaching out across the table, Sakura took his hand in hers. “Can you tell me about her?”

Squeezing her hand, Madara at first looked like he was going to say no. That it was too painful. But instead, he took in a shaky breath and nodded. “She was kind. Too kind for this world, maybe. She wanted to protect me and my brothers, to cherish us as she believed children should be cherished, but my father…” he drifted off, his jaw clenching. 

“She was the one who taught me how to play Shogi, and who taught Izuna and me our manners. Seldom though we may use them.” He threw a grin her way. “She was a gardener, like you in a way, though she preferred flowers to herbs. Father had her garden burned the day after her burial.”

Rubbing her thumb over Madara’s knuckles, Sakura dared to ask, “How did she die?”

“She died of a broken heart, if you can believe it. Watching three of her five sons die before their time . . . Each of their deaths chipped away at her a little more.”

Dying of a broken heart. Of course Sakura could believe it. Living through the death of your loved ones was a terrible fate. Worser still for a mother and her children. 

“I’m sorry,” Sakura told him. If she could make it so he’d had a kinder childhood, she would. She might not be able to change his past, but at least she could provide him with a happier future. 

“Whatever happens, Sakura,” Madara said slowly, with silver gleaming in his eyes. “I promise you that I will protect our family with my dying breath.”

Sakura’s free hand reached out to wipe away a stray tear from Madara’s cheek. Intertwining their fingers, Sakura smiled softly at him. “I know.”

Tobirama and Sakura made for a strange pair. Both could be considered geniuses in their respective fields, both wanted what was best for their loved ones, and both had plenty of lived experience to draw from to help in their endeavor. And yet, Sakura feared they were doomed to fail based on the simple fact that neither trusted the other. Sakura didn’t trust that Tobirama’s pettiness wouldn’t get in the way, and Tobirama didn’t trust Sakura because of her connection with the Uchiha. 

Which, at this point, was getting tiresome. 

All throughout the past few weeks, the two of them had gone clan to clan, looking for medical recruits. The Senju, being the most experienced in this field, produced the highest number of recruits. A whole six people. Most of them were young. Younger than Sakura would like. They were old enough to understand chakra control though, and almost as old as she was when she became a ninja herself. Tobirama assured her that they were the best options for their generation. 

She hoped that was true.

The Uchiha supplied an impressive offering of three shinobi. At first Sakura hadn’t thought they’d get many, if any, recruits from the Uchiha, with their lack of history in medicine, but she was pleasantly surprised to see Izanagi and his two friends offering their services.

“It was so cool how you saved my leg with chakra, Sakura-sama!” Izanagi answered when Sakura asked why they were interested in becoming medical-nin.

“Yeah!” His friend, the one who’d helped carry him in, agreed. “When we heard you were looking for apprentices, we knew we had to try!”

“Kicking ass and saving lives,” the third one, Taro, exclaimed with a karate chop of his arm, “just like Sakura-sama!”

Sakura had blushed furiously at their praise, and was extremely pleased at their interest.

From the rest of the clans they only received one or two potential recruits. It was a good start for the program, totaling in thirty shinobi. The main worry rattling through Sakura’s brain was chakra control. Large reserves of chakra were great and definitely preferred over small ones, but chakra control was a learned skill. One day Sakura would be able to help the Leaf ninja hone their control, but she’d much rather get started with those that already had a good handle on their chakra. 

Looking at the list of names before her as she and Tobirama sat inside his office, Sakura tapped the paper curiously. “They’re all men.”

Tobirama looked at her, then the paper, then at her again. “Your powers of deduction are astounding.”

Sakura’s fingers twitched, just itching to throttle him. Glaring at him instead, she elaborated, “Don’t you find that strange?” She knew that kunoichi were rare in this time period. It hadn’t been until Tsunade’s generation that kunoichi’s fought under the symbol of the Leaf, after all. That being said, she knew they existed. The fact that they didn’t have a single woman amongst their ranks seemed odd. 

“I don’t know how things were done in your clan, Sakura-san, but most clans that I am aware of do not have their women on the front lines.”

“This wouldn’t be the front lines, though.” Not yet, at least. 

Tobirama grunted, “It might as well be to them.”

“We could have twice the amount of people enrolled if women joined the fight,” Sakura said indignantly. “I know my people did things differently, but we recognized that a fighting spirit was a fighting spirit.”

Blandly, Tobirama flipped the page of a book he was looking through. “Not much of a fighting spirit when they’re all dead, is it?”

Moving faster than either of them thought possible, Sakura grabbed the future Nidaime by the lapel of his haori and hurled him through the open window behind him with a deep throated, “ Shannaro! ”

Would she regret her actions in the future? Maybe. Did she regret it now? Hell no. Seconds away from spitting fire, Sakura spun on her heel and stormed out of the Hokage Tower. 

Everyone in the main house could tell, immediately, that something was wrong. Sakura hadn’t wanted to talk to anyone. She’d sent Miyoko home early, canceled her walk with Izuna, and holed herself away in her room. What she wanted to do was head to a training ground and destroy everything around her in a blind rage, but that wasn’t an option, so instead she laid on her futon and silently screamed into her pillow. 

It wasn’t until hours later that someone dared to approach her door. “Sakura?” Madara’s voice called through the shoji door. “May I come in?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice muffled by the pillow.  She wondered how she’d explain to Madara why she threw the Hokage’s brother out of a window without starting a war. 

The door slid open softly, and Madara came to kneel beside her. Hesitantly, like he wasn’t used to offering comfort, he placed his hand on her back and rubbed slow circles into her skin. “What’s wrong?”

Sakura sighed. It was a deep and heavy thing, but it made her feel a little better. Rolling over onto her back, she looked up at Madara and said, “Tobirama’s an ass.”

Madara brushed some hair away from her face as he looked her over. “Are you hurt?”

“No.” She winced. “He might be. I threw him out a window.”

Brows rising to the top of his forehead, Madara looked far too amused as he said, “Go on.”

Groaning, Sakura covered her face with her hands as she told him about her conversation with Tobirama. She explained her confusion over the lack of women, her frustration at Tobirama’s dismissal of her concerns, and her absolute fury at his words about her people. Tears of anger welled in her eyes and slid hot trails across her cheeks. 

Sakura wished she could walk back into the village and pummel Tobirama into the ground for what he’d said. If this were her own time, if he were anyone else, she probably would have. But that wouldn’t be political of her. 

Looking at Madara through a crack in her fingers, she said, “I’m sorry if I’ve made things difficult between you and Hashirama.”

“Don’t worry about that.” Madara consoled. “Hashirama knows his brother is in the wrong. He assured me he’d handle the situation personally.”

Dragging her hands from her face, Sakura squinted at him. “Who are you and what have you done with my betrothed?” It was only a few months ago that Madara had flown into a rage because Tobirama had dared to have a conversation with her. 

Madara chuckled, his fingers toying with a lock of her hair. “My faith has grown in my old friend. If he says he’ll handle it then he will. But,” he said, his expression darkening, “if you want me to end Tobirama, I will.”

Sakura hummed, enjoying the tingle that his words sent down her spine. “No. He’s an ass, but he’s a useful ass.” As annoying as it was, Senju Tobirama still had a lot to offer to the shinobi world. Killing him now would be short sighted. 

Sitting up, Sakura wiped her tears away. “I love you for offering though.”

Madara grunted before leaning in to kiss her forehead. “Let’s have our tea and you can tell me about your plans for your new recruits. Saburo told me you’ve gathered thirty. Impressive.”

“Maybe another time.” Sakura took Madara’s hand and he helped her up. Holding his arm to her breast, she leaned into him. “I’d rather hear about your day instead.”

Pressing another kiss to her forehead, Madara nodded. “As you wish.”

The next morning, Sakura returned to the Hokage Tower. She wasn’t about to let Tobirama deter her from developing the medical corp. if she needed to swallow her pride and anger for the man in order to do that, then so be it. 

Tobirama was waiting for her outside the Tower’s front door. He looked as if he’d swallowed something sour, but his body language wasn’t aggressive. “Sakura-san.” He bowed his head reverently as soon as she stepped up to him. “I apologize for my words yesterday. They were thoughtless and callous, and I am ashamed of my behavior.”

Sakura wondered how much of that apology was sincere, and how much of that was constructed by his brother. Tobirama didn’t strike her as a man that regretted anything, but the look in his eyes did seem genuine. She hoped it was. It’d be so much easier to work with Tobirama if they weren’t always at each other’s throats. 

“I accept your apology. And,” Sakura paused to take a deep breath. She hadn’t come here planning to do this, and she wasn’t as mentally prepared as she’d like to be. “I”m sorry, too. For throwing you out a window.” 

Tobirama actually cracked a smile. It was a small one, disappearing in the blink of an eye, but it was there. “Your strength is impressive.”

Grudgingly, Sakura said, “Thank you.”

Opening his mouth and then closing it again, Tobirama struggled to find his words. “I was hoping we might take a walk together before beginning our work for the day.”

Sakura hesitated. It would just be the two of them, and while that might have been fine while they worked in Tobirama’s office, with Madara and Hashirama just a few feet away, this would be different. Madara had come to accept their work as a necessary evil, and he trusted Hashirama to keep his brother in line. A part of her worried that going off with Tobirama would cause the Uchiha patriarch to go into a panic. That wasn’t a reaction Sakura ever wanted to be the cause of again. Not if she could help it. 

“That’s fine,” Sakura finally agreed, then added, “let me just inform Madara we’ll be away for a bit.”

“I didn’t realize your betrothed was your keeper as well,” Tobirama said, snidely. 

Realizing this was all going to be much harder than she originally thought possible, Sakura took a deep breath and told him, “I’m not asking for permission. I am informing Madara of my whereabouts as a courtesy. Perhaps one day, if you’re lucky enough to find yourself a partner, you’ll understand.”

After everything was settled, the two set off to nowhere in particular. Sakura waited for Tobirama to say something. He was the one who wanted this opportunity, after all. If he didn’t intend to use it to talk, then Sakura couldn’t understand what the purpose of it was then. 

“I am sorry, Sakura-san.” Tobirama said suddenly, his face unreadable. “What I said was out of line and disrespectful. I know nothing about your clan, but if they were anything like you, they must have been fierce.”

Sakura considered his words. She wondered if he would’ve said that if she hadn’t thrown him out a window. Somehow, she doubted it. 

“They didn’t need to be fierce or powerful or anything to deserve basic decency. Have you never heard of respecting the dead?”

Tobirama nodded, “That’s true enough.” He stopped suddenly and locked eyes with Sakura. “Tell me what your people were like.”

Eyes narrowing, Sakura wondered what his motives were. “Is this why you wanted to talk? So you could interrogate me about my clan?”

“It’s not an interrogation.”

Sakura huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “What would you call it then?”

Simply, he replied, “Village security.”

“Village security?” What did that even mean? She was joining the village with the Uchiha clan. Several other clans and a handful of unknown people were also citizens of Konoha at this point. There was no way she could be considered more of a security threat than anyone else at this time. “Don’t you think you’re being paranoid?”

“You are an anomaly,” Tobirama informed her, completely undeterred. “You are a woman, a medic, a ninja. You’re well versed in fighting and healing. You survived without a clan, without a family, for years. No one has ever heard of your clan before. Your ability to control chakra is unparalleled.”

“Is there a question in there I can answer?” Sakura asked, baring her teeth. She wished he would just get to his point. 

Tobirama’s nostrils flared. “Who are you?”

There was no right answer to that question. No answer that would satisfy Tobirama. Instead, Sakura thought back to what started this all. “We’re making a mistake, not recruiting women for the medical corps.” 

Tobirama blinked, not expecting that response. 

“Women make up half the world’s population. We’re doing Konoha a disservice by not tapping into the resource. I understand that my . . . abilities confuse you.  I wasn’t raised in the typical fashion of a woman. I was fortunate enough to be taught to fight and heal and–and do things with my life. Like survive!”

Pushing hair away from her face, Sakura felt a wave of heat rush through her body. “I can’t make you trust me, Tobirama-san. I could go blue in the face telling you my life’s story, and it wouldn’t do me any good. Only time will change your opinion of me. If you think I’m an anomaly, then good. I’m glad I’m an anomaly, and I want to make Konoha the land of anomalies. If we want this great experiment to succeed, then we need all the help we can get.”

Staring at her for a long time with his unsettling, red eyes, Tobirama did nothing for a long, long time. “And that’s what you want?” He asked quietly. “For Konoha to succeed?”

“Of course,” Sakura answered automatically. What did he think she was? Some spy sent to infiltrate and destroy the village from within? If that was true, then he was an idiot. 

The longest minute of Sakura’s life passed, just her and Tobirama staring each other down, as he decided whether or not to believe her. It was true, though, she couldn’t make him trust her. She could beat him, poison him, kiss him, pour her heart out to him . . . and it wouldn’t do her any good. All she could do was wait. 

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Tobirama nodded. “Let’s get to work.”

Working with Tobirama after that became a little bit easier. There was still a wall between them, a stiffness, but no longer did the Senju look at her with distrust in his eyes. While Tobirama worked with their current recruits to test their basic chakra control, Sakura met with as many clan matriarchs as possible in an attempt to convince them to allow women into the medical corps. 

So far, she considered her endeavors to be a moderate success. Four clans had agreed to train their women in the medical arts; the Hyuuga, Yamanaka, Nara, and Inuzuka. In Sakura’s time, she had known these four clans to have strong women, not only amongst their ranks, but as leaders and heirs. It was heartening to see how early on they recognized their women as valuable assets. 

The Akimichi and Shimura clans were intrigued by Sakura’s proposition, but wanted time to consider their response. Sakura had accepted that. Respected it, even. She hoped that they’d agree to her plan, but she couldn’t force them. 

Everyone else had denied her flat out. 

She didn’t mind, though. She knew most clans would say no so instead she’d focus on the positives of those who’d said yes. 

There was still more work to do on the project. Tobirama was in charge of convincing the Senju to send some women, and Sakura would need to attempt the same with the Uchiha and prepare supplies for the first lesson, but that could all wait. There was one project that had been rattling in the back of Sakura’s head for a while now. One that had led her to Madara’s office once her last meeting had wrapped up.

“That’s a strange look you’re giving me,” Madara said without looking up from his work. Calmly, he continued writing his letter, his writing brush never wavering. 

Sakura huffed and crossed her arms, “I didn’t realize you had a third eye along with the Sharingan.”

Madara chuckled deeply, the sound sending a shiver down Sakura’s spine. “What would I need a third eye for, when I can feel the heat of your gaze on me?” He placed the brush to the side and looked up. “What is on your mind?”

This was it. The moment Sakura had been waiting months for. Stockpiling her courage for. Her tongue felt like lead in her mouth. What if he rebuffed her? She knew he appreciated her abilities as a healer, but maybe that didn’t extend to his kekkei genkai. After all, why else would he not seek out her help in that regard?

Madara continued to stare patiently, though his brows began to furrow with silent concern. She was taking too long. Soon his anxieties and worries would get the better of him. She needed to just get this over with. 

“Can I examine your eyes?”

Madara blinked once. Twice. Then a third time. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Great. Now it was Sakura’s turn to spiral while the silence surrounded her. 

Finally, Madara responded. “What’s wrong with my eyes?”

Feeling like a light breeze might knock her over, Sakura looked into her betrothed’s eyes and was amazed when she found only signs of pure confusion. “For your Sharingan,” she said slowly. “Surely it must irritate you?”

“Not particularly. Not that I’ve ever noticed.”

That didn’t sound right. Even though she’d only ever been able to examine Kakashi’s Sharingan, she’d done so enough to know the strain the bloodline limit put on his optic nerve. Even if her ex-sensei’s situation was a fluke, she also had experience treating the Byakugan. Although different, both kekkei genkais focused chakra towards the eyes which led to burns, inflammation, and other side effects. No way was Madara immune to all that. 

“Would you mind if I examined them anyway? Just to be sure.”

Madara was obviously torn. She knew he cared for her deeply and trusted her to care for his brother and their people, but he’d been raised in a world where people hunted him for his eyes. Letting her examine them would require him to be vulnerable, something he wasn’t used to being. 

Leaning back in his chair, his shoulders high and tense, Madara nodded. 

Slowly, as if approaching a feral cat in an alleyway, Sakura stepped closer to Madara. Hands in front of her, where he could see them through his slightly narrowed gaze, she told him exactly what an examination entailed. 

“First I’ll run a diagnostic jutsu. You’ll feel my chakra around your eyes and in the back of your head. It shouldn’t hurt but it may feel uncomfortable.” Her fingers itched to reach out and tangle themselves in his hair, but she refrained, not sure if the gesture would be welcomed at the moment. “Your chakra pathway system may at first see my chakra as invasive, which is normal, but it may slow down the process. The best advice I can give you is to relax and try not to fight it.”

Madara hummed in acknowledgement. His nostrils flared as she placed her hands on either side of his head. “Are you ready?” She asked, giving him an out if he needed it. 

He nodded his head, and Sakura closed her eyes and went to work. As she expected, his optic nerves were inflamed. In fact, they were practically raw. It was a wonder that Madara could even still see without his Sharingan. He must’ve been in a great deal of pain whenever he used it too. The lenses of his eyes were scratched from overuse of chakra, and the nerves in his eyes were frayed as well. 

“You said you didn’t feel any pain?” Sakura asked again, her eyes still shut tight. Madara grunted. “No discomfort?” He grunted again. 

Sakura hummed, but didn’t challenge him. Perhaps he truly didn’t feel it, or perhaps he had an incredibly high tolerance for pain. It didn’t matter, whatever the reason. It’d take her some time, but she’d heal the damage his Sharingan had wreaked. 

“You’d better settle in,” she told him, peeking an eye open to see his slight pout. “We’re going to be here for a while.”

Madara groaned. 

It took almost three hours before Sakura was satisfied with the progress she’d made. Perspiration misted her brow and back of her neck. It was the longest healing session she’d done in a while and her body was abuzz with the adrenaline and exhaustion of it all. Madara, from the looks of it, was well past exhausted. His eyes struggled to open when Sakura drew her hands away, the frown lines around his mouth had softened and his shoulders were slumped with weariness. Healing took its toll. Both on the healer and the recipient. 

“Madara,” Sakura roused him gently, placing her hand on the side of his neck. His pulse thrummed steadily beneath her palm. “Open your eyes.”

Doing as he was bid, Madara’s eyes fully opened and then widened as he took in his surroundings. He blinked twice, then rubbed at his eyes, as if what he was seeing could be wiped away. 

“How does everything look?”

“It looks,” Madara paused as he continued to stare around in wonderment. “I hadn’t realized it had gotten so bad.”

Sakura raised a brow. “Oh?”

“Everything is so much brighter now,” he explained. “Before everything was dim, like it was covered in shadow or a dark veil. But I thought—I thought that was how everything truly looked.”

Sakura hummed. His sight must have degraded slowly. So slowly he never realized that’s what was happening. 

“Any pain?”

His brows furrowed in thought. “My headache is gone.”

Men! Sakura swallowed her annoyance. Why did men always have to hide their pain? Physical or emotional, it didn’t matter. They were always the same. Always needing to appear strong. Heaven forbid they ask for help, get it, and life actually gets better.

Sakura flicked Madara’s forehead. 

Hissing, Madara flinched away from Sakura and scowled. “What was that for?”

“Why didn’t you mention that when I asked if you had any pain?” Sakura placed her hands on her hips and glared down at him. “I’m a medic, Madara. If you’re in pain you need to tell me so I can do my job.” 

Rubbing at the red spot smack dab in the center of his forehead, Madara grimaced. “I’ve had headaches since I was thirteen, Sakura. I didn’t realize the two were connected.”

It was flimsy, but understandable if Sakura really thought about it. “Well in the future,” Sakura told him as she reached out to cup his face between her hands, “please let me know how you’re feeling. Even if it’s just a papercut. I want to know, okay?”

Madara kissed the heel of her palm. “Very well.”

Sakura smiled, satisfied with how agreeable Madara was being. “Good. Now why don’t you test out your Sharingan. I want to know if there’s any lingering issues I’ll need to focus on in the future.”

“Bossy woman,” Madara tutted and rolled his eyes playfully. Placing his hands on her hips, pulling her even closer to him, he activated his kekkei genkai and inhaled sharply. 

“What is it?” Sakura asked, her hands moving back up to his temples. Perhaps his eyes weren’t ready for the amount of chakra surging through them so close after healing. Or maybe she missed something before? Whatever it was, she was ready to dive back in and fix it.

“It’s amazing,” Madara murmured, his words freezing Sakura in place. Pulling her down into his lap, he pressed a kiss to her temple. “Thank you, Sakura.” 

“You’re—you’re welcome.” A red hot blush covered the entirety of her face. She could feel the beating of his heart, so steady and strong, beneath her hand. His scent enveloped her scenes, bringing to mind bonfires within the depths of the forests. 

Madara shifted so they’d both be more comfortable. He tucked her head into the crook of his neck and sighed. “I wasn’t expecting to become so tired after that.”

“It’s the healing of it all,” Sakura shrugged, playing with the edge of his kake-eri. “Even small cuts require a certain amount of energy to heal. The bigger the injury, the more energy your body needs to exert to heal it. It’s why sometimes the best thing you can do if you're sick is to rest.”

“And what about you?” Madara dragged his thumb down her arm. “Does it tire you?”

“It depends. I suppose it’s similar to fighting. The more chakra I have, the more endurance, the longer I can last before tiring out.”

“How are you feeling now?”

Sakura hummed and took stock of herself. Now that she’d had time to rest a bit she no longer felt winded or fatigued. She was no worse off than if she’d gone for a ten kilometer run. Thanks to her perfect chakra control, too, she’d only used a fraction of her daily reserves. 

“I feel fine,” she finally answered. 

“How many examinations like that do you think you could do in a single day?”

“It depends,” Sakura said slowly. The damage in Madara’s eyes had been extensive and had needed a much longer healing session than a younger, greener member of the clan would need. Then there was the question of chakra control. Those that had better control would have less damage, regardless of age or experience. As she ran the numbers through her head, Sakura erred on the side of caution. “I could probably complete three of four exams a day.” 

“Good. I want to start referring clansmen to have their Sharingan looked at. We’ll schedule it around your time here at the Tower, of course, and you’ll tell me if you ever overworking yourself.”

Sakura stiffened in his arms. She thought of all the times she’d worked herself to exhaustion in her own time. The times she’d ended up in a hospital bed herself because of chakra exhaustion. The times that Tsunade had forced her to go home after twenty-plus hour shifts. The times she’d been so tired she hadn’t been able to make it home and had instead passed out in the on-call room. 

Arms tightening around her waist, Madara repeated himself, “You will tell me, won’t you, Sakura?”

Sakura sighed, “I’ll do my best.”

“Promise?”

A chuckle escaped her lips. “Yes, Madara, I promise.”

“Hmm, good.” He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes and resting his head back in his seat. “I’ll hold you to it.”

Sakura waited for Madara to let her go or loosen his hold on her. She waited for him to do something . Surely he had more work to do, or, if not, wanted to return home, but when, after a quarter of an hour, he hadn’t moved, Sakura began to fidget. 

“Madara,” she said quietly, poking him on the chest. He grunted, telling her he was listening. “Should we start heading back?” 

“No,” he told her, his voice soft but stern. “I’m quite content right where I am.”