Chapter 2
Sakura felt Shisui's presence before he burst in through the door. The heavy scent of blood followed him, but Sakura could tell from his movements that he was uninjured.
It hurt her heart that somebody as young as Shisui was being sent out to kill, and she's glad that he returned in one piece.
He picked her up and held her close to his chest. In her past life, she never questioned her parents' love for her, but she also never felt as treasured as Shisui made her feel.
Her tiny body was difficult to move according to her will, but she managed to grab into his shirt with her fumbling hand. Her grip was weak, but Shisui grinned anyway.
"You missed me, too, Sakura?"
In truth, she did miss him. She hadn’t known Shisui for long, but she felt a connection with him. Was there something about families that made him a comforting presence? Did the Uchiha have something in their blood that strengthened their familial bonds?
If so, she could understand why Sasuke became obsessed with revenge after the massacre.
Shisui’s eyes as he looked at her were full of warmth, a spark of life she needed to preserve.
Mikoto burst into the room and took Sakura from Shisui, disbelief and anger mixed in her expression. "Wash up before you hold a baby, Shisui. Especially when you’re covered in blood and dirt."
He had the decency to look the slightest bit ashamed.
“I trust you,” he said. “I just needed to see Sakura for myself. This was the first time I left her side since she was born, and it was for so long, too.”
Sakura couldn’t see Mikoto’s face very well, but she could imagine the expression she had when she said, “You’re such a kind child, Shisui. I only wish you didn’t have to grow up so quickly.”
Sakura understood the weight of those words, and she wondered if Shisui did, too. However, it wouldn't surprise her if he didn't. The world in which he grew up was stuck in a cycle of war. No child had the luxury not to grow up quickly.
She was reborn in a generation that would be forced to fight as early as they were able to, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t change the childhood of others to be more peaceful this time.
Sasuke. Naruto. I’ll make sure you’re happy this time.
Shisui was grateful for the support of his clan. He had no idea how he’d be able to take care of Sakura without them.
Then, moments like these made his efforts feel worthwhile.
Sakura stumbled towards him on her short legs. Shisui was crouched only a few steps away from her, his arms outstretched to catch her if she fell. Not that she needed his help this time.
When she reached him, he picked her up and spun her around. “Sakura, my Sakura! Big brother is so proud of you for walking.”
Sakura laughed, and her smile with holes where teeth had yet to grow warmed Shisui’s heart. She said his name, but was unable to pronounce it properly. Still, he was honored that his name had been her first word.
“I want your happiness to last forever,” Shisui said. “But you’ve been born into a cruel world, and I’m afraid that I’m not strong enough to protect you.”
The way Sakura tilted her head made him believe that she understood him. (Although he reminded himself that it was a ridiculous thought. She’s just a baby.)
Shisui held her close to his chest. “The most I can promise is that I will always do my best to keep you safe and happy. I just hope that, in return, you won’t leave me like our parents have.”
Was that too much to ask?
Sakura was four years old. Her time as an Uchiha made it difficult for her to believe that she was once scorned for being a clanless girl. That she once had a family limited to her parents and herself rather than the residents of an entire compound.
The ongoing war left a shadow over the village, but being within the walls of Konoha still felt safe. The problem was, however, that she saw Kushina visit Mikoto the other day and noticed that she was nearing the end of her pregnancy.
If Sakura was going to find a way to keep Naruto’s parents alive and stop the Nine-Tails from attacking the village, then she was running out of time to figure out a plan.
Shisui was sent out on missions often enough that she had opportunities to get acclimated to the abilities of her small body and train, but she had limited information about what it was that caused Kushina’s seal to break. Naruto shared the story his mother told him, but it’d been years since then. Plus, her memories from her first life were not always clear.
She didn’t think that Shisui would believe her if she told him about events that had yet to occur. She never doubted the love and trust he felt for her, but it’d be too easy to brush off what she said as being the product of a child’s imagination.
Sakura opened the door when Mikoto knocked, baby Sasuke asleep in her arms.
“It’s time for you to get to bed, Sakura,” she said.
“Yes, I know,” Sakura said. “I was just about to get ready to sleep.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay at my house?”
“I’m okay here.”
Her and Shisui’s dad died within the last four years. He’d been wasting away since their mother’s death, and she wasn’t surprised that he never regained his will to live. Since Mikoto had Sasuke and Itachi, Sakura decided to stay by herself when Shisui left for missions. She’d proven capable, but she knew that Shisui asked the clan to keep an eye on her while he was gone.
Mikoto took it upon herself to check in on Sakura at night and in the morning. Not that Sakura minded. It was nice to know that she was cared for by more than just Shisui.
Mikoto sighed. “You’re just like your brother. Too independent and mature at such a young age. I wish…”
She didn’t need to finish her thought, Sakura understood what she meant.
Mikoto cleared her throat. “Anyway, if you don’t need anything, I’ll be back in the morning.”
Sakura nodded. “I know. Good night, Aunty.”
“Good night, Sakura.”
In the dark, Sakura stared at the ceiling. She worried that she wouldn’t be enough to stop the Nine-Tails from being released, but she knew that she needed to try.
If she failed, at least she could rest with the knowledge that she did what she could.
After all, Naruto deserved a new life, too.