"Grief is like the ocean, it comes in waves, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim."

- Vicki Harrison

-

Tsunade stopped in front of the gates, sucking in a breath as she took in all the changes. "Well." She muttered, eyes narrowing. Jiraiya stopped and put a hand on her shoulder. "I haven't been back here in years." She told him quietly. "Looks pretty much the same." Naruto smiled down at the floor, biting his lip to keep from laughing, before looking up at Sakura and Sasuke through his bangs.

"Baa-chan," Naruto said, a breath of relief running through him, "before we get you all settled at my place, can you come with me to the hospital to see my dad?" Naruto was ecstatic that he could finally have his father back. Everything was going to be okay. The young blonde out a sigh when Tsunade nodded determinedly.

"Of course. Minato's my top priority." Tsunade said, sobering up at the memory of her friend. Her hazel eyes took on a serious hardness that made everyone pick up their pace. They passed through the gates, ignoring the amazed stares coming from Izumo and Kotetsu, the poor Jōnin looking almost at the verge of passing out at the sight of the female Sannin.

"Ano... Tsunade-sama," Sakura spoke up. Naruto looked at her curiously. "Do you mind if I join you? I was monitoring Hokage-sama's progress while we were gone, and I wanted to personally see how he's doing. With you, too. And Shizune-sama."

Shizune smiled gently at her. "Sakura-chan, it's been about a week since you left home, right? Shouldn't you go home and sleep for a while?"

Sakura smiled at Shizune, but shook her head. "My parents are very supportive of my ninja life, and are used to me clocking in long hours. I'm sure another hour will be fine. I'll send a message over to my house." She dropped her backpack, and did a summoning jutsu. A small, black spotted cat with startlingly green eyes sat at her feet. A cheshire grin on her face. "Kireina!" She exclaimed, a small smile on her face.

"Sakura-sama!" The panther cub said excitedly. "It's my first summon!"

Sakura's eyes widened, and she grinned. She dropped to a knee and rubbed the feline on the head, a good natured grin on her face. "Congratulations! Now, I need you to go over to my house and tell my parents that I'll be home a little late, but I'm home safe. Sound good?" She asked.

"Mm!" Kireina the cub nodded her tiny head, and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"You have panther summons?" Tsunade's eyebrows raised, and she walked into the village alongside Jiraiya and Kakashi, heading in the direction of Konoha General.

"She does." Kakashi said, nodding her head. Sakura smiled, before looking at Sasuke, who still hadn't said a word directly to her since their fight earlier.

"Are you going home?" She asked him, cocking an eyebrow.

Sasuke shook his head, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I want to see Minato wake up too." He commented, which was progress. At least he wasn't downright ignoring her, like he had been on the way back from the trip.

"Alright." Sakura slowed to walk by him, allowing the adults to converse with Naruto. The two of them walked in silence for a bit, watching the leaves sway in the branches of the trees as they walked.

"I'm sorry."

Sakura and Sasuke looked at each other in astonishment when it registered that they'd both said it at the same time.

"Sorry? What for?" Sasuke asked, frowning. "You weren't the paranoid jerk." He muttered, more to himself than to Sakura. His hands shoved themselves deeper in his pockets and it registered that Sasuke had probably been letting that eat him up for a long time. Sakura rolled her eyes at Sasuke, groaning internally.

"Yeah, but I wasn't being a very good team player. You did tell me to settle down, and everyone else was in bed... as much as I hate it, you're right. If someone got the jump on me, I probably could've been kidnapped."

Sasuke shook his head jerkily, letting out a heavy sigh. "No, you wouldn't have," he acknowledged. "You're too tough for that. I was just being paranoid, like I said."

Sakura beamed at his acknowledgement of her skills, but shook her head. "You had a right to be concerned, Sasuke. I'm pretty impulsive- almost as bad as Naruto, and it's gotten me into a lot of messes. I didn't warn you guys about where I was going, and there was Orochimaru prowling around... so, yeah. I wasn't being a good teammate, and I'm sorry."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her. "How about we both suck as human beings, and we leave it at that?"

"Sounds good." Sakura laughed, a tomboyish grin on her face. She slung her arm around Sasuke good naturedly. "But be more positive, Sasuke! We're still young, and have lots of room to improve! We'll only know if we sucked as humans before we die."

"Optimism is a fool's game." Sasuke rolled his eyes, hands still shoved in his pockets, though he did accept Sakura's hug.

"So's pessimism." Sakura reminded him.

"Did you two finally kiss and make up?" Naruto shouted back at them, twisting his head to grin at them.

Sasuke's ears turned red, but Sakura didn't notice, rolling her eyes and flipping Naruto off in response. "Oh yeah, we kissed just as much as you kissed Hinata the other day." Sasuke snorted, remembering how awkward that was. He had hastily kissed her on the cheek in excitement, and she'd just passed out.

"Oi! Sakura-chan! That's low!"

"Mind your own business, then!"

<>

It took a great effort to avoid all of the curious ninja and civilians who spotted the two legendary Sannin walking beside a genin team. Luckily, everyone seemed to notice that the Slug Princess was is no mood to answer questions, and crowds parted like water as the odd group of people stomped by.

When the little group finally arrived to Minato Namikaze's hospital room, Tsunade took a few seconds to just stare at Minato. A worried frown furrowed her brow. Then she got straight to work. She brought Sakura to the front, and showed her how she would heal the inside infections the doctors had missed. Black ribbons from the Byakugou no In appeared on the older woman's body as she worked tirelessly to save the Hokage.

Jiraiya leaned on the wall at the corner of the room, watching his student with concerned attentiveness. Kakashi ushered Naruto and Sasuke to a different corner of the room, so they'd be out of their way.

Shizune joined Tsunade, helping as much as she could. Sakura watched the whole process with a sense of homesickness. She had missed her shishou so, so much. Things still weren't back to normal- as much as Sakura hated it, she didn't have the same relationship with Tsunade as she'd had in the original timeline. It would take a bit to regain that familiar closeness, and to earn the trust and confidence of the older healer. That was one of the painstakingly irritating things about time travel. Everything was knocked right back to the beginning.

Kushina ran in a couple moments later, eyes wide and breathing hard. "I thought I sensed..." she finally saw Tsunade, and she froze, jaw dropping. She'd known the children had left to retrieve her, but she was still a little shocked. Tsunade Senju was back, which was weird, considering the female Sannin had promised to never return to the village. Naruto ushered his mother over to the non-useful people corner, where she, Sasuke, Jiraiya, Kakashi and Naruto just watched the procedures.

When Minato finally popped up, eyes wide and gasping Naruto and Sasuke's names, Sasuke's Sharingan whirled to life. Everyone was so focused on Minato that Sasuke was practically ignored. This gave him the opportunity to do what he had come here to do. The real reason he was here. He stumbled into Minato's memories, and erased everything he could about his and Naruto's presence in the fight. He implanted false memories, trying to ignore his guilt. When the memories matched up exactly with what Itachi had told him, Sasuke backed out of the Hokage's mind.

Minato looked disoriented, pale, and exhausted. But that didn't stop Kushina and Naruto from leaping at him with joy. Kushina cried, a little, and thanked her godmother to no end. Tsunade laughed, just pleased that she had gotten to see the girl and her husband.

Sakura joined Sasuke in the useless corner, watching the family reunion. The two of them stood shoulder to shoulder, silently against the wall with the window.

"Did you do it?" Sakura asked quietly.

Erase his memories?

She finished in her head.

Sasuke closed his eyes, a displeased frown appearing on his face. "Aa." He replied out loud, opening his eyes and forcing himself to watch the person he was lying to.

Sakura looked at him, like she understood. She shifted closer, and leaned her head on Sasuke's left shoulder, wrapping her right arm around his side. He twisted his left arm around her neck, supporting her with a weary sigh.

They'd successfully survived Orochimaru's attack on the village. For the second time.

<>

Sakura stretched, feeling exhausted. She'd long let Sasuke go, since he was tired too, and probably hadn't needed the extra weight on him.

She nodded at him, then they both made their way to the door, ready to go home and see their parents. Eat. Take a shower.

"Hey!" Kushina shouted from the bed. "Where do you two rascals think you're going?"

Sakura blushed a little, and Sasuke's ears turned bright red beneath his hair. "We're going home, my lady. I'm so sorry, but we're really tired."

Kushina froze, looking shocked, and guilty, and so incredibly sad at the same time. Sasuke tensed beside her, because that was the look people tended to get when they were about to deliver bad news. "Oh, Sakura-chan..." she whispered. "Honey, I'm so sorry..."

"What?" Sakura frowned. Sasuke tensed more, ready to spring, somehow understanding what was going on before she did herself.

"Sakura..." Kushina said, not sure what to say. "The snakes that Orochimaru summoned got into the civilian district, we aren't sure how, but..."

"What...?" Sakura's head was suddenly pounding, thinking about what that could mean. Shock was setting in, and she knew it. She'd seen Naruto look like this when he'd been told that Jiraiya died. One look at Kushina, searching for a lie, and she was gone, unable to believe it.

She felt Sasuke spring to follow her, but she didn't slow down to allow him to catch up. Out the hospital doors, down the streets, until she reached the civilian district she lived in. She'd never run this fast before.

It had been decimated. Sakura had memories there, and the houses had all been crushed or blown up. She couldn't slow down- she had to get to her house. Her mother would've already cooked a burnt, tasteless dinner by then, her father reading a newspaper and waiting to congratulate her on her promotion with a beaming smile and a joke. Her mother and father, loving eyes, would be waiting at home for her.

Except that there was no home, no house where hers once stood. Sakura walked into the foundations, finally slowing down so she was standing in the debris. She couldn't believe her eyes, almost certain that if she opened her eyes right now, it would all just be a horrible nightmare.

There, beneath a board. Something purple. Sakura reached for it, and picked it up, gasping in horror as she realized what it was.

Sakura dropped to her knees, clutching the one purple hyacinth that was untouched. Ino had given her flowers before the Chūnin Exam Finals. The hyacinth was the apology that the blonde had made to Sakura. The vase the flowers had come in was shattered, the rest of the house and the houses around it had been blown up by the snakes that accidentally moved into civilian territory during the fight. The civilians from the list Sakura ignored before she left the village. The house was destroyed, the vase was shattered, the water was long gone, and there was only one flower left.

Only one purple hyacinth had survived.

It was perfectly unharmed. Maybe a tad dusty, but other than that, unaffected. It hadn't even started rotting after sitting on the dry floor for a week.

Sakura's parents had been in this building.

Sakura had left to find Lady Tsunade without checking back on them. It was a week and half later.

She curled in, her face nearly touching her knees. She hugged the flower to her stomach, her mouth open as she gasped for air she hadn't realized she'd lost. Sakura had sent a letter over to them before she left telling them that she was leaving abruptly for another mission, and that she loved them and would see them later. Right after someone had attacked the village. She hadn't bothered to check in on them, because there was no time.

She thought they were safe.

Sakura would've never left if she'd known. But she hadn't known. About her own parents' death.

An anguished cry came out of her throat, and she quickly clapped a hand against her mouth before anything else happened. She rocked side to side, unable to sit still because she was visibly shaking, one hand gripping the purple hyacinths, the other clamped over her mouth.

What seemed like hours, but was really only a few seconds later, Sasuke, Naruto and Kakashi arrived, surrounding her and kneeling next to her. Naruto launched onto her, wrapping her in his arms and holding her. Kakashi's arms roped around Sasuke, and brought him close to Naruto and Sakura. Sasuke's arms encircled Naruto, and Sakura, who was being smothered by the blonde. Kakashi's bigger arms pulled all three children into his lap, cuddling them to his chest.

They'd all lost their parents. Sakura had been the only one who hadn't. Now, Naruto and Sasuke had gotten their parents back, but Sakura lost hers.

Kakashi closed his eyes, wishing he knew of an effective way to convey his horror and empathy. He wanted her to know it was alright, that Sakura wasn't alone in this.

All three of them more than understood her pain- they'd lived it. Which is why when Sakura collapsed into their arms, broken sobs escaping her lips, none of them said a word. Because that was exactly how they had reacted.

They stayed like that for hours, all of their limbs going numb. The sun went down, and the moon came out. But instead of a warm, comforting presence, it was more of a cold entity. Dark. Merciless. Kakashi hated this type of moon.

He stood up, lifting the three genin with him, and hoisted Sakura over his shoulders, carrying the numb girl on his back.

"Sakura can stay at my place for the night. I'll report to the Hokage when I get Sakura tucked in. You guys head home and let your parents know you're okay." Kakashi told them quickly and decisively, already plotting the way home. He spotted Sakura's purple hyacinth fall to the ground, and knew his pink haired student had hit the exhausted phase.

"I'm not leaving Sakura-chan." Naruto insisted, blue eyes that were so much like his father's narrowing in determination.

Sasuke nodded. "We're coming to the apartment with you."

Kakashi frowned. "No. Your parents need to know you're okay."

"We can swing by home and grab pajamas and shit, but you can expect us back at your apartment in 20 minutes." Sasuke said coldly, turning around to make good on his promise. Naruto watched him, before looking at Sakura with a worried and immensely saddened gaze. She looked like she'd aged ten years in three hours.

Naruto nodded, tearing his eyes away from Sakura to look at Kakashi. "Yeah. We're not leaving Sakura-chan, 'ttebayo."

Kakashi saw none of his students were going to budge, and nodded. "One of you take her backpack." Sasuke picked it up effortlessly and swung it over his shoulder.

He nodded to Sakura and the purple hyacinth in Kakashi's hand. "You'd better not drop her."

Kakashi sighed. "I could never." He answered honestly.

He looked down at the flower in his hand, too, as he, Naruto and Sasuke split ways.

"I'm sorry." Kakashi said aloud, running the flower between his index finger and thumb, making it spin as he carried Sakura in a piggy back ride. "How fitting."

Because the meaning of the purple hyacinth is an apology, and there was only one hyacinth left in the rubble. Like a last apology.

<>

Kakashi opened his apartment and strode inside, kicking the door shut. Turning on the lights, he headed straight for his guest room, setting Sakura on the queen sized guest bed. She looked like she was going to fall apart, Kakashi decided, setting a glass of water by her bed. Her throat would probably be raw tomorrow. He tucked her in gently, praying to Kami no nightmares would invade her tonight, because she needed this time to grieve. To hurt.

She was hurting. Even in her sleep. Kakashi could see it. There was no escape for them in the dream world. Kakashi left the room to make sandwiches, knowing that if Naruto and Sasuke were coming over to stay the night, they should eat before they went to bed. He left a clone watching Sakura.

Sasuke didn't even knock when he arrived, he just opened the door and made his way inside, dropping his and Sakura's backpacks by the front door. "Naruto's on his way," Sasuke said, beelining for his pink haired teammate. "He's checking in on his mom and dad. I saw my mom, told her I was staying the night because of what happened to Sakura. She already knew, apparently. Itachi told me he'd be stopping by tomorrow to check on her." He said, sliding Sakura's door open and walking inside. He knew the guest room, since that was usually where he slept whenever he spent a couple days at Kakashi's house. He slid it shut.

Kakashi stopped working, having four sandwiches already finished. He knew he wasn't going to be eating it any time soon, his guilt for his student choking out any and all hunger. He felt sick, honestly. He shoved the plate away, before collapsing on his couch.

Naruto showed up a couple minutes later, panting and out of breath, but looking somber. He dropped his bigger backpack beside Sasuke's. "Mom gave me some of her old clothes for me to give Sakura when she wakes up," Naruto told Kakashi briskly, heading the same direction Sasuke had when he arrived.

Kakashi sighed, turning back to the stove. He grabbed three mugs, and started making coffee, because this was going to be a long night.

When he was finished, he walked into the guest room.

All three of them were passed out on Sakura's futon, curled into each other. Sakura's arms were wrapped around them. Naruto and Sasuke were curled into Sakura's sides protectively, both with their arms wrapped around her waist. Their breathing was synchronized, all three looking comfortable. Kakashi found a small smile coming onto his face. Sakura looked a tiny bit more relaxed, but she still had an unbelievably hurt and horrified expression on her face, even in her sleep. Naruto tightened his arms around Sakura's waist unconsciously, as if sensing her pain.

Somehow, this was a small reassurance that maybe- just maybe- things would be okay, eventually. They weren't yet, but maybe they would be.

Kakashi backed out of the room, respecting their sleep, and went to the couch, bringing all four sandwiches and all three cups of coffee, ready to inhale caffeine and think on his options.

There really was only one option.

<>

Early in the morning, Sakura woke up feeling hollow. She didn't know where she was, and honestly, she didn't care. The walls didn't look the same, the futon didn't feel the same. Nothing was familiar.

(She wasn't at home because she didn't have a home, anymore, she realized.)

She saw she was curled up to Sasuke's chest. His arms were wrapped around her, entangling with Naruto's arms. His chin was above her head, and she could almost feel him breathing.

And she didn't care.

Not like she used to, at least. She still loved him, but it was dull, like her heartbeat. She could feel it there, beneath the numbness, but it wasn't palpable from beneath the wave of utter nothing that she felt.

She turned to Naruto, and saw that he, also, was laying next to her, providing her his comfort. She leaned forward and kissed the blonde on the forehead, grateful for his support, but it wasn't helping just yet. It took all of her sneaking skills to slip out of her teammates' grasp, and she stretched, looking around Kakashi's guest room. A note was taped to the door.

I went out for a little bit, but I made breakfast.
Sakura; Naruto brought you clothes, it's in his backpack at the top. Kushina sends her regards.
Sasuke, Naruto; take showers. You stink.

- Love, Kakashi."

Sakura sighed, eyes heavy. She left the note on the door for the boys. She hadn't really noticed how they smelled, she was sleeping, and didn't usually take in much of anything while she slept. She didn't think it was that bad, Kakashi probably only put that there as an instruction for them to do before they wandered, purposeless, off a cliff.

Sakura gave a bitter smile at that, knowing that if she didn't have a purpose, she would've done that a long time ago. Her purpose was to help people. She knew that. Her first life was spent discovering herself, her second was spent pursuing that.

She walked down the hallway to the kitchen, and found that it was already smelling good. Kakashi must've made them something before he left. Stepping inside it, she saw Kushina and Mikoto sitting at the table, talking solemnly. There was food on the stove. It appeared the women had been there for a while, and were just waiting for them to wake up.

Sakura froze, eyes widened, then she dropped into a hasty bow. "My lady," she addressed Kushina. "Lady Uchiha," she addressed Mikoto Uchiha.

Kushina clucked her tongue, standing up and rushing to the pink haired girl. "Oh, Sakura-chan! How many times do Mikoto and I have to tell you to call us Obaa-san!" She hugged the girl fiercely to her chest, and Sakura reciprocated to not hurt Naruto's mother's feelings. "How are you, kiddo?" She asked, pulling away to study Sakura's face.

Sakura gave her a weak smile, before simply sinking into Kushina, making the red haired woman embrace her tighter. "Oh, honey," she murmured into Sakura's ear. Her heart was broken for Sakura, and Sakura knew it. Lady Kushina was far too kind hearted for her own good. She was a warm soul, and had a healing aura that made being around her so pleasant.

Lady Uchiha joined them, running a soothing hand up and down Sakura's arm. Sakura turned and hugged her, too, because Sasuke's mother just oozed a level of comfort that Sakura hadn't found anywhere else but her own mother. Lady Uchiha thought nothing of her odd behavior, and hugged her as well. Not bone-crushing, like Lady Kushina's hug, but comforting. Like she knew Sakura was feeling alone. She wanted to be there for her. Sakura felt it, and was so grateful all of the sudden.

She pulled away, swiping at the stray tears dripping down her face and bowed halfway to Kushina. "Thank you for the clothes, and now the food, my ladies." She said respectfully. She heard Kushina coo, and knew her hair was being played with. She was being wrapped in the cocoon of Mikoto and Kushina's attention, and knew that she'd fall asleep if she wasn't careful. The whole exchange was soothing. Somehow, someone knew that she would need solid mother figures after the realization that she wouldn't be seeing her own any time soon sunk in.

"You're so polite, honey, of course it's nothing. Mikoto and I went shopping this morning, and got you some more clothes that should fit you! Just tell me if you need something exchanged, 'ttebane!" Kushina beamed at her.

"Come sit with us, dear. Tell us about your mission." Lady Uchiha said, gesturing to the table. "I'll fix you a plate." Sakura felt even more appreciation for Mikoto. She knew Sakura wouldn't be wanting to talk about her family right then, so brought up the mission instead.

"Please, my lady, let me-" Sakura protested, but was cut off immediately.

"Sakura, honey, if you don't let Mikoto do something for you, she'll be driven insane." Kushina said seriously, a little glimmer in the violet eyes that would've made Sakura smile if she felt any better.

She sat, and was assaulted by questions from Kushina. Mikoto listened silently. Sometimes she offered commentary, but mostly, she did things for Sakura. Lady Uchiha made Sakura food, then organized her clothes for her on Kakashi's counter, then brushed her hair for her. Sakura had no idea why she should be letting a Lady serve her, and was immensely put off by it, but it was nice. Lady Mikoto seemed to be itching to do something for her, like Lady Kushina implied.

"So! Is Tsunade still a drunk old lady?!" Kushina asked boldly, leaning back in her chair with a smug look on her face, like she knew she wouldn't be caught if she insulted Tsunade right then.

"Seems so," Sakura gave her a weak smile. "She was in a bar when we- well, Kakashi- found her." She knew Kushina would've rioted if she heard Kakashi had inadvertently allowed her to enter a bar on her own.

Kushina tutted with disapproval. "Now what was Kakashi doing in a place like that when he had three genin under his care?"

"Kushina," Mikoto said in what probably was supposed to be a warning, but turned out more like a scolding. "Surely Kakashi was gathering information. You talk too much."

"EH!? Take that back!" Kushina pointed at Mikoto in accusation.

Sakura watched the two of them banter and was struck with how much they reminded her of Naruto and Sasuke. Their mothers were saints, of course, the pure and perfect and female versions of them, but them all the same. Of course they'd get their friendly rivalry from their mothers. Lord Fourth was too even tempered to act this way with Lord Fugaku. Sakura let out a little laugh in the shock of her realization, which made Kushina turn to her and beam.

Sakura smiled bitterly at her, before dropping her head in her hands, sitting in peaceful silence for a few seconds. "Was the funeral nice?" She asked bitterly, because she'd missed it. No one had contacted her because no one really knew where they were- they'd gone under strict orders of silence from the Council, because if word got out to the other nations that Minato was in such a compromised position, they'd think it a good idea to march right in and start another war. It wasn't anyone's fault. Except hers. For rushing out and leaving without saying goodbye, all because she was excited to get back her shishou.

Sakura really hated being a ninja sometimes.

She knew that both Mikoto and Kushina had been in attendance to the funeral. She also knew that Mebuki had secretly dropped by Mikoto's house for tea on more than one occasion. They were friends. She knew that they'd been friends in the academy, and had rekindled their bonds when their kids were put on the same genin team.

She knew all that, and knew exactly how sad Mikoto and Kushina were for her. Somehow they'd managed to cheer her up and be so, so kind to her, and make her feel like she had a family, even when really she had no one.

No mother, no father. No more blood relatives, no aunts or uncles. Was this how Sasuke had felt? So stiflingly alone. Sakura felt a new wave of empathy that she hadn't felt before, because she finally understood what Sasuke meant about being alone.

It was a pain, clawing at her chest. A constant reminder of what she'd lost.

Would she live on her own, like Sasuke and Naruto had elected to do? She'd been by herself before, when she was seventeen in her past life. Now she wished she'd stayed with her parents. She never knew how much she'd loved them until they were gone. She didn't know how much she'd miss them until now. She couldn't believe she'd ever thought they were annoying. Her heart wrenched painfully. Sakura officially had no family.

Kushina's face melted. "Oh, honey." She murmured. "I understand."

Sakura's eyes went to the Hokage's wife. In a moment of defiance, she almost wanted to shout that Kushina DIDN'T know. She didn't understand the choking, smothering loneliness and crushing weight of guilt that Sakura was feeling right now. But now that she thought about it, Lady Kushina did know.

"Did you know," Lady Kushina began, standing up and walking to the sink, staring out the window, "that when I came to Konoha, it was because my chakra was uniquely suited to be a Jinchuriki? I came here alone. Like you, I wasn't even in Uzushio when my parents died. My clan was slaughtered by the paranoid Hidden Villages that feared us and our connection to the Hidden Leaf Village. My father was killed, my mother I never heard from again. In a battle report from a Jōnin, I heard that a woman matching her description was killed on the way out."

Sakura stared, understanding that Lady Kushina had suffered something like Sasuke had. The ruthless decimation of her clan and family. Maybe Sasuke would've been able to turn to her for support if Kushina had made it through the attacks on Konoha.

Scratch that. If Kushina had made it, the massacre wouldn't have happened in the first place. That was why they were here now.

"And I felt so guilty that I hadn't been there with them. I was just a few years younger than you are, I think. More than that, I felt alone. Shodai's wife, Lady Mito was the last Uzumaki in the village- there was no one else. So when she died, I was alone. And until I learned to think of the entire village as my family, that was how I stayed. Then I got my own family." She said, patiently running her hands through Sakura's hair. "I know it feels like the end of the world now, Sakura-chan, and I promise you that we will be here for you, and do our very best to help you through it, 'ttebane!"

Sakura nodded, her hair shifting in Kushina's fingers. Mikoto reached across the table and threaded her fingers through Sakura's.

"Your parents are going to be very proud of what you're going to accomplish, Sakura-chan." Mikoto said with conviction, gripping Sakura's hand tightly.

Sakura nodded. There was an abrupt loud sound, a loud thump and Naruto howling in pain, and Kushina let out a little laugh. Sakura guessed that Sasuke and Naruto had woken up snuggling, each thinking the other was Sakura, and Sasuke had been just... too grossed out.

She allowed a small smile onto her face as Sasuke stumbled through the door, rubbing his eyes and looking scandalized. He held up one finger in his mother and Sakura's direction, and shuddered. "NEVER again."

Mikoto gave her son a sly smirk. "Just one more time? For the camera?"

Kushina threw her head back, the sound of her laughing filling the whole apartment. Sakura's small smile grew, and she dropped her eyes to the table again, aimlessly picking at her food. Sasuke eyed her, sending a questioning look at his mother, before he sat on her other side and picking food off her plate with no shame.

"Sasuke," Mikoto said sharply, her dark eyes narrowing. Sasuke looked at Sakura with a, tell her! expression on his face.

Sakura shook her head at Mikoto. "It's okay, my lady, I steal his food all the time." And Sakura wasn't really all that hungry anyway. Mikoto gave her a frown, as if she knew what Sakura was doing, before Sakura turned to Sasuke. "How'd you sleep?"

"Fine, for the most part. Was having a great night, until I woke up with Naruto cuddling me." Sasuke winced, gagging. By 'great night', Sakura knew he meant that he hadn't had any nightmares. Sakura felt momentary pride for her teammate, because she didn't think he had taken any of her sleeping medication. Mikoto and Kushina exchanged glances and laughed, Sakura's small chuckles joining their laughter. "Stop laughing, okay?! It was a scarring experience!"

"You two used to cuddle all the time, as babies." Mikoto pointed out.

Sasuke went bright red. "Mother!" He hissed, but it was too late. Mikoto had already turned to Sakura, and Sakura had leaned forward in clearly expressed interest.

"Now, when the boys were really little, Kushina and I would dress them up in matching clothes, and take pictures of them. I'm sure I have some of them around at home, I'll show you them later. And they used to do this adorable thing where one of them would glare at the other-"

"Mother!" Sasuke now looked mortified. This was one of the problems with growing up practically cousins with Naruto.

Sakura laughed, but the laugh didn't meet her eyes. "I certainly want to hear all the stories you've got, my lady." She said, polite in her grief.

But before they could continue, Kakashi's front door opened. In walked Kakashi, followed by Sasuke's older brother Itachi. Sakura's eyes widened. She hadn't known he was home- last she checked (Sasuke had asked her to check with Kagami while they were away), he was due to leave for an important ANBU mission two days ago.

Kakashi gave them all a smile through his mask. "Good morning, minna," he said, noticing the rest of them huddled around a table. "Where's Naruto?" He looked around with a frown, like he was expecting the blonde to be getting into something like a toddler when he wasn't being watched at all times.

Naruto came out of the bathroom door, his hair wet and sticking to his head with a pout on his face. At least one of the boys had followed Kakashi's instructions. He began towelling off his heck and head. He was clad in a blue shirt with the orange Uzumaki symbol emblazoned on the front, orange sweat pants, and socks. "Here, Kakashi-sensei, 'ttebayo."

Itachi wandered further in, slipping off his shoes respectfully. His eyes found Sakura, and he gave her a warm smile. "Hi, Sakura-chan."

Sakura's eyes widened when she realized that finally there was no pity in his eyes. He was just here with silent support. Not to make her feel worse with reminders. Sakura was extremely grateful all of the sudden. Somehow Itachi knew exactly what she needed even though he hadn't technically lost his parents in this lifetime. She matched his smile, dipping her head. "Hi, Itachi-nii-san. Did your mission go well?"

He took a seat beside Sasuke, ruffling his hair affectionately, and waving at his mother and Kushina, before he replied to Sakura. "It went well, yes. I returned late last night, and heard what happened." Of course his important mission lasted two days and went well. Sakura mused. Itachi's a genius. He gave her a concerned frown, but still no pity. "I came here to check up on you three, and ran into Kakashi-senpai on my way here."

Naruto mumbled, still in a bad mood from when Sasuke woke him up with his girlish screaming, "Well I'm fine, thanks for asking."

Sakura laughed, her hand going to her mouth to stifle her giggle, as Kushina smacked him over the head.

Kakashi poured himself and Itachi some coffee, before setting it down in front of the young man, and taking a seat next to him. "Alright. Now, we should probably discuss Sakura's living situation." That sobered everyone up real quick. Sakura's mouth went dry. "Sakura's parents left her a decent amount of money, in case of their death."

Sakura had known about her parents' savings account, one that they'd been keeping since far before she was born, just in case they needed to leave the village or something. They added at least thousand in small deposits per year. (With little deposits every month, it tended to build) As she did the math, she nodded. It was decent. Along with the money they had in their time of death.

Sakura's face fell. She hated this. The stabbing pain returned. She didn't allow people to see the wince on her face, which worked well, because everyone was listening to Kakashi talk.

"... spoken to the Hokage, and we've decided that Sakura should live with someone until she's sixteen, at least."

She zoned back in then, but still, the guilt would barely allow her to focus. She tried to push down the feeling of numbness. She just didn't care. She wanted to care, but just couldn't. She ended up where she ended up- it wasn't home.

"Hold on." Sasuke broke in. "Who would Sakura be living with? She can't go to the orphanage," he said stubbornly, as if the heavens themselves knew better than to deny him. "Can't she live alone?"

Orphan. Sakura's head was pounding, suddenly, and it felt like she couldn't breathe. I really don't have parents. They don't get to see me walk down the aisle, or grow old, or see their grandchildren if I ever decide to do that. Her wince was almost impossible to stop, and Naruto clasped her hand under the table. Sasuke was looking at her as well. Her teammates were so well in tune with her feelings. She sent them a meek smile to give them the illusion of peace, before she sank back into inner turmoil.

Kakashi's lips thinned. Words couldn't express how dangerous Sakura living alone was. "It's something recommended by Lady Tsunade herself." Sakura's head snapped up. Lady Tsunade knows. She'd forgotten that Tsunade was in the hospital room during her outburst. Kakashi continued. "She wouldn't be living in an orphanage, no. She'd be living with one of us."

Sasuke looked at Naruto immediately, and an expression Sakura didn't recognize passed between them.

I can protect her better this way. Sasuke was thinking. And Naruto, whether Sasuke liked it or not, was thinking the same.

"We'd be happy to take her in, ya know!" Lady Kushina beamed. Naruto grinned and pumped his fist in the air.

Lady Mikoto nodded as well. "We would too." She spoke for both her husband and her children, because really all of them loved Sakura. Gratitude swelled up in her heart for the two women. How on earth had Naruto and Sasuke come from these beautiful, kind, strong, and just all around amazing people?

She looked at her boys, and realized no matter how much she joked, Naruto and Sasuke were all of those things. Sakura shook her head, really smile on her face. Really, she was blessed.

"Yeah," Sasuke agreed vocally, and Itachi nodded, a warm look on his face. "I'd love to have Sakura stay with us." Sakura gave him a look of gratitude.

"I thought you'd say that, but I also can take care of Sakura." Kakashi offered. Sakura made a heart over her chest with her hands, an affectionate smile on her face. It was borderline sarcasm, a joke that out of all of Kakashi's students, Kakashi had always doted on Sakura more. Kushina chuckled, and Kakashi gave her a knowing look.

"So now it's all up to Sakura, then." Itachi summed up, which lead to everyone turning to look in her direction.

She froze, unsure how she'd be able to make this choice. "I really don't want to be a burden to any of you." She confessed quietly. "The idea of hindering you all makes me want to live alone."

Kushina looked scandalized, and turned to Mikoto. "This child!" She huffed.

"Sakura-chan, you really wouldn't be a burden." Mikoto told her, ignoring Kushina. "It would be so nice to have a girl around the house. My sons are... a hand full, as you know, and you're just the sweetest thing."

"Same here." Kushina agreed readily.

Sasuke and Itachi gave their mother matching looks of offense, before it melted into resignation, because if this excuse would convince Sakura, maybe it was worth it.

Sakura frowned. "But I'd just be more work!"

"Nonsense." Mikoto swiped a hand dismissively. "You can't hardly be more work than two boys that are always dirty and hungry."

Itachi and Sasuke's narrowed eyes matched. "Mother!" Sasuke exclaimed in embarrassment. Really, Mikoto was too much sometimes.

Sakura sighed. "Of course, if I stayed at your houses, there is no way I would allow Kushina-sama and Mikoto-sama to do all the work for me." She insisted. "I'd help in any way I can."

Kushina squealed. "You're really just the sweetest thing!"

Sakura met Kakashi's eyes, and he gave her a knowing smile. "Hmm... if my ladies, you're both so kind," Sakura began, unsure what to do. "I really don't want to inconvenience you."

Kushina sighed loudly. "Surely we've been over this by now."

Sakura bit her lip. She loved the idea of living with all of them. Being closer to Naruto and Sasuke would allow her to protect them easier. They were the only family she had left, along with Kakashi. But Sakura knew herself, and she knew that she would not be in a good mood for the forseeable future. She would want to have some kind of privacy to mourn. She didn't want everyone in the families knowing that she was hurting. In fact, Sakura would probably be a bitch, if this happened. A hurt, teary bitch. She wouldn't subject the boys, who were like family to her, to that. She especially wouldn't make Lady Mikoto and Lady Kushina deal with that along with everything else. Sakura simply was not going to burden them with that.

She sniffled, feeling her throat burn. Sakura swallowed a lump in her throat, heartbeat speeding up in anxiety. Now came the discomfort of telling the women without hurting their feelings. "I think..." She looked up to Kakashi for help. "I'd love to spend the night at your houses. But as far as living places go, I think it'll be better for us all if I just... I don't know, stay with Kakashi-sensei. It would be easier to..."

She didn't have to finish what she was saying.

"We understand, Sakura." Mikoto nodded regally.

Kushina's red head bobbed up and down in agreement. "Of course. You're still completely welcome to come spend a couple days with my family if you ever need to get out of the apartment, or need anything."

"Same here," Lady Mikoto added.

Sakura's eyes widened, and the other people in the room expressed their agreement. Her eyes filled with tears, and she huffed. "I just... don't understand..." she murmured, looking down at her white fists. She twisted her hands. "I don't understand why you'd all want to take care of me." She said quietly.

All of them fell silent, small smiles on their faces. Kushina wrapped the pink haired girl into her arms, and Mikoto slipped her arm through Sakura's left one, petting her head. Naruto and Sasuke leaned forward. Itachi smiled gently at her. Kakashi reacted much the same way.

"Well, that's easy, Sakura-chan." Naruto spoke up when no one else did. "We love you." He spoke for everyone else easily when saying that. No one voiced their dissent.

Sakura gave them all a tight smile, gently pulling herself away from Kushina, thanking the redhead and everyone else quickly, before rushing into Kakashi's spare bedroom. She pulled open the door to the dark closet and shut it behind her, sinking to the floor. Tears blurred her vision.

Sakura wasn't alone in this, and she was grateful. But she couldn't help but ache for her parents back.