It had been almost a year since Sakura was introduced to her family. She got to know them and loved them all just as much as they loved her. Of course she found herself being rather spoiled because of that fact.

Being almost three years old, she had become quite the wild child. She loved to run around and cause trouble, definitely taking after Naruto. What stood out most though was her mind.

Still, her physical state was concerning to the scientists. She was sickly and frail and unable to keep up with even an average human toddler. She tired easily and was almost always tired and hungry. But what she lacked in physical capabilities, she made up for in brains.

She was highly intelligent for her age. Sakura was able to speak with the ease of an average six-year-old, could do basic math, could read books meant for mid to upper elementary level, and learned every day. That being said, the scientists also adored her and loved to scan her brain and thought process. The tests were something she struggled to get used to, but after a while it became a small part of the daily routine.

Currently, she was spending time with Karin. The older red-headed woman held the toddler in one arm as she tended to charts with the other. As Karin worked, Sakura busied herself with playing in her wild crimson tresses.

Karin put the files away and cooed at the baby in her arms. "Aww, you're so sweet Sakura-chan. Much more fun to play with than your wild brothers. But don't tell them I said that.", she whispered playfully. Sakura giggled as if understanding the secret.

Karin cracked a smile and used the back of her free hand to slide her glasses up before making her way out of the room and towards Sakura's.
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For once, Anko couldn't smile.

Not with the news she was just given. Her and Juugo shared solemn looks. For once, even Suigetsu wasn't able to crack his usual toothy grin. They stood in silence, none of them knowing what words to let out. It didn't matter anyways. Words wouldn't help

Hell, even Naruto and Sakura's blinding smiles wouldn't be able to brighten up the mood.

The silence was interrupted by the sound of a door opening and closing. The familiar red head had a tired look on her face as she entered the room, but a small smile was plastered on her face. "I swear, trying to put that girl down for a nap has got to be the hardest part of my day.", she complained with a dramatic sigh. Looking around the room, the finally noticed the tense atmosphere. "What happened?", she asked.

"He is coming for an inspection tomorrow. Wants to see how far everything has gone. He especially wants to see Sakura, with her being a hybrid and all.", Anko explained. Her hands clenched into tight fists at her side at the mere thought of him. The last thing she wanted was him gaining control over their lab and their friends.

Karin tensed. Her lips pursed together as her hand came to unconsciousnessly clench at her arm. There was a pregnant silence before Juugo decided to speak.

"There's nothing we can do exept make sure everything runs smoothly tomorrow. The smoother things go, the faster he will have to leave. It's not like he is actually going to get to know them or try to talk to them.", he offered. He knew it wasn't much, but anything was better than the rough mood. "Us being on edge will only put pressure on the others. They haven't seen how the other experiments at different labs are treated. We don't do that to them."

Suigestu nodded. "Well, the big man isn't wrong. We should just go about tomorrow as a usual day, get it over with. He shouldn't stay very long. He's busy, ya know? He might not even actually come.", he said hopefully. Karin met him with another small hopeful smile.

"He's right. Let's just take it easy, but still stay on out guard in case he comes.", she added. Anko gave a small reluctant nod. Karin grabbed Anko's arm.

"Alright. We will go make sure the scientists are all prepared in case we get an inspection. You two, can go round up the boys and Sakura and they can spend the rest of the evening together. Make sure they have plenty of energy for tomorrow.", Karin ordered. Juugo and Sui nodded before heading off.

Anko sighed.

"Karin....... what if he takes over? The boys all show extreme intelligence and physical prowess. And Sakura is young and frail for now, but she's damn near a genius. If he sees potential and decides to take over.......", she paused to take a deep shaky breath, squeezing the red-head's hand tighter as her hand trembled. "I don't want them to have to go through that. Go through what we had to. I came out fucking insane and Juugo hasn't been the same since. The last thing I want is for him to snap again. None of us can stop him and I don't want him to hurt the kids."

Karin grit her teeth. "He won't lose control. And that ugly snake won't take over this project. We have proven that we can handle this on our own. But..... if he does stay, we need a plan to escape with everyone. It's time anyways. There have been....rumors of a freelance lab. No one knows who it is run by since it isn't under his control. If we can gather information and a location on this place, it might be the safe haven we have been searching for.", she said.

"Well, now we have an idea. But now we just need a general location. I think I might have an old friend who can help."