001

Sakura's

It's almost past sunset. I'm currently walking through the busy streets of Konoha.

Dazzling lights and joyful people were displayed in my view as I go home. They were eating, talking, and laughing like Momoshiki didn't infiltrate the village 3 months ago.

You can't trace worry or fear in their faces. Good for them though. They moved on fast.

I shouldn't be walking home this early but I got excited about my daughter's plans for the night. I did all of my work as fast as I can this day.

"Sakura, don't hurry up. Do it like your usual pace. I'm sure Sarada would understand if you're a bit late for dinner." Shizune was about to nag at me when she noticed.

"Well, I know she's understanding but I don't want to take advantage of that. And it's like I miss her every minute." I said collecting my implements.

"That's sweet. Go home now!" She bumps her hips to mine.

I send her a glare, jokingly.

Shizune rolled her eyes, lips went up for a gentle smile.

"And you know you can do some of the work the next day right, or pass the work to others?" She looked at me intently.

I heaved a sign. "It's my job, I don't wanna bother other people about it."

"You will not bother them! Pass down some of the easiest or works that could be done by anyone who's not the Head of the Leaf's Medical Department." God, she takes after Master Tsunade.

"Or if that concerns you that much then just keep in mind that there will always be something called tomorrow. Who says you need to finish all the work in one day? Ugh! You're nothing like Master Tsunade." She continues.

She's not yet done nagging.

"Master Tsunade will sneak out just to escape work. Oh well, that was not medically related. It was plain Hidden Leaf paper works." Shizune mumbles beside me.

In the end, I did leave some of my work unfinished. I didn't like doing that, Shannaro! But due to an unplanned orientation leaving some work was not enough. I still made it early for dinner thanks for my hard work though.

I stop by a taiyaki store to get some for Sarada. I won't be bothering cooking for us since she knows how to.

For a lot of times, I would leave her with Iruka sensei due to my hectic job. Iruka sensei would teach her how to cook, do chores, or read her books.

The taiyakis are for our snacks since Sarada likes them.

As I trace closer to our new home twilight's fresh wind blew towards me.

The apartment building we're in stood there like usual. It was dark although only our floor is without a light.

Sarada should've turned it on by now unless she's asleep. Maybe she is. I remember her telling me that she will be training with Chocho.

I climbed up the stairs. I'm holding my house keys on my left.

I keyed the doorknob and it opened. It was odd. It was silent.

I don't know why I'm imagining unpleasant things. But still, I said.

"Sarada, I'm home!"

No one replied. Darkness dominated my sight. Turning the lights on, checking if my daughter is indeed home.

The shoes in the rack are in their specific places like how it was in the morning. Her slippers for the house are still in the corner.

I heaved a deep sigh calming myself and walk slowly around the house.

I immediately went to her room.

"Sarada? Wake up. I'll be cooking for supper don't worry." I opened gently.

But Sarada wasn't there. Her blanket was folded and her bedsheet was smooth.

My steps were altered with aggression. I ran to the kitchen searching for some cooked tomato soup.

Or for her empty bento.

Memories from the past events washed down little by little.

When she went to The Sand with her friends to retrieve Mitsuki. The days my daughter was away from me.

I may have trust towards her deductions and actions but I won't be able to settle myself peacefully, especially since it was so sudden. She didn't ask for permission or inform me about it.

I know maybe I'm overreacting but I can't stop what I'm feeling right now.

What if it happens again?

Earlier this morning.

"Mom, I won't be home until 4, in the afternoon," Sarada said behind me.

"Why? You have training?" I asked as I ready each other's lunch.

"I'll be training with Chocho for today and I don't know, go to where she wanted to shop?" She exclaimed in delight and a glimpse of uncertainty.

"Where? The usual?"

A Dark set of eyes meets with my green ones. Her soft black hair with a forehead protector on her head. A face more of Sasuke's features. My daughter, in front of me.

She nodded as an answer. "The field beside the Damyas factory."

"Okay."

"Will you get home at the same time?" Her tone then changes asking that.

Trying not to sound normal obviously.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I think I won't be early for tonight." I look at her straight in the eye sending an apologetic look.

"It's fine, Mom! You like me to cook you that tomato soup?" She giggled.

My lips went up for a smile when I remember that soup she made last week. It was delicious, I don't know Sarada would be experimenting like that.

"Oh, don't you say that I might be here at lunch!" I cried.

Sarada laughs with me after.

"Anyways, let's check the ingredients," I said wiping my wet hands.

I look through the cabinets and notice something.

"It won't be a tomato soup without tomatoes. You go buy as you come home, okay? It's the only thing you should be buying. I'll buy some too. To make sure since your father will be home in just a few days." I crossed my arms together.

"Eh? What do you mean, Mom? I restock three days ago," she sported a confused look on her face.

"When? The time I told you to buy fruits from the newly developed market?"

Seeing her nod, I took a good look inside again.

"Yes, for your anmitsu. Close to Grandma and Grandpa's home." She reminds me.

"But nothing of tomatoes are here," looked for it again.

Shoving the separated vegetables, searching for my husband's favorite.

Knowing Sarada doesn't take after her father in this, liking tomatoes.

Our eyes hold their contact for a while as if sending messages by doing so. Like thinking about what happened and who could've done it.

And as we settle for an answer, we go...

"It was your Father." Nodding.

"Papa did it." Nodding.

We said in unison as we parted our gaze. Giggling.

Then a knock that I heard from the door pulled me back to reality.

I breathe deeply, thinking it would be Sarada. I am relieved by that.

I was about to welcome my daughter but the newcomer wasn't who I expected it to be.

"Good evening Sakura, is Chocho here?" Karui greeted using her deep voice.

It's happening again.

My thoughts go wild, wilder than it is already a few seconds ago. My vision got shaky. I felt my palms heat from tension.

Karui's smile faded away after seeing my reaction.

She held me by the elbows with her two hands steadying me a little. Her red hair played along with the wind and her movements.

"Hey, seriously they aren't here yet?" Karui asked while her perfect red eyebrows arch towards each other.

I can hear my heartbeat in my ears.

"No, she's not here with Chocho and

there is no trace she'd been home," I said wide-eyed.

"Shit! Where did those two go?" She grabbed her hair, looking down, thinking.

"We should go to where they trained," I said grabbing the doorknob to lock the house.

"Sakura, I went there already." I didn't even finish what I'm doing.

My back is currently facing her.

"Let's asked their friends' parents then." I smiled to calm myself down.

"You know they're just training with themselves."

"We don't know whatever if they meet up to eat after or something. " I looked at her while we were going down the stairs.

"I have visited the dango shop that they always go to. The owner said they didn't stop by today." Karui said clenching both her fists.

"Ino, Inojin. Maybe they're there. " I hopefully said to Karui pulling her a bit.

"Fine. Maybe."

We get to the Yamanaka's Flower shop and saw that it still is open. What unfolded in front of us was a scene which is not anticipated.

She's talking to someone. Fallen flowers on her right side. The shop was of no custumers inside.

Ino was on guard, hands positioned with her eyes shut close. She seems focused on what she's doing.

I and Kariu got close to her but didn't say anything at first. It is obviously important.

"They are all familiar chakras. I don't want to say weird things as for now, Naruto." Ino said while using her technique.

"You're right. We need to confirm it first. All of their chakras are calm now. Is Sai already there?"

Sensing chakra signatures.

Karui looks at me with a bewildered expression. "Another attack?" She asked me.

"I don't think so," I replied in deep thought.

"Are you on sage mode there? Okay, we'll be on guard." Ino nodded and stop the jutsu.

She almost fainted. Holding her forehead somewhat feeling dizziness and headache.

Luckily both I and Karui caught her and guide her to the shop's counter. Sit her there and asked.

"What was that for?" I questioned.

"What's happening? An attack?" Karui added.

"We don't know yet but the kids were there. And very familiar chakras just appeared out of nowhere. My sensing team noticed it immediately cause it just popped in the monitor." Ino explained and drink the water I gave her.

"Shit!" Karui facepalms and turns her back on us.

"Did they fight against those people? Shinobis?" I held Karui's shoulder and calmed her although I'm worried as well.

"No, at least we're certain they didn't. They're shinobis. Even though they were great in number their chakra was enormous compared to a normal 16 company."

I looked at her and repeated all that she said in my head. She's fine, she is fine.

"So, what do we need to do? Is it okay to go there?" I looked at her, I plead inside of me that hopefully, it would be fine.

"I don't think so, Sakura. I think it's would be better if we'll just wait for them in the Hokage's Tower." Ino slowly stood up.

"Sai and his Anbu are escorting them as of now, Ino." A Jonin appeared by the door.

Our heads turn to his whereabouts.

"Thank you. Situation?" Ino readied to leave her store.

I assisted while listening to the Jonins report.

"They agreed on going to the Hokage's office. The children are with them and are asked different questions. Inojin too." The Yamanaka Jonin said seriously standing outside.

He's Ino's relative as I recall.

"We should go now," I said when the man disappeared after Ino gave him a nod.

"Yeah." Ino and Karui agreed.

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