Heikage !

Day 363

Madara had been on his way to Kumo for seven days now and Sakura knew full well that he was going to make sure that the story unfolded as it was written in her books : Tobirama had to die. The rose knew that there was an element of revenge in the dark-haired man's intentions, and even if it went against their principle of eradicating the cycle of hatred and revenge, she couldn't stop the man she loved from bringing justice to the man who had killed his brother.

The young woman clung to the certainty that she had still managed to accomplish a great deal since she had saved him from death after his fight in the Valley of the End. The cold, bloodthirsty Madara she had seen in her future was far from it, and she was proud that she had been able to bring out the best in the man.

However, ever since she knew she was expecting a child from the Uchiha and he had told her that he intended to make her his wife, Sakura had been feeling disoriented. The harsh reality of the situation hit her hard again, she was alone and had no one to share her fears with as a mother-to-be and wife. She felt a pang of sorrow as she thought that she would have given anything to even hear her mother reassure her that this stage in a woman's life would be okay. She would also have liked to hear Ino's hysterical screams when she told her the news or to see Hinata's embarrassed but genuinely happy look. She would have liked so much if her master had taken care of the follow-up of this pregnancy.

Oh yes, she missed her mother, her friends and all the women she loved at that very moment.

But then she remembered that she had someone who could very well give her the comfort she needed for all her questions related to the changes that would occur in the weeks to come. There was only one person who could replace the gentleness of a mother, the joy of friends and the reassuring experience of a woman who had already given birth : Hitomi.

So it was with a lighter heart and a smile on her face that Sakura decided to visit her first friend she had met on her return to the past. On the way to her friend's modest house, the young woman realized how important Hitomi was in her life. Indeed, at every major stage of the rose's personal life, the woman had been present. It was Hitomi who had made Sakura useful to the village. It was she who had brought up the possibility that Sakura had developed feelings for the Uchiha when she hadn't even been aware of it. It was the woman who had suggested that she confess her feelings to the dark-haired man. Hitomi was there for Sakura every time and Sakura knew that she couldn't live without this woman. She meant a lot to Sakura and she loved her deeply. It was only natural that she would share with her the latest events regarding her condition and her future.

But the closer she got to the house, the more Sakura had this small apprehension that tightened her heart : would she be judged by her friend ? After all, Sakura knew she hadn't done things the right way, she had become intimate with a man out of wedlock and that was something very much frowned upon in the mores of the time. Not only was there this slight detail, but from this intimacy had come the conception of this child.

But her fears vanished as soon as the forty-year-old recognised her friend when she opened the door to the house. Hitomi hugged her, so happy was she to see her safe and sound. Even though she didn't live in the city under construction, the stories of the war had reached the villagers, and she knew Sakura was probably in those conflict zones with the man she had put back on her feet months before.

— "Sakura ! What a relief to see you here, when did you get back ?" The woman asked, inviting her into the modest home.

— "It's not long ago Hitomi, but I wanted to come and make sure you were all right around here."

— "Oh, how nice of you to always worry about us. I can assure you that we are fine. We are not short of work and we feel safe even though we are not directly behind the capital wall. But tell me, how are you ?"

As the two women sat down around the kitchen table to share their traditional cup of tea, Sakura thought about the question the woman had just asked her. She hesitated : should she finally tell her about her condition ? The young woman lost herself in her conflicting thoughts as she looked into the beverage she was slowly stirring with her spoon.

— "Sakura ? What's the matter ? I've been worried about you ever since you arrived. Did something bad happen between... between you and Uchiha-sama ?"

Hitomi suspected that something was bothering her friend and that it had to do with the very handsome brunette who had lived with her for the past few months, but she also knew better than to rush the young woman into revealing herself.

Sakura looked up from her cup at her friend's question, she looked at her with her big green eyes and the forty year old could read a certain apprehension of being judged. The mother of the family could see the youth and innocence of the rose before her. For all the strength and determination she usually exuded, Sakura now appeared to be a young woman her own age looking for support and guidance.

Hitomi slid her hand to Sakura's and squeezed it tenderly without taking her eyes off of it ; she had an expression of extreme caring, like a mother might have for her daughter. Sakura could feel the affection of the woman in front of her in that gesture alone, and any fears she might have had at the time were immediately dispelled.

— "Hitomi... I... I'm pregnant with his child," the rose confessed in a whisper as she watched for any reaction from the woman in front of her.

— "Tell me Sakura... is this child wanted ?" She asked as she saw the young woman's eyes begin to glisten with tears.

Hitomi asked the question out of fear that Sakura had been forced into a relationship with this man against her will. After all, it was unfortunate for many women to be forced to satisfy the basic needs of men, and perhaps while they were away, Uchiha-sama had forced the young woman to have sex with him.

Sakura then realized what her friend was hinting at and she had to set the record straight immediately.

— "I'll stop you right there Hitomi, Madara and I... we're not officially a couple yet but we've grown very close over the past few weeks and he didn't force me into anything I promise you."

The forty-year-old was silent for a very brief moment as she heard this information, before a huge joy crossed her face and manifested itself in a very big smile.

— "But Sakura ! That's wonderful news ! Did you think I wouldn't be happy for you ? Oh, my girl, how could I not be happy for you ! To bear a child is a grace for us women. And it's true that it's not customary to be intimate with a man outside of marriage, but we must stop kidding ourselves, it happens more than we think !"

The pink-haired woman felt immediately relieved by her elder's words. And hearing her call her "my daughter" warmed her heart. Of course it didn't replace the absence of her real mother, but it still comforted her not to be judged for her condition.

— "So what does the child's father think ? He must be happy, right ? And his plans ? Is he going to marry you now ?" The woman continued hurriedly, but she widened her eyes when she saw that the young woman lowered her head after all the questions she had just asked.

— "It's just that... I just found out and..."

— "WHAT ?" The mother interrupted, understanding immediately what she wanted to tell her. "You didn't say anything to that man ? But Sakura, what are you going to do ? You're not going to..."

Hitomi stopped herself, too horrified to contemplate that the young woman might resort to some of the barbaric methods that existed to terminate her pregnancy. The mother knew full well that women were sometimes forced to terminate their pregnancies and that it was done in horrific and excruciatingly painful ways both physically and mentally. Besides, she had seen Sakura at work with her magic to heal the wounded, so she could only imagine what she could do to interrupt that physiological process.

Understanding once again the concern that was running through her friend, Sakura realized that she needed to immediately explain the situation more clearly and stop being afraid of being misjudged. Hitomi had proven to her more than once that she was an open and understanding person.

— "Hitomi, I haven't actually told Madara I'm expecting our child yet because it's not the right time. We are at war and he has gone to do something about the end of this conflict that has gone on for too long. I couldn't possibly impose such a subject on him when he should be concentrating on his duties. Peace depends on it, but I intend to tell him so when he returns. Even though I admit I'm a little afraid of his reaction."

— "Why Sakura ? I know you well enough to understand that you wouldn't have given yourself to him unless you were sure he respected you enough to do so. So why are you afraid of his reaction when he finds out ?"

— "We haven't even talked as children. We've barely even mentioned our upcoming union, so I don't know if that's part of his plan," the young woman admitted.

— "Does that mean that Uchiha-sama has proposed to you ?" The forty year old questioned again with a smile on her face.

Sakura watched as her friend's face lit up with joy at this question. The young woman could see in this reaction what her friends of the future might have had : a certain excitement at the mention of a wedding celebration. Sakura smiled in turn, carried away by this communicative joy, and answered :

— "She wasn't the most romantic, but yes, just before he left he assured me that he wanted to make me his wife and make sure that I got the unquestioned respect of others. He wants to make sure that everyone knows who I am to him and how important I am to him."

— "But it's wonderful, Sakura ! You can finally rebuild your life, you finally have a future to hold on to: a husband, a child. There is nothing more exciting than building a family, your own family. Oh Sakura, this is really very good news and what man would be stupid enough not to be happy that his wife is already carrying a child ! A fertile marriage is a happy marriage for sure ! At least that's what we usually say around here, so don't doubt for a moment that your future husband will be delighted to learn that you are going to give him a child ! And with a bit of luck, Mother Nature will give you the chance that it will be a boy for a first born !"

— "It's because of all these questions that I'm a bit worried. I really don't know if Madara wants to have children and how important the sex of the unborn child is to him. We still have so much to do for..."

— "For nothing at all Sakura ! Your priority now is no longer the others but only the family you are about to build !" Interrupted the woman, not knowing what the couple's real ambitions were.

It was only natural that Sakura should now focus on her duties as a mother and wife and any other side projects should be relegated to last. Sakura didn't insist on these details because she had never really explained the reasons for her arrival in Ta No Kuni and she sincerely doubted Hitomi would understand much of it, and that wasn't what she expected of her. However, as they talked together, Sakura knew what she really wanted from this woman who was so precious to her heart.

— "Hitomi, can I ask you something ?"

— "Of course my child, what can I do for you ? Ask me anything you want, you know I will always do my best for you," the woman assured her warmly and kindly.

— "I... I don't have a family anymore and you are the closest thing I have to a friend and potentially a mother. So... I wanted to know if you would be willing to be my altar girl ?" Sakura asked with a slight distress in her eyes. She had just opened up to this woman, about not having anyone from her previous life. But also that she was asking her to come as a surrogate mother and accompany her on one of the most important events for a woman : her wedding.

The mother was deeply touched by the young woman's sincere words to her. She had not imagined that she, a simple and modest country woman, could think so much of her. But Hitomi could see in Sakura's green eyes how honest she was. The forty year old felt the emotion flooding her, tears blurring her eyes slightly, and she slid her hand back to Sakura's and squeezed it a little tighter than before.

— "It is with great joy that I agree to be the one to accompany you to the altar Sakura, you can count on me to help you through this stage of your life as a woman."

The two women smiled at each other for a long time without exchanging any more words. All the emotion could be seen in each other's eyes. Then, once all that was over, they talked about various everyday subjects before Sakura decided to return to the city. The pink-haired woman was much lighter in heart even though she didn't know when to tell the man she loved that she was also going to provide him with a child.

Day 364

The sun was slowly rising in the Heiwa Valley and Sakura was in a cross-legged position on one of the highest towers of the wall. It was a ritual she had taken up since her return here, she liked to sit on this height and watch the sun rise over the horizon. She liked to feel its warmth touching her body, her face, telling her that spring was indeed here.

Sakura had figured out how to do regeneration without affecting the human body, but for some time she had been experimenting with this path of medicine for something more advanced, something more risky... even deadly. But who could grant her so much if the situation demanded it.

The rose was so focused on her meditation and her surroundings that she heard someone coming up the stone steps very softly. It was a muffled, delicate step, it could only be a shinobi approaching. The sound of footsteps stopped and Sakura estimated that the person behind her was three meters away. Unlike Madara, Sakura was not a sensory type and was unable to determine who was behind her, so she turned her head slightly to the side and saw the person who had come up to her.

— "I didn't mean to disturb you Sakura-sama," Akihiko said quickly as she saw the young woman looking at him.

— "What do you want Akihiko-san ?" Sakura asked gently as she looked ahead again.

— "I... I wanted to thank you again for everything you've done for me."

— "It was my pleasure and as I told you the first time, life's victims are entitled to a second chance," Sakura replied, knowing all too well that everyone was entitled to a second chance. The proof was that Sakura had given Uchiha Madara that same chance. "Was there something else you wanted to tell me Akihiko-san ?"

— "Hai," the Jinchûriki said but he hesitated.

— "Don't be ashamed of your request, I'm ready to hear a lot of things," Sakura reassured his as the man still didn't answer after several seconds of silence.

— "When we were on the battlefield, you said that our meeting was no accident..."

— "This sentence was intended for your Bijû so that he would change his attitude towards you, so that he would understand that times are changing," Sakura explained without going into too many details.

— "How did you do it ?"

— "How did you do it ?" Sakura asked not sure she understood.

— "How did you, in one sentence, calm one of the plagues of the elemental nations ?"

— "Because I do not consider your Bijû as a plague, but rather as a person having feelings, a personality... the Bijû are living beings with a conscience, therefore who are we to say that they are a plague ? What the story doesn't say is that the human being hunted the Bijû in order to exploit them for their power and their chakra, so they retaliated, bringing us to fear them. Tell me Akihiko-san, what would you do if we were attacked right now ?"

— "I will defend us... I understand what you mean Sakura-sama," said Akihiko who saw his prisoner in a completely different light. "Had you met him before ?"

— "No, but let's just say that my path led me to meet a person with greater ambitions than ours."

Silence settled again between the two protagonists before being suddenly broken by a new person.

— "You're not easy to find," said a voice that made Sakura frown. If this person was able to approach her so silently it was because she had been careless and still had work to do.

— "You !" Akihiko exclaimed and began to build up chakra in his legs to propel himself towards the newcomer in order to confront him. In the blonde's eyes, this man could only be there to hurt Sakura because of his reputation.

— "Peace Akihiko !" Sakura ordered as she pointed her hand in his direction, confusing him completely.

— "But... Sakura-sama ?"

— "You don't do things by halves I see," the newcomer remarked in Sakura's direction.

— "As I told you the first time, I'm the richest person in all the elemental nations and I intend to make my goal a reality... Kakuzu," Sakura replied, ignoring Akihiko's sentence. "You may go, Akihiko-san, this man works for me, you don't have to worry about it."

— "As you wish, Sakura-sama," the man said before leaving with one last scornful look at Kakuzu. Sakura waited until the Jinchûriki was out of range before conjuring up a bag in a puff of smoke.

— "Here, a payment for your labor," Sakura said, placing the bag on one of the stones of the wall.

— "I still don't like you."

— "I'll have you know the feeling's mutual, Kakuzu," Sakura retorted, trying her best to look intimidating. She had become a dangerous Kunoichi, but Kakuzu was still a dangerous ninja to joke around with and especially to be wary of.

— "Who are you ?" Kakuzu asked after opening the linen bag and seeing its contents : this was more than the first time.

— "Sakura will suffice for you Kakuzu."

— "Hmm...it pisses me off that someone knows so much about me," the immortal man insisted.

— "And this secret will be taken with me to the grave, as long as you work for me, there's no reason to worry about your immortality," Sakura explained, she had every intention of keeping this individual under her pay.

— "You're lucky I only have one word, otherwise I would have impaled you on a spike long ago !" Kakuzu admitted angrily.

— "If you ever get the idea to try, please do so and you'll understand why I have Uchiha Madara's respect !"

Although the tone left no doubt as to the seriousness of what they were saying, neither of them gave off any killing intent. Kakuzu didn't want to be detected and Sakura respected that. She was using one of her trump cards : to maintain the mystery of her person and not reveal anything more than necessary about her. Kakuzu didn't know anything about her, and it wasn't today or any other day that he would learn more.

— "Tch."

— "Let's be clear Kakuzu, you don't like me and it's mutual, but I respect you a little as a shinobi. You're in a category that few can claim to be in, and it would be unfortunate to waste such potential, because after all, our interests converge."

— "In what way ?" The man asked suspiciously

— "I want peace and you want to be immensely rich. You have the skills to help me achieve that and I have the means to make your dream a reality."

— "Except that your goal is about to arrive and my dream is far from being fulfilled," he retorted sharply.

— "How would you like a challenge worthy of your reputation ?" Sakura asked with a thin smile on her lips. Sakura understood that with this kind of person you have to use manipulation to get something out of them. She wanted to arouse his curiosity and get him to not refuse her request, even if it meant flattering his ego.

— "You can say," he answered, intrigued by what the young woman had to offer him.

— "Go in search of the Bijû and eliminate anyone who tries to capture them."

— "Payment ?"

— "Five times what you have now," Sakura offered, having already thought about it.

— "Not enough," the ninja retorted sharply.

— "For each Bijû," the rose added calmly, she could see in the man's attitude that he was calculating what he would get if he accepted. Kakuzu crossed his arms, but still stared at the rose. He was exasperated that this little wisp of a woman could know so much about him. It was as if she knew in advance that he would not be able to refuse such a proposal.

It was a dangerous, even suicidal thing to do alone. But he was an intelligent and very competent person. With a good preparation as well as his network of informers he should be able to locate the Bijû and potentially capture some of them. And that would make him a very large sum in the end.

— "Once found, what will I do with them ?"

— "You send us a courier immediately and we'll come, but if it's a Jinchûriki, neutralize him and try to bring him back to Heiwa, alive."

The man winced at this detail, he wasn't used to fighting and leaving his victims alive, but if he wanted his reward he would do as she asked.

— "The rest of the world won't like it."

— "Absolutely, but that's not your problem," Sakura added firmly to end the subject.

Kakuzu put his new booty away before turning his back on the young woman ready to go do what he was paid to do.

— "One last thing Kakuzu, as much as I dislike you, if you ever need a place of exile, Heiwa will welcome you without question," Sakura said before leaving the wall, leaving the Nukenin in his thoughts.

Year 1

It had been a year since Sakura had decided to put aside her hatred and guide Uchiha Madara to fulfill his destiny. After a year at his side, Sakura was proud of what they had accomplished together. They now had a country, a people, an army, and all the resources necessary to bring peace to this world.

Today was a special day, but it was like the first step in making their peace project real and concrete. The young woman was proud to stand beside Uchiha Madara as Daimyô Hashuba Shôta placed the traditional Kage hat on his head.

Madara was given the role of Heikage of Ta No Kuni. The ceremony had all the official codes of such a rite, yet it was quite different from traditional inductions. For one thing, the other elemental nations had not been notified, let alone invited to the ceremony. Madara had insisted that the announcement of his return to the world was not to take place yet. Moreover, for the sake of their project, Ta No Kuni still had to appear to the other elemental nations as a peaceful nation. Therefore, no one was to know that they had a much larger armed force, let alone the presence of shinobi forces. Even the people of the city did not know the intricate details of Heiwa's political and military organisation, all that mattered to them was that they were safe in this country that welcomed them and offered them a peaceful life. The shinobi had been told that the existence of their Heikage had to be kept secret : for the sake of everyone.

This day was just as special because it was the entire political organization of the country that was being reshuffled. Although for the rest of the world, the Daimyô was at the head of Ta No Kuni, in reality it was quite different. Indeed, everything Madara Uchiha had proposed had been put in place to ensure that their peace project would endure for generations to come : the triumvirate had been newly appointed as well as the sub-council.

The Kage headdress itself was different from that of the other elemental nations as it was entirely white with the symbol of Ta No Kuni inscribed on it. Hashuba Shôta was thus solemnly placing the Kage hat on Madara. There was no form of submission in this gesture, it was a form of tradition between two people of power. It was a form of tradition between two people of power, each one acknowledging his place and functions at the head of the country. Even if the Daimyô represented the administrative power and Madara Uchiha the military power, everyone knew clearly that the authority of the current Heikage was somehow superior because Uchiha Madara was capable of everything, but for the future generations, the administration will need a military leader and vice versa.

Once this ritual was performed, the first meeting could begin.

Madara then turned to Ashina Uzumaki before placing a slightly bloody symbol of Konoha in front of the man.

— "I always keep my promises," he said without any further emotion in his voice.

Ashina recognized the symbol immediately, it was that of Tobirama Senju. So it was with a slightly lighter heart that the Uzumaki focused on the meeting.

Her daughter had been avenged.