Reborn as Sakura and Hinata: Lost in the Wind

Let's Get Serious

"So, Sakura, yesterday a pig farmer came by to sell some of his livestock." My dad began through a mouthful of eggs.

"Yeah?" I pushed around my bacon as I tried to pay attention through my tired haze.

"And this guy just went on and on and on about the quality of his pigs and how we could expect only the best quality from him." my dad mocked as he waved his fork around for emphasis.

I waited for the punchline.

"So I guess you could say he was a real boar." my dad grinned widely.

Immediately, laughter burst out from the other side of the table.

"That's a good one Mr. Haruno." Jerry laughed banging his fist on the table. Ben sat there for a moment before his shoulders began to shake with poorly concealed laughter.

"Yes, that was a good joke." Ben agreed.

"Thank you, but he really was boring." My dad sighed.

"Now, now, dear, let's try to keep this table civil." My mom shook her head good naturedly as she sat down.

"Thank you for having us by the way." Ben turned to my mom with a small bow.

"Of course! It's no trouble at all." My mom beamed, "Thank you for keeping our Sakura safe."

"It's a pleasure Mrs. Haruno." Jerry stated, "Sakura is an amazingly talented girl."

"Don't we know it." My dad smiled proudly at me, "Becoming a sealing master at such a young age. I don't even understand what sealing is really."

"Yes," My mom nodded, "She is doing such incredible things and has such incredible friends."

"Her friends certainly are interesting." The smirk on Jerry's face could be heard in his tone.

"And she's so busy already." My dad scoffed, "She's practically an adult."

"Speaking of which," I stood up, "We really need to head to the Hokage's office."

"Of course." Ben and Jerry nodded and stood up.

"I hope your meeting goes well." My mom waved after us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I strolled into the Hokage's office casually; it's not like I haven't done this a million times before. With a wave to the guards I closed the door behind me and plopped down on his desk.

"Hello Sakura." he smiled in amusement.

"Hello, Lord Third." I beamed as I slid a cup of tea over to him, "I hope your day has been going well."

"It has, and I hope yours has too."

"Breakfast with Ben and Jerry was lovely!" I wistfully answered.

"They are doing well?" he chuckled.

"Absolutely!"

"Have you been sleeping well?" This was the Hokage's new way of asking me if I'd had any strange dreams.

"Nothing out of the ordinary." I scoffed, "Just the normal horrific visions of carnage."

"So, nothing that might suggest that everything will not go according to plan?" he insisted.

"Well, last time I was confident... things went... horribly... so..." I mumbled.

"Sakura, once again, what happened during the first few exams was not your fault. For the most part, things did transpire how you said they would." he reassured.

"But Hinata.... I had no idea that would happen." I sighed, "I'm just worried."

"Speaking of which, how do you think Hinata will handle this exam?" the Hokage looked at me worriedly, "Do you think she is ready for this?"

"To be honest, no." I admitted, "I know if I tell her to do anything, she won't listen, not that I blame her for that. Mentally, I have no clue how she's doing." I took a deep breath, "I also think that the seal on the curse mark is failing. She might do really well in the exam, but I don't know what mental effect it might have on her."

"Do you suggest that I have her evaluated? Or maybe start having her guarded?" The Hokage offered.

"No!" I said suddenly. The Hokage blinked in surprise at me.

"S-Sorry... I just remembered one of the dreams I had. I promise you, it is best to leave her alone right now. I honestly don't think that she'll do anything dangerous." I explained.

"Are you certain?"

I took a moment to think, "Yes. She has too many people that she cares about to do anything stupid." I nodded resolutely.

"The mark concerns me though." The Hokage folded his hands pensively, "Are you sure innaction is the best choice?"

"Yes. No one should mess with her right now. I promise it wouldn't end well." I warned.

"I am concerned, but I trust you." The Hokage smiled at me.

"How about Tsunade? Are we ready to reach out to her?" I asked.

"Yes, I have written a formal letter, and I have messengers sent to find her and deliver it." The Hokage nodded.

"Are the preparations for the Chunin exams ready?"

"Yes, I trust you completely and will not change any of our plans. I will act at the specific moments that you have informed me of." He affirmed.

"Are you sure you want to go through with... that." I inquired awkwardly.

"We have discussed this extensively, Sakura." The Hokage nodded resolutely, "I am at peace with what must happen and have accepted my role in saving the people I love."

I paused, that was a surprisingly touching thing to hear.

"I will try my best as well..." I took a shuddery breath, "Does Inoichi know about our plans?"

"Yes, I have informed him of what he needs to do."

"He knows when and where to meet right?"

"Yes." The Hokage paused, "Are you sure you want to be there?" he looked at me, concerned.

"I need to be there." I stated firmly, "I couldn't live with myself if I wasn't there with them."

"I am sorry that things must be the way they are." The Hokage gazed at me sympathetically.

"I'm the one that should be apologizing." I laughed without any humor.

"You must live to see the consequences." The Hokage stood and placed a hand on my shoulder, "I feel that is much more cruel than the fate I must face."

I sat there a moment, processing the events that were going to go down so soon.

"Is that really all there is to talk about?" I wiped my eyes with my sleeve, hoping to stop any tears before they happened.

"I believe so." The Hokage affirmed quietly, "You should go home now."

I stood up and headed for the door.

"Good luck Sakura, rest well and train hard. I have high hopes for you." The Hokage smiled kindly at me.

"Thank you, Lord Third." For perhaps the first time ever, and the last, I bowed to the Hokage.

The Chunin exams were right on top of us.