This chapter has been beta-read by: Sakura's Unicorn

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Sasuke hasn't gone far.

He isn't sure whether it's because some logical part of his brain knows it would be a bad idea, or because the feeling in his legs is disappearing. He doesn't really care, either; there's too much that he's trying to wrap his brain around, not least of which being that, apparently, his future child hates him. He can't deal with that reality just yet, though, because one notion has pushed to the forefront of his mind and is blaring at him in fiery characters.

It isn't Sakura.

The person he will one day kill to gain the Mangekyō Sharingan which will allow him to defeat his brother and ensure he can safely restore his clan. The person whose only crime will be that he cares for them most in the world.

Not. Sakura.

She will live.

The relief is palpable. Bewilderingly so, actually.

He's never been completely indifferent to the girl. She's simply been relegated to a place in his mind where he puts everything he intends to deal with after he kills Itachi. Whatever he might feel toward her now is irrelevant, or so he insists. It's the same thing he tells himself whenever anyone starts to get close, even if he sometimes forgets.

And it's just further proof that keeping himself distant from Sakura is the best. Perhaps that's why she lives.

Based on what he's experiencing now—a weight lifted from his shoulders and a warmth in his chest—he hasn't kept as much distance as he thought. His squad, especially Sakura, have come to mean more to him than he will ever admit out loud.

True, she's damned annoying.

He can't even remember her before she was trying to conceal her crush on him. And then when she wasn't. If she just didn't make a huge deal about it, he might willingly spend time with her. Strictly speaking, she's the only one on the team whose intelligence is on the same level as his. It wouldn't be so bad, spending time with a person who could actually discuss topics that go beyond the realm of ramen or erotic fiction.

There's also the small matter of her being slightly terrifying (he will never, ever, admit this). Sakura's temper is on a hair-trigger, and Sasuke's very glad that Naruto is the one she beats on, because he's seen the bruises. If the moron didn't have the lucky ability to heal quickly, he'd be in the hospital every other week. Sasuke has enough mental and emotional scarring in his life, he's fine without adding physical abuse to the pile.

But beyond those minor quirks, Sakura is likeable.

She's the only truly innocent person he knows. Unlike the rest of Team 7, she has no dark past or horrifying secret. She has never known loss, has never truly hated anyone in her life. No matter the situation, she exudes an aura of approachability that Sasuke could never achieve even with years of practice. Her temper aside, Sakura's gentleness and kindness are something that make him and Naruto want to protect her from being taken advantage of.

Which is why it makes sense that both he and Naruto, who hides his crush even worse than Sakura does, are both drawn to her, in their own ways.

Except, as it turns out, one day, it will just be Sasuke. One day, that kind, bright girl is going to be his. She will, inexplicably, wait for him to finish his hunt for Itachi, agree to marry him, and then help him restore his—

Sasuke goes rigid. A rush of warmth floods his cheeks and the back of his neck as the implications of this knowledge hit him.

They have a daughter. Possibly other children.

There's only one way for that to happen, which means he and Sakura, one day, will...

Sasuke can't help the convulsive swallow of realisation. It's years before he really needs to worry about that sort of thing, but perhaps he should speak to Kakashi about...practical concerns.

No, scratch that. Kakashi would probably hand him that stupid book of his.

Who the hell is he supposed to talk to about this?

It's a good thing Sasuke doesn't make a habit of acknowledging Sakura more often, because he will have a hard time looking her in the eye from now on. Embarrassment aside, he can't help but feel...hopeful. For the first time in his life—since he can remember, anyhow—a part of him is looking forward to the future.

Only for a second, though because there is a very real, very inescapable truth looming up behind his recent discovery. That he won't have to kill the girl he (possibly, probably, but will never admit to!) has feelings for. That there's still someone out there. Someone whom he will kill to destroy Itachi.

Which raises a whole other issue because who else is there?

He isn't friends with, or even close to, any of the other kids from their Academy year. As for the adults, he doesn't really interact with them.

Perhaps he meets someone new in the future?

Except...that makes no sense. He doesn't crave friendships the way he knows his teammates do. He would never go out of his way to become close to someone. Unless...

Unless he does? Does his future self seek out someone to be close to just for the sake of murdering them one day?

It's what Itachi would do.

All the warm feelings Sasuke had moments ago are gone now, replaced with a sinking sensation. It's the same nausea he experienced when he believed it was his destiny to murder Sakura.

If it's true, and he becomes as cold and calculating as his brother, why would Naruto ever respect him the way Sarada says he does? Why would Kakashi—apparently, the future Hokage—permit someone like that to stay in Konoha? After all, those who betray the people who are precious to them are scum.

And why would Sakura wait for him?

It's enough that she's apparently willing to forgive him the fact he will kill his own brother. What does it say about her that she would forgive him for manipulating another person into a close relationship just so that he can kill them? Either she has a secret sociopathic side to her (he dismisses this at once), possesses an impossible—even insane—capacity for forgiveness, or he doesn't tell her.

Which would explain some of the things Sarada has said. The girl—and it's still next to impossible to see her as his daughter—has mentioned knowing nothing about his past. The Sasuke of the future apparently hasn't even explained the Uchiha Massacre to her. What's to say he also chooses not to tell Sakura what he did—will do—to kill his brother?

The notion is at odds with what Sasuke imagines marriage is supposed to be like. He only had a few short years with his parents, but their partnership was seamless. He knows that there were no secrets between his mother and his father, that they respected each other. In many ways, they provided as strong a team to one another as any active three-man squad. His mother attended every clan meeting with Sasuke's father, mediated disputes between neighbours on his behalf, and helped him with paperwork. When she wasn't caring for Itachi and himself, of course.

She once told him of conversations she had with his father about topics neither of them ever mentioned in his presence, so obviously, they communicated somehow.

Except Sasuke remembers nothing spoken.

There were times he witnessed what looked like entire conversations between the two. Given the fact neither of them ever said a word, he's not sure they were actual conversations, but it seemed like it...

Is his marriage to Sakura going to be one based on secrets? If so, Sarada's declaration that he's a disappointment rings far truer than he's comfortable with.

But he's getting ahead of himself. Sasuke wills himself to ignore the convoluted mess of thought and emotion trying to take up residence in his brain. Right now, all that matters is the mission—find an exit, find Sarada's teammates, and stop this whatever that's mucking around with time. Then he can safely forget all the complicated stuff and leave it to his future self.

He experiences only a modicum of guilt at that idea; in his view, his future self already has a hell of a lot more than he has. Let him deal with unpleasant truths and conversations. Right now, Sasuke prefers to deal with problems that he can either reason out or punch—not necessarily in that order.

The world filters back into his perception, no longer blocked by messy or complicated notions. He attempts to concentrate on anything but those thoughts—such as the subtle way heat radiates upward from the ground; the whistle of air through the many tunnels which is occasionally interrupted by a scraping, echoing rhythm; or just the smell of the earth. Anything but the—

Anything but the girl that he will marry one day.

"You can't say that!" he hears Sakura hiss at Sarada.

"Why not?" Sarada challenges. "It's not like you're going to say it, even though you obviously want to."

Sakura scowls at this.

It's true, she's torn between defending Sasuke's character and running after him to make sure he's all right. While her inner-self grumbles that Sarada didn't go far enough, she can't help worrying that the girl's harsh words might have cut deep.

She knows how Sasuke takes things related to his family to heart. Naruto does as well, and when she glances at him, she sees the conflict in his features as well. Sasuke just insulted him, which isn't new, but this may be the first time someone outside of Team 7—a technical stranger at that—stood up for him.

Moral grey area or not, however, she doesn't like how Sarada behaved and something tells her it's her duty to point that out.

"You are a hypocrite," she tells the girl plainly. "Saying things like that to Sasuke, yet you haven't known him for more than a few hours!" Sarada opens her mouth to protest, but Sakura keeps going. "He might be your father one day, but right now, he's some kid you don't even know. Would you go up to a stranger and say things like that? Your mother—whoever she is—would be ashamed of you!"

Sarada's anger fades instantly. In fact, the speed with which she looks contrite and chastised almost makes Sakura take a step back.

"Fine," she says after a deep breath. "I'll...talk to him." She makes a move to follow Sasuke, but adds over her shoulder, a little sulk in her voice, "But I'm not apologising. Because I was right."

She hurries on ahead, leaving Sakura even more mystified than she was when Sasuke didn't snap back at Sarada.

Naruto rubs a hand through his hair, expression bemused. "I'd better make sure they don't kill each other." He blinks once, mentally going over that statement in his head, and then sniggers. "Wow, I never thought I'd ever say that."

"You and me both," Sakura agrees and lets him go. There's no use in her checking on Sasuke if his future child and his best friend are there to do it. More and more, she's realising just how superfluous she is, and it's not a pleasant feeling.

Not the only unpleasant feeling, she decides, becoming aware that she is being watched. Indeed, her sensei is considering her from his position on Bull's back.

Once again, Kakashi finds himself in the role of having to console a distraught teenaged girl. He would've thought he was done with this sort of thing years ago, but it keeps cropping up. It might not a comrade's death he's dealing with, but it's still a young girl who believes her heart is broken.

While it's tempting to tell Sakura about Sarada, he knows better. Especially with the way today is going. Sakura cares so deeply, with her entire heart; if she knew, she'd just overexcite herself, or do something foolhardy.

He's still trying to evaluate whether that's something he has to worry about from Sasuke.

"You'll be all right," he tells her instead. "You're more than the person you care about, you know."

"You don't have to do that," Sakura tells him with a tiny, untrue smile.

"Do what?"

"Try to cheer me up. Naruto did that already."

"He's worried about you. I am, too."

Sakura sighs. "Everyone is so worried about me. It's nice and all, but I'll get over it. It's not like I'm surprised. I mean, we're thirteen. And I'm not from a prestigious bloodline, like Sasuke and Sarada. Or Naruto now, considering the whole 'Fourth Hokage' thing. The odds were never good. I knew that. I've been calculating probabilities since I knew how."

"Sakura—"

"You shouldn't be talking," she goes on. "You should be concentrating on healing and getting us out of here. Which, you know, I kind of want to do today at some point."

"Talking isn't going to make me pass out," Kakashi points out wryly.

"Yeah, okay. Well...I can be better at keeping my feelings in check. I don't need your pity."

"I'm not pitying you."

"Then you should be checking up on Sasuke," she replies, a hint of iron in her voice. She doesn't want to discuss this. Which Kakashi understands—they're in a cave where things tend to echo. While Sasuke might be preoccupied with his (more bizarre than usual) family drama, he will (hopefully) put that aside for the mission. Sakura doesn't want to take the chance of him listening in, worried that he will judge her for her feelings.

"He's probably dealing with information overload right now," she continues, insightful as usual. "I bet he doesn't even know what to do with it. Besides, I know you don't like me as much as you like the boys, so consider this your free pass, okay?"

Logically, Kakashi should take this as an out. The ninja life is not easy on those who have deep feelings. At the same time, he's struck painfully by the idea that Sakura believes he doesn't like her. Or that he doesn't value her as he does the boys.

"You're wrong," he tells her. "You might not be as strong as they are now, but you can always get stronger. You have a lot of potential and a lot of determination to succeed. Or at least I thought so up until this moment." He raises an eyebrow at her. "Beyond that, you're a lot less emotionally damaged than your teammates. Don't know if you've noticed that."

"Maybe a bit," she admits with a tiny laugh.

"Good. Then you should also notice that you're not the one dragging them down. They have their own hang-ups and problems which do that job for them. If they had half your maturity, the whole team would be a lot more effective."

Sakura blushes.

"That's not to say you don't get uncontrollably emotional about certain things," Kakashi continues, "but that's something you'll grow out of. Don't worry about it. You might wear your feelings openly now, and certain others might not appear to have any, but that will all change. Boys mature, too, and they'll eventually catch up to where you are."

His eye rests on Naruto's retreating back.

"Although...perhaps not. The point is, I don't 'like' the boys any more than I like you," Kakashi concludes. "You are all my adorable students."

"Okay," she whispers quietly. "But...I will be all right. I promise."

"Yes, you will," Kakashi's eye crinkles in a smile.

There's a bit of a pause.

"So...are we supposed to hug now?" Sakura asks.

"I don't really do hugs."

"Good. Because that would be kind of weird."

ナルト

Sarada catches up to Sasuke with ease, falling into step beside him.

She scowls, as much at the situation as at him, while he broods and avoids her gaze whenever she turns to glare at him. Both expect the other to speak first, even though she knows from experience that's futile. This is not the brooding silence she's used to, but it's a brooding silence, nonetheless. There's no point in pushing him to talk if he doesn't want to.

Naruto apparently never got that memo, even at this age, because he bounds between them.

"So, can you two read each other's minds or something? 'Cause this sure doesn't look like talking to me. It looks like you're trying to silence each other to death. Which would be kind of cool, but also really bad—believe it! We're on a mission! Jeez, Sasuke! It's like I need to tell you everything. You're always holding me back."

Sasuke's eyes shoot daggers at Naruto, but the blond boy seems entirely unfazed. Sarada imagines that his clenched fist is beginning to spark blue, but before she can say anything, Naruto pulls away from them both. He inclines his head upward and sniffs.

"Hey! I smell water now, too!" He pulls ahead of them, beaming. "I'm going to check it out—but I'm not going too far, so you two better play nice! Don't make Uncle Naruto separate you!" He chuckles and bounds onward.

They stare at his back, and Sarada thinks he's way more amused by this whole 'time travel' thing than he should be. Uncle Naruto, indeed... And practically baiting her father like that?

"He has a death wish," she says in surprise and almost resignation. Her childhood fantasies are being crushed all around today.

"Hm."

Sarada jumps at the unexpected acknowledgement.

Sasuke is back to looking straight ahead, but there's a little less tension in his gait. As irritating as Naruto's interruption was, apparently, it broke through some of his gloom. The mutual silence is less menacing, but still awkward. Behind them, Sakura and Kakashi are talking in low voices. Sarada does her best not to listen, but it's hard considering how sound carries. She wishes Naruto hadn't left because he could probably have made this whole thing a lot less awkward and—

"You're just as annoying as she is."

Sasuke's words are pitched low, so as not to carry, but Sarada hears them fine. She side-eyes him in disbelief because he did decide to speak first, after all.

She smirks, the gesture amused but bordering on bitter. "Too bad for you—I know for a fact that's a compliment when you say it."

"Hn."

There's another lengthy silence. She decides to give in this time. "I'm still not apologising."

"Neither am I."

"Fine."

"Good."

More silence. And then—

"Are you going to tell her?"

Sarada startles at the question. There's not enough inflexion in it to discern how he wants her to respond, even if she could decide on what to say.

"I want to," she finally admits. "But it's not a good idea. She's very...different now."

"Hm."

At this, he abruptly pulls ahead of her and Sarada gets the odd sense that she said the wrong thing. He makes it several paces in front before turning around, looking at her directly for the first time.

"There's nothing worse than being lied to," he tells her. "Believing one thing about a person, and then finding out, at the worst possible moment, that it's nothing but fabrication?" He leaves the question hanging for a second, then resumes walking. "I'm going to make sure that idiot doesn't get lost."

Sarada gapes at her his back. It almost sounds like...like he wants her to tell Sakura? Not necessarily because he cares for her (although Sarada is beginning to suspect that he isn't as indifferent as he pretends). It's seems...he doesn't want her to be kept in the dark.

It's a sentiment Sarada understands only too well. She knows what it's like to have people keep secrets. She remembers the overwhelming, crushing pain that consumed her when she believed her parents had lied to her. When she concocted a scenario where Sakura wasn't her mother. And even when the truth came out, she still experienced a sinking, hollow despair because Mama hadn't told her the real reason for her father's constant absence.

But who lied to Sasuke?

Sarada doesn't think it's anyone on his squad—they don't appear to have secrets from each other. Except for Naruto being a jinchūriki, of course, but that's not so much a personal secret as something that affects the fate of Konoha.

In any event, she's going to have to consider the merits of telling Sakura. Or at least, find out from Kakashi if she can get away with it. By now, two of the four people she was trying to avoid telling, know the truth. It can't make that much more of a difference, right? Sarada decides to wait until they're less likely to have the world cave-in on them. If they manage to find another space where it's relatively safe, she'll bring it up then.

It feels like an eternity before they finally get out of the winding darkness.

The cavern that Sasuke spoke of before is audible before they see it; the low, rumbling rush of water grows louder until their tunnel opens into a vaulted, natural cavern. Stretching out immediately in front of them is a large, flat space that fronts a subterranean river. The water is black in the darkness, swift eddies visible just beneath the surface. There's no sign of where it originates from, but on the opposite side of the grotto, the current picks up. At one point, the water may have spilled over into a natural fall, but there's evidence of human interference. The water on this side of the riverbank seems to be some kind of reservoir, and it meets at what appears to be a makeshift dam. Aged, but functional, equipment is set up along the construction with one mechanism attached to a kind of floodgate. On the other side, where she supposes the waterfall once was, there's nothing but darkness leading to unfathomable depths.

Naruto is standing there, craning his neck over the abyss. "How far down do you think it goes?"

"How bad do you want to know the answer?" Sasuke replies. The question sounds sinister despite the mild tone.

Sarada sharpens her gaze, noting that the steep slope and natural spillway are lined with algae. There would be nowhere for anyone to hold on to if they fell down that way, chakra grip or not. She shudders.

"That must be how this place is powered," Sakura observes quietly beside Sarada. She jumps, having not heard her mother appear behind her.

She follows Sakura's gaze to the makeshift dam and realises she's right. The only reason for such a thing to be built down here would be to generate power. "Looks like."

"There's another tunnel, that way," Kakashi says, passing them both. He is walking now but hasn't sent Bull away. The large dog lopes at his side, nose twitching toward the opening Kakashi pointed out. "Is that where you smell people?"

The dog makes a low whuff of agreement and heads in that direction, Kakashi following.

"Looks like we'll get you back to your team, finally," Sakura says tentatively.

"Yeah."

Silence.

Sarada wonders if it's her destiny to be completely awkward around both her parents in this time.

"How's your arm?" Sakura asks.

Sarada examines the badly mangled appendage, wincing at the sight. It's bleeding in a few places where a stitch or two may've popped, and it's covered in dirt from their impromptu escape.

"I think my dad—er, Sasuke was right. I'm probably going to need it cut off."

Sakura snorts. "Don't be so melodramatic. The medicine we gave you is keeping the infection down. We just need to clean it up and put it back in a sling. Come on. We can do that now."

Sarada blinks in surprise as Sakura steers her toward the side of the river. And the award for Spontaneous Personality Change might not be going to Papa after all...

"You're not going to shove me in the river, are you?" she asks, only half-joking.

"Only if you mouth off again," Sakura replies sweetly.

They can't really afford to take more rests than necessary, but if Sarada doesn't see to her injuries, she won't be of any use to Team 7. Or her own team, when they find them. That's probably why Kakashi allows them to fall behind.

Sasuke scopes out the cavern while Naruto takes off his jacket and rummages through his pockets. After a few minutes of labour, he finds what he was looking for—a candy bar—and happily begins to munch on it. Meanwhile, Sakura sets to work on Sarada's wounds.

"Shouldn't Kakashi be doing this?" Sarada points out.

"I have the same basic medical training as you do," Sakura retorts in a clipped tone. "Besides, I watched what he was doing before. It's really not that difficult."

"Sorry, I wasn't trying to insult you. I just..." She trails off, earning a puzzling look.

Sakura sighs. "No, don't apologise. Today hasn't exactly been...easy."

Which is really putting it lightly.

"I won't lie," Sakura continues as she works, gently rinsing dirt and blood from the injury. Sarada grits her teeth, but endures the pain. "Finding out that Sasuke's your father wasn't what any of us expected when we woke up this morning." She bites her lip, sheepish. "But it's also not an excuse."

Sarada is confused. "Excuse for what?"

"I haven't been as nice to you as I might've been if..." She goes quiet, and Sarada suspects she wants to make sure Sasuke's not listening in. Sarada's eyes dart across the cavern at him, where he's—pretending to be, she suspects—utterly absorbed in examining the dam.

Sakura finally continues, "It's not your fault that he...that I..." She scowls, more at her herself than at Sarada, and forges ahead with resolve. "I bet your mother's amazing. She'd have to be."

"My mother's the strongest kunoichi in Konoha—maybe the world. She could be Hokage, if she wanted to," Sarada says loyally, unable to ignore a sense of smugness at the way Sasuke jerks slightly in surprise. She was right. He is pretending not to listen. "There were actually a few times when she was suggested as a successor if something happened to Na—to the current Hokage. Actually, it's sort of the story for both my parents." She sighs, a little unenthusiastic now. "I don't think my father would ever... Well, he said he doesn't like the idea of his face on a mountain."

Sakura chuckles at that, and though it sounds a little forced, it's a welcome sound.

"That doesn't surprise me." There's a beat of silence. It seems almost as if the conversation is over, but then she speaks again. "Your mother...she isn't Ino, is she?"

Sarada whips her head up in surprise. "What? I can't tell you that." Even if she really, really wants to. Kakashi's too far away for her to ask him, and she just wants to make sure it's allowed before—

"My knowing that won't make the world implode," Sakura cajoles.

"Yeah, but—"

"Just tell me!"

"But Kakashi-sensei—"

"Isn't even listening. He's reading that stupid book of his."

"What? Again?!"

Sarada cranes around to see—and, it's true. He's surreptitiously stuffing the orange book back into his pocket, the jerk.

"Exactly! So, you can tell me, and it'll be just between the two of us."

"And Naruto," the blond boy pipes up, appearing beside them as if by summoning. Unlike Sasuke, he doesn't even bother to pretend he wasn't eavesdropping the whole time.

"And Naruto," Sakura amends, shooting him an annoyed glare. "Who, according to you, is your uncle, so, you should listen to him."

"That's... Is that even logic?" Sarada wonders, confused.

"No, but nothing about today has been logical. Now tell me!"

Everyone waits with baiting breath.

Sarada exhales. "No, it's not her."

"Oh, thank goodness," Sakura whispers and then barks out a laugh. "Hah! That's the best news I've had all day!"

"I guess that competition you two have isn't a new thing, is it?"

"It's not a competition—it's an epic rivalry," Sakura sniffs, but then let's out a single hard laugh. "I guess there's no real point to it anymore, though. The whole reason for it was... Anyway," she says, clearing her throat, then considering Sarada. "I hope he doesn't get mad at me, but we're going to have to sacrifice some of Sasuke's shirt. I'm all out of bandages, and you need a new sling."

"I figure, in the big scheme of things, he's probably not concerned about his shirt right now," Sarada points out.

Sakura nods, thoughtful. With a kunai, she carefully cuts and tears a long strip of blue fabric away from the bottom of the shirt. Sarada notes she's careful not to rip the uchiwa symbol though, which is an oddly touching gesture.

"There's something that's been bugging me," Naruto says, watching Sakura fashion a sling for Sarada. "Before, when you were telling us those embarrassing stories to make us trust you—you didn't say anything about Sakura."

"Well...I..." She's not sure how to deal with this question. The reason she didn't say anything about Sakura was because Mama tells her a lot about herself—more personal and embarrassing things than what she knows about the others. She doesn't think her mother would appreciate her revealing some of those secrets.

"That's just not fair," Naruto continues.

"Shut up, Naruto," Sakura orders, a tight smile on her face.

"No, seriously! We need to hear something embarrassing about her, too!"

"It's not like I've hidden anything from you. We go on missions in close quarters all the time, so you guys already know all the really personal stuff."

"Yeah, but Sarada wouldn't."

"Well, maybe she doesn't spend much time with me," Sakura suggests lightly; the effect is ruined by the pained note in her voice. "I mean, she'd have to with Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei and you. You guys are her father, her father's teacher, and her father's best friend."

"Tch." Sasuke's no longer pretending not to listen in.

"She has to be close to you guys, but that doesn't mean she is with me. I'm just..." She trails off, as if can't find the right words to explain exactly what she is. That expression makes Sarada's stomach clench because she suspects what her mother is imagining about herself right now.

Naruto appears to be on the same train of thought.

"You're not," he tells her. "Whatever you're thinking, you're not. Sarada knows you. Right, Sarada?"

Two sides of Sarada are at war. The practical one who understands Kakashi's wish to limit information exchange, is fighting with the emotional one. The one who finds it imperative that her mother lose that pained expression on her face right now.

They're going to forget anyhow, right?

"Not necessarily," Sakura says quietly. "I might not have ever met her."

"What? Why would you say that?!" Naruto demands.

"Because I could be—"

"You pad your bra!" Sarada blurts out desperately.

"What?!" Naruto and Sakura chorus, in various states of dismay.

"You didn't get proper breasts until you were fourteen, and they were still small, so you—"

"Stop it!" Sakura shouts, frantic. "Stop talking right now!"

"Aw, man," Naruto complains. "So, you're gonna be flat-chested for another two—"

"Shut up, Naruto!" Sakura howls, drawing back and smacks him in the head. Even without the strength she will one day have, the force is impressive. He ends up staggering backward toward the tunnel they came from, past a suspiciously red-faced Sasuke.

"Why would you say something like that?" Sakura howls at Sarada.

"I'm sorry! It was the first thing I could come up with"

It's the first topic that comes to mind because it's the last thing she and her mother discussed before she left on this mission.

"Why would I even tell you that?!"

"Because we know each other really well," Sarada says, mentally trying to sort out what she can and cannot reveal. The result is a sudden outpouring of nervous babble. "You're my best friend! Well, adult friend. Well, okay, so, I never really got along with the other kids my age, because...I'm an Uchiha, and...other reasons. And Chōchō's kind of...flaky, even if she's my best friend. I love her and all, but she's kind of a diva, which is...annoying. But, in the future, you and me, we get along. Whenever I had problems at school, you were the one who helped me deal with them and everything. And you always listen to everything I have to say and try to comfort me when I'm sad. And when I was little, you'd take me to the park and...and..."

She's trying desperately to come up with information, or at least information that she's allowed to share. At which point, she shoots a desperate look at Kakashi, asking his permission. There's a twitch beneath his mask, like he's trying to hold fast. Sarada's heart leaps at this, because she recognises that twitch. It's the same one she used to see when she cajoled an extra bedtime story out of him when he babysat. Or when she convinced him to take her to get dango before bringing her home for supper.

"Hey, that's kinda cool," Naruto is saying, massaging the blossoming bruise from his teammate's assault. "Sounds like I was right before! I bet you become a teacher, Sakura. Kind of like Iruka-sensei. That wouldn't be so bad—"

Snkt!

Naruto's words are cut off by a sudden yelp of surprise and pain. Everyone watches in horror as four short, curved claws punch through his left shoulder. The sound of tearing flesh fills the air as the sharp blades dig deeper. There's barely time for anyone to react as he's thrown clear across the room, blood spraying.

In the space behind where he stood, a figure looms. Bones poke through his skin and tattered clothing, gashes seep across his face and body. The parts of him that aren't sticky with blood and dirt are slowly covered by a growing curse mark. Gaunt, haunted eyes, like a wild animal glare out at them, hungry and malevolent.

Apparently, one of the experiments survived the cave-in.

つづく

_____

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