Time Spents

Precious

The next time she returns, he summons Hinata.

Saukra smiles at the gentle woman and is, as always, full of questions.

"So there are others like you?" her eyes are bright as she sits cross-legged on the couch. Her hands are wrapped around a warm mug of tea that Sasuke prepared at Hinata's urging.

"I am from a large clan," she allows, curling her legs under her as she sits on the other end. "Our job is to find watch over any souls that might go astray."

"But there is a gate that can go to other realms, and you guard that. And Sasuke's family are Guardians in other realms, just like your family are Shepherds and Gate keepers."

"That is about right."

"And then," Sakura tucks a long strand of hair behind her ears, "while Shepherds generally stick to a territory, there are Hunters that can go across realms looking for different souls. And you and some of your friends are trying to figure out how and why I keep showing up here, is that it?"

"I knew you were smart," Naruto chuckles as he entered the room. "Didn't I tell you she is smart?" he asks Hinata.

"You did," she smiles pleasantly as he sits in a comfortable chair opposite the couch.

"Love what you've done with the place," Naruto looks around the room. "Way better than the 'I hate everyone' vibe Teme was going for."

Sakura laughs as she sets her tea to the side. "It started out as an accident," she admits, "but now it seems like things change even before I think about changing them."

"It's annoying," Sasuke intones, replacing her empty mug with a full one. "I never know where anything will be."

"Where's your sense of adventure?" she teases him, eyes alight.

"Probably with everything else you misplaced."

Naruto and Hinata exchange a knowing glance that goes unnoticed by the other two. Later that night, when they are a tangle of limbs and he is idly tracing patterns on her skin, Naruto gives voice to his thoughts.

"What do you think about them?"

She worries her lip as she considers her answer.

"I think that they are connected," she ventures, "but I can not say to what extent."

"She is changing his home without even trying," Naruto half snorts. "I'd say it's to a pretty good extent."

Hinata hums her agreement.

"Have you asked the others for help?"

"Not yet. He wants to wait and see what Shino and Kiba turn up."

"What about Itachi and his Hunters?"

Hinata gives a small shrug. "I haven't heard."

Naruto lapses into silence but Hinata knows better than to think he has fallen asleep. Instead, she listens to the lull of his heartbeat while he gathers his thoughts.

Just before she drifts off, he murmurs into her hair:

"It has been good to see him happy. I hope she will stay."

Her eyelids are heavy, but she uses her last wisps of consciousness to press a kiss to the underside of his jaw and whisper, in all sincerity, "Me, too."

He confesses that the gardens had been planted by his mother when she still lived in this realm. He inherited his position here through her and her family - his older brother inherited through their father.

Sakura takes in the lilies and roses and climbing vines and trees, and thinks it is perfect.

He smiles when she tells him as much - at least he smiles as much as he ever does.

"I like gardens," she sits on a bench in the sunshine. "Something about them is rejuvenating." She looks around, hesitating to ask the question. "Your Mother. Is she?"

"She is a Guardian of another realm, with my Father."

"And your brother is one as well, correct?"

"Yes."

"Do you ever visit?"

"Occasionally," he shrugs.

"I wonder if I ever visit," she chuckles. When he looks at her strangely, she grins cheekily. "What? I don't know where I go when I leave here; for all I know I am visiting all of your relatives."

"You're not," he mutters.

"I might be," she nudges him.

"You would be most welcome, if you were to visit," Itachi appears in front of them, "but sadly, my brother is right. We have not had the pleasure of an introduction."

Sakura's initial surprise melts into delight.

"Itachi, I take it?"

"And you must be Sakura."

"Pleased to meet you," she glances behind him. "Who are your friends?"

Itachi's expression doesn't change, but Sasuke wonders what these escorts mean.

"My cousin Shisui, and my Chief Hunter, Hana," he indicates the other two.

They both bow politely to her.

"Sorry to arrive unannounced," Itachi's faint smile is weary but kind, "but I wanted to speak with you both."

"How did you know I was here?" Sakura blinks. "I didn't think anyone could track where I was."

There might have been a scoffing sound from one of Itachi's party, or she might have imagined it - she isn't sure.

"Why don't we discuss it inside," Itachi nods back toward his brother's home.

"Sakura," Sasuke turns toward her. "Would you take Captain Inuzuka and my cousin inside? I'm sure they'd like to take a moment to wash up from their journey."

"Of course," she smiles, and leads the way.

Itachi hangs back, amused.

"I take it you haven't explained that the 'journey' here took mere seconds."

"Why are you here," his brother turns, the small crease reappearing between his eyebrows. "And what do you mean by bringing those two?"

"You mean my most trusted friends, aside from my brother?" Itachi arches an eyebrow. "Are you offended, Sasuke?"

"You left your realm without your two most trusted people," Sasuke counters. "Why?"

"Shisui thinks he picked up on a trail, and Hana says she can follow it. They have to be here when she disappears, or it won't work."

Sasuke meets his eyes steadily.

"And why are you helping her?"

"It is our job, Little Brother," Itachi shrugs. "She is a displaced soul."

Shisui flickers in front of them, his eyes spinning in red and black.

"Come now," is all he needs to say.

In less than a second, the three of them are at Sakura's side, and she is shivering in a blanket, while being held on the couch by Hana. The Captain is surprisingly gentle with the girl as she rubs wide circles on her back.

She looks up, dazed.

"Sasuke?" she holds her hands out to him, and he is startled to realize they are beginning to fade.

Without a word, he takes them and kneels in front of her, to better meet her eyes.

"What is happening?"

"I don't know," she chatters. "It is different than last time. Usually I just... go. But something is wrong - this is different."

She slumps forward, all color draining from her skin.

Effortlessly, he scoops her up, and cradles her in his arms.

"You can wait it out in your room," he strides down the hall.

She looks up at him confused.

"I have a room? Since when?"

He gives a half shrug, but does not answer.

"Huh," she rests her head against his shoulder. "I don't remember doing that."

He doesn't comment.

Because then he'd have to admit that he doesn't know when it happened,

but she didn't create her room.

He did.

And that isn't something he knows how to process any more than he knows how to face how she is melding into his life.

She has been gone for days.

As soon as she disappeared, Shisui and Hana followed after her; Shisui has traveled back several times to report to Itachi, but Hana won't leave the trail.

Sasuke isn't in a pleasant mood.

His home is redolent with her presence, even in the rooms she did not change. He finds himself looking in his refrigerator for no reason - such a mortal thing to do - and checking to make sure there are logs for the fire.

Naruto is only surprised he hasn't shown up sooner.

"How do you know her?"

"I don't know her exactly," he rubs the back of his neck.

"But you recognized her," Sasuke's words have an unfamiliar edge to them, but Naruto thinks he understands.

"I remember her spirit," he admits, reluctantly. "It took me a while to figure out where I thought I knew it from, but I didn't want to say anything to you until I was sure."

"And now you are?"

"Pretty sure," he nods. "Just got word this morning. How soon can you be ready to travel?"

"I'm not leaving," he crosses his arms. "I can't risk her returning here without someone to help her or keep her from completely reinventing my home."

"Thought you might say that," Naruto grins. "I already have a solution."

He crosses to his door and brushes his fingers against a seal. The blond man that appears is an older, calmer Naruto.

"Are you ready to go?"

Naruto looks at Sasuke expectantly. "What do you say, Teme?"

"And who will watch the River if both Guardians leave?"

"Oh, I think we can handle it."

Sasuke turns to see not only Naruto's mother, but his own as well.

"You don't have much time," his mother puts both hands on his shoulders. "We'll speak when you get back."

Sasuke isn't sure if he complies quickly because he is anxious for news of Sakura or if he is anxious not to speak to his mother about why he anxious about Sakura.

He finds the entire situation to be annoying.

Naruto gives him a thumbs up as Minato puts a hand on each of their shoulders and says: "Hold on tight."

That is the last thing Sasuke hears before the world goes black.

The world warps and twists around him one minute, then unwinds and straightens itself out the next.

Sasuke blinks, taken aback by the wash of blue light that runs over everything.

"Where are we?"

"Come," Minato directs them forward. "We have an audience with Princess Tsunade, and she does not wait well.

Naruto and Sasuke stride after him, looking around the high, carved walls of the palace.

It takes him a moment to recognize the dancing pattern of lights, and his theory is proven when something lazily swims past the giant windows. He quirks an eyebrow at Naruto.

"We are under water?"

"In the River."

"The River?" Sasuke frowns, and then the realization dawns on him. "That is where you saw her. In the River."

He never gets his answer, as the moment they round the corner they enter not a throne room, but a room with a large desk, behind which is seated a regal woman with long, blonde hair and a diamond marking on her forehead.

She folds her hands and rests her elbows on the desk, eyeing them all shrewdly. To her left is a slight woman holding a scroll. To her right is a tall, burly, jovial man with white hair and a lecherous grin.

"Princess," Minato bows.

"Minato," she greets him with a not unkind nod of her head. "I take it this is your son and his friend?"

"Naruto and Sasuke," he affirms.

"So," she rests her hands under her chin. "Which one of you knows what happened to Sakura?"

The younger men exchange glances.

Naruto rubs the back of his neck and ventures, "We were hoping that you could tell us."

A frown mars her pretty face.

"She went missing," she meets their eyes. "Disappeared without a trace."

Sasuke's pulse quickens.

"How long ago?"

"And why weren't you looking for her?" Nartuo jumps in.

"We were looking for her," she narrows her eyes at Naruto. "We are still looking for her. That is why I agreed to allow Minato to bring you."

"How long have you been looking?"

"For the better part of a year, now."

"A year? Naruto blinks. "When did she disappear?"

"We don't know precisely when she went missing, or even have a last known location," Tsunade folds her hands on the desk. "The work of a Healer can take them far from home for an extended mission. It isn't unusual to be on assignment and out of contact for months at a time. There are very few Waterborn who achieve Sakura's level of skill, and only two in our history that reached it so quickly. As one of our very best, she especially was familiar with extended assignments."

"Doesn't her family get worried?"

"I'm sure they do," she lifts one shoulder, "but they understand and respect Sakura's decision. When she comes home, Kizashi goes right back to telling bad jokes, and Mebuki asks about her boyfriend."

"She has one of those?" Naruto blinks.

"No," Tsunade's eyes glimmer in what might be amusement. "The last person she was with made the mistake of trying to be with another person at the same time. Both women found out and let's just say he regrets his decision."

The conversation is eerily familiar to Sasuke.

"When was the last time you heard from her?"

"Her last report is dated over a year ago," the woman behind Tsunade speaks up. "The mission itself started about three years ago."

"Then I don't see how this can be the same person," Sasuke's voice is calm and even, despite his internal disappointment. "This Sakura told me of her life in a mortal realm from childhood on. She began appearing in my home some time ago, but not a year ago."

But your Sakura tells you of a similar life, yes?" the white-haired man stands (and Sasuke suddenly recognizes Jiraiya - one of the Sages). "Not exactly the same, but similar?"

Sasuke considers this. A mortal doctor would be equivalent to a healer, wouldn't it? She spoke of working alone, and having few interactions with others...

"Who is Chiyo?"

The name is clearly significant to them, and Tsunade leans forward on her elbows, pinning him with a penetrating gaze.

"How do you know that name?"

"Sakura told me," he meets her gaze unflinchingly. "In her mortal life her latest job was as a researcher under Chiyo, working largely alone and with very dangerous samples - poisons and the like." He pauses. "I take it this is significant?"

"Very," Tsunade's eyes gleam. "Tell me everything she told you - every detail, no matter how small - and then I shall fill in the blanks. Between the two of us, we might be able to piece this mystery together enough to bring our girl home."

Sasuke begins his story, ignoring his curious internal reaction to the word 'home,' and the implication that it could be anywhere other than in the spaces she'd molded for herself in his life. He chalks the strange weight in his gut to preemptive irritation at a no-doubt-soon-to-be-smug Naruto (even though Naruto is taking this all in with an uncharacteristic seriousness) even if the taste of it is something more bittersweet.

Naruto was right.

Other people had been looking for her.

Other people care about her.

She is needed and missed and even loved here (Sasuke recognizes the emotion in tucked in the corners of Tsunade's eyes and the folds of her concern).

Sakura needs to return to her home.

And Sasuke needs to let her.

And perhaps he isn't as prepared for that as he thought..

He dreams that night.

"Sasuke?"

He turns as the blur of pink comes into focus and familiar green eyes light with relief.

"Oh, thank goodness," she rushes toward him and flings arms around his neck. And because it is a dream he allows himself to hold her closely, anchoring her to himself with an arm banded across her back and a hand in her hair. "I've been trying to get back to you," she buries her face in the crook of his neck. "But I don't know how."

"Where are you?"

"Dreaming," the wet of tears begins to soak into his shirt, but he doesn't mind. "That's all I know. I can't get back to where I'm from, and I can't get back to you, and I don't know why."

"Sakura, listen to me," he pulls away, his hands sure on her shoulders. "You have to think back."

"I've tried," her eyes glisten with tears unshed. "I can't remember anything more about my life before I started coming to you."

"Not from that life," he shakes his head. "Think back to when you were a Healer."

She c***s her head to the side.

"A healer?"

"You're a Healer," he explains quickly, for he knows it is not a dream of his making, and he doesn't know how long this connection will last. "A Waterborn - your kind lives in the River of Life. As a Healer you tend to the souls in the River, and help mend damages done during their time spent in mortal realms. Naruto has sensed you in the River, and that is why you felt familiar."

She blinks. "Like a water nymph? But that makes no sense, Sasuke, I-"

"Think back, Sakura," he says firmly, so very aware of the time that they don't have. "You were last seen at the palace several years ago before you went on a mission. Sometime after your last report, you disappeared. Why? What happened?"

"I...I don't know?"

"Names, Sakura," he grips her a little harder. "Tell me any names you can think of. Who are your parents?"

"My parents," she puts a hand to her head.

"A friend - any friend! - from your life. The name of the boyfriend you left - anything!"

Her breath shallows, and she grips his arms.

"I...Ino," she gasps. "My friend. My best friend - her name is Ino. We've been friends since we were children."

"Ino," he tucks the name away. "What else?" his eyes wander over her face. You said you had a mentor," he prompts. "Tell me about her."

"She," she draws in shaky breaths. "She is tough but fair. She likes to gamble, but is terrible at it, she.."

Sakura stumbles on her words, struggling to hold onto the thread of thought.

"What does she look like?"

"Blonde. Long blonde hair with um..." she blushes, thinking of her phrasing when the light flickers across her face. "Tsunade! Her name is Tsunade!"

"Tsunade is the princess at the River Palace."

"Tsunade's palace," she looks pained as she tries to remember. "I left...I left on a mission."

"Yes."

"I was tending the souls in the realms that border yours. But there was a problem - more and more souls needing to be healed, so I went upstream to investigate." He sees the realization strike her. "They were being poisoned. I went to find Lady Chiyo - to ask for her help."

"Tsunade wasn't sure if you found her - did you?"

"Yes," she breaths, eyes wide with the realization. "I...I was helping her. Sasuke - I was with Chiyo - if you find her-"

"I'll find her," he promises, noticing she is beginning to fade.

"Thank you," she wraps her arms around him tightly, and he holds her close as if to stave off the inevitable.

"I don't know when I'll see you again," she murmurs into his throat. "I'm frightened, Sasuke."

"I'm not the only one searching, Sakura. We will find you."

She pulls back to look him in the eyes, determination glittering in the depth of their jade.

"I'll keep trying to come back - as long as I can - I'll keep trying."

"It won't be much longer," he finds himself promising. "I'll find you, Sakura"

She refuses to look away, even as she fades.

"Sasuke,..."

He gives her a rare and gentle smile, and with two fingers he taps her forehead.

"I'll see you next time, Sakura," he holds her gaze steadily, even as the world around them begins to shift and blur and he can feel her fading beneath his fingertips.

And she understands what he doesn't say, so she bravely sets her chin to a stubborn and resolved angle.

Her voice lingers even when her image fades, and the dream ends.

"Next time, Sasuke. I'll be waiting."

Sasuke wakes to the pale hints of a new day, the feel of her still warm against his skin. He studies his hand, her energy lingering in the ridges of his fingertips and in the echoes of his pulse.

And in the silence of the new dawn, he makes his promise.

"Next time, Sakura,"

Sasuke hadn't initially wanted Hinata to approach Kiba; since Kiba's sister Hana is Itachi's Cheif Hunter, he knew it would only be a matter of (very little) time before Itachi caught wind of his situation. After Itachi made it very clear that he not only knew of his situation but was involving himself in the situation whether Sasuke liked it or not, there was no good reason to keep Kiba out of things. In fact, there were quite a few good reasons to take Hinata's advice and involve both him and Shino.

But after his dream conversation with Sakura, Sasuke knows that he needs all the help he can get.

He swallows his pride, and agrees to let her directly contact her cousin on his behalf.

Sasuke and Neji had not been close as children and generally irritated each other just by being exactly who they were. But even Sasuke had been impressed when, Neji had been specifically recruited by ANBU, an elite team of Hunters especially assembled and trained to find souls across realms. He had accepted his clan's brand in exchange for this honor and a release from any clan obligations, and they accepted that any violation of his freedom would result in swift and damning retribution from his new 'family.'

He appears in Sasuke's realm with one other member of his team.

When he pushes his mask to the side to speak, Sasuke does well to hide his surprise.

The Hyūga looks nothing like the prodigy Sasuke remembers. The Neji that Sasuke remembers had been the picture of propriety in the flowing garb of his clan; this Neji has ink embedded in his skin, striping down his chin and curling around the ANBU mark on his upper arm to disappear under his uniform. The tattoos are nothing the Neji he had known would have tolerated much less worn with such obvious pride. Perhaps in an act of defiance, he has shaved the underside of his long hair – or perhaps it is for more practical reasons – leaving the remaining length gathered at the top of his head. Oddly enough, the marking Sasuke knows to circle his forehead remains bandaged, and that is something the Guardian does not question.

"We came as soon as we heard," Neji speaks without preamble. "Has she appeared in any other dreams?"

"Only briefly."

"Has there been any luck contacting Lady Chiyo?"

"No. Princess Tsunade has attempted to contact Chiyo, but nothing has been heard back. All we know is that Sakura headed up-river."

"What of the tracking attempts?"

"Shisui and Hana have had some luck success Sakura's movements, but they keep losing her trail for when she goes in and out of the River. Unfortunately, only the Waterborn can track in the River, and Tsunade's people aren't having much luck."

"Well lucky for you," Neji's partner pushes her mask aside, "That isn't strictly true."

Normally playful lips twist into an altogether too familiar smirk, and Sasuke supposes he should've noticed the twin buns sooner.

"Tenten? What are you doing here?"

"Don't sound so surprised, Cousin," she admonishes him lightly. "Did you think I would not make a point to come once I heard you needed help?"

"Cousin?" Neji arches an eyebrow.

"Distant," she shrugs. "On his mother's side – not through the Uchiha."

It is Sasuke's turn to smirk.

"You didn't know?"

Neji narrows his eyes. "It must not have been important enough to mention."

"How can you track in the River," he looks her over not in disbelief, but in surprise. If there is one thing Tenten is, it is honest - and she never exaggerates her talents. This is simply one he has never heard mentioned. "Do they teach you that in ANBU?"

Tenten lifts one shoulder. "Just something I've picked up along the way."

Before either man can comment, she adds "You said Shisui and Hana have had success tracking her, right?"

"The trail keeps returning to the River. Shisui can detect faint traces in the River to guide their efforts, but it is largely up to Hana to find if and when it returns to land."

"Then we'll just have to pick up where they leave off," she looks over to Neji who nods, the veins bulging around his eyes.

"Found them."

"Then let's go. Don't worry, Sasuke," she puts a kind hand on his arm. "We'll find her."

His smile is faint. "Thank you, Tenten."

He and Neji exchange polite nods as she steps back to join her partner.

"Give Aunt Mikoto my regards," she winks, earning a faint smile from Sasuke, and what probably would've been an eyeroll from Neji had that last remnant of his Huyga upbringing permitted him to indulge in such a plebeian gesture. They replace their masks, and disappear, undoubtedly joining Shisui and Hana.

Sasuke decides to check in with the others, absently making a mental note to ask his mother more about her people when next they meet.