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Omake IV: Hero

"It makes so much sense..." Shizune muttered. She stared at the screen in sad understanding and regretful acceptance. "There were times in later war years that Sakura up and disappeared for days at a time, not telling anyone where she went or what she did. A daughter... I would've never imagined..."

Sachiko wrung her hands together.

You're probably wondering why the pictures of me in this box is the first time you've ever seen me. Ever since you were born and I saw your beautiful face, I knew that I wouldn't be able to see you grow up.

I'm not... stable.

A lot of things have happened to me in the past and during the war, and when all those things pile together you get just one big mess. It was a mess I decided not to pass down to you, because you deserve more than my mistakes. But perhaps I can't just blame my absence in your life to those variables.

I'm a coward as well.

I love you , dearly, but I'm sorry that you had the misfortune of having me as your mother.

The girl flinched as Shizune's gaze snapped towards her, but stood still as an observing quiet filled the room. When the woman stood, she stared at the screen for a few moments—or more specifically, stared at the old picture of a sixteen year old Haruno Sakura.

"You do have your mother's eyes, Sachiko-san."

"I-I do?"

"Mm. Like brilliant cut emeralds," she sighed. "I'm not sure how much you know about her, but she played a vital part in the last war. She saved a lot of lives in her day, a definite hero to both civilian and shinobi alike."

Sachiko ducked her head. The gesture was easily made out to be one of her shyer tendencies, as Kakashi quickly assumed, but they failed to see that it was more than that. That sickening feeling of anger had crawled back up her throat and forced her to see deathly red spikes in her vision.

Hero.

How many times was she going to hear that word?

"Are you going to tell Hokage-sama?"

"Tenzou and I agreed that this wasn't going to be the right time, so we're keeping that bit out. For now, at least," Kakashi replied, patting Sachiko's head once. "Naruto just took position last year and Boruto's turning nine. He has a lot on his plate at the moment."

I hope Naruto achieves his dream of becoming Hokage. He, out of everyone else I know, would best lead the village into a greatness never before seen since the Shodai's time.

It's on the list of things I wanted to see if I didn't die, right under watching you grow up into someone you yourself are proud of.

"For the time being, though, I'll be her temporary guardian until we smooth things out. Are you alright with that?" he asked. Sachiko's head snapped up, noticing his kind single-eyed stare, and nodded.

"That's fine, H-Hatake-san."

She let herself be steered out of the lab after bidding Shizune a quick goodbye and cast one shy look at the woman who returned to gazing blankly at the screen. As they re-entered the hospital, Sachiko was left amazed at the grandeur of the hospital. It was filled with the latest technology and had staff in all kinds of colorful scrubs.

"Your mother was one of the most talented medic-nin the world had ever known. She was well-known physician here at the hospital, infamous for her temper and no nonsense attitude at misbehaving patients. She would've been Hospital Director if she hadn't... So Senju Tsunade kept the position to this day," Kakashi informed.