A Private Talk at the Hot Springs

The next day, after the council meeting, Obasan sought me out. Her face was calm as always, but there was a certain tenderness in her eyes that made me wonder what she had in mind. She gently ushered the boys out of the house, telling them to take a break for the day. Then, with a soft smile, she invited me to join her at the hot springs. The offer of a private bath with Obasan was rare and felt almost ceremonial. I accepted, curious and somewhat nervous about what was to come.

We arrived at the hot springs, and true to her word, Obasan had arranged for a private bath. The atmosphere was serene, the warm steam curling around us like a comforting embrace. We made small talk as we soaked in the soothing water, letting the warmth ease the tension from our bodies.

"How have the C-rank missions been treating you?" she asked, her tone casual, though I could sense the underlying concern in her voice.

"They've been challenging but manageable," I replied, feeling a sense of pride in how far I'd come. "The boys and I are learning to work together better, though they still bicker sometimes."

Obasan chuckled softly. "That's to be expected. Boys will be boys. And how are the preparations for the Chunin Exams going?"

A small sigh escaped my lips as I considered the upcoming challenge. "We're training hard. I'm nervous but determined to do my best."

She nodded, her gaze softening as she looked at me. "Good. You've always been a diligent girl, Sakura. I have no doubt you'll make us proud."

For a few moments, we simply enjoyed the tranquility of the hot springs, the silence between us comfortable and easy. But I knew this wasn't just a casual outing. There was something Obasan wanted to discuss, something more serious.

Finally, she broke the silence with a question that made my heart skip a beat.

"How do you feel about Itachi?"

The question hung in the air, and I felt a sudden rush of emotions. How did I feel about Itachi? It was a question I had asked myself more times than I could count, but I still didn't have a clear answer.

"I—I'm not sure," I began, my voice hesitant. I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I admit that I do have some kind of feelings for him. But if you're asking if I love him… I'm not sure."

I glanced at her, searching for understanding in her eyes, and found it. She nodded slightly, encouraging me to continue.

"The feelings I have for him," I said slowly, "they feel… forced, in a way. I'm hyper-aware of him because of everything that's happened—the graduation exam, the missions, and everything else. But I don't know if those feelings are real or if they're just a result of all the outside intervention."

Obasan listened quietly, her expression thoughtful. I continued, my voice softening. "I do care about him. He's a good mentor, and he's always been kind to me. But right now, my only focus is the Chunin Exams. I need to prove myself, not just to others, but to myself as well."

She considered my words for a moment, then leaned back in the water, her gaze never leaving mine. "Hn. I understand, Sakura. You're young, and it's natural to feel uncertain, especially with everything you've been through. But there's something I want you to promise me."

Her tone became more serious, and I found myself holding my breath, sensing the weight of her next words.

"Promise me," she said, her eyes boring into mine, "that you will not push him away. Itachi is not a social person. The only people in his little world are me, his father, Sasuke, Naruto, and you. He's always been reserved, keeping his feelings and thoughts to himself. But I can see that you've become an important part of his life, even if he doesn't show it in the usual ways."

Her words struck a chord deep within me, and I felt a pang of guilt for the times I had avoided Itachi, unsure of how to handle my feelings. I realized that in trying to protect myself, I might have hurt him in ways I hadn't intended.

"I promise," I said quietly, the sincerity in my voice clear. "I won't push him away, Obasan."

She gave me a small, approving smile, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Good. That's all I ask. Itachi may not show it, but he cares about you. And I know you care about him too, in your own way."

Her words brought a warmth to my chest, a sense of reassurance that I hadn't even known I needed. The conversation shifted then, and Obasan's expression brightened as she shared some good news with me.

"Last council meeting," she began, her tone more upbeat, "we managed to make some significant changes. The kunoichi classes, which had come up ten years ago under Danzo's influence, have been torn down. Those classes were part of his scheme to force broken kids into Root, but no more."

A wave of relief washed over me, the tension in my shoulders finally releasing. "That's wonderful news," I said, a smile breaking across my face. "No more kids forced into something they never wanted."

Obasan nodded, her own smile warm and genuine. "Indeed. An age limit has also been set for seduction missions. No one under that age will be asked to take on such missions. And there's more. The clan heads have agreed to set up a program where they will take in promising civilian-born genin as wards of the clan. These kids will receive the same training and support as the clan members. It's a way to give them the opportunities they might not have had otherwise and to boost the reputation of the clans."

My eyes widened in surprise and happiness. "That's amazing. It will make such a difference for so many kids."

She nodded, her eyes gleaming with pride. "The Uchiha clan will be taking in five children. Three of them need mind healing, as they weren't as fortunate as you. The Yamanaka clan members will provide healing sessions for them."

I felt a surge of happiness at the news, knowing that those children would get the help they needed. "That's… that's incredible, Obasan. No more little kids forced to grow up too fast. No more kids having to… ruin their faces to escape."

Obasan's gaze softened further, and she reached out to gently squeeze my hand. "You've been through a lot, Sakura, but you've come out stronger because of it. And now, you have the chance to help others who might be facing the same challenges."

Her words brought a lump to my throat, and I swallowed hard, nodding. She looked at me with a kind of motherly affection that made my heart ache, and then she asked a question that I hadn't expected.

"Would you like to be a ward of the Uchiha, dear?"

Her question took me by surprise, and for a moment, I didn't know how to respond. My thoughts raced as I tried to make sense of what she was offering. Before I could answer, though, a lingering question that had always puzzled me bubbled to the surface.

"Obasan… there's something I never understood," I began hesitantly, searching her eyes for answers. "My mom's part of the civilian council. Why was I given the graduation exam?"

Obasan's expression darkened slightly, and she sighed, the weight of the truth heavy in her voice. "That's true. Your mother's position should have shielded you from that. But it was because of your closeness to Naruto-kun and the fact that your parents took him in. Your sensei, Akira, was a sleeper agent of Root. Adding to that, you were instrumental in Danzo's capture. Because of these factors, you became a target."

Her words made my heart sink, a cold realization settling in. The truth was bitter, but it also made sense of so many things that had confused me before.

"Don't worry," she added quickly, seeing the distress in my eyes. "Akira has been sentenced and can't harm you again."

"Oh…" I breathed, the relief mixed with lingering sadness.

Obasan's hand on mine tightened slightly, grounding me in the moment. "You didn't give me an answer," she gently reminded me, her eyes soft but expectant.

I looked down at our joined hands, taking a deep breath as I considered her offer. "If my parents are willing," I said finally, my voice steady, "I have nothing against it."

A smile spread across Obasan's face, warm and full of affection. "Good. You've always been like a daughter to me, Sakura. And remember, you can always come to me for anything. You're the closest I have to a daughter."

Her words touched something deep within me, and I felt my eyes sting with unshed tears. "Hai, Obasan," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "Thank you."

She pulled me into a gentle hug, the warmth of her embrace wrapping around me like a protective shield. In that moment, I felt a sense of belonging, of being cared for in a way that went beyond words. The bond between us had always been strong, but now it felt unbreakable, forged by the trials we'd both faced and the love we shared.

As we parted and began to prepare to leave the hot springs, I couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of

determination. With Obasan's support, with Itachi's quiet strength by my side, I knew I could face whatever challenges lay ahead. And as I looked at her, I made a silent promise to myself: I would honor the trust and love she had shown me, and I would make her proud.

---

This version delves deeper into Sakura's emotions, her reflections on her relationship with Itachi, and the impact of Obasan's words and actions. The scene highlights Sakura's growth, her developing sense of belonging within the Uchiha clan, and the strength she draws from those who care for her.