"So," Ino's voice was mischievous and teasing and Sakura bit back a groan. Ino had surprisingly sharp ears and would shamelessly pounce on any sign of weakness. "How is it, Forehead?"

"How's what, Pig?" Sakura didn't look up from fruits she was perusing. Maybe if she ignored her, Ino would get bored and go away on her own. It wasn't likely, but Sakura lived in eternal, if foolish and vain, hope.

"Living with the Uchiha clan?" She bumped Sakura's and Sakura jostled her back good-naturedly. Losing Ino's friendship when they were young had hurt and now Sakura couldn't imagine not having Ino in her life. "You're so busy with them all the time, ever since you got put on permanent assignment with them. We hardly ever see you anymore."

"That's supposed to be classified," Sakura said, cutting a glance at Ino and passing over money to the vendor. Ino fell into step beside her as they walked away from the stand, examining her nails carelessly.

"It is," Ino agreed. "The same way it's supposed to be classified Madara is alive and confined to the compound. It won't make it outside the village but everyone inside knows what's going on." She poked Sakura's arm. "So? How is it? Is Sasuke still trying to set his brother on fire?"

"No," Sakura sighed. "He tries to poison him from time to time but they're not serious attempts and he's actually going to therapy so I'm not too worried." She glanced down a side street and caught a glimpse of Naruto. Sakura debated calling out to him, but she'd see him later this evening and spending time with Ino without him interrupting sounded nice. Ino was right. Between the hospital and the Uchiha's antics, Sakura had had very little time for herself or friends outside of her team.

Who knew bakers could be just as dramatic as the shinobi?

Sakura had complained about this to Tsunade, who had nearly collapsed in a fit of laughter before sticking Sakura in charge of the ANBU who had their guts spilling out of their stomach.

"Tell me what's been happening with everyone," Sakura said, turning her attention back to Ino. "What's everyone been up to?" Ino shrugged. They were leaving the busy market area and headed into one of the wooded areas. They paused for a moment to watch the children monkeying their way through the rope bridges, some of the braver ones just jumping from branch to branch.

"Kiba and Shino are both out on a mission," she said. "Apparently Rokudaime is sending shinobi out to check on the gravesites of Uchiha who were outside the village at the time of the massacre. Tenten and Chouji have both applied to become a jounin sensei, Lee is on a diplomatic mission to Suna that I am not supposed to know about and you already know about your team."

"Why didn't Hinata go with Shino and Kiba?" Sakura asked as they began walking again.

"Something to do with the clan," Ino said. "It's been very hush-hush but Hinata and her father have been having a lot meetings with your sensei."

"And you don't know what it's about?" Sakura asked skeptically. Ino huffed.

"I'm not head of intelligence yet, Forehead. I know most things in this village, but I don't know everything. And Shikamaru gets to sit in on the meetings and he won't tell me what's going on, either." A determined glint entered her eyes. "He will, though."

"I'll say a prayer for him," Sakura said drily. "He'll need it." Ino hummed in agreement.

"Are you going to address the giant tiger in the room anytime soon?" Ino asked after a moment of silence.

"Which one? The one involving Obito having been stalking us this entire time or the one where your birthday is coming up and you want to make sure I'm going to get you a ridiculous and over the top gift?"

"Well, I was talking about my birthday, but that first one too, I suppose."

"You get used to it after a while." Sakura was tempted to whip a kunai at Obito, just to remind him she knew exactly where he was, but she didn't want to risk one of the kids getting in the way.

"You sound way too calm for someone with a stalker."

"The stalker is also going to therapy. I pick my battles." Sakura couldn't quite keep the note of exhaustion out of her voice. Ino hooked an arm around her neck and pulled her head into her shoulder and when a growl reached her ears, Sakura gave into the urge throw a kunai. There was a rustle of leaves as an occupant abruptly vacated their bush.

"Huh." Ino cast a glance over their shoulder. "Nice aim."

"Thanks. I get a lot of practice."