I DO NOT OWN NARUTO.

Konoha's Deadly Blossom & Copy Cat
Chapter One

There are many things that she thought she was sure of. But in the end, not one of them she really was. She should have known from day one. There are things that you are taught as a shinobi, things that were engrained in their minds since day one of the academy. Tomorrow is never a promise, but an honor. Always look underneath the underneath. Trust your gut. Trust your teammates. Loyalty, honor and pride as a shinobi.

It had been ten years since she had received her forehead protector and became a genin. Now she was twenty-two, a jônin of Sannin level abilities, head medic-nin of the Village Hidden in the Leaves and she was the heir to Tsunade's legacy. Sakura Haruno had certainly come a long way since her first days as a ninja. Many things had shaped her into what she was today, and no matter the pain, she would not change a thing.

She had long since come to terms with her childhood infatuations of Sasuke Uchiha. The day he left in search of the power he thought he was entitled too, a part of her died. She was sure that she was in love with him and all she needed was for him to return her affections and life would be wonderful. She was wrong. The longer she thought about it, it was her childhood notions that died when he left. And for that, she figured she could at least be grateful to the traitorous bastard.

Sakura had grown into a powerful and beautiful kunoichi. She was well respected wherever she went in the village and increasingly sought after by the opposite sex. As much attention that was directed towards her, she never seemed concerned. She would just smile at them and sweetly tell them that she wasn't interested.

Sakura was content with her life. She worked hard and was proud of what she had accomplished. She had a good life now and good friends. Even though Sakura had given up on ever finding someone, it normally never bothered her because she was satisfied with herself.

- - xXxXx - -

The sun was rising over the Village Hidden in the Leaves and the village was humming with the sound of the merchants preparing for the day. Sakura was preparing for the day ahead herself. She dressed in her usual garb that she had long since adopted. She had changed from the crimson red dress of her genin days to her new color of choice, black. Ninja pants, sleeveless shirt, sandals, supply pouches, and forehead protector – it was all black. She had always teased Naruto on his vivid choice of colors until the day that he brought to her attention that red is just as vivid.

After dressing, Sakura made her way to the supply closet in her apartment. She graciously filled her pouches with kunai and shrunken. She eyed her new katana that rested on its pegs. The sun gleamed off of the highly polished and sharpened blade and her hand swiftly brushed the engraved kanji near the hilt. Family. It was a gift from Kakashi and Naruto – her family. She removed the sword from its resting place, sheathed it and strapped it to her back.

She grabbed a pair of her special chakra enhancing gloves and closed the door. Sakura pressed her hand against the seal and locked the closet. She gracefully made her way to the front door. After taking one more glance around the room to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything, she donned her jônin vest that had been slightly customized for her, over her katana, leaving only the hilt showing.

The only difference in the jacket was a small symbol that had been added to the back of the collar. This too was a gift from her family – from Kakashi and Naruto. They had surprised her with the addition of the red Haruno family crest. It was to honor her family that had fallen when she was young.

She shut and locked the door behind her. Lacing her fingers together she stretched her arms outward and then over her head. She stretched the kinks out of her long lean body before she gated down the stairs. Sakura made her way to the gates of Konoha, nodding to the guards as she exited. It was time for a brief run before meeting up with the rest of her team for training.

This was one of her favorite activities. Running, speeding through the trees in the silence of the massive forests. It was peaceful and liberating. It was during these times when she was almost flying that she was the most content. In her twenty-two years, nothing had ever come close to that feeling.

Sakura circled back around and headed to the training grounds. She had an hour to spare until her teammates were to meet her. She landed at the training ground and began to do her stretches. She removed her vest and dug out a hair tie. She gathered her short pink hair and tied it in a high ponytail then retied her forehead protector snuggly in its proper place.

After taking a deep breath, Sakura brought her hands together and bowed. She exhaled and straightened up. In a swift, fluid motion she unsheathed her katana and went through her katas. She moved with such grace and ease, a deadly dance with a deadly weapon.

Kakashi and Naruto approached the training ground. Naruto had his hands locked behind his head and Kakashi was immersed in his orange book. In the ten years since they had been teammates, some things had changed, and some things never would – which in essence, is why this team worked the way that they did.

"She beat us here again." Naruto said as they entered the field.

Kakashi just grunted, he knew what was coming. Naruto snickered a little and reached into his pocket and took out a couple of shuriken. He flew through his favorite hand signs and five Naruto's poofed into existence. They quietly crept around Sakura as she continued.

The six Naruto's jumped from their cover and launched the shuriken at Sakura's graceful form. Sakura sensed the oncoming attack and in a whirl of petals, she deflected all of the projectiles.

"I love when she does that!" Naruto yelled.

Kakashi looked at his blonde student and shook his head. But it was true, she was something to watch. She had truly grown in the ten years since she was assigned to him. He was proud of the day when he was no longer her 'sensei' and became her teammate. And even though he wouldn't admit it, he was proud to have Naruto as a teammate too, but there was something different about her.

Naruto watched as Sakura finished her kata. Kakashi slyly peered over the top of his book to watch her finish. He couldn't help but notice the trace of a smile that stayed on her lips. He knew that she was aware of them approaching and he knew that she knew they were watching. There wasn't much that got by the Cherry Blossom of Konoha – not much at all.

She sheathed her sword and turned to her teammates and smiled a radiant smile, which fell the moment she saw the orange book in his hands.

"Kakashi! I thought you were done with that book."

"I would have, but Naruto talks too much. And I can't read anymore when we spar… neither of you will allow me too." He said with a hint of disappointment.

"Awe, it's hard to be Kakashi." Sakura teased. "Not enough time in the day to read his dirty books."

"Sakura, don't be too hard on the old goat… I mean Jiriaya told me that he gave you a special signed limited edition of the latest volume, as per your asking." Naruto blurted out.

"That old pervert is going to die slowly and painfully."

"It's true?" Naruto questioned.

"Well… if it wasn't for all the dirty parts, it would be kind of good." Sakura managed as a slight blush came to her cheeks.

Kakashi had been silent through this exchange. First Naruto had called him an old goat and then revealed that Sakura read Icha Icha and had a 'special signed limited edition' no less. He looked at Sakura and noticed the slight rose color on her face. He smiled as he thought about such a beautiful woman reading Icha Icha and was instantly appreciative of his mask because he realized that he had blushed a little too. He shouldn't think of her like that… but it was still a tempting thought.

Sakura eyed Kakashi. Her brows knitted together as she put it all together.

"Kakashi! Get your mind out of the gutter you old pervert!"

"What?" Kakashi shrugged.

Sakura looked at him and narrowed her eyes. An evil smirk crept on her face. "Just for thinking what you are thinking… I won't let you see my super special signed limited edition… which isn't even available in stores yet."

"I don't know what you are talking about Sakura. I would never…"

"Save it Hatake… it's your ass. Are you two ready to train?" She questioned.

Kakashi's eye widened ever so slightly. 'Crap… she's isn't going to make this easy now. I am going to turn out like that drunk man at the bar.' He shuddered as he thought back to the time when Sakura had placed a man in the hospital for grabbing her ass and suggesting that they go somewhere else. He sighed as he put his book away and pulled his hiate-ate up to reveal his sharingan.

"Big guns already Kakashi?" Naruto asked.

"She's not going to make this easy. I don't want to end up in the hospital because she thinks I am having dirty thoughts about her."

"But you were."

"No I wasn't."

"Liar." Naruto responded. "I guess you are lucky that you at least know what to expect."

"Oh come on you two! We still have things to do today!" Sakura called out.

- - xXxXx - -

Kakashi's gut was right on. She had indeed made it tougher than it had to be on him. Naruto, for once had gotten on the good side of her in a spar. It was just lucky for him that she never drew the katana, things would have ended much worse than they had. She had landed a couple of chakra enhanced kicks that cracked some ribs, but she was nice enough to heal them afterwards.

Kakashi had never seen Sakura in any light except for a friend and a teammate. Rightly so, he was embarrassed that those thoughts had even entered his mind. She deserved so much more than any man – including himself – thinking of her in such a way. But at the time, he couldn't help it. He was even slightly put off by the fact that when she asked him to take his shirt off after the spar, he had to ask why. She just laughed at him and thought nothing of it as she healed his ribs. But now here he was walking around thinking about the way her hands felt on his skin – slightly calloused for sword work, but alarming smooth.

'This is ridiculous! I have known her for ten years and out of no where I am thinking of her in ways that I shouldn't. I mean she is beautiful, but she's Sakura. She's my friend and that's just… ridiculous!'

He made it to his apartment and decided that a shower was in order, After all, Sakura had put him through the ringer in more ways than one. He took his jônin vest off and hung it on the wall by the door. As he walked by the coffee table he slid his hiate-ate off and tossed it on it. The metal clanked as it made contact. He continued as he made it to his bathroom. He slid his shirt off over his head and then the same motion with his mask. He tossed them both in the hamper and did the same with his bottoms.

The hot water eased his tight muscles and he enjoyed the feeling of washing the dirt off of him. He washed the dirt and grime out of his silver hair. He placed both hands on the wall under then shower head and let the hot water hit his back. He just stood there trying to get his thoughts together.

Knock knock.

Kakashi picked up his head and let the hot water hit his face.

Knock knock.

Kakashi sighed as he turned the water off and reached for the towel. He ran it through his hair and then wrapped it around his waist. He walked to the door and placed his hand on the door. He looked in the peep hole to find a bright yellow patch of hair blocking his vision. Naruto. He opened the door to let Naruto in when he noticed that he wasn't alone. Sakura had accompanied him.

"Naruto… Sakura." Kakashi said as he stepped behind the door to shield himself. He wished he would have at least put his pants and mask back on.

"Why Kakashi… never seen so much of you at one time." Sakura said with a sly smile on her face.

"Sakura you have seen him without his mask before."

"True, but never without his pants."

Naruto noticed that Kakashi was indeed in just a towel. He rolled his eyes. It wasn't something that Naruto had ever paid attention to before. There was a brief period of time when Naruto and Kakashi had been roommates, but it didn't last to long. Naruto had moved into a small apartment with Hinata.

"Come on Kakashi! Don't answer the door like that when you know there a woman behind it."

"I didn't know that she was there… your big head was blocking my view. Ever thought about getting a hair cut?" he said glaring at the blonde.

"Would you two stop? I mean normally I wouldn't complain…" Sakura looked Kakashi up and down, "But shishou wants us. We have a mission. Sadly you must get dressed Kakashi."

Kakashi's face turned bright red. Sakura looked at him oddly. Naruto even noticed the red cheeks and looked at Sakura.

"Kakashi?" Naruto questioned. "Clothes?"

Kakashi looked away and walked to his room. He shut the door and sighed. 'What was that? What is with her? And me? Blushing for crying out loud. I don't blush!'

Naruto rapped once on the door to Kakashi's bedroom. "Would you come on!"

"Give me a minute damnit!" Kakashi yelled back.

Naruto walked to the couch and sat down. He looked up at Sakura.

"What was that?"

"What was what?"

"I think you made him blush… you like Kakashi?"

"No… it's Kakashi. I was just joking with him… it's not like I haven't joked with him before. Hell I have even seen the man naked! After ten years… I mean have even seen you naked."

"Awe, I am going to blush too Sakura."

"Shut up! As best I can figure this is all your fault… you had to bring up Icha!" She fussed.

"Oh please…"

Kakashi's door opened and he walked out. He had schooled his expression back to one of lazy indifference.

"I do believe the Hokage is waiting for us. Shall we?" he said as he walked out the door leaving the two behind him.

Naruto and Sakura looked at each other and got up off of the couch to follow. They caught up to Kakashi and he strolled down the street. He had fallen back into his routine – reading and walking.

Sakura couldn't lie to herself. She was slightly intrigued by Kakashi and his behavior today. It wasn't as if the man had a crush on her! They had been around each other for ten years and Kakashi would just randomly develop feelings for her, that was…ridiculous.

Sakura knew that Kakashi was attractive. She had thought that well before she had seen him without his mask, but once it was off, she understood why he wore it. It was very tactical for ninja life as well as his personal life. She also knew that Kakashi had a certain reputation with the ladies, which she also knew was blown way out of proportion. He was not a womanizer, he was the opposite - more than one drunken night she had been secretly jealous of the women who he would show attention too. That was something that she had never even told Ino.

Sakura stopped dead in her tracks. 'What the hell am I doing? I am rationalizing thought about Kakashi's attractiveness and me being jealous of other women? Where the hell did this come from? Because I made the man blush? Because he happened to think one random dirty thought about me that could be a generic thought for any woman? This is so stupid!'

"Sakura? Why did you stop? I don't want Baa-chan to yell at me… I had nothing to do with being late." Naruto said breaking her out of her momentary stupor.

She caught up with them. She looked at Kakashi out of the corner of her eye. Sakura bumped into his side and looked over his shoulder.

She whispered to him, "Wait till the next chapter. Things get really good."

His eye widened at her comment and she just laughed. 'I don't like Kakashi; I just like giving him a hard time. That's all.'

- - xXxXx - -

Team Seven sat outside the waiting area in the Hokage's tower. They had been called there to speak with Tsunade for a special mission. Because of their team dynamic, they were her go to team when she really needed them to pull through. The massive oaken door creaked open and Shizune poked her head out.

"Come on in guys… we are ready for you." She said with a smile.

Team seven stood and made their way to the Hokage's office. As usual, Sakura took the point being as she was closet to Tsunade and had the best diplomatic skills – not knowing what you are walking into, one must always be prepared.

To the left of Tsunade's desk sat a rather stuffy looking official. He nodded to the three shinobi when they entered. Tsunade attempted to smile, but her student knew her tells, and right now, it was clear that she was annoyed.

"Thank you for coming Team Seven. I have a mission for you."

-End of Chapter-