A/N: Okay those of you who read Priestess Sakura need to read this! I have big plans for this story to go beyond what I originally had. It's going to be a lot bigger than expected. So this is re-named Priestess Sakura: The Beginning. A lot of the next few chapters will be similar to what they were, but most/really all chapters have either had major editing or complete re-writing so I suggest reading from the beginning because you never know what could have changed.

Thanks to all of you who are reading, I hope you like it :)

Sakura Haruno was steaming mad as she left the hokage's office. Of all things to happen she just happened to be assigned to a D rank mission. She wasn't happy with it obviously.

"Why me? I mean I am a jounin for crying out loud and she gives a me a stupid D rank! Ughhh! Anybody in this village can drop off a stupid scroll to the elders!" She exclaimed out loud to the empty hall outside the Hokage's office. She had left the office only a few moments ago, and she was nearly out of the building when she had her loud outburst. "Tsunade probably did this because she knows they don't like me!"

Okay, so maybe she was only being loud because she knew Tsunade could still very well hear her. But, at least it meant her frustration was being her by her teacher. Okay, so Tsunade probably doesn't care. So what?

When Sakura stepped outside the building, she took the stairs two at a time to get down faster. Skipping the last ten all together. Once at the bottom she stopped, and observed the blue sky's above Konoha. "Well on the bright side; I'm getting paid."

She sighed then, and decided to run to the elders building. Burn off some steam. She arrived at a three story, traditional styled Konoha mansion in less than one minute, which was a new record for her considering she had crossed nearly all of Konoha to get to where the elders were at.

Sakura knocked on the door while catching her breath. Sakura couldn't help but grin like a child who was told they were getting an A+ on their test. Running was her favorite thing to do, and she prided herself on her speed.

"Enter." Commanded a voice from inside.

Sakura opened the expensive looking door. Geez, if I had power and money like the elders did, I would not waste it on fancy doors imported from halfway across the ninja nation. Once inside the house, she was greeted by a maid, who had long maroon colored hair. She nodded her head at Sakura once, before motioning for her to follow.

As Sakura followed this maid to the elders she observed the building. It was rather traditional colors and designs. White walls, with deep red and shiny gold stripes going down the bottom half of the wall. The floors were dark mahogany wood. On the walls there was pictures of Konoha over the years. Including the hokage's up to now. Her eyes lingered a bit longer on the fourth hokage as she passed the pictures. Almost having to double take when at first she thought it was Naruto. Naruto definitely inherited his looks from his father. She smiled, but bit her lip when she was led into the formal sitting room. When she came face to face with the elders she bowed.

"You may sit," said the female elder, her eyes looking over Sakura with a sweep of judgment. Sakura didn't have to be smart to know the female elder remembered her and still didn't like her.

"Alright Sakura Haruno," the male elder started, folding his arms across his chest formally. "Why are you here?"

On the inside, Sakura was mentally hitting herself in the head. The next reason why she hated this mission, was that it had to do with speaking to the elders. They were too formal for her tastes, and she was in a position where she had to return the formalities. Forcing a smile on her face, she spoke. "Tsunade-sama wished for me to give you this scroll." She held up the scroll, before handing it over and waited. She wasn't sure if she could leave. Or if she had to wait for their permission. You can never know.

Or more specifically, you can never know. You do everything wrong in their eyes.

Sakura's smile faltered at the words in her mind. What the hell? She thought, before quickly putting her smile back on her face when she looked back up at the elders.

After a couple more minutes of silence the female elder looked to her. "Alright you may leave now."

Sakura bowed again before standing up. Not bothering to wait for the maid, she easily found her way back towards the front door, then let herself out. "Well that was really boring," she commented, as she went down the steps. Eventually she stopped by some flowers that had butterflies fluttering around them. She had a view of the village here, that's why she liked it. She frowned when she looked ahead to see the hokage building that was all the way across the village. Kami, what did I do to deserve this?

She sighed, and found herself looking back at the Hokage's office across the village. "Oh well I guess I should go get my payment from Tsunade."

So she began running. As she ran through the village she felt an extra burst of energy. She laughed as she heard the villagers complaining about her being reckless. That just made her want to run even faster. As much as she loved the villagers and how much they loved her she always enjoyed annoying them.

Finally making it to the hokage's office. She walked up the stairs to get to Tsunade's office. I hate stairs. I hate stairs. I hate- Oh look they finally got rid of that stupid door that creaked every time you moved it. Sakura laughed after shutting the new door. While she was intelligent no doubt, her attention span shortens ever so often. She continued her way to Tsunade's office, after knocking, she entered the office without waiting for Tsunade's response. Sakura's eyes immediately traveled to the scroll Tsunade was reading.

Tsunade saw her looking, and immediately rolled up the scroll. "Hello Sakura."

It almost looked like she tried to hide the scroll from me. What is so important that I can't look at? She can trust me with important documents, but not that. I'll figure it out anyways, so I'm not going to worry. "I finished the mission successfully." Sakura tried to remain happy but she was still angry about Tsunade sending her on the stupid mission in the first place.

"What mission?" Tsunade asked slightly confused on what Sakura was talking about, before it hit her. "Oh wait! I'm sorry. You mean that mission you complained about for nearly an hour" Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

Sakura only smirked at her teacher's words. Alright I will play along. But you asked for it Tsunade. "Tsunade did you forget about me and my mission? Maybe you are getting old after all," she said with a teasing tone.

"Knock it off Sakura. I have been really busy lately. It's healthy to have a break every once in a while." Tsunade kept mostly composed, but a slight hint of irritation was seen in her eyes and heard in her voice.

"Sure sure what ever you say" Sakura grinned at Tsunade's sour look. "While you're on your next "break", the dentist is having a sale on dentures and the elderly gets a discount. You should go before the deal stops. Want me to go get your cane?" She dodged the book Tsunade threw at her, and started laughing. Laughing so hard, she had to sit on the ground because she was having trouble breathing.

"I need some sake" Tsunade bellowed, rolling her eyes at Sakura's laughing.

"Old and an alcoholic? And I'm supposed to call you my master." She smirked when Tsunade slammed her face down on her desk. "Alright, alright, I've had enough teasing you for now, I will tell Shizune to get you some Sake if I pass her on the way out." Sakura said as she turned around to leave.

"Wait! Hold on a minute Sakura."

Sakura turned around to face Tsunade. "Yeah what is it?"

"Do you still consider Sasuke Uchiha a friend? Do you still have feelings for him?" Tsunade asked blatantly, not wanting to beat around the bush.

Sakura's mouth fell open. The topic of Sasuke had been long discarded since her mission with Naruto, Sai, and Yamato. When they had last saw him. "Why do you ask Tsunade?"

Tsunade placed her hand on the scroll she was reading. "No reason I just wanted to know. Is it a crime to ask a question now?"

Sakura narrowed her eyes at her sensei's defensive question. "Honestly at the moment I don't know. Sasuke left when we were twelve. We are sixteen now. I have only seen him a few times here and there. Plus I only talked to him two times. He didn't say much either because Naruto usually showed up after a while. The other times I was usually healing team mates that had been injured if we had infiltrated one of the hideouts."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't really answer my question Sakura," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "Do you still have feelings for Sasuke Uchiha?"

"Yes that was an answer!" Sakura snapped, not liking how her teacher was all of a sudden digging into her personal life like this. "I said I don't know. But, if you need a better explanation I can gladly give it. I just think I didn't really love him. He was just a childhood crush." Sakura laughed a bit. "Honestly I didn't even know what the word 'love' really was back then."

"Alright that's all I wanted to hear for now. You may leave," Tsunade commanded, after a moment of staring at Sakura.

Sakura smirked. "Not so fast. I know that you wouldn't just ask this randomly. You may think I don't pay attention, but I do. When you rolled up that scroll earlier I noticed then. Your hiding something from me. I want to know what it is."

Tsunade only uncrossed her arms as she sighed. "Unfortunately, you're right. I can't hide things from you," she said, pausing to sit up from leaning back in her chair. "I need you to promise me that you won't go around telling everyone about this."

"I promise."

"I received the scroll this morning. It was from Sasuke Uchiha himself. He said he wanted to know if he could ever be accepted back into the village. He wrote that if he was, then if his team would be aloud to come as well. He promised that he was coming by free will. So I was going to ask you to see if you still saw him as a friend or as an enemy. And to see if you still loved him. If you did still have feelings for him, I would tell him he wouldn't be able to come back."

Sakura was quiet for a moment. Waiting for the moment of her heart dropping at the news that Sasuke was probably coming back to the village. But, it never came. She just remained still, breathing calmly. My heart's not racing. I'm excited nor not excited. I feel normal. "That was a bit irresponsible."

Tsunade sweat dropped at Sakura's words, not expecting that to have come out of her student's mouth. She at least expected her to show something of excitement or happiness, but there was nothing different. She didn't bother trying to say anything back to Sakura, considering she knew the pink haired girl wasn't finished talking.

"You shouldn't be focusing on him coming back just because of what I say. You should have him come back if you think it's in no harm to Konoha." Sakura paused, only to cross her arms over her chest in annoyance as she came to realize what was truly going on. "I assume the letter you had me deliver to the elders is about Sasuke. So that's why you had me deliver it. You also knew that I would come back just in time to see you with that scroll from Sasuke. All along you wanted me to be the one to discover that he might be coming back. Am I correct?"

Staring at Sakura for a moment, Tsunade finally nodded her head slowly. Not at all surprised that her student was able to pick up on that. "You are a very intelligent person Sakura. That sounded like something that would come from Shikamaru," she said, leading them into silence for a moment. She only kept her eyes on Sakura's before she spoke again. "I just wanted you to know. Because there is no telling what will happen in the future."

"Yeah well at least thanks for telling me." Sakura told her.

"You're welcome. I will be responding to his letter today. He should be coming in the next couple weeks." Tsunade replied.

"Alright," Sakura said, turning to leave then.

Before Sakura left Tsunade smiled. "Don't forget about my Sake."

Sakura smirked, then she left, and went out of the office. She told Shizune about Tsunade's want for Sake, then she left the hokage tower. Why was Tsunade wanting to know about my past feelings for Sasuke? Sure she explained it, but why does she want it to be my opinion if he comes back? I don't love him anymore anyways.

Do you really not love him anymore?

Sakura: Inner, it's you. I didn't recognize you when you spoke to me at the elders mansion. But, it's clear now.

Saku Inner: Well, I feel special. Thanks for remembering me.

Sakura: And for the record I don't like Sasuke anymore. And damn it I thought I got rid of you.

Saku Inner: Yeah well guess what? Even though you say you don't like him you are just lying to yourself. And you can't get rid of me because you're still weak.

Sakura: No! I am not weak!

Saku Inner: Sure your not weak in power. You're just weak emotionally.

Sakura: What? I am not weak emotionally. I mean sure I get angry all the time but that's just how I am.

Saku Inner: Yeah well you will say that till you see what will happen in the near future. Oh crap! I didn't mean to say that.

Sakura: What do you mean in the future? What's going to happen?

Saku Inner: (Sakura's Inner saddened) When you need me just call. As for what I said you will see.

Sakura: Wait! I don't understand.

Although her inner didn't respond again. It took Sakura a moment, but that's when she noticed where she was I cannot believe I just battled with my inner for five minutes. And, this is just great! People are staring at me. Sakura began walking away from the Hokage tower. She sighed. What did inner mean?

Two Weeks Later

It was around 10:00 in the morning and Sakura found herself wide awake. She had got up at nearly five this morning out of habit, and had sat in her bed for nearly an hour before falling back asleep. When she woke up again it was closer to nine o'clock. She gave up on sleep and got in the shower. Once out, she got dressed in her ninja clothes.

A simple tank top. The top half was black while the bottom half was white. Black ninja shorts, black ninja sandals. All of her ninja gear.

Sliding down the railing on her stairs, Sakura flipped in the air when she neared the bottom. Landing perfectly on her feet.

"I would give it a 10," commented a masculine sounding voice from the kitchen.

Turning her head, Sakura could see through the open archway that led to the kitchen, that her father was sitting at the kitchen table. Reading Konoha's newspaper. She happily walked into the kitchen. "Well at least I moved up from my score yesterday of a 9.7. Even though I landed it perfectly, so I don't know how I had got that score."

"You broke my favorite vase, that's how," a voice from the opposite side of the kitchen spoke up, causing both Sakura and her father to look over. "And didn't I tell you to stop doing that?"

Sakura only smiled, as she walked further into the kitchen. "Mom, you waxed the floor before I woke up yesterday. How was I supposed to know that it was slippery when I landed?" Opening a cabinet she grabbed three cups from it. One a plastic travel cup, two traditional coffee mugs.

"So it's my fault that you slipped and shook the vase off the table when you grabbed it to keep from falling?" Her mom asked laughing, as she pulled the coffee pot out from the machine. She started pouring coffee in the two coffee mugs.

Popping the lid off the travel cup, Sakura only walked past her mother and to the refrigerator. Pulling out the milk bottle, she laughed. "I didn't say that. But, if it somehow means you'll let me off my punishment, then maybe." She walked back over to the counter, pouring a little bit of milk in the travel cup and one of the coffee mugs, before her mom had took both of those cups from the counter.

After Sakura put the milk back, she grabbed the last coffee mug her mom left on the counter, before walking to the table. Her father was laughing. "I don't think you're helping yourself Sakura. One month of having to do the dishes is already enough, you're only asking for more."

"Your father's right Sakura, maybe I'll extend the punishment," said Sakura's mom, as she walked back towards the stove to start the rest of breakfast.

"No!" Sakura exclaimed, reaching the kitchen table. "I'm good with one month! I promise!" She set her father's coffee mug down near him on the table. It was the only one that didn't have milk in it, because her father didn't like anything in his. He liked his coffee black.

As Sakura was settling herself down in a seat across from her father, she watched him as he lifted the lid of the sugar jar. Scooping out a few teaspoons of sugar to put in her mom's coffee mug. Before sifting out several more teaspoons to put in Sakura's travel cup. Although he was quick on the last few scoops, knowing that Sakura's mom didn't like her having so much sugar. But, Sakura wouldn't tell and neither would he. It was their little secret.

Once her dad finished stirring her coffee, he handed her the cup, before sipping his own. Winking at her over the brim of his coffee mug, making her laugh as she sipped at her own. He set down the newspaper before looking over at Sakura. "Weren't you supposed to meet Ino at ten?"

Nodding her head, Sakura leaned back in her chair. Stretching her arms over her head. "Yeah, we were going to go and have a little friendly spar since my team isn't having a practice this morning."

"Well, you're going to be late. It's five minutes till ten," Sakura's mother said, walking over to the table with a peach in hand. She watched as Sakura stood up quickly, knocking it over accidentally.

"What?!" Sakura exclaimed, her eyes searching for a clock. Seeing the time was actually nine fifty-five she groaned. Bending over, she quickly set the chair back upright. "I thought I had more time!"

"Don't worry, you'll make it. You usually do." Sakura's mother handed her the peach, before hugging her daughter. "Eat this for breakfast. I don't want you passing out at the training grounds because you forget to eat."

Nodding her head, Sakura moved to her dad next. Who was already standing up, holding her bag for her. He handed it to her before kissing the top of her head. "Kick ass, angel."

"You know it dad," Sakura said, slinging her bag on over her shoulders, before grabbing her cup of coffee from the table. She had just closed the door when she heard both her parents call "have a great day!" from the kitchen. She ran all the way to the Yamanaka flower shop, eating the peach in the short amount of time it took to get over there.

"Hey Ino." Was the first thing Sakura somehow managed to say through her heavy breathing. After setting her half empty coffee cup on one of the work benches, she half bent over with her hands on her knees to catch her breath.

"Hey what's up with you?" Ino came out from behind the counter and removed her smock. Setting it down, before walking over to the work bench Sakura was currently kneeling over at.

"Oh nothing, I just ran halfway across the village, nearly knocking everything over, and making the villagers angry in the process." Sakura stood up and grinned with and playful/evil glint in her eye. "Yeah I think I am absolutely fantastic." She added, picking up her coffee cup, she drank the rest of it down.

Ino only chuckled at Sakura's calmness. "Alright Sakura. Let's go meet up with Hinata and Tenten." Ino said while pushing Sakura out the door, calling bye to her mom.

At the forest with the girls

"Alright let's get some training in," Sakura said, from where she sat on top of Tenten, who she was currently squishing. "I am so ready to do something other than sit around."

Tenten, who was running out of breath, tried to get Sakura's attention by poking her side. "Seriously Sakura?" She asked sarcastically after her pokes failed.

"You are so welcome Tenten. Anytime!" Sakura yelled making Ino and Hinata giggle. Tenten just turned her face away but you could tell she was smiling.

"So what are we going to do for training?" Ino asked, while pulling Sakura off Tenten's back.

"Well we have been doing really well with medical jutsu lately so-" Tenten started then suddenly Sakura screamed. The three other girls looked at Sakura in alarm. "What in the hell is your problem?" Tenten demanded.

Sakura only smiled back at them like nothing was wrong. "Sorry I just got an idea." The others just stared at her. After a minute of their staring Sakura sighed. "Alright so I will take that as a go ahead and explain look." They all nodded and Sakura continued. "Okay we all have been working on new jutsu and stuff. I was thinking we should work on some. I have some fire and lightning jutsu to work on."

"You had to scream for that?" Ino grumbled, still feeling her ears ring.

"I'm sorry that I am the way I am," Sakura said, grinning.

"Well it does sound like a good idea." Hinata said after a while of thinking about it.

Ino turned her head to look from Hinata, back to Sakura at her next thought. "Wait, a second! Since when could you do both fire and lightning? You've never really been using elemental jutsu before."

Sakura only smiled more widely. "Well for the past couple years I trained with Tsunade. You guys started somewhere along that time. Whenever she wasn't training me in fighting or medicine I decided to learn elemental jutsu." Sakura answered, the next thing she thought of was her sensei. "When I asked Kakashi to help me that's when I discovered I could do both of those."

"That's pretty cool." Ino said. "I wish I could do two elements."

After a couple minutes of relaxed silence, Tenten sighed. "Okay can we go now?" She asked impatiently.

"Yeah let's go" Sakura said, grinning at Tenten's impatience.

Later on that evening, 5:00

All four girls were laying on the training grounds, catching their breath.

"I'm starving." Sakura announced, struggling to her feet. "Let's fix the damage we did to the training ground, and go get something to eat."

Between the four of them it only took them a couple minutes to repair anything they damaged during their training session.

"Now how about some ramen?" Hinata suggested.

Sakura groaned at the thought. "I have had too much ramen in the past few days."

"Considering the fact that we're starving, I think you'll have to get over it." Ino stated as they all began to walk to Ichiraku.

Once they got there they sat down ordered, got their food, and didn't speak until they all finished. The rest of the girls had left, leaving Sakura alone, but not for long.

"Sakura-chan!" Was heard, then the sounds of pounding was heard.

"Damn it Naruto! Stop yelling you idiot!" Sakura angrily bonked him on the head again with chakra this time.

"But, S-sakura- chan…" Naruto mumbled, seeing starts circle his head.

"Sakura are you on your period or something your so violent?" Sai asked. The next thing you know Sai was laying on the ground in the same condition as Naruto.

Sakura crossed her arms. "I swear. You two boys get on my nerves. There is not a day where you two can just mind your own damn business, and leave me alone."

"Yo," Kakashi said, as he and Yamato appeared. Both Yamato and Kakashi observed the two boys that were on the ground. "I would ask what happened but I have a pretty good idea." Kakashi said as he raised an eyebrow at Sakura.

"Kakashi sensei, Sak-" Naruto was interrupted by another hit from Sakura, knocking him unconscious. Sai was going to say something as well, but was also punched unconscious by Sakura.

"Thanks Sakura. Now Kakashi and I will have to carry them all the way to the hokage's office." Yamato said with an sigh.

"Well they shouldn't-" Sakura only paused, raising an eyebrow. "Wait a second. Why are they going to the hokage's office?"

"Lady fifth asked team Kakashi to go to her office. So naturally that include Yamato, Naruto, Sai, You, and myself." Kakashi explained as he put Naruto on his Back. Yamato did the same with Sai.

Sakura only sighed, not feeling at all bad about Naruto and Sai. "You better hope those two idiots don't wake up again. Or we will have a problem."

At the Hokage's office

Kakashi knocked on the door three times still carrying the unconscious Naruto. Yamato, who was still carrying Sai, was right behind him. Both jounin could hear Sakura cursing at the bottom of the stairs, refusing to come up.

Naruto and Sai started to wake up when they were halfway here. They started talking, and let's just say they ended up unconscious again. Which is why Sakura is back in her bad mood.

Kakashi was thinking to himself. Why I am I cursed- I mean blessed to have them as a team. He was thinking so much he didn't here Tsunade telling them to come in.

Yamato moved around Kakashi and he opened the door. He went in, and stood in front of Tsunade's desk ignoring the other presences in the room.

Kakashi walked in after Yamato, only to see team Hebi leaning against the wall. All wearing black cloak's. "Well look who's here."

"Good to see you too, sensei," said from no other than Sasuke Uchiha himself. He was eyeing Naruto, Sai, and Yamato. Kakashi had only closed the door then they walked in further to where they both stood in the middle of the room.

"Kakashi? Yamato? What happened to Naruto and Sai?" Tsunade asked, while motioning for them to set them down near the opposite wall of team Hebi.

They set them down. Kakashi turned to Tsunade and rubbed the back of his head and laughed shakily. "Well to tell you the truth we don't really know."

It was quiet for a moment, Tsunade raising an eyebrow at the two jounin. "Well tell me this, where is Sakura? She was supposed to come with you four."

"About that-" Yamato tried to explain before the door slammed open. The wall cracked where the door handle hit. Everyone in the room flinched. Sakura walked in then, not bothering to recognize team Hebi was there. She knew it was going to happen soon.

"These two idiot's are fine," Sakura said, her glaring was focused at both the unconscious boys.

Tsunade only sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. "How did I know you had something to do with it?" She asked, only to receive an irritated glare from Sakura. "Explain Sakura."

"Okay," said Sakura, as she copied her master, and crossed her arms, before stepping closer. "First off it was their own damn fault they can't think before they speak. Second off I didn't mean to make them go unconscious. The worst that might have happened to them is internal bleeding. Personally I think we should send them off to the Forest of Death for healing. Maybe they'll get eaten and I wouldn't have to put up with their bull shit anymore." Sakura explained, while cursing even more under her breath.

"Damn, you said you didn't mean to hurt them and they ended up like that? I will make sure not to make you mad." An unknown voice spoke up.

Sakura finally looked over in team Hebi's direction. She looked at the guy who had spoke. He had white hair and sure enough he had Zabuza's sword. He was none other than Suigetsu one of the four members of Hebi. Sakura frowned as she made her observation. She also knew that he was the biggest flirt. Suigetsu stepped forward to where he was only a foot away from her.

"I apologize I must have forgotten my manners. I am Suigetsu. Who might you be beautiful?" He ended while kissing her hand for effect. Suddenly she was pulled away by none other than Naruto who apparently just woke up.

"How dare you kiss Sakura-Chan?! You can't just kiss her whenever you want! She has rights like everyone else!" Naruto yelled pointing a finger a Suigetsu.

Sakura's twitched as she tried to control her anger. I am already getting a headache. "You're right Naruto I do have rights like everyone else. But those rights also include beating the crap out of you for what you and that asshole said earlier. So if I were you I would let go of me." She tried to remain calm, despite her wanting to punch Naruto again.

"Language Sakura," Tsunade commented, rolling her eyes at Sakura's look.

Having to pinch the back of Naruto's hand to get him to let go of her, Sakura frowned. She wondered why Naruto hadn't moved himself. Usually if she threatened him like that, he would listen to her almost immediately. Looking at him with an eyebrow raised, he just pointed opposite of her. She turned back to see what he was pointing at.

"Teme your back!" Naruto shouted. Then he suddenly remembered Sakura was right next to him. He flinched waiting for her to hit him but she never did. He looked at her and she was staring at Sasuke.

"Sasuke." Sakura whispered.

"Hey Sa-ku-ra. Long time no see." Sasuke teased her as he stepped away from the wall finally.

Sakura instantly finding herself irritated by his voice. "And who's fault is that?!" She asked, then disappeared away from Naruto. Re-appearing right in front of Sasuke. She punched him and he flew back and hit the wall with a crunch sound from the wall cracking. A look of surprise crossed his face, as he couldn't help but think. What in the hell?

A/N: Hope you like this story everyone :)