Born To Die

Chapter One: In for the ride of a life time

"Friends are like the stars; they are always there, but you only see their true brightness at the darkest times." ~Jeremy Arnold

Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever own Naruto!

Authors note: Hey peeps!

So this is a re-write of my story the last garudian. In case you don't notice by the end I have started it way earlier and added anko in because she and sakura are kick-ass together! Please review and tell me if this is better!

Here is the link to my deviant page where you can find kemuri's pic and a pic of Neji and Sakura just hanging out!

.com/art/Kemuri-no-Kage-the-Nin-Horse-of-Konoha-280229736

"Sakura."

"No, not now!" I groaned unconsciously, trying desperately to cling to the last shreds of sleep.

"Sakura…" I wanted to cover my ears so bad, but that meant getting up so I settled for attempting to ignore my inner's annoying voice.

"Inner, please I'm trying to sleep!" I growled back, chucking an imaginary pillow at my inner self angrily.

"Alright, But Anko is stealing all the Dango again." Inner said, snickering in her little corner of my sub-conscious.

"HELL NO!" I screeched back, mind instantly running circles.

Well that did it; over my dead body was that Jounin going to get my special breakfast Dango- again! My eyes quickly flew open as I shot up in my bed just in time to see a seemingly harmless pillow fly straight at me but I knew my Anko-sensie better than that.

"Nice try!" I taunted, expertly catching the pillow to reveal a hidden kunai that would've surely cracked my pretty little skull had it hit. Anko grinned at me with pride, and I returned the grin in its overly cocky form- the smug.

"Well, since you took SO long to get up I ate your breakfast Dango just to let you know." Anko said, and she wasn't kidding.

"Told Ya so." Inner said, of course piping in just when I need her as always- not.

"GRRR! ANKO-SENSIE! YOUR GONNA PAY FOR THAT!" I screeched, jumping from the bed to tackle my Guardian/Big sister figure/Sensei in a Dango-deprived fit. Of course, she just sidestepped it and I crashed through the wall for the umpteenth time as she laughed hysterically.

"HAHAAH! Sakura, save it for the Training grounds okay?" Anko said, pulling me from my half stuck position in the plaster walls. I glared playfully at her as she dusted the plaster dust off of my pajamas and then grabbed my arm dragging me toward the door.

I let Anko drag me to who know where as I slipped into my memories. It was only about three years ago that something happened and I lost all of my memory. The only things I remembered were my name, some Juutsu (but I didn't tell anyone that) and age. Somehow I had found my way into Konoha and was discovered lying on a stone bench and was taken to the Hokage, where I met Anko.


I stood inside the Hokage's office, shivering with fear because I didn't know anything anymore. Suddenly someone pounded on the door, causing me to practically jump up with anxiety.

The Hokage shot me a worrisome glance before motioning the guards to open the door, "Come in.," he said gruffly.

I peeked through my eyelashes to see the craziest looking lady I had ever seen! She had this kind of creepy grin, and a pastel shade of rose quartz for eyes, but best of all she had crazy colored hair just like me! It was purple!

The lady stepped up to the Hokage, "Hey gramps! What did ya want?" she asked casually, earning a groan from the Hokage.

I giggled quietly at this and then noticed that the lady was staring right at me. I shrunk back into my chair, hiding behind the cover of my pink bangs. "Whoa! Check it!" She exclaimed in an excited voice causing me to look up right into her eyes.

"Hey kid, that's some pretty bad-ass hair you got there!" she said, smiling at me with a big goofy grin. I giggled for a moment before brushing my bangs out of the way.

"Thanks miss, I like your hair too! I've never seen anyone else with funny colored hair other than me before." I said, slowly getting braver as I earned a wider grin from the lady.

"Alright! Anko's the name squirt, what's yours?" I smiled nervously for a moment before remembering my name.

"Oh, Sakura." I muttered shyly, watching her with calculated eyes.

The Lady sprung up from her crouching position to face the Hokage, "So gramps what's the kid doing here?" She asked.

"We found her on a bench near the outer walls, she suffered from memory loss and only knows her name and age. We are currently trying to find a foster home for her Anko." The Hokage replied, shooting me a warm grin before returning his eyes to the lady who I guessed was named Anko. She seemed to be in deep thought for a moment before a huge grin spread on her face.

"I know! I'll take the kid for ya!" my head shot up immediately, and I stared at Anko with eyes the size of grapefruits. How could she take me in so readily?

The Hokage eyed Anko warily for a moment before smiling, "Alright Anko, you may become the guardian of Sakura if you wish." He said.

Anko grinned broadly at me before saying, "But, I'm gonna need to test you first okay kid?" She asked, and I sensed a slightly evil tone in her voice but nonetheless I nodded slowly and got up from my chair.

"Good, now Summoning Juutsu: Snakes!" She yelled out causing me to immediately jump back about ten feet as I took on a low crouching stance. I had no idea how I knew what I was doing but what I did know was there was a huge snake coming right at me and that I absolutely hated snakes.

"AHH! Crazy lady! Crazy lady! Do something!" Screeched a tiny voice inside my head, and I nodded slowly watching as the snake grew ever closer before doing something that I did remember.

"Crystal style! Crystal Imprisonment wave Juutsu!" I yelled out, watching as the snake instantly froze where it was and became covered in a thick layer of crystal before shattering to pieces. I glanced nervously over at Anko and the Hokage who both looked at me like I had grown an extra arm or something.

"Oh Kami, what did we do this time?" squeaked my inner voice, earning a trembling nod from me as I watched the two for about five minutes. None of us moving other than daring to breathe.

"HOT DAMN KID!" Screamed Anko, causing me to fall backwards off of the chair I was precariously perched on. I poked my head up from behind the couch to watch Anko with questioning eyes as her own sparkled with excitement.

"Okay, I give. I'm lost." My inner groaned, and I couldn't help but agree with this new voice inside my head.

"Wow! That was pretty darn good pinky, your definitely coming with me!" Anko said, grabbing me from behind the couch as I gazed up at her with hopeful eyes. For the first time since I had lost my memory, things began to feel right, they began to finally make sense.

"Alright Anko, you'll be taking care of Sakura and training her to be a ninja I assume?" The Hokage asked, watching me with amused eyes as I felt my breath hitch in my throat.

"NINJA! NINJA! WE'RE GONNA BE A NINJA! NINNY-NINNY-NINJA! CHA!" Inner squealed, fist-pumping the air in her sub-conscious realm.

And I couldn't help but blurt out, "HECK YES! I'm going to be a ninja!" before promptly clasping my hands over my mouth to prevent any further outbreaks.

Anko started laughing up a fit before dragging me out the door, but she turned around to the Hokage before we left, "A ninja for sure. Pinky's gonna be one Kick-Ass Kionochi!" Anko yelled back proudly, and I blushed a little before following her down the hall and onto a new adventure.

But I didn't hear the Hokage sigh with content before mumbling; "I have no doubt she will be Anko, and maybe she can be the one to help bring peace back to the shinobi world. One can only hope."


I sighed contentedly as I snapped back out of my daydreaming, my skin tingling with the constant tiny pinpricks of wind that flew by us.

"Hey Anko-Sensie?" I asked, not bothering to resist my guardian's crazy arm-dragging antics as she pulled me out of the house at kami knows how early in the morning.

"Ya Pinky?" She teased, grinning back at me before continuing to drag me across Konoha. Anko was the ONLY and I mean ONLY one who was allowed to call me pinky, other than that the name was nails on a chalkboard for me and I fully intend to make anyone and everyone who calls me that suffer- kami she's rubbing off on me.

"Where exactly are we going at…. 2:30 IN THE MORNING!" I said, more like shrieked the last part. Geez, I know that Anko always got me up early to train but this was ridiculous!

Suddenly she stopped in front of me causing my face to smash into her back like a ball to its paddle. "Ha-ha! We are here to get you your new Ninja clothes Pinky! Wait, oh my gosh you forgot what today was didn't you!" She laughed, slapping her knees as she curled over in a fit of laughter. I felt my left eyebrow begin to twitch violently but I held it together because throwing a complete fit would only give her something else to laugh about.

"Umm, Someone's birthday?"

"Nope."

"New holiday?"

"Guess again."

"Old holiday?"

"Getting colder."

"Ugh, Christmas?"

"…"

"I'm embarrassed to call you my outer." Inner groaned before I shot her one of my famous 'creepy glares' that Anko had taught me.

I smiled sheepishly and then threw my hands up in defeat, "Alright I give up! What is it?" I cried, practically glomping onto Anko who now had an evil grin on her face. Not good, definitely not good.

I sighed, "Alright what do you want?" I asked knowing now I had made a huge mistake, one thing you should know about Anko is that she will use just about anything against you.

Anko grinned evilly, "Dango, one week if you lose todays spar if you win then I'll teach you a new Juutsu." Anko said, crossing her arms with a triumphant hmph.

"Fine! Now tell me what the hell is going on today!" I begged, staring the Dango eating Anko down to make sure she held up her end of the bargain.

"Silly Pinky! Your getting your Genin teams today remember!" You have no idea how stupid I felt in that moment, how the heck could I forget something I had trained so hard to achieve!

I felt the blush crawl up onto my cheeks as I scratched the back of my head in my classic 'sakura's made a fool of herself again' move. But thankfully the inky blackness of the night hid all of that as Anko once again seized my arms and hauled me into the only open ninja outfitters to get my super awesome new ninja outfit!

"Now we can finally get a new outfit that'll show off our hot bods! Cha!" Inner said gleefully, punching the air for added effect.

I just glared at my perverted alter ego hard hoping that she would burst into flames, but I only succeeded in scaring her back into her little corner of my sub-conscious. Good enough.

The minute we entered the store Anko began grabbing anything and everything she thought was cool off the racks and thrust them in my face, shoeing me off to the dressing room immediately. I pleaded with kami as I rummaged through the pile that whatever I found would leave me with at least a shred of dignity after the catwalk.

I think for once, Kami heard me because after hopelessly digging in the pile of mis-matched clothes Anko picked out I turned around to go tell her to try again when I found it. It was perfect for me!

"Hell yes!" Inner squealed and for once I agreed with her as I began to put on the outfit.

"Huh, well whattdaya know." I thought to myself as I admired the ninja attire that fit my 9 year old body perfectly. My new outfit consisted of loose pants that ran till just below my knees and were tied off with red braided thread. The pants themselves weren't baggy but they weren't skintight either, kind of like tenten's only mine were a pitch black and were a hell of a lot more comfortable than TenTen's trust me I had to wear hers one day. Next I wore a black fishnet top that reached almost to my elbows. Over that I wore I deep crimson half top without sleeves that cut off right below my ribcage and a low cut-collar. Lastly I wore my prized dragon skin gloves, I don't know where I got them but I had been told they were the last in existence. That was nice and all But what really mattered was how well they worked!

"Damn! We look good! And it's functional! CHA!" inner said, whistling a little before I shot her a dirty glare.

"HEY SAKURA! You almost done in there?" Anko called, obviously anxious to spar so she could win her weeks worth of Dango. Kami, she's worse than Naruto.

"Coming!" I hollered back gathering up my old clothes as I ran out to her. Oh yeah, and I don't wear shoes, I don't really know why but since I happened to have a natural ability to use Crystal moves I like to be able to feel the earth beneath my feet.

"Damn Sakura, that looks perfect on you!" Anko said as she glanced up and down at my new ninja attire a small smile tugging on her lips. Score!

Anko finished paying for my new clothes and then we raced to our favorite training grounds that conveniently happened to be at the top of the Hokage Mountains. I loved how we were never disturbed up there, no nosy teams, and no squealing kids. Hell, even the Anbu sent their messages by animal for fear they would catch us at our strongest.

"Oi! Anko-sensei that's cheating!" I called out angrily as we raced up the mountain; we were neck and neck until a certain Dango-eating mentor used her summoning snakes to literally carry her up the mountain. I have come to hate snakes with a fiery passion after four years of living with that woman, and I mean HATE those sad excuses for an oversized earthworm.

Anko looked back at me and laughed, "Well you've got a summoning animal too! Call him!" She teased, but I knew that Anko knew if I called my summon I could go to Suna and back before she would reach the top of that mountain.

I smirked, oh how my sensei would regret that suggestion, "Alright fine I will!" Quickly I made the hand seal for horse but instead of drawing blood like every other summon required I simply brought my fingers to my mouth and let out a loud whistle that rang clear through the dusky morning air. I flashed Anko with a 'see you at the top' grin before winking as I saw the familiar tan blur come bursting through the forest, and I eagerly pushed off the ground to mount him and was at the top of the Hokage monument in seconds.

"Damn horse, got to be so F****** flashy all the time with his F****** speed and-" I stared wide-eyed at Anko as she spoke with a very colorful vocabulary that I hadn't heard in a long time- damn she really wanted her Dango.

I quickly spared my 'summon' a nin-horse, Kemuri a surprised glance before he snorted in disgust, "Oi! Anko the kids eight years old! Wait until she is a genin at least!" Kemuri said, speaking through the mind so that we might understand his otherwise pointless neighs as well.

Anko shot Kemuri a dirty glance before regaining her typical full of it composure and turning to me, "Alright kid, we got exactly four hours before the academy requires us to be there so that means the next 3 hours and 59 minutes are gonna be hell, Ya got that?" Anko asked, but horrifyingly there was no sarcasm dripping form my mentor whose mental stability I was now beginning to question.

"Bring it." I retorted with my typical answer that translated into a normal persons dialect meant 'what are we going to do today sensei.' Kemuri rolled his eyes at what he would dub my 'childish actions' but I am 8 so I am technically a kid right?

"Alright Pinky, today we are going to work on a little something I'd like to call the 'bell test'" Her eyes glinted with revenge as I groaned, not this stupid test I hated the damn thing! All she did was tie a couple of stupid bells at her waist as I tried IN VAIN to get them.

"Hai, Anko-Sensei." I forced out, readying myself in my signature battle stance, my well-trained eyes immediately trained on her every move. Not one hair quivered without me noticing it, and then she struck.


"Wow *pant* Sakura, you actually *pant* get a bell *pant* this time." Anko-sensei said as she leaned on her knees for support against fatigue. I smiled weakly, even though I had managed to snag a bell I somehow still ended up being the one on the ground completely exhausted, how Anko managed to make that happen I guess I'll never know.

"Hey, did good today huh kid?" Kemuri said, picking me up by shirt before propping me up against him and lending me some of his chakra.

I rolled my eyes at him before punching him lightly in the shoulder, "Look who's finally showed up huh pony boy?" I teased, and laughed when he pinned his ears back in an irritated manor at my nickname.

"HEY!" Anko screamed, causing me to jerk my head around to where she was standing so fast that I probably gave myself a good case of whiplash.

"And, since you finally managed to get a bell from me pinky it means you need more weights!" Kami how I wanted to strangle Anko there and then with that smug little grin on her face, but that wouldn't end very well so I just settled for a groan and death stare instead.

Kemuri was snorting and grunting while trying to suppress his laughter, "Cork it pony boy." I growled before slapping his hindquarters with a little more force than needed, but hey revenge is sweet.

"Alright Sakura, you might want to sit down for this." Anko said with that kind of creepy smile that just screams 'run while you still can!' but of course I complied sinking to the ground with a heavy thud before holding out my wrists.

"WHAT THE HELL!" I shrieked in pain as both wrists suddenly plummeted to the ground, successfully creating a half-foot hole in the hard ground. I grunted a little before glaring darkly at Anko who was completley oblivious to this and began laughing uncontrollably- again.

"What the- Anko-sensei how much weight did you add to me?" I questioned while trying in vain to lift up a wrist again, and was able to get it maybe four inches out of the half-foot crater it was stuck in.

"Eh-" she said while rubbing her chin thoughtfully, "about 30pounds, why?" that women was E-V-I-L I tell you. I just continued glaring at Anko while she added another metal band to each ankle, hoping that maybe she would burst into flames but of course that didn't happen.

Anko got up and then dusted off her hands, obviously proud of her work. A little to proud in my opinion. "All right kid, we got about fifteen minutes to be at the academy so lets get a move on huh?" she said smugly.

My eyes flew wide open, "WHAT! Only fifteen minutes? Grrr, Anko-Sensei you truly are evil aren't you?" I growled, desperately trying to get to my feet. Of course, I only managed to stand up about half way before falling down and landing in the dirt with a deep 'thud'.

Anko started grunting with laughter again as Kemuri just sighed and sweat dropped, "Oi, Anko your more immature than the kid is." He snorted, rolling his eyes at my sensei in a disapproving manor and Anko only stuck her tongue back out at him only proving his point.

I groaned at my teacher and companions predictable bickering.

"Hey, Outer Idiot!" Inner screamed practically making it an insta-migraine day.

"What?" I yelled back, trying as hard as I could to make my annoying inner shut up.

"Remember what Anko said a while back? Oh, of course you don't." She teased and I only stared with a bored expression back.

Inner threw her hands up in defeat, "Alright fine, Anko said that when you became a genin you could take Kemuri to class with you." I stared back at my inner in shock, this might have been the first time in my life she didn't give me a useless piece of information or some perverted comment.

I grinned darkly at Anko who tensed up, because I only grinned like that when I had found some equally deceitful plan of revenge or something like that. "Alright pinky, what is it?" She asked me in an 'I know something's up' tone.

"Remember my first week of the academy when I asked if I could take pony boy with me?" I replied, eyes lighting up with victory as Anko groaned a little. Kemuri looked at me with surprise for a minute before averting his eyes to Anko and smiling with that 'she got you good' grin.

Anko's frown turned into a proud and pissed smile, "Okay pinky ya got me. You can go ahead and take the ass with you to class today." She said, throwing Kemuri a triumphant smile before poofing off to the academy.

I giggled at Kemuri's pissed off expression before sending some chakra to my legs and arms, willing them to move so I could stand. "Hah, I don't think you're an ass pony boy." I said, smiling as my companion moved to stand beside me.

He smiled at my before nipping at my hair, "Thanks, I feel so loved." He said, sarcasm dripping from his voice as I pumped even more chakra into my feet and propelled myself onto his back.

"Most of the time." I whispered in his ear, laughing as he snorted before bursting into a run towards the academy.

(1 min. later)

"HEY! Pony boy stop we're here!" I shouted, pulling back on Kemuri's pitch-black silky mane frantically as we neared the academy. Geez, at the pace he was moving he would've missed the academy and been out of Konoha in less than a minute.

I gripped Kemuri tightly as he slid to a stop, the smell of burning metal wafting up from his feet. "Sorry kiddo, I've never been in the city before so I don't really know where everything is." He said sheepishly to me, nickering a laugh as horses do.

"Well maybe if you weren't burning rubber, or iron for that matter you would've seen it." I spat back, waving my hand in front of my face to try and dissipate the fumes of Kemuri's metal shoes that doubled as weights.

"SAKURA-CHAN!" I knew who that was, unmistakably, undeniably-

"Naruto! Nice to see you." I said sweetly, urging Kemuri around to face my crazy fox-ified friend. Naruto stopped dead in his tracks and I cocked an eyebrow at his gaping mouth.

"Naruto, your going to catch flies If you keep your mouth open like that." I deadpanned. Kemuri snorted with laughter at my comment and I eyed him, "be nice pony boy." I hissed my warning mentally to him as I dismounted swiftly, landing on the ground heavily because of the added weight and groaning.

"Hey forehead whats-!" And as if on cue, where you find insults or gossip you'll find Ino. I looked back over my shoulder to find Ino walking toward me with a confused expression on her face.

I smiled toward my other blond friend, waving slightly. "Hey Ino-pig! Excited?" I asked, hoping to draw attention away from my massive 8-foot tall ride.

Ya, that worked real well. "-Up. Ya sure forehead. Who's the donkey?" She asked bluntly, completely oblivious to the fuming chakra that Kemuri was radiating by now. Oh yes, that would be Ino all right.

Kemuri pinned his ears back, "Huh, I'm a nin-horse not a donkey for your information pig, Lucky for you sakura told me that putting her friends in the hospital wasn't a good thing." He said dangerously to Ino through telepathy, making sure to snort a little with triumph. I then promptly elbowed Kemuri in the thigh-hard.

"Hey! Pony boy I never said that!" I yelled loudly while Kemuri shot me a hurt smile. Ino laughed a little while Naruto continued to stand there with that totally lost look on his face, and that wasn't anything weird.

"Um, I'll explain later okay Naruto?" I said sheepishly, scratching me head a little before pointing to Kemuri.

Naruto blankly stared at me for a minute before flashing me with his typical goofy grin, "Alright then Sakur-chan!" I sighed, Naruto may not be smart enough to understand any connection I might have with a nin-horse but he is smart enough to know when to drop a conversation.

I looked at Ino then Kemuri and then Naruto and we all just laughed for no reason, I seemed to have that effect on people at times.

"Hn, get to class dobe." But then he showed up, and I immediately felt my anger rise.

"Look who just walked in! Uchiha!" Inner stated as I snarled menacingly toward Sasuke, making sure he felt my feral 'if I have to look at your ugly-ass face one second longer I'll rip you to shreds!' chakra.

"Sure whatever, but any chance of him being remotely attractive is nullified by his total asshole Uchiha attitude.' I spat back to my inner who pouted in response.

Sasuke and I had what you might call a 'barely able to restrain killing-intent' relationship. He always acted like such an ass all the time, strutting around with the bad-boy attitude that he thinks just came with the title 'Uchiha'. He thinks that just because his clan was murdered and he is all 'I'm out on a mission to kill my big bro so outta my way.' That I'm going to shrink back like an abused puppy and make way for king Sasuke!

HELL NO! More like sas-gay if you ask me, but anyway growing up under the tutelage of miss 'I rule the world' Anko didn't come off with nothing. I had become very strong (although I was told specifically NOT to show it), well mannered, but I could sure have an attitude! And the one thing I did not stand for was Snot-nosed brats thinking they are better than me without earning the title, he had no idea what hell I had been through.

"Shut up teme!" Naruto shouted back, waving his fist for emphasis. I glared menacingly at Sasuke, backing up Naruto's rage with my own. Kemuri glanced down and noticed the killing intent written all over my face.

"Ah, so you must be the famous Uchiha Sasuke." Kemuri said politely, earning an equally deadly glare from me and an interested expression from Sasuke. Damn his soul.

"Hn." He replied, typical Sasuke.

Ino squealed hysterically like the fan-girl she was and I fake-barfed in response, disgusting those fan-girls are. The whole lot of them.

Kemuri snorted a chuckle, "Typical Uchiha, one of few words no? Sakura has told me much about you." I glared at Kemuri with an 'I'm going to kill you!' look on my face.

Sasuke smirked, "Aa, really now?" he inquired evilly, sounding alarm bells in my mind that just screamed 'Revenge! Revenge!

"Yes, she did. She mentioned how you were an arrogant, selfish, sulking bastard who walked around like a loner all the time and I certainly agree." Oh snap! He did not just say that! Oh wait he did! And how revenge is sweet may I tell you.

"Damn." Inner said, her jaw resting on the ground.

I had never seen Sasuke so, so-surprised? -No. Poned, Ego-deprived? –Yes! Naruto and I couldn't help but start laughing uncontrollably, and Naruto eventually dropped to the ground rolling around like a child in hysterics. Ino just glared at me like I was some sort of repulsive little bug, to which I returned the glare ten-fold and Kemuri snorted in victory.

"Wow!" Suddenly Anko's chakra caught my attention and I whirled around to the doors of the academy to see my crazy Dango-dreary sensei standing there. "Gee Kemuri I never knew you could be so… blunt." She said sarcastically before poofing over next to me.

Anko smiled and ruffled my fuchsia hair, "What's up pinky?" she asked me energetically before glancing around at the pissed off Ino, shocked Uchiha, and dying uzamaki before shooting me a 'what the-?" look.

I giggled softly before whispering in her ear what happened and she laughed too, "Kami Pinky! Cut the poor boy a break would ya?" she teased and I stuck my tongue back out at her childishly.

Ino, Sasuke and Naruto (who had just recovered from one hell of a side cramp) stared at me with questioning gazes and I sighed. "Everyone this is-"

"Anko's the name maggots! And you better remember it!" Anko yelled, successfully introducing herself in that manor that just screamed 'I just escaped from the insane asylum!'

I watched as Ino and Naruto sweat dropped and Sasuke just walked inside to pout, typical. "-Anko sensei." I finished off, watching with glee as Anko gave them her typical creepy smile.

Kemuri whinnied with laughter before nibbling at my hair a little, "Hey kiddo, I've got to go but ill be back soon alright?" he asked me, and then gave me the eyes! Oh gosh, that was the horse's secret weapon were those eyes! He could make you do just about anything with them, like mind control it was creepy!

I smiled as he flickered away, and then turned back to Anko. "Alright squirts, you've got three seconds to haul your butts inside before I kick em' in! Got it?" She said, smirking as about twenty kids ran like their lives depended on it into the academy.

All except for me, "See you after class?" I asked, grinning as Anko nodded back to me and then poofed away in a purple haze. I quickly then ran into the academy, taking my seat between Konoha's number one knuckleheaded ninja and the weapons mistress herself, Tenten.

"Hey Sakura!" Tenten whispered to me as I plopped down next to her.

I smiled back, "What's up Tennies? Here to watch me get my team?" I asked, watching as her eyes lit up with surprise at my prediction. Tenten was one of my 'gal pals', but she wasn't all girly like Ino or Hinata, she was more like me. Tomboy, cool, tough, fierce all words you could use to describe the two of us and that was just the way I liked it.

"YES! How could I not be here for you?" she giggled back, muffling her girlish sounds with a hand as I rolled my eyes.

"Um, if there was a sale at the weapons store downtown." I teased back, watching as she once again tried desperately to quiet her laughter in her sleeve.

Tenten gave me a once over before pointing to my new outfit, "Hey Sakura, awesome outfit! See you finally gave in to the power of pants, ne?" She asked, taking in every detail of my new ninja clothes as I smiled.

I grinned back at her proudly, "Yup, never been so comfy in my life!" I made my customary 'sakura move', its when I tighten one glove with a badass look on my face and it's the move everyone knows me by.

Suddenly Iruka-sensei walked into the room and Tenten and I snapped back to attention, although she really didn't have to seeing as how she didn't get any grades from here. "Alright Class! Eyes on the wise and powerful Iruka-Sensei!" Oi Kami, please deflate his ego before it kills someone.

I glanced around the room to see any shinobi I recognized and of course found many. I spotted Naruto, Sasuke (bleh), Hinata, Kiba, Shikamaru, Shino, Chooji, Ino, Neji, Lee, and Tenten In the room as well as some other shinobi not important enough for me to mention.

"OH, I hope Sasuke is on our team! As long as he is nice though." Inner squealed with delight. Kami she makes me sick.

"NO! No, no, no, no, no! We Do NOT want that asshole on our team got it inner?" I growled back, glaring at my alter ego with anger.

Inner threw her hands up in defense, "Geez! Fine, then who do you want on the team?" She spat back, earning an even more heated glare from me.

"Well… I'd like to have Shikamaru on the team, or Kiba, or Naruto, and maybe even Ino." I said, thinking about what the pros and cons of having a lazy ass, dog boy, ramen addicted child, and bratty blond on my team would be.

"Alright Class!" Iruka-Sensei said, snapping me out of my momentary argument with inner. "Today you will be receiving your Genin Teams so listen up!" I silently reached for Naruto and TenTen's hand, quietly snaking my fingers around theirs.

I watched as time itself seemed to run in slow motion, "Team One …" I watched as three students got up and left the room, and felt as my heart began to crash against my rib cage violently.

"Team two… Team Three… Team four… Team five." Iruka read slowly from the list, oh-so slowly. I felt my palms begin to sweat a little, as Naruto seemed to be holding on to them for dear life.

"Team six…" I felt my breath catch a little, this next team had to be mine! I don't think I could've waited any longer for that damn ninja to just read my name already!

Iruka-sensei looked down at the list and I saw his mouth turn into a devious smile, directed right at me. I gulped a bit of nervous saliva down my throat hastily and closed my eyes, "Team Seven… Sakura Haruno…"

"Thank KAMI! FINALLY!" Inner screeched, throwing her arms up with relief as I breathed out, glad to be released from my threshold of anxiety.

"You could say that again inner." I whispered sub-consciously before returning my attention to the room.

" Naruto Uzamaki…" I felt my heart jump a little as I looked over to Naruto who had jumped up out of his seat, standing on top of his desk with his typical goofy grin

"YA! I'm on the same team as sakura-Chan! Believe it!" He yelled, fist-pumping the air for emphasis before I grabbed his pant leg and pulled him back down to earth, shooting him a 'I'm happy too but you don't see me dancing around like a ramen-high ass do you?'

Naruto blushed a little before looking at Iruka sensei who sweat dropped, "And finally Sasuke Uchiha. Your sensei will be Kakashi Hatake." I felt my world shatter like a glass mirror, every little piece scattering around into oblivion as I heard those two deadly words.

"Hell no, he did not! Just say that!" I growled angrily before shooting Sasuke a warning glare and he smirked back. I felt my blood boil as I stomped out of the room, and hoped that there would be no witnesses when I had to kill the Uchiha boy and spare the world of his ass-hole attitude.


"IT'S BEEN TWO HOURS!" Naruto whined, fidgeting around in his desk impatiently as I successfully obliterated my 56th pencil.

"Shut up dobe." Sasuke deadpanned, quietly sulking in his desk that was as far away as it could possibly be from ours. Oh yes, this team was going to work out beautifully!

Suddenly Naruto got up out of his desk and grabbed some erasers, propping them up carefully on the door so when it opened said unlucky victim would be showered in a cloud of chalk-dust.

"Really Naruto?" I asked boredly, raising a questioning eyebrow at him while he snickered.

"This outta teach Sensei for being late." Naruto said, hopping down off of a desk to quickly scramble back to his barely able to contain his laughter.

Inner and I simultaneously sweat-dropped, "Oi, what have we gotten ourselves into." She groaned earning a disappointed nod from me.

"Hn, Dobe our sensei is a Jounin-level ninja. He wouldn't be fooled by something as stupid as your little prank." Sasuke said blandly, and I couldn't help but agree with the chicken-ass haired Uchiha for once.

But, as if to prove us wrong a Silver-Haired Ninja walked in the room, "Hey kids, sorry I'm late I was on my way when a lady-" Thunk, and voila! Instant chalk-covered Sensei!

Naruto started laughing hysterically as I snorted quietly to myself, and Sasuke just face-palmed causing me to lose it and start laughing as well.

"My first impression of you- I hate you." The Jounin said before poofing away. I was easily able to trace his chakra to the roof and I sighed, did he really think we were that unskilled?

As if to prove my point Naruto sprung to his feet and started looking around frantically, "Uh, Where did sensei go?"

I looked to Sasuke and was surprised to see him as clueless as Naruto, oh kami help me now! I sighed before pointing up at the ceiling and muttering "Noobs."

I then formed a couple of hand seals and poofed away in a shower of crystalline dust leaving a very shocked Uchiha and confused Uzamaki to find their way to the roof.

When I arrived I noticed that the Jounins one eye was slightly widened in surprise causing me to face-palm in annoyance. "You know." I said turning to him. "I would think since you're a Jounin and all that you would know by now not to underestimate your enemies." I glanced down only to find him reading a little orange book.

"Icha Icha paradise? What the hell we got a pervy sensei!" Inner growled before throwing a complete fit in my sub-conscious, causing me to groan and send the little bit of medical knowledge I knew to my fingers and release some cooling green chakra to my throbbing brain.

"Okay Kemuri, you owe me from saving your sorry ass last week." I mumbled, forming the hand seal for horse and then whistling loudly, drawing the attention of our Sensei and the boys who had finally decided to show up.

"What the-" Naruto started before I tackled the both of them to the ground quickly just as a tan blur came soaring in over our heads and skidding to a stop.

"Nice Entrance you asshole! You almost made pancakes out of my new team!" I shouted angrily, getting up and dusting myself off before storming over to Kemuri and shooting him with a pissed-off look.

Kemuri smiled sheepishly before nibbling on my hair a little, "Sorry kiddo, it seemed like you needed me urgently so i came." I sighed and glanced around at the expressions of my teammates, Naruto's face was lighting up with remembrance of our earlier meeting, Sasuke was scowling and Sensei had a 'what the hell?' look on his eye.

Kemuri nodded to Naruto and snorted at Sasuke before turning around and sizing up Sensei, "Ah, and Kakashi Hatake. It is nice to finally meet your acquaintance." Kemuri said politely as I felt my jaw hit the floor.

"Uhh, I'm confused here? How do you know him?" Naruto asked bluntly, suddenly appearing between me and the eight-foot tall beast I called a nin-horse. Kakashi stood studying Kemuri for a moment, and Kemuri the same.

Finally after what seemed like forever Kakashi's one eye brightened up a little, "A nin-horse huh?" he asked in an amused tone causing my left eyebrow to twitch- violently. It was almost like he would've never believed that I could have a nin-horse as my summon at the simple rank of genin, granted I had never seen another nin-horse other than Kemuri but he had assured me there were plenty of others.

"Damn Straight! Why? Surprised a little genin has a nin-horse as her summon?" I growled angrily, shooting Kakashi-sensei with an intimidating glare before swinging up onto Kemuri possessively.

Then he started laughing, laughing! Oh kami he was writing out his own death sentence right there and then, but Kemuri sent a calming wave of chakra to me telling me that if I killed him now I wouldn't know the answer to his giggles. "No, No it's not that. It's just no one has seen a nin-horse in this country for about 10 years." Kakashi said bluntly, rising in eyebrow in victory as I blushed madly with embarrassment.

I glanced at Naruto who clearly had not followed a thing that had happened and then to Sasuke who just looked forward with cold eyes *shiver*. Kakashi cleared his throat before addressing the rest of the team, "Alright then. How about we introduce ourselves."

"Why don't you show us huh? We don't know you!" Naruto shouted, waving a slightly angry fist at Kakashi-sensei for some reason that was beyond the grasp of my eight year old mind.

Sasuke snorted a little only to have Kemuri emit an even bigger snort, like a challenge before I promptly kicked him in the gut and watch Kakashi-Sensei with interested eyes.

"Me? Well, my name is Hatake Kakashi." He started.

"Ya, we got that genius." My inner groaned, causing me to roll my eyes.

"I don't feel like talking about my likes and dislikes. My dreams are my business only. I have a lot of hobbies, but none that are any of your concern." He said, quietly looking over us with an observant eye.

I watched Naruto pout like a two year old without his blanket, "Hey wait a minute! All we learned was your name!" Naruto growled angrily, narrowing his glare on our silver-haired sensei who only cocked an eyebrow in response as if to say 'and your point is?'

Kakashi-Sensei quickly pointed his finger at Naruto who jumped a little, "You, Blondie go!" he barked.

"Umm well okay. My name is Uzamaki Naruto, I like Sakura-Chan *insert blush* Iruka-Sensei, and Instant Ramen. I dislike Sasuke-Teme and the three minutes it takes to make instant ramen. My hobbies are pranking, and hanging out with Sakura-Chan and my dream is to become the Hokage one day! Be-"

"Believe it?" I questioned sarcastically, finishing Naruto's oh-so predictable train of thought for him.

"We spend way to much time with him." Inner said, slowly pounding her head repeatedly against a wall in her un-conscious realm as I snickered quietly.

"True, True." i said quietly to inner, "But then again, i think that some complete hobo off the street would know what naruto was about to say after spending five god damn minutes with the boy." Inner laughed and nodded in agreement before i returned to the conversation at hand.

Kakashi-Sensei sweat dropped slightly before turning to point his finger at the Uchiha, "Alright then, you! Go!"

Sasuke groaned, "I'm Uchiha Sasuke, I don't like much of anything but I dislike a lot. My hobbies are none of your concern and dreams are for dobe's. But I do have a goal and that is to restore my clan and kill a certain someone." It was one of those awkward silence moments after that.

I coughed slightly, "Uh, Sadistic much Chicken-ass?" I grunted, earning a roaring laugh from Naruto, intrigued looks from Kemuri and Kakashi and one very pissed-off scowling Uchiha.

"Hn." He mumbled, turning away from the group to sulk-again.

Kemuri turned his neck around to nibble on my bare toes slightly, "Hey kid, I think it's your turn." He said, nodding his head toward the rest of the already introduced group.

"No-Duh Pony boy." I deadpanned before smiling sheepishly to Kakashi-Sensei.

"Hey, my name is Sakura. I like Dango, hanging out with Naruto and Tenten, running with Pony boy, and training with Anko-Sensie." Kakashi's eye flew wide open as I said this, but I shot him a 'save it' glare.

"I dislike moping boys with hair styled like a chicken's ass *cue glaring Uchiha*, people who think I'm weak just because of my size, or hair or anything else. My hobbies are battling with Anko-Sensei, spending time with Pony boy, customizing kunai with Tenten and training with her team and making crystal studs." I felt Kemuri shiver underneath me as I said 'crystal studs' long story short about 2 years back I accidentally be-dazzled him instead of Ino's custom kunai.

"My dream is to one day discover my past, help bring peace to the shinobi world and to protect my teammates in battle!" I said proudly, puffing out my chest a little for emphasis as Kemuri groaned.

"Even if they are total assholes." Inner added, causing me to snicker out loud on accident. I felt Kakashi's stare practically burning holes in the back of my head but I ignored it and instead focused on braiding Kemuri mane.

But I had a pretty damn good idea of what he was thinking, "Kami what did I do wrong? Seriously, out of all the possible student combination I get the kyuubi container (ill explain later how I know that) the Uchiha brat, and some girl who somehow summons a nin-horse and has survived Anko-Chan's tutelage?"

" Alright then I think we know each other well enough!" Kakashi-Sensei said, earning a sigh of relief from Naruto.

"Meet tomorrow at the practice field at eight o' clock got it? Bring all your tools and weapons and don't eat breakfast." Kakashi said.

"Does he count as a tool?" I giggled, pointing to Kemuri who groaned and laid his ears flat back in irritation. Suddenly I felt a chakra-presence appear behind me and I whirled Kemuri around to meat a purple cloud of haze and then-

" Anko-Sensie!" I shrieked happily, leaning over Kemuri to fist-pump my sensei a greeting. Anko grinned broadly at me before assessing the rest of the team.

"So Pinky, nice team you got here. I see the Uchiha brat, Uzamaki wrench, and what do we have here? Hatake Kakashi in the flesh." Anko teased, sticking her tongue out playfully before turning around to smile back at me.

I shrugged innocently, "Well, what can you do you know?" I taunted earning a glare from Sasuke, which I readily sent back.

"What are we doing for dinner?" I asked eagerly, not caring if my team was still present or not. Anko grinned broadly and I immediately perked up, my eyes sparkling with happiness.

"DANGO!" I screeched in question, earning a nod from Anko.

"Dango." She smirked.

"DANGO!" Inner squealed in delight, her eyes immediately turning into heart's.

"Dango?" Kemuri asked hesitantly, silently questioning Anko's food of choice but he like the Dango too so no arguments there.

"Dango? For dinner?" I turned around to see Naruto cocking his head awkwardly and I giggled.

"Ya, want to come?" I asked eagerly, anxious to spend some time with my teammates even Sasuke.

"Sure, only if there will be ramen though." Naruto said grinning back to me. Of course I had expected that but I still sweat dropped slightly.

"OI! Uchiha!" I called out, successfully stopping Sasuke in his tracks.

He turned around and glared at me, "What?"

I grinned deviously, and then appeared right in front of him. "This is a team dinner Sasuke so you're coming!" I demanded, plucking the Uchiha from the ground by the back of his collar and plopping him down behind me on Kemuri.

"Hey Naruto! Hurry up!" I yelled out.

"I'll see you there!" Anko-Sensei said, grinning in that way that said 'your on!'

"AACK! Quick! We have to get there before Anko-Sensei does!" I squealed anxiously, whirling Kemuri around in a fit of competitive fury and charged toward the Dango shop. I made sure to grab Naruto and seat him behind Sasuke before we left, and I also made sure to urge Kemuri on extra fast.

"You evil evil little child you." Inner said smirking, and I grinned back feeling the Uchiha wrap his arms around me in a death grip. Oh yes, I could tell there and then that I was going to be in for one hell of a ride with these guys. And funny enough, I didn't ever want the ride to end.

I knew in that moment, rushing to the dango shop on a nin-horse running like a cheetah on crack with the arms of my teammates clasped around me for dear life, depending on me, needing me. I knew that moment that whether i like it or not, we would be bonded for ever and ever. That nothing, not even the sharpest sword, or the strongest fist, or the harshest words could break our bonds and that i would be there for my team. I knew that we would be bound together by something stronger than fate, we were more alike than we could ever realize and in time would come to lean on each other for support. I knew in that moment, i had a family again, i had three more people to add to my little family. I knew then that i would fight with everything i had to preserve my teams bonds, to preserve our trust, friendship and family. And i knew in that moment i didn't ever want to let go of what i had then.


I smiled slightly and inhaled the sweet smell of damp grass and cherry blossoms in bloom, and i watched the full moon stare back down at me as i rested at the top of the Hokage mountain. For the first time since i had met Anko or Kemuri i felt like my life actually made a little more sense, like it was one step closer to being complete. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders, freeing me from the pain of no family. I stood up quietly and gazed at the moon in all its glory, unconsciously rubbing a dragon tattoo on my right shoulder-blade. I suddenly felt something wet slip down my cheeks, tears?

I was crying, but not out of sadness or pain or misery, but out of happiness. They weren't sobs, or snotty fits but subtle crystal droplets that slowly leaked out of my eyes. I couldn't help the broad grin that settled over my face despite the tears that glistened in the moonlight, because i was finally happy.

I didn't ever want that pain of loneliness to return, no not ever no matter what! I wouldn't let it! I would fight to keep us together because in truth each of those boys had taken a part of me with them, yes even the Uchiha. I knew what he was going through and in all honesty, i felt the strangest urge to gather him up in my arms and just hug him till the tears came out. Whatever grudge he was holding was eating all the love from his heart, and replacing it with vengeance and i needed to melt it because that ice would freeze and shatter eventually. I know its a lot to say after only being an official team for about sixteen hours but it meant the world to me. Anko and Kemuri had become instantly a part of my life, but i still felt a little empty inside. Having five years of life torn from me left an empty black hole in my heart, but having a team, being a ninja, knowing there will be people there for me to lift me up. That was all i ever asked for , That was all i ever wanted.

I walked over to the trio of cherry trees that grew secluded in the grassy meadow of the clearing at the top of the hokage mountains. Only one tree blossomed and lived, but tonight it blossomed with more radiance, more vigor than ever before. I gently hopped into the tree, leaning against the main trunk with a happy but shaky sigh. The tree even appeared to be crying the misty dewdrops that formed on its petals, and i couldn't help but flick them away with a smile.

"I finally have a family again, and i can't thank you enough for doing this." I said calmly, gazing up at the moon without a clue as to who i was talking to.

"Please just protect them, and i will too. I'll make sure nothing ever happens to my comrades and so we can always be a family. Anko, Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, Kemuri. Family in my heart." I choked out, the tears running thicker as i felt my old, wounded heart finally die but in its place rested a new fragile one. One that finally felt complete.

A pair of eyes that blended well with the inky blackness of the night, stared wide at the clearing in front of them. A small, wavering hand clutched the material around his heart with a vice-grip as the eyes gazed at the little pink-haired girl who cried peacefully in the clearing.

A small mouth trembled, barely able to whisper the words that the mind processed "F-F-Family?" it stuttered out, the hand clutching the shirt harder as a heart began to melt again. Its thin icy sheet fading into a liquid pool that slowly gathered at a pair of small feet.

And from those onyx eyes, dripped the icy frost of the heart, running down the heated cheeks and off the quivering lips to join the growing pool.

"Family."