Author's note: In this fanfic, I wanted to make Sakura strong and lethal. This story will be in her POV the entire time, so if you aren't a fan of her, this fanfic is not for you. However, it is also a SakuSasu story, so if you don't like them together…this is not for you. I hope you enjoy.

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She was determined.

In the thick forest of Konoha, Sakura Haruno trained. Even as her chakra waned to nothing, she didn't stop. Making it to the top of the tallest tree in the forest, without using her hands at all, the pink-haired kunoichi didn't relish in her success. She just wished the Oak was taller and more difficult to climb. She wanted more limbs to try and stop her accent and she wanted it to challenge her. That morning, she had already climbed it over fifty times. Most would move on to other things after just a few attempts, but her chakra was only truly worked when there was almost none left in her.

However, pushing herself like this was dangerous, especially since she trained alone. But Sakura had been training by herself for years honing her skills to become faster, stronger, and better than any other kunoichi. And she planned on showing off her skills at the Konoha Kunoichi Tournament that was being held just two weeks from that day. Kunoichi from all around flooded to Konoha just for a chance at the cup. For the past two years, even though she had come of age to participate, Sakura decided not to, but she had her reasons. She studied the competitors; their habits, their chakra levels, their skills, and their best jutsus.

Last year's winner was Temari who used her Whirlwind jutsu to take out the runner up, Tenten, who was the previous year's victor. Two other fierce competitors were Hinata Hyuuga and Ino Yamanaka who often placed in the competition among the top five. Though Sakura had faced them long ago, the females were much stronger now.

But so was she. The now eighteen year old girl was ready to take down every competitor in her way whether they were friend or foe. Clenching her fists, Sakura hopped down the large tree, limb by limb, until her booted feet touched the ground. Her emerald eyes gazed up the tree as she focused her chakra once more, readying to climb. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she rushed forward, her feet connecting with the bark. Planting one foot in front of the other, she climbed to the peek in a matter of ten seconds.

She was slowing down. Her first few attempts were done in less than five seconds. Sakura took in a few deep breaths, filling her lungs with much needed air. Standing at the tip of the tree with unwavering balance, her eyes scanned over Konoha. The morning sun cast rays of gold over the pastel rooftops, illuminating and shading the town in different places. The voices of the bustling townspeople echoed through her ears when ever the wind blew. It was her home and had been since birth. She didn't think she would ever leave, even though many of her old friends already had.

Sakura often wondered how Naruto and Sasuke were doing. They left three years ago to follow their own paths. They had visited once or twice briefly, but each time, she was on a mission or training. One year, Naruto did appear at one of the Kunoichi Tournaments to root on Hinata. But she didn't make an effort to say hello and he didn't notice her amongst the dense crowd. It was probably better that way though. Too many memories would cloud her mind and she didn't need that at the moment.

She needed to stay focused. She needed to prove that she wasn't the same as she was all those years ago. Sakura wasn't a weak little kid anymore and it was time to show everyone that. Pushing aside all of her emotions, the pink-haired kunoichi had transformed into a dangerous tool. She was sharp and jagged and would take no mercy on anyone. After years of being called insignificant and weak, Sakura would show them just how relentless she had become.

However, the one person she wanted to show the most would not be at the tournament. He never was. It was too unimportant in his eyes. Sakura wished he would be there just to throw all of his harsh words back in his face. Just thinking of him made her want to keep pushing herself to her body's limit over and over again and, one day, she wanted to fight him. Hell, she just wanted to land one punch on him.

Narrowing her eyes, Sakura jumped back down to the ground, once again readying herself to ascend the tree. Though her chakra was pretty much depleted, the girl didn't want to stop. She knew her body was at it's limits, but until she collapsed, she would keep going.

Just as she took a step towards the large Oak, a hand clamped onto her shoulder, stilling her. Sakura didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "I was wondering when you were going to come, Kakashi." She stepped away from his hand and turned towards her former sensei.

"You're working too hard again," the silver-haired, masked ninja said. True, he was no longer her sensei, but he still acted like it.

Shrugging, Sakura wiped away the sweat that had formed on her brow with the back of her hand. "I have to work hard. I need to make sure I am in top condition for the tournament." She turned back to the tree.

Kakashi sighed. "You won't be in top condition if you continue to wear yourself out, you know. Take a break. It's almost noon anyway. Go get something to eat." When Sakura remained quiet, he continued. "It'll be my treat."

This was an offer that she just couldn't refuse. Tearing her gaze away from the large tree, she started out of the forest, fully expecting Kakashi to follow. And he did. Even though she hated to stop training, Sakura knew it was time to take a break, her body was telling her as much. Her head felt light and her legs barely held her up, but they weren't symptoms she hadn't experienced before. Getting food inside her would recharge her and allow her to get right back to work anyway.

"What if I had come to tell you that we had a mission?" Kakashi said. "You would be in no condition to go."

Sakura and Kakashi were always paired together for missions. Yes, Sakura was partaking in rank A missions and fought alongside her former sensei as his equal. In fact, the pink-haired kunoichi had been taking jounin level missions for over two years. No other genin had become a jounin so quickly and no one knew she was entering such battles. By her request, only she, Kakashi, and the Hokage knew of the missions she took part in. To hide her identity, she would dress in all black, masking her face. "That wouldn't happen," she replied. "You always tell me about a mission a week in advance."

"And that still doesn't stop you from training…How you manage to get through a mission still astounds me," he said rather lazily.

"I know my limits and I'm not foolish enough to tire myself out the day before a job. They are priority and I know you need me," she said, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, smirking.

Kakashi chuckled. "Stronger and completely full of yourself."

Sakura smiled. "You know I'm just kidding. I couldn't complete any missions without you either."

"It's good to know that I am still of use to you."

"You always will be, Kakashi," she assured, a bit nostalgic. Thinking back on when the silver-haired ninja was sensei, Sakura could remember many times when she needed him. She relied on his guiding hand and his training methods. In fact, the exercise she was just doing was one that Kakashi challenged her, and her team, with long ago. Everything that she ever learned from him was useful and she often called his lessons into battle.

As they emerged from the last of the trees, the two strode down the cobblestones streets of Konoha making idle conversation all the while. People were out and about. The younger children were practicing their jutsus for when they became ninjas. Of course, they were small, ineffective jutsus that were just for play. The adults were gossiping and chatting with their friends. Sakura even heard the tournament come up a couple times.

They ended up at the Ichiraku Ramen Bar for lunch, which was fine with Sakura. She wasn't picky when it came to food. Each ordered their favorite flavor and waited for it to be ready. Sakura crossed her arms on the counter, leaning forward. "I can't wait for the competition."

Kakashi pulled out his book, but was still paying attention to her. "Why?"

"You already know why, Kakashi," she replied. "I want to prove myself to everyone. I need to show them that I'm not a weak little girl anymore. And…I want the ninja that killed my parents three years ago to know my name and regret ever setting foot in my home."

Three years ago, rouge ninja attacked Konoha, killing everyone they could get to. Sakura's parents were two of the people tallied into the death toll of seventy-seven. They struck at night, taking the village off guard. By the time defensive ninja had formed, it was too late. Sakura escaped that night, but she would never forgive herself for fleeing like a scared pup. She left them to die.

Her hands fisted on the counter and her eyes closed to hold back angry tears. "I will not stop until that ninja is dead." Before she fled that night, she had caught a glimpse of the ninja's face. It was Itachi Uchiha; her former partner's older brother. After that night, Sasuke had left with Naruto to track him down, but they still haven't caught him.

Kakashi looked at her, placing a hand on her rigid shoulder. He knew it was a sensitive subject for her. "I know you want to kill Itachi, but even though your skills have considerably improved, I don't know if you can take him by yourself." That statement was only spoken out of pure concern for his former pupil. He didn't want to see her get hurt.

Sakura slapped his hand off her shoulder. "You don't know what I can do, Kakashi," she said dangerously. "What you've seen on our missions is nothing compared to what my true strength is. This tournament will surely bring him out of hiding and, mark my words, I will kill him."

Their ramen was ready and the owner placed two steaming bowls in front of them before focusing on another customer. Kakashi continued. "Then why wait until the tournament? If he knew you were the one on the missions with me, attacking his allies, he would undoubtedly make himself known to you. Why hide yourself?" he asked, slurping up some of his ramen.

"He probably still thinks I am the scared dog that he chased out of her home three years ago. I didn't want my name spread around until I was sure I was ready to face him. Going on missions with 'The Great Kakashi' would surely draw too much attention to me." Sakura paused to eat some of her ramen. Swallowing, she continued. "No one knows except you and the Hokage. Everyone else thinks I haven't done anything these past few years to improve my skills, including him."

"You know, it really is a pain to keep telling everyone that I can't reveal who the 'black clad' warrior that goes on missions with me is." He propped his elbow on the counter and rested his head in his hand. "It would be so much easier to just say your name."

Sakura turned an appreciative smile to him. "I know and I am grateful to you for being so discrete." She took another good bite of her ramen. "…And for lunch," she joked, putting a lighter air on the conversation.

Kakashi's eye closed in a smile. "You're welcome." As he brought his attention back to the book in his hand, he continued reading. "Isn't signup tomorrow?" he asked.

She nodded. "Three o'clock. I plan to be the first in line."

"I don't doubt it, but how will you do with the other competitors? You haven't talked to most of them in years I suspect."

Taking another bite of her ramen, Sakura shrugged. Many of her competitors were some old friends of hers and they all knew what happened to her parents. However, she didn't want to reminisce with any of them, especially Ino Yamanaka. For all she was concerned, they were in the past and no longer a part of her life. "I plan on signing my name and leaving. If I am asked the formal question 'How have you been?', I'll just respond with a fine."

"Oh? And why is that? You don't want to let on to how hard you've been training, I assume?" he guessed, reading and eating simultaneously.

Sakura nodded. "Exactly. I want to…surprise them."

"And I am sure you will, but you will not be the only surprise at the tournament."

Slurping down the last of her ramen, she looked at him with questioning eyes. "What do you mean?"

Kakashi put his book down. "I heard the Kunoichi Tournament is going to be tougher than it's ever been, dangerous even."

Her eyes only widened for a moment. "Dangerous how? In the past tournaments, there have been a medley of different challenges including hand to hand combat between the final two competitors, but nothing ever seemed dangerous."

Kakashi cupped his chin in his forefinger and thumb. "This year is different. I overheard the Hokage talking with one of the judges. They want to raise the difficulty level and are bringing in ninjas as part of the competition."

"Ninjas? Really?" Sakura was more excited than nervous. "To fight or for something else?" she asked curiously.

"Honestly, I'm not sure, but Sakura, I do know that these ninja are extremely powerful. The kunoichis are really being tested this year."

She was puzzled. The tournament was always a challenge to the participants, so why are they hiking up the difficultly level this year? Was there something that she and the other competitors didn't know about? The challenges were different every year to keep the competitors on their toes and even though Kakashi seemed worried. But Sakura wasn't. A smile creased her lips. "Bring it on."

Kakashi sighed and placed money down on the counter. "I remember when you hated to go into battle…"

Standing from her chair, Sakura stretched, feeling refreshed. "I would prefer it if you didn't remember those days." Smiling and bowing, Sakura turned away from him. "I'm heading back to the forest for a while to finish up some training. If the tournament is going to be as tough as you say, I can't stop for even one second." She looked over her shoulder. "Maybe you and I could have a practice duel tomorrow?" He nodded and she turned away. "Then I'll be going."

"Sakura." Kakashi waited for her to stop before continuing. "One of the ninja who will be at the tournament…is Naruto."
Gasping, the kunoichi spun on her heels, but Kakashi was gone. Her breath thinned and her heart raced. Naruto was an old and dear friend, but she hadn't talked to him since he left three years ago. Yes, she saw him, but she made it a point to avoid him and all of her old acquaintances for that matter. Could she really face him and all of their memories in the heat of competition? She did miss him, but she also wanted to keep him in her past.

Plus, Sakura was well aware of the blonde's strength. If he had anything to do with the tournament, it would be far more challenging than she imagined. And if someone of Naruto's caliber was in the competition, the other ninja would be just as strong. A thought passed through her at that moment that stilled her beating heart. It was only an assumption, but if he would be there, would Sasuke be there? The idea of it sent a chill down her spine, freezing every nerve in her body.

Sasuke Uchiha was the one person who could make her shake in her boots and question her strength. He was always tearing her down, insulting her. He was the one she wanted to fight and prove herself to. One way or another, she would, even if she only landed one good punch…

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