The Path of Least Resistance

"How can I pick up the pieces of a life I've never lived? Let go of a past I was never apart of? Pretend the past 12 years of my life never existed? Ignore the pain and sorrow I felt that I still feel. I have no life here to rebuild."

BANG

A strong hand came down forming a small crater on the defenseless table, simultaneously a raised voice bellowed:

"WHAT?! HOW CAN YOU PUT HER ON OUR TEAM?!" It was unusual for the pink-haired kunoichi to show her master such disrespect; however, the Hokage calmly yet with authority responded,

"My orders need no explanation, you have your assignment now go."

"But Hokage-sama" Sakura pleaded, the only response she received was a stern glare. Accepting defeat, Sakura gave a curt bow and exited the room.

"Ugh, can you believe this! Of all the shinobi we had to get with HER!" Fumed Sakura, boring jade eyes into Lee, daring him to disagree, surely Konoha's Green Beast would not be swayed by this threat.

"Well Sakura-chan, her blood-limit is a valuable asset to Konoha, therefore we should be gratef-"

"IF YOU HAVEN'T FORGOTEN THAT BLOOD-LIMIT KILLED AN EXTREMELY VALUABLE SHINOBI!" Unfazed by Sakura's explosive interjection, Lee pressed forward.

"True, however, that was seven years ago and no one knows the circumstances of that situation" seeing that he had Sakura's attention, Lee continued, "Besides do you even know the man in question? His name maybe?"

Lee's firm stance against her caught Sakura off guard. Loss for words, she fumbled through her next comment, "W-well…that's uh…that's beside the point."

"Is it really Sakura-chan?"

Confused, Sakura responded, "What are you getting at Lee?"

"Nothing, It just strikes me odd that you cannot sympathize with her plight, which is very similar to Naru-"

"DON'T YOU DARE COMPARE HER TO NARUTO!" Her initial anger returning she struck the wall beside her, sending bits of it to the floor.

Lee's calm composure remained as he attempted to reason with his teammate, "I wish you would not lose your head, you're much too beautiful for that. I only meant that both Sayuri and Naruto were ridiculed and shunned due to forces outside of their control." He took a quick pause to see if his words had begun to breach Sakura's firm conviction. When he noticed her eyes soften he continued, "Even you were cruel, not due to some injury they caused you, seeing others act vicious towards them encouraged you to do the same. As a matter of fact your hatred for Sayuri only grew when you found out Orochimaru was her father."

As shame slowly replaced anger, Sakura slowly leaned against the wall "Orochimaru is scum."

"Just as Naruto is not the Nine-Tailed beast, Sayuri is not her father." Lee sighed, "Honestly, I know you're better than this Sakura-chan." Her only response was shock as Lee turned on his heel to retrieve the last member of their squad.

Floating in the brilliant blue water, a lone figure floats effortlessly on the waters surface, recounting the past and pondering the future. I've been training for 7 years and I haven't been assigned a single mission, not one, or even assigned to a team. Ugh why am I still here? Am I bound to stay in one place forever, while life all around me is in constant motion? What can do? Overpowered by thoughts of helplessness, she swam back to the lakeshore, retrieved her belongings, and then headed for the village. This particular path was no short cut, in fact it was 30 minutes out of her way. The advantage of this route was not in time, it leads directly to Sayuri's home. The alternative route leads straight through the village, a passage laden with whispers and stares. The forest presented a path of least resistance.

As the girl approached her home, a handsome dark wood she inherited from her mother, she caught a glimpse of green between the cherry blossom saplings. Who would be all the out way out here? Suspicious, she circled to the right side of the house to obtain a better view. Braced against the façade, she drew a kunai uncertain of the intruder's intentions.

A calm friendly voice spoke melting away any suspicions, "Hey Sayuri, I have a message from the Hokage." Feeling suddenly foolish, she pocketed her weapon then went to greet her visitor.

"Hi Lee"

"Oh hi, were you busy?" Lee inquired pointing to her damp clothes.

"This? No I just got back from the lake."

"Really? Wouldn't we have crossed paths?"

"What? Oh...um I-I took a different route." Feeling flustered, Sayruri directed the conversation back to the point of Lee's visit "did you need something?"

"Ah right! I have orders from the Hokage; you have been assigned to a three-man team including Sakura and myself. We are to report back immediately for the details of our miss-"

"A MISSION! REALLY? I'LL BE RIGHT BACK LET ME CHANGE!" Excitement surged in every vein as she dashed through the front door, almost breaking it from its hinges. Finally a mission, this is what I've been training for. The more she thought about her prospects as a shinobi, her newly revived spirit began to dampen, Sakura…she hates me and it's all that damn bastards fault! A backpack connecting with a wall startled Lee outside. We'll probably just argue the entire time…what if that gets in the way of our mission…and we fail? My chances at becoming a shinobi would be ruined. Upon having this realization, Sayuri buried her face into a pile of clothes on her bed.

"Refreshed?" Piped Lee, as Sayuri reemerged from the door.

"Yes"

Noticing Sayuri's sullenness, he inquired about her sudden change in attitude, "You seemed so exhilarated a moment ago, is something the matter? An inaudible 'yes' was the only answer received for his concerns. Realizing she would not be open Lee gave up. They walked in silence for the entire walk back.

As Lee and Sayuri approached their intended location, they ran into Sakura, leaning against the wall, her attention focused on a small bug scurrying across the floor. They stopped a few feet away from her, after short pause, it was obvious Sakura would not acknowledge them. Lee took it upon himself to alert her of their presence, "Sakura-chan, I have returned with our teammate, we should go in now." Sakura slowly looked up, simultaneously Sayuri diverted her gaze, to the same bug on the floor, to avoid Sakura's. Sakura pushed herself off the wall and walked into the Hokage's chamber, Sayuri and Lee followed suit.

Tsunade eyed them as they entered her chamber, when they were positioned in front of her; she questioned them on their assignment. "What knowledge do you have of the ancient ninja scrolls?"

"There are five of them, when combined they hold the secret to an ancient ninja technique"

"Actually, there are six: earth, water, fire, lightning, and wind, which are the five you were thinking of Sakura." Sakura shot her an unpleasant glare, the thought of being corrected period was unbearable, but by her. Sayrui felt her gaze but continued, "The infinite scroll is sixth, but I thought their existence was only a myth."

"The existence of the scrolls is unclear; however, there is a man from the land of waves, by the name of Masakawa Maru, who claims to have information concerning the scrolls. Your mission is to meet with him in waves to determine the validity of his claim. If the information is accurate, you are to send word immediately and decide a proper course of action based on the circumstances."

"Hokage-sama?"

"Yes Sayuri?"

"If the scrolls have such potential importance, would it not be better to send a jonin to look into this?"

"I understand your concern, if the existence of the scrolls was not in question a jonin team would be sent. Since there is doubt, it would be unwise to send our strongest shinobi on a wild-goose-chase." Sayruri nodded to signal she understood, "Now that your mission has been assigned, you three have 30 minutes to collect supplies then you'll head out."

The three bowed then began to take their leave. Sayuri paused short of the door, turned around, and began to speak, "Um Hokage-sama…I know it's not my place but may I ask you a question?"

"You want to know why, after all these years am I assigning you to a mission?"

"…Yes. The way I've figured things, your intentions don't seem…sincere"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow at the effrontery of the child standing before her. Noticing the Hokage's response coupled with an awareness of her temper, Sayuri quickly explained herself, "I-I mean no disrespect, it's only that my assignment to this mission seems to be another form of control and mistrust."

"You're suspicions are well founded I was apprehensive about assigning you; however, it's time for the people of this village to let go of the past, for you to pick up the pieces and live as a member of Konoha."

"How can I pick up the pieces of a life I've never lived? Let go of a past I was never apart of? Pretend the past 12 years of my life never existed? Ignore the pain and sorrow I felt, that I still feel. I have no life here to rebuild." With a polite bow, Sayuri turned and left the Hokage's study to join her teammates.