Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto Misashi Kishimoto does.

Naruto is copy right 1999 Misashi Kishimoto, Sayuri Marihasha, story, and original characters are copyright 2012 Salma Martinez, all rights reserved.

Reviews are appreciated. Thank you.

The Answer is…?

Running and laughter…a child's laughter…and a beautiful woman staring at…

Sayuri jolted from her sleep, gasping for air. Who was she staring at? She demanded. Who! Her fists gripped the sheets tightly the moon light still shining through her open window.

XXX

"What on earth got you up so early?" A tall man with blonde hair and bright green eyes leaned on the doorway; his hands crossed over his chest the ANBU insignia showing on his left arm. He watched as Sayuri ignored him and moved about the room collecting weapons from dresser drawers and putting them inside her purple back pack. "Training…?" he gathered after four seconds.

"Survival." She answered quickly as she stacked a couple of scrolls inside her bag and began to zip it up. She sat on the ground and with her left hand she began counting.

"Survival training…at five…in the morning…?"

She looked up and nodded. "That's the plan." She got up and tied her shuriken holster on her right thigh. Two baby birds began to sing just outside her window; she paused momentarily to watch them as their mother arrived to feed them and then snatched another holster and tied it on her left calf. "There! All done!" she said happily as she picked up her bag with her right hand and placed it on the bed.

"At what time are you supposed to be at the training grounds?" the man asked as he walked into the room to pick up a book that was left on the floor besides her desk.

"Six…" she glanced out her window, past the birds and their mother. "It's about five fifty, so I'll head out right now."

"What? Lady Sayuri's going to be on time for once?" he joked as he followed her out of the room and into the kitchen.

"Very funny Saito." She graved an apple bringing it up to her lips. Don't eat breakfast…or you'll puke. Sayuri stopped just as she was about to take a bite out of the red apple. Looking down at it she considered the consequences for three seconds right before shrugging it off. "Oh well…what he doesn't know won't hurt him."

"What was that?" Saito asked as he moved around the kitchen.

"Nothing, nothing! Got to go see, ya!"

XXX

She walked slowly towards the training grounds, her eyes towards the sky, watching the still visible stars; her footsteps where audible as she walked over the dirt road. She topped in time with another set of footsteps, their owner watched the young girl inquisitively until she turned to look at him.

Sayuri tilted her head and smiled "Morning…Sasuke, right?" she laughed slightly as she scratched the back of her head.

He glared at her before turning back to stare at the trail from which he just came from. Sayuri growled slightly, clenching her arms before turning around with a humph. What did I do?

As six, slowly, crept closer Naruto and Sakura showed up from opposite directions. The pink haired konoichi yawned as she placed her pale yellow bag down, the blonde seemed unusually quiet. Ten minutes past six and the sun began to rise. Sakura sat on her bag while Naruto tapped his foot impatiently. Sasuke hadn't moved from his spot while Sayuri had focused her attention towards the sun rise, hands behind her back.

Three hours later Sakura had sat on the ground, head resting on her hands, Naruto had joined her not long afterwards. Sayuri had stayed where she was, hands crossed, eyes fixed on the road, while Sasuke shifted his weight on to his right leg. Five hours after six, Naruto and Sakura looked just about ready to explode when Kakashi finally arrived at the field.

"Good morning class!"

"YOU'RE LATE!" Sakura and Naruto cried out pointing at their teacher. Sasuke's frown became deeper while Sayuri glared at her mentor willing him to explode.

"Sorry my alarm clock broke." Kakashi said rubbing the back of his head.

"You had us waiting here for FIVE HOURS!" Sayuri blurted completely irritated while Kakashi chuckled.

The four genin watched as their sensei put an alarm clock on the second of three stumps, making Sayuri raise an eyebrow. "I thought you said your alarm clock broke…" she eyed her mentor suspiciously, crossing her arms.

"Ah well…I got a new one. Now, I've set this alarm to go off at noon." All four genin became confused, they watched as he took out three bells that gave off a light chime as their sensei shook them. "I have here three bells…your challenge is to steal these bells from me before the time is up. Anyone who fails doesn't get any lunch. Instead you will be tied up to that three stump so I can eat your lunch in front of you."

"So that's why you didn't want us to have any breakfast!" Naruto said his hands pulling down on his cheeks. As all of their stomachs growled…well everyone's except Sayuri's.

Oops… She thought as she bit the inside of her cheek to keep her from laughing out loud.

No breakfast, I didn't even eat dinner! Sakura thought regretting her decision the previous night.

"All you need is a bell a piece…but since I only have three one of you will be heading to the stump." The bells let out another soft chime as he brings them up next to his head. "And who ever that is will be the first of you to fail and will have to go back to the academy for more training." The four genin stiffened at the thought of returning to the academy.

"You may, if you choose, use shuriken. Attack me as though you mean to kill or you'll never stand a chance." They watch as he snaps his hand shut, enclosing the bells in it.

"But…but that's dangerous!" Sakura exclaimed, worry evident in her face.

"You couldn't even dodge an eraser! You're going to get yourself killed, sen- OW!" Naruto laughed.

"Didn't you hear me yesterday? Even ANBU let down their guard in the village, but that doesn't mean that they're not one of the best ninja in Konoha." Sayuri whispered harshly as she jabbed the blonde in the ribs.

"Right, Sayuri. Now let's forget the dunce and we'll start when I say go." Kakashi said as he stepped back.

The word dunce echoed through Naruto's head, making the genin angry. He takes out the kuni that was in his shuriken holster, and spinning it in his hand he rushes over to the silver haired jonin ready to attack. His assault failed at the last minute when Kakashi catches Naruto, spinning him, taking the kuni from his hand and pointing it to the back of his head.

"Not so fast. I didn't say 'Go' yet."

Sayuri stared eyes wide a smile playing on her lips. Wow…

So this is a jonin…Sasuke smirked

"You did come at me with intent to kill though. Maybe, just maybe, I'm starting to like you four. Now on your mark, get set…" The four genin bent their knees ready to run. "…GO!" simultaneously all members of team seven scattered.

The basis of all shinobi arts is to become invisible…Kakashi took a look around the training area. They seem to have that part down.

Sasuke was behind Kakashi, hidden in a tree. Sakura was under a bush, and Sayuri was squatting behind two bushes in front of a tree. Naruto on the other hand…

"It's time for the match to begin!

Huh?...Naruto…? Sayuri peeked through the bush, her eyes almost falling out of their sockets as she processed what she saw. Just when I thought he couldn't get any worse, he proves me wrong! She slapped her forehead protector as the two faced off. Kakashi taking out a book and reading while Naruto gives their sensei his all, only to have every attempt brushed off as if it was nothing. She suddenly notices Kakashi behind Naruto making a single hand sign. Is that the sign of the tiger? Sayuri leaned in trying to get a better look.

"Naruto get out of there or he'll kill you!" Sakura yelled out

"What?" Naruto turned a panicked look on his face.

"Too late."

All watch as Naruto jumped up into the air holding his butt and falling into the lake, after Kakashi jabbed him. Kakashi turned back to his book, only to have shuriken come out of the lake heading straight at him. He merely caught them all with easing, still completely absorbed in his book.

That kind of strength isn't fair play! How are we supposed to beat him? Sakura wondered as she eyed her teacher. And he's still chuckling over his book. He's just toying with Naruto now.

Sayuri looked from Kakashi to the lake as she heard Naruto pull himself up to the surface, gasping for air. Sighing she leans back against the tree, letting her head fall loosely forward. OK, so it's four genin against one chunin…but none of us have any of his prior training or experience!

"…You're a one trick pony, who hasn't got what it takes to win!" Kakashi's voice reached Sayuri who looked up only when she heard the bells ring. Quickly she peeked through the bush only to see Naruto holding onto Kakashi's back, and a large number of clones surrounding the jonin. Her surprise only escalated upon realizing that all of Naruto's clones were solid and not mere illusions.

"Heh heh heh…nice to see your back …sensei!" Suddenly, two clones graved hold of Kakashi's legs as the real Naruto jumped into the air. "Here's payback for what you did to my butt!"

Wow! Naruto is good! Sakura though, impressed by her dimwitted team mate.

That guy…Sasuke smirked He used the art of misdirection. Feigning to distract the enemy before he struck somewhere else.

Kakashi looks up at Naruto somewhat surprised. "Relax; this will only hurt for a minute!" Suddenly Naruto's fist collides with…

Naruto? Sayuri almost fell forward, her mouth ajar.

Sasuke's smirk fades and Sakura gives off a confused look.

"Oww! Ow! Ow! Oww!" the clone that was hit whined, and in mere minutes the clones began to punch each other until the real Naruto drops the jutsu leaving him alone, bruises all over his face.

Sayuri's eyebrow twitches and she lets out a soft groan. Well that settles it, Sayuri lets her back hit the tree with a light 'thump'. We're all useless when it comes to fighting this guy! A leaf floated down onto her hair; lazily she plucked it out and turned it onto its side to better examining it.

XXX

Sayuri was thrown onto the ground letting out a light cry of pain. "Lesson number one…Teamwork!" Saito said as he stood over her. "You need to work with your team when you're on missions. If you do everything by yourself you'll get nothing done," he leans down and picks the small girl up by the collar. "You and your team may die, and the mission will be for nothing."

Sayuri glared up at the man her brown shaded eyes blazing. "I get it! But why did you have to beat me up?" she grasped his arm digging her nails into his flesh, but he did not loosen his hold.

"Because you wouldn't have listened any other way. You rushed at me by yourself when you had two other ninja at your disposal for aid." The two ANBU stepped forwards arms crossed. "I'm not here to baby you…" he let her fall onto the ground. "I won't be there to protect you either, my job is to train you and make you stronger." He walked towards the door of the training building. "But if you don't listen then I can't help you." Saito opened the sliding door and closed it behind him.

XXX

Sighing she let the leaf go and leaned her head against the tree. She thought back to the fight with Naruto and his clones against Kakashi. If he managed to get a hold of Kakashi-sensei working only with his clones, then maybe… if I work with someone we can take him down. Let's see…there are Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke. She inclined her head to the side. Naruto is obviously not an option at the moment. Then there's Sakura…but first I would have to convince her. Then there's Sasuke…he would be helpful, if it wasn't for his large ego.

She sat up straight looking determined. All right who ever I find first is the one that I'll team up with. Sayuri dashed off deeper into the forest, until she sensed someone close and found the Uchiha heir. She stepped forward about to open her mouth but thought better of it and opted to look for Sakura. But just as she was about to leave Sasuke turned to her, his expression impassive.

"What do you want?" His voice was still monotone but it held a slight softness to it.

Sayuri back up slightly "Ah…um…" she unconsciously began to play with her sleeve looking anywhere but at the Uchiha before her. No use in hiding it now. She straightened up and turned to Sasuke. "We need to work together. If we don't then-"

"No thanks." He turned his attention to Naruto, who currently hung, upside down, from a tree. She let her mouth fall open, her cheeks turning a bright shade of red, and clenched her fist while glaring daggers at the raven haired ninja.

"If you think you can beat Kakashi sensei by yourself, you've got another thing coming!" she whispered through gritted teeth. In a sudden movement she see's Sasuke throw kunai at Kakashi once he turns his back to him.

"WHOAH! WHOAH! Sasuke you over did it!" Naruto cried out, arms flailing around as their teacher hit the ground.

Sasuke smirked down and Sayuri's eyes widened in shock taking another step back. "Uh-oh." He turned to the girl behind him only to see her vanish in an instant.

What was that about? He wondered eyebrows furrowed before he turned to watch his handy work only to find a log in Kakashi's place.

"Over there, huh…" Kakashi peered through a tree pinpointing Sasuke's location.

He used a substitution again…and I just gave away my location! He deliberately acted like he was off guard and I fell for it! Sasuke rushed out of his hiding place, Sakura doing the same, only she was trying to find him.

Sayuri increased her speed until she landed on a high tree branch. She concentrated on the noises around her trying to pick up any footsteps, when she heard none she sighed in relief. This isn't working! Her hands were still balled up into tight fists. Stupid Sasuke and his ego, that good for nothing-

Just then an ear piercing scream echoed through the forest making her stiffen. Sakura…? She wondered, wearily making her way to the direction in which the scream came from.

XXX

"The second ninjutsu art, Genjutsu, the art of illusion. And Sakura fell for it." Sasuke stiffened slightly as he heard Kakashi behind him. "It would seem that Sayuri is making her way over to her team mate," He flipped a page from his book. "Do you think she'll fall for the same genjutsu?"

"I don't know what she's capable of…but I do know that I'm not like them."

"Save your boasts until after you've got a bell, Sasuke." Kakashi said, attempting to imitate Sakura.

XXX

"Sakura!" Sayuri rushed to her side alarmed. What happened to her? She bent down and warily placed a hand on her shoulder but quickly pulled back when she heard the sound of a ruffling bush behind her. Her eyes widened at the sight. Sasuke was kneeling heavily injured staring right at her.

"Sa-Sayuri…please…help me…"

She gasped and lost her balance, falling back and nipping her lip in the process. "Ouch!" she whispered and wiped the small trickle of blood that dripped from her bottom lip. Looking back up, Sasuke was gone. Where…? She searched around her and found no one in sight, that's when I dawned on her. Genjutsu! She turned to the pink haired girl besides her and sweat dropped. "Well that explains a lot…"

Sayuri sighed as she watched her team mate sleep, as she reached to shake her awake the part of the forest to her left glowed bright red. "What was that?" she remained frozen in her spot until curiosity took over and led her to Sasuke and Kakashi.

XXX

"Battle technique number three, ninjutsu" Kakashi squatted in front of Sasuke who was buried from the neck down. "So far you've done better than the rest…then again I can't really say that since, I haven't had a chance to face off against Sayuri." Kakashi said turning in her direction.

With a sigh she walked out from her hiding place. "Tempting as that sounds, I would rather not."

"Oh, come on Sayuri what do you have to lose?"

She glanced at Sasuke. My dignity…she thought as she stepped over the threshold.

"Don't tell me that you're scared…Lady Sayuri."

"Now you're just taunting me sensei."

"Tell you what, if you can at least top Sasuke off then I won't call you 'Lady' again, but if you fail to deliver well…" he chuckled, "…I seem to recall you saying that the honorific annoyed you."

So I top Sasuke off then he won't tease me, but If I back down… She looked over her teacher with narrowed eyes. He'll make my life a living hell. Flipping out a kunai she took a fighting stance. "You're on!"

Sayuri charged at him, vanishing just before she was to strike. Kakashi surveyed the area searching for something that was off. There! He threw a kuni at a tree that faded and turned into Sayuri who disappeared into smoke. A clone…? He jumped as she swept his feet, and caught the shuriken she had thrown at him. She jumped into the air and flipped one leg out taking the form of a high heel kick. But he jumped out of the way letting Sayuri hit the ground, creating a medium sized crater. Smirking she appeared behind the silver haired jonin aiming another kick at him. Kakashi caught it with ease, flipping over, Sayuri pulled on the bells and before he could do anything to stop her she aimed another kick at his head causing him to release her in order to block it.

What the…? Kakashi looked down and saw that he only had two bells left; he looked up to see Sayuri holding a bell in front of her smiling at him.

"Looks like I win!"

"Not so fast, Lady Sayuri." The girl gasped as she had her arm pinned against her back the bell falling to the ground.

"H-Hey!" she struggled as he graved her other arm and pulled it back. Quickly she made a series of seals before settling on the last one. "Wind style: slicing wind jutsu!" A gust of wind hit Kakashi from all directions, causing him to release her, as the dirt around them rose to the air causing smoke.

Once it cleared she took a look around finding Kakashi nowhere in sight. Alarmed she jumped back searching for any sign of chakara. Where…? Right…Left…Above…Bellow…?"

"Sayuri!" Sasuke called out a little too late.

She stiffened as she felt someone grave hold of her shoulder. "I don't think you'll find anyone down there." She quickly clasped her hands together to form more seals but Kakashi was faster and preformed a seal of his own. Sayuri's arms fell limply to her sides, her eyes became dazed and her head fell forward. "Genjutsu is not her forte." Kakashi stated holding her by the shoulder.

Sasuke watched as he picked the ten year old up and propped her against a tree tying her to it. He placed a hand on her forehead forming a seal with the other. "Release!"

"Wh-What?" she groaned and tried to touch her head but found that she was bound to a tree. She glared up at her sensei. "That wasn't fair! I had the bell!"

Kakashi shrugged "I never said that I wouldn't take it back from you. But in the end you did manage to do better than Sasuke. You did good, Sayuri." He ruffled her hair and stood up. "Well I better go check up on Naruto now." Both genin watched as their sensei began to walk away.

"Wait you're just going to leave us here?" Sayuri called out but Kakashi did not turn back. "I'm sure you'll find a way to get yourselves out." He waived before disappearing.

"Come on!" she screamed trying to get herself loose.

"There's no point in that. We're stuck, so quit your whining." Sasuke said looking off to the side.

"Oh shut up! At least I got a bell!"

"Hn."

She tried to get loose again but only ended up getting scratched by the rope. "Ow…"

Sasuke looked over at her and glared when she started up again. "Will you stop that!"

"Deal with it! Besides I'm not doing anything to you!" Both shinobi glared at one another until they heard a bush ruffling.

Their pink haired team mate stepped out into the scene looking rather confused.

"Sakura?" Sasuke asks but she doesn't answer instead the girls eyes widen and sweat begins to cover her face before she lets out a scream.

"It's Sasuke's decapitated head!" Both ninja glare at the girl before them, before she proceeded to faint.

"And that's our team mate." Sasuke muttered disappointed.

"Oh come on! Sakura wake up! Get us out of here!" Sayuri cried. "Sakura!"

Thank you for reading please review. =)