A/N: I'm planning to include a flashback at the end of each chapter, hopefully it doesn't get too confusing. I think it will make the story more interesting. Enjoy!

Dangerous

By BelleDayNight

Chapter Two:

Sakura studied the anatomy textbook over the shoulder joint's muscles and nerves and blood vessels one last time. "Alright, I've got it this time," she vowed.

"We don't have to take the test until after we get back to the school," Neji said with a long suffering sigh. "I still don't know how I let you talk me into taking anatomy with you over the summer semester. The lab is hot and the cadavers really start to bake and we always leave the lab smelling foul."

"Well, if it was the fall semester there would be more students to smell how funky we smell when we leave the anatomy lab and are on the bus. Just be glad you're not Kiba. That poor guy has such a sensitive nose," Sakura said thinking of her friend who was determined to become a veterinarian and of their other lab partners—they were divided into groups of four. "It must be hard for him to do the dissecting with us absent."

"He'll manage," Neji said. "He has Ino after all."

Sakura burst into a laugh thinking of her friend trying to do the dissecting. The girly blond was very boisterous in her personality, but you put a scalpel in her hand and she was a nervous mess. "She's a Horticulture major. It's really unfair that she has to take an anatomy class with the rest of us science nerds."

"We didn't write the curriculum," Neji said with a shrug. He lifted his shirt over his head and sat down where Sakura would have easier access to his shoulder and arm. "Just get it over with."

It was hard to think of using her friend as a study tool was any sort of grievance. Neji Hyuga was probably the most handsome and smartest guy she knew. He had long dark hair that came to his mid-back, well-muscled yet lean martial artist frame, and the palest eyes that if you stared at them long enough it felt like you were staring into the sky on a cloudless day.

"You're welcome to use me to study," Sakura challenged. She took his arm and started to abduct and adduct it while tracing her finger over the SITS muscle group and moving her lips as she silently recited them.

"I don't think it's a good idea for you to be sitting around in your sportsbra while I trace your upper anatomy. I am only a man and can only resist temptation for so long," he said as he looked at her over the shoulder that she was examining. "Though I'm sure I could make such a sacrifice For Science! By the way, you should say the names of the muscles and nerves aloud. How else will I know if you have them right or not?"

"SITS. Supraspinatous, infraspinatous, teres minor, and subscapularis," Sakura recited tracing the corresponding muscles.

"And what nerves and vessels travel through this region. Start from the cervical spine."

"The Brachial Plexus, Cervical roots 5 and 6," Sakura answered. "Those nerves are responsible for the muscular and cutaneous innervations of the entire upper extremity."

"Except for," Neji prodded.

"The Trapezius, that's Cranial Nerve 11."

"And one more."

"There's not another one."

"Yes, there is. Near the axilla."

"Crud. I can't remember that one. That's not going to be on the test."

"Are you kidding? You know the professor loves asking for the tricky questions. She always finds the most mutilated dog cadaver from the lab to use to mark the nerves on."

"Since we left Kiba and Ino by themselves, that will probably be ours. And why do we have to do the test on both the human and the dog anatomy. It's not the same difference-as Kiba likes to argue. Two totally different species-"

"Stop stalling, I know you know this," Neji said. Sakura gave him an awkward smile, clearly she didn't remember the last one. "The Intercostal Brachial Nerve innervates it."

"Right! Good thing I have you to study Anatomy with," Sakura said with a flirty wink.

Neji rolled his head back and stared up at the ceiling. "You kill me sometimes, you know that?"

The door to the USA Taekwondo team's suite opened and their lanky, laid back coach Kakashi Hatake entered with a bemused expression directed at the two of them. He also brought along a couple of brown bags that were no doubt their overly nutritious next meal. "I realize it is unusual for teammates to come from the same school, but I have to wonder about the two of you sometimes. This doesn't seem to be helping you with your sparing match."

"On the contrary," Sakura said releasing Neji's arm with her fingers only lingering a moment too long against his warm flesh. "Because your top two teammates are premed majors and in the middle of taking our Anatomy class we know exactly where it is best to strike to incapacitate our opponents with least amount of effort."

"Anatomy class? Is that what they're calling it," Kakashi said still smiling. He dropped the bags onto the small dining table and leaned against the kitchen bar and faced them with his arms crossed casually across his chest. "I still don't know why the two of you didn't just skip summer school this year. You are in the Olympics. It's a pretty good excuse to not take classes. And how many times do you get to enjoy being in Japan?"

"You know very well that we're only here for the first week, there's no need for us to be here the entire sixteen days of the games," Sakura said. "And our professor was willing to allow us this extension as long as we continued our study here and spend a couple of Saturdays in the makeup lab. This particular class lasts the entire summer, not just one of those short mini-mester things."

"I do believe it's because we qualified that they picked you to replace the original USA coach after he had his mini-stroke back in the spring. They must have known all the talent comes from Konoha University," Neji said standing and stretching his arms high above his head. "That school can't stand to be away from all three of us for too long."

"You two can be such party poopers," Kakashi said pushing away from the bar. "Neji you're performing in the finals in two days and Sakura you're in three. Your other teammates were eliminated but they plan to be rooting for you in the stands along with your friends and family. Do you have anyone you'd like to invite from back home?"

"I'd like to invite my cousin Hinata," Neji said. "She's always been a big fan of Sakura and mine and very supportive."

"No problem. Your parents? Siblings?" Kakashi asked.

Neji shook his head and pulled out the phone vibrating in his pocket. He'd just received a text message. "Just my cousin. Oh and I guess my roommate Lee. Maybe his girlfriend TenTen."

"Easy enough, we'll have their flight booked and tickets acquired. We just got a huge sponsor from Wheaties and they'll be footing the bill. You, Sakura?" Kakashi asked reaching over and ruffling her hair.

"My parents are already here. Maybe my Aunt Tsunade if she can get away from the hospital. She's a cardiothoracic surgeon and my roommate Ino?"

"Why do you have to put it in the form of a question?" Kakashi asked.

"Hold on a second," Neji said. "Hinata saw us on television. She wants to know if she can bring her boyfriend. Naruto Uzumaki," Neji said looking over at Sakura with a raised brow. "She says you know him."

Sakura hadn't thought about Naruto in about a year. He was one of her best friends since middle school, but with the breakup the blond sided with his buddy and she'd not heard from him since. It hurt almost as bad to lose his friendship as it did her relationship. And now she was thinking about that dark haired jerk and her good mood was being spoiled. "Naruto is a sweet heart. We were in Taekwondo together back in middle school," she explained to Kakashi. "I didn't know Hinata was dating him."

Neji snorted. "She's not, but she'd like to."

"Why Neji Hyuga, are you playing match maker?" Sakura teased.

He scoffed at her and plopped to the ground and started doing push-ups. "Hardly. You and I are pre-med, Sakura, we don't have time for relationships—our own or others."

"Still, it feels like a small world. I'd love to have Naruto there. Do you have his number? I'd like to invite him myself," Sakura said with a small flutter in her chest. It would be so exciting to reconnect with her old friend. He'd be so proud of her accomplishment. While Sasuke was the natural talent in their martial arts class Sakura and Naruto spent many extra hours training with Master Sarutobi. "He's so loud we'll definitely be able to hear him when we're center stage."

OoO

Naruto was enjoying his Gatorade break. Coach Jiriaya was being especially brutal. As a member of the Konoha University Ninjas football team he spent most of his time on the field or working out, there was hardly time to make the grades, which was part of the reason the football players were forced into taking summer school. Of course his classes this summer were Algebra and British Literature so his time off the field was spent memorizing equations or reading Shakespeare—or at least either the cliff notes or Wikipedia summaries.

"Uzumaki!" Coach Jiriaya shouted.

Naruto dropped the disposable Gatorade cup and ran to the coach's side and stood at attention and saluted. "Yes sir!"

Jiriaya took off his ball cap and ran his fingers through his long, white hair. "Kid, you don't have to salute me. It's not the military."

"Right," Naruto agreed dropping his hand to his side.

"Good form today. I know you spent the past year as a red shirt, but I'm starting you this season. Running back."

Naruto's jaw dropped open before he shook himself and a huge grin spread across his face. "Thank you!" And without thinking about it, he hugged his coach in a big bear hug. He quickly realized his mistake and backed away with wide eyes. "I'm so sorry Coach Jiriaya, I just got so happy. It won't happen again, sir!"

Jiriaya smiled warmly and patted Naruto's shoulder reassuringly. "No worries, it happens more often than you would think when I give that sort of news."

Naruto looked around the field and spotted Sasuke doing some drills with the defense. He was about to rush toward him when Jiriaya followed his line of sight. "Hold off on telling your friend. I still have to make a decision on his status."

"He's an amazing cornerback. He'll be a serious asset to our defense," Naruto said, feeling like he was marketing his friend. It wasn't the first time he'd had to fight for Sasuke to get a fair shot.

"No doubt, that's why I recruited him. He's not much of a team player though and with his trouble with the law a few years back, I don't know." Jiriaya rubbed his thumb absently over his bottom lip.

"Those charges were dropped sir. He was proven innocent. You can't judge him for something that was proven he didn't do." Naruto felt his cheeks flushing in anger. It wasn't fair for him to be given an amazing opportunity to start on the team when his friend might still be benched. "He could be the key to our winning this season."

"You may be right," Jiriaya agreed. "Assuming that he can learn to play well with others. I don't need his attitude on the field." He looked down at Naruto. "If you can keep him out of trouble off the field I'll let him know the good news."

"You won't regret it, sir!" Naruto said with another salute before he laughed nervously and put his arms behind his back.

"Go on home. I know you've an Algebra test in the morning. You get some studying in," Jiriaya advised. "But be here at 6 AM tomorrow for practice. I'll let you out of here in plenty of time to cram in an extra hour before your test."

"Believe it!" Naruto exclaiming taking off for the locker room. He and Sasuke would be starters that year! No more freshman keeping the benches warm jokes, he was going to be a sophomore with a starting position on the football team. This year was going to be so much fun! He had just opened his duffle bag when his phone started to ring with the Power Rangers theme song. He didn't recognize the number, but on a whim decided to answer it anyway.

"What's up?"

"Is this Naruto Uzumaki?" the voice on the other end asked, it was a feminine voice, slightly nervous or excited—it was hard to tell.

"Yeah. Who's this? Do I know you?" A familiar laugh resounded on the line and Naruto would know that laugh anywhere. "Oh my gosh! Sakura-chan! I saw you on television today!"

"You did? Great! That's why I'm calling. I got your number from Hinata Hyuga; I hope that's okay."

"Of course it's okay! You know Hinata? That's crazy!"

"Her cousin is one of my teammates and that's why I'm calling actually. I am in the finals for Taekwondo in the Olympics in Japan and wanted you to be one of my guests. Are you interested? Hinata is coming too and maybe you remember Ino? Ino Yamanaka? She's my roommate. My parents are here too and maybe my Aunt Tsunade if she can away from her patients."

"Sakura-chan, I'm honored! I can't wait to see you!" Naruto felt his lips spreading into a huge smile again. Was it possible to smile too much in one day? Would his face muscles get hurt from all the strain? And just like with Coach Jiriaya that elation dipped slightly as he wondered about his best friend. Would Sakura want him there too? "I'm actually roommates with Sasuke Uchiha."

He shook his head at his own stupidity. Of course she knew which Sasuke, he didn't have to spell out his surname.

There was a long pause.

"Oh? That's nice. I'm glad to hear you two are still friends."

She sounded sincere. "I will have to clear the travel with my professors and the football coach. I'm on the team at Konoha University! I just received the news that I'll be the starting running back!"

"Oh Naruto, that's great! I'm so proud of you!"

"Pshesh. Says the Olympian."

Sakura laughed again, easier this time. "Did you know that I attend Konoha University too?"

"What? No way! I didn't see you once this year!"

"You know I took all those duel credit classes. I started here as a junior so I've been in more advances classes. I'm premed, so depending on your major we might have been on different ends of the campus."

"Yesh, so I have to go all the way to Japan to see you when you've been living within a five mile radius the past year?" Naruto started to undo his shoe laces, intent on changing out of his cleats into some comfortable running shoes. "Seriously, I'm so proud of you, Sakura-chan! I'm going to frame the Wheaties box that shows you with your gold medal."

"That's optimistic," Sakura said with a cheerful voice. "I knew it was the right decision to include you in my cheering section."

"I'll be the loudest fan there cheering you on!" Naruto assured her. "Can we talk later? I have to hit the books. I have a big Algebra test tomorrow and I can't afford to fail."

"I can tutor you if you need any help. After these games I'll suddenly have a little more free time on my hands so there won't be any training. Master Kakashi is actually going to give Neji and I some time off. You ask Hinata for help if you need any. She's quite good at math and at explaining things in such a way they sound easy."

"I think I will do just that," Naruto agreed. "And Sakura, I'm really glad to hear from you. I've missed you a lot."

There was a catch of breath on Sakura's end of the conversation. "I've missed you too, but you know why we lost touch. But, I don't want that to affect us anymore. You're my friend just as much as his and I want you back in my life. I look forward to seeing you...in JAPAN!" she shouted the last bit.

"It's going to be awesome! Maybe we'll see some geisha? Oh! And there's that train that goes real fast!"

"Yes, the bullet train the Shinkansen. I'll show you around after we're done with our part of the games. We're not really allowed to leave the Olympic Village when you're on the teams, but we should have about two free days before heading back to the states. Neji and I are expected to be in class on Monday."

"I repeat. It's going to be awesome! Talk to you soon, Sakura-chan!" he said hanging up. A moment after the surrealism passed Naruto looked down at the cell phone and sat down heavily on the bench in the locker room half undressed with his street clothes set beside him. What an emotional day and he still had to study for his exam tomorrow! He'd worry about telling Sasuke later, but he wasn't about to miss out on the opportunity to root for Sakura at the Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan!

OoO

Seven years ago...

Sakura had her arms wrapped around her father's midsection as he let her ride on the back of his Harley Davidson. It was her twelfth birthday and when he asked her what she wanted, she asked for two things: a ride on daddy's motorcycle and to take a class in Karate.

The night before her dad had rented the movie Red Shadow—an exciting action packed thriller about ninjas. She's sat curled up next to her dad on the couch while mom was in the kitchen cooking dinner. It wasn't often she spent time with her dad; he was usually working late in the shop. He smelled a little bit like engine grease, but she didn't mind. The two men on screen were fighting and they were blocking and kicking and hitting and it was like an exotic dance. She wanted to be able to do that.

She could hear her parents arguing in the kitchen later that night while she was supposed to be asleep in bed.

"Kizashi, we simply can't afford to enroll her in one of those expensive martial arts classes. We can barely pay our mortgage," Mebuki Haruno explained.

"I work six days a week to just get by. My little girl never asks for anything. She's smart, sweet, and stays out of trouble. I'll be darned if I'm going to deny her a chance to experience something I always wanted to do as a kid."

"I know you are only thinking with your heart, but you have to think with your mind. Numbers don't lie."

"The first class is free. I already found a school and spoke to the director. I'm taking her and I'll work another job if I have to, but this is happening."

"No, you won't. You already work too many hours. I'd rather you be here every night and spend dinner as a family. I can take up some extra mending jobs. I think Mrs. Henderson down the street might need a little help around the house. We'll find a way to make it work."

It became quiet in the Haruno household and Sakura fell asleep knowing that her parents weren't mad at each other anymore.

She was incredibly nervous and her stomach was full of butterflies. She rode on the back of her dad's motorcycle with her thin arms banded tightly around his waist. Her dad was big and burly. He'd be scary if it weren't for his hair—it was pale red (really it was pink)and his beard was in an intricate design and his hair was hidden under a red bandana with ninja stars. He stopped outside of the martial arts studio. The sign on the front read Sarutobi's Taekwondo.

"That's not Karate," Sakura said with a frown when she got off the back of the motorcycle and waited for her dad.

"Nope, but the teacher here is really good with kids and I think you'll enjoy it. The first class is free, so if you like it we'll give it a go, sound good?"

"Yeah Dad, it sounds great," Sakura said with an excited grin. She took off running up the stairs and held open the door waiting for her dad. As she waited—it didn't take long as her father had long legs and caught up in no time—she saw at least fifteen kids ranging from five year olds to her age. They were taking off their shoes, wearing white uniforms, and then they took off running to the padded center of the studio.

"Okay, Sakura-chan, let's go talk to Master Sarutobi."

Master Sarutobi was waiting for them in his office at the front of the studio. There was a big window where you could watch the students warming up. A dark-haired boy was leading the class in stretches. Sakura turned her attention to the owner of the studio.

"Welcome Mr. Haruno," the master greeted shaking her father's hand.

"Call me Kizashi. This is my daughter, Sakura."

"So, Sakura, your father says you're interested in learning martial arts," Sarutobi started. He was kind of scary looking—he had those old people yellow spots on his face and his hands were very big—like he could crush your hand just as soon as shake it. And he was barefoot. That was just weird to see an adult sitting in an office barefoot.

"Yes, sir. It's my birthday today and I wanted to learn martial arts, so Dad wanted me to check out this school. I saw these guys on television and they looked so cool!"

"Ah, so you want to be the next action hero, yes?"

Sakura nodded enthusiastically. How great would that be? No one would dare make fun of her forehead if she knew how to defend herself.

"Taekwondo is an art that connects your spirit with your body's movements. You are not to abuse the power you learn in this school. You are to defend the weak and avoid confrontation. Do you understand?" Sarutobi said.

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Call me Master Sarutobi from now on. I want you to change into this gi," he said reaching under his table and pulling out a white uniform as well as a white belt. "Then come back here. I've a few kids your age and I'll have one help you tie your belt and guide you to the Dojang. Your father and I will take care of some details."

"Yes, sir, I mean, yes sir Master Sarutobi," Sakura said taking the uniform. She hurried off to the girl's bathroom and changed. She really had no idea how to tie the long belt around her waist. She left the girl's room holding the white belt and walking to where the other kids had stashed their shoes in little cubby holes near the entrance.

A blond boy around her age was leaning against the shelves with his arms crossed over his chest. His dark blue eyes lit up when he saw her and the most welcoming smile bloomed across his face. Sakura smiled in turn unable to resist the infectious energy. He stood straight and bowed at the waist. "I am Naruto Uzumaki. It's a pleasure to meet you. Annyong hashimnikka." He looked back up. "That's pretty much Korean for how are you doing or good to see you."

Sakura copied his action and bowed at her waist and then said, "Annyong hashimnikka. I'm Sakura Haruno."

"You probably need help with the belt," Naruto said taking it from her. He started to wrap it around her waist and did a complicated knot in the front. "I'll go over how to tie it after class. We've got to hurry. Sasuke is doing the warm-ups and he's an impatient jerk until you get to know him, well, actually he's still an impatient jerk, but you learn to like him more." He smiled at her again and took hold of her hand and dragged her toward the matted floor.

The dark haired boy leading the warm-ups paused for a moment to stare at the two of them.

"This is our new classmate, Sakura Haruno," Naruto announced.

The class bowed in unison and said "Annyong hashimnikka."

Sakura returned the gesture and the words and then stood next to Naruto facing the dark haired leader—Sasuke apparently. The boy hardly spared either of them a second glance as he lead the youth in warm-up exercises.

As it turned out, Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke were the only ones aged eleven to twelve so they were constantly paired up. And so, for three times a week every week for the next three years Sasuke and Naruto became Sakura's closest friends.

A/N: This chapter has been edited, since it's original posting Road to Ninja happened and now we know who Sakura's parents really are so I fixed their names.