Disclaimer

Let me just start out with the standard Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Pokémon, or any of the associated or mentioned franchises/companies, and I am not making a profit on this.

The image I am using was made by BlissfulGold on , and I am using it with their permission. Please check out their DeviantART page sometime.

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Author's Note

Yay, rewrite time! For those of you who are new to this fic, this chapter is a rewrite of my original chapter 3, after the site seemingly deleted it; strangely, it reappeared a few weeks later. However, I wanted to rewrite this chapter to include Sakura's parents anyway. So, it all worked out.

Review Response

This one's from AmaneSaphire:

Very good fanfic, I loved you do not take into account the following generations, I also miss seeing Misty Pokemon when it were, and I love the Naruto SasuSaku and NaruHina, though the latter a bit more, I hope to see how to integrate Sakura the next chapter, I hope you continue like this.

Greetings from Peru

Ps.: If you see the message is strange I did it with an English translator, I do not speak, only speak Spanish, but even with the translator, I loved your story.

Thank you for the review, AmaneSaphire. You're English is a little off, but understandable. Thank you for your opinion. I hope you continue to read.

This one's from CJ Snow:

I'm surprised yet pleased by the choice of starter pokemon. They really complement them and it got me thinking that Sakura should end up with a Chansey somewhere down the road. Great story so far! Very well written and thought out.

I'm glad you like my choice of Starters and hope you like my choice for Sakura. Chansey is a Anyway, I hope you like this chapter

-0o0o0-

Pokémon Konoha

Chapter 3

(Rewrite)

The beeping of her alarm awoke Sakura Haruno, who hastily shut it off and jumped out of bed. Grabbing the outfit she had set out the night before, Sakura made her way to the bathroom and did her morning routine, cleaning up and showering. Once she was dressed, the girl started combing out her long hair as she looked herself over; she had chosen a red and white outfit that was well suited for life outdoors while still being very cute. After all, today was the day she'd be setting off on her Pokémon Journey! Sakura could scarcely contain her excitement at the thought. Prof. Tsunade had even said she'd be giving Sakura a special assignment. Giggling, Sakura put her hair back with a headband and did a last once-over in the mirror before heading off downstairs to the kitchen.

As she expected, her parents, Kizashi and Mebuki Haruno, were not up yet; after all Sakura had set her alarm to wake her an hour earlier than what was normal for the household, after all. Grabbing a yogurt with granola chunks mixed in for her breakfast, Sakura went over the list she made of everything she needed for her journey.

Sakura had been the student of the famed Pokémon Professor and medical expert Tsunade Kato, since the age of 10. Now, having turned 12, Tsunade felt it was high-time for Sakura to gain more experience in the world of Pokémon...a sentiment which Sakura wished her parents (especially her mother) agreed with.

"Morning, Princess!" called a jolly voice from the stairs. Sakura's father Kizashi entered the kitchen wearing his bathrobe and slippers. After grabbing a bowl of kid's cereal, Kizashi set himself down next to his daughter, smiling. "Sooooo," he said, drawing the word out, "you excited?"

Sakura nodded, smiling gently.

Kizashi looked at the list his daughter made. "You sure are prepared; I wasn't nearly this organized at your age...not that I'm any better now, haha!"

"I know Dad, you've told me a thousand times now," Sakura groaned.

"And I'll tell you a thousand more times, Sweetheart. It's part of being a dad," Kizashi laughed. He reached over and gave his daughter a big kiss.

"Dad! Come on, I'm too old for you to be treating me like a kid!"

Kizashi suddenly drew back like he'd been slapped across the face. "Blasphemy!" he hissed, dramatically bring his hand over his heart. "Never say such a horrible thing again! Bleh, how many times do I have to tell you stop growing up, eh?"

"At least a thousand times more, Daddy," Sakura said affectionately. Sure, her father could be silly, foolish even, but she loved him all the same.

"But seriously Sakura, I know you're really excited about your journey, and you should be, but, I do have one rule for you," her father said, looking at her pleadingly. "More like a request, really, but please, listen to me."

That got Sakura's attention; normally, it was her mother who laid down the law in the house. If her father wanted to tell Sakura something, it must have been important. Nodding, she leaned in close, giving him her full attention.

Gulping, Kizashi considered his words carefully before continuing. "...no boyfriends, okay?"

Sakura blinked. "...what?"

"I mean it!" Kizashi said urgently. "Your old man's having enough trouble accepting his little girl ain't so little anymore! The idea of you coming back home with a boyfriend, or even worse, a husband, is too much for me, Sweetheart!" He spat the word 'husband' like it was poison.

"Oh, Daddy, come on!" Sakura laughed, "I'm only 12! Do you really think I'm going to be married and have kids the next time you see me?"

"Yes!" Kizashi looked his child over and winked. "Cute as you are, I'm surprised all the boys haven't started fighting over your hand already! Clearly, I've done a good job of scarring them off!"

"Don't flatter yourself, Kizashi; Sakura's a late bloomer. She's been in everything else, so why would romance be any different?"

Sakura glowered at her mother Mebuki as she entered the kitchen. Did she really need to mention that late bloomer stuff?! Mebuki, like her daughter, was already fully dressed and ready.

"Great, the Warden's awake," Kizashi grunted.

"I heard that," Mebuki said, setting up her own breakfast of Cheerios. "And why on earth are you eating that, Kizashi? I bought that brand for Sakura! You're on a diet, Doctor's orders!"

"Don't look at me," Sakura added, "I don't even like that stuff."

"I do," Kizashi smiled, taking an extra big bite and looking rather smug.

"Go get dressed already," Mebuki sighed. "Sakura's supposed to be there soon, and I don't want to be late. Oh, that reminds me" she said, turning back to Sakura. "Speaking of late bloomers, did you remember to pack any pads? Now, I know you haven't started "the change" yet, but you're bound to do it sooner or later, so it's better to be prepared-"

Sakura tried shouting, but even her embarrassed voice was downed out by her father.

"Stop, stop, STOP RIGHT THERE!" he screamed, clamping his hands over his ears.

"What's the big deal?" his wife asked, "all I did was ask Sakura if she packed any pads-?"

"Stop saying words!" Kizashi cried, flinging his arms wildly. "At least let me leave the room before you start talking about...about...about that!"

"Oh, you can't be serious," Mebuki sighed. "Come on, periods are a perfectly natural part of every girl's life...eventually."

"I know it is," Kizashi hissed, "but you don't have to tell me about it! It's like UFOs: I know they exist, but I like to pretend they don't! Is that too much to ask?! At least let me leave the room!" He got up and fled the room like a vampire being chased by garlic-breathed priests.

"Well, that was embarrassing," Mebuki said. She looked at Sakura. "So, anyway, were you sure to pack your pads? I know you're a late bloomer, but you'll get there!" She gave her daughter what she thought was a reassuring rub on the shoulder.

Sighing, Sakura slammed her head into the table; couldn't she just skip to the part where she started her journey already?

-0o0o0-

At long last, Sakura and her parents arrived Prof. Tsunade's lab. Usually, Shizune, Tsunade's assistant and niece-by-marriage, would have been waiting at the front, but instead they found the door open, with a note on the front desk directing them to Tsunade's office.

"The door's open," the Pokémon Prof. called when Sakura knocked on her door. When the family entered, Tsunade was at her desk, scratching out something on the list she was apparently working on, grumbling.

"Is something wrong, Professor?" Mebuki asked.

"Nah, nothing you should worry about," Tsunade grunted, grabbing the paper and shoving it away in a drawer. "I just forgot about the birthday for a relative's kid, and I'm debating on what to send them...or if I should." She paused thoughtfully. "You know, I bet they wouldn't even notice if I didn't."

Sakura laughed silently to herself; her teacher was always looking for ways to shrug off responsibilities (something Sakura's mother was very grateful had not rubbed off on Sakura). It was a small wonder she was such a successful doctor. Though, she wasn't sure what relative Tsunade could be talking about. She was fairly private about her relationship with her family; apparently, it was mostly strained. She apparently became much more distant from the world after the death of her husband, Dan Koto, shortly after they were married. Aside from Shizune, Sakura couldn't name any living family members Tsunade was particularly close to.

"Anyway, I bet you're excited, right?" Tsunade asked Sakura, pulling the girl out of her thoughts.

"You'd win that bet!" Sakura laughed, pumping her fist. "I can't wait to get started!"

"That's great," Tsunade said. She pulled out a Pokédex, Pokénav, and several Pokéballs. "First off, you'll need these."

As Sakura thanked her teacher, Mebuki raised an eyebrow. "The Pokédex and balls are normal, I understand, but why the nav?"

"Don't look a gift-Ponyta in the mouth woman!" Kizashi hissed through pursed lips. In truth, both of Sakura's parents saw the practical value of their child having a Pokénav...but, it wasn't really something they could fit into their tight budget, much to their embarrassment.

"Oh, the nav's a necessity," Tsunade insisted. "Aside from it's practical value, it also has a feature she'll need for the assignment I've given her on her journey."

"If you say so, Prof. Tsunade," Mebuki responded, "I'm sure Sakura will use it responsibly in any case."

"As am I," the other woman agreed.

"What sort of assignment are you giving me, anyway?" Sakura asked eagerly.

Tsunade picked up a small pile of papers and showed them to Sakura. "Not too long ago, I was contacted by the Pokémon Professor of Teal Town, Iruka Umino. He's a young man, new to the job. Anyway, he's ended up with a unidentifiable Pokémon egg under his care, and he's not sure what to do with it."

"Unidentifiable?" Sakura asked, "What does that mean?"

"It means he can't identify it," Tsunade responded bluntly. "Oh, and thank you for interrupting me to ask the obvious."

"Can't identify it?" Kizashi said. "Well, I guess it'd be safe to suggest that maybe the Pokémon inside is just...'Unown.'" He snapped his fingers and winked.

Silence followed.

"...get it? Because, instead of unknown like the word, I mean, Unown, you know, like the Pokémon."

The females in the room collectively groaned.

"Kizashi," Mebuki sighed, "even when compared to your normal bad puns, that one was possibly one of the worst you've ever done. That's saying something."

"Everybody's a critic," Kizashi shrugged, thinking he had been fairly clever.

"Anyway, as I was saying," Tsunade went on, "Prof. Umino couldn't identity it, which could be caused by a number of reasons; a mutation in the eggshell or the Pokémon inside, a chemical coating on the shell for criminal purposes, or the Pokémon is either very obscure or not identified in this region. In any case, he asked me to take it off his hands; he's qualified to give Pokémon to starting trainers and offer assistance in basic matters, but he's not fully trained in Pokémon physiology or development, let alone an expert like me. After thinking it over, I thought it'd be best to send you to retrieve it. Then I want you to hatch and raise whatever Pokémon's inside it, and send me regular reports on it's progress."

Sakura gasped in delight. Her father, however, was confused.

"Why couldn't he just send you the egg over the storage system, like a regular Pokémon?"

"That's because the developing fetus inside the egg is very delicate, and attempting to store an egg in a Pokéball or send it through the storage system can have adverse affects on the in-utero Pokémon," Sakura explained smartly.

"I keep forgetting you're smarter than your parents," Kizashi smiled.

"But are you sure you want me to raise it?" Sakura asked her teacher. "After all, it could be a very rare or valuable Pokémon, or something new entirely!"

"More the reason you'd want a chance at it, I'd think," Tsunade pointed out. "Besides, I'm not feeling up to raising a newly hatched Pokémon right now; with both you and Ino starting your journeys today, I think I'd rather enjoy my newfound free time."

"You still have your day job running the lab, Prof. Tsunade," Mebuki pointed out.

The Pokémon Professor shrugged. "Eh, at least I'll have some time to myself; besides, Shizune does most of the work anyway."

"Prof. Tsunade, I won't let you down!" Sakura said proudly, "I promise!" She thought about what had been said. "Uh, you mentioned Ino was starting her journey too?"

Ino Yamanaka was also a student of Prof. Tsunade (though not one as dedicated as Sakura), as well as being Sakura's friend-turned-rival. The girl's relationship had turned fairly bitter recently, and Sakura was not sorry the two of them would be parting paths soon.

"Yeah, her father requested for Ino to be given help catching her starting Pokémon, and so I sent Shizune to take care of that. Now, speaking of starting Pokémon, let's talk about yours," Tsunade said, wanting to change the subject.

"Ooh, what sort of starters do you have for her to choose from?" Kizashi asked eagerly. "I can't wait to see what you'll choose Sakura! Wait, let me get my camera!"

"Actually, Sakura and I've talked this over, and she's already chosen her starter," Tsunade explained, getting up and moving the elevator that led to the laboratory room. "Would you follow me?"

Sakura's parents were both confused, but got up and followed; Mebuki took the opportunity to look at Sakura questioningly.

"I'm going to start with Waterlily," Sakura explained with pride. She was referring to a young Azurill she had hatched and care for under Tsunade's watch for the last year and a half. Sakura and Waterlily were very close, so Tsunade thought it only natural for the two not to be separated.

"Waterlily? But, she's just a baby Pokémon!" Mebuki said. "Are you sure that's wise? I mean, would you be safer with an older, more standardized starter?"

"If Waterlily's okay with the Professor, I'm sure Sakura will be safe enough," Kizashi pointed out. "Really woman, you worry too much!"

"Your husband's right, Mrs. Haruno. Waterlily's just as capable as a standard starting Pokémon," Tsunade explained as they made their way to the lab below. "Sakura'll be perfectly safe."

"I could have told you that," Sakura grumbled quietly, not liking how her mother seemed to think her helpless. She was about to start her Pokémon journey, for goodness sake!

The elevator doors opened up and they entered the lab. No sooner had they done so that a Azurill with a white flower behind one of her ears hopped up to them. "Zu-zu!" Waterlily laughed, jumped up into Sakura's arms.

"Hey there, sweetie! Ready to start our journey?" Sakura asked, snuggling her beloved baby.

"Azu!"

"Ah, let me get a picture!" Kizashi said, pulling out his camera. This was followed by asking for a picture of Sakura with Tsunade, then with her mother, then with Tsunade and her mother, then one with him and Sakura, then one with everyone...then one with just Waterlily.

Finally, when Sakura felt she couldn't take it anymore, Tsunade kindly told Kizashi that was enough (and Mebuki took his camera away for good measure). At long last, they made their way outside, and started their goodbyes while Kizashi got Sakura's bike out of his truck's trunk.

"Now," Tsunade began, "as you know from firsthand experience, the egg of a Pokémon does not develop right if it's not around other Pokémon, and a trainer doesn't grow and learn unless they're out in the world. So be sure to Travel around and raise up your own team. Find out what kind of Pokémon you like, and how you like raising them. And don't let anyone stand in your way, you hear me?"

"Yes Ma'am!" Sakura saluted.

"And remember," Mebuki added, " if you find you don't much care for being on this Pokémon journey, there's no shame in coming home early; after all, that's what your father and I ended up doing. And you're already well on your way to becoming a great Pokémon Doctor, so remember that you've got a future waiting for you here at home."

"Gee Honey, that's real encouraging," Kizashi said sarcastically, bringing Sakura's bike to her and then helping her put on the baby carrier she wore to hold Waterlily while she worked with her hands. "Don't worry Sakura, darling. We both believe in you, and we're very proud."

"I was just saying that she doesn't have to be the next Konoha League Champion to make us proud," Mebuki said. She turned back to Sakura. "But your father's right, Honey. You'll do great, no matter what you do."

Sakura smiled and gave both her parents a hug. "Thanks; I love you both!"

"Azurill!" Waterlily cheered, joining in the group hug.

They were broken up by Shizune, who had been lucky enough to show up at the last minute and give her goodbyes to Sakura as well. Saying her final goodbyes to everyone, Sakura mounted her bike.

"Just follow Route 18 until it meets Route 31," Tsunade instructed, "then go north until you get to Teal Town."

"And be careful!" Kizashi called, suddenly teary-eyed, "and remember, no boyfriends!"

"Don't worry Daddy," Sakura called back, starting down the path with Waterlily riding in her pack, "I will be careful, and I'll make you proud, and I won't let you down, Prof Tsunade!" Goodbye everyone!"

"Ah, they grow up so fast," Mebuki sighed, smiling at Tsuande, who nodded in agreement.

Much to both women's surprise, Kizashi was now sniffling.

"Uh, I know it's an emotional moment, but do you need to cry, Dear?" Mebuki asked.

"It's no that," Kizashi explained, now trembling. "...Sakura didn't say anything about no boyfriends just now!"

"Oh, lighten up," Mebuki grunted, elbowing him in the side.

Tsunade chuckled while Shizune offered Kizashi a hankie. "You're taking this very well, Mebuki," the Professor pointed out. "I thought you were against Sakura leaving on her journey originally?"

Mebuki shrugged. "I was; I didn't like the idea of her putting her studies on hold. But, I realized this is for the best. Better for her to get this out of her system now, when she's still young, rather than do it when she's in the middle of her doctorate, right? Besides, I'm sure she'll learn all sorts of new things this way that'll be useful in life. I know I did, and I only got my up to my third badge!"

Tsunade chuckled. "Well, at least you're being practical about this."

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with being proud that my daughter's already on the path to a better career than Kizashi or mine," Mebuki replied defensively. "...and I gotta admit, if she becoming a Pokémon Doctor, we actually might get to retired early!"

At this, Tsunade let out a big laugh. "Now that I can agree with!"

After a few seconds, she remembered what Shizune had been doing earlier. "So, did Ino find a Pokémon she liked?"

"It took a while," Shizune said, "But in the end, she found one that suited her and caught it."

"Oh, and what sort of Pokémon was that?" Tsunade asked, heading back into the lab.

"A Roselia, fittingly enough" Shizune responded.

-0o0o0-

On Route 18, a few hours later…

"Here you go; just one last bite." Sakura carefully put a pellet of homemade Pokéfood in front of Waterlily's mouth, who ate it obediently, chewing slowly like Sakura told her. "Good girl," the trainer praised.

"Azu," she cooed, a little sleepy.

Sakura wiped the Azurill's mouth and then put her back in her baby carrier before cleaning up their lunch.

With everything put away, she stretched and mounted her bike. "Okay, Waterlily, you ready to continue?"

"Zuzuzu." Soft snoring was her response.

Smiling, Sakura started to ride off.

However, after only about 20 feet, something white and fluffy darted smack in the middle of the road. The white animal heard Sakura coming and turned to look, freezing in fear. "Vee?"

"HOLY MILTANK!" Sakura screamed, veering left hard.

Without warning, something else flew out of the bushes. A person in dark clothing. "Bayushi, keep running-! -WHAT THE?!"

BAM!

Sakura hit him head on, knocking him over. As he fell, Sakura heard what sounded like him hitting his head on a rock.

"…Oh no, I killed him!" Sakura gasped.

"WAAAA!" All the screaming and violent movement had awoken Waterlily from her nap.

"Eevee!" The snowy Eevee rushed to its owner's side, nudging its nose against his face.

"Uh, don't worry, Waterlily," Sakura stammered, clumsily getting off her bike, "Mommy's got this under control."

She rushed over to the fallen boy, only for his Eevee to jump in front of her, hair standing on end and hissing.

Sakura took a few steps back. "Calm down, I didn't mean to run your trainer over and bash his head on a rock," she said slowly, taking a step forward.

The Eevee hissed louder.

"It's okay, little one," she cooed, taking another step forward and lowering her hand to show she meant no harm. "I just want to see if he's okay." She willed herself not to add, 'and make sure he's not dead.'

Slowly, the Eevee backed off, remaining close to its master and keeping an eye on her.

"Good," Sakura breathed. She moved in and turned the boy onto his back. The first thing she noticed was that he was still breathing. "Thank God, you're alive!" The second was that he was undeniably good looking, even with his face scuffed up, dirty, and bleeding; which meant that he was even cuter most of the time.

"Ooah," the boy moaned.

"Yes?" Sakura asked. "Are you okay?"

"Mommy," the boy said in a high, childish voice with a lisp, "can you please tell me the story of the Little Magikarp That Could?"

"Oh no, you have a concussion!" Sakura screamed.

That got the boy attention. "Ooah, my head. What happened?"

"I kind of ran you over," Sakura explained, "and you hit your head on a rock."

"Vee-Ee!" the Eevee shouted, trying to tell his owner that the girl didn't 'kind of ran him over.' She plowed right into him.

"Bayushi, that you?" the hurt boy asked groggily. Then his eyes went wide. "We've got to get out of here!"

"But you've got a concussion," Sakura protested. "I need to-"

"We're in danger!" he roared, trying to get up. "Move!"

Sakura pushed him down. "I need to make sure this isn't serious," she insisted. "What could possibly be so dangerous that you'd want to move in this condition?"

"That," the boy said weakly, pointing.

A deep, low growling rumbled from behind her.

Gulping, Sakura turned around.

Behind them stood three fully grown, very angry, Luxray.

To be Continued…