CL: Hey guys! Sorry for being away for so long! College has been a killer and they have given me tonnes of work to do. Anyway, while I've been gone I have been working on another story alongside this one. It is an AU story and I might start to upload the chapters to it. Hopefully Soul Eater will remain my priority when I do. Speaking of Soul Eater, I might change the name of the story to something else, especially because it shares the name with an anime. (I did realise it, after I posted the first chapter, I just didn't know what to change it to.) So if you have any suggestions do leave them in the reviews or PM me. I'll probably make a poll from the ones that I like the most then leave it to you guys to decide. Sorry this was supposed to be out at the beginning of January and not the end of it.
Hope you guys had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! :) I guess a Happy Valentines too (since this is so late xD)!
"Speaking"
'Thoughts'
'Inners/ demons/etc.'
"Demons"(From Hell)
'Demon's Thoughts' (From Hell)
Flashbacks
"Song lyrics"(If I have any…)
(Authoress notes)
(If there's anything I've missed, tell me in a review or PM me and I'll rectify it as soon as possible)
Chapter 9: Planning during the Calm.
Team seven plus Hibiki were saying their goodbyes at the bridge. The whole town was seeing them off and bidding them farewells and thanks. Sakura looked to her right and saw Inari and Naruto talking, holding back their tears. She smiled softly and turned to face Kakashi.
"They still haven't arrived." He stated as Sakura shrugged. She closed her eyes and sent out her chakra to search for the two. Her chakra spiked and she smiled slightly.
She spoke up, "They're on their way here now." Kakashi nodded and went to go talk to Tazuna. Sakura made conversation with her brother until Haku and Zabuza arrived.
Hibiki followed Sakura over to the other end of the bridge where Zabuza and Haku stood.
"We have made up our minds." Zabuza spoke up as soon as the siblings were in hearing range. Sakura nodded as she came to a stop. She looked at Haku for a brief moment and then returned her gaze to Zabuza. "We decided to remain here."
Sakura bit the inside of her cheek. "Very well… If that is your final decision." Sakura spoke and she turned her back. She began to walk away.
"Wait…! Sakura-san…!" Haku called after her and she stopped. She looked at him over her shoulder.
"Yes?"
Haku clenched his fist and looked Sakura directly in the eye. "I know you have a reason. One why you and your Sensei want us within your Village's grasp." Sakura raised a fine pink brow but let him continue. He stayed quiet for a few moments.
Sakura spoke up, "What are you trying to get at…?" She was curious as to what he had gathered.
He stepped forward and frowned. "Why would you want me and Zabuza-sama on your side?" Was his reply.
Sakura frowned also. The memories of the Fourth Shinobi War flashed in her mind. The three males stood around her immediately saw the pain flash in her eyes. They watched as her jaw clenched and her hands pale as she gripped her fists tighter and tighter with each passing moment.
Sakura's mind raced. 'Tell them the truth.' She heard the old familiar voice in her head whisper. "Everyone who dies now will become potential enemies in the war that takes place, four and a half years from now." Zabuza and Haku gave her confused looks. "I have a… an insight you could say, on the future. From years ago until four and a half years from now." Sakura's nails started to dig into her skin.
"I can't let what I saw happen. Let the innocent be killed or enslaved. Let the long dead be revived as tools, tools to entice you and trick you. Let so many lives be lost." Blood trickled out the thin crescents her nails inflicted on the palms of her hands. 'I won't let it happen, no matter times I have to beg to go back in time.'
"Sakura…" She heard her brother whisper as he put his hand on her shoulder, dragging her from her thoughts and her memories of the past slash future-to-potentially-happen. She realised how fast and hard she was breathing and how much anger and remorse she was feeling. She calmed down, unclenching her fists and wiping the blood on her pants.
"I want to make as many allies as I can in the time limit that the world has. If I can't make an ally out of you, then I at least want you alive." Sakura spoke as she looked between the two. She shook her head and began to walk away.
Zabuza and Haku looked between each other. Somehow… they both had the same feeling, that she was telling the truth. Zabuza sighed. "Then we'll be here." Sakura stopped in her tracks and turned to face them for the second time in five minutes. "We'll be here if you need us in future." Sakura smiled slightly.
"Thanks. You don't realise how much this means to me." Sakura whispered before speaking up again. "If anything happens, come to Konoha." She saw them nod in the corner of her eye as she gently tugged her brother back to her teammates. She notified Kakashi about their choice and she also told Tazuna about them.
With that Team 7, plus Hibiki, made their way back to Konoha. The journey didn't take long, mainly because they didn't have to walk at a slow speed and because there were no enemy ninja around. When they arrived within Konoha's walls Kakashi dismissed his male pupils and he headed to the Hokage's office with Sakura and Hibiki.
Kakashi knocked on the door and Hiruzen gave him permission to enter. "Ah, Kakashi! Welcome back!" He greeted and then turned to Sakura. "You too Sakura-san." He then took note of Hibiki, who stood, nervously, behind them. "And who is this young man?"
Neither Sakura nor Kakashi spoke up. "I'm… Haruno Hibiki… Sakura's older brother." He spoke up for himself.
Hiruzen nodded and smiled, "Welcome to Konoha, what can I do for you Hibiki-san…?" He asked." Hibiki looked towards Sakura and Kakashi, unsure of what to say.
Sakura was hesitant but spoke up. "Before we do something for Hibiki… there is something that I need to discuss." Sakura sighed, "Something I should have told you long before now." Hiruzen seemed to straighten up and his face became much more serious. "I hope you don't mind me putting up a sound proofing jutsu. What I am about to reveal to you is of upmost importance and must be kept a secret between the five people that know." She spoke as she made the hand signs for the sound proofing jutsu following it up with a triple layered Genjutsu.
"Five…?"
Sakura looked at Hiruzen and nodded. "My Team makes three. Hibiki, four and you now, five." She replied.
With that, Sakura began to recite what happened in her past life to Hiruzen (and partially to Hibiki since he knew bits and pieces). To say that Hiruzen was shocked would be an understatement. His pipe had fallen from his mouth minutes ago and he made no move to return it to his lips. Sakura gave him a moment to let it sink in. When he regained his composure, he struggled to get his words out.
"I… Konoha… Another War… I can't…" He reached for his pipe, relighting it and taking a drag.
Sakura bowed her head. "I'm sorry that I couldn't do more for Konoha, Hokage-sama." She began and she lifted her head to face him. "But for that very reason, I am here right now. I will make things right. Even if I lose my life doing it!" Sakura spoke, determination burning bright in her eyes.
Hiruzen just stared at her, 'This girl had to experience war at such a young age… She shows so much determination to prevent Konoha from losing her life and I must do the same!' He thought and he took a confident drag on his pipe. "What do you have in mind, Sakura-san?" He spoke up.
Sakura smiled slightly. "Though it might seem odd, we will have to save as many people as possible." Hiruzen looked at her, slightly confused. "The more people who die: the more people that will be used as a part of the reanimation jutsu! The more people we can get on our side the better. Every person is a valuable asset." Sakura explained and Hiruzen nodded.
Kakashi walked forward, "Where do you think we should start? Sakura? Hokage-sama?" He asked. Hiruzen took his time thinking.
Sakura already had a thought in mind. "We should start by changing the Academy's teachings." Kakashi looked at her strangely.
"How would that change anything?" He spoke up and Hibiki stepped forward. Hiruzen leaned forward in his chair, curious to what Sakura had in mind.
"You wouldn't happen to have a piece of parchment and a pen would you, Hokage-sama?" Sakura asked and said man nodded, searching his top draw. He pulled out what was asked of him and placed it on the desk. While he did, Sakura pulled her hair back into a pony tail. "Okay, so the current system, it's rather lenient, and in the beginning of the school years, you're taught the basics, and everything is mainly text based…" She spoke as she drew a small diagram in the corner of the parchment to show what she meant.
"How are you going to change the academy to accommodate for the war… especially in so little time?" Hibiki asked his sister.
"Since the academy teaches everything rather slowly, and in such an excessively loose manner, it can easily be changed or in my opinion: sped up. If we speed up the rate we do things we could potentially cram, two years' worth of teachings in one, with the time to add other things in. Do you see where I'm going with this?" She asked.
The three nodded slowly but Kakashi spoke up when a question sprung to mind. "I understand where you're going with this but… how do we physically train the younger ones without completely straining their bodies?"
Sakura smirked. "I'm glad you asked!" She began, and she began drawing another diagram. "Since they are so young, you can easily train them. Bring the training down to their level, make it fun! Make it a game! Something they'll understand at such a young age. That way they can learn the basics of being a ninja without even realising!"
Sakura drew the stages of the Academy out. At the bottom were the beginners, the young children at aged six. Above the beginners were the seven year old children. The list continued on until it reached the graduation age of thirteen. Sakura had left a gap next to the groups separated by age. She moved her pen back down to the bottom of the list; ready to write down what she was about to dictate.
"Age six. For the first half of the year the pupils will learn the bare basics, like they do already. They get to have outdoor sessions much more frequently. Since they are younger it'd be easier to drill certain things into their head without having to go overboard with repetition. Referring to teamwork mainly." Sakura began and she looked up briefly to see if her peers are still following. They were. Sakura took a breath.
"In the second half of the year, teach them about the weapons that ninja use and what they are used for et cetera. Also teach them about chakra, once again, just the basics will do, since their still young." Sakura looked down at the partially neat scrawl that was her handwriting and sighed before moving up the list.
"The seven and eight year olds will learn about weapons and chakra, in more depth than the previous years. They will still have some outdoor sessions but they will start to be less… child-like you could say. But now, specifically for the Eights: there will be med classes. They will be mandatory, and probably once or twice a week classes on first aid and so on. Just so they have that knowledge." Sakura stopped writing, and looked up to Hiruzen, "This is specifically because we need every person we can get. If we teach the basics from early on they are likely to remember it and also use it."
Hiruzen nodded, and smiled, "This change seems good so far. What else do you have in mind." He asked and Sakura grinned.
"I'm glad you like it!" She put her pen to the parchment again and began penning her thoughts. "At age nine, the children should be taught about meditation and their chakra in much more depth than the previous year, this is so they can use their chakra wisely and not waste it. In the first half, they'll spend their lessons learning and perfecting basic jutsu along with the theory work for it. In the second half, they'll learn about Chakra control and precision, they could do chakra control exercises spend time perfecting basic jutsu or something along the lines of that." Sakura then drew a line between the Nines and the Tens.
"When the students hit ages Ten and Eleven, the physical training will be more ninja-like, they will start doing outdoor training sessions with wooden kunai and shuriken, stealth tests, using the jutsu they learned from the previous year. They can start target practice with real kunai and shuriken. They should also receive written tests on real life situations and so on. Also, med classes will still take place, just more in depth. Students can also choose to take the med class for regular lessons in the next year since they'll have more free time.
"The Twelves will get placed into teams, very much like how we Genin are placed into teams. This is to rekindle their minds. So they can use teamwork and remember it and remember why they use it. The first half of the year will consist of team mixing and bonding, taking on small little 'missions' they can do around the academy or around the village, D-ranks. Then in the next half, they could have finalised teams and then they compete, having mock battles with each other's teams and at the end of the year, so it still has that essence of fun and competitiveness for 'Rookie of the Year', or 'Rookie Team of the Year' title.
"Finally the Thirteens. They will spend their first half with quick recaps of what they learned when they were younger, and at the end of the first half or sometime through the second half they'll be tested on it. They will also have a physical test, sub-divided into the three basics: Taijutsu, Genjutsu and Ninjutsu. Then as normal, depending on the passes and fails, their teams will be decided and an instructor assigned to them. Oh just to make things easier for them, there will be frequent tests on the things they've done so far, in each year." Sakura finished. She stepped back from the desk and stretched out her back, followed by her fingers.
"This seems like it'd work." Hiruzen spoke as he looked at the parchment.
"This is just a rough outline. So some things might end up being changed, some may not be affected by this new system. We will have to see when it's polished up." She popped her neck. "The children might find this change a bit much, but once they get into it, it should be okay."
Hibiki blinked. "Wouldn't it be a good idea to get some insight for the final idea from some of the current teachers…?" He asked and Sakura nodded.
"But that will have to wait until the flaws and creases are ironed out."
Hiruzen nodded his head. "Agreed." He approved as he sat back in his chair. "But that won't be enough." Hiruzen mumbled. Kakashi nodded and Hibiki nodded.
"We need to get Tsunade-sama back here." Sakura spoke up.
Hiruzen agreed again. "That seems appropriate. The Hospital hasn't been as great as it used to be without her there to lead."
Hibiki spoke up, "Couldn't you appoint Sakura as head of the Hospital?" Sakura thought for a second, but Kakashi shot the idea down.
"That wouldn't work." The Haruno siblings looked at him as if to say 'Why?' Kakashi spoke up again. "You just graduated from the Academy. Yes I know you've been a ninja for many years nonetheless, but on returning to this time, your Chakra reserves have decreased – though they are slightly larger than before – it's still too little to take on a whole hospital!"
Sakura thought for a moment, before sighing. "As much as I hate to admit it… That is true…" She mumbled. She tapped her foot as she wracked her brain for a solution. "If only Tsunade-sama was here…" She trailed off... 'What would Naruto have done…?' She thought to herself. Thinking like Naruto wasn't difficult, and it didn't take long before an idea came to light. "We just have to find her!"
"How and when do you propose that that happens?" Kakashi asked.
"During the Chuunin Exams!" Sakura spoke with delight. "Regardless of whether there is a preliminary or not, there is always going to be a month of prep time for the finalists! I could use that time to find Tsunade and her assistant and bring them back to Konoha. I can definitely persuade her to come back. I know I can!"
Hiruzen took a drag on his pipe. "That sounds like a plan." He spoke as he breathed out.
Sakura nodded, "I can't think of anything else that revolves around me that needs urgent discussion at the moment."
Hiruzen looked towards Hibiki. "Since that is partially dealt with… What can I do for you, Young Man?"
Hibiki stepped forward and bowed. "All I ask is for is the permission to remain in this village! Sakura-chan is going to train me in her free time and I'll be training her in Kenjutsu." He spoke nervously. Hiruzen stared at Hibiki for a few moments. Hibiki felt nervousness suddenly creep up on him while he waited for an answer. Hiruzen then smiled slightly.
"Permission granted. I take it you will live with Sakura-san then…?" Hibiki nodded. Hiruzen turned to Kakashi. "Kakashi, would you mind overseeing their training?" He asked and Kakashi nodded. Hiruzen turned back to face Hibiki, "You will be under surveillance by ANBU at all times, regardless of when Sakura or Kakashi is around, is that understood?" Hibiki nodded and Hiruzen cleared his throat. "If that is all then you are free to leave." He voiced. Kakashi and Sakura bowed and turned to leave.
"Hokage-sama…!" Hibiki spoke up quietly. Hiruzen looked at him. "There is one more thing that I ask for…" He trailed off and reached into his bag.
Hiruzen watched as he pulled out a golden locket. "What's that, my boy?" He asked
Hibiki opened his locket and showed him the picture of Hikari. "This was my… significant other, Hikari. I'd like for the permission for her to be allowed to live in Konoha with Sakura and I when she if found." He spoke quietly.
"Was…?"
Hibiki bit the inside of his cheek and explained his situation. Hiruzen nodded in understanding and gave the permission for that also. Hibiki gave his thanks and the three of them left. Sakura looked up at the sky and smiled.
"There's quite the bit of time until sundown. Do you want to train, Hibiki-Nii?" Sakura asked and Hibiki nodded. "Kakashi-sensei, do you mind watching over us?" He shrugged, flipping a page in his book. They headed to a nearby training ground.
Kakashi watched the siblings train and teach each other what they knew; he even threw in some pointers of his own from time to time. The siblings were quite grateful for his inputs. Kakashi watched them like a hawk from over the pages of his book. 'Sakura's brother picks up what she teaches him rather quickly. He is quite the asset to Konoha.' Kakashi thought to himself as he turned a page in his novel. Oddly enough, time seemed to fly by as he watched over them, the two of them together wasn't a hard job to manage unlike when he has Sasuke and Naruto to cope with.
Sakura and Hibiki eventually had given up on weapon and chakra training and settled for good old Taijutsu. Kakashi put his book away and watched them brawl analysing them, calling out to them when they left themselves open. The pair quickly amended their faults and carried on spiritedly. Their heated battle cries slowly amplified as their bodies tired from their extensive spar. Kakashi could see that they were starting to reach their limits so he decided to stop it where they were at.
"That was some good training!" He called as he walked towards them and the duo flashed him a smile while they picked up their blades. "You two should go grab a bite to eat. You've been at it for a while." The siblings nodded and they headed off. Kakashi watched their backs as they animatedly talked before he jumped onto the roof tops and heading on his way to do his own thing.
"So where do you want to go, Hibiki-Nii?" Sakura asked as she looked up as the setting sky. Ribbons of faded reds, yellows and oranges filled her vision.
"I don't really mind. Besides, I've never been here before." Hibiki spoke. "Introduce me to the fine tastes Konoha has to offer!" He called out and Sakura laughed.
"I'll take you to Ichiraku Ramen!" Sakura decided. "Best Ramen you will ever taste!" Sakura smiled, and inwardly blamed Naruto for her current attachment to Ramen.
Hibiki nodded his head, "Lead the way, Sakura-chan!" He chimed, excited for food. Sakura laughed at his excitement before they continued their animated conversation until they reached the Ramen stand.
Sakura was surprised that Naruto wasn't here eating, but she and her brother sat down. "Ah you're Naruto's teammate! What can I get you?" The owner of the stand, Teuchi, identified.
Sakura smiled. "Yeah, I'm Haruno Sakura, and this is my brother, Hibiki!" She informed and Teuchi flashed them a smile. "I think I'll go for a pork ramen." She spoke up again after a few seconds thought. She looked towards Hibiki, "What about you?"
Hibiki shrugged, "I think I'll go with a beef ramen." Teuchi nodded his head and it wasn't long before the two steaming hot bowls were placed before them. They immediately dug in and the flavour seemed to explode in their mouths. "Can I get another bowl?!" Hibiki called over to Teuchi, who grinned in return.
The evening went quick for the siblings. They headed home as the street lamps burned to life. Sakura unlocked the door and welcomed him in. She took him up the stairs after showing him where everything was downstairs. "This is my room." She pointed to the door right by the stairs; she then walked over to the door opposite to hers. "This is the guest room, which can be your room. Right next to it is the bathroom. Down the hall are just some random rooms that don't really serve any purpose anymore." Sakura pointed to another set of stairs that lead upwards, "And those lead to more empty rooms upstairs."
Hibiki nodded and he opened the door to his new room and made himself at home. A few minutes later Sakura knocked on the door. "I have clean sheets." She spoke and Hibiki opened the door. He stepped out the way and let Sakura walk in. He helped her strip the bed of the sheets and mattress protector before applying the new sheets. "Ah," Sakura whispered, catching her brother's attention as she picked up the old sheets. "I plan to train early in the morning, so feel free to join me." She spoke as she headed out of the room.
Hibiki sighed as he emptied his bag and placed his things in the drawers and wardrobe before stripping himself off into just his black under shirt and his boxers. He fell back onto the bed and stared at the ceiling.
'I have to train hard… for Sakura, for Hikari… and for myself.' He thought to himself as he closed his eyes. He moved his arms to the back of his head and envisioned his training that he had done so far with Sakura and Kakashi. Hibiki slowly fell into a lucid dream.
The morning came much too early for Sakura. She looked in the mirror after, reluctantly, rolling out of bed. Her Pink-Blond hair was dishevelled and knotted, there were thin dark circles lining her eyes from the lack of sleep she got that night. Her stomach was tied in bunches and her mind raced about what could happen during the Chuunin exams. She sighed, running a hand through her hair, only for her fingers to stop at the knots. She huffed, but gently combed out the knots with her fingers before using the comb to remove the rest. She grabbed her towel and headed to the bathroom to take a shower. She turned the shower to its coldest temperature before stripping off and hopping in. The cold spray immediately made her fatigue disperse.
After cleaning herself off, Sakura got out the shower, brushed her teeth and walked back to her room. She dressed up in a loose green t-shirt and black sweats, ready for training with Hibiki and her teammates. Sakura pulled her hair up into a ponytail as she walked downstairs and into the kitchen to make breakfast.
Hibiki had soon joined her in the kitchen and helped set the table after they exchanged morning greetings. Sakura set the food on the table and they began eating and discussing what their plan for the day was.
"I think today is the day that Kakashi-sensei was going to have us train all day…" Sakura spoke after she swallowed a mouthful of food.
"Do you mind teaching me some more ninja stuff?" Hibiki asked as he put his glass down.
Sakura pushed her plate away from her, signalling she had finished. "Sure, I'll let Kakashi-sensei know that I'll be teaching you." She stood up from her seat and picked up her plate and downed her glass of water before taking them both to the sink. "If you're done now then we can start straight away." Sakura continued as she began to wash the dishes.
Hibiki put his dishes in the sink and took the clean one from Sakura to dry off. "Yeah, that sounds good." Hibiki replied as he finished drying the dishes Sakura handed him.
The duo headed out to Team 7's training ground. They were much earlier than the appointed time but they begin training anyway. Continuing from where they had last left off in their previous training session. They warmed up, stretching and running a few laps of the ground before having a light hand-to-hand spar. They exchanged blows for over half an hour before deciding it was time to train.
"Alright, I know you know the basics from yesterday and I know you can handle kunai and shuriken so I'll train you to use your Chakra. Staring with using them in Jutsu and then as a form of weapon." Hibiki nodded. "Alright then, let's begin. Do you know the twelve hand signs that Ninja use…?" Sakura began Hibiki shrugged.
"I know some of them from the training sessions I've had and seen recently with you, Naruto-san, Sasuke-san and Kakashi-san…" He spoke as he ran through the ones he knew. "But I don't know the names of them though." Sakura smiled
"That's better than most that have been in your position, Hibiki-Nii. The ones you just did are: Monkey, Hare, Boar and Tiger, respectively." Sakura spoke as she did the signs as she said the names. "The others are: Dragon, Rat, Bird, Snake, Ox, Dog, Horse and Ram." Hibiki nodded.
"I shouldn't have a problem remembering those. What's next?" Hibiki asked while his hands copied the hand signs and repeated them.
Sakura grinned, "Someone's eager! I want you to try a simple Clone jutsu. Try to make one clone so you're not wasting chakra." Sakura stated as she demonstrated the hand signs to her brother and did the jutsu. Hibiki tested the hand signs first before applying his Chakra.
There was a poof and a sickly looking clone appeared next to Hibiki. Said boy frowned. "Not enough Chakra…?" He asked with furrowed brows as he faced Sakura. She nodded and told him to try again. Hibiki repeating his actions but let more chakra flow through him. There was another poof. This time three clones stood next to him.
Sakura clapped and he faced her. "Not bad! You used more chakra than necessary but that is quite good for a second attempt." Sakura praised and Hibiki grinned before Sakura punched his clones and made them disperse. "Now I'm going to show you the Replacement Jutsu." She ran through the hand signs and she switched places with her brother.
Hibiki blinked a few times before realising they had switched places. His mouth fell open and his eyes shined like that of a little boy. He rushed into the hand signs that he saw Sakura do, throwing his chakra in the mix. He felt a suction feeling and he blinked as the smoke cleared, which took a little while. He had successfully swapped places with Sakura, who was waving her hand in front of her face, wafting away the smoke.
"You used way too much chakra there than necessary, but you still successfully used the Replacement jutsu." Sakura took a breath. "Good job nonetheless but try not to use as much chakra next time. The more Chakra you use the more smoke that appears." Hibiki nodded as Sakura looked up at the sky. "Alright then we have just under half an hour. I want you to practice those two jutsu until my teammates arrive at the bridge. Practice the Clone jutsu until you can get one perfect clone and the Replacement jutsu until you can minimise the smoke as much as you can."
Hibiki nodded before walking closer to the centre of the training ground, "What are you gonna do until then?" Hibiki called over to his sister.
Sakura unsheathed her blade. "I'm going to practice 'Fifty Striking Blades' some more." She hollered back as she took her stance and drew upon her Chakra.
The duo practiced until the other two Genin arrived at the bridge. By that time, Sakura had used quite a bit of chakra by repetition of the jutsu and clone jutsu so she had a target, though she was much closer to the completed jutsu that her brother created. Hibiki on the other hand, had perfected using the right amount of Chakra for the clone jutsu but was still using a bit too much chakra in his replacement jutsu.
Sakura noticed her teammates at the bridge and turned to Hibiki. "Hey! Let's see how much you've progressed!" Hibiki nodded before showing her the Clone Jutsu first. He made a perfect copy. He followed up with a swift set of hand signs before swapping with the clone. Sakura clapped, "Wow, that really good!" Sakura spoke before she rolled her arm around. "Mind if I use your clone?" She asked.
Hibiki shook his head, "Nah, knock yourself out." He replied before jumping a few feet away from Sakura and his clone. Sakura raised her arm and her legs fell into the stance Hibiki taught her days ago. She remembered what she learned and how she practiced as she called on her chakra and lunged forwards. Chakra vines squirmed and shot at Hibiki's clone in five waves of ten, completely decimating the clone before it disappeared out of existence with a poof. "That was really well done Sakura-chan!" Hibiki called in happiness.
Sakura grinned before the two of them made their way over to the bridge where the four of them waited for Kakashi. Surprisingly, he was only late by an hour and a half. Kakashi created a Shadow clone to teach Hibiki whilst the real him would train up his team and improve their teamwork for the upcoming Chuunin exams.
They trained until Kakashi told them to take an hour to get lunch and return back to the training grounds. "Hey guys! Let's go get Ramen at Ichiraku!" Naruto called, Sakura and Hibiki immediately agreed and they all turned to face Sasuke.
He turned away. "No. I'm going to train more." He replied before walking off. Naruto shrugged before turning around. Just as he was about to yell after his teammate his eyes locked onto a square box. He ran around and the box followed after him.
"Alright, I know it's you, Konohamaru!" Naruto yelled.
"You're as sharp as ever, Boss!" A voice yelled and the box flipped over and a burst of coloured smoke followed after. The sound of coughing and wheezing was heard. "I think we used too much smoke…" The voice spoke up and the smoke cleared. Sakura and Hibiki watched the events unfold before them as Naruto and Konohamaru and co. argued about playing ninja. "You suck boss!" Konohamaru insulted as he punched Naruto in the side and ran off.
"Why you…! I do NOT suck!" Naruto yelled after him, racing behind him with Moegi and Udon on their trail.
Sakura sighed and turned to face her brother. "We better go after them before something bad happens." She mumbled as she let her legs take her to where she remembered going when this happened last time. When they caught up, Naruto had already sparked an argument with the puppet-user of the Sand Siblings. "…Naruto." She called and said boy stopped arguing with Kankuro to face her.
"Sakura-chan…! This teme won't let Konohamaru go!" Naruto yelled angrily. Sakura shifted to her weight onto the other foot and stared past Naruto, straight at Kankuro.
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't start trouble outside your village walls. If you let him go, I might not report this." Sakura spoke.
Kankuro glared at her. "What are you gonna do about it pinky!?" He sneered back and Sakura glared, stepping round Naruto.
"This sword isn't for show." She replied as she unsheathed the blade, just enough for Kankuro to see the blade shimmer. "As much as I'd like to show you what my blade can do… I'm sure your partner in the tree over there wouldn't appreciate if he couldn't attend the Chuunin exams because of you now would he…?" Sakura retorted with a smirk and at the mention of partner and Chuunin exams, Kankuro dropped Konohamaru, who ran towards them.
A familiar red head jumped down from the tree and onto the pathway. "Kankuro… if you continue like this… I'll kill you myself." Was Gaara's input; it made fear creep into the eyes of Kankuro and Temari. Kankuro apologised on the spot. Gaara turned his back and was about to walk away from them when a rock flew past them.
Sasuke jumped down from the tree and landed a few feet from his team. "You with the gourd: What's your name?" Sasuke called out and they all turned.
"Sabaku no Gaara. Tell me your name." He didn't ask. He was demanding.
Sasuke smirked. "Uchiha Sasuke." Gaara turned his gaze towards Sakura.
"And you are." His tone remained the same.
"I'm Haruno Sakura; this is Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Hibiki." Sakura replied as she pointed to her teammate then her brother. She grinned. "I can see your from Suna. So you're definitely here for the Chuunin exams." Temari nodded and introduced herself and her other brother.
"Yeah. I assume you'll be participating also?" Temari asked after her introduction.
Sakura nodded and then turned to Kankuro, "No hard feelings about earlier." Kankuro huffed but bobbed his head in (silent) agreement. After that the Sand Siblings left. Konohamaru and Naruto began arguing again. Sakura and Hibiki began talking idly as they waited for Naruto to finish so they could go to Ichiraku. Sasuke stood there for a while staring at them before rolling his eyes.
"Are we going to Ichiraku's or not." Sasuke's voice cut through everything and Naruto instantly cheered and they all made their way to Ichiraku.
Because of the little run-in with the Sand Siblings, they didn't have too much time to eat before having to return to their Training ground. They sparred amongst themselves until Kakashi arrived to give them guidance once more. They trained well into the evening and when Kakashi dismissed them, they were all feeling rather sore.
When they managed to pick up their aching bodies they bade each other a farewell before going their separate ways.
Sakura and Hibiki made their way back home, very slowly. "Hey, Hibiki." Sakura spoke up as she opened the door to their house. He looked at her as he followed her inside and kicked off his sandals. "I'm going to take you shopping tomorrow, for some more clothes and weapons." Sakura mumbled tiredly as she pulled off her sandals and stepped into the hall after locking the door.
"What about training with Kakashi-san?" He asked as he made his way to the stairs.
"He'll cancel it because he nominates Team 7 for the Chuunin exams, though you can still train with him while I'm in there." She replied as she trailed after him up the stairs.
"That makes sense and its fine with me." He replied as he opened the door to his room.
"Good, now, excuse me while I crash." Sakura spoke as she walked in her room and closed the door. Hibiki immediately heard a thud afterwards and he sighed. He walked out of his room and into Sakura's to find her sprawled out on the floor. He picked her up and put her on her bed and threw her covers over her. Before he walked out he whispered:
"G'night Sakura."
