The very next morning Sakura felt more restless than ever and after breakfast paced the whole of the small village several times over "So is there a reason you can't stand still for like five seconds" surprisingly Sasuke was the one walking with her as they patrolled.
"I just get the feeling that something unexpected is going to happen and I don't mean Zabuza" Sakura frowned deeply as she peered off into the distance, emerald orbs scanning around cautiously and it was obvious she was deeply on edge.
Sasuke shrugged and fell silent 'Koneko-chan when's the last time you sent Raikage-sama a message, perhaps that's why you feel restless' Matatabi offered doing the same as her host and pacing back and forth restlessly in her inner world.
A contemplative expression formed and Sakura thought on the idea, then shook her head "Come on Sasuke, lets go back to the house for a bit, check on Tsunami-san" the pinkette eventually sighed deciding to do something productive.
"Fine are you ever going to tell me what the hell is going on with you, I know we aren't friends but you got even weirder after you disappeared for nearly three weeks" the raven haired preteen prodded insistently.
But like usual got nothing but silence on the subject as they returned to the house "Oh I thought you two were out patrolling" Tsunami spotted them coming out the side door and form matching relieved expressions, they must have been worried when they didn't see her inside.
The pink haired Jinchuuriki not that many knew it just a select few even went so far as to offer her help in picking herbs from the forest "Guess I'll be back then" Sakura smiled taking a wicker basket and giving her unlikely partner a look.
"Don't worry I can handle things here while everyone else is busy" Sasuke shrugged her off and Sakura vanished into the forest, still feeling extremely restless, but like she decided was going to be productive waiting for whatever was coming.
It wasn't more than ten minutes later that someone joined her in picking herbs "You are the girl that peaks Zabuza-sama's interest" it was the hidden chakra, Zabuza's backup and her back went as rigid as a board at his appearance.
But she tilted her head to the side politely "Can't help it, I'm a trouble magnet, really got kidnapped by Human Traffickers twice awhile back, just been nothing but chaotic since I was brought back, the names Sakura Haruno" she introduced herself.
"And I am Haku from the Yuki Clan" the boy gave her a kind smile minding his own business as he picked herbs and after a few minutes the girl relaxed and continued her own task of picking herbs at the request of Tsunami.
When she was done, Sakura stood with the wicker basket in hand and prepared to head off "This is where you ran off to, fraternizing with the enemy" Zabuza's deep voice washed over them and her head snapped in his direction, emerald eyes narrowed and slit like a cats.
Completely on edge "If you flare your chakra so close by you'll be fighting Kakashi-sensei and Inoichi-sensei a day early" Sakura warned gripping the wicker basket tightly and backing up warily putting distance between her and him.
Zabuza chuckled darkly "Do you really think your sensei's will be able to get to you in time" Haku rose to his feet, standing close to his Master, who was playing a game of cat and mouse with the preteen girl.
"No but I would be able to" a new voice filled the air followed by the crackling of electricity and Sakura found herself plucked off her feet, herbs scattered as she dropped her basket and being held under one arm of the Raikage himself.
Her skin paled and her eyes widened in shock 'Well found my restless feeling' she grimaced inwardly to the two tails "Raikage-sama what brings you here all the way to water country" her stomach rolled uncomfortably.
The man sent her a scathing glare "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK I'M DOING HERE YOU STINKIN PINK HAIRED BRAT IT'S BEEN THREE WEEKS SINCE I LAST GOT A DAMN LETTER FROM YOU SO I WAS WORRIED" Ay snarled predictably.
If she could she would of found a rock to hide under "If we're being technical it's not even been two weeks Raikage-sama" Sakura smiled sheepishly, her and her mouth because in the next moment, she was on her feet and a hand was slammed down on top of her head.
"Damn brat see what happens when we left you off on your own, you go around getting into trouble with rogues, first it was human traffickers, I'm beginning to wonder if allowing you to leave your village is even wise" the Raikage growled.
Sakura held up her hands in surrender "Th..This is totally not my fault and I wasn't in trouble, I can handle myself just fine thank you and they were leaving right, Right" the pinkette sent a get the hell out of there while they could look at the two rogues, who didn't get the hint.
"Why does the Raikage care about a brat from the Hidden Leaf Village" the raven haired male questioned with narrowed eyes, the situation just kept getting weirder and weirder to him and he was determined to get his answers.
A shudder crawled down her spine as the chakra became oppressive to the point of nearly making her pass out "Pink haired brat here is related to me distantly and every time I let her out of my sights people get stupid ideas of kidnapping her" the white haired male grumbled.
Now there was a surprise just as two more people joined them "Kami Kid, you really are just a trouble magnet aren't you" Darui whistled and she was about to call it quits because this entire situation had just gotten completely ridiculous.
"The hell is going on here" Kakashi stepped through the tree's having felt the Raikage's chakra and had offered to check it out, only to find their enemy, the Raikage, Sakura and two Cloud Shinobi standing around chatting it up like no tomorrow.
"Can someone just you know open up a black hole or something so I'm not part of this conversation anymore" Sakura ran a hand down her face tiredly looking as if she hadn't gotten a wink of sleep for nearly a week.
On her right was the blonde she'd befriended "Unfortunately not Sakura-san" Cee patted her gently on the back as they all focused on the two obvious rogues from the Hidden Mist Village, waiting to see how they'd act.
Getting the distinct feeling that it would be wiser to leave for the time being "Haku" Zabuza commanded his subordinate and they vanished in a swirl of mist, back to the base, they hadn't expected the situation to escalate so quickly.
At their disappearance the Raikage whirled on the young girl who was related to him "What the hell were you doing anyway" Ay scowled deeply, he'd been overcome with worry upon seeing the scene and hearing the threat.
"I was gathering herbs when they approached, believe me I'd intended on running, he's still not fully recovered and he won't risk being set back anymore days" the pinkette explained, shoulders slumped and ready to take a nap for possibly the rest of the day.
Brows creased "Right anyway we came here because we got word of more human traffickers headed this way after you again" the blonde remembered their sole reasoning for hurrying here after getting a message from the Hokage that this was where the girl was.
Her emerald eyes widened "Been here already and taken care of, they were no challenge" Sakura admitted quietly and Kakashi's lone onyx eye narrowed in response, remembering the day before where his sole female student and Sakura had returned subdued for some reason.
"So that's what happened yesterday and why Karin was so quiet when you came back to the house" the silver haired nin pointed out bluntly and got a single nod in response, it was the partial truth, but obviously she was wearing down after being so restless earlier that morning.
Though the reason was clearly because of the Raikage "Taken care of and no challenge huh, seems you've improved enough to handle yourself in a fight then" the younger white haired male chuckled lightly.
With that and his business complete since he'd promised not to interfere in the brats mission, even if he wanted to obliterate every threat there was to the girl, which included the rogues that were poking their noses in her business, the Raikage left and his shinobi followed.
Leaving the brat alone with the silver haired Jonin "You should return to the house" the Copy Ninja stated, he actually cared about Sakura, she was everything Karin was not and he'd rather have two Jinchuuriki on his team if that was the price he had to pay to have her.
She let out a long suffering sigh "Tsunami-san requested that I gather herbs, if I don't bring some back, she'll be upset, go on Kakashi-sensei, I don't think those two will be back any time soon, it will probably be a couple more days before they feel confident enough" the pinkette said.
He gave her a look that said stay out of trouble, then turned on his heel and left, once he was gone, she bent and grabbed up the wicker basket, only to begin her arduous task of picking herbs again for Tsunami, who felt she needed them for whatever reason.
Things were going moderately well for once and with a grin rose to her feet, wicker basket full for the second time and started back in the direction of Tazuna, just as her ears picked up on the sound of a twig snapping "For kami's sake you better not be ba….." Sakura whirled angrily.
Only to cut off mid sentence just as a hand slammed into her cheek and a cry slipped through her lips "You filthy little whore fraternizing with Cloud Shinobi of all people" emerald eyes widened in horror at the familiar voice of her adopted mother.
Wicker basket dropped and herbs dumped for the second time, Sakura sat on the ground holding a hand to her cheek in shock "A..At least they acknowledge that I exist unlike you" she spat feeling extremely hurt, she didn't understand what she'd done wrong.
The commotion drew unwanted attention yet again for the second day in a row "Don't you dare talk back to me you ungrateful brat, I wish we'd never adopted you if this is how your going to act now" Mebuki snapped right back.
Her heart dropped into her stomach at the hateful words "Indeed we specifically told you that if you left the house you'd be grounded for months" Kizashi stepped through the tree line, eyeing his adopted daughter with a cold look in his blue eyes.
"I'm a Ninja, I can't…" Sakura spoke up only to be slapped, tears gathered in her eyes, but they didn't quite yet fall, why did these sorts of things always happen to her, it was extremely unfair and the people who'd adopted her didn't even care anymore, that hurt more than anything.
Kizashi shook his head "When you return we want you gone from our house is that clear, we don't associate with shinobi and I regret ever letting you join the academy to become one, as it's changed you" the dull pink haired male said.
That was the last straw that broke the camels back as the two Haruno's left, leaving the girl to curl into a ball "And here I thought that nothing could break through that tough exterior of yours" Zabuza whistled, but the girl was in a world of her own.
He didn't want to admit it, but it kind of bothered him that she ignored him unaware of the danger looming so close to her, as he stepped close bloodshot emerald eyes turned his way "Why on gods green earth did you come back" the pinkette sighed obviously in no mood to really put on airs.
Zabuza lifted one of his nonexistent eyebrows "You shouldn't wear your heart on your sleeve, put a lock on your emotions and you wouldn't get hurt by people anymore" the raven haired male shrugged ignoring the question.
Her head snapped in his direction "Even if I did that now there would be no point to it, because their the only ones that have ever hurt me this way and since I won't have any further dealings with them there's no reason to try" another one of those sighs fell from her lips.
As she reached for that damn wicker basket and yet again began trying to gather the herbs, by that point it was just something to focus her mind on in order to shove all her hurt, anger and upset to the side, she had a mission and she would complete it no matter what.
"Pathetic, it's not as if it's the end of the world, get over it" Zabuza snorted harshly, but all he got for his efforts was a blank stare, it appeared the girl really had lost her mind over something so trivial as her parents going completely insane and thrusting her out on her own.
She blinked "It's not even that I just don….ow that hurts like a motherfucker" Sakura cursed under her breath as it suddenly occurred to her that her cheek was in fact fractured and throbbing like never before.
Nonexistent brows rose high "Such a foul mouth for a little girl, didn't your parents ever teach you not to cuss you are supposed to be a lady after all" the raven haired male focused his dark brown eyes on the young girl and spoke words dripping with amusement.
To his surprise she snorted harshly in the next moment "Please they aren't my real parents, never have been, nor have they been around to teach me anything in the last several years" the pink haired preteen scoffed.
Zabuza blinked at the information given then watched carefully as the girl raised one of her hands it glowing green and press it to her swollen and fractured cheek 'Koneko-chan let me handle that' Matatabi called out from her host's psyche knowing the girl wouldn't be able to heal it completely.
Her hand lowered a second later and the green chakra faded 'Matatabi-chan I'm glad I have you with me and that makes me stronger than them' emerald eyes softened and a loud purr echoed in her head as the two tails allowed a little bit of her chakra to speed up the healing process of her host.
"I think I understand now the feeling I get when I see you that reminds me of Utakata, you're a Jinchuuriki like him" Zabuza rumbled out breaking the girl from whatever world she'd immersed herself in going on auto pilot as she picked herbs.
She jolted "Utakata's a Jinchuuriki I guess that's why I felt a kinship with him and why he told me to be strong" Sakura could just feel her dream shattering, being ripped out from beneath her feet, but she held fast, she still wanted to find him.
Zabuza smirked "You admit it now yet you practically begged me not to ask you before when that other rogue was around" the raven haired male leaned forward intending on getting his answers now, Sakura was quick though and was on her feet in a flash, wicker basket abandoned.
"Because Sasori's not your average rogue, where you might be at least B-A Class at best, he's S-Class and if he ever finds out I'm a Jinchuuriki then the whole Akatsuki Organization will be after me, right now they don't know I'm one and it's best it stays that way" the pinkette rushed out.
A sense of urgency in her words complete with looking around cautiously, nothing could get her more frightened than having to face against Sasori Akasuna or any of the other members of Akatsuki and she knew there were several.
He took in the emerald eyes that were wide and wild like a caged beast waiting to break free of it's confines and the way she was now completely on edge "And just how did you encounter that guy anyway" Zabuza decided to drop his previous line of conversation and start a new one.
It wasn't more than second later she was sat back before the wicker basket "Human Traffickers kidnapped me from the Leaf Village and she happened to get free and lead me into Lightning Country, he gave me food and a warm cloak the first time" Sakura explained.
Eyeing the basket and looking around for any herbs she might have missed "The second time I don't know where I was exactly, but he sensed my chakra and helped me out when the Human Traffickers took me from the Cloud Village" she finished, then stood.
Moments later she was gone headed back to Tazuna's with the herbs "Sakura-chan whoa are you alright you don't look so good" Genma was there, Sasuke no where in sight, probably off training again or something.
She gave him a tiny smile all she could muster at the moment "Well it's official my adoptive parents lost their minds, came here to tell me that they no longer want me when their the ones who adopted me and then stopped caring, I at least tried" Sakura sighed handing over the wicker basket.
To Tsunami who looked completely horrified at what had been revealed and Genma's jaw slackened to the point he dropped his senbon needle it fell from his lips "They kicked you out over this" the brunette with brown eyes asked in disbelief.
"Yep said that they didn't associate with shinobi and that they should have never allowed me to become one as it changed me to much, their the ones who changed not me right" apparently she wasn't to sure on this quite yet herself.
Her teammate who'd made plenty of effort not to ostracize the girl carefully wrapped an arm around her shoulders "Go ahead Sakura-chan you don't have to be strong you can cry on my shoulder" Genma soothed.
Only then did the tears she'd suppressed and intended on not releasing burst forth in a torrent, it had been a long time since she'd cried "I..It's not fair why am I being punished all the time" the pinkette cried.
Until she couldn't cry anymore and finally fell asleep "Poor thing, would you like me to carry up to your guest room so she could get some rest" Tsunami offered feeling for the small girl, who'd really tried her absolute hardest on this mission, yet bad things kept happening to her.
"Nah I got her thanks though Tsunami-san" the brunette scooped his teammate up with ease that would make others jealous and carried up her the stairs before tucking her into the futon making sure she was alright before going back down.
Just as the rest of his team and the others returned "Where's Sakura, she is back right it doesn't take this long to collect herbs" Kakashi immediately noticed the girls absence and narrowed his lone onyx eye, he'd told Inoichi of course what had happened, but to find her not there was disconcerting.
The brunette pointed to the ceiling "Upstairs, I don't know what happened, but while she was on her own, her parents showed up and basically told her they didn't want her anymore, was pretty upset, first time I've ever seen her cry that much" Genma answered.
Kakashi felt his heart nearly stop in his chest "Her parents kicked her out, why would they do something like that to their own daughter, I know forehead's weird, but geez not even I would be that cruel to my own child" Karin was the one to speak next.
"If you'd been paying attention Karin, Sakura-chan has had ongoing problems with her parents for a few years now, and they aren't even her real parents, they adopted her and then decided they didn't even want her anymore that's not right Believe it" Naruto burst out angrily.
Before vanishing up the steps to check on his best friend "Naruto-san is right Karin-san, Kakashi, they didn't even show up for the graduation ceremony, nor have they been around long enough to find out that she was kidnapped" Inoichi grudgingly agreed with the younger blonde.
"And they try to treat her like a normal civilian child" Yamato pointed out, onyx eyes shifting to the ceiling and he was the next one to disappear to find out how his teammate was doing, the poor girl didn't deserve anything that happened to her.
With all the revelations even the Uchiha on the team was horrified "But why would they adopt her then if later on down the road they decided they didn't want her" Sasuke blurted loudly before wincing as he remembered the girl was asleep.
None of them had an answer for him as they all split up around the house "Poor girl, I feel guilty that all the problems she's going through is my fault" Tazuna and Tsunami were all that remained in the living room when all the shinobi scattered.
Tsunami didn't know what to tell her father, instead patted him on the back and headed off to make an early dinner, fully intending on giving the girl something to eat first, who didn't come down at all for the rest of the day.
Though she did come down the next morning to everyone's surprise, looking as if she'd had an extremely rough night, deep black bags were beneath her eyes and her hair was in complete disarray, even her clothes were wrinkled beyond repair.
"M'ning" Sakura croaked tiredly, eyes unfocused and running on auto-pilot, or the beast sealed inside of her was in control without fully taking over, when they realized she was going to try and help make breakfast in her state, Sasuke leaped onto his feet.
Grabbed her by the shoulders and directed her to the empty chair between her own teammates "You'll burn the house down if you try to cook" the raven haired preteen scoffed trying to keep his insults and dislike of the girl to a minimum.
Sakura blinked at him sluggishly "Perhaps" the pinkette agreed sullenly sitting quietly between her teammates, who were doing their best not to crowd her or keep asking questions that would probably make her feel even worse.
When they realized she was intending on going with them to the bridge Kakashi spoke up hastily "You should stay here and rest Sakura-chan, Naruto has to stay behind because he stayed up all night himself" the silver haired nin suggested kindly.
And pointed to Naruto who was falling asleep in the chair, her emerald irises alighted on the boy "Wh..What's going on Sakura-chan are you okay" the blonde fell out of his chair as she tapped his shoulder, a moment later he calmed down and then together they headed back upstairs.
Kakashi blew out a breath "Come on lets get today over with" the older blonde sighed, he'd never seen the girl so depressed it was extremely disconcerting to say the least and then there was the matter of where she'd live when they got back to the village.
Things had gotten a little messed up "Right hopefully by tomorrow the bridge will be done" the Bridge Builder piped in as they all began walking in the direction of the almost finished bridge, then Gato would no longer have any power over the village.
It was Karin who realized that something wasn't quite right with the scene they happened upon "It's them Kakashi-sensei, those rogues" the red head shrieked managing to keep her volume reigned in for once as the mist was impossibly thick.
"So you finally got a brain in your head kudos to you girly, where's the other one, the smart one" Zabuza's dark voice filled the air at the end of the bridge as the mist dissipated enough so that he and his apprentice was seen.
Even the boy seemed curious about the other girls absence "Quite I was so anticipating fighting her" Haku admitted quietly, earning glares from the two boys on the missing girls team, who were clearly in not very good moods.
"You leave Sakura-chan out of your mess, she has enough problems of her own without having to deal with you" the brunette with brown eyes snapped already brandishing several of his senbon needles as anger welled up in him.
Sakura had grown on him and their other teammate "Exactly and by the time she wakes up this whole fight will be over" the brunette with onyx eyes predicted, he didn't want his teammate to have to fight, it wouldn't be right.
Zabuza narrowed his dark brown eyes "Very well then shall we begin the fight" the raven haired male mock bowed creating a bunch of water clones, that were all taken out by the Uchiha, Haku shot forward afterwards.
"Give up you stand no chance against me" the brunette wearing the fake hunter nin mask warned as the two boys fought, two of the genin missing, the two jonin watching carefully and the remaining three genin waiting for a chance to shine.
The fight wore on for a short time until the boy in the mask was kicked backwards, it was then he decided to stop messing around and use his kekkeigenkai against the Uchiha, who now really stood no chance against the brown haired boy.
Meanwhile back at Tazuna's the nine tailed Jinchuuriki was awake and raring to go, "Are you sure" the blue haired woman inquired softly, tilting her gaze to the ceiling where a certain pink haired genin was still fast asleep.
The boy flashed her a whiskered grin and was gone, though he returned soon afterwards to take care of the sudden problem, during the commotion though his friend had woken 'That boy, Haku is going to die' was the first thing out of Matatabi's mouth when her host was conscious.
Emerald orbs narrowed and gleamed with determination 'No more throwing a pity party, it's time to end this ridiculous mission' the pink haired Jinchuuriki of the two tailed cat rose to her feet, rested enough that she'd be able to fight effectively and left through the window.
When she arrived on scene, she was immediately concerned "Inoichi-sensei, where's Genma" Sakura frowned eyes scanning through the thick mist, it was dulling her senses so she couldn't feel where the others were.
Her sensei jolted in response at her voice "Helping Naruto-san and Sasuke-san, their fighting against the boy, Yamato and Karin-san are protecting Tazuna-san and Kakashi-san is squaring off against Zabuza-san" Inoichi explained.
Sakura blew out a breath "That boy is going to die, is there anyway that we can save him Inoichi-sensei" the pinkette inquired quietly, after all the horrors she'd faced, the troubles she'd encountered, she didn't relish in anymore life lost.
Inoichi glanced down at the young girl "Do you think you'll be able to get to him in time, I have this feeling that Gato-san is going to betray those two, so technically they wouldn't be our enemies any longer" the blonde questioned.
At the question the girl lowered her gaze to the ground "He's fast, but if I can get to Kakashi-sensei I might be able to redirect the blow that will kill the boy, he'll be hurt yes, but not dead" Sakura finally answered.
"First though, go check on Yamato and Karin-san, make sure their doing alright, I heard Karin-san scream a little bit ago before you joined us" Inoichi pointed directly in front of them and the girl hurried through the mist.
Nearly slamming into Tazuna, who completely freaked out "SOMEONE SAVE ME, I DON'T WANT TO DIE" Tazuna wailed eyes squeezed shut waiting for his death, only to hear a familiar sigh, his eyes popped open and he saw Sakura standing behind him.
Tazuna rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly "Sakura what are you doing here, your supposed to be resting" Yamato scolded keeping an eye on the passed out girl at his side, who'd fainted when Zabuza had appeared behind them.
"I'm rested enough and there's no way I'm going to miss the end of this fight, besides I have a score to settle with Gato, this is entirely his fault and he's going to pay" the pink haired Jinchuuriki vowed, having directed her anger onto the only person who she saw as guilty.
Yamato eyed his teammate warily just as the unconscious girl came round "What exactly are you doing here pink haired freak" Karin rounded on the slightly older girl angrily, this was her time to shine and she couldn't do that if the other girl was there standing in her way.
This earned her a reprimanding glare and Karin shrunk back "This is no time to be messing around trying to show off Karin, it's a matter of life or death" Sakura stated not even deigning to grace the girl with another look.
"Very scary Sakura just promise me you'll be careful whatever your planning to do" the brunette quipped dryly in amusement, with Sakura back in their ranks this fight was as good as over, she wasn't a normal girl after all.
Karin huffed and crossed her arms "I'll beat you one of these days and impress Sasuke-kun, it might not be today, but someday" the red head grumbled and stepped back to stand in front of Tazuna, who had stood.
"Good luck then Sakura" the bridge builder nodded and then the girl vanished into the mist to help out her other teammates possibly, nobody knew what Sakura was planning, but it would end with them being the victors over that particular fight and come out stronger.
Charging through mist with zero visibility and unable to sense others chakra was extremely difficult Sakura thought inwardly 'Koneko-chan your to much sometimes' Matatabi shook her head in amusement at her host.
Especially when the girl slammed into something solid that was freezing cold and she leaped back hastily, it was then that Sakura was finally able to sense the chakra within the dome and knew instantly where she was.
With a deep breath Sakura drew back her hand channeling chakra into it then with all her strength punched what she thought looked like a giant mirror of ice, the moment her knuckles brushed the surface of it, she released all the pent up chakra in her fist and the ice mirror exploded upon impact.
Before her position was given away, she suppressed her chakra and used the mist to her advantage and ran around what she knew was a dome made out of ice and launched her second attack, destroying another ice mirror with chakra enhanced strength.
This time her eyes met those of Sasuke's as he spotted her just before she disappeared into the surrounding mist, "Come on Dope, Genma we can do this if we work together" Sasuke leaped onto his feet ready to try again.
"In case you haven't noticed Teme, no matter how much teamwork we use we're trapped in here and every time we try we get a barrage of senbon needles" Naruto whirled angrily on his teammate and waved his hands madly.
Off to the side the remaining brunette, who'd also noticed that his own teammate was helping them rose to his feet himself "Naruto, we aren't alone" Genma hinted and out of the corner of his eye saw a flash of pink followed by one of the ice mirrors that kept them trapped shattering.
The third one and then she was gone again, she really was a smart one that girl, baby blue eyes widened as Naruto caught on to what was going on and it was clear their opponent hadn't realized what was going on yet himself.
He was still concerned over the fact that three of his ice mirrors had been shattered mysteriously "You can try but no matter how hard you struggle you won't win" Haku called attacking again, hitting nerves easily and the three boys fell to their knee's yet again.
Meanwhile Sakura was realizing that all she was doing was wasting her chakra 'Koneko-chan use some of my chakra' Matatabi shared some of her chakra with her host, and the girl took a deep breath forgoing the hand signs.
And spat out a thick ball of blue flames that immediately collided with the ice mirror she was stood in front of and spread like wild fire, it spread out like a thick sheet of blue fire, catching fire on ice mirrors next to the one she was stood in front of.
Panic filled the air from those within the dome, they would be safe from the flames because she willed it, she controlled them, but for the boy using the mirrors to launch his attack, he had to quickly escape his own jutsu lest he be burned alive by the blue flames.
"So it's you then, I wanted to fight you Sakura-san" Haku brushed his haori off, in his haste to escape, his mask had fallen off revealing doe brown eyes and youthful features, he was only a child and yet he was strong.
As soon as Haku had left the safety of his mirrors, the dome of ice had shattered and the three senbon needle riddled boys flopped down on their butts "That's Sakura-chan for ya, her blue flames are awesome believe it" the blonde punched the air tiredly in a victory fist pump.
Sasuke rolled his eyes tiredly in annoyance "Yeah, yeah whatever she saved our asses, she better not rub it in" the raven haired preteen groaned wishing he could just fall back and go to sleep, he was exhausted after getting his ass kicked.
Genma chuckled lightly and produced yet another senbon needle to shove in his mouth and chew on the end of "If Sakura-chan does rub it in and brag, she deserves it" the brunette with brown eyes spoke on behalf of his teammate.
Who back-flipped in front of them suddenly "Do something about this mist, I know you have wind nature chakra Naruto, use a jutsu from this book, Sasuke, Genma help him out please, this mist is driving me crazy" the pinkette tossed a book down in Naruto's lap.
Then was gone in the next moment, no doubt handling their previous opponent, who'd quite thoroughly whipped their asses and with no choice but to do as requested, the blonde hurriedly flipped through the book and settled on the wind dragon jutsu.
Both boys on either side of him helped him quickly memorize the hand signs and talked him through the technique "I…I think I've got it Futon: Wind Dragon Jutsu" Naruto clumsily formed the hand signs he'd memorized on the spot.
And off to the side a large dragon made out of wind came to life, the air pressure rose making it difficult to breathe "Now Dope, use the wind blast jutsu in conjunction with the wind dragon, like we agreed upon" Sasuke instructed.
"You can do it Naruto, just believe in yourself like Sakura-chan believes in you" Genma patted the boy gently on the back boosting his confidence in the next moment a large blast of wind went sailing through the air from the wind dragon.
Clearing the mist with ease, all eyes turned onto the three boys "It's amazing what they can do when they work together isn't it Haku-san" Sakura smiled fondly glad that she could see again and quickly noted the positions of Kakashi and Zabuza.
"Perhaps, but they are in no condition to help you Sakura-san" the brunette with doe brown eyes pointed out launching himself forward and clashing his senbon needle with those of her dual tantou swords.
Emerald eyes slit like a cats pierced right through him as he quickly found himself on the defensive against the young girl "They've done their part already and I can handle myself a lot better than those boys, well Genma's pretty good when he's not goofing off" the pinkette stated.
The boy in front of her frowned deeply and chanced a glance over his shoulder at his Master only to realize that in his brief moment of distraction, the girl he was fighting against took advantage of the moment by lunging forward and plunging one of her tantou into his thigh.
Pain alighted his youthful features as he stared up at the pink haired kunoichi, doe eyes wide in horror thinking she was going to kill him "I have failed" Haku realized giving up the fight, he was no longer useful.
His Master didn't even so much as glance in his direction, considering he was being held in place by a bunch of dogs and the Copy Ninja was stood a short distance away from the man obviously talking for the moment.
Keeping Haku held at sword point was simple for the moment, he wouldn't try anything, not yet and Sakura kept her eyes focused on the unmoving duo, she could see everyone by that point as the mist had been completely cleared by the wind jutsu that had been set off.
It was agonizing the wait and then suddenly chakra filled the air, it was heavy and oppressive and visible, the crackling of electricity sounded in their ears as the copy ninja dashed forward, in the next moment Haku stood despite his injury "I must go" his doe eyes were determined.
Sakura titled her head to the side in understanding as the boy was gone seconds later, this was it "KAKASHI-SENSEI AIM LOW" she shouted channeling chakra into her vocal cords to be louder, his hand automatically redirected itself to a lower point.
Just as a body threw itself between him and Zabuza, their eyes widened and a blast of chakra washed over them, nearly knocking them off their feet when they were able to focus again, they saw what had happened in the brief moment of distraction.
Haku was stood in front of Zabuza, hand buried in his stomach "Why would you, but how" Kakashi was in shock, the boy was barely alive, he would probably be dead if he hadn't aimed his jutsu lower.
Mismatched eyes shot in the direction of the only pink haired girl he knew of unbeknownst to himself the man who'd just been saved yet again by his apprentice let out an inaudible sigh of relief but to keep up the pretense of fighting swung his sword.
"Not bad Hatake" Zabuza chuckled menacingly as Kakashi leaped backwards, Haku in arms, the boy groaned quietly as agony wracked his body, he hadn't thought it would hurt this much, nor had he thought he would still be alive, perhaps he hadn't out lived his usefulness.
Kakashi glared and the fight was on again between the two Jonin, by that point Zabuza was wearing down again and found it difficult to keep up "What's the matter Zabuza" the silver haired nin taunted feeling anger rushing through his veins.
"I'm going to slaughter you" the raven haired rogue snarled furiously doing his best to get in another hit, until he found both of his arms completely useless, he was going to try and continue the fight when Gato arrived with a bunch of thugs.
The moment she'd been waiting for almost impatiently as the pink haired Jinchuuriki walked forward to stand at the Copy Ninja's side "Well, well, well looks like he's really done a number on you huh Zabuza" Gato slammed his cane on the ground to get their attention.
"What are you doing here Gato this wasn't the plan" Zabuza turned, glad that the man he'd formerly been fighting had, had the sense to put Haku down next to the other Jonin, who hadn't really gotten involved in the fighting, and out of the way of further danger.
Gato smirked "According to the new plan you die on this bridge Zabuza, so called demon ninja, more like a demonic wet kitten" the man taunted, but it wasn't Zabuza who took offense to the words but the young girl stood at the copy ninja's side.
"Sakura-chan that's not a good idea" Kakashi hastily tried to warn the girl from leaping headlong into a fight she wouldn't come out of, but when her yellow and green mismatched eyes met his own mismatched eyes of onyx and sharingan, he knew he wasn't speaking to Sakura.
But the two tailed cat sealed within the girl "Relax Kakashi-san, I don't intend on letting anyone of those bastards touch my Koneko-chan, do you object Momochi-san" a lilting voice filled the air from the girl, who after speaking to Kakashi turned to the demon ninja of the mist village.
Zabuza considered his options it was either charge recklessly forward and possibly die or let the Jinchuuriki girl handle Gato "I'll be coming with you" the raven haired male finally stated, not relishing in the thought of owing a debt to anyone, especially not a life debt.
Those mismatched eyes pierced straight through him before focusing on Gato a low rumbling growl filled the air and with Matatabi in control, the girl shot forward, tantou swords held out, the rogue, Yamato and Genma weren't to far behind as they launched a counter attack.
Against the one who was really to blame for how difficult their mission had gotten, all the problems they'd faced and Sakura had somehow realized this during the time she was grieving for the unfair situation she'd been put in by her own adopted parents.
It wasn't a very long fight as the three genin, two former Jonin who had been de-aged, a jinchuuriki and a rogue jonin bypassed most of the thugs and weapons that were thrust at them, though Zabuza did get hit with quite a few taking a hit for the girl.
Until it was just them and Gato "Y..Your just a kid, a genin brat how the hell could you go toe to toe with my thugs, there's no way you'll be able to kill me" who was trying vainly to get out of the situation he suddenly found himself in.
Matatabi had relented control back to her host, who stood tall before the man she found blame for everything that had happened since they'd left the village "Then you underestimate me by believing that" Sakura spoke coldly.
Her teammates on either side of her watching for any sudden moves and letting her handle everything "I..If you think I'll just let myself be killed by a snot-nosed brat genin your dead wrong" Gato snapped holding up his own weapon, which was pathetic.
And Sakura slapped it from his hands, it fell into the water, before holding out her hands, nails elongated "For everything that has happened and this village that you punished for wanting to live, you're life is forfeit" the pinkette said lunging forward.
Nails, long and sharp hitting their target, Gato's heart and the oppressor of the small village was dead, when she pulled her nails free, his body fell over the side of the bridge and into the water below "Good work Sakura-chan" Genma was suddenly at her side praising her with a kind smile.
"You were amazing, but we still have work to do" Yamato praised as well, though reminding the two of the remaining thugs, who moved out of their way, dropping their weapons as the trio of genin passed and Zabuza trailed behind them slowly.
In the end the rest of the thugs were scared off by the village "Can you heal him Sakura" Inoichi finally spoke up as the genin moved in their direction and Kakashi joined them, the girl in question knelt at Haku's side.
Who coughed out blood obviously bleeding internally 'Let me Koneko-chan, my chakra will heal him so you don't have to waste more of your chakra' Matatabi offered and so when the pink haired girl raised her hand instead of green chakra, it was blue like her flames.
She pressed it over the hole in Haku's stomach, and the pure chakra that came from the two tailed beast healed the damage done "Th..Thank you" Haku murmured softly as the flesh stitched together until he was all healed.
Then she rounded on the last remaining seriously injured person, waiting for him to decide what he wanted, finally he tilted his head to the side in acquiesce and soon he to was healed, what only a few of them guessed would happen, happened.
Due to how much she'd done and how very little sleep she'd gotten upon healing Haku and Zabuza, Sakura smiled before falling unconscious, Genma and Yamato were right there to catch her and moments later she was lifted into Inoichi's arms.
With that and since the fight was over, they all trekked back to Tazuna's to get some rest in order to complete their mission, which was watch over the bridge builder as he finished his bridge that would connect the small land to the main land.