Tsunade stared at the young girl. Haruno Amarante stood, in her mother's training clothes. Amarante had found them when she helped her grandmother pack. They were tucked away in a corner of Sakura's cabinet. Now, Sakura's mother was gone. She had left her grandchildren for a few months for a breath of fresh air; as they had been told. Taro left the same morning with Kakashi to start their training and now, she stood in front of the Hokage looking exactly like her mother.

"Amarante. I am very vigorous in my training. I am pushy, harsh, and mean. You better be prepared to face my wrath anytime I feel like it. You will be pushed until I feel you competent enough to be a qualified medic-ninja. Do you understand?" Tsuande's voice radiated as she talked to the young girl.

"Hai Tsunade-sama." She spoke as bowed.

"Alright, now, I am going to give you a few books that I want you to read. It will re-teach the basics you already know and teach you other necessary information you need to know before we engage you into the world of healing. The first book I give you is a book you have probably have already read. Basic chakra." Tsuande handed the girl a green bound book. "The second book is Mystic Healing: A Guide to Medical Chakra. This will teach you the basics of chakra healing." The red book was laid against the green one. "The third book is a standard Anatomy and Physiology book. I will test you on all the muscles, organs, tissues, nerves, etc… in exactly one week. Now go. Read these books and understand all the information. I have my duties, I have given you yours. Now go!"

"Thank you Tsunade-sama." Amarante spoke as she walked away. Down the hall and flight of stairs, Amarante continued her walk to her home. Opening the door, she expected to smell her mother's cooking or her grandmother's perfume, but she smelled nothing. Sighing, Amarante changed out of her clothes and pulled on one of her brother's large shirts and her own shorts. Opening her refrigerator, she pulled out a few tomatoes and started to slice them. Pulling out some three minute ramen, she made her lunch and then sat down. Opening the first book, she started reading and soon, she was engulfed in the world of chakra, healing, and anatomy.

"Amarante-san?" Someone spoke knocking in the door. Amarante's head jerked up as she heard the door. Standing up, she walked over to the door to find Goro standing there. "Let's go get some Ramen." He offered. Gladly excepting, Amarante quickly changed into her mother's genin training clothes and then grabbed her money.

"You're buying…dobe." She smiled and then walked over to Ichiraku's. "So, what's up?" Amarante asked as she looked at her best friend trying to hide her grief.

"The question is, are you okay?" Goro asked as he looked at her.

"I'm fine." She quickly lied. "Let's eat. I got to go home and study." Amarante spoke as she and Goro sat down. "May I have some Miso Ramen please?" She asked.

"Well, I have been assigned a mission tomorrow. With Ryo and Taketo so pray for me. I can't stand him."

"Ryo or Taketo?"

"Ryo."

"Yeah."

"Goro!" Someone said. Both chunin turned around to find Uzumaki Hinata and Naruto walking up to them. "Goro, how many times have you had Ramen today?" His mother scolded as he shrugged his shoulders. "Kami-sama, Amarante sweetheart, how are you?" Hinata asked as she noticed the girl in the pink training outfit. Hinata then looked at Naruto who stared at the girl.

"I'm fine Hinata-obaasan, how are you?" She asked formally at the mother figure.

"I'm just fine." She smiled and then sat down next to her. "I was going to take Aiko shopping tomorrow, would you like to come?" Hinata asked. "I believe Tenten-chan and my niece are coming as well."

"I would love to but I need to study. I was just telling Goro that I have been accepted as Tsuande-sama's apprentice."

"That old woman will make you strong." Naruto said stealing Goro's bowl and eating it. "She made your mother strong."

"Hai. It's what mom would have wanted." Amarante smiled as she looked at her bowl.

"Yes, well, study hard, and whenever you feel like training, just ask me. I'll be there." Hinata said as she smoothed the dark pink hair. Amarante smiled and then continued with her ramen. Hinata smiled and then she and Naruto walked away holding hands, talking.

"Goro, I wonder, if my father had accepted us early on, would mom have died?" Amarante asked as she looked at her bowl of ramen.

"Death will happen at any time. Your mother was a ninja, she died protecting Konoha and its citizens." Goro spoke as he looked at his best female friend.

"She was weak, that is what she was." Amarante turned around to find Ryo standing with his hands shoved down his pocket. Groaning, Amarante turned back around and continued to eat her lunch and dinner. "You respond when I talk to you wench or do I have to teach you like I thought you back in the arena?" He spoke forcefully turning her around and pulling her off her seat.

"Hey, show some respect Uchiha." Goro yelled as he got off his seat activated his byakugan. Amarante stopped him from attacking. Turning back around, she picked up her ramen bowl and then tipped it over Ryo's head. Ryo, not expecting that pulled the bowl off his head flashing his sharingan.

"You and me…fight, now." He seethed as he pulled out a kunai.

"I don't have time for this. Go home to your mommy." Amarante spoke as she left money and the bowl on the counter and then walked away. Ryo grabbed her arms and then pulled her away. Pushing her against the wall, he lifted his fist to punch her until he was stopped by Goro. Goro kicked Ryo in the head. Ryo came after him as Goro made his stance for the gentle fist. Ryo came at him with his Fire technique. "Stop!" Amarante screamed as she stood in front of Ryo. "It's not worth it, just go home Uchiha."

"Move out of the way Haruno." He pushed her aside and made the appropriate hand signs for the Katon. Suddenly, a flash of green pushed Ryo into the wall.

"You shall not hurt Goro and Amarante. They are fellow peers." Lee said as he stood in his spandex.

"Lee-niisan!" Amarante screamed as she saw him. Ryo snarled and then walked away, or rather limped away.

"Goro, it is not smart to fight with fellow ninja. Save you anger for your missions." Lee said as he stood in front of the two children. "Well, I have a mission. I will see you later. The explosion of youth has just begun for you. Become strong, fight evil. Be youthful!" Lee walked away with Goro mumbling about the bushy eyebrows on his forehead.

"Come on Goro, thanks for your help. And thanks for dinner." She kissed his cheek and walked away. Goro watched as his sister figure retreated and then turned around to go home. He knew that life would not be different from here on out. He knew that life would be interesting. Shaking his head, he laid in his bed and shut his eyes. I have a mission with that baka tomorrow. Kami-sama, give me your strength so I do not kill him.

Amarante walked to her home. When Sakura was pregnant with the twins, she had purchased a new home near the forest. She liked the calmness of the forest at night, the scent of pine. The shade it provided and the beautiful scenery. Amarante and Taro had grown to love the forest. Walking deep inside, full of anger, Amarante laid some targets and started to practice her aim. Come on focus, the eyes, come on! Focus. Amarante strained her eyes and then threw the kunai on the target. Soon, she was all out of kunai and out of breath. With her face in an angered expression, Amarante looked up and focused her eyes in the woods. Something felt weird. The forest looked strange. What the hell? Shaking her head, she refocused her eyes. This time the forest looked fine. I wonder what that was. In the forest, someone was watching the girl. The someone smiled. You're mine.