Disclaimer: I do not own anything relating to the Naruto universe. All credit goes to Masashi Kishimoto.

Chapter 10

It's been a day since the Chunins attacked us. I had to admit. I was still a bit shaken up from the fight. But….I was an Uchiha. I can't die till I have completed my goals. Nothing will stop me. He will die. He must.

I looked over my shoulder at Sakura. She was looking out to the misty waves, a distant look on her face. She has been looking like that a lot recently. She'll just zone out sometimes.

Sakura has become a bigger question each day.

Sakura has changed. There is no denying that. And even that loser over there too has changed. Sakura though, it's like she's a completely different person. Her stamina and strength has improved over the past weeks. Not significantly, but enough to notice. How though?

"Sakura, who's training you besides Kakashi." I knew she was receiving training from someone. Maybe that woman she stopped in the middle of the street a few Wednesdays ago.

Sakura turned, an eyebrow raised.

"Oh, come on! Tell us, Sakura!" The loser shouted. Sakura adopted a thoughtful look on her face. She placed a hand on her chin as if she was thinking.

"Hm, well if you insist. I'm actually being trained by two people. Team 8's Sensei and a fellow Genin named Rock Lee." Two teachers….

"Rock Lee? What does he teach you?" I never even heard of him. And a Genin teaching another Genin?

"He excels in taijutsu. We meet every morning." Sakura stopped and we waited for her to continue. "Er, uh for example, last session we did 15 laps around the village—." That's not bad. "on our hands. It's not fun. I learned that the hard way." Oh.

"What do you mean on your hands?!" Naruto yelled, disbelief evident on his face. Sakura sighed, and tried to begin to explain the extreme exercise.

"Well, it starts as a handstand—"

"Rock Lee wouldn't happen to be a certain student of a certain Sensei named Might Gai?" Kakashi interrupted. Sakura smiled kindly, but I could see what it truly was. A smirk.

"Yeah….you know him?" Sakura raised a pink brow, a question on her face.

"Unfortunately." Kakashi didn't continue on the subject. I think we all took the hint not to broach the subject. It seemed to be touchy subject for him, since I could see him grimace slightly under his mask.

*

If only Kakashi knew, Gai Sensei spoke of his eternal rival on the daily.

It had been interesting, to meet Gai Sensei and his team before the Chunin Exams. I have spoken to both Neji and TenTen, already. When they come to pick Lee up in the mornings for a mission or session.

They weren't any different. Especially Neji. He was as close minded as he was in the other timeline's Chunin Exams. I missed the older, Jounin Neji. Genin Neji is all about destiny and fate, still. I have tried to talk to him, but it seems only Naruto will be able to get through to him.

I have…..already flipped out him. For insulting Lee on his destiny of being a weak ninja. I lost my shit.

Let's just say….Neji probably considers me a psychopath, now. Oh well.

"Sakura, did you hear what Tazuna said about the mission?" Kakashi asked, snapping me out of my reminiscing of the past.

"Yeah, about Gato." That means we should be getting closer to shore. Kakashi stared at me for a few more seconds, unconvinced.

"Sakura, you can't afford to have your head in the clouds. One wrong move and you're dead." Believe me. I know more than you can imagine, Kakashi. Sadly. I just nodded my head, the ever obedient student.

I then noticed Sasuke staring at me. Jeez, he's been looking at me a lot recently. Not out of infatuation. More like I have two heads kind of way. And he did just ask me questions out of nowhere about my training. So unlike him, to initiate conversation first.

I was pulled from my thoughts, as Naruto leaned forward as we glided under the bridge and into the scenic village. His eyes widened as he took in the foreign scenery.

"Woah…." I forgot this is his first time out of the village. And probably Sasuke's too. Because even he looked around with interest.

Kakashi must have noticed my laid-back attitude, because I could feel his one eyed stare on the back of my head. Jeez.

"Woah, Naruto. Look at those trees!" I flung myself forward, pointing at the trees. Naruto and Sasuke grunted as I landed on them.

"Jeez, Sakura. How much have you eaten?" Naruto asked. Did he just…. My right eye began to twitch.

"It's muscle!" I hissed, pulling myself up and out of the boat as it neared the deck. I waited a few feet away for my companions, my arms crossed over my chest.

After they all got out, we began to walk in the direction for the clearing, where the battle with Zabuza would be.

"Now, if I can just make it home in one piece." Tazuna said. Kakashi sighed.

"Yeah, Yeah." He sounded so done with Tazuna's shit.

We walked for a minute before Naruto began to throw Kunais. He wouldn't hit anything, except for almost hitting the snow rabbit. Which would be used as one of Zabuza's substitutions if needed, I believe. And thankfully for the bunny, he won't.

It all happened pretty quickly after that. Naruto discovers the snow rabbit. Kakashi figures out they will be attacked. Warns us to get down. Almost get our heads taken off by a huge sword. Finally, Zabuza makes his grand appearance.

AN:

I will try to get Sakura to interact with other characters. As always, thanks for the reviews.

Published: 1/4/19