Both Kurenai and I returned to Konoha two weeks after we had been given our mission. The mission itself took a week and we basically had to watch over a noble woman who didn't want men around her while she prepared for her wedding.

We had to stop various assassins during that week, and up until the wedding itself when we were dismissed.

When we reported back to the Hokage, I found out that Team Seven had been sent on a mission outside of the village. "They've been away for about a week now."

"Do you think they can handle it?" Kurenai asked, glancing between the Hokage and I.

"If nothing unexpected happens," I replied. "I've had many missions that started one rank and went up, so its possible it may happen to them as well." I bowed my head slightly to the Hokage. "If you don't mind, I'll take my leave and spend the time Sasuke is away recovering. I've been feeling slightly under the weather and wouldn't want it to become worse."

The old man behind the desk nodded his head. "Visit the hospital to make sure it's nothing serious."

I nodded and did as he requested, visiting the hospital. As it turns out, I was in the beginning stages of the flu, and was told to stay in the hospital to make sure I wasn't contagious and would give it to anyone else.

The flu is something that is very easy to take care of if you have someone who has knowledge about medical jutsu and depending on what stage you're in can take up to a day to fully be rid of. I could take care of it myself, but I didn't want to risk anyone finding out I knew it.

Even the Hokage didn't know of my Medical Jutsu knowledge, though I suspected that he had a little bit of an idea that either Itachi or I knew some way of healing ourselves.

I'd be at the hospital overnight just for observation. Personally, I think it's also an excuse to check out any other conditions I may have since I'm hardly ever in the hospital. If the medics did anything other than check up on me though, I leveled them with a stare, refusing to look away. For the most part they caught the hint and just did what they needed.

The one that didn't was a new worker and was a little too scared to even come in my room.

"They decided to keep you overnight?" Kurenai asked, coming through the door and sitting in the chair beside my bed.

"Observation," I replied.

As a ninja, I didn't like hospitals. Hospitals meant weakness and ninja didn't like being caught at their weakest. It was a paranoid thought, but we fear if anyone were to infiltrate our hospital ranks. If they were capable of using medical jutsu, they were capable of dangerous things. They could kill an injured ninja without leaving a trace or mess with an internal organ to cause difficulties in an important fight later on.

There were a large number of things that could be done.

Needless to say, even if we hated hospitals, ninja still do have to visit them as it's very common to become injured out in the field.

"I suppose you were in the beginning stages of the flu?"

I nodded my head. "Irritated throat, dry mouth, lethargy. No physical signs yet."

Kurenai sighed. "Probably from that last night." Kurenai and I had to hide our chakra, so there was no way to regulate our temperature as we hid half submerged in some water. It was very possible that was when I began getting sick.

"I knew you should've taken a Soldier Pill." She sighed and shook her head.

Kurenai stayed with me through most of my time at the hospital, the both of us talking about insignificant things while waiting for me to be allowed to check out. My check out time was somewhere in the early morning hours and once I was released, I bid Kurenai farewell and returned to my home to take a nice relaxing shower. After that was taken care of, I summoned Kurai.

"Same one?" she asked as I tied the note to her leg.

I shook my head. "The little one is on a mission. I just wanted to inform him that I had returned. Make sure to ruffle his hair for me."

Sasuke disliked when Kurai was out and around since she had taken a special liking to his hair. Anytime he was around while she was out, she'd rest in his hair as though it were a nest. To be fair though, she did the same to Naruto as well.

I'm fairly certain she likes fluffy hair.

"Will do."

"They're in the Land of Waves," I added on so she wouldn't spend a longer amount of time searching for them.

"I'll deliver them to the little one Sayuri. Just leave it to me."

"Thank you Kurai." I rubbed the top of the cardinal's head before allowing her to fly off. Once that was done I made my way to the woods, around the area where my flowers were located, so I could train.

Until Sasuke returned, I wouldn't take another mission, so I could ask him how his own mission went. We weren't pressed for money, since I took on various high paying S-Rank or A-Rank missions, so it wasn't as though I needed to take a mission immediately after returning from a previous one. The missions just kept me busy.

Once I was finished training, it was almost morning of the next day so I stopped and decided to get some sleep.

The process of training, sleeping, and reading up on medical jutsu and the human body continued on until Sasuke arrived with Naruto a week later and asked for food. He had long since learned that without distractions I could train for hours on end without a break and the best way to get me to stop was to request my help with something, whether assistance on learning something or just asking for some food.

"Did you even eat Sayuri?" Naruto asked, looking around the kitchen. "Nothing looks moved. Did you stay in the hospital the whole time? Cause Sasuke told me you had stayed at the hospital."

"I only stayed overnight because I had the beginning symptoms of the flu and they wanted to be sure I was fine before sending me on my way," I told him.

"That didn't answer Naruto's question."

"I ate when I was hungry."

Sasuke sighed and shook his head, heading toward his room. Naruto took my own shower so he could wash up while Sasuke took the other one. I began working on some food for the two boys and I so they'd be able to eat once they were finished cleaning up.

"And then they named the bridge after me!" Naruto said proudly as he finished the story of what happened on Team Seven's mission.

I nodded my head, finishing up the last of my food before glancing at Sasuke. "You've finally gotten your Sharingan."

He nodded, his eyes changing from black to red.

"Oh wow, you two really look like siblings now!" Naruto's eyes were wide as he glanced between the two of us. "That's really cool!"

I smiled slightly before leaning over and ruffling Sasuke's hair. "I've always thought of myself as Sasuke's sister. As ninja, its not just blood that ties us to one another but the bond we share."

"The bond?"

I nodded once more. "You said Sasuke jumped in front of you to save you from a possibly fatal blow. You share a bond of brothers. Bonds...are special things. You're willing to risk everything for the ones you care about."

He nodded slowly, seeming to catch on to what I was explaining.

The conversation continued on for a while, and once we were all finished we moved to the living room to continue our discussion there. This time around for the story Naruto was telling me, I was informing both boys what they could've done to end up getting hurt a bit less on their mission. I was also going to attempt to help the boys, and Sakura as well if I could get her to join in, endure the Killing Intent that ninja could put out to throw off their enemies. I could also put out the Killing Intent if I felt like it, so I'd be able to train the three if Kakashi didn't want to do it. If he helped out, I'd give Team Seven little tips and tricks to be affected less by it.

Killing Intent was something I've only ever used once to my advantage, and that was back during my Anbu days. Itachi and I were on a mission with just the two of us and an innocent bystander, a child, was at risk of being harmed. I wasn't about to allow such a thing and used my Killing Intent to scare the man away while Itachi brought the child to a safer location.

"Are Sakura and Kakashi going to come over later as well?" I asked the two boys while washing the dishes.

"Sakura might," Naruto replied. "Kakashi Sensei is always late though so he might not come over until we're all asleep."

"I wouldn't expect him," Sasuke added in.

I finished up with the last dish before wandering into the living room and sitting in the unoccupied armchair. "Would you like for me to assist you in training, or would you two like to relax?"

"After such a wild mission, I just want to relax," Naruto groaned, sprawling out and taking over most of the couch. Sasuke, who was also sitting on that same couch, pushed him off the couch since he had Naruto's feet in his face.

"We'll probably relax today and start training again tomorrow," Sasuke told me. Almost immediately after he said that, Naruto started an argument and the two began wrestling.

"Take it outside." When neither listened to me, I stood from my spot and grabbed both of the boys by the back of their shirts to hold them away from each other. "Go outside if you insist on fighting or you two will take care of cleaning everything you destroy." I let go of them and allowed them to wander out to the backyard to generally just try to beat up one another.

Sakura arrived sometime while the two boys were fighting in the backyard and while they fought, I gave her pointers on things to do and not to do as a kunoichi. Being from a civilian family meant that she wasn't exactly as informed as she could be about such things. One of the things was something I told Kakashi I'd discuss with her.

"Oh, I never knew Soldier Pills did that." Sakura's eyes were wide as I told her what needed to be told.

"That's why it's very important to keep an eye on those days. The boys normally aren't informed of such information until after they make Chunnin, or once their female teammate hits puberty, since your missions are fairly tame. After your last mission though, I want to make sure you know." Sasuke smacked Naruto into a tree, nearly hitting one of the flowers I kept closer to the house. "Don't crush those plants you two."

"They never told us things like that in the academy." I could see that she was looking ahead of her blankly, probably trying to recall her classes.

"I believe they should since it's something important if your enemy has strong senses. Most kunoichi are told by their parents about things like this." My own parents didn't inform me of such things and I found out by taking a Soldier Pill during an Anbu mission. It nearly cost Itachi and I our lives.

"Did your parents tell you?"

I shook my head. "They died on a mission before they could."

Her eyes widened. "How did you find out?"

"I went on a mission and needed a Soldier Pill to be sure I'd make it through...I gave away our position in the middle of enemy territory. My teammate and I nearly lost our lives because of it."

She gasped, covering her mouth.

"Now you see why I've taken it upon myself to let you know. Your parents are civilians and wouldn't think to warn you about such things. I spoke with Kakashi though and told him that I'd discuss it with you. He'll take it upon himself to speak with the two boys about it." Sakura's cheeks reddened and I shook my head. "It's nothing to be embarassed about. Most kunoichi have their times documented for that reason. To be safe kunoichi have to make sure their male comrades know of such information. Let me give you an example on why it's best for your teammates to know of the times. You're unconscious and have enemies scouting nearby and a teammate were to give you a Soldier Pill to recover quicker. As soon as the pill gets into your system, your teammates will be attacked. That could be the end for you and them. Once you get to Chunnin and higher you'll also work with other teams besides your own, so you'll also have to worry about your own teammates as sometimes if they're not forewarned, they can react badly."

"Thank you for telling me all of this," Sakura said.

I nodded in acknowledgement. "It's something I believe all kunoichi should know. The boys should learn as well, but only after they're prepared for such information. Most males aren't fond of the subject and it makes things a bit more awkward on the team. Also, if you don't mind, can you speak with Ino about this? Asuma's trying to get out of it and if she's curious enough to ask any questions she can either come to me or to her parents."

She began fidgeting, causing me to raise an eyebrow slightly in curiosity. "Ino and I aren't friends."

"Naruto and Sasuke told me you two were."

"We got into an argument."

"Over?"

"Sasuke." Her face reddened.

My neutral expression slipped ever so slightly. I knew she liked him, but to end a friendship over a crush? "I'm disappointed Sakura."

She looked down in shame.

"You should never end a friendship over something so petty. He can only love one of you, that is true, but that doesn't mean you should stop being friends. It'll give you less of a chance with him if I have to be honest."

She remained quiet so I put a hand on her shoulder to make sure she was listening to me.

"Apologize to her. Repair that friendship. Friends are something you should cherish, not throw away because of a competition." I gestured to the two wrestling boys. "They become someone you can bond with that isn't family. You may argue a bit, as you can see Naruto and Sasuke spend half of their time doing just that, but that doesn't mean you can't be friends."

I heard a quiet sigh escape her but she didn't say anything else, choosing instead to watch the boys fight. It was just a normal face-off between the two when they weren't training.

Naruto and Sasuke had two ways of fighting. One was when they wrestled just to be able to beat one another up and not slack off while also relaxing. The second way was when they actually trained and made an effort in their attacks on one another. The former I saw more often since the boys were normally in areas where it would be bad if they damaged something. They trained farther into the woods or at a designated training ground otherwise.

"Why do you hate Naruto?" I asked Sakura once the boys had decided to move a bit farther away.

"What?"

I repeated my question, giving her a stare so she'd know I was serious about her answer.

"Oh." She huffed. "He's so annoying; always trying to get my attention. He doesn't care about what others think and he always plays pranks on the higher ranking ninja."

"What about Sasuke?"

Her cheeks slightly pinkened. "He's so dreamy and mysterious; he takes being a ninja seriously, unlike Naruto. He's also really good looking." She sighed slightly in bliss.

I hummed. "Do you want to know what I see when I look at Team Seven? I see a young kunoichi who has her eyes on one of her teammates and nothing else, not even her own training. Then there's a young blond who wants to be recognized by people who choose to ignore him and tries his hardest. Finally there's a young Uchiha who's hurting inside from losing those closest to him and wants to get stronger to protect those he has left. The two males of the team formed a bond of friendship while their female teammate gazes over her crush."

Sakura's gaze moved between the boys then myself. She was a little put out by what I said.

"I can see beneath the underneath though. Team Seven has very capable genin, as it should be noted you're the first team that Kakashi has ever passed. You have an intelligent kunoichi that once she sets her mind on something would be able to accomplish quite a bit, a blond who will one day be recognized as a strong ninja, and my Sasuke who will become strong enough to even protect myself." I glanced at the boys, to be sure they weren't destroying the flowers, before returning my attention to the pink haired kunoichi by my side. "Sasuke was already being trained by me before any of you even became genin, Naruto began training under my tutelage once he became friends with Sasuke, and you've been incorporated into their team. I'm willing to train you as I am them."

"But we already have Kakashi Sensei." Her eyes were wide, with what emotion, I'm not quite sure.

"Most ninja have their jonin sensei teaching them basics and their family teaching them clan techniques. You have no clan to speak of, Naruto is unsure what his techniques may be, and Sasuke's only source of information is someone who isn't actually a blood relative and won't know the exact feeling of dealing with any of his techniques. No one will complain that you're getting extra training." My attention strayed over to the sky to watch the clouds.

"Its your decision if you'd like to learn from me. Just know that I will train you to be a capable kunoichi and each time you either fawn over or yell at your teammates I'm going to be closer to stop your training with me. You'll be able to fight alongside your teammates instead of watching from the sides. Think over your most recent mission." I knew it was a sensitive subject for her, since she had believed Sasuke to be dead, but that would give me that extra push to be sure she'd agree to the training. Sasuke's team would be a capable one to be feared. "How did you feel watching your comrades fall without being able to help?"

Her fists clenched in her lap. "I felt useless. The only thing I could do was cry over Sasuke and watch Naruto fight."

"He fought for his friends, something you should do as well. If there are three capable ninja on the team, there's less of a chance of a comrade falling."

We were both silent for a while.

"Um, can you train me?"

I stood, hands crossed over my chest as I stared down at the still sitting kunoichi. "No time better than the present. We're going into the woods boys." That being said, I began walking. If Sakura followed me, we'd begin training. If she didn't follow, then I wouldn't train her.

Once I was far enough in, I turned around, pleased to see Sakura had followed. I dug in my side pouch and pulled out some bandages that I immediately tossed to her.

"Wrap your hands in that. We're going to work on your strength first."

"How're we going to do that Sensei?"

"Just Sayuri will do. You will punch that tree. It helps if you regulate your chakra and coat your hands a bit in it so it won't damage them as quickly."

"How long am I going to do this?"

"Until you no longer have the energy to move." She seemed hesitant on such an order and paused for a second in wrapping her hands. I was pleased that even with that hesitation, she continued on. It meant she was serious even if she was scared. "I don't believe you'll have a mission tomorrow, but if you do, I will personally bring you to the hospital to heal your damaged hands or give you a Soldier Pill. Do not completely use up your chakra during this though, as Chakra Exhaustion is something you do not want to experience."

"How much chakra should I use?"

"As little as possible to coat the areas that will need it. Now begin."

She did begin, and as I watched her I noticed she wasn't punching as hard as she should've.

"Punch harder." I continually corrected her until I was satisfied with the power she was putting into her punches. Occasionally, she'd use less strength, probably from the pain, but I'd point it out once more.

"Sayuri."

"I'm training Sakura," I replied, glancing away from the pink haired girl to look over at Sasuke. "Are you and Naruto done?" At his nod, I nodded as well. "If you're not tired, get some training in on your throwing. Try to convince Naruto to do so as well so he doesn't just throw kunai everywhere."

He nodded and headed back toward the house.

"Just because I wasn't looking doesn't mean you can slack off. Continue with the strength or you won't become stronger."

"Are you going to stay the whole time?" Sakura asked as she continued punching the tree.

"Only for today. After that I'll check on you occasionally and when I deem it necessary, I'll begin teaching you other things. For the moment though, you're going to improve your strength."

"Is this how you trained Sasuke and Naruto?"

"How I still train them," I corrected.

AN: I'm sorry about the wait between chapters that possibly made you guys think it was going to be a serious mission. As you can see its a simple mission that points out a flaw in Sayuri. Also Sakura's being trained by Sayuri, I'm curious on what you guys think about this and how it may affect the future.