By the time Monday morning rolled around a couple days after her break Sakura had memorized the way to the hospital in the most unconventional way, mostly keeping to the back streets to avoid being hounded by large crowds of curious people.
Or women offering to adopt her that had happened several times, when Shikaku had caught up with her again and introduced her to his wife Yoshino or Ino's mother, Ino having calmed down and actually apologized only to turn around and introduce her to her mother Aiko.
That was besides the point though and politely turned down their various offers because she was quite happy and Mikoto was enough of a mother alongside Kajiya, so back to earlier, by the time it was Monday she could successfully navigate herself to the hospital.
So once she was finished with missions for the day "See you later Sakura-chan, Naruto, Sasuke" and Kakashi had left them at the base of the Hokage Tower once they'd been dismissed Sakura was most eager to begin her first day at work as a fully qualified medic.
Chiyu had requested another meeting and now she had her license "You're more excitable than usual Sakura-chan" Naruto commented as they headed back to the Uchiha Compound, glancing at her repeatedly to assure himself she was there.
Sakura had taken to suppressing both her chakra and scent to avoid being caught unawares while walking around alone "Of course have you forgotten Dope today's the day she starts work at the hospital" Sasuke rapped his knuckles on his adopted brothers head.
Blue eyes lit up in remembrance "It's okay no worries but yeah that's why I'm excited to actually use my medical skills to help someone" Sakura clapped her hands, coming more out of her shell than they'd seen so far.
Making both of them smile in or in Sasuke's case to smirk but it was just as well "We also have to be prepared should Kakashi-sensei think we're ready for the Chunin Exams and enters us, one week and one day from now" the blonde stated wisely in the next moment.
"Right that's going to be quite the trip, hope your ready for big crowds by then Sakura, cause there's going to be a lot of genin, probably gathered in a tiny room for the first part of the exam" the raven haired boy grimaced.
And she did the same "Hopefully but if I'm not, I'll just have to take comfort in the fact that you two will be there with me" the pinkette smiled seconds later looping her arms around theirs and facing the direction of the compound instinctively.
After three weeks she didn't even have to think about it, just let her feet lead her forward and she was home, once they'd passed through the un-guarded gates the three of them split up, the two boys to the house and her to the cave.
Where her feline companions were waiting, not all of them, Yasei and Yori were out hunting, they took turns every few days with Tora and Muimina, who'd definitely learned more words and could communicate a little better with the rest of them now.
Upon entering the cave all eyes turned to her "Welcome back I take it missions went well as usual for you Sakura" Kajiya was the first one to speak, blue eyes focused on the human girl she'd helped raised as her own alongside Hyo and Mikoto.
"Yep, and I even managed to convince those two goofballs to let me help walk a dog, since we got that mission again, it's a regular one, what I really can't wait for is working at the hospital for the first time" the fuscia haired girl chattered on endlessly.
To their amusement "Oh we can tell alright, but it's something we're starting to get use to, what with you being friends with that boy Kiba-san" Yasei grumbled, not truly angry just a little put out she now had to deal with the scent of canine's hanging about in the caves.
Her human sister smiled sheepishly "Leave her be Yasei-chan, your just irritated about your growing stomach" Yori rolled his orange eyes at his mate, there was a subtle undertone of amusement though as she growled at him and prowled from the main cave.
And to the one that she'd claimed as hers when she wanted to alone "Just a bit touchy right now, she's not angry with you Sakura" Hyo said, knowing that his human cub, who'd grown up so quickly on him, already knew this but wanting to say it anyway.
"It's okay Yasei-chan is tame compared to how Kajiya-chan use to be when she was pregnant with both her and Tora-kun" Sakura teased and ducked low when Kajiya lunged intent on tackling her but sailing over head.
Kajiya was quick to spin around giving Sakura a few seconds to rise from her seated position and dodge to the right avoiding the second tackle "Give me a good chase will you Sakura-chan" the pitch black panther rumbled, blue eyes contracting as she focused on her target.
Only playing with no intent to actually harm the girl, Sakura grinned from ear to ear "So long as you can keep up Kajiya-chan" the pinkette teased further, letting her scent fill the air, then darted from the cave entrance the jaguar only seconds after her.
Ducking around a large rock and leaping high by use of chakra Sakura grabbed hold of a thick branch and swung herself into a tree knowing that Kajiya was near "Really gonna get you this time, I might be getting up there with Hyo, but I still have speed on my side" Kajiya growled.
Prowling around the tree she was sequestered away in, then with ease scaled it, her claws finding purchase in the wood to help her climb and by the time she reached the spot Sakura was in, Sakura was already four tree's away.
Laughter filled the air between them and blue eyes shifted "Maybe Kajiya-chan, your talking to the ghost of the forest though, all I have to do is suppress my scent and you wouldn't be able to find me" the fuscia haired girl laughed.
Nothing but the truth, but she wouldn't do that cause it wouldn't be fair, Kajiya knew it to as she lunged from the tree she was in and to the next chasing Sakura once more through the forest that had been grown for them.
"True Sakura, but you'll tire eventually from using your chakra continuously and have to run on foot" Kajiya called blue eyes focused on the girl as she swung from tree to tree, that was the truth as well, but she'd promised a good chase.
And a good chase she would give "I'll give you that one Kajiya-chan, I haven't really had to use much of my chakra lately but after dinner that will change" Sakura reminded running up a tree and cartwheeling backwards to another to land neatly on a thick branch.
Before dropping to the earth doing a little roll and spinning to the right to avoid getting caught, ducking low behind a rock as Kajiya sailed overhead once more, then flipped over that large rock and into a tree once more.
Kajiya spun quickly and lunged once more scaling the tree she was in "Bound and determined remember that Sakura, I'll get you" Kajiya announced finding her target missing from the tree she'd just climbed once again.
The girl was quick and quiet, no sound except for the time's she spoke "And the forest is being used to my advantage, I wonder which of us will tire first you or me" the pinkette laughed teasingly once more.
Off to another tree as Kajiya lunged at the one she was previously in, their fun came to an end when Shisui appeared and Kajiya slammed into him "Ouch what did I do I thought you guys were finally warming up to me" Shisui pouted faking his hurt tone.
"Really well at least we got in a good forty minutes of exercise huh Kajiya-chan, you didn't do anything Shisui-san, we were playing a game of chase and catch" Sakura leaped from her tree and landed neatly on her feet as their game ended.
Shisui blinked in surprise as Kajiya rolled off of him and onto her feet, licking her fur back into place "Let's just consider this little run a tie since neither of us won" Kajiya suggested feeling the exertion of exercise finally.
"Chase and catch, interesting game, maybe next time I can join in or Naruto and Sasuke, it would teach them how to use their surroundings to their advantage and avoid being caught" the Uchiha chattered rising to his feet and dusting his clothes free of dirt.
Kajiya had point blank tackled him, though he was certain she'd been aiming for Sakura "Good idea, those young ones are still inexperienced with navigating forests" Kajiya nodded in agreement rising and padding off back to the cave.
Leaving Sakura with the Uchiha "Was there something you needed Shisui-san, by the way that sounded like it hurt, when you hit the ground earlier" the fuscia haired girl asked/inquired worried that he'd gotten hurt.
Which earned a pat on the head "I'm pretty tough Sakura-chan no worries, anyway I was wondering if you'd like to come eat with us at Auntie Mikoto's for once" the ebony haired male turned to face the now thirteen year old girl.
As her birthday had come and gone without them realizing it, except for probably his aunt "Um sure, can we go back to the cave first and tell the others and so I can set out something for them to eat" Sakura questioned.
He didn't even hesitate just nodded and so they were off back to the cave a few minutes after Kajiya who'd already returned "Is everything alright" Hyo noticed the anticipation on her face and spoke in a curious tone.
"Um Shisui-san offered and I know Mikoto-chan wouldn't mind it so I'm going to have supper with them" the pinkette fidgeted unsure of how her constant companions were going to react, but to her surprise Hyo relented easily.
So did the others "Long as you leave out a couple of deer for us, we'll be fine, this way we don't blow through our food stock so quickly" Yasei padded forward from the back of the cave, anything to preserve their stock so that her little ones would grow properly within her room.
Plus there was trading off with Tora and Muimina when they came back with a couple of catches to share between them "Easily done Yasei-chan" Sakura smiled unsealing a couple of deer and placed them on opposite sides of the cave it was up to them to figure out which would go to who.
Before turning on her heels and following Shisui's exuberant chakra, it bounced all over the place quite literally, but it was tamer than Kiba's, and Naruto was on par with Kiba "Bet your excited for later huh Sakura-chan" Shisui noticed the skip in her step.
He still couldn't feel her walking behind him and her chakra was suppressed to the point of being basically nonexistent "Definitely Shisui-san to help heal people is going to be totally awesome" the fuscia haired girl exclaimed.
It sucked they couldn't see her eyes light up with her excitement "I'm sure Sakura-chan and think about the money you can save up to buy anything you'd like" the Uchiha grinned ruffling her long pink hair, she never seemed to mind it.
And it was like her hair was in a permanently messed up hairdo or windswept "That to, I'm going to get five hundred at the end of the week and seven hundred for the weeks, when I go for seven hours instead of five" Sakura grinned herself.
Then they were at the house and shuffling in through the back door into the kitchen, Mikoto let out a gasp "Well I'll be Shisui-chan managed to convince you to come eat dinner with us, come in, come in sit Sakura-chan it's almost done as we speak" Mikoto was quick to adjust to the surprise.
Like her children, one adopted of course "Already this is weird" Sasuke scooted his chair over as she chose to sit between him and Itachi in the only remaining chair actually earning a sheepish smile in response.
His older brother rolled his eyes "On the contrary Sakura-san it's nice that you feel comfortable enough to come eat with us for once" Itachi said the opposite of what his little brother said, even throwing in a compliment to help ease her nerves.
Shisui sniggered quietly which earned a smack on the back of his head courtesy of his Aunt "Yeah what Itachi said Sakura-chan" Naruto took his adoptive older brother's side over Sasuke, and Sasuke glowered at him.
Mikoto walked around the table and he was quick to stop glaring, Sakura giggled lightly under her breath relaxing at their antics "I think it's nice to, to experience new things and slowly adapt, perhaps someday I'll be comfortable enough to live in a house to" the pinkette admitted quietly.
Causing Mikoto to smile fondly in response "Perhaps but for now baby steps are essential to adjusting to village life" the ebony haired woman patted the young girl on the head plating up the food and passing it around along with silverware.
Before they all dug in "Mm this is good Auntie Mikoto, by the way I mentioned earlier that it would be a good idea for you two, to learn under Sakura for the next week in becoming stealthier and Kajiya agreed with me" her nephew announced a few minutes in.
Sasuke choked on his water to which Sakura pat him gently on the back to help his coughing subside "Hmm I guess so, we could even learn how to use our other senses better, go in blindfolded, what do you say, we can ask Kakashi-sensei" the raven haired preteen said.
Tilting his head in her direction while Itachi did the same "Sounds like fun, I'm totally in" the blonde on his right didn't even hesitate, just jumped right in like usual without thinking or realizing that these lessons would be like hell on them.
"Quite, you both would benefit from such lessons" the ebony haired eighteen year old nodded in agreement like the female jaguar had, it would help both his brothers, blood or adopted didn't matter become better shinobi from it.
Mikoto nodded as well "Let's do it then, not tonight though but tomorrow we can start" the pinkette was practically bouncing up and down in her chair as she paused long enough to answer, then dived right back into her meal.
Decided on they all dug in once more chatter dying down until all the food was demolished, the youngest girl proving to have a rather bottomless stomach when it came to eating but Mikoto was all to happy to fill her plate after each request.
Until it was time for her to head off for her first day at work, well a few hours ahead of schedule that was, but it seemed someone was determined to stop her because the minute she opened the door, she rammed nose first into a hard chest.
"Pardon me that was horribly rude of you" another unknown to her voice filled her ears and Sakura scrambled back into Itachi, who'd felt the chakra of a familiar to him person, only to promptly hide behind the Uchiha Heir.
There was no amusement in his gaze this time and he met lavender orbs evenly with his ebony ones "I do believe that's the other way around Hyuga-san as Sakura-san did not know you were there and is in fact blind" Itachi raised an ebony brow.
Reaching back with a reassuring hand to pat her arm gently "So she's the girl my uncle sent me after, he has an offer for you, you must come right away to the Hyuga Compound" the Hyuga that she didn't even know the name of demanded.
And to Itachi's surprise the girl stomped her way forward, with an angry expression "That is no way to talk to someone and I won't have you talking down to me like I'm an insignificant child, so no thanks to whatever your uncle is offering Hyuga-san because I refuse" Sakura snapped.
Then stomped by the Hyuga who was a year older than her and down the streets of the Uchiha Compound, apparently the blind girl had a temper "Well at least she didn't slap you like she slapped Ino Yamanaka" Sasuke rounded the corner to find out what was going on only to laugh.
Both his brother and the Hyuga wore stunned expressions "Quite, it's better if you just let her cool down, Sakura-chan doesn't really enjoy being treated like an invalid or talked down to in a demeaning way" Shisui sniggered unsympathetically at the arrogant Hyuga boy.
Coming to the foyer to find out like his little cousin had what was going on and hearing the tail end of Sasuke's comment, the Hyuga's eye twitched in obvious irritation "She doesn't even know what my Uncle was offering, how could she simply refuse" the brunette was confused.
"If you were talked to in such a demeaning way and or was treated poorly you'd understand how she feels, there's no point in going after her now considering she's gone off to work" Mikoto paced by and down a different hall.
Having heard the entire conversation thus far, she wasn't oblivious "Off to work at this hour, just what kind of work can a blind girl do" the Hyuga snorted, but turned on his heel anyway and hurried off to tell his uncle they'll have to wait to get a meeting with the girl.
Needless to say the man wasn't happy he'd messed up and by that point Sakura had thrown herself into work at the hospital working directly beneath Chiyu "This is the floor and wing you'll mainly be working in, pediatrics" Chiyu explained.
Leading her around and introducing her to the patients already in the wing and the other medics, who were a bit wary about having someone who was blind working alongside them, but they would wait to see what the patients said before judging her.
"You got it Chiyu-sama and I promise to do my absolute best" Sakura vowed, saluting the woman before entering the first room by herself, when 9 o'clock hit, and five hours had passed she was completely wiped out from all the work she'd done and all the chakra she'd used.
And she was utterly terrified to step foot outside in the village at night when she'd never done so before, but when she got to the lobby to sign out for the night, her expression morphed into relief, because who would be waiting for her.
None other than Itachi "Mother figured you'd be a little wary about walking through the streets of the village at night by yourself so sent me to walk you back" Itachi explained when she wandered near him and let him take her elbow like usual.
"I appreciate it nonetheless and Mikoto-chan was right, I've never wandered the village at night by myself before and I don't know what kind of trouble might happen if I tried" the pinkette admitted quietly practically falling asleep as she walked.
Causing him to chuckle lightly and pull them both to a stop "Here Sakura-san I'm not cruel and can see your tired" the raven haired eighteen year old bent offering a ride on his back to the young girl, which honestly surprised her.
Sure she'd gotten various rides on Hyo's back but never a human's, she only hesitated for a moment before carefully climbing on, wrapping her arms lightly on his back as his hands gripped her upper thighs to carry her.
Light just as he suspected "Thank you It..Itachi-san" she hummed softly with a little yawn resting her head on his shoulder and less than a moment later was out like a light snoring quietly in his ear, just as he knew would happen.
Though when they reached the compound he was undecided no doubt the jaguar's were already asleep and he knew it wouldn't be wise to wake them, but he was unsure of how Sakura would react when she woke not surrounded by the jaguar's.
In the end he decided to press his luck and turned right into the forest that had become half of the compound treading carefully forward when he reached the cave, it was dark, he couldn't even make out the outline of any of the large cats within.
"Do not fear Uchiha-san you are safe, we know your scent now and wouldn't attack recklessly not when you carry Sakura on your back" Hyo's voice came from towards the back of the cave, which was why he couldn't see them it was darker back there than in the front.
He inched forward quietly and carefully placed Sakura down without waking her a fete that would be hard for most but not for him and she was immediately surrounded on all sides by four of the jaguar that had taken to living with them curling around Sakura and warming her.
No doubt luring her into a deeper sleep as she turned and threw her arm over Kajiya, who let out a loud purr in response causing the girl to relax and let out a little content sigh in her sleep, Itachi let a smile form on his lips.
Staying for just a moment longer to assure himself she wouldn't be waking any time soon, then carefully backed his way out of the cave to return to his own house "Out like a light wasn't she Itachi-chan, you had to carry her back" Mikoto was waiting for him.
"Quite, not even a full minute after I offered to carry her, though it was slightly terrifying entering that cave for fear of waking the jaguar's, but they were awake and waiting when I brought her in" Itachi slumped down into a chair, just glad he hadn't been ripped to pieces.
Mikoto let out an unsympathetic laugh patted her oldest on the shoulder who would be going on a mission in a couple of hours, guard duty at the gates for once, a simple mission that would last for the night and headed to bed herself.
The next morning after breakfast and meeting up with Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke with their teammate in tow instead of heading to the Hokage Tower for missions went to the bridge Team Seven regularly met at.
And found their sensei waiting there already unlike how he was usually late, though he hadn't been late by much in the last three weeks "Okay so there's something I've got to tell you three" the Copy Ninja said once his three little students were crowded before him on the bridge.
When they leaned forward in anticipation he let loose "I've nominated you three for the Chunin Exams, here's your entrance forms and I'll help you sign yours Sakura-chan" Kakashi announced holding out the forms for his students.
"Bout time Kakashi-sensei, so does this mean no more missions for the rest of the week" Naruto took a form from his sensei, grabbed a pencil from his pouch and quickly signed his name on it, then stuffed both pencil and form into separate pouches to keep on him and not loose.
Next to him his adoptive brother did the same as Kakashi nodded at Naruto's question "Good because Sakura's going to teach us for the rest of the week in stealth, learn her way and go in completely blindfolded" Sasuke admitted.
Kakashi's silver brow rose up "Now there's an idea, one that I fully support and give my permission on" the silver haired nin relented intending on watching from the shadows to see how the lessons went.
His little female student smiled lightly as he directed her hand to the line and helped her sign her permission form "Thank you Kakashi-sensei and I promise to do my best in helping them become stealthier ninja" Sakura snickered teasingly.
"We wouldn't want it any other way Sakura-chan, come on time's a wasting and I want to at least get the concept down before you have to go to work" the blonde tugged gently on her hand once she'd put away her form and pencil practically speeding down the streets to the Uchiha Compound.
Sasuke groaned, waved to Kakashi and sped after them "No need to rush Dope, we have all week and we're bound to pick up on a few things in just a week, what would be even cooler is if we wore those deer skin outfits with hoods as well" Sasuke smirked.
Those would help them blend in better as well and Sakura's smile widened in response "Of course, I've got plenty of those made after all it would help your scent become muddled" the pinkette chattered fully aware of their sensei following them.
As they returned to the Compound and swung to the right into the forest and all the way to the cave, once changing, and feeling a little uncomfortable at first, and tying blindfolds around their eyes they were led from the cave once more to the amusement of the Jaguar's.
Gathering her composure the fuscia haired teen inhaled deeply then exhaled "Okay first lesson, chakra is in everything, all life has it, spread out your senses, sharpen them, use only your senses to feel out your surroundings to sense the chakra in the tree's" Sakura instructed.
The age old lesson Hyo had taught her what seemed ages ago, to her two teammates, who were decked out in deer skin outfits, attached to the outfits were the deer skin and rabbit fur hoods she'd been working on, only three had been made so far.
"Holy wow that feels so weird" Naruto realized that tree's did in fact have chakra as well as he raised his hand pressed it to the tree in beside him as he sensed it there, barely sure but it was definitely a start.
Sakura smiled brightly in response "Precisely no wonder you have difficultly going around so many people, I had to sharpen my senses quite a bit to feel just that tree there" Sasuke rolled his shoulders now a lot more sympathetic of his teammate.
Glad that they were understanding just a little of the first lesson, it was time for the next "Second lesson, feel the earth, the vibrations that I make" the pinkette instructed jumping up and down with a lot more force to alert them of her location and they both turned in her direction.
"Felt you that time Sakura-chan, your so light that I can never feel that even when your walking next to me" the blonde flashed a whiskered grin, keeping up with sensing around him with his now sharpened senses.
It was hard though and he realized that it was something that was going to take a lot of practice to keep up consistently like Sakura did "Quite, can you move around a bit, so that we can understand the concept" the ebony haired preteen requested.
So she obliged him by stepping harder as she walked around in a wide circle several times and they followed her slowly with their bodies before she returned to her original position "Next lesson is a bit trickier, so start by enhancing your hearing with chakra" the fuscia haired girl instructed.
Moving on to the third lesson, both boys were a little wary, but with the tree climbing exercise in mind "Gah that's loud what is that horrendous noise" the Uzumaki boy immediately clutched his head haring the loud noise of wind rushing through his ears and rustling the leaves in the tree's.
"Leaves rustling Dope by the wind, that's quite an adjustment" the second Uchiha Heir grimaced feeling a little overwhelmed, but he kept his senses spread and sharpened, feeling the earth beneath his bare toes, which was embarrassing and his ears enhanced with chakra.
Knowing what was coming next and not prepared in the least for what would happen "Right fourth lesson, with care enhance your sense of smell with chakra and take a whiff, tell me what you smell" Sakura continued hoping things wouldn't backfire.
To her relief neither boy went overboard taking her warning of being careful to heart it seemed "Ugh cats it's everywhere and tree's" Naruto said right off the bat, those being the first two things that registered in his nose.
"Cherry blossom, that's your scent and deer jerky in your hand" Sasuke had a keener sense of smell and Sakura smiled widely in response as she pulled two pieces of jerky from behind her back handing one to each boy as a reward for managing the first four lessons.
And now it was time for the last "Fifth lesson Naruto, Sasuke, navigating yourself undetected, use chakra to buffer your steps, make them lighter, suppress your chakra as much as your able and go, don't hesitate" the pinkette clapped her hands.
Doing as instructed after eating the rather delicious jerky both boys shot forward like projectile weapons, Naruto immediately slammed head first into a tree just two seconds later and Sasuke managed a little better before tripping over an unexpected rock.
"Ouch that hurt like the dickens" the blonde groaned reeling from the impact until the pain went away courtesy of Sakura healing him and then she loped towards Sasuke to heal his skinned knee's from landing harshly on the rock.
Sasuke grimaced "Now I see what makes these lessons harder to master" the ebony haired boy rose carefully to his feet, Sakura directed them to their original positions, they repeated the first four lessons slowly getting a feel for relying on their other four senses.
Were given more jerky and then shot forward once more, the second run they managed a little more, Naruto swerved around the tree he ran into the first time sensing it that time, only to trip over a tree root a couple feel later.
As for Sasuke, he flipped over the rock, went three feet more before a hole caught him unaware, watching from his perch in a tree was their sensei and Kakashi couldn't help but chuckle as the two boys were directed to their starting positions again.
"Before you give it another go, remember to buffer your steps with chakra to make you lighter, sense the roots in the earth from the tree's all around us that are beneath everything" the fuscia haired girl reminded gently.
Naruto and Sasuke slumped their shoulders before squaring them determined to get through these stealth lessons come hell or high water "Got it" the Uzumaki exclaimed before slapping his hands over his mouth, being quiet was also an essential part of their lessons.
Earning a quiet giggle in response "Really Dope anyway let's try this again" the Uchiha boy snorted rolling his eyes beneath the blind fold while rising to his feet to try his hand at relying on only four of his senses determined to improve as a shinobi.
First they spread out and sharpened their senses, feeling the chakra in the tree's a little better as they grew use to doing so, focused chakra into their feet, connecting them to the earth and making them lighter, enhanced their hearing and sense of smell with chakra as well.
Before suppressing their chakra as best they could and darted forward, Naruto swerved and leaped going by memory alone, while Sasuke flipped and ran over the hole in the ground, now they were in unfamiliar territory once again.
Tree's, rocks and roots, even low branches, that were easily ducked under, over roots that were easy to jump, then rocks that were either flipped over or dodged and tree's they swerved around until inevitably it got to difficult keeping up everything they'd been taught.
And they rammed head first into tree's, their teammate and sensei on their heels as they got further than before several meters actually, almost a full mile "Nicely done take a break for now, take off your blindfolds and relax, then we'll try again" Sakura suggested.
Her teammates were all to happy to rip off their blindfolds only to regret their hastiness "Ahhh my eyes burn" Naruto rubbed harshly at his eyes as light registered in them once more, until his hands were pulled away.
Naruto looked to Sakura in confusion "Dope don't rub them so hard you'll damage them" Sasuke figured out what she was thinking seeing the frown on her lips as she healed them of their injuries and their eyes adjusted to light again.
They couldn't imagine what it was like for her "Want to know a trick that will help you connect with your surroundings better" the pinkette offered after several minutes of silence on her part, both Naruto and Sasuke sat down waiting "Meditation" she said.
"Meditation huh, how would that help us connect with our surroundings and teach us to rely on our other senses" the blonde was confused yet again, nothing that Sakura said ever made sense to him, but Sasuke was a quicker study than his adopted brother.
It was like a light bulb clicked on overhead for him "Not our other senses such as hearing, touch and smell, but our senses, it would help us sharpen our senses and feel more around us to help us navigate our way through" the ebony haired boy rattled off.
Sakura nodded and gave them both more jerky and nibbled on a piece of her own "Precisely and you know Kakashi-sensei you can join us instead of being weird and hiding" the pinkette ousted their sensei.
Moments later he joined them "Mean Sakura-chan, but she's right, I was impressed you managed to get this far actually guess I should have suggested this earlier you might have improved by now" Kakashi snorted lightly lowering himself to the ground and leaning against a rock.
Both boys puffed up and huffed at him with glares "Either way I'm proud of you for doing as good as you did in just a couple of hours" the silver haired nin continued praising them and they both shared matching smirks this time as their irritation went away.
For five minutes silence filled the air between the four of them until it occurred to both Naruto and Sasuke they could be meditating and did so, closely their eyes and sinking into their inner core, thirty five minutes later they were interrupted.
Their eyes snapped open feeling more than they ever did on their own and turned in the direction of an approaching chakra, Itachi and he looked a little more irritated than usual, not the Shisui's is bugging me look, but the someone's going to get a beating if they stop their bullshit look.
It creeped Sasuke out "What's the matter Itachi-san, your chakra is spiking in irritation" and Sakura just had to point out the obvious only because she couldn't see his currently irritated expression, probably for the best it would scare her if she saw it.
The teenager grit his teeth "Hiashi-sama is here to speak with you, he's Hyuga-san's from the other day Uncle" Itachi stated simply "And despite telling him that you were training with Naruto and Sasuke-otouto, he refused to relent and keeps being persistent" the ebony haired teen finished.
Clearly not happy in the least "Better go Sakura, those Hyuga's are annoying and try to brace yourself for their arrogant and talk down to everyone" Sasuke let out a loud groan "The Dope and I promise to continue practicing what you taught us so far" the raven haired boy said to appease her.
"Yeah, yeah Sakura-chan well not Hinata though she's different" Naruto nodded his head eagerly "And when you get back we'll be even better than before" the blonde exclaimed quietly as she rose to her feet and walked forward silently to stand next to Itachi.
Poor girl just couldn't get a break it seemed "Then in an hours time we can go get lunch at a restaurant of your choosing Sakura-chan" Kakashi offered "Followed by more training" the silver haired nin concluded.
They were all being so accommodating "Lead the way then Itachi-san" the pinkette sighed trailing after the Uchiha Heir as he led her back to the house, not happy in the least with the coming confrontation, he just hoped things turned out alright.
Not more than eight minutes later they were sitting in plushy chairs in his living room, the Hyuga Patriarch sat opposite of Sakura though on a different couch "My nephew told me right now you were blind then, never mind about that I have an offer you can't refuse" Hiashi spoke.
In that same demeaning way his nephew hand and Sakura's hackles raised in response as she went completely rigid waiting for whatever it was he had to say "Recently a Hyuga died, I'm offering to have his eyes transplanted into you in return you marry my nephew" Hiashi stated bluntly.
Mikoto nearly dropped her tea cup but as she suspected "No, absolutely not, I wouldn't marry your nephew even if he was the last boy on earth" Sakura stated just as bluntly point blank refusing the offer.
Off to the side of his aunt Shisui slapped a hand over his mouth "Do you realize what your refusing the chance to see the world for the first time in your life, don't you want that Haruno-san" the Hyuga Patriarch was confused, how could she refuse, just like that.
It was like giving the offer a chance wasn't even a though "My dream is to become the worlds best first blind ninja, can't exactly complete that dream if I can see now can I and there's no way I would marry someone who would talk down to me like I was an insignificant child" Sakura said.
Blunt and to the point like her earlier refusal "You don't even know my nephew" Hiashi narrowed his lavender orbs on the girl who was more disobedient than he thought she'd be, it was a wonder how they'd even got her to come here in the first place.
"Maybe not but from those few moments yesterday, he spoke down to me repeatedly in a demeaning tone, I don't enjoy being brushed aside like I'm not even human and arrogance wafted from him in waves" the pinkette pressed on.
Hiashi's eye twitched and he stood, Itachi did the same and he stood in front of Sakura, slowly the Hyuga Patriarch lowered himself back onto the couch shoving aside his irritation "One last chance, Haruno-san marry my nephew in return I'll give you eyes that you can see through" the brunette said.
Sakura proved to be more stubborn than anyone probably not Mikoto though thought "And my answer remains no as it will be if someone else gets the idea to offer the same" the fuscia haired girl shook her head resolutely.
Clearly it was a blow to Hiashi's pride that he'd been refused not once but several times repeatedly in a span of several minutes, he rose and quickly left the Uchiha Compound after that without so much as a thank you for the tea or another word.
Mikoto, Shisui and Itachi breathed a little easier at his departure as Sakura waved and returned to Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi's side's where they practiced the five lessons she'd showed them so far before heading off for lunch and more training until it was dinner time.
That afterwards Sakura set off for the hospital to work in the pediatrics wing again, before being escorted or rather carried back to the Compound, by Shisui that night to sleep peacefully surrounded on all sides by familiar warmth that lulled her into a deeper sleep like usual.