Chapter Ten: Sakura Vs. Sasuke, the Training from Hell

It was a beautiful day at the hot springs to take a day off. Kakashi lounged back against the fence, watching the kids do their thing on the water. Kurenai looked to him. "Kakashi, I'd like to thank you and your students for helping Asuma and me with training ours."

"Oh it's no problem Kurenai." said Kakashi. "We're just glad we could help."

'"I'm sure our students appreciate it just as much." said Asuma. "Isn't that right Shikamaru!"

At that moment Shikamaru got hit in the leg by a stone thrown by Sasuke. He tried to dance away from several more and got hit again. "Ah! This is such a drag!"

"Why do I have to get rocks thrown at me?" yelled Ino, as she dodged. "I was in a coma!"

"Oh come on Ino, teammates support each other through thick and thin." said Kakashi. "Keep on going! You're helping your teammates and getting stronger!"

"Billboard Brow if I get bruised I'm never helping you again!" shouted Ino.

Kiba got hit in the face and landed inside the scorching water. He tried to pull himself out and got hit again. "Ah! Damn you Naruto! When I get out of this, you'll wish you'd never been born! Ow!"

"Stop whining Kiba, and focus on staying on the water." said Kurenai.

"But they keep throwing rocks at me way more than the others!" said Kiba.

"Ah shut up and get on the water!" said Naruto. Then he threw another stone. "No slacking!" Shino got hit in the leg. "Yeah! Take that Shino!"

Kakashi picked up a stone and tossed it. It caught Ino in the stomach. Sakura looked up. "Kakashi sensei, stop it! Why are you throwing rocks at Ino?"

"Well this training is for their benefit." said Kakashi. "After all, they were feeling so left out earlier. And you seem to be avoiding throwing stones at her. I wouldn't want Ino to not get the full effect."

"You'll pay for this Kakashi!" yelled Ino. "You will-" She got hit in the forehead and landed in the water. Kakashi then turned his attention to throwing stones at Hinata. Nobody had had the heart to help her with his training, so Kakashi was happy to oblige.

"Ow." said Hinata, taking the stone to the shoulder.

But she never complained at all.

"This is the best training session ever Kakashi sensei!" said Naruto. "Hey Sasuke, I'll bet I can get Kiba in the tattoo!"

"You're on." said Sasuke.

Naruto hurled it, and Kiba narrowly dodged. Only to be nailed by Sasuke's throw.

"Ow!"

Things went like that for the better part of the afternoon. When they were done, the renegade genin were bruised and hurt all over. Though Ino and Hinata had suffered the least.

As they walked home, Naruto was in a fine mood.

"Well that was great." said Naruto after they were done. "We should do stuff like this more often, Kakashi sensei."

"I wouldn't count on it, Naruto." said Kakashi. "The Hokage has decided that the genin will no longer be assigned to cleaning up the village. The rest will be handled by the ANBU black ops. As of today, we'll all start doing normal D ranked missions."

"Thank god." said Sakura.

"You don't know the half of it." said Ino.

"All right! We can finally start doing real ninja stuff!" said Naruto. "So what's our mission going to be? Are we going to rescue a Princess? Raid an enemy fortress? How about-"

Later they received their mission. And Naruto wasn't happy about it.

"Picking up trash?" asked Naruto.

"Yes." said the Hokage. "We have something of a crisis with everyone so busy washing off buildings. Only you brave genin will be able to drive it back."

"But I want to do real ninja stuff, old man!" said Naruto.

"In that case, I may have something else." said the Hokage, looking through his documents. "We have a large number of fences in need of painting. And some hedges in need of pruning."

"Aw! This is so lame!" said Naruto.

"Calm down Naruto." said Sakura. "It could be way worse."

"Why don't we just start with the fence painting?" said Kakashi.

Later as they painted fences, Naruto continued to complain. "Aw, I was hoping we'd get to do something cool! Instead, we've gone from washing off paint to putting up more paint! This is so lame! I wish the old man would give us something good!"

"Naruto why do you always call the Hokage Old Man?" asked Sakura. "Don't you realize it's disrespectful?"

"Well he never minds." said Naruto.

"Why are you so casual with him?" asked Sasuke.

"Well um… see Old Man Hokage is kind of the only reason I got into the academy." said Naruto. "He's the only reason I have a home."

"That's not a reason to be casual you moron!" said Sakura, before raising a fist. "Oh sorry, um I uh, shouldn't have hit you."

"No, it's all right." said Naruto. "I've had way worse."

They kept painting. Then Sakura thought of something. "Hey Naruto, I just had an idea."

"Yeah?" asked Naruto.

"So we get paid for every D ranked mission we complete right?" asked Sakura.

"Yeah." said Naruto. "What about it?"

"Well, why don't you create a whole lot of shadow clones?" asked Sakura. "Then we can get these jobs done really quickly and move on to new ones. If we do enough D ranks, we're sure to get something better."

"Hey Sakura, that's a great idea!" said Naruto, before putting down his paint bucket and making a stance. "Shadow clone jutsu!"

Instantly he created dozens of clones and got to work. In moments he was getting more done than all three of them had managed so far. Sasuke watched and then stepped back. "Let me try that."

He made the same stance.

"Wow, Sasuke, when did you learn shadow clones?" asked Sakura.

"Just now." said Sasuke. "My sharingan allows me to copy any jutsu I see. Watch. Shadow Clone Jutsu."

Nothing happened.

"What?" said Sasuke. "I don't get it? Why didn't it work?"

"That's alittle-knownn fact about sharingans, Sasuke." said Kakashi. "Whenever you copy a move you only gain the understanding of how to use it. It doesn't mean you'll be able to do it well. Or at all."

"What?" said Sakura. 'But then what good is the sharingan, Kakashi sensei?"

"It is plenty of good, Sakura." said Kakashi. "The sharingan as a way to know how to do a move. But knowing how to do something and being able to do it are two different things. You can't read a book on taijutsu and instantly become a master martial artist can you?

"No, you've got to practice, and hone your skills constantly so that you can do the movements the book describes. Or better yet, find a sensei.

"I'm called the 'copycat ninja' in some circles. Mainly because I'm copied thousands of different jutsu. Now don't tell anyone this, but I'm not actually able to use all of them. And I've only mastered a small number. I have all the data, but there aren't enough days in a person's life to master every jutsu. Better ninja than me have spent their whole lives trying.

"Knowing and doing are two very different things."

"Kakashi sensei, could you teach me to use my sharingan?" asked Sasuke,

"Not right now, Sasuke." said Kakashi. "Just because Naruto is more than pulling his weight doesn't mean you don't have to. Get back to work."

As they worked Sakura felt more than a little useless. She remembered what Anko had said to her during the fight. It was only sinking in now. "Naruto has his shadow clone jutsu. And Sasuke has his sharingan. Ino has her mind transfer jutsu. But I don't have any special abilities. If things go on like this, I'll end up being dead weight." She looked up as she painted. "Kakashi sensei?"

"Yes Sakura, what is it?" asked Kakashi.

"I um, I was just wondering if you could teach me some jutsu." said Sakura.

"Jutsu?" asked Kakashi. "You're getting a little ahead of yourself aren't you? You only just became a genin."

"Well yes." said Sakura. "But everyone else all have special abilities and I feel like I don't have anything to contribute."

"Hmm, so you want a role on the team then?" asked Kakashi. "All right, I'm sure I've got something which can give you a role. What would you think about being the team medic?"

"Medic?" asked Sakura.

"Yes. I know some healing jutsu." said Kakashi. "It can be handy in our line of work. Just the basics, of course, for the more advanced forms you'll need an expert. But what I can teach you could save someone's life in a pinch."

It wasn't flashy. But it was better than nothing. And Sakura couldn't see Naruto or Sasuke learning medical jutsu. "Right. I'll do it."

"Good." said Kakashi. "We'll begin with the next training session. Now start painting."

They finished the fence and moved on to the next one. They were getting days worth of work done in hours. And in the meantime, Naruto kicked back and relaxed on a rooftop while watching his clones do all the work.

This was the life. Kakashi sensei hadn't even noticed him slip away.

As he dozed a shadow passed over his sun. He opened his eyes and looked up to see Hinata. Her hands were clasped together and she looked ashamed. "Oh hey, Hinata. What is it?"

She struggled to speak. Then she bowed. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Sorry for what?" asked Naruto.

"Well um…" said Hinata. "Kiba talked me into attacking Sakura."

"Right." said Naruto. "Um, well Kiba is a real jerk. But as long as you're sorry, I guess I can forgive you."

"Thank you Naruto." said Hinata. "I promise I'll never do anything like it again. I just…"

"Don't worry." said Naruto as he stood up. "Heck, I should be thanking you. Now that I need to beat the jerk Kiba's face in, I'm super motivated!"

"That's good to hear Naruto." said Kakashi behind him.

Naruto turned around and saw a paint bucket and brush offered to him. He rubbed the back of his head. "Uh, hey Kakashi sensei. I was just taking a break."

"Breaks over." said Kakashi. "Get to work."

Naruto obeyed. And he didn't get another chance to slack off for a while.

Kakashi sensei was on time again the next day. He landed on the bridge and waved. He'd been on time a lot lately.

"So are we going to get another mission today, sensei?" asked Sakura.

"No, not today Sakura." said Kakashi. "Let's give the other students the chance to do some missions. Today we're going to do some sparring practice."

"Sparring practice?" asked Naruto. "So am I going to fight Sasuke?"

"You'll certainly be fighting someone." said Kakashi. "Let's start simple. Sakura, Sasuke, both of you step forward."

Sakura did a double take. "Me? But Kakashi sensei I'm no match for Sasuke."

"Don't worry Sakura." said Kakashi. "I have the utmost faith in your ability to try."

"Come on sensei!" said Naruto. "This isn't fair! Sakura doesn't stand a chance against Sasuke! Let me fight him instead!"

"I agree." said Sasuke. "This match isn't at all even."

'"And what makes you think you're enemies are going to line up to fight you fairly?" asked Kakashi. "The possibility of fighting a much stronger opponent is one that we all must face. You need to learn how to handle being completely outmatched so you'll be ready for the real thing.

"Now get ready."

Reluctantly, Naruto moved to one side as Sakura and Sasuke faced eachother down. For a long moment, there was silence as both took a stance. Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "Begin."

Sasuke surged forward. Sakura was forced back in a flurry of kicks, before taking a strike to the gut. She fell to one knee, gasping.

"And end." said Kakashi. "That actually lasted two seconds longer than I expected. Sakura get up and try again."

"What about me, sensei? Shouldn't I get a turn?" asked Naruto.

Sakura stood up, rubbing herself.

"While Sasuke and Sakura are sparring you have a different job." said Kakashi. 'You'll be practicing your taijutsu stances."

"Oh come on, that's boring." said Naruto.

"On the river." said Kakashi.

"Well-" began Naruto.

"And I'm going to throw rocks at you if you slack off." said Kakashi.

"Oh come on!" said Naruto.

But Naruto ended up doing it. He motioned and worked at his stances while Kakashi observed. At the same time, Sakura lost again. And again, and again. No matter what she did Sasuke overwhelmed her in mere moments and she was beginning to show bruises. "Naruto your stance is all wrong." said Kakashi. Before walking onto the river. "Here, let me show you. See, you hold your fist like this. Otherwise, you'll injure yourself. Who taught you to fight like this?"

"It was Mizuki. He was the taijutsu instructor." said Naruto.

"Ah, right." said Kakashi. "Well, it's obvious I'm going to have to correct some of his mistakes. Funny that no one else in the class had these issues."

"Ow!" said Sakura as she landed on the ground. "Sensei, can we stop now!"

"Why of course, Sakura. You won't have to fight Sasuke anymore." said Kakashi.

"Finally." said Sakura.

"Instead, you'll have to fight Naruto on the river." said Kakashi.

Sakura sighed, but stood up and leaped down onto it. "Right, okay."

"What?" said Naruto. "But I don't want to fight Sakura!"

"It's only a spar." said Kakashi. "How are you going to improve if you don't practice?"

"All right Naruto, don't go easy on me." said Sakura. "I'm serious."

"Begin." said Kakashi.

Sakura surged forward and Naruto ducked away. She threw punch after punch, but no matter how she attacked he weaved away. Naruto had had a lot of practice dodging lately and Sakura was much slower.

"Naruto get back here! Stop dodging!" said Sakura.

"Naruto, you're holding back." said Kakashi. "Stop it."

"But sensei-" began Naruto.

"Listen to me, Naruto. Failure is essential to learning." said Kakashi. "If you don't take Sakura seriously and treat her with kid gloves than she won't be prepared for a real fight later. Sometimes our childish dreams have to be shattered for us to achieve the dreams worth having. Or do you think the Hokage never made mistakes in need of correcting?

"Now strike, and don't hold back!" Sakura and Naruto took stances again. Naruto looked nervous. Then they surged toward each other. Naruto moved faster than Sakura could track and she narrowly moved away from a strike. She tried to attack him, but he moved away and swung a fist.

It caught her in the face and she plunged into the water.

She pulled herself out, soaking wet.

"Ow!" said Sakura.

That was going to leave a mark.

"Oh my god! Sakura are you all right?" said Naruto.

"No, I'm not all right! You punched me in the face!" said Sakura.

"I didn't mean to, Kakashi sensei made me do it!" said Naruto.

"As I suspected.' said Kakashi. 'Sakura, your report cards indicated that you had passing grades in taijutsu. To be frank, I think they were being generous. What are they teaching kids at the academy these days? I want you to practice your stances a lot more in your spare time. You've got a lot of catching up to do.

"But don't worry. I think you've taken enough of a beating for one day. Naruto, you and Sasuke will now spar. Sakura, we'll move on to the second stage of your training."

"What is it?" moaned Sakura.

"I'm going to teach you how to heal those bruises." said Kakashi. "The medical core usually starts people off by healing a dead fish, but this way seems a lot more fun."

Sakura remained silent. "…I hate you."

"I know." said Kakashi.

Author's Note:

This chapter took a while to get through. I hate to say it, but I think I'm going to end the Hunt for Tsunade. My reasons for this are several. First, the Hunt for Tsunade just isn't getting as much traffic as this fic. Second, the more I write the Hunt for Tsunade the more likely it is that I'll paint myself into a corner that makes its status as a prequel unworkable.

Finally, the core narrative of the Hunt for Tsunade is basically over.