Chapter 11: Truths, Pasts, and Folklore

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or American Dragon Jake Long

The fights were getting ready to continue after some janitors managed to clean up debris that would have been too much in the way. Sakura continued to stare ahead still in her birth form, after all there was no point in hiding now. Although she noticed that the Sound team's sensei appeared to be missing. How odd?

Thanks to Naruto Sakura's spirits were lifted a little as she turned to smile at Ramus reassuring him she was okay. Sakura also noticed that everyone seemed to loosen up a bit, once they realized she was still in her right mind. Still she could see that were going to tread water around her for a while.

What hurt Sakura the most though was Ino's face when she first arrived at the viewing area. Instead of a look of disgust and fright, like Sakura expected she got a look of betrayal mixed with sadness, and anger. Sakura that realized that Ino was more upset of the fact she didn't trust her enough to tell her something like this.

"Oh how I wished I could've explained it too you Ino, there were many times I had wanted to tell you" Sakura thought sadly. Which was the truth, many times during her childhood she wanted to tell her best female friend about her dragon heritage, but the Draco council laws forbid it.

That was another thing; the Draco council was going to have her ass for screwing up this badly. She knew that once they found out, they were going to summon her to the Land of the Sun for punishment. When that was going to happen Sakura didn't know, but boy she didn't want to find out.

One minute later the top screen flashed to the next two opponents. Sasuke and Yoroi one of Kabuto's teammates it seemed. Sakura watched as Sasuke descended down the stairs to his match, and she along with Naruto began their cheering session. The match ended with Yoroi out cold by Sasuke's copied move from Rock Lee, although Sakura had to admit he at least changed the name.

The fights continued in an array of impressive or unimpressive ninja skills and abilities. The sand ninja Kankuro managed to defeat his opponent another teammates of Kabuto's, within the span of two minutes. Turns out he was a puppet master, and he used his puppet to crush his opponents bones, before Misgumi could do it to him.

Then Ino went up against Tenten from Team Gai. That couldn't have been more a bad pair up for Ino. Tenten was a weapon mistress able to summon a barrage of various weapons from her scrolls. The only specialty Ino had was her mind transfer jutsu, which is more of an espionage tool, than a battle one. Ino didn't stand a chance especially since she couldn't get Tenten into a trap to keep her still.

The weapon mistress could see and sense a trap a mile away. The fight ended when Tenten managed to knock out Ino with the blunt end of a mase.

Ino cut and bruised was taken away by a stretcher five minutes later, all the while Sakura looked on sadly. "Ino I hoped you learned your lesson from this, focus on you skills or else you'll be killed before you can even get time with your "Sasuke-kun". Sakura whispered. Oh well at least Ino was only minimally injured.

The next fight Shikamaru proved that there was more too him than his laid back lazy attitude. It seems he holds the mind of a tactical genius. He went up against Kin, and while it looked like her Shadow Senbon over handed him. He led Kin into a false sense of security before trapping her in his shadow possession jutsu, before entering a game of chicken that had her ending up out cold.

Shino went up against Zaku in an exciting twist ending battle. In the beginning of the fight it looked Shino received a heavy dose of damage from Zaku's Airwave blast. Which was a surprise in itself considering both of Zaku's arms had appeared to be broken.

"Probably thanks to me" Sakura thought a little gleefully.

But it was just a ruse to allow his bugs to infiltrate Zaku's holes, and block his escaping blast. The second time Zaku tried to unleash a blast he right arm was blown clean off.

Shino may be creepy but he gets the job done!

Afterwards Naruto went up against Kiba in a match to prove he wasn't the same dead last from the academy. Kiba managed to give Naruto quite a struggle though. Sakura ended up cheering for Naruto get to his feet half the time. When Akamaru and Kiba consumed the food pills things only became worse for Naruto.

In an array of smoke bombs and high speed collisions in the form of human drills, Naruto had successfully gotten Kiba react without thinking and take out his partner Akamaru by accident.

Of course this did nothing but enrage Kiba and posses him to try and take Naruto out even faster. Just before Kiba could attack Naruto from behind, Naruto's behind effectively took him out. Only Naruto could K.O. somebody because of a fart.

Hinata went against her cousin Neji in a tear jerking battle as she tried to prove herself. Sadly she could not over power Neji as it seemed he far outclassed her, but the sight of her standing up after a blow to her heart and moved Sakura and Naruto who had jumped down from the stands to try and help. Naruto ended up vowing vengeance against Neji with Hinata's blood in his hands.

Sakura knew her plight would deeply touch him, because her goal is very similar to him it seems. Now if only the knucklehead would notice her massive crush. Sakura would need to work on getting Naruto to notice it, but she would do it subtly.

Once they arrived back up Sakura could see Neji's teammates looking at him in disappointment while Sasuke was looking at him in interest. Sakura herself even had to wonder that if both of the geniuses fought who would win the fight.

The next match would probably be the second most memorable, after her big fiasco. Lee went up against Gaara in a heart-stopping match. To prove that even with a disability it's possible to become a splendid ninja. Sakura had to admit she was surprised to find out that Lee could only use Tai jutsu, but that did raise her respect for him about fifty notches. Especially when she saw how inhumanly fast he was.

Unfortunately for Lee Gaara had infinity for Sand. He could manipulate the sand by will or without will it seemed. From what she could hear from Kankuro talking to Naruto it sounds like the sand could move to protect Gaara almost as if the sand itself was a living creature.

Even when Lee managed to open the fifth inner gate he was still defeated because Gaara managed to turn the gourd on his back into sand to cushion his fall. He used his sand to crush Lee's leg and arm. The display broke Sakura's heart, he may have been a bit odd but he was a very kind soul. He didn't deserve that.

It hurt her even more when she heard that he would never be able to become a ninja again. Sakura wished she knew some healing techniques, but no one in the Land of the Sun would offer to teach her the "Medicae Manus (Healing Hands)" technique. The technique was renown in the magical community for being able to heal an injury, no matter how fatal.

Finally the last match was Chouji against Dosu. Unfortunately the match was very short for Chouji. While he was smart enough to cover his ears, he forgot the water in the human body could be a big sound conductor. So once Dosu was able to keep him still it was child's play from there.

Now all the matches were over and Sakura with Ramus still next to her stood in front of the Hokage along with the rest of the finalists. It did make Sakura a little happy to see Kakashi's eye swell with pride. After all her team did come out with a clean sweep, she was a little proud herself.

"Congratulations to all who made it too the final rounds" The Hokage smiled. "Now before we begin the finals a month's break period will be given".

"Why's that?" Naruto questioned rudely. Sakura really had to wonder how he got away with doing that to the Hokage.

"We need time to allow our esteemed guest to arrive and to get final preparations ready." Sarutobi answered. "Besides you would want to use this period to train after all, when you first started battling you were fighting unknown enemies." Sarutobi continued.

"Now that you've seen everyone in action you'll have time to come up with new techniques, and tricks to keep you opponent on their toes." Sarutobi finished.

Everyone slightly moved their head or eyes to look at Sakura and Gaara during his speech. Sakura didn't know whether she should be flattered or not that she was considered one of the more dangerous opponents.

She was leaning towards not…

"All right maggots everyone take a number from the box, and don't move I'll come too you". Anko announced moving forward with a small box. Although Sakura could see a bit of hesitance once she got close to her.

"I've got number one of course" Naruto bolstered.

"I have two" Neji answered.

"Three" Gaara replied

"Four" Sasuke said

"I have Five" Kankuro added

"Six" Shino stated.

"I have Seven" Sakura answered seeing where this all was headed.

"I have eight" Dosu replied in his creepy silky voice

" I've got nine!" Tenten answered.

"And I have ten" Shikamaru sighed.

"Okay here's the fighting match set ups based on everyone's number" Anko said as she finished drawing out the combinations. "Everyone get a good look"

Everyone's eyes moved to the map to get a closer look seeing who they were to face right off the back. The scorings were 1 vs 2, 3 vs 4, 5 vs 6, 7 vs 8, and 9 vs 10.

Sakura could feel Naruto's excitement at the fact he was facing Neji first, almost as if fate heard his desire. She could also feel Tenten's and Shikamaru's relief when they realized they weren't facing her or Gaara right off the bat. However, she could feel excitement coming from Sasuke for that very reason. "He was never one who could pass up a strong opponent," Sakura thought.

Sakura noted that she would be facing Dosu. "Ah a reunion of ironic proportions, how fun" Sakura thought sarcastically. Oh well hopefully he won't have too much new material by the end of the month.

"Now everyone go forth and prepare your skills". The Hokage finished as everyone began to file out. The jounin and the Hokage himself stayed in their places though.

Naruto, Sasuke, Ramus, and Sakura stuck around too however, as Kakashi began to approach them.

"Sakura the Hokage requests your presence in his office, right now" Kakashi told her, as his visible eye narrowed in suspicion at her. Kakashi himself still couldn't believe that this half lizard being was his student.

"Yeah I knew this was coming, but can Naruto and Sasuke come also?" Sakura requested wanting to get the complete truth to her teammates out of the way. It was time they knew, and one day maybe it would be time everyone in the world knew.

One day…

Kakashi's eyebrow rose at the request, but he decided to comply with her.

"Really you want us to come Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked jumping up and down in excitement on the inside. Sakura must really be starting to trust him, plus he can't deny that he's curious, he was very sure she was a demon container like him at this point.

Sasuke just turned away from Sakura and looked at Kakashi as if daring him not to let him come.

Kakashi knowing he would be fighting a losing battle if he said no simply waved his arm and mentioned for them to follow Sakura and him.

Twenty minutes later team 7 arrived in the main meeting room with Sakura once again hiding under a Transformation jutsu, where all-important matters concerning the village were discussed (Think the place in episode 55 when all the jounin were discussing Hayate's death). Sakura had to admit she wasn't expecting an audience quite this large.

All the current jounin were present, clan heads, feudal lords, some ANBU corps were present, a few chuunin were sprinkled in the mix Iruka being one of them, the village elders, and one person she wasn't at all expecting...

Her father.

When Sakura turned to her father she gave him an apologetic sheepish look. She didn't want too think about how disappointed he must be in her. Ramus from his position next to her gave her an encouraging smile.

Kenji turned to his daughter and gave her a comforting smile. He knew this might've come one day; he had to give his daughter credit. She didn't snap as soon as he thought she would. After all she had Ardenia's famous short temper.

Plus her being a fire dragoness didn't help…

"Well now that everyone's here we can begin," Sarutobi announced.

"Now miss Haruno please show us what this "condition" is that the rookie instructors were talking about," insisted councilwomen Koharu.

Sakura looked around the room very nervous and scared, but with one loving look from her father, she brought her hands to the front of her and dropped the transformation jutsu.

Multiple gasps and mummers filled the room, as everyone who wasn't already aware of it took in her birth form. Even the most stoic of ninja in the room couldn't help but make some noise at the sight.

"Wha-wha.. is this a-a bloodline of your clan Kenji and if so why didn't you inform us?" councilmen Homura demanded. His face full of awe as he looked at Sakura, he's never seen anything like this in all his years.

"No Homura-sama it's not a bloodline, far from it in fact" Kenji answered his voice shaky. He knew how much trouble he and Sakura will be in for revealing the information they had. Maybe there was some way to only reveal half the truth.

Sneaking a peak at his daughter he could see she had a similar idea forming in her head as well. "Of course she does" Kenji thought smugly she does have his brains.

"Well then what is this?! Kenji just what is your daughter?" a gruff looking chuunin by the name of Daisuke asked.

Now Kenji had to glare at the man for that comment.

"My daughter is most special person to me still alive at this moment thank you very much!" Kenji replied angrily. Sakura sent her father a teary smile desperately wanting to run up and hug him for the comment.

"Settle Down now you two!" Sarutobi demanded. "Young Sakura will tell us"

"I,I…I'm" Sakura stuttered to the surprise of her teammates they've never heard her stutter this badly before.

"Spit it out child this is important information" one of the village elders who belonged to the Hyuuga clan yelled.

"I'M HALF DRAGON, HAPPY NOW?!" Sakura screamed back the dam finally breaking. Strangely enough right after Sakura those words she slumped her shoulders and relaxed, happy to finally get that information off her shoulders.

The room grew quiet as people stared at her, Kenji, and one another in disbelief. Half Dragon? Dragons actually existed on this earth? Everyone thought they were just spirits and figments of mythology. How was this possible?

Naruto and Sasuke turned to Sakura as well; both their mouths wide open.

"Well that puts my theory of Sakura-chan being a demon container right out the window!" Naruto thought his mind absolutely blown. To think Sakura-chan wasn't even fully human! Sakura was part dragon….

That made her even more awesome in his books!

Sasuke's mind was reeling, out of all possible conclusions; he had to say this wasn't even near his list. He thought that she had a bloodline of some sort. She was only half human! She was a hybrid, a one of a kind hybrid! How in the world did this happen?

"Care to explain this Kenji, you fucked a dragon? What the hell?!" Daisuke yelled in disgust.

At this point Daisuke became Kenji's least favorite person on earth.

"Shut the hell up! It wasn't like that! Ardenia was human when I met her!" Kenji retorted in annoyed anger.

"ENOUGH, Sakura please explain, you too Kenji, and neither of you dare lie!" Sarutobi demanded. His face giving a stern look, he was watching for any indication of lying from the two.

"The truth Hokage-sama is that dragons do in fact still exist on earth, but not in the way everyone thinks" Sakura began. Sakura knew that she was busted and would have too tell them the truth, but that didn't mean the whole truth. She could let them know about dragons, but who's to say that need to know about the other magical creatures, the Land of the Sun or about the other guardian dragons?

"Keep going, you've definitely peaked everyone's interest" Sarutobi replied.

"Dragons exist and all of them have the ability to garter human forms. A previously unknown fact of the mythology to humans." Sakura told. "Dragons can garter the human form for a long or short period of time. My mother Hono, Ardenia was a fire dragoness more specifically a fury dragon species wise". Sakura explained. She then turned to her father to explain the rest of the story. Kenji caught her signal and began his half.

"I met Ardenia in the outer Konoha forest area due to an introduction from a friend, we ended up talking and the rest was history" Kenji said a wistful smile on his face. "At the time I had no idea she was a dragoness, truthfully I didn't even find out until after we were married" Kenji replied honestly.

"You can imagine how shocked I was that day". Kenji said in a jolly like voice.

"However I loved Ardenia to much to leave her by that point, and she gave birth to my children Sakura and my son Ryoma". Kenji finished his voice getting quieter as he got to the end of his sentence.

"This is non-sense I don't believe I word" Daisuke huffed folding his arms. Mummers of agreement rang through the room.

"Yeah I figured no one would believe me, so I brought pictures" Kenji replied pulling out a batch of pictures from his back pouch. "Everyone take a couple and pass them around" Kenji asked handing the first batch to the Hokage and village elders.

Ten minutes went by as the pictures were passed around the room. Everyone person was wide eyed as they looked at the picture of a large pink and red dragoness standing next to Kenji. Curious looks were given to the picture of the redheaded boy, those who knew Kenji were surprised he's never mentioned his other child.

Mummers of awe were exchanged when everyone saw the picture of Ardenia in her human form, now seeing where Sakura got her looks.

Ardenia in human form stood tall for a woman reaching about 5"8. Her long pink hair with flame red highlights that reached down to the middle of her back. She wore a white kimono with red flora prints on it. Her skin was the same smooth pale as Sakura and her eyes were a slender shape. They were also a very alluring red. She was also a very curvaceous and busty woman.

Let's just say many of the men in the room could see how she seduced Kenji so easily.

"You're a lucky man Kenji" A jounin named Ichigo replied still looking at that photo.

"I was a lucky man..." Kenji whispered to low for anyone to hear.

"Anyway Kenji when can we meet this Ardenia or meet Ryoma? Actually why didn't you bring either with you?" councilwomen Koharu asked.

"She's gone, she died when Sakura and Ryoma were one, and before anyone asks Ryoma's dead too he died when he was eight he was Sakura's twin." Kenji answered his and Sakura's faces instantly becoming sad. Sakura even had a tear slide down her cheek.

"Oh dear I'm terribly sorry" Koharu apologized a bit embarrassed.

Kakashi, Sasuke, and Naruto looked at her in surprise. None of them ever thought Sakura had so many personal demons. Kakashi was the most shocked though, Sakura was a twin and it turns her past was traumatic and sad in some points. He always imagined that in team 7 Sakura had the happiest and most normal family life.

Turned out he was wrong, and boy did he feel bad that he didn't notice it. Especially when he'd always preach to look underneath the underneath.

Even Naruto and Sasuke were shocked by that information. They knew she lost her brother but they didn't know her mother died as well...

"That aside I think mostly everyone in here has a few questions they want answered". Sarutobi said seeing all the curious eyes around the room. "Everyone will raise their hands, and state their questions one at a time, also state to who the question is addressed too please".

"This is for Sakura, What's the difference between you and pure-blooded Dragon?" Shikaku Nara asked.

"The difference while their human states is almost another transformation in itself, my "human" state can never be truly convincing without the aid of a Transformation jutsu or a seal." Sakura replied

"However, I do have a small advantage over other Dragons. The advantage being that I can have my certain body parts like my tail, claws, and teeth summoned by will, without turning into a full dragon form. Normal Dragons can't do this, they're either always in full dragon form or full human form." Sakura ended a bit proudly while stating this fact.

"For Sakura as well, what kind of special abilities do you have because of being half dragon?" Kurenai asked her curiosity no longer allowing her to keep silent.

"Well I have your standard fire breath which some of the you in the room have seen." Sakura began. "The scales on my body are hard as diamonds, giving me my own personal armor, I can create a loud piercing roar which once again some in here had to unfortunately hear" Sakura shrugged sheepishly.

"Also my teeth can bite through objects as hard as diamonds. Sakura smiled giving everyone a view of her sharp teeth.

"I can also talk to animals, any kind of animal there's no limit." Sakura said before one of the ANBU corps opened their mouth. "Lastly I can also fly, and use magic spells" Sakura finished.

Everyone was in complete awe at the list of abilities the young girl had. Many were in the council were beginning to consider promoting the girl straight to ANBU status. After all in the Chuunin exams it sounds like she could easily out match anyone.

"NANI Sakura-chan you can fly!" Naruto screamed absolutely floored by all that info. Geez he was going to have to work extra hard to catch up to Sakura's level.

Sasuke was violently shaking in jealously and anger however, how come Sakura gets all that power? With that many abilities she could easily take down anyone! He knew if he had that kind of power Itachi would be long dead already!

Dammit it wasn't fair!

"Yes I can fly Naruto, I do have wings but there hidden inside my back" Sakura smiled warmly at him. "Watch"

Bending forward Sakura began to grunt and strain. Although after a minute everybody could see two bumps rising slowly out of her back below her shoulders blades. Then in all jaw dropping display, two long red wings with a pink underside emerged from her back busting out of her shirt. The wings were appeared so much bigger than they were on Sakura's body.

A couple of people had to back up and give her space. Sakura then flapped her wings lightly so she was hovering a bit above the ground.

"Uhhaa th-this is for Sakura as well, Do dragons have other elemental natures besides fire?" Hiashi Hyuuga asked positively intrigued along with the rest of the Hyuuga elders, and clan.

"Why yes they do," Sakura replied still lightly flying above the floor. " There are dragons with the element of fire like me, or dragons with the other natural elements like water, earth, wind, lighting, there are even sub elements like ice, poison, light, darkness, and astral". Sakura summarized.

"However most Dragons are nomadic though and never stay in a village or country for more than a year, so spotting or finding one is nearly impossible. They also tend to avoid humans and keep to themselves". Sakura added.

"For Sakura too, how long can these magnificent creatures live?" Gai asked strangely quiet for once.

"Pure blooded dragons can live for up to two thousand years before dying of old age, however because I'm half human the max years I should live is about two hundred." Sakura explained.

"They also physically age much slower, three hundred years to a human are about equal to thirty years old in Dragon time.

Dragons age by centuries and decades, they can be five hundred in human years and look like they just turned fifty in their human form. I on the other hand will look my age if I reach two hundred." Sakura remarked a bit snidely.

"Quick question so, what about the beginning of a dragon's lifespan? Does it take a dragon one hundred years to become ten years old?" Anko asked rather loudly earning her some annoyed looks.

"Good question, the answer is no. Yes dragon's age slower than humans but that is because their bodies take much longer to develop fully. A ten year old dragon in human or dragon years is still the same age equivalent as a ten year old human both physically and mentally." Sakura explained.

"The only difference is a young dragon stays in stasis for much longer. For instance the years of a dragon's life between the ages seventeen to one hundred and eighty are considered the twilight years," Sakura continued to explain.

"During that time a dragon is pretty much stuck in a LONG period of adolescence until they reach one hundred and eighty where their bodies begin the final development into adulthood. Luckily I will not have that problem!" Sakura finished with a smile.

Everyone in the room was a gap with awe at that information. Although some in the room wouldn't mind reliving their teenage years, no one in the room could imagine or would ever want to be a teenager for that long.

"Also for Sakura, please explain magic a bit more" Kakashi asked staring blankly at his hovering student.

"Well Kakashi-sensei magic can't really be explained, just know it's much different than jutsu. One reason being I don't need to make hand signs, all I need to do is announce the spell I want. It could also be the reason I balance charka so well. My magical core might even it out." Sakura concluded.

"Spells can also be used for mundane things, like cleaning rooms, or even repairing broken objects. Not all spells are battle worthy" Kenji added his bit of knowledge.

"This is for Kenji, I notice that you are in all of these pictures, who took them then?" Daisuke questioned smirking. This question earned some voices of agreement though.

"Yes, indeed please explain who else had known about this?" Homura asked folding his arms on top of his desk.

"The Fourth Hokage" Kenji answered stone-faced. " He was Sakura and Ryoma's godfather". Kenji proceeded to pull out one more picture that had the Fourth and Ardenia in her human form standing next to each, with the Yondaime holding both baby Sakura and Ryoma smiling.

Loud mumbles rang through out the room at this revelation. The Yondaime he had know about this? The shocks just kept coming!

"Before anyone asks, the Yondaime had found out about Ardenia being a dragon long before I had" Kenji informed.

"He told me that he ran into her in her dragon form in the Forest of Death while training. Instead of attacking her, he slowly approached her offering his hand. He admitted to me that he was amazed when he first saw Arednia" Kenji said

"They formed a brother and sister like relationship and were inseparable ever since. In fact the Yondaime told me that it was Ardenia who pushed him into training to be Hokage. He said that she told him "That you have all the makings of a great leader blondie, don't waste it!" Kenji finished let out a snorting laugh.

"We all became close friends, so close that Ardenia requested he be the godfather to our twins a title which he gracefully accepted" Kenji ended a happy smile on his face.

"He also helped Ardenia make the seal that Sakura and Ryoma both had at one point, that suppressed their dragon features". Kenji decided to add.

"Seal? Please explain" Sarutobi asked.

"Early in my children's childhood Ardenia and I had to make a way for their features to be disguised before they could do it on their own.

So the Yondaime and Ardenia constructed the twisting dragons seal with both charka and magic to make sure it stayed in place. They also made it so the seal could be activated and deactivated by will." Kenji explained.

"Do you still have the seal child?" Sarutobi questioned.

"No, no it was destroyed in my battle with Orochimaru, the seal is what made it easier to hide my true appearance. Without it I burn charka reserves to keep up a Transformation Jutsu. Because it was also made with magic no one here is qualified to fix it up, and I'm not experienced enough to really do it myself". Sakura said.

She then snapped her head to her teammates quickly she had forgotten that she never told them about that! Judging by the looks on their faces now, they weren't too happy with her especially Sasuke, Naruto looked more disappointed than anything. Sakura's ears drooped down in sadness and frustration.

"Ah yes that brings me to my question, what exactly happened during your encounter with Orochimaru" Sarutobi asked leaning forward along with most other in the room. Kenji turned to look at his daughter a worried expression on his face, once he had heard about the encounter he'd been so anxious see Sakura.

Sakura retold her story to all who were present from the beginning about her forest home to the end when Sasuke and Naruto had found her. Sakura gagging the expressions in the room saw them range from admiration, worry, resentment, and contemplation.

"Very well, child I must thank you for injuring him as much as you did" Sarutobi conceded. " Truthfully I'm very tempted to place you as a Jounin right now" Sarutobi sighed merrily shaking his head.

Sakura simply blushed at the praise. Then she stopped flapping her wings and daintily landed on the ground. She proceeded to bend over, and retract her wings back in. Which earned a few disgusted looks from her audience.

"Now about you living in the forest of death is that you're new permanent residence or is it only temporary?" Sarutobi questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes Hokage-sama it's permanent I've been living there for two months now, but I still visit Otou-san every week". Sakura answered walking up to her father and giving him a hug. Which he returned with much vigor.

"No wonder I couldn't find her to test her before, she had a secret cave!" Iruka thought amazed by his past student, who had always seemed so mundane to him.

"Good to know" Sarutobi said smiling at the small family.

"Okay now everyone here's the orders" Sarutobi announced and everyone quieted down.

"This information is to only stay with the ninja community. We do not need civilians to find out about this it would only cause panic and confusion. Also any visiting village merchants, guests, and feudal lords should be left in the dark as well I feel." Sarutobi confessed.

"This is the type of information that needs to be absorbed and given out slowly, not all pounded on in one go. Hell I feel like I've been hit with a sledge hammer and I know I'm not the only one." Sarutobi stated seeing many in the room nod in agreement while holding their heads. " Also it gives us a slight edge having a cooperative dragon on our side" Sarutobi cackled a bit.

"Dragoness" Sakura automatically corrected.

The response brought a smile to some faces.

"So this isn't allowed to be spoken outside of your ninja brethren, and Sakura if you want to compete in the finals keep a Transformation Jutsu in control during the tournament." Sakura began to open her mouth.

"Don't worry miss Haruno if you ever need a break tell one of the guards or proctors and they'll let you go recharge no questions asked". Sarutobi smiled at her.

"Also concerning Orochimaru everyone is to be on high alert and more security will be spread around the village. Also Sakura watch yourself, because I know that you know that he's specifically after you" Sarutobi nodded towards her.

"Finally Naruto and Sasuke you both are to keep your mouths quiet about this, is that clear?" Sarutobi demanded with a stern serious look on his face that promised consequence if they failed to do so.

"Crystal Sir!" Naruto replied sincerely for once, no undertones of joking in his voice this time.

"Yes Hokage-sama" Sasuke replied unenthused still mad about all the powers and abilities Sakura has.

"Okay then this meeting is adjourned!" Sarutobi concluded and everyone headed out, talking amongst him or herself reveling about this new information. Dragons existed! Who knew?

Sakura quickly bid farewell to her team, before they had enough time to ask her more questions.

Sakura back under a Transformation Jutsu with Ramus by her side walked out the building with her father holding his hand. She decided she wanted to spend the night with him. She was just so stressed, plus she never got to spend too much time with him anymore. She would get even less time once she began her training for the finals.

Once they reached his house, Ramus wandered over to the fireplace and laid down for a enjoying the warmth of the fire. Kenji went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, and Sakura laid down on the couch right next to Ramus. She just stared at the fire mesmerized and calmed down instantly.

Who knew what the next month held, or would throw at her?

But Sakura was too tired to give a damn.

IMPORTANT Long New Edits: Many significant changes this chapter. The first and most obvious are the name changes. Like replacing Hiro with Ramus, and Nami with Ardenia. Plus getting rid of any instances of the mention Draco-morph and simply replacing it with dragon.

Another few changes is Ardenia's pink hair ended with red flame imprints and highlights and that Kenji found out Ardenia was a dragoness after they were married, instead of until she was pregnant.

Also Sakura no longer has the power of the siren death song. That has been ret-conned.

Next there was the addition of new sub elemental dragons, such as the poison, light, and astral dragons. Also shadow was an element I simply name changed into darkness instead because that's what it basically was before. By the way astral dragons are basically space and or star dragons.

Other more important changes are in the explanation of dragon aging. This time I give a much better more detailed answer on how it works, plus I described how the teenage period of a dragon is as well.

For those who may still be slightly confused here's a more chart like description.

*Human years 17= 17 dragon years this is when the twilight year's slow developmental stasis really begins. Any aging for a dragon past this point takes much longer than it would for a human. As their bodies have to adjust too a much higher multitude of things compared to a human or any other animal for that matter.

Human years 180= 18 dragon years

Human years 200= 20 dragon years

Human years 320= 32 dragon years

Human years 550= 55 dragon years

Human years 1,000= 100 dragon years

Human years 1,010= 101 dragon years

I said dragons in my story age by centuries and decades. So every century that passes dragons reach a new decade in their lifespan. Then ten decades are needed to pass within that century to reach the human equivalent of one year, remember dragons physically age WAY slower.

So a dragon that is 205 in human years is still technically 20 in dragon years. They HAVE to reach the decade mark of 210 human years to be 21 in dragon years.

To simply put it a decade to a human is equal to one year to a dragon, and a century to a human is equal one decade to a dragon. So whenever a zero is the last digit in a three or four digit number, just imagine the last zero gone, and the left over numbers are the dragon's actual age!

But remember this is only true after the dragon has finished their twilight years. For the first seventeen years of a dragon's life they age on par with humans.

Sorry for the math lesson guys, but this did need better explanation…

If anyone is still confused or has questions about the aging please PM me. I'll try my best to answer!