Several months later after Sakura turned 11, she had excelled in her training with the entire Akatsuki, Sakura started her morning by waking up at 5, to take a shower, dry her hair and then put it up out of the way.
Then she would strap on her now 25 pound weights and wind the bandage wraps around her arms and legs, as she headed through Pein's office Sakura turned and bowed deeply to the man who would nod and get back to work.
Sakura met Itachi at the training field at 5:30 and he would immediately put her in an elaborate genjutsu, the one for that day happened to be particularly difficult 'Dang it Itachi-senpai' she sulked in her thoughts and sat down to look at the illusion from a different angle.
The technique was one she had developed to analyze each situation she was put in and never failed her like now, Sakura smiled and tapped a wall with her hand, the seems had been visible from her spot and now she knew what to do.
Soon the illusion faded and Itachi complimented her "Well done Sakura and that only took you 25 minutes, take a five minute break to rest then we'll move onto your 20 laps" he had gotten over his reservations of training her and now they had a certain level of friendship.
"Thank you Itachi-senpai" Sakura smiled sweetly and sat on a rock, she wanted to ask Pein something later on but she didn't know how to ask or what exactly to say or how to word her question, her five minute break passed in no time.
Kisame grinned, Sakura had really blossomed, she now continuously pumped chakra into her legs boosting her speed thus cutting down on the amount of time she spent running, Sakura finished her laps in 20 minutes.
Itachi took his leave and headed in while Sakura wandered over to Kisame "10 minute break then we'll start on your kenjutsu training" he patted her lightly on the head when Sakura pouted, she didn't like taking breaks that much was obvious.
While she was waiting Sakura struck up a conversation "Hey Kisame-senpai, say you wanted something and that something was so important to you how would you go about getting it" she smiled innocently when Kisame stared at her in confusion.
"Well I would ask first because that's the best way to go about getting things" Kisame scratched the back of his head, Sakura sometimes asked the weirdest of things "Why you asking pinkie" he enquired but Sakura just sat there or so he thought.
Sakura took a deep breath "This village has an academy doesn't it" she asked hopefully, her dream was to become the greatest kunoichi in all the lands, but in order for that to happen she needed to become a genin, chunin, jonin, anbu and so on and so forth.
"Don't know you'd have to ask Leader" Kisame shrugged "Times up kid" Sakura stood and Kisame tossed her the tantou Obito had gifted her, she grabbed it out of mid air by the hilt her hold on it was perfect so Sakura didn't adjust her grip.
Sakura grinned "How did I do Kisame-senpai, have I improved enough to maybe have that sword you made me for my birthday" she enquired innocently, Kisame had gifted Sakura a mini samehada but had refused to train her with it just yet.
Kisame groaned, she wouldn't stop bothering him about that, she had improved exceptionally on her reaction times "Fine" he relented and pulled out the pink samehada he had crafted in secret for Sakura, it had been extremely difficult to do so but Kisame had managed it.
Sakura's eyes lit up and she grasped the hilt of her samehada, it felt perfect in her hands, Sakura gave it a few experimental swings "Alright Senpai I'm ready" she grinned, she would so knock Kisame down today no matter what.
Kisame jumped forward and swung his own samehada down and Sakura raised the pink one to block the attack, they clashed for a long while until Sakura used a sneak attack from the side and he went down hard.
"Not bad pinkie" Kisame rubbed his side "Taijutsu training now" he huffed, Sakura had gotten way to good at kenjutsu it was ridiculous even Itachi struggled against her when they sparred on their off days mainly just Saturday and Sunday.
Sakura skipped around and rubbed her samehada it was so pretty and beautiful "Oh yeah I am so ready" she heard Kisame's question and set down her sword and settled into her taijutsu stance it was of her own unique style that she had developed.
The training didn't last long as Sakura incorporated all that she had learned from Konan she moved like flowing water and soon Kisame was once again knocked flat on his ass "Ok I give jesus christ Sakura" Kisame rubbed his sore backside.
Pein needed to find Sakura a tougher opponent there wasn't much more he could teach her because Sakura excelled at everything "Yay breakfast time" Sakura giggled, it was 7:30 so Konan should be done making the food for everyone.
The two trailed back into the base the others were already seated around the table, Kisame nearly did the same when he remembered that he wanted to talk to Pein "Leader we need to find pinkie a stronger opponent otherwise she's going to whip all of our asses in training" he hissed.
Pein raised an eyebrow, Sakura was 11 years old how tough of an opponent could the girl be "If you think it's needed then I'll start searching" he nodded in acquiesce for the time being, Kisame nodded and sat down, breakfast was quickly consumed.
By the time breakfast was finished it was 8:30 so from that time until 10:00 Sakura had free time which she usually just went to the training ground she and Sasori used until it was time to begin training with the puppet.
10:00 rolled around and Sasori appeared, like usual he didn't say a word he just started off throwing weapons over the months Sasori had started using his puppets to help Sakura in her dodging lessons and now she didn't even receive a scratch.
And like usual Sakura scurried around the field gathering all the weapons so that Sasori could store them in his puppet again, by that time it was 10:30, and the two moved onto the lake to begin sparring with puppets, Sasori had gifted Sakura a puppet that looked just like her.
When it turned 11:00 the training session ended, Sakura headed in to take a shower before heading off to lunch, Kisame cooked in the afternoons and his food was absolutely delicious after her shower she headed down the halls to the kitchen.
Kisame was just plating up the food and setting it on the table "Hey pinkie how did training go with puppet man" he snickered and Sakura threw him an unimpressed stare "Let me reiterate, how did training with Sasori go" Kisame sulked he hated that look.
Konan stifled her giggles, Sakura had that stare right down to the very last detail after lunch was finished Deidara rolled his eyes and helped Kisame wash the dishes, he hated the job with a passion but it was just something he had learned to accept.
Sakura followed Zetsu out to the green house where she spent the next hour learning about herbs and their properties and uses, before moving onto poisons and antidotes, by the time that lesson was over it was 12:30 so it was time for Sakura's lessons with Konan.
"Ok Sakura here's a fish, now demonstrate what I taught you yesterday by performing the chakra scalpel jutsu" Konan set a half dead fish down on the scroll and moved out of Sakura's way so that she could begin practicing.
Sakura took a deep breath and formed the hand signs she had learned by heart, chakra extended from her finger tips and Sakura neatly sliced through the fish, her chakra control was flawless as usual.
Konan smirked, Sakura was a natural it was almost scary "Now heal him" she ordered next, Sakura formed new hand signs as the chakra scalpel faded from her fingers and correctly used the right amount of chakra to heal the fish until it started flopping around.
It was dumped in the fish tank at the back of the room and Konan handed Sakura a fan, they moved into their dance when Konan ended the lesson it was 1:00 since it didn't take long for Sakura to go through her lessons with her.
"Thanks Konan-chan, I'm going to go see Deidara-senpai for survival training now" Sakura waved and left the base, she climbed onto the clay bird Deidara always had waiting and they rose into the air, Sakura's task was to not fall off as Deidara controlled the bird.
Sakura's forehead beaded with sweat and she nearly lost her grip as Deidara flipped the bird upside down, she was using her chakra to anchor herself Deidara smirked and performed an arial loop so the clay bird spun.
"Your no fun Sakura" Deidara directed the clay bird to land on the ground, when Sakura was a safe distance away he blew it up, it was ridiculous no matter what he did Sakura excelled it was creepy and she always followed along with everyone else.
Deidara had tried convincing Sakura once to escape with him but she had outright refused and he had dropped the whole matter "Later Deidara-senpai" Sakura waved and headed off for her next lesson that was starting in two minutes.
Kakuzu was waiting for her and she reached the training grounds in the nick of time just as it turned 1:30 and from that time until 2:30, he would teach her elemental jutsu, water and earth jutsu's which came easily to her.
Sakura clasped her hands behind her back and waited for Kakuzu's instructions, the stitched up man circled around her silently and she straightened her spine like Konan had taught her "Today you'll be learning some advanced jutsu's" Kakuzu finally spoke.
"For Earth Style, I want you to perform this jutsu, Earth Style: Earth Plate Barrage" Kakuzu rapidly formed hand signs but Sakura had grown use to this form of teaching and quickly memorized each one giant rocks rose from the ground and Kakuzu threw them at Sakura.
"Eek" Sakura squealed and dropped to the ground before rolling to the far left to avoid the chunks of earth "I understand Kakuzu-senpai" Sakura jumped to her feet and formed the hand signs Kakuzu had just showed her.
Kakuzu nodded, the girl was a good pupil and excelled at everything he taught her, then Sakura poured chakra into the ground and called out the new jutsu "Earth Style: Earth Plate Barrage" she stated awkwardly.
Even though it was a jonin level jutsu, Sakura performed it with an ease that made Kakuzu slightly jealous, she sent the huge rocks forward and they slammed into a rock wall it cracked in several places before crumbling into pieces.
"Not bad practice that for thirty minutes" Kakuzu leaned against a tree after making another rock wall for Sakura to send her jutsu at, he enjoyed having the girl train until she dropped it made it harder on Hidan after all.
Sakura sighed Kakuzu was always like this time passed by quickly until Kakuzu held up a hand for her to stop, she once again stood properly like Kakuzu liked and waited for the next jutsu, she remained silent and patient.
"The next jutsu is Water Style: Water Dragon Whip" Kakuzu stood a top the water and formed hand signs to use the jutsu once again it was a jonin level jutsu an orb of water rose from the water and whips extended from every angle of the orb.
They shot out and flew passed Sakura, it cut her cheek and with out thought she healed the wound Kakuzu's jutsu ended a few moments later "Understood Kakuzu-senpai" Sakura grinned and tried her hand at the new water jutsu.
Thirty minutes passed by and Kakuzu dismissed her from his presence, Sakura sighed she was utterly exhausted now Hidan would be so angry if she showed up half asleep to his lesson so Sakura quickly broke two ration pills in half and munched on them.
"Pinky I see Kakuzu went easy on you today" Hidan had been setting up the final touches on the new course and turned to spot the little girl standing on the edge of the training field "Come on we'll be working on your strength first today" he grinned and pointed to a spot in front of him.
Sakura smiled thankfully Hidan most of the time wasn't to smart but other times he really surprised her "Of course Hidan-senpai" she jumped in the spot and waited for her instructions Sakura had learned not to argue with the silver haired pink eyed jashinist.
If she did then it would lead to extremely difficult situations "Are you being smart with me brat" Hidan took her eagerness the wrong way and tapped his foot angrily, he didn't like it when Sakura back talked him.
Sakura's eyes widened in horror, either Kakuzu-senpai had pissed him off earlier that day or his sacrifice hunting had gone horrible and Hidan hadn't found a sacrifice for his god, so instead of speaking Sakura clamped her mouth shut and politely shook her head no.
Hidan smirked and decided to mess about for a few minutes she was early anyway "See I think you are brat" he stated making himself look angry causing Sakura to give him a wary look, but she remained firmly stood in her spot.
It was a game Hidan liked to play with her, see how long it took for her to get scared or freak out and move from her spot, Sakura hated the game because Hidan hardly got truly angry, she could always tell, but she went along with it, cause sometimes it was fun to see him get exasperated.
"Oh just forget it, start punching that wall" Hidan groaned, apparently today was one of those days that he would get exasperated, Sakura smiled sheepishly but did as she was told, Sakura wanted to apply a new technique she had read from a book anyway.
Sakura focused chakra into her hand and upon impact with the wall released all of it so that the entire wall shattered into a million pieces "I can't believe it actually worked" she stared wide eyed at the now completely demolished wall.
Hidan's jaw dropped "Where the frigging heck did you learn that" he waved his arms wildly about his person, it was ridiculous every time he tried to make his training difficult, Sakura always found some way to get out of it early by completing the task in as little time as possible.
"Uh I read it in a book" Sakura was scared she could really hurt people with that "Don't worry though I'm never going to use it again" she scuffed her shoe, Sakura was frightened of herself and that is not what Hidan wanted.
Despite what everyone else thought, Sakura and Hidan had forged a bond of friendship no matter how weird or strange it was the bond was there "I'm not saying it's a bad thing kid, just maybe we'll keep that a secret for now" Hidan grimaced.
"Leader probably already knows about it by now so there's no point in hiding it Hidan-senpai" Sakura sighed "Can we move onto shagekigijutsu now Hidan-senpai" she stood and dusted off her clothes and Hidan groaned.
A moment later he relented "Ok brat your task his to hit the center of every target there are 11 targets and one of them you can't see" Hidan helped her on top of a rock and she started by jumping into the air and flinging kunai every which direction.
A few minutes later, Sakura landed gracefully on her feet, and Hidan went around checking all of the targets "You missed one by a fraction of an inch" he smirked proud of her progress "Alright kid beat it I have to clean up" Hidan never made Sakura clean up the field.
It was a few minutes shy of 3:30 so Sakura raced back inside to Pein's office to complete her final lesson for the day, it would last from 3:30 to 5:30 then they would go for dinner and Sakura would have the rest of the day to herself from 6:00 to 9:00 then she would go to bed.
Pein stacked the papers for Sakura's lesson on his desk neatly as the little girl burst into his office, Tobi had been by to speak with him about Sakura and could admit that in order for her to improve even more things would have to start changing.
"Sakura sit down, I've cut our lesson down by thirty minutes so that we can have a nice peaceful chat" Pein ordered, Sakura gave him a wide eyed stared but did as he ordered, Sakura was very obedient and unbelievably polite.
Sakura was nervous, had Tobi already told Pein about her little technique "May I ask what we are going to talk about Leader" she tried but the orange haired man shook his head and clasped his hands together on his desk.
"It has come to my attention that in recent months you have excelled in your training with each of your teachers, and have surpassed them in strength and smarts" Pein started and flashed Sakura a little grin.
Sakura looked down the last thing she wanted was to be kicked out of her home for being to strong or to smart "So I have decided to stop all lessons, from this day forward, your going to the academy to become a genin of the rain village" Pein smirked.
Truthfully Tobi had confided in him that Sakura was longing to become a true kunoichi that meant going to the academy and graduating to become a genin and so on and so forth, Sakura looked extremely excited, though there were still several points to go over.
"There are several things that need to change, first Sakura you have to change your name it can no longer be Sakura Haruno it's to obvious that you aren't of Rain Village lineage" Pein held up one finger and pushed a piece of paper forward.
Pein added another point to help Sakura accept the idea a little better "Of course only while within the walls of this base will you still be known as Sakura Haruno" he smirked, if they didn't change Sakura's entire name then they would figure out who she was.
Sakura took it hesitantly and read it they were adoption papers all to become Pein and Konan's official daughter "You really want to adopt me" she looked up, it's not like she had an attachment to her name in fact she thought it was dumb.
Pein raised an eyebrow "And do you reject this idea don't ask questions just sign the damn papers" he sighed, Sakura eeped and quickly scratched her name down on the adoption papers officially becoming Chisai Tendou.
"The second thing that has to change is your appearance and it has to be semi permanent" Pein beckoned Konan into the office "I have a ring here that you need to wear at all times other wise the transformation will fade and you'll revert back to your original form" he warned.
Sakura nodded Pein was right, with her pink hair she'd be spotted from a mile away, she didn't want to lose it completely but if a transformation is what she had to do then she would do it "So what will I look like to the outside world" Sakura was curious.
Konan smiled and placed her hands on Sakura's shoulders "Well you'll have dark blue hair and Pein's rinnegan eyes, you won't be able to use them because they are just for show" she explained for Sakura's sake.
"Now I'm going to perform the jutsu" Pein stood before Sakura and formed several complicated hand signs, before their very eyes, Sakura's hair grew longer and darker until it changed into dark blue bordering on black.
Her eyes that had been previously emerald changed to the rinnegan pattern that Pein had, and she grew a few inches before it stopped, no one would recognize Sakura's chakra signature so that was the only thing that had remained unchanged.
Konan went around Sakura to get a better look at the little girl "Not bad Pein you've really out done yourself on this one" she smirked Sakura looked pretty tough like a true shinobi of the rain village should be.
Pein nodded and produced a ring that would keep the transformation from fading "Hold up your pinky finger" he ordered and Sakura did so without question, the ring was a perfect fit a dark pink band with an emerald in the center.
Sakura stared at it in awe, it represented her true form down to the last detail "Thank you Leader, Konan-chan, I will treasure the gift you have bestowed upon me until my dying day" she bowed low, her voice thick with emotion.
"Stop that Sakura-chan, that's not what you call us anymore it's Okaa-chan and Otou-san no more of that Leader or Konan-chan stuff" Konan scolded lightly and bopped Sakura on the head, then she squeezed Sakura in a hug and left the office.
"Now we will begin your lesson" Pein sat and Sakura followed his lead since it had taken the whole thirty minutes to straighten things out, they had to hurry through the history and math lesson and spent the last hour going through the theory of things.
Sakura yawned and put down her pencil "I'm finished Lea..oops Father" she stated awkwardly it had been so long since she had called anyone family, Sakura supposed she could consider the entire Akatsuki her new family though.
Pein just smiled, it would take Sakura awhile to get use to the change in rank, now that she was his official daughter that meant she was in the running to become the next Amekage it also meant that he had to start showing Sakura more affection.
"Don't worry about it Sakura, you'll get use to it eventually" Pein gently ruffled Sakura's pink hair, she had taken the ring off when her lesson started and it was now hanging off a chain around her neck, whenever they left the base though Sakura would put it back on.
Sakura blinked, but let Pein mess up her hair it was the first sign that things were already changing for her "Ready for dinner Father" she smiled cheekily and ran ahead of Pein, he slowly chased after her not sure if Sakura was playing a game with him.
Pein huffed, by the time he reached the kitchen Sakura was already seated at the table and chattering quietly away with Sasori about a theory she had learned about chakra control, Sakura was thinking about learning sealing jutsu and making her own jutsu.
"Oh hello Father" Sakura snickered, everyone scooted away from her and gave her a 'your dead look' but Pein just gave her an exasperated smile and sat down, Deidara scratched his head in confusion, what on earth was going on around here.
"No offense Leader but what the hell was that yeah" Deidara burst out a moment later when it proved to be to difficult to do so, Sakura and Konan broke down in giggles while Pein sighed, he was glad that cursing hadn't rubbed off on the girl yet.
Konan cleared her throat "Leader and I have an announcement to make" she drew everyone's attention onto herself "We adopted Sakura as our daughter and she'll be going to the academy so no more individual training sessions" she glared around.
Kisame's jaw dropped "Are you serious pinky your practically royalty now, oops forgive me for my mistake Princess Sakura" he mock bowed his head and Sakura giggled before sighing this was another change but she didn't like this one very much.
Pein saw the expression and internally grimaced "Don't mock her Hoshigaki or you'll be cleaning the entire base for a month" he warned, Kisame shut his mouth and everyone scooted away from him to get out of the line of fire.
Dinner went on without much more incident and Sakura headed back to her room after bidding her new parents goodnight, inside her bedroom was her very first friend "Tobi" Sakura whispered and the orange swirl masked man patted her bed indicating he wanted her to sit.
"So what's it like being the daughter to the most powerful man and woman in the Hidden Rain Village" Obito wanted to know how Sakura was adjusting to the changes in her life and if she had any complaints.
Sakura sighed "It's nice, I've got parents and a huge family but I don't like the royalty part, sure I want to become the strongest kunoichi in all the lands but not with a title attached to my name" she explained sadly.
Obito smirked behind his mask "Did you ever stop to think that outside this village no one will know who you are" he questioned, Sakura's head flung up and her eyes widened in realization "Thought so" Obito shook his head in mock disappointment.
"I should have known, sorry Tobi" Sakura grimaced but at least tomorrow she would wake up with a better understanding of her situation, she gave her friend a quick hug before skipping into the bathroom to shower and dress for bed.
When Sakura exited the bathroom Obito had left, but she stuck her hand underneath her pillow and grasped the sucker he put there for her, Sakura grabbed a book from the shelf and started reading, maybe next time Konan went into town she would ask her to get a sealing jutsu book.
Before Sakura clicked off her light to go to bed, Sakura spotted a note on her nightstand in Obito's familiar hand writing, excited she quickly unfolded it to read it, inside was the longest note Obito had ever written her.
*To the Cherry Blossom of the Rain Village
I must commend you on a job well done my little apprentice, you were just a measly eight year old when I met you for the first time, honestly you had more guts than most adults, back then your only goals were to beat your rival and impress your crush.
How times have changed, you didn't know this and I'll only admit this to you, but you had me curious about you from day one, I religiously watched over you until you were nine and once again found me.
I followed you home that night and we sat on your couch and talked for hours, I distinctly remember telling you that in order for us to talk again you had to find me, time flies and you most definitely found me.
That's when I started training you, and under my wing you began to grow and blossom into your own person, with an entirely knew goal, and I have no doubt in my mind that you'll accomplish that goal.
Signed Obito*
Sakura was in awe, he had watched over her while she searched for him, to be honest she had known on some level Obito had been around but not as much as he implied, Sakura didn't dwell much longer on past thoughts and quickly fell asleep tomorrow would be the start of a new adventure for her.
