Why hello, welcome back to Konoha's Most Unpredictable Conduit!
-V
'What? Where am I? Why is it so dark?' Sakura wondered to herself, reaching up and hugging her body, trying to get the blood flowing.
"You are here, because you are dead, child." A voice called out. Sakura whirled out as the entire landscape lit up. The two were in a blindingly white room which reminded her of Konoha's hospital rooms, and the man before her was dressed similar to a priest. She surveyed the room around her, only to find two chairs. "Go on and sit down. This could take a while. Maybe." He shrugged, running a hand through his gray hair.
She sat down hesitantly, her green eyes looking into his golden yellow hues. "I'm dead?" She spoke after a moment, remembering his words. He nodded sadly, causing her to blink in confusion, "No, that can't be right! I was with Sasuke and Naruto on the bridge, with Kakashi-Sensei, that masked freak and Zabuza. How did I die?" She slumped down in the chair, resting her head in between her hands. She didn't want to believe she was dead...she still had to train with Naruto to become a true kunoichi and to show Sasuke up.
"Sakura," The man murmured, sitting down in the chair opposite of her. He was sitting with his legs crossed, hands clasped together in his lap. "What if I gave you a chance to return back to the world of the living? What would you do with this second chance?"
Sakura bit her lip in thought for a few minutes, mulling over his words. Finally, she reached a conclusion as she spoke up. "I would help Naruto Uzumaki reach his dreams, being beside him every step of the way to support him, in case Ino-Pig decides to get up and leave!" She clenched her fists at the mention of Naruto's girlfriend, before relaxing. She swallowed slightly because of how she felt towards Ino. She let out a sigh, her hair falling in front of her eyes. "What do I have to do? I wish to return so I can help my precious ones."
The man nodded, seemingly satisfied with this answer. He got up, extending his hand as lightning crackled, surging to life. He whispered, "This may hurt a bit. But good luck on your journey, Sakura Haruno. And may you reach your goals." With a sudden thrust of his hand, the lightning struck Sakura dead on, sending her flying backwards from the chair and back into the world of the living.
With a gasp, Sakura awoke and sat up, noticing she was out of her shallow grave. She shook her head, wiping off any dirt before standing. Looking up to the sky she blinked away the rain that got near her eyes, smiling slightly. "I'm coming home, Naru-kun and Ino-hime. Hopefully you all survived without me this long. What am I saying? Of course they did." She grinned to herself before rushing off towards Konoha, intent on getting back to her loved ones.
End flashback
"So, that's how you returned?" Kakashi spoke after a moment, leaning against the tree trunk. He was gazing at the pinkette who simply nodded, resting against Naruto and Ino, using them as pillows. "Well, with Sasuke deceased and Choji working at his mother's restaurant, Naruto joined Team Ten, leaving Team Seven to be disbanded. So even if you wished to become apart of a squad again, there would be no where for you to go."
"I do believe you're mistaken, Kakashi." The elderly voice of the Third Hokage spoke up, as he offered a smile to Sakura.
"Lord Hokage?" Kakashi hesitated, eye widened slightly to signify he was asking a question.
"Oh, I'm sure that Team Ten can be the first squad in history in the Leaf village to have a five or six member squad. I mean after all, you're helping train them aren't you Kakashi? You could also take Sakura under your wing and you be apart of Team Ten as permanent back-up. While it's unorthodox and will give me a bunch of paperwork, it's worth it, especially if I have one of the finest kunoichi's back that has ever come out of the Leaf." Sakura blushed under the Hokage's praise, while everyone just took his word as it was. Kakashi dropped the matter, turning to Asuma who nodded.
"Alright, now that everyone's here for Team Ten, we can begin training." Asuma said cheerfully.
"Not even a day back from the dead and I have to train." Sakura said with a small groan of fake disappointment. However, she jumped up and pulled Ino and Naruto with her, giggling. "Come on blondies, let's get to it."
"Neh? Sakura-chan, why are you so...hyper?" Naruto asked, surprised at the new Sakura.
"Yeah really fo..Sakura." Ino bit her lip, refusing to call her forehead anymore. It was demeaning and after all that had occurred, Ino was lucky to have Sakura back at all. She would cherish the pinkette from now on, she vowed this to herself.
"I'm hyper because I realized what I was doing wrong with my life when I died. I promised to change that when you said you'd help me with training, Naruto. And Ino can help me as well." She turned to the female and winked, biting her lip in a slightly seductive way that had Ino mentally groaning.
"Alright, enough flirting Sakura. It's time for training." Kakashi said, even though he sported a light blush, giggling slightly. He recomposed himself, as he pulled out his book. "Shikamaru, are you going to join them?" The lazy jounin turned slightly, looking down at the prone Shikamaru.
"It'd be way more trouble to listen to you and Asuma nag me than to actually disagree." He yawned out, joining the three genin beside him. He fell into position behind Naruto, Ino and Sakura, effectively using them as shields. "Now that we actually have a third member instead of just a clone, that means we'll be able to come up with better plans. Sakura, your lightning...what all can you do besides heal?"
"Well," She stuck a finger to her chin, tapping it ever so lightly. "I don't know yet. I suppose we'll just have to go by trial and error." She shrugged, giving a small grin as lightning formed in her hand, pink in color.
Kakashi took note and put away his book before pulling up his headband, his Sharingan active, while Asuma pulled out his trench knives. "We're going all out?" Asuma asked his students.
Naruto grinned while ice spikes formed on one arm, smoke and lightning combined on the other. Ino pulled out several kunai and grinned, while Shikamaru was silently formulating a plan. "Looks like it." Kakashi sighed, as the two jounin rushed their students.
XxXx
Meanwhile a certain snake Sannin was currently seething and looking for bodies to slaughter. His prime candidate, Sasuke Uchiha was dead! Now whom would he share a body with and continue being immortal? This was ridiculous! He hissed, lashing out with his snakes and watched in sick delight as they ensnared up a random animal, devouring it. He licked his lips slightly. "Some things don't always go according to plan. No matter, we'll still go participate in the Chunin exams and watch the Leaf fall!" He grinned, his serpentine eyes narrowing before the male left the room.
XxXx
Three hours later and a severely destroyed training grounds, Team Ten was officially done for the day and was currently relaxing at the Akimichi BBQ restaurant, catching up with Choji and the rest of the Konoha 11. Life was good and unbeknownst to them, something dark and sinister was looming over the horizons with every intent to make the Leaf village fall. "So Sakura, now that you're back, what are you going to do?" Kiba asked, leaning back while Akamaru chewed on a rib.
Sakura rubbed her chin before sporting a grin, "Well I'm going to kick up the training with Team Ten and ensure that we'll be ready when the Chunin exams come around. Can't be caught unguarded now can we? We all have to be ready!" Her bubbly attitude was still getting used to by the others, everyone not really sure what to think of the new Sakura. I mean a girl that returned from the dead with lightning powers and a new attitude?
"Thanks for the lunch, Asuma-Sensei!" Naruto grinned before waving behind his shoulder, walking off with Shikamaru, Ino and Sakura. The rest of the Konoha 11 watched as the four vanished around the corner.
"So what's their deal? I mean, I know Naruto and Ino are dating, but is Sakura like the third wheel?" Kiba asked, raising an eyebrow. He caught Hinata's crestfallen glance at the mention of the blonde's dating and frowned slightly.
"I do not believe Sakura-san is the 'third wheel' as you call it. More of...hm. I don't know how to put this into words, Kiba." Shino pushed his glasses up onto his nose, adjusting them. "I do believe Sakura-san is in the relationship with Uzumaki and Yamanaka, thus creating a triangle of sorts."
"So what, you're saying Naruto's dating both of them at the same time?" Kiba rubbed his chin before grinning. "Nice." His remark caused him to wilt under Kurenai's glare for his behavior, while Akamaru barked in delight at his master's plight.
"Meh, where are you going, Shikamaru?" Naruto questioned, his hands intertwined with Ino's and Sakura's.
Shikamaru waved over his shoulder, letting out a yawn. "I'm probably going to go cloud watching and relax, while you three go do something troublesome no doubt. I mean, you guys probably need some time to chat and all, am I right?" Without looking back, Shikamaru broke off from the group, leaving the three standing in the middle of the square.
"Chat about what?" Naruto questioned, scratching his head in slight confusion.
"I think he means about us, Naruto." Ino said with a deadpan.
"Ino's right! I mean, I know you two are together, but I want to be in on the relationship as well." Sakura chirped, causing the other two to blush slightly.
"Alright, if we're going to talk about this, then we're heading elsewhere. C'mon, let's head to my place." Ino suggested, dragging the two alongside her. Luckily Ino's father was out on a mission, and her mother was grocery shopping so they had the house alone to themselves. Unluckily however, would be how trashed Ino's room would be when they were done with their little talk.
Well, I know the short chapter is short, but I just wanted them to have some R&R before shit hit the fan. Also, have fun with the hinted lemon.
-V