Chapter 12: Training to Win!
Disclaimer: I do not own American Dragon or Naruto
The next day Sakura woke up happier than she could remember being in a long time. She felt that she made some real progress with Naruto and Kakashi...
Sasuke however she wasn't so sure..
Either way her conscious was clear and she was ready to begin her training. The first thing on her agenda was to look up a low level magical seal to help her maintain her "normal" appearance.
She knew deep down it would be too hard for her to maintain a transformation jutsu during battle, especially if she got hit really hard again. Looking down at herself in her birth form she truly hoped she'd have that seal ready by month's end.
Getting out of bed Sakura prepared for the day, she headed into the bathroom to wash.
Only twenty minutes later Sakura arrived out of the bathroom clean and perky. She was once again in her "normal" appearance form. She decided to go classic today and wore her old red dress, and green shorts, but she kept the gloves and armbands. She also found time to magically enhance her clothes so they couldn't be destroyed if she chose to morph.
Sakura had begun reading more and more advanced spell books ever since the exams announcement. She figured she would need them, and besides for her possible guardianship (which she wasn't so sure she would automatically receive anymore) the more spells she knew the better.
Sakura sighed wistfully, she was so frightened for her possible future, but she might as well live for today, and not tomorrow.
Looking over at the empty spot in the living room Sakura began to wonder how Ramus was doing with his Beta training. Well maybe she'll get to visit him later.
Sliding down the railing Sakura arrived at the bottom of the steps to meet with the exasperated face of her father.
Sakura sweat dropped and tucked one arm behind her head sheepishly.
"Hello Otou-san your home early, I thought your mission would at least last a week" Sakura began hoping to clear his mind of her sliding down the railing.
Kenji smirked he knew his daughter was trying to distract him from scolding her about the rails, however she never was a good liar.
"My squad was able to apprehend the enemy bandits quicker than we expected they weren't the brightest about covering their tracks" Kenji provided before he opened his arms. He'd scold her later right now all he wanted to do was hug his only daughter.
Sakura smiled and ecstatically leaned into the hug. Happy she was able to cheer her father up, she felt she owned him that especially when she first moved out. Deep down she knew how lonely he must feel everyday.
"Out to train today" Kenji inquired a bit worriedly. He was hoping Sakura was learning something that would help her control her appearance.
"You bet father, I've started learning low level magic seals so I can replace my destroyed one, it's way to hard to keep up a transformation" Sakura informed loving the happy proud expression that overtook her father's worried one.
"Great that'll help you for sure with your appearance, and dispel some worries in the ninja community" Kenji breathed relieved all the rumors flowing around Sakura's heritage and power level were really irritating him.
Many shinobi thought she might become the next Uchiha Itachi
Some of his comrades were real idiots.
"I know father, trust me I'm not ignorant to all the rumors floating around about me" Sakura replied sullenly her head turning towards the window.
Kenji sensing his daughter's despondent mood quickly changed the subject.
"Hey to hell with them Sakura, anyway want some breakfast I've got a nice raw prime rib I'd think you'd love" Kenji smiled down at her cupping his hand under her chin to make her stare at him.
"Arigato otou-san you always know just how to cheer me up" Sakura gave her father a teary smile and followed in the kitchen for a delicious breakfast.
Sakura walked through the Town Square with many a thought floating in her head. She had just gotten back from her cave in the Forest of Death. She had been studying a few magic spells, and finishing up the last preparations for her self sealing ritual later.
Right now she was heading towards the waterfall to get some physical training in and if she was lucky the spot may be empty and she could even get some dragon training in.
Sakura had just begun think of something; she couldn't believe she forgot to ask the Hokage when she was explaining her powers. How did the Hokage and council not know how her brother died, hell some of them didn't even know he existed, they should have had some kind of death record!
Did her father really manage to do that good a job at keeping her and Ryoma under wraps? After when he died there was no body to bury.
Was she and Ryoma even registered in the village at the time, because her mother had given birth to them in the forest not the village? So it was possible there may have not been a birth record of them for a while.
Ryoma when he was alive was very much a lose cannon much like Naruto albeit a bit calmer, he always acted first and thought of consequences later. So there's no way at one point that nobody would have never ever seen him around! She was the quiet one when they were little.
She would definitely be asking how her father managed to do that later on.
Continuing her leisurely walk Sakura looked around the village smiling at all the happy children running around and the calm adults making pleasant conversation.
Sakura had to admit that even if this village and it's people could be a pain in her side sometimes she could never bring herself to hate this place.
The Leaf village would always be her true home in her heart.
No matter the what.
Still Sakura was disheartened to see some of the ninja that were walking by flinch at the sight of her, or stare at her with a look mixed with fear and weariness. She wished that they could understand no matter what her form she was still the same person.
She doesn't know how Naruto dealt with it all these years; he was mentally stronger than she'd ever be.
Speaking of Naruto Sakura couldn't help but smile thinking about the fun time they had yesterday when she invited him to watch her hunt. Sakura was happy to be so close to him, when she was with Naruto sometimes Sakura felt as if Ryoma was alive again and he was speaking to her again.
Now all Sakura needed to do concerning Naruto was make him understand that she only thought of him as a brother. A conversation she was dreading, because she knew he still had a crush on her, now more than ever probably.
Either way she had a blast hunting with him. Naruto had been a bit shocked when he saw her get on four legs and proceed to hunt like a true carnivore. Also Sakura had to admit it was very funny to see his disgusted face as she devoured a dead deer. He had turned so green he looked like a pine tree.
Sakura couldn't help it though she loved the hunt and the thrill it came with. In fact hunting was one of the times Sakura became the most animalistic, growling, clawing, chewing, and snarling as she took down her prey with speed and efficiency. Sakura knew it sounded morbid, but she loved the feeling and tastes of the blood matted fur between her hands and on her lips.
Still it was also one of the times Sakura worried most for her humanity. Sometimes her dragon instincts came on so strong that her mind was reduced to merely savage bloodlust. She could feel herself literally turning into the crazed blood lusting dragon thought up by old folklore.
Not that Dragons were blood crazy to begin with, but out of all the natural element dragons fire dragons are known to be the most wild and ruthless a lot of the time. Sakura had to admit that many times she's had a hard time controlling that part of her personality.
Sakura could still remember the time when she was so riled up from hunting that when she returned home, and when her father greeted her worriedly while looking at her blood stained clothes she'd…
Growled at him and tried to bite his hand off.
Luckily her father had managed to snap her out of it by hitting her dead center on her head.
Sakura was mortified for weeks after the incident constantly hugging her father and telling him she was sorry. Her father of course waved it off and told her not to worry so much.
Still there was one positive discovery due to the incident, is that she seemed to the most animalistic whenever she was in her full dragon state as that was how she was hunting before she came home. Also it happened whenever too much blood touched her lips. It's like she goes into a feeding frenzy shark mode.
So in retrospect it did make sense, as that is when she is the most animalistic. Still her full dragon state did take a lot more effort to keep in tact for her, since she is still a novice. So she still prefers her birth form more.
Finally after about thirty minutes Sakura arrived at the waterfall. Unfortunately she was meet with the site of a couple of grown woman playing in the water a couple of feet ahead of her.
"I guess of course today isn't my lucky day" Sakura thought depressed.
Suddenly Sakura heard a very faint cracking in the bushes to the side thanks to her superior hearing. Turning towards the bushes she march around to the side of them and saw Naruto practicing what looked to be a summoning jutsu and a white haired man it appears neither have noticed her yet.
But the main thing Sakura noticed is that the man was peeping on those poor unsuspecting women the nerve!
Wanting to save the women from further possible embarrassment Sakura cupped her hands around her mouth and proceeded to shout.
"PERVERT, PERVERT IN THE BUSHES!" Sakura screamed to the top of her lungs alerting everyone in the area.
"AHHHHHHH! Let's get out of here ladies!" one of the women shouted while they all quickly filed out of the waterfall and forest area clothes in hand.
"Hey, hey, hey Sakura-chan what are you doing here?" Naruto questioned as he brightened up and walked up to her still extremely happy from her pep talk yesterday. Plus maybe he could convince her to help him force pervy-sage to actually train him!
"Now why did you go and do that young lady, why I was simply conducting my research see?" the white haired man stood up and slowly turned around to face her, before his annoyed expression changed to an expression of realization.
"…" The white haired pervert paused.
"Well what do you want ya pervert?" Sakura hissed at the man daring him to insult again, although he did seem oddly familiar she felt as if she's seen him before.
"Are, are you that so-called dragon girl that I've heard about since I came back? Because I must say you certainly don't look it," the man inquired while giving off a thoughtful stare and pose.
"Yeah I am what of it?" Sakura countered annoyed thinking she would need to provide her life's story again.
"Well, I must say it's an honor to meet the girl who injured my rogue teammate Orochimaru so easily!" the man applauded giving Sakura a cheesy smile.
Finally with that statement Sakura realized just who this man was! She wondered how she didn't see it sooner!
"Hey you're Jiraiya one of the Legendary Sannin, I guess it's an honor to meet you too!" Sakura praised in slight bow.
"Humpf you guess?" Jiraiya huffed at her.
"Well you were just peeping on women in the waterfall" Sakura responded giving the man a blank stare. She couldn't believe this pervert was one of the most feared men in the land. Naruto just chuckled in the background amused by Sakura scolding him.
"Anyway what is someone such as yourself doing out here? I'm only here because I guess I own this brat some training since I might've knocked out his past sensei" Jiraiya provided pointing his finger to Naruto as he spoke.
"HEY it's your fault anyway pervy sage, besides if you stop looking at the women who come here and actually give me some personal time I might've perfected this jutsu by now!" Naruto retorted completely annoyed at the lack of confidence Jiraiya appeared to have in him.
Sakura just stared at the two arguing reveling in how similar they acted, it was almost like watching a mirror image. Still both seemed too prideful and boastful for their own good.
"Fine you little brat, but remember you should be honored I'm even wasting my time with you!" Jiraiya finished the argument still a bit sore at the women being chased away.
"Actually before either of you begin, would it be all right if I joined you two for training, because as you can imagine there's really not anyone here to properly train me anyway". Sakura asked politely hoping for some of the sage's wisdom, even if he was a pervert he was still a sage.
Plus her other teacher from the Land of the Sun was currently unavailable so she figured she should take what she can get.
"Sure Sakura-chan the more the merrier, right pervy sage?" Naruto said giving him a grin that could be clearly read as "you'd better let her join!"
"Fine, fine hai you can join, besides it might give me a clear look at your power level anyway, also hopefully you wont be as big of a lost cause as this kid" Jiraiya answered smirking as he clearly he stuck a nerve with Naruto.
Sakura smiled and walked over to the hurdle they had formed and squatted down to their level. "Okay so what is it you two are doing?"
"Naruto recently signed a summoning contact with the toads, and he trying to complete a summoning jutsu"
"Yea Sakura-cha, but so far all I can summon is tad-poles" Naruto admitted looking totally embarrassed, this isn't something he really wanted to admit to his crush.
Sakura just hummed and looked thoughtfully at the two. She knew the reason Naruto couldn't do it was because he was so bad with Charka control, which had to be hard to do because like her he did technically have to control to different Charka streams.
"Young Sakura is it? It looks like you've thought of something to help Naruto" Jiraiya inquired. Sakura nodded her head in confirmation to both questions.
"Hai" Sakura affirmed and turned towards Naruto. "The reason you're having such difficulty is because you like me have two different Charka streams to control and master" Sakura stated saddened to see a frightened pale look on Naruto's face.
"Ah so you know about the nine-tailed fox as well" Jiraiya asked turning towards Sakura with a look of slight surprise. He had to wonder how she found out; the Hokage didn't have enough time to give him all the details, only the most important ones and to show the photos. Hell he was still in a bit of shock that dragons exist and are running around possibly impersonating humans. Still Jiraiya had to admit that girl's mother had been one hell of a looker!
"Yes I know, but I can speak from experience that's it's definitely the major reason Naruto is having so much trouble, I had to learn how to control my magical flow and how to use it separately from my Charka." Sakura explained putting her hand on Naruto's shoulder to show she was giving him support.
"Ah good assumption, I thought so as well, but it is nice to hear a second opinion" Jiraiya smiled at the two, if only his team remained so close in their younger years jiraiya thought.
"I hate to say it Naruto I really do, but the only way to possibly make it easier in time for the competition is to talk to the Kyuubi and maybe come to a possible agreement or show him a reason to respect you." Sakura said not happy to be relaying this information to Naruto.
"NANI! Are you sure there isn't some other way, a less lethal way?" Naruto asked a bit afraid. His face was sweating profusely and he felt ready to cry. He didn't want to have to talk to that bastard fox! "Can't you use your magic or something?" Naruto continued hopeful.
"No gomen Naruto, but I never tried that type of spell on a full human, the only spells I've done on others has been for offensive purposes not for enhancement" Sakura said leaving out the fact that she was trying to learn more healing spells, but that enhancement spells were last on her list because frankly they are the hardest for her to learn.
Jiraiya observed the Sakura during the whole conversation. He really couldn't wait to return to the Hokage and ask for the full story, since he was told that Sakura was still pretty tight lipped about her origins. Which proves true, because he could clearly see that she wasn't telling Naruto the full answer she had in mind.
Still she was very good at hiding her true feelings, because Jiraiya knew that if he wasn't the professional he is. He wouldn't have caught her subtle split second expression of discomfort. Jiraiya decided he would like to see this "magic" she claimed to have in action.
"Well perhaps you could give us a demonstration Sakura?" Jiraiya said slyly looking at Sakura with his eyes half lidded and a joking expression on his face.
Sakura's face curled for a second in consideration. She knew all Jiraiya really wanted was a power reading on her current strength level, but still she decided she'd do this more for Naruto than him.
"Fine, you're trying to summon toads correct" Jiraiya and Naruto nodded.
"Well I show you how I would summon a frog, but remember it will be vastly different, yet the same". Sakura shared. Seeing the confused looks that both patrons had she decided just to get to it.
Sakura raised both hands up in front of her and gathered Charka in the left hand and magic in the right. The left glowed a light blue, while the right turned a rich scarlet red. She closed her eyes in deep concentration making sure not to break the different flows into each hand.
Jiraiya and Naruto both marveled at the display but for different reasons. Jiraiya by the sheer amount of control Sakura had and the different feelings he was getting off of her hands. While there was no doubt that the left hand was indeed Charka, the right hand contained the so-called magic he supposed. He guessed he was just shocked at his first display of magic.
The feeling coming off of that hand was indeed something he's never felt before, and he wasn't honestly sure whether he liked it or not. The feeling had an eerie mysterious air too it and he didn't know how to describe it, but it did raise the hairs on his neck. That was what worried him; the feeling was just too strange.
Naruto however was marveling mostly at how well Sakura controlled her abilities he could see the concentration in her face. He could tell she was indeed not lying when she said it took her years to perfect her skills the slight pained look on her face showed it. Still what Sakura did most at the moment was inspire him, if she could learn to easily control two networks, so could he!
Then Sakura proceeded to slam her right hand into the ground and shout..
"Arcessere Carmen Gamabunta (Summon Spell)!"
The very next moment a humongous reddish brown toad with a pipe in its mouth appeared before all of them.
It was not other than Gamabunta the boss toad.
Now Jiraiya did allow his jaw to actually drop, this young girl managed to summon Gamabunta on her first try with no screw-ups? Just how powerful was this magic stuff?
"AWESOME!" Naruto shouted in glee staring up at the toad. Would he be able to do that if he mastered his Charka control?
Sakura just allowed a small smile to appear on her face, now that hermit wanted a reading well he got it big time!
Gamabunta though was anything but amused.
"WHO DARE SUMMON ME? I WAS JUST GETTING READY FOR A NICE WALK AND NOW I'VE BEEN INTERUUPTED!" Gamabunta shouted absolutely furious and moving around frantically. It better not have been that old pervert Jiraiya again!
"Uh oh I tend to forget how touchy Gamabunta can be when he's disturbed, you better know what you're doing kid" Jiraiya warned the young kunoichi seriously. Reasoning with Gamabunta can be absolute hell when he's in a bad mood.
"I know I'm on it just let me fly up to him" Sakura said as she began to morph into her birth form shocking Jiraiya and exciting Naruto.
Jiraiya thought he had seen everything, but nothing he's seen in all his years compares to what he was seeing now.
The girls skin around her neck and arm areas seemed to be turning into reddish pink scales, with horns elongating out of her head as a tail busted from her behind, black claws popped out from her feet and nails, and finally two huge red and pink emerged from her back in an awe inspiring display. Oddly enough besides the hole where her tail was, and her shoes her clothing remained very much intact.
"Wha-wha the hell just happened?" Jiraiya said his hands on his head with a face of sheer confusion plastered on. He continued to stare as Sakura flapped her wings and ascended towards Gamabunta's head.
"Isn't awesome pervy-sage, I'm hoping one day Sakura will let my ride on her back!" Naruto shouted to Jiraiya as he to watched Sakura continue to climb the sky.
She never ceased to amaze him!
"Hey Gama-kun calm down I only summoned you for a training example, sorry if I troubled you". Sakura apologized with a sincere voice, as she reached the front of his face and continued flapping her wings.
"OH it's you young Sakura my goodness I haven't seen you for a while, it's been a couple of months yes?" Gamabunta inquired past rage forgotten. After all Sakura was Ardenia's girl and in Gamabunta's opinion Sakura was so much like her mother it was very hard to not let her grow on you. His face contorted into the toad version of a smile.
"Yes Gama-kun sorry I haven't kept in contact, but look down I want you to meet someone!" Sakura said turning her body on a dime, and flapping her wings as she descended back towards the ground near Naruto.
"Whose that little runt next to you young Sakura?" Gamabunta huffed not sure why Sakura wanted him to meet this weakling.
"Hey watch toad this so-called "weakling" is going be Hokage someday!" Naruto shouted up to the toad as loud as he could with an angry cross shape on his forehead.
"Hey knock it off you two, anyway Gama-kun this is one of your new summoners Uzumaki Naruto." Sakura announced bowing down while still hovering in mid air shoving her arms in Naruto's direction.
Naruto face took on a proud boastful look, while Jiraiya's still appeared to be in shock. That was the first time he's ever seen somebody calm Gamabunta down so quickly, and the first time he's heard Gamabunta be so respectful to someone much younger than him.
He was definitely getting more and more interested in this Sakura girl.
Hmm maybe he could switch pupils?
"Ah Jiraiya I hoped I wouldn't be seeing you again so soon" Gamabunta drawled not to happy about seeing Jiraiya's mug.
"Humpf trust me Gamabunta the feelings are neutral, but I gotta ask how do you know Sakura?" Jiraiya asked looking up at the boss toad skepticism clear on his face and in his voice.
Gamabunta chose the time to sneak an unnoticeably glance towards Sakura's face to gage her reaction. He could see her the pupil's shift toward him, even though she didn't move her head. In her eyes he could see one dominating request bursting from them.
Lie!
He like all animals and magical creatures knew the young dragoness was going to be in hot water soon, so he decided he'd throw her a bone and make her life a little bit easier.
"Well she's summoned me before obviously, because you know magic is more powerful than Charka" Gamabunta stated. "Plus she's got magical blood in her, and any animal boss, demon, and whatnot knows to respect dragons"
Sakura blushed and smiled towards Gamabunta in thanks for his words and for coming up with an alibi.
"Hum it seems I have a lot of new things to learn eh?" Jiraiya let out a hearty laugh. "Now if only you weren't so tight lipped, but I understand your business is your business" Jiraiya conceded holding his hands up in surrender while facing Sakura.
Sakura sent him a grateful smile, before turning to Naruto.
"Naruto looks like youre going to need to prove yourself again huh?" Sakura smiled at him.
"Why yes you little runt, look I'll make you a deal interested?" Gamabunta inquired looking down at the young boy.
"Yeah, yeah I'm listening you smiley old toad" Naruto huffed puffing his chest out still annoyed at being called a runt.
Gamabunta choosing wisely to ignore his jeer continued "If you can stay on my back till sundown I'll except you as my new summoner, no complaints or questions asked, fair enough?" Gamabunta asked begrudgingly reminding himself to do it for Sakura.
"Dattebayo of course I accept!" Naruto yelled while taking big leaps to the top of the toad to get ready for the test.
"Ne Sakura-chan are you going to stick around?" Naruto questioned with big eyes hoping she would.
Jiraiya and Gamabunta turned to her as well, both also hoping the same but for different reasons.
"Ahh gomen, but I really do need to get my own training done, besides all of you will be to busy in a few moments anyway" Sakura said hurriedly blushing from all the attention she was receiving today.
All three patrons seemed to sweat drop and sigh in disappointment.
"Remember what I told you Naruto!" Sakura shouted back to the blonde as she once again gained high altitude and headed deeper into the forest.
"I won't Sakura-chan!" Naruto shouted back now more determined than ever to do well in his training even if it meant talking to the bastard fox so he could get
Just as strong as Sakura.
"Alright you little squirt get ready!" Gamabunta shouted.
Sakura continued her flight into the deep forest staying above the clouds so she wouldn't be spotted.
She turned over on her back and continued her flight while facing the upward sky.
A couple of minutes later she arrived at the Konoha mountain area. This is where many of the higher-ranking ninjas from the village train, so Sakura decided this be a good place to try.
Especially since her original training area would be having a giant toad hopping all over the place. She really hoped Naruto was going to be okay. Gamabunta never made things easy.
Turning her back again and bringing her wings to a halt Sakura landed near the peak of the mountain instead of the very top.
Once on her feet she took the time to look at her following surroundings.
"Well there are certainly enough rocks to smash" Sakura stated looking at the lack of foliage in the area.
But the very next moment she heard a strange whistling noise that sounded like a big flock of birds, but a bit different.
Being the ever curious person she was she headed towards the direction of the sound.
Peeking her head slightly from around the corner of a conveniently placed rock Sakura was surprised to the sight of Kakashi and Sasuke training.
After their team meeting it was like those two fell off the face of the earth, she was willing to bet that she was the first person to see them all day.
Her eyes sparkled, as she stood open mouthed in awe at watching Kakashi use the whistling lighting attack on a boulder crushing it to smithereens.
Sakura let loose an involuntary gasp of awe, and ended up alerting both Kakashi and Sasuke to her presence.
"Man I can be such a dumb ass sometimes" Inner Sakura sighed.
"Uh hi-hi you two sorry to intrude I didn't think anyone would be up here at this time" Sakura apologized coming from behind the rock, a sheepish grin on her face.
"Well, well Sakura what are you doing here" Kakashi said a sly tone evident as he stood up straight the strain of using his Chidori wearing off. Sasuke just turned to Sakura with an indifferent look, not really sure how he felt about her being there at the moment.
"Ah I was just flying around and I decided to come up here to train sorry to bother you two" Sakura held up her claw covered her hands in mock defeat.
Sasuke just now noticing the wings poking out of Sakura's back couldn't help but once again feel a nudge of envy. So many parts of her draconic body gave her such a huge advantage over just about everything.
Sasuke still thought it was complete bullshit.
Kakashi however slyly stated " Why it's no trouble at all Sakura the more the merrier!, why don't you have a friendly spar with Sasuke?" Kakashi suggested the smile all to evident in his voice.
Both the two in question turned to face one another at the same time.
One face held a hesitant fear
The other held an excited energy
Well Sakura knew this was one fight she couldn't avoid as soon as she saw the look on Sasuke's face.
This wasn't going to be fun, but the real question was whom it wasn't really going to be fun for.
New Edit: Once again another chapter with very few changes just the deletion of Hiro, and correcting grammar and spelling mistakes. Plus the mention of the fact that when Ryoma died their was no body to bury. Remember that fact people it will come back!
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