The next morning Jiraiya and Sakura got a very rude awakening "Ants, ants in my bedroll" Naruto shrieked jumping up and down trying to get rid of the tiny insects crawling on him, missing the irritated glare being cast his way.
Until a large blast of water hit him and he was soaked through "Naruto Uzumaki it is five in the bloody fucking morning, ants are going to get in you're bedroll no matter what you do and next time you wake us up at the crack of dawn I'll throw you in a river" Sakura growled.
Naruto's skin paled and he quietly sat down without another word or even a complaint to the watching rogue's amusement "Well that was interesting" Jiraiya sat up looking seriously amused as the girl threw her covers over her head for the next twenty minutes.
Before letting out a long suffering sigh and shoved herself out of her bedroll to stomp off and take care of business "Someone's a little cranky this morning" Kushina snickered lightly trailing behind Sakura at a distance to avoid irritating the girl further quite yet.
"Indeed after yesterday and all of last week she's barely gotten much sleep" Hashirama nodded wisely though amusement shined through in his onyx eyes before he hastily turned and floated back towards camp.
When Sakura returned there were six fish on a wire slung over her shoulder, gutted, scaled and with as many bones removed as she could remove, over her other shoulder was a stick that carried two pails, one of water, the other full of berries and herbs for breakfast.
She sat down with a huff ground up the herbs slathered the green paste on the fish started up the fire again and set their breakfast over the fire to roast "Eh Sakura-chan you're scary this morning" the blonde commented keeping a careful distance from his friend.
Jade eyes flashed in his direction "You aren't you know on you're well you know" the white haired male questioned carefully not wanting to offend the girl or piss her off even more if she was and hadn't thought to bring any supplies.
Her expression soured "No just exhausted that's all I haven't gotten much sleep during the last week and I would have liked to sleep in for once" the pinkette mumbled tiredly answering Jiraiya in a nice polite tone of voice.
Kushina smiled and pressed her hands gently to Sakura's shoulders "Everything will turn out in the end Sakura-chan just be patient you know" the violet eyed red haired woman assured and the tension drained out of the girl slowly.
Allowing her to relax and her companions to breathe easier "Correct, by the way breakfast is ready and you should to regain some energy and chakra" the brunette spirit warned and with that the three Leaf Shinobi dug in to their breakfast of fish and berries.
Drank their water, packed up camp and set forth to the next town with two silent tag-a-longs "She was like a fire breathing dragon this morning, you think what you did is actually really bothering her" Kisame questioned making sure to keep his chakra suppressed.
"Perhaps Kisame, but she's very good at hiding her worries and troubles" Itachi said onyx irises focused ahead of them on the trio of Leaf Shinobi, more specifically the lone girl that traveled with the two males.
Two hours later when it was nearing eight in the morning chakra flared to life behind "What the devil is Zabuza doing here" the blue shark like man scowled thinking the man had caught wind of them and was coming to speak with them.
But to his surprise the rogue didn't so much as glance in their hidden direction and sped straight after the group of Leaf Shinobi "Another rogue from mist huh" the Uchiha frowned lightly concerned that their target was being targeted.
Sakura paused feeling that chakra coming straight at them, prompting Jiraiya and Naruto to do the same and then he was there stood before them "Damn brat making Haku worry, the little Uchiha punk went blabbing about what happened and I happened to overhear" Zabuza grumbled.
Reaching forward to smack the girl on the forehead "What is it with you and rogues girl are you like a bloody magnet for them or something" the raven haired male snapped irritated because Haku was worried and he was worried.
Every time he bloody turned around something happened to the brat, Sakura blinked at him before her eyes darkened with irritation "Ugh that damn Sasuke, I'm gonna beat him to a pulp when we get home, for the last time I am fine" the pink haired Chunin stressed.
Tugging gently on her short pink locks "Are you really brat or bottling up everything you're feeling like you're known to do" the rogue from Mist crossed his arms and glared down at her with harsh brown eyes.
"Yeah, yeah and that's not good for you're health you know" the Uzumaki boy piped in off to the side of her and she gave him a sour look as she mimicked the man in front of her and crossed her arms over her chest trying to think of something to say.
Jiraiya eyed the newcomer a little warily but if the two brats weren't worried he figured the man wasn't there to harm just worried "Like I said if you're having troubles you can also talk to me" the Toad Sage offered again.
While the two eavesdroppers leaned forward to listen "You think she's gonna spill everything Itachi-kun" the blue haired rogue grinned eagerly waiting for whatever was going to be said by the young girl.
Itachi narrowed his eyes searching her expression carefully "She has a good poker face it's strange just makes me wonder who she was raised by that not much could faze her, she didn't even panic yesterday during the confrontation" the raven haired eighteen year old pointed out.
Kushina and Hashirama shared a look "It's okay Sakura-chan you don't have to be brave right now, you can cry if you want, no one here will blame you" the Uzumaki woman offered gently knowing exactly how fragile the girl was.
"Precisely it's better to let you're feelings out now so that they won't interfere with you're mission you need a clear head and a clear heart to face Tsuna-chan after all" the First Hokage stated wisely the girl bit her lip harshly.
Before finally a crack formed in her stoic expression one of utter heartbreak "I..I just want to protect them, Naruto, Sasuke, Karin-chan, everyone if I'd been quicker things would have played out differently" Sakura finally admitted.
"Wait a second you're still on about what happened last week aren't you brat what with Orochimaru attacking the village and killing the Third Hokage and that Sound brat dying for you" Zabuza couldn't believe his ears.
Sakura nodded quietly glaring at the ground with a sulk on her lips "You're something else Sakura-chan, you know I didn't know you cared so much about old man Hokage" Naruto wrapped an arm around his teammates shoulders giving her a careful side hug.
He didn't want to get punched clear to Sand "That's what you're upset about, why are you going around crying about a Sound Shinobi, their the enemy kid, don't tell me you had feelings for this guy and feel as if you betrayed him by what happened yesterday" Jiraiya gaped in disbelief.
At the accusation Sakura spun "Don't pummel Naruto-kun's godfather Sakura-chan" Kushina panicked and took over the girls body to hold her back and lowered the girls arm effectively dodging the bullet as her temper was reigned in.
"Buffoon he of all people should know" Hashirama snorted with a shake of his head as Sakura took a couple steps back trying to calm down to speak respectfully to the sannin without punching his head clean off his body.
When she'd managed it "No I didn't have feelings for him or anything, but if it weren't for that supposed enemy I'd probably be dead right now, I can be pretty clumsy sometimes and I fell, he took a sword for me just came out of no where really" the pinkette explained.
A short distance away and suppressing their chakra "Interesting and yet the brat still hasn't cried now I'm curious Itachi-kun, she doesn't act like a newly promoted chunin in the least" Kisame scratched his chin in thought eyes narrowed on the lone girl surrounded by three males.
Off to the side his partner nodded "Quite the next couple of weeks will prove most amusing and if we can catch her alone at some point we should take the chance to question her" Itachi suggested knowing it would happen, they just had to bide their time patiently.
Zabuza sighed "Got a question is that what was in the package you're former Hokage gave you brat" the raven haired rogue spoke up suddenly eyeing the girl's new outfit, having known about the package thanks to Kakashi.
Coincidentally Jiraiya noticed suddenly as well and his onyx eyes widened "Kushina" the white haired male whispered before shaking his head, Sakura forced herself not to tense or even react to the utterance of that familiar name.
And kept up a good neutral expression "You know Kakashi-sensei said that name once before to, who is this Kushina person" the blonde in the clearing piped in wanting to know, but like usual no one would tell him anything.
Sakura though looked guilty for some reason since said person was still in control of her body "Sorry my little knucklehead you can't know just yet the time isn't right" the violet eyed red haired woman apologized.
Violet eyes filled with guilt until Hashirama patted her on the arm "I to wish it was the right time and that Sakura-chan could tell someone about us, but it is to dangerous probably always will be" the brunette ghost announced wisely.
"Just who is it their talking about Itachi-kun, I've never heard of this Kushina woman either" the blue haired rogue from mist turned his attention on his partner in hopes to get an answer, Itachi was silent for a few minutes.
Before finally answering "Kushina Uzumaki, Naruto's mother and the former Jinchuuriki of the Nine Tails" the Uchiha commented growing more and more suspicious as the time wore on and the conversation continued.
Jiraiya frowned deeply "The heck his Sarutobi-sensei doing giving you a gift like that for anyway" the Toad Sage grumbled getting tired of standing around, they were wasting time that they could be using to search for Tsunade.
"My dream Jiraiya-sama and the will of fire that burns brightly within me, this was his way of asking me to continue protecting the future of the Leaf Village and the future of everyone in it and to continue displaying such a strong will of fire for the next generation" the pink haired Chunin stated.
Shocking the man into a stunned silence "Anyway brat I'm going to head back now see you whenever" the rogue from mist snorted ruffled the girls hair roughly then turned on his heel and vanished in the direction he'd come.
Naruto grinned "Onward to find this Tsunade lady" the Uzumaki boy burst out and with that they resumed their trek to the next town to begin their search for information on the whereabouts of Tsunade Senju.
"Can't believe that Zabuza of all people was actually tamed, I wonder what she did" the shark like man mused following after the trio with his partner at a set distance while keeping their chakra suppressed to avoid detection.
Itachi shrugged in response "No idea, one thing for sure is she's not a normal child, that sort of thing I would expect to hear from one of the Kage, not a little girl who's only just been promoted to Chunin" the raven haired rogue from Leaf frowned himself.
Meanwhile Kushina and Hashirama were chattering back and forth "I think Sakura-chan should tell Naruto-kun about at least one of our presences so that if something strange happens in front of him he won't be to shocked" the Uzumaki woman whispered heatedly.
Hashirama considered their options "Perhaps you're right Kushina, Sakura-chan when you get Naruto alone when we stop in that town up ahead pull him aside activate a soundproofing/barrier tag and tell him about me" the First Hokage relented.
Emerald irises shifted in his direction before the young teenage girl in question nodded imperceptibly with no one the wiser as they continued walking in their original direction to reach the second town on their search for Tsunade.
Not more than two hours later they were signing in to a hotel "Okay brat I promised to teach you a jutsu, this is called the rasengan, the first step you have to pop this water balloon with nothing but you're chakra and no you aren't allowed to help him Sakura" Jiraiya vanished after saying all that.
Her eye twitched "Sorry Naruto, good luck on you're training, I think I'm gonna help Jiraiya-sama gather information" then Sakura was gone in the next moment leaving the boy alone to try his hand at popping the water balloon.
"We're gonna stay here Sakura-chan just in case those two didn't leave like we thought" Kushina announced unwilling to leave her son on his own especially with rogues from a dangerous organization looking around ready to snatch him away.
"Can't believe pervy sage and Sakura-chan they abandoned me" Naruto sniffled sulking like never before as he stared at the water balloon in his hand unsure of how to even begin to go about breaking it with just his chakra.
Kushina snickered at her son "Poor boy though he is something else, my Mito-chan would like him" Hashirama quipped dryly in amusement as the girl their souls were attached to vanished around a corner out of sight.
Sakura blew out a breath glad to have a little alone time to herself, even if technically she should have told Naruto about being able to see the ghost of the First Hokage, she wanted time to sort through the mess that was her head.
And with that decision in mind headed straight for the local tea shop to order lunch, then vanished to a secluded area of the small town they were in "What's this Pinky all alone without protection such a pity guess those two didn't learn from yesterday" Kisame grinned.
Jumping down before the girl who didn't so much as flinch, having guessed that the two rogues had been following them "You don't have to worry we aren't after Naruto right now, we're more curious about you actually" Itachi appeared a moment later.
Her eyes narrowed in response "I'm not a host, I'm sure you would have been able to tell immediately yesterday if I was, so it's about my reactions and general attitude during the confrontation" the pinkette made an accurate guess as to what they were on about.
"Give the girl a reward Itachi-kun she's a smart one, which begs the question who raised you, what clan are you from that would make you so different that being in such a situation wouldn't faze you or make you panic like most little brats would Chunin or not" the shark like man clapped.
Applauding the girl and impressed if only in a grudging sort of way "Come to think of it you don't seem to surprised at our appearance either" the Uchiha sat down on the bench keeping a careful distance for the time being.
Sakura tilted her head in his direction "Not really, you're after Orochimaru and we're bound to run into him it only makes sense he would seek out Tsunade-sama as well and I'm not from a clan, from a civilian background, I just grew up thinking differently than everyone else" she shrugged.
Ready to bolt if the situation got to out of hand for her tastes "Were you truly not frightened at being held captive and forced against your will" Itachi narrowed his eyes trying to make sense of the girl before him.
Jade eyes flashed towards him once more "It's not the first time I've been held captive by anyone, Kan from Grass kidnapped me as a child, Zabuza Momochi as well if I freaked out about every little thing that wouldn't make me a very dependable shinobi" Sakura stated.
Shifting her gaze forward ever so slightly "Um Sakura-chan what the hell is going on" Kushina gaped as she and Hashirama came to check up on their protege, she'd suspected the two rogues had been following them, but hadn't thought the duo would be so quick to approach.
"They are no doubt after Orochimaru and if we keep on we'll have a confrontation with that snake as well" Hashirama said wisely, having figured that much out, he didn't think they would do anything stupid to jeopardize their mission to take out the snake sannin.
Everyone in the secluded spot gave a start at the loud scream that echoed all around the town "Kami talk about making someone's ears bleed" Kisame grumbled rubbing his ears as the scream died down but Sakura stood on her feet.
Quickly grabbing up her things getting the feeling that scream meant trouble was on the way and just as she was preparing to flee a blast of wind swept her off her feet and she slammed into a tree "Ow that smarted just a tad" she slid down with a wince.
"I'll show you the true power of the Grass Village this time I brought back up" Kan reappeared having gotten healed in the last day and stood behind him were two others probably jonin level Sakura grit her teeth.
While Itachi and Kisame stood off to the side irritated that they hadn't gotten to ask as many questions as they wanted Sakura let out a long suffering "A little sore are you, you know what will happen if you come after Naruto or Karin" the pinkette cracked her knuckles in preparation.
This time there would be no holding back in the least "Oh but I'm not after Naruto or Karin this time Sakura Haruno you're medical skills will be a welcome reprieve to the injured Grass Shinobi and you'll serve that village until you're dying breath" Kan said cockily.
"All yours Pinky we aren't gonna help you" the blue haired male with razor sharp teeth sat down on an out of the way bench with his partner to watch the fight this time they wouldn't interfere and no doubt at least one of the Grass Shinobi would die that day.
Itachi wondered if she'd be able to do it though "Can you truly kill, you are a child" the Uchiha Heir commented mocking her in a way, her hand tightened into a fist, but she kept her glare focused on the three shinobi before her.
Before finally speaking "I can and I'll feel nothing for it" Sakura straightened shifting into the first stance inhaled, hardened her heart, exhaled and body flickered without a sound nor a wisp of smoke, the ground cracked beneath their feet.
And one of the Grass Shinobi lost his footing, his shoulder was punched and a loud ~crack~ sounded through the air as he went flying signaling that the bone had been shattered with a single chakra enhanced attack.
"Nothing will stand in my way when it comes to the people are important to me, even if it meant throwing my life away for them" this time a sword was within her grasp, Kan recognized it immediately and his onyx eyes narrowed with fury.
That was his sword the brat was wielding "Do you even know how to use that or are you bluffing" Kan snapped angrily before he finally noticed it, he looked around "What did you do, what the hell is that" he pointed at the blue barrier.
Her lips curved upwards in amusement "My barrier did you think I wouldn't come prepared, I'm not stupid I have the IQ of a high chunin and a shinobi must never let their guard down even on a mission that shouldn't be problematic or on break" the newly promoted chunin said smugly.
"Also it blocks any chakra from escaping I don't fancy causing a big ruckus, Futon: Flower Scattering Dance" Sakura spoke while speeding through a set of hand signs, setting the jutsu off before darting forward.
Thrusting the sword in her hand out while throwing in a punch or a kick here and there before she finally landed a solid hit on Kan as she ducked low, spun and when he was at just the right level slammed her head into forehead.
Knocking him back a few feet "I thought medic ninja weren't allowed to fight" one of the other Grass Shinobi with Kan shot forward intent on taking the girl down while she was seemingly injured and wasn't focusing properly.
Her mistake as a sandal encased foot shot out and kicked her in the stomach "Regardless of the rules I don't intend on becoming the Grass Village's servant and if that calls for fighting then I will fight until I die" the rose haired girl said.
Flashing through another set of hand signs this time water and a wall of water rose up to protect her from the shuriken and kunai that were thrown at her from her third opponent when the jutsu died down the girl was no where in sight.
And then suddenly the older kunoichi found herself pulled underground until only her head remained above ground and a fist slammed into the back of her skull knocking her out now there were only two opponents left.
"I was told you only had two chakra natures, but you clearly used a wind jutsu earlier" Kan snapped furiously not having realized how much fight the brat he wanted to present to his leader could actually put up now that she wasn't an eight year old.
Sakura paused "Oh that I learned and mastered Wind Nature chakra in a single month, actually no not even a full two weeks before I got the hang of wind nature and not even two weeks before I mastered various wind jutsu's to use in my fight during the final round" the pinkette smirked.
Kan glared at her furiously "Y..You really are a Pink Haired Demon, I don't care anymore I was having them take it easy on you, kill her now no more being nice" he ordered the only other Grass Shinobi there.
"Turn Sakura-chan turn thrust a fist out and a foot out their going for a pincer attack" the Uzumaki woman attached to her ordered, Sakura twisted swinging the hand with the sword out and raised her foot.
Both men went flying in opposite directions, only one had a sword embedded in his chest where his heart lay "Ironic isn't that you're own sword is the weapon that is used for the killing blow on you're comrades" Sakura eyed the Grass Shinobi warily.
While making sure to keep a careful distance away from the now dead one just as it exploded a wall of earth rose to keep from being splattered with blood and body parts and the sword came sailing over the top of it to be caught once more in enemy hands.
Now all that was left was the unconscious woman and Kan "Wa..Wait don't kill her" Kan realized what the girl was planning to do as she drew the sword back aiming it at the woman's neck it would be an instant death.
But at the shout she paused sword stayed from slaying the out for the count Grass Kunoichi "No matter what he says Sakura-chan don't believe a word, he's going to try and guilt trip you, don't be gullible" the First Hokage warned.
And a stoic expression crossed her features "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't, how will you ever learn if I don't make an example out of you" the rose haired girl put a hand on her hip cold jade eyes narrowed on the man who starred in all of her nightmares as a child.
Kan scrambled for an excuse "Sh..She's pregnant and I promised her husband that she would return uninjured" he lied straight through his teeth hoping to appeal to the girls medical side unfortunately for him.
She saw the lie for what it was "Do you take me for an idiot, if she was pregnant I would have felt the underdeveloped chakra in her womb the moment she was within range of me" Sakura stated in a flat unimpressed tone.
Was that really the best he could come up with on the spot "She has little ones counting on her to come home from this fight alive" Kan lied once more trying to guilt trip the girl in hopes of manipulating her into coming with him.
Her tongue clicked in disappointment "One lie after another with you people, all you are doing is feeding the flames that give me the strength to fight for my village and to survive no matter what it takes" her eye twitched in irritation.
This pissed him off and the worse possible thing to come out of his mouth came "Why you little ugly big forehead freak" the Grass Chunin snapped before he could stop himself, her expression darkened and killing intent filled the air.
Practically suffocating him "I like my forehead you know" Sakura snarled acting without thinking of the possible consequences and body flickered behind Kan to kick him straight in the back, he went flying forward.
And his head collided with a tree knocking him unconscious or so it appeared until both remaining Grass Shinobi disappeared in matching plumes of smoke "Not worth it" she shook her head eyeing the mess that had been created.
Then let out a long suffering sigh as she sped through the hand signs to release the genjutsu, brought her hands up and punched Kan straight in the chin, he fell backwards wearing a pained expression "Like I said high chunin, a jonin level genjutsu won't work on me" Sakura lifted a brow.
Kan realized he was outmatched, grabbed his unconscious partner and ran for the hills as the barrier was lowered twenty minutes was her limit to keep it raised apparently, Sakura blew out a breath and rubbed her forehead.
Clothes ruffled, a few splatters of blood across her cheek, but without injury, she intended on leaving right then and there but when she took a step forward the air shifted behind her and Sakura reacted on instinct and threw out a punch.
Only to have her wrist caught in a vice tight grip again by Itachi "Good reflexes and evasion skills, elemental jutsu's, fuinjutsu, chakra enhanced strength and medical skills, you're like the second coming of Tsunade Senju" Itachi spoke.
"Ah well I still have a long ways to go before I ever reach Tsunade-sama's level, would you let go I think I have enough bruises from you already" the pinkette deadpanned not complaining just really pointing out the obvious.
Itachi released his grip and her hand dropped to her side while his partner let out raucous laughter "You really are something else Pinky, how would you like to join Akatsuki, we could use someone like you with a lot of talent" Kisame offered.
Sakura blinked at him in shock "No thanks besides only unless I'm ordered I would never betray my village and even then I wouldn't be able to hurt those that I care for" Sakura took a couple steps back.
Her clumsiness came into play at that exact moment as the ground was slick due to her earlier water jutsu and she fell flat on her back with a loud jarring thud "You're to much sometimes Sakura-chan you know" Kushina sighed.
"Honestly Sakura-chan what on earth are we ever going to do with you" Hashirama rubbed his forehead getting a headache as Itachi bent to one knee before Sakura mirth in his ebony irises as he held out a hand
Not sure what he was playing at but knowing to try and get up by herself would only make things worse Sakura took his hand grudgingly and was tugged onto her feet in one smooth move, her hand was released to her surprise.
Then the two rogues were gone, Sakura rubbed her temples and healed the pounding in her skull as she turned and hurried off, two hours later after asking around in hopes to put her information gathering skills to use, she returned to the hotel with dinner for her, Naruto and Jiraiya.
"Where have you been all day Sakura-chan and pervy sage never came back either" Naruto waved his arms looking the most put out she'd ever seen him, Sakura knew she could never tell him the truth of what happened.
"Before you ask I tried on some mud, you know how clumsy I can be sometimes, cut my knee right open I tell ya" Sakura smiled brightly lying through her teeth, it was for his own safety after all as she handed over the ramen she'd found at one of the stands.
Naruto's shoulders slumped in response "Gotta be more careful Sakura-chan you're clumsiness will be your downfall during a fight one of these days" the blonde sighed knowing it would do no good even if he told her.
Sakura shrugged "Eat Naruto, then we'll go to bed perhaps Jiraiya-sama will come back sometime during the night" the pinkette gestured at their food and they both dug in before taking showers, crawled into the futon and fell asleep after setting traps to protect them during the night.
Like Sakura guessed Jiraiya did sneak into the room late and he was surprised to find the heated food storage scroll on his futon that he ate so he didn't feel guilty before going to sleep, next thing he knew it was morning.
"M'ning kids so how's that training coming along Naruto" Jiraiya was the last to wake like he had been the last to go to sleep and noticed his two companions awake and eating breakfast, once again there was some for him and he joined them in eating.
Immediately at the question his little apprentice/godson started scowling "I can't get it I have no idea what I'm even supposed to be doing, can't Sakura-chan help me pervy sage, she understands jutsu's better than I do" Naruto pleaded with the Sannin.
Giving him the patented puppy dog eyes "No, she'll be to busy learning fire nature, Kakashi told me that Sarutobi-sensei's youngest son Asuma taught you wind nature and if you're both gonna tag along with me helping you'll both learn something" the white haired male snorted.
The girl looked as if her birthday had come a whole year early because those emerald irises lit up as if a thousand fire works had gone off in them "He's being awfully generous this morning, wonder if it has anything to do with leaving food for him last night" Kushina snickered.
"Probably but at least she'll have another nature to command and no one but Naruto and that buffoon will be the wiser to it unless Sakura-chan uses it" Hashirama saw the merit in learning another elemental nature.
And so did his secret protege, it really was a shame he couldn't show her off to everyone "Thank you Jiraiya-sama and I promise that I'll practice very hard" Sakura vowed once she'd finished off her breakfast and they were preparing to head out.
Jiraiya chuckled and gently ruffled her hair "Good cause it's not going to be easy and the only hint I'll give you is that you must be able to use the heat in the air to create a flame, it's like taking in nature energy only more difficult, use a leaf before you get the hang of it" the Toad Sage warned.
Turning down a separate path leaving the two young ones behind "Damn pervy sage..hey Sakura-chan could you at least give me a hint on what I'm doing wrong" the blue eyed blonde pouted up at his best friend with a hopeful look in his to blue eyes.
Her face twitched "Come on one little hint wouldn't hurt Sakura-chan besides it's not as if you're telling him how the jutsu works, just telling him what he's doing wrong" the brunette ghost gave up the fight and relented to the pouting.
Kushina grinned from ear to ear "One thing about Uzumaki's is that they are relentless when they want something" the violet eyed ghost laughed her amusement of the situation as Sakura gave in to her friends pouting as well.
"Alright you knucklehead lets see it the first step of you're rasengan jutsu" the pinkette sighed unable to ignore his plea for help, she blamed Kushina, Naruto bounced in place before pulling out the water balloon and held it in his hand.
Jade eyes watched intently as he performed the first step "Huh the water is only spinning in one direction, not spiking out like Jiraiya-sama's did, try finding a way to get it to spike out in all directions that's the only hint I'm giving you later" then Sakura was gone.
Well at least she'd helped him if only just a little and the hint had been confusing so Naruto set forth to explore around the town while Sakura headed for the little secluded area to find their secret tag a longs there just as she'd expected.
So long as they weren't going after Naruto it was easy to ignore their presence "Pinky whatcha doing there" Kisame piped in when she sat down beneath a tree and not on the bench like he thought the girl would.
"Jiraiya-sama told me that if I was going to tag along with him that I was going to learn something from him so he told me to learn fire nature" the pink haired kunoichi admitted leaf in the palm of her hand and focused.
Next to Kisame, current onyx irises narrowed "You still have those bruises, I thought you would have healed them by name" Itachi commented seeing the green/purple bruises around the girl's wrist, her concentration broken.
She shot a look in his direction "Well yeah though bruises like these are hard to heal and my medical ninjutsu can't heal all of it in one go" Sakura stated in a light tone eyeing the bruises for herself it wouldn't be the last time she got bruised she was sure of it.
When no more questions were forthcoming Sakura set all of her concentration on taking in the heat of her chakra to create a flame and learn fire nature chakra "Do you even know what you're doing Pinky" the shark like man asked an hour later when nothing happened.
This time she was to deep in concentration to answer "Leave her be Kisame, we should get into the tree, someone will be here soon" the Uchiha Heir ordered as they suppressed their chakra and hid in the tree's.
It wasn't more than ten minutes later "Kid, kid snap out of it we have a problem that little idiot over did things and used up to much chakra, he's got a pretty bad fever" Jiraiya skidded to a halt before Sakura.
"Oh that knucklehead" the pinkette groaned following after the Sannin back to the hotel where Naruto did indeed have a fever and was knocked out, her shoulders slumped as she sat at his side and ground up a bunch of herbs.
Feverfew to be exact, boiled some water with the fever breaking herb then set about waking her teammate up "Naruto I need you to wake up now okay, this is going to be bitter but I need you to drink all of it for me" Sakura hummed softly.
And once he was awake crushed a chakra restoration pill up and mixed it with the herbal tea that she'd made "So..Sorry Sakura-chan I'..I'm always causing you trouble" Naruto looked upset, why couldn't he do anything right.
Her eyes softened in response "We're going to go back to the Leaf Village to check on things" his mother exclaimed suddenly it was difficult watching the duo interact sometimes and then the spirit of Kushina was gone in the next moment.
Hashirama could understand how the woman felt never getting to know her own son "Just try to stay out of trouble until we do return it will probably be a couple of days" the brown haired ghost said then he to vanished.
Sakura blew out a breath "It's okay knucklehead I'll be here always to pick you back up, now lets see you're hands" she ordered gently, his hands had chakra burns from overexerting his chakra and Naruto held them out for her to heal.
"Admit it Sakura-chan you secretly hate my guts for putting you through all the crap I have over the last several years we've been friends" he looked horribly, horribly upset and he was unable to meet the girls gaze.
The green glow around her hands faded and anger became palpable in the air and then suddenly Naruto had no choice but to meet Sakura's furious jade eyes "I..If you ever say that again I will pummel you into the ground" the newly promoted Sakura spat.
He gulped realizing he was being held up by brute strength, then he was dropped on his butt and Sakura stormed from the room, practically slamming the door behind her "Me and my bigmouth" Naruto groaned feeling like an absolute jerk.
Meanwhile Sakura stomped her way down the stairs and out into the streets of the little town they were in and headed in the opposite direction she'd gone that morning further into the center of town trying to cool off.
Feeling very hurt was that how he really thought that she secretly hated him her hands tightened into fists at her sides and tears sprung into her emerald eyes it was a struggle trying to reign them in and suppress her tears.
But one by one they spilled over and trickled down her cheeks to drip to the earth in a never ending torrent, in the end it got so difficult to even see where she was going that she stopped in the local tea house and sat in a booth by herself without ordering anything at the back of the restaurant.
All the while tears continued to fall not even paying attention to her surroundings "So it seems the last couple of days have finally caught up with you, I knew it would happen you just don't have it in you to truly be heartless" Itachi and Kisame slid into the booth.
Minus their cloaks and headbands for the time being "Are those even real tears or just crocodile tears to lure us into a false sense of security" Kisame snorted not wanting to admit it, but those tears really bothered him for some reason.
"My tears have nothing to do with what has happened the past couple of days" Sakura stated in a short tone, temper and emotions frayed for the moment as she kept up a constant stream of tears and a bleary glare at the booth table top surface.
Itachi narrowed his eyes while Kisame's brows shot upwards in response "Then enlighten us, have you finally realized that it will be impossible to protect Naruto in the future when we do come for him again" the Uchiha pointed out bluntly.
"Yeah you bit of more than you can chew if we're being honest, though lucky for you our leader ordered Orochimaru's elimination top priority or we would have snatched blondie already" the blue skinned man snorted.
Sakura grit her teeth "The reason is stupid and neither of those guesses are right, it's just Naruto is an idiot and he likes to say completely unrealistic things sometimes when he's upset, that in turn upsets me that's all" the pinkette said.
Finally feeling her tears ebbing away as the discord in her heart settled and she was allowed to think clearly and dry her eyes properly to see around her, now was as good a time as any to put her information gathering skills to use since she was there in a tea shop where gossip gathered.
She couldn't allow herself to get attached to the rogues before her after all "That's it, just simply stating what had you upset gives you the strength to keep on as before" Itachi commented ordering an early lunch for himself.
Jade irises flickered towards him then the girl nodded "Why though most girls would be entirely to sensitive about such things and find it hard to forgive the one who upset them" Kisame took a sip of his early afternoon sake.
Then feeling a little vindictive because technically it was her fault they were stuck tailing the Leaf Shinobi switched out her tea with his sake cup, Itachi caught him though but didn't say anything "Because Naruto is like my little brother and it's impossible to stay mad at him" Sakura sighed.
Nudging her clay cup off to the side with a roll of her eyes and ordered another one that was quickly drained, then Sakura stood and left the restaurant heading back to the hotel after a pit stop to order some ramen she continued on her way.
He was still there staring at the wall and mumbling under his breath not noticing her return just yet "I'm the jerk of all jerks how could I say that to Sakura-chan" the blonde was clearly beating himself up over what he'd said.
And Sakura leaned against the door frame listening to him with a fond smile "You're right you are a jerk sometimes but you make it difficult to stay mad at you baka, here ramen" the pinkette held out the peace offering.
The boy swung around baby blue eyes wide and wary a couple minutes later he relaxed and took the ramen before digging in while she sat down to practice wielding a new nature for two long hours the lone girl in the room sat in complete and utter silence.
Until the leaf started burning around the edges "Are you trying to learn all five elements Sakura-chan" Naruto peered at the leaf curiously wondering if he'd be able to do that someday, but unwilling to try at that moment.
"Well that does sound like a good idea perhaps when we get back to Leaf and Kakashi-sensei is all better I could ask him to teach me lightning nature next" Sakura considered Naruto's words before finally nodding in agreement.
Not more than ten minutes later they were leaving the hotel to explore the small town and try to pick up on any tidbits of information on the whereabouts of their mission target, hours later they gave up got an early dinner and went back to the hotel to get some shut eye.
Sakura stuck like glue to Naruto the last four days they were there in the small town making it a whole week they'd been gone from the Leaf Village "I got some information so we'll be moving on and it's time for the second step of you're jutsu" Jiraiya showed up late on the fourth night.
To find his young companions awake for once but like he'd come to expect a scroll of food was sat on his futon waiting for him "About time Pervy Sage been waiting forever and Sakura-chan's almost burnt through an entire leaf" the blonde scowled.
In response to this Sakura bit down on her lip to keep from smiling in amusement "What can I say, near perfect chakra control helps a lot" the pinkette shrugged coolly though her lips twitched at the corners and her eyes betrayed her mirth.
Jiraiya shook his head with a quiet snort ate and then the three of them climbed into the futon to get some shut eye, the next morning they headed out after paying the rent and left the small town they were in with two rogues on their heels.
"Did you ever tell Naruto-kun about being able to see Hashirama, Sakura-chan" Kushina asked suddenly shooting glares at the duo of rogues tailing them even though neither Itachi or Kisame could see or feel the heat of said glares.
Emerald eyes shifted in her direction then gave an imperceptible and unnoticeable to her walking companions shake of the head indicating that no she hadn't told Naruto in the least despite being given permission to.
"Probably for the best I suppose, he is a blabbermouth sometimes and doesn't think about what he says, he'd blurt the secret out before he even realized it" Hashirama deadpanned earning a small smile from the teenage girl his soul was attached to for some unknown reason.
With that they continued walking in the direction of the new town that would bring them closer to their target hopefully, but for now the lot of them enjoyed the silence as it settled around them like a blanket and breathed in the fresh air, ready or not Tsunade here they came.