Sasuke realized it was Sakura's chakra he felt and that she already noticed him. Maybe a spar was in order after all it could end his curiosity about how strong his former teammate has gotten over the years. Sasuke landed on the ground with ease, with his keen surveying skills he quickly noticed the condition of the area "Sakura" he said, seeing as the pinkette's attention was already on him.
"Sasuke may i asked what you're doing here?" Sakura asked politely, ignoring Sasuke when he appeared right in front of her which was too close for her taste. "Spar with me" he said bluntly. Sakura raised an eyebrow at him letting him know she was caught off guard by what he just said. "Alright, I've been meaning to spar with you anyway" Sakura replied. Sasuke nodded and disappeared, Sakura immediately searched for his location. Sasuke with his incredible speed appeared behind her engaging her in a Taijutsu battle, Sakura managed to block his punches but his speed was incredible he moved like lightning so it wasn't that easy. Sasuke avoided Sakura's chakra hits into his vital points, he knew Sakura's chakra was down the first moment he laid eyes on her.
Sakura jumped back to avoid a narrow hit to her ribs, she heard a thousand birds in front of her and knew that was Sasuke's chidori. Sakura saw some lighting coming her way and back flip out of the way and did some hand signs "Earth Prism" Sasuke was surrounded by large prism shaped prison, but Sakura wasn't done yet "Inferno" Fire erupted from all sides of the prism intending to roast the victim to ashes. But seeing as how the first rule of a ninja was never underestimating the enemy and that this was Sasuke Uchiha the result was never sure.
Sakura focused on Sasuke's chakra knowing he got out of the prism "Above!" Sakura was too late as chakra strings caught her when she tried to use her strength it shocked her painfully "Damn!" she cursed. Sasuke appeared before her Katana already unsheathed and walked slowly to her, anyone would have panicked if they were in Sakura's place. But Sakura was better than to let panic overcome her in a battle, she closed her eyes checking what resort she had left. These string suck out chakra and seeing as she was already low on chakra because of her training this was very bad indeed.
Her inhuman strength couldn't be used and she couldn't weave hand signs either so the last resort is the reason she trained out here in the first place. Sasuke watched her carefully as he approached her; surprised she was so calm at this type of situation, knowing how everyone else would have panicked by now. Sakura used the last of her chakra to spin around so fast that the dirt from the ground created a tornado around her blocking Sasuke's view of her, a blue light glowed from inside "What's that light?" Sasuke thought.
As soon as the dirt cleared up Sakura was panting on one knee on the ground and the chakra strings were cut lying on the ground. Sasuke smirked she got out from what little chakra she had left, but as always showed no emotion on his face.
Sakura was to say the least thankful she managed to hide her bloodline from Sasuke although he may be suspicious about that light that was unfortunately visible from the tornado. "I don't have any more chakra to fight him.." Sasuke came to her his katana sheathed, he was about to ask about the light but...
"What's going on here?" Naruto and Kakashi said as they appeared through the trees.
Sasuke glared at them in his mind from disturbing him from finding out what he wanted to know, Sakura stood up and crossed her arms "Sparring" she answered. "What do you want" Sasuke said.
Naruto and Kakashi stared at them suspiciously "Hokage-sama wanted to see you both along with Naruto" Kakashi said.
Sasuke and Sakura didn't answer and started to head to the Hokage tower, Naruto followed while Kakashi sighed and disappeared.
The three arrived to see Hinata along with Karin and Suigetsu in the office "Hey, Sasuke way to leave me with ugly over here" Suigetsu said. Karin glared at him for a moment and turned her glare to Sakura "Why is she with Sasuke?" she hissed in her mind.
"Why are we here?" Sasuke and Sakura demanded, everyone stared at them shocked that they said the same thing. Actually even the both of them weren't expecting it either but decided to ignore it "I have a mission for all of you, there have been reports about a monster living in Jinji Lake terrorising the citizens you're mission is to seal that monster in 3 days time, because if you exceed that time the monster would never come out from the Lake which would make things more difficult in capturing it" Tsunade stated.
"Alright finally some action" Suigetsu smirked. Tsunade pulled out something from her drawer she tossed a scroll to Sakura who caught it easily "You will be leading this mission Sakura the instructions on how to seal the monster is in that scroll, i expect nothing less from you" Tsunade said, as she joined her hands together leaning on her desk.
Sakura nodded "We'll leave tomorrow morning, I'll summon Katsuyu to report our progress"
"Wait why does she lead the mission surely someon-" Karin was stopped by Sakura's glare.
"If you have a problem then i could care less, i don't want someone who wouldn't even stand a chance in a battle on my team" Sakura said coldly with a glare "You should learn to shut up or i will do it for you-and trust me you don't want that" Sakura disappeared, Karin's mouth was slightly open from shock and fear being the sensory type that she is sensed the spike in Sakura's chakra and it wasn't anything to be taken lightly.
Tsunade cleared her throat "I suggest you don't question Sakura's ability and follow what you are told, she's feared by our Anbu for a reason" Karin clenched her fist "Whatever" she replied. When they got out Suigetsu smirked "What's wrong Karin cat got your tongue" he teased. Karin glared and punched him in the stomach which turned to water "Hell no! You idiot, she's just lucky she's leading the mission or-"
"Shut up, don't dare threaten Sakura-chan" Naruto growled at the red head which shocked her and Suigetsu, knowing how Naruto would never growl at someone without a good reason. "Naruto we should prepare for the mission, Let's go" Sasuke said, and he and Naruto walked off leaving Suigetsu and Karin alone again.
The Next Morning
Sakura was the first to arrive at the Gates, she leaned against the wall closing her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest trying to find a few moments of peace before the mission starts "Sakura-chan!" "And so it begins" Sakura sighed. She opened her eyes to see Naruto running towards her "Woah! Guess we're the first one's here huh" Naruto asked with a hint of pink visible on his cheeks.
"So we are Naruto" Sakura replied with a blank expression as always. Naruto glanced at her from time to time the pink from his cheeks increasing "Teme and the others are late" Naruto said, trying to start a conversation and hide his blush. "Dobe" Sasuke said, appearing in front of Naruto who due to shock stumbled back and landed flat on his butt. "Teme you-"
"Naruto-kun, a..are you alright?" Hinata asked running to him worried "I'm fine Hinta-chan" Naruto smiled at her, resulting her face to turn beet red. "Yo" Suigetsu greeted behind him was Karin who ran beside Sasuke. Sakura walked outside the gates "Let's go, we're wasting time" Everyone followed expect for Karin who reluctantly obeyed.
The trip to Jinji Lake was quiet but occasionally Naruto would try to get everybody to talk but failed due to Sasuke and Sakura's lack of emotions. Hinata tried not to glance at Naruto because she'll eventually get distracted. Karin focused on Sasuke and scanning for any upcoming chakra signatures. While Suigetsu glanced at the pinkette not caring if Naruto was glaring at him. "We'll set up camp here" Sakura stopped at a large clearing hidden by trees.
"Awesome let's set up the tents then" Naruto said "That won't be necessary" Sakura said, as she took out a seed from her pouch and walked to the middle of the clearing and planted it. "Sakura-chan what are you doing?" Naruto asked watching her form some hand signs. A two story house construction from wood started to rise from where the seed was planted the Konoha symbol was engraved on the large door.
"Cool!" Suigetsu exclaimed, relieved he wouldn't have to sleep on the ground. Naruto was shocked but expressed his happiness by running inside the house, Karin grunted and went inside.
The inside was fairly big there were no furniture but lots of room for a whole squad to occupy it, the second floor consisted of 3 rooms which everyone will be staying in. "How did you do this Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked coming down from the stairs. "Captain Yamato had given all the Anbu captains these special seeds to carry at all times during a mission" Sakura answered.
Naruto nodded in understanding and went to explore the House some more with Suigetsu "Hmph" Karin went up to the second floor to pick her room. "Hinata you should prepare your equipment we'll be hunting the monster after everyone has rested enough" Sakura said. "H..hai" Hinata replied and went to one of the rooms. This left Sakura and Sasuke alone on the first floor "I need to talk to you" Sasuke said.
Sakura stared at him "About what?" she asked, silently hoping it wasn't about the sparring match. "That light when-" Sasuke was cut off by Naruto and Suigetsu running to them "We got Trouble!" Naruto shouted.
Sakura tensed "What is it?" Karin and Hinata were already downstairs "The Monster is starting to attack" Karin said. Sakura nodded "Looks like we don't have time to rest" With that everyone ran out of the house and headed for battle.