The next two days were like pure agony for Sakura and by extension Karui, who wanted to support her friend, so was staying awake to keep the pinkette company whenever she couldn't get back to sleep once being woken by her prophetic dreams.
It was right around this point that Tsunade could no longer pretend nothing was going on "Okay Sakura want to tell us what you're seeing this time" she sighed that morning at breakfast, her adopted daughter had once again gotten the bare minimum of sleep.
Deep purple bags were beneath her eyes "Still just flashes Mom I can't speed them up anymore no matter how much I wish I could" Sakura laid her head on the table, though she was glad for one thing, that Tobirama hadn't tried to make her train at this moment.
She'd be to distracted, Karui wisely didn't speak up, choosing to keep their theory to herself for the moment until they got concrete evidence from Sakura's dreams, eventually the two of them did venture outside to the training grounds.
Who would guess that the Mist Shinobi and Mizukage would be there to "Is it just me or does she look worse than yesterday" Ao commented on the girls haggard appearance, both girls actually looked plum exhausted.
"You don't think their trying anything do you, it's the only reason I can think of that would keep them awake during the night" Mei frowned keeping her voice lowered so that the duo wouldn't hear her as they weren't in range yet.
Chojuro wondered as well "N..No idea Lady Mizukage, per..perhaps it's better if we k..keep an eye on them" he suggested in a soft tone, sensing the need for secrecy before the two girls reached them Mei and Ao nodded in agreement to the suggestion he'd made.
"If we sit Sakura-chan, we're gonna fall asleep" Karui said flatly hating that her friend was going through so much and she couldn't take on any of the burden Sakura carried on her shoulders, it really wasn't fair in the least.
Sakura tilted her head to the side and her eyes wandered the training grounds, meditation was out, she wouldn't be able to concentrate properly "That's pretty much for everything actually, maybe we should have stayed at the house today" she quipped flopping down anyway.
Karui followed as they stared up at the sky "You two aren't plotting anything are you" Ao stated in his usual gruff tone and both girls gave him an exasperated glare, in complete sync of one another which was extremely creepy in a way.
"I know the reason you're having nightmares again" Kiba blew onto the training grounds and landed next to Sakura, who jolted in surprise at the Inuzuka's appearance, thankfully though he didn't mention anymore about his friends special ability.
Her lips curved upwards in amusement "Yep, did you want to meditate, where's Ino and Choji though" Sakura waved her hand absentmindedly, Kiba shook his head and flopped backwards onto his back, Akamaru on his stomach.
"Nah, there's only four days left before the Chunin Exams, besides it's been awhile since we've just sat and talked without meditating together" he shrugged lightly, that wasn't the only reason, he was worried about his friend to.
Mei butt into the conversation "You have nightmares to the point where you can't even sleep at night, have you tried anything to help lure you into a state of relaxation, meditating does wonders" she suggested not liking this anymore than the thought of the two girls plotting something.
Sakura sighed softly "I've tried everything, nothing works, I've been having these kinds of nightmares since I was four" she explained rubbing her eyes in a desperate attempt to stay awake and not fall asleep on the spot.
It occurred to Kiba then "They don't know do they" he nodded to the Mist Shinobi and the Mizukage, who gave him confused looks, the pinkette shook her head "Probably for the best" he said quietly.
"Whats for the best you little runt, Kiba Inuzuka how dare you skive on training" Tsume blew onto the training grounds after her son, the Inuzuka Heir freaked out and was gone in the blink of an eye, actually what really happened.
Was that Kiba jumped behind Sakura just as the girl sat up at the same exact moment Tsume lunged at her youngest son and a loud ~crunch~ filled the air "Sakura-chan" Karui shouted in horror seeing the blood dripping down her friends face.
Tsume froze "Hey kid I didn't mean it, holy shit that looks pretty bad you gonna live" she pulled back eyeing Jiraiya and Tsunade's adopted daughter in concern, it had been awhile since she'd encountered them "Did you get slower or something" she snorted.
Sakura held up her hand "Fine, fine, I'll be al…ow…right" she raised a glowing green hand and with a wince set her nose properly before healing it as she'd been taught, the damage was done though and she felt light-headed at this point.
Kiba saw what was going to happen just as his friend swayed "Sakura are you okay" he asked grabbing her by the shoulders just as her head fell backwards and she passed out, Mei and Tsume freaked out.
"We should get her to the hospital" the auburn haired woman panicked, never had she seen someone take a punch to the nose like that and act as if nothing had happened in the first place, that girl was insane.
The Inuzuka Matriarch nodded and went to reach for Sakura to take her to the hospital and leave her in her mothers care, when the girl jolted and her eyes snapped open, breathing labored "I'm fine, really" there was fear in her eyes.
"No you're not kid, you need to go to the hospital, be put in a medically induced coma so that you can rest properly, you're pushing yourself" Ao frowned deeply while Chojuro nodded, as Sakura jumped onto her feet.
Karui following her friend, she shot the Mist Shinobi and Mizukage a look "Where are you going Sakura-chan" she asked when they sped off in a panic, the others following them "Di..Did you see something" she got close enough to lower her voice and not be overheard.
Sakura nodded "Yeah another flash but more vivid, Ho..Hokage-san is…" her lip trembled breaking into an all out run to her house, she had to tell the Hokage what was going to happen to him and hope for the best.
Four blocks were all that separated them from the Senju house, when they were pulled to a screeching halt, Karui caught by Ao and her by Chojuro "Stop running and tell us what's going on" for once the teenager didn't stutter, completely serious in this moment.
Tsume, Mei and Kiba skidded to a halt a moment later "Damn kid you aren't supposed to be able to outrun fully grown shinobi, Kiba's an exception" Tsume growled stalking forward and taking the girl by the shoulders "Now what the bloody hell is going on" she demanded.
The pinkette flinched emerald eyes wide giving the Inuzuka Matriarch a glimpse of the deep rooted terror in those peridot orbs, Tsume wasn't the only one who saw it, Mei, Ao and Chojuro did as well and they wondered if it had something to do with the nightmares that had been mentioned.
"I…I'm sorry" Sakura lowered her eyes to the ground looked to Karui, who nodded in understanding and before Tsume could gain a better grip on the girl, she was gone in the blink of an eye, using those bloody transportation seals.
Karui laughed sheepishly "Right er I have no idea what's going on either" she held up her hands, wishing her friend hadn't abandoned her, but she knew that Sakura was the only one who could handle what was going to come.
Sakura landed on her bed in a heap "Please tell me someones home" she flew from her room searching frantically for the notebook that was connected to the one taped beneath the Hokage's desk "Because this is bad, really bad" she called.
Not paying much attention when Tobirama and Hashirama entered her house through the door that connected to theirs "What on earth is going on with you Sakura-chan" the brunette frowned watching the girl search through piles of notebooks.
"Ho..Hokage-san is…is gonna die, Orochimaru attacks during the final round" Sakura whipped around body shaking like a leaf activating a sound proofing seal before she blurted that line out, then returned to her task of trying to find the notebook.
But she couldn't find it, "Calm down" Tobirama ordered sensing that to let the girl continue on how she currently was, was not a good idea "Have you seen anything else" he asked in a much gentler tone, it was just the three of them home at the moment.
"N..No all I see is a sword going through Hokage-san from the front to the back and Orochimaru before him on some kind of roof" Sakura pressed her face into her hands trying to calm down as asked, but it wasn't working.
And she'd thought that when she'd been eight was bad and trying to stop Fugaku from making a mistake that would have ended with the entire Uchiha Clan being wiped out, this, this was much worse in her mind, because this was someone Naruto cared for to.
The door burst open in the next moment to reveal Karui, Tsume, Kiba and the Mist Shinobi and Mizukage "Mean I can't believe you abandoned me like that" the red haired girl teased lightly not really to upset.
Reminding Sakura of the reason she'd disappeared in the first place and returned to searching for the notebook that would make all of her problems go away "Sorry Karui-chan" she winced keeping her head lowered as Tsume glared.
"I hate it when you use those bloody seals brat, the third time you've disappeared on me like that, now you're going to tell us why you panicked like that" the Inuzuka Matriarch ordered seeing the apprehension in the girls emerald eyes.
Kiba grimaced and looked to his mother, he'd never told her about his friends little ability to see the future, whatever it was she saw was not good and his mother wouldn't be able to keep the secret not when she was so hyped up at the moment.
He didn't want his friend to cry again, he could see she was on the verge after all, but was trying to keep from doing it in front of them "Ma, Sakura's always been a little weird, she freaks out over the littlest of things, maybe she thought someone was trying to break in" he offered.
Everyone stared at him in surprise and Sakura sent him a grateful look that was thankfully missed, she knew what he was doing "Is that true" Mei narrowed her green eyes on the girl when not even the two males argued over that fact.
"It's not as if it hadn't happened before" Sakura nodded committing to the lie and feeling horrible for it, but it was better if no one else knew about her secret yet, not yet, the village was in to much danger from Orochimaru at the moment.
"Happened before huh you sure you're telling us the truth" Ao kept his gray eyes pinned to the pinkette, who was shifting through the pile of notebooks at a slower rate than before, as she calmed down and was able to focus a little better.
Sakura nodded "Yeah, one time I was eight, the entire apartment complex I lived in was massacred except for myself and my cousin, it's a legitimate fear and I always think someone is trying to break in" her heart slowed as she kept up the lie.
That was when she spotted it, Sakura grabbed up the notebook with seal drawn on it and crushed it to her chest "H..How did you get out if..if the everyone else was ki..killed" Chojuro asked before the girl could vanish on them.
"Window and then transportation seal to get to safety with a friend" Sakura stood nodded to everyone and disappeared down the hall to her room, Karui on her heels as the door was locked a barrier tag went up.
Both girls sat down on the bed "I thought for sure that they were going to drag the truth out of us" the red head flopped backwards in exhaustion, while Sakura flipped open the notebook and started writing at a rapid pace.
Pen flying across the page writing down everything she'd seen so far before closing the notebook "Me to Karui-chan, but no one else can know, it's to dangerous, my curse I mean" Sakura rubbed her eyes setting the notebook on her bedside table so it was close.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen saw the glow of the seal and his brown eyes widened in realization, "Sensei what is it" Jiraiya asked when he noticed the Hokage become distracted, he was taking a break from training Naruto.
Minato had taken over for the day anyway and was visiting his old sensei "I do believe Sakura-san has had another dream" Hiruzen pulled the notebook out from beneath his desk and flipped it open to the page that had new information written down on it.
Jiraiya's brows raised high into his hairline before he activated a sound proofing/barrier seal that was around the room "And just why is my daughter telling you and not me of her dreams, just what did she see anyway" he asked.
"To avoid getting involved with what she see's and my death apparently at Orochimaru's hands, along with some destruction here in the Leaf Village" Hiruzen closed the notebook "Poor girl having to go through something this horrible" he felt awful that she had to deal with this.
The toad sage clenched his hands into fists "I wish I could put an end to those dreams" Jiraiya glared at the desk, this was his daughter "At least that way she didn't have to be tortured by this on a daily basis" he expression softened and the Third Hokage nodded in understanding.
Meanwhile Sakura using the knowledge she'd learned from the book her adoptive father had given her about her gift, numbed her mind and turned off her curse for the time being "Let's get some rest Karui-chan, we have to be careful from here on out" she hummed quietly.
Karui nodded "Yeah Sakura-chan, I just wish our vacation didn't end the day before the final round, at least that way we'd be here to help" she yawned tiredly "What about you're dreams though" she asked, but Sakura was already asleep, and she wasn't to far behind.
For three hours clear up to lunch the two girls napped until they ventured out to eat "Did you alert Hiruzen of what's to happen" Tobirama inquired having spotted the seal on the notebook his adopted great niece had been searching for, and guessed that his old student had the other one.
"Mhm" Sakura hummed softly scraping the rest of her lunch into her mouth, having made her own food that afternoon, she had many things planned and it was time to seek out Kakashi, there was no time to wait on Sasuke appearing anymore at the Uchiha Compound Gates.
It was definitely crunch time because as sure as her name was Sakura, she knew that the Sand Shinobi were involved somehow in what was to come, there was limited time to plan "What are you going to do Sakura-chan" Hashirama asked gently looking around warily.
And hoping to kami that the girl wasn't going to do anything reckless "Alert Fugaku-sama, find Kakashi-san and give him this seal, it will stop that red haired boy from going out of control when the one tails breaks free, this wasn't something I saw, I just know it's going to happen" she explained.
Holding up a drawn seal that would stop a Jinchuuriki from rampaging around "I'm going with Sakura-chan to help out with anything I can" Karui stood after the dishes were done, Tobirama and Hashirama couldn't stop them as they left the house.
Though the two girls were immediately worried as they spotted Ao and Chojuro situated across the street watching the Senju home, but Sakura tugged gently on Karui's hand and they headed for the Uchiha Compound Gates and were let through the guards.
Finding Fugaku was easy "My, my it's been a long time since you've come to visit me Sakura-chan, or are you here on business" Mikoto was pleased as punch to see the girl who'd grown up into a fine young kunoichi.
"Business but it's nice seeing you Mikoto-chan, I've actually been wondering something, the next time I have some free time would you mind helping me with some dancing lessons, Itachi-san brags about how good you are all the time" Sakura smiled gently.
A smile broke across the Uchiha Matriarchs face "I would love to Sakura-chan, it was such a shame I never had a daughter to teach, next time you're free, don't be afraid to come ask, he's in his office" Mikoto squished Sakura in a bone crushing hug before pointed.
"I'll stay out here Sakura-chan, hello Mikoto-san" Karui greeted the woman politely while Sakura turned and headed down the hall to the Uchiha Patriarch's office, knowing she could tell the man anything and he'd put a stop to the disaster in the making.
She only had to knock once before being admitted into his office, "Did you see someone else's death" Fugaku raised his head looking years old, ready to pass on the Clan Head Position to his eldest son, but Itachi wasn't ready.
The soundproofing seal was activated in the next moment "Hokage-san's, it's Orochimaru's doing, I don't know much more than that beyond guesses and theory, of how the Sand Shinobi are part of the plot to take over Leaf it's the only plausible explanation right" her brow was creased.
Fugaku nodded "We'll start putting protection in place for the civilians and Hokage-sama, thank you Sakura-san for alerting me and don't hesitate to tell me anymore should you see it in a dream" he stated signing his name on another document.
Sakura sighed in relief, before pulling out one notebook "It's a three way connecting seal that connects to this one and the one that sits in Hokage-san's office under his desk, I told him I was going to give you one Fugaku-sama, so that it's better than barging in here" she set it down on his desk.
"By the way the seal will glow blue when there's something new written in it" Sakura explained nodding politely before exiting the man's office, so she didn't bother him much more, the Uchiha Patriarch taped the notebook beneath his desk, so it was out of sight.
Pleased at her foresight, Sakura returned to the living room "Hey Mikoto-chan have you seen Sasuke around lately" she frowned realizing it had been nearly a month since she'd seen the boy even appear near the Uchiha Compound Gates.
"No, he's off training with his sensei Kakashi-san, and won't even come home to have dinner" Mikoto pouted as she was tidying up the front room, her baby's were all grown up and taking on missions and training.
Sakura's shoulders slumped "Thanks anyway Mikoto-san" Karui waved as the two of them left and got a wave and a smile in return just before the front door shut behind them and they were walking through the Uchiha Compound to return to the rest of the village.
Ao and Chojuro were still situated across from the Senju house when they exited through the gates smiling politely at the Uchiha guards stationed there on either side but when she and Karui didn't move towards the door, they started following them.
It was kind of annoying but they understood the suspicion "So how are we going to find Kakashi-san" the red haired girl at her side asked paying no attention to the two males that were sneaking along after them.
"Er no idea, if I show up there via seal he's just gonna be angry, maybe I could send one of my toads off to find him, or start searching the training grounds, Kakashi-san and Sasuke are bound to be on one of them, because training outside the village is forbidden during the Exams" Sakura said.
Karui's jaw dropped "What really I had no idea, boy am I glad Samui-chan didn't enter us into the exams, there's no way we would have been ready for the craziness we've witnessed so far" she threw out there with a small laugh.
"Damn straight brat, though expect to get back to work day after the end of the Chunin Exams" a voice boomed from behind them and both girls went ramrod straight and turned to spy their Kage standing behind them.
Sakura's eyes widened "Raikage-sama I..I didn't know you were going to be here" so many things changed because of his presence, because no doubt Ay was going to sit in the Kage booth with the Hiruzen, thus ensuring his survival, her shoulders relaxed as the tension drained out of her.
"Last minute invitation kid, I hope you've been keeping up with you're training, because C Ranked Missions are headed you're way when we get back to the Cloud Village" Darui chuckled from his spot a few feet behind the huge male that was his Kage.
Cee waved "Yeah and hospital work, Rurui-san has plenty of things lined up for you, I just hope you two girls are ready things are going to change after this, no more babying you" not that they ever had, but still it was better to be serious.
"Roger that Raikage-sama" the girls said in sync proving how obedient they were despite having gone on vacation for two months and a month respectively, it was then they noticed the other person with their Kage.
Omoi stepped out from behind Cee and flashed his friends a grin "Hey, hope you two haven't been having fun without me" he jumped forward knowing he wouldn't get in trouble, Sakura and Karui immediately enveloped him into a hug.
Ao and Chojuro stood back, keeping out of sight as they kept their eyes on the two Cloud Kunoichi "Nope there's no way we could have fun without you Omoi-kun, would you like us to escort you to Hokage-san's office Raikage-sama" Sakura further relaxed.
Glad that her first friend was there now and she and Karui wouldn't have to deal with this alone, "That'll do brat, lead the way" Ay nodded and they all started forward as a group to the center of the village to the Hokage Tower and up the steps and all the way to the Hokage's office.
"Off with you all" the Raikage barked sending his shinobi scrambling from the building as he closed the door behind him, no one dared ignore his orders as they returned outside to the village, it was then that Cee and Darui noted the exhaustion and deep purple bags.
But didn't dare ask not when there were so many ears that could eavesdrop on them "So what were you guys doing, something about searching the training grounds" Darui prodded having only heard a bit of what the girls were talking about.
"Ah that's right, we're looking for Kakashi-san, but Sakura-chan said that it wasn't a good idea to show up there suddenly via transportation seal, though we have no idea where to begin our search" Karui waved her arms, also looking as if she was about to fall flat on her face in exhaustion.
Sakura nodded quietly "Have you tried sending one of you're summons to find him and report back to you once he'd been found" Cee offered wanting to know what was going on, and hoping that they'd find a nice place to sit and talk soon.
"I thought about it, but then there's the chance Kakashi-san would just move to a different training grounds in order to not be disturbed, he's weird like that and it's impossible to sense his chakra even in sage mode, cause he's so stinkin elusive sometimes" the pinkette huffed softly.
Omoi frowned "Which leaves searching the training grounds one by one on foot" he guessed and his two friends nodded "Well that sucks, what if we don't find him, what if he disappears on us anyway" he waved his arms like Karui had.
Both Sakura and Karui gave him a weird look before they all cracked up laughing allowing the stress that was eating away at them all to drain away so that they could relax and think up a plan to stop whatever was going to happen.
As it was when they did begin their search for Kakashi, neither Karui or Sakura thought they'd find him so quickly, but they did and he happened to be on the first training field they looked, Sasuke on his knee's in front of the silver haired male, sweat pouring off of him.
Though at their appearance, the Uchiha Heir turned "You shouldn't interrupt people when their training" he was clearly in a foul mood, Sasuke winced in the next moment as he got sight of the glare he was receiving.
"I wouldn't if it wasn't important Sasuke, here Kakashi-san, I finally figured out why you warned me not to befriend that boy, the red head, he's a Jinchuuriki, but his seal is coming undone, that will stop him if his beast tries to rampage and I'm sure it will happen" Sakura turned over her seal.
Kakashi's lone onyx eye widened "How do you figure that Sakura-chan have you…." he trailed off catching sight of the two Mist Shinobi as they sneaked onto the training grounds, no doubt tailing his little friend, she wasn't the most subtle of people.
Sakura shook her head "No, I'm just guessing on that part, but that boy is unstable, anyway I'm gonna go train now and get out of you're way Kakashi-san, Sasuke-kun" she waved before hurrying from the field leaving the two males to their independent training.
Kakashi pocketed the seal and turned his attention onto the Uchiha heir and started up their session again, having been teaching the boy his own jutsu the Chidori, Sasuke having proved to have two individual natures like Sakura.
Who headed straight for the training grounds she always used "Are you really gonna train Sakura-chan, what happened to taking a break" Karui frowned as they settled on the ground and she unsheathed her Sai's and pulled out two scrolls, along with two little fans.
"That's the only way I'm going to get better Karui-chan, anyway right now I'm just gonna focus on completing what I started awhile back" Sakura smiled unsealing the short cleaver that Darui had given her years ago.
Darui choked "When the hell did you do that kid" he took in the dark pink seals and dark green stain of the blade the handle wrapped in dark pink bandages "And just what are those seals for" he was wary at best.
The pinkette grinned "Jutsu's, so far I have two wind jutsu, two water jutsu, and two fire jutsu sealed in them, all I need is lightning for that and my Sai's" she reeled off "There's fire in my little fans here" she pointed out the seals.
"And I've got water jutsu's for the Sai's as well" Sakura rubbed her temples trying to remember everything she'd done so far, her mind was entirely to distracted, she might have gotten a little rest, but that didn't mean she was fully rested and alert.
Cee and Darui sweat dropped while Omoi stared at his friend as if she'd gone insane "You're stressing yourself out to much Sakura-san, relax, everything's going to be fine" the blonde settled on the ground, just what the hell was going on around here in the Leaf Village.
"Yeah no kidding, and I thought that when you s….." a hand became situated firmly over Omoi's mouth courtesy of Karui, who stopped the white haired preteen in the nick of time from spilling Sakura's secret to the eavesdropping Mist Shinobi.
Omoi's eyes widened "Anyway you did save that guy didn't you, even though I wasn't there for the last few days" he removed Karui's hand, but wisely let his previous line of topic drop, he didn't want to be slapped again.
"Zabuza-san is fine and so is Haku-san, those two are ones I haven't seen for sometime either" Sakura frowned as Darui helped her with the lightning style jutsu's that she needed for her sword and Sai's before everything was put away.
Now there was nothing left to do but sit and wait, Sakura stared at her friends furtively from beneath her lashes just as they realized "You cut you're hair" Omoi stated as he eyed the short locks, they'd been distracted earlier.
"Quite when did you do that, I'm surprised Master Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade let you in the first place" Cee narrowed his onyx eyes as her hand came up and she fiddled with a very short strand of pink hair.
Darui had a smile on his lips "I get the feeling that you didn't give anyone a choice, you're impulsive like that" he snorted in amusement, while even Karui turned to look at her friend, because she hadn't been given an explanation either.
"Yeah why did you get you're hair cut Sakura-chan, it was so long and so pretty, not to say that it's not still pretty but the length was amazing, even longer than Yugito-sensei's hair" the red head exclaimed waiting for an answer.
Sakura ducked her head sheepishly "Ah well it got in the way of my training so I just kind of gathering it up and sliced through it with a kunai, no one was happy to say the least, but it's my hair plus having long hair is impractical for a ninja" she laughed.
"How's Naruto doing, you two still close like before, after all you are adopted siblings" Darui commented, before frowning, Sakura's eyes had just dimmed "Did something happen to Naruto" he narrowed his eyes.
Quickly she shook her head "No but you remember that guy, the Fourth Hokage, the blonde one" Sakura asked and Darui nodded "Turns out that Minato-san is Naruto's birth father and he wanted to be with his real dad, but we're all good" Sakura smiled lightly.
Cee didn't think it was right for someone to come in and mess up Sakura's family like that, not after the two had been so close for so many years "And yet you're no closer to finding out who you're own real parents are" he mused.
And promptly Sakura flinched visibly "A..Actually I know who they are or rather my real father to be precise, I'm just not sure how to explain it so I haven't told anyone beyond a few people" she winced looking to the ground.
"Well who is it Sakura-chan, did you meet them, did you punch them, what did they tell you about why they abandoned you" Omoi jumped on his friend wanting to know and got a wide emerald eyed look from his friend.
Sakura glanced surreptitiously over her shoulder at the Mist Shinobi, "I'm not sure how you guys are gonna take the news" she admitted nervously proving that whoever her real father was, was a very big deal and that she couldn't talk about it out here in the open.
It was scary, the thought of her friends not believing her, what was worse was Naruto and Sasuke, how would they react when she told them, Sakura let out a depressed sigh and rubbed her face tiredly as she leaned back to stare at the sky with Karui and Omoi on either side of her.
Her mind was numb as her eyes slid closed surrounded by the people she cared about, her first friends in life and she took a nap right there free of worry and stress, no prophetic dream plagued her during that time and Sakura was content to rest for the moment.
No one dared to wake her, not Darui, not Cee, not Karui and especially not Omoi, who realized that their friend needed some sleep, those dreams were the devil in disguise, causing her heartache and misery on a near daily basis.
Even if she'd had a reprieve from them for the last month or so, two hours later Sakura was awake and back to her usual self, all bright eyes and smiles "Wait until you see what I've been working on" she teased her lips curving upwards.
"Oh and just what have you been doing these last two months" Darui lifted a brow curious about what his little apprentice had been up to, he didn't think she'd been sitting and doing nothing, but to actually be working on a project was a surprise.
The pinkette snickered "I'm sure you'll see it eventually, it's only half finished though, I still can't get the timing right" Sakura poked Omoi feeling mischievous at that particular moment, the white haired preteen jolted and he pouted at her.
"Mean why are you picking on me and not Karui, oh no she hasn't taken my spot as you're best friend has she" there went more of his irrational fears and Karui rolled her eyes in response while Sakura lay back and laughed like a crazy person.
"Dork I just felt like picking on you, besides there's no way Karui-chan can take you're spot, cause she has a spot all her own" she shut down his fears with ease, emerald eyes sparkling with her happiness, everything was going to be alright, it had to be after all.
The burden of protecting the world, Naruto and Sasuke didn't just rest on her shoulders, only if she made it that way "Yeah I'm Sakura-chan's first best female friend while you're her first best male friend" Karui commented.
Sakura nodding along to the red head "Exactly" her cheeks warmed just barely and Cee caught the blush, Omoi flushed himself as he caught sight of the redness spreading across his friend/crushes face, though it was light in color, he could still see it very well.
Cee smirked to himself, sure of it now "Looks like a certain two genin have a little crush on each other" he whistled, both preteens turned and glared "Hehehe look at the time we really need to go see if Raikage-sama needs our help with anything" and then he and Darui were gone.
Omoi grumbled under his breath, while Sakura rolled her eyes and Karui was just confused "Right well I'm gonna get to the hotel before those guys forget to rent me a room" the white haired preteen rose to his feet.
"I'll take you Omoi, see you at the house Sakura-chan" Karui jumped up wanting to talk to Omoi for a little bit, since she'd spent the last month with Sakura and had barely been back to the Cloud Village, poor Omoi had been alone and she felt a little bad.
Sakura smiled "Go on take you're time Karui-chan" she waved before stretching and her back popped all the way to her tailbone "Please Kami-sama don't let anything take away their happiness" she murmured softly, all alone now and looking up at the sky.
Emerald orbs displaying her intense desire to protect not just Naruto and Sasuke but everyone, even if they were jerks sometimes, the world couldn't continue to be divided, how would they be able to save it if most people couldn't get along with each other.
"Thought they'd never leave now it's just us and you kid, tell us what's going on and don't give us some crap about how you think someones breaking into your house" Ao burst the little bubble that Sakura had created as she got lost in thought.
Her eyes snapped to his "Right there's no way you could have known after all, what are you plotting" once again Chojuro spoke without stuttering, all business at the moment, this was no time to play innocent.
Burning peridot eyes turned his way "I'm not plotting anything and my secrets are my own, I tell who I trust and right now only my friends and family are the ones I trust inexplicably" Sakura lowered her arms so they rested at her side.
Ao grit his teeth "Do you think it's wise to keep, keeping secrets from people, eventually someone is going to find out and you're going to be in a lot of trouble with the Hokage and you're Raikage as well" he warned.
Sakura grinned "But Hokage-san knows, though I'm not sure about Raikage-sama, I'll tell him eventually because I think it's imperative that I do so soon" she frowned lightly in thought, it was eating away at her, the guilt of keeping such a secret from her Kage.
When he'd been so kind to her when she'd been younger "And yet you won't tell us" Chojuro pointed out, fiddling with his glasses, he just had this feeling that whatever was going to happen wasn't going to be good and this girl would be in the thick of it all.
"Trust is earned not given, I've known my friends and family and Raikage-sama nearly my entire life give or take a few years, while I've only known you two and Mizukage-san for two weeks and sneaking around trying to eavesdrop makes me want to keep my secrets even more" Sakura stated.
Both males winced well more Chojuro than Ao who grimaced in response, so they hadn't exactly been subtle "Please tell me you aren't still training Sakura-chan" Nagato had decided to come and see what was taking his adopted niece so long since Karui had already returned to the house.
"Ah no Uncle I was just getting ready to come home" Sakura faced the red head with a kind smile, his purple ringed eyes softened in response and a warm smile curved his lips upwards, she shot the two Mist Shinobi a quick look before walking over to him and they left the training grounds.
And returned home where they all had dinner together before going to bed at their set times like usual, Sakura was ready for the dreams this time as she forced herself to stay asleep the entire night, so that Karui could get some rest to, so they'd be ready for the end of the exams.
When they woke, there were scratches all over her neck and hand shaped bruises "Sakura-chan what happened" Karui was horrified taking in the sight of her friend "Why didn't you wake me" she frowned thinking that she wasn't good enough.
"I..I made myself stay asleep so I could see what was going to happen, and that you could get some sleep as well, this always happens" Sakura winced healing herself of the bruises and scratches so that no one would be alarmed.
Karui covered her mouth "Oh Sakura-chan, I'm sorry, I'm sorry" she hugged the pinkette "I wish you didn't have to suffer like this" she cried softly not wanting to wake anyone, because it was only six in the morning.
"Me to Karui-chan, but hopefully after this I'll get a longer break from these blasted dreams, I was right the Sand Shinobi are in on the plot to destroy the Leaf Village, that red haired boy is the key" she smiled gently before grabbing up the notebook.
Then began writing in it so that both the Hokage and Fugaku were updated on what was going on, when she was done Sakura took a deep breath, "What are you going to do" Karui asked as they dressed for the day and headed out into the living room.
"For starters I'm going to tell Raikage-sama the truth, he deserves to know because it could interfere with missions sometimes" Sakura grimaced lightly making breakfast absentmindedly "Then training, I've skived these last few days, no more" she said.
Karui nodded "I've skived for this entire month a ninja should never think they are on vacation when something could happen at a moments notice that could mean life or death for them" her gold eyes narrowed intending on going all out.
Sakura's expression lightened "Taijutsu, kenjutsu and some jutsu's, we all need to be ready" Sakura stated simply flipping the pancakes, the batter had been easy to make because they had the powder kind in a box.
By the time they were done eating, with plenty of left overs, everyone else had woke and congregated to the kitchen, no one asked as the two girls headed off as they had for the last several days together, keeping close.
First as Sakura said was the hotel to speak to Ay, it was high time she'd told the man anyway, though when she and Karui got there, the Raikage, Darui, Cee and Omoi were no where to be found "Oh come on" Sakura threw her hands in the air frustrated.
"Let's try the training grounds Sakura-chan, they might be there because it's a frequent haunt of yours" Karui suggested as they changed directions to Team Seven's training grounds, even if it was one of the favorite places in the Leaf Village for Sakura.
But the Cloud Shinobi and the Raikage weren't there either "Okay change of plans, training now, tell Raikage-sama later" the pinkette huffed, getting the distinct feeling that they weren't going to find the man no matter how hard they searched.
Karui nodded seriously while Sakura made some water clones and had them sit off to the side "Don't take it easy on me Sakura-chan, just cause we're friends, face me seriously" she warned drawing her sword, it having been given to her as an early birthday present from her parents.
"You asked for it Karui-chan" Sakura launched herself at the red head, tantou out and their weapons clashed creating yellow sparks, emerald and gold locked as they fought to overpower one another with their blades.
It appeared Sakura had the upper hand though as she shoved upwards and Karui got knocked back being thrown off balance, but she twisted to avoid the blow that could have caused serious damage and raised her sword again to block the next one as she found her balance once more.
To be honest it was kind of fun sparring against her friend as she threw in her own attacks here and there unaware of the audience they were getting "Say Sakura-chan when you're walking on water what's the key to it, Samui wants to teach us but isn't very good at explaining" she asked.
"Ah at first you want to constantly reapply you're chakra to you're feet to account for every little wave or fish that might be in the water, until you grow use to doing it and can do it without thinking" Sakura explained.
"Hmm thanks Sakura-chan" Karui grinned shoving with all her strength against Sakura and swiping her blade diagonally at her friend, creating a little nick on the girls arm as their blades locked against each other again.
Sakura smiled "No problem Karui-chan" she rolled her shoulders twisting to the side and raising her tantou, "Unseal" she charged her little sword with a bit of chakra undoing the seal stained into the steel and a blast of water hit the red head square in the face.
"That was unfair using a water jutsu on me in the midst of a kenjutsu spar" Karui spluttered ducking low under the next swing "Wait a second I didn't see you use any hand signs though' her gold eyes widened.
Her friend grinned innocently "I didn't use any Karui-chan, the seal on the blade, it's a jutsu storage seal, which holds a mild water jutsu to distract an opponent" the pinkette said leaping back away from the girl that she was fighting against.
"Cool do you think you could do that for my sword to" Karui exclaimed in excitement as they ended their kenjutsu spar and took a few minutes to rest and drink some water and wipe away the sweat that had beaded on their foreheads.
"Indeed I wonder if the Cloud Village is really where you belong when you're element is clearly water" Mei, who'd been watching with Ao and Chojuro called drawing the two girls attention onto the fact they'd been followed once again.
Sakura tilted her head to the side and sheathed her sword after sealing a new water jutsu into the seal on her tantou "Water is in everything, our body, plants, the ground, the air, I can't explain my connection to it, but it's definitely my favorite element, I like the Cloud Village though" she smiled.
"Bunch of cave dwellers" a taunting voice washed over them and Sakura's head snapped in the newcomers direction and glowered lightly "Hehehe don't get you're panties in a twist Pinky, I'm playing" Anko snorted prancing forward.
Karui was wary "Just who are you and don't call Sakura-chan Pinky, I find the nickname insulting on Sakura-chan's behalf" she scowled sheathing her sword and stepping closer to her friend ready to defend at a moments notice.
"Relax Karui-chan, this is Anko-san though it does make me wonder are you stalking me again" Sakura gave the purple haired woman a cautious look, Anko had done it before after all just to mess with her.
Anko cackled madly "I want to make a bet with you, if I win the next time you get free time you have to do everything I ask for a week that includes paying for my dango, if I lose, I'll make you you're own poison and antidote to use in a fight" she offered.
Immediately Sakura narrowed her eyes "What's the bet Anko-san" she cracked her knuckles looking excited and wary all at the same time, the woman before her was one that should be dealt with carefully after all.
Pleased that the girl was taking the bait "I bet that the blondie Naruto Uzumaki loses his match against Neji Hyuga, that boy doesn't stand a chance after all" she taunted eager to hear what came out of the girls mouth.
Sakura straightened "Very well I bet that Naruto-kun will win, he might not become Chunin, but he'll beat Neji, he's doing it for Hinata-chan after all and to prove a point that you can change you're destiny" she stated simply.
"Your on Pinky just be ready for that knucklehead idiot to lose and be my slave for a week" Anko laughed crazily disappearing from the training grounds causing Sakura to groan and roll her eyes in response at the woman.
Who was completely "Unhinged, why the hell are you friends with someone who's lost their mind Sakura-chan and is crazy insane" Karui rounded on Sakura looking extremely confused and put out all in one go.
"Indeed are you unhinged as well girl, you seem like it half the time" Ao commented in an emotionless tone and got a glower from both girls that had been training prior to Anko's appearance on the field.
A snort came from Sakura "No, I'm just a bit unique, however Anko-san is crazy, and I'm not even sure if the relationship we have is counted as friendship Karui-chan, she stalks me, makes bets with me and always loses" Sakura said with a sigh.
Chojuro frowned "Why doe..does she st..stalk you" he asked as they all settled on the ground well he, Ao and Mei did, the two girls started in with another round of training, taijutsu this time, against the clones that had been sitting off to the side for some time now.
"Mm can't say for sure actually, I think I kind of pissed her off once, which was then followed by her making bets against me in that I always manage to win the bet and haven't lost once" Sakura announced swinging her foot out at her clone.
And ducked under one that tried to slam their fist into her skull, while punching out with her fist bending nearly in half and twisting gracefully out of the middle of the water clone barrage, they were all trying to gang up on her.
Two went flying the rest jumped back as the ground cracked beneath their feet and she and Karui stood back to back "Hey hand Sakura-chan" Karui used brute strength to swing her friend off her feet and throw her into a bunch of clones.
That definitely weren't made of water and were orange "Ahahahaha, find me if you can Sakura-chan" many Naruto voices shouted and Sakura blinked, her eye twitched and she searched through the sea of Naruto shadow clones for the original.
It was way to easy to find him, they'd been close for many years and she knew his chakra like the back of her hand "Baka" Sakura snagged the back of his shirt and what seemed like hundred of shadow clones poofed out of existence "Aren't you supposed to be training" she asked.
"Definitely thought for sure you wouldn't be able to find me this time and my dad released me for the afternoon, said I needed to spend time with you, Ero-sennin to" Naruto pouted up at the girl who'd once been the only person he could rely on.
Sakura's brows raised "That's what you're calling him now, pervy sage, I'm pretty sure Dad doesn't appreciate that one" she looked on at the blonde in disbelief as she released his orange shirt collar.
"Nope he doesn't like it in the least, anyway he said you were having some kind of issues and stuff so I thought we could hang out, I've been so busy training that I feel like I've abandoned you in a way" he frowned.
Her lips curved upwards "My issues have kind of been solved and I know that training for the final round of the Chunin Exams is important, good news though I get to watch you fight Neji and Sasuke against that….who is Sasuke fighting" her lips tugged towards in the next moment.
"That creepy red head Gaara from the Sand Village, he tried to kill Rock Lee during their match in the preliminaries, never, ever get near him do you understand Sakura-chan" the blonde warned in the most serious tone he'd ever used.
Sadly though his once upon a time adopted sister wasn't going to listen to his warning, because someone would have to get close to beat him "Right got it Naruto-kun" Sakura eventually mumbled quietly not even paying attention.
"Are we gonna practice still Sakura-chan" Karui piped in a moment later, glancing to the water "Do you think we could try the water walking exercise, I want to be ready before Samui decided to try and teach us" she suggested.
Sakura blinked and shared a smile with Naruto "I've kind of already learned, Naruto to, but once you get the hang of it, it's really easy, though have you practiced the flower cl…tree, I mean tree climbing exercise" a slip of the tongue and her cheeks turned red.
"No do I have to practice that first before I can do the water walking exercise" the red head frowned looking towards a cluster of tree, this kind of sucked to be honest, but she wanted to be on par with her friend.
Even Naruto nodded "Yeah cause it will help you practice chakra control so that it would make the water walking exercise easier, here I'll teach you Karui-chan" the blonde jumped up eager to help so that Sakura wasn't doing everything.
He knew something was going to happen, the least he could do was try not to cause to much trouble for her until it was all over and everyone was safe once again "Good idea, Naruto's practiced just as much as I have you're in good hands Karui-chan" Sakura nodded.
Sitting a ways away to watch a few minutes later, she decided that it was time to stop hiding what she'd been practicing for the last month and show off a little, Mei, Ao and Chojuro focused on the pinkette when the girl started going through unknown to them hand signs.
Ox, Horse, Dog, Hare, Monkey, Serpent, and finally Bird, Naruto and Karui paused in their own training as a small twister of water materialized in front of Sakura, spinning faster and faster as she focused all of her concentration on it.
Another hand sign, this time to unseal a battle fan, the scroll dropped to the ground and Sakura caught the fan one handed and hefted it back with chakra enhanced strength, Naruto choked on his tongue as chakra became palpable in the air.
Just as Sakura released the jutsu, it only being two meters tall, by the time her chakra hit it to enhance it, the jutsu was five meters tall and it went spinning out of control, losing shape and form and a whole lot of backlash.
Sakura hit the ground as a spike of water struck out and it flew overhead and she focused her attention on it "No you don't, not this time" she made another hand sign Boar this time and forced the jutsu to retain it's shape, using her chakra to ensure it didn't fail on her again.
This time her jutsu actually managed to keep it's form, for more than fifteen minutes before spinning out of existence "Ho..Holy THAT'S WHAT YOU'VE BEEN WORKING ON WITH THE SECOND HOKAGE ALL MONTH" Karui shouted in an accusing tone.
"Yes" her friend uncovered her head and stood slowly "Th..Though that's the first time I've managed to keep it from dying out on me after five minutes" Sakura rubbed her stomach, she'd hit the ground pretty hard to be honest to avoid being hit by the backlash of her jutsu.
Naruto laughed nervously "Sakura-chan you're a very scary girl, I wish we were still siblings, I was less susceptible to getting hit then" he edged backwards warily, he'd thought the time before was scary, now the girl was even more so when she actually had a working jutsu.
Partially anyway "What the hell is going on here" the Raikage chose that moment to appear on the training grounds, having seen the twister when they'd only been halfway there in the first place, since this was the place Sakura frequented.
"Raikage-sama" the pinkette twisted around emerald eyes wide, but determined, now wasn't the best time though to talk, "Oh ah I was using a jutsu that I've been making and working on all month, well for a month and a half, but I really only started this month" she scratched her cheek.
Ay's brows raised high into his hairline, and he went to commend her on making something from scratch "Are those bruises on you're neck" his beetle black eyes narrowed on the faded outline of bruising on the girls neck.
Sakura went rigid in her spot in front of him while Karui grabbed Naruto to keep him from shouting out her secret "Yes" she wouldn't lie, not to him "There's something I have to tell you" she pointed discretely off towards the distance.
He didn't argue, this was the Toad Sages and Legendary Medical Ninja's adopted daughter, he knew whatever the girl was going to say was going to be extremely important and started towards the rocks that littered the training grounds.
Her on his heels "Okay brat what's going on and I want the truth all of it" the Raikage demanded when they were hidden out of sight behind not only a sound proofing seal, but a barrier seal as well that made them invisible to the naked eye.
She inhaled deeply then released the breath she was holding "I know my dad never told you but er well there's no better way to say it other than that I can dream of the future, these dreams manifest themselves into nightmares and sometimes I..I end up strangling myself" Sakura admitted.
Ay was utterly horrified "What you mean the bruising on you're neck is because of you're own hands, is there anyway to get rid of it" he recoiled, how the hell did the girl even live with such an ability plaguing her, it was much like a curse.
"Nope, it's a kekkeigenkai, probably the last Seer on earth actually, though sometimes I can turn it off, but only when I'm exhausted and really will it to go away, other than that, I'm stuck with it until I die, I told you because you need to know that somethings going to happen in a few days" she said.
The Raikage tilted his head to the side, eyes narrowed once again, he didn't like the sounds of this "Have you told those Mist people" he asked Sakura shook her head "Probably for the best, I don't want to lose one of my best genin of this generation after all" he snorted.
Sakura smiled lightly at the humor in his tone "During one of the rounds, Sasuke's to be precise Orochimaru, Sand and the Sound Village are going to attack, Hokage-san is the Sannin's target" she went right back to being serious.
Ay breathed through his nose as his temper flared "Alright take this down, I won't breathe a word of what you've told me and I'll keep my eye out, you just stay the bloody hell out of trouble is that understood" he barked.
"Roger that Raikage-sama, I don't like to involve myself anyway unless strictly necessary" Sakura shrugged lightly glad that everything was going to work itself out in the end, hopefully anyway, she just had to see where her dreams would lead to next.