"What?! Did you hear that, guys?" Naruto twisted in his barstool, bits of noodles flying from his mouth. "We're going to Suna!" He grinned brightly, his shoulders virtually shaking in excitement.

Sakura, however, did not feel the same way.

Suna...

She glanced at Kakashi, scanning his features for any sign of insincerity, hoping- no, praying- that he was fooling them. Unfortunately for her, his expression was far from whimsical, bordering on grave resignation. Stay calm, Sakura, she murmured under her breath. Stay calm. We'll figure a way out of this.

"Why...why are the exams in Suna?" She asked, her voice shaking like leaves in the wind. Her heart felt as if it was running a marathon, leaping and bounding over hurdles at an increasing speed. Her nails subtly dug into the skin of her thigh, forcing herself to focus on the present. Now is not the time to get carried away in your thoughts, she coached herself. Gather as much information as you can, then theorize.

"Well, Sakura," Kakashi began, meeting her eyes. For a moment, Sakura was afraid that his sharp gaze managed to pick up on her discomfort. When his gaze shifted away towards Sasuke, however, she subtly sighed in relief. "I'm just about as surprised as you all are. As you probably know by now, for the past month or so, Suna has been dealing with a massive increase in sandstorms and natural disasters. The other hidden villages, mainly Konoha and Iwagakure, as well as other, smaller nations, have been lending a hand to the village in terms of emergency supplies and shelter. Konoha even decided to take in civilian refugees from Suna so that they can make a living while the economy is in turmoil."

And that's why the population in Konoha has increased, Sakura reasoned. It's why the Hyuga have more security and Ichiraku has more customers. She leaned forward on the squeaky barstool, intent on learning more about the situation from her sensei.

"In the past week, however, Suna has claimed that they have recovered from the disasters and are currently rebuilding their neighborhoods and civilian structures. The Village Hidden in the Sand has formally requested the other Hidden Villages to host the Chunin Exams, in thanks for helping them during their crisis. Just yesterday, the Kage's voted to grant Suna's request, making them the official host of this year's Chunin Exams."

"Just like that?" Sakura exclaimed, almost falling off her barstool. "They only started recovering from the sandstorms a week ago. Why would the Hokage grant their request to host? It was our turn to host the exams, right?"

Kakashi shrugged, giving Sakura a meaningful look. If the kunoichi observed him closely, though, she could see the flicker of uncertainty pass through his ash-grey eyes.

"I'm not quite sure why, Sakura," he admitted, releasing a drawn-out breath. He slouched in his stool, his gaze trained on the ground. "Whatever the reason, we need to trust that the Hokage knows what he's doing." He picked himself back up, meeting all of his students' gazes. "Anyway, you all need to start packing for the trip. We will leave at sunrise two days from now. Any questions?"

"Who else will be going?"

So far throughout the conversation, Sasuke hadn't said a word or commented about the Chunin Exams. Sakura, however, had a pretty good idea about what his thoughts were. Sasuke stared at Kakashi, his gaze strong and determined. Sakura could almost feel his aura change into something more heated, competitiveness virtually oozing out of him.

Their sensei gave an amused smile towards the Uchiha, likely internally chuckling at how predictable his student could be.

"Genin from all over the Five Great Nations," he replied with certainty. "Some will be rookies, just like you three, while others will be veterans of these exams. The best and the brightest from Iwagakure, Kirigakure, Kumogakure, Sunagakure, and of course, our very own Konoha. These shinobi will be your competition."

The ramen bar became eerily silent, the three genin each considering the implications of that statement and the gravity of the next exams. Out of the corner of her eye, Sakura could see Sasuke's fist clench his bowl tightly, his teeth gritting together as he stared at Kakashi. Her other teammate had a bright grin on his face, his cheeks, in essence, splitting from his excitement. Sakura, on the other hand, couldn't hide the grim expression on her face.

She grit her teeth, her fingers tightening around the hem of her shirt. This is wrong. This is all wrong.

What have I done?


Once the sun started setting and the night started creeping in, the four of them split ways, the exams weighing heavily on their minds. Sakura dragged herself back to her room, slipping through her bedroom window into the comfort of her private space. Leaving the windowsill up, she moved past her bed and vanity to the far corner of the room. She leaned against the wallpaper, painted golden by the sun's setting light. Her body sunk down to the hardwood floor, her arms circling her legs and her head dropping between her knees.

What do I do? The question burdened her mind, snatching her into the clutches of self-doubt. Hot, burning tears welled up in her jade eyes, her fingers clutching desperately at the sleeves of her shirt. Everything is so different...

She rubbed her eyes, wiping away unshed tears. I can't rely on anyone. No one here is the same. Naruto isn't the best friend I left behind, Tsunade-sama is the teacher I left behind, Konoha isn't the place I left behind. What am I supposed to do?

Sakura bit her lip hard, relishing in the brief distraction the pain brought. And now, the exams are in Suna. A place that I have barely been to, filled with strangers from the past. How am I supposed to predict how anything will happen? How am I supposed to stop Orochimaru if he goes after Sasuke? How am I supposed to protect anyone if there is another attack?

Her heart clenched painfully at the thought, tightening and twisting at the increasingly dark thoughts. She brought her head up, gasping for air through her choked tears. Images of the war flooded her mind, of brutal murders and fields littered bodies. She shook her head, pressing her palms to her face in an attempt to block out the all-too-real visions. What use is it coming back in time if I can't even protect the ones I love?

It felt as if she was falling deeper and deeper into the frigid waves of her mind, slowly sinking under the deep blue. I'm so alone. Tears fell down her cheeks unhampered, silent sobs coming from the young girl. Never before had she felt so helpless, so breakable. The cold water seeped into her lungs, slowly drowning her into the dark depths of her thoughts. I wish Shishou was here.

"Sakura, I'm so proud of you."

The memory of her master was etched deep into her mind, the tears streaming down her amber eyes. Her golden hair whipped about her from the power of the scroll, but her eyes were solely trained on Sakura. Her amber orbs flickered with sadness, but they were far from dull. Instead, they shone brightly of something the kunoichi knew well, the burning blaze that she had always carried deep within her heart.

The Will of Fire.

All of a sudden, the deep waters swirled around Sakura, her head bursting out of the water's surface. The frost around her heart slowly started melting, a familiar flame growing brighter and brighter, warming up her entire body. Shishou sent me here for a reason. She trusted me with this mission and bestowed it upon me as Hokage.

"I, Sakura Haruno, disciple of the Godaime," she whispered, her voice shaking, "am a Jonin of the Village Hidden in the Leaves." She pulled her head up from her knees, wiping the tears away from her cheeks. "I was assigned a mission-" She pushed herself up, leaning against the wall. "-to go back in time, back to when I was a genin-" She straightened herself up, fire bursting through her limbs. "-prevent the war-" Strength coursed through her veins, courage seeping once more into viridian orbs.

"-and protect Konoha at all costs."

I am not the weak girl I used to be, Sakura clenched her fist. I am a shinobi of Konoha, and it is my duty to protect it at all costs. No matter what the risk or the danger. I am prepared to lay down my life for my village.

She narrowed her eyes, her face hardening in determination. I need to protect Sasuke and Naruto from Orochimaru during these exams. This is not a test of my skills as a shinobi, but my will to protect the ones I love.

I will pass this test.

No matter what.


Sakura was out on the training grounds at the break of dawn.

She pushed her body rigorously, going through her conditioning routines over and over again. Her fists lashed out at the trees around her, explosions of chakra bursting through her fingers. She channeled her chakra throughout her body, straining her muscles to produce greater force. Broken trees and boulders surrounded her, beaten mercilessly by the kunoichi. Still, she didn't stop, beads of sweat on her forehead glistening in the morning light, her knuckles bruised and bloody.

"Shannaro!"

The kunoichi gathered her chakra at her feet, shooting forward with enhanced speed. Raising her fist, Sakura smashed it into a gigantic boulder, her fist colliding with the stubborn surface. The stone instantly crumbled like bread crumbs under the explosion of her chakra. The rocks roared and rumbled, disintegrating into a pile of rubble below her. Sakura smirked at the sight of the damage, breathing heavily at the exertion. Progress.

The time-traveler continued her routine while Konoha was just waking up, her arms growing strained and numb from the pressure. I need to grow stronger.

Once she had finished her morning training, Sakura gathered her weapon's holster and medical pouch, clipping them onto her thigh and waist respectively before heading back to her village. Her muscles were sore and aching, worn from her intense training session, but Sakura was in no mood to cut herself any slack. She endured the pain, ignoring the way her legs shook as she leaped from rooftop to rooftop in her village.

The fresh morning air soon became permeated by the smells of smoke and baked goods, signaling the end of the Konoha morning and the beginning of the noon rush. Shopkeepers waved their goods in the air, handing out sticks of dango to playful kids and charming young women with their brilliant gemstones and jewelry. Despite the tempting atmosphere of the village center, Sakura sprinted past the shops and stands, a single goal in her mind.

I may be stronger than I was before, but that doesn't mean that I won't need help in my mission.

Lost in thought, the kunoichi nearly slammed into one of the shoppers in the streets. The man, losing his balance, fell to the ground, groaning in pain at the collision. Sakura paused, fearfully scanning over the man for any injuries. Nope, he's fine, she sighed in relief.

"Sorry!" she exclaimed, moving past the pedestrian back to the rooftops.

Soon the noisy chaos of Konoha's center faded away as the kunoichi moved towards the outskirts of the village, mindful of the less stable structures and rooftops. She dodged the crumbling bricks and broken windows, making her way towards a familiar inn. She sped into the lobby, giving the receptionist a quick smile before speeding up the stairs. Once again she was greeted by the sickly wallpaper of the hotel hallway, the corners peeling off at the edges of the hallway.

The kunoichi slowed down as she neared a certain hotel room, raising her hand to knock on the door. I really hope she's here.

For a couple of moments, no one answered the door. A long pause filled the deserted hallway, and everything seemed to still be around Sakura. Her heart, however, was racing beyond control, determination pumping through her veins as her fists clenched. Come on, Tsunade-sama, she prayed. Please answer the door.

As if by some miracle, the blonde Sannin opened the door at that moment, staring down at her student with narrowed eyes and crossed arms. Her foot tapped impatiently on the hardwood floor, her eyes looking at Sakura in an expectant yet exasperated manner.

"Why do you always-"

"I need your help," Sakura interrupted, not bothering with formalities. Her jade eyes stared up at her master's with a hardened gaze, nothing whimsical in her tone. This is not longer a game of whether or not I can predict what's going to happen next. I'm a Jonin of the Hidden Leaf who has lived through war, and this situation is no different.

Tsunade immediately picked up on her student's tone, composing herself before meeting the genin's gaze.

These are not just exams.

This is war.

"Tsunade-sama, I would like you to teach me the art of Fuinjutsu."

And I do not intend to lose.


"So you want to learn Fuinjutsu, huh?" The medical-nin stood inside Tsunade's chambers, the door locked and the windows closed to ensure complete privacy. They both sat on the hardwood floor, forfeiting the comfort of the chairs in favor of a wider workspace. "What prompted this?"

"Well," Sakura shifted on the uncomfortable flooring, "remember how I told you that my teammate, Sasuke, had gotten the Cursed Seal of Heaven from Orochimaru during the Chunin exams in my previous life?"

Tsunade seemed to be considering her words for a moment, before nodding. "You want to be able to seal it in case he is given it again," she reasoned, smiling when Sakura nodded in confirmation. "I see. But," her smile fell away, "the only technique that can repress the curse seal is the Evil Sealing Method."

She paused in her sentence, but her implications were clear as she gave Sakura a meaningful look. The pink-haired kunoichi shook her head, meeting her master's strong gaze.

"I'm prepared to do whatever it takes," Sakura stated firmly, letting conviction seep into her voice.

Tsunade's amber orbs gazed at her student before a proud smirk settled on her face. "All right then," she replied, smiling at Sakura. "But I'm warning you: it will by no means be easy. The Evil Sealing Method is an A-rank fuinjutsu, and one of the hardest ones to master." She leaned forward, her eyes flickering at the challenge. "With your chakra control and intellect, not to mention your spirit, I believe that you have a fair chance of at least being able to perform it. When are the Chunin exams?"

Sakura smiled at her master's words, glad that she had accepted her request. "We depart for Suna the day after tomorrow."

The Sannin sighed, shaking her head with a small chuckle. "Much too little time for mastery, but it can work. If we are going to do this, we must begin immediately."

The time-traveler nodded, her expression determined and full of purpose. I need to be strong enough to protect the ones I love. "I'm ready."

The two medics stayed up deep into the night, when even the buzzing of the evening markets down and everyone had long retired to their beds. Tsunade taught Sakura all the necessary strokes to create the symbols for the sealing under the light of a dusty dim lamp, repeating them over and over until they were etched into her student's mind. The younger medic concentrated on her pathways for the majority of their session, quickly picking up how to activate the seal by the flow of her chakra. She breathed as the life-giving essence rushed through her like a river, pooling into the seal and activating its intricate symbols.

Her work was by no means perfect, but if there happened to be an emergency, Sakura could at least partially seal the mark before handing it over to a professional. Let's hope it never comes to that, she thought, focusing once more on the seal. By the early hours of the morning, the symbols were carved into her memory like writing on a stone tablet, to the point where drawing the seal was almost second nature to her. Her master's crash course on fuinjutsu had really paid off, as she was almost able to activate the seal fully with her chakra. When Tsunade sent her back to her home, she made sure that Sakura took with her some scrolls and exercises to practice even when she wasn't there.

The kunoichi thanked her master before giving one last goodbye, slipping out of the room window into the cold morning air. This will be the last time I see Shishou until after the Chunin exams, Sakura sighed. Who knows what the future has in stake for me.

She traveled through the sleeping town, hopping on rooftops as the warm rays of the newborn sun caressed her face. Shades of cream and blush colored over Konoha's streets like crayons, bringing the town to life once more. Sakura squinted her eyes, a little unaccustomed to the natural light after hours of being holed up in Tsunade's apartment. Once she neared her house, Sakura slipped through her bedroom window, not wasting a second before collapsing onto her bed.

The room felt warmer than the last time she had been here, with the sun's fingers reaching through the window and touching every corner of the room. Sakura snuggled into the fresh pillows and blankets, too tired to undress and change into her pajamas. It wasn't long before Sleep invited her back into its den, embracing her with pure, dreamless rest.


"Sakura? Are you home?" The voice carried through the walls of the house, eventually penetrating Sakura's peaceful room.

"Hm?" The kunoichi stirred from her sleep, her blanket falling off of her onto the floor. Her body almost missed the warmth of the covers, but they were quickly replaced by the bright sunshine flooding her room through the window. The sunflower yellow wallpaper glowed in the lighting, bringing a refreshing, optimistic atmosphere to the tiny room. Sakura yawned, savoring the burn of her sore muscles as she stretched her arms up into the air.

A pleasant smile settled on her face, her mind much more relaxed after her much needed nap. What time is it? She glanced over at her alarm clock, which displayed the numbers '10:00' on her nightstand. Only ten o'clock? I expected it to be much later.

Suddenly, her door opened with a click. Her hand grabbed a kunai out of her weapons pouch reflexively, holding it out in front of her with caution. When she saw it was only her mother, Sakura swiftly slipped the kunai under the covers.

"Sweetheart?" Mebuki softly called as she entered the room, pushing open the wooden door. Green eyes met each other from across the room, taking in each other's appearances. Mebuki smiled warmly at her daughter, leaning against the doorway. "There you are. Still haven't gotten up from bed yet?"

"Mom," Sakura whined as she rolled over on her bed, trying to escape her mom's teasing. "It's my day off. Plus, I had a really long night."

"Sure you did," the woman chuckled, shaking her head at her daughter's antics. "There's some food downstairs if you feel hungry. I'll let you rest for now, but, once you're ready, join me and your father downstairs. It's been a while since we've all talked together." She gave one last loving look before softly closing the door, leaving Sakura in silence once again.

The kunoichi sighed, rolling off her bed and shaking off the urge to cuddle up with the covers once more. I should probably tell Mom and Dad about the Chunin exams, she thought, massaging her neck. They should know that I'm going to Suna tomorrow.

Speaking of which, Sakura unclipped her weapon holster and medical pouch, they aren't the only ones I have to inform about my leaving. I should probably pay a visit to Dr. Yami as well. Sakura's hospital supervisor had been very lenient with Sakura, especially in regards to her turbulent schedule as a shinobi. Despite her strict and stubborn nature, the doctor was kind enough to let the kunoichi continue to be her assistant, even though she wouldn't be able to come in most days. The only condition was that Sakura inform her about the reason she wouldn't be able to show up to work first.

Running to the bathroom, Sakura took a speedy shower before tossing all of her shinobi clothing into the laundry, which desperately needed to be washed. She unclipped the bracelet the old woman gave to her, setting down the chain on her vanity, and combed her messy morning hair. Deciding to wear casual clothes for the day, the kunoichi picked out a high-waisted, mini pencil skirt that reached mid-thigh and matched the color of her blush locks. She paired the skirt with a long-sleeve, tight black top that had the Haruno symbol printed in white boldly on the back. Giving her appearance one last glance in the vanity mirror, Sakura slipped out of her room, her feet padding down the stairs.

She was greeted by the image of her father and mother curled up on the couch together, both seeming to be in deep discussion. Walking towards them, Sakura plopped onto the couch beside her father, curling herself up onto the cushions. He shifted towards her, pulling her into a tight side-hug with his arm along with her mother.

"What's this, Mebuki?" Kizashi teased, his eyes sparkling like the sunshine on ocean water. "Our daughter has finally decided to pay attention to her poor parents? Is the life of a ninja starting to bore you, honey?"

"Come on, Dad," Sakura grumbled, moving away from his tightening grip. Kizashi's smile grew into a wide grin, his hand moving to ruffle his daughter's hair. She waved his hand away, growing more irritated as she patted down her locks. "What were you two talking about?"

"Oh nothing," Mebuki chimed in, reaching to help Sakura with her hair. "We were mainly talking about your father's experience yesterday. One of the young shinobi nearly crashed into him while he was shopping. Can you believe how reckless kids are these days?"

"Yeah," Sakura chuckled, before pausing abruptly. Wait...yesterday? A faint memory resurfaced in the kunoichi's mind in which she slammed into a poor shopper on her quest to find Tsunade. Was that Dad?

"Sakura, honey, are you okay?" Mebuki cupped her daughter's cheek, giving her a look full of concern.

"Yeah, sorry," Sakura replied with a strained smile. Sorry, Dad. "I just...remembered something."

"Okay, Miss Airhead," her father whistled, pinching her cheek playfully. "So, how are things going with training?"

Oh, right, Sakura remembered. I should probably tell them about the exams now. "Actually, I've been wanting to talk to you both. You remember the Chunin exams, right?" Her parents both nodded, giving her their full attention. "Well," she bit her lip, "they are in Suna this year. That means that I will have to go stay there for the duration of the exams."

"How long are the exams?" Mebuki asked immediately, leaning across her husband to come closer to her daughter.

The kunoichi averted her eyes, feeling a strange sense of guilt. "Well, I'm guessing about two to three weeks. And that's excluding the possibility that we hold preliminaries." At this, her parents became silent, sharing a glance before turning their attention back to their daughter.

"Don't worry about us, dear," her mom reassured, reaching her arms around the girl. "We'll be fine without you. You just take care of yourself out there, okay?" Sakura tightened her arms around her mother as well, before both of them were enveloped by a big bear hug by Kizashi.

"And don't forget to beat everyone up!" he joked, giving her a wide grin. Mebuki shifted in their family cuddle to smack the back of her husband's head.

"Don't say stupid things," she grumbled as he rubbed his head. She turned her attention back to her daughter's jade eyes, pulling away and laying her hands on her shoulders. "Remember," she whispered, "it's good to be strong, but it's better to be smart. Use that brain of yours, and use it well."

"Are you saying our daughter isn't strong, Mebuki?" Kizashi teased, earning an irritated look from her.

"Of course my daughter is strong," she snapped back. "She's a Haruno, after all."

"I'm just saying-"

"I don't want to hear-"

"Well-"

The two dissolved into their usual bickering, barking at each other like dogs. Sakura smiled fondly watching them, comforted by the familiarity of the scene. They've always supported me, no matter what. On impulse, the kunoichi threw her arms around her parents, halting their argument with a sweet embrace.

"I'll miss you both," she whispered, burying her head in their chests. Their arms closed around her as well, pulling them all into a silent family moment.

"We'll miss you too, sweetheart," Mebuki whispered in her ear, rubbing her back tenderly. "I know you can make Chunin." She pulled away, once again resting her hands on her daughter's shoulders and meeting her gaze. "I've seen you get up early in the mornings and come back late at night, looking exhausted. Even though your father and I are civilians, you have the blood and the spirit of a shinobi. We believe in you."

"Thank you," the kunoichi smiled brightly, squeezing her mom's shoulder. She pulled away, standing up from the couch. "I have to go meet Dr. Yami and tell her as well. I'll see you both when I get home."

Her parents waved goodbye, before diving back into another discussion from their perch on the couch. Sakura couldn't help but stare at the scene, soaking up all the warmth and happiness they radiated. Shaking her head, she walked towards the door, slipping on her black ninja boots before heading out into the street.


Pale moonlight drifted through the glass window, illuminating the shadowed room in the darkness of the night. The sweet music of silence filled the air, adding a tranquil effect to the atmosphere. Sakura sighed deeply, savoring the peaceful moment as she snuggled her head into her cool pillow.

When Sakura had left to see her hospital supervisor, she had learned that Dr. Yami was in the middle of an important case. After half an hour, she had called Sakura to meet in her office, where the kunoichi informed her supervisor about the exams and her absence at the hospital. Thankfully, the doctor didn't seem to particularly care that Sakura was leaving, dismissing her almost as soon as she finished her explanation. Well, at least she didn't fire me, Sakura thought. Another person can easily cover my shift anyway.

Afterward, the pink-haired kunoichi had decided to stroll around Konoha, taking the time to appreciate her village. I'll miss this place, she smiled sadly, taking in all the details of her bedroom. After an hour or two of walking around the streets, she returned back to her humble abode, turning her attention back to her trip to Suna. She had spent a solid two hours packing for the trip, grabbing a backpack from her closet and filling it with supplies and necessities. Extra clothes, kunai, senbon, her sealing scrolls, gloves, and toiletries were safely tucked away in the bag, along with any emergency food pills or items that she could get her hands on. Sakura even added some vials of poison, herbs, and medical supplies she had managed to swipe from the hospital when no one was looking.

At the moment, the time-traveler laid on her cool mattress, watching the angry red letters of her alarm pierce through the darkness. Eleven o'clock, she observed. I should probably go train now. I doubt that there's anyone on the grounds at this hour. Almost reluctantly the kunoichi rolled off her bed, changing out of her casual clothes into more suitable, training clothes. She slipped on a cropped red hoodie with the Haruno symbol on the back, along with a pair of black capris.

Sneaking out of the bedroom window, Sakura traveled through the frigid night, glad that she had decided to wear warmer clothes. Street lamps and indoor lights illuminated the path in front of her, the dull chatter from late-night shoppers buzzing in the air. As she neared the training area, though, the number of people on the streets had reduced significantly, until only one or two people could be seen strolling on the street. Leaping onto a nearby tree, Sakura dived into the forest, hopping from branch to branch.

The kunoichi smiled as she stretched out her arms, enjoying the feeling of the air rushing past her and the solitude the woods brought. It smells like pine, Sakura inhaled deeply. And...burning? She stopped abruptly on the nearest branch, crouching low as she once again sniffed the air. That's the smell of burning wood. Curious, the kunoichi scanned the area around her, peering through the shadows and the trees.

All of a sudden, little sparks flickered in the distance. There!

She sprinted through woodland, her steps light as a feather while she concealed her chakra. As she moved closer, the sparks became bigger and brighter, soon morphing into flames that consumed the trees around her. The scent of burning wood grew more powerful, eventually outweighing all the other scents of the forest. Silently, Sakura crouched on a branch, peering through the trees at the culprit of the fires.

"Sasuke?"

The Uchiha stood in the middle of the burning embers, his hands frozen in mid-seal. He immediately spun towards Sakura, crimson eyes searching for her in the dark. His dark hair stood out against the vibrant orange flames, the light flickering over his pale face. Sakura hopped down from her perch, giving a small smile in greeting to her teammate.

"Relax, it's just me," she reassured, referring to his active Sharingan. As if just realizing this, Sasuke sighed, dropping his defensive stance and deactivating his Sharingan.

"What are you doing out here?" He asked, his onyx orbs studying her intently.

"Same as you," she replied. "Training. Apparently, I'm not the only one who's excited about the exams." She gave the boy a sly smirk, who replied with a scowl. Despite his calm composure, Sakura could tell how intent Sasuke was about winning the exams, or at least measuring his strength against other competitors. Sasuke loves challenging himself and pushing his limits, mostly due to his goal to defeat his brother. Sakura released a small breath, shaking her head. I guess I can't blame him, though. I do the same, except my goal is to protect those I love.

"While we're both here, though," Sakura continued, a challenging look flickering through her eyes. "How about we spar?"

At this, Sasuke seemed to perk up. "Alright," he agreed, a competitive edge to his tone. "What are the rules?"

"How about a taijutsu only spar?" the kunoichi suggested, resting a hand on her hip. "The last time we sparred, we mostly used our ninjutsu."

Sasuke silently nodded his head, the single tomoe of his Sharingan spinning in his eyes. His lips lifted into a small smirk, his body dropping into an offensive position. Sakura mirrored him, letting chakra pool into her fists in anticipation.

"Alright then." She narrowed her eyes. "Let's begin."

The Uchiha immediately flashed forward, his Sharingan spinning wildly as his hand shot out at her stomach. Sakura promptly dodged, twisting out of the way and grabbing his arm, aiming to flip him. Sasuke seemed to anticipate this, moving his arm away in the nick of time before flipping back to put distance between them. They both stood a couple of feet apart, staring at each other in silence. He can anticipate my attacks better with the Sharingan, Sakura observed, watching him study her silently. My biggest advantage at the moment is my strength. Unfortunately, that isn't at peak performance.

Sasuke rushed forward, delivering an onslaught of kicks and punches, trying to catch her off guard. She dodged each one, stepping back as he pushed forward with his attacks. Blocking a punch at her chest, Sakura suddenly dropped to the forest floor, sweeping a kick under his legs. The Uchiha jumped, avoiding her attack, before lashing out his sandal at her head. She rolled out of the way, picking herself back up and dropping into an offensive stance. Gathering her chakra, the kunoichi aimed a punch at the boy's stomach, who barely managed to side-step her blow. Sakura twisted, her elbow shooting out to jab at his chest.

In one motion, Sasuke grabbed her elbow, twisting her arm behind her back and forcing her to the floor. Before her knees could give out, though, Sakura shifted her grip, latching her hand onto Sasuke's arm. Gathering her chakra once more, Sakura twisted her body, pulling Sasuke in front of her.

"Shannaro!"

In one second, she slammed her teammate to the ground, careful not to injure him too much. Sasuke groaned in pain beneath her, his body tensing after the blow. Sakura, feeling a little guilty, kneeled beside him, offering an apologetic smile as he sat up. He refused to meet her gaze, his bangs covering his expression as he panted.

"Sorry, Sasuke," she apologized, resting a hand on his shoulder. "I didn't mean for that last attack to be so hard."

Sasuke merely shrugged her hand off before meeting her gaze. His eyes were cold and determined, narrowing into slits as they studied her.

"Again." His mouth was formed into a frown, his expression hardened with resolve.

"Again?" Sakura tilted her head in confusion.

"Let's spar again," he stated once more, picking himself up. Sakura did the same, observing how the Uchiha dropped once more into a battle stance. Crimson eyes pierced through the darkness of the night, stronger than the moon's pale glow. Bringing her hands up into a sparring stance, Sakura mirrored the boy in front of her, her eyes narrowing challengingly. He really doesn't like to lose, huh?

"Alright," she agreed, widening her stance. "But let's make it more interesting. How about we use weapons this time?"

Sasuke smirked, immediately whipping out a kunai. I'll take that as a yes. They both stood on the grounds, the wind playing with their hair as the soft moonlight illuminated the burnt trees around them. He seems more serious this time, Sakura observed, clenching her fists. Jade eyes met obsidian orbs, locked in a silent battle. The crackling of dried leaves in the wind filled the air, only making the atmosphere more tense.

The Uchiha sprinted forward, closing the distance between him and Sakura. The kunoichi stood still in her stance, Sasuke rapidly closing in on her. I hope this works. At the last moment, she slammed her fist into the ground, cracking the earth beneath her in one blow. Granted, her punch wasn't nearly as powerful as the one in her previous life, but it was enough to send Sasuke reeling back to avoid the tremor. His expression was twisted into shock as he quickly leaped back to avoid the blow. Sakura didn't allow him a moment of rest and gathered chakra at her feet, bursting forward at high speed.

She aimed a punch at his gut, confident that he wouldn't be able to dodge. He surprised her, however, when he twisted out of the way at the last second and slashed his kunai at her arm. Warm liquid ran down the skin of her arm, dropping down onto the forest floor. Ignoring the wound, Sakura slipped a kunai out of her pouch. Their weapons clashed, two pairs of eyes narrowing at each other from opposite sides of the blades.

In one motion, the kunoichi pushed the Uchiha away from her, kneeing him in the gut before following through with a kick to his head. Sasuke managed to avoid the kick, grabbing her leg and pulling her towards the ground. They struggled for a couple of minutes on the grass, narrowly avoiding kunai and jabbing with their knees and elbows. Sakura grit her teeth as she pushed the Uchiha away from her, leaping backwards. She dropped low into her battle stance. Sasuke did the same.

Sakura clenched her fists, gathering her chakra as she unleashed a barrage of kicks and punches at her teammate. The Uchiha dodged each and every one of them, his Sharingan spinning furiously as he avoided the devastating blows. He's dodging every one? Sakura noticed in disbelief. Twisting away from her punch, Sasuke swiftly kicked her stomach while she was distracted. The kunoichi leaped back, clutching her stomach at the blow. Sasuke stood on the other side of the field, his lips tilted into a slight smirk as his Sharingan studied her.

"Don't lose your focus," he chided, his tone smug and teasing. She smiled at him, rolling her eyes at the comment.

"Don't act too cocky, Sasuke," she replied. "You haven't won yet." She narrowed her eyes at him, a challenging smirk resting on both of their faces.

He was never this strong as a genin in his previous life. Sakura let her chakra flow into her hand, healing the bruise on her stomach. He's been training more often, that's for sure.

She lifted her fists once more before her, feeling the more calm and rational part of her take over. If I'm going to defeat him, I'll need to catch him by surprise. She rushed forward once more, closing the distance between her and Sasuke. She feigned a punch at his chest, waiting until the last moment as he dodged her blow. She redirected her fist to his wrist, grabbing it before flipping him onto the ground. Unfortunately for her, Sasuke caught on to her plan quickly and pulled her down with him. They wrestled on the soft grass, each trying to gain the upper hand on the other. They eventually ended at a stalemate, with each of them pointing the kunai at each other's necks.

The cool midnight breeze rushed over the genin, singing softly in the peaceful stillness. Thin blades of grass tickled Sakura's ears, her blush locks sprawled out under her as she lay against the forest floor. Her honeydew eyes gazed up at vermillion orbs which eventually softened into the shade of ink. For some reason, the kunoichi suddenly became very aware of his body on top of hers and the way his warm breath tickled her nose. The scent of firewood and ashes filled her senses, her cheeks warming as she stared up at his face. His eyes watched her with an unreadable expression, his bangs brushing against her face like the fur of a black cat.

After a couple of moments, he rolled off of her, laying beside her on the cool grass. The warm feeling in her cheeks never left her, though, the feeling enveloping her in a cozy blanket. Releasing a long breath, she gazed up at the sky above her, a small smile on her lips.

"That was fun," she whispered into the night, rolling over to face her teammate. Sasuke nodded as he gazed up at the stars, a light smirk accompanying his lips. A comfortable silence descended upon the two genin who took their time catching their breath after the intense spar.

As time went on, though, unwelcome thoughts started crowding Sakura's mind. Her smile fell from her lips, her body losing the warm, fuzzy feeling from earlier.

"I can't believe the exams are in Suna," she whispered under her breath, more to herself than to Sasuke. Her body shivered from the feeling of the wet grass soaking her clothes. She shifted her body, trying to get into a more comfortable position when she felt a stinging on her arm.

"What...?" The gash from their spar earlier was still bleeding on her upper arm, the blood spilling out from the untreated cut. Sakura immediately clamped her hand over the wound, using her medical ninjutsu to stop the blood flow and heal the cut. She turned to see Sasuke looking up at her in curiosity. She lifted her arm, silently showing him the injury. A frown settled on his face at the sight, his eyes studying her as she healed the wound.

Sensing his guilt, Sakura smiled at him warmly. "Don't worry, it's only a minor cut," she reassured, lifting her hand. Her skin looked almost brand new, no longer marred by the gash. "Besides, it was a spar. It doesn't really matter."

Which reminds me...

"Do you have any injuries?" the medic asked, her eyes scanning over his form to pinpoint any wounds. An onyx gaze silently watched her for a moment or two, before Sasuke released a small sigh. Kneeling upon the forest floor, he turned around pointing to his back.

"Here." He motioned to his back. Of course, Sakura scolded herself. I punched him on the back in our last spar. Crawling over to him, Sakura lifted his shirt, exposing his pale skin to the moonlight. Ugly blues and purples bloomed on his back, angry red marks surrounding the bruised area. Her eyes widened at the sight, surprised that he hadn't told her about the injury before. Of course he didn't tell me, she clenched her teeth. Stupid Sasuke.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me about this earlier?" Sakura seethed, lightly smacking the back of Sasuke's head. "You hid this during the entire second spar? What's wrong with you?" And why didn't I pick it up, she berated herself. Damn it, Sasuke. You idiot.

The Uchiha tilted his head, throwing daggers at her through his glare. She simply ignored him, wrinkling her nose at his stare before laying her hands on his back. She took a deep breath, letting her anger melt away as she focused on his wounds. Her palm soon became enveloped in the misty mint-green light, her cool chakra seeping into his skin and soothing his angry bruise. His skin felt warm under her touch, the violets and indigos slowly fading away as she healed them. The entire time Sasuke kept his eyes straight ahead of him, refusing to meet her gaze as she worked. He's so stubborn, she complained in her head, finishing up her work. What am I going to do with him?

"All done," she mumbled, pulling his shirt back down. She picked herself up, brushing all the grass and dirt off her capris. "But you better promise me you'll tell me if you're ever injured, okay?"

Standing up as well, the Uchiha rolled his eyes at her demand, meeting her steadfast gaze. "Fine," he relented, crossing his arms with an irritated expression. "You're just as annoying as Naruto, you know that?"

Sakura smiled, brushing off his mild insult. "Yeah, but you like me more," she teased, poking his chest. Sasuke's lips lifted into a slight smirk, waving her hand away.

"Anyway," the kunoichi continued. She turned around, looking back to wave at her teammate. "I'll see you at sunrise."

The Uchiha simply waved his hand, reverting back to his nonchalant expression. Leaping back up onto the nearest tree, Sakura glanced back, watching Sasuke's form disappear into the trees before she began her journey home.

By dawn, Sakura was at the village gates.

She twirled the bracelet on her wrist, tapping her feet in anticipation. Once again she was the first person at the meeting spot, with no one to accompany her other than the guards at the gate who, at the moment, were fast asleep. The kunoichi played with the strap of her backpack, pacing along the front of the gates.

"Sakura-chan!"

At the sound of her name, Sakura smiled running up to meet her blond teammate. His arms curled around her, giving her a big bear hug as if he hadn't seen her in many years. Not far behind him was Sasuke, walking towards the gates with his hands in his pockets.

"We're going to be Chunin, Sakura-chan! Chunin!" Naruto yelled, a grin splitting the whiskers on his cheeks.

"Don't get your hopes up, Dobe," Sasuke spoke nonchalantly, leaning against one of the beams of the gate. Sakura threw a glare at Sasuke, who merely shrugged and looked away.

"Are you all ready?" All of a sudden, their sensei appeared from a burst of smoke, his favorite novel perched on his hand. He smiled at them when they all nodded, tilting his head towards the forest. "Then, let's get going."

Glancing back, Sakura observed Konoha's peaceful streets and buildings, memorizing the layout of the village and the atmosphere surrounding it. I'm going to miss this place, she smiled wistfully.

"Sakura-chan, come on!"

"I'm coming," Sakura yelled back, running up to join her teammates as they all began their journey to the hostile deserts of the Village Hidden in the Sand.


Hello readers!

This chapter is a bit longer than the usual ones, but that's because there was a lot that needed to be done before Team Seven actually left for the exams. Here are a couple questions to theorize over:

How do you think Sakura will handle the upcoming exams while trying to protect Naruto and Sasuke?

What do you think the exams will be like in Suna?

How do you think Sasuke and Sakura's relationship is progressing?

Of course, there's tons more stuff to think over ; )

Thank you so much for reading/supporting this story! I really appreciate all of your comments and suggestions (they're all so fun to read)! I hope you all stay happy and healthy the rest of this week. : )