When Sakura showed up to breakfast the next morning dressed in her kataginu and hakama, she set a pile of clothes down before Mangetsu "I wasn't sure about the exact measurements but they should fit you" Sakura explained.
Darui hid a smirk behind his hand at the man's gobsmacked expression that the kid had made him clothes "Why" Mangetsu frowned, extremely surprised at the girls kindness, it wasn't what he expected to be honest.
"You needed clothes….ah you were about to say that you could just buy them right, with what imaginary money" Sakura answered simply and held up her hand interrupting him as he was about to speak and say just that probably.
Mangetsu paused then realized she was right, he had nothing except for the clothes on his back "Go get your food Sakura" Mifune shooed his great grand niece off, shaking his head in amusement at her antics.
She flashed him a sweet smile then disappeared for a few minutes and returned with a tray in hand before taking a seat next to him as had become the norm for her, they finished eating at the same time which meant training now.
And the two wandered from the mess hall to get the spars underway "Trust that to happen more often if you hang around the kid, she's selfless and she'd do anything to help a person who hasn't wronged her in some way" Darui commented.
Now that he was alone with the revived Kiri-nin "Really, no offense but that's stupid, I'm a literal stranger after helping me out of the cold she doesn't have any obligation to continue helping me" Mangetsu scoffed.
The man across him grinned "Maybe, it's just how she is though, always has been, wrong her though and not even the kami could save you from her wrath" Darui shrugged, imparting a warning about Sakura as well.
Purple irises narrowed, Darui said nothing more however, merely rested his chin on his closed fist and closed his eyes, Mangetsu spied the selfless gift he'd received and figured he could at least try them on to see if they fit.
His decision signaled his departure from the cafeteria and when he returned he was wearing the dull light purple ankle length pants, complete with pockets and a pin stripped long sleeved black shirt that had fit him perfectly.
It had shocked him further that Sakura had managed to get his exact measurements on the first try, what Mangetsu didn't know though was that the clothes he was wearing it had taken Sakura seven tries to get just right.
Because like she'd told him, she hadn't exactly been sure of his measurements "What can I do to return the favor" Mangetsu questioned, seeing that Darui was still sitting in the same exact spot he'd left the man sitting in twenty minutes earlier.
Looking like he hadn't moved an inch "Hmm ah fit do they…and the Kid's complicated like that so I have no clue what she'd want in return, she probably wasn't even thinking that far ahead beyond giving you clothes" Darui shrugged.
Unsurprised that Sakura was a budding seamstress "Your training her right, perhaps I could teach her something, a unique Kirigakure jutsu if she has the nature for it" Mangetsu suggested, thinking of an appropriate idea.
Charcoal irises flashed his way "Alright, I think Sakura will like the challenge instead of being repeatedly frustrated over what I'm teaching her" Darui chuckled, knowing it was good to switch things up from time to time.
"Aren't you going to fetch her" Mangetsu prodded when Darui didn't move, instead the man shook his head massively confusing him "But aren't you training her, should she really be goofing off" Mangetsu asked.
Finally managing to get a response "Kid's already training at the moment, with the Samurai, she's learning kenjutsu under Mifune-dono and there's still about forty minutes before the morning spars end" Darui explained.
Eyeing the clock briefly "So that's why she left with that guy, come to think of it she was also sitting awfully close to him to" Mangetsu mused aloud, fishing for more information about the pinkette.
"Mifune is Sakura's great grand uncle on her mothers side of the family, they only recently met each other about a month and a half ago" Darui declared, enjoying the way Mangetsu spluttered in surprise because it really was a shocker.
Thankfully Mangetsu did quiet down and they spent the remaining thirty five minutes in silence until the doors to the mess hall opened signaling Mifune and Sakura's return "Whoa what happened" Darui blinked.
Sitting up at Sakura's bedraggled appearance "One of the samurai picked a fight with her I'm ashamed to say, and he won't be getting away with that without some form of punishment even after the thrashing she gave him" Mifune informed.
Directing that mostly at Sakura who nodded sharply in understanding jade eyes alight with fury, Mifune turned on his heel leaving in order to deal with his mouthy subordinate "Surely whatever the man said wasn't that bad" Mangetsu frowned.
Thinking she was overreacting, anger burned brightly within her pupils and it was clear she was holding herself back from snapping at him as she grew more rigid "Before we practice I need….." Sakura grit out through tightly clenched teeth, Darui held up his hand stopping her from speaking.
Already knowing what she needed "Go Sakura, I'll meet you in the training room we've been using for training" Darui waved the pinkette off, she was gone in a flurry of pink petals and four minutes later he felt the shock wave of her chakra.
Followed by the ground shaking as she got out her pent up aggression, Mangetsu paled slightly "If your wondering, the one who challenged her said some things that he shouldn't have said" Urakaku approached.
Seeing the Kumo-nin's grimace "Like what exactly" Mangetsu asked, wondering what he'd gotten himself into after coming back to life, this new chance was turning out to be quite complicated courtesy of a pink haired girl.
"Implied that she was unworthy and undeserving of being in Mifune-dono's presence or learning our way, called her various foul names but what incensed her the most was Karin-ojou being insulted that she was nothing more than a leech who didn't deserve even pity" Urakaku said.
Darui rubbed his face "Of course its all about Karin" Darui groaned "Was there anything else said so that I can cheer her up if I need to" Darui prodded, but Urakaku shook his head indicating that he'd said all that had happened.
Urakaku wandered off at that so Darui decided it was high time to head for the exercise room where Sakura showed up ten minutes after him, wearing her now usual outfit and calm unlike twenty minutes before hand.
When Darui lifted his brow Mangetsu remembered what he thought up earlier "Right pardon my intrusion of your training but I figured out an appropriate return gift for the clothes" Mangetsu cleared his throat.
Taking a step forward and drawing her attention onto him "I'm glad that they fit you alright, only took me like seven tries" Sakura admitted in relief, managing a small smile that Darui relaxed at, though he did grimace at her bandaged hands.
After the initial release of chakra she hadn't used anymore merely bloodied her fists on whatever rock she'd been able to find probably "Heh anyway I'm going to teach you a Kirigakure signature water release jutsu called the Water Whip" Mangetsu snorted.
Still touched that she'd tried that hard even knowing the truth "Ooh that's one I didn't know about" Sakura bounced, facing him and giving Mangetsu her full attention, the Hozuki scratched his head for a moment.
Clearly a little discombobulated about her eagerness "Just try not to be to frustrated if you don't get it right away okay Kitten, anyway here's the hand signs, Suiton: Water Whip" Mangetsu smiled indulgently.
Before demonstrating the jutsu on a water clone, Sakura watched his every move closely "My turn now" Sakura grinned, flashing through some hand signs to make a shadow clone then weaved the seals to the jutsu she'd just been taught.
Focusing her chakra expertly "Suiton: Water Whip" a water based whip formed in her hand and she whipped it out at her clone but it stopped short by three inches "Darn" Sakura crinkled her nose lightly as the whip lost form and splashed uselessly onto the floor.
"Keep trying Kid, also I'm limiting your practice for that to thirty minutes" Darui encouraged, knowing that with a regular jutsu it wouldn't take Sakura long to figure out the theory behind it and execute it properly.
She nodded then tried the jutsu again, channeling a bit more chakra into the water whip jutsu, again when it had formed Sakura snapped it out at her clone, concentrating but it again fell short though it retained some of its shape not completely.
Her third try at it Sakura managed to make it long enough to reach her clone and heave it up into the air before the whip fell apart when her clone landed neatly on its feet Sakura marched a little closer "Suiton: Water Whip" Sakura called out.
Whipping out the water whip and it snapped around her shadow clones waist, focusing more chakra into making it keep form Sakura snapped her arm up and down quickly "There one last try ought to do it" Sakura grinned.
As her clone hit the ground and dispelled in a poof of smoke from the impact "Better hurry your thirty minutes are almost up" Mangetsu commented, not letting on that he was surprised at how quickly she was getting this jutsu down.
On Sakura's final try of the Water Whip, she executed it damn near perfectly, sure it could use a little refinement because it wasn't perfect by any means but at least she could use it in a fight without to much trouble.
Which meant it was now time to switch back over to her regular practice "Show me how you've progressed so far Kid, then I'll teach you a new one" Darui requested, wanting to make absolutely sure that Sakura had gotten the first Gale style jutsu.
"Understood Darui-sensei" Sakura relented and brought her hands together, merging her individual water and lightning nature chakra together into one element "Gale Style: Laser Beam" Sakura thrust her hand out.
A beam of pale blue/white light shot forth from her palm and slammed into the target he'd set up, utterly shattering it to pieces, the wood of the target even crackled with excess lightning to Darui's absolute pleasure.
Sakura beamed when Darui clapped in appraisal of her execution of the jutsu "I can't wait to see the force of nature you'll grow up to be Kid, for now here's the new gale release jutsu I promised, Gale Style: Thunder Cloud Inner Wave" Darui went through the hand signs.
Making sure that Sakura could memorize them, a dark storm cloud formed around him blue lightning streaked through it "Nifty, it's both an offensive and defensive jutsu that prevents anyone from getting close, I could use it in a pinch" Sakura noted.
Ever the jutsu analytic "Quite now I know you have the hand signs memorized so get to practicing, you have an hour" Darui chuckled, waving at Sakura to let her know that it was time to start attempting the jutsu.
With that Sakura turned, flashing through the hand signs and for the next hour to her utter frustration only managed to make miniature black nimbus clouds that produced no lightning "Don't get it, what's so different about that jutsu compared to the water jutsu I taught her" Mangetsu scratched his head again.
Confused obviously "Because Gale Style involves merging and transforming water and lightning nature chakra into one new element that Sakura's only been managing for a few days, it took her an entire week to get the first jutsu down" Darui explained.
Letting the kid skip ahead of them since it was clear her desired destination wasn't the mess hall just yet proven when she vanished down a different hall in the direction of where her room was located no doubt.
"You gonna teach her anything else, what about strategy for her opponent, how is she planning on beating him or her for the Chunin Exam" Mangetsu prodded, trying to think of anything else he might be able to do to help prepare the girl for her match.
Darui let out a bark of laughter in response "Trust me, Sakura doesn't need anyone's help coming up with a strategy to beat her opponent and I have no idea what she's planning, but I am teaching her something else, something special and unique that only I know" Darui admitted.
Forty minutes later Sakura showed up in the canteen for lunch "Say what kind of strategy are you coming up with for your match" Mangetsu asked, wanting to hear what the girl had come up with so far and help her if she needed it.
Sakura paused mid bite "Guess I do need to think about that huh….hmm" Sakura mused, humming a bit as she continued eating, tapping a finger on the table absentmindedly while thinking up various strategy to use.
The two men grew curious "By the way who is your opponent, Fugaku didn't tell me exactly, just muttered something about finding someone to train Karin and Haku" Darui questioned, realizing he didn't even know who she was fighting.
"His second son, Sasuke, he's got his sharingan I know for a fact and considering who his sensei is, he'll be stronger than before so it won't be an easy fight" Sakura informed, stirring some sugar into her tea.
Before taking a sip "Well you could always use that in case he starts overpowering you" Darui hinted/reminded, Sakura pressed a hand to her stomach, thinking for a moment then shook her head.
Not that he was surprised any "I'd rather not rely on it, if Sasuke does prove superior then I'll forfeit the match, besides being a Chunin isn't about winning, it's about proving that you can make sound decisions and if retreat is the best option then I'll make Chunin either way" Sakura shrugged.
"Well there isn't anything I can say to that because your correct Sakura, you don't have to win and I know those two teammates of yours probably think the same way" Darui agreed, even as a headache pounded through his skull.
At how complicated Sakura could be at any given time of the day "Need some medicine for that headache of yours or do you want to have it form into a migraine by asking her another simple question only to get a complicated answer" Mangetsu snorted.
Once the rosette had wandered off again "Ha ha" Darui mock laughed with a roll of his eyes, before heading off to roam around the building leaving Mangetsu alone in the canteen for fifteen minutes until the silence got to him.
So he decided to seek out Sakura, she was much deeper in the building than he thought she'd be actually as he knocked on the door to the room he could feel the girls chakra in "Come in" Sakura called out from the other side.
Given permission he twisted the doorknob and pushed open the door, the room he entered into was grand, Mangetsu couldn't help but let out an appreciative whistle "May I sit" Mangetsu requested, seeing the lone chair in the room.
"Yeah go ahead" Sakura waved her hand, smiling faintly when he sat down backwards in the chair, resting his arms on the back of it as she re-focused her attention on drawing the pattern to her outfit for the final round.
Mangetsu was quiet for awhile, watching her work because she could feel his eyes on her the entire time eventually though his focus strayed onto something else and that's when he started asking questions "Why do you have two hitai-ate's" Mangetsu questioned.
Upon spying the Leaf and Cloud headbands on her bedside table "That's a potential migraine, you sure you want to know….I'm a dual citizen, plus an ambassador for Kumogakure, the Kumo hitai-ate I got when the treaty went through and while I'm Leaf born, I'm not Leaf raised" Sakura teased.
But got a nod so she explained properly "How can you be Leaf born but not be Leaf raised, were you brought up here in Iron under your….wait no Darui said you only met Mifune a month and a half ago so I'm not sure I understand" Mangetsu frowned.
Feeling as if he'd set himself up to get a headache "I lost my memories for seven years and grew up elsewhere for the first three years and the last four I lived in Hidden Cloud" Sakura answered, not elaborating on the whole story.
Simply because she didn't want to anymore "Oh…." Mangetsu trailed off, sensing that he'd hit upon a touchy subject so didn't ask what he really wanted to ask or request that she elaborate for her previous explanation.
Eventually she put away her things then stood and stretched, that's when Mangetsu realized he'd been sitting there for three hours just watching the girl "More training huh what is it that Darui's teaching you that only he knows about" Mangetsu guessed.
"Technique passed down to him from the Third Raikage, black lightning" Sakura announced, leading the way from her room down the halls of the building and outside into the snow without a cloak to his horror.
A bundle hit him in the face "Gee thanks Kitten" Mangetsu rolled his eyes, clipping the off white cloak around his shoulders while she walked on not even bothering to put a cloak on, she walked until Samurai HQ was nothing but a spec.
Five minutes later Darui showed up in a plume of smoke "Ready, get to it then, I want to see more progress by the end of the week" Darui asked, then waved his hand indicating she should get to training.
Every three tries she produced streaks of black lightning from her palm but it didn't take the shape of a panther quite yet and Mangetsu understood why Sakura wasn't wearing a cloak, he was already feeling a warmer than usual.
Due to her constant flaring of chakra "She's real determined isn't she" Mangetsu commented to Darui half an hour later after seeing the look of utter concentration on Sakura's face as she attempted to wield black lightning.
The more time that passed, the more determined she grew even as it blazed brilliantly in her green eyes, lighting them with fire "For everyone that the Kid cares about, that's how strong her will is" Darui stated.
With that another hour and a half went by and pouring all her frustration and will into one last try "Raiton: Black Panther" Sakura thrust her hand out, black streaks of lightning shot forth and began taking on the shape of a panther.
Only to faded as Sakura slumped over in a faint "Ahh how drab I was hoping to avoid this, of course she has to be one of the most stubborn kids I know and have the mentality of never giving up" Darui tsked, catching the pinkette before she hit the ground and lifting her into his arms.
Cradling her against his chest "You love her" Mangetsu misinterpreted the fondness in his eyes as he stared down at the kid with a smile, Darui quickly shook his head, speed walking towards Samurai HQ knowing that Sakura would be awake by the time they arrived.
"I guess I do love her but in like a kid sister way who totally drives people crazy all the time" Darui declared, dodging the fist with a smirk and peering down at Sakura in amusement who glared up at him.
He knew her however, deep down inside Sakura was happy about his admission not that she would admit it "By the way how long are intending on carrying me" Sakura huffed, cheeks burning hot in embarrassment at being carried.
A second later she was on her feet and stood a respectful distance from Darui to enter Samurai HQ, five minutes later they were in the mess hall getting dinner with everyone else in the building and heading off to bed afterwards.
After that Sakura's training progressed until they found themselves in the middle of their third week in Iron, only two days were left before they were on their last week for training and Sakura was trying her hardest yet.
"Raiton: Black Panther" Sakura formed the hand signs, remembering the feeling from almost two weeks ago and each day after as she thrust her hand out, black lightning shot forth from her palm and took on the shape of the panther.
Learning to control the panther was the objective now as she concentrated on directing it around to the targets Darui had set up for her "Your doing great Kitten" Mangetsu flashed her two thumbs up, breaking her focus and the black lightning panther crackled out of existence.
Mangetsu avoided her murderous glare by whistling innocently and staring out into the distance despite feeling the heat of her gaze upon his person and he was just glad the girl didn't have fire nature chakra.
Then she'd really incinerate him quite literally considering his hydrification ability, Darui rolled his eyes but inwardly he was really amused "Just be glad Sakura's busy, I know how she usually reacts to people interrupting her" Darui warned as an afterthought.
Before turning his attention back onto Sakura who was trying the jutsu again, oozing concentration from every cell in her body probably as she directed the black panther around the snowy field to the targets.
When the last one was destroyed Sakura dropped to her knee's breathing heavily "It's not perfect and I doubt it will be before we leave here but I'm not giving up no matter what" Sakura vowed, sensing Darui's approach.
Until a hand appeared in her line of view, she took it and he heaved her onto her feet "Done for the day are you, I don't blame you, you've been trying to master that technique for days" Mangetsu asked.
As they started their trek back to Samurai HQ, "Tomorrow your taking a break to from all training I don't want you passing out for a third time okay" Darui informed as they reached their destination for what felt like the millionth time.
Sakura didn't dare argue with him not that she would, simply headed in on their heels, ate lunch, chatting to Mifune here and there before disappearing off to her room for a bath and afterwards went to bed.
However things were about to go from good to bad, during the night, while Karin slept, she was abducted right from the Uchiha's Main Family House around three in the morning, Sakura jolted upright in a panic.
Falling on the floor as she got tangled up in her sheets alerting Urakaku of her awakeness so early in the morning when he heard a thud "Sakura-ojou everything alright" Urakaku knocked hearing her groan out loud.
"Yeah just fell off my bed" Sakura called out to him a moment later, followed by the sound of struggling until she managed to extricate herself out of her sheets, Urakaku walked away at her reassurance.
And when she couldn't hear his footsteps anymore lay back down in her bed, but try as she might Sakura just couldn't go back to sleep, the feeling of something being wrong, preventing her from drifting off again.
So she ended up staying awake the rest of the night and by seven she was completely restless, pacing the confines of her room like a caged beast, back in Leaf Itachi alerted his family that Karin was somehow missing from her room and the house.
Panic ensued until Fugaku silenced everyone by flaring his chakra, once things had settled down, he headed off for the Tower to inform the Hokage that Karin was missing and argued when the man said that they shouldn't let Sakura know.
Meanwhile at Samurai HQ, Sakura had emerged from her room looking like a jittery mess, like she'd had seven cups of coffee and was having a caffeine rush "Are you okay" Darui furrowed his brow worriedly.
Never having seen Sakura like this before "No Darui, I just can't shake off this feeling that somethings wrong" Sakura frowned deeply, fidgeting agitatedly, unable to hold still now matter how much she tried to do so.
In fact she barely ate anything "That's not normal for her I take it" Mifune asked, seeing the concern plain to see in Darui's eyes when Sakura got to frustrated and stalked from the cafeteria, on edge from something they couldn't feel.
Darui shook his head "I have never seen Sakura act like that, sure she's been edgy before but not to that degree" Darui admitted, standing and following after his little protege as she stalked the halls of the building.
Just as her apparent agitation was about to boil over into absolute rage, the doors of Samurai HQ were thrown open and a squad of Samurai that had been patrolling the area stumbled in, "We're under attack" the one who had the least amount of injuries informed.
Sakura rushed towards him, hands already glowing green "By who, who's attacking" Sakura asked, the young samurai looked at her then looked away, making her blood freeze in her veins as she interpreted his silent look.
"Ojou-sama I'm sorry but I don't think the Leaf Village is worthy of your trust like you believe it to be, because our attacker is a Leaf Shinobi and he'll be here soon, he could use the same technique as you" another said, nodding at the mystical palm.
Her heart stopped in her chest, Sakura shook her head "They wouldn't do this, it has to be some kind of misunderstanding" Sakura rationalized not wanting to believe the Hokage would attack a place that was important to her.
Even if he did think that he could manipulate her, he wasn't this cruel, looking up she spotted Mifune striding hurriedly towards them as she healed the injured as quickly as she could "I heard from Okisuke and I also don't think Hokage-dono would do this" Mifune informed.
Staring out the wide open doors until someone appeared in the distance "He's definitely wearing a Leaf hitai-ate" Mangetsu winced, feeling for Sakura who'd been a wreck since she appeared at breakfast a bit ago.
Jade irises widened then narrowed in confusion "Well I certainly didn't expect you to be in the first place I looked Sakura-san" the gray haired teenager smiled once in speaking range while keeping himself outside the doors.
Knowing that if he entered he'd be attacked by the Samurai who were gearing up on either side of the doors "You better have a damn good reason for attacking these Samurai, Leaf has a strict non-violence treaty with Mifune-dono" Sakura snapped.
"They got in my way simple as that, now come with me Sakura-san, Orochimaru-sama is waiting for you and Karin-san as he heard about her little healing ability and wants her to join him same as you" he admitted before clapping, Sakura froze.
Processing what he'd just told her before exploding, Shūryō-suru appeared in her hand unsheathed and she just lunged "Fuck" Mangetsu cursed, seeing Sakura vanish in the blink of an eye "Is she mad Darui" Mangetsu swung around on Darui.
Who seemed just as surprised "Insane no, but that bastard has Karin and Sakura will stop at nothing to get her back" Darui grimaced, pulling out a scroll that had his own blade sealed within it and once it was in his hands.
He was racing after Sakura, Mangetsu, Mifune, Okisuke and Urakaku on his heels and four miles later they found Sakura still attacking the traitor from her own village, "Sakura calm yourself" Mifune ordered.
Seeing nothing of what he'd taught her in her movements, she was thrusting her sword erratically at his voice though Sakura paused long enough to take a deep breath and calm down as he commanded.
Darui relaxed now that she wasn't letting her feelings be in control of her actions "Here switch with me, you'll need to take the weights off if we're going to get Karin back" Darui hollered, dashing forward and beginning a deadly dance with the nuke-nin.
While Sakura stripped off the weights and let them drop to the ground, denting the earth upon impact "How the hell was she wearing those" Mangetsu choked, prodding one of the weights with his foot and was unable to even move it.
In the meantime Sakura had joined the fight again, "Where is she" Sakura demanded, verdant orbs glinting with a calculative gleam as she drew her arm back, gathering chakra in her clenched fist before thrusting it forward.
Unfortunately Kabuto dodged and the earth shattered beneath their feet, Mangetsu shuddered lightly "Wouldn't you like to know Sakura-san" Kabuto taunted with an infuriating smirk on his face that she wanted to punch so badly she could almost taste it.
Sakura took another calming breath, swinging her foot out trying to sweep him off his feet but he cartwheeled over her leg only to duck as Darui tried to hack his head off with his fold-able cleaver blade and jump back trying to create distance.
Not that she was about to let him run away if her sister was in his disgusting hands she had to do whatever she could to retrieve Karin from him, an idea came to mind at that so she quickly made a few shadow clones.
To attack in her place before drawing her sword from his sheath again and wiping the blade down with a clear poison that dulled the reflexes with a nod just as her last clone was wiped out Sakura lunged forward.
Channeling chakra into Shūryō-suru and swinging him with intent, matching Kabuto's speed easily as she analyzed his fighting patterns for any tells that she could exploit and Sakura soon came to realize this guy was exceedingly arrogant.
He truly thought that she'd simply join Orochimaru "What an idiot, you clearly don't know me" Sakura smiled, having found his weakness and got in his personal space quicker than he could think as she boosted her speed with chakra.
The tip of her sword dragged along his stomach, then she nailed him with her fist sending him bodily through the air "Remind me to hit Cee for making you those weights" Darui chuckled, a trickle of sweat sliding down the back of his neck as he sweat-dropped at the same time.
She didn't hear him any because she was already running after the current enemy who had already gotten back up on his feet and healed himself "Someones been training under Tsunade-sama I see" Kabuto commented.
Reeling still a little from that punch to the gut "You think so huh…well guess again, I haven't learned anything from Lady Tsunade" Sakura rolled her eyes in annoyance, hating to be compared to anyone.
Kabuto glared at her clearly irritated as she attacked again, over and over, changing tactics here and there so he couldn't develop a true strategy against the brat, what was worse, sometimes when he thought he'd dodged, he still ended up getting hit by that blasted sword she wielded.
It suddenly hit him what was going on "Finally realized it didn't you" the pinkette grinned, ready to pull out her finishing move, Kabuto wasn't finished however as he whipped out a scroll and unsealed it.
In a poof of smoke Karin was in his arms and he had the chakra scalpel at her throat "Drop the sword or I kill her, she holds no true worth to Orochimaru-sama, your all he wants and I'm willing to make an exchange" Kabuto ordered.
Making an offer, her for Karin as Sakura threw down Shūryō-suru right as the others arrived on scene only to frown at the situation at hand "Kid don't even think about it, we can still get Karin back" Darui warned.
Watching Sakura closely "Sakura-san you know what you must do" Kabuto stated, shooting a smug smile at the Kumogakure Jonin when the rosette took a step forward then another before she was walking towards him.
Head held high, something they would have to work on in Orochimaru's presence, he lowered Karin onto her feet, chakra scalpel fading from his hand as he gave the redhead a push, reaching out and grabbing Sakura.
Pulling the pinkette to him into his chest "Hey Kabuto-san…" Sakura spoke up, pausing until he looked down at her "Eat this" Sakura smiled innocently as she placed her palms on his chest and unleashed the gathered lightning based chakra.
Shocking the hell out of Kabuto, prompting him to throw her away from him reflexively and drop to his knee's, while his muscles spasmed uncontrollably and painfully "Orochimaru will never stop trying to get you Sakura-san, he'll hunt you to the ends of this earth" Kabuto said.
Still twitching some as he stood after healing himself "That's fine I have a score to settle with him anyway and that's what I promised him in the forest" Sakura announced, rising with Karin's help, who sheathed Shūryō-suru in his sheath on her hip after picking him up for her.
Realizing he was beaten for the time being Kabuto made a hasty retreat "I'm sorry Sakura, he got me while I was sleeping" Karin apologized, feeling terrible that Sakura had had to go through something like that because of her.
"Not your fault Karin but we do need to figure out a way to get you back to Leaf without you getting attacked or abducted along the way" Darui calmly walked over to the two kunoichi, hooking his cleaver onto his back.
Karin looked up at him, ruby irises shining with tears "Leave that to me if you would" a voice said and she looked around in confusion "Down here" the voice said again, drawing her gaze to the ground, Sakura jerked in surprise.
The pug eyed her knowingly "I'm one of Kakashi's ninken that he can summon, Pakkun, initially I was sent to inform Sakura of Karin's abduction from the Uchiha's Main Family House but it looks like the idiot who took her came straight here for some reason" Pakkun explained.
At Kakashi's name Sakura and Karin relaxed "He was trying to abduct Sakura as well, so how are you going to get her back to Leaf, you're a dog" an unfamiliar shinobi who looked like he was from Hidden Mist pointed out.
Pakkun growled "Reverse summoning technique, if you would Red" Pakkun announced, Karin awkwardly stood next to him, a second later he slammed his paw down on the ground and the two vanished in a poof of smoke.
Into the ninken summons world and back out into the real world, right into the Hokage's office who welcomed her back warmly with relief in his hazel eyes before asking her to explain what had happened.
As for Sakura she leaned heavily against Darui once Karin was gone "Never scare me like that again" Darui scolded lightly, having thought for one second that Sakura really was giving in and going to Orochimaru.
"I understand, but I will never regret saving my sister, he is an honor-less traitor who will one day get his long awaited just desserts" Sakura declared, jade eyes boring deeply into his onyx, letting him see the truth.
Even if it wasn't by her hand, Kabuto would pay and so would the Snake Sannin "Why is Orochimaru so intent on you Sakura" Mangetsu asked getting the feeling that he was the only one who didn't know.
He was right to "His original target was Sasuke, my opponent for the final round, but I got in the way as he tried curse-marking Sasuke so I received the curse mark instead and survived it, then managed to remove all chakra of his from the seal" Sakura explained.
When they all began walking back to the building, where Sakura ate a late breakfast before heading back to her room "Urakaku, Okisuke, increase patrols near my great grand niece's room, and have them check in on her every hour from now on" Mifune ordered his left and right hands.
Obviously taking no chances with the threats that had been made against the girl "As you command Mifune-dono" Okisuke bowed, scurrying off to make arrangements to complete his new orders, Urakaku on his heels.
Mifune nodded in satisfaction that at least until it was time for Sakura to leave she'd be well protected before returning to his office to do some paperwork and send someone to fix the main entrance doors.
Three days later Sakura had pretty much completed her training and accomplished all the goals Darui had set out for her "Time to go visit that grave" Darui said when he told her that they'd be leaving that day after breakfast in fact.
Great Grand Uncle bowing his head in understanding "I don't think that's a good idea now to be honest" Sakura frowned, really just wanting to get back to Leaf and velcro herself to Karin and never let herself be separated from the redhead again.
Darui sighed "Actually it is a good idea, listen I know you want to get back to Karin as soon as possible, but she'll still be training and under stricter guard, you have nothing to worry about so take a load off and lets go to where you wanted to go alright" Darui shot back.
Tempted to bash his skull on the table "Though I'm curious, Darui's right Sakura, take the chance to rest these next few days" Mangetsu agreed with Darui and a quick look at Mifune told Sakura that the Head Samurai was in agreement as well.
"Okay, I get it you want me to rest" Sakura relented, polished off her breakfast then vanished to pack her belongings, deep down there was excitement growing within her at the thought of visiting that village and Isha's grave.
So when she met up with Darui and Mangetsu in the entrance hall there was a bit of a skip to her step "Next time Sakura, come here on your leisure time so you don't have to train, on that note, be off and take care of yourself understood" Mifune stepped forward.
Having come to see his shinobi great grandniece off "I'll bring Haku and Karin with me to Mi…Great Grand-Uncle" Sakura smiled up at the elderly man, zipping over to his side to give him a super quick hug.
Mifune chuckled under his breath as the odd trio left and the doors closed behind them "I didn't know you could be such a kid Sakura" Darui teased mercilessly five minutes later, Sakura leading their little group to their next destination.
"Stuff a cork in it Darui-san" Sakura growled, shaking a fist at him in warning, though it merely amused him because he knew it was just an empty threat, she wouldn't harm him seriously, couldn't really.
Walking casually next to Darui, Mangetsu chuckled under his breath "Quite violent aren't you, one wouldn't believe it considering that you have pink hair and look entirely to innocent to be a shinobi" Mangetsu snorted.
"That kind of thinking is what got Zabuza in trouble" Sakura snickered, dual ivory brows raised "He thought Karin and I were civilians, learned from Karin that I make medicines, demanded I make him medicine but in reality it was poison" the rosette elaborated.
Choked spluttering came from Mangetsu "Didn't he ask what it was before you handed it to him…Zabuza you idiot, if anything you should have been more wary" Mangetsu groaned, wishing he could get his hands on the deceased nuke-nin and slap him upside the head.
Especially when Sakura shook her head no indicating Zabuza had simply snatched what he thought had been medicine and left without asking what it was suppose to do "Am I correct in assuming he took it, otherwise you wouldn't have mentioned it" Darui asked.
Sakura giggled "It worked a little to well on him, that's how we met Haku, he asked Haku to bring me to him and I healed him out of pity really, then a few weeks later our mission was over" Sakura sighed, hating how compassionate she could be sometimes.
With that all three of them lapsed into silence and a day later they were cutting through Tsuchi no Kuni "You sure you know where your going Sakura" Mangetsu frowned, a bit wary about the territory they were trekking through.
Iwa and Kiri had a history and it wasn't a very good one "We're almost at the border" Sakura said instead of answering his question, not that he blamed her, it was the fifth time he'd asked that day, two hours later like promised they were stood at the border.
That led into the Land of Woods "This is a good stopping point, we can cross over tomorrow morning" Darui stated, checking the time, half an hour past dinner time, Sakura exhaled then disappeared to catch dinner while he got a fire going.
Nine minutes later Sakura was back, with rabbits already skinned that she speared on sticks and seasoned before digging the sticks into the ground around the fire so that the rabbits could cook and she declared them ready to eat twenty minutes later.
Afterwards Sakura lay down in her sleeping bag and went to bed for the night, only to wake early the next day raring to go once they ate breakfast when Darui gestured for her to lead on, Sakura stepped across the border into Hayashi no Kuni.
Leading the way on autopilot not once doubting her memory of where the village was until they'd walked for four hours "Gotta stop and re-hydrate myself" Mangetsu declared, stopping suddenly when she was sure they were almost there.
And never mind the fact that he'd literally just had a break two hours before hand, Darui bit back a chuckle at Sakura's impatience as she paced restlessly while Mangetsu sucked down an entire water bottle full of water.
Which took five minutes "Carry on Sakura" Darui waved his hand, once Mangetsu was stood again, Sakura blew out a breath then marched through the tree's determinedly and there just a short distance away was that village.
Sakura took off like a bullet towards the abandoned non-shinobi village, towards the cemetery she could see and fifteen minutes later skidded to a halt before a familiar grave, ~Isha Uzumaki~ engraved on the headstone along with the woman's age, 33.
Darui held out his arm to stop Mangetsu from getting any closer as he stopped just outside the cemetery not wanting to intrude on Sakura's private moment any more than he already was when she dropped to her knees.
Releasing a flood of tears from her eyes, hugging the headstone, while heart-shattering sobs escaped from her throat, Sakura cried for a long time, unleashing all her pent up grief over the next hour or so.
"I'm done" Sakura sniffled a little while later when she couldn't ignore her growling stomach any longer for missing lunch as she had, drying tear tracks on her face, her eyes rimmed red from crying so hard.
Plus those two had to be hungry as well "Figured you'd be hungry when you got done so we made a late lunch" Mangetsu explained once Sakura had rejoined them, looking absolutely awful and a bit surprised at the already roaring fire.
A thick soup bubbling away over the open flame "Thanks" Sakura croaked, throat raw from all the sobbing she'd done, Darui bit back a grimace, glad that Cee had drilled it into his head what herbs would be good for soothing a sore throat.
Though the person the herb was for could heal herself it was mostly to make himself feel better "So now what, we have time, three and a half days, are you going to explore, see what you can find that might have been left behind" Darui questioned.
Sakura hummed softly in response to the idea "Just for a bit I suppose" Sakura shrugged, finishing off her bowl of soup, grateful for the effort that had been put into it before rising and heading into the little village.
Wandering the streets slowly, Darui and Mangetsu on her heels until she paused, looking down an alley before moving on, a couple turns later Sakura stopped again, this time in front of a building, where somehow an old sign still hung.
The letters on it were faded but Sakura knew what it had said once upon a time "Uzumaki Pharmacy" Sakura whispered mostly to herself but the two behind her heard her loud and clear as if she'd shouted the words.
Before she took a deep breath and pulled open the door, entering the pharmacy, the counter that she'd once stood behind was gone, so were the shelves they'd had the herbs stored in for when someone came in needing an herbal remedy for their aches and pains.
She didn't let that stop her, merely continued through the main part of the store into the back and up some steps that led to the house, the door was locked, a surprise because she thought that with how long it had been the lock should have eroded.
Imagine Sakura's further surprise when she tried to bust the door down only to get shocked "Ow…oh that's right I nearly forgot, Isha had a seal that kept out intruders" Sakura slapped her forehead in remembrance.
Having only thought about getting in that she had forgotten about Isha's little seal that was still in tact somehow as well "Do you remember the hand signs" Darui quirked a brow not that he had to worry any.
As Sakura flashed through a set and placed her hand on the door, it glowed crimson first, then blue and the lock clicked signaling it was unlocked now so she grabbed the knob and twisted it, entering her home from over four years ago.
It even still looked the same minus some things that had rotted like the low table and couch, the bookshelf however was in perfect condition and there was still a couple of books sitting on the lowest shelf when she bent over to look.
Upon reading the contents she stowed the books away "Fuinjutsu, Karin-chan's been wanting to learn the books will be a good start" Sakura answered, feeling the questioning stare from Mangetsu as she meandered about.
Though after an hour of scouring the place Sakura found nothing else that had been left behind which meant it was time to leave, upon exiting the barrier rose again and the door locked audibly behind her as she shut it.
Twenty minutes later they were on their way, intending to cut through Kaze no Kuni to shorter the distance they would have to travel if they went a different way "Of course its a desert" Mangetsu sighed, seeing what lay beyond the border of Hayashi no Kuni.
"Mangetsu if you complain I'll punch you out and drag you across the desert, so you better re-hydrate yourself here and not say a word until dinner because now all I want to do is get back to Leaf" Sakura glared.
Fighting down a laugh as Mangetsu sulked like a little kid but grabbed his water bottle and drank it dry "Right lets go" Darui declared, taking the lead now that Sakura was content, probably exhausted to if he was being honest.
But he knew she wouldn't admit to it when her mind was focused on getting back to Konohagakure to be with Karin and so he set a brisk pace across Kaze no Kuni in the direction he knew would lead to the border of Kawa no Kuni.
Thankfully Mangetsu kept his complaining about the heat blaring down on them to the bare minimum as for Sakura she didn't make a peep until he decided it was time to stop for the night, eat a later dinner then go to bed.
When the odd group woke the following morning they knew something bad was going to happen "Great just what we need more trouble" Sakura grumbled, forcing down breakfast despite not wanting to eat.
Darui grimaced but spread out his senses 'There off in the distance…that's' he paused, recognizing Kabuto's chakra and threw out his arm "Suppress your chakra, both of you" Darui ordered.
Grabbing Sakura as she did as told and diving behind a rock, Mangetsu hurrying to do the same "What's going on, you know my senses don't reach very far, not like Karin's" Sakura frowned up at Darui in confusion.
"Kabuto and two others, one might even be Orochimaru, their fighting three others possibly Suna-nin given how close to Sunagakure we are" Darui explained the situation, Sakura shrank into him and shook a little.
Mangetsu gave her knee a quick pat, trying to be reassuring "Have they left yet" Mangetsu asked once half an hour had passed, Darui spread out his senses again tentatively un-suppressing his chakra in order to do so.
But felt nothing except for a chakra flickering in pain and fading fast "He's gone, there's a survivor, feel up to saving someone today Kid, good then hold on tight" Darui asked, peering down at Sakura.
Who nodded at his question, with that he heaved her under his arm and took off running "Not cool and how am I supposed to hold on" Sakura shrieked, not liking being carried this way in the least, not that she enjoyed being carried any, anyway really.
Eight minutes later Darui jumped down into a hole and came to a screeching halt "Fuck that's the Kazekage" Mangetsu cursed, seeing the robes on one of the men, the lone survivor but he was dying very quickly.
Sakura squirmed and Darui released her from his slightly restrictive hold, she dropped then crawled over to the Kazekage, hands glowing a bright green "I'm gonna go keep watch just in case that bastard decides to come back" Mangetsu said.
Deciding to make himself useful while Sakura attempted to save the Kazekage "Come on, you have to live" Sakura pleaded, because she didn't want to see anymore of her relatives die in front of her as she felt his heart slowing before stopping altogether.
So she started chest compression's and just when she thought all hope was lost the Kazekage took a shuddering breath, heart beating once more, lungs filling with air as his chest rose and fell, slowly his eyes opened until hazel met verdant.
Rasa let the young girl, help him sit up "How I thought I was dead, Orochimaru certainly tried his damnedest to kill me after all" the Fourth Kazekage questioned, confused over his living status, though it gave him a chance to go after that traitor.
"By all means you were Kazekage-sama, your heart did stop temporarily, I did some chest compression's to restart your heart after healing you of the injuries inflicted upon your person" the pinkette to his right explained.
Very slowly a single maroon brow rose and then the Kumo-nin off to the side snorted "Kid your hopeless, how do you feel Lord Kazekage, good enough to get up" the man shook his head, before peering down at the Kazekage.
Carefully with the rosette's help Rasa stood and got steady on his feet "Alright you better explain why a Leaf Shinobi is with a Cloud Shinobi in my territory anyway, regardless of you saving my life" Rasa demanded.
Just then someone else dropped down into the hole they were in and the girl let her fist fly "Oops sorry Mangetsu-san and Darui-san was training me for the Chunin Exams, we took a bit of a detour though and decided to cut through Kaze no Kuni to get back faster from where we were Kazekage-sama" she apologized.
With a bow of her head at him and the man she'd just punched "Punch happy are we Sakura, it's okay it's good your wary, no one will be able to sneak up on you that way" Mangetsu soothed in a placating manner.
When Sakura sighed at him "Sakura…the girl who beat Gaara in the preliminary round" Rasa cleared his throat, re-drawing her attention onto him and she nodded quietly "I would like to know how you did it" Rasa frowned.
Grabbing up his hat "Uh well the easiest way to explain it I guess is that I first channeled water based chakra into my sword to test if his sand was weak against water then attacked with countless water related jutsu, one genjutsu and lots of dodging" Sakura informed.
"Yeah trying to understand this Kid is impossible Lord Kazekage, anyway we really should get going" Darui saw the furrowed brows and the disbelief writ across the man's face, inwardly however he was laughing his head off.
That someone else was having a hard time figuring out Sakura and that it was the Kazekage this time "True…we'll travel on my gold dust" Rasa nodded, focusing his gold dust beneath their feet and rising into the air.
Internally he became just a tiny bit amused at the girls awe and fascination about flying through the sky "Ugh Sakura can't you contain your hair it's kinda slapping me in the face" Mangetsu complained five minutes later.
Sakura craned her neck around "Don't sit behind me if you don't want that to happen" Sakura snorted not really in the mood to deal with her hair or anyone's antics at the moment now that she didn't have to worry about to much happening being high in the sky as they were.
Not many could attack them even if the enemy noticed they were there "Geez that girl" Mangetsu grumbled, seeing how tired she was now because she hadn't been sleeping well for the past few days since the incident at Samurai HQ if he was honest.
Also seeing the problem at hand was Darui who took a seat at Sakura's side and wrapped his arm firmly around her shoulder "Rest, I'll wake you once we arrive" Darui commanded, green orbs peered up at him briefly.
Before she settled her head against his side and closed her eyes drifting off "Is that a wise idea letting her sleep like that" the Kazekage frowned deeply, disturbed at the blatant trust these three were giving him.
"After she saved your life, it's the least that she deserves or would you be so honor-less as to attack someone while their resting" Darui lifted his gaze onto the Kazekage, clutching Sakura closer, there was no doubt that if anything happened Sakura would be protected.
The Kazekage shook his head realizing it wasn't trust in which they regarded him, respectful yes, trusting no, "No, I'd prefer someone to see that I'm coming if I'm going to kill them and I'm not up to a hundred percent despite being healed" Rasa admitted.
Darui relaxed a bit and Mangetsu changed spots himself to be closer, it wasn't until hours later that Sakura woke, stomach growling angrily at her for missing lunch "Hangry are we…uh please don't punch me off" Mangetsu teased.
Only for Sakura to raise her fist and shake it at him "Did we already cross Kawa no Kuni" Sakura looked around noticing the heavily wooded area that they were traveling through which meant they were about half a day from Konohagakure.
Especially when Darui nodded, followed by her stomach rumbling again "Time to stop I assume and talk about what might happen if I walk into Hidden Leaf with you three" Rasa said, having his gold dust deposit them carefully on the ground.
"Good idea, at this point its safe to guess that Orochimaru's made it back ahead of us if we didn't pass him along the way and that he's impersonating you if his attempted assassination was anything to go on, so the guards are going to be suspicious of another Kazekage even if your the real one" Sakura stated.
Maroon brows rose incredulously "Why don't you go on ahead and find us something to eat alright" Darui nudged her off into the forest, and let out a long suffering sigh once she was gone from sight.
So Rasa turned to the Kumo-nin "Best if you don't ask your liable to get a migraine if you want her to explain" Mangetsu chimed in, sensing the question that the man wanted to ask and warned him away from it.
Dark crimson brows furrowed before Rasa shrugged and took a seat on a large rock, ten minutes later the rosette was back a small deer slung over her shoulders that she sat and skinned before ripping strips of meat from the carcass.
To spear on sticks, season then place before the fire Darui had got going, once the venison was done the four of them ate and afterwards Sakura lay down to get some more sleep "The girl made a point earlier" Rasa reminded.
"Hmm indeed, perhaps, a few miles before we reach the village tomorrow, you could transform into an item that she could carry through the gates, Mangetsu you should do the same, your presences will be hidden that way" Darui suggested.
As a potential solution to the problem at hand, Sakura would know what to do without him even having to tell her probably "Eh why me as well….oh right I'm a Mist-nin brought back to life somehow Leaf Shinobi would attack first and ask questions later" Mangetsu grumbled.
Before realizing "Fair enough for me" the Kazekage grimaced, not liking the idea of hiding but knowing he didn't have much choice in the matter if he wanted to repay Orochimaru in kind for killing him, with that the three of them laid down in order to get some sleep.