Summary: Post-war antics of Team Kakashi. Written prior to manga chapter 698. AU. COMPLETE.
Disclaimer: Naruto is (c) Masashi Kishimoto and Shueisha, Inc.
Author's Note: This fanfiction was written quite some time ago and was supposed to be multi-chaptered. Since I doubt I will ever complete the multi-chaptered version, I revised the first chapter to be a one-shot.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
The young woman's left eye began to twitch in irritation as she sensed the combined chakra of Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke heighten to levels far exceeding those approved for training ground three. For anywhere within the confines of Konohagakure, in fact.
How many times had the Hokage already admonished the two imbeciles about demonstrating restraint when innocent bystanders were in such close proximity? More than Haruno Sakura cared to count.
Thanks to Naruto and Sasuke's never-ending rivalry, especially when training, Sakura suspected that every shinobi (1) within a ten mile radius had been alerted to their presence due to the chakra overflow. This included the visiting dignitary from Kumogakure.
She gnashed her teeth together when a loud explosion resounded soon thereafter. Considering the dueling participants, she was sure the explosion originated from modified forms of Rasengan and Chidori coming into contact. As of late, Naruto and Sasuke's newest competition was to see who could devise the most destructive variation of their trademark techniques.
Excited chatter from the street below indicated that the village's civilians had become privy to Naruto and Sasuke's training session as well. Leaping from one colorful rooftop to the next, Sakura peered down and noted that the villagers had not even bothered to assume Konoha was under attack. Rather, they looked amused at the commotion and a few had the temerity to point in her direction as they gossiped. It seemed everyone had grown accustomed to the antics of Team Kakashi. How embarrassing.
Without breaking stride, Sakura withdrew her black leather gloves and methodically pulled them on each hand. She then cracked her knuckles in anticipation of the pending confrontation. Her idiotic teammates were asking for a beatdown, and she was just the kunoichi (2) to give it to them.
"My money's on you, Sakura-san!" shouted an unidentified villager.
x x x
After the ground stopped vibrating from an explosive discharge, the emissary from Cloud cast a bored glance at Leaf's own representative. Darui placidly inquired, "Sumimasen (3), do you need to check on that?"
Nara Shikamaru gave a negative shake of the head and lethargically answered, "It's only Naruto and Sasuke."
Shikamaru did not feel it was necessary to elaborate as Darui knew the tomfoolery Naruto and Sasuke were legendary for when pitted against one another.
"Mumikansou." (4)
"Mendoukusai." (5)
x x x
Sakura did not try to mask her chakra or its vengeful intent as she advanced on training ground three. Let Naruto and Sasuke cower at her approach.
She may not have as much chakra as the other members of Team Kakashi, but she did have a fiery temperament that they could not begin to match. Ducking foliage as she traveled through a cluster of trees, her anticipation built. While she would not admit it to her teammates, or anyone else for that matter, there was little she enjoyed more than pummeling the pair. Particularly Sasuke now that she had decided not to grant him preferential treatment over Naruto.
When Sasuke returned home and was reinstated as a shinobi following the war, Sakura had braced her heart and made the painful choice to move on. She had resolved to be a proper teammate with no further expectations. Ironically, when she quit chasing Sasuke, their relationship evolved into something deeper, something meaningful. They became friends.
And Sakura felt that she had finally found her place within the former Team Seven. She was a strong kunoichi and excellent medic, a genuine asset to her squad.
Sakura arrived at her destination within a handful of minutes. She paused at the tallest pine situated near training ground three and fiercely scowled at Naruto and Sasuke. The duo was deadlocked amid a field of scorched grass and rock. They were filthy, clothing tattered and bodies covered in a mass of burgeoning bruises, cuts and blood.
"If you think I'm healing either of you, you're sadly mistaken."
Naruto scratched his head, a good-natured grin brightening his features. "Aww, Sakura-chan (6), don't be like that. Sasuke, the crybaby, won't make it out of bed tomorrow if you don't tend his boo-boos."
This earned a glower from Sasuke.
Sakura jeered, "By the time I get finished, neither of you will make it out of bed for a week."
Remarkably, Naruto showed greater intelligence than Sasuke and warily edged backwards. Sasuke emitted a sound of disbelief even though, in the months subsequent to their reunion, he had discovered that Sakura would not be shy about using her fists on his onetime precious face.
"Every time you buffoons get into a pissing contest, you end up violating the chakra limit rule established by Tsunade-shishou (7). It's as if you have no respect for her authority." There was a menacing glint in Sakura's eyes. "And I will accept no disrespect to my sensei (8)!"
No additional warning was offered as Sakura dropped from the limb on which she had been perched, right arm drawn and fist ready to make impact with the most convenient warm body. Sasuke immediately utilized his Body Flicker Technique to dodge the devastating strike. Sakura's fist unavoidably struck the ground, and the earth trembled from her wrath. An extremely large fissure developed, which she expertly maneuvered. She briefly landed on one foot and then propelled herself back into the air, twirling as she kicked her leg out to impinge on the side of Naruto's thick head; however, the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode took effect and he also warped out of reach. Her foot collided with and uprooted a tree.
At that precise moment, Sakura vowed she would not rest until she had gotten fast enough to catch the miserable bastards.
"Running scared, boys?"
Sasuke bristled from the taunt, but did not retaliate. He was still getting used to Sakura's forceful and often goading behavior being directed at him. It was as if she was a different person than the besotted girl he had abandoned on a bench five years prior.
Naruto winced at Sakura's tone and was not hesitant to acknowledge his intimidation. "Sakura-chan, your monstrous strength is terrifying. I rue the day obaa-chan (9) taught you that technique."
"You'd better not let Tsunade-shishou hear you call her by that offensive title, Naruto-baka (10)."
"Bah! I can handle obaa-chan."
Her male teammates did not agree on a lot of things yet, in this instance, Sasuke actually had the nerve to grunt in accord with Naruto's statement... as if the Hokage were someone to easily dismiss. Would they ever learn?
Instead of Sakura's anger being fueled by their impertinence, a sly smile curved her lips. "Oh really? Since the two of you are so cocksure when it comes to dealing with Tsunade-shishou, let's go to her office now. We've been requested for a mission."
Sakura issued a parting jab as she turned to leave, "And, I'm sure she'll want to discuss how you're going to make reparations for the damage done to this training ground."
Naruto and Sasuke simultaneously looked around and inspected the ravaged site. Naruto paled at the prospect of his pay being docked, recognizing that his beloved frog wallet would likely be significantly lighter in the ensuing months. Sasuke even flinched as he mentally tallied the reconstruction costs.
Meanwhile, Sakura raced toward the Hokage Tower highly entertained about the scene that would soon unfold. The intended beatdown had become a shakedown.
Overcoming the shock produced by the financial repercussions of their recent bout, Naruto and Sasuke anxiously trailed behind her. Naruto was already pleading for clemency. "But, Sakura-chan, at least half the damage was just caused by you!"
x x x
The second detonation, while powerful, was dissimilar from the first. When the ground stopped quaking, Darui asked, "Sumimasen, do you need to check on that?"
Shikamaru blandly remarked, "It's only Sakura."
Again, it was not necessary to expound. Darui had battled alongside Sakura during the Fourth Shinobi World War and was fully aware of her penchant for demolishing anything she could lay her fists on.
"Mumikansou."
"Mendoukusai."
x x x
Upon being admitted into the Hokage's office with her wayward teammates, Sakura gave a jaunty salute. "Team Kakashi reporting for duty, Tsunade-shishou!"
THE END
Terms to Know:
(1) Shinobi: Male ninja
(2) Kunoichi: Female ninja
(3) Sumimasen: Sorry
(4) Mumikansou: Dull
(5) Mendoukusai: Troublesome
(6) –chan: Diminutive suffix, expresses that the speaker finds the person referred to endearing
(7) –shishou: Master, teacher
(8) Sensei: Used to address teachers, doctors, politicians, and other authority figures
(9) Obaa-chan: Grandma
(10) Baka: Idiot