Chapter 3
Beginnings are Hard

The day begun bright and early for Sakura. Even though she is stuck in this time period and place, she will not stop training and reaching her goals. She left the hut with her bag and found a clearing. Setting her bag down she reached in and grabbed some kunai's and shurkens.

"Okay, time for training" Sakura performed multiple person jutsu (kage bushin no jutsu). Now there were two more Sakura's standing in the clearing. All three got into ready positions and then the melee began. Punches were flying and kicks were landing hard. Sakura flinched in pain as one kick tapped her still sore back. She began to break into a defensive position when one clone landed a fist to her face. Sakura fell backwards and rolled a few feet. She stopped near the base of a tree trunk. Her jaw and cheek was red and stinging with pain. She rubbed her cheek and felt wetness by her mouth. Her lip was bleeding and swollen also. She groan a bit then slowly got up.

"Damn, they are tuff and my mind is else where this morning." Sakura survey the area. She couldn't find the clones but knew they still exist. She took out a set of shurikens and focused her inner self. She listened hard for any noise. A rustle was heard to the right of her so Sakura launched her set of shurikens towards the disturbance and began running towards the bush. One of the clones jumped out from the top of the bush and launched her own set of shurikens. Two of Sakura's hit two of the clones but one each was right on course. Sakura's shuriken hit her clone and a loud pop and smoke appeared in place of the clone. Sakura focused on the final shuriken in play and had a small smile on her face as the shuriken planted itself in her stomach. Suddenly her form changed to a small log with that same shuriken stuck to it. She landed near the log and gazed at it. 'hmm I'm getting faster at kawami no jutsu.' she thought to herself.

Sakura jumped up in a tree and caught her breath for a moment. She knew she couldn't stay long cause the final clone was still out there. 'Watching me no doubt.' Sakura scanned the area and saw the clone jumping from tree to tree a little ways in front of her. Smiling a bit to herself she continued to watch her prey frolic in the trees. Then she spotted a figure sitting in a tree with a red outfit and long white hair.

"Ah. Inuyasha is there." Sakura looked at Inuyasha who seem to be sleeping then back to the clone. The clone changed directions and headed towards him. Sakura could barely make out the smirk that was on its face. She launched herself off the branch and jumped from tree to tree to counter the clone. Inuyasha moved a bit and yawned , blinking his eyes open a bit and then stretched. "I guess I need to get up and get everyone moving." Then he caught wif of a scent. His eyes flew wide open as she see their newest member jumping from tree to tree and heading in his direction. A low growl came out and Inuyasha cracked his knuckles. "I don't know what's going on but you picked the wrong one this morning!" Inuyasha yelled out his declaration of war to clone. He was about to attack when a figure appeared in front of him and took the clone on. Kunai and kunai clashed and a loud ring was heard from the result. All Inuyasha saw was the back of Sakura, wearing her black top and shorts and her pink hair tie in a pony tail.

Sakura and the clone tussled a bit on the branch. All Inuyasha could do was watch in amazement. Sakura grabbed the clone and threw her off the branch towards the ground. The clone flipped herself around and landed on the ground with one knee down. Sakura was still in the tree in front of half demon. "Sorry about that. I think she used you to draw me out." Sakura said with out taking her eyes off the clone. "What the hell is going on? She looks just like you." Inuyasha said frustrated. Sakura felt the cool morning breeze blow and dry some of her sweat on her. "Training." That's all she said then she leaped off the branch and launched herself in a beeline towards her clone. The clone readied itself as soon as it seen her originator leave the tree.

As soon as Sakura landed combat continued. Inuyasha just watched the melee. By this time everyone was waking up and walking outside. Kagome, Sango, and Shippo walked out of the hut first then Miroku and Kaede came out.

"Ah...so early, but the air is so fresh and crisp! Hay I didn't see Sakura in the hut. I wonder where she is?" Asked Kagome who was yawning mid sentence. "Just take a look at that!" Sango pointed towards Sakura. She was still fighting her clone. "Oh wow, that other girl looks just like her." Miroku said with an interested in the possibilities sort of voice. Sango elbowed him in his side and rolled her eyes at him. "Is she in trouble?" asked Shippo. By then Inuyasha had walked over to them. "I don't think so, she said she was training."

At that moment a loud pop was heard all they could see was a cloud of smoke. Sakura stood there panting hard. She was spent. She still haven't notice huge improvements in herself. Only small ones. 'But I guess its still to early to tell.' she thought to herself. Sakura turned around and noticed the group staring at her. She tried to crack a smile but her face hurts. "Oww...oh sorry to disturb you all...Owww tch!" Sakura collapsed on the ground trying to catch her breath and access any injures she had. She had a cut lip, a small cut on her upper right arm. Her cheek was swollen and her back was still bruised from the initial hit that started this whole adventure for her. Kagome and Sango ran over to her. "What's wrong with you? Who was that?" Kagome cried out loud. She grabbed a handkerchief and blotted the areas that were bleeding. "I've never seen anything like that before?" Sango states while wrapping her arm in bandages. "Oh well it's a technique we use by using chakra and a ninjutsu technique and make copies of ourselves. I can even look like other people. Oh and thanks for helping me with my injuries. "Sakura stirred a bit to see if she wasn't too sore to get up. "But why child are ye on this training? What for?" Kaede has walked over and handed Sakura a ladle of water. "I'm training to become a better, stronger ninja." Sakura looked down at the ground and fell silent. Kagome and Sango looked at each other in a shared concern for their new friend. Shippo ran up to her and shouted, "Hay! I can change too! Watch!" Shippo then jumped and changed using his kitsune magic and transformed into a Inuyasha but a chibi (small) version of him and Shippo still has his fuzzy tail. He was marching around, barking orders to everyone. Everyone began to laugh with the exception of Inuyasha who had gotten behind Shippo. Looming like a dark demon and his once bright golden eyes were now glowing red. A low growl could be heard over the laughter. Shippo stopped and was about to run and hide when Inuyasha landed a hard knuckle blow to his tender head.

He kept hitting Shippo until Kagome yelled at to him to sop hitting shippo. Shippo was on the ground with his eyes spinning around. "Anyway. We need to get ready and get going this morning." Sango helped Sakura get up off the ground. "I'll go get my gear and get ready." Sakura picked up her bag and went into the hut to get the rest of her stuff. Everyone kind of stared at her retreating back and then went and got their own stuff. Goodbye's were said to Lady Kaede and they took their usual path out of the village.

"Hay, we should stop at a hot springs, first! It will help your injuries Sakura." Sango suggested with her own wants in the back of her mind. "Hmm, Yes a hot springs would be nice, we all can enjoy..." before Miroku could even finish his sentence, Sango had knocked Miroku out on the ground. Sakura just stared wide eye at the form on the ground. Inuyasha ran up and started shouting. "No. No No. We need to keep going and find a shard of the shikon no tama!"

"No, we are going to a hot springs" Kagome yelled back at the half demon.

Now Kagome and Inuyasha was yelling back and forth at each other. Sakura walked over to Shippo and asked if this happened a lot. "Oh yeah almost everyday." Suddenly a Sit Boy! Ranged out followed by a grunt. Inuyasha was on the ground beside Miroku. Kagome had gotten her things and walked up to Sakura. "Lets Go! Its not far from here. Come on Shippo, you too!"

Shippo, Sakura, Kagome, and Sango all went to the hot springs leaving two men lying in a heap of their own stupid ness. As the group ventured to the springs, Sakura smiled to herself feeling like she found some companions here she can appreciate and be good friends with. Thinking to herself, 'Maybe this trip won't be bad at all."

Preview of Chapter 4

Adventures at the hot springs!! Secrets revealed The girls share some intimate secrets to each other while the boys attempt to spy. But what happens when a big bottle of Sake just "shows up" at the springs. 3 girls, 2 boys and 1 huge bottle of Sake are bound to produce some interesting situations.

Authors Notes:

Sorry it's taking me a long time to update this story. I'm always super busy with jobs, writing manga reviews, cosplaying, etc. But I'm seriously trying to get this story going. I have all kinds of situations I want to happen to Sakura, but I think it will take a little time. Thanks for the reviews and kicking me in gear! Please review and comment on what you think, even if it a flame!

OH A NOTE! About the previews for the next chapter! They are jokes really. I like watching Arrested Development and if you watch that show. You know that the previews for the next show are not about the show, just silly randomness. So in my attempt at humor, that's what I'll be doing to the previews!!! I know, I know I got your hopes all up but they are still good chapters! Saky