Green Tea: Welcome to my latest piece of Naruto fanfiction, Ninja Way. This collection of one-shots focuses around the four Kunoichi of Naruto, and their development as ninja. This work is not focused on romance or pairings, although, there are hints of it, scattered about. The four one-shots will be in this order: Sakura (SasuSaku), Tenten (NejiTen), Ino (InoShika), and Hinata (HinaNaru). Enjoy, please.
Ninja Way:Chapter 1
Sakura - Only Success
Sakura stared at the half-dead fish lying in front of her, it's gills wiggling feebly as it drew it's final breaths.
No, No, NO! It can't die! This is the seventeenth fish I've gone through!
She focused more chakra into her hands, and the balls of glowing green light beneath her fingers grew larger, but still transparent.
The fish continued to twitch feebly beneath her hands.
Not SIZE! I need strength! Chakra control, control, control, control...
Beads of sweat rolled down her forehead. The pink-haired girl gritted her teeth as she fought to control her energy. She thought she had pretty decent chakra control, but compared to Tsunade's, it was nothing.
The fish's breaths grew shorter and weaker.
Inner Sakura grew frustrated at the scene in front of her.
CONTROL IT, DAMMIT! HOW ARE YOU EVER GOING TO GET SASUKE BACK LIKE THIS?
-Flashback-
Sasuke turned around to her tear-streaked face and smirked.
"You're really... annoying..."
-Flashback-
She raced forward toward the two boys, both holding equally powerful and lethal balls of light. Her legs trembled at the aura of so much energy, only her mind kept her running forward. But it was in vain. Had it not been for Kakashi, she would have been dead. That day she truly saw the gap between her ability and the rest of Team Seven's. She felt weak, left-behind, and most of all... alone.
-Flashback end-
You know, Sakura, when have you EVER been able to do ANYTHING for ANYONE? Why did you become a ninja at all if you were just going to get in people's way and burden them. You're better off as a housewife! At least, that way, you won't always need people to SAVE you! You're a disgrace to yourself!
Inner Sakura crossed her arms in contempt and withdrew from Sakura's conciousness.
Sakura could now barely see the fish because of the tears blurring her vision. It was not that harsh words that stung her the most, but the fact that it was all true.
During the Chuunin exam, when everyone was knocked unconcious, she promised to herself that she would save them. That they would look at her back for once, that they would acknowledge her strength and her ability.
But what did she do? She failed them, that's what. All that resulted from that brillant encounter was a new hair-cut and more energy exerted by other people in attempts to save her. If it hadn't been for Sasuke going beserk, she would have been dead for sure.
The kunoichi choked on this fact. People always had to save her. Had to help her. Had to block a blow for her. In fact, the reason why she was still alive was simply because people were close enough to hear her scream.
What had she ever done in any mission or battle? Get scratched? Cut her hair? Scream? Scrape a knee? Have kunai flying at her, only to be deflected by Sasuke? Her existence till now was luck. Nothing more.
No, I won't be conquered. I won't. I'll become stronger, I'll do this! I CAN DO THIS!
I'll get Sasuke-kun back. I must.
Sakura concentrated with all her might, all her strength. Through her squinted, closed eyes, black became green, then red, and yellow, blue and back to black again. She saw stars and bursts of light, but she continued to force herself, until she thought she would faint...
She was greeted by the sound of fins slapping against the table.
Opening her eyes, she saw the fish, lively as ever, wiggling happily in front of her.
She held in her hands and smiled.
Even if this was simply a small step toward becoming powerful enough to save Sasuke, she would continue to take these steps, one by one. Failure was not an option this time.
Success is the only path she would tread this time.
I swear it.
Giggling, she hauled the flopping fish off to show Tsunade.
Green Tea: Thank you for reading! Please review!