Chapter 72 Princess and Ninja.

The day of departure arrived and team seven stood at the gates awaiting their sensei.

"He's late," Naruto muttered.

"Is he even coming?" Sasuke asked. I stood quietly making final adjustments in my head. The chunin exams were a dangerous place on their own but with the Leaf no longer having it in their village, changes were to be expected. The plans I made for the forest of death and even the written exams are going to have to change. Orochimaru didn't seem all that interested in Sasuke but it could be that he wants Itachi instead.

I looked over at the boys who were arguing about their Sensei being useless as a teacher as opposed to his job as a Shinobi. Naruto with his chakra disrupted and Sasuke with a curse mark. I took a deep breath and let the image go. Even if he does get a cure mark Itachi and I will be able to suck it out and seal it away. I nodded satisfied with that plan. Now all that was left was figuring out if they will still attack the chunin exams and if will everything be okay.

"You okay Sakura-chan?"

I looked over at the boys and smiled genuinely.

"I think this guy should just wake earlier so that he can get his misshapes before reaching us,'' I told them.

"I do come out early," Kakashi defeated himself. Looking over my shoulder I was greeted by our teacher and client walking slowly toward us.

"Then you just need to stop spacing out."

He patted my head aggressively.

"Maa maa don't be like that," he was smiling but he didn't look well, was he not sleeping?

"Alright brats," Tsunade said in a commanding voice. "I'm a VIP client, I'm expected to reach the land of fire before the exams officially start, so I don't miss anything. You better not make me late."

"I bet a bottle of Sake we'll get you there with time to spare," I said.

"Bet a cup of spicy ramen we will get you there comfortably!" Naruto followed my example.

"Bet a scroll of shuriken. You will enjoy the journey," Sasuke said.

Tsunade blinked in surprise. A smirk spread across her face.

"I bet a 10,000,000 ryo this trip will be long and miserable for everyone," She smirked. If you manage to do what you say, I'll treat you all to Sake, ramen, and take you to a weapons dealer."

Tsunade really should just start a business since she has such wonderful people skills.

Kakashi clapped.

"Now that that's over I think we should head off, it's a long journey and we don't want to delay the lady," he bowed.

"But of course." I nodded at Naruto and Sasuke.

Naruto took out a scroll and unsealed a carriage. It was made of wood but faceted with gold, which we found from the Gato empire. There was a lot of gold there. With lanterns on every corner and tinted windows, it looked like carriages prepared for nobility. Tsunade started.

"Huh?"

"Did you really think we would have the princess 'walk' to the land of iron? Oh no, unthinkable," Naruto said with a smirk.

"You forgot the hoses," Kakashi said in an effort to burst our bubble.

"No, we just forwent the houses for something more reliable," I said, biting my thumb. "Summoning jutsu!" from the smokes a fluffy white cat twice the size of a house stood. I buried my face in his fur. "Ginta!"

Ginta was a male Persian cat with white fluffy fur and sharp blue eyes. Unlike his peers, he didn't have visible scars and maintained his shiny fur. His pride. He reminded me very much of Yumichika from the soul society.

"I can't believe you're using me as a glorified house," Ginta huffed, his voice smooth and mesmerizing.

"You are the only one majestic enough to escort the princess. You are a beautiful stallion and only a princess neh a queen is worthy of you, "I assured him. "But I don't have a queen so let's practice on a princess yeah?"

The cat raised his nose with pride. Honestly, these guys were too easy.

"Very well, but you must brush my fur every night," he bargained.

"With pleasure," I agreed.

Tsunade and Shizuke stared in awe, as we attached the huge cat to the luxurious carriage. He moved around a bit to get used to the extra wait then sat waiting.

"Right this way, Princess Tsunade," Sasuke opened the door for her offering a hand. He should have the grace of his noble birth then, and Tsunade numbly walked over to the carriage door. As a noble herself, she bored the carriage with grace, taking Sasuke's offered hand out of politeness.

The inside of the carriage was also plush and cozy. Soft cushions covered the seats and wall, it looked like a padded cell, but with red cushions and a window. After they settled in I climbed onto Ginta's back and we began walking.

Walking turned to a jog as Ginta adjusted. Pretty soon, Kakashi had to travel by tree to keep up. Inside the carriage of course was comfortable with no signs of turbulence, not a hint of the rough roads was felt in the vehicle. It is amazing what seals and a spring can do. The carriage was designed to be impenetrable and comfortable, like a plane ride with clear skies.

Tsunade didn't notice the increase in speed until she looked out the window to see trees wheezing by. She was surprised and pouted a bit once she realized who she was up against. The bet about a comfortable ride time to spare seemed more possible.

As we traveled through the land of fire heading north, we took in the scene of farmlands and hot springs, the scene changed before us and we took a moment to watch the sun setting. It reminds me of a train ride from my past life. I no longer remember where I was going or where I was coming from but at that moment, as the train left the tunnel, my eyes saw the orange glow of the sending sun over the sea. I was at peace.

"The sun is setting," Sasuke stated the obvious, waking me from my memory. "Will we set up camp?"

"No,'' I responded. "We'll keep going through the night. We'll keep watch."

He raised a brow but nodded and looked over to the cat.

"Will the cat be okay?" he asked.

"Don't worry," I assured him. "They will also be taking turners pulling."

He nodded and leaped back to Naruto's side on the top of the carriage.

"Ginta we're going to stop soon," I called.

"Got it Nyah!"

The carriage stopped and Kakashi leaped down to the road.

"Resting for the night?" He asked.

"Having dinner,'' I corrected.

The campfire was easily made with a fire jutsu, stools were set around it and a feast was unsealed.

Ichiraku was really, best boy.

Tsunade joined us outside instead of eating in the carriage. Naruto and Sasuke were going over the top with the whole princess thing. I brushed Ginta's fur as he drank a barrel filled with milk.

"The battle was fierce, with rain beating us down, we fought against the salamander!" Tsunade was telling them a story of hope she and her team got the title Legendary Sannin. Despite the everlasting downpour of rain, the Salamander still managed to dominate in firebase attacks.

"So you didn't actually defeat him?" Sasuke asked, disappointed.

"I'd like to see you fight against that monster and come out unscathed," Tsunade rebutted, red-faced from too much Saki. "That guy was a monster, who uses fire techniques underwater!" Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a look and stood.

"It's getting late, my lady, let's get you to bed," Naruto Said taking one arm.

"It's best if you get a good rest to maintain your beauty," Sasuke said, taking her other arm. Together they lifted her and all but tossed her into the carriage. The seats unfolded into a soft bed so Shizune and Tsunade lied on the custom and fell fast asleep. After covering them with a thick blanket the carriage door closed and we got down to business.

"This carriage draws too much attention," Sasuke muttered. Deactivating his Sharingan, the teen wiped the blood off his thread wires. Traps were set all around the camp to keep Tsunade safe. With the carriage made of gold and Naruto practically singing that he was protecting a princess. We saw our fair share of bandits, hoping to hit the jackpot.

Most were slaughtered by my summons but those that got through my defenses died to Sasuke's traps and Naruto's clones.

"How many are left," Naruto asked, leaping down from the tree. I closed my eyes and focused on the images shared by my summons.

12.

"A dozen," I responded. Opening my eyes when they returned to normal. "Let's get this done quietly." they nodded and we scattered.

Drip drip. Naruto looked up at the hanging corpses and grimaced.

"Was that necessary," he asked the Uchiha who made the trap.

"They're the idiots who ran into it," Sasuke said, cutting the wire with a kunai and making the bodies fall with a thud.

"To be fair it was either his traps or getting shredded by my cute little summons," I called from the tree tops, springflies happily fluttering around me. Red in color, these ones feed off blood instead of chakra and could be called vampires. They also had the added bonus of poisoning their prey. They feed off poisonous plants to get their poisonous fangs and then inject it into their prey to make feasting easier. They were the reason I started my poisonous garden, to begin with.

"Cut to pieces, poisoned, or hang to death," Naruto sighed. "I can't tell which is worse."

Naruto's hand shot out a kunai flying with a flick of his wrist. There was a grunt of pain and then a thud. We didn't have to look to see if he hit someone.

"And that's twelve," I said, seeing the kill through Shirngflys eyes. "Your aim is getting better, got 'im in the neck."

"I'd be disappointed if all that training with Itachi didn't pay off," Sasuke said, sealing away the bodies.

"I'll see you at camp," I said, leaving the clean-up to them before, bloody flickering back to camp. Kakashi was still there, poking the flames with a stick, Ginta keeping his company.

"Tomorrow the rest of the genins are going to head out as well huh?" I said as I approached. "We need more of a head start. Knowing the team guy, they're going to keep going even at night without rest." Kakashi groaned knowingly. I pushed Ginta's fur and the huge cat purred. I looked over to the carriage before leaping onto the top. The carriage was large enough for two grown women to sleep comfortably. Three children and an adult crammed together shouldn't be a problem. I unsealed a futon and fastened it to the top of the carriage that had rails around the roof. This would be our bed. It wasn't as comfortable as Tsunade's, but we genins didn't need that much comfort.

Sasuke and Naruto broke the tree lines arguing about something stupid. Something about long hair?

"That's all for tonight Ginta, get some rest," I said to the cat who merely twitched his ear before disappearing in a puff of smoke. "Alright boys get in position!" they turned to me pausing mid-shout before running to their stations.

"Pray tell what do you have this time?" Kakashi asked.

"Something awesome."

Naruto went to the carriage and activated the seals adorning it. The carriage glowed red before it became weightless, lifting off the ground. Kakashi stared.

"Summoning jutsu!" Sasuke who stood in front of the carriage brought out a summon, a three-meter-tall owl. The bird of prey tilted his head and Sasuke before turning his head to look at me. His body was still facing Sasuke.

"Are you up for a night flight," it was my voice but I was not present at all. Madara brushed my hair in a sad admit at comforting me. I glared up at him. He responded very quickly to my withdrawal as though he was waiting on it. He kissed my forehead and continued to control our body in my stead.

The owl was strapped to the weight lest carriage and flapped his wings as a test. Kakashi stared at the owl, the carriage, and them at us.

"How long have you been planning this?" He asked.

"The flying carriage was my idea," Naruto said proudly.

"The carriage being pulled by a bird was my idea," Sasuke said quietly, brushing the owl's feathers."

Kakashi looked at us expectedly.

"Would you believe me if I said I had nothing to do with this?" We asked.

"No," Kakashi replied bluntly.

"We'll I'm the one who turned the idea into reality," We offered, taking a seat in the driver's seat. "Join me." we patted the empty space beside us. Sasuke leaped up and took the spot, jerking his head up to Where Naruto took a pot atop the carriage. Kakashi, getting the message, leaped up to join the blond, who immediately began to talk his ear off.

"Let go, Momo," Sasuke commanded and the owl flapped his wings and took flight.

It was breathtaking. Traveling through the night sky was something out of a fairy tale. The dark sky was painted with colorful stars that made patterns. Clusters of stars shine the brightest catching and holding your attention in a mesmerizing trance. I looked up at the view, the night wind brushing against my cheek.

"A shooting star!" Naruto announced, pointing at the wandering star, awestruck. I held up the necklace that connected all of us against the backdrop of the night sky and smiled.

"It's like that night huh?" I muttered.

"I would like that night better if it didn't end the way it did," Sasuke muttered, his eyes flashing hurt before becoming blank.

"In life, we will face many misfortunes. If we hold on to only the pain, we will be miserable and desire nothing but to share that unfortunate feeling." I said thinking about Six paths of Pain

"You will know pain!"

"Sure, if you only think about the good times you will lock yourself in a world of delusions and the pain of life will hurt more. Like everything, you must find a balance. Treasuring the good while not forgetting the bad that you must learn from."

"How…" he hesitated. "How did you learn from that night?" he asked after a moment. I couldn't help but notice Naruto stopped talking.

"Well," I looked back to the sky dismissing the uneasy feeling I'd forgotten something. "I made sure those I love are always protected. If I can't get there in time to play hero," a springfly landed on my palm and turned a hair clip which I then placed in Sasuke's hair. "I make sure I'm there to play defender until a hero arrives." I smiled and leaned back. I also make sure to have eyes everywhere so I'm never caught off guard again and also have, fast healing factor so i'm never left in a ditch of my own making.'' I laughed at that, the memory not as painful now.

"Become strong enough to protect anyone and sturdy enough to never be a burden?" he summarized.

"You got it!" I cheered.

"Sakura-chan sounds like an old man," Naruto said in the silence.

"Hey!"

"Hey sensei!" Naruto and Sasuke turned to the old man. "Teach me a jutsu!" sensei sighed and ruffled their hair.

"Alright, first let's see what your chakra natures are," he said, taking out a piece of paper.

And we make those we care about strong enough to not need saving.

We make those we care about strong enough to not need saving. I agreed.

The genins of the leaf village gathered to inform of the Hokage tower as he stood to make the announcement.

"Everyone!" Hiruzen raised his voice to silence the crowd. "Today marks the beginning of your chunin exams! The first step is to reach the land of iron within three days! Those who arrive after and without their team intact will be disqualified! The road will be long and hard but I believe in the future of this village, that now lies in your hands." he smiled. "I'll see you in the land of Iron. Scatter!"

Genins of all ages rushed towards the gates of Konoha. Team guy met up with team eight as the two cousins conversed.

"I don't see Sakura's team anywhere," Neji said, his byakugan activated. Hinata handed him a note Naruto wrote her.

"On a mission, see you in the land of Iron," he read. "What!?"

"Apparently they got handicapped and needed to head start to make any progress." They turned to the approaching team. Team 10. Shikamaru nodded at them and elaborated with a note.

"Our pushover of a Hokage has given us a handicap. We'll see you in the land of Iron regardless. Please wear the earrings I gave you unless you want to freeze to death."

They looked over to see Team 10 sporting pink earrings. Neji looked over to see Hinata wearing a pink hairpin before looking down at the ring she gave him.

"Why do I feel like I'm being mothered?" he said more to himself.

"Because she's overprotective, that five-head," Ino said keeping pace.

"We must not keep Sakura waiting!" Lee said enthusiastically. "She has entrusted us with the task of getting to the Land of iron."

"That was the Hokage," Tenten said with a sigh.

"We must not let her down!"

"Let's get in the top 10!" Kida barked

"We'll show those genins who they're up against!" Choji agreed.

"What a drag," Shikamaru sighed. "We should worry about falling into traps first."

As he said it, explosions rang out all over the forest. They were no longer in the leaf village and the game was on.

"Byakugan!"

"The idiots ahead are laying explosives left and right," Hinata reported. "It's like they've forgotten we're supposed to be on the same team."

"If they won't play nice I don't see why we have to," Shikamaru said, pulling out ninja wires.

"I swear you've changed, Shikamaru," Ino shivered.

"They'll regret messing with us," Hinata agreed.

"Scum like them don't deserve to be promoted," Neji joined in.

"It's hunting season!" Kiba agreed

"Let's go!" they scattered, raining blood lust as they went.

Asuma sighed as he watched the rookie 12, the youngest of the genin charge into battle with war-hungry eyes.

"I think the old man forgot that crazy is contagious," Asuma said, lighting a cigarette.

Kurenai frowned but resisted the urge to chastise him as he too would like to take up smoking.

"This is the power of youth!" Guy cheered his student on even as the boy ax-kicked one of the Leaf's genins.

"This is going to be a long exam," Asuma sighed. Pretending not to see the way, Shikamaru aggressively tied up a troublesome genin. Or rather a Jonin pretending to be a genin to weed out the weak. His lazy genin really changed. He couldn't tell if it was for the better.

"What a drag."

The exams have officially begun! Watch carefully as the rookie twelve, the youngest in the leaf, bodies the competition!

Please note that I will not update for the month of December. After the December six update, I'm going on vacation!"

Next Chapter

December 6