Chapter 5

The mission building had a peculiar aroma—mothballs, antiseptic, and the pungent, iron-like scent of blood. Sakura strode between Sasuke and Naruto as they made their way through the long, winding corridors. Having been here once or twice before, Sakura knew exactly what took place in the soundproof rooms beyond the heavy, white doors.

If she closed her eyes and listened hard enough, she was sure she could feel the vibrations of tortured screams from captured enemies.

Pushing through the opening of a guarded door, Sakura is surprised to see rows of ninja lining the floor. Each man and woman had large, chakra seeping devices strapped to their scalps that undoubtedly involved the first stage of the Jōnin Exams. Although they were there willingly, no one could possibly enjoy being drained of their power.

Having chakra was something Sakura was thankful for every day as a ninja. She would be nothing without it.

A Hokage clone stood in the room's center, gesturing for his students to step forth. He looked odd in the traditional cloak of Rokudaime. Nothing about his past gave his students the impression of royalty. Everything from his posture, to his messy, silver hair clashed against the flowing attire Naruto so longed to wear.

"So, your clone is on time, but the real Kakashi never is?" Naruto mocked. "This is kinda worrying."

"Maybe that's why he's on time." Sakura smirks. "All he has to do is send a copy to do his bidding!"

The nostalgic teasing helped ease the tension inside of her body. Sakura hadn't seen much of Kakashi after the war, and that was to be expected. Studying under Lady Tsunade, Sakura knew how much paperwork and exertion accompanied the title. She was happy she hadn't been around for his breakdowns.

"Ah, yes well...I suppose I deserve that." The doppelganger murmured. After scratching his head, he stands up straight and looks at each one of his previous students with hard, dull eyes. "Let's not waste any more time."

"Yeah, 'cause I'm ready to kick some ass, datebayo!"

The clone passes out thick, bound scrolls. Sakura clasped hers tightly, reading the symbols that were splayed across. It looked similar to the Slug Summoning Contract Tsunade had performed by her side. It wasn't the same summon, but it was comparable.

Where were they sending them?

"When you feel you're prepared, make the decision as teammates to unravel the parchment simultaneously and the first round will start. Good luck."

"That's it?" Naruto droned, speaking to a ball of smoke. "He's not gonna tell us anything more than that?"

"Obviously," Sasuke retorts, flanking the other two. In their triangle, each prepares to open their scroll with a synchronized countdown.

3…

2…

1…

Open!

Sakura smelled something sweet.

Batting her eyelashes, the bleary world around her slowly started to take shape. There's a…wall, a countertop, and upon it sits a fresh plate of anko dumplings in beautiful shades of pastel pinks and greens.

Just as everything starts to level itself out, a beast of a thing rounds the corner and all but throws a bamboo cup onto the tabletop. "Here's your tea." The humanoid pig barks.

By now, an anthropomorphic, talking boar isn't the weirdest thing Sakura's ever seen. In fact, this place reminds her of the demons in Shikkotsu Forest. The only difference is that she's not being chased by slugs this time. She's being served by pigs.

Groaning, Sakura buries her hands into her hair.

To her left, a figure suddenly sits down. It smells of gentleman's cologne and grass—though the combination might seem odd, it's very comforting to Sakura in this moment.

"Kakashi, what the hell is going on?"

He takes one of her dumplings and twirls it in the syrup before pulling down his mask and exposing the smooth skin of his face. Although it's the briefest of flashes, a sudden heat rises to Sakura's cheeks and she has to cool them down by pressing her palms firmly against them.

As if he had not just revealed the biggest mystery of her Genin days, Kakashi explains to his favorite female student just was "the hell" was going on. "That scroll in your hand," He says through bites, thoroughly enjoying his food. "You can't open it until you meet up with Naruto and Sasuke. If you do, you'll die."

Her mouth betrayed her, sputtering and stumbling over her words. "I-I'll die? W-what do you mean I'll die?"

By now, Kakashi's sure he wouldn't have to explain the concept of death. "Expiry, to perish, to croak—if you die here, you die in Konoha."

"Where is "here", exactly?"

"We're in between all three Sage realms, of course. It's taken a few years, but the Brainiac's that work in the logistics department have figured out how to combine human chakra to summoning scrolls, so we can have easier access to battling beasts. For some reason, a unanimous decision was made to test their capabilities during the first round of the Jōnin Exams. The region you're in intersects with Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave."

Shikkotsu Forest, Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave were the "Three Unexplored Sage Regions". Within these regions, many types of super beasts thrived—the Legendary Sannin made deals with each of their respective monsters to aide in battle when necessary: Katsuyu, Gamabunta, and Manda.

If Sakura is here, that must mean the people with chakra devices on their heads have been successful in transportation. The name, "Unexplored Sage Region" may cease to exist before long.

"What are we supposed to do?"

Placing his elbow onto the counter, Kakashi looks deeply into Sakura's eyes. "You are supposed to do many things here. The most obvious reason is a simple detective case—there have been mysterious things happening to the citizens of this place. Male summons have been turning up missing. As an act of good will between our world and theirs, we have both agreed to allow ninja into this place to help solve this conundrum. There's a catch, however."

With Kakashi, there always was.

"Being a ninja is a gift. Chakra was bestowed upon us to be used as a tool—but if you cannot protect yourself with your own might, you have no place as a Jōnin. You, and your comrades, need to rely on your strength as a unit to complete the mission. To help ease the minds of the summoning monsters, it has been decided that all participants will be denied access to their chakra until back in your own world."

Like a hit to the stomach, Sakura feels a rush of air escape her body.

It had been so long since she felt the emptiness within her body that told her that chakra was not available. Usually, this hollowness was accompanied by either death, or pure exhaustion. As dizziness filled her senses and question after question rolled around her head, Kakashi stands places square coins upon the counter.

"Don't open the scroll you have without your teammates present—don't allow them to see what is on your particular parchment, either."

Gulping, Sakura stands too, abandoning the dumplings as she tails her Hokage. "Is there anything else?

Warningly, the man turns on his heels and pokes his finger roughly into the slender inch of collarbone that peeks from beyond the deep V of Sakura's kimono. "If it gets out that you're a human, every demon within the next mile will try to snatch you up. A seal on your stomach hides your human scent. Keep it from being damaged. Be cautious."

With that, just as quickly as he came, Kakashi disappears in a puff of smoke.

Greedily slurping, the last fat noodle at the bottom of a table-sized bowl hungrily enters Naruto's mouth. The flavor here is different—spicier and thicker—and although it's nothing like Ichiraku, it's still damn good.

Kakashi had arrived earlier like a phantom, stealing some of the food Naruto had been offered and explaining with cloudy, vague words, what Team 7's mission entailed. 1. Find out why monsters are missing. 2. Don't die. It really wasn't very hard. Kind of like a vacation, ya know.

Naruto's not afraid to admit he's gotten a bit cocky. Hell, defeating the Goddess of chakra could do that to a guy. He's married, he pays his own bills, Sasuke's back, the world is at peace, and after the Exams he'll steal that pointy hat right off Kakashi's crooked hair!

Standing up to adjust the old-school robe that hung loosely over his shoulders, the man rubs his swollen belly and makes his way out of the restaurant. The heels of his shoes click, like in old samurai movies, and Naruto decides he'd look freaking cool if he threaded his fingers behind his head and leaned back when he walked.

Yeah, just like that.

Not two seconds after stepping out of those shutter-like doors, a rocking explosion shakes the ground from far down the road. As smoke billows and summon-monsters gallop away, Naruto rushes towards the activity, hoping to end this mission in thirty minutes flat.

Sasuke was drunk.

Sasuke was absolutely, positively, shitfaced drunk. It was the type of inebriation tells your brain to stop forming memories—the type that shuts down ones hippocampus and forces your body to move on overdrive unconsciously. It was also the first time Sasuke had been drunk since he was experimented on by Orochimaru.

Sasuke was supposed to be immune to such intoxications.

His body moves, taking in another bottle of dark liquor before the bartender comes back to snatch it from his hands. "You've had enough, haven't ye?"

Ripping it back out of the wolf's paw, Sasuke brings it to his lips. "Nope."

Moments later, the bickering between customer and employee turns into an all-out fight, in which the humanlike wolf shows his teeth, and Sasuke breaks a bottle over his head. The man vaguely remembers Kakashi mentioning death, the absence of chakra, and a swirl on his stomach that shouldn't be touched—none of which matters as the beast flies across the bar and sinks his teeth into the flesh of Sasuke's real arm.

Ah, why did he go for the good one?

Dithering from his blackout, Sasuke tries to expel lightening from his hand.

…right, no chakra…

The feeling of being royally pissed off fades as darkness consumes him once more.

"Naruto!"

Seeing a shock of blond hair amongst the reptilian skin, thick furs, and dark shells of a multitude of creatures sent a rush of relive throughout Sakura's soul. In her well-fitted kimono that wrapped around her ankles, speed was impossible. Thanking God that the shrill, childlike voice of her youth remained intact, the woman weaved through pounding feet, waving her arms frantically.

"Sakura, there you are!"

Falling into his arms, Sakura lets the man spin her around as she digs her fingers into his back. She's so happy to see a friendly face.

"Do you know what's going on? Have you seen Kakashi? Where's Sasuke?"

Nodding, the man looks towards a commotion down the long stretch of road. "I think I know where Sasuke might be. C'mon, let's end this quickly."

Hiking up her dress, the two clack their feet against the dusty street, conversing briefly on the expectations their former teacher left them. Sakura knew it was silly to have such little expectation of Naruto. Why she had worried that he wouldn't understand the gravity of their situation? She scoffs, panting breathlessly as her plain human legs carried her between the towering animals of the Sage Realm.

"I was sent to a sweet shop." Sakura says. "You smell like ramen. Maybe we were directed to where we'd most likely be seen, if we lived here. So far, everything thinks I'm a terribly ugly monster, because our human smell is suppressed."

"So, they put us in food-related places. Does Sasuke like food?"

It had been a long time since Sakura knew what Sasuke's likes and dislikes were. He liked training. He disliked sugary things. He liked girls with long hair. He disliked Naruto.

…That was the extent of her knowledge.

Naruto scratched his head, adjusting orange yukata uncomfortably between strides. "Maybe he'll be in a weapons shop. Ya know, he likes to sharpen his tools all the time. Er—at least he used to. I think he was threating me, more than worrying about his blades…"

"That's perfect!" Sakura yelled. They couldn't do anything until they were a team, and as much as she wanted to know what the ruckus was down the way, Sasuke was an imperative part of their mission.

Though the buildings in this place were massive, the writings were easy to read. Turning sharply on her heel, the woman strides towards the shop they'd just passed. It had a wooden sword carved atop—a blacksmith's shop, undoubtedly.

All but kicking the door open, Sakura scoured the room, ignoring the large ape-owner as he eyed them with interest. Taking the opposite side of the building, Naruto and Sakura looked high and low for their partner.

Her heart deflated. Sasuke wasn't here.

If they couldn't find him, they would fail before their mission even began to start. There was no way she was willing to open her scroll without everyone present. It literally was a death sentence! Sakura groaned aloud, running her hand through her tangled waterlily locks.

Suddenly, without warning, a vicious growl wafted its way through the shop door. Craning over his booth, the ape narrowed his eyes as a werewolf creature that was four times the size of Naruto scrambled passed the window.

Following closely behind was Sasuke, looking equal parts menacing and disheveled.

"I found him." Naruto says blandly.

"This is weird. I can't tell if he's drunk or psychotic."

Naruto adjust his hold on Sasuke as they leave the scene of the crime quickly. It was bad enough the trio was surrounded by huge, menacing titans that could devour them in one half-swallow—no, Sasuke had to pick a fight and make things worse.

Sasuke's bangs stuck to his forehead; a sheet of sweat had enveloped his skin. His face was blotchy with drunkenness. "He smells like Tsunade."

Sakura had seen many of Sasuke's sides. She had seen sadness, despair, and terror. She had seen him writhe in pain that should have killed him, smile earnestly and kindly, and snarl with pure bloodlust and hatred for everyone that surrounded him.

Drunken Sasuke, however, was a new one.

Naruto shouldered Sasuke's arm, helping him stand once more. "I show up in a ramen stand. Sweet Sakura goes to a candy store. And you…well…what the hell happened to you, you bastard?"

"I'm drunk?"

"No shit!" Naruto barked back.

"Naruto," Sakura says gently. "We need to find shelter. It may be early morning back home, but the sun is going down here. See if you notice any inns."

They stumbled around on the road, dodging the large feet of toads and other animals that rarely looked down long enough to see what they might squish. Beyond, over an incredibly large bridge, Naruto spotted steam billow into the air from a bathhouse. There was bound to be a hotel nearby, if a bathhouse was in view.

Sakura, understanding Naruto's train of thought, looped Sasuke's arm around her own shoulders so they could cross the bridge together. The wooden slates were large enough to show the rushing waters beneath them. One misstep could send Team 7 to their deaths.

Feeling new warmth against him, Sasuke closes his bleary eyes. This was a different kind of shape. Gentle curves, soft skin, the smell of vanilla and honey—Sakura wrapped her arm around his hip and slid her hand into his own.

"Sasuke, I need you to sober up a bit."

"I can't get drunk," He says sloppily. For some reason, there's a twinge of despair clinging to his voice.

"The hell you can't," Naruto replies as he takes the first step of many. "What do you call this, then?"

The bed was much too big. It was the size of two or three king-sized mattresses, all shoved together to accommodate the massive summons who vacationed this area. Sakura wiped the sweat off her forehead as Naruto heaved Sasuke onto the bed, thankful that the square coins in each of their pockets was just enough to cover a few nights' rent.

Naruto peeked around the room, opening all of the drawers and doors. "This place is huge."

A few years ago, Sakura had thought Naruto was incredibly smart for searching around every new room he entered. When they were Genin, it was taboo for a boy and a girl to share the same room when they were offered gratuities on long missions. The first mission they were sent out on when Sasuke was saved, and the ninja world was at peace, Sakura and Naruto tagged along to a trip to see Gaara. But as she grew to know Naruto, she realized it was just one of his many quirks.

In any house that he entered, he behaved the same. Normally, his first stop was the refrigerator, and then he snooped around through everything else. He stood atop the table now, peeking into a cubby above the door.

"So, Sakura," Naruto says, hopping down from his perch. "You're going to work here now?"

"I thought it was a good idea, in case this Exam lasts longer than the days we paid for. I might be able to befriend someone and nose my way around. Besides, I didn't hear you offer to find a job to feed us while we're here!"

He shrugged and plopped down next to Sasuke, who was buzzing from his alcohol. "Why aren't you yelling at him? He's the one that got shitfaced on a mission."

Sakura looked at Sasuke as he brushed his dark, onyx fringe back with the aid of his forearm. His face wasn't red now; he had gotten over his deeply drunken state after walking to the hotel, and through two flights of steps.

Sakura never would have thought Sasuke was the drinking type, but Sakura also didn't know him as an adult. If he wanted to get drunk, he certainly had every right to…on his own time.

"Should we wait until you're sober, or can we all open our scrolls now?"

Eagerly searching within the folds of his yukata, Naruto pulls out his rolled parchment. "I vote yes."

"Naruto, what if Sasuke can't read what his says?"

Wiping his face once more, Sasuke rubs the bleariness from his eyes and positions himself atop the bed, crossing his legs as if he were meditating. Taking his movements as a green light, all three peel back the seal once more and rip open their scrolls, letting their eyes scan the information they've been given greedily.

Sakura was sure that each scroll would have different objectives. If all tasks were completed, and a good amount of teamwork was put in, this round could be completed in no time.

Male beasts have been disappearing from the Sage Realm.

Reports are highest in the village you have been sent to.

Be aware of your surroundings and uncover the mystery behind these disappearances.

Witnesses indicate that a large, gray mansion of sorts may be involved.

Do not share any of this information with your comrades.

Sakura read beyond the handwritten statements that were scrawled below, and then she peered up at her teammates who studied their scrolls vehemently.

Although Sasuke was unable to access his sharingan, his eyes scanned the paper with the same knowing speed. It seemed that he had been given a more detailed amount of information—something like a map, or perhaps a list of names. A groan from the other side of the room caused Sasuke to look up, meeting Sakura's eyes as he did so. Timidly and cautiously, the woman averted her gaze, turning toward the frustrated noise.

"You could read that better if it wasn't upside-down," Sakura says.

Laughing innocently, the blonde did just that and they all spent the next few moments memorizing the information they'd been given. Naruto had a harder time when it came to memorization, and for this reason, Sakura silently hoped that Sasuke had been given something that was more pertinent and helpful.

The kunoichi watches as Naruto and Sasuke look at one another once finished. For a long time, both men had been able to communicate by exchanging blows. They could feel their emotions—their grievances and happiness and everything in between. After furrowing his eyebrows, and then smiling brightly, the blond offers Sasuke a thumbs up which the man promptly ignores.

Black eyes slide to Sakura's, and he stills. They communicate in a different kind of way.

Long ago, Sakura would have been able to tell what Sasuke was thinking. Many missions had gone by where Naruto would run through the woods haphazardly while Sasuke and Sakura exchanged glances and knowledge silently.

This was a different time, however. Trust had been broken, lives had been lost, threats were almost carried out, and Sakura isn't sure what Sasuke is trying to say to her anymore. He's too reserved now, which only makes this Exam all that harder. Plus, there were a lot of things she wanted to talk to him about that just made everything…awkward.

Hey, are you going to apologize for almost killing me a few days ago?

Clearing her throat, the woman makes her announcement. "I'll suppose that I'll be the leader."

She had been given the mission objective, after all.

"Eh, is that was your scroll said?" Naruto asked suddenly, coming up to Sakura and bumping into her side. Though he was chakra bare, he was still incredibly fast and strong. Her small frame tumbled beneath him and she hit the floor with a thud, bouncing off the man like a rubber ball.

"Why would you ask me that if you knew I couldn't tell you?" She grumbled, pulling herself up with the help of an oversized duvet. "You need to calm down—this isn't a china shop, Mr. Bull."

Naruto scratched his nose, mumbling a shy apology and a gentle pat.

Thinking quickly, Sasuke's voice rang out around the room. "You have the objective."

He did not need her to answer. Sasuke had not been a rule-abiding ninja for a long time, but he remembered enough from school to know that the mission objective was always given to the leader. If Sakura, who was a medical ninja and the last line of defense, suddenly announced that she would lead their band of misfits, it obviously meant she knew what to do.

"If you get us there," He said, speaking slowly so Naruto could catch on. "I can take over.

Offering a knowing nod, Sakura turned to Naruto, who speaks loudly. "So, what do we do now, boss?"

"I suppose we should do some reconnaissance. It might sound strange, but I think you and Sasuke should be the ones to look around the village. There might be some obvious signs—what did Kakashi tell you both when he saw you?"

"Something about missing dudes." Naruto replies.

"Then it's settled. Trail after a few men—males—uh, dudes?—and I'll ask around the hotel while I clean some rooms or whatever they direct me to do."

Sasuke shakes his head. "The whole point of this mission is teamwork. Wouldn't splitting up negate that?"

"Teamwork does not always mean you hold hands through the battlefield. Sometimes it means charging in for the kill and distracting your enemy just long enough for real damage to be done."

Sasuke frowns, taking in the smooth tone of her voice. She was undoubtedly talking about their fight with Madara—yet, nothing about her quip seems accusatory.

"Don't act like you don't want to hold Sasuke's hand!" Naruto says suddenly. The woman goes from firm leader to blushing mess in a matter of moments. Clenching her fist, Sakura drives it into Naruto's rib.

Blinking, the man responds: "Was that a hit? Or was that a kiss?"

Again, Sakura waves her hand. "I don't know, idiot! Pucker up and find out!"

His hands went up in submission. Naruto, as amazing as he's become, was still incredibly ignorant. For instance, he doesn't understand how painful it is for Sakura to hear jabs about her prowess. He only digs himself deeper into a hole with his next comment.

Just wait until we get out of here, idiot!

"Sorry, it's just strange for it not to hurt. Are you really that weak without your chakra, Sakura?"

She growls. "It's not like I have years of breeding from my clan to mold me into some toned shinobi. And sorry, I don't get to exchange chakra with a powerful beast!"

"Lee's strong without chakra," Naruto mumbled.

This time, Sasuke interjects. "Lee has chakra. He is just incredibly talentless at everything but taijutsu."

"Yeah, but—"

Sakura turns away sharply, signaling an end to the conversation. This wasn't the time to bicker, and it certainly wasn't leader-like.