Chapter Four

"Genma-sensei, are you feeling alright?" Naruto asked.

"I'm fine, brat." He grunted, squinting at the sun's bright rays. "And I thought we talked about this - don't call me sensei. Makes me feel old."

"Senpai, I have some anti-inflammatories in my first aide kit that may help your hangover if you-"

"Hangover?!" Sasuke interrupted Sakura's polite offer and his sharp voice made Genma flinch in pain.

She received a scathing look from the jonin as he sighed. "Perceptive little shit." He muttered under his breath. Sakura merely grinned innocently.

His gaze swept over the three of them. "You little demons drove me to seek comfort in the warm bosom of alcohol. So yes, Sasuke, I'm a tad bit hungover. Which means I'm not in the best of moods this morning. And if you don't keep your snotty-ass opinions to yourself, I'm gonna stick this senbon right-"

"My youthful former teammate!"

Naruto and Sasuke jumped like startled cats at the sudden shout.

Sakura remained unflinching in the face of the crazed enthusiasm of Konoha's Green Beast as he shot forward and attempted to scoop up their temporary team lead. His forward progression was halted by a senbon to the throat and another aimed at his - ahem - family jewels. Genma's usual blasé expression was twisted into a fearsome snarl.

"Guy, I swear to Kami-sama, you're obviously spending too much damn time walking around your hands, because the reverse blood flow is clearly killing off your fucking braincells. For the last fucking time, respect the MOTHERFUCKING bubble."

"Good morning Guy-sensei," Sakura said calmly, choosing to ignore the threatening position he was being held in and her teammates' terrified expressions. "Sorry I haven't been by for training, but Genman-senpai is much more punctual than Kakashi-sensei. And much less forgiving of tardiness."

"This is the guy you've been training with, Sakura?" Sasuke asked doubtfully.

He just can't fathom this is the same guy who helped you improve enough to knock him on his ass.

"Mm-hm, him and Lee-san."

"Sakura-chan! My youthful student!" She was not quick or skilled enough to dodge Guy's bear-hug. She let out a gasp as her ribs creaked in protest. The tiny amount of air remaining in her lungs was forced out in a huff as she was engulfed on the other side by an equally crushing force.

"Sakura-chan! Guy-sensei swore that you had not abandoned us, but I feared you would not return!" Lee had tears of joy pouring down his face.

"Oi! Hands off - she's our teammate!" Sakura was surprised when Sasuke was the first to demand her release.

"Dattebayo! Or we'll make you!" Naruto shouted angrily.

Territorial little bastards.

"Guy-sensei. Lee-san. I suggest you put the kunoichi down before she suffocates."

Sakura sucked in great gasps of precious air as she was unceremoniously dropped. She managed to save her pride by landing in a low crouch instead of on her ass in the dirt.

She glanced up at the newcomer and fervently hoped the blush on her checks would be attributed to her momentary lack of oxygen. Pretty… Mentally shaking her head at her traitorous hormones, Sakura straightened and brushed the non-existent creases from her dark pants and tried to regain her dignity.

"Thank you for your assistance Hyuga-san." She bowed slightly.

The dark haired male's shoulders tightened and he narrowed his eerily pale lilac eyes at her.

"Have we been previously acquainted?" He asked stiffly.

She cocked her head to the side and her lips twitched into a slight smile. "Not to my knowledge. But your clan has a very distinctive look; I was in the same graduating class as Hyuga Hinata."

He continued to frown at her. "Do you often memorize the defining characteristics of clans?"

"Kami-sama! Neji-kun, stop being a jerk!" A small, bun-wearing girl had wandered up and was glowering at him with her hands firmly fisted on her hips.

"Only the main clans of Konoha." Sakura said in response to his question. She gave a polite bow again to Neji and then to the kunoichi.

"Haruno Sakura. Pleased to meet you." She gestured to her teammates standing behind her. "Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke. We're Team Seven in addition to our sensei, Hatake Kakashi."

She pointed to the bandana-wearing brunette that was still fighting off Guy's attempts at physical affection. "Genma-senpai is filling in as our team lead since Kakashi-sensei was dragged out on a mission."

As she had expected, her introduction forced the Hyuga to drop his hostile posture and dip into a textbook-perfect bow. "I am Hyuga Neji - as I'm sure you already discerned. This is Tenten," he said indicating to the girl at his side, "and I understand you are already familiar with our teammate, Rock Lee." She smiled in victory.

Sakura: 1 - Neji: 0

"Sakura-chan," Naruto whispered. Or at least she think he tried to, as his voice was still loud enough for the other genin to hear. "Why the hell are big bushy-brows and mini bushy-brows wearing matching green spandex?"

"I have no earthly idea." She deadpanned.

"Neither do we." Tenten said. Neji rubbed a hand across his eyes as if contemplating their terrible fashion choices physically pained him.

"Alright brats! Enough chit-chat!" Sakura looked up to find Genma scowled down at them. "Team Seven desperately need to improve their stamina. So I've arranged a small boot camp to whip your asses into shape." He hiked a thumb in the other jonin's direction. "Guy is Konoha's foremost taijutsu specialist and, as we were on the same team in our genin days, he has graciously offered his own students to join in on your suffering."

"Suffering?! This will be an exercise in the powers of youth and perseverance!"

Yeah right.

. _ . _ . _ .

"You're an ass, Hatake."

Kakashi dragged his tired gaze from the pages of his book to the male at his side.

"While I'm fairly certain your opinion of me has remained consistent over the years, is there anything in particular I've done this time to provoke you?"

Genma scowled at him and the senbon in his mouth bobbed in irritation.

"Hell yeah." He huffed. "You forgot to mention you acquired your students straight from hell instead of the academy. Little shits have been driving me nuts all damn week." The was a faint flicker of affection in his eyes - in direct contrast to his tone - before they turned frosty and narrowed.

Kakashi remained impassive even as Genma leaned close to hiss at him. "And you sure as hell didn't warn me about the genius pink-haired demon."

"I see." The Copy-Nin muttered as he turned back to his book. He cursed Genma's big mouth as his dark haired teammates tensed in front of him. At least it was late enough that they were the only ones within hearing distance.

"Why don't you guys head on home? I'll give the Hokage our mission report. I'm sure Sasuke will be excited to see you, Itachi."

"Hai, taichou." Itachi gave a short bow and then he and Shisui veered off in the direction of the Uchiha compound.

Genma raised an eyebrow at the title as well as the quickly departing jonin pair and slid his gaze over Kakashi's attire. All black and missing the usual green flack vest. He frowned.

"What the hell are they doing dragging you back into ANBU missions? You just got out for fuck's sake and you're a jonin-sensei now."

Kakashi sighed. Though the team had stopped to stow their signature chest guards and masks, it wasn't surprising Genma had caught on as a former member himself. "Well, you know how it is… once you're in, you never really get to leave. The Hokage needed this mission completed on a time crunch."

"I'd say so." Genma snorted in reply. "He sent you with the Uchiha Duo. Near guarantee for mission success, if a bit of overkill with the three of you combined."

Kakashi made a noncommittal noise in response and Genma let the subject drop. ANBU was classified and even if they could discuss the mission, it wouldn't be something either male would want to linger over.

"Back to that kunoichi of yours. I take it you're not planning to get her tested?"

An icy fist closed around his heart at the suggestion. "No," he snarled. Genma flinched in surprise. Being taken out and then unceremoniously put back in the porcelain mask had left Kakashi's emotions reeling. Pulling in a breath he softened his tone. "No, I'm not."

The senbon wielder held his hands up in surrender. "I sure as fuck wasn't gonna suggest it, I swear." Kakashi sighed and frowned unseeing down at the worn pages of his novel as they continued to wander through the streets in the general direction of the Hokage tower. It was getting too dark to read anyhow.

Testing meant formal evaluations. Formal evaluations would go on her record and, with the results Kakashi expected, she would be pushed to advance far more quickly than she was ready. Far more quickly than he was ready. He hadn't been lying when he said he was starting to grow attached to his team.

"I am going to test her abilities, but informally. Under the radar."

Genma gave him a look of frustrated pity. "That'll only work for so long. And if you keep coddling her, she's not gonna make it when push comes to shove. They'll stick her tiny ass out in the field with a blade in her hand and orders to paint the ground red, damn the consequences. She'll break."

Kakashi flinched and closed his eye.

"Not just her, the boys too." Genma plowed ahead. "Especially if you plan on entering them in the fall exams - there's less than six weeks before they start. If you want the brats to come out alive, you better get your ass moving."

Giving Genma a sour look, Kakashi sighed in resignation and rubbed at the back of his head.

"Mah, fine. I get it."

The ever-present senbon rolled in a languid circle as the tokubetsu jonin smirked in victory.

"So how are you planning to test her? I've been dying to know how much a brainiac the kid really is, but it's not not like you could just spring an exam on her, she'd know what's up."

The formerly smug shinobi glared when he receive a dismissive eye crinkle in response to his question.

"The weekly jonin meeting is still on for tomorrow, right?"

"…yeah…" Genma muttered, brow furrowed in confusion.

"Then I've got it under control."

. _ . _ . _ .

Sakura rolled out of her bed, feet tangled in the sheets and a kunai gripped her hand. Blinking sleep from her eyes, she tried to identify what had woken her so unexpectedly. It was Sunday and she had finally thought she'd have the opportunity to sleep in after the beating her body had taken over the two day boot camp with Guy that Genma had so kindly volunteered her team for.

*Tap, tap, tap*

She swung around and gasped in shock. Kakashi was - for some inexplicable reason - perched outside her window, visibly shaking with laughter at her disheveled appearance.

She rushed forward to throw the widow open. "Kakashi-sensei! I hadn't realized you were back in the village!" The smile she gave him was genuine. As much as she loved irritating Genma and cataloging the different ways his senbon danced as he snarled at them, Kakashi was still her favorite team leader.

"I just got back in late last night, Sakura-chan," he chuckled. "I know Genma promised you guys a day off, but I was wondering if you wanted to tag along with me to HQ? I wasn't able to wake the boys, so it'll just be you and me. There's a jonin-only meeting at ten o'clock, but that should still give me an hour or so to show you around."

Her eyes sparkled in excitement. Only chunin and jonin were allowed in Headquarters unaccompanied and she was anxious to satisfy her curiosity. "Hell yeah!" She blushed. "I mean… I'd love to, sensei. Just let me get ready real quick."

Genma's foul mouth has started to rub off…

Not like you don't curse in your fucking head.

That's you.

And I'm you, remember? Same shit.

Sakura rolled her eyes as she fished a pair of black pants and a long-sleeved red top out of her dresser. She hurried to the bathroom to change, brush her teeth, and throw her hair into a long braid over her shoulder.

Since starting to take her training seriously, she had made a conscious effort to bare less skin. It made the small cuts and multi-colored bruises that decorated her arms and legs much less conspicuous. And the braid kept her hair out of her face, plus it could be twisted up and pinned in place with a senbon in just a few seconds.

Dumping her pajamas into the hamper, Sakura was quick to cross the hall back into her room and strap on her hip and thigh pouch. She jumped up onto the windowsill and closed the window softly.

Her parents had been appalled when she had initially started hopping out her window and using the rooftop pathways to travel the village, but had quickly stopped complaining when she pointed out that she would likely wake them by using doors - what with her leaving before dawn and often not returning until close to midnight.

Sakura noted Kakashi's stare as she used chakra to scurry up the side her home to join him on the roof.

"Genma taught you three how to tree-walk?" he asked.

She nodded. "I also learned water-walking, but the boys haven't yet got the hang of it."

His eyebrow twitched. "And how long did that take you?"

"For both?" she asked with her head cocked to the side. "Well, tree-walking I got on the first try, so like ten seconds? And then water-walking probably took me another three to five minutes. Genma-senpai spent most of the day entertaining himself by having me dodge senbon while standing on the river's surface. I ran out of chakra by lunch though."

Kakashi's shoulders slumped and he muttered faintly under his breath. She assumed is was something foul directed at their temporary team lead.

"Is something the matter, sensei?" she asked.

"Nothing to worry your cute little head over, Sakura-chan. Come along."

Kakashi led them at a reasonable pace across the village towards the shinobi district and dropped down to street level as they reached their destination. Sakura followed closely, eager not to loose sight of her sensei in the bustle of the crowd. As they headed up the front steps, she barely stopped in time to avoid running into him as he halted suddenly.

"Asuma. Fancy seeing you here." Kakashi drawled casually.

Sakura peered around her sensei's tall frame. He was addressing a broad, olive-skinned male leaning against the front of the building, smoking a cigarette. She followed the trail of smoke up to his dark eyes that were regarding her curiously.

He snorted in reply to Kakashi's comment. "Not really. Though you are - shockingly - early." He nodded his head at her. "One of your kiddies?"

"Yep." Kakashi settled a gentle hand on her head and Sakura tried to suppress her scowl at the patronizing gesture. She was only marginally successful, judging by the twitch of his lips behind the mask. "This is Haruno Sakura. Sakura-chan, I'd like you to meet Sarutobi Asuma. He's the jonin-sensei for Team Ten."

Sakura stepped around and gave a courteous bow as she muttered a greeting. After straightening, she noticed a younger male eyeing her sleepily from the bearded jonin's shadow. She blinked in surprise and a small smile flittered across her face as she dipped her head in acknowledgement. "Hello, Shikamaru-kun. You're looking well."

A light blush dusted across the spiky haired genin's cheeks as he mumbled an inaudible reply. Asuma rolled his eyes heavenward and rubbed a hand across his face.

"How can you be this lazy? Say a proper hello, for Kami-sama's sake. Mind your manners, Shika. They're essential for everyone, but especially when you address cute girls."

Shikamaru turned even redder and let out an indignant squawk as he glared at the older male.

"Mah-mah, let's head on in, shall we?" Kakashi chuckled awkwardly. Sakura agreed quickly and followed her on sensei's heels as he lead the way into the cool building. They left the other two standing out on the front step, likely arguing if the sounds she heard were any indication.

"Kakashi-sensei?"

"Yes, Sakura-chan?"

"Have I told you I'm grateful you're my sensei?"

She received a short bark of surprised laughter in reply.

. _ . _ . _ .

As Kakashi dragged her around to the lounge, council room, study, and other semi-public places she was allowed as a genin, Sakura noticed they were getting an assortment of shocked stares. While she was sure they made an interesting pair, there seemed to be more to it than their unique hair colors.

"Kakashi-sensei?" she asked quietly. "Do you know why people are looking at us funny?"

"Mmm? Oh, probably because of the betting pool that someone started. I've never passed a genin team before and they all figured you'd call it quits in the first week and beg Iruka to take you back."

"What?" she asked flatly.

"Well, it certainly doesn't help that you look absolutely adorable and delicate, Sakura-chan." Kakashi said with an eye crinkle.

Sakura ground her teeth in frustration. Adorable? Delicate? What the hell do they think I became a ninja for? To sit a on a shelf and look pretty?!

Don't get your panties in a twist about it. One of these days the assholes are gonna regret ever doubting our abilities. Inner muttered threateningly with an sharp gleam in her eyes.

They sure fucking will.

She noticed they had wandered back into the main lounge after completing the tour. Shikamaru and Asuma were seated at a low table in one corner and Kakashi led them over. The youngest male flushed as she approached but quickly turned his attention back to the game board in front of him.

Sakura and Kakashi took the two remaining floor pillows and settled themselves at the table. "Have you ever played shogi, Sakura-chan?" her sensei asked.

She shook her head. "I've read a bit about it, but I've never actually played."

Shikamaru's head snapped up in shock. "What do you mean you've never played?!" He asked in astonishment.

Asuma laughed lightly. "Not everyone is obsessed with strategy games as you are, Shika-kun." He said, reached up to light a fresh cigarette. He leaned his head back to leisurely blow out the smoke and then back down to frown at the game in contemplation.

"How about you watch us play this game and then you two kiddos can go at it when the jonin have their meeting, huh?" He suggested. "Shikamaru is already on his way to kicking my ass anyway."

"Sure, sounds good to me." Sakura agreed. She raised a brow slightly at Asuma's long-suffering tone and guessed this wasn't the first time the Nara heir had beaten him.

Sure enough, within the next ten moves Shikamaru had claimed victory and Asuma and Kakashi rose to join their colleagues. Kakashi gave her shoulder a little pat as he passed and muttered "good luck" softly.

Sakura doubted she would have much success beating the other genin given his clan's reputation for producing geniuses, but the continued sharp glances she was receiving from the scattered jonin in the room had sparked a fire in her belly.

Let them stare.

"Do you want me to go over the rules?" Shikamaru asked.

She shock her head. "No, it's fine. I remember them." More like I have the rule book in my head. Photographic memory comes in handy sometimes.

Shikamaru cocked a brow at her, but didn't argue. "You can go first then."

Sakura nodded and reached forward to make her opening move.

We're back on track for Wednesday updates! Yay!

Please remember to follow/favorite/review! The emails popping up in my inbox every time FF sends me a notification feeds my muse. :3

Much love,

Mistress Kakashi

lovecrazyhedgehog - Chapter Three Review: I'm glad you're liking it! Thanks for another review! ;)

Cruisegril86 - Chapter Three Review: I'm not planning on stopping anytime soon! :) Glad you're enjoying it! Thanks for the review!

Guest Reviewer #1 - Chapter Three Review: I'm happy you like my style! I find it a bit difficult to get things to flow as I like them, but am pleased readers are enjoying it! Not to worry, Genma will be featured in future chapters! He's too hilarious too leave out for long. :D Inner is my *absolute fav* to write, I'm thrilled that you like her pushiness. Thanks for the review!

Suzululu4moe - Chapter Two Review: That brains and control are gonna be taking our favorite pink-haired genin much further! And **SLIGHT SPOILER** keep that chakra nature in mind as we move forward, it's going to come back into play in a big way. And yes, I imagine all that green is a bit jarring after a peaceful meditation session. Thank you for another lovely review!

Suzululu4moe - Chapter Three Review: LOL, yes, nothing to be ashamed of for downing one's sorrows in a glass (or three) of wine. :D Danzo is going to be a cranky old man indeed! And Inoichi will be making an appearance in Chapter Five, so stay tuned for his reaction! And YES! I totally agree, canon Sakura progressed so freaking quickly once she became Tsunade's student and it's such a shame she was set back to the side so quickly. But that's were fanfic comes in. *evil cackle* Thank you for the review!

nedrag94 - Chapter Three Review: Glad you liked it! I'm pleased to announce I'm back (hopefully) on a regular schedule, so please mark your calendar for Wednesday updates. XD Thank you for the review!