A couple months later when they were released for summer break and after a much desired week long visit from Darui, Sakura was sent a letter that requested her return to the Capital and so she sought out three of her friends, Hinata would be busy all break anyway.
"I've been summoned home" Sakura grimaced to the three gathered before her as they sat in the ramen stand eating an extremely early lunch, it was only 11, much earlier than they ate "And my cousins, aunt and uncle have to go with me" she finished.
Looking uncomfortable, the contents of the letter had suggested something that made her feel like gagging "Well do you know what for, did they tell you why you had to go home to wherever you actually live" Naruto sulked, now he'd be with just Sasuke and Ino all break.
Sakura nodded "My brother has chosen a wife, the very same girl that had him running away just last year and we all have to go to meet her" Sakura sighed not sure how well this was going to go, because of how much complaining her brother had done about this very girl.
Naruto reeled back "Yikes well good luck Sakura and if you can make sure you come back early, surely you won't be made to stay the entirety of our break anyway" Sasuke winced knowing that having his request filled was slim to none, she was the princess for kami's sake.
Her lips curved upwards into a smile "Just promise me that you'll keep studying and training, Naruto, try not to fight to much you two and please Ino if you can reign them if need be, and kami I'm beginning to sound like my Oba-chan" Sakura groaned head in her hands.
"Don't worry so much Sakura, I'll keep these two brainiacs in line until you get back and you'll see we'll be smarter and stronger, even the knucklehead" Ino jerked her thumb at Naruto, who gave an offended ~hey~ in response to the jab before laughter filled the air from the four of them.
Then they polished off lunch, paid and thanked Teuchi for the meal before splitting up, her on a straight path to the house she'd mostly lived in for half of her life now "Ready Hime-sama" Koron was there waiting for her like the others.
"Yep as ready as I'll ever be, so what does this girl look like anyway and what's her name, Musubime-ni never did tell me" Sakura questioned as they all started down the streets, her thanking the kami that she wouldn't have to ride in the kago this time, merely be carried.
Koron's pink eyes widened "Hiretsuna Zankokuna is her name, she has waist length dark brown hair and bright purple eyes, her personality….well you'll see what it's like when you meet her" Kyogo grimaced remembering his last encounter with the girl.
"I don't know about you but this girl kind of sounds scary what do you think Nee-chan, Sakura-chan" Eda latched on to his big sister as they all signed out at the gates and Sakura was lifted on to Kyogo's back.
"Totally understand how you feel otouto, but Hiretsuna-san is going to be family in the foreseeable future" Koeda reminded gently keeping up her guard and thanking the kami that she was allowed to bring her weapons.
Poor Sakura-chan was stuck in a kimono though "Quite and I expect you both to at least try and get along with Hiretsuna-san do you understand" Mebuki stared her two children down and they both nodded eagerly.
"Mebuki don't scare them even before we get to the Capital" Kizashi chuckled searching the forest warily, there was a lot more guards this time around, but then again it was because it wasn't just Sakura anymore, it was the entire family coming home for the first time in a long time.
And then before they knew it they were there at the palace and being greeted as if they hadn't been gone all this time "Kizashi-sama, Mebuki-sama, Koeda-sama, Eda-sama, Sakura-hime" guards, butlers and maids alike greeted bowing low like usual.
There was no greeting from her mother this time outside the doors and Sakura felt nervous all over again "You may rise" she ordered knowing that only she could order them since she was their Princess to a point and this earned her a proud glance from Koron.
Five minutes later they were stood in the main hall/throne room "Was wondering when you lot would get here, I'm sorry to take you away from your training imouto-chan, but I wanted you to meet my betrothed" Musubime was right there hugging her in the next second.
"Ni-san and that's okay we just got let out for summer break anyway and besides it would have been rude of me not to come and meet my future sister in law" Sakura smiled widely hugging Musubime as only she could, his little sister.
His lips curved upwards into a fond smile and then he was beckoning his hand at someone, a girl with waist length brown hair and bright purple eyes came trailing over gracefully, adorned in a light purple kimono and jewels that gleamed in the light.
Seconds later she stopped before them and held out her hand "I am Hiretsuna, your future niece in law Kizashi-sama" Hiretsuna greeted Kizashi first, Sakura's eye twitched, so she was that kind of girl and she tried not to grimace.
Musubime winced seeing his sister's expression "Very nice to meet you Hiretsuna-chan it'll be nice to have you as part of the Haruno family" Kizashi bowed his head politely, took her hand and patted it, knowing what she wanted, but not doing it.
Purple eyes widened in response but the smile remained firmly in place "Indeed this family needs more girls" Mebuki bypassed the hand completely and went straight for a hug, that Hiretsuna clearly didn't like in the least and so stood there rigidly until Mebuki stood back.
"Mebuki-sama and indeed, but oh why didn't you bring your betrothed" and then suddenly the brunette had rested her purple eyes on the younger pinkette in the hall after looking around for the man her future sister in law would be marrying.
Sakura sighed "Because Hiretsuna-san, Darui-kun is busy ninety percent of the time and doesn't get to take leisure breaks just because I ask him to come visit, he's a shinobi of the Hidden Cloud Village" Sakura announced smile firmly in place.
Hiretsuna narrowed her eyes in response "Oh so he's one of those people" and kami if she didn't want to punch the girl, but Sakura nodded curtly in response, gave her brother one last hug and headed forward having missed her parents that had been one of the main reasons she'd agreed.
"Don't worry we won't ask you to put up with her for a month and a half my sweet, just a week can you do that much for me, I know she seems to immature, bratty and spoiled right now, but she'll get better we promise" Sayuri enveloped her youngest in her arms.
And Sakura blew out a breath of relief "Course I can Mother, because Musubime-ni like's her" the pinkette hummed softly feeling like a little girl again and being cradled in her mother's arms, it was a feeling she missed, but her studies as a kunoichi in training were important.
Sayuri's eyes softened before she was passing her daughter over to her Father "My Princess it is good to have you home again even if for a week" Juhi hugged her tight pressing a kiss to her bright pink locks of hair.
"Mhm I'm glad to be home to Father" Sakura squeezed her Father back having missed him most of all, she was a Daddy's girl through and through, but there was some things she had in common with her mother as well, and then there was her brother, they'd been close through all these years.
Just then Eda came scampering towards them "Juhi-oji-san, Sayuri-oba-chan, that lady is scary" Eda leaped at his Aunt and cowered, Sakura grimaced lightly in response releasing her Father from her hold so Eda could greet his Uncle.
She was all for sharing after all "I apologize for my ninja gear, but Koron-chan and Kyogo-kun said it would be alright, I promise to dress in a kimono later" Koeda appeared in the next moment escaping from her future cousin in law much like her little brother.
Hiretsuna was every bit the spoiled bratty noble girl that Musubime had once described to her and she hoped to kami the girl settled down before their wedding because it would be painful being related to that.
Greetings finished Juhi stood "Kizashi, Mebuki-san I'm sure your all hungry from your long travel so we'll adjourn to the dining room for dinner" Juhi called heading down the steps that led to the platform he sat on.
Then leading the way to the dining room "Been a long time Juhi, sorry we haven't had much time to come visit, but we've found our calling as traveling merchants as you well know" Kizashi was right there at his side in the next moment and Juhi nodded.
"Oh yes we know Kizashi-san, Sakura-chan writes us all the time about your various trips and the fact that you requested a guard for when you did go traveling" Sayuri admitted joining the conversation, leaving the children and teenagers to themselves.
Mebuki smiled "We wouldn't have asked if we didn't think it was dangerous, but as you well know rogues and bandits alike are out there running the lands and we felt safer with someone guarding us" Mebuki admitted earning a smile.
Just a bit behind them "So how come you aren't here in the Capital like you should be living" Hiretsuna demanded to know suddenly from her future sister in law and Musubime winced, knowing what was coming.
Emerald orbs flashed the brunette's way "I'm studying to be one of those people as you put it Hiretsuna-san, the shinobi arts are valuable if I'm able to complete my studies I'll be a healer essentially and be able to heal my betrothed and family if push came to shove" Sakura said.
Doing her best to be polite and get along "Oh well if it were up to me I would make you stay here and act like the Princess you should be, in fact I demand that you stay here so that we can be friends" Hiretsuna suddenly ordered becoming the noble that she was.
Sakura's eyes widened and she opened her mouth "You can't demand anything of her Hiretsuna-chan, our Mother and Father agreed to let Sakura-chan be a shinobi and she's going to be one of the best to" Musubime scolded.
Hiretsuna shrunk back in response "Ne, Musubime you should be a little gentler, she is a girl you know" Koeda snickered unsympathetically at her cousin, even if she thought Hiretsuna was annoying, it would still be fun to watch the fireworks during the wee.
"Yeah Musubime-kun" Eda joined in with the sniggering and Sakura bit her lip to prevent herself from smiling as they all reached the dining room to sit and eat, thankfully she snagged a seat on the opposite side of her brother away from Hiretsuna.
Chatter filled the air from the adults and children before it was time for baths, then bed time, that was the first day, the second consisted of actively avoiding being alone with Hiretsuna for any sort of extended period.
Because she'd learned the girl was extremely snotty when not around others, the third she nearly snapped at the girl because Hiretsuna shoved her and gave her a half-hearted apology, by the fourth Sakura was going crazy "I know Imouto-chan, just a few more days" Musubime grimaced.
When his sister took to hiding out in his room for a couple hours that day "Right but it seems as if I've personally offended her or something by being one of those people as she calls them, us" Sakura sighed flopping backwards on his bed.
"If it's any consolation I've been getting the same sneers and disgusted looks only ten times worse than you have Sakura-chan" Koeda appeared looking just as frazzled as her cousin, Hiretsuna was one bratty noble girl at the moment.
Musubime felt his stomach drop "She's nice to me, but that's only because I'll be taking over the family business instead of being a ninja" Eda popped into the room a few seconds after his sister all of them kind of hiding from Hiretsuna.
Not that it took her very long to find them anyway "Dinner is ready, Juhi-sama sent me to fetch you" Hiretsuna snipped out, then turned on her heel and left them to walk to the dining room with only themselves as company.
And then they were sitting down at the table and eating with the manners that had been instilled them "The girls look outright miserable" Sayuri hid her smile behind her hand as she noticed how her daughter and her niece sat side by side, squished between Eda and Musubime.
"Indeed they do and I believe they've suffered enough, Hiretsuna while nice still has a ways to go before she fits in" Kizashi grimaced lightly knowing they still had a few days to go before they could actually leave since this was family week.
His brother winced "Perhaps your right Kizashi, just a few more days and you can all return home" Juhi assured scooping up some broccoli and chewing it once he'd finished speaking before focusing his gaze on his children sitting side by side.
Just chattering away as if the world couldn't touch them "It's nice to see them still close even after all this time apart isn't it Juhi-san" Mebuki guessed where her brother in law's thoughts had gone as he eyed his children.
In response he nodded and dinner finished up in the next few minutes before they all headed off for baths and then bed time, the last few days of their week long visit to the Capital really tested Sakura's patience but she got through it.
"Guess we'll see each other again at my wedding then" Hiretsuna sniffed delicately when they were all gathered in the main hall again to see off the others, even if she did think Sakura should be forced to stay in the palace and learn her place.
But that wasn't up to her as several had politely informed her "Right or earlier if I come to visit again if I'm not to busy with my studies or career" Sakura smiled giving the older girl a quick hug that was all she would allow for because Hiretsuna was still way to annoying for her tastes.
Then she zipped to her brother "Miss you already Imouto-chan and good luck with everything, tell Naruto-san and Sasuke-san that I said hello" Musubime hugged his little sister tight and she gave him a wide beaming smile.
"Gonna miss you Musubime-kun, but I'll be busy being a ninja to so yeah" Koeda was next as Sakura zoomed to her parents to give them a hug each and tell them goodbye for now, Hiretsuna sighed and Koeda bucked up her courage to give the girl a hug.
Off to the side "We'll miss you again my sweet little blossom, just make sure you take care of yourself out there" Sayuri had crushed Sakura to her chest like her sister in law was fond of before letting the girl down.
Sakura was already smiling widely "Don't turn into Mebuki-oba-chan Mother" the little pinkette giggled ducking under the whack and hiding behind her Father, Sayuri sighed and shook her head in amusement.
"Be safe my princess and know we expect you to send letters at the end of every week, unless your off on a mission when you do graduate from your academy" Juhi reminded ushering his daughter towards the rest of the family.
Eda pouted "See you again Juhi-oji-san, Sayuri-oba-chan, Musubime-kun, Hiretsuna-chan" Eda waved and then they were out the palace doors and on their way back to the Hidden Leaf Village, he was secretly glad to be going back.
Much like his sister and Sakura "We did try to warn you that she had a rather noble attitude" Koron piped in seeing the matching looks of relief on the two girls as they left the Capital behind, the poor girls had been through hell.
"Now, now Koron you did warn but nothing could have prepared them for Hiretsuna-san except being around her this last week" Kyogo cleared his throat keeping his guard up, it wouldn't do any good to let anything happen after all.
Kizashi grimaced "Quite, however I do believe within the next few years she might settle down and be a little calmer about things" Kizashi admitted, he'd heard stories of how bad the girl had once been and that was tame compared to everything else.
"Exactly now let's focus on getting home understood and then you can focus on your training and missions again dears" Mebuki clapped her hands and with that they concentrated on walking, except for Sakura, who was once again being carried.
They all knew how much the girl disliked being hefted around but such was her life as the Princess of Fire Country, and then they were signing back in at the gates, it was early morning only eight, they'd already had breakfast.
And the moment she was set on her feet in the house Sakura vanished to get dressed in her training gear "Gonna go train with Naruto, Sasuke and Ino" Sakura called once she was finished, then vanished out the door.
Needing to work off some of her aggression that had built up during the past week, unfortunately she miscalculated how early those boys and Ino would get up during their break and so when she arrived on the training grounds found it completely empty.
With a long suffering sigh Sakura flopped down uncaring of being graceful for the moment "Well if it isn't the little brat again, bit early for training on your summer break don't you think" and then the guy with his head wrapped in bandages was there on the training grounds.
It wasn't just him, but the other three that had put her and her friends in a genjutsu were there as well, at the jab her eyes narrowed in response "Don't see how it's any of your business" Sakura huffed lightly feeling exhausted already.
"Aw did your fire go out little Pinky, cute but you should know mouthing off to Chunin can get you in trouble" the one with spiky hair warned an eyebrow raised as the girl continued to sit on the ground arms crossed.
Sakura tilted her head back to eye him carefully "It didn't go out, I just had a rough week is all and as it is since your Chunin, you shouldn't be purposefully antagonizing children" she shot back lightly, a complete 180 degree in her personality.
The Chunin stared, then stared some more "Okay I'll bite, what happened that was so rough brat" the one with the goatee crouched before her suddenly curious, because this was unusual, after all her glaring and snapping the last time they'd met now she was almost tame.
At the question she let out a long suffering sigh "My brother picked a girlfriend and she is the worst I've ever seen, she doesn't like ninja's and went out of her way to torment me and my cousin, who's a genin our entire stay back home" Sakura relented.
"Guess that is a legitimate reason to call it a rough week, by the way I don't think we ever introduced ourselves" the long haired brunet remembered suddenly, just glad that they weren't doing anything that could get themselves in trouble.
Emerald orbs shot his way before her gaze shifted a fraction of an inch to the edge of the training grounds "Thought I warned you idiot's to leave the brat alone" Genma was marching towards them frustration clear on his face.
"Relax we weren't doing anything Genma, besides the brats calmed down, as for introductions I'm Tonbo" the one with bandages wrapped around his head snorted and Sakura committed his name to memory glad to put a name to him.
Next to him was the one with a goatee "You can call me Iwashi brat" Iwashi stated, what was it with Chunin and Jonin and their insistent need to call them brats, Sakura was tempted to roll her eyes but didn't, instead waited for the rest of the introductions.
Which came from the duo that were a little calmer "Kotetsu and this is my best friend and partner Izumo" Kotetsu grinned from ear to ear gestured to the brunet with long hair and practically bounced up and down, reminding her somewhat of Naruto.
Her eyes widened in response "And so now we all know each others names Sakura-san" Izumo smiled lightly patting the young girl on the head because she was adorable and he had a hard time resisting in the first place.
Genma rolled his eyes "Now you all know each other yay" the brunet clapped his hands in fake enthusiasm, Sakura's eyes shot to him before she burst into a round of laughter that had his lips quirking up in response.
Before they were all interrupted "Sakura-chan, Sakura-chan your back, your back totally awesome and now we can get back to seriously training Believe It" a little blonde came zooming onto the training grounds and tried to point blank tackle Sakura.
Who side stepped him with a light snort "Gonna have to do better than that if you want to get the drop on me Naruto" her eyes glittered with mischief as she stared down at her goofy friend, who hopped up as if he hadn't just tried to tackle her.
"Mean you always dodge my hugs" Naruto sulked brushing his orange jumpsuit off from any dirt that had gotten on him when he'd landed face first on the ground, but then the smile was right back on his face again.
And her lips were curving upwards into the fondest smile "Cause you always try to tackle me first" she said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world before giving the blonde the hug he wanted and turned forward.
Seeing two of her other friends trudging tiredly onto the training field, her brows shot up "Don't ask, though I'm pretty sure you can already guess what happened" Sasuke grimaced, his entire body covered in bruises and scratches.
"We kind of got a little rough during our last training session, Naruto kind of avoided us for a couple of days after that" Ino winced holding up her own bruise riddled arms, she had more and that's what annoyed Sakura.
Her shoulders slumped in response "And you didn't think to go to the hospital, geez what am I your maid, come on you two brainless ones" Sakura grumbled looking frustrated again as her hands glowed a bright green to heal the two of their injuries.
"It just kind of happened and nope so can you forgive us and hey we're not that bad, not like the Dope anyway" the raven snorted earning one of those offended ~hey's~ from Naruto, before he fell silent allowing her to work.
"At least I figured out where my current level is at, still way below you three for sure, but I'm getting there and by next year we'll be ready for the graduation exams together" the slightly older blonde piped in feeling relief as the pain in her arms faded away.
During all this the Chunin and one Jonin had stood around in stupefied awe, because they'd never seen a little girl display such talent or have nearly perfect chakra control to the point she could already use the mystical palm.
Then they were right back to trying to demand information out of her "Idiot's your going to get in trouble" Genma shook his head knowing they wouldn't listen to him yet again as the bright green glow faded from the girl's hand.
And then they pounced "What clan are you from" Iwashi was the one to demand this time, because this girl had potential to possibly surpass Tsunade Senju, and he needed to know if she was a secret Senju or something.
"Uh no clan Iwashi-san, just from a civilian family, my chakra control has always been good and I've been practicing for a long time anyway" Sakura admitted warily prepared to flee if they got a little to demanding of her like last time.
She was wary of them "Civilian family practicing for a long time, how long exactly" Kotetsu prodded getting the feeling that demanding things of the girl would not work out for them and she would just run from them.
"Been studying how to be a medic-nin since I entered the academy, but I've been able to use the mystical palm since last year" Sakura explained carefully trying not to blurt out the fact they should be a little nicer to her considering who she was.
Seconds later the sole Jonin on the field was before her "Did you ever get the water walking exercise down kid" Genma narrowed his brown eyes, he knew he should have stuck around, but them announcing their nindo's had thrown him for a loop.
The girl nodded "Mhm took me a couple days though and then after that I started working on trying to sync my chakra to a fish and other small creatures" Sakura winced remembering all the poor fish she'd had to throw away because she'd boiled their insides.
"Prove it then show us that you can water walk" Tonbo ordered in the next moment and Sakura sighed before walking towards the slow moving river that ran through the training grounds she liked to frequent.
Gathered chakra into her feet and stepped out onto the water's surface, unconsciously applying chakra to her feet consistently "There you go Tonbo-san" Sakura said when she was done and on dry land again.
The Chunin blinked in shock "Kami your gonna be like a mini Tsunade Senju, I'd hate to see the person that pisses you off you punch them and break every bone in their body" Izumo shuddered as they wandered away leaving the little kiddies to their training.
Where they immediately launched into spars against one another, using anything and everything to their advantage until they were interrupted yet again "I knew it was you Sasuke-kun oh Forehead is here to" a purple haired girl slid to a stop.
Drawing the attention of the Chunin and one Jonin so they got closer to spy and eavesdrop "Ami grow up the world doesn't revolve around you, you know" Sakura rolled her eyes not even feeling anything about the nickname insulting her big forehead.
"Okay now I'm officially confused, how can you not be bothered in the least when she calls you that horrendous nickname and yet that Darui guy in your genjutsu did the same and your practically in tears" Ino threw her hands up in the air.
Sakura sighed "Because Ino, Darui is the single most important person to me, you know we're getting married in the future after all, plus he can make it hurt more than any other person in the world" the pinkette blew out a breath.
Crinkling her nose up "It doesn't revolve around you either Forehead so stop trying to steal Sasuke-kun, he doesn't belong to you but me" and then Ami tried to latch on to Sasuke, who promptly disappeared and reappeared behind Sakura.
"I belong to nobody but myself Himekari so just buzz off would ya, can't you see we're trying to train here" Sasuke grumbled irritated that they kept getting interrupted and he was half a step away from saying screwing and looking for a new training grounds for them to train on.
One that nobody would have access to but them "Training huh I bet I could beat Forehead hands down" Ami boasted but even her former friend shook her head, Ino was staring at the two girls in horror and she knew what was coming.
Especially when that knucklehead blurted out "Maybe a spar is exactly what they need and if Sakura-chan beats you Himekari you have to leave us alone" Naruto piped in eyeing Sakura warily as she cracked her knuckles.
"Don't worry I'll go easy on her" Sakura snickered as they took stances across from each other, unaware that they were being watched by the adults again, even Genma was curious because young girls usually focused on boys and not training so they weren't sure how the fight would go.
Ami was starting to lose her nerve at that point as she faced Sakura for the first time "Your going down forehead" Ami boasted confidently and charged, rearing back her fist in hopes to find purchase, but she was completely side stepped.
Then her hand was smacked and she was kicked in the stomach with enough force to send her rolling back several feet "Being cocky in general is one thing but in a fight it could end with your death Ami" Sakura scolded harshly.
"What do you know forehead, you've never been outside the village before so how do you know that my being cocky won't save my life someday as you put it" Ami spat furiously as she charged the other girl again.
Sakura rolled her eyes "That's where you wrong I have been outside the village several times and rogues and bandits don't take kindly to people mouthing off to them, they'd kill you without a second thought Ami" the pinkette lectured seriously.
Punching Ami in the shoulder and sweeping the girl off her feet before pulling out a few of her senbon needles "You're a horrible person Forehead, I bet you forced Sasuke-kun to be your friend just so you can beat up on him and give him bruises every day" Ami glared.
Not liking that she was in fact losing despite her claim of winning "Really your just a spoiled little brat Ami, a bully essentially and you wonder why no one wants to be your friend, I didn't force Sasuke to be my friend and he hits me back twice as hard as I hit him" Sakura spat.
Fed up by that point and deciding to end the fight in the next moment Ami was on her stomach, senbon held to her neck and being held down with nothing but brute strength "I give, I give" Ami cried not liking her current position in the least.
Seconds later she was back on her feet and running away "Think she'll think twice about challenging you to a fight again Sakura-chan" Naruto asked watching Ami retreat from the training grounds as if the hounds of hell were nipping at her heels.
"Doubtful and that wasn't even half as brutal as she is on me, you barely left a mark on her Sakura" Sasuke whistled, knowing that Ami wouldn't bother him very much for the next couple of weeks and he was relieved for the most part.
The only other girl on the training grounds "Geez remind me not to piss you off in a fight your crazy Sakura-chan" Ino gulped, dreading that future moment, if there was one thing she'd learned about the pinkette it was that she couldn't stand someone taking being a ninja seriously.
With that they got back to training before loping off to Ichiraku to eat "Why do you suppose the brats so serious about our profession anyway and that was some smack down" Kotetsu whistled once the kids were gone.
"No idea Kotetsu, but I do know they already have their nindo, not the Yamanaka girl but those three" Genma frowned still trying to figure out what was bothering him about those children, but as usual it was nearly impossible.
Kotetsu frowned himself "Have their nindo already, bunch of serious brats then" Tonbo shook his head as they headed off for lunch themselves and ended up at Ichiraku like the four little brats, where they got to eavesdrop even more on their conversation.
"Quite however something's been niggling at the back of my mind for awhile now, just why is she in an arranged marriage with a foreign shinobi anyway" Iwashi was the one to ask the question that made them all seriously think about who Sakura Haruno actually was.
Izumo was the silent one and as he was looking her over he remembered the phoenix from a couple months ago, and if he recalled the phoenix was the crest of the Feudal Lord of Fire Country and the only reason she would know the phoenix was if the kid was their Country's Princess.
He choked on his water at that "I'm fine" Izumo coughed taking in the girl again and barely remembering her from the time of the coming out festival the girl had had, but she was undoubtedly a royal, the way she held herself, the bratty princess attitude it all made sense.
And his skin paled in response, kami they could have gotten in so much trouble for pulling their stunt on her, but he wisely kept his thoughts to himself, because for some reason she was extremely determined to become a kunoichi and it wasn't up to him to ruin that for her.
It was as the kids were heading towards the library and they were still following them that it happened an older kid they didn't recognize flashed by and hit Sakura right over the head sending the girl to her knee's.
"Owww that hurt" Sakura glared rubbing her head before all together healing the pain that she felt not happy in the least that some kid she didn't even know had come up to her and hit her for absolutely not reason at all.
But apparently he was about to do more and swung out kicking her backwards "Don't get cocky" he mocked and Sakura's eyes widened before narrowing as her temper flared and she leaped to her feet ready to wipe the floor with this guy.
"Your the one getting cocky besides I didn't even do anything to you and your attacking me for absolutely no reason at all" Sakura frowned deeply settling into an imperceptible stance to defend herself in case he tried to come after her again.
He did but she wasn't the one who had to deal with him "Enough the brat's right, you're a Chunin you idiot now back off is that understood" Genma was there before her and her friends again and a hand came to rest on her shoulder.
Sakura craned her neck to meet the bandage wrapped face of Tonbo "Then she should learn to leave Ami alone, who's been crying for the last twenty minutes because that girl has bullied her, her entire academy life so far.
"Wha?…are you for real, kami Ami is such a little liar, if anything it's completely the other way around brainiac, look beneath the underneath, she's faking her tears just because she challenged me to a fight and lost and I didn't even hit her that hard" Sakura snorted harshly.
Tonbo tilted his head down towards her in response "Kind of an oddball aren't you kid" Iwashi chuckled getting just a tiny bit of amusement out of the situation, even if it shouldn't have been all that funny in the least.
In response the girl beamed "Rather be an oddball than a jerk, at least that way I'm unpredictable in a fight" the pinkette snickered not worried in the least, though, her gaze trailed to the hand still on her shoulder, she was still just a bit wary of these Chunin.
As if sensing her gaze and the hesitation, the man's lips quirked upwards into a smirk "Afraid of me are you little girl, good you should be" Tonbo chuckled darkly sending a shudder rolling down her spine that he could completely feel.
"Better to be afraid actually than numb to everything around you, you'll live longer that way" Sakura quipped in the most upbeat voice she could muster before focusing her attention forward on the Chunin that had attacked her for no reason.
He was still getting scolded harshly by Genma "Watch out it's mother hen Genma" Kotetsu snorted in amusement, hazel eyes shot in his direction, narrowed in a glare but Genma kept up with his tirade on the younger Chunin.
"I think you should back off, you could get in serious trouble anyway" Izumo cut into the conversation in a completely serious tone of voice, who Sakura Haruno was to them at the forefront of his mind and he didn't want the idiot getting punished for hitting the girl.
Thankfully the younger Chunin did back off "Won't forget this you brat and when you become a genin I'm going to kick your ass with no repercussions" he yelled over his shoulder vanishing down the streets until he was out of sight.
Sakura sighed "Can we get to studying now, cause I don't want to fail at the graduation exams you know" Naruto piped in with a sulk on his lips having waited patiently until the whole situation was resolved by the adults.
"You okay Sakura, he did hit you pretty hard back there" Sasuke was the concerned one surprisingly, they'd been rather close since the incident with his clan being slaughter, her promise to him always at the forefront of his mind.
Her lips curved upwards "Fine Sasuke it's gonna take a lot more than a tap to take me down and even then I could have hit back twice as hard as he did, but I didn't" Sakura shook her head lightly fondness for her friends in her gaze.
"Geez your just a troublemaker aren't you Sakura, and yet when we get into the classroom your like miss goody two shoes" Ino scoffed eyeing her friend in a new light, she'd never have even know if she hadn't asked to friends with Sakura.
Behind them the four Chunin and one Jonin were extremely amused as the kids finished loping towards the library to study like they usually did, it was odd but they left the brats to it and wandered off to do their own thing.
Though they saw the kids nearly every single day because they were on the training grounds training harder than ever "Wonder what drives them" Iwashi frowned, by that point they'd given up trying to guess since it had been a couple of weeks.
"Remember Genma already said those three had their nindo, why don't we ask them to see what drives them forward" Izumo pointed out, having kept the fact that Sakura was very important to their country and shouldn't be there to himself these last two weeks.
Even since he'd figured it out, while the others had yet to "Hey brats what drives you to train and study every single day" Kotetsu took the easy way out as they headed towards the kids, who'd just finished an intense spar with one another.
Drawing their focus onto them "Well my friends drive me forward, I want to protect them, heal them hence the reason I'm going to be a medic-nin, plus for Darui-kun to if he ever gets injured" Sakura answered cheeks pink in embarrassment.
That was her biggest reasoning "And what about you little Uchiha, bet your goal is something like utterly destroying your brother" Tonbo snorted callously but the boy merely stared at him before glaring at his feet.
"No I want to find out the truth of why he did it, that's what drives me forward and being the complete opposite of what he wanted me to be" Sasuke huffed arms crossed tightly over his chest until he felt a familiar hand on his back assuring him that he wouldn't be that person.
He relaxed in response "I'm going to be the future Hokage so people will stop disrespecting me" Naruto piped in oblivious of the tension between his two friends, he knew they were close, but he wasn't quite sure why.
When their eyes shifted to her the slightly older blonde gulped "Don't look at me, I'm not like those three who already have what they want in life figured out" Ino sulked, wondering what made her friends so different.
Just then someone came trailing onto the training grounds, someone that Sakura didn't want to see in the least "Oh there you are Sakura-chan" Hiretsuna Zankokuna was there in the Leaf Village "Musubime and I came for a visit but you weren't home" the brunette giggled girlishly.
Sakura groaned inwardly and put her head in her hands, taking a deep calming breath before pasting the happiest smile on her lips that she could "Joy, but Hiretsuna-chan you shouldn't be wandering around by yourself without your escort" Sakura scolded in the next moment.
Hiretsuna blinked and looked around her before shrugging "Figured you could be my escort, since you are supposed to be on break from that academy training to be one of those people" the brunette scoffed.
Missing the eye twitch "Yay, sorry Naruto, Sasuke, Ino looks like I have to go spend time with my future sister in law" Sakura sighed looking as if she wanted to do the exact opposite but keeping up with a smile no matter how annoying the noble girl before her was.
"Goo…ahhhhhhhhhhhhh what the hell is that" Hiretsuna suddenly started shrieking making everyone including the adults standing around slap their hands over their ears as she started retreating hastily from the puppy.
The pinkette sighed again "It's Akamaru, one of my classmates ninken, that's a ninja hound Hiretsuna, hey boy what are you doing all the way over here and not with Kiba-san" Sakura knelt before the white pup allowing her to see the blood stain on his stomach.
Injured, "Brat shut up would you" Tonbo snapped when the annoying girl kept shrieking her head off like a banshee, thankfully Hiretsuna did fall silent but kept staring fearfully at the puppy and the blood that was on him.
With a long suffering sigh Sakura healed Akamaru before turning firmly to her friends "Okay which one of you can be the maturest out of the four of us besides me" she narrowed her eyes on the three friends before her.
Who all gulped and Ino raised her hand "I'll take him to Kiba, you just go do whatever needs to be done" Ino took Akamaru in her arms cradling the ninken close, then vanished from the training grounds to complete her task.
"Hehehe I think we'll stay here and keep training I have to be ready for the exams after all" Naruto shrunk back knowing without her even having to say it that he needed to get in all the practice and studying he could before next year.
Sasuke kept his distance as well "And I'll make sure he actually trains and studies and doesn't goof off until you can get back" Sasuke saluted eyeing his friend warily, he'd never seen her like this before if he was being honest.
Then she squared her shoulders "Come on Hiretsuna" Sakura beckoned, leading the way off the training grounds, the brunette on her heels until they vanished from sight, leaving the two boys with the four Chunin.
"Just what exactly happened anyway" Kotetsu was completely confused, having seen how quickly the children had snapped to when the pinkette had turned her gaze on them, Tonbo shrugged but he'd sensed a change in the girl himself.
Izumo pressed his lips together, "No idea Kotetsu, all we can do is speculate for now since she's busy" Izumo pat his friend/partner on the back, fighting the urge to tell the truth he'd figured out but not daring to because he didn't want to get in trouble.
He wasn't as subtle as he thought and Iwashi narrowed his eyes suspiciously at his fellow Chunin "I say we tail her and find out exactly what she thinks she's doing hanging out with nobles, considering she's a civilian brat" Iwashi commented.
Like he thought Izumo tensed but then he relaxed so quickly Iwashi wasn't sure he'd seen the tension in the other man, which made him frown and become even more suspicious, but he figured he wouldn't get any answers that day.
Meanwhile Sakura was practically running down the streets to the house, Hiretsuna on her heels and just as they arrived it swung open "Oh there you are Hiretsuna-sama" Koron appeared staring down at the teenage noble girl, who'd snuck off when they weren't looking.
"What I just went and fetched Sakura is all, I'm bored and I have no one to play dress up and make up with" Hiretsuna huffed and Sakura grit her teeth in response before forcing a smile on her lips again and sent a pleading look at Koron.
Bless that woman "You'll just have to be bored then Hiretsuna-sama, or you could come in and read or I'll do those sorts of things with you, but Sakura-hime is busy with her training" the green haired pink eyed woman said firmly.
Gesturing Hiretsuna into the house and promising to keep a better eye on the teenage girl "Thank you Koron-chan and tell Musubime-ni I said hello and I'll see him later" Sakura thanked the woman profusely before vanishing down the streets again back to the training grounds.
The Chunin were surprised to see her back so soon "Are you alright Sakura-chan" Naruto asked when she skidded to a halt before them and flopped gracefully on the ground to stare at the sky looking beyond exhausted.
"I was never that bad right, whiny or annoying right" Sakura winced hoping to kami that she hadn't been but she couldn't be sure anymore, Naruto's blue eyes widened in response and he shot a look at Sasuke.
Who clearly was trying not to burst out in laughter "Kami Sakura no, not as bad as her, but you could be a bit pushy, still are actually" Sasuke sniggered earning a half hearted glare before a smile came unbidden onto her lips.
Now feeling better Sakura went to hop up only to ram her head into a stomach, her gaze trailed upwards to stare into the pitch black eyes of the scariest woman she'd ever met "Uh hello" Sakura waved quickly backing up to a safer distance.
Then she spotted Ino, who waved with a smile "Relax Sakura, this is Tsume, Kiba's mother" Ino explained seeing the wariness, for some reason her friend had something against adults or rather scary ones like the Chunin who'd put them in a genjutsu to be precise.
"Exactly and I wanted to thank you brat for healing Akamaru" Tsume ruffled the girl's mid back length pink locks, turned on her heel and vanished leaving the children and Chunin alone with each other, Sakura blew out a breath of relief.
Before focusing her gaze on Sasuke, which started the spars again and finally after healing them, they ate lunch and headed for the library to get in a few good hours of studying before it was time for them to go home for dinner.
When Sakura walked through the door of the house Musubime attached himself to her "I am so sorry Imouto-chan I had no idea that Hiretsuna-chan tried to interrupt your important ninja training" Musubime apologized.
"Don't worry about it Ni-san, though she was right I should be on break, but my friend Naruto, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed and needs as much help as he can get training/studying it doesn't matter he's a dunce to put it simply" Sakura explained softly.
Musubime smiled "But you care enough about him to sacrifice your break to help him train and study in order to be prepared for those academy graduation exams right" Musubime asked and got a nod and then they were headed into the dining room to eat.
Before taking baths, dressing in their pajamas or sleeping yukata's and finally going to bed for the night, only to repeat the next morning until another week had gone by and they were on their last week of break for summer vacation.
The Leaf Village got another unexpected visitor, he was waiting for her on the training grounds when she arrived that morning "Darui-kun what are you doing here" Sakura discreetly made the hand sign for release and sighed in relief when he proved to be the real Darui.
Especially in the next moment "Had a few weeks off, figured I'd come visit you before you sent me a letter demanding my presence" Darui teased lightly as they sat on the ground side by side staring at the slow moving river.
That's how four Chunin came across them "Sometimes I have to cause if I don't you'd forget about me" Sakura huffed lightly knowing there was no way he'd never forget about her, even with how busy he mostly was nowadays.
His lips quirked upwards into a lopsided grin "As if I could, your like a fungus that grew on me kid from that itty bitty mischief making three year old to the smart, fierce eleven year old you are now Sakura" Darui chuckled.
Flicking a warning glance over his shoulder as he drew her closer to him with an arm around her shoulders until she was pressed into his side, "Is everything alright Darui-kun" Sakura's brow creased in concern, he was hardly ever like this so it was odd.
And she briefly thought about doing the hand sign to release a genjutsu again but didn't "Well this is drab, I thought you wouldn't figure me out so quickly, in a way no Sakura, I've been getting threats, warnings really to stay away from you from an unknown" Darui admitted.
Sakura frowned deeply and the Chunin crept as close as they dared "But very few people know that we even know each other since it's mostly been kept under wraps" the pinkette grew concerned herself.
Darui blew out a breath "Don't worry your pretty little head so much Sakura, we'll find them and put a stop to it, easy does it actually, they've left a lot of incriminating evidence behind and it's gonna lead us right to them" the white haired twenty year old announced.
Causing her to relax and smile just as Naruto, Sasuke and Ino skid to a halt on the training grounds, which signaled the end of their moment as Sakura hopped up and got to training as she usually did and Darui, he just stood off to the side.
"You tell her" Cee appeared from out of nowhere at his friend/partners side "Honestly your only causing unnecessary worry in Sakura-san" the blonde snorted when Darui nodded, then shrugged at the second part.
The blonde shook his head "Ridiculous, though I am grateful to Raikage-sama for sending us here to make sure she was alright" Cee lowered his voice so the girl wouldn't here him, he'd been just as worried as Darui if he was being honest.
"Me to Cee, me to and I don't want anything happening to her" Darui rolled his shoulders, glanced in the Chunin's direction again before focusing on his betrothed, never mind that he had a choice to call it off any time he wanted, he didn't want to because he liked the kid and he knew he could grow to love her.
Before they all knew it the end of their summer vacation was over and it was finally back to the academy "F..For h..heaven's sake di..did you f..four train all break" Hinata eyed her friends before shaking her head at their nods.
"H..Honestly you four ar..are just ridiculous sometimes" the bluenette sighed there was no point in trying to scold them when they would just turn around and train twice as hard as they always did or study even more, they were crazy if she was being honest and she was glad they were her friends.