When the fights began Sakura cringed seeing how brutal the contestants were on each other "Kami that's insane, were they like this during your Chunin Exams Koeda-chan" Sakura flinched as the gray haired teen Hinata's cousin was facing went flying across the field.
Koeda shook her head "No somethings not right with either of those guys" Koeda grimaced wincing every time the Hyuga landed a hit on his opponent until the whole fight turned around and in the end the gray haired teen, Kabuto Yakushi was called winner of the fight.
And Neji was carted away on a stretcher unconscious even if he was a colossal jerk she couldn't help but feel bad for him "Ouch that looked like it hurt a lot" Eda shot a look to his cousin and sister, how on earth could they fight knowing that it would hurt.
"Probably Eda-kun but that guy Kabuto-san was a medic, he was healing himself just as well if not better than Imouto-chan" Musubime piped in having seen the familiar green glow of medical ninjutsu coming from the teenager's hands anytime he got hit.
Sakura nodded having seen that herself as well "Still I'm relieved you decided to stay out of the fights this time my little princess I couldn't bare to watch you get hurt even if I know that you are a kunoichi and will be one until the end of time no doubt" Sayuri commented.
Her daughter flashed her a sheepish smile "Right does anyone else feel as if something bad is about to happen" and then Kizashi had to go and open his mouth making Sakura's feeling of dread increase ten fold.
Even as she raised her hand feeling extremely sick to her stomach "Agreed, we're going to go scout and check on the others in the crowd" Koron felt much the same way and offered her and her brother up to go scout for a bit.
"Lovely idea please do Koron, Kyogo, you two I trust inexplicably" Juhi nodded his head in agreement of the idea the two Royal Samurai guard had just suggested, more like one he if he was being honest.
But he knew both would go just to make them feel safer "Indeed, even I feel off about this whole thing which makes me feel glad that you didn't participate this time around Sakura-chan" Mebuki admitted, though it could also be morning sickness popping up.
She wouldn't know until she went in to get another check up and finally tell her family the news "Very well then Juhi-sama, Sayuri-sama, Kizashi-sama, Mebuki-sama we'll go scout around as you wish to ensure no funny business" Kyogo bowed and then the samurai twins disappeared again.
Leaving behind the family "Hope this ends soon cause I miss my parents and want to go home" Hiretsuna sighed for the first time that day and everyone realized that she was still there, no doubt ready to be home and spoiled by her parents again.
"That doesn't mean I'm not appreciative for all you've done for me Sakura-chan, taking me in, buying me stuff without asking for anything in return and going so far as to teach me how to wield the dagger you got me" the brunette pouted.
Not wanting her future sister in law to think that she was still the bratty noble girl from their first meeting, a ninja had saved her life, a rogue sure but she was a changed girl, thankfully though Sakura understood and then they were all focusing their attention down in the arena again.
For the next match was starting up and it was then Sakura recognized the proctor Genma Shiranui as he called out two names "Kankuro of Hidden Sand and Shino of Hidden Leaf" Genma listed the two names, both of which were familiar to Sakura.
Who scowled especially when the Sand Shinobi raised his hand "Uh I forfeit" Kankuro forfeited his match against Shino and Sakura was now pretty sure that the lot from Sand were plotting something, they'd had an attitude the entire month they'd been in the Leaf Village after all.
And spying Shino in the stands he was less than pleased he didn't have a chance to show his skills in a spar, he must have felt her gaze because his head tilted up and he spotted her before tilting his head in acknowledgment.
Though he must not have realized what booth she was in exactly because his gaze turned back to the arena where two more names were called "Hold on I could have sworn there were eleven of them before" Sakura frowned.
Mentally counting out the contestants and found of them missing, the Hidden Sound Shinobi, come to think of it after healing them she hadn't seen them around the Leaf Village at all which was extremely odd.
Her heart sunk just thinking of the limitless possibilities as Shikamaru started his match against Temari of the Hidden Sand "Everything okay Imouto-chan, you look a little pale as if you just realized something" Musubime appeared at her side in the next moment.
Sakura jumped as she was startled out of her thoughts "Just got this really bad feeling is all, that those two boys are going to do something reckless" Sakura grimaced itching to go down and check on Naruto and Sasuke now.
Musubime shot a look to their parents who nodded "Why don't we go down check on them and make them promise not to do something reckless okay" Musubime offered and Sakura jumped at the chance to see her friends.
With that they headed from the booth on a straight path to the others "Hey what are you doing down here Musubime, Sakura-chan" Naruto was the first one to spot the Prince and Princess of their Country and jump up in a panic thinking something was wrong.
Something was but that was besides the point "Dope they probably just wanted to make sure we were doing alright and not being idiots" Sasuke snorted harshly, ebony irises scanning the crowd across them warily.
It wasn't just her Sakura guessed in the next moment Sasuke felt something off to "No doubt about it and to make you two promise not to be idiots and do something reckless I reckon" Kakashi piped in from off to the side sitting with the two Cloud Jonin.
Atsui and Samui, two of his genin let out offended ~hey's~ in response to his jab but when they shot a look at Sakura, she nodded "We're not that bad are we Musubime" Naruto sulked not liking that he was being picked on suddenly.
"Oh yes we are sometimes, though you have a tendency to jump into anything headfirst without thinking consequences through" Sasuke scowled feeling even worse than before and neither of the duo had, had to say anything at all.
Yet at least "Trust us Sakura-san, we won't let anything happen to these two, Darui, Cee and Raikage-sama are trusting us after all plus we are Jonin" Samui said still feeling a little weird around the young girl.
Who was betrothed to the guy she kind of liked and had hopes to marry in the future now that was all shot unless the girl found someone else to focus her attention on, then again Darui might fight for the girl to and it was one complicated mess.
"My Sis is right everything will be hot here" Atsui flashed a grin at the duo, one of which was looking around cautiously afraid that something would happen right then and there, it made him wonder if she wasn't planning something herself.
Sakura sighed "We'll be here with them and I won't let them be idiots like usual" Kakashi vowed and she relaxed just a tiny bit before coming forward to stand in front of the two idiots on her team that she loved to death like brothers.
Took a deep breath and let loose "If you so much as step a toe out of line you'll be cleaning the house from top to bottom so much your hands will be raw, you'll cook every meal no being lazy and so help me if you two get so much as a scratch I'll throttle you" Sakura ranted.
Both boys went pale and leaned back nodding their heads eagerly before she turned on her heel and disappeared in the direction she'd come from "Right guess we'll see you when this is all over" Musubime waved hurrying after his sister.
Naruto and Sasuke shuddered in unrehearsed sync and Kakashi was tempted to laugh at them, they were so utterly terrified of their female teammate it was absolutely hilarious, though it kept the two brainiacs out of trouble ninety percent of the time and with that he sat back to watch the matches.
In which Shikamaru forfeited at the last second and Temari Sabaku was called winner of what was supposed to be the third fight and the Nara joined them in the stands without so much as a hello or where Sakura was.
Meanwhile "Guess you scolded them something fierce huh, they both still look a little pale from here" Koeda giggled the minute her cousins had reappeared after going down to check on Naruto and Sasuke, who did act stupidly sometimes.
The fuscia haired preteen nodded quietly "Doubt it will stop them though chances are if something happens those two will be right in the thick of things" Koeda pointed out in the next moment and Sakura groaned realizing the truth in the statement.
As she slid into her vacated seat "All's clear down in the stands, though we couldn't check the Kage Booth as they already have several jonin level shinobi up there with them to ensure nothing goes wrong" Kyogo and Koron returned in the next moment.
"Quite though it is a little disconcerting that we couldn't check for ourselves we'll just have to be content with going around and checking out the stands every once in a while" Koron rolled her shoulders feeling uncomfortable.
Like the others "Do you think everything will be alright" Eda asked latching on to his older sister glad that he didn't have to worry about any little sibling at that moment because he wasn't sure how he'd feel if something happened to them if he did have one.
For a moment the adults, his sister and older cousins were quiet "No matter what happens everything will turn out in the end I'm sure of it" Kizashi nodded assuring his youngest that in the end everything would be okay.
His mother agreed "Exactly my little Eda-kun, the bough of our tree" Mebuki pulled her nine year old into a careful bone crushing hug knowing that soon he'd be ten and her oldest daughter would be fifteen and then she'd have two little ones to take care of again.
But she didn't say quite yet it wasn't the time and she worried about their safety "There are places to go in case something happens right" Sayuri just had to make sure and her oldest daughter flashed her a quick smile and a nod in answer.
To which she relaxed only to tense when the next match started and they could all immediately tell that something was not right with the red head, Sakura straightened "My little Hime is everything alright" Juhi noticed her uncharacteristic tension.
And he followed her gaze to the newest contestants of the final round, there was that missing Sound Genin that she'd said was not among the others earlier and he wondered where exactly had the teenager been hiding until his fight.
Which was now and almost instantly after it started it was obvious the Sound Genin was trying to kill his opponent "That kind of thing wasn't allowed in the last Chunin Exams, fighting to the death" Koeda commented expression dark.
Mimicking Sakura's expression though she didn't grip the railing like her cousin did "If he keeps pushing that Gaara guy is going to kill him, underneath the surface there's a lust for death and blood" Sakura cringed.
Keeping her gaze focused on the fight even when it started getting bloody, this was the boy who'd done all that horrible damage to that genin in the green spandex "You really think that Imouto-chan" Musubime flinched himself in the next moment after asking his question.
Viridian orbs flicked in his direction "Undoubtedly isn't that right Hime-sama, that's the boy who tried to crush another genin beyond repair" Kyogo knew and that was enough to explain exactly how dangerous Gaara of the Sand was to the others.
"He did what now, why was that even allowed in the first place" Sayuri was outraged and felt doubly glad that her daughter hadn't participated in the exams this time around because she wouldn't have let anyone put their hands on Sakura in the least.
Sakura finally managed to drag her gaze away from the fight below "Now, now Sayuri-chan sit down you don't want to get to worked up do you and harm the little ones" Juhi was quick to calm the situation down.
Just as a blood curdling scream came from below "IT'S BLOOD, IT'S MY BLOOD" it was Gaara, apparently he'd just gotten injured for the first time in his life, considering he had what some called an impenetrable force, the sand he wielded.
Less than a second after that little white feathers filled their vision "O..Oh my why am I s..so sleepy all of a sudden" Mebuki yawned slumping in her seat followed by Eda, Juhi and Sayuri, Kyogo and Koron were out moments later.
Followed by Musubime, the only two that knew what it was were Koeda and Sakura, they quickly flashed through the hand signs needed to release the genjutsu "W..Wait" Kizashi tried to stop the two girls as they disappeared from the booth.
"What's the plan Sakura-chan" Koeda as a Chunin had a duty to protect her village and it's residents no matter the situation, but the one thing she wasn't good at was leading or coming up with plans so looked to her cousin for direction.
The younger pinkette chewed on her lip thoughtfully "Stay here wake Kyogo and Koron, I'm going to go down and dispel the genjutsu on as many Chunin and Jonin as I can" Sakura instructed before flashing away to the closest chakra she could feel.
It turned out to be Tonbo "The hell are you doing brat, aren't you supposed to be up in those stands with your family….what the hell is going on around here" Tonbo snapped to a couple moments after being released from the genjutsu.
Realizing that their village was under attack and he'd been caught in a bloody genjutsu of all things "No time to talk Tonbo-san I'm going to try and find others" Sakura disappeared again on a straight path to the next chakra.
Again it was someone she recognized "Brat thanks I feel like an idiot for letting myself get trapped, go on keep up the good work just stay out of the fight, if I catch you throwing a single weapon your ass is grass" Iwashi scowled body flickering off.
Leaving Sakura to wake any Chunin or Jonin she could find from the genjutsu before realizing she was running out of chakra, it was then she looked up and felt her heart freeze in absolute horror because there speeding after Gaara was Sasuke and Naruto.
She was in literal disbelief and then anger filled her like never before "I'm sorry Sakura-chan, I had no choice but to send them after that boy, their the only ones who can stop him after all" and then Kakashi was at her side speaking to her.
"That's lunacy Kakashi-sensei, I'm going after them, don't try to stop me" Sakura scowled and then she was speeding forward past Iwashi who was shocked she'd dare defy his order, past Tonbo who had to redirect his punch so as to avoid hitting her as she ran by.
And through the hole that had been made thanks to the Sound Genin even Genma was stunned at how quick she'd gone, that's because she wasn't wearing her weights that day and needless to say her speed had improved drastically.
Kakashi gaped after his sole female student "Kakashi-san was that Sakura-san" Atsui and his sister appeared watching a flash of pink disappear through the hole before directing his gaze to the silver haired male.
"Unfortunately and I hope to kami nothing happens, hang on Summoning Jutsu" the Copy Ninja sped through a bunch of hand signs to summon one of his ninja hounds, "Get Shikamaru and go after Sakura-chan, Naruto and Sasuke, Pakkun" Kakashi ordered.
The ninken nodded bit Shikamaru on the hand who was faking being affected by the genjutsu then the two of them were gone, on their heels was Shino who wanted his chance to protect his village as well "Bit irrational isn't she, surely those two could have handled this on their own" Samui frowned.
Not liking that the Princess of Fire Country was now in the thick of the chaos going on around the village, thankfully Darui, Cee and the Raikage were in the Kage booth that was covered in a thick purple barrier and she hoped everyone came out of this okay.
Meanwhile "Slow down would you Sakura geez it's not a race anyway" Shikamaru had finally caught up to the pinkette who was going triple her usual speed and now he understood her obsessive need to wear weights all the time.
Because her normal speed had been boosted and add a bit of chakra to that and now she was going beyond what a normal genin should be able to go "I"m not racing anyone Shikamaru, I'm trying not to let those two idiots get themselves killed I doubt they even have a plan" Sakura grumbled.
Shikamaru shuddered "What about you do you have a plan Sakura" the Nara Heir inquired curiously, he doubted it because she was quick to jump into a fight without thinking things through like her teammates as well.
"Of course, Gaara he wields sand, that's why I've been making jutsu scrolls for Sasuke's lightning jutsu's I've got about ten of them, attach it to one of my special senbon needles and time it with an exploding tag along with water jutsu scrolls his sand would be useless" the fuscia haired preteen snorted.
Leaving her unlikely partner in all this chaos completely gobsmacked "You mean you've been preparing for something like this since before this day ever even came around" Shikamaru gaped mind whirring a mile a minute, she was almost as smart as he was it was strange.
A slender pink brow was quirked in his direction "Duh I've felt something off ever since what happened to that genin in the green spandex, not only that I've got my chakra enhanced strength, genjutsu and medical ninjutsu as back up plans plus a seal as worst case scenario" Sakura said.
"Interesting, why because I never expected such a detailed plan from you of all people, by the way, why were you standing in the booth with the Daimyo" and suddenly they were joined by Shino Aburame, who didn't want to be left behind.
Both Shikamaru and Sakura eyed him oddly before shrugging in acceptance "Err ask later we've got incoming from that Kankuro guy" the pinkette directed the conversation to a safe topic just as one of the Sand Genin landed on a branch before them.
"Pinky huh and two brats, unfortunately I can't let you go any further than this" Kankuro pulled his puppet from his back and off came the bandages, then he attached chakra strings and prepared himself to fight.
Shikamaru was about to offer "Leave him to me, why because I'm the one best suited to fighting him as he doesn't seem to be very good at taijutsu" the Aburame Heir stepped forward readying his Kikaichu for the fight ahead of him.
Sakura blew out a breath then dug into her medical pouch "Here it's antidote pills to common poisons, I promise that if anything happens we'll come back for you Shino, us rookies have to stick together after all" Sakura handed over the pills.
Then she and Shikamaru were on their way again, bypassing a downed Temari who tried to come after them and finally they were within range of Naruto and Sasuke, when Sakura saw that wave of sand coming after her teammates, she lost it.
Pumping more chakra into her legs to enhance her speed to epic proportions she dashed by both frozen boys speeding through a set of hand signs at the same time "Suiton: Water Wall" and a wave of water rose around the three of them.
Allowing her to get them out of harms way in the next second as now mushy sand dropped to the ground uselessly "Sakura-chan what the hell do you think your doing here" Naruto ranted the moment they were to safety.
Before his skin paled as she rounded on him a furious glint in her eyes "Even at Kakashi-sensei's order this was insanity the moment he suggested you two go after Gaara by yourselves" Sakura spat not happy in the least.
"Okay, okay we were reckless to come here without backup but now your here and you've got a plan right" Sasuke grimaced getting the feeling that they were going to throttled when this was all over by their female teammate.
Who scowled furiously and used a barrier/chakra suppression tag to hide them in plain sight "Uh if we just stand here he's going to find us" the only one who didn't notice that they were now hidden was Shikamaru.
Naruto and Sasuke knew though "Relax Shikamaru we're hidden, for the plan I've got these, elemental jutsu scrolls ten lightning and ten water, which we'll attach to these" Sakura pulled out her special weapons, senbon needles that were like sewing needles with a loop on the end.
Custom made of course and the boys were in awe "Though we'll need some good distractions" Shikamaru didn't want to be left out of the fight, even if he felt some enemy nin on their tails and knew someone would have to deal with them eventually.
He wasn't the only one "You've got ten enemy nin coming soon whatever your going to do, you better do soon, Kakashi sent me I'm Pakkun" the pug piped in sensing the enemy nin closing in on their position while Gaara started running away again.
"Ugh just knew this was going to be a bad day, right Teme and I will use coordinated wind/fire jutsu's while throwing weapons with exploding tags attached to them as many as we can" Naruto suggested knowing they had to move fast.
With Sakura's threat from earlier at the forefront of his mind, he didn't want to be throttled or made to clean the house from top to bottom after all "Good one Dope and while we're doing that you can add your own attacks in there every once in awhile" Sasuke nodded in agreement.
"Guess that leaves these enemy nin to me, don't worry I'm sure someone will come to rescue at the last possible second" Shikamaru realized he wasn't really needed and left the members of Team Seven to themselves as they hurried after the retreating Gaara.
Pakkun on their heels "Just so you know this plan of yours might not work" Pakkun pointed out carefully sticking close to the lone girl in the group who seemed to be the one who came up with the best plans on the team.
Sakura nodded in understanding "That's why I've got a back up plan for my back up plan, if that doesn't work, I've got chakra enhanced strength on my side, and a seal, if those don't work we'll wear him down best we can and I'll use genjutsu on him, so a Jonin can get to us" Sakura ticked off her fingers.
Both of her teammates winced "Looks like you've really been thinking up lots of plans huh Sakura-chan" Naruto grimaced realizing that she must have been feeling as if something was going to happen for a long time now.
And she'd never told them "Either way one of those plans have to work in the end we can wing it and see if that works to" Sasuke added feeling overcome with nerves all of a sudden as they once again came face to face with a deranged Gaara.
Who was transforming from human to beast, Sakura bit her lip harshly to steel her nerves as best she could before nodding "Okay now Sasuke, Naruto start distracting him" the pinkette ordered hiding herself in plain sight with another illusion tag.
Just like that Naruto and Sasuke started throwing weapons fitted with exploding tags on the end and using their wind and fire combo, any time Gaara landed on the ground earth spikes came after him and any time he was on a branch the tree fell over in the next moment.
Leaving him mostly vulnerable especially when his sand started turning to glass "I'm going to kill you all" Gaara rampaged confused on how he was loosing so much of his sand, since the two boys were only using wind and fire jutsu's on him.
Though he did feel lightning jolt him every once in awhile along with a water jutsu, he just didn't know where it was coming from until he finally got fed up with everything and Shukaku managed to completely take over.
"Uh-oh that's not good, Sakura-chan what do we do now" the blonde on Team Seven gaped at the monster that came out of Gaara, he felt for the guy and now he realized that it was because Gaara was like how he use to be.
So that made him automatically want to save Gaara no matter what "We could also enhance one of Sakura's water jutsu's with your wind jutsu's and my lightning jutsu, it would give him a jolt to wake up and take control, then we can use that seal on him" the raven haired preteen suggested.
Minds made up Sakura relented with her illusion tag drawing those star shaped gold eyes onto her "There's the little girly that was shocking me all this time, knew there was another one of you brats here just couldn't see you" and then that thing talked to her.
A shudder crawled down their spines "Ready whenever you are Naruto, Sasuke" Sakura swallowed thickly hoping that this didn't blow up in her face as she began speeding through a set of hand signs to a B Ranked Water Jutsu "Suiton: Water Dragon Jutsu" she called out.
Only seconds later "Futon: Multilayered Gale Jutsu" Naruto was next and his wind jutsu enhanced her water dragon jutsu by three times, the monster was slowly stomping his way towards them and time was ticking down "Sasuke now" the Uzumaki shouted.
When his teammate stood frozen for a split second before managing to snap himself out of his stupor and speed through a set of hand signs "Raiton: Thunderbolt Jutsu" Sasuke added his own jutsu to the already massive water/wind dragon combining three elements to it.
Then, then Sakura unleashed the jutsu "Doton: Earth Dome Jutsu" the pinkette hurriedly flashed through her last set of hand signs as a wave washed over them and a horrible scream filled the air, when the noise died down only then did they deign to come out of hiding.
Nothing could have prepared them for what they saw "He's falling we have to hurry Sakura-chan, he's like me and no matter how bad he is we can't let him die" the blonde was the first one to dash forward Sasuke on his heels.
"It's a medics duty to heal remember, we have to heal him and finish what we started" the raven haired preteen called and that kicked Sakura's mind into high gear as she rushed after her two teammates, bypassing them at the last moment.
Just before Gaara impacted harshly with the earth she caught him "W..What b..but how I do..don't understand" the red head looked like he'd been through literal hell if they were being honest, but their combo had been the only thing they could think of to stop him.
"Don't worry Gaara-san I'm going to heal you now after we make sure that thing can't get out of you again" Sakura assured pressing the chakra suppression seal to the red head's forehead driving the beast sealed within him back further.
He relaxed at that and the blood lust he'd carried around this entire time faded and he felt normal for once like someone finally cared about him and he didn't have to prove his existence anymore to anyone, he'd been acknowledged, saved by literal strangers.
And then he felt warm as all of his aches and pains started going away, even the injury he'd sustained before he faced against these three "Why are you being nice to me" Gaara had to ask because nobody had ever been nice to him.
"Because Gaara after what we just did I think you deserve a little kindness plus the Dope over there said that you were like him whatever that means and demanded we help you" Sasuke jerked his thumb at the blonde.
Who gave a sheepish wave "That's right Gaara and from this point on you can consider the four of friends through thick and thin" Naruto flashed his usual whiskered grin at the redhead who finally drifted off into a healing sleep.
Sakura blew out a breath relaxing only to tense again when Gaara's siblings and sensei came out of the treeline "Cool it Pinky the fights over we know we did wrong" Kankuro held up his hands to stay off the attack.
After what they'd just witnessed he wasn't going to mess with the girl or her teammates ever again it was better to play nice and hopefully rectify their colossal mistake "Right we promise to take better care of him from now on" Temari grimaced.
Feeling like the worst big sister in the entire world, and here a girl was that was a literal stranger, who cared more about her baby brother than she ever had and it admittedly stung because never had Gaara slept so peacefully like he currently was.
"Let us take him and we can start making our way back to the village alright, I'm their sensei for all intents and purposes Baki" the turban wearing Sand Jonin introduced himself carefully bending to take Gaara who stayed asleep and then he was being carried between him and Kankuro.
Calming down now Sakura remembered her promise and with that led the way keeping an eye out for any enemy nin that didn't know the fight was over until they stumbled across Shikamaru first, his Jonin sensei was there with them.
"Well hello I didn't realize anyone else was out here, Asuma Sarutobi the Third Hokage's son" Asuma greeted with a lazy wave eyeing his student who was being his usual lazy self until the pink haired girl that was Kakashi's sole female student stalked her way forward.
Then knelt with hands glowing green to deal with any injuries Shikamaru had been dealt "Got to wonder about you Sakura, why are you so different than everyone else" Shikamaru poked his arm that had previously had a bruise on it but it no longer hurt in the least.
Just like that he was being pulled on his feet "A question for another time Shikamaru, for now I've got a promise to make good on, Shino remember, he's not doubt injured as well" Sakura was in a no nonsense kind of mood as she led them forward.
Asuma felt amused "Kakashi's genin huh you sure are a weird bunch" the raven haired male chuckled taking a drag from his cigarette and blowing out the smoke lazily as they walked carefully through the forest until they came across another genin.
The Aburame Heir, who was with his Father, though once again Sakura stepped forward hands glowing green to heal Shino of his injuries "You came back like you said" Shino was surprised she hadn't abandoned him.
"Course I did I'm a medic and a medics duty is never done when there are injured everywhere, how do you fare Aburame-sama, Asuma-sensei" the pinkette huffed finishing up with Shino before directing her gaze onto the two older males.
Both shook their heads indicating they were fine before Sakura managed to glance to the Sand Genin, who felt as if they didn't deserve to be healed even as she healed their injuries and Baki's as well since he'd fought against Genma.
Like that they were once again on their way to the arena and climbing through the hole, what Sakura didn't expect to happen was for her to be suddenly snatched off her feet by two irate Chunin "Brat you damned idiot, what the hell were you thinking" Tonbo was first.
Checking her over carefully to assure himself that she was fine "Did you heal yourself since you're a medic after all, by the way you disobeyed me and joined the fight directly after I told you not to" Iwashi growled furiously.
Her eye twitched "I'm not eleven anymore Tonbo-san, Iwashi-san and I won't be bested by genjutsu's anymore, besides if I hadn't gone, those two brainless ones wouldn't have had a clue on what to do, I had a bloody plan and it went well" Sakura spat.
Iwashi and Tonbo reeled back in surprise before glancing to the two boys "Well that would do it I guess, you two are idiots more than she is, I'm still mad at you though brat" the Chunin with a goatee growled.
"Go ahead and be mad at me then, and no I didn't heal myself because we weren't injured now if you'll excuse me" the pinkette growled right back with a glare in her emerald orbs before stomping off, leaving little cracks in the ground as she went to help heal the injured.
Naruto and Sasuke gulped they were going to be in for a world of hurt when Sakura got hold of them "Yikes that's the angriest she's been for a good long while, by the way what the hell were you two idiots thinking charging off like that anyway" Tonbo turned to the two boys.
"Kakashi-sensei told us that we were the only ones who could handle the situation with Gaara and sent us off and it's his fault that Sakura-chan's gonna throttle us and make us clean our house from top to bottom until our hands fall off" Naruto sniffled fearing that moment.
Sasuke felt goosebumps rise on his flesh just thinking about it and the chewing out they were going to be subjected "Though I bet Kakashi gets chewed out to so that will make it all worth it" and then he realized that their sensei was just as guilty as they were and it made it all better.
The Chunin shook their heads and headed off to find something to do "Right if you could show us the way to the hospital that would be nice" Baki cleared his throat from behind the two Leaf Genin, who jolted into action and did as he requested.
Until Gaara was resting comfortably in a bed at the hospital "Thanks and thank you for caring when we should have been" Temari grimaced seating herself in one of the two chairs situated around the room.
Leaving the second for her slightly younger brother "Yeah and tell Pinky that we're grateful that she healed him and helped him" Kankuro wrinkled his nose up not use to being so nice and with that Naruto and Sasuke left the hospital room.
Trailing back to their shared house with Sakura "Where is she" Darui jumped them the moment they entered the door looking frantic because he'd been trapped in that bloody barrier that they couldn't get out of and he had to watch as the Hokage died right in front of his eyes unable to help.
Cee was in a similar state of panic though on a smaller scale "Hospital" Naruto said without tact and then the blonde was on his feet and vanishing out the door before Naruto could explain further "Helping heal the injured" he yelled but it was to late.
"So she's really okay then no injuries and you managed to take down that Sand dude with no complications right" Darui relaxed feeling relief rush up on him, even if Cee had jumped the gun a bit since Naruto hadn't been done talking.
Both boys nodded "Just fine a bit mad at us though, we'll probably be cleaning this house from top to bottom for weeks and cooking every meal by ourselves, though it will be worth it when she chews out Kakashi to since he's the one who told us to go after Gaara" Sasuke sniggered.
Darui shook his head with a snort and sat back on the couch, twenty minutes later a sheepish Cee returned "Jumped the gun a bit, she fine, helping healed the injured at the hospital since she's part of the staff there" Cee grimaced.
Naruto and Sasuke sat down on their chosen piece of furniture to wait but when three hours passed no one showed up, so they started making dinner, it was after supper was done cooking that Sakura trailed tiredly into the house.
Looking much like her soul had been sucked out of her "Awful, just awful that Orochimaru person is the worst guy in history, there were so many and I feel like I'm the only one that was really making any headway on healing people" Sakura flopped down in a chair at the table exhausted.
For the moment anyway until Kakashi popped into the room using his usual mode of transportation when she caught sight of him anger sparked in her eyes and she hopped up "Kakashi-sensei how could you send those two morons after Gaara-san, they didn't even HAVE A PLAN" Sakura scowled furiously.
Anger coming back full force in one fell swoop, Kakashi's lone onyx eye rounded in surprise and he leaned back obviously not having expected to get snapped at the moment he entered the house, before her words registered "They told me they did though" Kakashi frowned.
Mask bunching up at the corners as he did so "Well they didn't, their plan was probably me showing up with multiple plans otherwise they would have winged it as Sasuke put it, they would have gotten injured" the pinkette scolded.
"Everything turned out didn't it Sakura-chan" the silver haired nin sweat dropped wishing he would have waited to show up because she really was upset with him and it had been a long while since she'd looked as upset as she currently did.
Sakura huffed loudly and plopped gracefully in her vacated chair and gave him the biggest stink eye she could "Don't think your off the hook Sensei, and when I'm not so bloody tired I'm going to prank you and you'll never ever see it coming" she glowered.
With that she turned her attention on the food that appeared before her courtesy of Sasuke and started eating, while Kakashi took his plate and vanished to his floor, Naruto did the honors of opening the window to allow the smoke to waft out of the kitchen.
"It's been awhile since I've seen you get that angry" Cee was surprised, Sakura really had quite the massive temper when upset, though she had good reason to be upset with her sensei this time and Kakashi had deserved the scolding she'd given him.
And whatever prank she was planning on before Sakura could answer the door was thrown open "The hell didn't you tell me you two would be here instead of at the hotel" Ay stomped his way into the kitchen, Sasuke didn't need to be told and went to fetch three more chairs.
Just as Sakura was taking another bite something clicked her mind, she changed the trajectory of her fork and it jabbed harshly into her cheek "Oh god my family" the fuscia haired preteen princess was all for hopping up again to check on her family.
Despite the bleeding cheek "Relax their fine, two samurai fellows met us halfway here and said that your family was fine and no one was hurt" Atsui had an answer for her and Sakura relaxed again and mustered up a bit of chakra to heal her cheek.
Sasuke was just as relieved that nothing had happened to Sakura's family and let his shoulder slump "Why are you so worked up their her family not yours" Samui was once again confused about the trio of genin that had greeted them only that very morning.
The Uchiha opened his mouth in answer "Because anyone that's important to Sakura I made a vow to protect with my life, I never want to see her lose those she calls family" the raven haired preteen stated simply sitting down finally and digging into his meal.
"Yeah, yeah and the three of us we're like a family to since Teme and I don't have anyone to call family for ourselves and Kakashi-sensei is just as lonely he don't want to admit it though" the blonde on the team nodded his head in agreement.
Sakura flashed them a tired smile promising to let them off the hook tomorrow as she finished up "Go on to bed brat we'll handle things here" Ay saw the exhaustion kicking in full force in the little brat who was betrothed to one of his shinobi and nudged her off.
"Leave the clean up to us Sakura" Sasuke ushered her to the stairs and watched her trek tiredly up them and vanish into the hall before he heard her door open and shut, he let out a sigh of relief glad that everything was going to be okay in the end.
Even if they'd lost their Hokage and a few others in the attack thanks to Orochimaru who'd tried to take him to, he was just glad for Darui and Cee, "Ugh I get the feeling this is going to be a long week" Naruto groaned feeling exhausted himself.
After all the chakra he'd used up he was almost as tired as Sakura, Ay snorted "Better get to cleaning you two" Darui chuckled eyeing the two boys that were important to Sakura, family in a sense and she'd do anything for them.
Both boys groaned at that as empty dishes were collected, Kakashi returned his plate and fork before vanishing to his floor of the house again and then the kitchen was scrubbed from top to bottom "You know you don't have to clean it that thoroughly right" Atsui asked.
"Telling them that is pointless, they've been doing that for weeks ever since they all moved in together isn't that right Naruto-san, Sasuke-san" Cee laughed earning small smiles for his effort of lightening the mood.
Until the entire kitchen was put back to rights "Right then go on we can take care of the rest" Samui noticed the two waiting for them to tell them they could go to bed and with Ay's permission as well Naruto and Sasuke vanished to get some shut eye for the rest of the night.