DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto

Chapter Two

Builder

Part 1: The Bridge Builder

Today is not a normal day.

Well, for one, I got up late. Not that it matters, with a teacher like Kakashi-sensei.

And also—today's D-rank mission is especially annoying.

We're retrieving a cat with a ribbon on the left ear named Tora. Kakashi even has his own opinion on the cat. Said it's going to be soon before we'll meet him again. I know after seeing his owner, Fire Country Lord's wife Madam Shijimi, that 'soon' is not an overstatement.

Our next missions are supposed to be like this: Babysitting an elder's grandson—yesterday, it's babysitting a working mother's baby daughter—shopping in the neighboring village, and help with the potato digging—which we already did, too, it's the harvest season, apparently.

Yeah, this is what D-rank missions are like. Truthfully I don't think I ever want to be a Jounin instructor, imagine how torturous it'd be. I feel sad for team ten's sensei…dragging Shikamaru and Choji must be difficult. It's good that there's Ino. No one can push them around like Ino.

But really, being a jounin instructor is a pain, I think.

Kakashi's an exception, though.

He revels in our complaints. He's a sadist. And he has this unsightly book no one should dare read in public that he read everywhere.

He probably enjoys D-ranks like this.

But Naruto flat out, disrespectly—not that I complain—and loudly refused the old man—I mean the Sandaime.

I always thought Naruto has a close relationship with the Sandaime, and yeah, that seems to be the case.

We got a protection mission. C-rank. The Hokage's calling the client—who's turned out to be a drunk ossan—old man—who claimed to be an expert bridge builder. The meeting didn't turn out well, but it did establish that I'm the tallest of the group—excluding Kakashi of course.

I ran home and load my backpack with spare clothes and weapons and first aid kit—and off we go.

The journey from the village gate is full of idle chatter, especially on Naruto and Tazuna-san part. Tazuna being the old bridge builder.

Naruto and Tazuna walk up front with Sasuke's leading, while I positioned myself beside Kakashi at the back.

"Sensei, wave country doesn't have their own ninjas, right?"

"Yep, so there won't be any ninja combat in this mission." He laughed, ruffling my head. He has made a habit of ruffling or petting me. It leaves my bangs in a mess, which annoys me a little.

He urges me to ask Tazuna-san at the front more about the mission, but I somehow feel like Kakashi sensei just wanted to get rid of me.

And then he freakin' got chained and died in pieces.

The attackers are two seemingly look-alikes males from Mist—Kirigakure. They use coordinated attack strategy using their twin metal gauntlets connected by shuriken chain.

They went for Naruto, but Sasuke's quick to act—he uses his shuriken to neutralized their connecting chain to a tree and did an impressive jump and kick to both their faces. I aim four kunai at their legs, just to be safe, and pulled out my kunai blade and positioned myself beside Tazuna.

The two mist ninjas recovered quickly from their fall—but their legs are bloody—and release their shuriken chain and aim for individual attack—their movements are not that fast anymore.

But apparently both of them went to get me—or the bridge builder, possibly.

I readied my stance, pulling out two kunai. In the last moment I will tackle Tazuna and dodge down, and then I'll aim for their torso—the plan's a fluke now that Sasuke's in front of me—thanks, but seriously—it's not that I'm stronger than him—then Kakashi-sensei appeared and save the day.

The two mist ninjas already in his hands like dead oversized dolls.

I feel relief wash over me.

"Sasuke, Sakura, good job."

I'm proud but I also think Kakashi aimed our compliments to be a wake up jab for Naruto, who's only freezing the moment the enemy attack. I don't know why I always think of Kakashi as always having an ulterior motive. Probably because of 'underneath the underneath' thing he said.

We chained the two mist attacker to a tree. Kakashi said they are Kirigakure Chunins and that he found out about their plan the moment we passed a puddle on our way—I didn't even realize there's a puddle.

"On a sunny day like this when it hasn't rained in days, there's not going to be a puddle." He explained.

"If I had wanted to I could have killed these two instantly,"—a fact that somehow surprised me when it shouldn't, because Kakashi-sensei's a jounin, no matter how he may not look like one.

"But there's something I needed to find out."

"Who these two were after." Kakashi turned to Tazuna.

"Our mission was simply to protect you from thieves or gangs, but these ninjas are after you, meaning this has now become at least a B-rank mission. This was supposed to be a simple protection mission, but if it was known that ninjas were after you, this mission would have been set as the more expensive B-rank."

Naruto was right. We do have the crapiest missions.

"Well, I'm sure you had a reason, but it causes problems when you lie about the mission. We are now operating outside of our duties and it will become troublesome, because, one of my genins is not ready for these kinds of mission."

Naruto can't stand it.

He looked slightly murderous when he vowed to protect the bridge builder—but he insists on continuing the mission—and we all agreed, for different reasons.

We made it to the Wave village but it seems Naruto and Sasuke's rivalry is getting stupider—on the Naruto's side. I think he doesn't want Sasuke to be the star of the team the second time, but he nearly killed a rabbit because of it. It's good that I'm a girl. Bittersweet really. They wouldn't realize my little improvements and I think they wouldn't acknowledge me as equal in their eyes very soon.

"Everyone get down!"

I pulled Tazuna and Naruto down—though Naruto is already on the ground, of course, he's a ninja—only seconds before a giant sword spun past us.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Kakashi-sensei standing up, so I dare to look up—the giant killing sword just now was embedded to the tree in front of us and on its handle, stood a tall man looking down on us with cold sharp eyes.

Part 2: The Missing Nin

Even without being told by Kakashi-sensei, I already a hundred percent sure that this man is the real deal, meaning, no matter how clever I devised a plan, he will still beat me—no, it means no matter the situation, if I happen to be in his way, he'll kill me.

"Sharingan Kakashi…the old man is mine."

Kakashi look back at us a bit, still on full alert of the enemy in front. "You guys, protect Tazuna. Do not enter the fight."

I pulled out a kunai blade slowly, moving to Tazuna's front.

"Ah…I already get to see the infamous Sharingan. I'm honored."

Naruto stomped. "Hey, hey! Sharingan, Sharingan! What the hell is that?!"

Sasuke looked disturbed and he answers Naruto's question in a strange voice, "Sharingan…is a dojutsu that gives you the power to read and defeat all types of Gen, Tai, and Ninjutsu. But that's not the only ability the Sharingan has…"

The tall missing-nin chuckled. "That's not all…what's even scarier is that you can copy your opponent's techniques once you see them."

"Hatake Kakashi, the man who has copied over a hundred jutsu…Copy Ninja Kakashi."

The he jumped away and the mist starts—a dangerous killing intent waved over us almost choked me.

Suddenly he appeared inches behind my back—and I really thought it'd be the end—then Kakashi-sensei appeared mere milliseconds later and pushed all of us away and stab the enemy from behind and got chopped, also from behind.

It turns out both the first missing-nin guy and Kakashi were only clones.

The real—maybe—Kakashi is now holding a kunai to the enemy's throat.

But the enemy's once again a water clone and the real—possibly!—one is the one who suddenly appeared behind Kakashi-sensei. He swung his gigantic sword—Kakashi's dodged it down and kicked the man back but also got knocked into the water—where the missing-nin suddenly appeared and imprisons him in a water prison jutsu—then created another water clone to deal with us.

The clone chuckled lightly. "Wearing forehead protectors and acting like real ninjas…brats, a real ninja is someone who has survived numerous brushes with death."

Then please, let this be the first of many…

This man is the famous Demon Zabuza, after all…

I grabbed unto Tazuna with my right hand—for a split second I questioned whether saving him is really important—in case I need to transport him. I readied my fighting stance; my left hand is shaking, holding tightly unto my blade.

Zabuza kicked Naruto hard and square in the stomach that he spit blood—I watched in horror—but Naruto managed to stand on his feet.

He lunged—an act of unthinkable stupidity and bravery—only to be thrown back to the ground.

I realized how useless I am…I couldn't do anything. I should be able to, I can make a plan—I just lack…bravery.

"Old man…" Naruto turned back.

Tazuna doesn't get mad at the name, he chuckled. "Well, I planted this seed myself. I'm not going to say that I desire to live so much that I'd stop you. Keh, sorry guys, but fight as much as you wants."

Sasuke smirked at that. "You hear that?'

Naruto looked up to the tall missing-nin, smirking, "You ready?"

I looked at their backs, the poison green of envy already making its way to my blood. Naruto created so many shadow clones surrounding Zabuza, even after being beaten and cough up blood he still have the guts, and energy and chakra to make this many clones. All of his clones lunged at the demon—but he pushed them back using his gigantic sword, unscratched.

"Sasuke!" Naruto throw something his way, and Sasuke catches it—a fuma shuriken.

Sasuke aimed it at the real enemy holding Kakashi prisoner.

Zabuza catches it but somehow there's two fuma shuriken—it's the shadow shuriken jutsu—a little bit caught off guard, he jumped at the last moment just as the shuriken that went passed him turned into Naruto, who shoot a kunai at him, somehow grazing his cheek, making his water prisoner break.

I feel like I just got punched and hugged at the same time. Somehow Naruto planned all that in the eve of the battle, whereas I usually plan ahead, and he communicated it with Sasuke with just his action. Sasuke understands him, and he trust Sasuke.

Kakashi is in a high level ninjutsu fight with Zabuza, and even if my wounded pride screamed at me to somehow interfere, I know that if I did, I'll only higher the chance of Kakashi-sensei being killed and I'll only make a fool of myself.

No, I should clear my head. I'll just analyze the opponent, and then after this, I'll train as damn hard as I can.

Kakashi-sensei seems to be winning the battle and the missing-nin look perturbed each time Kakashi-sensei said something.

Their arena is really dangerous, water versus water, speed versus speed.

This is a fight to kill and be killed.

It's ironic that I just realized this when just this morning against the two mist chuunin I looked down on Naruto because he's afraid.

Just as Kakashi prepared to finish his blow, two senbon made its way and planted themselves through the missing-nin throat.

From upside, I heard a sweet laugh. "You're right. He's dead."

And Zabuza's body slumped into the ground lifelessly.

Part 3: Training

A hunter-nin killed Zabuza, that's what Kakashi-sensei told us. Me and Naruto didn't accept it that easily, and I knew Sasuke too.

Younger than me but stronger than Kakashi-sensei, huh…

What have I been doing these past twelve years?

How can I find the answer?

How can I find that man if stepping outside the village only this far will get me killed?

After the fight, Kakashi-sensei experienced chakra exhaustion because he uses the Sharingan too much. We ended up carrying him like a sack all the way to Tazuna's house.

When he woke up, he told us that Zabuza's alive.

If I'm being my usual self, I'd say something kinky about Kakashi-sensei dreaming of Zabuza, but I understand now, ninja is not an occupation. It's actually a tough decision you'll ended up performing your whole life. You have to be aware of everything, from the puddle, the snow rabbit and the curious hunter-nin.

Naruto act so flabbergasted at his statement. "But you checked and everything! You said he's dead yourself?!"

"It was probably a momentary death."

I nodded. It makes sense. "The boy—the hunter nin—is actually Zabuza's accomplice then?"

"It's definitely a high possibility. He carried off Zabuza and he only used needle as a weapon. It was probable that he didn't come to kill Zabuza, but to save him."

"Okay. Whether or not, he's alive, we have to be prepared."

"You guys will receive training."

If Naruto's secretly happy that Zabuza might be alive, I am un-doubtfully happy that Kakashi-sensei will train me.

Naruto grinned. "Heh, this is fun!"

I couldn't agree more. Tazuna's grandson—Inari's impolite bratty outburst did nothing to sour my mood, even though brats are usually good at making me pissed.

Turns out it was Kakashi-sensei who bring down my mood a little. He wants us to do chakra control training—tree walking.

I clear my throat after he finished explaining to Naruto what chakra is. "Kakashi-sensei, it may seem arrogant for me to say this, but I'm already used to chakra control training, like tree walking and water walking."

He looked up from his book, "Yeah? That's good, Sakura-kun, you can rest."

"Um—do you have anything useful that I can learn? It could be C-rank jutsu that's not too hard?"

"Kakashi-sensei, I need—I have to be useful."

That finally got him to put down his book.

He looked at me for a while and then sighed, petting my head. "Come on, I'll teach you something special Naruto and Sasuke wouldn't be able to do."

I actually think Kakashi-sensei can read minds. "Since you're surprisingly intelligent,"—I blushed—"and maybe superior in chakra control, I'll teach you Puppet technique."

"It's actually quite simple, but very useful for a tactician mind. You don't have to use puppets; you can use weapons, even people."

"Sakura-kun, try focusing your chakra into your palm." I did as he told.

"Good, now try focusing it only on the tip of your finger."

I tried concentrating on each fingers but I only managed to focus my chakra only to three fingers. It's actually quite hard. But Kakashi-sensei seems to be quite satisfied with it.

He patted my head, making me lose concentration. "You're surprisingly exceptional at chakra control. This will be easy."

He pulled out a kunai and held it in front of me. "Make your chakra like a thread to bind this kunai, this way you can fire multiple weapons at the same time and you can even control it from a far. But for a start, use only one finger."

I managed to do it fast, but it took quite a long time for me to be able to do it with two fingers.

In the evening, I was covered in sweats and I definitely smell bad, my fingertips feels odd, but I managed to do it with six fingers and Naruto and Sasuke—being in a worse condition than I am—managed to reach ten meters.

We all went home side by side, with me in the middle, supporting both Naruto and Sasuke, feeling really content for the first time in a while.

"Ugh, guys, you stink!" Naruto smile sheepishly at that and Sasuke smirk.

"Let's eat our way to sleep, 'ttebayo!"

"Hn."

I think this is maybe the first point I managed to create a real bond with my teammates.

"Thanks you guys, for letting me be the girl." I told them, laughing at their unbelieving expression, suddenly feeling brave and sappy.

Hard work is always worth it.

Part 4: Haku

By the seventh day we're in Tazuna's house, Sasuke and Naruto already managed to better his chakra control significantly while I managed to not only use chakra strings but create a short range chakra area and maintain multiple kunai and shuriken in suspension, although Kakashi-sensei said it's pretty much ineffective since my chakra reserve is still small, compared to Sasuke and Naruto, which strangely enough, didn't make me feel shitty at all. Well, since he also trains me to help grow my chakra reserve. And sometimes while I'm at it, I cheer for Naruto and Sasuke and gave them tips.

I begin to really appreciate my team; Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei. I decided that I really like them after all. Ino will be shocked hearing that.

I kind of miss them too; Ino, Shikamaru and Choji.

On the eighth day, Naruto slept over and wouldn't wake up—last night, he and Inari have a rather emotional argument and he kind of disappeared after dinner. Kakashi, Sasuke and I went to guard Tazuna on the bridge that day, when Zabuza finally showed himself and confirm our suspicion.

The mist is thick—it's his hidden mist jutsu, after all—and at least eight Zabuza appeared and surrounds us.

Kakashi-sensei looked at me, and I knew what I have to do.

I pulled a fuma shuriken and made it slice through all Zabuza's water clones.

Sasuke looked positively exited seeing the real Zabuza and his hunter-nin boy companion.

This time Kakashi look at Sasuke and nodded.

"That masked boy…I'll fight him." He said.

"Sakura, you'll help him from afar."

I nodded—Tazuna's still a priority after all, and Sasuke's better in combat—though I'm a little bit happy he doesn't seem to mind having a backup. If only Naruto's here…

Haku strike first and they battled intensely.

Sasuke never stops surprising me each time he battles and now he seems to occupy Haku's full attention, and Zabuza and Kakashi have also begin their game, which—really, make it very easy for me to plan little traps here and there.

Kakashi-sensei is absolutely right about chakra strings. It's energy-saving, efficient, and unassuming.

It's also good that both Sasuke and Kakashi leave behind so many weapons on the ground.

"I can't have you underestimating my team by calling them 'brats.'"

"Sasuke is Konoha's number one rookie of the year."

"Sakura's the top kunoichi, too,"

"And the other one is… the loudest ninja in the village." Kakashi deadpanned.

It's good hearing Kakashi-sensei keep a track on our graduation record—I guess.

The joy didn't last long, though, because Haku has entrapped Sasuke in ice mirrors dome—it's kind of alarming, because Haku's in those mirrors.

I shoot a kunai to one of the mirror, but his hand went outside and blocked it.

I pulled my strings the same time Naruto arrived and knocked Haku off the mirror—my attacks ended up only making slight cracks on the ice.

This way my long-ranged attack will be useless, but it's good that Naruto's here, he can help Sasuke from the outside—or not, since he slipped inside, the moron…

Well, looking from the outside point of view as he attacks Naruto and Sasuke, it's clear that it's not a bunshin, because there's only one movement, but he does it with impossible speed, so there must be something else… those mirrors should have a purpose.

Should I try getting in and use my chakra space and maybe stop him mid attack?

"You can't win against Haku…"

"Ever since he was a little kid, I taught him all kinds of fighting skills."

"Your brats can't beat him; they don't yet know the pain of being a shinobi… They don't have what's needed to kill."

"I gained a high quality tool for myself, Sharingan Kakashi…unlike those trashes that follow you around."

I feel my heart turn icy cold words after words. "A high quality tool, huh?"—I pulled out my fuma shuriken—"then that means you're worse than trash,"—and aimed at Zabuza, who's looking at me, ready for my attack. Before my shuriken even reach him, I pulled my fingers, chakra strings ready and ten shurikens from the ground fired at him at the same time—he swing his sword to blocked all of them and when he's done, Kakashi-sensei kick him from below and then disappeared and delivers a hard kick to the torso from the above. Zabuza disperse into water and appeared behind Kakashi, who's also a water clone.

Suddenly I got pushed from behind but I quickly turned around and balanced myself—never let your enemy have a clear target from behind—turns out it was Kakashi-sensei who pushed me and Tazuna out of the way.

I dragged Tazuna away—my priority job is to protect him after all—and helped Sasuke, right, I let my emotion get the best of me…

I pulled ten shurikens and aimed at one mirror at the same time using chakra strings and concentrated hard to maintain each threads—I poised them inches from one mirror and waited—and then Zabuza appeared behind me—I flipped fast, my concentration dispersed.

I fell, but I managed to stab his leg bloody with my kunai blade that I controlled using my toe, and then Kakashi transport me and Tazuna away.

Zabuza pulled the blade from his bloody legs. I've caught his attention. "You've got some interesting brats, Kakashi."

Suddenly I feel a cold chill—an indescribable scary chakra. I feel terrible.

And then a loud crack was heard from the other side of the bridge—where Naruto and Sasuke are!—Damn this mist! I can't even see Kakashi-sensei.

Other cracking noises were heard—this time from the front, from Kakashi-sensei.

Another strange sound—like murderous chirping birds—and flashes of blue lights—and then it stops. It feels strange—I grabbed Tazuna's hand and walk slowly through the clearing mist, then in front of me—Kakashi's hand pierced through Haku's heart, and Zabuza's shocked face. Red blood splattered everywhere.

I don't know how long I seem to be in a trance. All I see is blurred shapes and all the while, I didn't let go of Tazuna's hand. Until Naruto came in front of me, his expressions at loss, and drag me to where I see Sasuke's body, lying on the ground, unmoving. I let go of Naruto's hand and kneeled there. Naruto left my side but I couldn't look away.

Sasuke's expression in his sleep…is so peaceful.

And then he bloody wakes up and I come around.

"S—Sakura?" I helped him sit up.

"Hey, welcome back, Sasuke…"

After that, we see Zabuza's dying eyes as he look upon Haku's face and later that day, Naruto told me of their plight and we buried them side by side. It took two weeks for us to recover—Sasuke and Kakashi mostly, me and Naruto are surprisingly fine—during which I deliberately exhaust my chakra every day to build a bigger chakra reserve.

Two weeks, and finally we went home, to Konohagakure.