Author's notes:
Kishimoto once said in an interview that he originally wanted the story to progress through Naruto's various encounters on missions and that it was cut short with the editorial department's wish for a great tournament that would bring together interesting characters- hence the chunin exam. I find the missions an interesting plot to explore, so I'll stick with them for a bit.

P.S. Happy Birthday,Sakura! 28.03.16

Chapter 2: Useless

Sakura was in a bad mood. She got up and paced the perimeter of her room, thinking furiously:
I wish you would just go away already and stop reading my thoughts! You're invading my privacy!
Believe me I'm not doing it on purpose. The last thing I need right now is to know the thoughts of a girl obsessed with a broody porcupine
Don't you dare talk about Sasuke-kun like that!
I never said it was Sasuke
!
Okay, look, I'm sorry. Neither of us was willing for this to happen but until I figure out a way to return to my own world we could at least try to get along. You have that Inner Sakura speaking sometimes, right? Just think of me as your Inner. I promise I'll go away sooner or later.
Sakura heaved a deep sigh and spoke: "Not like I could drive you out anyway. My head still hurts from my last attempt"
Yeah, let's agree you won't try to give yourself a concussion again. I don't think I feel your pain on the same level as you do but that was still unpleasant. By the way, aren't you supposed to meet your teammates soon?
Oh no, I'll be late!
Knowing Kakashi, you won't be
Maybe, but I don't want to keep Sasuke-kun waiting
And there goes the power of love. But Sakura ignored me this time and rushed into the bathroom to prepare.

***

The previous day I was preoccupied with my own thoughts and it was dark when the team entered Konoha but now I got a good look of the hidden village. It really did look exactly like in the story-a weird mix of technology and country life. I also took some time to examine Sakura's teammates. Naruto was a cute energetic boy you'd just love to huggle. Seriously, how could the whole village avoid and ignore such an adorable kid?!I really do think ninjas here have screwed up morals. Kakashi was being late as usual so I turned my attention to Sasuke. Why was Sakura so infatuated with him anyway? Sure, he was handsome, even as a 12-year old. Or was that because I was looking at him through Sakura's perspective? No, I have to admit that he's very good looking…regardless of his downright awful personality. But even if it was just a childhood crush I doubt it could of lasted this long if the girl only liked his appearance. Maybe I could just ask her about it..

Hey Sakura, why do you like Sasuke?
H-huh? I… She looked down as a slight blush appeared on her cheeks
Oh come on, you could share that much with me. We're stuck together for a while and it's not like I could tell anyone even if I wanted to. Who knows, maybe I could give you some advice.
W..well, he's so cool and mysterious, smart and strong, he's the best ninja in our year! And he rescued me a few times too! And…
And?
And I know he's a lot stronger than me but I get this feeling that I really want to protect him. Of course I want to protect Naruto too, if I can, but with Sasuke-kun it's different. You know, Sasuke-kun doesn't talk much so I can't be sure but sometimes his back looks lonely, even when he's with us…I'm sure if he could just notice my feelings and date me he would be a lot happier. Sakura was blushing quite distinctly now.

I see.
Well, it's probably still just a crush but I sense she has deeper feelings for him as well. Considering she's a sheltered little girl from a loving family that's not bad at all. I guess her feelings grew into a full-fledged once-in-a-lifetime love as she matured. This girl is kindhearted, and I really do think I want to help her. She doesn't deserve the torture she went through even if it made her stronger. The same goes for Sasuke. I know Naruto is strong enough to cope with his best friend's betrayal and even bring him back in the end but I'd prefer it if I could avoid the whole drama altogether. God knows they've got too much to deal with as it is…

After quite a bit of waiting the trio's leader finally decided to show up:
"Well, I see you've gathered already"
Naruto pointed an accusing finger at his teacher "That's because we were supposed to meet two hours ago, Kakashi-sensei! You're late again! "
"For once it was because I got held up by the Hokage. This will cheer you up: I know it's a bit early after the last one but we've been assigned a new mission"
"Oh wow!" – Naruto cried, everything else forgotten "Who are we protecting this time? Some big-shot? A princess? Or is it a super dangerous undercover mission?"
"Uh, no, you'll be supervising construction works in a nearby civilian village"- Kakashi said, already anticipating Naruto's reaction
"Aww, come on! We were so cool last time! " Yeah, so cool you nearly got yourselves killed "Don't we deserve a better mission than that?"
"If it makes you feel any better we're supposed to be on the lookout for bandits in the area. This is a C-rank mission"
Naruto made a pouty face "Meh, I guess it'll have to do"
Sasuke looked like he wanted to comment on Naruto's behavior but refrained from doing so. The two boys seemed to act pretty awkward with each other ever since their last mission. I was yet to hear a single insult from the Uchiha…which was so strange it felt unnatural.
"Naruto, stop complaining! If you want better missions you should become a better ninja first"- Hmm, she has a point there.
"Talk while you run, we were supposed to arrive there by now" Kakashi turned around and started off towards the village exit
"Who's fault do you think that is, sensei?!" Well, it was good to see that at least Sakura was acting her usual (slightly annoying) self. She brandished a fist at Kakashi's back but quickly followed suit.

***

Either trouble really liked Team 7 or it was part of their job description. They barely spent half an hour on the construction site when the local gang decided to show up, threatening the villagers to pay up a "protection against disasters" fee.

"What, you hired some kiddies to play with us?" –The middle aged gang leader said with a smirk as he noticed Kakashi's students
Come at us! We'll show you what we're capable of! – Sakura thought as she slipped into a fighting stance.

It was a 10 man group but it soon became evident that only the leader had received any kind of ninja training, if I had to guess, I'd say he was probably a genin dropout. The others were just local thugs. Buffed up men, mind you, but still.

"Ha! Why don't you play with this first! There's enough of us for everyone!"- Naruto created 4 Kage Bunshins and charged. Sasuke was already twisting someone's arm by then. Kakashi simply stood on the side, deciding to let his team handle it and to observe their abilities while they were at it.
Not wanting to be left behind Sakura took out a kunai and placed it in front of her. One of the thugs was heading straight for her so she quickly devised a plan of action
Once he gets close enough I'll fling the kunai into his face and aim a kick at his feet to throw him off balance…
But even as she was thinking this Sasuke appeared between them and punched her opponent in the gut. The poor guy flew a few meters before landing on the ground with a loud thud and lay motionless thereafter.

I don't know whether Sasuke's being protective of his teammate, an arrogant ass or just considers Sakura incapable of defending herself…A little bit of everything, probably.

I felt a ping of disappointment run through Sakura but her face never gave it away. Instead she smiled and cheered her teammate on: "Wow, that was so cool, Sasuke-kun!"

He returned her smile with a scowl as he launched a senbon past the Kunoichi at the man who somehow managed to creep up behind her. "Stop daydreaming, Sakura" he said and with that he was already off to help Naruto with the gang leader.

A few minutes later only 3 thugs were left standing. Seeing how easily their leader was defeated they turned and ran. Exasperated by her previous blunder Sakura flung a kunai at one of them while Kakashi effortlessly tackled the other two. "Good job, everyone! I think we can finish early today"
Indeed, the villagers were now free from any disruptions and allowed the team to conclude their mission. Everything was resolved within half a day.

That was pretty anticlimactic
Oh shut up! I know, I'm the one who does the least on the team, even Naruto has improved a lot lately. But I…
Can get better if you try
I don't think it's that simple…

The trip home was filled with Naruto boasting about his fight and his annoyance at Sasuke for disrupting his one-on-one with the gang leader. Finally, the Uchiha became irritated enough to say "Then don't get so beat up next time, dobe" and they were back at each other's throats as usual. Sakura was only half-listening, too preoccupied with her own thoughts to care.
When we had to face that S-class missing-nin Zabuza and his partner I thought it was normal that we couldn't do much against them. They were way out of our league and we weren't even supposed to be fighting people like that in the first place. I mean, we've just graduated from the academy! ...But Sasuke-kun and Naruto put their lives on the line to protect everyone while I just stood there, terrified.
You know, life's not always just going to present you with enemies you can easily beat
I know. I tried not to dwell on it too much after that mission but I know. I'm week .Today's events proved it. Even when facing opponents that were supposed to be a good match for my powers I still ended up being protected.
Sasuke-kun and even Naruto are so amazing…I'm not sure I'll ever be able to catch up to them no matter how hard I train…

You know what, Sakura? I don't think you have a choice. Blame fate for putting you in the same team with a vessel for a tailed beast and an emotionally unstable guy with a crazy bloodline. Even if you don't reach their level you'll still have to become stronger, if only to survive the upcoming battles.
Naruto isn't that strong either-Not yet at least- but he fights with everything he has because of his determination. Listen, when we return to Konoha I really want to show you something. Do you remember where the place you used for "survival training" is located?
..What? Of course, but why would you want to go there?
Just trust me.

***
The sun was slowly setting by the time we finally arrived at the deserted training grounds.
What exactly are we doing here?
You'll see. But first, I must ask you something: Sakura, do you want to save Sasuke?
The young girl definitely wasn't expecting a question like that. She stood wide-eyed for a second before answering with a frightened voice: "Save Sasuke-kun?! From what? Is he in trouble? Tell me!"
Oh, boy. I'm not very good with delicate topics but it's not like there's someone to do the explaining for me. I need to try and prevent her from doing anything rash but not to discourage her too much either…
I don't know how much you're aware of Sasuke's family situation but I'm sure you remember what he said about his goals in life. Especially the killing part.
["..I have an ambition. The resurrection of my clan and…to kill a certain man"]
I only know that he lives alone.. – she concentrated, trying to piece together all the details. Family…resurrection..kill… And then, as if a piece from a puzzle finally fell in place she cried: "Wait, he…wants to kill someone to avenge his family?!"
Very perceptive. To be precise, he wants to kill his older brother, Itachi Uchiha.
"Sasuke-kun…wants to kill his own brother..?"
Doesn't sound so cool any more, does it?
I…can't believe I haven't realized sooner that he wants to do something so…horrible
You couldn't have known. It's surprising you deduced this much just from my small hint. Sasuke and Itachi are presumed to be the only surviving members of their clan. As the last Uchiha in Konoha, Sasuke thinks it's his responsibility to become strong and punish the person he considers responsible for the death of his family. Of course, he's naturally talented but it's his determination for revenge that made him such an exceptional fighter.
Sakura was trembling slightly. She looked on the verge of crying "Oh my God…What have I done?" I told him that Naruto was lucky to have no parents..No wonder he found me annoying!
I didn't tell you this so that you can indulge in your self-pity. I told you this because you need to understand: Sasuke will stop at nothing to gain power for his revenge. If the situation calls for it, he will give up anything to attain strength… even friendship and love.

["There's a man that only I can kill…I'm an avenger. I have to become stronger than him. So I can't just stay here and do nothing"]

Are you saying he's going to leave us? Sasuke-kun…is going to leave me and Naruto behind…?
Not if we can help it. In the story I read about your world he did indeed leave. You couldn't stop him and it took everything out of Naruto to bring him back. And do you want to know the best part? His revenge was ultimately aimed at the wrong person.
Thin streams of tears ran down Sakura's cheeks. "This time I'll stop him" She turned to leave "I'll warn Sasuke-kun right now and-"
NO! Listen to me first! What will you tell him if you go now? "Sasuke-kun, I'll be against it if you're potentially thinking of leaving me behind. Oh, and a voice inside my head also told me that your brother isn't actually a bloodthirsty murderer that slaughtered his own clan just for kicks"?! Come on girl, you're not dumb! But for some reason every time Sasuke is involved your cognitive functions just freeze. You can't help anyone like that, let alone yourself!

Sakura was now trembling violently. She wanted to scream at me, she wanted to punch something, she wanted to cry her eyes out…And deep down she knew I had the right of it but all the new information was overwhelming her.
I'm sorry, but I need to give you one more push…

This brings us to why we're here.
It took her a few moments but Sakura managed to compose herself and asked: what did you want to show me?

There's a memorial stone ahead. I'm sure you remember it
It was completely dark now. Sakura could barely see the outline of the stone. She walked up to it and touched it. Yeah…Kakashi-sensei's friend's name is engraved here.
Do you know which one it is?
No, he never told us…I don't like where this conversation is going.
No wonder. This friend was also his team member… Uchiha Obito
Uchiha…
He and a girl named Rin were part of the same team when they were younger. During one mission Rin was captured and held hostage. Even though Kakashi wanted to focus on the mission, Obito convinced him to go save their teammate first. They did manage to free her but the Uchiha boy got trapped under falling rocks and presumably died after giving Kakashi one of his sharingan eyes.
That's so sad…So this is why sensei has a sharingan! ...And what you're saying is…that Obito wouldn't have died if that Rin girl didn't need saving?
Exactly.
What happened to her?
Kakashi…couldn't protect her in the end. I don't think it's the best time to tell her the details. Every day he comes to this stone and thinks about his teammates, what he could have done to save them. But their deaths will always haunt him. I think that's the reason he's always late.
I'll never scold him for tardiness again…
Rin was very much like you, while Obito was the noisy mischievous type who wanted to become Hokage…And if you can imagine it, Kakashi was even more serious and humorless than Sasuke.
Sakura's face was covered in tears again. She sniffed and whimpered. Then she let out an anguished scream and crumpled to the ground beside the memorial stone. The pain she felt was so strong it was almost physical.
"S-so you're saying they were just like us! I d-don't want this…I don't want to be like Rin! I don't want my teammates t-to die for me! " She looked up at the stone in front of her and cried: "I'll become stronger! No matter what I'll become stronger and protect them, even if it kills me! I never want to be rescued again!"
I can't guarantee you won't be, though. From now on you will be facing deadly opponents that even Kakashi can't stand up against. But together with your friends you have a fighting chance of success.
I'm sorry, I didn't want to make you cry but you needed to hear this. We can't let your team fall apart like Kakashi's, Sakura. We're simply not allowed to.
The young Kunoichi nodded and wiped her tears away. As she stood up I could see a look of determination on her face.

"Tell me everything you know."

This time things will turn out very differently, I can feel it.


_

Dobe is Sasuke's slang for "idiot", "looser" or "dead last", in case someone was wondering…