Ultamite

Summary: Sakura is coming home from a mission when she hears a sound in the bushes. Stopping, she finds a gravely wounded black tiger. Thinking it just a wounded animal, she helps it, not knowing that one day she would bond with it, and in bonding, be given a power unlike any other. Rated T. Takes place during Shippuuden. Sasuke is in Konoha.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, but I do own the plot.

"moo" speech

'moo' thoughts

'moo' Inner Sakura

'moo' Tari

'moo' Sakura mind speaking

Sakura's House

Sakura stared at the TV with blank eyes. She was obviously in deep thought. Tomorrow was the day she was supposed to meet Iai Hitotachi in the clearing with her decision to train with him or not. She wanted to go, to gain more power to be able to protect her friends, but she didn't want to become like Sasuke, only seeking power to destroy. Sakura sighed heavily and turned off the TV. Tari looked up at her.

'What is wrong?'

'Nothing' Tari looked at her sceptically. 'Fine. I'm nervous about meeting with Iai. I don't want to be like Sasuke who ran off and betrayed us for power he only wanted to destroy his brother.' Tari looked up at her with caring eyes before walking over and licking her hand.

'I will be with you, no matter what path you take.' Sakura looked at her and smiled, sniffing slightly. She hugged Tari tightly and got up when she heard the doorbell ring. Sakura yawned slightly and opened the door to reveal Tenten. Sakura smiled slightly and stepped aside to let her in. Tenten nodded a thanks and stepped, walking straight to the living room and sitting down on th couch, looking serious.

"What?"

"Is it true?" Sakura cocked her head to the side.

"Is what true?"

"Is it true that your leaving?" Sakura froze and sighed, sitting down next to Tenten who followed her every move and looked at her, waiting for an answer.

"The truth is, I'm not sure if I will. I haven't decided because I want to go to learn more and gain more power to help protect everyone but I don't want to end up like Sasuke and..." Sakura faded off. Tenten sat in silence, a thinking look on her face. Soon, it was replaced by one of understanding.

"It's ok Sakura. I'm sure you won't turn out like him at all. And no matter what you choose, I'll support you." Sakura smiled and hugged her tightly.

"Thanks Tenten. That means alot to me." silence desended again, each girl deep in thought, Sakura actually discussing something with Tari. Soon the conversation ended.

"Hey Tenten."

"Ya?"

"Do you want to come with me?"

"Huh?" Tenten looked at her like she was insane. Sakura sighed.

"I'm sure I can persuade Iai to let me bring a friend. We could become stronger together and keep each other company. How about it?" Sakura almost pleaded. Tenten thought for minute before smiling.

"Sure, why not. I could give you support and train at the same time!" Sakura smiled widely and hugged her friend. They decided that Tenten would sleepover and they would leave together the next day.

Next Day

Sakura was in the kitchen making breakfast for her and Tenten, while Tenten was cleaning up the junk food bags they had left.

"BREAKFAST'S READY!!" Sakura yelled, heaping the eggs onto a plate while putting the bacon and pancakes on seperate ones. Tenten sat down just as Sakura set out the syrup and started digging in. Soon after, all of the steaming hot pancakes, eggs, and bacon were gone.

"So when do you think we should meet Iai?" Sakura questioned, restraining a burp. Tenten shrugged.

"I don't know. How about tonight? While everyone is sleeping." Sakura thought about this. She wouldn't get to say goodbye but would have more of a chance to sneak out without attracting attention. Sakura sighed. After a long while, she responded.

"Sure! We should get packed now so we're ready to go whenever." Tenten nodded and hoisted herself from her chair. She could use the cas eshe had brought over. It already had everything except food and water. Sakura though had to pack. She ran up to her room and grabbed her wine red backpack. It was bigger than her green one so she could fit stuff for Tari in it. She grabbed her hairbrush, toothbrush, hair things, extra kunai's and shurikan, lots of clothes, Tari's brush, and her team 7 picture. She ran down the stairs and packed food and a large waterbottle, along with Tenten. Soon, they were finished packing and dropped their packs near the couch, ready for a quick grab, turning on the TV to pass the time.

Later

Sakura yawned and sat up from her nap, rubbing the grit a sleep from her eyes. She slowly got up and trudged over to Tenten, shaking her.

"Cm on Tntn, tme t gt uup." Sakura mumbled. Tenten groaned and turned over.

"Eh." Sakura sighed. This happened all the time.

"Tenten. Up." Sakura said, louder. Tenten shoved her head under her pillow.

"Eh!" a vein pulsed in Sakura's head.

"TENTEN!!! UP!!! NOW!!!" Sakura shouted in Tenten's ear, causing her to yelp and fall off the couch.

"Ow. Sakura-chan, you didn't have ot yell." Tenten said, rubbing her head. Sakura gave an exasperated sigh before helping her friend to her feet.

"I know, but you wouldn't get up."

"Oh, sorry." Tenten apologized, grabbing her friends hand and pulling herself up.

Approaching Sakura's house

"Are you sure about this Sasuke?"

"Of course I'm sure! Look at my wound!" Tsunade scoffed.

"You could have done that to yourself, or gotten it during training." Sasuke glared at her.

"Do you honestly think I would do this to myself, let alone get hit? Anyways, we're here. Let's get rid of that foul creature and it's bitchy master." Tsunade glared darkly at him.

"Watch it boy. That's my apprentice. She could kick your ass 3 times over."

"Oh please. She couldn't beat me, she couldn't beat Naruto, she tied with Ino, the weakest of them all. She. Is. Pathetic. And just because she is your apprentice doesn't mean she learnt anything to make her stronger." Tsunade clenched her fists, turning the knuckles white, digging her nails into her palms.

"You know what Sasu-"

"Whatever. Let's just get the demon and leave." Tsunade huffed and swallowed her rage to deal with later. She raised a clenched hand and knocked on the door.

With Sakura and Tenten

A knock echoed through the house, bouncing off the walls, resounding in Sakura's ears. She got up and walked towards the door. She looked through the peep hole. Confused, she opened the door a crack.

"Tsunade-sama?"

"Sakura, is it true that Tari attacked Sasuke?" Sakura frowned.

"No. Tari did not attack Sasuke." Sasuke shoved Tsunade aside.

"I'm so sure. Look what it did to my arm!"

"Tari is not an it."

"Uchiha, you will keep your mouth shut. Now Sakura, if Tari didn't attack Sasuke, how did he get that wound?" Sakura looked down.

"Sasuke was insulting me, so I guess Tari sensed my sadness and defended me." Tsunade frowned and turned to Sasuke.

"You never mentioned that. Never the less Sakura, it was an offense. I will have to take Tari into custody, woth you being held responsible because you are her master." Sakura pulled back, opening the door all the way.

"Tsunade-sama! You can't be serious! You should know me! I would never pick a dangerous animal as a pet!"

"I know that Sakura but-"

"NO!! I won't let you take her!" Sakura screamed and slammed the door, locking it. She cast a jutsu on it to make it resist against Tsunade's insane strength. It wouldn't hold for long, but long enough for them to get away and cloak themselves. Sakura ran back to the living room. Tenten was partly standing after hearing the door slam. Sakura ran in and grabbed her backpack.

"Tenten, we have to leave. Now." Tenten nodded. There would be time for explinations later. They both ran to Sakura's basement, Tari following them closely. Sakura walked slower here, knocking on the wall every so often.

"What's going on?"

"Tsunade-sama has come to apprehend Tari and I for supposedly 'attacking' Sasuke. Now we're escaping." Tenten frowned.

"Uchiha bastard. Tari did nothing. And why do you kepp knocking on the wall?" Sakura put a finger to her lips and continued. Soon, a hollow sound was heard from inside the wall. Sakura smirked and scoured the wall carefully, finding a handle and wrenching the door open, sending an avalanche of dust raining down on them.

"This is a tap door. I found it when I was a kid. There's a tunnel leading here form my room. I would always use it to sneak out when I got grounded. My backyard is cloaked with a jutsu to hide our chakra's. We should be able to get away fast enough if we keep quiet." Sakura whispered to Tenten as they crawled out of the basement, Tari following, and Sakura closing the door. They crept silently across the yard, making it to the high fence. They masked their chakra's and jumped the fence, breaking into a run as soon as they touched the ground. Soon, they arrived at the place where Sakura had met Iai.

"Iai?" Sakura whispered, scared he wasn't there.

"Hai?" he replied, materializing out of the shadows. Sakura jumped a bit but sighed in relief.

"Iai, I accept your request to become a swordswoman. But I have a favour to ask." Iai narrowed his eyes. "I ask that you allow my friend Tenten to come along. She is an excellent weapons mistress and would become more powerful under your teachings." Iai gazed at Tenten who stood straight, jutting out her jaw in tense silence. He studied Tenten before turning back to Sakura who was visibly anxious for his answer.

"Alright. I believe she will make a fine student. Are you both packed?" Sakura and Tenten both nodded. Iai gave a quick, stiff nod and set off at a run, soon leaping into the trees and jumping over tree branches.

Me: HI!! Sorry it took so long to update. i have school, hw, tests, guitar, so on. So ya. Review! No flames!