Summary: As everything she had ever known is turned upside down, Sakura strikes out with her newly founded team in a perilous time when friend and foe alike can become complications. AU. MultiSaku. Sakura centric. SakuraHarem. Sequel to "no good gift (goes unpunished)." Multi-chaptered.

Pairing(s): SakuraxNaruto, SakuraxSasuke, SakuraxSai, SakuraxGaara, SakuraxDeidara, SakuraxSasori, SakuraxKisame, SakuraxItachi, SakuraxHidan, SakuraxKakuzu, SakuraxTobi, SakuraxMadara, SakuraxPein, KakashixSakura, KibaxSakura, ChojixSakura, ShikamaruxSakura, HakuxSakura, ZabuzaxSakura, LeexSakura, NejixSakura, ZetsuxSakura, KimimaroxSakura, KabutoxSakura, ShinoxSakura, SuigetsuxSakura, JugoxSakura, ShisuixSakura, IzunaxSakura, KotetsuxSakura, IzumoxSakura, GenmaxSakura, KonohamaruxSakura, YamatoxSakura, BxSakura, CxSakura, DaruixSakura, MenmaxSakura, JiraiyaxTsunade, OrochimaruxTsunade, (implied) AxTsunade

Genre: Adventure/Romance/Friendship/Humor/Angst

Warnings: some cursing (they are teenagers!), general OOC-ness, dark and sometimes suggestive themes

Notes: So…I was working at a camp this summer, which made it incredibly difficult to find time to write. Taking care of five elementary-aged girls will do that to you. And now, school is around again so you know what that means! Anyway, sorry for taking so long but you know, life.

Chapter Summary: In which a past is revealed; truths are told; reconciliation is made; and buildings are blown to pieces.

"the gifted and i"
Of Guts & Glory
-6/26-

Sakura looked around the rich halls of the Excellent Academy for Gifted Students in awe. The certainly knew how to impress a girl, nothing in Konoha could match the sheer magnificence of this décor. She outwardly remained quiet and mostly impassive as B regaled them with tales of the feats of the Kumo sector and most of all of his adopted brother A. Sakura could easily see the hero worship that B had for his elder brother, it was almost the same way Sasuke was…well had been with his brother. But this wasn't the time to dwell on the past and her plethora of problems.

Sakura shook herself from her inner conflict and focused herself on her current predicament. She'd heard very few stories of the Kumo sector and their leader. In fact, of all the sectors, Kumo was the one most shrouded in mystery, perhaps because of its location so far away from Konoha. Still, she had to be on guard. Sakura had no idea how A would react to her report or even if he would believe it. She wasn't sure if Orochimaru had attacked any sector outside of theirs, seeing as he had a personal vendetta with those who dwelt in Konoha.

Kakashi laid a soft hand on her shoulder, bending to murmur in her ear, "No need to overthink things; it'll work out just fine."

Sakura gave him a smile, thankful for the support he so willingly offered her. She straightened her shoulders, pushing any and all negative thoughts from her mind. She could do this. "Thanks Kakashi."

He hummed noncommittally, throwing an arm around Sakura's shoulder. Sakura, used to the casual contact from her teammates, made no comment. B fell silent as they stopped outside a huge, impressive door. "Here we are!" he exclaimed bouncing up and down with excitement. Sakura merely eyeballed the man-child with amusement and a bit of confusion. He really was enthusiastic, she'd give him that.

Sasuke, entitled as always, threw open the doors and stepped right inside. Sakura sighed, watching as Naruto followed, loud as always. He was followed by a silent, skulking Sai, as always. Kakashi held open the door, nose stuck in his erotica literature, as always. Sakura sighed, shaking her head. Even when the Gifted world was in jeopardy, at least her team stayed the same.

She stepped into the room, surprised at all the similarities between A and Tsunade's offices. It was large and spacious and all of the furniture was made of mahogany, just like Tsunade's. Sakura shook her head; maybe all headmasters had a thing for mahogany. She turned her gaze upon the Headmaster himself, surprised by what she saw.

A was a tall and powerful man, with thick-set arms and legs. His white hair was braided back into short dreads. His face was set in a heavy scowl and he drew his aura around himself like a mantle, very similar to Headmistress Tsunade in that fashion. Sakura ducked her head slightly in reverence. One did not become a Headmaster by idling about. She knew he was a powerful individual and a man not to be crossed.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" he drawled, hands folded on his desk as he watched the group suspiciously. "Oh my," he snorted, "The princess must be pretty desperate if she's flashing all her Aces right away. We've got a Uchiha, a former ROOT soldier, the Copycat, a Uzumaki and the illustrious Gift girl. I suppose reports are true then."

"Reports sir?" Kakashi queried, snapping his book close with a snap.

A snorted. "Don't play ignorant Copycat, it certainly doesn't suit you. It's rather hard to keep an attack on one of the Academies a secret. So who was it? Akatsuki? Or one of those other rogue organizations that the Konoha sector seems so proficient at spawning?"

Sakura scowled, clenching her fists. "It is Orochimaru…sir."

"Really? That's unexpected. I thought the slimy bastard would be laying low, especially after the fiasco of a few years ago." A rubbed his chin. "Still, what can I say? Konoha seems to be doing a good job of turning out murderers and rogues. Please, I've been remiss in my duties, take a seat!" They all reluctantly sat down. "Now, why has the princess sent you out this way? You're quite a ways from home."

Sakura looked over at her team who were all in varying stages of anger. She herself didn't particularly care for the Headmaster either, especially given the way he liked to jeer at Konoha and the Academy. Still, this was a mission and they had to endeavor to be courteous. "As you already know sir, the Boarding Academy for the Gifted has been attacked for a second time by Orochimaru. This attack, however, was direct and weakened the Academy significantly. The Headmistress dutifully requests your assistance and support in these trying times."

Sakura paused, looking to Kakashi for guidance. Nodding slightly, he took over, "Headmistress Tsunade would humbly like to remind you of the treaty that was established eight years ago. As I am sure you know," His sarcasm was more than evident. "In clause three of the fourth paragraph it states that 'in event of direct attack, the uninjured party will take on the cause of the wounded party.'" Kakashi's single showing eye grew deathly serious. "The Academy is in a very precarious position at the moment and we need your support."

A watched him silently. "Very well. Please explain the exact threats on the Academy to me so that I can know what we're dealing with."

Here, Sai, who was actually very adept at politics, spoke up, "Orochimaru has a personal vendetta against the Academy-"

A snorted. "Understatement of the century. Do you kiddies know why Orochimaru hates the Academy so much? Of course you don't. Well, back in the day we didn't have sectors, in fact, the first Academy had only just been established up in New York City. Everyone with a Gift attended there, including the princess, Orochimaru and myself. Orochimaru, well, he and Jiraiya were as thick as thieves with the princess. I was a couple years behind them so I don't know the exact details but…there was a man." His gaze grew distant. "A man who even turned the princess's eye.

"His name was Dan."

"Sir," Sakura began. "Why are you telling us this?"

"Because it is important to understand the past in order to comprehend the future," he snapped, eyes focusing in on her. "It is important to understand your enemy's intentions; if you can do that then you can discover and undermine their weaknesses. Dan…Dan was different from the rest of us. He wanted to revolutionize the world. We were caught up in a state of turmoil as the Gifted and unGifted worlds were being turned upside down by the Vietnam War. Dan believed that peace could be found, that he could merge the Gifted and unGifted worlds. The princess, well, she really liked that. They eventually got engaged." Sakura could read the regret in his face and came to the sudden realization that A had a thing for the Headmistress. "Things were looking up, but everything went to shit.

"Orochimaru was jealous of Dan and of the princess's affection for him. Dan, like so many of us, was drafted into the war and well…he didn't make it. To this day, I'm not sure if Orochimaru had something to do with it. In any case, Dan's death devastated the princess. She withdrew from m-" He paused and shook his head. "She withdrew from her friends, all except Orochimaru and Jiraiya. After much time, she and Jiraiya embarked upon a relationship and things…well, things were never the same again. I believe that was when Orochimaru began his descent into madness."

"So, Orochimaru wants to get even?" Naruto questioned.

A nodded.

"Still," Sai continued. "Orochimaru has a personal vendetta against the Konoha sector in general. It is no longer a stable area as Orochimaru has personally undermined and compromised the safety of the Gifted community in Konoha. There have been reports of a new, nomadic sector brewing. We have reason to believe that this sector has been formed by Orochimaru to act as his personal army. The sector has been termed, 'Sound' by its members that we have encountered."

A sighed deeply. "It honestly doesn't surprise me. What is your plan of action?"

Kakashi frowned, tugging at his mask. "Unfortunately, I suspect that Orochimaru has been tracking our movements. I think that he will strike here next."

A laughed, causing all of Team Seven to jump. "No offense intended to the Konoha sector, but I don't believe that this nomadic sector as you so call it has the ability to penetrate our defenses."

An explosion sounded in the distance.

Sakura turned to Sasuke with wide eyes before rounding back to A.

"Well, shit."

Team Seven ran down the halls closely tailing the Headmaster as he shouted out orders to students and faculty alike. "B, C; follow me!" he called, taking a sharp turn.

Sakura glanced askance at the two Kumo individuals as they ran beside her. Both wore very serious and determined expressions though Sakura could read the disbelief and horror in the lines of C's face. She too could barely believe what was happening. Was there truly no place where they could get out of the range of Orochimaru's influence? Sakura shook herself from her musings, returning her focus to the situation at hand.

Kakashi spoke, "Headmaster A, we are more than willing to offer our services to protect the Excellent Academy."

A nodded quickly. "Team Seven you will act under the supervision of C. Go to the east wing and check for hostiles. B, you and I will head to the west wing and gather our students before mounting a counterattack. Understood?" Everyone nodded. "Good. Now split up!"

Team Seven followed after C, heading toward the explosion. Sakura drew up alongside C, completely focusing in on the matter at hand.

"Ready for a real fight?" C sneered, watching her out of the corners of his eyes.

Sakura snorted. "I don't know, are you?" She smiled beatifically. "After all, you haven't had to deal with Orochimaru before, as…safe and coddled as you are here in Kumo. Think you can handle it?"

His nasty rebuttal was masked by a second explosion that rocked the very structure of the building. All six were scattered and thrown to the ground.

"Damn," Sakura muttered, ears ringing. The explosion had been practically right on top of them. She glanced around, realizing that the section of the building she was in had been blown to pieces. She couldn't see her teammates or the arrogant sensor. She raised her hands to her ears and soothed away the aching ring that still echoed through her eardrums. Sakura knew her teammates would have a hell of a headache but she didn't have the time or the luxury to search for them. Right now, she needed to find the perpetrator of the explosions.

She stood, stumbling slightly. The explosion had thrown off her balance, but honestly she didn't have much time to worry about that. She needed to get to the bottom of this before anyone got injured or killed. She sorted her way through the rubble, making it down to the open courtyard below. Sakura started off at a trot, following the sounds of conflict.

"Oh," Sakura said, rolling her eyes. She stared up at C, cursing her bad luck. Seriously, of all the allies to meet up with it would be the one who hated her guts and thought she was inferior. "Of course it's you."

C snorted. "The feelings mutual."

They ran side by side, coming onto the scene of the first explosion. Unsurprisingly, Kabuto was standing nearby watching the chaos he had undoubtedly caused.

"Kabuto," Sakura hissed, eyes blazing with unfettered anger.

"Friend of yours?" C queried.

"…once. Maybe," Sakura replied reluctantly. She watched as Kabuto's lips curled into a malicious smirk and she couldn't help but despair for the years gone by.

"Hmpf," C murmured, oddly subdued. "Konoha seems to breed sentimentality in all of its inhabitants. Love is not a quality found on the winning side."

Sakura didn't reply, finding C's comment hitting a bit too close to home for her comfort. Perhaps she did feel the betrayals a bit too keenly. Then again, it was better than feeling absolutely nothing at all. "Anyway, Kabuto has quite a few tricks up his sleeve. His Gifts are medically based just as ours and he has a very precise and deadly fighting style."

If C noticed the quick subject change, he had the grace to not comment. Instead he turned to their enemy, hands glowing blue with his Gift. "Well then, this should be fun."

"Would you like to start us off?"

"Oh no, ladies first."

Sakura grinned. "Gladly."

Sakura ducked a sweeping blow from Kabuto's glowing scalpels. A medic herself, Sakura understood that these scalpels were meant not to cut off limbs but disable voluntary muscle movement. They were dangerous and at the moment they were keeping her out of range. Sakura tossed a glance to C, catching sight of him approaching rapidly. Sakura tucked and rolled, listening to the collision as she got away.

Sakura leapt to her feet, assessing the situation. C was facing the exact same problem as her, unable to get close enough to incapacitate their target. Kabuto was needed alive for questioning and Sakura didn't feel like she could in all honesty kill him.

"Sakura, Sakura, Sakura," Kabuto drawled, watching her with cool, distant eyes. "How…cold of you. Do you even care for those that left? After all," his eyes flashed to C and even from the distance Sakura could read the blind rage, "you so easily replaced me. Really Sakura? I feel like you could have chosen a better replacement. I mean; a sensor and medic combo? So overrated. Then again, you always did go for the obvious."

Sakura stared at him in confusion and slight horror. "You-you're insane," she breathed.

"Am I?" the man laughed harshly, pushing C away very hard and approaching Sakura. She backed away quickly, unnerved and disoriented. He grabbed her though, holding her wrists tightly. She tried to flare her Gift and was horrified to find she could not. Kabuto smirked. "Like it? It's a new method of control that Orochimaru and I created." He flashed his wrists, showing two silver watches with glowing blue screens. "They're Gift-inhibitors, so now you've got to stay put."

Sakura flinched as he tightened his grip, doing her best to stay as far away from the man as possible. He noticed and his countenance darkened before suddenly softening as he brought a hand up to brush over her cheek gently. Sakura bit back bile.

"Sakura, Sakura, Sakura," he murmured, tracing invisible patterns across her skin. "Do you realize how long I've waited for this moment? No," he huffed under his breath. "It's doubtful. You don't know what you do to me. These past years I've sat to the side, watching and waiting for the moment that I could display my true colors. All those days spent with us researching a new theory and pouring over books quietly in the library and you still don't know how you affect me?"

Sakura recoiled as best she could. She caught a flash of movement out of the corner of her eye but she refused to draw attention to it. "Look, Kabuto, I'm sorry. I never realized that I hurt you or-or ignored your…feelings. I thought we were friends though."

Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say as his expression twisted. "No, no, no," he crooned. "You don't understand. Orochimaru, he has a grand and glorious vision for the future and we are an important part of it. Together our combined genius will lead the Gifted world to a new age of prosperity." His gaze intensified. "Won't you join me Sakura? Join us? We're going to shape a better future. No one will be cast out or forgotten because their Gifts are not as powerful or useful to the hierarchy. Don't you see? This world as it is…it's corrupt and unbalanced but Orochimaru will change that. He'll make things better."

Sakura fidgeted, growing increasingly uncomfortable at the crazed light that had entered Kabuto's eyes. She wasn't sure how to respond to Kabuto's wild and outrageous claims. "So far it seems that he's only created further chaos," she replied.

He smirked. "You still don't get it do you? How…charming that you can even be so unaware."

Sakura bristled, realizing that she really had no real way of fighting him. Thus, she did what any threatened girl would do in the hands of an unhinged psychopath. She spat at him, spittle landing directly on his face.

His features darkened and he raised a hand as if to strike her. Struggling, he calmed himself and chuckled patronizingly, patting her cheek. She stiffened. "Oh my, Sakura, Sakura, Sakura, you are still so naïve." His hand swept over her mouth. "So young…" he trailed off, entranced by her lips. He leaned in.

Suddenly, Kabuto was ripped away from her and thrown into the building. Sakura stumbled unable to catch her balance. C, knuckles bloodied, caught her by the shoulder. "You alright?" he asked, eyes assessing her condition.

"Maybe a bit mentally scarred, but what's new?" Sakura chuckled flatly, trying to calm her racing heart.

C stared at her intensely for a few more moments before nodding decisively. "It seems I've been remiss in my opinion of the Konoha sector. It's more than obvious that your lot is doing well with its training, however…unconventional it may appear." He bowed his head slightly. "I apologize for my earlier slights directed toward you; I certainly won't do it again."

Sakura grinned, grabbing hold of and squeezing his shoulder. "All's forgiven." She turned to look at Kabuto, unsurprised when she realized that he'd disappeared. "Damn. What's the plan?"

"Find your teammates." C smirked. "I need to find mine. We'll meet up later…" he hesitated. "If you wouldn't mind, we could possibly discuss different medical techniques." He quickly recovered his self-confidence. "After all, I still need to show you the superiority of the Excellent Academy."

Sakura grinned. "You're on."

Sakura swerved around debris, searching high and low for her teammates. Thus far she'd only been able to find panicking Kumo students. She sighed, knowing deep down that her teammates were undoubtedly getting into trouble.

"Sakura!" a familiar voice called.

Sakura turned, catching sight of Tenten. She stood atop a pile of rubble, panting with exertion.

"Tenten!" Sakura replied, happy but slightly wary. "What are you doing here?"

Tenten picked her way down through the dilapidated building, coming to a stop in front of Sakura. "You were right Sakura," she said, looking close to tears. "I…I did some digging into the Council's plans and well…they weren't what I thought they were." Tenten trailed off, eyes distant.

Sakura felt pain grip her heart. This girl reminded her so much of how Sai had been, confused and lost. She reached out, but faltered, dropping her hand to her side and clenching it into a fist. Now was not the time unfortunately. "I'm so sorry," Sakura finally said, trying her best to convey the depth of sorrow she felt. "Why are you here though?"

"I want to help you on your mission," Tenten replied, gathering herself. "I know my previous actions might not make me the most reliable ally but I beg your pardon for any past grievances. I didn't know the truth. I-"

"Tenten," Sakura broke in with a gentle smile on her face. "It's alright!" She stepped forward and grabbed the agent up in a hug. "There is nothing to forgive. I understand that you were acting on orders without all of the information."

Tenten stilled, watching Sakura with an undecipherable expression of heartbreak. "You really are too trusting," she murmured.

Sakura snorted. "Anyway, I need to find my teammates. Do you have any idea where they might be?"

Tenten nodded. "I saw the Uzumaki and Hatake earlier. They were near one of the other explosions. I can show you if you'd like?"

"That'd be great Tenten." Sakura replied. "Lead the way."

Sakura followed behind Tenten, looking around the mass chaos that surrounded them on all sides. The flames from the explosions billowed up around them but Sakura did not have the time to put them out. She had to trust in the fact that someone from Kumo would do so in her place. This attack seemed very similar to the one foisted on the Academy, so it came as no surprise to Sakura when they came across Kimimaro setting fires to the still standing sections of the building.

"Damn," Tenten muttered under her breath.

"It's alright Tenten, I'll try to talk to him," Sakura said hesitantly. "We're friends."

As she started making her way to the man, Sakura was suddenly struck from behind. She fell, turning to see Tenten standing over her with an unreadable look on her face. Sakura tried to lurch to her feet but her eyesight was quickly becoming spotty and blurred. "What?" Sakura slurred. "Tenten?"

The woman frowned down at her, shaking her head. She quickly cuffed Sakura's hands in bands that looked incredibly similar to the ones that Kabuto had. "I told you, you're way too trusting. Don't bother trying to move. I've just injected you with a sedative that would fell an elephant." She smirked self-deprecatingly. "You've proven to me that you can't be underestimated."

"But why?" It seemed to be the question of the hour.

Tenten tsked, waiting for the sedative to take true effect. "Princess, by now I'm sure you're realizing that there is no one anywhere that you can trust. Honestly, it's rather pathetic the way you welcomed me into your life without a single doubt even after I tried to force you to return to the Academy. Did you really expect me to change all my ideals just because you made a stupid decision and let me go free? You are so naïve." She frowned down at the nearly unconscious girl, conflict written on her face. "This world is going to break you."

And with that, Sakura fell into the blank, velvety folds of unconsciousness.

Damn.

Well then, things just got real in the Gifted world. Sakura's been taken prisoner, her teammates are scattered and a war is on the rise. Just another day for Team Seven. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this installment!

Please review, I enjoy hearing your opinions!

-jay