Welcome to Mangeria

Tsunade took a pretty white brush out of her rope belt. She gently began to brush through Sakura's tangled hair.

"Your hair is soft to touch" Tsunade commented. Sakura began to blush!

"Thanks, I really love this robe/dress Zabuza gave me. Sometimes I wonder if Kakashi and Shika are doing ok. I'm going to see them at the battle, right?" Sakura asked

"What camps are they at?" Tsunade questioned

"Um, Shika is at Menons camp, and Kakashi is in... Oh ya the Royal Warriors Camp. I think?" Sakura stuttered

"I'm very sorry, but only your friend Shika will be there. Shizun's camp only competes at the coliseum in Rome. You will also compete in Rome once you've had your training," Tsunade explained to Sakura. "I'm done with your hair; now come on we have to go to the front gates. Since it's nice out I decided we all should walk to the arena," Tsunade held out her hand. "Would you like to walk with me?"

"Yes" Sakura smiled joyfully. Tsunade grabbed her by the hand and started to jog down the hall, not Sakura's idea of walking. "I thought you said we were walking?"

"OH, come on. We'll get to the front faster." They finally arrived at the front gates; men were lined up there waiting. They had sparkly pink chains around their wrists and ankles. "Come to the front with me." Tsunade assumed Sakura wanted to

"Ok" Sakura kindly accepted her offer. Tsunade turned to the men.

"Today we are headed to Mangeria's arena. Best of luck! Oh ya, and to all who are new here. I have a rule for myself. Once you have enough money to pay off your debt to me, you will be a free man or girl," Tsunade softly called out. "Move out." They all started to follow Tsunade and Sakura down the street. The town of Mangeria was no poor place. Everyone had big house units and nice yards though there was the odd poor family. Up ahead Sakura could see a medium sized stadium, the walls were a smoky white. There was also flower vines growing up the wall. When they entered Tsunade whispered to Sakura. "Stay over there and wait a couple minutes. OK?" She basically commanded Sakura

"Ok" Sakura nodded. Tsunade walked over with a set of keys, and began to unlock the chains on the men and wished them all good luck. After all the men headed out. Tsunade walked over to Sakura again. She pulled something out of her pocket.

"Here, this is a forehead protector. Since you probably don't want to where a helmet, I got you this," Tsunade grinned. Sakura took the cloth it had a metal part in the center and a bunny was painted in the middle. She tied it around her head.

"Thank you Tsunade, I fight for you," and with that Sakura ran to the gladiator spot. There were weapons layed out for you to take and sell. Sakura picked up the smallest sword. It was called a Gladius. Even though it was small it still weighed Sakura down. "Oh, well. This will have to do," Sakura sighed. "Now I'm ready." She walked over to a man and spoke up. "Um, ah. Could I enter a competition?" She asked

"You are Zada rank; there is a doubles battle open for your rank. It's against Acalis's gladiators."

"Sure, I'll enter!" She leaned against the wall as the man began to write information down.

"All right, Mangeria's Gladiators enter" he called out. Sakura and another man entered the building. They walked some stairs and exited the hall. Another man began to shout out to the people.

"Hello all. Welcome to Mangeria's battle stadium. Today you will see many new faces, the owner's have restocked with fresh blood-" the crowd laughed for no reason. "Today's first fight is a doubles match up with Acalis's gladiators Sarutobi, Asuma, and Dosu, Kinuta and our very own gladiators Kamizuki, Izumo and Haruno, Sakura from Tsunade's camp. Gladiators show yourselves, prepare for battle." Sakura entered and went to the center of the stadium; everything went into pure silence. "Ah yes. This is also our first battle that we will witness with a girl involved. A very young girl. Anyway, FIGHT!"

"Stand back Izumo, I'll spell gaze them" Sakura said in a worried tone, she hoped this would work. Ik weet dat ik verschillend, speciale bevoegdheid die ik ben ben met gezegend, kom vierde en doe wat you moet," Sakura chanted. Her hands glowed! "De scheerapparaat storm van bloesems" she yelled. The stadium crowd went dead silent, as Sakura's hands began shooting out razor sharp cherry blossom pedals. Soon Acalis's man called defeat.

"You may exit the arena." The voice called. Sakura left and walked down the narrow hall passage. The sign up man was waiting for them. He stuck something out at Sakura.

"Here is your cut, the rest goes to your debt" he explained.

"Thank you very much, sir" Sakura said politely. The sign up man looked surprised. No one ever said thanks.

"Your very welcome," he stuttered out. Sakura sat on her storage chest and eventually started to drift off to sleep.

"Mangeria's gladiator's head out" a voice yelled from a distance.

"Oh no, I'm going to be left behind!" Sakura yelled, she went at a dead run to catch up to them. "Wait up Tsunade" she yelled, suddenly the line stopped. Sakura ran to the front of the line.

"Your late Sakura" Tsunade said sounding cross.

"I'm very sorry Tsunade, I fell asleep" Sakura franticly tried to apologize.

"It's fine, now come on. We have to head back" Tsunade laughed a little and grabbed Sakura's hand. Then finally started to head over to the camp. Sakura gladly accepted Tsunade's hand, and for the whole walk had a huge smile plastered on her face. When they arrived back at the camp, it was late in the afternoon. The lot of them entered the camp. "Since my gladiator didn't do all that well in their battles, there will be late training tonight," Tsunade explained. Sakura yawned and headed over to dodge training. There was a woman waiting there.

"Hi I'm Kurenai, the training coach for this session."

"Haruno, Sakura pleased to meet you," Sakura greeted.

"Go into one of the booths and prepare yourself. You must dodge then punch, GOT IT?" Kurenai asked

"Hai" Sakura nodded and stepped into one of the booths. There was a tough wooden stick and a pole with training tape around it.

"Get into a ready stance and prepare" she shouted, Sakura got ready. The stick in the middle rotated around and hit Sakura in the face.

"OW" she shrieked.

"Well duck next time" sternly said Kurenai

"Ok, I'll try again" Sakura said perseveringly. The machine went again. The wooden bar swung, this time Sakura swiftly dodged it. "I DID IT!" She screamed happily out to no one in particular.

"Ok now, you just have to punch it" Sakura's smile changed to a frown. She kicked some pretend dirt.

"I'm ready" she sighed. The machines bar swung. Lazily she dodged and punched fiercely! Her fist left a mark in the wood.

"Wow, so you are ready. Move on to your room Haruno" Kurenai said seriously, Sakura bowed and skipped off to her room. Tsunade walked over to Kurenai.

"So she's fast and strong?" Tsunade asked

"Yes, we can take her to the coliseum tomorrow" Kurenai smiled.

"Good"

Sakura gently pried open the door; she yawned and picked up the new pair of PJ's off her bed. Slipping them on, there was a knock on the door. Cautiously she walked over and opened it. Tsunade stood there leaning against the wall. She shoved a paper into Sakura's hand and walked off without a word. Unfolding the paper Sakura's eyes widened with fear.

"The, the... coliseum" Sakura fainted!