Chapter 5

Changes: Mischief Begins!

Sakura began waking from her peaceful slumber. She had been asleep for almost a full day. With her eyes half opened and vision blurry, she glanced around. Was she at home? No, the room was too big. The bed was not her usual soft mattress but a very firm surface. Memories of recent events flooded back into her mind.

She flipped up to her feet, remembering the operation that had taken place. With eyes wide open, it was quite obvious this was not her room. There was nothing else in the room. No tables or chairs or bed. The walls were a pale green, lacking any pictures, windows or doors. No, those are not walls. They are a barrier. In the each corner, the shadow of a person could be seen kneeling. Sakura knew where she was now. It is a hospital room which is used to hold dangerous patients.

"Finally awake I see." A familiar voice called out from behind one of the walls. It was her sensei, Lady Tsunade. Sakura turned to see the figure of her master shadowed against the wall.

"How long have I been out for?" The disorientated girl continued to examine her surroundings. Not only were the walls, but the ceiling and floor were part of the barrier as well. It was a complete box sealing her inside.

"Almost a full day. We were quite worried but it appears the operation was a success. How do you feel Sakura?"

"Fine, I guess. Why am I in here?" Sakura relaxed from a defensive posture and walked closer to her teacher, stopping at the wall standing between them She raised a hand and felt the surface. It felt smooth, like glass. But was obviously a great deal stronger.

"A precaution. We didn't know how much control you would have over the Kyuubi. Do you feel in control?"

Sakura glanced down and raised a hand over her belly. Thats right, the nine-tailed fox was now inside her. "Um, yes? I-I don't feel any different from before." A sudden growling could be heard behind her hand.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, "What was that?" Perhaps the fox?

"Heh, just my stomach. I haven't eaten since...the day before yesterday I guess."

"I will have some food brought immediately. What would you like..." Tsunade began to turn for the door but Sakura interrupted.

"That won't be necessary." Before Sakura finished speaking the barrier wall in front of her vanished and she took a step outside.

"H-H-How?" Tsunade was stunned. It was inconceivable that her apprentice could break one of the highest level barriers known in Konoha.

"Easy really. This type of barrier is created using people. Those people are susceptible to Genjutsu. I tricked one into thinking you told him to lower the wall." Sakura smiled, gladdened by being able to surprise her teacher. "Although, there are other methods to break out. Let me show you." Sakura stepped back inside and motioned to one of the men. The barrier wall was restored.

Tsunade just stood there, unable to form words. "It is true that this type of barrier is strong. That is why it was picked, to hold me inside." Sakura punched the green wall in front of her. A large bang echoed throughout the room. "Even multiple punches with my chakra hardened fists could not bring it down."

Sakura proceeded to punch the wall again and again. Each time a thunderous clap was heard. The barrier rippled where her fists landed, but never faltered. After a dozen or so punches she ceased her efforts. Sakura continued with her explanation, "It would take an extremely strong blow for this type of barrier to fail. Such power is currently unknown of any being. On successive blows, the barrier diverts energy to where the attacks are striking. If it did not do this, eventually the attacker would wear down a single area and it would break. So..." Sakura began dashing along the perimeter of her prison. "...if I do this..." As she moved punches flew out in a furious pace. Some high, some low, some chest height.

The noise was deafening. Blow after blow. Each attack could shatter boulders. The barrier walls were alive, full of ripples emanating where punches landed, bouncing off other waves. Twenty seconds after beginning the assault, cracking sounds could be heard. The four people kneeling at each corner began to strain and sweat. Sakura's attacks were too random, hitting too many different locations. There was no way to keep up. Visible cracks were forming on each wall. They could not be repaired in time.

In one final move, Sakura jumped up, launching herself from one wall to the opposite side. She saved the most powerful punch for last. The barrier could not take it anymore and crumbled. It broke down much like a window, jagged pieces falling to the ground in various shapes and sizes. But the fragmented shards disappeared quickly. The four barrier specialists were panting loudly and collapsing on the floor, due to mental exhaustion.

"You could have just told me about it instead." The presentation gave Tsunade time to regain her composure. Although she was still in disbelief about what just transpired. Tsunade took a quick glance down at the medical cart beside her.

"That was more fun." Sakura smiled. She walked over and stopped in front of Tsunade. "I see we have something else here. Hmm, a sedative?"

"Another precaution. One which was well deserved considering how easily you broke out of the barrier. I'm sorry but I'll have to ask you to..." Tsunade was cut off again as Sakura reached down and grabbed the syringe. She popped off the cap with her thumb and stuck it into the upper arm.

"This won't work either. As soon as the sedative enters my system I can use chakra to contain and neutralize the effects." With the injector pushed down, all the sedative had entered her system but she was still completely lucid. Any other person would have immediately been knocked out for at least a week.

"If there isn't anything else, I'm really hungry." Sakura began walking towards the door.

"Actually there is." Sakura stopped just before the door and half turned to face the Hokage. "If you try and exit the room, you will explode." Tsunade pointed to the pink-haired girl's back where a paper seal had been placed.

Sakura looked over her shoulder and saw one corner of the note. She looked back at Tsunade with an enormous grin lining her mouth. A few seconds later she disappeared in a puff of smoke. It was a clone. Tsunade quickly looked around and saw no one except the people who worked the barrier left in the room. They were all still quite out of it. On the wall behind her she saw a vent with a seal placed on the bars. "SAKURA!" She bellowed, stamping down her foot. The tiles cracked beneath her.

Lee inched along the wall, being careful to duck beneath the doors containing windows. He has been searching for countless hours, unable to find his target. She wasn't in the cafeteria or the the operating rooms or the intensive care unit or any of the other rooms. Was Sakura even in the hospital anymore? This was the last floor he had to search before there were no more places left to look.

Overhead Lee heard a pattering across the ceiling, moving very rapidly. It was going back the other way. This was certainly out of the ordinary and perhaps would help lead him to his destination. Lee swung around and chased after the noise.

After a turn into the next hall and a few more meters, the sound ceased. For a moment the area was completely silent except for a faint hum coming from the lights. The peace was disturbed when one of the ceiling vent covers swung open with a loud squeak and a girl pink hair poked her head out of the ceiling. She rolled out of the vent and landed without a sound.

"Sakura-san!" Lee cried out. He was ecstatic to finally see her. With a couple quick and long steps, he was in front of her.

Using her hands, Sakura brushed herself off. The vents had been very dusty. "Uh, hello Lee. I don't have time to talk right now." She tried to walk away.

"It is so good to see you Sakura-san. Kakashi-sensei was true to his word, you appear to be in excellent condition. I have been so worried since I first heard. The doctors would not let anyone in to see you. But I..." Lee kept rambling on while Sakura paid no attention. She didn't have time for this. Tsunade would be coming through at any moment. Then it came to her. "...this place is so big I searched each floor..."

"That is great Lee. Listen, there is an impostor transformed as the Hokage trying to catch me. I am on an important mission. He will be here any moment and I am just... "Sakura widened her eyes and fluttered them a few times, "...so weak from what happened. I don't know if I can keep going much longer..." She raised a hand to wipe her eye and sniffled.

"Fear not Sakura-san! I will protect you! How dare someone impersonate the Hokage! It just burns me up." Lee raised his fist, fire was glowing in his eyes. Before being able to get more details, Tsunade rounded the corner and came barreling down the hall.

"Sakura you get back here!" But she was already running away. Lee turned to get a good look at the 'impostor Hokage'. He stood completely still waiting for the perfect moment. Tsunade sprinted down the hall. Just as she was about to pass Lee, he stuck his foot out. She tripped. Being completely unprepared, the Hokage fell hard, right on her face. Faint laughter could be heard in the direction Sakura ran.

"Not so fast. How dare you take the form of our honorable Hokage and chase after my dear Sakura-chan." Being completely unaware of who he was dealing with, Lee spoke with absolute confidence.

Tsunade pushed herself off the floor and back on her feet. "Oh, you think I'm an impostor do you?" 'Oh no,' Lee thought, 'could this be the real one?' Without warning, she launched an uppercut into Lee's chin. He was lifted off the ground and flew into the ceiling. The forceful blow was enough to knock him completely through and on to the next floor. He then hit the second floor ceiling and went through again. On the third floor, he hit the ceiling again but it stopped his flight. He fell back down into a waiting hospital bed.

Tsunade turned around. Sakura was long gone.

Kakashi walked over to the large windows and opened one for some fresh air. Hospitals have a distinct smell about them which is not very pleasant. He has certainly spent plenty of time in them throughout his life. One of the other Jounin had developed an amusing formula to gage a ninja's abilities. It involved the number of missions and days spent in hospitals. The renowned copy ninja did not rank very well on that scale

Naruto had yet to regain consciousness since Tsunade infused him with her chakra. From what the doctors could tell, it was impossible to know when he would wake up. Perhaps another chakra infusion would speed along the recovery. Now that the nine-tailed fox was not inside, the drain should not be so substantial. He would have to make the suggestion...

A sudden crash behind Kakashi caused him to spin around into a defensive stance Whipping out a kunai, he darted across the room and pulled back the curtain. If it happened a moment later, he would have caught Sakura's exit from the hospital. Lucky for her, Lee's 'dynamic entry' had distracted him in time. Lee had landed in the room's other empty bed. Kakashi stood over the hole in the floor where the poor boy had entered from and looked down.

"Kakashi, have you seen Sakura?" Tsunade was looking up at him. A nurse on the second floor was looking down, and then up. A patient also leaned over his bedside to see what all the commotion was about.

"Hopefully a no does not land me in the position Lee-san is in right now." Kakashi turned his attention to the chuunin who could not have asked for a softer landing. Lee was not moving.

"She has escaped the containment room. Keep your eyes open." Tsunade marched off down the hall and out of sight.

Kakashi grabbed one of the wet floor signs, placed it near the hole. He went to take a seat in the guest chair, pulling out an orange book. 'Perhaps now is not the best time to make suggestions', he mused.

"What do you mean you can't tell me what happened. We are supposed to be teammates!"

"I am under orders from Tsunade-sama herself. My hands are tied." Shikamaru sucked up the last of his ice cream shake. Ino was trying to get information on what had transpired the day before.

"If I had something you wanted to know I would tell you." She pouted.

"You already tell me stuff I don't want to know." Shikamaru knew this would never end until she found out. But he wasn't about to get in trouble with the Hokage for leaking classified information. Let her find out some other way. At least he was getting some free grub, Ino's treat which was meant to bribe him.

"You know, we have been through a lot together and I would think you could trust me." Ino sat back in the bench and crossed her arms. She was running out of ideas. 'This plan worked in the past, hadn't it?' She couldn't remember. 'Or was it Choji who can be bribed with food. Yes, Choji likes food and Shikamaru likes...what does he like? This is impossible!'

"Why don't you go ask her yourself. Sakura walked past us five minutes ago." Shikamaru started to stand up.

"What! Why didn't you tell me about that!" Ino jumped from her seat.

"I was waiting for you to pay the bill. There is no way I am getting stuck footing the bill for your treat."

"Urghhhhh" was all she could let out as she stamped off. At the door she looked back at Shikamaru who pointed to the left, indicating which direction he saw Sakura walking in. Ino power walked down the street looking in every direction. 'If she came here she is probably trying to get something to eat. This is the restaurant district after all. See, Shikamaru is not the only one who can figure something out.'

Ino shuffled down the street looking into the varies eating establishments. Locating Sakura should be an easy task. She is about the only person in all of Konoha that has pink hair. Well, Haruno's mother has pink hair also. 'What is it with Haruno's and their pink hair? It isn't natural. How are you supposed to be all ninja like and blend...' Ino's thoughts were cluttered but she still was able to catch a glimpse of Sakura. 'Of course! She eats here all the time.'

The blond walked in and found Sakura sitting by herself. All around her were empty bowls. 'One, two three, five...she's on her s-seventh? MY GOD! How does she stay so thin with a mouth like that?' Ino walked up behind her rival and cleared her throat.

Sakura didn't respond. She kept scarfing down her candy ice cream. The spoon had no time for a break, constantly lifting one monster bite after another to what seemed like a bottomless pit. After running out of potential cargo, the spoon was tossed down into the bowl with a heavy sigh. "Can I help you Ino-pig?"

"You're one to talk." Ino sat on the opposite bench. She had gotten a good look at Sakura's face. "Do you even know what a napkin is?" She tossed one down for her friend to use.

Sakura snatched it up and wiped her face. "This isn't filling me up at all. I need something more hearty and substantial. I need...ramen." The girl's voice trailed off. She tossed down some money to pay for the meal and took off. Ino followed, still needing some answers.

A few minutes later the kunoichi pair landed outside of Ichiraku Ramen, the best spot to get ramen in hidden leaf village. Unless there is a pressing emergency, rooftop hoping is frowned upon as a general means of transportation. The civilians can get quite upset. But Sakura didn't see to care about the unwritten rule at the moment.

Pushing aside the curtain, Sakura walked inside the establishment. Ino and her were the only patrons present. "One ramen with everything please." Teuchi turned around to greet his customers.

"Good afternoon, uh, Sakura-san is it? I haven't seen you in quite a while." The chef turned back to prepare her meal. After a moment of silence, "And what will your friend have?"

"Nothing, thank you." Ino responded.

"This isn't a rest stop, you must order something. It is bad for business!" The owner exclaimed.

"Uh, the lightest ramen dish you have then." Sakura may not have any concern for her figure, but Ino had boys to think about.

"Coming right up." The chef began to prepare their food.

Ino turned to Sakura. "So, what happened yesterday?"

"I can't talk about it." Sakura kept her eyes glued to the chef. Her mouth was watering, anticipating the lunch she was about to enjoy.

"Of course you can. Shikamaru said you could." Ino wasn't about to give up.

"I'm under direct orders from the Hokage. Do you want to upset old bag Tsunade?"

"Old bag? That is pretty disrespectful to talk about your sensei like that." As Ino finished her sentence, two bowls were placed before the girls.

"Enjoy." Teuchi said proudly. Ino glanced down at her food. She didn't really like ramen. But it was still edible. She wasn't about to let it go to waste. Reaching for some chopsticks, she was startled by the gross slurping sounds coming from the person beside her. Sakura was hunched over her bowl, shoveling noodles into her waiting mouth. Not even bothering to chew, she swallowed them whole. When the supply of pasta and other ingredients ran out, she tossed down her chopsticks and grabbed the bowl with two hands. Lifting it to her lips, she drank the remaining stew without stopping. A few gulps later she put down the bowl.

"Another please."

"A-Another?" The man stared in disbelief.

"Did I stammer old man?" Sakura shot back.

"Uh, no." Teuchi turned and began to prepare another bowl for his ravenous customer.

Ino looked at Sakura who was wiping her mouth with her forearm. She then looked down at the bowl. Then back up at her rival. Her face shriveled up with disgust. 'I think I just lost my lunch,' she thought.

"I'm not hungry," Ino said. She pushed the bowl towards Sakura. "You want it?" One hand reached out and pulled the bowl sharply. Some broth spilled on the counter from the sudden movement.

"Thanks!" Sakura dove right in, devouring the contents as quickly as the first bowl. Just as Ino's ramen disappeared, Teuchi set down the second bowl Sakura had ordered. "Thanks old man." She pushed aside the second empty bowl and dragged in the third. Ino's plan was falling apart. There was no time for chit chat if Sakura kept stuffing her face like this.

Between each course Ino tried to pry a little. But Sakura expertly deflected all interrogation attempts while waiting for the next chance to pig out. After eight bowls, the pink-haired pig had enough. Burping loudly, "Wow, I'm stuffed!"

Ino gagged. "Let me go get you an apple for the snout."

"You know wIno [wine-o, if you spent a little less time coming up with insults and a little more time training, perhaps you would be able to beat me." Sakura pulled out her wallet to pay. "Here you go old man."

Although she didn't show him much respect, the girl did just eat eight bowls of ramen. Teuchi decided to be nice to his best customer all week. He bowed slightly, "Thank you, please come again."

Ino's eye twitched, "wIno?".

"Yeah, you whine a lot. The nickname suits you better." Sakura chuckled as she walked out of the ramen stand.

Ino followed, clenching her fists tight and shutting her eyes. "Sakura, y-you make me so angry!" She opened them to find her rival had departed. She was no where in sight. "You better run if you know whats good for you!"

"Hey freeloader, stop scaring away the customers." The stand owner wasn't worried about offending this one, she hadn't bought anything.

"Uhhhhgggggggggggggg," was all she managed to let out as she stomped off down the street.

Sakura arrived back home at her apartment that evening, with a large bag shopping bag in tow. She had spent the afternoon purchasing various items, mostly clothing. After, she went back to Ichiraku for dinner. The owner was shocked to see her back so soon, but not much so when she devoured another five bowls.

Raising the key to unlock the door, Sakura quickly looked around. No one else was in sight, so she went inside and closed the door quickly behind her. The girl let out a loud sigh dropping the large bag beside her. It had been an eventful past couple of days. First getting knocked out by Naruto and now she carried that, that monster inside her. What next, the village being invaded?

The exhausted girl pulled off her boots and rubbed her sore feet for a moment. She didn't do anything particularly strenuous today, but they were still aching. Feeling slightly better, she got back up and grabbed her new purchases. Sakura strolled down the hall and to her bedroom, passing living area and kitchen. Her apartment was not very glamorous, but it wasn't a hole in the wall either. She made a lot of money on her ninja missions and could afford a moderately sized place, similar to Naruto's. An expected promotion to Jounin soon would allow for an even bigger place. But she didn't really require one.

Stepping into her bedroom, she dropped the bag down on an open table and flopped down into the bed. Once fast asleep, an ANBU watching through her bedroom window radioed to headquarters. "Target Sakura Haruno has fallen asleep. Awaiting further orders."

Over the radio there was a reply, "Hokage-sama has decided to keep her under surveillance for now. Keep her under close observation.. You will be relieved at midnight."

"Aye sir."