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"ALAS, A YOUTHFUL CHILD BROUGHT BEFORE ME TO EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF THE SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH!" preached Gai

Thick bushy brows, that horrible bowl-cut do, those frighteningly light green spandex, the disease of over zealousness and the haunting phrase, it was like her nightmare come to life, only he was a man. Sakura's eye twitched at the sudden explosion of voice from the eccentric man she and Tsunade stood before. The dramatic pause came at hand for the man to pose before them. Sakura tugged at her mommy's robe and whispered when the woman leaned down,

"Mommy, I don't like this, shall we go home?"

Tsunade grimaced her grin, if that was possible, and spoke through gritted teeth, "trust me, sweetie, trust me on this. Gai-sensei is the best for you"

"AND WHEN SHALL I IGNITE YOUR BURNING FLAMES OF YOUTH, LITTLE ONE?!"

Panicking, Sakura turned to her mommy and protested, "Mommy, he's gonna burn me!!"

Tsunade giggled eeriely with her free hand daintily covering her mouth, "oh sweetie, that was just a figure of speech. And he's not gonna burn you. Gai-sensei said, he's gonna ignite your burning flames of youth"

"Isn't that just the same?" whimpered Sakura

"Honey, I have to do things right now, money doesn't just come around like that. I'm gonna be taking up missions for a while, and like the time Auntie Kurenai spent to teach you genjutsu, consider it the same as Uncle Gai teaching you taijutsu"

"I think I'll just stick to Gai-sensei" remarked Sakura

Tsunade dropped her smile and nodded, "fair enough" she said, rather relieved that the child did not seem to vibe with being a replicate of such person named Gai. The man wasn't bad or anything, his ways just seem rather... too unique for her liking.

Sakura watched her mommy head back to their part of the manor, leaving her and Gai-sensei out in the backyard. She sighed then turned to Gai, winked at her and gave a blinding grin, her eye twitched and wondered how she'll get along with him.

"ALAS, WHAT DOES YOUR BRILLIANT MIND KNOW OF THE WONDROUS ART OF TAIJUTSU?!"

Instinctively channeled chakra to her feet before stomping on the man's foot. Gai's manic grin remained for a good five second delay before his face contorted in response.

"GAI-SENSEI!!" shrieked Sakura, raising her voice just as high. Gai's ears slightly deafened, finding it amusing that it was usually the other way around

Through gritted teeth, squinted eyes and a thumb up, Gai spoke "THAT'S RIGHT, LET YOUR BURNING PASSION BURN, SWEET CHILD!!"

"CAN WE PLEASE KEEP IT DOWN?!" Shrieked Sakura, reaching a deafening trill that nearly shattered both of their ears, "please?"

Gai blinked, "Yosh! And shall this level suit you well?"

Sakura nodded, before proceeding to the explanation "Taijutsu is a basic form of jutsu that generally speaking requires no chakra, but chakra may be used to enhance techniques. Taijutsu generally require no hand seals to perform and are much quicker to use than ninjutsu or genjutsu. Taijutsu is simply put, hand-to-hand combat."

Gai applauded politely before resting both hands on his spandex-clad hips, "now, on to the weights then!"

"W-What?" stuttered Sakura

"That's right, to increase your speed, you must first familiarize yourself with the weights set upon your body and shall try to reach your normal speed with ease. So that, when the time comes, and your weights are to be removed, you will be far faster than the last"

"Sensei, at what level shall we first begin with," asked Sakura

The man hummed thoughtfull before grinning once more, "what about a youthful hundred pounds at first?!"

"B-But Gai-sensei," protested Sakura, "I'm only four-and-a-half!"

"Good point, I nearly forgot, please forgive me, for the rage of springtime had gotten the best out of my unbeatable enthusiasm"

Sakura inwardly agreed but held her tongue so as to not speak out.

"Fifty pounds indeed!"

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Unlike the other categories of jutsus, Sakura struggled though her stamina was beyond exceptional with, taijutsu just seemed far too difficult to let alone embrace its introductory phase. Her body was not built for heavy weights, seeing to it that she was still of a fragile age, thus holding back her training with Gai.

Because of trying to get her tiny body used to such weight, there were numerous times she was sent to the hospital to be nursed back to health because of broken bones. Gai, who promised Tsunade that she'll take care of the child, decided to delay the rush once more and begged the girl to not snitch to her mommy.

In the end, they managed to compromise, and student and teacher were faring well. It was the eleventh time Sakura was released from the building, this time with an icecream in hand to keep her satisfied. Gai was walking along side of her and then began

"For your splendind years of youth, I strongly believe that you are on the same level of a novice chuunin. Why won't you go to school now?"

"Isn't it weird that a five-year-old is going to the Academy?" asked Sakura

"Trust me dear child, you've got your springtime of youth burning wildly enough to prove the wierdness wrong!" he flashed his winning pose, she twitched her eerie eye, it was just another day, with the same routine of getting out of the hospital, but it wasn't when Tsunade finally arrived from the year long mission.

"Mommy? Mommy!!" yelled Sakura as she ran down the street, unconciously flinging her icecream out of hand before jumping to Tsunade's arms.

"Sweety, didya miss me?" asked Tsunade as she tossed the girl in the air within a short distance, the girl nodded, "and how was Gai sensei?"

She turned to the man who began his wordless begging, getting on his knees, hands held in prayers shaking it before his tearful face. With a sigh, she lied for his sake, "but my training's gonna take longer"

"And why's that?"

Sakura held her tongue, before conjuring up a lie, "since my body can't hold up the weights I'm put on, my bones can break, mommy"

"Very well, you shall keep training until you perfect it" said Tsunade, "I have to hurry to Hokage-sama for some reports, I'll be back for dinner"

Sakura waved good-bye even if her mommy didn't see. Gai sighed in relief and constantly thanked Sakura, "Ne, Gai-sensei. Maybe I should opt for the Academy"

"I adore your burning passion, may your youthfulness come at hand when you hold this conversation with your mother over a beautiful reunion dinner tonight!" preached Gai

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Sakura was given a break for the day to think about her decision. Was she to go to the Academy early or enter at the right age? If she went now, she'd graduate early and everyone will think she's weird. If she waited and went to the academy, it will be a waste of time since she had learned them all.

Just graduate earlier, that way you'll save time

Sakura blinked, admiring the idea of her conscience. But she sighed, Gai sensei was right, she needed to enjoy her youth as well, besides, there was no rush.

Dear child, please heed to my advice for it will fare you well in the near future. We shall gain strength to flag our independence. Just imagine a five-year-old genin, won't it make mother proud?

Though the voice would suggest things far mature than she will ever think of, it did sound reasonable and she admired the idea.

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With the idea wholeheartedly accepted through Sakura's manipulative ways, she also displayed a performance for the Hokage to admire, before she was admitted into the Academy. She stayed by herself since she didn't know anyone in her class, but Iruka. Everyone was eight, and she was five.

They shunned her, admired her and so on because of her performance, though she paid no attention in class, and barely did her homework her written exam was brilliant and nearly accused the child of cheating for the words she had written down was exactly as it was written in the books that are not even used by the school.

Whenever she arrived home, she'd spend an hour with Tsunade and Kurenai to run through her other jutsus and then spend the whole time with Gai on their taijutsu before heading to dinner and prepare for tomorrow. The routine was broken when Sakura insisted on spending more time on training taijutsu instead of reviewing her other skills, when her stubborness showed and boredom towards the routine.

Sakura proved that she'd learn things once, remember them well and move on to the next, striving to do better and never make mistakes. Her enthusiasm was highly regarded, but it was not enough for her to graduate to Genin in the first term as what she and Tsunade had expected.

"Though she may exceed in her class with her knowledge, her Taijutsu still needs to be improved even if she is strong and quite agile, plus, her weapon aiming is very crucial in the course," explained the Hokage

Sakura rarely stopped by in his office and stood consciously before him with Tsunade next to her. A serious glint then shone in the Hokage's eyes as he took in a long drag, he blew it out and spoke, "Tsunade, I understand the need to rush, to let Sakura graduate while she's still interested, but she also needs to finish all that she has learned. I appreciate you gathering her students to reteach her what she taught them, but her progress is beginning to spread rumors and suspicion about her.

"Kurenai keeps boasting about her first student surpassing her, Gai is admiring her stamina and determination, please keep her progress a low profile until she can take care of herself. As for now, I can help you. For weapon aiming, you may ask for Anko's help, she never misses, and you know why? We both know where she learned to aim like that"

"Thank you Hokage-sama" bowed Tsunade, Sakura bowed along, storing the conversation in the corner of her mind. The revelation intrigued her and wondered who the great teacher was. The trip back home was hurried, it was a weekend, Saturday, to say the least, and it was no schoolday.

"Mommy," began Sakura, keeping up with her mother's long strides through brisk walking

"Yes?"

"Who is the person that taught my senseis?" she asked

Tsunade looked down at the five year old from the corner of her eye before focusing on her path, "In due time, my dear, shall you know it all. Trust me, she won't be a disappointment."

"Why?" asked Sakura

"Because she is the best teacher in Konoha"

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On a Sunday, Sakura woke up with a sore muscle and it intrigued Tsunade. Why would her muscles ache now when they hadn't before in the training? Perhaps the rest yesterday made her muscles react to the lack of pressure. Gai was sent to a mission, leaving Sakura alone to train by herself, by refering to scrolls she found in the library she ran through them in the back yard. The Hokage would even lend her some A-ranking scrolls that can help her with taijutsu and graciously accepted it as she trained, but that was besides the point.

Tsunade sighed, "let me fix that. I'm afraid your muscles are building now, you're a kunoichi not a red-blooded male ninja. Come here, let's meditate"

"What?" asked Sakura

"Meditate? I thought you've read of that before," said Tsunade, getting up from the breakfast table to clean up

"I have, mommy, but I can never imagine you meditating"

Tsunade chuckled and dragged the girl in the center of the spacious living room and sat cross-legged. After seconds of staring, the girl shrugged and joined the woman, sitting cross-legged; imitating the traditional hand seal brought beneath her chin and closed eyes.

"Open up your chakra gates and let them relieve the stress on your muscles," instructed Tsunade with the calmest voice yet. Amongst the harsh trainings she'd ever had, this had to be the most peaceful one yet. Sakura liked that, she liked the idea of mediation.

"Now, be one with your chakra and explore your body, familiarize yourself with it until you feel at ease..."

Sakura felt a certain lightness overcome her, coaxing her to give in to the force

"Let the chakra take you in its flow, allow yourself to be one with it, but do not give in wholly. The trick is to embrace your chakra but don't let it take over you, because if that will happen, you won't be able to control your chakra and you will become its puppet"

So Sakura held back from the force. In her mind she felt as if she were riding on a canoe, cruising down a sem-calm river that ran through a grassy field beneath a blue sky adorned by the sun and clouds. She let herself be taken away by its currents, but controlled her journey with her paddle, entering a different channel that she wished.

When she managed to reach the sea, or where she expected it to be, there was a massive barrier, like a dam. Deciding that she should retreat now, a force held her back, the barrier seemed to mesmerize her and she found it difficult to resist.

In due time, dear Sakura, only then will everything be revealed to you. As for now, be aware of Haigara, Ashes. The element or object will be the key to your questions, though not now, but in the future when you've grown strong.

Slowly opening her eyes, she felt relieved. The burdening weight on her body had been brushed aside, and she was back on her knees. It was a Sunday, and it always meant full day training, if it were not held in Saturday. Sakura followed Tsunade out on the yard, waiting for another sensei to greet her.

Before her stood a woman with a devilish outlook; a tanned trenchcoat over a mesh shirt and a very short miniskirt with mesh shorts trailing five inches beyond her skirt. Sakura was spellbound on her fashion statement, and immediately fell in love with mesh garments.

The woman smirked at the way Sakura scanned her body, she wasn't bothered and just kept her hands on her hips, she asked "do whaddya think kid?"

Sakura began shaking and turned to Tsunade, "MOMMY I WANT FISHNET CLOTHING TOO!!"

Tsunade blinked then huffed out her smirk, "seems she likes ya already, Anko"

The woman named Anko laughed, rubbing the back of her head, "And to think that the kid had a thing for women"

"Anko, you perv" remarked Tsunade with disappointment, "just don't molest the kid and teach her well with weaponry, got that?"

"And to think your kid was a boy" sighed Anko, "it would've been much more fun to mess with a boy"

"Well, it's great that Sakura's a girl then, and when have you heard a boy named Sakura, praytell?"

Anko giggled eeriely, "just hoped greatly, and prayed for it to be a boy. Oh never mind, I can just make a mini-me version of myself. Oh what joy!" Anko began brought her hands beneath her chin, clapping them rapidly as she bounced from where she stood like a sugar-rushed kid.

"Sakura, listen to me and listen well. Never, I say, never grow your interest in blood, never wear fishnets and I will see to it that you shall wear a bra by the time you sprout your own boobs!"

Sakura instantly turned red as Anko began laughing at Tsunade's motherly actions and threats; it wasn't long before Tsunade left them alone. Sakura then turned eagerly to the woman, "Anko, can I have some fishnets from you"

"Woah, woah, woah, kid. These are not fishnets, they are mesh garment. Got that? And it's Anko sensei to you, kid"

"Yes, sensei!" beamed Sakura

"Unless you listen well and do good, you won't have worry about being hole-ier than swiss cheese" Anko grinned manically as she began to draw out a kunai and flipped them expertly with deft hands. Though Sakura gulped at this, she nodded.

If she didn't enjoy the idea of having rocks being thrown at her, she would definitely not like the idea of being hole-ier than swiss cheese.

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"Doesn't it seem to bother you that we're giving Sakura the unnecessary knowledge that she needs while Naruto doesn't?" asked Tsunade

The Hokage withdrew from the window, holding his pipe in his hand before sitting down on his office chair, "I don't see the reason why you're bringing this one up, Tsunade-hime"

"I'm wondering if I can also help Naruto. You know? Give him a few tips for some self defense?"

The Hokage stared at her student with a steely façade, "no one will come and get Naruto, Tsunade. Unless of course, we gave him the dead give away of Namikaze Naruto, remember? That's why he goes by the name of Uzumaki Naruto."

Tsunade relaxed, "so how's he doing?"

"Fine, as you can see for yourself. Don't forget, that I still look after him, and like I said, through Clandestine Measures. Keeping an eye on him through my crystal ball and having a few ANBU members watching over him will proved him the best security. Believe me Tsunade, you have no idea how hard it really seems. Though Naruto may also be bound to having his father's enemies chase him down, that won't seem possible while he stays under a low profile in my village.

"I have him in a very tough surveillance, like I do with the village. And besides, he's not the only blonde-haired-blue-eyed kid on the block, there's the Yamanaka's Ino."

Tsunade stared at her former sensei wariy. Though his words may sound well enough for secured comfort, there was still inkling feelings about him and the boy that did not suit her taste. She did trust the Hokage, but saw no real proof of safety over the boy, how was it that the old man can sound so sure while the kid was wreaking havoc through the village, how can he remain unnoticed?

The Hokage sighed deeply, "Tsunade, if it won't also be too much of a favor, I need, just as much as the whole village needs it, we need to have our Sakura back. We need to hear the very reason from her as to why the boy should live, I'm even risking the village's safety for the Yondaime's son—"

"Don't worry," assured Tsunade, "I'll see to it that she does remember. I'll see to it that our Sakura will be back."

To Be Continued...

A/N: Okay I've noticed there hasn't been much of NaruSaku Moments in here, but that'll change in the next chappie. Other than that, I hope this reason satisfies YellowDemonFlash's concern, if it doesn't, please review your disappointments and I'll try to tweak the story until everything has been cleared out!

That'd be all, thus signifying the end of this installment. The next one shall come up soon, please review and bear with me!