Her heart beat was the only thing she heard before being startled by a voice in her ear.
"Sasuke here at Point C!"
Her feet paused in step, ducking behind a tree.
"Sakura here, at Point B!"
"Naruto here. I'm at Point A, dattebayo."
The annoyed yet teasing voice came into her ear then.
"You're slow Naruto."
"Teme!"
"Shh!"
Sakura sighed as she shushed them; it would not be wise to startle their target at this point in the mission.
"Okay Squad Seven, Oh! The target has moved! Follow it!"
"Got it!"
"Leave it to me!"
"Naruto, not so loud!"
They moved swiftly as a team until their target paused. Their backs hit the trees. Sensing a lack of movement, Kakashi went forward with the plan.
"What is your distance from the target?"
"Five meters. I can go at anytime."
Naruto's voice rang out surprisingly soft.
"I'm ready too."
Sasuke piped in, eyes glaring at the target as if wishing for it to remain still.
"Me too."
She replied back, although her vantage point was a little off from the group.
"Okay… move in!"
They attacked at once but it was Naruto who caught the target, thus facing it's harsh attack.
"Do you confirm the target with the red bow on it's right ear."
Sasuke stood off to the side.
"Confirmed. The target is Tora the cat."
Sakura smiled and took the cat from Naruto, letting her chakra soothe the creature.
"There there, don't be afraid! We're just going to take you back to your mommy!"
"Good. Mission retrieve the pet cat 'Tora' is complete."
Naruto huffed before letting out a childish cry.
"WHEN CAN WE GET BETTER MISSIONS?"
Sakura pulled out her ear piece the same time Sasuke did, the loud noise still filtering through the air.
"Naruto!"
"Idiot."
xxXXxx
They stood in the academy, ready to receive their next mission. For two months now they've done ridiculous genin missions such as babysitting, lawn care, pet rescues, helping out in local shops, etc, etc.
"Now then, the next mission for Squad Seven. Ah, yes, an errand to the neighboring town to baby-sit the Chief Counselor's boy-"
"NO WAY!"
Sakura gasped as Naruto formed his forearms in an 'x' shape, and blantly shouted at the Hokage.
Sasuke sighed beside her, hands still in pockets.
"Naruto!"
Kakashi hit him with his perverted book.
"I want a more exciting mission! I'm fifteen!"
Sakura elbowed him with a warning tone.
"Naruto. Everyone starts out with bottom feeder missions, it how you gain skills!"
"I DON'T WANT TO GAIN SKILLS-"
Her fist made contact with his head, making him fall over.
"Sakura-chan! That hurt!"
"You're so embarrassing!"
Their short argument was cut off by the chuckle of the Hokage.
"If you insist, I'll have you do a C ranked mission. You will be body guards for someone. Could you please come in?"
The door behind them opened to reveal a drunken man with a backpack. She heard Sasuke make and irritated noise in his throat before turning away.
"I'm Tazuna, veteran bridge builder, and you'll be risking your life guarding me to the max."
The Hokage cleared his throat again.
"You leave in two hours. I suggest you pack accordingly."
With that they were dismissed.
xxXXxx
Sakura double and triple checked her bag before leaving her parents a note. They would be back in a few days, and she would be gone. It was a weird feeling. For now she was going to work, just like they did. Smiling to herself, she left the house without her keys, hoping her parents wouldn't leave for another mission by the time she got back.
Walking back to the gates of the village, she saw Sasuke walking out of the Uchiha compound, hands in his pockets.
"Sasuke-kun!"
He looked up at her call and gave a nod of acknowledgement and they walked in silence. A glimmer in the sun on his cheek made her pause and start to laugh.
"What?"
"Does your mother wear chapstick?"
In second Sasuke was wiping at his cheek, pink tainting his normally pale skin.
"Sh-shut up."
It made her laugh harder and soon they were meeting up with Kakashi, Naruto, and Tazuna who were already there.
They set off without much hassle, just a quick argument between Tazuna and Naruto. They walked, and walked, and walked for a few hours getting farther and farther away form their home village when a distant sound was heard.
Suddenly, Kakashi was tied, two ninjas holding each end of a link made with ninja stars. They pulled tight and Sakura screamed, a large pile of gore falling where Kakashi stood. In the next second the two ninjas had found their next victim.
She moved in front of Tazuna, kunai in hand, but by the time she blinked the ninja was in front of her, ready to attack. That's when a blur of blue filled her vision and a gagging sound was heard.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to take so long."
Kakashi stood with both ninja under his arms.
"Kakashi-sensei! You're alive!"
But in front of her, very close, was Sasuke, who was just lowering his arms.
He was going to protect me?
The thought made her blush.
"Naruto, I'm sorry you got hurt. I didn't think you would freeze up."
Her concerned eyes found Naruto's shaky body.
"Are you okay… scardy cat?
Sasuke's teasing voice called out, snapping Naruto out of his daze. Sakura moved quickly, grabbing Naruto's sleeve.
"Teme!"
"Naruto! There was poison on their claws, let me help you."
"S-Sakura-chan!"
She brought out a kunai but it was too late. Naruto stabbed his hand himself, watching the blood drip out.
"Naruto! What are you thinking?"
Looking up, she saw Naruto was once again pink in the face but he was also angry. No, he was frustrated. She frowned before using her free hand to put the back of her palm against his forehead.
"You're kind of warm, are you feeling okay? Kakashi-sensei! Naruto is-"
"He'll be fine, just patch him up."
Kakashi was glaring at their assignment and she frowned. Next to him was Sasuke who was glaring at the ground, hands in his pockets.
She bandaged his hand tightly, and smiled when she was finished.
"There you are! You're finished Naruto. We should keep moving, in case any other ninja decide to attack. What were you thinking? You can't just open a wound like that!"
"Kakashi-sensei looks mad."
Sakura paused before looking back.
"It's a C ranked mission, not a B or A. This guy is hiding something, because someone wanted him killed. I'd be mad if I was Kakashi-sensei too."
He nodded and walked closer to the group, leaving her behind. With a sigh she straightened out her clothes and patiently waited for Kakashi to say for them to move on.
She watched Sasuke look at Naruto's wound discretely before their eyes caught. Sakura offered a soft smile before looking down, finding something interesting in the spec of dirt near her shoes.
xxXXxx
Sakura sat on the boat closest to Naruto, who was sitting at the tip, fidgeting anxiously. The boat ride was long, because they couldn't use the motor. Not to mention the fog was thick and chilly.
"The bridge should be visible soon. Once we get to the other side of the bridge, we'll be in Nami no Kuni."
Their ride was long, and the boat was rather cramped for five sitting adults. Personally, even though she was the shortest of the group, Sakura still had long-ish legs and they bumped bare skin to Sasuke's calf, leaving her in a constant state of blush.
They rode beside the unfinished bridge, through a tunnel, and on the other side was a beautiful small village.
Sakura smelled the salty air with a smile, loving the town already. They stepped off the boat and started their escort to the man's home. The path was well traveled, and surrounded by trees. A whirl in the air was the warning they were given and Sakura threw Tazuna down with herself. Looking up, a large sword was stuck in the tree with a man standing on it.
"Well, if it isn't the Rogue Ninja of the Hidden Mist, Momochi Zabuza!"
"Ah. The Copy Cat Ninja, Hatake Kakashi. The one who had mastered over a thousand stolen techniques."
"Formation manchi everyone, do not involve yourself in this battle. Do not let harm come to Tazuna."
They started backing up, Sakura ready on the right, Naruto ready on the left, and Sasuke ready at the front.
The fog grew thick at an incredible rate. Sakura heard her heartbeat in her ears as she realized she couldn't see anyone, she could only feel her shoulder touching Sasuke's.
The kunai in her hand started to shake with her nerves.
"Eight spots."
Where is he?
"The larynx, the spine, the lungs, the liver, the jugular, the kidneys, the heart and the subclavian veins. Now then, which vulnerable spot would be good?"
With a gasp she realized he was behind them. The moment she turned her head however, another was with them. Kakashi had a kunai stuck in Zabuza's stomach, only to reveal it was a Water Clone. In the next few seconds, the real Kakashi ended up behind the real Zabuza, with a kunai to his throat.
"Don't move."
Relief filled her instantly, seeing that they weren't alone anymore.
Things were moving fast again. Zabuza used another water clone, and kicked Kakashi away. Sakura gasped and Sasuke tensed beside her. Naruto sat up straighter , and soon they saw Kakashi emerge from the water. However, Kakashi was soon trapped in a water prison jutsu. Sakura felt her heart begin to panic, realizing they were the only defense for Tazuna.
"Hey, Sasuke, Naruto! He just emerged a clone, but clones have limits from their real bodies. We have to take Tazuna and run!"
She grasped her Kunai in her hand appearing calm, but her hands were still shaking.
"It won't work. He'll find us eventually."
"Sasuke-kun! This is our only option! We can get help later-"
"I refuse!"
Naruto stood beside him, clutching his fist and Sakura sighed, clearly outnumbered.
"Sakura, take Tazuna. We'll join you later."
"No way! I won't leave you two to your death!"
Suddenly Naruto went flying, obviously kicked away, and Zabuza had Sasuke by his throat.
He threw Sasuke away, and Naruto was beside him in a second. Only to whisper in his ear. Sakura huffed but stayed by Tazuna none the less. Naruto helped Sasuke up and they bumped fists.
"Now then, let's get wild!"
"Are you ready, idiot?"
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
About fifty clones of Naruto huddled and attacked on Zabuza's clone, only to be thrown off, but Sakura couldn't ignore the smirk on Naruto's face. He tossed Sasuke a fuma shuriken, something Sakura didn't know Naruto even possessed. Sasuke smirked as well, fanning out the folded wings.
"Kage fusha!"
Sasuke launched in the air and threw it, missing the clone by a second, only to be truly aiming at the real Zabuza. He caught it however, falling into their trap.
The shadow he jumped over, not realizing what it really was. A Naruto clone appeared in it's place, and it threw a kunai.
It nicked Zabuza's cheek, and forced him to let go of the sphere around Kakashi. Naruto's clone disappeared, and they were together again.
In tandem Kakashi and Zabuza formed hand signals, something that Sakura couldn't keep up with.
Her mind began to wander, despite the situation to the plan that just unfolded before her eyes.
Those two argue like cats and dogs, yet they worked together flawlessly.
What the hell have I done?
Not a damn thing.
Two giant water style dragons crashed, causing water to rain on them. She didn't make a sound as the cold water shocked her system, but her body began to shiver almost instantly. She glared at Zabuza, knowing it didn't matter, but still.
Next Kakashi created a water vortex, and sent the water everywhere, crashing into them like waves. When the water cleared, Zabuza was barely on his feet. But in a second, that changed.
Three medical needles were planted into his neck, and he fell, body limp.
Kakashi was beside him immediately, fingers brushing against Zabuza's neck.
"He's dead."
"I thank you for your help."
All eyes turned to the tree above Zabuza. A small figure with a white mask was standing there, hand against the trunk.
"A tracker ninja."
"Yes, I am from the Kirigakure tracking unit."
The tracker grabbed the body with a nod and disappeared.
"But-"
"A rogue ninja knows too many secrets. They must be exposed of. Now, how about we get Tazuna-san home?"
Kakashi's smile wasn't forced, but it wasn't too genuine.
That's when he collapsed.
"Kakashi-sensei!"
She knelt beside him, feeling his mouth.
"He's unconscious."
Sakura helped adjust Kakashi on Naruto and Sasuke's shoulders, and she took the lead with Tazuna, hoping his home wasn't too far away.
xxXXxx
She brushed through her hair, now slightly wavy for lack of a straightener and sighed. Sakura had awoken first, and therefore grabbed the shower first. A soft knock of the door caused her to open it without looking, and she started placing the hitai-ate in her hair.
"Sakura."
Her head skipped a beat and she looked to her left to see Sasuke with his bag and a towel. Tightening the knot one last time, she gave a soft smile and a apology.
"I was just leaving, the shower's yours. I'll go check on Kakashi-sensei."
"Hn."
Turning back, she caught him before he closed the door.
"Sasuke-kun?"
He stayed mute, but she knew he was listening.
"Good job yesterday, you were amazing."
"Aa."
With another smile she turned down the small hallway and opened the room where they were sleeping. There was a small paper curtain between her cot and the others, to ensure her privacy. Naruto was softly snoring on his cot, in the corner, and Kakashi was by the window.
"Kakashi-sensei? How are you feeling?"
She knelt by him and he nodded before groaning softly.
"I overdid it, hm?"
"Big time. You need to rest for a few days, Naruto, Sasuke, and I will take shifts with Tazuna, you worry about resting."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll be up and normal in a day or two."
"Until then, Tazuna's daughter has left you crutches to get around by for meals and bathroom breaks. That's it however, if I hear you've been up for other stuff I'll put you back in this cot by force!"
Her stern look did nothing for him, for he just put a hand on her head.
"You're so much like your mother Sakura."
"I have to ask you something. I know we learned about tracker ninjas, and even I studied beyond the normal literature. So I have to ask, why did the tracker take Zabuza's body away? Normally they perform their work on the spot."
Sasuke returned from his shower and proceeded to kick Naruto in the side, making him turn over. Altthough, he didn't suspect Naruto to try and cuddle his calf.
"Get off of me! Naruto you idiot!"
Naruto whined at the loud noise and woke up groggily.
"WHY IS YOUR LEG SO CLOSE TO ME?"
"Naruto! Go take a shower! Tazuna has to leave soon, you have the second shift!"
Sakura pinched the bridge of her nose, not ready for another argument between the two.
"Who has first?"
"I do, Sasuke has the last shift."
Kakashi cleared his throat.
"Sakura, I fear your hunch is correct. The ninja who took Zabuza was probably his partner. Meaning Zabuza is probably still alive. Be careful with your shifts today."
"We will be, don't worry about us sensei!"
She gave a smile before standing quickly, not noticing the other two follow her out. They stood in the hallway together and bowed their heads slightly.
"We'll start training tonight. We can't get strong fast, but we have to make some improvement. If you spot Zabuza on your shifts, don't engage. Run, as fast as you can with Tazuna. The other builders aren't important or they'd be dead by now."
Sakura and Naruto nodded at Sasuke's statement.
xxXXxx
They snuck in around one in the morning that night, tired from training. When they woke up, Kakashi had a surprise for them.
"Tazuna isn't leaving until noon. That gives us time to lean something new."
"You shouldn't be moving around sensei!"
"Sakura, I almost feel fine! I'll be up and normal by tomorrow. Until then, let's learn something new, shall we? You all know the basics of chakra, correct?"
"Of course."
"Yeah! Who doesn't know Chatora?"
Sakura almost fell forward.
"Ah, Sakura, why don't you explain it?"
"Alright. Are you listening Naruto? Chakra is energy that a Ninja needs when he uses a jutsu! It's made up of two energies. One, physical energy gathered together from each and every cell in the body and two, spiritual energy accumulated based on numerous trainings and experiences. In other words, jutsu wrings out and combines these two energies from the body, and this is called 'combining the chakra'. Then chakra is activated by forming hand 'signs'. "
Kakashi placed a hand on her head.
"Good work Sakura. Understand now Naruto?"
"Yeah, yeah!"
"Now, let's climb trees!"
"What? I want to learn real ninja stuff!"
"I agree with Naruto."
Sakura just sighed and shook her head.
"It's not simple tree climbing! We'll do so, without our hands, and only using our feet!"
With that, he proceeded to walk perpendicular to the tree, and hang upside down, hands still on his crutches.
"Cool!"
"You must be able to control the chakra to your feet to walk perfectly."
Three kunai landed at their feet.
"Use that kunai to mark the spot to which you can climb under your own strength now."
They grabbed them, and concentrated like they were told. Chakra control was an inherited trait that she learned early on from her mother. She used to break chopsticks with little force, put holes in the wall just by leaning on it. It made her miserable as a child.
Opening her eyes with renewed concentration, she ran up the tree, not paying attention to her team mates. She marked her mark at sat on her branch. Looking down, she saw Naruto on the ground holding his head, and Sasuke glaring at his tree.
"Kakashi-sensei! This is fun!"
"Oh! Well what do you know. The one with better chakra control is Sakura, the girl."
"Way to go Sakura-chan! That's my girl!"
Her smile faltered slightly at the phrase but kept smiling none the less. Turning to Sasuke, she saw the glare he sent Naruto's way before sending it her way. It took her aback for a second before she frowned.
"That's right, a girl! Not the Hokage to be, or the great Uchiha heir!"
Crossing her arms, she grew upset with her team mates jealous stares aimed her way.
"Okay! Sakura, you got take the afternoon shift with Tazuna, the boys will train here, until they reach the level you set."
"Yes sensei!"
She jumped down, and was immediately confronted by Naruto.
"Hey, Sakura-chan? Can I get a few tips?"
Sakura bit her lip before leaning in to whisper in his ear.
"Don't worry about Sasuke, focus on your feet and experiment with the tree. You've pushed too little and too hard, find the perfect balance."
With that she pulled away with a smile and stood on her tip toes to ruffle his hair.
"Do your best Naruto, Sasuke-kun!"
xxXXxx
She stayed until the sun started to fall, then Tazuna and the worked called it quits for the day. They walked in silence, until she decided to break it.
"Tazuna-san?"
"Yeah?"
"There have been fewer workers everyday. Why is that?"
"They're afraid for their lives. But my true friends stay with me."
"Why is this bridge so important?"
"This bridge could bring transportation, jobs, money, and food to Kirigakure."
Looking around, she could see the state of poverty the town was in. Her heart broke for them.
Feeling a hand on her shirt, she turned around to see a little girl holding out her hands.
"Please!"
Digging in her bag, she found four pieces of candy and placed them in the child's hands with a smile.
"Here you go!"
"Thank so very much!"
The girl ran away as if she would take them back. When they got to the bridge builder's house, she saw Sasuke and Naruto were still training. They were panting, dirty, but their eyes were determined.
"Sakura, have you been crying?"
Kakashi was beside her, no longer on crutches as he wiped her tears away.
"Sorry, this town. It's nothing. I should know better."
"What's wrong?"
"This town is so poor. Children are hungry, thieves are everywhere. It just seems so sad."
"Not all villages are lucky like Konoha. But some villages are even better than ours."
She nodded.
"I'm going to see if Tazuna's daughter needs help making dinner."
That night at dinner, she almost blew a gasket.
"Are you two even tasting your meal?"
Sasuke and Naruto ate at a record speed, hurrying to finish their meal to get back to training.
With a sigh she just finished her own meal quietly.
Boys.
xxXXxx
End!