They'd just got back from their mission, all a little worn and tired "Okay….so I'll handle the report you lot go home get some rest" Kakashi grimaced eyeing the six preteen's he'd been in charge of for the duration of the supposed to be C Rank Escort Mission.
"And take a few days off, I insist, I'll tell your sensei's kids" then the Copy Ninja was gone nary a sigh to announce his departure from the group of genin, Mamori sighed loudly, then grabbed her sister by the hand, keeping her close as they walked off.
Barely remembering to wave to their friends "See you tomorrow" Mimori called quietly, the quietest anyone had ever seen the Senju twins, but of course who could blame them after the hell that had been their mission.
What with witnessing two deaths "Hey Sakura-chan what are you gonna do with that ginormous sword" Naruto inquired, looking as equally as devastated as she felt, Zabuza Momochi was misguided and she'd hoped to bring him back to Mist.
Only for the man to end up dying alongside his partner a kid just a few years older than her, who had horribly reminded her of her friend Haku "I promised Mangetsu-san that if I ever ran across it, I'd send it back to him in good condition" Sakura smiled tiredly.
Until she couldn't smile no more "Can't believe that's really one of the legendary swords of the Hidden Mist Village" Asagao whistled in stifled awe, before depression hit him hard, all of them felt devastation at the loss of life after all.
"Hn" Sasuke grunted ready for the day to be over when it had hardly begun and stalked off wanting to sulk on his own for a long while and think about everything that had happened while on the mission.
Naruto, Asagao and Sakura watched him go before they to split up in different directions, Naruto just as quiet as the Senju twins when he headed for his lone apartment building "Ugh I don't even feel like going home yet" the fuscia haired girl groaned.
Cradling her head in her hands and feeling tears threatening to spill "Me either, wanna go to the training grounds and send that off to your friend in Mist" the fuscia haired boy suggested carefully still reeling from the mission.
Thankfully Sakura nodded and off they went, Era was summoned and the massive sword was sealed into a storage scroll to be sent along with a letter "Era will be back tomorrow with any letters, good day Sakura-sama" Era quipped then vanished to complete her task.
With that Sakura flopped on the ground and threw an arm over her eyes trying vainly not to cry "Don't understand how people can be so cruel in this world" Sakura murmured brokenly as the tears finally fell free.
Her brother eyed her with pity "It's more than that isn't it Sakura, that kid with Momochi-san, he reminded you of someone, your not picturing that kid your picturing one of your friends dead, buried in the ground aren't you" Asagao guessed easily.
She sat up with a growl "Yes, kami I've never felt this way in my entire life, and it hurts, I..I'm sorry Asagao but I need to be alone for awhile" the pinkette stood and disappeared from sight, Asagao grimaced and flopped back.
It wasn't more than a couple minutes later that he heard the strained voice of someone counting at an already ridiculously high number "Seriously who even goes that high" the pink haired boy grumbled not happy that his warped meditation had been interrupted.
With a long suffering sigh he stood and followed the sound of someone counting "1,323, 1,324, 1,325, 1,326…" where he found a boy who was probably just a year older than him, going around a track on his hands of all appendages.
Asagao watched for a couple seconds until the teenager was passing by him "What on earth are you doing" Asagao frowned walking alongside the weird kid in green spandex and training on his hands of all things.
Onyx orbs from beneath ridiculously bushy brows peered up at him before a megawatt grin split the raven haired teen's face "I failed to beat my youthful rival in a spar so I am training myself to get better, Rock Lee at your service" Lee introduced himself with dramatic flare.
Not once in that single moment did he stop however and kept going at the same pace as he had been earlier, Asagao at that point felt nothing but confusion "You know you don't have to punish yourself like this just because you didn't win a spar" the fuscia haired teen pointed out carefully.
Stopping Lee in his tracks though he didn't right himself "But if I don't then I'll never beat my youthful rival Neji Hyuga" the raven haired teenager exclaimed in an aghast sounding tone of voice, like the thought had never crossed his mind.
"There are other ways to train, but pushing yourself to walking around on your hands for a ridiculous number of laps is just plain crazy" Asagao barreled on determined to make the older teenager see reason, maybe.
Finally because his training had been interrupted the raven haired teenager righted himself so he was right side up and not looking at him upside down "How else will I get better to beat my youthful rival if I don't" Lee asked in confusion.
Asagao sighed "Training is okay but not like that, why don't you run on your own two feet around the village" the pink haired preteen offered cluelessly because he'd never encountered someone like this in his entire life, and he'd thought his sister was weird.
Lee brightened "What a good idea, come run with me into the sunset my new youthful friend" and then before Asagao could protest his arm was snatched and he was running alongside the kid in green spandex.
Around the village they went drawing exasperated and confused stares because clearly this wasn't the first time something like this had happened, however they had never seen him on the run obviously "Er Lee how many times are we going around, Asagao Haruno by the way" Asagao introduced himself belatedly.
"Five hundred laps my youthful friend and if we can't do that, one thousand push-ups and if we can't do that one thousand five hundred sit ups and if we can't do that….." Lee chattered on and on to his new friends horror.
By that point they weren't even halfway finished with the first lap and his lungs already burned from the exertion "Oh how about a competition first one to complete twenty laps has to buy the other lunch" the preteen gasped not wanting to run for five hundred bloody laps.
Because no that was freaking insane and his mom was sure to pummel him for something as stupid as that "Good idea yet again my youthful friend Asagao, first one to complete twenty laps wins" and the ebony haired teenager sped up even faster than before leaving Asagao in the dust.
Making him speed up as well because like hell was he going to loose this competition, even if he was clearly outmatched "The hell are you doing Asagao" Sakura's voice called out to him as he passed the starting point already far behind Lee.
"Running what does it look like Sakura" Asagao panted out of breath with sweat dripping from every pore on his body, Sakura rolled her eyes upwards, glanced back at the crowd that had gathered to watch the antics of two boys.
That had already accidentally broken a few things along the way and joined her brother on his run, only to immediately bypass him "Sorry we both know that I'm better" the pinkette shot her twin a cheeky wink and then was gone from sight.
His brow twitched in frustration and did his best to go faster, pumping chakra into his legs like his sister was fond of doing, however he couldn't seem to catch her or Lee who was no doubt laps ahead of him, he sighed and sulked like all preteen boys were fond of doing.
It morphed into a groan when two forms came speeding towards him "Hahaha someone who can match me what a youthful girl" Lee's obnoxious voice greeted his ears and then the teen was in sight, onyx eyes literal hearts at his sister.
Who was focused on controlling her breathing "Better be careful Lee-san, this youthful girl might just win a free lunch" Sakura laughed feeling free of her earlier depression as she focused on doing something productive and sped up even more.
Chakra coursing through her legs as she bypassed her brother for a second time "You go Sis, I know you can win" the pink haired boy called after his sister, who was already nearly out of sight again, her features brightened and then she was gone.
Lee sighed in awe "What youthfulness, you have a very youthful sister, Asagao" Lee grinned chasing after the girl who would no doubt be the focal point of his obsession for a longtime from that day onwards.
Knowing he was gonna lose but feeling that much better because his sister had unwittingly joined the competition, even if he was probably gonna get bashed over his skull by said sister, he ran as long as he could.
Getting bypassed multiple times, first by his sister on their fourth lap no doubt, and then Lee, sometimes it was Lee first, then Sakura and on the next lap they'd traded places, until they'd run all twenty laps, around the entirety of the Leaf Village.
The winner "Hahaha no one can beat chakra enhanced speed, if that's cheating then sue me because I didn't know the terms of the competition, however both of you were reckless what would happen if you'd pulled a muscle" Sakura scowled at the two before her.
Her brother collapsed on the ground even "B..But S..Sakura-chan I'm very good at running youthful cherry blossom and never pull a muscle" even Lee was scared of her and with good reason because she had her hands on her hips.
And a very unimpressed glare in her burning emerald orbs "Yeah what's the big idea, where do you get off scolding us Sakura, especially when you joined us" Asagao hopped up not liking that he was getting a telling off.
Sakura snorted obnoxiously "Idiot, I know how to heal myself of any training related injury, you're still learning and Lee-san can't, plus I've always been good with stamina training, hello the curriculum back in Mist was like hell after all" the pinkette snapped.
Lee and Asagao shuddered in realization "Okay w..we're sorry very sorry youthful cherry blossom of the Hidden Leaf Village" the raven haired teenager bowed low not wanting to get hit by the fist that was looming over him.
"Not sorry cause that was fun and I'd do it again even if ack Sakura that's not fair how can you still have that much ack energy wahhhh somebody help me" the pink haired boy complained only to avoid getting hit by the fist that nearly whacked him on the head.
The crowd began laughing as he ran "What's going on here" Sasuke one of the onlookers because he was over his brooding spell raised an ebony brow at the sight of his best friend running away from his sister of all people.
Said sister had her fist raised and a death threat in her eyes "Sakura is mean, we just ran twenty bloody laps around the village and she's chasing me trying to hit me because we could have gotten hurt Lee and I" Asagao jumped behind Sasuke.
Whose eyes widened so wide that one could see the whites and quickly ducked, Asagao couldn't dodge this time and got bashed on the skull "Let that be a lesson why you don't run away from me, now Asagao I suggest we go home and take a shower to relax our muscles" Sakura stated.
"Uh good luck with that cause I am totally not getting involved" the second Uchiha heir grimaced walking backwards and getting out of range of the Haruno twins, one of whom was violent if provoked and he wasn't going to mess with her in that state.
Both of the siblings disappeared Sakura practically dragging her brother and leaving behind a teenager in green spandex who had literal hearts in his eyes before the teenager disappeared himself to parts unknown.
"Everything okay Sasuke you look like you've just encountered a ghost" Mamori met him on his way back to the compound, in which he'd looked warily around so as to avoid running in to two of their mutual friends.
She looked a little better than she had earlier before they'd all split up "Oh yeah, apparently Asagao started a competition of running twenty laps all the way around the Leaf Village and Sakura found out, joined and then even won before scolding her brother" Sasuke shrugged.
Mamori eyed him with amusement in her honey orbs "God are you being serious about that" the blonde haired girl snorted unladylike because kami what she wouldn't give to see that ridiculous scene and Sasuke nodded making her laugh harder.
"Yeah, I probably joined the crowd of onlookers when they were on their thirteenth lap or something and Asagao looked like he was gonna collapse so I can kind of understand where Sakura was coming from" the ebony haired teen grimaced.
Thanking his lucky stars when Mamori patted him gently on the arm "Just go home get some rest Sasuke, I'm going to find my sister and then Naruto, we'll leave those two alone for awhile to relax" then Mamori was gone.
Where she did indeed find her sister "Nee-chan how are you, feeling better" the younger of the Senju twins looked up from her book, as she'd hidden herself away in the library for awhile, Mamori smiled softly.
Fondness coursing through her for her sister "I'm feeling much better, want to go get Naruto and then just sit and do nothing and talk through our troubles" the older of the Senju twins asked and the younger one nodded.
Off they went to find Naruto "Of course because I could really use someone to talk to you know" the blonde didn't dare refuse the offer to talk out his troubles with the two girls who were extremely kind especially to him so they sat in his apartment and just talked.
By the time the next day rolled around the entire village knew about the impromptu competition with one of Gai's students, not only that but that it had been against two obvious civilians, and just when people thought things couldn't get any weirder than that.
They all found out that one of said genin with a civilian background had actually won against Gai's student was the tip of the iceberg "Where did the girl get such stamina my youthful student" Gai questioned in confusion of his student.
"Sakura-chan said that she was enhancing her speed with chakra Gai-sensei, the youthful cherry blossom is very talented after all" Lee exclaimed with glee, hearts in his eyes just from the thought of the beautiful pink haired girl that had beat him.
Gai blinked "Sakura huh, there's more than that, she's got good stamina" Asuma chuckled proud of his own student, who was none the wiser to what was going on or the rumors circulating around the village about her beating Gai's student of all genin at a competition.
But that was for another time as the village settled down and things went back to mostly normal for the six genin that were friends through thick and thin, their bonds solidifying now that their disastrous mission wasn't suppressing them any longer as they had fun like normal children.
Five days later, a week had gone by since they'd returned to the village, which meant it was time to get back into training and missions "Good luck you two" Mebuki said as she eyed her children, who'd been moping about, though she quite understood.
"Yes and have fun" Kizashi waved the duo off as they split in two different directions, one for training grounds seven, the other for training grounds nine, along the way Sakura met up with own teammates.
Both of them looked to be doing better "I'm kind eager for training to start what about you Sakura-chan" Mimori bounced, taking in the fresh clean air of the village, thanks to all the tree's, the air was very healthy.
Her sister smiled lightly "Me to Mimori-chan, normal is what we need otherwise we'll never truly get over that" Sakura nodded, mind flashing to the little plaque she'd made to commemorate Zabuza's and Kessho's deaths.
A few minutes later they were stood on their usual training grounds "Morning girls, and yes we have guests joining us today, Kakashi already informed me that you took a week of evasion and ninjutsu so we'll move on to something different" Asuma greeted them.
"I was so looking forward to evasion/ninjutsu training" Mamori pouted lightly, glancing around and eyeing their supposed guests, all of whom were completely unfamiliar to her, Asuma chuckled and gestured for his fellow Jonin to introduce himself.
He stepped forward with the biggest bushiest brows they'd ever seen and wearing the most atrocious outfit in green spandex "Gai Might and these are my students, Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga and Tenten the only girl, their all a year older than you girls" Gai introduced.
"Oh youthful cherry blossom it is so good to see you again after a week" Lee rambled, hearts in his eyes still at the beautiful pink haired girl, who had beaten him in a race around the village, Sakura blinked at him before smiling softly in response.
Even going so far as to give him a small wave, her teammates shot her weird looks for this "Wait a minute your the girl Lee has been going on about nonstop for a week" Tenten gasped in surprise, well now she knew why he called her cherry blossom.
She certainly didn't look like much and could wither away easily much like said flower "Feh like I'll believe that, must be some other girl, she's to weak" Neji scoffed under his breath, Sakura immediately straightened, viridian orbs narrowed as anger sparked in their depths.
Asuma grimaced "Now, now Neji-san, this is indeed the very same person your teammate has been speaking about, it would be in your best interests to not insult her" the ebony haired Jonin quickly played mediator.
Neji turned his head away with another scoff clearly not convince "The reason we are here, is Asuma-kun mentioned he wanted to give you another two weeks of stamina, speed and strength training, so we decided to join in" the weird raven haired Jonin with bushy brows explained.
"Yes so please take care of us youthful cherry blossom" the thirteen year old in green spandex bowed, Sakura couldn't help herself, he was so polite, though he wasn't her type, nor was she interested, that didn't mean she was going to be rude to him.
Especially as she bowed back "Likewise Lee-san, now Asuma-sensei how many laps, push ups and sit ups and what will our weights be" the pinkette focused her attention on her sensei, who blinked in surprise.
Her teammates did the same "Ugh this is so annoying, why do we have to wear weights to" the brown haired teenager complained as they were handed ten pound weights and told to run forty laps with forty push ups and forty sit ups.
"Because Tenten-san your sensei wanted you to join us in our training" the older Senju twin snorted still slightly put out because she'd really wanted that extra week of evasion/ninjutsu training but now had to go through two more weeks of their first initial training.
This earned her a glare from the slightly older girl "Come on Mamori, less talking more running" the younger Senju twin huffed determined to push herself past her normal limits, no more taking the easy road after all.
"Stupid" the Hyuga scoffed, clearly in some kind of foul mood, he still didn't believe that the rosette was the one his teammate had been talking about and this training was extremely annoying, he had better things to do after all.
Eventually though they moved on to push ups and sit ups "Okay girls, do you remember how many of each exercise you did, forty will be your two week end goal for all" Asuma inquired eyeing his students with pride.
"Kami my legs hurt, but I managed thirty two laps, thirty three push ups and thirty two sit ups" Mimori announced rubbing her aching muscles, not just her legs but arms to and basically her entire body, guess doing nothing for practically had it's cons.
Now they were behind on their training "Er thirty laps still, thirty one push ups and thirty three sit us Asuma-sensei" Mamori admitted feeling like she'd lost some of the hard earned muscles that had been established during the first month of their training.
Asuma lifted a brow in response already knowing what the problem was "Thirty four laps, thirty five push ups and thirty seven sit ups" Sakura said, having kept up with a little training during their two weeks waiting for the bridge to be finished.
Their sensei nodded "I expect the same out of you three, how many of each, forty is the goal for all of you and all the exercises" Gai turned on his own students waiting for them to tell him how many of each exercise they'd managed.
The only girl groaned in frustration "Seventeen laps, twenty four push ups, thirty sit ups" Tenten sighed clearly exhausted from just that much, despite being older it seemed they still had a long ways to go on their training.
Next was the Hyuga "Thirty each on everything" Neji stated simply arms crossed over his chest and in a bad mood, this training was beneath him in every way and he certainly didn't want to be forced to participate.
"Thirty three laps, thirty seven sit ups, thirty five push ups" Lee announced proudly, Gai nodded and with that the guests on training grounds nine took their leave, leaving Team Nine to some simple D Rank Missions.
Before they were released for the day, Sakura breathed a sigh of relief, in all the day hadn't been to bad and she definitely liked D Rank missions better than C or A ranked missions, lost in her thoughts as she was, she didn't notice she was on a head course collision with someone.
"Oi watch where you going stray, damn it now I've lost sight of my brat" a wild looking woman growled under her breath clearly frustrated, Sakura blinked and glanced off into the distance in which the woman was glaring.
Sensing the stare she direction her focus back onto the woman "Seeing as you rammed into me brat you have look for my son Kiba" the brunette didn't give her any choice, merely grabbed her arm and dragged her off.
On the hunt for one of her classmates and fellow genin probably "Kiba-san huh so your his Mom, I'm Sakura, he probably didn't mention me as I only transferred into class two weeks before graduation" the pinkette offered.
Earning a raised brow and a pointy toothed smirk "Ah my boy did mention something to that effect, Tsume Inuzuka, clans matriarch" Tsume finally introduced herself, following her son's scent trail which seemed to be everywhere.
No doubt because of the training and missions the boy had been on "You guys rely on scent right, that's pretty cool" Sakura laughed sheepishly not knowing what else to say since she was being dragged along awkwardly at that.
Tsume snorted and rolled her eyes before eventually they found where her son was hiding "I can explain Ma, Akamaru ran off saying someone was in trouble, but when we got here, we were ambushed, he's hurt real bad" Kiba tried to get himself out of the deep trouble he knew he was in.
Showing off his injured companion and not really registering that someone else was with his mother until said girl spoke up "Kami that's really bad, here Kiba-san set him down carefully, I'll heal his injuries" the pinkette instructed.
Knowing better than to make demands "Just what is she doing with you Ma" the brunet heir frowned in confusion, since when did his Ma drag around pink haired weird girls, it was certainly odd if he was being honest.
His mother shrugged "We rammed into each other, decided to make her tag along to find her, I'm glad I did, she has some medical skills" the Inuzuka Matriarch whistled low under her breath watching the girl work as she healed Akamaru.
Until not a single injury remained on the ninken pup, who took an immediate liking to the girl who healed him by jumping into her arms right as a kunai landed in his previous spot, the three of them straightened, as bandits surrounded them as they were outside the village.
Akamaru cowered in her arms and she herself was a little worried before her eyes narrowed in determination "Don't be reckless stray, you two just head back into the village, I'll handle these idiots myself" Tsume caught the movement.
Of Sakura handing Akamaru back to her son and taking up a defensive stance, she bit her lip before sliding from her defensive position with a reluctant nod "Come on Kiba-san, here Tsume-sama have them help you" Sakura added.
Making at least three water clones before directing her fellow genin back to the village "Are you crazy Ma you need our help, don't make us go back by ourselves" Kiba was clearly more reluctant than she was and it was a struggle to keep him from running back to aide his mother.
Thankfully though they made it back to the village without further incident and Sakura went so far as to explain the situation to the guards, who went running off to help defend from the bandits, Kiba flushed in response, just glad that Sakura was more level-headed than he was.
Fifteen minutes later the guards were back with Tsume in tow, she didn't even have a scratch on her to Kiba's relief "Good work brats, thank you for not being reckless, you have to come have dinner with us sometime" the Inuzuka Matriarch offered.
Sakura's emerald orbs lit up "Would love to Tsume-sama, because I don't really know everyone from my class very well" the pinkette grinned feeling excited, Asagao was gonna blow no doubt but at the very least she was happy.
Tsume shook her head in amusement "Right thanks for healing Akamaru, Sakura, see you for dinner sometime" the brunet heir waved as the duo headed for their compound and she headed for home pleased with the days work.
"Just where have you been, your sensei should have released you an hour ago, unless you were hanging out with Choji-san again" Mebuki scolded the minute she stepped foot in the house, Sakura froze and stared at her mother wide eyed.
Before answering the question "Er I kind of got dragged along by Tsume Inuzuka to find her son Kiba-san, which then evolved into fighting off bandits, not me, her that's all sorry Mom and she invited me to dinner sometime as well" Sakura apologized/explained quickly.
Mebuki sighed, her daughter and her morals "So long as you weren't reckless, anyway we'll be setting out for another trip in a week or so" Kizashi breathed a sigh of relief, Sakura had really strong morals but he couldn't fault her for them.
She nodded quietly and disappeared to her room to write the familiar letters, it had been a week and still no response, she wondered if those boys were angry with her, it was certainly a possibility considering she hadn't written a single letter while she was on her mission.
Though she'd hoped they would understand apparently that was a little to much to ask for "No response still huh Sakura" Asagao poked his head into her bedroom before fully entering the room, eyeing his sister's forlorn expression.
"I guess I can understand why but still it wasn't my fault" the rosette sighed quietly flopping down on her bed to stare at the ceiling, Asagao grimaced before laying next to her, lending his silent support no doubt which made her feel a little better.
For awhile they were quiet "Heard you got invited to have dinner with the Inuzuka's, how did you manage that" the fuscia haired preteen turned his head to the side to stare at his sister, Sakura shrugged before breaking down in laughter and explaining what had happened.
Quiet settled around them after the laughing spell they endured before dozing off, their parents peeked in with happy smiles glad to see their children getting along before resuming packing for a three week trip this time.
By the time the kids woke up it was dinner time and they ate and washed up after themselves, taking showers before going back to bed in their own individual rooms, clearly exhausted after a hard day of training.
It was three days later that Sakura decided to take Tsume up on that offer of dinner, wanting to learn more about her fellow genin/former classmate "Oh hey Sakura, Ma was wanting me to find you and invite you to dinner again" Kiba stopped her at the gates of his compound.
"Your in luck cause I was coming to take Tsume-sama up on that offer" Sakura laughed lightly dressed in casual clothes, having showered an hour before hand so she didn't stink from the sweat that had covered her from rigorous training and the sun.
Kiba raised a brow in response "Hope you have a big appetite, Ma cooked enough food for an army I swear, so did you really come from the Mist Village" the brunet inquired holding Akamaru in his arms as they walked to his house.
Sakura nodded "Mhm, before you ask it was hard there, tough curriculum, poor economy, you name it, though my Aunt is the Mizukage now so it's getting better from what I've been told" the pinkette explained knowing he was curious.
Earning another stare "Goodness you didn't tell me we were going to have a guest for dinner Otouto, who is your friend, pardon my manners I'm Hana, this brainiacs sister" Hana gasped at their appearance in the foyer.
Having been getting ready to go look for her brother who'd wandered off without telling anyone where he was going "This is Sakura, Sis, she transferred into class two weeks before graduation" Kiba admitted.
Hana blinked "From the Mist Village, Hana-san, though I've come to love the Leaf Village" Sakura smiled bowing to be polite, manners had been drilled into her by her aunt after all and she wouldn't let them go to waste.
"Good your here stray, have a seat dinner is ready" Tsume ordered pleased when the girl piled her plate high and waited for her and her family to take the first bite before digging in with vigor proving to have a good appetite like they did.
Throughout dinner they chatted about this and that until it was time for Sakura to go "Hold up, I'll walk you through the village, girls shouldn't walk alone after dark anyway" the brunet jumped up in a panic trying not to be rude.
Sakura eyed him before squashing the urge to laugh, she was pretty sure no one would mess with her if they knew how hard she hit, but because he'd offered "That would be nice" the pinkette nodded relenting and bowing once more for the Inuzuka women.
"Wouldn't it be great if Kiba managed to date her, she seems like a dependable young girl, even if she is from a civilian family mainly" the brunette with triplet ninken said in the silence that followed the preteen's departure.
Tsume nodded "Indeed but we can't hope for much, straight laced that one, so maybe as a friend only" the mahogany haired Matriarch drained the rest of her tea then got started on washing dishes intent to clean up.
Upon arriving home Sakura thanked Kiba for walking her back then disappeared within heading straight for her room after bidding her parents good night, she quickly dressed in her sleep wear before falling into her bed to get some sleep.