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Chapter 3: Sakura-Sensei?

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A woman should be like a single flower, not a whole bouquet.
-Anna Held

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Sakura took great measures not to pound the man walking next to her. Her hands were itching to beat him to a pulp. After all these years and leaving her on a bench all he could say to her was, "Hn."

Hn.

Hn?

HN!

What the heck does that even mean?

But no, she was a kunoichi. A kunoichi with great patience. She wasn't going to fall to temptation and rip him to pieces. Oh no. She was going to do far worse. Sadly, Tsunade had given her strict instructions to be his babysitter. If she wasn't given this mission, she would have already flung him out the window right after Sai.

Hell, she would have flung everyone out the window.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Especially a certain pink-haired ninja with super-strength.

Sakura snuck a glance at the Uchiha beside her. He had grown taller; the top of her head barely reached his nose. His hair also grew longer, framing his face and covering his bare forehead. He was sure that he had also grown in strength over the past few years; since he was the man that defeated both Orochimaru and Uchiha Itachi. His physique had also changed.

Sakura walked towards the doors of her empty apartment. Bending down, she reached behind a pot of flowers placed strategically beside her door and pulled out a silver key.

Sasuke arched one of his perfect eyebrows and looked at her questioningly.

"What? Ino comes sometimes when I'm not around," she clarified while opening the door to her apartment. She entered, while Sasuke stood at the doorway, hesitating.

Sasuke had never actually thought that Sakura could the person in charge of babysitting him. As much as he hated being under the care of a woman, he was somewhat relieved that it wasn't Kakashi or even worst Naruto. He inwardly shuddered at the thought. He was sure if he was under the Dobe's care, he would have ended up killing him by accident and Sasuke would be executed on the spot.

Though, he was still suspicious. He was unsure why he actually needed a babysitter. Are the dozen ANBUs trailing after him not enough?

Putting that side aside, he was very uncomfortable at the fact that he would have to stay in the same apartment as his ex-teammate, the same person he had left behind on a bench after she had confessed her undying love.

Sasuke had thought that she would be the one welcoming his return. Besides, there was no woman that was ever able to resist his charms.

"Uchiha, what are you standing there for? Come in," a female voice spoke.

Sasuke lifted his head. He narrowed his eyes at the fact that Sakura addressed him by using his surname. He stepped into her apartment. It was small yet cosy. It was large enough for at least three people. He took a look around. The walls were painted a soft yellow and the furniture in the room complemented the yellow tones.

"I'll show you to your room," she led him to one of the rooms, "My room is at the end of the hallway. If you need anything, knock first. I'll call you once dinner is prepared."

She opened the doors to his room and he walked in. He was actually quite surprised at how civil Sakura was acting towards him.

"Hn," was his reply.

Sakura sighed. She should have expected as much.

She walked towards her small kitchen and started to retrieve pots and pans from her cupboards.

She was about to start washing the rice when she heard rasping noises coming from her window. She left the rice to investigate. Opening her window, she was pleasantly surprised when she found one of Tsunade's messenger hawks holding a scroll in its beak.

Sakura patted the bird and took the scroll from its beak. She returned to her kitchen as she did the necessary hand signs to open the scroll.

She skimmed through the words written on the scroll, before backtracking and re-reading the whole scroll again just to make sure she was reading it correctly.

She smiled an evil-like grin.

Oh. This was going to be so much fun.

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Naruto and Sasuke were once again standing in the Hokage's office. They were told that they were required to complete some low-ranked mission. Naruto could sense that Sasuke was rather miffed -or downright pissed- at the fact that he would be wasting time doing stupid missions with a certain moron.

Naruto didn't seem to mind as much as long as his friend was spared from the death penalty. It was finally a relief to have the whole Team 7 reunited again.

His thoughts were suddenly filled with Sakura.

She had seemed almost distant and cold towards him. He should have expected that since he did leave her behind in Konoha. But, he had hoped that she would at least be elated at the fact that he managed to fulfil his promise and bring the Teme back.

He had hoped that she would have forgiven him.

Naruto had also noticed that Sakura's temper had not changed over the years. He heard that Sai was currently in the hospital. The strength of her throw did not give him a chance to land on his feet but land on his face. Of course, before he landed, he had a wonderful aerial view of Konoha.

He sighed in relief at the fact that he was lucky enough to not be thrown out.

"Okay boys, I'm sure you're aware that you would have to complete a list of missions by the end of today. Most of them are D-ranked; though I'm sure there are a handful of C-ranked missions. And since it is necessary for a Team to have at least three people, I have someone temporary that would be perfect to fill in the empty spot," Tsunade said looking up from her sake bottle and paperwork.

Both Naruto and Sasuke looked up to look at her.

The Hokage doors opened.

Naruto turned to look at his temporary team mate. He was surprised at the fact that his team mate was a short 12 year-old with dark hair and bright blue eyes.

"This," Tsunade gestured with her hand, "is Mochizuki Shin. He is your temporary team mate for the next few days. Coincidentally, his team members are suffering from a mild case of food poising and are recuperating in the hospital."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. He was pretty sure it wasn't a coincidence.

"Hokage-sama, are you sure they are my team mates? Aren't they a little too old to be Genins? How many times did they have to repeat the Academy?" Shin spoke, frowning.

Sasuke felt his ego suffer from his words.

Naruto felt as if he had been stabbed with a freshly sharpened kunai and thrown in a ditch.

Tsunade couldn't help but snicker.

"Now, shoo! Go and meet your new sensei in the training grounds," Tsunade said, dismissing them.

"New sensei?" Naruto questioned, "What about Kakashi-sensei?"

Tsunade's eyes widened, "You mean, Sakura didn't inform you?"

The boys looked at each other before once again looking at her.

They were in for a surprise.

"Well, then. Brace yourself, boys."

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"Hey, hey, why does your hair look like the backside of a chicken?"

Sasuke's eye twitched, he opted to stay quiet hoping that that he would get bored and stopped pestering him.

Naruto was already snickering.

"Shut up, dobe."

"Teme."

"Dobe."

"Teme."

"How long have you two been married? You bicker like my parents," Shin interjected, eyeing his temporary team mates.

That caused the both of them to suddenly shut their mouths and glare at the kid. Before either of them could retaliate, the small boy rushed towards someone, "Sakura-sensei!"

Wait. Wha-?

Sakura-sensei?

Both of them turned around slowly.

"Shin-kun! How have you been?" She crouched down to his eye-level.

"Great! I didn't know that you would be my temporary sensei! It almost makes me feel better at the fact that I would be stuck with a married couple. You know, Sensei, they won't stop fighting like children. Are they really Genins? Don't you think they're a little old to be Genins?" Shin rambled.

Sakura laughed and ruffled his short dark hair. The boy flushed pink.

At this, Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"Sakura-chan? You're going to be our temporary sensei?" Naruto asked, incredulous.

She beamed at him, "Since, Shin-kun's sensei is hospitalised, Yamato-taichou and Kakashi-sensei are taking the week off. Tsunade-shishou sent me to become the stand-in sensei."

"Of course, for now, both of you will have to refer to me as Sakura-sensei."

Oh. Look at those priceless expressions.

If only she had a camera.

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Neji's eye twitched, if he had to hear one more lecture on 'youthfulness', he swore he wouldn't be able to hold back. Team Gai had just returned from an A-rank mission that required them to leave Konoha for a long period of time. His body was aching and he was seriously lacking sleep.

Tenten yawned and waved at the men in her Team goodbye before heading in the opposite direction to her home. The weapon mistress too was extremely exhausted.

Of course - no surprise there-, Gai and Lee were the only people that were strangely energetic. It was certainly humanly impossible to be so energetic after that long of a mission. Both the men clad in green spandex were shouting at the top of their lungs talking about something along the lines of 'youth'.

Oh. Why was his house sofaraway?

"Neji! Would you like to join our youthful training by running 200 laps youthfully around Konoha?" His sensei asked, striking a pose. Neji narrowed his eyes as the signature shine on his teeth momentarily blinded him.

At this invitation, Lee started to get excited, "OH! It could be a competition!"

Oh,hellno.

"No," he grunted before turning around and walking away ignoring his sensei that started to wilt like a dead flower.

"How un-youthful," Gai muttered sadly, "Lee! You're the only person that understands the importance of youthfulness."

"Gai-sensei," Lee started to tear up.

Neji took this as a sign to walk faster. The both of them were always having 'moments'. It was wise to step out of the way while they were preoccupied.

Neji walked past familiar shops that lined the streets of Konoha. There were a lot more people on the streets than usual. He stopped dead in his tracks when he spotted a pink rose in a bouquet. The lone pink rose was surrounded by other type of flowers. Yet, nothing could outshine it.

He frowned as he stared at the lone flower.

The lone pink flower.

Men don't stare at flowers.

Especially pink ones.

The next thing he knew, said rose was in his face. He blinked in surprise.

"Go on. Take it," the old lady said with a smile on her face. She held out the flower to him. He was about to protest when she insisted, "Take it. Give it to a nice lady who deserves it."

He took the flower from her grasps and thanked the old lady before walking away.

Pink?

Neji started to twiddle with the stalk of the said pink rose.

"Did you hear?" Neji snapped out of his reverie. He noticed that a group of people were gossiping nearby. Using his trained sense of hearing, he listened to their conversation, "The Uchiha boy that abandoned the village has returned. It looks like Haruno-san's Team managed to bring him back to Konoha."

"Well, there goes my chance of ever courting her," another spoke. Neji frowned at this comment.

"You idiot, I doubt she would ever have an interest in you," another continued, "Besides, I think Haruno-san would have beaten them to Suna by now for leaving her."

Neji silently agreed with that statement.

"Hee? I pity them. Though no men I've meet have ever resisted Haruno-san's charms. I can't help but feel jealous, ya'know?"

"True, they'll be fawning over her in no time."

Neji appeared behind one of the men and lightly tapped his shoulder. He jumped in shock causing all three of them to drop their scrolls. Two of the men scrambled to pick of the scrolls. The third turned to look at him, "Ne-Ne-Neji-senpai!"

"Do you know where Sakura is now?" Neji asked.

The man started to stutter in his presence, "Sh-She should be at training ground number 12."

Neji nodded his thanks before disappearing.

Once he arrived, he blinked in surprise.

On their hands and knees were the Kyuubi container and the Uchiha prodigy cleaning up the training grounds.

Howunbecoming, he thought.

His eyes scanned the training grounds and found Sakura under a tree her back relaxing against the tree. He made his way towards her. She opened her eyes sensing his presence. The Uchiha prodigy too looked up from his position to glare at him.

The beautiful pink haired woman smiled, "Neji! You're back from the mission!"

She stood up enthusiastically and engulfed the Hyuga in an embrace. Neji stiffened momentarily before patting her back with one hand.

He could start to feel the glares of her team mates on his back. Probably trying to burn a hole right through him.

She released her grip and placed her hands on her hip, "Shouldn't you be resting?"

"Aa," was his reply.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto corrected himself, "Sakura-sensei, I think we're done cleaning."

Neji raised his eyebrows at how Naruto addressed Sakura. He looked questioningly at her.

She smiled sweetly in response.

Naruto and Sasuke started to walk towards them.

Sakura ruffled Shin's hair, "You did a great job."

Neji blinked and looked down, beside Sakura was a small boy covered in dirt and grime.

Sakura started to explain, "I'm their temporary sensei."

Her viridian eyes suddenly fell to something in his hands, "What's that?" She pointed out.

Neji looked down at the rose still in his grasps.

He was at a loss. And Hyuga's were never at a loss.

Wait. What was he doing with this flower again?

"Uhh," he muttered inelegantly, "Here. Take it."

"Me?" Shin asked confused.

Neji grunted, shoving it into his face.

The boy took it reluctantly, "Gee, Sakura-sensei. All your friends are weird."

Naruto and Sasuke stared at the Hyuga with a confused look on their faces. He would've given it to Sakura, but in his weak state he would not be able to fight off both her team mates. And besides, he's never given a woman a gift before. Ever. He was too shy to give it to her anyway; of course, the mighty Hyuga Neji would never admit that out loud.

"Look, Sakura-sensei! It's pink just like your hair," the boy pointed out excitedly.

Neji was suddenly being attacked by suspicious glares from her team mates. Luckily, looks couldn't kill.

Sakura looked down to address the boy, "Oh? Do you like pink?"

The boy's cheeks and ears started to turn a bright tomato red, "Y-Y-Yes."

The men in the area turned to look at the young boy. They clearly understood what the boy was implying.

She smiled sweetly at the boy before turning her attention to her team mates, "What are you waiting for? Go back to work."

"Yes, Sensei!" Naruto shouted before scrambling away with the scowling Uchiha in tow.

"So, Neji, is there something you need?" She looked up at him with her large viridian eyes.

He knew that Naruto and Sasuke were at hearing distance. But he didn't care so he continued anyway, "Are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

He snorted-sort of-, "Sakura, we've been training together for years. I would at least know when something is bothering you."

Sakura looked down and started to play mindlessly with the zipper of her Chunin vest.

Neji sighed, "You aren't still doubting your strength, are you?"

She bit her lip and looked up at him sheepishly, "Maybe?"

"Sakura, the whole of Konoha are aware of your abilities. Hell, I think most of the members of Konoha Eleven have experienced it first hand," he absent-mindedly started to rub at an area under his chin where Sakura had punched him during one of their sparring sessions. His face was swollen like a blimp! He learnt never to let his guard down around her after that.

"Never doubt yourself, Sakura. Someday they'll understand," he continued.

"Thank you, Neji," she smiled gratefully at him.

From one corner of the training grounds, Naruto eyed the Hyuga prodigy with suspicion. Sasuke was sulking next to him.

"Teme, how come Sakura-chan doesn't welcome us home like she welcomed Neji?" He asked recalling how she had hugged the Byakugan user.

"Hn," Sasuke started to mutter under his breath about how a certain man with a specific kekkei genkai could never match up to him. How dare he come over and flirt with his –their- team mate.

"You think she hates us for leaving?" Naruto frowned when he saw Sakura laugh at something Neji said.

Sasuke stopped muttering, "You left her behind? She didn't volunteer to stay behind?"

"No. We forced Tsunade-baachan to stop her from following us."

"We didn't want her to get hurt, ya'know?" Naruto continued when Sasuke remained silent.

"You didn't think that maybe she would be hurt that you left her behind?"

"Well, maybe I was protecting her from an idiot that left her behind on a bench!"

Low blow, Naruto.

Sasuke growled before launching himself at him, his fist clenched. A fist fight had started. Their fists aimed for each other's faces while they dodged their opponent's attacks. Their punches were frighteningly accurate. They ignored Sakura's cries to stop them and continued their battle.

Sakura and Neji jumped into the fray. Sakura grabbed Naruto's collar and threw him to a nearby tree. Not hard enough to cause any seriousdamage. Neji used his Palm Bottom technique and thrust his palm onto Sasuke's chest, sending his chakra into his system to temporarily paralyse him.

"That's enough!" Sakura hissed in displeasure, her green eyes glowing menacingly, "I expected you boys to behave yourselves."

Sasuke looked up at her from the ground, his body not responding. Naruto was struggling to get up.

Sakura started to walk away before Neji stopped her, "Aren't you going to help them?"

Sakura glared at both the males sprawled on the ground before saying, "No. Besides, they didn't need me from the beginning."

Shin appeared from behind Neji, "Oh no! You made Sakura-sensei angry. You won't like it if she's angry."

"I suggest you find a safe place to hide," Neji agreed, "Come, Shin. I'll send you home."

Bah! Hide? Uchihas never hide.

Weak little Sakura would never be able to defeat him in battle.

That was where our genius Uchiha was wrong.

Oh so very wrong.

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Phew~!

You know, I was wondering, do you guys want the Sand siblings to appear?

So, since this story doesn't have a specific couple. Any requests?

Please review! :D