Sakura wasn't really sure how to go about her next course of action. Under normal circumstances, she would just ask somebody and listen obediently to their guidance. That somebody was normally Luna or Kimimaro but since they weren't there, and she couldn't find Kakashi anywhere, it seemed that she would be flying solo for this one.
The Water Jutsu Kakashi-sensei had given her was what she was currently having a problem with. It was a high B-rank ninjutsu that required precise chakra control and could not be performed by anyone who did not have Water Natured chakra. She was secretly smug that her sensei had enough confidence to give her such a hard jutsu but she was also slightly apprehensive. What if she couldn't master it in time? She had until the end of this mission to learn it but she feared that wouldn't be enough time, because really, she couldn't even do the first step as she was now. And she didn't even know why! It was like the jutsu wasn't even responding to her chakra at all!
The pink haired girl sighed dejectedly and flopped down on the grass, just next to the river where she was currently training and glared angrily at her hands.
What in the world was she doing wrong?
Was it the shooting water out of her hand bit or trying to make it a spiral bit?
The scroll which Kaka-sensei had given her had stated that the first step was to try and make her chakra water-like. As if it wasn't chakra she was trying to draw out, but water.
That wasn't the problem because when they were in Training Grounds seventeen, she had already learned how to draw chakra out of thin air like the Second Hokage.
Wait a second! Perhaps that was the problem! She was trying to draw the water out of the air, not make her chakra like water. Every time she tried to perform the jutsu, she would rely on the moisture of the air around her to do the job automatically, instead of the chakra inside of her.
"I see…" she mumbled to herself in understanding, nodding her head.
Okay, so now that she figured that out, how in the world was she supposed to make her chakra like water?!
"Ugh!" She growled out before flopping backwards onto the grass, squinting up at the sky.
It seemed that this jutsu wouldn't be as easy to learn as the two C-rank Earth Style ones Kakashi had also given her.
She was so bored. Oh-so very bored. Here she was, sitting on a stack of wood, watching with half-lidded eyes as big men lugged heavy pieces of metal to and fro, trying to complete the bridge. Why Kakashi-sensei had assigned her to guard over Tazuna alone, she had no idea. Because it wasn't like she didn't have anything to do!
She had to train too and if the boys were too moronic not to have mastered tree climbing yet, how was it her fault? Honestly it wasn't fair.
A yawn racked her body and she lifted up her hand to cover her mouth just in time. It wouldn't be too polite to let people see the inside of her throat with how wide her mouth opened.
Now what?
"You look bored by yourself," a voice coming from her left stated, and she turned her head to see Tazuna walking towards her, holding a big piece of metal on his left shoulder, surprising her with his tough looking and muscular arms. He was pretty fit for an old man. But she supposed he had to be with his profession.
"Where's that blond kid and the arrogant one?" He asked her.
"There are still doing the stupid tree climbing exercise," she answered irritably.
"And you?" He asked, wondering why she wasn't with the rest of her team.
"I've already mastered it so Kakashi-sensei told me to guard you," she said, with a slight edge to her voice.
"Really?" He asked, clearly disbelieving, making her growl at him angrily. She resisted the urge to say or do anything more, instead just reigning her anger. Tazuna ignored her and went to place the metal in the pile with the others.
"May I have a word with you?" A new voice asked, making them both turn their heads to see one of the workers walking towards the chief bridge builder.
"What is it Giichi?" Tazuna asked, a towel now around his shoulders to soak up the sweat.
Sakura watched as the man looked away, seemingly ashamed of what he was about to say before bringing up the nerve and opening his mouth.
"Well after thinking about it…Can I quit this bridge building?" He asked, clearly anxious.
Sakura wasn't necessarily surprised, not after all the workers who had already quit and she rolled her eyes inwardly at how these people were such cowards.
"W-Why all of a sudden?" Tazuna exclaimed, surprised. "Not you too…"
The other worker looked grave, his eyes now hard, as if determined.
"Tazuna, I've known you for a long time," he declared. "I want to help but if I get too involved, Gatō might come after me too."
"Psh, forget Gatō, dude," Sakura mumbled to herself, placing her chin in her palm and her arm on her knee. They didn't hear her, not if she cared even if they did.
"Everything will lose meaning if you die," Giichi continued. "Why don't we stop building this bridge?"
"I can't do that," Tazuna stated seriously. It was pretty obvious that he was going to say that. This bridge is our bridge. And this bridge's currently giving our town hope that maybe one day it will help with distribution and transportation of goods that will make us rich once more."
"But if we die…" Giichi trailed off.
"It's already lunch time," Tazuna declared walking past him. "Let's stop for now."
"Tazuna!" The other man exclaimed, turning after him.
Tazuna stopped suddenly, before fixing his helmet and turning back around.
"Giichi, you don't have to come anymore," he said to the other man, before walking away.
Sakura smirked as she watched Tazuna. She was happy to see that the man had dignity and wasn't about to beg for Giichi to stay.
As soon as the day ended, Sakura and Tazuna left the bridge and headed on home. Or at least that's is where the pink haired girl thought they were going, until she noticed that they were not taking the usual route and instead heading into a more populated area.
"Hey…where are we going?" She asked the bridge builder walking next to her, looking around.
She noticed how poor and bedraggled everyone looked, and even saw quite a few homeless people sitting on the side of the road and begging for their next meal. It was quite sad, seeing them all look so pitiful. It wasn't everyday she was greeted with a sight like this, because in Konoha was such a prosperous village.
"I've been asked to get the ingredients for tonight's village," he told her.
She saw yet another man carrying a sign around his neck saying that he would do any type of job, and a young child running away from a shouting man because he had stolen something. Honestly, Sakura didn't know how to describe it.
"This is it," Tazuna stated after a few minutes, leading them into a rundown wooden store which she assumed to be the place where the sold groceries.
"Welcome," the clerk said mostly out of obligation when they walked in and much to the pinkettes's surprise, there was hardly anything in the store. Maybe a few vegetables scattered here and there but other than that, it was empty.
She couldn't even count more than five carrots!
Maybe, it was the fact that her bag was full, or maybe it was the fact that her butt was just that good looking but next thing she knew, there was a man squeezing her behind and by pure reflex, she had launched a very hard kick at him.
"Pervert!" She cried angrily, watching him go down with satisfaction.
"N-no I'm not," was all he could manage just before he passed out.
Heh, so maybe it really was the bag.
"I was really surprised back there," Tazuna said when they had left the shop.
"Hehe-Not again!" She exclaimed before turning around roughly after she felt her butt being squeezed. Though surprisingly, this time she was greeted with the sight of a young boy standing behind her.
"Huh?" She asked shocked.
"Give me…" he asked, smiling brightly and holding out his hands. Sakura stared at him in surprise before smiling back and rummaging through her bag, giving him a loaf of bread.
"Here you go little one. But next time you say please, okay?" She instructed and the child nodded, before saying thank you and running off happily.
"Ever since Gatō came it's been like this," Tazuna said to her. "The adults have all become cowards. This is why we need to finish this bridge quickly. This bridge is our courage. We need to it get back the spirit in this country for those who have given up. When that bridge…when that bridge is finished! This town shall regain its dignity once more!"
And Sakura could only agree silently.
Dinner was a disgusting affair.
That was the only way to describe it.
"Cha! It's been a while since we've had so many people at the dinner table!" Tazuna exclaimed happily, face flushed slightly with sakè.
Though it seemed everyone ignored what he was saying.
Sakura could on watch in revulsion as Sasuke and Naruto kept on shoveling food into their mouths at an alarming pace, trying to eat more than the other before puking it all out in the bins next to them.
"I'm done!" They cried simultaneously and Sakura watched as they glared at each other, before once more retching it back out.
That was it. She had had it up to here with those two.
"Ugh! Stop it!" She cried, hands slamming onto the table, drawing everyone's attention. "Naruto, Sasuke, I order you to stop it right this instant. What you two are doing is both rude and impolite! Have you no shame?! Naruto, maybe I can understand, but you too Sasuke?! Tsunami-san spent such a long time preparing this very delicious meal with her meager funds and you guys are just wasting it! I want you to apologize right now!"
Naruto and Sasuke looked properly chastised and slowly sank down into their seats.
"Hn," Sasuke said, only to receive a painful smack on the head from Sakura.
"Sasuke…" She growled threateningly.
"Really, Sakura-san it's alright," Tsunami said, trying to placate them all.
"But it isn't. Sakura's right," Kakashi ordered, giving both boys a hard stare. "What the boys were doing was very rude and a complete insult to you and your family. Apologize, boys."
"I'm sorry, Tsunami-san," Naruto mumbled.
"I'm…sorry as well." Sasuke said, albeit with much more difficulty because of his Uchiha pride.
Tsunami smiled at them reassuringly before going back to doing the dishes.
As Sakura was chewing her food, she noticed a picture on the wall with four people. Yet the face of the man was ripped out. The pink haired girl quickly finished her food before standing up to go look at it more closely.
"Ne, Tazuna-san. Who is the man in the photo with you guys?" She asked innocently. "Inari was staring at this photo the whole of dinner."
Tsunami dropped a glass back into the sink, the resounding "CLANG" deafening in the suddenly tension filled room.
Even Kakashi who normally ignored everyone looked up.
"It's my husband," the blue haired woman answered softly, cleaning up the broken pieces and throwing them away.
Oh, he was dead then, Sakura thought. Well, didn't this make things awkward…
"He was the true hero of this town," Tazuna said, pride in his sad words.
And Inari being the dramatic little boy that he was, suddenly slammed down his cup and stormed out the room.
Team 7 locked eyes knowingly, before having to cover their mouths to hide the grin and laughter threatening to spill out. Honestly, that boy would make a great actor, Sakura thought to herself, snorting drawing the whole room's attention.
She covered it up by wiping her eyes, pretending that she had been crying. Only Sasuke and Naruto knew the truth, making them shake with even more silent laughter.
"I-I'm, snort/sniff, sorry. It's just so, snort/sniff, s-sa-ad," she said shakily, trying not to break down laughing right then and there.
Clearly it would not be appreciated. From the corner of her eye, she saw Naruto bury his face into his arms to muffle his laughter. Luckily, his shaking made him look like he was sobbing.
"Father! I told you not to talk about him in front of Inari!" Tsunami cried angrily before chasing after her son.
Sasuke let out a muffled snort at that, clearly trying to hold in his laughter as well.
Tazuna the proceeded to tell the sob story of how Inari's step-father had come to find a new life in this town and had been the local village hero, though one day, four his efforts, he was subjected to a public execution by Gato in front of everyone.
Team 7 remained silent for a while, thinking about what happened with Inari's father. It was sad really, but it had been almost two years. He needed to move on with life.
In reality, they found it quite funny actually, the local village hero, strong and brave, crucified for his efforts. Noble, but morbid in it's humor.
"Please excuse us Tazuna-san." Sakura said, standing up, along with the rest of her team, before proceeding to leave the room.
"W-what's with them?" Tazuna asked, wiping away a few stray tears after they had left, turning to Kakashi.
"Hmm?" He lied, inwardly laughing as well. "Oh, they were just so touched by your story that they went to weep together."
"Oh, they are actually some pretty nice kids," Tazuna said.
Kakashi snorted.
"AHAHAHAHAH!" Naruto burst out when they were a safe distance away from the house in a clearing, Sakura joining him shortly after, while Sasuke just chuckled, his equivalent of dying of laughter.
"Father, I told you not to talk about him in front of Inari!" Sakura mocked in a dramatic voice, making Naruto and Sasuke laugh even harder.
"Did you see the way he left the room? Talk about dramatic exit!" Naruto exclaimed, falling to the floor in peals of laughter, tears of mirth falling down his eyes.
Both Sakura and Sasuke joined him on the floor as well, both leaning on each other to support each other's weight.
"I just, snort can't believe that's what's making him so depressed, you know! He's even worse than temē!" Naruto exclaimed in disbelief. Sakura and Sasuke nodded, laughter dying down into soft chuckles.
"The story is kinda sad but he needs to get over it," Sakura pointed out, patting the Uchiha's head fondly, making him glare at her. "Like, Sasuke's had an even rougher past but you don't see him crying about it."
Naruto nodded in agreement and they all lapsed into silence.
A few minutes later found them all lying down side by side, with Sakura in the middle under the starry sky. It was peaceful, with the soft chirping of the crickets and hoots of the owls and they were all content to just watch the glowing lights above them.
"That one there looks like a ducks ass," Naruto stated comically serious, making Sakura burst out into soft peals of laughter.
"Don't you mean Sasuke?" She asked him, making the Uchiha roll his eyes in exasperation.
"Yeah, that's what I meant," Naruto agreed nodding sagely. Sakura's body rocked with silent laughter, and she buried her face into her black haired teammate's side to muffle it.
He didn't push her away.
"I think I see a bowl of ramen there too," Naruto said pointing at it.
"Everything looks like ramen to you, dobe," Sasuke said, smirking in amusement.
"That is so not true!" Naruto exclaimed indignantly. Sakura giggled again into Sasuke's side before rolling onto her back once more.
"How is the tree climbing going?" She asked them both after a few beats of silence.
"We both mastered it," Naruto told her, his voice surprisingly level.
"Oh, I'm happy. And water walking?" The pink haired girl inquired turning to her blond teammate.
"Tch, the dobe can't even stay on the water for five seconds," the charcoal eyed boy on her left declared, sounding amused.
"Says the person who can't even stay on for three," Naruto shot back, miffed.
"Well then Sasuke, you're not in any position to judge," Sakura giggled, once seeing the pout which appeared on his face.
"What about you Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked. The pink haired girl turned to him in amusement.
"What about me, Naruto?" She asked.
"He means, how far along are you with your jutsu?" Sasuke elaborated, making Sakura groan pitifully and bury her face in Naruto's side this time. Both boys took this as a bad sign.
"I've mastered both Earth Justu Kaka-sensei gave me but it's the water one which I'm having trouble with," she told them. "I just can get it!"
Naruto nodded in understanding. "I know how you feel Sakura-chan. It's how I feel with the water walking. Actually, talking about water walking, you already know to do it right?"
"Mmmhmm," she answered in affirmative.
"Well then, can you help us?" The cerulean eyed boy asked hopefully. "Kakashi-sensei didn't even give us any tips. He just said to figure it out ourselves."
Even Sasuke looked interested.
"Really? Ha, that's Kakashi-sensei for you. Anyway," she explained, "it's harder than tree walking because water isn't stable."
"Huh?" Naruto asked intelligently. Sasuke instead remained silent and actually thought about what she had just said.
Water wasn't stable…
"Ah…Because water isn't stable you can't just let out one steady stream of chakra," the Uchiha said out loud, grasping the concept quickly, making Sakura smile and Naruto pout. "You have to constantly fluctuate it and change the flow in order to accommodate the shifting water. I see…"
"Exactly," The pink haired girl stated.
"Oh. I get it now," Naruto said, understanding as well.
"Let's go train," Sakura said unexpectedly. Naruto and Sasuke both looked at her like she had grown two heads but she just smiled.
"I just have a feeling about tomorrow is all," she told them, shrugging. "I think we should get in all the training we can."
"Alright! Let's get to it then!" Naruto exclaimed loudly, before jumping to his feet, and pulling up his two teammates with him.
"Dobe," Sasuke said once he had gotten used to the vertigo that had threatened to overwhelm him when the blond had suddenly pulled him.
"Temē," Naruto replied smirking.
"Tch. Last one to the river has to dive in naked!" Sakura cried before taking off, not bothering to see if her two teammates were behind her.
She needed all the head start she could get.
"Aww come on guys. Let's not do this," Naruto said nervously, backing away from the two smirking faces in front of him. "We can just put it behind us and accept the fact that I'm last, okay?"
"Sorry Naruto, but a deal is a deal, dude." Sakura told him, her teeth glinting in the moonlight that was in the clearing.
It was quite a bright night, and the fireflies and moon's reflection on the river only made it brighter. The perfect night to train.
"F-fine,mI'll do it," Naruto declared determinedly before suddenly taking of his jacket and shirt.
"I didn't think he'd actually do it." Sakura whispered to Sasuke, watching their blond haired teammate take off his shinobi sandals.
"Tch, you don't know the dobe," Sasuke replied, thought surprising her by also starting to strip.
"What are you doing, temē?" Naruto asked, taking off his boxers, leaving him stark naked. Not that he cared anymore. They had already all seen each other naked in the desert.
"I'm going swimming. What does it look like?" He asked irritably before diving inside.
"Well, it seems like we're skinny dipping huh?" Sakura asked nobody in particular. She watched as Naruto also rushed in with a big splash then she sighed.
'Oh what the hell,' She thought shrugging before also starting to undress.
And that was how Kakashi found his genin team.
All stark naked, all playing tag on the surface of the water, not in the least bit concerned about their modesty.
When he said that he wanted his team to be close, he didn't mean this close.
But he still couldn't keep the grin off his face when he saw how much fun they were all having so he instead, he just perched himself up in a tree and opened his orange book, reading his new Icha Icha that he had bought today at the local book store. It was surprising that they even had it.
On the bright side, at least Sasuke and Naruto finally learned water walking.
Judging by the moon's position, it was something around three in the morning, and Sakura could only sigh tiredly. Her two teammates had long fallen asleep in their underwear at the river bank but she opted to stay awake and actually practice the jutsu Kakashi had given her. She did say that they should train after all.
Even if training turned into a skinny dipping session, proceed by a game of naked tag and lastly a round of truth or dare, which turned out to be crazier than anticipated.
But now was the time to get serious and back to her training.
She closed her eyes and took a very deep breath, trying to imagine that her chakra was water that was waiting to be released. In and out, her breaths went but she took no notice, instead trying to turn that light blue substance running through her coils into something like the natural liquid.
Suddenly, she felt the change, it was a very subtle change but it was there.
It was like her chakra was suddenly lighter, more refreshing. Cooler even.
Got it, she thought, smirking mentally but still concentrating.
She had finally, finally gotten the next step down after who knows how long and she was literally feeling fantastic, wanting to jump for joy even.
But she couldn't lose focus.
She slowly, but surely directed the chakra to her right hand, making sure it was a steady and controlled flow.
That is, until she heard a loud splash and she opened her eyes just in time to see the water falling back down.
This was weird, because nothing had jumped in.
Luckily for her, her she still had her water chakra surrounding her hand and she breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat off her forehead.
And then she froze.
It seemed, there was a stream of water, which had just moved left to right, in the same direction of her hand actually, before falling back down, causing another loud splash.
"Okay, I must be seeing things…" she told herself unsurely. Because there was no way in hell that the water was actually being controlled by her.
But you know what…she supposed she just had to be sure.
So making sure the water chakra was still surrounding her hand, she cautiously and very slowly, lifted up her right hand, watching in increasing amazement as a thin line of water lifted up, following the movements of her right hand. Sakura then moved the appendage from left to right, watching with wide eyes as the water followed at the exact same speed.
"Holy fucking shit." Were her very deep words.
Hello guys,
How you doing this lovely evening?
Okay, so I'm really sorry about taking so long to update this chappie but I was experiencing a bout of writers block. It was like no matter what I did I just couldnt write the chapter! In all honesty, I'm just happy its over a done with. Hopefully the next chapter will be out in two weeks at the most. Hopefully.
The next chapter will be the big fight on the bridge, otherwise known as the end of this arc and then...THE CHUNIN EXAMS! I CAN'T WAIT!
I put up a forum by the way, it's called Story Advertising and currently only has three posts, courtesy of me. So, if any of you are interested in advertising your stories, you can do it over there.
I'd like to say thank you to my wonderful beta for writing the new summary for me, its much better than the old. And also for editing this chapter! Thank you!
That's it hey...
Leave many reviews okay?
Blue.