Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Naruto, LOTR or any head cannons or art that inspired this story.
"Alright, some of you know why we gathered her, for those who do not…" Tsunade started, Sakura could tell she was having trouble completing the sentence.
"King Sarutobi has passed on," Jiriya spoke. There was a collect of gasps but Sakura remained silent. "Madara is preparing to take over the kingdom by force," Orochimaru finally voiced, "We are now preparing for war."
There were more gasps and Tsunade spoke up again. "We also have another pressing matter to discuss," she paused, "we need to find a new heir for the throne."
"There are secret documents and records that could lead us to royal heirs inside Sarutobi's castle," Jiriya said as he looked over the crowd, "Someone needs to move past Madara's army and retrieve the documents while the rest of us prepare for war."
There was a pause then a voice spoke up, "An elf could complete this mission before in a few days with no mistakes." Sakura looked over to see the voice belonged to one of the Uchiha's. Sakura resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the comment.
"Of course Mister Elf is perfect, sorry but your arrogance won't help you with this mission," Sakura turned to see a fellow dwarf had just spoken. "Both of you enough, Humans are just as capable perhaps even more so," a voice called out from the crowd. Arguing came next and Sakura was mixed with anger and sadness. She had thought this foulness had stopped, but she supposed nothing could ever truly erase what was so common for hundreds of years. Not even after more than fifty years of peace.
"How about all of you just shut up!" Sakura was now standing in the middle of all the groups. "We didn't fight for years of peace to have you going and ruining it again with all of your pettiness, we are not each other's enemies anymore! We are all valued, everyone is more than capable of completing this task" At this point everyone had their eyes on her but Sakura looked on with determination.
"Don't try to act noble Dwarf," Sakura turned to face the Uchiha boy she saw earlier. When Sakura realized who it was her face darkened. "Do not speak to me like I am any less than you, Uchiha, we are all in the same boat now," Sakura interjected, face still dark.
Sakura turned back to return her fellow dwarfs when the Uchiha spoke again, "You are nothing more than a weak, useless and idiotic dwarf girl."
Sakura stopped, back still facing him but spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear, "What did you say?"
The Uchiha smirked, "I said you are a weak, usel—" however, before he could finish Sakura had sent him a powerful blow to his jaw that through him backwards.
"I just wanted to make sure I heard you, Elf," Sakura spat with venom in her voice. The Uchiha looked shocked as he held his jaw in place but quickly his eyes narrowed. He stood and Sakura made a move to grab her axe.
"Both of you stop this at once," Tsunade and Orochimaru spoke in unison. "If you ever insult me or anyone else here, I swear, I'll finish you," Sakura hissed giving the Uchiha a final glare. When she looked up she could see people smirking at her and whoever wasn't looked terrified, including Sir Jiriya.
Most of her fellow dwarfs looked proud of her, as she returned to join them once again. When she met eyes with Tsunade, however, Sakura knew she would get an earful later, but no matter what she would not regret giving the Uchiha's jaw a beating.
"Back to the important matter, who will be the going on this mission," Jiriya stated. A smooth voice spoke next, "I must agree with that dwarf girl, all of us are valued fighters more than capable of completing this mission." Sakura saw it was another Uchiha; he was taller and had a pony-tail. "What do you suggest then Itachi?" Orochimaru asked.
"One person from each group, human, dwarf and elf to make it fair, of course," Itachi stated.
From across a sea of people she could see Tsunade smirk. "I have the perfect person in mind, Sakura come," Tsunade called. Sakura hesitated but walked towards her master and adoptive mother. "Naruto, get over here!" Jiriya called towards the crowd. By the time Sakura and Naruto came forward she could see Orochimaru motion his choice over, "Sasuke, come."
Sakura's eyes narrowed it had to be this Uchiha; the one she had just threatened. Great. She recognized Naruto as the blond she saw earlier; hopefully he wasn't arrogant like this Sasuke Uchiha.
"Now you three understand how severe this mission, correct?" Jiriya asked. They all answered 'yes' however, the tension was thick. Sakura looked at Jiriya and spoke, "Look, Sir Jiriya, I can't do this, not with him," she motioned towards Sasuke. "All we would do is fight, this isn't a good idea,"she spoke again looking at Jiriya, Tsunade and Orochimaru.
"Very well, we'll just have someone keep you all in line," Tsunade remarked with a grin.
"Sorry I'm late I was helping this old woman," a voice exclaimed.
"Wizard Kakashi!" Tusnade yelled.
"Y-Yes?" Kakashi asked nervously.
"You're keeping these brats in check. You all head out tomorrow morning, everyone dismissed," Tsunade explained, smirking without missing a beat.
Sakura leaned against a railing overlooking a beautiful waterfall recalling the events that played out today. Looking back she felt a little disappointed that she had lost her cool so easily. She also felt awful for the way she had used the word elf; with pure hatred, it made her feel disgusting, she was not better than her past ancestors. However, she realized it wasn't because she hated elves— Hinata, and Neji have been her friends for years—it was that she didn't care for Sasuke. Sakura felt her mind ease with this new revelation.
Sakura tensed as she heard footsteps approach her. She turned and saw Itachi Uchiha—the elf that stood up for her—stepping towards her.
"Hello," Itachi spoke softly.
"What can I do for you, Itachi?" Sakura asked quietly.
"I would like you to apologize for my brother's actions towards you."
"W-What? That assho—," Sakura paused, "Uh, I mean, that was your brother?"
"Please do not take his actions to heart, Sakura, our clan just cannot accept dwarfs and humans as equal, they still cling to the old ways. I also believe Sasuke is trying to make our father proud of him, he will do whatever it takes to stay on his good side. So on behalf of my brother I apologize."
"O-Oh well I should apologize as well for hitting him, I mean," Sakura spoke nervously. Even though a direct apology from Sasuke would be nice could she really fault him after learning all this? Itachi's next words broke her train of thought.
"I would also like to ask a favor of you."
"Sure, uh, what is it?"
"Take care of my brother" Itachi stated more of a demand than a question.
"Excuse me?" Sakura questioned.
"Sasuke is still naïve to the world outside of our clan, so I would like you to keep an eye on him," Itachi remarked, "I know it is a lot to ask of you considering what has happened today," Itachi added.
Sakura smiled, "I'll do my best Itachi," she beamed. Itachi just smirked back at her and started to make his way back from wherever he came.
"Thank you, Sakura. Maybe one day you two can consider each other friends," Itachi spoke over his shoulder. Sakura turned wide-eyed to say something but Itachi was already gone.
"Friends," Sakura repeated to herself.
She sighed, she could only hope.
The next morning Sakura walked towards her adoptive mother. Tsunade smiled at her as she was approaching.
"Be careful, Sakura," Tsunade commanded.
"Of course," Sakura spoke with a smile. Tsunade then hugged Sakura tightly and Sakura wrapped her arms around her frame. "I'll be okay," Sakura whispered to her mother. Tsunade just wiped her eyes, "Of course, you learned from the best," she paused, "You better say good-bye to your friends before you leave." With that Sakura turned to see all her friends waiting for her. Sakura started to walk over and when she got close enough Ino pulled her in to yet another group hug.
"Please be careful, okay?" Ten-Ten stated.
"Don't do anything dumb, Forehead!"
"Be safe," Shikamaru and Neji spoke.
"P-Please watch out for yourself, Sakura" Hinata added quietly.
"I'll be fine guys, you guys be careful as well, okay?" Sakura spoke.
After saying good-bye Sakura made her way to the Uchiha and the blond. When Sakura arrived in front of them she could see that Kakashi was not there yet. She could see Sasuke glaring at her so she turned to the blond to introduce herself. "I'm Sakura, it's nice to meet you," Sakura stated with her arm extended. "I'm Naruto, it's nice to meet you!" the blond exclaimed shaking her hand. Sakura just laughed at him, he sure was cheery.
Sakura turned to the Uchiha, "Look we got off on the wrong foot, why don't we start over?" Sakura questioned also extending her arm to him.
"Hn," Sasuke stated before turning his back on her. Just then their new guardian arrived and told them they had to get a move on.
Maybe one day you two can consider each other friends.
Sakura sighed and closed her eyes, 'It might take longer than you thought, Itachi,' Sakura thought to herself as they started walking along the path.
A/N: This chapter took me forever because my internet was broken and I went on vacation but I finally updated. Did you like Kakashi's entrance? I was going to have him break up Sakura and Sasuke's fight, but then I realized Kakashi was meant to be late! Let me know what you guys think!