"There is no perfection, only beautiful versions of brokenness." - Shannon L. Alder
Sakura graduates at the top of her year, the first female prodigy in Konoha's history. She can hear the whispers when she glides across stage, her red kimono jacket tied shut around the waist by her new forehead protector. She accepts the award certificate with a demure smile, bowing to both the teacher and crowd before exiting the spot light. Mother looks on with cold eyes, not smiling even when Sakura sits next to her with her certificate in hand, and victory feels paltry in light of her mother's unimpressed stare. (She had gotten a 90% on her final exam. She missed two questions, better than anyone else in her year - not good enough.)
Her day brightens slightly at the sight of Iruka-sensei, who waves eagerly, Sasuke's smirk of acknowledgment, Shikamaru's lazy smile, and Kiba's cheerful grin. Sakura doesn't get a chance to speak to them before Mother leaves, dragging her along, but the graduation is not as horrible as it could've been. (In another life, it is one of the best days of Sakura's life, when her father smiles at her proudly when he sees her forehead protector on her head. She is not Rookie of the Year, but he is happy for her all the same.)
The next day, Sakura walks into the classroom with even eyes and even strides. She is ready to face the world as a ninja, be the perfect lady and warrior all at once, and make her mother proud. Sakura will walk miles for her mother, and one day the woman will acknowledge her, even if she has to imprint her name among the stars. Sakura sits herself between Sasuke and Naruto, smiles at Hinata, and waits for her teacher. She can see Naruto fidgeting, obviously eager to tell her how he miraculously gained a forehead protector overnight, but Sakura knows that now is not the time.
Iruka enters the room quietly, and the small bits of nervous chatter end. In a rather non-suspenseful manner, considering the situation, the Chunin lays a stack of papers on the desk and begins his speech. Sakura listens with careful ears, taking what advice she can and dissecting each bit of information she is given, because her after-school sessions with Iruka have taught her how thorough the man is when it comes to helping his students. His words are a warning, and Sakura will ensure she takes them as such.
When the teams are finally announced, Sakura can't help the bit of excitement sparking in her eyes. "... Team Seven: Sakura Haruno, Naruto Uzumaki," Iruka says, and Sakura instinctively blocks Naruto's mouth with her hand, stopping him from cheering or causing an outburst. "and Sasuke Uchiha," Sasuke smirks, turning to nod his head at both her and Naruto. The whiskered blonde is shaking in his seat ecstatically, and Sakura allows herself to smile, pleased with her grouping. Sasuke is very capable, and Sakura knows Naruto will work hard to catch up with them both.
The subsequent wait for their teacher is much less enthusiastic. Their new jonin-sensei is apparently chronically late, and the hours that pass within the small, empty classroom dull Sakura's good mood. Luckily, she has a few books within her weapons pouch, and Sasuke seems satisfied with a book on chakra control techniques while Sakura regales Naruto with stories from "A History of Konoha". The blonde enjoys history, and actually will remember much of it, as long as Sakura makes it interesting to hear.
Unfortunately, patience is a virtue Naruto is not well versed in. Sakura watches the blonde with veiled exasperation as he finally snaps after the third hour of waiting. He runs up to the board, grumbling the whole way. She picks up the words "stupid jonin" and "revenge" as he marches over to the door, dragging up a chair before wedging the eraser between the wood and doorframe.
He turns around proudly, hands on his hips. "That'll show him not to be late, ttebayo!"
Sasuke rolls his eyes, barely glancing up from his book. "That isn't going to catch a jonin, dobe. They're elite ninja."
"Well, sometimes the simplest tricks work the best!" Naruto retorts with uncharacteristic wisdom. Then he pauses and frowns. "At least, that's what Shikamaru says."
Sakura glides over to the door, standing on her tips toes to remove the eraser, gently laying it on Iruka's desk. She smiles at Naruto, and says chidingly, "Shikamaru also says to act with caution," She returns to her seat, carefully adjusting her hair so she doesn't sit on it.
Naruto looks at her for a moment, still confused, before nodding slowly. "Oh... okay." He stands in front of the door for a few more moments, before moving back to the chair beside her. "So... what was that about the Nidaime's awesome jutsu thingie?!" He asks energetically, attitude turning on a dime. Sakura takes this is stride, opening her mouth to speak, but is interrupted by the sound of an opening door.
The silver-haired man who steps into the room is unassuming. He slouches in a lazy manner, his single eye half-lidded as he scans them lackadaisically, and Sakura has to stop herself from frowning. Her new teacher doesn't appear very impressive, and she can see her teammates agree.
Naruto voices this for all of them. "HEY! WHO ARE YOU?!" He points accusingly at the jonin's face, and Sakura winces. Maybe not then.
"Naruto, this is our jonin-sensei." Sakura answers quietly, "His flak vest and forehead protector suggest that he is capable." She emphasizes the word "suggest" heavily, because although she is sure that the teacher of the last Uchiha is powerful, his demeanor is disappointing. She stands, making a small bow and introducing herself. "My name is Sakura Haruno, it is a pleasure to meet you. Please take care of me," She can see that the jonin is amused by her formality.
Naruto stares at their teacher sullenly. "My name's Naruto Uzumaki," he grumbles. He continues to look at their new teacher expectantly, and when the jonin doesn't deign to respond he puffs up in offense, pointing at him again. "Well?! What's your name, ttebayo?!" Sakura does not miss the man's flinch, which is interesting because the last person to flinch at Naruto's crutch word was Gai. The Green Beast of Konoha refused to explain why as well. (Anyone who has ever met Kushina Uzumaki can't help but be reminded of her the moment Naruto opens his mouth.)
"Kakashi Hatake," The jonin answers, sitting back on his heels and placing his hands in his pockets. Sakura's eyes widen at the familiar name, because Gai is anything but quiet about his "eternal rival". His eye pauses on her, before flickering over to Sasuke, who has only just decided to close his book. The last Uchiha looks discontent, obviously snubbing their teacher. "And who's Gloomy over here?"
Sakura covers her mouth to hide her smile, coughing lightly. Kakashi is every bit as "cool" and laid back as she has heard. Naruto cackles at the new nickname, and Sasuke scowls in response.
"Sasuke Uchiha." He answers curtly, sliding Sakura's book across the desk. She picks it up and deftly tucks the book away, storage scroll within her weapons pouch swallowing it immediately. When the jonin makes no movement to continue the conversation, Sakura attempts to play mediator, as any Lady should be a master of diplomacy.
"Hatake-sensei, is there anything we need to know for tomorrow?" Sakura broaches cautiously. "I'm of the understanding some jonin-sensei test their teams before agreeing to teach them." Gai was an informational gold mine, and Sakura is secretly overjoyed at the wide-eyed looks she receives. They would not underestimate her. (Not that Sasuke or Naruto did, but... Sakura is a civilian, she will have to battle for every drop of respect she gets.)
Kakashi peers at her closely, before shaking his head. "Maa, you're going to spoil everything if you reveal it all too quickly, Haruno-chan." Sakura smiles, happy to have her formality returned. "Meet me at Training Ground Seven tomorrow, 5 am. Don't be late. Oh, and don't bother eating either. You'll puke," Before she can ask any more questions, the jonin vanishes in a puff of smoke. Sakura is taken aback at the display of competence, a seal-less body flicker was no easy feat.
Naruto is less impressed. "That bastard! He tells us not to be late?! How dare he, dattebayo?! Why I oughta-" The blonde cuts himself off mid-sentence, spinning on his heel to kick the nearest desk. He then squeals in pain, grabbing his own foot to hop around desperately. Sakura cannot stop her amused smile.
"Hn, dobe," Sasuke smirks, but his eyes are stormy. He isn't quite sure what to make of their new teacher, Sakura can see it in his expression. Confidently making her way across the floor, Sakura knows she must bring her friends together, because a jonin is a jonin, and it is not a rank one earns by being lazy or untalented.
She smiles with all the confidence she lacks. "We must be ready for tomorrow. I doubt our teacher will arrive on time, so we will plan then," Naruto stops hopping to stare at her, and Sasuke easily returns to focus. "I will obtain a profile of our teacher for us by tomorrow. Hopefully, with a greater understanding of his abilities and personality, we will be prepared for whatever challenge Hatake-sensei poses for us," Sakura is careful to refer to them as a unit, "us" and "we" instead of "I" or "me". It is subtle, but she has been well educated on the importance of subconscious manipulations.
Her new teammates nod in response, and Sakura wonders if they really understand her at all. (She does not know Kakashi is watching, and that his eyes narrow in on her, because he knows exactly what game she is playing. Sakura Haruno can make a team, but teamwork requires more than a puppet-master's manipulations.)
And The Others Laugh, this story will proper be on the shorter side. I'm guessing somewhere between 25 to 30 chapters, but given the size of my chapters that's not very long. And I'm in the starting drafting stages of my original story, so you might have to wait a little while!
Winchester Cherry Blossom, you can ask one question that I'll answer! You were partially right, this Sakura is modeled heavily off of Young!Kakashi, but it's true she resembles most of the other prodigies in Naruto as well. Neji and Itachi, along with Kakashi, will make significant impressions on this Sakura, so I hope you can look forward to their appearances!