Chapter 3: Child Watch and a 1st for Sakura

Genma arrived early Sunday morning to the Haruno residence and was guided by Kizashi to the guestroom he could use while he was here. "Set it up as you like this is basically your room Genma." Kizashi had warmed to the young men easily seeing Sakura enjoy their presence.

Genma actually thought to ask as what Mebuki mentioned before had bothered him. "Kizashi, what brought Sakura to Danzo's attention? Mebuki said Sakura was scared of him and that until he discovered she was from a civilian clan that he was bothering her by showing up at random."

Kizashi took a moment to consider, "I believe he was attracted by her chakra levels. They are large for a young girl and she was apparently having leaves sticking to her fingers already. Danzo believed she could be an asset to his Root team." Kizashi sighed, "I let him know in no uncertain terms was he to be seen around my daughter again and that an older man such as himself had no place being anywhere near my child without my say so. He finally stopped coming around after that."

Genma had to asked, "Did you mention it to the Hokage at some point?" Kizashi smirked, "I told Danzo to stay away from my child in front of the Hokage himself. I also made it clear that if my child was to mysteriously go missing that there would be hell to pay. Hiruzen backed me up at that point even though he was interested in her chakra levels himself." Kizashi shrugged, "We've had no problems with him since but, I don't believe for a second that he's given up. I feel he will try to approach again if she joins academy or wait until she's older and go for her directly. We haven't seen the last of him though for certain."

Genma smirked, "Don't worry Kizashi; nothing will happen to sweet Sakura-chan on my watch once I've gathered the evidence needed to stop the bullying." Kizashi smiled glad to see him taking the issue that had been bothering them both so seriously. He grabbed his things and went towards the door with his wife until there was rushing feet upstairs and a little chakra flare Genma saw the silent chakra buffered steps of Sakura as she raced past him with messy hair and pajamas on to say goodbye.

Sakura put her hands on her hips and made a grumpy face, "Hey! Why are you trying to leave with no goodbye?" She wagged her finger at her parents who were amused and Mebuki kneeled down to hug her tightly. "I'm so sorry Sweetie you were too cute to wake up. Bye dear and be good for Genma and Hayate while we're gone."

Kizashi lifted his daughter and gave her a kiss to the cheek, "Goodbye Sakura, have fun with Genma and make sure to finish your new sets of workbook before we get back." Sakura nodded, "Okay Daddy, bye Mom, be safe and come home soon!" Sakura stayed on the step and kept waving at her parents until they were out of sight from the house. She turned to Genma who was intrigued with the chakra on her feet.

"So, you're able to step silently huh?" Genma asked curious. Sakura looked confused before she looked at her feet and gasped, 'I can't believe I just did that in front of Genma…uh oh.' She looked up sheepish, "Is that bad?" Genma had to ruffle her hair lightly since it was already a mess and said easily, "It's different but no it's not bad. How long have you been able to do that?" Sakura shrugged, "I didn't know I was doing it. Since Mom didn't say anything or Daddy maybe a day or two?" Genma took it in stride and asked, "You speak pretty well for a four year old...did your parents teach you that?" Sakura smiled, "Yes, and I do a lot of workbooks so I can stay on track with both civilian and shinobi education. Mom likes to have…options?"

Genma smirked, 'Makes sense, she wants Sakura to be ready for anything.' He mussed her hair again causing the young girl to pout. "What are we having for breakfast?" Sakura asked easily. Genma paused, "Good question, let me see what we have and you go up and get ready for the day."

Sakura hurried up stairs and picked out a new outfit she then hopped in the shower and got clean quickly since she went to bed without a bath last night. She then changed and brushed her hair before hopping down the steps and into the kitchen.

Sakura looked at Genma and giggled as he was wearing the only apron in the house covered in pink and red flowers. 'If only I had a camera…wait I do have one!' Sakura bolted from the room to claim her camera and checked the batteries before rushing to the kitchen. She took a picture and fled the room to hide the camera by taping it to the back of the bathroom cabinet door. She returned downstairs and saw him give her a light glare as he asked suspicious, "Was that a camera I just heard?"

"Yes," Sakura answered honestly, "I wanted to have a picture since it's our first day together I wanted the picture." She stuck her tongue out playfully and grabbed the breakfast plates from the lower cabinet and brought them near Genma who smiled as she began setting the table. She grabbed glasses and asked, "Juice or Milk? Mom says I'm too little to make tea."

Genma grinned at the little girl helping take care of business and said, "Juice is good with me." He watched carefully as she pulled the fridge open and grabbed the orange juice pitcher. She carefully poured both glasses and moved to return the pitcher. He chuckled quietly as she had to place the pitcher down to open the fridge door again and keep it open to grab the pitcher and put it away again in its proper place. 'Cute kid, she's trying to be responsible already.'

Sakura then grabbed napkins to place next to their plates and decided to go work on her workbook while Genma finished making breakfast. She made sure to grab two of the books and stay within site sitting at the table working on the math booklet first and moving to the booklet on health and basic first aid without chakra next. She had already gotten a head start on the work when she snuck back out last night when her parents went to sleep.

Genma dished the eggs and sausage links onto their plates before starting up the bacon to fry he decided to make some toast to go along with it. He was more than happy to let the kid get to work early that would leave more time to look for the bullies with the little camcorder he borrowed from Raido for the mission. He also knew he'd have time to check the booklets when she goes to sleep that night.

Sakura was able to finish the book completely and put them up on the desk for Genma to check when he was ready. She would sneak down to do more work that night if Genma wasn't up too late watching for her. Her goal was to finish all the workbooks within the first few days and beg him for lessons the rest of the time he was with her. 'Who better to learn from then a Tokubetsu Jounin?' Sakura thought to herself pleased with her plan. She pulled down two of her booklets to finish the first weeks work. She would then have to finish the last 8 booklets to complete all of her assigned assignments for week 2. If she finished faster than that even better, 'I want to work on meditation after this booklet when I get to the park I will sit at the tree near the lone swing in the park.'

She took a peek at the calendar and smiled realizing she should meet Ino today or tomorrow depending on how the events unfold. She then looked back to her workbooks and returned to her shinobi village history. She was pleased to see basic questions about each nation was included even Rain since she hadn't recalled this booklet in her timeline.

She filled in and answered all the questions she could without the book to aid her before using a highlighter to find the other answers in the book and writing the page numbers she found them on next to the question. Her final workbook was about something she was surprised to see, Politics-The Balance between Civilian and Shinobi Populations, it was an overview incredibly basic about the relations both positive and negative that the shinobi and civilians encountered with each other.

Sakura read through the information in depth and acknowledged some of the information to be very true. She also noted some statements that were very misleading and could lead to a faux pas and began adding notes at the side as comments playing the devil's advocate. 'I wonder what Genma will think of that.' Sakura wanted to be noted for her intelligence just like the first life but, she did want to be seen as more mature and stronger physically and skill wise too.

'No more weak link Sakura of Team 7.' Sakura imagined as she finished her final booklet and put it on the desk. She was seated at the table and Genma easily placed the breakfast fresh and finished in front of her. He went to grab the answer keys and booklets from the desk for all four booklets and scanned through the first three with ease. He was impressed that she already knew so much village history without needing to look it up. It was the fourth book that had him raising an eyebrow as he looked at the comments written as he checked her answers. Some of the comments had him shocked and reflecting on some of the gaps she mentioned. She also answered all but one question correctly but the wording of the question was both misleading and mistyped causing an error to occur easily.

"Not bad at all Sakura, I think you finished all of your books for this week. Do you want to take a break?" Genma asked knowing she may want to play. Sakura took a moment to think and asked, "If I get them finished early will you teach me something Ninja-like Genma?" She turned her imploring green eyes up at him hopefully and Genma was torn between amusement and disbelief. "Already kid? I thought you'd wait until you were a bit older?"

Sakura looked from her feet to Genma and back to her feet, "Why not now? I didn't know I was doing that silent step with my feet earlier. Isn't it better to know my limits and work on them so I don't do anything dangerous by ack-acc-accident?"

Genma couldn't deny the kid had a point but was nervous about doing anything too big with her being so small. He shrugged, "I can see if it's safe to work with you but, you may have to wait a bit being so young though." Sakura pouted a bit but nodded in agreement and Genma felt a bit guilty before shaking his head. Sakura dug in and finished her meals before she ran upstairs and brushed her teeth before she came back downstairs and Genma was waiting by the door grinning. "I'm going to take you to the park you just do what you normally would, okay?"

Sakura replied, "Okay Genma!" She grabbed his hand and led him out the door locking waiting as he locked it behind them. Together they began heading to the park when a large man in black wearing a bandana on his head looked between them and said, "Busy Shiranui? I didn't know you took care of kids now,"

Genma looked to see Sakura completely calm and looked back with a grin at Ibiki, "Believe it or not this cutie is the shared mission Hayate and I took on." Ibiki looked surprised, "Is that so, and who are you maggot?" Ibiki looked directly at the girl who giggled at him.

"I'm not a baby fly those are gross! My name's Sakura!" Sakura quipped back laughing at him, 'Bet you didn't know I knew what a maggot was did you, Ibiki?' Sakura could only enjoy messing with adults like this as a child. As she got older she might not have the chance again to tease Ibiki since she wasn't ever close to him before.

Ibiki just smirked at the kid before turning to Genma, "You available for a mission soon?" Genma shrugged, "That depends on when the terror twins get back with Hayate. Hokage-sama can't have both of us out of the village while her parents are gone." Ibiki nodded and said to Sakura, "See you around kid. Genma should bring you around my office sometime." Sakura just cheerfully said, "Okay Mr. Tall Man!" She then skipped ahead into the park entrance to sit and meditate by the tree with a lone swing on the left side she sat to the right. She sat down quietly and began her sole meditation for an hour was the plan.

Ibiki looked at Genma who shrugged, "According to her parents the only person she was ever afraid of was Danzo. Apparently, he used to creep around her and her dad called him out in front of the Hokage to put a stop to it." Ibiki took a moment to consider the information, "Definitely bring her by T&I maybe we can find out why he was so interested before. It could save her in the future if he tries to nab her later." Genma shrugged, "Since she's not scared of you I don't see why not but, let's not tell her parents about this…I don't think they want a toddler in the T&I building."

Ibiki departed with a silent wave and headed back towards the T&I building. Genma knew he had a few prisoners due for another session since their wounds would have healed by then. Genma turned on the camcorder and began video recording Sakura's time in the park hiding out of site. He also had several memory cards in his pocket to record several sessions if needed. He realized she was sitting next to the tree and it seemed like she was slipping into meditation which surprised him, 'Well, well, well…this is interesting wonder how often she does this?'

About 30 minutes later enough of the other children starting gathering in the park and a small group of girls honed their sights on the solitary pinkette. They began snickering and saying things like pink-haired freak and forehead girl. Sakura was content to minding her own business. He watched the scene closely on the camera screen and saw the purple haired ring leader grab a stone and chuck it at Sakura nailing her in the forehead. Sakura winced but ignored the girls taking the higher road.

'Stupid kids don't they know that's dangerous? Stoning someone, what do parents teach their kids these days?' Genma was about to stand aside and continue gathering evidence as the girls threw rocks at the pinkette. He panicked when one of them brought out a set of shuriken. Eyes widening he was about to move when a blonde haired girl with blue eyes threw a few kunai to deflect the shuriken. Inoichi came over about to scold Ino when he realized all she did was defend the girl behind her.

"What is wrong with all of you? Leave her alone she wasn't doing anything to you people!" Ino yelled at the bullies who looked shocked at someone standing up to them.

Genma stopped the recording and popped out of the tree grabbing the children who threw things at Sakura. He bent down and demanded, "Where did kids like you get these from?" Genma was furious to see children throwing weapons at an unarmed girl. Inoichi approached and gently stopped him, "Genma easy…they are children."

Genma shrugged him off and made clones, "You brats are coming to the Hokage's office with me…if you won't tell me I know you will tell him." He looked at Inoichi and asked, "Can you watch Sakura…the little girl with pink hair. She's my charge for a mission but, I can't ignore this…" Inoichi smiled and offered to take the camcorder as well, "I can record the girls and get it back to you when you return." Genma grinned and took the cartridge with the video on it and put another in before handing the camcorder and the spare cards to his fellow Jounin. "Thanks Inoichi…maybe Sakura can finally make a friend."

Inoichi nodded in understanding and bent down to ruffle his daughter's head, "I'm proud of you for doing that Ino. It's brave to stand up and protect someone you don't know. Why don't you go introduce yourself to her so she can thank you? Maybe even invite her to play."

Ino nodded and moved to the pink haired girl who she protected who looked at her having stopped meditating when she was hit by the stones was watching her warily. Ino realizing she was nervous gave a soft smile and said kindly, "Hi I'm Ino Yamanaka, what's your name?" Sakura gave a small smile in return Sakura Haruno…it's nice to meet you Ino-san. Thanks for helping me."

Ino grinned and giggled, "Its nice meeting you too Sakura-chan, do you want to play?" Sakura bounced up and asked, "I've never played with anyone else before…what should we do?" Ino led Sakura over to the swings and together the small toddlers began to swing. Sakura felt the same warmth that she remembered when she met Ino in her previous life, 'Ino you will always be my best friend.'

Inoichi smiled and recorded adding his own comments, "I believe Sakura and Ino will be friends for life." He allowed himself to take a few pictures with the camera feature of the camcorder for Genma to enjoy later. He smiled as Ino and Sakura moved from the swings to the sand box and even started playing in the wildflowers. He didn't dare look away since Sakura was Ino's first female friend most of her time being spent between their home and the homes of his good friends Chouza and Shikaku with their sons as her only company.

~At the Hokage's Office~

Hiruzen didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the indignant scene Genma made of the children gathering in his office as his Anbu sought out their parents. He almost complained until Genma showed his the video recording which was a deep cause for concern. 'Stones and weapons being thrown carelessly at someone on a children's playground when none of the children involved are even old enough to be in academy?' He sighed, "What is this world coming to?"

Soon enough several disgruntled parents civilian and shinobi alike were brought in. Many complaining their work was being interrupted and he had to silence them, "Everyone! The reason you're here is of grave importance and you will see in just a moment." He turned his displeased gaze onto the children, "Children do any of you have anything to say in your defense and," he paused before they interrupted him. "Be aware before you attempt to say anything dishonest that I have video evidence of your actions from today to show all your parents."

Ami, the purple haired ring leader said in a disrespectful tone, "We didn't do anything wrong…it's just that crybaby Haruno trying to get us in trouble again." Ami's mother rolled her eyes and went to grab her child when a single look at her Hokage made her sit back down. The other girls remained silent but one mentioned, "I just borrowed a couple of throwing stars from Dad for practice."

Genma was close to strangling the little brats but remained collected and said, "Screen's ready for you to project the video whenever you're ready Hokage-sama" Hiruzen nodded and made sure everyone's gaze was directed at the screen.

Soon all the viewers were seeing a little girl sitting by a tree not talking to or bothering anyone. It was a matter of fasting forward to when the other children began to arrive that the video played again. The parents all heard the comments their children made making fun of her and how she ignored them. Video scenes continued playing until they all sat horrified as their own children began throwing rocks at the helpless girl. It was when the second child pulled out her throwing stars with a smirk and she threw them only to have another child appear on the screen and deflect the blades and yell at the other children.

"That's Inoichi's daughter Ino isn't it…Haruno is a civilian child she's lucky that Ino and Genma were there!" The shinobi's wife said her voice shaking as she turned furious at her child, "We WILL be discussing your punishment when we get home young lady! Don't think you're getting out of this!" Her husband looking at his daughter with disappointment and Genma handed him his tools, "I suggest that she be kept locked away from all your books and ninja tools from now on."

Ami's mother looked ashamed, "All this time I defended you against Mebuki and Kizashi and they were telling the truth," She turned and grabbed Ami roughly who whimpered, "I can't wait to share this with your father Ami, you are grounded! That's just the tip of the iceberg for you…I'll make you regret the day you ever attacked that innocent little girl." She then asked Hiruzen, "Can you make a copy so that my husband can see what happened today so we can make sure it never happens again Hokage-sama?" Hiruzen happily replicated the file and presented the spare chip to her as proof. She then dragged her complaining child from the room.

The third child just kept her head down in shame and her mother asked her, "Well, what do you have to say for yourself Sera? I know you know better than this…" Sera said nothing knowing she had no defense for what she did. Her mother sighed and her upset husband lifted his daughter into his arms looking at Genma, "I can imagine the Harunos hired you to find out what was happening while they were on their trip…thank you now it can be addressed." The family left and Genma sighed, "Seriously, where do kids learn to be that cruel?"

Hiruzen honestly had no answer and said, "You should go return to Sakura. I imagine Inoichi is watching the girls play safely." Genma nodded and retrieved the original chip before using shunshin to go to the park.

Inoichi grinned at Genma and asked, "Everything handled?" Genma shrugged, "Only time will tell but the parents know without a doubt their children are bullies so we'll have to wait and see. How are the girls doing?" Inoichi chuckled, "Both are smiling, I think Ino was glad to be able to make a friend who was another girl for once. I have a feeling they will play together a lot." Genma grinned, "Good, let's hope they stick together."

Soon enough Ino gave Sakura the iconic ribbon and tied her hair away from her face with a smile, "There it looks really cute on you!" Sakura touched the ribbon with a sweet smile and whispered from the bottom of her heart, "Thank you Ino. Can we play again sometime?"

Ino nodded excited to play with a girl, "Of course we can play anytime. You should come by our flower shop when you can. I can teach you how to make bouquets and all the meanings behind the flowers. It'll be so much fun!"

It wasn't long until both girls had to return to their homes for lunch promising to meet again soon. Inoichi shared a grin with Genma and both knew for the girls this day was only the beginnings of a beautiful friendship.