Chapter 7: Co-Op C-rank, Mission to Wave

Sakura stood once more before the Hokage's desk with her team and saw that Team 7 had also joined them. She wondered to herself, 'Is it really time to head to wave?' She thought to the items she had at her home and figured she would have some time to pack the two for the Mist duo. She was eager to hear their orders but simply stood beside her sensei.

Kakashi appeared in the office giving off his usual excuses when a single look from Hokage-sama silenced him.

"Team 10 and Team 7, I have a very important mission for you. Team 7 will be an escort mission ranked as a C rank." He paused and looked to Team 10, "Asuma, your team will be on their first official diplomatic mission. As we are primarily dealing with civilians I expect Haruno Sakura to take the lead it will be a low B rank mission. I also have an additional task for Haruno Sakura but, this will be discussed in private with only Asuma and Kakashi present."

As everyone nodded in acceptance and Team 10 looked on curious to their teammate who simply smiled softly in reassurance. "Bring Team 7's client in!"

A man entered the room smelling strongly of sake and most of the kids gagged as Asuma groaned quietly. Shikamaru almost made Sakura lose composure when he muttered, "Troublesome." Chouji just remained munching on chips as the man was introduced.

"This is Tazuna, the bridge builder from the Land of Waves. He needs Team 7 to safely escort him there while Team 10 will act like back up until you have all reached the Land of Waves where their own mission will begin. All except for Asuma, Kakashi, and Haruno-chan." The teams began piling out with Tazuna when Kakashi added, "Be at the West Gate by 8 am to begin the mission."

Sakura simply bowed to the Hokage, "I will do my best to ensure that our trade agreements with the people of Wave are secured. I'm sure being liberated from the tyrant Gato will reassure them of our good will." She stood up ignoring the shocked appearances of Asuma-sensei and Kakashi and asked, "You said you had another mission for me?"

Hiruzen smiled at her deduction seeing the calculating glint in her eyes and stated, "I'm sure it will. In truth you have a risky mission to take hold of. I have heard rumors of Gato and his history of stabbing his shinobi hires in the back. Normally, this would not be a concern to me but at this moment I have heard there are two shinobi, who you may be able to approach and ally with. Sakura your private mission is to approach Zabuza Momochi and his apprentice with an offer. You will do this alone while Asuma and Kakashi monitor the teams during their missions. Take no unnecessary risks Sakura."

Sakura accepted her separate mission scroll labeled A rank and bowed, "I will be careful Hokage-sama, is there anything else you need from me or may I leave to prepare for this mission?"

Hiruzen dismissed the young woman and turned to the sensei before addressing both, "As I mentioned you will be Cooperating with each other. Neither of you will interfere with Sakura's mission she will most likely wait until after the first encounter to make the offer. I trust her judgement with the direction she will use as this will be her first solo mission where I test her abilities. I hope neither will disobey my directive in this?" Both sensei shared a look before reluctantly nodding. They both acknowledged his tone as an order even when he stated it like a question.

They left as soon as they were both dismissed to make their own preparations for their mission and adding additional supplies in case either of their teams forgot something important on their first mission outside the village. What neither knew was that Sakura made two more pitstops before she returned home.

She stood before the building known to strike fear into the hearts of many both in and outside the walls. As she entered the headquarters of T&I she waved at many people as she passed approaching an office in particular she entered calmly and teased, "Well if it isn't Mr. Tall Man himself and his side kick The Dango Empress herself," She easily ducked left to avoid the kunai launched at her cheek.

She approached and said simply, "My team and team 7 have their first missions outside the village, we are heading to the Land of Waves and dealing with Gato. What dirt do you have for me on him that I can use to persuade loyalties to me?"

Ibiki smirked and crossed his arms, "Loyalties for Shinobi or Civilians?" Sakura glared, "Civilians I can handle myself as you well know. I'm talking Shinobi from Bingo books, I need dirt to use for Zabuza Momochi, and possible associates maybe like the Demon Brothers or even fellow swordsman Hoshigaki Kisame. I don't know who to expect."

Anko snickered, "Damn Ibiki, she's even got your glare down pat. Hmm, so you've been told to win em over? Well they need money and their previous coup failed. They may need a reliable network of contacts and supplies to take out the nutty Mizukage."

Sakura moved and sat on top of the corner of Ibiki's desk which was clear of papers. "Assistance for their rebellion would be a possibility but I want personal loyalty not village loyalty. Leaf is seen by most as the "Nice Village" especially by those who originate from Mist. I need to show them something worth their respect on their level something the leaf wouldn't normally show." Sakura stated using quotation marks around nice village before she returned her gaze to Ibiki who sobered up and nodded pulling out a scroll with intel on the Mist rebellions and points of interest.

"Not many can claim as a genin to have an in with the T&I department intel network as a matter of fact until you no one did." Ibiki stated firmly, "Don't make me regret this brat," Sakura gave a confident smirk, "I won't Ibiki and thanks." She left the office with a confident gait and Anko whistled with a pleased grin, "I always liked that kid…she's got some serious guts."

Ibiki smirked, "If only you knew," Anko turned to Ibiki and asked, "How did you really meet the kid anyway?"

*Flashback Begins*

"Hi Mr. Tall Man!" Sakura said excited as she sat in his chair with Genma perched in his desk. Ibiki blinked and moved up to the kid and said, "Maggot, you're in my chair." Sakura looked around confused with her expressive tiny self and said, "I don't see your name printed on the chair Mister. Genma-nii is sitting on your desk though!" She pointed to his nametag, "It even has your name on it and everything!"

Genma chuckled and moved to sit in one of the chairs in front of the desk and said, "I brought her like I promised." Ibiki smirked at the cheerful child and got right to the point, "So kid, what's your beef with Councilman Danzo?

Sakura frowned, "Is this place seck-sek-secured?" Ibiki chuckled and placed his hand to the wall charging the seals for privacy with chakra before nodding. Sakura sighed, "He's poison everything about him screams trouble and bad…have you seen under his bandages?"

"No one has seen under them kid. Why does it bother you?" Ibiki added as she looked him dead in the eye, "It's wrong because he didn't wear them until just after the Massacre of the Uchiha…isn't that even just a little susp-susi-suspicious?" She looked at both shocked adults and exclaimed, "Come on! Mr. Tall Man I can't be the only one who noticed that! He was creepy and following me both before and after they all died… so I noticed right away!"

Ibiki nodded in agreement and turned to Genma, "Shiranui forget the mission and take the kid home. You and Hayate keep a close eye on her…I don't want anyone getting their hands on this kid."

*Flashback Ends*

Anko whistled in shock and said, "No kidding, the kid unmasked a grave robber? A councilman who is now under strict watch I assume? Fuck the kids got style…I see why you like her so much now and why even the older Uchiha brats hover around her."

Ibiki nodded, "Now we just have to trust the kid and see if she pulls this off who knows maybe she can be drafted to help us on occasion with some of the riskier missions we assign regarding expanding our intel network or political allies."

~The following Morning at 7AM~

Sakura sat on her bed double checking the sharpness of her weapons and collecting the two items to prove her friendship status to the dangerous duo she would encounter. She wrapped the bunny of ice with care and wore the sword-replicas around her neck. She hid them beneath her shirt and grinned before speeding her packing and wrapping her travel supplies. She put together cold travel meals for both teams and the client for the road.

At the gates she stood eating her morning dango treat and both gate guardians muttered, "Anko's corrupted another her already." Sakura simply sat perched upon the check out stand and ignored their whining. She was an hour early after all and soon enough Asuma-sensei appeared with a worn and worried countenance.

"Are you ready for this Sakura?" He asked directly. Sakura patted the spot next to her and he joined her on the roof as she opened her pack and travel scrolls for him to scrutinize. He seemed pleased at her supplies and pulled a little something out of his own pack and placed it with hers. She looked at it curious, "Sensei, what is this and why are you giving it to me?"

Asuma rubbed the back of his neck, "It's a summoning scroll that will bring either Kakashi or myself to you should you need assistance. I'm not to interfere with your mission unless its something you can't handle alone."

Sakura gave her sensei a grateful smile, "Arigato, Asuma-sensei…you'll keep a close eye on them while I'm not around and make sure Choji and Shikamaru stay on their toes right?" Asuma chuckled and nodded with a wink as he lit his cigarette. "Sure thing, you can count on me. Just be careful."

Sakura nodded with a smile before waving at the approaching forms of Shikamaru, Choji, Sasuke, and Ino. She noticed a slight blush on Ino's face and wondered what happened to put it there. She said brightly, "Good Morning everyone! You guys all set?" She looked more so at Choji, Shikamaru, and Ino who immediately began emptying their packs. Ino also moved her hair so all the beads could be viewed to Sakura's satisfaction.

Ino grinned at Shikamaru and Choji impressed, "Wow I see Sakura got you boys into the habit of being prepared for pretty much anything too! Got any fancy accessories?" Ino asked wondering if Sakura came up with an alternative for the beads, "Not yet Ino. I'm working on it but it's not so easy to come up with ideas for the guys equipment like it was for ours. Got your specialty surprise?" Sakura asked to be sure.

Ino smirked and showed a specific bead, "Locked and Loaded, had Daddy double check it for me with Genma last night. You?" Sakura grinned, "I had Hayate inspect it last night before I went home." Ino pouted, "We never really see them anymore since we graduated academy, do we?"

"I guess we'll have to fix that when you girls get back then won't we?" Hayate said as he walked up to the group at the gate Genma following behind. Genma smirked, "We sure will just us and the girls of course!" Genma winked at the girls who giggled at his play flirting and leapt over to them to hug them. "Hayate-nii you came to wish me farewell since you saw Petal-chan last night didn't you!" Sakura and Genma snickered as Hayate gave Ino a gentle pat on the back not wanting to disturb the beads in her hair.

Sakura looked up to Genma, "Any last words of wisdom for Wave?" Genma grinned, "Even better we have gifts for you girls and your parents are coming with gifts for your team mates." Genma wrapped Sakura in a cloak of gray and faded dark blue, "This will let you blend in more with your surroundings make it harder to pinpoint you." Sakura felt the fabric and gave a glittering smile as she hugged Genma tightly, "You guys are the best big brothers ever. Be safe while we're gone and don't kill each other!"

Hayate chuckled as he finished fastening the cloak onto Ino while Ino's parent brought cloaks for Sasuke and Naruto placing them on the boys and Sakura's parents wrapped up Choji and Shikamaru in their own cloaks comfortably. Asuma grinned in approval and gratitude and wrapped his own cloak around his shoulders. After a few more moments Kakashi appear…..ed to be escorting Tazuna to the gate and with his classic eye smile also was wrapped in his cloak.

Inoichi and Kizashi looked at their daughters and Inoichi said, "Sakura, your parents and I will be out of town by the time you return. You girls are both to go to the apartment when you return and stay with Hayate until we get back. No parties while we're gone girls keep Genma in line for me." Sakura and Ino giggled and shared smirks at Genma's reproving comments and said, "Yes Sir!" Both gave a playful salute making the adults present smile.

Sakura added, "Can we bring our teams to the apartment for the night when we get back?" Kizashi looked at Hayate who nodded with a smile, "Sure girls Team Meetings don't count as parties. Have a safe trip."