Chapter 8: Meeting a Legend, Lesson about Hunters

Both teams remained in formation with the diplomatic team at the front Asuma and Sakura in the front two positions with Chouji flanking Asuma and Shikamaru flanking Sakura. In the center was Tazuna with Ino behind Chouji, Naruto behind Ino and slightly to the right. Kakashi at the rear stood watching as Sasuke followed behind Shikamaru closing ranks and keeping Tazuna centered for protection or extraction as needed.

Kakashi appeared lazy to the kids who spoke carefully ignoring the bickering between Sasuke and Naruto. He was however focusing on the pink haired kunoichi with a solo mission to approach an S-Class missing nin alone. 'Why would Hokage-sama take such a risk?' His eye narrowed thoughtfully on her back as he noticed her closing rank with her eyes on the puddles they were passing. 'No normal genin would have picked up on that…just who are you Haruno, Sakura?'

Asuma remained relaxed as Sakura tightened ranks and noted she saw the suspicious puddles. 'Good eye Sakura-chan.' He checked to see the same contemplative look on Shikamaru's face but realized that aside from those two none of the other genin had picked up on the odd puddles. He was impressed by their reaction to Sakura and Shikamaru tightening the formation as they moved to do the same even without knowing why.

Sakura kept her eyes ahead but soon felt a whisper of chakra as one of the brothers emerged from the puddle directly behind the group. She dipped her senbon into a knockout poison she learned from Shizune in her previous life that she recrafted. She watched as the first brother collapsed unable to get near their target while Kakashi dealt with his brother quickly. Sakura looked at them in consideration and pulled out a scroll created to carry live prisoners.

"Let's not waste an opportunity of good faith…if they are working with him this could help." Sakura said softly making Asuma nod in agreement. She sealed both brothers in their unconscious states into the scroll. Soon enough the two sensei took Tazuna to the side as Sakura remained calm with her team Ino approached them with a smile.

"Hey Sakura, was that your new one?" Ino asked about the poison. Sakura grinned, "Yes Ino-chan, non-fatal in its design he went to sleep like a new born babe." The platinum blonde giggled her fellow kunoichi before she moved towards Shikamaru and Chouji to catch up a bit in the time they've been parted since the academy.

Sakura turned a fond gaze to the bickering boys and approached them, "Hello Naruto, Sasuke-san, how has your time been since the academy graduation exam?" Sasuke grunted while Naruto happily regaled her with all their missions chasing Tora with a sour face causing her to laugh. She nodded and continued to pay attention for when their instructors would return. She made Naruto a promise to join him for ramen when they get back from their mission at Ichiraku's.

As she walked away she fondly thought to herself, 'Don't ever change Naruto…may your fire burn forever brightly.' She returned to her position and moved out as soon as instructed by their sensei. Asuma kept himself ready for any further encounters especially when Naruto threw a kunai only for a crisp white furred rabbit came from the bush. Kakashi called for everyone to get down and Sakura saw as Zabuza stood atop the blade embedded into the tree. She felt the recognizable necklace fall from her shirt only for his eyes to stare upon her critically. She simply said silently, "Later Zabuza-san."

With that Kakashi and Zabuza began to clash the young students crowding around their client. Sakura could only watch in some awe at the strength in their forms that she hadn't been able to appreciate before. Sasuke started getting angry about Kakashi's Sharingan and she said gently.

"I heard rumor that his teammate gave it to him only moments before he passed. Their other teammate transplanted it on his wishes only moments before he died. Kakashi didn't steal anything Sasuke-san." Sakura stated firmly but gently as she reminisced about Obito's, Rin's, and Kakashi's tragic stories from the two in the afterlife.

Only moments before she knew Kakashi would collapse she saw a young man in a hunter nin outfit leap out after striking Zabuza into a fake death state. She nodded respectfully, "Hunter-san, take your prey if you must." Kakashi had simultaneously prevented Naruto or Sasuke from striking out against the young man who thanked them softly before taking Zabuza's body from the field. Asuma immediately caught his comrade and fellow sensei as the children returned to their protective forms and followed to the client's home.

Tsunami was a kind and Inari as childishly cruel as they were before. Tsunami seemed relieved when Ino and Chouji offered to help prepare the meal as Sakura attended to checking Kakashi over under Asuma's watchful gaze. The silver haired nin was exhausted and Sakura commented, "Physically he's alright I imagine the Sharingan not being genetically his is what causes the severe chakra drain? I've done what I can but he will have to take it easy for about a week."

Asuma hummed thoughtfully, "Sakura, where did you hear the rumors about Kakashi obtaining the Sharingan?" Sakura shrugged, "From a friend who likes to hide the fact they're a friend. It's not an S-Class secret so its not like it hurts anything." Asuma shrugged and said, "Just don't ask Kakashi any questions about it and you should be fine. At least in this case."

Sakura gave Asuma a confused glance, "Sensei, I don't make it a habit of telling other people's stories but I think preventing the impending tantrum it was the quickest way to diffuse the situation." She gestured to the tired man waking up on the floor, "Anything else to be shared is his business."

Kakashi groaned and opened his eyes, "What?" Sakura grinned, "You need to rest up for the next week…chakra exhaustion from that Sharingan of yours. Zabuza is still alive that Hunter nin was his accomplice...I guess it's time I start my mission. I'll look for em tomorrow." Sakura hopped up and left the room to ready herself for the meeting between the living legend of the Bloody Mist.

Kakashi looked at Asuma and said simply before falling asleep again, "I'm glad she's your student…I don't think I could handle her. We need to teach our kids about Hunter nin protocols." Asuma chuckled as his friend fell asleep and said to himself, "At least she keeps us on our toes…just like you used to if I recall Kakashi."

Sakura had skipped downstairs and began setting the table including pot place holders to prevent the cooked food from damaging the table below. She also began making tea and hiding some of the sake to prevent some of Tazuna's drinking habits in the presence of his emotionally vulnerable grandchild. Meanwhile, her mind was rushing from one thing to another and she intended to be in the forest with Naruto when he trained as that had been how he'd met Haku the first time.

The two teams including Asuma gathered at the table and waited for the equal servings to be seated and served with the family. Their hosts began to eat allowing the rest to follow suit and Sakura waited with Shikamaru for the lecture they knew was coming regarding being left unaware of the Hunter nin protocols that were no longer being taught at academy. 'Another thing to change in the future I hope.'

Once dinner finished Sakura began clearing the table and shooing Tsunami, Ino, and Chouji from the duty. "The cook never cleans after the meal, Naruto help me clear the table. Shikamaru and Sasuke you guys wash the dishes and I'll dry them." She looked over at Asuma, "Sensei, can you ask Tsunami for a list of what she will need for any meals? I know her feeding us tonight was very kind but we can't eat these people out of house and home and I would feel better if I grabbed some of it."

Asuma smiled and nodded before approaching the surprised Tsunami and gladly took to creating a list for the next several days as the mission would continue. Sasuke seemed to sulk as he cleaned but he didn't complain as he scraped any left-over food into the trash can and did a first rinse before passing the dishes to Shikamaru who scrubbed them clean. 'Troublesome, but I guess maybe we should start doing this at home. I'm sure Mom would stop nagging as much if I helped out.' Shikamaru considered how much she did without complaint and nodded becoming determined to do at least this much for his mother from now on.

Naruto moved to Asuma-sensei after he completed clearing the table, "Uh…Asuma-sensei?" He called uncertainty in his blue eyes. Asuma looked down curious, "Naruto, what can I help you with?" As Asuma tucked the list away he kept his eyes on the young boy. "I finished clearing the dishes from the table so they could clean and dry them but…what can I do to help now?"

Asuma took a moment before a thought came to him, "Can you help set up everyone's things so they can get to sleep tonight. I'm sure Shikamaru, Sasuke, and Chouji would appreciate it. Ino can handle her and Sakura's things." Naruto nodded and happily rushed off to do just that. Ten minutes later, Sasuke was the first to exit the kitchen his hands freshly washed and dried and he followed Naruto up the stairs to find his bedding and sleeping clothes out to change into. His toiletry kit to the side on a table close to the door. Sasuke looked at Naruto finishing Chouji's bedding as Shikamaru's had already been set up. 'I guess you're not completely oblivious to normal living…Dobe.'

Soon Shikamaru came in and changed lazily not caring that the others were in the room and grabbing his toothbrush and paste he headed to the bathroom, "Thanks Naruto." Soon enough Chouji entered the room after he had gone outside to check the perimeter with Ino. Ino was off to set up the bedding as Sakura was still in the kitchen. Tazuna actually stayed to help put the dishes in their appropriate spots he had observed the ease she seemed to handle everything around her and it made him curious. He wouldn't pry though…sometimes competence like hers came at a steep price. With tired eyes like hers…eyes that not even the sensei or other children but the other girl seemed to see. She may have already paid that price heavily. 'Poor girl forced to grow up without ever really getting to be a kid.'

Sakura knew the man was watching her and couldn't seem to care to pretend in his presence. She had nothing to hide she was a woman trapped in her childhood body forced to endure again. She refused to pretend in the night the one time she can relax herself even the slightest bit. 'Not as if people don't acknowledge I'm strange as it is.'

Soon enough all the people in the house were asleep except for Asuma, who has become the default protector of the group was while Kakashi was down in exhaustion, he would rest in the morning once he assigned tasks to the genin. Zabuza would be down for at least a week with the wounds he gained from Kakashi during their clash.

When morning came many of the genin quickly assembled into assigned jobs at mealtimes. Sakura saw Naruto leave to the market with Sasuke. Chouji and Ino again helped Tsunami in the kitchen as Shikamaru set up the table. Sakura was left to continue planning her approach to the temperamental swordsman. She knew he saw her Kubikiribocho replica necklace that his older and very much dead self said was not able to be replicated because the metal it was made from is gone. 'Will he listen?'

It was later the same day that Kakashi woke up and using crutches took both teams out to the trees to practice. Sakura waited for further instruction standing between Ino and Shikamaru with Chouji on Shikamaru's right. Naruto and Sasuke seemed eager for training to begin.

Kakashi gave a closed-eye smile as he was prone to do and asked, "Now has anyone ever walked up a tree without their hands?"

Sakura and Ino sheepishly raised their hands together. Hayate, Genma, and Inoichi had made sure they could use basic skills such as tree walking that would be needed. "Sakura can also water walk. I've been practicing but I haven't gotten it yet Kakashi-sensei." Ino commented to her sensei who hummed thoughtfully.

"Alright Sakura, seeing as you can do both tree and water walking care to demonstrate the process as I explain what the boys need to do?" Sakura nodded and moved to comply. She allowed her chakra to move to the bottom of her feet without too much power and began to walk steadily up the tree until she stood upside down on the highest branch still visible to the other students.

Kakashi below watched with critical eyes and nodded while explaining. "You need to have chakra in your feet as you attempt this but, too much and you will be pushed from the tree while damaging the trunk. Too little and you will slide right off because your feet weren't gripped to the tree at all. You boys may have a running start to get the hang of it."

As soon as the boys got started Kakashi made a clone and guided both girls to the water. Deep enough not to hurt themselves if they fell but, shallow enough that no one would drown. Sakura followed him in a steady slide while staying close to Ino who walked a few steps before she began slipping in. Sakura offered her hand to help Ino back onto the surface.

"Sakura, do you know what Ino's mistake is?" Kakashi asked curious to see if she picked up on it. Sakura took a moment to consider the possible mistakes and asked Ino, "Ino-chan, are you readjusting your chakra every few seconds or keeping it the same?"

"I'm keeping it the same…am I meant to change it?" Ino asked quizzically where Kakashi gladly informed her. "Exactly Ino-chan, you need to account for every wave, every fish. With tree walking your chakra remains level because the tree is still. Water on the other hand is always moving and changing so you have to adjust your chakra just the same."

Ino nodded and took a few moments to work on getting the chakra output correct and Sakura slid away slightly to give Ino more room to experiment. It took about an hour of Sakura catching her but she was finally able to get it down. Ino huffed as she sat down on land with Sakura next to her and asked Kakashi.

"Sensei, I know your technically Team 7's teacher but, is there any other training that Sakura and I can do to improve that won't interfere with what she may be learning from Asuma-sensei? I want to keep getting stronger."

Kakashi looked at both determined girls with a critical eye. She was multifaceted this Haruno-child. Ino had obviously grown a lot from her influence as she grasped a lot of his teachings mentioning her practicing with Sakura even before academy. "I can ask Asuma, what his team training plans are and see what we can come up with in the mean time you both should go keep an eye on the bridge builder for now."

Sakura and Ino both leapt to obey and moved to the bridge to help if they could. Tazuna greeted both girls and asked, "Just you two today?"

"Yes Sir! How can we help?" Sakura added at the end and together under careful instruction the girls used their abilities to help the bridgebuilders hold the support beams in place while they secured them using their tools and moved on to the next pillar to build. With the extra hands Tazuna was able to get a portion of the bridge finished sooner than expected. Releasing the men early, Tazuna turned to the girls and invited, "Let's get back to the house for an early lunch."

Ino looked to Sakura who shrugged with a smile and both followed the man to his house. Sakura looked back towards the other side of the bridge and said kindly with her lips no sound escaping, "See you around Haku-san!" She then skipped after the blonde who called her name.

~From the Treeline~

"Zabuza-sama is correct…there's something odd about that girl." The young man wore a green haori with brown hakama and a Hunter-nin mask over his face. His eyes following the pink haired anomaly as she stayed near her client like any kunoichi would. He moved to return to the hideout and speak with his master as ordered before returning to the woods to gather herbs.

As he entered the hut he saw Zabuza sitting up and staring out the window, "She is as odd as you said Zabuza-sama. She even knew me by name it seemed if I read her lips correctly." Zabuza turned his harsh eyes onto his apprentice. "Get the herbs tonight…those brats should be inside and no one should bother you then."

Haku bowed in agreement, "As you wish Zabuza-sama. What will we do about her?" Zabuza chuckled, "I have a feeling she'll come to us." Haku looked uncertain, "Is it wise to let her so close?" The man said calmly, "Only way to figure things out is face to face and no audience. I got a feeling it'll be worth it. If not, I'll kill the brat." Haku could only nod showing his understanding of his master's orders.

~Later that evening~

"I'm going out to train some more!" Naruto announced before taking off and Sakura looked to Asuma who nodded, "Keep an eye on him Sakura." Sakura nodded and followed Naruto easily tracing his chakra to a field in the forest filled with herbs. Sakura began gathering some for both herself and Haku knowing that these herbs are local to Wave and hard to find in Fire country. She felt a proper herbal supply may allow them to grow their own herbs in a greenhouse they were gifted with on Yamanaka lands to work on any poisons and antidotes they needed to. Genma and Hayate even filled out the license paperwork for them to work with the dangerous substances.

Sakura kept a close eye on Naruto's chakra levels and when they started getting too low she said gently, "Naruto, I know you're determined to get this but you need to head back to the house. Your chakra is running low and you're meant to be guarding Tazuna tomorrow while Shikamaru, Chouji, and Asuma head to secure our future alliance with the people of Nami no Kuni." Naruto nodded reluctant and said, "What about you?" Sakura grinned, "I'll be along in a while I have to finish with these herbs Naruto it's a delicate process to keep the roots intact."

Naruto nodded and left while yawning as Sakura chuckled, "Any longer and he would've fallen asleep out here. You can come out Haku-san. I'm sure you and your master have questions for me. I gathered some herbs you can use since I have more than enough to spare some." She felt the senbon pressed against her neck and sighed, "Front right pocket of my bag on the ground wrapped in paper. Take it out and see the wrapped item for yourself…you'll realize I don't mean you any harm."

A moment later a clone went into the instructed pocket and unwrapped the ice rabbit with it's coded message. He felt his own chakra in the rabbit and asked, "How?" Sakura replied, "Lead me to your master and I'll explain…I'd hate to have to explain this twice and I know you'll have lots of questions that I can't answer out in the open like this. It's not safe."

Sakura was given time to gather her things and allowed Haku to blindfold her and lead her in the direction supposedly South from where she'd been standing. She kept herself aware of her location using her chakra to follow from her current position to her team at all times. She would avoid getting lost that way. He was polite and told her when to step up and led her into a hut smelling of older wood. She could easily smell the blood and paste from his wounds. "You can add a dash of King's Foil weed in order to make that poultice stronger. It will heal open wounds in half the time from your current mixture."

Haku looked to Zabuza who smirked in amusement at the girl's comment. Haku then moved to the wall and stood silent after uncovering her eyes. Sakura took a moment to reestablish her ability to see in the current lighting turned to Zabuza with a smile, "Hello Zabuza-san, you don't know me but I know you and I can tell you're torn between curiosity and killing me so hopefully I can help answer some questions."

Zabuza pulled out the necklace while bringing his own slightly less damaged version out. "How and where did you get this necklace?" Sakura grinned, "From you but, not the now you, the future you that had died, Haku had also gave me the ice bunny which convinced him to lead me to you."

"Future me that died, time travel isn't a thing kid?" Zabuza said darkly and Sakura grinned, "You and I both know that these necklaces only had one of each of the 7 swords made. The metal they were made from no longer exists except in the necklaces and swords themselves." She handed the necklace over for him to check it.

"Say we believe you Kunoichi-san, why are you here?" Haku asked softly. Sakura turned sideways and backed against a way to face both of the men in the room. "Simple, when I died before, I was met with a group of people who wanted me to go back and change the past." She held up her hand, "Let me explain everything and at the end you both can ask questions, fair?" She waited for acknowledgment from both before continuing.

"A lot of good capable people died. You two were the first of many on my trip to become a full blown kunoichi who I witnessed dying. I come with gifts for you both, the necklace and rabbit were given to me by your older dead selves in the afterlife. The powers that be, wanted me to change the past starting with saving you two. More importantly, to prevent the 4th Shinobi War from taking place…it decimated all the Shinobi nations and only small contingents of each country survived because of it. I'm hoping that my gifts will be enough to show my earnest desire to see you as friends and allies in the future. I can't stop a war alone but, I can't tell everyone about where my knowledge of these events comes from either."

"What are these gifts?" Zabuza inquired and Sakura grinned, "Gift one coming up!" She pulled out her scroll for living prisoners and release the Demon Brothers. "I brought them back to you alive and intact." The brothers looked confused as they stared at the now amused Zabuza and surprised Haku. Sakura added, "I try not to kill unless absolutely necessary not because I'm nice but because I am a medic. I prefer to save lives rather than take them but, will kill if left with no other choice. Lucky for these two I wasn't forced to kill them."

Haku turned to Zabuza who asked, "The other gift?" Sakura grinned a bit darkly, "I have information regarding a rebellion being gathered from contacts of mine. They are being led by Terumi Mei to overthrow the Mizukage imposter. I figured since your goals aligned you'd appreciate the information." Sakura held the scroll, "Do we have an agreement, I give you this information for you to use as you wish and you help me prevent the 4th Shinobi War?"

Zabuza smirked, "I can agree to that. You did come back to "save" us after all. Anything I need to know?" Sakura grinned happily, "Gato doesn't like paying for his dirty work. Watch your backs and don't die at the bridge. Gato hires thugs and holds em to the last moment before killing those in his employ. He gets away with it because none of his previous victims saw it coming. Don't trust Gato." Sakura grinned, "I'm sure you can get the money owed to you once he's dead. It will be fun! Also, I have a Samehada necklace too so if you catch Kisame just let him know I'll be looking for him eventually?"

She then took that moment to reclaim her necklace of kubikiribocho and turned to exit the hut with a cheery, "See you guys later!" Haku looked from the confused Demon Brothers to his master. "Zabuza-sama, are you sure of this?"

Zabuza looked serious to Haku, "Haku, she wasn't lying when she said the metal was gone. I tested the necklace and it's real. That rabbit resonates with your chakra and she told the truth. No details beyond what she needed to for her point to get across but that's the point. She can't be compromised and needs allies. We'll answer when the time comes."

Haku nodded, "Understood Zabuza-sama."

ZIL: Hey all hope you enjoy this update I am working on Tattered Soul and will soon be moving on in a cycle to update my other fandom works! Please review and let me know what you think!