Here is the next chapter, enjoy!

Sakura was lying in the dirt, chest heaving as she cursed the world. There were some things about being a shinobi-in-training she hated, and in this very moment she was dealing with two of them, dirt between her toes and her own ineptitude with physical exercise.

This wasn't normal, it couldn't be. She never had issues when she was younger, but as soon as she hit the age of nine the Burning appeared in all facets of her life. Since then it was always there whenever she tried to train. Not as bad as it was around Uzumaki, but with training the Burning was a hot bubbling feeling that was constantly present. It was irritating, made her overheat faster, and slowed her progress but it was mostly ignorable, until now at least. Sakura wasn't stupid, she knew she celebrated her twelfth birthday yesterday, that was the only thing in her life that changed recently, but why did that matter? Was this thing mutating? She didn't have to do much for it to act up.

Doing a few sets of pushups? A flare up.

Running ten laps? A flare up.

Doing fifty crunches?

'Let me guess, a flare up?'

Sakura's lips twitched.

'Inner! Welcome back, finally decided to show up?'

'What can I say, when a girl's busy, she's busy.'

'Its been a week.'

'Yes, some... things came up. Don't worry about it.'

Sakura narrowed her eyes in response, but let it go. Inner has always been a little vague but Sakura figured it was just another facet of her own personality. Groaning Sakura rolled over onto her stomach, taking a moment to compose herself before attempting round two. Those flare ups really did take it out of her, her body was incredibly sore. Standing up Sakura did some light stretching, making sure to hit all of her muscles.

'Sooo... what did I miss?'

'Nothing much, the alcohol experiment was a bust, didn't mask the Burning at all. Got caught by Iruka-sensei though so we're going to have to lay low for a bit. Had a few more incidents pop up, repeat ones with the green guy. Overall, just normal stuff.'

'Ugh, I was really hoping that the booze would have done it. Any luck on the neurology front?'

'No, still in the research phase. I'm going to take my time before I start messing with that. Maybe even take some medic-nin classes at the hospital, but I might need to wait until genin before I can do that.'

'Agreed. Now, stop procrastinating and get back to it!'

'No.'

'Don't give me that. Sha?'

'Fine... Na'rro.'

Sakura felt Inner's happiness wash over her at that, which was a surprise. Inner usually kept up a mental wall so they never shared emotions. Once she was loosened Sakura began to run, the heat building once more. The pain in her muscles kept it at bay for more than a few laps, and if it weren't for her physical condition she might have enjoyed the run. But like all good things, it was completely ruined when the Burning decided it was the sun and set off a flare on solar levels. Sakura collapsed to her knees, the pain radiating from the back of her neck all the way to her toes. She bit her tongue on the way down and the iron taste that coated her mouth made her gag.

Why was it always like this? What did she do to deserve this?

'Sakura...'

Inner's voice snapped her out of her wallowing, but it couldn't appease the rage building inside her. She was a month into her final year at the Academy, she was graduating soon! If this stupid disease didn't exist she would be top of her class in both the physical and academic aspects of the Academy! But no, the Burning wouldn't let her do anything. Sakura let out a screech and began to pound the dirt below her fists. She would fix this, and show it just what a Haruno could do. Sakura laid her forehead on the ground and breathed, her fists unclenching. Despite her frustrations she had improved within the past few years having the Burning, and the more comfortable she got with the exercises the later it would take to affect her. Despite the unwanted mutation she would just have to endure through the pain. Sakura could only hope she could solidify her foundation before graduation. In the meantime she would just have to solve any issues she encounters with the least amount of effort. Difficult, but doable. If the Nara can do it she sure as hell can.

There has to be a reason for this, all of it. If only she had more resources, maybe once she became a shinobi she could find the truth? Just first she would have to get there, and she will get there.

There is no doubt in her mind.

Once a sense of calm was restored, Sakura stood up and brushed herself off before heading home to shower and change before class.

She did have a reputation after all.

.

It was her favorite time of the day again, sparring.

Fun... not. Why would something that causes the Burning be fun?

Sakura leaned against a tree, her eyes lazily roaming over the figures of her classmates. Her gaze caught sight of purple hair, which made her perk up a bit. Oh Ami, she really did try to bully Sakura when they were little, but she reached beyond her station on that one. She would never let her forget it, because actions do have consequences and that was something Sakura was willing to help her understand.

Wasn't she nice?

Even the Burning ignored her, which said a lot. After a few minutes of dedicated staring, Ami's eyes finally locked with hers. Sakura bared a smile full of teeth. Watching Ami's face pale at the sight of her almost made up for the disaster of a morning, almost. She should try to pair up with Inuzuka again for the next project. His sister might be home so Sakura can steal more body language, a win-win in her point of view. Inuzuka gets put in his place by his sister and Sakura learns something new to use against Ami. If she got paired up with Ami in sparing today maybe it would be fun, even though the odds of that were slim. Ami can just suck it, shouldn't have tried picking on her in the first place. Ami was fair game unlike Uzumaki, whose only crime against her was just being an idiot. Sakura would have continued her plotting if it wasn't for the high-pitched squealing that stole her attention.

Ah, the Uchiha was up. Looking at the boy in question, Sakura took her time admiring his form. Black hair, fair skin, toned body with strong yet delicate features. He was a budding beauty in all appearances. Even Uzumaki was decent to look at, albeit too short and skinny for her, he really needed to bathe more too. No, the Uchiha was the closest to her standards, physically.

Too bad he ruined it when he opened his mouth.

Sakura sighed, it just wasn't meant to be. There was no one in her class that could match her, she wasn't dating uncultured swine. Besides, she wasn't focused on being in a relationship right now, she had too many things to do. Plus, she made a promise. Even if her favorite person was no longer around, she wouldn't date until she was sixteen.

It was one of the few things she had left.

Sakura watched as Uchiha sparred with Shino. The two trading blows using their clan styles which had her ignoring the twinge of jealousy. Bug boy was pretty good, still creepy, but he put up a decent fight. The two gave each other the sign of reconciliation and upon turning away Uchiha's eyes locked with Sakura's. She could have groaned out loud, because upon eye contact the Burning flared.

Again.

Sakura broke the contact but sauntered closer to the ring, each step she took towards the Uchiha slightly lessened the pain, but only if she was literally right on top of him did it go away, and that outcome was unacceptable. No way was she being seen as one of that squealing species, it was beneath her. Just another reason why he was unworthy to date her. He may be pretty but she wasn't going to suffer through the pain of the Burning and his personality. At least with Uzumaki he was nice, and the worst of the pain was one and done even if the Burning never went away, but with the Uchiha it was a constant annoyance unless they were attached at the hip. Sakura liked her freedom thank you, and she didn't want to develop a crutch. Honestly, what a waste of good looks.

"Up next, Haruno Sakura and Ami! Please come to the ring."

'Now Sakura, control yourself.'

'I won't beat her too bad, Inner. I do have control when it comes to her.'

'That's not what I'm worried about Sakura. You already had some pretty bad flare ups today. Your body is in rough shape right now. Don't overdo it.'

Her brow furrowed, it was true her body should have recovered by now but hadn't ever since that last flare up at her training session this morning. She should end this spar quickly.

'Thanks for looking out for me Inner.'

'Always, Sha?'

'Na'rro.'

Sakura approached the ring, doing her very best to contain the smirk that wanted to escape. Oh she was going to enjoy this, Iruka-sensei must be feeling bad about their talk the other day, otherwise she couldn't explain this match up. Considering the last time they sparred Sakura broke her nose, that would be the only thing that made sense. She was almost to the ring when a leg darted out in front of her. Instead of stepping straight into it, Sakura stepped on an angle and thrusted her body into the leg's owner, causing them to trip and slam their side into the ground. Did she get a flare up? Yes. Was it worth it? One hundred percent.

"What was that for Forehead!"

"Don't try to trip me, Yamanaka."

Two shadows walked over to the fallen heiress. Of course Nara and Choji would be here.

"Troublesome."

Sakura glanced at the Nara before ignoring him. Choji was alright, but Nara can go jump in a hole. Intelligent, had a normal body, an abundant amount of resources at his fingertips, yet he still was a lazy sack of potatoes who did nothing. Everything he had Sakura wanted, and for him to squander that away was insulting.

"Just stay out of my way and go back to your minions." With a slight shooing motion Sakura turned to walk away. From the few oofs she could hear behind her she knew that the two boys were having a hard time holding the heiress back.

"How was I ever friends with a person like you!"

Sakura paused. Friends? When were they friends? Sure she went over her house for a project a time or two, suffered through some awkward staring and family dinners, but they never hung out besides that.

"What are you talking about? We were never friends."

"Forehead are you dumb, do you not remember the ribbon? The flower? Ami?"

Ribbon? What ribbon? Sakura didn't even wear ribbons, and she took care of Ami herself. What was Yamanaka talking about? She just gained some more evidence, because this never happened.

"No." Sakura stated honestly.

Yamanaka stopped struggling and really looked at Sakura. Her blue eyes showing her intelligence that she normally hid.

"You're not lying are you."

Sakura shook her head.

Yamanaka looked like she wanted to say something but swallowed her words.

"Sakura, please make your way to the ring." She heard Iruka-sensei call from the side.

The two girls shared a look of confusion before Sakura turned and walked away. Putting the incident aside for later Sakura shook her head to focus. She wanted to enjoy her spar with Ami, no matter how short it would be. Sakura and Ami faced off against each other, gave their signs, and waited.

"Begin!"

At the sound of those words Sakura darted towards Ami only to stop short of hitting her nose. In her fear Ami backed up a few steps before holding her hands up in a shaky guard position. Sakura parried a few strikes aimed towards her face all while steadily moving closer. In an attempt to create some distance Ami leapt back and spun into a roundhouse kick towards her head. Ducking the kick Sakura sprung up close to the purple haired girls head. Sakura's face frozen in imitation of one she had not seen in years.

"Boo."

One startled yelp later and Ami jumped back quick enough that she lost her balance and fell outside the ring.

"Haruno Sakura, winner! Take a ten minute break everyone before we head back inside. Sakura, a moment."

Sakura shoulders slumped, knowing that she was going to be reamed out for her behavior, and despite getting called out a second time by Iruka-sensei within the last few days, she did not enjoy disappointing her teachers, or making it a common occurrence. Bending down Sakura hauled Ami up and the two performed the sign of reconciliation, before Sakura's face wore a mask of disinterest once more. Only during sparring would Sakura bother Ami after all, she did have standards.

Sakura could feel the eyes on her. It's not often she gets called out by Iruka-sensei, and from the tone of voice he used earlier her classmates knew it was not for a good reason. Sakura gave a quick glance, eyes roaming as she mentally checked off who was not getting help prepping for the next test when her gaze connected with the Uchiha once more. Her face contorted in disgust when the Burning exploded. The Uchiha recoiled slightly at the look before giving a death glare of his own and walking away. She only had a moment of reprieve before she felt the person behind her and turned around.

"Sakura."

"Intimidation is a perfectly acceptable skill to use as a shinobi Sensei."

"Sakura."

"I thought it would be better than a break to the nose Sensei, and given our–"

Sakura was cut off when a hand touched her shoulder. She glanced up and saw the 'I'm not mad just disappointed' look and wilted.

"The use of fear, though perfectly acceptable in the field, should not be used when its directed towards our own comrades, Sakura. I know you are capable enough to beat Ami without using it or giving her a broken nose. You are a very intelligent girl Sakura, I know you can figure it out."

"Yes Sensei."

"Good, now I don't want to see this behavior again ok?"

"I understand Sensei."

.

The rest of the day went by in a blur, when Iruka-sensei called her out the other day on the drinking it didn't affect her nearly as bad as today. Sakura was so out of it that she didn't notice when she arrived home, or when her mother's arms were wrapped around her body.

What a great shinobi she'll be.

"What's wrong, my pink sugar plum?" Mebuki asked, her arms still firmly planted around her daughters shoulders.

"Just a tough day, that's all." Sakura responded, nuzzling into her mother's chest.

"Well, if anyone can get through it, its you my favorite daughter!"

"Mom, I'm your only daughter."

"True, and my only child. Wait till I tell the neighbors that I have a favorite!" Sakura could feel her mother's chest shake at her own joke, but the words themself caused her eyes to mist up. Sakura pulled back in a hurry, moving towards the stairs.

"I'm going to go to my room and get cleaned up and changed. I will be down later for dinner."

"Well, don't get too lost up there and remember, the bathroom is not a library!"

Nodding to her mother's words Sakura sprinted up the stairs to her room before closing the door in a panic. With a sense of urgency Sakura moved towards her bed and pulled out a small box from under it. From inside she took out a worn picture and a beat up hitai-ate. With the two items Sakura went to the corner of the room and sat down staring at both. The picture had two kids who looked alike, pink hair and green eyes. The older one a boy looking to be in his mid teens and the younger a girl of maybe seven or eight years of age. When Sakura felt the tears begin to slide down her cheeks she hugged the photo to her chest, refusing to allow her moment of weakness to dirty it. It wasn't the first time her mother said something like that, but she still didn't understand.
Sniffling a few times, Sakura asked.

"Why... why don't Mom and Dad remember you?"

Silence was her only answer, of course it was. She would never get the answer to the biggest incident in her life so easily. Everything that happened today was too much. Taking the time to put her two treasures back in their spot Sakura showered and went to lay down. She really wished this day would just be over already.

.

When Sakura fell asleep that night Inner took some time to contemplate things. She knew when she first appeared that she would get attached, who wouldn't love a small happy pink child? Still, seeing Sakura bear such a heavy weight made her feel useless, even though Inner being in her mind was helping Sakura more than she could imagine.

'I promise I will help you fix everything Sakura. I won't allow them to make you like the others. That, is my promise. Sha Na'rro.'

Poor Sakura, she is in over her head. Anyways, thanks for reading!