Bluebreeze27 : Hello there! Surprised? Heh. I updated! :) I just felt happy with the response for the last chapter I just had to update! So if y'all want the next chapter uploaded quickly, y'all know what to do! (Review of course) *ehem* Anywhoo. This chapter's quite long. Hope you guys enjoy this, okay?

Note : Just to clarify for the Final Matches (Thanks to Genuinely-Unique for pointing that out) Here:

Match 1 : Gaara V.S. Sasuke - Winner 1

Match 2 : Kankuro V.S. Shino - Winner 2

Match 3 : Temari V.S. Shikamaru - Winner 3

Match 4 : Neji V.S. Naruto - Winner 4

Match 5 : Dosu V.S. Sakura - Winner 5 (gets a bye - rest for 2 rounds)

Match 6 : Winner 1 V.S. Winner 2 - Winner 6

Match 7 : Winner 3 V.S. Winner 4 - Winner 7 (gets a bye - rest for 1 round)

Match 8 : Winner 5 V.S. Winner 6 - Winner 8

Match 9 : Winner 7 V.S. Winner 8 - CHAMPION :)

I hope the order became clear! I tried my best! :) I asked an athlete friend what exactly is a bye. He said it meant standby? Ha ha ha. Anyway. Sorry if I got things wrong.

Warnings : Hints of KurenaixAsuma (My first actual canon pairing) and slight ShikaSaku. Bastardly Neji-kun.

Note (again!) : I still don't know who should I pair with Saku-chan. Help me out guys. Who would you like? Put your bets in your reviews! Should I add Kiba as a contender of Sakura's heart?

Disclaimer : Naruto is not mine.

Chapter Eleven : Good & Bad News, Week with Team 7 and Hell Grounds

Good & Bad News

When Sakura regained consciousness, she found herself in a familiar place-a hospital room. The ever sterile scent of the hospital never failed to make her feel drowsy. She sighed and closed her eyes, savoring the rare silence. That silence, however, was short lived.

"Sakura-chan!" Sakura's obnoxiously loud team mate, Uzumaki Naruto barged into the room.

Sakura was about to respond when she heard a loud smack. She closed her eyes again, curiosity burning in her.

"Itai! Sasuke-teme! What was that for?"

SMACK!

"Kakashi-sensei! Itai yo!" Naruto whined.

"Be quiet, dobe. Sakura's sleeping." She heard the aloof (well, almost stoic) Uchiha Sasuke sneer.

"Naruto. You don't want to disturb Sakura's rest, now do you?" Kakashi said in a deceptively bored way, all three of his students heard the threat in there. Be quiet or I'll make you. They all shuddered. Hatake Kakashi was one scary man.

"No.." Naruto replied. Sakura could almost hear the pout in his voice.

Sakura decided to remain "sleeping". There were shuffling sounds-of her three boys seating, but other than that, the room was surprisingly quiet.

She felt oddly touched.

Three sharp raps on the door caught Team 7's attention. The door opened slightly.

"Ehm, is Sakura here?" Ino Yamanaka's voice rang loud and clear.

Kakashi's eye crinkled in a polite smile. "Why yes, Ino-san. Was there anything you need?"

Ino entered the room. She walked towards her best friend's bed and produced a bouquet of fresh lilies. "Nothing really, just wanted to check on forehead. Um, Kakashi-sensei, is Sakura okay?"

"Yes. The medics told us she'd be up soon."

Ino let out a relieved sigh. "That's good then.."

For a moment, silence reigned in the room. Ino sighed. "Well, got to go now then. Please tell Sakura to...talk to me when she has time?"

Sakura strained her ears to hear some sort of response from the boys but there was none.

"Thank you then, I'll be going." With that, the door closed.

'It's too quiet.' Sakura can't help but complain in her head. 'Or I'm just too used to Naruto's loudness..'

Sakura's eye twitched. That small movement caught Naruto's attention and called her out on it. "Sakura-chan?"

'Huh. The jig's up.' She groaned and opened her eyes. "Naruto? Sasuke? Kaka-sensei?"

"Yes?" She simultaneous replies echoed in the room. "Are you okay, Sakura/Sakura-chan? Was there anything you need?"

Three pairs of eyes blinked. Kakashi's eye just crinkled.

"Did you guys rehearse that?"

"What? No!"

With that, Sakura giggled. "You guys are too cute!" Laughing openly at how horrified the boys look at her compliment, Sakura can't control her glee. "See!"

The boys stared at her, almost unnoticeable blushes on their faces. Kakashi faked a cough. " Anyway, you okay, Sakura?"

"Yes, sensei." Sakura grinned. "That was some laugh."

"We noticed." Sasuke deadpanned.

"Anyway. What happened to the match?"

"Well.." Kakashi scratched at his neck. "There's some good and bad news actually. For you three. Why don't you boys sit down for a sec?"

His three students stared at him curiously. Sasuke sat down on Sakura's bed, leaving Naruto no choice but to sit down on the vacant chair. Which he did, as he glared at Sasuke.

"Do you want to hear the good news first? Or the bad news?" Kakashi asked.

"Good, sensei." Sakura replied.

"Well, the three of you passed the preliminaries. Congratulations, team!"

Sakura smiled in relief. To be honest, she was nervous that she didn't make it. She wanted to be chunin. With her team mates. Sasuke smirked and Naruto grinned.

"I am proud of you guys." Kakashi added. "So here's the thing, you have different opponents for the final matches. Sasuke will go first, against Gaara of the Sand. Then Naruto against Hyuga Neji. Finally, Sakura will be fighting Dosu of Sound."

"Eh? Is that the arrangement, sensei? How about the others?" Sakura blinked.

"Ah, eh, no. That was just you three. I just skipped the other matches. Sakura, your match is actually the fifth."

"Oh."

"So. You have been given a month to train. Can you see the problem here, guys?"

"You won't be able to train us all at the same time." Sasuke replied. He knew as much. He figured Kakashi would be having trouble with all three of them passing the preliminaries.

"Sasuke is correct. However, my cute genin, I have a solution." Kakashi smiled. His kids were getting brighter each day.

"Ha?" Naruto asked.

'Well, two of them were getting brighter.' Kakashi sighed. "For the first week, I will consume all of your time. All three of you. This coming Monday to Wednesday, I will be training Naruto while you two watch over us. Then on Thursday to Saturday, it's Sakura's turn to train while the boys observe. Finally, on Sunday, Team 7 will be resting. We will eat out together, my treat."

"What about Sasuke-teme? When will you train him?" Naruto asked. He didn't like the fact that Sasuke will be out of the loop, even if he thought that Sasuke was a bastard.

Sasuke snorted. 'Idiot.'

"Sasuke will be trained by Kaka-sensei for the rest of the month, Naruto." Sakura said.

"That's not fair!" Naruto whined.

"Well, it's obviously the right choice though. With that snake sannin wanting Sasuke, Kakashi-sensei will be able to protect him at the same time, teaching Sasuke about his Sharingan." Sakura explained.

With the mention of Orochimaru, Team 7 tensed. Sasuke looked at Sakura. She seemed to forget that she was also targeted by the snake bastard.

"What about you, Sakura? You are also targeted. By both that snake bastard and your sister." Sasuke interjected.

"I'll have Sayaa-san. I was planning to ask her help me with the Kekkei Genkai." Sakura thought for a moment. "If we really stop to think about it, Renge-nee's appearance will not be entirely bad, you see.."

Sasuke's face darkened. Naruto's hands clenched in a fist while Kakashi tensed visibly.

"Before you explode though, hear me out." Sakura pleaded with her team. "Renge-nee...will probably won't come to hunt me yet. She told me to get stronger so that I could pose a fight when she comes to fight me. With Renge-nee's presence, Orochimaru will be forced to back off from me and he would focus more on Sasuke. Besides, he wants Sasuke. I was just an after-thought-an extra."

Sakura let her words sink for a few moments before speaking again. "Guys, I am Fujisaki-Haruno Sakura, the kuniochi of Team 7. Do you really think, I'll let myself be taken away from you?"

In an instant, she was engulfed in a hug. By her three boys. She blinked and they were back to their places.

"Sakura's right. I am the only one that can help Sasuke with his Sharingan so I have to train him. Do you understand, Naruto?"

"Yes, Kakashi-sensei." Naruto replied.

"Good. But don't worry though, I have asked colleagues of mine to help you two out. Naruto, you will be training under Ebisu-sensei to hone your basic skills. Before you complain, your basic skills are important. If you could get to improve them, you will be able to use chakra more efficiently. Sakura, you will be under Yuhi Kurenai-sensei. She is a master genjutsu specialist and she will be able to train you with that field effectively-more effectively than me." Kakashi stopped to take a breath. He waited for some violent reactions and grinned when there was none. "During the first week, I will be teaching you two some tips and jutsu so don't worry. I will never abandon you guys."

Sakura smiled. "We know, sensei, we know."

Uchiha Sasuke calmly walked to his destination, his favorite weapons store. With his hand inside his pocket, he entered the shop.

"Welcome!" Sasuke turned to look at the person who greeted him. It was Tenten of Team Gai. "Was there something you needed, Sasuke-san?"

"Yes. A senbon set." He replied as his eyes looked around the shop.

"You don't seem like the senbon-type of ninja to me." Tenten commented offhandedly, searching for the best set they have there.

"I'm not." The Uchiha shrugged. "Also..get me some explosive tags and a set of shuriken. And elemental paper."

Tenten gathered everything the boy asked for. "Here they are. So..why buy a senbon set when you don't use 'em?" She took Sasuke's payment and opened the cashier.

"It's a gift."

Tenten grinned. "Is it for a girl?"

Sasuke kept quiet and took his bag then turned to leave. Tenten shook her head. The Uchiha was just as hopeless as her Hyuga team mate.

"I'd suggest flowers as gift though!" She called out.

Sasuke turned to look at her. "She's not that kind of girl. Besides, these will be more useful." With those words, he left the shop.

Tenten gaped at the boy. "Why are men so...stupid? Oh wait, that's cause he's a ninja." She chuckled to herself and at her family's long time valued customer.

Iruka watched as Naruto slurped down his fourth ramen bowl and sighed. Sure he wanted to take Naruto out for a celebration but the boy would probably spend all his money.

"Naruto, slow down! Or you might choke!" He scolded the boy lightly.

True to Iruka's words, Naruto choked on his ramen. Iruka quickly handed him a glass of water. "Thanks Iruka-sensei!"

"So, who are you going to train with this month?"

Naruto made a face but grunted a reply. "Ebisu-sensei."

"Oh? Konohamaru-kun's instructor?"

"Kakashi-sensei said I had to hone my basic skills. I guess he's right." Naruto stopped eating and looked at Iruka. "Iruka-sensei, what do you think would girls like a gift?"

Iruka's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Hm. Flowers?"

"Meh."

"How about sweets?"

"Well.."

"Who is it?"

"Oh. It's Sakura-chan. I wanted to give her a gift." Naruto started on his fifth ramen bowl. "Hmm. Maybe even the teme and Kakashi-sensei."

"Oh? Why?"

"Coz we're not gonna meet for a month. It's like a don't-forget-me-gift?" Even Naruto looked confused at his own words that Iruka had to chuckle.

"If it's Sakura, I bet you she'd like anything you give her. I suggest giving useful things though. Sakura is a practical girl. As for your other team mates, some kunai or even shuriken would do."

Naruto beamed. "Thanks, Iruka-sensei!"

Iruka smiled fondly at the boy. "Want me to help you pick the gifts out?"

'Team 7 is a good team for Naruto.'

The bells of the door ringed, signaling the arrival of a customer. Ino looked up and saw her best friend. "Forehead!"

"Ino-pig." Sakura approached the crouching girl by the potted flowers. "You wanted to talk?"

"Yeah, hold on." Ino stood up. "Mom! I'm gonna go out with Sakura, okay?" She bellowed out.

A muffled agreement from Mrs. Yamanaka made the two girls smile. Mrs. Yamanaka has always been kind and lenient to the girls.

Ino led Sakura out into their backyard garden. And they continued out to their meadow. Both girls flopped down on the cool grass.

"So?"

"I just..wanted to say sorry for you know.."

"It's okay, Ino-chan. I hope you're not mad at me for keeping it a secret though."

Ino snorted. "Well. Now that I stopped to think about it, it kind of pisses me off that you didn't trust me enough to tell me that...but I understand."

Sakura's eyes teared up. "Thanks."

Ino glanced at Sakura. "You okay though?"

"Yep. I...have Team 7 and you and Sayaa-san. I am fine." Sakura smiled. "Anyway, care to help me?"

"In what?"

"Well. I wanted to get my team gifts."

Ino raised a brow. "Sure."

The Haruno Household seemed like a dark and eerie place without Sakura in it. Sayaa sighed as she sat down the couch. She had been out in the lower districts of Konoha healing kids there for the duration of Sakura's Chunin Exam to occupy herself.

Sayaa was drifting off due to exhaustion when the front door squeaked open. Sayaa immediately stood up in a defensive position, holding out a kunai.

"Sayaa-san? Why is too dark here?" A soft voice resounded in the living room.

"Sakura-san?" Sayaa dropped her kunai and she engulfed the girl in a tight hug. "You're back!"

"Oof!"

"Oh, thank Kami! Are you okay? Did you pass? Any injuries?" Sayaa's hand glowed green as it swept over Sakura's body. "Good, no internal injuries but it seems as if you are exhausted. Silly me! Of course you are."

Sakura giggled. "I am okay, Sayaa-san. And yes, I passed so I have one month to prepare."

"To prepare? I think there's a lot to talk about." They sat down on the couch.

"Sayaa-san. I have news."

"Good or bad?"

"Both." Sakura smiled in irony. 'Just like Team 7's news. Ha ha.'

Sayaa sighed. "Tell me."

"Yeah. Um. Renge-nee found me in the forest but she helped me escape Orochimaru. And she said I had my First Manifestation of the Fujisaki Kekkei Genkai. And I am in the finals and I want you to help me train my Kekkei Genkai for this month."

Sakura's eyes bulged when Sayaa fell in a fainted heap.

"Oh dear...I should have just told her the good news first.." Sakura mumbled to herself as she tried to wake her pseudo-aunt.

Week with Team 7

As usual, Sasuke arrived first at their bridge. He leaned on the railing and patiently waited for his team mates. Sasuke's mind wandered on to their first meeting. He hated them all-at first.

"Che." He grunted at his thoughts.

But Team 7 grew on him. Like a freaking mushroom. Even the stupid dobe managed to worm his way inside his heart. Sasuke learned that he cared too much for his team more than he'd like to admit.

The dobe was undoubtedly his best friend/rival and brother. It hurt to think that Naruto was like a brother to him when his real brother left him behind. But it hurt more to deny that Naruto was already family to him.

Then there was Kakashi. He was like the overly annoying and perverted young uncle/father figure for Sasuke. Kakashi was his role model now, now that Itachi was gone. If only Kakashi stopped reading his porn in front of them, Sasuke would've respected him more.

Finally, there was their Sakura. Sasuke wan't sure where Sakura fit in into his little new family. He cared for her like a brother would his little sister but there was just times that he wanted to-to freaking keep her for himself. He twitched. He liked Sakura. He really really liked her. But at the same time he was confused. Sister or crush? Sasuke didn't know.

"Ohayo Sasuke!" Ah..speak of the de-angel. Sakura lifted herself on the railing beside him. "Have you eaten breakfast yet?"

He looked at her. "Hn."

Sakura raised a delicate brow. "I am guessing that's a no. Here have an apple." She handed him a shiny red apple. "It's fresh." She then proceeded to chew on her own apple.

"Thanks." He ate his own. His thoughts returned to their previous topic. Sister or crush? He still doesn't know. But for now, this was enough. He decided as the two of them fell into companionable silence as they waited for their other team mates.

After a few more minutes, Naruto bounded into view. Brother or not, Sasuke never failed to miss an opportunity to diss the blonde.

"You're late. Dobe." He grunted. And to Sasuke's satisfaction, Naruto blew up.

"Shut up te-!" Naruto suddenly broke off his sentence, azure eyes fixated behind Sasuke. Sasuke and Sakura turned behind them. Sasuke's eyes widened. Sakura fell backward into the river in surprise.

"Yo!" Kakashi held his female student. "Careful there, Kura. We wouldn't want you to get wet."

Monday was hell for the blonde. In retrospect, it was also difficult for Sakura and Sasuke to watch their team mate being trashed around like that. Hatake Kakshi was one cruel man.

"Itai!"

"Ouch!"

"Sensei!"

"Focus more on gathering chakra on your hands." Kakashi's voice boomed out and then a loud smack echoed in the training grounds. "Run faster, Naruto! You two! Watch here and learn at the same time."

Sasuke's eye twitched and Sakura flinched. They were caught not observing.

"Ow!"

"Poor Naruto..." Sakura mumbled as she saw Naruto (and his clones) standing on their hands on boiling hot water that Kakashi conjured up on the grounds while carrying heavy sand bags on his feet while Kakashi constantly attacked the blonde.

"Hn.." Sasuke reluctantly agreed.

Suddenly, Sakura flinched then stiffened. "What? What is it, Sakura?"

Sakura turned to look at him, emerald eyes bright with fright. "What if..what if.."

Sasuke held her shoulders. "What if?"

"Ow, damn it!"

"Ow!"

"What if that training is like mine too? I mean.. I'm not s-scared or anything..but.."

Sasuke's eyes bled red in comprehension. But he forced himself to calm down. "Don't worry Sakura. I know Kakashi won't do that to you." 'Besides, the dobe and I won't allow it.'

"Sensei!" Naruto whined in the background.

Tuesday and Wednesday went pretty much the same. Sakura and Sasuke watched as Naruto got beaten up by the suddenly strict sensei of theirs.

But eventually, they saw the reason why Kakashi had to do that to Naruto. Naruto was a heavy hitter. And with Kakashi's hellish training, he managed to increase Naruto's upper body's strength at the same time, his chakra control.

Thursday came and Sakura arrived at their bridge wearing a simple sleeveless turtleneck and her black tights. She was obviously nervous but when Kakashi turned to announce what her training was, all she could do was gape at him.

"Sensei?"

"Yes Kura-chan?" Kakashi had the gall to grin innocently at her.

Sakura scowled fiercely. Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi had to stifle various kinds of laughter at her cuteness. "You're kidding, right?"

"Nope. Sakura, your training for today is to meditate while balancing yourself on the river. Simple enough, right?"

Sakura looked at the so called river. It looked normal. But she just couldn't believe that her training would be just that. "And here...I was prepared to die, sensei."

Kakashi chuckled and ruffled her hair. "No, I wouldn't want my favorite student to die now, would I?"

"If you're sure..." Sakura slipped off her sandals and tied her hair up. She turned to the river and was about to proceed with her task when Kakashi stopped her.

"Here, Sakura. Tie this around your waist." Kakashi handed her a thick and durable rope. "Tie it securely."

Sakura followed her sensei's orders dutifully.

"No, tighter." Kakashi arranged the knot. "We wouldn't want you to drift away. Yosh. Now go."

Sakura walked towards the edge of the river and immediately focused chakra on her feet and calmly walked to the center of the river. "Whoa." She mumbled. The river that looked deceptively calm from afar was actually a river that led to a freaking waterfall. She looked back at her boys watching her intently.

"Is anything wrong?" Kakashi asked her innocently.

She sighed. "Nothing really." And with that she sat down on the river, raging currents or not.

Sakura dutifully sat there silently, meditating and focusing intently on the chakra on her bum when she had to move a little to the right to avoid an incoming kunai aimed at her throat.

Instantly, her concentration snapped and she fell into the waters. Thankful for the rope, she didn't end up getting washed away.

"Sakura!" "Sakura-chan!"

Spluttering out water, she shouted, "I'm okay!" Then looking like a drowned puppy, she emerged from the water and regulated her chakra to steady herself.

"Eh, Sakura-chan, what happened?"

"Erm, my concentration just snapped. He he.." Sakura noticed Sasuke looking at her weirdly while Kakashi looked oddly relieved.

All throughout the day, Kakashi aimed projectiles at her. Sakura had to gibe her sensei some major credit though. Her teammates never caught him and she had the hardest time avoiding the projectiles and concentrating.

"You look like a cute drowned puppy, Sakura-chan."

"Hn."

"I agree with Naruto, Sakura."

"Shut up." She then sneezed.

After just three days frolicking in the waters (Naruto's words, not hers), Sakura felt more attuned to water and her senses and chakra control improved greatly.

Sakura shivered. She was sopping wet.

"Sakura, here." Kakashi handed her a small sleeveless turtle neck, navy blue in color, looking a lot like the black one she was currently wearing.

"Oh, thanks sensei. Is this yours?" She took the shirt and went behind some trees to change. "Whoa, this fits me perfectly."

Kakashi scratched at his cheek when Sakura came out wearing his old shirt. "Yeah, used to be mine. Is that alright with you?"

"Anything that can keep me calm is better than okay with me, sensei."

Kakashi faked a cough, though it sounded embarrassed to the three student's ears. "Anyway, here. Take one each." He held out some strips of paper. His students followed obediently. "Now hold them and channel a small amount of chakra in it."

The three did as asked.

Naruto's paper split cleanly in half.

Sasuke's paper wrinkled then ignited and turned to ash.

Sakura's paper became soppy then tuned to dirt and crumbled away.

"Huh. Naruto's element is wind. Sasuke has two : fire then lightning. And Sakura has water and earth." Kakashi grinned. Now that we know, here you go." He tossed Naruto a scroll.

"What's this for?" Naruto asked.

"That's a scroll detailing on how to become more attuned to your element. If you can master that, then you can learn some wind-based jutsus, which I will be teaching you after the exams."

Kakashi turned to Sakura and handed her three scrolls. "The first one is all about the earth element while the two will be your guides in learning water and earth based jutsus that I hope you will be able to master in time for your match."

"Hai! Thank you, sensei!" Sakura smiled.

"What about me?" Sasuke grunted, feeling left out.

"I'll be teaching and training you for three weeks, no need to feel left out Sasuke." Kakashi smiled as Sasuke scowled fiercely. "Anyway. See you all tomorrow!" With that, Kakashi promptly disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Team 7 found themselves sitting in a quaint coffee shop bright and early that Sunday morning. They were situated around a silent corner of the shop.

The atmosphere was great and the three genin found themselves talking about the most random topics they could think of. Kakashi smiled to himself, his plan to help relax his kids succeeded.

"Anyway, guys." Sakura swallowed a piece of her cheesecake before speaking again. "I have something for you guys."

She handed Sasuke a pair of dirty white/cream elbow bands made of high quality leather. "I saw you leaning on your elbows quite a lot when you skid-slash-run so I figured you might need these."

"Thanks." Sasuke smirked in appreciation.

Sakura turned to an eager Naruto and she had to smile. "Here." She handed the boy a scroll and had to stifle her laugh at his downcast and disappointed expression. "Open it, dummy!"

Naruto did and was pleasantly surprised to find lots of Ichiraku Ramen food stubs. "Sa-Sakura-chan!" Naruto's eyes watered as he grinned.

"Do you like it?" She asked. "Teuchi-san said those would last for a year if used by a normal person but for you he estimated it would last for three months."

"Like it? No." Sakura's happy expression fell. "I love it! Thank you!"

Sakura giggled. "You dummy, you made me worry for no reason! Anyway. Last but not the least, here Sensei." She handed Kakashi an envelope.

Kakashi opened it and looked at Sakura in confusion.

"Those are um...bookstore gift certificates for your uh reading materials." Sakura blushed and avoided her team's gaze by sipping on her frappe. She heard Kakashi chuckle and flushed even more.

"Thank you Sakura." She felt Kakashi petting her hair.

"Anyway! I have some things to give out too." Naruto interrupted the mushy moment between his Sakura-chan and Kakashi-sensei who obviously (duh) has a crush on the pinkette.

"Me too." Sasuke mumbled.

"Oh? What's this? We are all thinking the same?" Kakashi's visible eyes crinkled in a happy and pleased smile.

Sakura hummed happily as she skipped home. She had a new weapons pouch (from Naruto), an excellent quality senbon set (from Sasuke) and lastly a cute and stylish wrist band senbon launcher (courtesy of Kakashi-sensei).

Even if she wouldn't be able to meet Team 7 for a month (three weeks, her mind insisted), she had no qualms about their bonds and teamwork suffering.

With her thoughts clouding her mind, she almost didn't hear the warning shouted at her.

"Watch out!"

Thankful for Kakashi's training and her senses, Sakura's body automatically evaded the barrage of weapons flying at her.

"Phew." She let out when the sudden rain of metal stopped. "That was close.." She winced as she saw a gash on her shoulder. "Guess I missed one."

"Oh my Kami! I'm so sorry about that!" Sakura looked up and saw the girl from Team Gai.

"Um, that's okay though.." She mumbled. "I wasn't paying attention to where I was going anyway."

"Still, it's my fault. Well it's Neji's actually.. Hey Neji! Apologize to the girl!"

Sakura looked up and was surprised to see another person with them, Hyuga Neji. He was looking at her coldly.

"Hn. Why should I? It's not my fault she's incompetent. Just like her dead last team mate, Uzumaki." He grunted.

Tenten gasped at her team mate's rudeness. She was about to apologize when the younger girl took a hold of Neji's collar menacingly.

"What did you say, Hyuga-san?" Sakura smiled politely, as if she wasn't holding an older boy's collar in a threatening way.

Neji's expression didn't change but his eyes showed surprise and irritability. "I said you are just as incompetent as your team, the dead last Uzumaki, too proud Uchiha and irresponsible Hatake." He goaded the girl further.

Sakura saw red, she didn't even stop to think about it. She punched Neji and sent him flying a few meters away. Sakura walked calmly towards the fallen boy, disregarding the other tensed girl watching them.

"You will not insult my team." Sakura threatened. "Do not insult my family in my presence you bastard." Unknowingly, she projected Killer Intent that made the two elder shinobi shiver. She forced herself to calm down. "You don't know them like I do so I suggest you keep your mouth shut. Besides, I'm sure Naruto would beat you in your match. After all, if I-the least strongest of Team 7, could send you flying with a mere punch without chakra, I'm sure Naruto could pulverize you."

After a few moments of silence, the pinkette stood up. She turned to Tenten and smiled politely-way too polite in the elder girl's taste.

"Tenten-san, I'm sorry you had to see that but please keep in mind that I do not take it lightly when people insult my team. If you'll excuse me, I have to go." With that, Haruno Sakura vanished in a cloud of smoke.

Hell Grounds

"Ohayo, Sakura-san." Sayaa greeted her charge. She smiled when she saw Sakura dressed in the younger girl's new favorite get up-a "new" navy blue turtleneck and a grey shorts.

"Ohayo Sayaa-san!" Sakura smiled as she sat at her usual place.

"Good luck on your training, Sakura-san." She handed the girl a cup of steaming hot chocolate. "Oh, Sakura-san can I have a schedule of your training?"

"Sure. Here you go." She handed a piece of index card to her aunt.

Saya looked at the card in her hands and read it.

Monday

-Mornings with Kurenai-sensei

-Evenings with Sayaa-san

Tuesday

-Whole day with Kurenai-sensei

Wednesday

-Mornings with Kurenai-sensei

-Evenings with Sayaa-san

Thursday

-Whole day with Kurenai-sensei

Friday

-Mornings with Kurenai-sensei

-Afternoons at the hospital

-Evenings with Sayaa-san

Saturday

-Whole day with Kurenai-sensei

Sunday

-Whole day with Sayaa-san

"Thank you for this, Sakura-san."

"No sweat!" Sakura finished her breakfast. "Sayaa-san, I'll be going now! See you later!"

Sakura felt the genjutsu as soon as she stepped into the designated training grounds where she was assigned to meet Kurenai-sensei. Quickly, she dispelled it and pulled out a kunai.

"Oh good. At least, Kakashi wasn't exaggerating when he said you were a genjutsu specialist in the making." A disembodied voice called out to her.

Sakura whirled around and faced Kurenai. "Oh, Kurenai-sensei!"

"Sakura. Glad to meet you." Kurenai smiled at the flushed girl in front of her. "Did Kakashi inform you that I could only attend to you during Mondays to Saturdays?"

"Yes, sensei. Actually, I made a schedule. Would you like one, sensei?" Sakura held out another index card.

"Oh? You are prepared. Thank you, Sakura." Kurenai took the card. Then she sighed.

"What is it, sensei?" Sakura asked, instinctively she caught a shuriken aimed at her. Her emerald eyes narrowed. She snapped into position. "Who's there?!"

Kurenai smirked. 'Oh? This girl's good.'

"Eh? Kurenai-chan, the brat's okay." Mitarasihi Anko walked calmly into the clearing, holding a stick of dango. "You gonna train this one? Can I help?" The woman grinned.

"Oh, Mitaraishi-san...the proctor from the test?" Sakura straightened her body and bowed slightly in respect but held a kunai ready in her hands.

Anko laughed. "I like you kid. How'd you like it if I train you too?"

Kurenai just sighed as her best friend messed with her new student.

"Eh?"

Sakura trudged her way home. She was tired, cranky and lonely. After a week of training with Kurenai-sensei, Anko-sensei and Sayaa-san, she felt like she was literally in hell.

Sakura snorted at her thoughts. "Training grounds my ass, it should have been named Hell grounds..." She muttered. She heard someone chuckle. "Hokage-sama!" She gasped and immediately bowed respectfully.

"Sakura-chan, how's training?" He asked the girl. Sarutobi looked at Sakura and smiled. The little girl has grown in just a few years. "Care to tell me as we eat some ramen?" The Hokage gestured to the stall to their right, The Ichiraku Ramen.

Sakura looked surprised but accepted graciously. "Of course, Hokage-sama." She smiled.

"Welcome!" Teuchi greeted them two. "Oh! Sakura-chan, Hokage-sama! Welcome, welcome!" He grinned at his two regular customers that Naruto brought him.

"Good evening Teuchi-san, Ayame-neesan." Sakura smiled.

"Oh? Sakura-chan? The usual then?" Ayame smiled back at the petite girl.

"Em, just a small bowl. I think I might throw up if I eat too much.." The girl scowled lightly. "Training's harsh."

All three adults laughed at the girl. "Of course, Sakura-chan. How about you, Hokage-sama?"

"The usual." He pulled out his pipe. "So how's training?" Sarutobi asked the girl. Though the Hokage knew of the girl's rapid progress through reports from the ANBU he assigned the girl, he wanted Sakura to share out some info to him.

"Kurenai-sensei's a very good teacher. I learn many things from her, like genjutsu and stuff. Also she told me Kaka-sensei asked her to train me on how to not rely on my sense of hearing so...Anko-sensei used that to her advantage. Ugh.." Sakura shivered as she remembered Anko's attacks on her as her sense of hearing and sight were hindered. "Anko-sensei's very enthusiastic about sparring."

The Hokage smiled. "Anko's really enthusiastic about your training. I believe she has already considered you as her sole student. I'm betting that you will still receive training from her even after the exams. She seems to have taken you under her wing." Sarutobi looked amused as he watched Sakura's expression. The girl was torn between looking both horrified and touched.

"Oh...Anko-sensei is a softy after all?" She mumbled to herself. "Don't tell her I said that, Hokage-sama!"

"Of course not." Sarutobi smiled softly. "How about your training with Sayaa-san?"

"Oh. I think Sayaa-san's worse than Anko-sensei~" Sakura moaned and lightly slammed her head on the counter. "She made me study and memorize the clan's history. Then all those chakra-control training! Even my diet and...and all those techniques I had to learn!" She paused. "Still, without Sayaa-san, I wouldn't be able to master the first stage of Kami no me."

"Kami no me? Is that the official name?"

"Em, hai. Sayaa-san said we would register the Kekkei Genkai after the exams. Will that be okay, sir?" Sakura asked. She knew the policy. All Kekkei Genkai and clan techniques have to be registered with the Hokage and the Shinobi Registry for the sake and protection of the village.

"Of course. Take your time, Sakura." He smiled again as the girl visibly relaxed. Their conversation halted as they were served their food. Both shinobi ate quietly.

"Hokage-sama, do you know where Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei went? Or even Naruto?" Sakura asked.

"They're just outside our village but within our borders. You don't need to worry too much, Sakura. If you are still worried, I have ANBU watching over them." The Hokage placated the girl's anxiety.

"Oh. Thank you Hokage-sama!" She smiled.

"Well then. Let us finish our meals. I believe you still have some training?"

"Oh yes!" Sakura quickly ate her meal.

The Hokage chuckled as the girl hastened. "Shall we?" He placed enough money to pay for both their meals.

'Clear your mind.' That was what Sayaa told her when she wanted to activate her Kekkei Genkai, Kami no me : Jikan sōsa.

Slowly but steadily, she sent chakra to her eyes. She opened them and was pleasantly satisfied that the world before her was in monochrome.

Trapped in her little world of timeless space, Sakura started on performing various water-based and earth-based jutsus she learned.

Eventually, Sakura felt drained. So she deactivated her Kekkei Genkai. Panting, she looked up at Sayaa.

"Ho-how's that?"

"Three minutes and forty-three seconds, Sakura-san. That's a great improvement." Sayaa looked up from her stop watch.

"Oh.." Sakura wiped at her eyebrows. "I was hoping for well...at least five minutes."

Sayaa grinned. "We'll get there. But not in time for your match, I'm afraid. The most we can achieve with two weeks left is at most eight minutes."

Sakura nodded in understanding. She was a hard worker and she knew her limits well. "Okay then, Sayaa-san. I just have one question."

"What is it?"

"How could you time me if I'm controlling time around me?" Sakura looked puzzled.

"Sakura-san, the First Manifestation or Jikan sōsa as we call it, has limitations. First is the most one Kami no me user can stop time only up until one hour. And the lastly, you could only control time of the area with a radius of fifteen meters around you. I just had to go outside the house and wait for the moment when your chakra fluctuates."

"Oh? So that's how!" Sakura clapped her hands in frustrated understanding.

"But Sakura-san.."

She turned to Sayaa and had to flinch at the fake smile on her aunt's face. "Yes?"

"I believe I had you study that last Monday. And you immediately forgot?" Sakura paled. "I believe some punishment is in order. Go run three laps around Konoha please, Sakura-san. After that, we'll eat dinner. I have prepared mashed potatoes and boiled broccoli for you."

'Yummy..Ugh.' Sakura sighed. "Okay, Sayaa-san. I'll be back!"

As soon as the door closed, Sayaa sighed. "Gosh. It's hard to be tough on your daughter, Sayuri-nee sama..."

Sakura flopped face down on the grass. "Oh Kami.." She muttered. She was just a few meters away from her freaking house! "I'm tired..."

Sakura closed her eyes and assessed herself.

Chakra depleted? Check!

Muscles sore? Check!

Mind exhausted? Check!

Hungry as hell but don't want to eat broccoli? Check!

Sleepy? Check!

"Oh Kami.." She sighed to herself as she forced herself to sit. She pushed her body too much this time, but the girl knew she had to endure the harsh training she out herself into.

'If Naruto and Sasuke could do this, so can I!' She pushed herself off the grass and immediately fell back. 'Ugh. I am so hungry..'

"Eh?"

Sakura tensed as she was suddenly picked up. She was about to stab the person with a kunai when she was stopped by his voice.

"Troublesome, Sakura-san. It's just me, Shikamaru." Sakura looked up and saw the slightly familiar pineapple shaped pony tail.

"Oh, Shika-san?"

"Yo." Shikamaru greeted her. As if he wasn't carrying her. As if she didn't just try to stab him. "I felt your chakra so I checked up on you. Come on, I'll carry you home."

Sakura flushed. "You don't need to do that.." She argued weakly but her own body contradicted her. Her head snuggled into the guy's chest.

"Troublesome.." Shikamaru ignored her and started walking towards Sakura's house. "It'll be more troublesome for me if I just left you out here."

"Oh..kay then. He he he.." Sakura giggled weakly.

"What?" Shikamaru raised a brow at her.

"You're much more like a gentleman rather than a chauvinist. Unlike Ino told me." She smiled.

"Troublesome.." Shikamaru flushed slightly. He carefully deposited Sakura on the ground. "We're here."

Sakura looked around in surprise. "How'd you know where my house is?" It seemed kind of silly now that she had to ask him that when evidently, he brought her there easily.

Shikamaru looked down. "Eh. We played together when we were kids, before Ino...you know? Or have you forgotten?"

Sakura tried to remember but before she had the chance to answer, Shikamaru turned away.

"Anyway, got to go. My troublesome dad's waiting for me. See ya later, Sakura."

Suddenly, Shikamaru vanished.

"See you...Shikamaru.."

"Eh?" Sakura unintelligibly said. "Kurenai-sensei?"

The two jounins before her jumped apart from their rather intimate position. Sarutobi Asuma wiped at his lips to remove traces of red lip stick.

"Sakura? What are you doing here?" Kurenai asked her pupil, ignoring the flush on her face.

"Um..training started well..a few minutes ago?" Sakura squeaked.

"Oh well then. Let's go. Asuma, come with us." Kurenai said.

Asuma pulled out an unlit cigarette and held it at his mouth. He looked at Kurenai and immediately understood that look. She wanted him to help her train the girl. "I can't. I'm overseeing Shikamaru's training."

Kurenai subtly glared at him.

Asuma rolled his eyes (discretely of course) at his lover. "Sure, come with me though. I'll help if you don't mind Shikamaru in the background." If he was honest to himself, Asuma really wanted to observe the girl. After all, she was known to be (so far) the only person to break out of the Mind Transfer Jutsu. Plus, if he could recall correctly, this was Shikamaru's special person/girl.

Kurenai smiled and led them out the hidden cave. Sakura followed her like a lost puppy, looking confused. "Oh by the way Sakura, how'd you manage to find me?"

Asuma listened in on the Kuniochis' conversation. He was also curious on how a genin managed to track them down. He was pretty sure they minimized their chakra so they couldn't be detected.

"Um, I tried sensing your chakra signature sensei but I couldn't. So I tried to sense if you were projecting some type of genjutsu and well..I detected it here. I thought you were in trouble or something...because I know Kurenai-sensei is never late.." Asuma could hear the respect and admiration in the girl's voice and was pleased to know that Kurenai was happy to hear those too. "So I went here and immediately dispelled the genjutsu."

Kurenai ruffled Sakura's hair. "Good job, kiddo."

Asuma smiled and puffed out some smoke. It was a good thing that Kurenai found a student who was interested in and appreciated the art of genjutsu-Kurenai's field of expertise.

Kurenai's kids were good kids. Asuma knew that. But they were also Clan kids. They had different fields of expertise and techniques on them. Aburame had his insects, he didn't need genjutsu. Inuzuka had his canine companion plus he was too brash and impatient to even learn low ranked genjutsu. Hyuga could learn some but she had her Byakugan to focus more on. Plus, Kurenai's Team 8 was surely going to be a tracker team-genjutsu is not exactly needed for that.

Haruno Sakura was a good influence on Kurenai. Asuma sighed as his team's training field came into view. Only Shikamaru was there-sleeping under a tree. Ino has to attend to her family's business while Chouji was still recuperating from his mild injuries from his match in the prelims.

Asuma watched as Shikamaru tensed and immediately stood up, gazing at Sakura.

"Shikamaru, ohayo!" Sakura greeted his student with a smile. Asuma saw Shikamaru's lips twitch up in an almost unnoticeable smile.

'Oh?' Asuma grinned.

"Hey. Ohayo." The boy waved lazily. "You're here to train with us?"

"Um.."

"Yeah. Sakura here will be training her genjutsu and your sensei volunteered to help us be my pupil's guinea pig." Kurenai smiled.

Asuma sighed again. 'Yare yare.' He didn't know whether to thank Kakashi for giving Kurenai a chance to have her little protege or smack him with his blades for (unknowingly) help Kurenai torture him.

"Yeah. And you, Shikamaru. While Sakura practices with me, Kurenai will be overseeing your training with your techniques." He grinned.

The two genin exchanged look as as their teachers smiled "politely" at each other.

Kurenai then turned to Sakura. "Asuma will be helping us every Tuesday and Saturday for the remaining two weeks."

Sakura groaned softly, she knew that smile. It seemed as if Kurenai has somehow inherited Anko's sadistic streak. She just knew that with Asuma around, Kurenai would be more strict. Add that to Anko's "enthusiastic" training and Sayaa-san's perfectionist trait, Sakura wanted to kill herself. "Oh Kami. I'm in hell.." She looked at Shikamaru. "Shikamaru, welcome to hell."

Information author can disclose so far :

Kami no me (Eyes of God)
Hidden blood line limit occurring within a few people of the main branch of the Fujisaki Clan. A doujutsu. Usually inherited by female members of the family.

Kami no me : Jikan sosa (Eyes of God : Time Manipulator)
Also known as the first manifestation or the first stage of Kami no me. The user's eye color changes to Grey as an indication of usage. Beginner users start by slowing down time and with enough practice and training, the user will be able to stop time within a radius of fifteen meters for at most an hour.

Bluebreeze27 : And that's it! I have something to confess. I am actually stalling the exams. Well. You all know how that goes in canon so I am having a hard time deciding what to do with the invasion. Anyway! Did you like this one? Review! Give me more reviews please! :) No, really. Give me reviews. Please! Til next time!

P.S.

I am Sakura-biased. So..I am pairing her with all guys. Sorry for that guys. It's unrealistic, I know. But I can't help it! I writhe around the floor thinking of all the fluff if Saku-chan ends up with Shika or Neji (in my fic and my heart, Hyuga Neji will forever be alive. HE ISN'T DEAD!) or Gaara or Kakashi or Kiba. Oh my Kami. Yes, I am a Sakura fan girl.

But at the same time, I am open to some pairings you would like (for example, I support NaruHina) so there. Tell me your OTP's and if there's a possibility that I could ship 'em too, I'll consider putting it in this fic.

Laters, babies! :*