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Description
Title: Crowns and Flames

Chapter 2: Failures and Decisions

Date: Monday September 29, 2007

Summary: Seven years later, Li Haruno sets out on a quest to gain permission for his family to return to the Fire Nation and regain their honor. Sakura starts Ninja School.

Rating: T - M
Li Haruno ran his hand through his short hair before grabbing his headband and tying it around his head. He looked at himself in the mirror, adjusting his uwagi, Li tied his belt around his waist before walking out into the living room. His 7-year-old sister was perched on the couch, her bangs covering her forehead, Li walked over and rubbed her head.

"Saku-chan, how was Ninja School?" He asked and Sakura looked up at him tearfully.

"They're mean, Li! They called me billboard brow all day and made fun of me because I don't have a daddy." She sniffled and he frowned, tilting her chin up.

"Saku-chan, just ignore them."

A tear ran down his sister's cheek and he wiped it away, "Mommy always says that, it doesn't make it feel any better." Sakura rubbed her eyes and Li kissed her hair covered forehead.

Li grinned, "Guess what." Sakura looked at him intently, her emerald eyes questioning him, "You're still my favorite pipsqueak."

Sakura puffed her cheeks out and jumped onto his lap, punching his stomach, "I'm notta pipsqueak." She pushed air into her mouth, keeping her lips sealed shut.

Li laughed at her, pushing his fingers to her cheeks, forcing the air out, "Sure you are. But you're my favorite pipsqueak." His face became serious, "Now did you practice your bending?"

She nodded, smiling cutely up at him, "Yup."

"Good. Firebending will help strengthen you physically, mentally and spiritually, Saku-chan. When it comes time for you to use your Chakra in school, it'll be easier for you to master techniques." The young Jonin explained, thumping Sakura's nose lightly, "And I want you to succeed. Push yourself."

Both Haruno's looked up when their mother walked in, carrying a large bag. Li lifted Sakura off of him, placing her on the couch, before focusing his chakra to his feet and speeding over to his mother, taking the heavy bag for her.

Hazuki smiled at her son, "Thank you, Li."

Li nodded and carried the bag to his mother's room, sitting on the edge of her bed as she walked in, "Mother?"

Hazuki looked at her son, "Yes, Li?" She inquired, walking over to her closet.

Li looked at his hands before standing, "I want to go to the Fire Nation, I want to gain acceptance in father's eyes." Hazuki dropped the hanger she had grabbed and turned to look at her son.

Hazuki shook her head wildly, "No. Absolutely not."

"Mother. I want to gain honor to your name again. We're nobility, mother, you shouldn't have to work to make weapons for Ninja of Konoha!"

Hazuki's eyes narrowed and she shook her head again, "No."

"Mother! I am going. I want to bring honor back to the Haruno name, at the very least let Saku-chan know who her father is! The children make fun of her at school already, apparently worse than they did me! She's too quiet to stick up for herself. If we gain leniency from father we can return to the Fire Nation, Saku-chan can attend the Royal Academy for Girls..."

Hazuki's eyes misted over, "I see you've already made up your mind, Li." She whispered and Li nodded his head, "I cannot change it, can I then?" He shook his head, "I give you my permission to go to the Fire Nation." She breathed and he hugged her, "You know that by doing this you'll become a Missing Nin." He nodded and Hazuki turned into her closet, pulling out a box from the top shelf, she walked over to her son, "Here."

He looked down and opened the box, a set of clothes with pieces in various shades of red, "Mother?"

She looked at him with sad eyes, "You'll need those... leave your hitai-ate (1)... and you'll need to tell your sister that you're leaving." He opened his mouth to speak but she shook her head, "You'll need to leave tonight." Hazuki walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Li stared at the door, standing he placed the box on the bed, stripping himself of his clothes, not touching his headband.

---

Li walked into Sakura's bedroom, sitting next to her, he pulled the blanket up to her chin, "Saku-chan."

"Oniichan (2)?" Sakura asked, looking up at him.

"I have to go for a while. I don't know when I'll be back." He watched her frown with an intensity.

"Why oniichan?"

Li sighed, "I have to do something for the family."

Her eyes lit up, "I want to go too!"

Li tapped her nose, "You need to stay here, finish your ninja training... become a Genin... then a Chunin... then when you're a Jonin you can join me. I want you to practice bending everyday after school. Archery with Kazukai-sensei every other day."

Sakura's pink brows furrowed, "But, oniichan, I finish my training tomorrow... I get the mark of the Yu Yan archer..." She trailed off when he shook his head.

"I don't want you to be marked until you come to help me." She nodded, "Now." He leaned down and kissed her forehead, "Be good, don't shun your studies, and listen to mother. She'll need help now that I'm leaving, with Uncle dead." Sakura hugged him around his neck tightly.

"I will, oniichan." She mumbled and he grinned, ruffling the top of her head, "You'll come back, right oniichan?"

Li pushed her down onto the bed gently, tucking the blanket around her again, "Of course I will. Just remember what I said." He paused, before lifting his hands to untie his headband, "I expect you to take care of this." Li grinned, handing her the hitai-ate, "Wear it when you make Genin." He stood up, "Remember to train everyday." She watched him walk out and gripped the hitai-ate in her small hands, closing her olive eyes.

---

Haruno Hazuki sighed, watching her son take the two swords his Uncle Iroh had given him before they left for the Land of Fire. He turned and hugged her tightly, closing his eyes, "I love you, mother."

"I know, L-Zuko..." Hazuki whispered and he smiled some at her use of his true name.

"I'll be back, one day, mother." He paused, "Whatever happens, don't let Sakura get her mark of the Yu Yan until she's completed her training as a Ninja. Konoha doesn't appreciate Fire Nation warriors here." Hazuki rolled her amber eyes.

"I know, Zuko. Trust me. If Kazukai even thinks about marking her, I will kill him." She breathed, "I know. Now go. Before I change my mind." He rushed out of their home and into the night.

---Next Morning---

Sakura rubbed her eyes as she slid out from under the covers, a firm hold on the cloth of her brother's headband. She walked out of her room in her nightgown and yawned, "Morning mother..." She mumbled, kneeling down on the cushion in front of the low table.

Her mother placed a bowl of rice with a piece of bread resting atop it down in front of her, accompanied by a cup of milk, "Thank you, mother."

Her mother kneeled in front of her with an identical meal, "Did Li speak with you last night, Saku-chan?" Sakura nodded sadly, "You have to say that you don't know what happened to him, he'll be safer that way." Sakura nodded, understanding, "What are you studying today at school?"

Sakura gave her mother a cross-eyed look, "I'm going to get made fun of because of my giant forehead and cos' I don‘t have a daddy." She muttered haughtily, her small hand clutching the bread heated up and Hazuki took the bread quickly, blowing the fire out.

"What have I told you about loosing control?"

Sakura looked down, "Don't do it." Hazuki nodded, "Now. Sweetie. They're just making fun of you because they're immature. What are you studying in school today?" She repeated and Sakura hunched her shoulders, taking a large bite of rice into her mouth.

"Stealth."

Hazuki looked up at the clock, "You're going to be late."

"So?"

"What did your brother tell you?" Hazuki inquired and Sakura grumbled, standing, the seven year old left to get dressed.

---

Iruka watched as the Ninja-in-Training went through their stealth exercises, there was a shout and he looked up. Yamanaka Ino was shouting angrily at Inuzuka Kiba who had purposely tripped Haruno Sakura, jabbing him repeatedly in the chest. The pink-haired girl was lying flat on her back, blood streaming from her mouth, having bitten down on her lip. Sakura wiped at the blood and Uzumaki Naruto held his hand out to help her up. Iruka frowned, watching the children’s reactions, Uzumaki and Haruno were outcasts, apparently having a Jonin for a big brother didn’t cancel out having a large forehead or not having a father. The Haruno girl took Naruto’s hand and he grinned goofily at her, Iruka groaned internally when Sakura grinned back at him, one troublemaker was enough.

“Get back to the lesson!” Iruka shouted and the students went back to creeping through the shadows.

--4 Years Later--

Sakura walked down the street with Naruto, “Shoutei (3), you shouldn’t have stolen that scroll.”

Naruto pouted, “Mizuki said to.”

“That’s not the point.” Sakura grumbled.

Naruto smirked, “You’re just jealous that I can do the Shadow Clone Jutsu 1000 fold… and you can’t.”

Sakura rolled her eyes, And if you knew that I could burn anyone to ash, you’d be jealous of me… she thought haughtily as they walked to school together, she’d left the headband that Iruka had handed her at home in favor of her brother’s. The headband was resting against the top of her head, holding her hair out of her eyes whereas Naruto’s was pressed firmly to his forehead.

“I hope I don’t get paired with Kiba.” Sakura mumbled and Naruto scratched the top of his head, messing up his hair even more.

“I hope I get paired with you. I don’t care who else I get paired with.”

Sakura grinned down at him, “Me too…”

Naruto paused for a minute before grinning wildly, he broke off into a sprint, “Race ya!” He shouted over his shoulder.

---

Iruka cleared his throat, “You will be placed in teams of three.” He cleared his throat, “Team 7 will consist of Haruno Sakura.” Sakura lifted her head, “Uchiha Sasuke.” Sasuke’s jaw tightened some, “Uzumaki Naruto.” Naruto pumped his fists into the air and the two Genin grinned.

“Sweet.” The exclaimed, bumping fists.

“Team 8 will consist of Aburame Shino. Hyuga Hinata. Inuzuka Kiba.” Iruka read off the list for Team 9 and paused to take a breath, “Team 10 will consist of Yamanaka Ino. Akimichi Choji and Nara Shikamaru.” Ino cried out in frustration, pressing her hands to her face.

“No!” Ino cried, resting her head against the table.

---Next Day---

“Now. Why don’t you guys tell me what you like to do… your hobbies… interests… dreams…” He looked at Naruto, “You go first.”

Naruto grinned, “Well my name is Naruto Uzumaki. I love ramen and I especially like the ramen Iruka-sensei bought me. I also like comparing different types of ramen, but I hate the three minutes you have to wait after pouring the water into the cup. I like hanging out with Sakura-chan after classes and trainingg.” He exclaimed, “And I’m going to become Hokage one day! Believe it!”

Kakashi pointed to Sakura and she looked down at her arm, “My name is Sakura Haruno. I enjoy hanging around with shoutei. I don‘t like people talking about my brother like he‘s a traitor, he‘s a hero.” She explained, “I’m going to be as good as my brother, if not better than my brother, Haruno Li.” Sakura muttered, her eyes glazing over.

Kakashi’s hidden eyebrow arched slightly, Why would she want to be like her brother, a missing nin? He thought to himself before looking to Sasuke.

“You.”

“My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I don’t particularly enjoy anything and I hate a lot of things. I don’t have a dream, I have a reality, I will restore my clan and I will kill a certain someone.” Sasuke growled.

--Team Kakashi Genin Test--

Sakura banged her head against the ground, What are you doing, Naruto? She thought, watching as Naruto stood in front of Kakashi, We need to work as a team, shoutei! A single cell… She glanced over in Sasuke’s general direction, rolling her eyes, Baka thinks he’s better than Naruto and I just because he’s a stupid Uchiha…

“Naruto! Don’t’ be stupid!” She shouted.

Sakura pushed her chakra towards her feet and leapt toward her best friend, grabbing him around his waist. She yanked him under the brush before leaping up into the trees.

“Hey! I could have beaten him!” Naruto shouted loudly, Sakura clamped a hand over his mouth and leapt towards another group of trees.

“Keep your fucking mouth shut.” Sakura whispered, “We need to work together. If we don’t we’ll never get our hands on those bells.” He nodded, understanding, and Sakura pulled her hand from his mouth, “Okay.” They sat across from each other on the branch, looking at each other.

“What do we do?” Naruto asked and Sakura shrugged.

“We watch.” Sakura whispered, looking down at Kakashi.

-

Naruto and Sakura gasped when Sasuke blasted Kakashi with a powerful Fire Jutsu, “He’s gonna kill him!” Naruto shouted and they both leapt down from the trees.

---Noon---

“All three of you fail.” Kakashi stated and both Naruto and Sakura fell over, “You’ve been dropped from the program.

“WHAT?!” Sakura shouted angrily, “You can’t just change the rules!” She exclaimed.

“I just did.” Sasuke looked up at Kakashi as best as he could, the Jonin’s foot against his cheek, “This test was meant for the three of you to use teamwork.” Kakashi explained, shaking his head, “If the three of you had come at me as one, you would have passed. You.” He looked down at Sasuke, “You think you’re better than your teammates.” He looked at Naruto, “Too cocky.” He looked to Sakura, “You only care about one teammate.” He shook his head, “Teamwork… that’s why you’re put into teams of three.” He held his hand out, “Give me your headbands.” They slowly took the blue bands off and Sakura felt her stomach drop.

At least it’s not Li’s headband… She thought, her eyes narrowing, she looked up at Kakashi, thrusting the hitai-ate into his outstretched hand, If I can’t be a kunoichi I will be the best Yu Yan archer… I’ll find a master to help me excel in fire bending. She turned her back to Kakashi, her fists clenched in rage, steam slowly escaping from them.

“Sakura. Wait!” Naruto exclaimed, running up to catch up with his friend, “Wait. We’ll be Genin again, believe it!” She looked at him somberly, To be a true Yu Yan warrior… you must not show emotion.

“Whatever Naruto.” She walked away from him and headed for town.

A/N: Yayness, another chapter, this is just too fun to write, and yes, I will explain away the reason Sakura has pink hair and green eyes instead of black/dark brown hair and amber eyes like most Fire Nation natives. What'd you guys wanna see? Do tell, I'm interested in brain-pokage.

Update List: Screw the update list!

1 Hitai-ate is the ninja headband.
2 Oniichan is the quote unquote, cute form of older brother.
3 Shoutei means my foolish brother.

Next Time: Sakura abandons the Land of Fire.

Description
Title: Crowns and Flames

Chapter 2: Failures and Decisions

Date: Monday September 29, 2007

Summary: Seven years later, Li Haruno sets out on a quest to gain permission for his family to return to the Fire Nation and regain their honor. Sakura starts Ninja School.

Rating: T - M
Li Haruno ran his hand through his short hair before grabbing his headband and tying it around his head. He looked at himself in the mirror, adjusting his uwagi, Li tied his belt around his waist before walking out into the living room. His 7-year-old sister was perched on the couch, her bangs covering her forehead, Li walked over and rubbed her head.

"Saku-chan, how was Ninja School?" He asked and Sakura looked up at him tearfully.

"They're mean, Li! They called me billboard brow all day and made fun of me because I don't have a daddy." She sniffled and he frowned, tilting her chin up.

"Saku-chan, just ignore them."

A tear ran down his sister's cheek and he wiped it away, "Mommy always says that, it doesn't make it feel any better." Sakura rubbed her eyes and Li kissed her hair covered forehead.

Li grinned, "Guess what." Sakura looked at him intently, her emerald eyes questioning him, "You're still my favorite pipsqueak."

Sakura puffed her cheeks out and jumped onto his lap, punching his stomach, "I'm notta pipsqueak." She pushed air into her mouth, keeping her lips sealed shut.

Li laughed at her, pushing his fingers to her cheeks, forcing the air out, "Sure you are. But you're my favorite pipsqueak." His face became serious, "Now did you practice your bending?"

She nodded, smiling cutely up at him, "Yup."

"Good. Firebending will help strengthen you physically, mentally and spiritually, Saku-chan. When it comes time for you to use your Chakra in school, it'll be easier for you to master techniques." The young Jonin explained, thumping Sakura's nose lightly, "And I want you to succeed. Push yourself."

Both Haruno's looked up when their mother walked in, carrying a large bag. Li lifted Sakura off of him, placing her on the couch, before focusing his chakra to his feet and speeding over to his mother, taking the heavy bag for her.

Hazuki smiled at her son, "Thank you, Li."

Li nodded and carried the bag to his mother's room, sitting on the edge of her bed as she walked in, "Mother?"

Hazuki looked at her son, "Yes, Li?" She inquired, walking over to her closet.

Li looked at his hands before standing, "I want to go to the Fire Nation, I want to gain acceptance in father's eyes." Hazuki dropped the hanger she had grabbed and turned to look at her son.

Hazuki shook her head wildly, "No. Absolutely not."

"Mother. I want to gain honor to your name again. We're nobility, mother, you shouldn't have to work to make weapons for Ninja of Konoha!"

Hazuki's eyes narrowed and she shook her head again, "No."

"Mother! I am going. I want to bring honor back to the Haruno name, at the very least let Saku-chan know who her father is! The children make fun of her at school already, apparently worse than they did me! She's too quiet to stick up for herself. If we gain leniency from father we can return to the Fire Nation, Saku-chan can attend the Royal Academy for Girls..."

Hazuki's eyes misted over, "I see you've already made up your mind, Li." She whispered and Li nodded his head, "I cannot change it, can I then?" He shook his head, "I give you my permission to go to the Fire Nation." She breathed and he hugged her, "You know that by doing this you'll become a Missing Nin." He nodded and Hazuki turned into her closet, pulling out a box from the top shelf, she walked over to her son, "Here."

He looked down and opened the box, a set of clothes with pieces in various shades of red, "Mother?"

She looked at him with sad eyes, "You'll need those... leave your hitai-ate (1)... and you'll need to tell your sister that you're leaving." He opened his mouth to speak but she shook her head, "You'll need to leave tonight." Hazuki walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Li stared at the door, standing he placed the box on the bed, stripping himself of his clothes, not touching his headband.

---

Li walked into Sakura's bedroom, sitting next to her, he pulled the blanket up to her chin, "Saku-chan."

"Oniichan (2)?" Sakura asked, looking up at him.

"I have to go for a while. I don't know when I'll be back." He watched her frown with an intensity.

"Why oniichan?"

Li sighed, "I have to do something for the family."

Her eyes lit up, "I want to go too!"

Li tapped her nose, "You need to stay here, finish your ninja training... become a Genin... then a Chunin... then when you're a Jonin you can join me. I want you to practice bending everyday after school. Archery with Kazukai-sensei every other day."

Sakura's pink brows furrowed, "But, oniichan, I finish my training tomorrow... I get the mark of the Yu Yan archer..." She trailed off when he shook his head.

"I don't want you to be marked until you come to help me." She nodded, "Now." He leaned down and kissed her forehead, "Be good, don't shun your studies, and listen to mother. She'll need help now that I'm leaving, with Uncle dead." Sakura hugged him around his neck tightly.

"I will, oniichan." She mumbled and he grinned, ruffling the top of her head, "You'll come back, right oniichan?"

Li pushed her down onto the bed gently, tucking the blanket around her again, "Of course I will. Just remember what I said." He paused, before lifting his hands to untie his headband, "I expect you to take care of this." Li grinned, handing her the hitai-ate, "Wear it when you make Genin." He stood up, "Remember to train everyday." She watched him walk out and gripped the hitai-ate in her small hands, closing her olive eyes.

---

Haruno Hazuki sighed, watching her son take the two swords his Uncle Iroh had given him before they left for the Land of Fire. He turned and hugged her tightly, closing his eyes, "I love you, mother."

"I know, L-Zuko..." Hazuki whispered and he smiled some at her use of his true name.

"I'll be back, one day, mother." He paused, "Whatever happens, don't let Sakura get her mark of the Yu Yan until she's completed her training as a Ninja. Konoha doesn't appreciate Fire Nation warriors here." Hazuki rolled her amber eyes.

"I know, Zuko. Trust me. If Kazukai even thinks about marking her, I will kill him." She breathed, "I know. Now go. Before I change my mind." He rushed out of their home and into the night.

---Next Morning---

Sakura rubbed her eyes as she slid out from under the covers, a firm hold on the cloth of her brother's headband. She walked out of her room in her nightgown and yawned, "Morning mother..." She mumbled, kneeling down on the cushion in front of the low table.

Her mother placed a bowl of rice with a piece of bread resting atop it down in front of her, accompanied by a cup of milk, "Thank you, mother."

Her mother kneeled in front of her with an identical meal, "Did Li speak with you last night, Saku-chan?" Sakura nodded sadly, "You have to say that you don't know what happened to him, he'll be safer that way." Sakura nodded, understanding, "What are you studying today at school?"

Sakura gave her mother a cross-eyed look, "I'm going to get made fun of because of my giant forehead and cos' I don‘t have a daddy." She muttered haughtily, her small hand clutching the bread heated up and Hazuki took the bread quickly, blowing the fire out.

"What have I told you about loosing control?"

Sakura looked down, "Don't do it." Hazuki nodded, "Now. Sweetie. They're just making fun of you because they're immature. What are you studying in school today?" She repeated and Sakura hunched her shoulders, taking a large bite of rice into her mouth.

"Stealth."

Hazuki looked up at the clock, "You're going to be late."

"So?"

"What did your brother tell you?" Hazuki inquired and Sakura grumbled, standing, the seven year old left to get dressed.

---

Iruka watched as the Ninja-in-Training went through their stealth exercises, there was a shout and he looked up. Yamanaka Ino was shouting angrily at Inuzuka Kiba who had purposely tripped Haruno Sakura, jabbing him repeatedly in the chest. The pink-haired girl was lying flat on her back, blood streaming from her mouth, having bitten down on her lip. Sakura wiped at the blood and Uzumaki Naruto held his hand out to help her up. Iruka frowned, watching the children’s reactions, Uzumaki and Haruno were outcasts, apparently having a Jonin for a big brother didn’t cancel out having a large forehead or not having a father. The Haruno girl took Naruto’s hand and he grinned goofily at her, Iruka groaned internally when Sakura grinned back at him, one troublemaker was enough.

“Get back to the lesson!” Iruka shouted and the students went back to creeping through the shadows.

--4 Years Later--

Sakura walked down the street with Naruto, “Shoutei (3), you shouldn’t have stolen that scroll.”

Naruto pouted, “Mizuki said to.”

“That’s not the point.” Sakura grumbled.

Naruto smirked, “You’re just jealous that I can do the Shadow Clone Jutsu 1000 fold… and you can’t.”

Sakura rolled her eyes, And if you knew that I could burn anyone to ash, you’d be jealous of me… she thought haughtily as they walked to school together, she’d left the headband that Iruka had handed her at home in favor of her brother’s. The headband was resting against the top of her head, holding her hair out of her eyes whereas Naruto’s was pressed firmly to his forehead.

“I hope I don’t get paired with Kiba.” Sakura mumbled and Naruto scratched the top of his head, messing up his hair even more.

“I hope I get paired with you. I don’t care who else I get paired with.”

Sakura grinned down at him, “Me too…”

Naruto paused for a minute before grinning wildly, he broke off into a sprint, “Race ya!” He shouted over his shoulder.

---

Iruka cleared his throat, “You will be placed in teams of three.” He cleared his throat, “Team 7 will consist of Haruno Sakura.” Sakura lifted her head, “Uchiha Sasuke.” Sasuke’s jaw tightened some, “Uzumaki Naruto.” Naruto pumped his fists into the air and the two Genin grinned.

“Sweet.” The exclaimed, bumping fists.

“Team 8 will consist of Aburame Shino. Hyuga Hinata. Inuzuka Kiba.” Iruka read off the list for Team 9 and paused to take a breath, “Team 10 will consist of Yamanaka Ino. Akimichi Choji and Nara Shikamaru.” Ino cried out in frustration, pressing her hands to her face.

“No!” Ino cried, resting her head against the table.

---Next Day---

“Now. Why don’t you guys tell me what you like to do… your hobbies… interests… dreams…” He looked at Naruto, “You go first.”

Naruto grinned, “Well my name is Naruto Uzumaki. I love ramen and I especially like the ramen Iruka-sensei bought me. I also like comparing different types of ramen, but I hate the three minutes you have to wait after pouring the water into the cup. I like hanging out with Sakura-chan after classes and trainingg.” He exclaimed, “And I’m going to become Hokage one day! Believe it!”

Kakashi pointed to Sakura and she looked down at her arm, “My name is Sakura Haruno. I enjoy hanging around with shoutei. I don‘t like people talking about my brother like he‘s a traitor, he‘s a hero.” She explained, “I’m going to be as good as my brother, if not better than my brother, Haruno Li.” Sakura muttered, her eyes glazing over.

Kakashi’s hidden eyebrow arched slightly, Why would she want to be like her brother, a missing nin? He thought to himself before looking to Sasuke.

“You.”

“My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I don’t particularly enjoy anything and I hate a lot of things. I don’t have a dream, I have a reality, I will restore my clan and I will kill a certain someone.” Sasuke growled.

--Team Kakashi Genin Test--

Sakura banged her head against the ground, What are you doing, Naruto? She thought, watching as Naruto stood in front of Kakashi, We need to work as a team, shoutei! A single cell… She glanced over in Sasuke’s general direction, rolling her eyes, Baka thinks he’s better than Naruto and I just because he’s a stupid Uchiha…

“Naruto! Don’t’ be stupid!” She shouted.

Sakura pushed her chakra towards her feet and leapt toward her best friend, grabbing him around his waist. She yanked him under the brush before leaping up into the trees.

“Hey! I could have beaten him!” Naruto shouted loudly, Sakura clamped a hand over his mouth and leapt towards another group of trees.

“Keep your fucking mouth shut.” Sakura whispered, “We need to work together. If we don’t we’ll never get our hands on those bells.” He nodded, understanding, and Sakura pulled her hand from his mouth, “Okay.” They sat across from each other on the branch, looking at each other.

“What do we do?” Naruto asked and Sakura shrugged.

“We watch.” Sakura whispered, looking down at Kakashi.

-

Naruto and Sakura gasped when Sasuke blasted Kakashi with a powerful Fire Jutsu, “He’s gonna kill him!” Naruto shouted and they both leapt down from the trees.

---Noon---

“All three of you fail.” Kakashi stated and both Naruto and Sakura fell over, “You’ve been dropped from the program.

“WHAT?!” Sakura shouted angrily, “You can’t just change the rules!” She exclaimed.

“I just did.” Sasuke looked up at Kakashi as best as he could, the Jonin’s foot against his cheek, “This test was meant for the three of you to use teamwork.” Kakashi explained, shaking his head, “If the three of you had come at me as one, you would have passed. You.” He looked down at Sasuke, “You think you’re better than your teammates.” He looked at Naruto, “Too cocky.” He looked to Sakura, “You only care about one teammate.” He shook his head, “Teamwork… that’s why you’re put into teams of three.” He held his hand out, “Give me your headbands.” They slowly took the blue bands off and Sakura felt her stomach drop.

At least it’s not Li’s headband… She thought, her eyes narrowing, she looked up at Kakashi, thrusting the hitai-ate into his outstretched hand, If I can’t be a kunoichi I will be the best Yu Yan archer… I’ll find a master to help me excel in fire bending. She turned her back to Kakashi, her fists clenched in rage, steam slowly escaping from them.

“Sakura. Wait!” Naruto exclaimed, running up to catch up with his friend, “Wait. We’ll be Genin again, believe it!” She looked at him somberly, To be a true Yu Yan warrior… you must not show emotion.

“Whatever Naruto.” She walked away from him and headed for town.

A/N: Yayness, another chapter, this is just too fun to write, and yes, I will explain away the reason Sakura has pink hair and green eyes instead of black/dark brown hair and amber eyes like most Fire Nation natives. What'd you guys wanna see? Do tell, I'm interested in brain-pokage.

Update List: Screw the update list!

1 Hitai-ate is the ninja headband.
2 Oniichan is the quote unquote, cute form of older brother.
3 Shoutei means my foolish brother.

Next Time: Sakura abandons the Land of Fire.