(A/N: Play music for more effectiveness while reading!)

"Otou-san!" A young woman with long, black hair ran out of the old house and towards Tazuna.

"Tsunami!" He greeted the woman with a big hug.

Sakura tilted her head at what they were doing. Seeing her lack of understanding, Sasuke explained, "That's a hug. It's similar to...a fist bump, but with more affection."

"I see." The pinkette nodded. "So they embrace to show an emotional connection. That is a strange concept."

"Yeah, —ttebayo!" Naruto jumped up and down, forgetting about what Sakura had done earlier. "Like this!" He rushed forward to give her a so-called hug, but Sasuke stopped him.

"Sakura looks like she's plotting your death."

The latter nodded impassively. I have already thought of six different ways to incapacitate, and four to kill. Even if it is Ramen-boy attempting to initiate physical contact.

"Who are these kids?" The woman asked, curious.

"These're the brats that escorted me here. The blonde midget is Naruto, the emo kid is Sasuke, and Pinky is Sakura. Their sensei is unconscious from a fight."

"Oh, my! Let's get him inside, quick!" All three genin followed as their sensei was carried into the house. "I'm Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter," she introduced herself as they hurried.

"It's nice to meet you, dattebayo!" The blonde beamed at the young woman. "Teme and Sakura-chan are glad to meet you too, but they're both socially challenged."

"Tch, am not," The Uchiha sneered.

"I am only grasping the minimal basics of human sociology," Sakura said solemnly. I have much to learn.

Tsunami sweatdropped, then turned back to Kakashi grimly. "He's running a high fever," she said, wringing out a wet towel and placing it on his forehead to soothe the burning sensation.

"You three kids can stay in the guest room," she informed.

"Hai, —ttebayo!" Naruto bounded gleefully to the larger room, Sasuke and Sakura trailing after him.

:::

"Hey, Sakura-chan, dinner's in less than 30! Where're you going?"

Sakura didn't bother turning around as usual. "I am to train for the next hour. Save a generous amount for me."

"Y-yeah..." The blonde stared at the retreating form sadly.

"Hn, Dobe." Sasuke brushed by him, setting off on the same path as their pink-haired teammate.

"Teme, where are you going?"

"Training."

Naruto watched as his teammates—when did they become only 'teammates'?—made the gap between him and them even wider. He clenched his fists and ground his teeth. Why is it that they make me feel bad about myself when they work so hard? I-I'll always be...the one that lives in the shadows of his teammates.

I thought you were going to be Hokage, Kit. The voice talking to him inside his head sounded amused.

It seems impossible when they're already so ahead of me, dattebayo.

See what they're doing right now? They're training. If you start training as hard, you can catch up, maybe even surpass them. Think—you have more stamina than them.

You're right, —ttebayo!

"I'll be out as well!" Naruto called out to Tsunami, who grumbled about youths skipping meals and staying out late.

:::

Sasuke trailed behind his teammate, watching her every move.

Sakura walked on, not exactly sure on where she was going, but kept walking nonetheless. The hairs on the back of her neck pricked, and she glanced to the corner of her eye skillfully. Some one...She muttered an, "It seems it was just my subconsciousness fabricating a plausible theory for why I have chills," and kept walking, mindful of whoever was following.

She decided to gather information on the village and the condition of it. Everyone on the streets had the same look in their eyes that she could see in her own: self-sufficiency and distrustfulness. Sakura tugged on the traveling cloak that kept riding up to her neck, and smoothed out her bag.

Sasuke watched the crowds. I'm glad Konoha's not like this. His eyes made their way towards Sakura again. What is she doing here, in a place like this?

The pink-haired genin snatched a wrist (it seemed she was doing that a lot) that had burrowed its way into her satchel, and pulled it out firmly. A little boy dressed in rags and messy black hair squirmed and attempted to escape her grasp. No one even batted an eye at the two, just pushing and bumping into them. "L-let go!"

Sakura lead the boy into an alley, making the kid twitch with uneasiness. "Are y-you going to hurt m'too?" He had hoped the girl twice his age would have pity on him, and searched her impassive face for a shred of emotion. There was one: curiosity.

"What is your name?"

The question startled the black-haired boy with dark brown eyes that seemed like melted chocolate. (A/N: Chocolate sounds so good right now, guys.) No one had bothered to ask him that question for years. He had almost forgot—"M-my name's...Genta..."

Sakura stared at the boy named Genta. It would be beneficial if I saved him, and have him pay me back later. "You attempted to thieve my possessions," She pointed out bluntly, still gripping his wrist.

"Y-yeah? S'what! It's life, get over it!"

Sakura could feel the boy tremble from his bold words. She let go of his wrist and patted his head roughly. "I agree with your statement. It was well-said. You are wise for a little boy." The pinkette bent down and faced the doe-eyed boy. "You appear to me as a fighter. Do you know how to?"

Why am I bothering to talk to a runt that will likely die on the streets?

Maybe you see yourself in him.

I do not.

Genta shook his head. "I don't."

"Well, Genta," Sakura stood up and turned. "I suppose I may allow a day to go to waste. Come," she walked away, with a dumbfounded boy staring after her, then grinning and running after her.

Sasuke watched the encounter with newfound interest. Maybe Sakura isn't as tough as we think...?

:::

"You never leave an opening," Sakura explained, and silently punched a tree stump continuously, then turned to Genta. "Do you comprehend my words?"

The little boy nodded, able to put up with her strange speech patterns. "I punch, an' kick, an' then I punch again. Like this!" He punched the stump and fought the urge to cry out.

Sakura glanced at the bloodied knuckles. "You must practice so much that it will not bother you after time. Look," she shoved her hands into his vision. "Look at mine. And look at what I can do." The pinkette took away her calloused hands and began to punch the same tree.

Genta watched as his 'sensei' punched and kicked at the pole. "See," she said, showing her knuckles that only had small scratches. "I am nowhere as strong as some are. I still am injured." Sakura pulled out bandages and wrapped the boy's, and then hers.

Sasuke watched in even more interest. She bandaged his hands?

Sakura told herself it was only so he didn't slow down in his training, but she felt something tugging at the statement.

Why did Sakura take care of Genta?

Is Sasuke stalking Sakura a little too much?