(A/N: Listen to the media for background music and enhance the story!)

They said to grab a hostage... The hired criminal watched the two little dark-haired boys run out of the bridge builder's house. Those kids should be fine.

"...Okaa-san said it was dangerous, but we should be fine. C'mon!"

It's almost like they want to be caught! Foolish children. The masked figure shook his head and readied his katana to look more menacing.

"Oi, you two kids," he called out, stepping in front of them when they were far enough from their house. "You're going to have to come with me..." He grinned scarily and stepped closer.

"N-'Nari, you said it'd be safe t'go this way," One boy whimpered, taking a step back with the other kid.

"I-I thought it w-would be!" The boy with a hat responded to his friend, and gripped his pants tightly.

"You see, it's nothing personal. I just have to hold you two hostage and get a ransom. Your grandfather is doing something that my boss doesn't like..." He took another step, and drew his weapon. "We can do this the easy way...or the hard way. Your pick."

"G-Genta, what should we d-do?" The boy with shorter hair whispered loudly. "We should go peacefully, so we don't get harmed!"

"Y-yeah, but Sak'ra was sayin' that shinobi aren't afraid of nothing!"

"But Sakura-nee isn't here," Inari argued.

"She told me that shinobi're strong and fight their en'mies!"

"So you're saying we should...?"

The mercenary watched the two boys argue in annoyance. Sakura? Shinobi? Fight? He studied them with disinterest. He just wanted a good pay and then to get the hell out of there. It was amusing, seeing them contemplate if they should fight.

"FOR SAK'RAAA!" The boy with longer, messier hair yelled and charged forward, the other following with a large stick.

He sighed, readying his katana. They never said they couldn't be injured.

Suddenly, they stopped, peering behind him.

"Sak'ra?"

"Sakura-nee? She's come to save us!"

He turned around, and saw a girl with pink hair clad in mint shinobi clothing. "It seems it is not a fair fight, seeing how this mercenary possesses a weapon while you two do not."

"Sak'ra, I thought you were trainin'?"

"Yes. I already knew the techniques from years ago, it seems."

:::

Unlike her teammates Sakura stood still, not getting a kunai.

"Sakura-chan? Are you not practicing?" Sasuke glanced at his pink-haired teammate.

"Yes, Sakura," Kakashi said in a light tone, "Do you think you're better than Sasuke and Naruto?" This made both boys jump as the bluntness of the question.

"Hai," Sakura replied.

"Do you think you're better?"

"Kakashi, I dominate in chakra control. I have practiced this technique since I was taken to Konohagakure."

"Why don't you show all of us how it's done?" Sasuke and Naruto both watched as she concentrated her chakra and then walked up the tree and to the first thick branch she could stand on.

"Wow, Sakura-chan! Good job!" Despite his words, anyone could see how anxious he was to get it right.

"..." Sasuke watched Sakura walk back down soundlessly and stand next to their jōnin sensei.

"What is my next task?"

"Hm...I think you've worked hard enough today, Sakura. Why don't you go home, and help Tsunami cook and clean?"

Low blow, Sasuke thought, watching for a reaction on Sakura's face, but found none. Instead, she replied, "I have not worked up even a sweat. Perhaps I should just practice on my own, then, if my own sensei refuses to do even a little for his student." Without another word, she turned away and walked in the opposite direction. "Do not send anyone to retrieve me," Sakura called out, her footsteps still silent even though she was walking on grass.

"Kakashi-sensei, why don't you like Sakura-chan?" Sasuke found himself agreeing with the underlying statement to Naruto's question. One thing was certain: Kakashi did not like Sakura at all.

:::

"Heh, a prodigy? Konohagakure hasn't had one in a long while," the criminal sneered.

"I am not a prodigy. I am simply above average of their shinobi," Sakura replied. And only a tool in the grand scheme of Orochimaru's plans to destroy the village.

"Oh? Then their standards are still low." He raised his katana to the genin and struck. Sparks flew as she blocked it with a kunai, and she then swept the man's feet with her leg.

This man has not been exposed to much hand-to-hand contact.

Yes. He prefers a sword to fight. If you are able to disarm him of his sword...

Or I could go for the kill, and lessen the amount of men I will eventually fight anyway.

Swiftly, she pulled out another kunai and threw it with just the right amount of force to pierce the liver, one of the eight points of assassination. Sakura watched as the man bled out, and Inari and Genta looked frightened.

"Let us go," she said, and they both nodded jerkily and then followed behind her quietly. "If you are to be a shinobi," Sakura explained, "Then you must be accustomed to death. It is only natural for death to occur in this occupation."

Genta nodded bravely, stomaching the feeling when he watched the man's eyes become glassy. He felt a little less eager to be a shinobi.

Inari felt queasy, and more eager to return home instead of watching the genin practice.

Nonetheless, the two were grateful for her appearance.

:::

The dinner table was quiet, other than the quiet squabbling of the dark-haired boys as they spoke of whatnot.

"My students have progressed very quickly," Kakashi said, making the adults nod.

"I take it Sakura is a very bright student, then?" Tsunami motioned to the only genin present at the table.

All eyes went to the pink-haired girl that ate as if she weren't being watched. "Yes..." Kakashi started slowly. "I suppose she is," he finished with a darker tone.

No one spoke of Sakura's studies anymore, only about Sasuke and Naruto's, which their sensei happily proclaimed.

"Sasuke and Naruto still aren't back?" Inari asked.

"No." Kakashi shook his head and sipped his tea after dinner. "They're still out training."

"Maybe we should check on 'em," Genta suggested, slipping on his sandals.

"Okaa-san! We're heading out to get Sakura's teammates!"

A faint, 'be careful' was heard from the kitchen, and the two boys disappeared, leaving the only genin and her sensei. Sakura observed the jōnin for a short moment before retiring to her bedroom that she shared with the blonde and Uchiha. She decided it would be best to sleep and get rest for her new position tomorrow. Her and Kakashi were going to start guarding the builders as they worked.

Why won't Kakashi teach Sakura?

Sakura and Kakashi are going to guard the bridge tomorrow! Will anything happen? (Hint: It will be action-packed!)

When will Sasuke and Naruto return?