(A/N: Listen to music in media for more effect.)

It was the first time seeing her own reflection. She looked into her own startlingly green eyes, her flashy pink hair, and very pale skin.

"I approve," Sakura said, nodding at the new outfit.

The woman that ran the small shop smiled. "It looks feminine, but you can still move around. It reminds me of Tsunade's outfit when she was a genin." The mint kimono was a little longer than mid-thigh, with black spandex underneath, and a dark blue belt to secure the whole outfit. She wore fishnet underneath, and had pink arm warmers that went from her wrist to a few inches before her elbow. Sakura used the standard shinobi sandals, with her mid-calf and down wrapped.

Anko came in. "That looks pretty good, kid." After she payed, Sakura walked out, with a warm feeling in her chest. She didn't know what to recognize it as.

Suddenly, a hawk came from the sky and landed on Anko's forearm. Detaching the scroll, she lifted her arm and the bird took off. She frowned. "Sorry brat, I'm needed. You can make your way back to the apartment. Also, here's some money for dinner or whatever."

Sakura nodded, and watched as the chūnin poofed away. She kept walking aimlessly. Gripping the money, Sakura decided she knew where she was going to go.

:::

The bells in the door jingled when it opened. A man at the counter glanced over, polishing a katana. Nothing. He leaned over, and spotted nothing. Shrugging, he resumed what he was doing before.

Sakura walked around the small shop, looking at all the weapons they had: kunai, shuriken, katanas, kusarigama, even naginata. "What's a kid like you doing here?" She turned around to face a teen wearing a green chūnin vest with brown hair that didn't quite reach his shoulders. His Konoha headband was adapted into a bandana, that wrapped around his head, covering the top. He had a senbon in his mouth.

"Shopping," Sakura replied, then turned away again to study the smoke bombs and explosive tags.

The chūnin raised an eyebrow. This girl couldn't have been older than seven or eight. "Hey, you don't go to the Academy for another year, right?"

The girl ignored him. The little brat ignored him. "I'm Genma Shiranui."

Finally, the girl turned and looked at him, her face blank. "Sakura." She redirected her focus back to the weapons.

"I'll teach you," Gemma offered. Why did I just offer to train this brat, oh my Kami—

"Are you any good?"

Her tone seemed unimpressed. His eye twitched. "Of course. I'm training to be a jōunin."

Sakura blinked. Then she walked away to study the kunai, after grabbing a few smoke bombs. "Kid, you're really pissing me off."

"And?"

"Kami, you cheeky little brat!"

"You are pestering me." She grabbed twenty shuriken and ten kunai before paying and leaving.

Gemma watched as the small figure disappeared into the busy streets.

:::

Sakura walked past the playground, observing the kids around her. They were screaming, and making weird noises that she did not understand what they were. Whatever it was, it sounded horrific.

"AHH! IT'S A GHOST!"

She looked around. Ghost, a manifested spirit or phantom. I do not see either. Sakura continued walked down the dirt road in her new outfit to the library so she could read on how to fit in. Maybe read about the history of this village.

As she walked in, two shinobi blocked her path. "This library is reserved for shinobi only!"

"So?"

"You're clearly not a shinobi," one of them said, and made eye contact with the other.

"Yeah," the second guard sneered, "We don't want to have to make you leave."

"I would like to see you try," Sakura said dryly, unimpressed.

"Why you little—"

"Izumo, Kotetsu! Were you seriously about to attack a seven-year-old kid?"

"Genma, what're you doing here?"

Sakura turned to look at the boy she had ran into earlier. "Stalker, a person that pursues prey, game, or people stealthily. Are you a stalker?" Although he is not that stealthy.

One of the boys with spiky hair laughed. "Genma, you've been stalking a seven-year-old kid?"

"Shut up, Kotetsu. I wasn't stalking her. And stop laughing, Izumo. And you, you little—"

"Innocent little girl trying to get away from a pedophile," Izumo said, fixing his headband-bandana.

"Pedophile, someone sexually attracted to children. I am getting my books now. Farewell Stalker," Sakura informed them, walking by the three idiotic chūnin. They are certainly immature. They are too weak to be in the field, so they guard books instead. I think the 'nickname' is appropriate. Anko should be grateful that I have embraced one of her ideas.

"Hey, you don't have clearance!" One of the boys yelled at her as she began walking to the psychology section so she could find a book on sociology.

After a few minutes, she found the area she was looking for.

That seems like a good one! "How to Make Friends: For Dummies".

I am not a dummy, and I already told you, friends do not exist in the world of shinobi. There are only allies and enemies.

Wouldn't you consider Naruto Uzumaki to be a friend?

He is an ally. The only reason I consider him to be an ally is because I want my reward. I will admit though, I am interested in what is so interesting about 'friendship'.

Sakura grabbed the book, along with another book about the history of Konohagakure and simple chakra techniques that any below-average genin should be able to do.

Have you practiced tapping into your chakra reserves?

No.

That boy asked you earlier if you wanted to be trained by him. Why won't you let him?

He is a pedophile. Even I know to stay away.

What about the two boys that almost beat us up?

They seem incompetent. They cause trouble.

Anko?

No.

Tenzou?

...No.

While Sakura had a conversation with Inner, Kotetsu and Izumo found her. "We found you, brat!"

Sakura sniffed. "I was beginning to wonder when you would. Disgraceful." She stood up and walked over to the check-out desk.

The woman there looked at her skeptically. "Name?"

"Put it on Anko's account."

"What? You know Anko?"

Sakura turned to the boys, with Gemma now there as well. "Yes. Are you two stalking as well?" I have better 'nicknames', Pedophile, Stalker #1, and Stalker #2.

All three recoiled. "Harsh little girl. Even the smallest women are mean," Izumo complained.

"You're the pedophile," Genma argued, "You just looked at this little girl and compared to a grown woman!"

"I give you my thanks for fueling my knowledge," Sakura said before leaving.

The chūnin stopped arguing to watch her walk away. Finally, Kotetsu spoke. "She's kinda weird. She knows Anko, too. Perhaps we should ask Anko about it."

"Agreed," Izumo said, and Genma nodded.

"...HEY! She left with jutsu scrolls!"

:::

Sakura walked alone to her apartment, feeling accomplished. She had found an apartment, books, and the village she was sent to destroy came to her.

She was most definitely going to find out what or who she was made of first, though. Little did she know it would take another five years, and would end up impacting a dark-haired boy that was the last of his clan.

What will happen with Sasuke that will make her realize what she is?!