Beyond the Boundary | Haruno Sakura | DISCONTINUED

FOUR

Sakura landed with knees bent to soften her fall. She had taken the time to walk around Konoha and was surprised to see that everything was so different. At one point, she had gotten lost and had to ask for directions to the training fields. When her head lifted to survey her surroundings, a feeling of nostalgia washed over her like the waves at the beach. Where Minato and his team stood were three posts, all looking like they were new, unlike when she had first seen them so long ago. The longer she stared the more she began to see the ghosts of her past.

A small displacement in the air alerted Sakura and she moved her head three inches to the right. Her emerald gaze focused on the figure of mini Kakashi as she stepped out of the bushes she had landed in. "Sakura-san, you're late." Minato commented. Sakura gave a little bow of the head before replying, "I apologize, but a black cat crossed my path and I had to take the long way around."

" Please don't let that happen again, I don't need another Obito on our team." The blonde shinobi chuckled, placing a large hand on top of the head of a black haired boy. "Hey! It's not my fault that I had to help an old lady! It's common courtesy to help those who need it!" he retorted, raising his fist once before crossing his arms and turning his head away.

"Wait a minute, aren't you the lady we saved yesterday?"

Sakura shifted her weight from her left leg to her right leg, nodding. But Kakashi just clicked his tongue and crossed his arms just like Obito, glaring at the pink kunoichi openly. "We didn't save her, we escorted her back to Konoha, Idiot." The silverette commented. A tick mark appeared on Obito's head as he went in to grab Kakashi by the shirt. Sakura watched the exchange with a slight smile quirking the corner of her lips. Minato laughed nervously, standing between the two as they bickered nonstop.

"Ignore them, they're idiots." A feminine voice spoke, causing Sakura's eyes to turn to a girl with purple markings on her face. Her eyes were a warm brown, kind and soothing yet knowledgeable and firm. Much like Sakura's, at one point. A look of realization crossed the younger girl's features. "Oh! My name is Nohara Rin, pleasure to meet you!" Rin held out a hand, head tilted to the left and eyes closed with a smile. For a moment, Sakura stood there looking down at the brown haired female. There were so many things she saw within the young kunoichi that reminded the pink haired girl of herself. "Haruno Sakura, or I guess Sakura-sensei now." she laughed lightly, taking her hand for a firm shake.

Rin's eyes widened, her hands are so rough! It was also then that the two boys paused to stare at her. "Sensei?!" They exclaimed in unison causing the other three to sweatdrop. "Yes, Sakura-san has been assigned by Lord Hokage to co-teach you all. That's why we're meeting today." Minato spoke up after coming to stand beside Sakura. Rin and Obito seemed shocked for a moment, but soon burst into a smile and welcomed the kunoichi with big smiles. Well, Obito tackled her in a hug going on about how she should 'ignore that teme, kakashi' and how he was going to be Hokage.

As Sakura stood beside Minato with arms crossed lightly over her chest, she couldn't help but see the uncanny resemblance to her own team. Memories of Naruto, Sasuke and even herself overlapped the three genin as they began practice. Although, Sakura couldn't help but notice how reluctant Kakashi seemed to be about her becoming a new sensei. It was painfully obvious he didn't trust her.

Her emerald hues sparked in interest as Rin rushed over to the injured Obito, a green orb of light surrounding her hands as she healed him. A smile tugged at her lips as she moved from her spot next to the blonde ninja and headed towards Rin. "Rin-chan." Sakura greeted, sitting down next to the girl under the shade of a large tree. The girl smiled as she leaned back on her hands. "Sakura-sensei, what's up?"

Sakura stayed silent a moment, watching how Kakashi moved so fluidly whilst fighting. "I noticed you using medical ninjutsu. Are you interested in becoming a medic nin?" she inquired. Rin perked up instantly whilst nodding. "Yea! I'm no good right now... but I plan to be the best-of-the-best! I really like being able to help in any way I can, ya know?" she passionately said, her hand jutting out and forming a fist as she brought it back to her heart. Sakura couldn't help but smile. yes, she's like me...just like I was. "But I've been studying books from the library! Still trying to get the hospital staff to teach me... still a work-in-progress." Suddenly, an idea popped up in Sakura's head.

" I can teach you, if you want. I'm a medical ninja. "

Rin's eyes widened in shock as she stood up and jumped around. "Really?! Please, Sakura-sensei! Teach me." the girl bowed as she asked. The pink haired kunoichi couldn't help but grin as she stood as well. "Of course. We start tomorrow five o'clock sharp and meet in the Hokage tower." Not too far away, Minato watched the exchange with a smile one his face. Sakura-san... maybe you are what we need, what kakashi needs, he thought to himself. His sky blue eyes slid over to the panting silver haired shinobi.

"Alright! Training is over for the day. Sakura, I hope you come to love them as I do."