Everything that lies beneath her smile (UNDER REVISION UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE)

XV. Chuunin (Part 4)

Sasuke snorted as he looked at the board, 'This is ridiculous.' He thought.

FINAL ROUND

Naruto vs. Neji
Shikamaru vs. Temari
Kankuro vs. Shino
Sasuke vs. Dosu
Sakura vs. Gaara

"Woah." Beside him, Naruto muttered as he read the last competitors. "That's gotta be the fight of the century!"

"And the fight to death." Sasuke added. He exhaled before he moved to look at the quiet pinkette. "Sakura, you think you can handle him?" He asked.

Sakura shrugged, "He seems harmless enough." She offered a smile.

"Harmless?! Sakura-chan, he nearly killed Lee!" Naruto flipped as he threw his hands around.

"Nah," she smiled, "He's just like a mouse compared to me." She said before she turned around to leave.

"Can you believe her?" Naruto said as he turned to face Sasuke.

Sasuke shrugged before he, too, left.

' "Tell me, do you not fear her?" The Sannin asked the two, "When she was a mere nine year-old girl, her presence alone was enough to make armies run for their lives. She was a monster! The perfect shinobi with a power that could challenge a whole nation!" '

Sasuke shook his head, how could he fear Sakura? 

---

"So, I plan to train Sasuke over the month. For Naruto, Jiraiya will handle him." Kakashi drawled out before he looked at the lazy pinkette, "What about you?" He asked.

In all honesty, he couldn't think of a person capable enough to train her. She was, after all, the infamous Berserk Healer; who could teach her what she needs to defeat Gaara?

"Hmm," The pinkette stood up from the grass, "I was planning to take a trip back to Kiri. Get a few weapons and maybe spar a few times." She said.

"Kiri? Well, not a bad plan." He nodded in agreement. "In any case, I have to ask you something."

"Ask away, sensei."

"Can you handle Gaara?"

"No sweat, I can handle him." She smiled.

Something about her smile gave Kakashi the chills. It was a smile that he used to see before, back during he was an ANBU operative. It was the smile of those who showed no mercy but hid it beneath a false sense of comfort. 

---

"Hey, where's Sakura - chan?" Naruto questioned as soon as Kakashi appeared.

"Our little kunoichi decided to go visit home for the month. She said she has a few things to pick up for the finals." Kakashi said as he gave out a small smile.

"She's going to train at Kiri?" He asked.

"Sound's like a good plan, since she is against Gaara." Sasuke said as he crossed his arms.

"Maa, whatever you may think of Gaara, he's nowhere near our little Sakura - chan." Kakashi waved his hand in a carefree manner, "Have some faith in her."

"Yeah!", Naruto cheered, "She was so awesome back in Kiri! She's gonna kick Gaara's butt!"

Sasuke smirked, "Obviously."

"Well now, let's get started with training, shall we?" Kakashi clapped his hands.

---

"You're against who?" Kisame crossed his arms.

"Sabaku no Gaara, son of the current Kazekage." Sakura said as she walked around the weapon shop. 

"And your plan is?"

"Nothing, as of the moment. But I'm sure I can think of something." She said while she eyed the different weapons around her. 

"So, lemme get this straight. A genin, who just so happened to nearly kill a fellow genin during the preliminary rounds, is a kid with the power to control sand? And you're not even freaking out?!"

Sakura giggled before she turned to face him, "Kisame - san, how harmful could he be?" She asked.

"Well for starters, he could trap you and crush you with sand."

"He would, of course, have to catch me first." She shot back at him as she picked a naginata. "I don't think he could unless I let him."

Kisame huffed, "Impossible, true. But I wouldn't keep on doing nothing. Even you know how scary a cornered mice is."

"True. But that's when the fun really starts, Kisame - san."

---