The Turning Point

Team 7 vs Zabuza: Part 2

The first day of ninja academy had come and gone, a ten year old Sakura skipped home happily humming an unknown tune. She had spent the day in the meadow picking flowers; although some older girls had been mean to her she had made a new friend. Her name was Ino and she had defended her from the rude comments made by the girls and gave her a bright red bow to help her with the embarrassment of her forehead.

Reaching her front door Sakura walked into her house to see her father sitting at the kitchen table.

"Hi Daddy!" the pink haired girl threw her belongings on the ground and raced towards the older fair haired ninja, who chuckled at his daughters antics and hoisted her onto his lap.

"Ah Sakura, how's my little cherry blossom? How was your first day?" Smiling Sakura garbled away to him about her new friend Ino and the flowers she had picked.

"But there was this boy daddy; his name is Naruto I think... Ino said to stay away from him because he's done terrible things to other people. Everyone in the village hates him, but he looked so sad after class today sitting on the swing all alone" Sakura spoke quietly as she looked up at her father.

Her eyes were full of question, but it was clear she wanted to know if she too should avoid him like the other villagers.

"Sakura you listen to me. That boy deserves to be treated like everyone else. You don't have to be his best friend but you must be just as nice to him as you are to your other peers. He was the recipient of a most unfortunate gift from the Third Hokage, something that we will discuss when you're a little older" Takao Haruno said seriously as he watched his daughter's expression.

Nodding solemnly the little girl conveyed her understanding to her father.

"That's my girl. Sakura as you advance as a ninja you're more than likely going to be put on a team with other people. Nothing is more important than team work, you need to remember that"

As the remains of the ice mirror jutsu shattered around her Sakura felt power.

Power and control.

For the first time since she started her ninja journey she felt just as strong and useful as Sasuke or Naruto.

Tazuna, Kakashi and Zabuza could only stare as the pink haired teen rose to her full height and adopted and protective stance in front of her two teammates. Haku lay unmoving on the other side of the bridge but Sakura wasn't taking any chances as she concentrated her chakra.

"Sakura-chan? What are you doing?" The exhausted voice of her blonde teammate reached her ears and she couldn't help but smirk.

"I'm protecting you Naruto, that's what you do when you're part of a team right?" she said.

Smiling at his female teammate the blonde haired boy attempted to get up but found he couldn't move.

"SERIOUSLY AGAIN? WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH MY BODY?" Huffing and panting Naruto tried again but failed.

"Loser, you're out of chakra that's why you can't move" Sasuke says angrily as he also attempted to rise to his feet but was unable.

"HAHAHAHA! YOU'RE OUT TOO SASUKE-TEME!" Naruto yelled gleefully at the thought of finally being equal to Sasuke at something.

"Sakura what do you think you're doing?" Sasuke said through gritted teeth, the female member of Team 7 let out an exasperated sigh while fixing her vision on Haku's body.

"I'm protecting you both. You're out of chakra and what kind of teammate would I be if I sat on the sidelines and allowed you to have all the fun?" Sakura replied.