A.N. Hey all, just another side chapter - this one was inspired by a Guest comment on my first story, regarding Sakura.

THE EVOLUTION OF A KUNOICHI – TRIALS OF HARUNO SAKURA

I am not weak….

If I said it enough….maybe it would be true.

But…

The truth was, for a time, I wasn't strong…I actually was weak.

I remember back in the early days, back during the academy;

Being a ninja was a status symbol, an idea. I never took what it meant seriously. I was ninja in name only. My greatest goal was to have Sasuke acknowledge me, pledge himself to me, and become his intended.

Those days seemed simpler….and naive.

When we had our groups, when I was chosen to team up with Sasuke, it was the greatest moment of my young life. I saw it then as a sign.

Perhaps the greatest sign was that I teamed up with Naruto. It was the first step, to a world of change.

Naruto was…complicated. Despite his sometimes obvious crush I had no real reason to dislike him. He rarely pestered me, kept mostly to himself, except when he was all up in Sasuke's face. He was on the periphery, so I never bothered too much over him.

But being on the same team as him, spending the time training with him...

I got to see his work ethic, his dedication to his craft. He had great ideas, but they were linear at times. He couldn't make quick connections and deductions. Overall his analysis was good.

But mine were much better.

Although, the biggest catalyst to change…was Hatake Kakashi. My Jonin Sensei.

The day of the test, was the longest of my life. it was also the day my views were challenged, my world turned upside down.

'I wonder how long you can continue on, knowing that your peers earned their places on their teams. They have the right to call themselves ninja of Konoha'

'You do not. And as much as I wish I could wash my hands of you, we will all carry that stigma'

Those words….

I met up with Ino not long after. Her attitude was smug, but I could also tell she was stung by the fact that I was on Sasuke's team. She proceeded to tell my about her team, how they accomplished her Sensei's tests. How they became genins. She expressed her shock that my team could have succeeded, insinuating that Sasuke was the cause.

I flinched when she said that, and she took it as validation.

Years of banter flew between us, but I couldn't help think of Sensei's words.

And how much the truth stung. More so I realised something in his words, something my teammates I'm sure missed.

Sensei didn't want a team. He didn't want us as his team. In his eyes we were lower than dirt. Even at the end when he promised to work with us, it wasn't the promise to make us great. It was an obligation to be filled to the lowest tender.

Our lives under such would amount to very little.

No….Sasuke and Naruto, they could manage. They could achieve something.

But me….

I cannot allow Sasuke to leave me. I can't fail as a ninja, but I can't fail Sasuke more.

I need to become stronger. I need to be better, for Konoha….and Sasuke.

It was easy saying the words then, but I was always afraid. But that changed, and I guess I got lucky.

'Sakura. I'm sure you're smart enough to realise what is at stake here. Compared to your teammates and even some of the graduating classmates you did only the minimum required. I find it difficult to understand how someone as brilliant as you, let yourself fall so far.'

'Being a ninja, is a duty. One you cannot hope to comprehend or complete as you are. Despite your intelligence and potential, it is nothing if you fail to exercise it. Naruto and Sasuke have clear defined goals, ones that will carry them on.'

'What is your goal Sakura?'

'If you want to remain part of team Seven, prove to me you can earn it.'

'Naruto has a project on Genjustu and I think your abilities would be of value to both of you. However as I told him, the only way I'll approve this and your involvement, is if you step up your training and commitment.'

'Don't let me down Sakura. Don't let Konoha down'

'More importantly, don't let yourself down'

No one knows about that conversation with sensei. Not Sasuke, not Naruto. Kakashi swore that only he was aware of it, he never reported it to the Hokage.

It was between me and him.

I tell myself I am intelligent. It's funny, when Sasuke finally got his Sharingan; he once commented my analytical abilities to be equal to his Sharingan. Coming from him, it is high praise.

When I look back, where it counted, my teammates proved to be way smarter than me. They are stronger than I ever could be. They knew what they wanted, and took steps to get make sure they achieve it.

Even when I trained, even when I tried, I still wasn't sure what I wanted. I just followed along with them.

But I was a ninja of Konoha too. I AM a ninja of Konoha.

I know I'm not the best, or the fastest, or maybe the most powerful. My actions at times may have labelled me as not very bright at times. But I am still very intelligent. I am still tenacious. I too can grow, can change, can become better.

Forget what you thought you knew about me.

Forget what you think you know about me now.

Hear my words, my thoughts now

I will not allow anyone to doubt me. I will not allow anyone to trample on me.

I am Haruno Sakura.

And I am a Shinobi for Konoha.

i thought the transition for all members of team seven was fairly clear, especially Naruto & Sakura, that said this chapter is born from that criticisms.

Also, i think Sakura had the potential to be someone special, even in the early days. But overtime she devolved into a discordant mess. I've gone back through the manga to read up on her profile, and there are positives, which i brought forward and limited the over-hyped negatives.