Italics- thoughts/flashbacks/Japanese/enunciation

Bold- Hikitsugu/enunciation within thoughts or flashbacks

Chapter 3

"Hey Kakashi-sensei, what are we doing, going to the Hokage's?" Naruto questioned, both hands lazily clasped behind his neck, walking backwards while facing Kakashi.

"Eh?" Kakashi drawled, not bothering to even look up from his orange book. "I didn't tell you guys? Well, we're finally getting our first C-ranked mission."

"REALLY?" All three of his students exclaimed, varies of expression on each's face.

"Well of course. If we're an Extortion specialty team, the main goal is making a reputation outside of the Konoha walls."

"Man, this is going to be so cool. At this rate, I'll become Hokage in no time, believe it!"

"Who's the short stupid looking one? Are you sure that brat's a ninja? I've seen scarier carrots than that toddler."

"I'LL KILL HIM!"

After sending his students home to grab a pack for their trip, Kakashi arrived at the gates 15 minutes late – early in his view. He was a bit surprised at how only two of his students were there.

Ignoring Naruto who was arguing with their client, Kakashi turned to Sasuke. "Where's Sakura?"

With a shrug and a grunt, Sasuke turned away, not knowing why Sakura of all people is later than their sensei.

"Sakura's always annoyingly on time; never too early, never too late. Where is she?" Sasuke mulled.

"But Sake-hime!" Four heads tuned to the approaching voice. "You've never been outside the walls before." Walking towards them were an irritated Sakura and two identical beings, one who was currently pleading at said pinkette. "Just take us with you, just in case!"

"For the last time Masaaki-kun, I can't bring you with me!" Both Sasuke and Naruto were surprised as Sakura raised her voice. They had never heard her yell at anyone with frustration. A few scary mutters here and there from her dwellers, but there were no shouting.

"Look what you did Masaaki, Sakura-hime's mad at us now," Takashi mumbled, undeniably the more laidback twin. "Why are you even worrying? Sakura-hime can take care of herself. She stopped needing us by the age of five." Takashi said this with mirth glinting in his eyes.

Arriving by the gates, the three Harunos met up with Sakura's remaining team and client.

"Sorry I'm late Kakashi-sensei. My a few members of my family are having a hard time grasping that I have a mission outside Konoha." Sakura briefly looked at Naruto and Sasuke, each tensing as she said the word 'family.'

"Ah yes, those two don't have any family in which to speak of," Amaterasu deliberated, pity slinking I her voice.

"It's alright Sakura," Kakashi brushed off her apology. "That's-"

"So you're Sake-hime's sensei."

A bit startled at being cut off, Kakashi directed his gaze lazily over to the pink-haired twin who was pleading a few moment previous. Stunned, seeing how both twins were narrowing their eyes at him, he pocketed his literature.

Kakashi gave them a once over. They seemed to be only a few years younger than him. Each sported shaggy pink hair, somewhat hidden under their bandana-esque forehead protector. They were either chuunin or jounin leveled, seeing how they donned the basic shinobi garb. Both protectively flanked Sakura, arms crossed at they stared at him with suspicion.

"Kakashi Hatake, nice to meet you," Kakashi drawled, yet his eyes glinted, alert.

"Masaaki Haruno."

"Takashi Haruno."

"Thank you for taking care of Sake-hime."

"Yes, we give you our gratitude."

"But as you can see-"

"-We are not very… how you say-"

"-Comfortable on not knowing-"

"-what business Sakura-hime has outside the walls."

Naruto could only stare in amazement. "Waah! That's so cool! Is it true that twins could read each other's minds? Is that how you guys are finishing your sentences?!"

"My apologies, but even if it is C-ranked, mission details are only discussed with the Hokage."

The atmosphere turned tense. Naruto was completely ignored.

"Well you can make a condition for us, right?" Tilting his chin up, Masaaki manically bared his eyes, clearly showing the white ring surrounding his pupil. He had activated his Ryoshingan, calling onto his dweller, Raiden; god of thunder and lightining.

"As you can see, Sakura-hime is very important to us." Takashi slanted his head to the side, his bangs eerily covered one of his eyes. The other, presenting his own white-ringed eye, calling on to Fujin; god of wind.

Kakashi tensed; hands unconsciously reaching towards his kunai pouch. The dangerous intent clearly swirled around the three.

The moment was broken by Sakura calmly walking away from the fortitude of her handlers and towards her teammates.

"Go home." The tone of her voice changed – just as the Haruno twins had a few moment ago – clearly pinpointing that she too had activated her Ryoshingan. With the dry tone and arrogant authority, Sakura had evidently called upon Tsukuyomi; or Oni, as known by her teammates. "Or go visit the onsens. I do not care. But, you will cease your foolish chattering."

Startling out of their Ryoshingan, the twins clenched their fists. They know once Sakura had called on Tsukuyomi, all argument are invalid. "Yes, Sakura-sama."

No 'Sake-hime' or 'Sakura-hime.' Once faced with the god with no mercy, you give proper respect.

With a final bow, both handlers shushined away.

"I'm sorry about them," Sakura said as she deactivated her kekkei genkai. "They're a bit over-protective."

"Ma, ma, it's alright Sakura, I understand," with danger gone, Kakashi pulled out his book, and headed towards the exit.

"Damn Sakura-chan, Oni's pretty scary." Naruto gave his usual non-filtered comments and made to follow Kakashi.

With a quick nod in greeting, Sasuke and Sakura stepped out of the village gates, starting their mission.

A quick mutter from Amaterasu, "There are two presence."

And the ball was set in motion.

With a quick capture and tug, 'Kakashi' was ripped into pieces.

The three genin paused, tensing; before they felt the familiar force of Kakashi's Kawamari.

"Naruto, clones, triangle formation around Tazuna!"

Following Sasuke's instructions with no hesitation, Naruto Kage Bunshined, the three clones surrounding their client.

Shoulder to shoulder, in front of Tazuna and his triad of clones, stood Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto respectively. Two blurs appeared before them, chains littered their arms.

"Oh, look at that, the little itty-bitty genin want to fight. Without your sensei, you'll just get creamed. Why don't you just hand over the bridge builder and we'll let you live?"

"Yes, three genin are no match against the Demon Brothers!" Both snarled in intimidation.

Sakura, who had called upon Tsukuyomi a while ago, looked at them with her Ryoshingan eyes. An eerie smile crossed her face. "Such lovely whether for severing mortal heads, is it not Sasuke, Naruto?"

Sasuke smirked as he quickly recalled what their sensei said to them, right after they got assigned as an Extortion specialty team.

"Extortionists need to make a reputation for themselves fast," Kakashi chirped, staring at his cute little students. "They have to be feared so neighboring enemies will hesitate in attacking Konoha. The Legendary Sannin achieved their reputation once they hit jounin-rank. Personally I think they chose the long-route." The three could only stare at him with confusion. "The way they got their reputation was that they focused on specific skillsets and made them flourish. They also made contracts with summons; which is known to be fairly rare and a high ranged skillset. But seeing how the three of you are pretty impatient, let's look at this with another perspective…"

The three crouched, made to strike as if feral dogs.

"Instead of gaining your reputation out of respect and strength, let's go with the roundabout way…"

They sprung, each going a different direction. Naruto Kage Bunshined a clone, gripping onto the two brothers, grinning like deranged Cheshire cats.

"You three will gain your reputation…"

Sasuke quickly arrived, guarding the back, a feral smirk spanned across his face. With uncanny accuracy, he launched two kunai towards the Brother's chained gauntlets, undeniably damaging them from use.

"…through fear."

Calling for Tsukuyomi's abilities, Sakura landed right in front of the Demon Brother's, unnoticed. She calmly walked closer – close enough that she could reach out and touch them – and extended two kunai to each brother's neck.

The Demon Brothers turned their surprised eyes over to the pig-tailed pinkette.

"How did you get there?"

"How the hell did we not notice you?"

"I don't believe she's liable to answer any of you inane questions."

Heads turned to see Kakashi appear behind the two brothers, each hand resting on both heads.

"Took you long enough."

"Sasuke," Kakashi lazily reprimanded. "Don't be so mean to your loving sensei. But I'm sorry, I wanted to see who they're after and whether or not you can actually take care of yourselves. I guess all those training exercise and teamwork building essentially helped."

"Tch, lazy old man."

"Now how about we have a talk Tazuna?"

"Then I guess, we'll just have to keep on going and protect Tazuna."

Naruto fist pumped, cheering, while Tazuna gave a sigh of relief.

"Kakashi-sensei, the nuke-nins escaped."

Heads turned over to where Sakura stood, calmly looking over the torn ropes that was used to hold the Demon Brothers to the tree.

Kakashi hummed in acknowledgement. Sakura shared a look with Sasuke and Naruto.

"Hey Kakashi-sensei," Naruto queried. "Why did you us rope when you had perfectly good ninja wire? I mean, isn't rope easier escape from?"

Sasuke and Sakura gave Naruto a look of astonishment, surprised that he had actually caught on quickly.

"That, my host, is called character development," Amaterasu gushed.

"Hmm, yes. I do guess that rope I easier to escape from. Now let's get moving on. If we want Tazuna to finish that bridge, we have to actually arrive their first," Kakashi chirped.

Following his sensei's orders, Sasuke was still a little bit put off on how Kakashi just easily brushed off their hostage escaping. A quick look of realization crossed his features. "Kakashi-sensei, don't tell me you meant for them to escape?"

Kakashi sent Sasuke one of his eye-crinkling smiles. "Now why would you think that? After all the hard work my cute little student had to go through to capture them."

The three teammates shared a look before simultaneously sending Kakashi a scanting glare.

Kakashi felt sweat prickle and laughed nervously. "Mah, fine. I purposely let them escape because it will help us with the Extortion. Ninjas are notorious gossips. Word might spread that the Demon Brothers were defeated by Konoha brats and that's the reason why we're on this mission at the first place. To build a reputation."

Pacified by his words, the genin went back to bickering with each other, while they headed towards Tazuna's home.

"So this Gatou guy is after you because once you complete the bridge, he'll lose his income?! What the hell?! What business guy hires assassins after a bridge builder? That's just lame!"

"Lower your voice Dope. You learn that and yet you're still trying to gain attention to yourself?"

"Shut up Bastard! Nobody asked what you think!"

"Still have no affectionate nickname Sakura?"

"None yet Kakashi-sensei. I'm beginning to think that I'm purposely being left out."

As the four bickered and teased over themselves, Tazuna just looked on with disturbed fascination. Unknown to Tazuna, the four were tense, wary of another hired-nin bursting through the foliage. The somewhat devil-may-care atmosphere broke as Naruto swirled and chucked a kunai through the bushes.

"Heh, heh, sorry, it was just a rabbit."

Sakura could only place a hand to her chest, trying to calm her thrumming heart. "Dammit Naruto, you have to calm down. It's not like it's some nuke-nin with a gigantic sword, looking to take our heads off. It's just a white… hold on."

"Everyone get down!"

Following Kakashi's orders, they could only dodge with rapidity, trying not to be beheaded by the hurled sword.

"Holy shit Sakura-chan! You're a jinx!"

Standing on the monstrous sword impaled into the tree was probably the most crazed killing intent that Sakura's ever felt.

"Doesn't he remind you of Susanoo? Such atmosphere could only be held by those of likeness."

Sakura could only silently agree with Amaterasu's remark. Both had such feral feeling. Sakura could only wonder if she had the same air as the nuke-nin, once calling upon Susanoo.

"Hmm, Zabuza Momochi. The Hidden Mist's infamous missing-nin. Pleasure seeing you; now if you don't mind, we're currently on an on-going mission. We can catch up after," Kakashi drawled with no urgency.

"Now hold on Copy-cat Kakashi. You're not going to even stop and talk with a dear old fan?" Zabuza rumbled, crossing his bear arms at them.

Ignoring his students questioning on why the missing-nin had called him Copy-cat Kakashi, he regarded them with a strict look. "You're going to take Tazuna away from here. He's going to lead you three back to his home. You will not participate in this fight. Do you understand?"

The three genin tensed.

"What are you talking about Kakashi-sensei?! We're not leaving you behind!" Naruto exclaimed, stunned and bit peeved at what his sensei was saying.

"Kakashi-sensei, this better not be another one of your teamwork tests. You've already beaten us down to never leaving behind a teammate. What makes you think this time will be any different," Sakura said calmly, as if she was just saying the time of day. But, inside, she and her three dwellers her having an inner melt down. ("Kill the missing-nin, host. Such filth endangering your followers deserve death.")

Sasuke glared at Kakashi, grunting in agreement. "Those who break the rules are trash, but those who leave their comrades behind are worse than trash…" Sasuke muttered, throwing back Kakashi's own words.

Kakashi felt annoyance, but it was overshadowed by pride. By luck or by hard work, he had managed to bring a knuckleheaded loudmouth, a brooding avenger, and a sarcastic nut on working together. In such a short amount of time, he had given them a new family. He sighed in defeat.

"Fine you brats. Stay, but stay behind and guard Tazuna. Protecting the bridge builder is our top propriety. Understood?"

The three didn't reply but they moved closer to Tazuna all the same.

Reaching for his forehead protector, he regarded Zabuza with a wary eye. "Ma… I guess this means I would have to bring this out sooner than I thought."

A feral gleam appeared in Zabuza's eye; faintly reminding the boys of Sakura in the early morning.

"Oh, what do we have here? Copy-cat Kakashi is already gracing me with his infamous Sharingan? I'm honored," Zabuza mocked.

Sakura spared Sasuke a look as he momentarily tensed. Sakura unconsciously started blocking everything out as her three dwellers demanded attention.

"What are you doing? I need to focus," Sakura growled, mentally glaring at her three deities.

"Peace, host. We are currently your state of focus but your body is built in with instincts. We have called on your attention for an intervention of sorts," Amaterasu placated.

Sakura watched with faint interest as her body moved on its own accord as Zabuza made a slash at them with his humongous sword.

"You have been able to perform Noriutsuru with your Ryoshingan since your seventh year. Yet, why have you not token the next stage and implemented your Hikitsugu when you have been fully capable?" Tsukuyomi bluntly questioned.

"…It's because I am not yet ready," Sakura replied with hesitance.

"Have you not been listening?" Susanoo all but growled. "Tsukuyomi clearly stated that you've been ready for a long-"

Sakura cut off her connection with her dwellers, not wanting to listen any longer. Coming back to recollection, she was somewhat surprised to see Kakashi trapped by Zabuza, inside a sphere of water. Staggering towards them was Zabuza's water-clone.

"Finally back from the land of the living Sakura-chan?"

Sakura commended Naruto for pulling a joke; even at this cagey situation.

"How'd you know?"

"You had that far-away look in your eyes. The one that you get every time you go and party with the three voices in your head."

Sakura hummed in surprise, unaware when her teammate had become so observant.

"What are you three doing?!" Their attention switched over to Kakashi, still imbedded in his water imprisonment. "This fight was over the moment I got caught! Take Tazuna and run!"

The three each made a sound of annoyance. Each sent an exasperated gaze over to Tazuna, who raised his hand in surrender.

"Why don't you brats save that sensei of yours? It was my fault we're stuck in this whole mess, best not complain, eh?"

With that said, the three shared a look.

"I have a plan." Sasuke smirked.

Kakashi could only watch helplessly as he watched his team attempt on getting past the water clone.

"Give me some air, Dope!"

"Got it, Bastard!"

Naruto, with his newly created shadow clones, lifted Sasuke high in the air. The Water clone's attention shifted over to Sasuke, who quickly made the hand signs for his Katon. As the water clone dodged and evaded the spouts of fire headed his way, he didn't notice Naruto creeping up along the side. Just as Zabuza's water clone made to launch himself at Sasuke, Naruto attacked. He and his clones leaped towards him, kunai in hand. A total of ten, counting Naruto, slashed and stabbed the clone, disintegrating it to liquid.

"I'll admit, I didn't imagine you brats to defeat any of my water clones," Zabuza declared. "But, sadly for you brats, I can make more." Making a the hand sign with only one hand, two water clones rose, landing in front of Sasuke and Naruto.

Instead of panicked and defeated faces, the two only held smirks.

"Stalled enough time for you Sakura-chan?" Naruto hollered.

Surprised, Zabuza quickly turned his head over to the girl standing in front of the bridge builder, forgetting that she was there.

Sakura clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Of course." She spoke with a wild gruff tone and a feral smile. Kakashi noticed faintly that she had her Ryoshingan activated and was calling upon Susanoo. "Let me just…"

Zabuza felt his momentum shift. He looked upon the lake and saw the rapidly changing waves. Staggered, Zabuza could only stare as he saw the fish that lived in the lake moving swiftly under him. The waves were growing larger and larger in an alarming rate.

Kakashi snorted in amusement. "You see, our Sakura always had a weird fascination with fish," Kakashi's tone was smug. He quickly picked up on the ruse set up by his students. "You would always see her fishing with her beat up pole, no bait in hand. It was strange… it was almost like she can…control the fishes in the water..." Kakashi told, trying to distract the missing-nin more.

Shocked, Zabuza stared at Kakashi, Sakura, and back to the fish under him.

Noticing it too late, Zabuza was deeply cut with Sasuke's thrown windmill shuriken, wounding itself onto the arm that held the prison sphere. Still comprehending what was happening, he didn't notice the second hidden shuriken was changing back into Naruto.

"Ha! I can't believe you're actually listening to that load of crap," Naruto sniggered towards Zabuza, before he sent a kunai targeted right at the back of his head.

Zabuza had moved on instinct, as he was forcefully made to release his prison sphere and avoid being killed.

Pissed, he ripped the gigantic shuriken off his arm and made to launch it at Naruto, only to be blocked by Kakashi.

He sent his patented crinkled eye-smile over to Naruto, making shooing movement with his unoccupied hand. "Nice teamwork there Naruto. But now, it's your loving sensei's turn."

Shushin- body flicker

Kawamari- body replacement

Amaterasu's Noriutsuru ability- With this activated, Sakura can send chakra through a solid connection and hold them down. It is a trapping ability and can only be broken with those who can 'severe' the chakra connection. Takes a big chunk of her chakra reserves. Not an offensive ability.

Tsukuyomi's Noriutsuru ability- With this activated, Sakura can go by any enemy unnoticed. It completely hides Sakura's chakra and presence. It is a sneaking ability and as read in the fanfic, she can be right in front of you and you won't even notice. Effect is ruined once physical contact is made. Somewhat an offensive ability.

Susanoo's Noriutsuru ability- No, it is not the ability to control fishes. With this activated, Sakura can send multiple waves of chakra at an opponent. Sakura sends out bursts of chakra; it effects animals with them going a bit spastic, unable to control their actions as they just convulse, just like the fish in the lake. If the bursts of chakra are sent through humans, their muscles will tense and their equilibrium will be off-centered. It's a distraction ability. Needs time to build up. Roundabout offensive ability.

Sorry for the lame fight scene. It's not really my thing, nor do I have the ability to explain such stuff.

And if you don't know; Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo - along with the other Haruno dwellers - are real gods. I didn't make them up, if that's what you're thinking. They're deities based off the Shinto religion.

Thanks for reading, please review.