It was a week into Sakura's training with Tsume that the Inuzuka Matriarch decided it was time to test Sakura and Boei's bond to see how it was growing "Okay Stray enough with the shuriken practice, I've got something special in store for the rest of our time together today" Tsume clapped.

And being the energetic brat that she was Sakura made Boei fetch her thrown weapons, hurriedly stowed them in her pack when she had them in hand and stood in front of Tsume with eagerness plain to see on her face.

"Something special like learning another jutsu Mrs. Inuzuka" Sakura bounced, hardly able to stand still to Tsume's amusement as she peered down at the surviving nekozuka, before her expression shifted to a more serious one.

As the thought that it was her duty to make sure the girl knew her place in society as the heiress to a now nearly extinct clan barring herself "Not quite Stray, since this past week you've been nurturing your bond with Boei it's time to test that" the mahogany haired woman said.

Making Sakura tilt her head to the side in curiosity "Test it how" the pinkette questioned a little warily, proving that she had a good head on her shoulders, Sakura would be quite the smart one when she grew up that was for certain.

Tsume grinned widely showing off all her teeth in response "Easy Stray, I take you into the forest, Boei stays here and then you call for him, if the bond has grown like it should have during this past week, he'll come without any hesitation" Tsume informed.

So despite her nervousness Sakura nodded her head "Sounds reasonable I suppose Mrs. Inuzuka, I'd like to know to" Sakura mumbled, allowing the woman to cart her away and into the forest where Tsume left a clone and went back to Boei to watch his reaction.

Now came calling Boei through the bond "Alright, first focus, manipulate your chakra and flare it out, Boei should feel your call Stray" the Inuzuka Matriarch instructed, not telling the girl the rest because there was no need to make Sakura panic.

Who did as told, not without a lot of struggling though and Tsume couldn't help but frown until Sakura managed the task and flared her chakra outwards "Di..Did I do it r..right Mrs. Inuzuka" the rosette panted from the effort it had taken her and Tsume nodded letting her relax a bit.

Until nearly seventeen minutes later because she'd taken Sakura about three miles into the forest, Boei burst through the brush with a wild glint in his blue eyes, the salt and pepper colored kitten looked around before spotting his partner.

Before with a mrowl lunged into Sakura's arms, hot on his heels was the real Tsume who looked more than pleased as her clone vanished in a plume of smoke "Very good Stray, your bond with Boei is extremely strong" Tsume praised.

And the little girl beamed up at her in pride before frowning "Is it strange that I can understand him Mrs. Inuzuka, I swear he said that he was glad he found me before he jumped into my arms a minute ago" Sakura inquired.

Curious because she hadn't thought that she would actually be able to hear what animals could say, Tsume blinked then bust out laughing "That's amazing, your one of the gifted ones to be able to hear your newly bonded companion after just a week Stray" the wild woman grinned.

Sakura grinned in response as well, getting the feeling that she'd done something complicated that most didn't get within their first week "So he and I can talk to each other now" the fuscia haired five year old asked just to be sure.

Tsume nodded "Yes that's right Stray and I encourage you to converse with him as much as possible to develop his speech and perhaps someday he'll be able capable of human speech like my Kuromaru" Tsume explained.

Leading the way out of the forest since the test had been executed perfectly at least to her anyway "Really that's awesome Mrs. Inuzuka, I promise to devote myself to this task and get Boei-kun to speak like we can someday" Sakura vowed as seriously as possible.

Earning a throaty chuckle from the woman and her hair ruffled as well until they were back on the training grounds and seeing as they still had like thirty minutes Tsume made Sakura sit "Meditation Stray to stimulate your chakra coils, allowing you to use more chakra" the Inuzuka Matriarch said.

When Sakura whined "If you think it'll help, but Boei has to meditate with me" the pinkette crinkled her nose and gave the lynx a silent command as he settled next to her and closed his eyes so they could both meditate.

And thirty minutes later it was back to home for Sakura "How was your day Sakura-chan" Mebuki asked as they gathered around the table for dinner, plates full of delicious food before her husband and daughter, with green tea as the choice in beverage.

"The most amazing by far Momma, Mrs. Inuzuka had me test my bond with Boei-kun and guess what he came running straight for me when I flared my chakra and then I learned how to meditate so did Boei-kun" Sakura chattered endlessly.

Waiting impatiently for the go ahead to eat dinner "Do you feel as if the tasks Tsume-sama gives you are difficult little blossom" Kizashi inquired worriedly, knowing that his daughter wasn't gifted with large chakra reserves even being from an almost extinct clan.

Sakura nodded her head without hesitation "Sometimes Daddy, only when I have to do stuff with my chakra though, that's why I think Mrs. Inuzuka is having me meditate to help increase the amount of chakra I have" the rosette rambled.

To her parents amusement even if they wished she wasn't so keen on becoming a shinobi "Alright then what else did you learn today sweetie" the blonde inquired, trying not to get to upset, Sakura was her daughter regardless of her feelings.

The five year old tilted her head to the side trying to think before she remembered something and she became visibly excited "I learned I can understand Boei-kun sometimes, Mrs. Inuzuka said that she was going to encourage me to speak to him as much as I can to develop his speech" Sakura exclaimed.

Clearly excited over that bit "Really and what does Boei-kun have to say" the pink haired man asked dubiously which Sakura thankfully didn't pick up on as she grabbed up her companion and set him in her lap.

Blue and emerald clashed before Boei tilted his head to the side and let out a mrowl "He says that he's really happy that I chose him and that when he grows up he'll protect the both of you as well since your my momma and daddy" Sakura announced after a moment.

Not having even had to ask "That's kind of him Sakura-chan now go ahead and eat your dinner" Mebuki smiled, thinking inwardly that perhaps it wasn't so bad, Sakura had someone to converse with even if they couldn't understand.

Boei really was a sweetheart, Sakura grinned widely, pet Boei on the head and set him on the floor and began eating "For you Boei" Kizashi said as he placed a bowl full of shredded salmon down for the kitten who pounced on it with a happy mrowl before digging in to his own food.

A couple hours later Mebuki and Kizashi were tucking Sakura under her covers along with Boei, the little girl having exhausted herself conversing with the lynx kitten and basically running around the house with as much energy as possible before crashing.

Then the following morning after breakfast it was back to training, it was then that Sakura finally met a member of Tsume's own family, one of her children to be precise "Who are you" the ten year old narrowed her dark eyes on the five year old.

Sakura straightened when three growls simultaneously followed the question, prompting Boei to let out his own growl which wasn't as threateningly sounding "M..My name is Sakura Haruno" the fuscia haired girl puffed out her chest trying not to look as nervous as she felt.

Especially as three ninken surrounded the ten year old taking up intimidating stances and she was just getting the feeling to run when Tsume returned from wherever she'd had to run off to "Brat watch it don't go picking a fight with this Stray she's under my protection" Tsume barked.

Upon seeing her daughter who was supposed to be in the academy "Under your protection, she's just a civilian Ma" Hana frowned massively confused over the situation as Sakura as she'd called herself attached herself to Tsume.

"Never you mind about that brat what are you doing out of the academy" the Inuzuka Matriarch demanded to know in her alpha voice, making sure her daughter wouldn't be able to get out of telling her why she was skipping.

Hana grumbled under her breath something unintelligible until Tsume raised a brow "Otouto made a mess of his classroom, the principle sent me to get you" the ten year old intoned in exasperation as if her little brother causing trouble was a regular occurrence.

For all Sakura knew it could have been as Tsume groaned "Seems your training sessions being cut short early Stray, I apologize for that but I have to go scold my second brat for causing problems for his sensei at the academy" Tsume said.

Making Sakura let out a disheartened sounding sigh because she'd been looking forward to practicing more under Tsume's supervision "Okay Mrs. Inuzuka I understand" Sakura sighed, wilting a little in depression to Tsume's amusement.

Though it was a little depressing seeing the energetic girl so depressed as she trudged off to home, Tsume sent a sharp glance at Kuromaru who immediately started tailing Sakura to ensure the five year old got back without incident, with that she and Hana were off to the academy.

Kuromaru wouldn't admit it but he was semi-amused by the pink stray as she walked the paths home at the slowest pace imaginable, that's why he didn't see the danger until it was to late, considering they were on a rarely used path.

A man dressed in black jumped down into the alley and under his arm was a girl the same age as Sakura, Sakura let out a loud shriek drawing attention onto herself "Damn it" the man cursed, already pulling a kunai.

Which was then thrown at Sakura with deadly force, however neither of them were aware of the massive ninken who wouldn't let a single hair on Sakura's head be harmed, Kuromaru let out a threatening growl "Set the girl down and keep your hands in the air" Kuromaru snarled.

Getting ahead of Sakura who ducked to avoid the projectile, good, the pink stray wasn't stupid in a situation such as this "I wouldn't do that either, all this pink stray has to do is blow the whistle around her neck and you'll be surrounded" Kuromaru warned.

When the unknown male's gaze darted around for an escape route and Sakura clutched the whistle attuned to the family of lynx's she'd met a week prior, the man growled in irritation but lowered his captive to the ground, Kuromaru kept his gaze on the man.

Even as he padded forward and gently got the obvious Hyuga child who'd almost been abducted onto his back before backing up to be close to Sakura again "You'll regret this filthy animal" the man spat as he threw down a smoke bomb.

Once dissipated it revealed he had escaped "Kuromaru-san who was that" the pinkette questioned as she fisted a handful of his fur carefully, having been afraid for her life, especially when a sharp kunai had been thrown at her with deadly accuracy.

Kuromaru growled low "On my back Pink Stray and don't ask questions, we have to get this one back to where she belongs and then I'm taking you straight home got it" Kuromaru ordered as he lowered himself enough for Sakura to climb on.

And she did so without further questions as he took off in the direction of the Hyuga Compound where pandemonium had ensued upon the Clan Head finding his daughter missing from the courtyard, bodyguard unconscious.

Imagine the clan heads surprise when mere moments after the revelation that his daughter was not where she was supposed to be did Kuromaru with Hinata and another girl on his back appear "Hiashi" the dark furred ninken nodded his head at the Hyuga Patriarch.

Hiashi started towards him expression thunderous and Sakura went impossibly rigid before leaning over Hinata "Ease up there pink pup, that's his daughter" Kuromaru growled in warning even if he was impressed that she would protect someone she didn't know.

Thankfully Hiashi let his expression to something a little more calming "Thank you Kuromaru, girl, for returning Hinata to me" Hiashi nodded as he reached out and gathered Hinata into his arms, just relieved that she was safe and unharmed even if she was unconscious.

"A scary man dressed in black was trying to take off with her Mr. Hyuga, I think he might try again, he told Kuromaru-san that he'd regret it for the interference I think" Sakura chimed in, still nervous and afraid but unwilling to go without explaining the situation.

Getting a surprised look "Did he indeed girl and how were you involved, in fact what is your name and what were you even doing with Tsume Inuzuka's ninken" Hiashi glared, more than a little suspicious.

Until the child huffed "Yes Mr. Hyuga and I didn't do anything at all but duck when he threw a kunai at me when I screamed, and my name is Sakura Haruno, Mrs. Inuzuka is training me in the ninja arts" the rosette grumbled.

Crossing her arms over her chest as she glared right back not realizing she could get in a lot of trouble for it "Is she and what makes you so special that Tsume would train you specifically above her own children" the Hyuga Clan Head scoffed.

Sensing the less than impressive chakra reserves the girl had so instinctively knew the child had to be of civilian background "Lord Hyuga, this girl here is the last of the Nekozuka Clan, Tsume brought her here five years ago and she found Pink Pup here last week" Kuromaru interjected.

Though he was slightly amused at the guts Sakura had, it reminded him of Tsume really, at his statement whispers immediately filled the air until Hiashi silenced them all "Very well I shall believe your word Kuromaru, but that only means your in danger as well girl" Hiashi said.

Realizing in that moment that the person who'd tried to abduct Hinata would possibly want revenge on those who'd thwarted his attempt, Sakura went very pale at the admission and Boei let out a growl that sounded more cute than threatening at the moment.

Kuromaru wanted to snarl in frustration, "Let me go explain to the pups parents then Tsume, we'll figure out something for now stray stay got it" Kuromaru said and Sakura reluctantly slid from his back and stood next to Hiashi, then he was gone.

And explaining to Sakura's parents that the girl was in danger from an unknown was the most daunting moment of his life, they simply didn't understand until Tsume came and tracked him down and she was as equally as furious.

Throughout all this Sakura was making her very first friend that was her own age under strict supervision of Hizashi Hyuga, Hinata's uncle but in the end the unknown man was caught and revealed as the Head of Kumogakure and promptly shown the exit of Konohagakure.