A Wave of Petals

There's a sudden rush of chakra in the air at one of the nearby training fields. Tanuki is no sensor but every Anbu is chakra sensitive, something that's saved his life more than once. With Ram to his left and Rat his right the trio shushin off the training area. Tankui runs through the possible cause, scenarios in the few seconds it takes to get there. Upon reaching the training grounds, or what's left of this one, Tanuki's eyebrows raise behind his mask, taking in all the damage. It's a mess of destroyed earth and foliage. Almost as though it was torn up by a wild beast or an angry Asuma who was within reach of chakra channeling weapons in his fit of rage. Tanuki's had to deal with both before, he'd know. He bites the inside of his mouth, wishing for the reassuring weight of a senbon between his teeth.

Tanuki turns from where he's crouched in the treetops, quickly disclosing, "I'll check it out," in Anbu sign. I mean, it's only Kotetsu and Izumo... and is that pink hair, what the f)ck, who let a ninja dye their hair pink?!

Tanuki drops from the treetops, and flares his chakra softly once to get the group's attention. Oddly enough, the pink haired girl's eyes snap to him, then the trees behind him where Ram and Rat still lie. Strange. 

Kotetsu and Izumo's eyes are on him when he steps forwards, "Anbu-san."

Tanuki nods, "There was a large  flare of chakra and a loud boom sound that came from this area," he watched as their eyes both went to the pink girl before flickering to the destroyed area then resting on him once more. What even happened here, and what could that little gennin have to do with it?

"Ah," Izmo scratches the back of his head with a nervous sort of laugh, "You see-"

"We were training," Kotetsu blurts.

They're not lying but it's not the whole truth. Tanuki clack's his teeth behind his mask, wishing for a senbon, and maybe a drink. He supposes that a good anbu would question them and try and find out what's really going on, because he knows that neither of the duo have this kind of one blow destruction power, then there's the pink haired gennin. But Genma's been on shift for hours and recently came back from a rather draining mission at the border of fire. Tanuki knows that they're a good group of kids though, no matter that they're all technically adults by shinobi law. 

"Alright then, signal should anything happen."

The pair reply their affirmations while the pink gennin- wait isn't that one of Kakashi's genin?- just nods, eyes still stuck on that spot in the trees behind him, and head tilted as though she's figuring out some sort of puzzle. Yep, Tanuki is definitely going to have to question Kakashi about her. With a nod he shusins for the trees, from there the anbu squad head back for the remaining hour of their patrol. 

-

It's in the middle of the street that Genma confronts him. Red warning bells blare in his head as the Jounin closes in, casually maneuvering Kakashi to the nearest tea shop. Normally Kakashi would've already taken off, or tried to; but there's something in Genma's eyes, the way he's biting down on his trusted senbon a little too hard. Kakashi is curious but on guard, so he stays, and listens. 

For some reason the thought of Kotetsu, Izumo and Sakura teaming up gives the silver haired jounin chills. Genma expresses a similar uncertainty. 

"You wouldn't believe it, the whole area was destroyed. You wouldn't be able to walk three feet forwards without hitting broken foliage of some kind. Then there's the boom and sudden appearance of chakra in the air," Genma speaks in a tone lightly speaking of disbelief. His voice is low, stopping any snooping civilians (or shinobi) from listening in, but the surprise is clearly conveyed. 

Kakashi can come up with no reasonable explanation for such a scene so he asks, "Any Ideas about what really happened?" 

Genma shakes his head rolling the senbon between his teeth. 

A woman comes over to drop off their orders, Genma takes his with a polite thanks, foregoing his flirty nature in the face of what could be a potential serious issue. Kakashi grasps his own cut with a polite nod. The server tries to linger a moment as though she wants to hear what they've been talking about, but rushes off when she realizes that they won't let anything slip with her around. Genma sips from the steaming liquid, enjoying the soothing lemon and ginger flavor. 

"Well that's what I wanted to ask you about."

They don't say anything for a moment. Kakashi takes the time to try and wrap his head around this situation. 

"I'm not even sure how they'd know her," Kakashi admit's with a shake of the head, "She's from a civilian family, there's little ways that they could interact, much less in a way that'd lead to training."

Genma removes the senbon from his teeth with a light clack, and sips his tea, humming in agreement with Kakashi's statement.

"Have there been any changes in her behavior as of late?"

Immediately Kakashi wants to respond no, but then he thinks about it. Yes, since Wave Sakura's been different. There's determination in her gase where passiveness once lied. Her Bento's are fuller, packed with more food and good food too, lots of protein and carbs. She's even been keeping up with the boys more easily since they got back. Her progress has been small but it's there, and it looks like it's somehow blown up in his face. Is this karma for brushing her aside in favor of the boys? Probably, Kakahsi decides with an internal groan. He makes such concerns known to Genma who only laughs at his misery. 

"Preteen girls," Genma shudders, thinking back to when Kurinai and Anko were at such an age. Kakashi shares the sentiment. Why is he even a teacher again? Oh right, Sasuke. 

Kakashi set's his half empty cup in its dish, pulling his mask back up with a burst of speed that ensures that no one’s able to see his face. He's about to speak again when the shop bell chimes as two people walk in. It's Kotetsu and Izumo. Kakashi feels the cold fire of an angry glare on his neck. KI trickles from Izumo until Kotetsu bumps him, whispering something in the other chunnins ear. 

The pair turn to leave when Genma calls out for them. Kakashi levels the Jounin a flat look. Genma merely chuckles, stating that there's no better time to get answers then the present. Kakashi wants to smack him. Sadly they're in public, in a tea shop and Kakashi would rather finish his tea than get kicked out for disrupting the peace. The duo walk over. Izumo drops down beside Genma, Kotetsu settles Beside Kakashi in the booth. 

The four of them sit silently and awkwardly outside polite greetings as a waitress comes by to get the duo's orders. When she leaves, Genma clears his throat and pops his senbon back into his mouth. He rolls it for a moment then speaks, "What's up with you two and Kakashi's genin?"

The two's eyes darted to one another then from Genma to Kakashi. 

"We met her at the library," Izumo states, swiping a scone from the plate in the table center. 

"What was she doing there?"

This time it's Kotetsu who responds, " Reading through just about anything shinobi she could get her hands on, and fast. Kid, would make a great infiltration specialist with a memory that strong." Izumo thinks back to their verbal test from earlier and shudders. Genma notices and raises an eyebrow but says nothing. 

"Speaking of Pinky-chan, she told us all about that wave mission."

"Yeah, and about you getting chewed out by a civilian woman," Kotetsu adds, grinning, the expression is just slightly forced and there's a hidden hint of steel in his voice. 

Genma chuckles and makes a light comment trying to break the budding tension in the room. There's a few seconds of just silence. The hair on the back of his neck is pricked. Genma coughs into his fist, the trio glance at him and the man smiles sheepishly. Kakashi shakes his head. 

"Maa, I'd say that trying to embarrass me with that isn't the only reason that you're sitting here?" 

The duo once again look at one another, it's answer enough. Kotetsu dips his head, breathing a long sigh, "no."

The man still wants to smack Kakashi, don't get him wrong he and Izumo are still very much upset with Kakashi's neglect and poor teaching that could have very well gotten all three gennin killed, but hearing how he speaks of it coupled with the chewing out that Tsunami had already given him, the two decided that yelling (punching) Kakashi wouldn't do anything for any of the gennin, Sakura included. Izumo will probably chew out Kakashi later, but in a more private setting. Humiliation, as fun as it can be, will get them nowhere and could even make Kakashi shrink back and not make an effort to try with his students. 

A clink breaks Kotetsu from his thoughts. Izumo has finished his tea, placing the empty cup on its plate, then slipping out of the booth and standing, "It will be easier to show you."

Genma bites back the protest that he's already seen the training ground, the two know he's in Anbu from one incident or another, so he wonders why Izumo would want to show them, maybe Kakashi? But then again they know that he will have already told him, so what is it?

Kotetsu slips out of the booth, allowing Genma to also slip out and stand. He drops a few notes on the table to cover all of their tea then follows the duo out of the building, Kakashi close behind. As they walk, the slight stiffness in both the younger males walk doesn't escape either Jounin. Not one to miss such an open opportunity Genma slyly asks if they’d gotten busy. Evil glee fills him as they turn bright red. Kakashi merely chuckles. 

-

Genma whistles around his senbon when they arrive, he does a spin once more taking in the training ground. The damage is no less surprising the second time. Kakashi, despite having been informed by Genma about this particular destruction, still finds himself in shock. From spending so much time with her on a team it'd be impossible to miss. Faint whispers of chakra still cover the area, Sakura's chakra. While Genma might have assumed it was from when Kotetsu and Izumo were training her, Kakashi knows...

"Sa- Sakura," He stutters a breath, "How, when? What happened? How in Kami's name did my gennin student from a civilianfamily do this!?"

Genma whips around mouth open, "Wait what! You think that she did this?" Genma doesn't doubt Kakashi, but he saw that girl, tiny and harmless looking and pink haired as the blossoms she's named from. The Haruno aren't shinobi so how could she even do this?

Kotetsu is scratching the back of his neck sheepishly while Izumo grins. 

"Oh, that didn't take you nearly as long as I thought it would for you to figure out."

Kakashi had figured, guessed even; but the confirmation, the reality of his pink haired gennin, shattered before his eyes. Kakashi feels nauseous, a mantra of, How(?) What(?) Why(?) repeating in his head. The silver haired man sits on the ground cross legged and places his head in his hands. 

His head jerks up when he hears Genma sputter. Kotetsu and Izumo both have their shirts pulled up, flak jackets discarded, to reveal big splotchy purple-blue bruises. Most cover their backs but a few shaped like thick lashes line the fronts of their torsos. 

Oh kami how?  Kakashi needs to sit- wait he's already doing that. Maybe a nap? Preferably forever. That's a coma, the very very tiny part of his brain that's logical replies. Shut up, Kakashi thinks with an external groan.

Genma lightly proads the bruises, checking that this isn't some sort of elaborate prank (It wouldn't be the first time), when he says as much Kakashi immediately decides that Naruto needs to be kept away from these two at all cost.  Genma and the two chunning sit -they've put their shirts back on- so that they make a loose sort of circle. 

"What happened," Kakashi asks, voice dead cold. Surprise powers like this are dangerous, they can cost lives, from a civilian girl no less, former civilian the reasonable part of his brain supplies, shut up. 

"We asked about what skills she had."

Genma twirls the senbon in his mouth, "Why would you ask that?" 

"Well..." Kotetsu trails off, Genma knows that tone, it's the one they use when speaking about a really good prank, Kami please, "Turns out our little Saku chan learned tree climbing on her first try then taught herself to water walk inorder to carry the wave client across a portion of the ocean on the mission!" He crows throwing his arms around in exclamation, though immediately regretting it when his bruised muscles twinge in pain. Oh and Izumo slaps him lightly over the head for acting like an idiot, as if was! (he was)

Genma whips around to look at Kakashi, the man shrugs. 

"And you didn't do nor mention anything of this!" Genma snaps, (he'd been in the room guarding the hokage during the wave report)

This time Kakashi winces.

"I didn't know what to do with her to tell the truth."

"Weren't you a child prodigy as well?"

"Yes, in combat and jutsu. Not impossible chakra feats!"

Genma sighs, he's got a point. Losely, he waved his hand in a ‘continue’ gesture to the duo. 

"So," Izumo continues, "She sits down, when we were chasing her throwing senbon, shuriken and kunai at her-"

"You what!" Kakashi barks. If she'd gotten hurt... all his protective instincts are flaring up. He hardly notices Genma grumble something under his breath before harshly elbowing him in the side, effectively knocking him out of his fit. 

"Keep going."

The two look from Genma to Kakashi -who's glare still burns into them- deciding it's safe unanimously they breathe out a sigh. Sometimes they forget about how strong Kakashi is, with his usual laid back demeanor covering up the ruthless shinobi beneath. They always remember though. Kotetsu mutters a prayer, scooching over to Izumo and resting his head on his partner's shoulder. Spikey coal locks tickle the other man's jaw. He grumbles trying and failing to push the other away before giving into the gesture.

Izumo breathes a sigh through his nose but keeps speaking, Kotetsu a steady weight at his side. 

"For a moment as she was running we couldn't feel her chakra," the jounin both look like they want to ask questions but stay silent, "We brushed it off. Later when we asked about other skills, Ko asked if she could try and mask her chakra," Izumo shakes his head, his bruises twinge at the memory, "For a moment all was good. Then, It. It. was crazy though- her chakra- it felt like she was slowing it down then speeding it back up. Effortlessly. We all know that that's a skill that takes years to develop to that degree. Years of training." Izumo can see the cogs turning behind the two Joinins eyes. 

“Nooooo,” Genma groans dramatically, dropping back into the grass. 

“She taught herself to do that didn’t she, oh Kami have mercy.”

Kotetsu feels a laughter bubble in his throat at Genma's uncharacteristic theatrics, his mind quickly reminds him of what happened next. He doesn't feel like laughing anymore. 

“The chakra in her body was gone.”

“Impossible,” Kakashi snaps. 

Izumo shakes his head, “No, it’s true. I couldn’t sense any chakra in her body.”

Kakashi’s mouth is open but no words form. His mind is painfully blank, trying to absorb this new information. Genma’s eye’s mirror plates, his breath catches in a disbelieving stutter as his body leans forwards, slightly hunching in on itself. 

Kotesu explains everything that happened next in vivid detail. If the shocked looks on the jounin’s faces were from anything else he'd have laughed. 

Kakashi feels that a coma is starting to look like a peaceful vacation against all the bombshells that’ve been dropped today. When he finally reigns his disbelief in enough to raise his head, Kakashi scans the clearing, noting the damage. He’s honestly surprised that his hair isn’t falling out from the sheer disbelief, stress and confusion that his pink little gennin has managed to cause him. 

There’s nothing but the chirping of birds and far off grumble of the river in the training grounds as the shinobi sit silently. Trying to make sense of all this information. 

And here I thought you’d be an easy student Sakura. 

The Silver haired Jounin goes over everything that the duo and what little Genma has told him. Not a moment later, something clicks in the man's mind; and he’s not the only one.  

A look of panic filters across Kakashi’s lone visible eye. While Naruto and Sauske both from formerly powerful clans and having the Nine tails and Sharingan respectively were expected to be powerhouses and thanks to those specialties would be protected to some degree by village law, Sakura had no such things. Kakashi isn’t sure what to make of this blatant display of raw power and unheard of chakra control. All he knows is that she’s damn lucky that no one’s seen it before. Such abilities can draw attention after all, good and bad. Kakashi has no doubt that Danzo would ‘recruit’ her on the spot if he’d known. Kakshi knows what awaits her in Konaha’s underbelly, having lived within those shadows for the majority of his life. 

The whole thing causes a new surge of protectiveness and anxiety to sweep through him. When Kakashi looks up to meet the sober expressions of the other men he finds that they’ve come to a similar conclusion about what could’ve been and easily could be, Sakura’s fate. 

“Hey,” Genma places a hand on his shoulder. As an anbu the man is more than aware of Kohaha’s underside. 

“Look if anyone has the power and influence to keep her from going under there it’s you. Hokage-sama will value your opinion and Danzo know’s better than to confront this so openly, especially with you, having formerly been among the Root, so closely involved.” Kakashi and Genma have been good friends for many years, it’s that fact alone that allows Kakashi to calm… marginally. 

Genma doesn't waste his breath on saying how Danzo might not know, because even if he hadn’t found out from the little spectacle earlier, he would eventually, and Kakashi…. Well Kakashi would just have to be ready for him. No way Danzo could take away any of his genin before he even had the chance to teach them properly. Yes, he’d teach them for real from now on. He would push back the painful memories of his old team in order to help this new one. It would mean facing some of the very things he’d spent so long running from ignoring. But if doing that could give his genin a shot at living. He’d do it.