"You could have. You were named 'Sakura' for your hair, which itself was from an ancestor who wasn't quite human."
"Ha!" said Sakura. "Prove it!"
"Okay."
A stream of chakra erupted. First Sakura's clothing was stripped away, then her flesh, then her bones crumbled into nothingness.
"S-s-s-Sakura?!" asked Naruto.
"She's still alive, but she apparently wanted something a bit more impressive than a jutsu. As she is still alive and aware - this might do. If this still doesn't convince her that it's not a genjutsu or something along those lines - I really don't know what will."
"She usually isn't that bad," said Kakashi. "Except with Naruto."
"Now to rebuild her. Naruto, I'm going to direct you through it. That way if she dies on a mission, you can bring her back."
"W-what?!" squeaked Naruto as his arms suddenly jerked up and went through several seals quickly.
Kakashi realized he'd already pulled his forehead protector up and was watching the seals. He wouldn't be able to duplicate what Naruto was doing - but he could certainly memorize the seals and the order they were going through.
A few leaves popped out of the ground, then quickly grew until a sapling cherry tree was standing near the trail. Branches whipped around and blossomed, forming a set of gleaming wooden bones as the ninja watched. Flesh formed, then skin, hair, and finally an abbreviated kimono decorated with a sakura petal motif.
"Don't ever do that again," said Kakashi, anger overcoming his earlier shock.
"Was that too much then?"
"Yes," said Kakashi.
"Sorry about that then - as an immortal who has lived hundreds of billions of years (I think - I rather lost count) there are aspects of mortal existence I've never had a firm grip on. Anyway, here she is. Sakura Haruno two point oh. If she ever dies on a mission, her tree will be protected in the garden in Naruto's mansion. As long as her tree survives - she will live and eventually manifest again."
"Naruto doesn't have a mansion," pointed out Sasuke.
"Oh. Right. Well. He does now."
"Remind me," said Sakura as she stumbled to the ground. "When someone says they are a god and exhibits phenomenal power, be polite. Even if they're talking about something on-the-face ridiculous like Naruto being a hero."
"Good advice," admitted Kakashi.
"So, anyway, she has uprated strength and durability as a nature spirit of wood. She can merge with trees, use a wood-clone technique, shape wood to some extent, teleport from tree to tree within a certain range. Longevity. The pointed ears and coloration changes are purely cosmetic. The price is that she's not quite human anymore, though I personally don't see what the big deal is. Her tree needs taken care of too. Also she's going to find that Naruto's mokuton abilities are going to make him a lot more attractive to her."
"What's wrong with that?" asked Naruto, genuinely not seeing that as a problem.
"Hah! As if," said Sakura, sniffing and half-turning from Naruto. "Never happen."
"I can see this is going to be trouble," predicted Kakashi.
The cherry tree abruptly vanished.
"What's a mansion?" asked Naruto. Not that he didn't know already, he was just wondering if the deity didn't have a different definition.
"Your mother's property, which a desk clerk at the Hokage's office has just discovered belongs to you and is filing the transfer of ownership."
"Can I have a tub of ramen?" asked Naruto.
CRACKLE BOOM!
Kakashi looked down at the Naruto imbedded in the road. "Okay, I admit it. He's a bit obsessive on the ramen thing."
"Very much so," agreed Sakura.
"Oh yeah," said Sasuke.
"Good. Now I'll just take my leave and let you get on with your mission. Try to stay alive. Oh, though I will grant one more wish."
"Finally," said Sasuke.
"Not you. Someone else. This is the last time we'll interact directly, Team 7."
Haku stiffened as he felt an immense presence focussed on HIM. He tried not to think of anything.
"I see it there in your heart. Done."
Haku nearly went into a panic, not immediately realizing that the wish granted was:
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(Posted Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:39)
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