Kakashi signaled to one of the Chunin medic-nin, who quickly moved to examine Sakura and Shikamaru. The two genin lay unconscious on simple cots, their breathing steady but shallow. A few rabbits hovered nearby, their ears twitching anxiously as they watched the medic work.

As the medic began his examination, Kakashi's eye swept over the area. The temple, once a majestic structure, now bore the scars of recent conflict. Its walls were pockmarked with kunai marks and scorch patterns from jutsu. Inside, it looked as though it had been thoroughly ransacked, with only the barest essentials remaining.

All around, rabbits of various sizes scurried about with purpose. Some were digging, their powerful hind legs kicking up dirt as they expanded what appeared to be the beginnings of a new Great Warren. Others were constructing rudimentary buildings and defensive fortifications, their paws surprisingly dexterous as they manipulated tools and materials.

The medic-nin straightened up, turning to Kakashi with his report. "They're stable, Kakashi-san. The injuries are consistent with senbon needles, likely used for restraint. The puncture wounds are already healing and were expertly applied."

Queen Joousa, who had been watching the proceedings with keen interest, spoke up. "I gave them an elixir to accelerate their healing," she explained, her voice carrying a hint of pride.

The medic nodded, continuing his report. "I've also noted that both have strained their chakra coils. It's not severe, but they'll need rest to fully recover."

At this, Kakashi's eye narrowed, fixing Queen Joousa with a hard stare. The rabbit queen met his gaze unflinchingly.

"Queen Joousa," Kakashi said, his voice deceptively calm, "I'd like you to detail exactly what happened here."

The queen's whiskers twitched as she began her explanation. "Our young summoner, Sakura, managed quite an impressive feat. She summoned Caerbannog," she gestured to the giant rabbit, who despite being bandaged, looked rather pleased with himself, "and myself. Then, with young Shikamaru's assistance, she summoned a significant portion of our clan to overrun the Mist ninja occupying this area."

Kakashi's eye flicked to Caerbannog, noting the bandages and the rabbit's self-satisfied expression, before returning to the queen.

"Since then," Joousa continued, "we've been fortifying the area, waiting either for our Leaf allies to join us or for the Mist to attempt to retake the location."

"Why didn't you simply retreat with Sakura and Shikamaru once you'd driven out the Mist?" Kakashi asked, his tone sharpening.

Queen Joousa's ears twitched. "I judged us capable of taking and holding this location ourselves. It was an opportunity we couldn't pass up."

Kakashi's chakra flared slightly, his frustration becoming palpable. "You put my students at unnecessary risk. Why?"

The queen's eyes narrowed. "Do not fault me for taking advantage of the situation, Kakashi of the Sharingan. You were the one who sent two fresh genin to do recon. You underestimated the situation and got careless. If Sakura hadn't been so resourceful in summoning us, they would still be in Mist hands."

Kakashi's shoulders tensed, but he nodded slightly, acknowledging the truth in her words. "I accept my error in judgment," he said. "But you compounded that mistake out of greed."

His eye hardened as he continued, "In the shinobi world, those that break the written and unwritten rules are deemed trash... but be that as it may... Those that would disregard their comrades so easily are even worse than trash."

Queen Joousa's fur bristled. "Are you a ninja or not, Kakashi? I took advantage of the situation before me. It was a calculated risk, but not one that unduly harmed the genin or really even put them in any extra danger."

"If the returning Mist forces had tried to retake the area, it would have been very bloody," Kakashi countered.

The queen scoffed. "Konoha has used my people for their wars before in vast numbers. That's why we changed the contract, and why Konoha all but abandoned us. This was worth the risk."

"Was it?" Kakashi asked, his voice low and dangerous. "You've brought through quite a number of your clan, but it's still only a fraction. Unlike the other summon tribes which are far away from the Elemental Nations, you're setting up right in the middle of them. To hold this location, you'll need Konoha's support. Without Sakura or another summoner, you can't bring forward more of your people. Once the other nations find out about this place, if the Rabbits aren't completely entrenched and have allies, they'll be killed. It might cost their attackers a lot, but your bunnies will be slaughtered."

Queen Joousa met Kakashi's gaze with a cool glare of her own. The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unspoken threats and calculations.

Gai, standing nearby, looked as though he wanted to interject, but held his tongue. Sasuke and Naruto, now at Sakura's side, watched the exchange nervously, their eyes darting between their sensei and the rabbit queen.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Queen Joousa spoke. "Make your demands, Hatake Kakashi."

Kakashi's eye narrowed. "This needs to be discussed by a conclave of summon heads to ensure Konoha gets the best value for the effort that will be required to defend this place. Long time allied summons such as the Dogs or Monkeys should be contacted."

Queen Joousa's nose twitched in irritation. "Pull the other one. Arufainu, that bitch, doesn't let herself or even her alphas get summoned, just the omegas."

Without warning, Kakashi bit his thumb and flashed through hand signs. In a massive puff of smoke, an enormous dog appeared, easily half again as big as Caerbannog. The dog, Arufainu, was a striking sight. Her black and brown fur gleamed in the sunlight, and around her neck hung a large golden chain. Perched atop her head was a fedora with cutouts for her ears, golden curls escaping from underneath, and draped over her back was a suit jacket worn like a cape.

The smaller rabbits froze in terror, but Queen Joousa stood her ground, glaring at the newcomer. Caerbannog struggled to his feet, squaring off against the massive dog with a low growl.

Arufainu barely spared Caerbannog a glance, her eyes sweeping over the area. She took a deep breath, her tail wagging slightly. "Oh yeah, sweethearts, this'll do nicely," she said, her voice a breathy high pitch despite her size.

The tension in the air ratcheted up several notches. Both Asuma and Gai shot Kakashi questioning glares, clearly unsure of his strategy. Kakashi made a subtle hand signal to Asuma, who at first looked confused, then his eyes widened in understanding.

"Arufainu-sama," Kakashi said calmly, "we're working out who gets this location."

Queen Joousa bristled. "It's ours," she insisted. "Our summoner was the one who found it. We're the ones who drove out the ninja occupying it."

"That will be taken into account," Kakashi replied smoothly, "and of course, the rabbits would be rewarded by Konoha. But I'm a ninja. I have to take advantage of the situation for Konoha's best interests." The irony of throwing the queen's earlier words back at her was not lost on anyone present.

Queen Joousa hissed in anger, and Caerbannog thumped the ground menacingly.

Arufainu let out a rich laugh. "Hey, Kakashi, ya want me to get my boyz to take out tha trash? These here vermin seem ta think this joint's their new digs."

Caerbannog roared in response, causing several of the Konoha ninja to flinch. They looked at Kakashi with growing concern, but his seniority kept them from questioning him openly.

"A scrap with big ears over there might be a bit o' fun," Arufainu continued, eyeing Caerbannog, "but he's too banged up ta be a real challenge right now, ya know."

"Now, now," Kakashi said, his tone placating. "I just brought you out so we could make proper negotiations."

Suddenly, a new voice joined the fray. "Indeed, proper negotiations must occur."

Asuma staggered slightly, the strain of summoning evident on his face. Before them stood Enma, the Monkey King, his presence commanding respect from all present.

Arufainu and Queen Joousa snapped their attention to the newcomer, the dog summon letting out a low growl.

"Alright, listen up, youse mooks," Arufainu barked. "I'll allow for 5 new summoners to join my crew. Dey can be my new henches. And in 5 years, I'll have half a dozen of my elites, my capos, up ta my current size. Dat's my offa, take it or leave it."

Queen Joousa scoffed. "We can have a dozen enhanced beyond Caerbannog's current state in just 2 years. We already have the technique; we've just been lacking the resources. And we'll open our contract to all academy students with the aptitude."

Kakashi cleared his throat. "The Dogs are also bound to my clan," he pointed out.

Arufainu snapped at him. "Den youse better get busy, if ya catch my drift, Kakashi. Youse can expand tha contract at your discretion."

Enma stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Not many academy students can even attempt a summon," he observed. "The rabbits' expansion sounds impressive, but it's minimal in practice. I offer this: 10 genin added to the monkey contract as retainers to the Sarutobi clan. They'll be trained with personal summons capable of weapon form. I'll supervise the training myself."

Queen Joousa's ears twitched as she formulated her counter-offer. "Singular personal rabbit summons for training are within range of elite academy students. We'll also offer a course for teachers on summoning tattoos to ease the process. We need them young if they're to undergo the process Sakura went through. And Sakura was just the first – I've greatly refined the process since then with what I have learned."

Arufainu growled, her patience wearing thin. "My summons can offer tha most right here, right now. Konoha chunin can sign a non-exclusive contract for tracking and recon duty. Omegas only, though. If any of those academy cugine's want ta take a crack at summoning, I'll let 'em, but they gotta be strong enough ta stand on theirs own two feet. Dat's my final offer, capisce?"

Enma frowned, deep in thought. "I believe the versatility of my clan is enough, but I'll expand to 20 genin if you can find enough with the aptitude. My personal training will take time to see full results, but I'll also add some fūinjutsu knowledge to the Konoha library."

Queen Joousa stared at her opponents, her mind racing. After a moment, she placed a small vial on the table before them. "This," she explained, "is about 50% more efficient than a soldier pill, with fewer side effects. We'll give the formula to Konoha. We'll also remove the combat restrictions from summons in full. And with the resources here, I believe we can have a general solution to the ninja fertility issue within 4 years."

Arufainu and Enma exchanged confused glances. "What ninja fertility issue?" they asked in unison.

Queen Joousa merely smirked in response.

Kakashi stood silently, weighing the offers in his mind. The other ninja watched him intently, hardly daring to breathe as they awaited his decision.

Finally, Kakashi spoke. "Given the Rabbits' help in gaining this location and the long-term benefits they're offering, they provide the most value. However," he added, his eye fixed on Queen Joousa, "much of what they're offering is untested and only to be provided in the future. I propose giving it to them provisionally, with a 4-year period to be reevaluated if they can't provide their claims or show significant progress."

He turned to the other summons. "To that end, I suggest expanded relations with the Monkeys and Dogs to keep the Rabbits honest, or to step in if they can't fulfill their grand claims."

Enma's expression darkened. "Kakashi, I'm old, not stupid," he said gruffly. "I retract my offer. And tell Hiruzen to name a successor already." With that, the Monkey King dismissed himself in a puff of smoke.

Arufainu eyed Kakashi, a mixture of annoyance and respect in her gaze. "Youse got some kind o' moxy, trying ta pull a fast one like dis, Kakashi," she growled. "Youse can keep summoning me and my capos. We'll discuss tha rest annothda day." She turned to Queen Joousa, baring her teeth in what might have been a smile or a threat. "Don't youse get too comfortable there, queenie."

As Arufainu dismissed herself in a puff of smoke, Queen Joousa turned to Kakashi with a smirk on her face. "You were foolish to attempt the negotiations yourself, Kakashi," she said, her voice laced with amusement. "Your anger at your students' condition made you try to force the issue. A more level-headed approach would have served you better."

Kakashi's visible eye narrowed slightly. "I disagree," he replied calmly. "The more you fortify this area, the harder it would be to root you out if necessary. And I managed to get more conditions out of you than we had before."

The rabbit queen let out a laugh that sounded suspiciously like a snort. "If that's all you wanted, you should have just waited for Lord Jiraiya," she said, her eyes taking on a dreamy quality. "His silver tongue could have done so much more."

As Queen Joousa swooned slightly at the thought of the Toad Sage, several of the ninja present shifted uncomfortably. Her own rabbit subjects merely rolled their eyes, clearly used to such behavior from their leader.

Naruto, who had been uncharacteristically quiet until now, stepped forward with a determined look on his face. "Hey, bunny lady," he said, his voice filled with concern and a hint of anger, "is Sakura-chan going to be okay? I won't forgive you if you've permanently hurt her!"

Beside him, Sasuke's glare intensified, his newly awakened Sharingan spinning slowly as he fixed his gaze on the rabbit queen.

Queen Joousa's expression sobered as she addressed the young ninja. "What I did wasn't risk-free, I'll admit," she said, her tone serious. "But make no mistake, I care for Sakura very much. If things had gone badly, I would have whisked both her and young Shikamaru away myself if needed."

Kakashi nodded, seemingly satisfied with her answer for now. "We'll be moving our camp to the temple area for now," he announced to the group. "At least until reinforcements from Konoha arrive."

As if on cue, a soft moan caught everyone's attention. Sakura stirred on her cot, her eyes fluttering open. Sasuke was at her side in an instant, his usual stoic demeanor cracking slightly as concern shone in his eyes.

"Sakura," he said, his voice uncharacteristically gentle, "how are you feeling?"

The pink-haired kunoichi blinked a few times, her gaze focusing on Sasuke's face. A small smile tugged at her lips. "Sasuke-kun," she murmured, then looked around at the others gathered nearby. "Everyone... what happened?"

As Sakura slowly sat up, aided by Sasuke, the others gathered closer. Kakashi, Naruto, and Ino took turns giving her a rundown of recent events, from her daring summoning to the negotiations that had just taken place.

When they finished, Kakashi addressed Sakura directly. "You did a good job, Sakura," he said, his visible eye crinkling in what might have been a smile. "I want to apologize for putting you at risk due to my carelessness. I underestimated the situation, and you paid the price for it."

Sakura nodded, accepting his apology. Then, a worried look crossed her face. "But... the bridge was destroyed," she said, her voice tinged with disappointment. "Does that mean we failed the mission?"

Kakashi shook his head. "Not at all," he reassured her. "The workers are okay, so the bridge can be rebuilt. The Mist nin forces have pulled back, likely retreating entirely now that their objective is complete. If he hasn't already, Gato is probably on his way out as well, which will free Wave from his influence."

He paused, his eye sweeping over the temple grounds. "Konoha will be vastly increasing its presence here, so nothing like this should happen again. And with the acquisition of this location," he gestured to the area around them, "I'd call this a big win for Konoha."

Naruto pumped his fist in the air, his usual exuberance returning. "Yeah! We did it, Sakura-chan!" he cheered. Then, glancing at the still-prone form of Shikamaru, he added, "As soon as Shikamaru wakes up, it'll be perfect!"

Ino, who had been hovering near Shikamaru's cot, poked her teammate in the ribs with her good arm causing him to squrim a bit. "Oh, this lazy-bone's probably been awake for a while now," she said with a mischievous grin. "He just doesn't want to have to do anything."

A muffled "Troublesome" came from Shikamaru's direction, confirming Ino's suspicion.

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A day after the tumultuous events at the temple, Sakura and Shikamaru were finally up and about. The remaining shinobi, along with Tazuna's family, had relocated to the temple area. As they settled in, many found themselves marveling at the sight of the giant rabbits bustling around, fortifying the area and creating new living spaces.

Tenten, observing the scene with wide eyes, couldn't help but comment, "I thought my first C-rank was exciting, but you, my cute little juniors, really started off in style!"

Hinata, standing nearby with her teammates, turned to the older kunoichi with curiosity. "What was your first C-rank like, Tenten-san?"

At Hinata's question, both Lee and Neji visibly twitched, causing Tenten to giggle.

"Oh, it was pretty boring, really," Tenten replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Just clearing out a bandit camp. No ninja to fight against or anything."

Neji cleared his throat, a hint of exasperation in his voice. "It was considerably less boring for Lee and me, as I recall. Tenten was a little... overly fond of using explosive seals."

Lee nodded vigorously, his eyes wide with remembered alarm. "It took several months for my eyebrows to fully regrow!"

"Guy-sensei has banned her from using them going forward," Neji added, his tone dry.

Tenten pouted, crossing her arms. "You guys are such spoilsports. It got the job done, didn't it?"

Kiba, who had been listening in, cocked his head to the side. "Wait, wouldn't that be expensive? Using all those explosive tags, I mean."

A mischievous glint appeared in Tenten's eyes. "Oh, I know how to make them myself."

In an instant, both Naruto and Kiba were at her feet, bowing and scraping dramatically.

"Teach us, Tenten-sama!" Naruto pleaded, his eyes shining with excitement.

"Yeah, please!" Kiba added, Akamaru yipping in agreement from atop his head.

Tenten giggled at their antics, clearly enjoying the attention.

Shino, who had been quietly observing the conversation, spoke up in his usual monotone. "We were very lucky in our mission. Why? I asked around the chunin that joined us, and Mei Terumi is considered one of the most dangerous missing-nin alive. That she didn't want to kill us is likely the reason we are all still breathing."

A hush fell over the group at Shino's sobering words.

Neji nodded solemnly. "It was fate that allowed us to prevail."

Kiba, eager to lighten the mood, grinned and said, "Well, we better thank Hinata! If it wasn't for her, they wouldn't have known to come to the rescue in time."

Naruto's face lit up. "Oh yeah! Of course I'll thank Hinata-chan! She really saved our butts!"

Ino, never one to miss an opportunity for mischief, sidled up to Naruto with a sly grin. "You know, Naruto," she drawled, "if you really want to show your appreciation, you should give her a kiss."

Both Naruto and Hinata turned beet red at Ino's suggestion, the latter beginning to sway slightly on her feet.

Sakura, catching on to Ino's plan, decided to push things a bit further. "Yeah, Naruto," she teased, "it's the least you could do after Hinata-chan went to all that trouble to save you."

Naruto, flustered and rubbing the back of his head, stammered out, "W-well, I mean... I'm not gonna do it if Hinata doesn't want to!"

All eyes turned to Hinata, who looked like she might faint at any moment. Steam was practically coming out of her ears as she poked her index fingers together, a nervous habit she'd never quite shaken.

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In a voice so quiet it was almost inaudible, Hinata whispered, "I... I would like that."

"Ehh?!" Naruto exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise.

Neji tried to intervene, but Tenten held him back with a firm grip on his arm.

"Let them be," she said softly. "It's cute."

The group of young ninja watched with bated breath as Naruto and Hinata awkwardly faced each other. Naruto, his face as red as Hinata's, slowly leaned in. Hinata, gathering every ounce of courage she possessed, tilted her face up to meet him.

Their lips met in a brief, chaste kiss that lasted only a moment, but to the young couple, it felt like an eternity. When they pulled apart, both were wide-eyed and blushing furiously.

A chorus of cheers erupted from their peers, with Kiba letting out a wolf whistle and Ino clapping excitedly then wincing and rubbing her cast. Even Shino's bugs seemed to buzz with approval.

As the commotion died down, Sakura found her gaze drifting to Sasuke, who stood a little apart from the group, observing the scene with his usual stoic expression. She couldn't help but wonder when – or if – she would ever get a kiss from him.

Shikamaru, who had been quietly watching the events unfold, muttered his trademark, "Troublesome," but there was a hint of a smile on his lips.

Asuma and Kakashi, standing a short distance away, exchanged amused glances at the antics of their young charges.

"Ah, young love," Asuma chuckled, lighting up a cigarette. "Remember when we were that age, Kakashi?"

Kakashi's visible eye crinkled in what might have been a smile. "Maa, I try not to," he replied dryly.

As the excitement began to die down, Tazuna approached the group, a thoughtful expression on his weathered face. "You know," he began, stroking his beard, "with all these giant rabbits around, I'm thinking we might need to adjust our bridge design."

The genin turned to look at him, curiosity piqued.

"What do you mean, old man?" Naruto asked, his arm still awkwardly around Hinata's shoulders.

Tazuna grinned. "Well, we're going to need something big enough for our new allies to use, aren't we? I'm thinking we expand the width, maybe add some reinforced sections..."

As Tazuna began to excitedly detail his new plans, Sakura couldn't help but smile. Despite all the danger and uncertainty they'd faced, it seemed like things were looking up for Wave Country.

Nearby, Queen Joousa was in deep conversation with Kakashi and Asuma, discussing the finer points of their new alliance. The rabbit queen's eyes occasionally darted to where Jiraiya was supposed to arrive, a dreamy expression crossing her face each time.

"Now, about those fertility treatments we discussed," Joousa was saying, her tone businesslike despite her occasional distraction. "I believe we can begin preliminary testing within the next few months, provided we have willing volunteers from your village."

Kakashi nodded thoughtfully. "I'm sure we can find some interested parties. The potential benefits are too great to ignore."

Asuma added, "We'll need to set up a proper research facility here, of course. And I imagine the hospital in Konoha will want to be involved as well."

As the adults continued their discussion, Ino sidled up to Sakura, a mischievous glint in her eye. "So, Bun-butt," she whispered, "when are you going to make your move on Sasuke-kun? You can't let Naruto and Hinata steal all the spotlight!"

Sakura felt her cheeks heat up. "I-Ino!" she hissed back. "It's not like that! Sasuke-kun and I... we're just..."

"Just what?" Ino pressed, raising an eyebrow. "Come on, you two have been training together for ages now. Don't tell me nothing's happened!"

Sakura's rabbit ears twitched in agitation. "Nothing's happened," she insisted, though her eyes couldn't help but drift to where Sasuke stood, leaning against a nearby tree.

Ino followed her gaze and sighed dramatically. "Well, if you're not going to do anything, maybe I should..."

Before Ino could finish her threat, Sakura grabbed her arm. "Don't you dare, Ino-pig!"

The blonde kunoichi laughed. "Relax, Forehead. I'm just teasing. Besides," she added with a wink, "I think I might have my eye on someone else these days."

As Ino sauntered off, leaving a flustered Sakura in her wake, Naruto's voice rang out across the temple grounds.

"Hey, everyone!" he shouted, waving his arms excitedly. "I just had the best idea!"

The group turned to look at him, expressions ranging from curious to exasperated.

"What if," Naruto continued, undeterred by the mixed reactions, "we have a big party to celebrate? You know, for completing the mission and making new allies and stuff!"

Kiba's face lit up. "Yeah! That's an awesome idea!"

"A most youthful suggestion!" Lee exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air.

Even Neji nodded in approval. "It would be a good way to boost morale and strengthen our new alliance."

Tazuna laughed heartily. "I like the way you think, kid! We could all use a bit of celebration after everything that's happened." The group began to excitedly discuss party plans.

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The sun had barely crept over the horizon when the Konoha reinforcements arrived at the temple grounds. Led by Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Chōza Akimichi, the group of seasoned jōnin made their way through the bustling rabbit-filled encampment.

Ino's face lit up at the sight of her father. "Daddy!" she cried out, rushing towards him with her good arm outstretched.

Inoichi's eyes widened as he took in the sight of his daughter's broken arm. "Ino, sweetheart! Are you alright?" He gently embraced her, careful not to jostle her injury.

"I'm fine, Dad," Ino assured him, though she couldn't help but lean into his comforting presence. "It's just a broken arm. You should see the other guys!"

Chōza chuckled as he approached, ruffling Chōji's hair affectionately. "That's my boy! Tough as nails, just like his old man."

Shikamaru slouched over to his father, hands shoved in his pockets. "Hey, Dad. What a drag, huh?"

Shikaku's lips quirked into a small smile. "You did good, son. I'm proud of you."

Kakashi stepped forward, his visible eye crinkling in what might have been a smile. "Shikaku-san, it's good to see you. I assume you're here to take charge of the situation?"

Shikaku nodded, his sharp eyes taking in the makeshift camp and the giant rabbits milling about. "That's right. I'd like a full report on what's happened here, Kakashi."

As Kakashi began to recount the events of the past few days, from the initial ambush to the capture of Sakura and Shikamaru, and finally the negotiation with the summon clans, the other jōnin spread out to assess the situation and check on their charges.

Asuma approached his father's old teammates, a cigarette dangling from his lips. "It's been quite the mission," he said, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "These kids really stepped up."

Chōza beamed with pride. "They're the next generation of Ino-Shika-Chō, after all. It's in their blood."

Inoichi, having finished fussing over Ino's injury, turned his attention to the other genin. "You've all done exceptionally well," he said, his voice warm with approval. "Facing off against Mei Terumi and her forces is no small feat, even for experienced shinobi."

Naruto puffed out his chest. "Believe it! We're gonna be the strongest ninja ever!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes at Naruto's enthusiasm, but there was a hint of a smile on his face.

As Kakashi finished his report, Shikaku's brow furrowed in thought. He turned to Inoichi. "I want you to do a thorough screening of Sakura and Shikamaru. They were captured and subjected to interrogation. We need to make sure there are no lingering effects or hidden genjutsu."

Inoichi nodded gravely. "Of course. I'll take care of it right away."

Sakura and Shikamaru exchanged nervous glances as Inoichi led them to a quieter area of the camp. The Yamanaka clan head's techniques were known to be thorough and potentially uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, Shikaku began organizing the reinforcements. "We'll need to secure the perimeter and set up proper defenses," he instructed. "Kakashi, I want you and Gai to oversee that. Asuma, work with Kurenai to establish a communication network with the rabbits. We need to be able to coordinate effectively."

The jōnin nodded, quickly moving to carry out their assigned tasks.

Turning to the genin, Shikaku's expression softened slightly. "You've all performed admirably under extremely difficult circumstances. Take the rest of the day to rest and recover. We'll handle things from here."

As the adults bustled about, organizing and fortifying the camp, the genin found themselves at loose ends. The adrenaline of the past few days was finally wearing off, leaving them exhausted but too keyed up to truly relax.

Tenten approached Sakura, curiosity burning in her eyes. "So, what's it like having a summoning contract with the rabbits? Are they teaching you any special techniques?"

Sakura's ears twitched as she considered the question. "It's been... interesting," she admitted. "Queen Joousa has been giving me these elixirs that have changed my body, but they've also increased my strength and speed. And Serena-sensei has been teaching me their taijutsu style."

Neji, overhearing the conversation, frowned. "Is it wise to allow your body to be altered so drastically? It seems risky."

Before Sakura could respond, Naruto jumped in. "Are you kidding? Sakura-chan's awesome! Did you see her kick that Mist ninja's butt?"

As the genin continued to chat and compare experiences, Shikaku pulled Kakashi aside. "At the end of the week, I want you and the other sensei to take the genin back to Konoha," he said in a low voice. "They've been through enough, and we need to report to the Hokage in person about this new development with the summon clans."

Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Understood. They've earned a break."

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Sakura sat on a fallen log, absently rubbing her sore muscles. The past few days had been a whirlwind of activity, and her body was finally feeling the strain. She watched as the Konoha reinforcements bustled about, setting up a more permanent camp around the temple area.

"Sakura-san!" a cheerful voice called out. She looked up to see Rock Lee approaching, his ever-present smile beaming at her.

"Oh, hello Lee-san," Sakura greeted, her ears twitching slightly in curiosity.

Lee stopped in front of her, his posture straight and energetic despite the recent battles. "I hope I'm not interrupting, but I was wondering if you might be interested in a friendly spar? I've heard about your impressive skills, and I'd love to see them firsthand!"

Sakura hesitated for a moment. She was tired, but the idea of testing herself against someone from an older team was tempting. Plus, it might help take her mind off recent events. "Sure, why not?" she said, standing up and stretching. "Just don't go too hard on me, okay?"

Lee's eyes lit up with excitement. "Yosh! I promise to match my effort to yours, Sakura-san. It will be a most youthful exchange!"

They found a clear area a short distance from the main camp. A few of the other genin, noticing what was happening, gathered around to watch.

"Ready when you are, Lee-san," Sakura said, dropping into the Rabbit Style stance Serena had been teaching her.

Lee nodded, taking his own stance. "Let us begin!"

In a flash, Lee was moving. Sakura's enhanced senses barely gave her enough warning to dodge his first strike. She countered with a quick kick, but Lee easily evaded it.

As they exchanged blows, Sakura quickly realized the gap in their skills. Lee's taijutsu was on another level entirely. His movements were fluid, each strike flowing seamlessly into the next. Sakura found herself on the defensive more often than not, relying heavily on her enhanced speed and agility to avoid Lee's attacks.

Despite the clear difference in their abilities, Lee didn't overwhelm her. He seemed to be carefully gauging his attacks, pushing Sakura to her limits without completely outclassing her.

After a particularly intense exchange, Sakura jumped back, panting heavily. "Wow, Lee-san. You're amazing!"

Lee beamed at the compliment. "Thank you, Sakura-san! But you are also most impressive. Your movements are so graceful and unpredictable. It's like trying to catch a cherry blossom in the wind!"

Sakura felt her cheeks warm at the praise. She was used to compliments on her intelligence, but her physical abilities had always been average at best. The changes brought on by Queen Joousa's elixirs had improved her speed and agility, but she was still getting used to her new capabilities.

They continued sparring for a while longer, with Lee offering occasional tips and encouragement. By the time they finished, Sakura was exhausted but exhilarated. She had learned more in this short session than in weeks of academy training.

"That was wonderful, Sakura-san!" Lee exclaimed as they caught their breath. "Your flames of youth burn brightly!"

Sakura couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm. "Thanks, Lee-san. I've got a long way to go to catch up to you, though."

Lee's expression turned serious. "Sakura-san, may I say something?"

Sakura nodded, curious about his sudden change in demeanor.

"I think you are truly beautiful," Lee said earnestly. "Not just in appearance, though your unique features are most striking. But in your determination and spirit as well. The way you push yourself to improve, how you support your teammates – it's all very admirable."

Sakura felt her face heat up again, this time from embarrassment. She wasn't used to such direct compliments, especially about her appearance. The changes to her body had left her feeling somewhat self-conscious, unsure of how others perceived her new rabbit-like features.

"Th-thank you, Lee-san," she stammered. "That's very kind of you to say."

Lee took a deep breath, as if steeling himself for something. "Sakura-san, would you do me the honor of going on a date with me when we return to Konoha?"

Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected this at all. Lee was nice, and certainly skilled, but...

Her hand unconsciously moved to touch the Uchiha fan earrings Sasuke had given her. "I'm sorry, Lee-san," she said gently. "I'm flattered, really. But there's already someone I care for deeply."

Lee's shoulders slumped slightly, but his smile didn't falter. "I understand, Sakura-san. Thank you for your honesty. Whoever has captured your heart is truly fortunate!"

Sakura felt a twinge of guilt at Lee's disappointed expression, but she knew she had made the right choice. Her feelings for Sasuke hadn't changed, despite everything that had happened.

"We can still be friends, though, right?" she offered. "Maybe we could train together sometimes?"

Lee's face brightened immediately. "Of course! It would be my honor to help fan the flames of your youth, Sakura-san!"

As they walked back towards the main camp, Ino sauntered over, a mischievous glint in her eye. "That was some impressive moves, Lee-san," she said, flipping her long blonde hair over her shoulder. "Maybe you could show me some of those techniques sometime?"

Lee blinked, momentarily flustered by Ino's attention. "Ah, certainly, Ino-san! The sharing of knowledge is a most youthful pursuit!"

Sakura rolled her eyes at Ino's obvious flirting, but she couldn't help but feel a little amused. At least Lee wouldn't be too down about her rejection.

As the group dispersed, Sakura found herself wandering towards the edge of the camp. She needed some time alone to process everything that had happened. The spar with Lee had been enlightening, showing her just how far she still had to go in her training. And his compliments, while unexpected, had boosted her confidence a bit.

She found a quiet spot overlooking the surrounding forest and sat down, her long ears twitching as they picked up the sounds of nature around her. It was peaceful here, a stark contrast to the chaos of the past few days.

"Mind if I join you?" a familiar voice asked.

Sakura turned to see Sasuke standing a few feet away, his hands shoved in his pockets in his typical nonchalant pose.

"Of course not," she said, patting the ground beside her.

Sasuke sat down, his eyes scanning the horizon. For a while, they sat in comfortable silence.

"You did well," Sasuke said finally. "During the fight with the Mist nin, and in escaping capture."

Sakura felt a warmth bloom in her chest at his words. Praise from Sasuke was rare and precious. "Thanks," she said softly. "I couldn't have done it without the rabbits, though."

Sasuke shrugged. "You were resourceful. That's what matters."

They lapsed into silence again, but Sakura's mind was racing. She wanted to ask Sasuke about his awakened Sharingan, about how he felt facing such powerful enemies. But she held back, not wanting to push him.

"Your taijutsu has improved," Sasuke commented, breaking the silence once more. "That spar with Lee showed that."

Sakura blinked in surprise. She hadn't realized Sasuke had been watching. "Oh, um, thanks. Lee-san is really amazing, though. I've got a long way to go to catch up to him."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly. "Hn. Don't sell yourself short. You've made a lot of progress."

Sakura felt her cheeks warm at the compliment. "I'll keep working hard," she promised. "I want to be strong enough to stand beside you and Naruto as equals."

Sasuke turned to look at her, his dark eyes intense. "You already are," he said quietly. "You're part of Team 7. We're stronger together."

Sakura's heart skipped a beat at his words. It wasn't a declaration of love, but coming from Sasuke, it meant so much. He saw her as an equal, as someone worthy of standing beside him.

"Sasuke-kun," she began, gathering her courage. "I-"

"Oi! Sasuke! Sakura-chan!" Naruto's loud voice cut through the moment. "Kakashi-sensei wants us for a team meeting!"

Sasuke sighed, standing up and brushing off his shorts. "We should go," he said, offering Sakura a hand up.

Sakura took his hand, savoring the brief contact. As they walked back to the camp, she felt a renewed sense of determination. She would continue to grow stronger, to prove herself worthy of being part of Team 7.

The rest of the week passed in a blur of activity. The genin split their time between helping with camp duties, training, and resting. Sakura found herself spending more time with the rabbits, learning about their culture and history.

Queen Joousa had taken a personal interest in her development, often calling her aside for private conversations. "You have great potential, my dear," the rabbit queen said during one such meeting. "With proper guidance, you could become a bridge between our peoples."

Sakura wasn't entirely sure how to feel about that. While she was grateful for the rabbits' help and the power they had given her, she was still a Konoha ninja first and foremost.

On the eve of their departure back to Konoha, Team 7 gathered around a small campfire. Kakashi had insisted on this moment of team bonding before they returned to the village and the inevitable debriefings and reports that awaited them.

"I'm proud of all of you," Kakashi said, his visible eye crinkling in a smile. "You faced challenges that would have broken many experienced ninja, and you came through it stronger."

Naruto grinned widely. "Of course we did! We're Team 7, believe it!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes at Naruto's exuberance, but there was a hint of a smile on his face.

Sakura looked around at her teammates, feeling a surge of affection. They had been through so much together in such a short time. "We've got each other's backs," she said softly. "That's what makes us strong."

Kakashi nodded approvingly. "Well said, Sakura. Now, why don't you all get some rest? We've got a long journey ahead of us tomorrow."

"Yatta! Back to Konoha!" Naruto cheered. Sakura agreed with the sentiment. It would be nice to be home.