Sakura wiped the sweat from her brow, grateful for the break in training. She and Hinata sat on a fallen log at the edge of the Uchiha clan training grounds, watching as Naruto and Sasuke continued their sparring match. The boys were relentless, neither willing to give an inch to the other.

"They're really going at it today," Sakura remarked, taking a sip from her water bottle.

Hinata nodded, her pale eyes fixed on Naruto. "Y-yes, they are. Naruto-kun has improved so much lately."

Sakura couldn't help but smile at the fondness in Hinata's voice. Her plan to set up Hinata with Naruto might not have worked out exactly as she'd hoped, but at least the shy girl was more comfortable around her crush now.

"He has," Sakura agreed. "Though I think Sasuke-kun still has the edge."

As if to prove her point, Sasuke executed a perfect roundhouse kick that sent Naruto tumbling. The blond boy sprang back up immediately, shouting challenges and insults.

Hinata's gaze shifted to Sakura's arm, where her summoning tattoo was partially visible beneath her sleeve. "Um, Sakura-chan? I've been meaning to ask... how did you get that summoning contract? With the rabbits, I mean."

Sakura blinked, surprised by the question. "Oh, well, it's actually an open contract. I found information about it in some old scrolls and decided to pursue it."

"An open contract?" Hinata's eyes widened. "I didn't know those existed. I thought all summoning contracts were tied to specific clans or individuals."

"Most are," Sakura explained. "But the rabbit contract is different. It used to be more common in Konoha, but it fell out of favor when the village started using messenger birds instead."

Hinata frowned thoughtfully. "But why did you choose it? Rabbits aren't exactly known for their combat abilities."

Sakura hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest with her friend. "Well, it's kind of a long story. Do you know about the... um, the ninja pregnancy problem?"

Hinata's brow furrowed. "No, I don't think so. What problem?"

"Oh," Sakura said, suddenly feeling awkward. "I guess your mother would have told you about it when you got older..."

Hinata's expression fell, her voice barely above a whisper. "My mother... she passed away when I was young."

Sakura felt a pang of guilt. Despite spending months training together, she realized she knew very little about Hinata's family life. "I'm so sorry, Hinata. I didn't know."

Hinata shook her head, offering a small smile. "It's okay. You couldn't have known."

Sakura made a mental note to put more effort into being a better friend to Hinata. She'd been so focused on her own goals and her relationship with Sasuke that she'd neglected to really get to know the quiet Hyuga girl.

"Well," Sakura began, deciding to push forward with the explanation, "it's something I learned about from my mom. Basically, ninja women have a hard time having children. The stronger the kunoichi, the more difficult and dangerous pregnancy becomes. Most can only have one or two children at most."

Hinata's eyes widened. "Really? I had no idea."

Sakura nodded. "Yeah, it's a big problem for ninja villages. It limits how many strong ninja can be born in each generation. So, I've been trying to find a way to overcome it."

"That's amazing, Sakura-chan," Hinata said, genuine admiration in her voice. "But what does that have to do with the rabbit summons?"

Sakura felt her cheeks heat up slightly. "Well, I was thinking about how to... um, help rebuild the Uchiha clan. You know, with Sasuke-kun."

Understanding dawned on Hinata's face, followed by a faint blush. "Oh, I see."

"Rabbits are known for their large families," Sakura continued, her words coming faster now. "And they can use chakra, just like ninja. I thought maybe by studying them and forming a contract, I could find a way to help ninja women have more children safely."

Hinata was silent for a moment, processing this information. "That's... that's incredible, Sakura-chan. If you could solve that problem, it would change the entire ninja world in just a generation or two."

Sakura nodded, feeling a mix of pride and embarrassment. "That's the hope, anyway. I'm still learning a lot, but Queen Joousa - she's the leader of the rabbit summons - has been helping me with research and some special elixirs."

Hinata's expression became thoughtful, her fingers fidgeting in her lap. "Sakura-chan... do you think... would it be possible for me to sign the contract as well?"

Sakura felt a sudden, unexpected twist in her stomach. She'd been proud of being the only student in their class - perhaps even the youngest in the village - to have a summoning contract. It made her special, set her apart from the other girls vying for Sasuke's attention. The idea of sharing that uniqueness, even with Hinata, made her hesitate.

But Hinata was her friend, and Sakura had just been chiding herself for not being a better one. Plus, she'd already told Hinata that it was an open contract. Lying now would only damage their friendship.

"Well," Sakura said slowly, "the thing is, since it's an open contract, anyone can sign it if they find the scroll."

Hinata's eyes lit up. "Really? That's wonderful! Do you think you could show me where to find it?"

Sakura bit her lip, her conflicting emotions warring within her. Hinata, ever perceptive, noticed her friend's hesitation.

"Is something wrong, Sakura-chan?" Hinata asked, her voice laced with concern.

Sakura sighed, deciding honesty was the best policy. "It's just... I kind of liked being the only one in our class with a summoning contract. It made me feel special, you know? And if everyone finds out it's an open contract, well..."

Understanding bloomed on Hinata's face. "Oh, I see. You're worried about losing that uniqueness."

Sakura nodded, feeling a bit ashamed. "I know it's selfish..."

Hinata shook her head. "No, I understand. It's natural to want to stand out, especially..." She trailed off, her eyes darting to where Sasuke and Naruto were still sparring.

"Especially with Sasuke-kun," Sakura finished for her. "Yeah."

The two girls sat in silence for a moment, watching as Naruto attempted a wild series of kicks that Sasuke easily dodged.

"What if," Hinata began hesitantly, "what if we kept it a secret? Just between us, I mean. I won't tell anyone else about the open contract, and if I do sign it, we can say you taught me or something."

Sakura considered this. It was a compromise that would allow her to help her friend while still maintaining some of the uniqueness she craved. And having an ally in her research could be beneficial.

"That... that could work," Sakura said slowly. "Are you sure you're okay with keeping it a secret, though?"

Hinata nodded firmly. "Of course. You're my friend, Sakura-chan. I want to help you with your research, but I don't want to take away something that's important to you."

Sakura felt a wave of affection for the shy girl. "Thanks, Hinata. That means a lot."

"So," Hinata said, a hint of excitement creeping into her voice, "when do you think we could try to sign the contract?"

Sakura thought for a moment. "Well, I have a reverse summoning scroll that Queen Joousa gave me. We could use that to visit the Great Warren - that's where the rabbits live - during the next full moon. That's usually when I go for my... treatments."

Hinata nodded eagerly. "That sounds perfect. And maybe I could help with your research too? Two minds are better than one, after all."

"Definitely," Sakura agreed, feeling her earlier reluctance fade. "It'll be nice to have someone to talk to about all this."

"What about the elixirs you mentioned?" Hinata asked. "Are they part of your fertility research?"

Sakura shifted uncomfortably. "Sort of. They're supposed to help, but... well, they've had some unexpected side effects."

Hinata's brow furrowed with concern. "Side effects? Like what?"

Before Sakura could answer, a shout from the training field drew their attention. Naruto was on the ground, Sasuke standing over him with a triumphant smirk.

"Looks like they're finally done," Sakura said, grateful for the interruption. She wasn't quite ready to discuss the changes her body was going through, even with Hinata.

The two girls stood, stretching out their muscles that had grown stiff from sitting. As they walked towards the boys, Hinata spoke softly.

"Sakura-chan? Thank you for trusting me with this. I promise I'll do my best to help with your research."

Sakura smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the afternoon sun. "Thanks, Hinata. I'm glad we're friends."

As they approached Naruto and Sasuke, who were now arguing about the outcome of their match, Sakura felt a new sense of optimism. With Hinata's help, maybe she could make even more progress in her research. And who knew? Perhaps this shared secret would be the foundation of an even stronger friendship.

"Oi, Sakura-chan!" Naruto called out, waving enthusiastically. "Did you see how awesome I was? I totally had Sasuke on the ropes!"

Sasuke scoffed. "In your dreams, dobe. You didn't land a single clean hit."

As the boys bickered, Sakura caught Hinata's eye and they shared a knowing smile. Boys would be boys, after all. But they had more important things to focus on now.

"Alright, you two," Sakura said, stepping between Naruto and Sasuke. "How about we cool down with some chakra control exercises?"

Naruto groaned dramatically, but Sasuke nodded in agreement. As they moved to a nearby tree to practice their chakra walking, Sakura couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for what the future held. With her growing skills, her research, and now a trusted confidant in Hinata, she felt more confident than ever that she was on the right path.

The sun began to dip lower in the sky as the four young ninja continued their training. The Uchiha clan training grounds echoed with the sound of their efforts, a testament to their determination and the bonds of friendship that were growing stronger with each passing day.

----------------------------------------

The full moon hung low in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over Konoha. In Sakura's room, two young kunoichi sat cross-legged on the floor, excitement buzzing between them.

"Are you ready, Hinata?" Sakura asked, her green eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Hinata nodded, her pale eyes wide with a mix of nervousness and eagerness. "Y-yes, I think so."

Sakura grinned and held out her arm, displaying the intricate summoning tattoo. "Watch closely. It's not too difficult once you get the hang of it."

With practiced ease, Sakura bit her thumb, drawing a small bead of blood. She quickly swiped it across her tattoo and formed the necessary hand signs. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

A puff of smoke filled the room, dissipating to reveal a white rabbit with an air of superiority about him.

"Good evening, Sakura," Mochi said, bowing slightly. His eyes widened as he noticed Hinata. "Oh? I wasn't expecting company."

Sakura quickly explained the situation to Mochi, who listened with growing interest.

"Another summoner? How exciting!" Mochi exclaimed, his ears perking up. "It's been ages since we've had multiple human partners."

Hinata bowed politely to the rabbit. "It's nice to meet you, Mochi-san. I hope I can be a worthy summoner."

Mochi preened at the formal address. "I'm sure you'll do just fine, Hinata-san. Now, shall we see you summon your own partner?"

Hinata nodded, a determined look crossing her face. She bit her thumb and performed the hand signs Sakura had taught her earlier. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

A small puff of smoke appeared, but quickly dissipated without revealing a summon. Hinata's face fell.

"Don't worry," Sakura encouraged. "It took me a few tries too. Just focus on channeling your chakra and try again."

Hinata took a deep breath and nodded. She repeated the process, this time with more concentration. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

Another puff of smoke, larger this time, filled the room. As it cleared, a rabbit with brilliant orange fur stood before them, looking around curiously.

"Well, hello there!" the new rabbit said, his voice cheerful and slightly mischievous. "I'm Carrot. Who might you lovely ladies be?"

Mochi's ears flattened against his head. "Oh no, not you," he groaned.

Carrot's eyes lit up as she spotted Mochi. "Well, if it isn't Mr. Stick-in-the-Mud himself! What a pleasant surprise!"

"Pleasant isn't the word I'd use," Mochi muttered.

Sakura quickly intervened before the situation could escalate. "Carrot, this is Hinata. She's our new summoner, and we're about to visit the Great Warren."

Carrot bounced excitedly. "A new summoner? How wonderful! And such a pretty one too," she added with a wink at Hinata, who blushed furiously.

"Honestly," Mochi huffed. "Can't you be professional for once?"

"Professional? Me? Where's the fun in that?" Carrot retorted, sticking out her tongue.

Sakura clapped her hands sharply, cutting off their bickering. "Alright, that's enough you two. We need to get going before it gets too late."

She pulled out the reverse summoning scroll and unrolled it on the floor. "Hinata, place your hand here, next to mine. Mochi, Carrot, you should probably dismiss yourselves. We'll see you on the other side."

The rabbits nodded and disappeared in twin puffs of smoke. Sakura and Hinata placed their hands on the scroll, channeling their chakra into it. In a flash of light, they vanished from Sakura's room.

When the world stopped spinning, Sakura and Hinata found themselves in the familiar cavern of the Great Warren. The underground city bustled with activity, even at this late hour, as rabbits of all sizes went about their business.

"Wow," Hinata breathed, taking in the sight. "It's amazing."

Before Sakura could respond, a familiar voice called out to them.

"Ah, there you are, my dear!" Queen Joousa hopped towards them, a vial of something sparkly clutched in her paw. "And I see you've brought a friend. How delightful!"

Beside the Queen was another rabbit, slightly larger and noticeably older. Her fur was a mix of gray and white, and she carried herself with an air of wisdom and strength.

"Sakura, Hinata, this is Serena," Joousa introduced. "She's agreed to be Sakura's taijutsu instructor."

Serena nodded at the girls, her eyes sharp and assessing. "A pleasure to meet you both. Though I must say, Joousa, you could stand to learn a thing or two from these young ladies."

Joousa's ears drooped slightly. "Not this again, Serena."

"Yes, this again!" Serena retorted. "When was the last time you even considered taking a mate? You spend all your time cooped up with those elixirs of yours."

"Those elixirs are what made me Queen," Joousa muttered defensively.

Serena rolled her eyes. "And what good is being Queen if you don't have anyone to share it with? I've tried to set you up with several of my sons, you know."

"Several dozen, more like," Joousa grumbled.

Before the argument could continue, an orange blur shot past Sakura and Hinata, coming to a stop in front of Serena.

"Great-Grandmother!" Carrot exclaimed, bouncing excitedly. "It's so good to see you!"

Serena blinked, peering closely at the young rabbit. "Now, let's see... you're one of Clover's brood, aren't you? Third litter, I believe..."

Carrot's ears drooped slightly as Serena continued to mutter, trying to place him. Finally, her face lit up. "Ah, Carrot! Of course, how could I forget my little troublemaker?"

Carrot beamed, her chest puffing out with pride. "You remembered!"

Serena chuckled, giving him a playful swat. "Of course I did, you scamp. It just takes this old brain a minute sometimes. There are quite a few of you to keep track of, after all."

Sakura and Hinata exchanged wide-eyed looks. "Excuse me," Hinata ventured timidly, "but how many great-grandchildren do you have, Serena-san?"

Serena waved a paw dismissively. "Oh, I stopped counting after the first few hundred. It's easier that way."

The two young kunoichi were floored by this casual admission. Serena noticed their shocked expressions and laughed.

"Don't look so surprised, girls. When you live as long as we rabbits do, and have as many litters as I have, the numbers add up quickly."

Shaking off her surprise, Serena turned her attention to Sakura. "Now then, young lady. I assume you're eager to begin your training? To become a kunoichi so fearsome that the very heavens will tremble at the mention of your name?"

Sakura shifted uncomfortably, her cheeks reddening slightly. "Well, actually... I'm doing this to catch a boy's attention."

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There was a moment of silence, and then Serena burst into delighted laughter. "Oh, I like you already! Now that's proper motivation, unlike some people I could mention." She shot a pointed look at Joousa, who rolled her eyes.

"You know," Serena continued, her eyes twinkling with mischief, "I used my taijutsu skills to capture my first husband's attention. It was during the great Carrot Festival of..."

As Serena launched into what promised to be a long and colorful tale, Joousa quietly excused herself from the group. She hopped over to where Hinata stood, looking slightly overwhelmed by the flurry of activity and conversation.

"Welcome to the Great Warren, Hinata," Joousa said warmly. "I'm pleased to meet our newest summoner. How are you finding everything so far?"

Hinata bowed politely. "It's an honor to be here, Joousa-sama. Everything is so incredible... I never imagined a place like this could exist."

Joousa preened slightly at the formal address. "Well, we do try to keep things interesting around here. Now, tell me about yourself. What made you decide to sign our contract?"

As Hinata began to explain her reasons, Sakura found herself torn between listening to Serena's increasingly outrageous tale of romance and martial arts, and eavesdropping on Hinata's conversation with the Queen.

Mochi, who had been quiet until now, sidled up to Sakura. "Well, this is certainly turning into an interesting evening," he murmured.

Sakura nodded, a smile tugging at her lips. "It certainly is. I have a feeling things are going to get even more interesting from here on out."

As the night wore on, the Great Warren buzzed with activity. Rabbits of all sizes scurried about their business, some pausing to stare curiously at the two human girls in their midst. Sakura and Hinata, for their part, were doing their best to take in everything around them.

Serena had finally finished her tale of how she won her first husband's heart through a combination of impressive kicks and carrot-based cuisine. She was now eyeing Sakura with a calculating look.

"So, my dear," Serena said, her tone becoming more serious. "You wish to learn our style of taijutsu to impress a boy. While I applaud your motivation, I hope you understand that this training will not be easy."

Sakura nodded firmly. "I'm prepared to work hard, Serena-sensei. I know it won't be simple, but I'm determined to succeed."

Serena's whiskers twitched in approval. "Good answer. We'll start your training tomorrow at dawn. Be prepared for sore muscles and bruised pride."

Meanwhile, Joousa was still chatting with Hinata, her interest clearly piqued by the shy Hyuga girl.

"Your clan's Gentle Fist style sounds fascinating," Joousa mused. "I wonder how it might interact with some of my elixirs... purely theoretical, of course," she added hastily, catching Serena's disapproving glare.

Hinata looked uncertain. "Um, I'm not sure my clan would approve of experimenting with our techniques..."

"Oh, don't worry about that old sourpuss," Joousa said, waving a paw dismissively in Serena's direction. "A little experimentation never hurt anyone. Well, not permanently, anyway."

Before Hinata could respond, Carrot bounded over, her orange fur practically glowing with excitement.

"Hey, Hinata-chan!" she chirped. "Want me to show you around the Warren? There's so much cool stuff to see!"

Hinata glanced at Sakura, who gave her an encouraging nod. "Go ahead," Sakura said. "I need to talk to Queen Joousa about my, um, treatments anyway."

As Hinata allowed herself to be led away by the enthusiastic Carrot, with Mochi trailing behind them muttering about "keeping an eye on that troublemaker," Sakura turned to face Joousa and Serena.

"So," Sakura began, trying to keep her voice steady. "About those elixirs..."

Joousa's ears perked up. "Ah yes! I've made some adjustments based on our last session. This new batch should help stabilize the changes and perhaps even accelerate them a bit."

Serena's eyes narrowed. "Changes? What changes? Joousa, what have you been doing to this poor girl?"

Joousa had the grace to look slightly abashed. "Nothing dangerous, I assure you. Just a few... enhancements to help with her goals."

Sakura shifted uncomfortably. "It's just... the side effects have been a bit... intense lately. The itching, the growth spurts, the... other things."

Serena rounded on Joousa, her fur bristling. "You've been experimenting on a child? Have you lost your mind?"

"She's not a child, she's a ninja-in-training," Joousa protested weakly.

"That's even worse!" Serena exclaimed. "Joousa, I swear, if you've done anything to harm this girl..."

As the two older rabbits began to argue in earnest, Sakura found herself wondering if she had made a terrible mistake. The elixirs had seemed like such a good idea at first, a way to give herself an edge in her quest to win Sasuke's heart. But now, faced with the potential consequences of her actions, doubt began to creep in.

She glanced in the direction Hinata had gone, wishing her friend was still by her side. Hinata's quiet strength and unwavering support would have been welcome in this moment of uncertainty.

Sakura took a deep breath, steeling herself. No, she couldn't back down now. She had come too far, worked too hard. Whatever changes the elixirs were causing, she would face them head-on. After all, wasn't that what being a ninja was all about? Adapting, overcoming, pushing beyond one's limits?

With renewed determination, Sakura stepped forward, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Whether it was grueling taijutsu training with Serena, the unpredictable effects of Joousa's elixirs, or the ever-present goal of winning Sasuke's heart, she would meet each obstacle with courage and resolve.

As the argument between Serena and Joousa continued to escalate, filling the cavern with their raised voices, Sakura couldn't help but smile to herself. This certainly wasn't how she had imagined her path to becoming the perfect ninja bride would go, but she wouldn't have it any other way.

After all, in the world of ninja, expecting the unexpected was just part of the job.

----------------------------------------

The morning sun filtered through the classroom windows, casting a warm glow on the sleepy faces of the young ninja-in-training. Sakura stifled a yawn, her emerald eyes struggling to stay open as Iruka-sensei droned on about chakra theory. She blinked hard, trying to focus on the lesson, but her mind kept drifting to her grueling training sessions with Serena.

Every third day, Sakura would summon the elderly rabbit warrior in the pre-dawn hours, pushing her body to its limits before rushing to make it to class on time. The results were undeniable – her reflexes had sharpened, her strength had increased, and her overall fitness had improved dramatically. But the toll on her energy reserves was equally apparent.

Hinata, sitting next to her, nudged Sakura gently. "Are you alright?" she whispered, concern evident in her pale eyes.

Sakura nodded, offering a tired smile. "Just a bit worn out from training," she murmured back.

As Iruka turned to write something on the board, Sakura took a deep breath, trying to clear her head. Suddenly, a wave of scents assaulted her nostrils – chalk dust, the faint aroma of Hinata's lavender shampoo, someone's half-eaten apple two rows back, and the unmistakable odor of Akamaru, who was napping at Kiba's feet.

Sakura wrinkled her nose, still adjusting to her heightened sense of smell – another side effect of Queen Joousa's latest elixir. While the enhanced olfactory abilities could be useful for a ninja, learning to control and interpret the constant barrage of scents was proving to be a challenge.

As the lesson dragged on, Sakura found herself stealing glances at Sasuke, who sat a few seats away. Her heart fluttered as she admired his profile, but a small frown creased her brow as she considered her changing physique.

The muscles she had developed from Serena's training were becoming more defined, and while she was proud of her increasing strength, a part of her worried about maintaining the delicate appearance expected of kunoichi. Her Kunoichi Studies teacher had already expressed concern, emphasizing the importance of appearing soft and feminine for certain types of missions.

When the lunch bell finally rang, Sakura breathed a sigh of relief. As the students filed out of the classroom, she caught up with Kiba, who was scratching Akamaru behind the ears.

"Hey, Kiba," she said, falling into step beside him. "I was wondering if I could ask you something."

Kiba raised an eyebrow, curious. "Sure, what's up?"

Sakura hesitated, then plunged ahead. "Well, I've noticed my sense of smell has gotten a lot stronger lately, and I was hoping you might have some tips on how to control it. You know, since your clan specializes in that sort of thing."

Kiba's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? That's pretty cool. But why would your sense of smell suddenly improve?"

Sakura laughed nervously, scrambling for an explanation. "Oh, you know, just some special training exercises I've been doing. Anyway, any advice?"

Kiba scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Well, it takes practice, but the key is learning to focus on specific scents and filter out the rest. Try concentrating on one smell at a time, and gradually work on identifying different scents in a mixture."

He grinned, showing his sharp canines. "And if it gets overwhelming, breathe through your mouth for a bit. That helps reset things."

Sakura nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Kiba. I'll give that a try."

As they parted ways, Sakura caught sight of Sasuke heading towards his usual lunch spot. She hesitated for a moment, then squared her shoulders and followed him.

"Mind if I join you?" she asked, trying to keep her voice casual.

Sasuke shrugged, which Sakura took as an invitation to sit down. They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes before Sakura worked up the courage to broach the subject that had been weighing on her mind.

"Sasuke-kun," she began, her voice slightly hesitant. "I was wondering... what do you think about girls' appearances?"

Sasuke paused mid-bite, giving her a quizzical look. "What do you mean?"

Sakura felt her cheeks grow warm. "Well, you know, like... what do you find attractive in a girl?"

Sasuke set down his onigiri, his expression unreadable. "I don't really think about that stuff," he said flatly. "Strength is what matters for a ninja, not looks."

Sakura nodded, both pleased and slightly disappointed by his answer. "I know that's important to you," she pressed on, "but surely you must have some preferences? Like, do you prefer long hair or short hair on girls?"

Sasuke sighed, clearly uncomfortable with the line of questioning. "Long, I guess," he muttered, more to end the conversation than out of any real preference.

Sakura's heart soared at this small tidbit of information. She opened her mouth to ask another question, but Sasuke cut her off.

"Why are you asking about this stuff anyway?" he asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

Sakura fidgeted with the hem of her dress. "Well, I've been training really hard lately, and I've noticed my body changing. I'm getting stronger, which is great, but..." She trailed off, unsure how to express her concerns without sounding vain.

Sasuke's brow furrowed slightly. "But what?"

Sakura took a deep breath. "I'm worried that I might be looking too... boyish," she admitted. "With all the muscle I'm building, I mean. And our Kunoichi Studies teacher said we need to maintain a delicate appearance for certain missions, so I just wanted to know what you thought."

To her surprise, a ghost of a smile flickered across Sasuke's face. "You're worried about looking too strong?" he asked, a note of amusement in his voice.

Sakura nodded, feeling slightly foolish.

"That's ridiculous," Sasuke said bluntly. "Being strong doesn't make you look boyish. It makes you look like a capable ninja."

He paused, then added almost grudgingly, "I like that you're taking your training seriously. The muscles... they suit you."

Sakura's eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat at the unexpected compliment. "R-really?" she stammered.

Sasuke nodded, already turning his attention back to his lunch. "Just keep focusing on getting stronger. That's what matters."

As they finished eating, Sakura's mind whirled with thoughts. Sasuke liked her muscles! He approved of her dedication to training! It wasn't quite the romantic declaration she had dreamed of, but coming from Sasuke, it felt like high praise indeed.

The rest of the school day passed in a blur, with Sakura alternating between daydreaming about Sasuke and struggling to stay awake. By the time the final bell rang, she was both exhausted and exhilarated.

As she gathered her things, Hinata approached her desk. "Sakura-chan, are we still on for training this afternoon?" she asked softly.

Sakura nodded, stifling another yawn. "Of course! I wouldn't miss it."

The two girls made their way to the training grounds, where they found Naruto and Sasuke already waiting. As they began their warm-up exercises, Sakura couldn't help but notice the way Hinata's eyes kept darting towards Naruto, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

"Alright!" Naruto shouted, pumping his fist in the air. "Let's see what you've got, Sakura-chan!"

Sakura grinned, dropping into the stance Serena had taught her. "Bring it on, Naruto!"

As they sparred, Sakura found herself relying more and more on her enhanced senses. She could smell the faint tang of Naruto's sweat, hear the subtle shift of his weight as he prepared to attack. Using Kiba's advice, she focused on filtering out the unnecessary information, honing in on the details that mattered for the fight.

Naruto came at her with a flurry of punches, but Sakura dodged them with a grace that surprised even herself. She countered with a series of quick jabs, driving Naruto back.

"Whoa, Sakura-chan!" Naruto exclaimed, his blue eyes wide with admiration. "When did you get so fast?"

Sakura smirked, feeling a surge of pride. "I've been working on it," she said simply.

As their match continued, Sakura became aware of Sasuke watching her intently. His dark eyes followed her movements, and she could have sworn she saw a flicker of approval in his gaze.

When they finally called a halt to their sparring, all four of them were breathing heavily. Naruto flopped dramatically onto the grass, while Hinata offered him a water bottle with trembling hands.

Sakura wiped the sweat from her brow, feeling simultaneously exhausted and invigorated. She caught Sasuke's eye and smiled, receiving a small nod in return.

As they gathered their things to head home, Sakura found herself walking beside Sasuke. They traveled in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Sakura worked up the courage to speak.

"So," she began, trying to keep her voice casual, "what did you think of the training session?"

Sasuke glanced at her, his expression thoughtful. "You've improved," he said simply.

Sakura beamed at the compliment. "Thanks! I've been working really hard."

Sasuke nodded. "It shows. Your form is getting better, and your reflexes are sharper."

They walked a few more blocks together before reaching the intersection where their paths diverged. Sasuke paused, turning to face her.

"Same time tomorrow?" he asked.

"Of course! I have early morning training with Serena-sensei," Sakura said. "But I'll be free after school."

"Hn." Sasuke nodded. "Don't wear yourself out."

Sakura watched him disappear around the corner, then practically skipped the rest of the way home. The setting sun painted the sky in shades of orange and pink, matching her hair and her mood.

Inside, she found her mother preparing dinner. The smell of miso soup made her stomach growl.

"How was training?" Mebuki asked, stirring the pot.

"Amazing!" Sakura twirled around the kitchen. "I kept up with Naruto today, and Sasuke said my form has improved!"

Her mother smiled knowingly. "And the other changes? Are you adjusting?"

Sakura touched her nose. "Better. Kiba gave me some tips about managing the enhanced smell. And the muscle soreness isn't as bad anymore."

She bounded up the stairs to her room, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her arms were more toned now, her stance more confident. The changes from Queen Joousa's elixirs were subtle but undeniable. Even her pink hair seemed more vibrant.

Flopping onto her bed, Sakura hugged her pillow to her chest. Everything was falling into place – her training, her friendship with Hinata, and most importantly, Sasuke's growing respect for her abilities. She might not have solved the fertility problem yet, but she was making progress in other areas.

For now, that was enough.