Sakura laid on her back while staring at the ceiling with Sumire beside her head.

"Konoha's Prodigies huh?"

She closed her eyes while reminiscing about the time her team had a meeting with the Hokage not long after their team was announced.

"As this year's trio prodigies, I must let you know of the responsibilities all of you must carry." The Hokage said very seriously. "None of us are sure if you are the trio mentioned in the prophecy but nontheless, all of you must maintain a positive and healthy mindset. In the previous teams, all of them never failed to leave only two behind."

Kakashi clenched his fists as he relived the memory of his team.

Obito.

"Your sensei relates with this very deeply as the failed trio prodigies. His teammate died during a mission because one one selfish decision from a man with an unhealthy mind."

The Jounin hung his head low, he was ashamed of what had happened then.

"Aside from that, the trio prodigies in the prophecy is the key to the world's future. Many suspect a war to break out and the trio would determine which side wins." He stood up from his seat and made eye contact with each member of team TP. "While this moment feels like you won't betray the village, the course of action in the future may attempt to bring you astray. If you aren't the trio from the prophecy, something or someone will pull one of you out in one way or another. The only way to counter it, is to protect each other and create a strong bond."

The Hokage sat on his seat again and this time, he only looked into the pinkette's eyes. "Typically, the burden is heaviest on the only girl of the team because both men will fall for you and one wrong decision may destroy everybody's future. So think carefully."

Sakura sighed. As though the burden she carries as Lady Sakura's descendant was not heavy enough, she has to be a prodigy. She grunted out loud, stirring Sumire in her sleep. Which would be the right decision? It's impossible to figure it out.

As soon as Kakashi left the team, he headed for the room where the Hokage resided in.

Those cubs.. Those are the rare tiger-nins, known to attack everyone they see.

His eyebrows furrowed. He was worried for his team and wished it wasn't true, but fate can't be changed.

He knocked on the door, "Hokage-sama."

"Come in, Kakashi."

He entered the room and went straight to the point, "Hokage-sama, I have reasons to believe the prophecy is coming true. My team, each of them owns a tiger-nin."

The Hokage's eyebrows raised in shock.

"How did they get their hands on them? They are known to be almost difficult to tame."

"I don't know. There were three cubs following them when I met them earlier."

"No one from history was known to own tiger-nins." The Hokage sighed and thought for awhile. "If those three are from the prophecy, then Orochimaru will be our for all of them. Not as just his vessels, but his pawns. We must increase security and protect them at all cost."

"Noted. I'll take my leave now." He bowed before leaving the room.

The trio prodigies stayed in the tower for four more days. They took that time to get to know their tigers better and trained in a smaller scale for a bit. Once the second phase was over, all teams were told to gather in the hall. Apparently, only four teams made it in time with a complete set of gemstones.

Only one team was from another village, the rest were the rookies from the village hidden in the leaves.

Standing in front of all four teams was the Hokage. "Congratulations in passing the second test. The final test will begin in a month where you have to battle in teams. Please be prepared. Dismiss." He said and vanished.

His appearance was so brief and his speech sounded a little rushed. It causes Sakura to worry, but he probably has much to do especially when Orochimaru is on the loose.

"We have to practice our teamwork since the third phase emphasises on that. It'll benefit us if we try to combine our abilities." Neji stated.

"This week will be busy. We need to have several plans in our heads, that Shikamaru is here too." Sasuke said.

Sakura nodded her head in agreement, "But he isn't the only genius in class. Neji and I were the top three in class, it's two of us against him alone."

"That's right, I don't believe the three of us can't beat him. Sometimes, strength matters too."

"Hmm.. Actually.." Sakura muttered. "Shikamaru is a genius, we shouldn't be too confident even though all three of us are in a team."

"Before you stress yourselves before the exam, why don't we have lunch first?" Kakashi suggested.

"Sure."

"Hn."

"If that place allows our pets."

"Let's go then." Kakashi said and led the way.

They arrived at a dango shop and Neji sat next to the pinkette. Sasuke was across from her with Kakashi by his side. The little tigers were quietly sat on each of their laps.

The Jounin started, "So.. Mind telling me how you get those cubs?"

"We were surrounded by them in the forest. They were in their mature form then." Neji began.

"We thought they were going to attack us, but they jumped on us and snuggled us instead." Sakura chuckled.

"They seem to understand us and they wanted us to keep them, so here we are." The Uchiha finished off.

Kakashi nodded, still a little shocked. He began explaining to them about the tiger-nins which they don't know much about.

"These are known as tiger-nins. No one in history could get their hands on them. They show no mercy upon humans, let alone volunteer to be your partners. They can greatly help you in battle, so you have to train them well. Nobody can be your guide, so you are truly on your own."

All of their eyes grew wide, they did not expect to hear this about the little tigers. They felt so honoured to be favoured by these rare tiger-nins, they were very grateful for the opportunity nobody had.

"Help us in battle huh?" Sakura raised Sumire and stared at her with a smile. "Yeah, I remember. All three of you repelled the needles back in the forest."

"I'm eager to see what other powers they have." The Hyuga said while patting Raimu's head.

Sasuke suggested, "Shall we train now?"

"You can after you finish your lunch." Kakashi said.

They were quick to finish their meal and instantly headed to the training ground. Their teacher tagged along to observe them and advice them. It was his responsibility to train them after all; above everything else, it was his duty to protect them as their teacher and a shinobi of the Leaf Village. Those three are important keys for a better future.

==

Dedicated to spacekitty1505 for your vote on this story!

I think I updated about 7 chapters in a day? I think I just busted my head lol. Even though it's just editing(more like rewrite tbh), it's taking a lot of effort because I need to cover up plot holes, improve my writing, and try to make it more interesting. Hopefully my efforts did not go to waste.

Thank you so much for reading and supporting this story! Just wondering, are there any old readers here?

~Joelle

Published: December 2014
Rewritten: 8 May 2018