Combat Medic (Pokemon/Naruto)

[DrThoth]

Summary: Once a pink-haired badass healer, always a pink-haired badass healer. Haruno Sakura reincarnates in the Pokemon World.

She was the scourge of nations, the shadow in the darkest hour of the night, the threat of her poisons bringing terror to all evildoers-

"Janine-nee, wake up."

Janine groaned into her pillow as the dream evaporated like Gastly fumes. She had come wide awake, of course- her training as a kunoichi demanded no less. A ninja must be ever vigilant, ever ready to spring into action.

But her bed was so soft…

"Come onnn, Janine-nee".

In the nine years that Janine had heard her speak, she still couldn't figure out how her little sister could sound like a typical whiny child and a fondly exasperated parent at the same time. It was like she was the reincarnation of a mother who'd raised her own child already.

"Hmm, maybe you should sing to wake her up, Crobat," her sister said faux-thoughtfully.

"Cro-cro!"

Janine went from a blanket burrito into a crouched ninja pose on the floor in 2 seconds. She adored her partner Pokemon dearly, and she had many talents…but singing was not one of them.

Damn Sakura for getting her hooked on that Jigglypuff music show.

"You have won the battle, apprentice. But don't let victory dull your edge," Janine pronounced, straightening up into a series of stretches before making her way to the bathroom.

Sakura, daughter of Sekichiku ninja clan and the Joy family, once-shinobi of a Village from another world, smiled at her departing half-sister.

"I know," she said, the will of fire burning in her eyes.

 

[DrThoth]

"Hello, and welcome to the- oh Sakura, it's you!"

Nurse Joy broke off her usual spiel in favor of a more genuine smile and wave for her favorite niece (not that she would admit that to anyone. The Joy family was nice but some family drama was universal).

Sakura Joy smiled back at her. "Hi auntie! We're here to help out! Isn't that right, Ino?"

"Ino, Audino!" the aptly named porcine Pokemon next to her cheered, waving her arms cutely in the air.

"Chansey!" Nurse Joy's own partner replied with similar, well, joy, running from behind the counter to hug them both. Ever since Sakura had received Audino from her mother back in Unova, Chansey seemed to treat the younger healer Pokemon like Nurse Joy treated Sakura, as a child to be cherished, nurtured and instructed.

Though honestly most days it felt like the other way around, in terms of instruction; Sakura was a prodigy with the healing disciplines, and it had taken a few years for Joy to get used to the speed of her niece's education.

"Well I'm glad to see you sweetie," Joy replied, patting her on the head. As usual, Sakura rolled her eyes at the gesture, bearing it with a patient smile. "We can start with sterilizing the Potion battles, and we need to restock some bandages too-"

"HEY!"

Joy blinked and looked up, while Sakura sighed. A youngster was standing there, pointing at Sakura's back. Where, Nurse Joy realized, the symbol of the Soul Badge was emblazoned on her jacket's mon.

"You're from the Fuchsia Gym, right! Let's have a battle!" the youth shouted out eagerly. On his shoulder, a precariously balanced Rattata chittered with similar excitement.

Joy watched Sakura and Audino exchange looks and smirk. It wasn't a very appropriate expression for healers to make, but Joy had gotten used to it.

Wincing internally, she straightened up and smiled at the youngster. Looks like she'd have to heal a Rattata soon.

 

[DrThoth]

"Quick Attack again!" the little human yelled.

Ino focused on her opponent, the Rattata panting with both exertion and the pain of her previous attacks. She breathed in and out, knowing without looking that her friend was doing the same. It was a synchronized harmony built over hours of training but more importantly, years of friendship.

It was what would let them win.

"Ratta-TA!" the Pokemon yelled, the aura of Normal energy flaring around him. It was bright and steady, a hallmark of good training

Rattata was faster than her, Ino knew. Audino weren't built for speed.

She focused on his eyes, which stared straight at her like they had been doing for the entire match.

Rattata was faster, but he was predictable.

She had tensed her legs before the opponent trainer had yelled out the command, because she knew the Quick Attack was coming.

Speed was important, but as any true fan of Indigo Idol knew, tempo was key.

Rattata took off, a blur of white streaking straight towards her.

Or rather, where she used to be.

Ino twirled out of the way in a pirouette, dodging the attack by inches. Rattata had nearly gotten her.

He had nearly gotten her ten times so far.

The rat squealed in frustration and turned towards her, gathering the energy for another Quick Attack. But Ino had been preparing her own energy all this time. The breathing she and Sakura had been doing was based directly on the vocal exercises of their favorite idol group, the Tuff Tuffs. Just like her dodging was based on their signature dance moves.

And Crobat wasn't the only singer in the Sekikuchi household.

Ino belted out her Disarming Voice, the fourth and final one of the match, and Rattata finally went down.
"Rattata is unable to battle! The winner is Sakura and Ino!" the referee announced, pointing at the respective parties.

The referee was Aunt Chansey, so the humans didn't understand her words. But the Egg Pokemon's movements and tone got the message across. And as any true fan of Indigo Idol knew, tone was key.

The youngster slumped in dejection while Sakura and Ino ran up to each other in screaming excitement, starting their signature victory dance.

"Ino! We have a patient!" Aunt Chansey interrupted, amused but firm. She waved to the prone Rattata on the ground while patting the worried youngster's head.

Ino turned back from her best friend, taking a determined breath. It was important to have well-rounded interests, and performance wasn't her only passion. Healing was her life's calling.

…but hopefully they could fix up Rattata quickly. She wanted to rewatch the Tuff Tuff's latest music video.

 

[DrThoth]

Janine took a deep yet silent breath. Crouched unseen in the rafters, she observed her targets intently. This was one of the most crucial aspects of being a Gym Leader, and she would not be found wanting.

Below her, the targets mingled, some clinging to each other in a clump for comfort, one anxiously retreating into the shaded corner next to the Gym lobby plants, and one loudly proclaiming their dreams to become Master of the World.

So basically, a typical group of starter Trainers.

To set the next generation on the path forward, to watch over them and support them strictly but fairly. To forge the future anew, one where humanity and Pokemon grow side by side and wield great power with equally great responsibility. That is the heart of our mission.

Her father's words echoed through her mind, like they did every year. Janine smiled to herself, the truth of them etching itself deeper into her soul. There would be a ceremony at the Plateau later to formally announce the start of the Indigo League season, but this was the true beginning.

And this year was extra special, because-

The entrance door slid open again.

"Sorry we're late!" "Chan!" "Audi!" four voices raised up in apology.

Janine smiled as Nurse Joy, Chansey and her little sisters rushed in, the former two gripping trays of miniaturized Pokeballs firmly despite their speed.

The kids gathered around them in excitement, even the wallflower coming forward, lured by the promise and potential of their starter Pokemon.

Janine nodded firmly once she'd confirmed they were all distracted, and dropped her No. 8 Smoke Bomb (non-toxic and kid-friendly, available for purchase from the Fuchsia Gym store!).

A burst of purple-pink smoke billowed outwards, accompanied by a crackle of fireworks. The Trainers who were not from Fuchsia City proper gasped in shock, while the ones who were more familiar with the Gym yelled in excitement.

Janine took a second to inhale while the smoke still lingered, ready to project her voice outwards (she ignored the thought that she learned this breathing technique from her kid sister and a bunch of vapid idols with the ease of long practice).

"Trainers, your journey now begins," she announced, just as the last traces of smoke faded. Her audience stared at her with awe- most of them, anyway. Nurse Joy and Chansey maintained their customary polite smiles, while Ino giggled and Sakura rolled her eyes. But Janine ignored those distractions with the trademark willpower of a Fuchsia City Gym Leader. She focused on the rest of the audience, projecting power and assurance. "Are you ready?" she demanded.

Some Trainers gulped nervously, while others stared at her with defiance and determination. Good.

"Today, you will meet your starter, and reforge the bonds between humans and Pokemon, overcoming all challenges in your path. I, Janine, Gym Leader of Fuchsia City, know that each and every one of you has what it takes."

But first…

She stared at Sakura intently, then flicked her gaze to Ino and back. Her sister blinked and frowned, but Janine continued staring until the girl slumped her shoulders and took out her Pokeball. She whispered apologetically to the Audino beside her, who thankfully just giggled again and patted her Trainer on the head before pressing the button and returning herself to her ball.

Sure, Sakura was already registered as a Trainer, one of the benefits to a Gym's closest affiliates. But tradition was tradition, and the Bestowal was something all youth should experience properly.

Sakura looked back at her and made an impatient gesture to continue. Janine just smiled with the satisfaction of an older sibling asserting the natural order of the world, and turned around. With a single hand sign, the doors of the Gym arena flew open silently to more gasps from her audience. It was perfectly synchronized, and she made a mental note to give an extra treat to the Gym's Kadabra.

"Follow me, towards your destiny."

She ignored Sakura's embarrassed sigh behind her.

 

[DrThoth]

In cities without Gym Leaders, it fell to the Joys to hand out general starters to the crop of new Trainers every year. Cities with Gyms or analogous institutions had their own Starter programs, but it was still common to liaise with Pokemon Centers for logistics.

Once everyone had gathered in the main Gym arena under a suitably dramatic spotlight, Janine let Nurse Joy go first; the Gym's starters were all Poison-types, naturally, and it was best to minimize the time they spent outside with unfamiliar stimuli and the chance of things going wrong. Everyone on hand had Antidotes ready- herself, Sakura, Nurse Joy and the ninja aides supervising unobtrusively from the ceiling and in the shadows.

Nurse Joy performed her duties with practiced ease, calling up Trainers in batches of three and delivering the miniaturized Pokeball to them with a smile, in the manner akin to sharing a business card.

Some Trainers shouted with joy, while others tried to keep their cool, but they all shared the glimmering look of excitement in their eyes.

The Pokemon Center's starter Pokemon were standard League policy: Rattatas, Pidgeys and Caterpies, with two Meowths and a Geodude to add some variety.

Of course, the highlight of the first half of the ceremony was when Nurse Joy smirked and threw a Pokeball in the air, from which Ino materialized in a flash of light and already in a cheerleader pose, arms raised and one leg stuck in the air. She twirled a bit before catching sight of Sakura and giving a mock-gasp. Her sister stood, shaking her head and smiling as her longtime partner rushed up to her and began shaking her hand as if this was their first time meeting.

It was a privilege to get Ino a year early; the benefits of early interaction and bonding between Trainer and starter could not be overstated. Their father had offered to give her an additional starter at the time, to represent their side of the family, but Sakura had unsurprisingly refused.

Janine smirked internally. Her sister was sneaky and cunning beyond her years, but she was confident her secret was intact. But all that was for later, in private, and for now Janine had a duty to fulfill.

Where there was overlap between the Fuchsia Gym's remit and the Center's, Janine held precedence. Hopefully the Trainers receiving their Weedles, Nidorans and Zubats appreciated the higher pedigree of their Pokemon compared to their standard or wild counterparts.

Janine also handed out an Oddish and a few Bellsprout, though sadly no Bulbasaur despite her efforts; Celadon took priority on Grass-Type Starters, and it was a friendly ongoing competition between the Gyms on who could hand out Grass/Poison starters. The Cerulean Gym didn't hand out Tentacool to their aspirants like she did, Fuchsia's location close to the sea making aspiring swimmers and marine Trainers more likely to come to her.

More attention went to the Trainer who received a Qwilfish, along with the few other non-Kanto Pokemon among them; a few Spinarak, two Budew, and with more excitement, a single Skorupi and Croagunk.

Only the Fuchsia Gym's directly sponsored trainers, succeeding in the rigorous examination process to handle Poison-types, received the latter two, along with the traditional Fuchsia starters; a Koffing, Ekans and Grimer, and an additional Venonat, descended from her own personal Venomoth. Akiko, the girl she had chosen to be Venonat's partner, replied to her gaze with fierce determination, proving she understood the honor.

And finally, every Trainer had their starter. Janine graciously gave them a few minutes to interact with the new Pokemon companions, the air alight with pleased growls and chirps of Pokemon as excited to begin their journeys as their new human friends. She had been skeptical of the matchmaking algorithms that the League had recently implemented to ensure maximum compatibility between Trainer and starter, but so far it looked to be working.

But now it was time to bring the show to a close.

"Trainers!" Janine announced. The arena didn't become silent, but everyone still paid her attention.

"Today, you embark on a path of pride and wisdom, taking your journey in the wake of all those gone before. Yet there are, in truth, many paths to success, and you will discover for yourselves where your path leads. If you stay true to yourself and your partner, there are no limits to the heights you can achieve."

And then, in a maneuver she had been secretly practicing for the last month, she grabbed and threw six Pokeballs in the air, and her personal team appeared before their audience.

Her diva of a Roserade spun in front of her, red and blue petals showering the air. Janine realized she and Ino must have been practicing together.

To her sides, powerful forms loomed as Nidoqueen and Drapion roared and flexed, their tails thumping the ground and waving behind them.

Arbok coiled around her with her arms still outstretched, as if she was a tree. The serpent controlled his upper body to drape himself across her without exerting his weight, giving her the impression of a large crown with his hood.

In the air above them, Venomoth and Crobat created flashes of violet and gusts of wind with their mock aerial battle, zooming across the crowd before swerving back and hovering over her shoulders.

The Trainers and their starters had different reactions to the display, some stepping back and cowering, others vibrating with excitement and jumping in place. But all their eyes were shining, as they looked at what they could be.

I will ask you once more: are you ready?"

"YES!" came the resounding reply, Trainers lifting their fists, Pokeballs and even Pokemon into the air, while their Pokemon yelled with equal excitement.

"Good," Janine said, a genuine smile breaking through the stern facade she'd adopted, eyes roving around each and every Trainer to convey her will to them. She ended up, as she knew she would, on Sakura

Janine wasn't sure the ceremony would really move her sister, who already had a Pokemon and usually seemed so mature besides. But now, as Sakura smiled and fire burned in her eyes, Janine knew she would do great things.

Janine spoke her closing words, willing them to be true with every fiber of her being.

"I know you'll make us proud."

Author's Note: Not overly happy with this one, but perfectionist-induced procrastination is precisely what I wanted to fight against while writing this story. I plan to go back later on to edit the previous chapters and make the narrative more cohesive, but for now I'll just keep pushing forward.

 

[DrThoth]

"Johto?" Janine asks again, pausing in the middle of pouring the tea.

It felt fulfilling to perform the duties of a Gym Leader, and the opening ceremony had gone well with no accidents (unlike the Muk Incident three years ago which everyone had agreed to never talk about again). Still, it was nicer now that it was over, unwinding a bit with her sister and loosening the persona she had to maintain. It was also finally the opportunity to learn what Sakura's plans for her journey were; she'd stated she was only going to share her goals after officially passing the Trainer initiation (as if there was any doubt of that). Janine had a secret of her own that she was happy to finally reveal, but Sakura's revelation made her forget about her plans.

"Johto," her sister said firmly, still smiling and pleasant but her gaze resolved. Ino gently took the teapot from Janine's hands and continued pouring the girls tea. The Audino was unsurprisingly unsurprised. She was probably the first person Sakura had told.

Out-of-region journeys were more and more common as the regions grew more centralized and forged or reforged their connections, but Janine had still expected Sakura's first journey to take place in Kanto, even perhaps starting in Pewter as befit tradition. Part of her, borne from a sense of duty, of civic and cultural pride, wanted to protest the choice. But mostly…

Janine was happy to find that most of her just wanted her sister to be happy.

And she hoped their father would be too.

 

[DrThoth]

"An interesting choice, daughter," a voice announced behind Sakura, a figure appearing in an instant.

Janine had taken years to detect her father's movements as a shinobi, and it still required all her concentration to do so reliably. Knowing that this occasion would guarantee his presence made it easier.

She'd used to flinch when beginning her training, thankful when she'd gotten to the stage of mastering her body's involuntary movements. These days, she was the one making other people flinch, which she tried not to take too much satisfaction in (privately she thought that was the main reason her father used stealthy entrances, though he would never admit it if that was the truth).

If Sakura had ever flinched when their father (or she herself) had done this growing up, Janine did not remember it. Instead, the girl turned and launched herself at Koga without missing a beat.

The Elite Four Member of Indigo, Poison-Type Master and ironically the most famous ninja in the world, raised his arms and caught her in a tight hug. His stern blank face didn't change the entire time.

Aunt Joy- the Fuchsia Joy, not Sakura's mother- used to snap photos of these scenes, giggling that she'd think they were hallucinations without physical proof. Janine often thought of doing the same. Instead, she joined the hug, followed by Ino. Crobat bobbed through the air above them, screeching contentedly.

After precisely a minute, Koga squeezed both of their soldiers and vanished. Janine turned around to see him occupying her previous seat.

"I hope you both aren't too disappointed," Sakura said, taking her position back on the tatami. "But Ino and I have been planning it for a while. The Pokemon I'd like to focus on are better found there, and I'm too used to Kanto."

"It is your journey, daughter. You have our trust, and the responsibility to bear the consequences of your planning," Koga said.

"Besides," Janine butted in, ÿou weren't the only one making plans." She reached into her seventh hidden pocket, smugly revealing a miniaturized Pokeball.

Sakura stared at the ball, then looked at her sister and father in turn. She either wasn't surprised by this turn of events, or was fantastic at hiding it (as fantastic as Janine was at hiding things). Either way, it was as expected of her little sister.

"I already have Ino," she protested halfheartedly; clearly, she knew the futility of protesting against the combined forces of Koga and Janine, and the power of their familial love. She hugged the plump pink Pokemon beside her as if she would suddenly explode into a fit of jealousy.

The Audino just giggled, patting her trainer on the head. Sakura raised an eyebrow at her partner.

"You knew about this already, didn't you?"

"She was part of the initial discussion, when you were doing your first overnight shift at the Center," her father replied. If one squinted, and had the Keen Eyes of a Pidgeot, they could make out the curve of a smile at the corner of his mouth.

"We were all on a conference call with Aunt Joy- your mother, not the Fuchsia one," Janine followed up. "They agreed with our point. You have a starter and sponsorship from the Joy Clan, but nothing to represent ours."

Sakura pointed at her forehead, where a trademark Fuchsia Gym Headband rested. She then pointed at her right wrist with a Fuchsia Gym wristband, and tossed a thumb at the Sekichiku mon on her jacket hanging nearby.

Koga and Janine ignored this.

"We respect your decision not to pursue the path of Poison and become an official sponsor of the Gym," Koga said, one hand lifted up at Sakura's frown. "But you are still a scion of the Sekichiku Clan, a member of our family. It would reflect poorly on us if we sent you out with nothing."

"Growing up in a Gym and access to the Clan archives is nothing?" Sakura remarked dryly. She still sounded more fondly exasperated than genuinely irritated. Janine knew she'd react positively, but was still relieved. Sakura had been a lot more…temperamental…in her early years.

Koga tilted his head. "As expected, you recognize the value of the gifts you have already been bestowed with. It is what makes you worthy of another."

Sakura sighed softly, then bowed in gracious defeat. "How could I refuse the gesture of love and support from my beloved family? I promise to live up to and exceed your expectations".

Koga nodded, ignoring her teasing formality. Janine allowed her face to smirk while cheering internally.

Her sister held her arm out, and Janine gave her the ball.

Sakura stared at it for a second, then Ino nudged her impatiently. She laughed, head leaning against her starter, and clicked the ball to enlarge it.

"Well, let's meet the newest member of our team."

With a click, the ball opened, disgorging a beam of white light with the characteristic burst of sound.

The light formed on the table and slowly faded. What was left was a smooth gray metal object that after a few seconds opened up, revealing a cautious pink face.

Ino squealed at the cute Bug, waving her arms happily.

Sakura smiled too. "Hello there".

The Pokemon started exiting its shell. Two stubby legs popped out of the bottom, and the Pokemon raised itself up.

"Shelmet!" it declared proudly, with a slight quiver in its voice.

"While Poison-types of all kinds have been a staple of our clan, they are not the only Pokemon associated with our shinobi lineage," Koga lectured. "My great-great-grandfather was renowned for his strike force of Greninja, which helped consolidate the Clan's power. Accelgor can learn a variety of Poison techniques as well."

"Plus," Janine hurried to point out the most important, crucial deciding factor, "she's pink."

Sakura blushed. "I don't just like pink Pokemon, Janine-nee!"

Janine smirked. "Let's just see what your team is like in a year."

Her little sister growled at her. Truly, those who spoke the truth were the most hated in the world.

Sakura turned to the Pokemon, her voice turning gentle.

"Hello Shelmet, it's wonderful to meet you. I'm Sakura, your trainer, and this is your big sister Ino."

The Audino stopped struggling to hold back and started petting Shelmet's armor. "Aud, Audino!"

"I like naming my Pokemon, would you like one too?" Sakura asked gently, but Janine knew the question meant a lot to her. Pokemon didn't generally value names as humans understood the concept, though as with anything, there were exceptions. Janine was there when Sakura asked her new Audino if she could give her a name. It was the most earnest and hopeful she'd ever been, and the Audino, empathetic Pokemon that her species was, knew it too.

Now, Ino smiled at her Trainer, while looking down at the Shelmet she hadn't stopped petting. "Audino," she encouraged.

Shelmet took a few seconds to process, then nodded.

Sakura smiled. "Do you already know what name you'd like?"

The little slug Pokemon shook her head. "Shel, Shelmet!" she said, conveying her intent in typical Pokemon manner. She wanted her name to be a gift from her sensei.

Sakura smiled and her expression briefly became far older, a spark of love and wistful loss flickering in her eyes. She continued to stroke the little slug's helmet, cradling her in her arms.

"Then welcome to the family, Sarada."

 

[DrThoth]

Janine took a deep yet silent breath. Crouched unseen in the branches, she observed her target intently. This was one of the most crucial aspects of being a big sister, and she would not be found wanting.

Below her, Sakura stopped and looked up. She was visibly holding back a sigh.

"I know you're there, you know."

Janine ignored her, perfectly still on her chosen tree at the border of Fuchsia city grounds. She was one with the shadows. One with nature.

"...Want some of my mochi?"

Janine gently plucked the sweet from Sakura's outstretched hand. Sakura's other hand was covering her face, and Janine felt a mix of warmth and embarrassment melting her from within. She knew she needed to get faster at her movement technique, but her sister didn't say anything.

Together, the sisters ate the goodbye snack in companionable silence. Sakura hadn't wanted a flashy farewell, and she had already packed before the ceremony for a quick exit, as befit a true shinobi. Of course, she and Ino didn't leave until after hugging Aunt Joy, Koga, Janine herself and several of the Pokemon.

It still amused Janine to see Koga remaining stoic while being squished between Sakura and Ino in their group hug.

She had said goodbye already, both out loud and in her heart. Even if Sakura had stayed in Kanto, she likely wouldn't have returned until months later after the circuit wrapped up.

But still…

"I'll write to you, okay?" Sakura said, smiling. Both Ino and Sarada were in their Pokeballs, resting till Sakura reached the Saffron Train Station.

Janine was sure her face remained as calm and impassive as their father. But family always knew.

"I look forward to it."

The mochi had never tasted so sweet.

 

[DrThoth]

"Hey hey! Do you want to battle?!"

Sakura blinked up at the boy standing next to her seat; though it would be more accurate to say he was vibrating in place. An unfamiliar Pokemon bobbed in the air beside the boy, matching his wavelength. Sparks seemed to fly in the air.

No, Sakura thought, and shook her head, getting rid of the last traces of fuzziness from her daydreaming. The view from the windows of the Magnet Train had been soothing even as they constantly shifted, and it made the perfect backdrop to rest up after her short hike from Fuchsia to Saffron. Feeling a prickle of guilt at her lack of situational awareness, she squinted at the boy. Her second impression was the right one.

There were actual sparks, shooting back and forth between the boy and the Pokemon, the latter being a yellow light-bulb with a smiley face. The boy had spiky yellow hair, making the effect even more striking.

A pang went through her as she looked at that hair. She instinctively focused on her breathing to calm down after the (thankfully metaphorical) shock. Looking closer at the boy, there were less resemblances to Naruto than she'd first seen. His eyes were dark brown and his face squarer. No whisker marks either, obviously enough.

But the expression on his face…energetic, excitable and passionate…That was the same.

Sakura tamped down on the budding hope she was feeling. His expression may make him look like Naruto, but there was no sign of recognition in his eyes. She knew she looked essentially the same as her past life, whatever quirk of fate and genetics giving her the same pink hair and green eyes.

It wasn't him.

"Sorry, random boy," she smiled at him. "Don't think we're allowed to fight on the Train."

The boy squinted in confusion, before his eyes widened in realization.

"Oh man, I'm too used to the Battle Subway!" He scratched his cheek sheepishly, looking around. Thankfully there weren't any other passengers in the compartment; Sakura had chosen the earliest possible time to avoid the rush specifically for that reason.

"I guess there's no space to battle, either…I did think that was weird."

"Tadbulb! Bulb!" his Pokemon chimed in, still hovering around his head.

"Sorry, pal. Guess we'll have to wait till we reach Goldenrod. Oh!" he perked up, back to staring at Sakura. "Will you battle me when we reach? I'm sorry, Visquez-neechan said not to bother anyone else on the train but I just saw you and thought you're definitely a strong Trainer and had to ask!"

Sakura blinked. Behind them, the compartment door chimed and opened. The constant stream of words was slightly too much for her still foggy-brain, but the familiarity of it was a welcome feeling.

Sakura sighed, but couldn't help the wave of fondness that washed over her. "Sure, let's do it."

"Awesome," he grinned, and she couldn't help smiling back. Then he looked up and frowned at something behind her. "Hey, what are you do-?"

Something shifted in the air behind her, and her instincts screamed. Finally fully awake, Sakura started to turn-

And fell into darkness.

Author's Note: I swear I don't mean to make things so angsty, it just seems inevitable when dealing with a transmigrated character. But Sakura's almost over the hill now regarding her past. Trust me?

And fun as it might be to encourage speculation, no the kid isn't Naruto reborn. Should be fairly obvious who he is, but it'll be revealed pretty soon (though given my track record so far, I definitely don't blame anyone for not trusting my definition of "pretty soon").