Sakura ducked and hurriedly crawled away from the crash. She glanced back and stood up. And sure enough, there stood Tsunade. Sakura cursed a bit. She thought she'd lost Tsunade long ago.

I gotta…put some distance between us.

And after a few moments of running, Sakura swiftly jumps behind the shelter of a tree nearby.

She was exhausted.

The battle had been going on for two days now.

And she hadn't eaten since the following morning.

Her stomach growled in response...

---

When she felt safe again, Sakura leaned against the tree and let herself fall to the ground.

Suddenly a small river of blood ran down to her ankle.

Sakura had forgotten about the wound on her leg.

The one she'd received from Lady Tsunade herself.

Sakura sighed and concentrated her chakra into the right palm of her hand.

She bit her lip, feeling pain shooting up her leg.

"I…don't know how much I can go on," she said to herself.

Sakura!!

Sakura's green eyes widened.

"Naruto…?" she whispered, staring at the figure that stood in front of her.

You're coming with me still, right?

Naruto grinned.

For a moment Sakura was confused. Was she losing her mind?

Naruto repeated his question.

You're coming with me still, right? Right, Sakura?

Sakura was bewildered.

Just what was he talking about?

It was then, Sakura remembered her promise.

"O-of course!" she replied, feeling a little ridiculous. Surely this was a hallucination! But as soon as the feeling came, it was gone. Even if it was apart of her imagination...He seemed real-Alive within the eyes of the pink-haired Kunoichi.

Then c'mon! Get up!

Naruto's voice held a scolding tone.

Sakura obediently stood up, but found herself on the forest floor.

C'mon, Sakura! You can do it!

Sakura's teeth sunk into her lower lip and attempted a second time.

The pain was just too great.

"I...I can't!" she cried, lowering her gaze and clamping her eyes shut.

Of course you can! You can do it, Sakura!

"I can't! I just can't! I'm not like you, Naruto, I'm not strong!"

Then become strong.

Sasuke's stern voice nearly made her jump.

Become strong.

"But..."

Hey, bill-board brow, no one said it was easy!

Ino's snotty voice echoed.

Now get up! Sasuke and Naruto are waiting!

You can do anything, Sakura! If you believe!

Become strong.

Blossom, Sakura! Show 'em who's boss!

Blossom Sakura!

Blossom...

"Sakura..."

Sakura's head shot up.

Ino, Sasuke and Naruto were long gone...

And there, replacing them all, stood Tsunade.

"Ready for a re-match?" Tsunade asked.

Sakura forced herself to stand.

Blossom Sakura.

"Bring it!!"

Cha!