An earth pounding, extremely loud explosion happened within the forest of death grounds. In the middle tower all the proctors, team leaders, Neji and Gaara felt it. "What in the world was that!" Kankuro hollered. Neji summoned a mirror jutsu that like the third hokage's glass ball can see what is going on around in the village. The image came up and it was Sakura face to face with the imitated Naruto imposter and behind her was Shikamaru's team. The power that was used had created a bright opening through the trees thick canopy. Dirt and dust swirled around them all and Sakura had her teeth gritting with her eyes glowing. Her chakra was laminating off her body like smoke. Gaara dimmed his eyes, "Sakura" he softly spoken.
"Sakura!" Ino too hollered in shock. "We should go out there and help." Hinata said looking at Neji. Neji shook his head, "No we should have two proctors stand by here for the remaining teams and the rest of us should head back to the village. I'm afraid we will also have our hands full there." The rest of them gasped in surprise. "It's like how it was back in the day with him." Temari softly said near Kankuro and Shikamaru. "Yeah, a day I don't want to be reminded of." Shikamaru replied in great disgust. "Well we will defend the village with everything we have!" Rock Lee said over the top having that silly determination in his expression and flames in his eyes too. Guy was there and joined in on that little explosion of self-confidence. "Now you're talking my grown protégé!" Guy agreed and posed the same way. Tenten shook her head at the two of them.
"Wow you sure have gotten a lot stronger." The imposter grinned. Sakura dimmed her eyes in question. He speaks like he knows or has known her before. Who is this fellow? "You have no idea how much I have become stronger." She replied back in a deep feminine voice. Like one with grave purpose to protect. Even her body posture spoke of great defense. The imposter grinned in utter pleasure of this moment. "Oh am I going to look forward to this fight." He cynically replied.
The kids in the back didn't know what to do but Naruto, Kakashi and Safira get ready for a fight too and join Sakura by her side. The imposter narrowed his eyes in anger because now brats are joining in on the fight too. "Sorry Miss Sakura but we want to help you." Naruto said keeping his eye on the enemy ahead. Sakura also kept her eyes forward not saying a word.
Instantly the imposter threw shuriken stars at all four. The kids scatter but Sakura remained. She caught the shuriken right in-between her index and middle finger just at her left eye with precise calculation. She then threw the small shuriken to the dirt. "You want a fight, then bring all you got, not useless weapons." She dared. The kids stood by, all scattered around ready for anything but then they saw Sakura vanish in thin air. Not a cloud, not a stir of dust remained as if she completely vanished all together. Till a thunderous boom echoed in the air as the sound waves nearly blew over trees like a horrendous wind speed. Sakura had demolished a summoned snake with a fist. She sent it flying into the air and with one hand her eyes began to glow tremendously as she summoned the earth's energy into the palm of her hand. With one thrust out; she shot a ray of pure energy at the snake exploding it into minced meat.
At the village all the others stood by ready for anything when they get the alert that enemy shinobi were fast approaching the village in great numbers.
"You dare to send another one?" she mocked daringly. The imposter grits his teeth in utter fury, "Oh this is only the beginning!" He then summons shadow clones and starts to perform the old Naruto's favorite and most powerful trump card. Sakura dimmed her eyes in disbelief. 'Who is this guy?' she thought. He seems to know Naruto's every move and technique very well. It also seems that he knows a lot about her too but since she hasn't been around he has no clue to her new abilities and not to mention a sleeping ability in her blood had also awoken. Sakura took off for him and threw a kunai quickly at the clone getting rid of it and the move he was about to accomplish. He clenched his fists and from out of thin air after making a few quick hand signs had taken a long sword out of thin air in front of him. Quickly making a swing at her Sakura jumped back in time but her shoulder had gotten cut a bit. "Sakura!" Naruto hollered in concern. Kakashi then had acted with a few hand signs summoning a water style jutsu. Safira had done the same thing but a fire style jutsu and Naruto summoned a lightning jutsu. Clouds above darkened and thickened as the thunder rolled within.
"Water style; dragon rage jutsu!"
"Fire style; fire ball jutsu!"
"Lightning style; lightning blast jutsu!"
Sakura looked at all the powerful jutsu these kids knew. The water dragons roared, zipping by her in quick speeds; speeds that she has never seen before and the lightning coming from the kid who looks a lot like Naruto was just astounding. Even the girl's fireball jutsu was massive and fast with perfection. The imposter dodged most off the attacks from the water dragons but with so many of them and with so much coming from all directions; he did get hit.
All the other village shinobi were outside of the walls fending off the enemy that had stormed the village in an all out charge. "Some things not right here. These aren't real beings!" Temari pointed out. Neji stopped for a second, "Either this is another toying attack or …" he quickly ran back into the village. Guy and Iruka were right behind him. "What's wrong sir?" Iruka asked. "I know what this is. They want the info Naruto had written down about the seven jinchuriki spirits in that cave!" Neji hissed. He does not like this at all, "But the one who really knows the location is her!" Guy and Iruka look at each other then they both look at Neji with surprised looks.
"Sakura!" both guys holler in great alarm.
Sakura exploded with various taijutsu attacks. Performing a fast paced run she makes a single hand summersault to have her feet come smashing down on the enemies head hard. The force sent him down but then she catches him with her feet around his neck. Making a hand stand she quickly pushes off the ground with such strength that they both were about 20ft into the air. Spinning rapidly; Sakura lets go of the imposter and he slams massively hard into the earth's ground. Landing; she stands there. Her breathing has become labored. Something was wrong with her and even her focus has gotten blurry. A sinister laugh was coming from the man just as he stands looking like Kakashi this time. Sakura and the kids were thrown off base now. She grits her teeth bitterly and with rage in her eyes, "Bastard" she hissed under her breath. "How is the poison treating you?" he asked with a twisted grin. "Who do you think you are using my father's image!" Kakashi shouted in utter anger. Sakura looked over to the young kid. Of course no wonder he looked like sensei. The imposter laughed and looked at the kid, "Why you don't like my skills in my impersonations kid?" "Leave him alone." Naruto hissed in a low tone. "You mess with him you face all of us!" Safira yelled preparing herself. "Ha I could care less about you pipsqueaks. I'm here with others for something else but now that you, Sakura dear, are here before me; he will be thrilled to know" he replied. Sakura narrowed her eyes in question. He? Who is he speaking of? "But now that the poison has started to take affect I'm afraid you all are finished here!" he stifled a heinous laugh and shot off for her.
Neji, Guy and Iruka arrive at the statue of Naruto to find it sliced in half and the info sealed inside was gone. "No!" Neji hissed. Whoever it was planned this out very well to fool everyone. "We are too late." Iruka softly said to himself. Looking at the statue he dimmed his eyes after seeing the face of Naruto.
Where everyone was fighting fake shinobi had suddenly all turned to dust. Others cheered but others were just dumbfounded. "Wow this was a total serious drag man." Shikamaru mumbled, crossing his arms.
Sakura was fending off the imposter but the poison was taking its affect more and more. He threw a lightning blade jutsu at her but she managed to dodge in time, however she sustained injury to her other shoulder. "Shit" she grunted. But then he throws a punch and she got hit. Naruto couldn't watch no more. Sakura staggered up to one knee, 'Damn it … I need to get hold of my focus!' she thought. Summoning the lightning blade jutsu once again he cracks a wicked smile at takes off for her. Just before hitting her with that deadly blow, little Naruto appears in front of her.
"Shadow clone jutsu!"
Naruto slugs the man in the under jaw as the clone smashes its fist into the man's belly too. Then he hurdled over the clone to have a chakra ball of lightning and fire in his hand. "Lighting bomb jutsu!" He yelled and threw it at close proximities to the man's face. The bomb exploded in the man's face sending him flying backwards. "Yeah!" Safira cheered. Kakashi rushed over to Sakura, "You have the chance to extract the poison." Sakura had her eyes closed in pain but she then looks ahead. "No" she mumbled and then staggered to her feet. Kakashi looked at her and Naruto looked back at her. "This will end right now." She said lightly. Her eyes then began to glow again. This time they turned a red color. The chakra began to rise immensely in her body and the kids could feel it. It was even felt all the way to the tower and all to the village. Neji, Guy and Iruka look at each other when they rush back to the forest of death. Gaara also rushed back into the village to have Temari, Kankuro, Hinata, Rock Lee, Ino and Shikamaru follow right behind. The power she had flowing through her was making the ground rumble like an earthquake.
"Wow what power!" Naruto hollered as he lost balance and fell on his butt.
The imposter got back up with enraged eyes. He too had immense power coursing through within him too but it wasn't anything like what Sakura was doing. She then performed the chakra hand sign and the power erupted surrounding her entirety. Both Kakashi and Naruto had to flee the area from her. Suddenly the chakra spiraled apart making a boom sound and everyone couldn't believe their eyes.
"Wolf sage" Sakura growled deeply. She was like a wolf but she stood on her two feet, having a long tail for balance when at high speeds and a black coat with red glowing eyes. A stripe of long, spiked, pink fur went all down her back and to the tail. Her underbelly was also pink with pink fur around her eyes. She barred her massive teeth in sheer resentment. Sparks of charged chakra electricity surged all over her body. 'Senjutsu huh' the man was clearly over his head now and he knew it by the scared look to his face. He tried to run but Sakura vanished to grab him in the back of his head with her massive paws. "Run? I don't think so." She growled with her skin crawling, intimidating voice change.
She threw the man so hard and so fast that he halved one of the thick 20ft round trees. He landed into the open grass area of the grounds and was barely able to stand. Blood gushed from massive gashes all over his body and this time the man revealed his true form. He was a young looking man with a red mohawk and to what seemed to be like a samurai battle uniform. He had black face paint that was banded across his eyes and face. He also had a land of earth band on the chest plate. Of course like the Akatsuki, they had a deep scratch mark across the symbol much like this guys. Sakura walked through the cloud of dust. Her eyes illuminating a terrifying red color and just the presence of her form and the footsteps taken still made the imposter terrified. The kids run up from behind just as the dust blows away from the sudden wind.
Neji and all the others who ran back to the grounds could see from a distance. "What in the world!" Iruka exclaimed. Gaara's eyes widened. All the others just were astounded and didn't have many words to say at the moment.
The man stood to his feet finally and summoned his sword from thin air again. He glares deeply at Sakura and takes off for her. Sakura growls in her throat and lets out a powerful, ear piercing growling roar. She blasts off at him and rearing back for a blow to his face. He comes closer ready with his sword in front of him but when they are only inches apart she connects her fist to the tip of his sword shattering it to nothing till the fist slammed into his face. "You're done" she softly remarked. With that incredible pound to the man's face made a thundering sound effect and like a bullet the man flies at speeds unfathomable. Kicking up dirt and rock from the high velocity destroyed a good portion of the fence and traveled all through the village. Demolishing some buildings and power poles till what was left of the body slams against the village's wall way on the other side. "My ...!" Shikamaru was taken for words. "What raw power." Kankuro replied in disbelief.
Sakura ripped off the band plate on the enemy looking at it. Then as if having no muscle control at all; she loses grip of it and begins to fall forward. Transforming back to her normal self she slams to the ground. "Sakura!" the kids yelled and ran over to her. Sakura had her eyes opened for a second to hear them all calling out her name till she could no longer keep them open. Everyone rushed over to her side until total blackout.
Days passed since that day. Repairs from that battle were underway and many are on watch even more so now than before. Sakura finally had awoken in the hospital bed. Her vision was dim and blurry but had quickly regained focus to look out the window. "You have been asleep for a while." A voice suddenly said throwing her off-guard and having her quickly turn her head to see who it was. Gaara was there leaning against the wall folding his arms. He looked at her with that serious expression of his. Sakura looked back out the window and narrowed her eyes. "You all saw me didn't you?" she asked. Gaara didn't answer her right away but looked out the window too.
"That form, a wolf form you took? Yes we did."
Sakura sat up in bed and started to stand to her feet. When she did; she went over to the window to look down at the bright outside. "I didn't want to use it on him they way I did but the situation called for it …" she paused, "But that man talked as if he knew me. There was one point into the fight that he said "he" would be thrilled to hear about me again." she added. Gaara looked at her and Sakura turned to him, "Is it true, that they took the information about the seven jinchuriki spirits?" Gaara nods his head and Sakura looks away.
"Then it's only a matter of time when they come after me …"
Gaara looked at her again. She looked so bothered and he could tell she was having a memory flashback when they rescued him. "After all I am the last one alive to know the location of the cave." She continued to say. Gaara looked down and closed his eyes.
"You sure you want to leave?" Neji asked looking at Sakura who's heading out with Gaara and the others back to the sand village.
"Yes, and you know why I can't stay."
Neji shook his head and Hinata walked up to give her a hug. "It was so good seeing you again and be safe out there." Hinata smiled. Sakura returned the hug and when she pulled away she displayed a small sweet smile. "I will and don't worry guys I'll be fine but Neji …" she paused to look to him seriously, "You know this isn't over for Konoha." Neji again shook his head in knowing. After saying a few more goodbyes to other friends Sakura headed out with the sand shinobi to their homeland.
Along the way Sakura looked back to the giant leaf village wall off in the distance. Gaara stopped too to see that it was difficult for her to have been back there. "Sakura?" he gently asked and placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned to him and having a solemn expression. "It's ok, I'm ok." She said and continued on. They now chard through the village of swamps; a village in the land between fire and wind and they go through with caution. The village or the shinobi there haven't been any trouble but since the attacks at the leaf village seem to be getting worst. They can't risk anything and at all times will keep their guard up with every stranger and even friend.
The group had made a pit stop at the local inn for a nights rest. Sakura hasn't yet fully recovered from using the senjutsu while having poison in her which sped up the poisons process. In her room Sakura walks out onto the veranda from the 3 story high inn. A misty atmosphere surrounded the vast range of swampy areas. The nighttime made the place seem spooky. Even with the moon above gave it that scary feel to it.
"I don't like this place."
Someone had said above her on the roof. When she quickly looks up to see Gaara there near the roofs edge starring out into the vast land with hints of lanterns in the distance from other houses or buildings. "How long have you been up there for?" she asked.
"For almost 2 hours."
Sakura looked back out into the mist. Then Gaara jumps down off the roof to the veranda. Sakura just kept her eyes forward. "I just have a bad feeling about this whole thing and lots more familiar faces are going to be gone just like … Naruto." She said with having a hint of emotion in her tone. Gaara looked at her, "That is something we cannot stop. Lives of ones we know and ones we don't die but it is up to us to help keep things going in their memory and for the memory of the youth." It was hard for her to hear and so she closed her eyes gripping tightly onto the rail. "Well I will make sure of it, that this go-round, I will stop them from destroying everything. I'll do it for Naruto for Kakashi and for all those who have died for this world." Sakura then opened her eyes to turn them to Gaara's gaze. He nods his head in agreement, "I will assist you as well." Sakura just looked at him and reached over to touch the top of his hand. Gaara was puzzled but didn't really show it. "Thank you Gaara; you are a very good man and an excellent kazekage for your village. They are blessed to have you as their protector." She smiled a little at him. Gaara reached out with his other hand to place it gently on her cheek. Sakura's smile disappeared and turned into shock. "I won't let you die, I will protect you Sakura." He gently replied. Man was she taken for words. Her eyes just stared into his. Not grasping why he said such a thing to her but it made her heart race in a way she has never felt before. This unfamiliar feeling had made her a bit dizzy and almost had her fall but Gaara caught her. "Here, you should get some rest." He said cradling her in his nice strong arms. Sakura was flushed in the face. She didn't know what to do or say at that moment but when she was placed on her bed Gaara went to the door. "We have a long walk ahead of us tomorrow so please get some rest." He softly spoken and then took a moment to look at her till when he shut the door behind him. Sakura just sat there still in her bed. What was all that about? She then shook her head rapidly.
'Ok, ok girl get a grip but …' she thought as to looking into the lantern on the nightstand near the bed.
The morning came and even in mid morning it seemed like it was just dawn from all the mist cover. The team headed out and it wasn't long till they came to the desert lands of the wind. From the eyes could see was nothing but a sea of sand. Sakura laminated her eyes up to kneel down and place her hand on the loose sand. Gaara, Temari and Kankuro stop to look at her. They could see the way her eyes were lit up. "What are you doing?" Kankuro asked. Sakura dimmed her eyes and smiled a little, "I'm checking for the chakra streams here in the sandy plains." "The what?" he quickly questioned, being totally confused.
Sakura slowly stood up and by holding out the palm of her hand and with her eyes having that glowing ring; she summoned and formed a sand ball into her hand. The three siblings couldn't be more puzzled now. "You see not many know of this but there are chakra streams within the earth. Like natural streams of pure energy and with the right concentration and focus you can use this energy to your own benefit, to either fight or survive." She smiled. "And because of you mastering this ability you can wield any element or jutsu?" Temari asked. Sakura nodded, "Yes because each part of the earth has its unique signature effect. For example like this bit of sand. I am able to create anything …" in that second had transformed the sand into a sharp shuriken, "from it because of the sand energy it possesses, like if I were in the land of mist I could manipulate the water due to its signature affect within it. But then I can simply use the chakra as means of pure power by my body absorbing the energy turning it into jutsu with the hand signals." She threw the shuriken and by making the chakra hand sign she created a ball of pure energy into the palm of her hand to then hurl it to the sand shuriken, exploding it back to sand. "So basically the earth's energy is giving you a never-ending arsenal of chakra and jutsu's?" Kankuro asked. "Well in a way yes but they are only natural jutsu's but now my power is another, and for some reason it seems to be a type of eye jutsu, like a new kekkei genkai." Just when they start to continue on someone rushes up the sandy hill.
"Miss Sakura!"
Sakura quickly turns to see that it is the kid who looks like Naruto and the one with the same name too. He was breathing heavily as if the kid ran for miles to catch up. "Wow what a spitting image." Temari was astonished by the resemblance. "What are you doing here kid!" Sakura hissed, "You need to go back. Do they even know you left the village?" "I wanted to follow you. I wanted to ask you if you could train me?" he asked. Sakura was taken for words. Oh how this moment reminds her of someone.
"No, I won't you are going back to the village at train under your team leader."
"But all he's good for is laying around and saying "this is a drag"
Kankuro grinned sarcastically at Temari knowing who it was the kid was speaking about. Temari rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Sakura sighed, "Ok I get why you don't like your team leader but kid he's your team leader for a reason and you are going back. I'll take you to the sand village but I'm getting in touch with the village to have them come pick you up, got it?" "My name isn't kid, its Naruto!" he hissed. Gaara's eyes widened a little and Sakura sighed again. "Just understand this kid I will call you what I want and I don't want no tag-a-long's." she replied. Naruto glared at her, "Ok then I'll call you old lady!" Yep that hit a nerve and it triggered an old reaction that only Naruto was able to bring out of her. "Why you little!" she hissed and punched him in the face sending him into the sand hill. She held up a fist at him with inner rage, "Say that again, I dare you!" At this point no one in Gaara's group did not know what to think of her sudden explosion of attitude, but all had shocked expressions.
No tag-a-long's! … End
Next chapter:
They all arrive at the sand village and many greet his safe return. Sakura can't seem to keep her eyes off the kid who followed her and Naruto gets into a fight with a big bully hitting on a helpless kid who doesn't like to fight. Everything this kid does remind Sakura and Gaara so much of their good friend. Shikamaru and the rest of his team show up to retrieve the young Naruto but he refuses to go. Will Sakura tell him to go weather he likes it or not or is she going to give in and train him?
