DISCLAIMER: Some of the text and characters are from Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto, which I do not own. Only the characters & text that were not in the original manga/anime series are mine.

Recap: Sara and the others have passed the first part of the Chûnin Exam, now part two has begun. Now they are up against the challenge of their lives!

The Password Is…

As Squad Seven was walking through The Forest of Death, they all whipped around when they heard screaming.

Sakura asked, "Did you guys just hear someone scream? This place is creeping me out."

Sara placed her hand on Sakura's shoulder, "Relax. We'll be fine."

"Yeah," Naruto chimed in. "I keep telling you, Sakura, that it's no big deal!"

After a few more minutes of walking Naruto announced, "I gotta take a leak."

Sara rolled her eyes and muttered, "Too much information!"

Sakura snapped at him, "Not in front of me you don't! I'm a lady! Use the bushes you moron!" She thought, now if it were Sasuke!

Sara sighed, I have a feeling that if Sasuke had done the same thing Sakura wouldn't have cared.

A few minutes later, Naruto came out of the bushes, "That's a relief! I'm feelin' good now!"

While Sakura scolded Naruto, Sara glared at him. That's not Naruto! Before she could strike, Sasuke beat her to the punch…literally. Naruto went flying.

Sakura stammered to Sasuke while Sara stood beside him, "S-Sasuke I appreciate the chivalry but that was unnecessary."

"Wh-what was that for?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke asked angrily, "What have you done with Naruto?" Sakura gave him a confused look.

"Hello?" He replied. "Bleeding in front of you!"

Sara said, advancing in a predator like manner towards him, "Naruto wears his shuriken on his right side, and he has a cut on his left cheek."

Sasuke added, "You're disguise spells are worse than the real Naruto's."

The ninja revealed himself to be from the Hidden Rain village. He said, "Since you've forced me to come clean, why don't you do the same? Which of you has the scroll?" They all got into defensive positions. "You've forced me to be direct!" He lunged towards Sakura.

Sasuke made some hand signs, Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu! He shot numerous flames at the enemy ninja. While Sasuke and the enemy clashed, Sara found Naruto tied up.

"You idiot!" She hissed at him as she untied him. "Didn't you learn anything at the Academy? Always check your surroundings!"

"I know!" Naruto snapped before he leaped in to help Sasuke. The enemy was beginning to retreat. "You're not getting away that easily!"

Sasuke glanced at him, late as always! Chakra energy will hold this kunai to the sole of my shoe… Sasuke flung the kunai at the ninja, the ninja managed to dodge it but Sasuke teleported in front of him and stabbed him in the arm.

Sakura said meekly, "Sasuke…"

"He gave me no choice! Now move, we don't know where his teammates may be lurking! You got that? Keep standing there and you're dead!" Sasuke snapped at her.

The enemy leaped away from Sasuke. Sasuke glared after him. Sasuke motioned for all of them to gather around. "Remember this if we get separated again; we can't trust each other blindly! Otherwise will have the same situation again, but worse!"

Sakura asked him, "So what should we do?"

Sasuke looked thoughtful for a few seconds. He finally replied, "The safest thing is to have a password. That way we'll know, no matter who they look like, if they get the password wrong they're the enemy! Now listen carefully, I'll only say this once! When I ask this question: What's the 'Ninki'? You'll respond: 'We thrive in the chaos of enemy tide. Quiet shinobi don't need dens to hide. Our only concern is to watch and wait until the enemy lowers the gate.'."

"Got it," Sakura said happily.

"Lucky you," Sara muttered.

Naruto asked, "And you expect me to remember that HOW?"

"You are such a dunce, I've already got it memorized. What about you, Sara?" Sakura said.

Sara replied, "I've never read 'Ninki', if you ask me for it I'll mess it up."

Naruto said, "We need a better password. How about 'swordfish'?"

Sasuke ignored him, "I'll take the scroll." As they all stood up a wind gust came out of nowhere, and blew away the trees where they were huddled together.

Phoenix

Sara shook her head back and forth as she stood up, "Damn wind," she muttered. She looked around, Where the blazes am I? What's that sound… She turned around and came face to nose with a giant snake. As it pulled back and lunged for her, Sara sprinted the other way, the snake following. She shouted to no one in particular, "Who's brilliant idea was it to put the giant snake in here?"

She tried to lose the snake by leaping up into the trees, but that didn't work, the snake followed her. After running at a full sprint, Sara was beginning to feel some pain coming from her left leg, Damn! I won't be able to keep this up much longer… Oh good God what's that! A GORGE! She studied the snake behind her. If I use chakra, I might be able to make the jump…might… Here goes nothing! She focused her chakra and propelled herself forward, than she leaped forward. She glanced downward. Yipes! I hope I don't fall, since those rocks are all really, really, really sharp! She watched in dismay as the edge to the other side began rising. Shit! She grabbed at the wall of the gorge and sighed as she grabbed a thick root. She glanced back at the snake only to see it fling itself at her. Sara looked around wildly and saw another root sticking out and flung herself at it. She braced herself as the snake crashed into the side of the gorge and fell. That's gotta hurt!

Once Sara made it out of the gorge she looked around. Where is my squad? She turned towards the sound of Sakura's voice saying, "Sasuke! Naruto needs you!" What's going on that Sakura would scream that? She bolted towards the area where she had heard Sakura's voice.

When she arrived, rage like no other built up inside her. She saw Naruto pinned by his jacket by a kunai knife, hanging unconscious from a tree's trunk, Sakura sobbing, and Sasuke battling the girl from before with the long tongue.

Phoenix said to her triumphantly, I'm finally free! She grabbed her chest as pain ripped through her, she felt like something was going to burst from her. Her body acted all on its own and flung her arms away from her chest as she hit her knees and Phoenix, in all his destructive glory, flew from her body. He screeched his happiness to the sky. He made to fly high above the trees but stopped shocked as something held him.

Sara stared at the fiery chain that was coming from her chest. Phoenix screeched with rage at the chain that bound him to her. This cannot be! He screeched at her, still talking in her mind. What kind of sealing jutsu was that?

Sara laughed as she wiped away the blood from her lips, that was your ace in the hole? She taunted him, my rage? You going to have to do better than that!

Phoenix screeched again before he said, since I'm out you might as well have me do something!

Sara turned to look at Sasuke and saw what jutsu he was going to do to finish the girl ninja, Add your own flames to Sasuke's Dragon Flame Jutsu!

My pleasure, Phoenix unleashed a jet of flame just as Sasuke completed his jutsu; the flames melded together burning the long-tongued ninja.

I should have put more power into it, Phoenix said to her. She might still survive that blast.

Sara looked at the firebird …great…! Sara turned her attention back to the ninja and heard her say, "I want you after all, Sasuke."

Sakura jumped down beside Sasuke, "Sasuke! Are you all right?"

The long-tongued ninja said, "It's marvelous that you showed me all your tricks!"

What the? Sara thought. Why don't they move? Are they paralyzed?

Phoenix answered, yes. And neither of us will be able to help from this distance.

We sure as hell can try! Sara leaped down while Phoenix began to get ready to unleash a huge blast of flames. Hey, wait a minute… Why are you so willing to help all of a sudden?

Phoenix replied, I've got nothing better to do, and I haven't burned anything in a long time!

Sara shook her head as she continued to rush forward, she felt like she was moving in slow motion as the long-tongued ninja's neck seemed to become snake-like and watched her bite Sasuke.

As her neck returned to its normal length, Phoenix unleashed his attack, but the ninja dodged it and disappeared. Sara skidded to a halt and looked around. Phoenix said that kunoichi disappeared; I have no idea where she went.

Sara gritted her teeth with frustration. She flinched as Sasuke cried out with pain.

Sakura held Sasuke, What should I do? She felt tears streaming down her face. Sara leaped down beside her, Sakura pulled away from her when she saw the color of her eyes, h-her eyes…th-they're… Red…

"Sakura," Sara said, ignoring her fear. "Everything's going to be fine, I'll get Naruto and we'll find a place to rest."

"Sara," Sakura said still crying. "Y-your eyes…they're red."

"Huh?" Sara really wished there was a puddle nearby. "It must be because Phoenix is out."

"What?" Sakura screeched almost as loudly as Phoenix could.

As if on cue, Phoenix landed behind Sara. Sakura screamed. "Not so loud!" Sara snapped, "Are you trying to attract more enemies?" Sakura quickly became quiet. "Wait here while I get Naruto."

After an hour or so, Sakura and Sara managed to find a spot where they could rest. Sara took the first watch. Sara looked at Phoenix who was nestled down like a normal bird. Phoenix, she began. How come the grass you're resting on isn't burning?

Because I have no need to burn it, Phoenix replied. Phoenix looked directly at her, expecting a question.

Sara gazed at the firebird's eyes. Wow! Phoenix had a flaming iris, and his pupil was the blue that you find at the center of the flames. From a distance his eye only looked a shade lighter than his body.

Phoenix moved his head up, what no question as to how it works?

I was getting there, so you can answer that question now! Sara replied.

Phoenix gave the equivalent of a bird laughing, if I don't want something to burn, it doesn't.

Sara nodded thoughtfully. I'll need to wake Sakura soon, Sara picked up Sakura's water canteen. Both of us are almost out of water.

I could stay here and help her, since I know you don't trust her abilities, Phoenix said.

I'll leave it up to her, Sara responded.

I've Got To!

Sakura soaked the rag again, and placed it on Sasuke's fevered brow. His breathing has improved but…the fever's still so high! She glanced at Naruto, I will protect them!

Sara asked Sakura, "Do you want me to get more water?"

"Yes," Sakura replied. She glanced at what she could see of Phoenix. "Could you take Phoenix with you?" Sara nodded her head and Sakura watched in amazement as Phoenix followed, neither had exchanged any words or looks that she could see.

As Sara put some distance between herself and her squad Phoenix asked, was it wise to leave her their alone?

Sara replied, she can take care of them…I hope… Keep a lookout, I want to know when there's trouble. Phoenix let out a soft cry to let her know that he had heard as he soared higher.

As Sara was filling up the canteens, Phoenix let out a screech of alarm, Sara whipped around kunai in hand, when she saw no attackers, she began running back to where they had made camp, Phoenix led the way, hang in their Sakura!

When Sara arrived she found Lee on the ground, she leaped out of the bushes and set down the canteens, "Sakura! Stand back, I'll deal with them." She added to Phoenix, don't hurt my teammates, but create something to keep those Sound ninja away from them! Phoenix bobbed his head.

One of the Sound Ninja with the character "death" written on his shirt said, "You're pretty cocky, aren't you?"

"Let's see how well you fair!" The mummy one taunted.

"Bring it!" Sara said as she readied herself for the attacks. I've got to keep in mind that just dodging won't work! She watched as the mummy one lunged at her she quickly did some hand signs, Fire Style: Fire Wall Defense! She watched as the ninja still threw his punch. Sara felt fine at first, until the world began to spin on her. What the…? I know he couldn't have gotten me from this distance so why? She felt her jutsu slip and knew she was a sitting duck.

The Sound Ninja all lunged in all at once; Sara couldn't dodge any of the blows that came her way. Great! I'm a human hacky-sack! The one with "death" on his shirt knocked her legs out from under her, while the girl caught her left leg and threw her. All right! I've had enough! Sara tried to get her legs back under her, but instead she slammed down onto her left leg. She flinched as she heard a snap. Fighting back a scream she tried to stand, but her left leg would no longer take any of her body weight. She felt a punch hit her in the stomach before she was knocked unconscious.

Sakura watched, tears in her eyes as another of her comrades fell, they kicked Sara one final time, sending her flying towards her two other comrades, she landed right next to them, her back towards their feet. Sakura stared, why is it that I'm always hanging back? I always watch them, but I never do anything to help them. She stood up as they advanced on her. She threw shuriken at them only to have them shot back at her by their sound weapons. The girl grabbed Sakura's hair (Sakura was outside of Phoenix's heat barrier).

The girl said to Sakura, "What lovely hair! So much more bounce and shine than mine has. What ninja technique is that- the Art of Deep Conditioning?" She yanked Sakura into a straighter sitting position. "You're a disgrace to all shinobi…Fussing with your looks when you should have been concentrating on your training!" She turned to the boy with "death" on his shirt. "Zaku, why don't you finish off Sasuke or one of those other ones…" Phoenix let lose a screech making the one called Zaku flinch. "The least we can do is entertain her."

Zaku shook off his fear, "Good idea."

No! They wouldn't! Sakura thought as fear for her friends lives took over."

"Hold still!" The girl snapped.

I can't summon my strength, Sakura dug her fingers into the ground, trying to fight back. She began to cry, I'm just a burden to my teammates! I'm always in the way…never helping them. I thought this time would be different… This time…I need to help the people I care about!

"All right," Zaku said. "Let's finish them.

Sakura pulled out a kunai knife, the girl said, "Your tricks won't work against me, little girl!"

Sakura said, "You think so?" She sliced through her hair and her headband slid off. I'd always thought of myself as a full-fledged shinobi, proud to be an equal as I trailed after my teammates, crushing on Sasuke, scolding Naruto, and befriending Sara…watching them all safely from the background. While they all risked their lives to protect me, even Lee protected me. All of you are my teachers. You've all shown me what I want to be too…like all of you. Now it's your turn to watch my back!

As the girl moved behind her, Sakura began to make hand signs. The girl was surprised when she hit Sakura that it was only a substitution.

As Sakura lunged at Zaku, Zaku shouted at the girl, "Kin, look out!" He made to blast Sakura with sound, "Give it up."

Sakura quickly made a hand sign as Zaku blasted her with air. "Poor, foolish, girl," he taunted. He stared at a log in surprise. He glanced up, "Try it twice, try it thrice that trick won't work on me again!" Zaku threw kunai at Sakura, "My simplest attack is more than enough for you!" He began looking around for Sakura on the ground. He glanced up in time to see Sakura attack him with a kunai knife drawn.

Sakura stabbed his right arm and bit his left, as Zaku tumbled over backwards. "Get off!" He shouted at her. Zaku began punching her in the head trying to make her let go of his arm. After several seconds of being punched, Sakura released her hold on his arm. They need me to protect them!

Zaku shouted at her, "You little witch!" He prepared to blast her with sound.

Sakura stared in front of her in shock, since Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji were in front of her.

Zaku snorted, "More freaks from the Leaf Village."

Ino said, "Sakura, I told you, I'd never let you show me up!"

"Ino…" Sakura said, feeling somewhat grateful.