Here's the next chapter. It seems I really am over the writer's block. I'm not sure how far I'm taking this story. I think I'll end things shortly after killing off Orochimaru and not worrying too much about the Akatsuki...Like I said, not sure yet. Any opinions?
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Ch. 9: The Finals Begin
The preliminaries were finally over. Team 7 stepped outside with Kakashi to see what he would tell them next. Turning to them, he smiled. "I am very proud of all of you. Just months ago, you were still trying to grasp teamwork. Today, that was more important to you than becoming chunin. Know that win or lose in the final rounds, you've proven yourselves today."
Sakura beamed at him. "Thanks, Kakashi-sensei."
"What's the next step?" Sasuke asked him with his usual monotone. But, his eyes held pride.
"Yeah, what's next?" Naruto echoed with his goofy grin.
"Next, you'll be trained. Sasuke, I will take you." Turning to Naruto, Kakashi quickly explained, "I know you don't like this, Naruto, but someone else will have to train you. This person will help you with your chakra control which is your weakest point."
The blond grumbled for a moment but nodded. "Sasuke needs you because of the Orochimaru thing."
Kakashi nodded.
"Then it's fine," Naruto informed them all. Turning to Sasuke he ordered, "You better listen to Kakashi. We've come too far to let Orochimaru get to you now."
Sasuke nodded in agreement, his eyes moving to Sakura. Her hair was still short and he would never forget that moment she cut it. He'd even picked up the kunai she'd used after she'd dropped it on the ground. He hadn't even bothered pretending he was going to give it back. It would serve as a reminder of that moment, so that he would never forget what was important in life. He reached into his kunai pouch and felt the words he'd engraved on that kunai - Team 7: Friends and Family.
Sakura smiled at him a little. So much had happened over the last few weeks, she hoped that this time between tests would give her a chance to absorb it all. Then it occurred to her. "Who will train me?"
Kakashi turned to her and smiled a little. "I want you to work under the medical nins in the hospital. Because of your ability to control your chakra, they will be able to teach you a lot."
She nodded. The medical nins were known for their chakra control and defensive abilities. Both were her strong points, so it made sense that she would learn from a medical nin. She remembered that her opponent for the final round was Dosu, the sound nin. Maybe the medical nins could help her find a way to neutralize his attack. Something to think about anyway.
"Good." Kakashi placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "We should go now."
Sasuke nodded before turning to face Sakura and Naruto fully. "We'll see each other in a month then."
Sakura couldn't help it. She hugged him tightly. "Be careful, Sasuke. Please."
He hesitantly placed one arm around her, returning the hug. "I will."
She released him with a grateful smile.
"Get stronger, Sasuke," Naruto ordered his best friend, holding out a fist.
Sasuke tapped his own fist against Naruto's. "You too, Naruto."
With that, he turned and followed Kakashi out of the village. Sakura didn't go anywhere until they were out of sight. Turning to Naruto she gave him a determined look. "We have a lot of work to do."
He nodded with one of his rare serious looks. "Yes. We can't let Orochimaru take out friend."
"Our family," she corrected. "We are a family, right?"
Again, Naruto nodded, this time a little slowly. "Yeah. We are."
She smiled and gave him a hug. "Be careful while you train. I'll see you in a month."
With this the two of them went their separate ways. Sakura paused and took a deep breath. Focusing, she tried to see how Sasuke and Naruto would do during their training. She saw Sasuke standing in front of Kakashi gasping for breath as he focused his chakra into his arm. Lighting flashed as he did his best to control it. The vision shifted and she saw Naruto standing on a river in front of a man with long white hair. Naruto was dancing happily as if he'd just accomplished something amazing.
She opened her eyes with a smile. Everything would be okay for a little while. She could train in peace, reassured that her family would be okay.
The month passed quickly. Before Sakura knew it, it was the night before the finals. She was walking home to get a good nights sleep. Her first opponent would be Dosu, that idiot from the sound village. She'd need everything she had to beat him. Movement on a roof caught her attention. Glancing up, she saw the sand genin, Gaara, and that chestnut haired girl.
The girl was saying something to him that seemed important to her. Sakura caught the tail end of the sentence as she got closer. "...cruel and cold-blooded of your father to ask this of you."
"Let it go, Rei," he ordered coldly, sounding so much like Sasuke.
"But, Gaara," she was begging him. Pleading for something Sakura couldn't name. The girl looked away from him, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears. "...I just want you to...be happy. Whatever that means for you."
Rei walked away. Gaara didn't spare her a glance.
Sakura felt her heart go out to that girl. Not long ago, that was her begging for Sasuke. She continued to her home. It was obvious to her that the Rei girl was in love with Gaara. She hoped that things worked out there because Rei had looked so heartbroken and desperate. Since Sakura could sympathize, she made a note to talk to that girl later. Having an understanding listener always helped.
For now though, she needed sleep. Tomorrow was a big day.
She woke up early and climbed out of bed. Her green eyes landing on her calendar. It was finally time. She jumped up to raced off towards the ring. On the way, she caught sight of Naruto, and he was going the wrong way. Shaking her head, she ran after him, only to skid to a stop when she saw him talking to Hinata.
The shy Hyuga was saying something that had Naruto staring in shock. Sakura smiled knowingly. She really had to work on getting those two together. Hinata's calm shyness was a perfect match to offset Naruto's emotional outbursts. After Hinata finished talking, Naruto gave his usual grin before hurrying off towards the arena. Sakura decided now was the time to hurry him along. She ran over shouting, "Naruto, you idiot. What are you doing way out here?"
Grabbing his arm, she yanked him towards the arena. "If we don't hurry we'll be late."
"I know, Sakura. I know," he replied, stumbling after her.
They ran the entire way to the arena, skidding to a stop as they reached the small group waiting inside. Sakura doubled over to catch her breath, her eyes scanning for Sasuke. She frowned. He wasn't here. There was no way he would willingly miss this.
"Sasuke, would drag himself here on hands and knees," Naruto said, echoing her own thoughts. "So where is he?"
"I wish I knew," she whispered back.
They returned their focus to the front where the Hokage stood on a balcony. The old man stood up and began telling them all how they would start this round. The first match would be Naruto vs Neji. Everyone else was to make their way to the top. Before leaving with the others, Sakura placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"I'd wish you luck, but you don't need it," she told him with all the confidence she had. She already knew he won after all. Not that she'd tell Naruto that. It might make him too confident.
He gave her a nervous grin. "You really think so?"
She nodded. "You and Sasuke are always better than everyone else. This Neji guy doesn't stand a chance." Sakura smiled for him, knowing he needed it. "Just don't give up. Otherwise how will you face Sasuke or even Hinata?"
His blue eyes seemed to burn with his usual determination. "I never give up."
"That's the spirit." She patted his shoulder then began to walk towards the stairs.
"You should fill him with false hope," Neji Hyuga told her as she walked by him.
Sakura glared at him. "There's no such thing as false hope."
"He can't win."
Now she gave him a knowing smile. "Maybe you're the one with false hope, Neji. Because if Naruto wins, it will prove you wrong, won't it."
She said nothing else to him. He probably didn't understand her statement but that was okay. He would soon enough. She stood next to Shikamaru. Slowly, she looked over at the boy called Gaara. She wanted to ask him about the girl, Rei. But, that was probably a bad idea. She looked at the crowd, her eyes searching. There she was. Rei was sitting near the jonin in charge of Gaara's team. What was his name again? Right, Baki. She had hoped to get the opportunity to talk with Rei.
She'd just have to wait a little longer. Her eyes turned back to the ring. Neji was talking to Naruto and with every word, Naruto became more and more angry. Not that making him angry was difficult. For such a happy guy, Naruto had one hell of a temper. She smiled a little. Actually, all his emotions were strong and bold. He never held back. Sasuke's complete opposite.
As the match wore on, she smiled, impressed with Naruto's growth. He really was very strong now. All that training with Kakashi, Sasuke, and that white haired man had paid off. That and his own determination never to give up. Now that she thought about it, that was his greatest strength. Naruto just didn't quit. If it killed him he could keep standing up, because that's all he knew to do. Keep going forward.
The proof was right there. Neji had blocked all his chakra points, but Naruto still stood back up. He still refused to believe he couldn't win. He even tried to summon his chakra again. To everyone's amazement, he succeeded.
"Show them Naruto," she whispered. "Show them all what you can do."
She didn't notice Gaara look at her with narrowed sea-foam eyes. There was something...familiar about the blond below, but he had no idea what it was. He turned his attention to the ring when he felt the strange chakra coming from Naruto Uzumaki. Something very familiar.
The fight ended with one big explosion between Naruto's chakra and Neji's. When the dust cleared, Neji was the one to stand up. Sakura frowned. No. Naruto wouldn't stay down. The ground beneath Neji burst open as Naruto came up with a right hook to Neji's chin.
Sakura felt the happiness swell. "You did it!"
Cheers erupted.
Sakura raced to meet Naruto on the stairs. She clobbered him in a tight hug. "You did it. You did it."
"Yeah. Thanks, Sakura," he said grinning still. He couldn't seem to stop grinning.
She stepped back. "Now all we have to do is worry about Sasuke."
He shook his head. "Don't forget. You're match is next." His eyes narrowed. "Against Dosu. The guy who beat Choji."
She nodded and grinned. "I know. Don't worry. I'll be alright."
Naruto remembered the confidence she'd had in him. So he grinned again. "I know. You'll beat him for sure."
"I better get moving." She turned to continue tot he arena.
Naruto nodded and hurried to the top so he could watch her fight. He hoped Sakura found a way to neutralize Dosu's sound waves, otherwise this would be a very difficult battle for her.
Sakura stepped into the arena. Dosu was there waiting. He didn't look any different than he had during the preliminaries. Bandages covered him from head to toe, and he wore the metal arm brace that would produce his attacks. She took a deep breath and focused her chakra. The medical nins had helped with her chakra control during her training. She wished she'd learned some medical ninjutsu, but hadn't had the time. There was a lot she had to learn before she'd be ready for that.
All this was beside the point. She had to remain focused or she'd lose this fight. Bracing herself, Sakura focused entirely on Dosu. He tilted a head as he watched her. His single visible eyes full of confidence. He probably thought she was still the same girl that had fought him in the forest during the second exam. Well, he was in for a big surprise.
"Ready, begin," the proctor called out as he jumped out of the way.
Dosu charged, swinging his arm. She dodged and everyone held their breath. They remembered that the sound nin's attacks didn't have to actually make contact to do damage. The sound waves coming from the metal thing on his arm would cause enough damage on their own. Everyone waited for Sakura to react to those waves.
Sakura didn't wait. The moment Dosu had let his guard down, thinking he'd gotten her with those sound waves, she slammed a fist into his gut and released a small burst of her chakra, just like the medics taught her. He flew backwards, slamming into the wall. She didn't hear the crowd cheer, or Naruto's shouting. Her eyes stayed trained on Dosu. He stood, dusted himself off. She saw his mouth move. Pointing at her ear, she shook her head.
His eyes widened as he realized she couldn't hear anything. Giving a smirk she'd learned from Sasuke, Sakura raced forward and punched him in the gut again. This fight was hers. He crumbled to his knees and gasped for breath. That small burst of chakra she was releasing with each punch was paying off after only two punches. He wouldn't be able to stand for a little while.
Just to make sure, she kicked him in the head to knock him unconscious. No point in taking chances. Sakura grinned as she fixed her hearing. The medical nins had showed her a way to manipulate her chakra to block off her ability to hear. Just what she'd needed for this match.
The crowd was cheering, but no one cheered louder than Naruto. She looked up and waved at him as the proctor called the match. This was real proof she'd improved. Now she could really say she was a ninja, and not just some little kid playing pretend. She couldn't wait to tell Sasuke. Her worried eyes moved back to Naruto. He nodded in understanding. She hoped Sasuke got back soon.
That's the end of this chapter. As usual, I'll get the next one up asap.
