Chapter Ten: The Revealing Fight
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or American Dragon.
So there she stood along with the other passing teams. It was the final day of the tests and Sakura with Ramus firmly planted on the ground next to her were waiting for instructions.
Of course she noticed many of the other teams, senseis, and the Hokage eye Ramus with scrutiny but the deer took it with grace.
Stealing a quick glance around Sakura was surprised to see that every rookie had passed, Lee's team included. However, she was not too happy to see the at the sound team had passed, especially because of the way they were glaring at her, or the Sand Team, that Gaara guy gave her the chills. She knew he also had a demon in him by his scent, but she couldn't quite tell which demon though. So he was definitely someone to avoid.
The team that Sakura was most unhappy to see passed was Kabuto's team. Shouldn't that bastard's team already be Chuunin anyway? How many more tries did they need? It wasn't any concern of Sakura's she just wanted to see him fail and be out of her sight!
Sakura then decided to get a look at the teachers in the front of the room. All of them were standing at awaited attention. Some were smiling faintly at the sight of their passed students. Although Sakura could tell that they seemed to be paying a bit of extra attention to her. Did they know about her encounter with Orochimaru? She hoped not, because that would mean that they were going to keep close tabs on her.
Speaking of Orochimaru Sakura had to wonder where snake face was now, while she could sense dark aura, between Kabuto's team, Gaara, and the sound genin, there were too many dark auras around to tell if he was even here. Well she hoped he wasn't, but with her luck that's probably not the case.
Suddenly a sharp pain made its presence known in her side. "This is not good, I'm running out of time," Sakura thought. This transformation jutsu was finally at it's apex. She knew her Charka reserves were not as big as her magical one. If they didn't hurry up with this event she would just have to leave, whether she wanted to or not.
"To all who are here congratulations on passing the second exam. Well I suppose I should tell you all to true reasons for these exams, huh?" The third Hokage announced.
He then went into an elaborate explanation about the Chuunin exams and how they came to be. It turns out that the next exam was a simple fighting tournament to showcase the military strength each competing village has. Important feudal lords, the Kazekage and representatives would attend to witness the fights, so it was important that they only get the best of the best. So they were holding a preliminary tournament to narrow down the field.
Then the sickly Gekko Hayate appeared announcing that he would be this exam's proctor, he told everyone that the exam would begin immediately much to relief of Sakura, and the annoyance of everyone else. However, what he announced next stuck out the most in Sakura.
"At this point in the exam, anyone who feels physically unable to carry on may leave and it won't affect your teammates if you choose too". Hayate said.
Almost immediately Kabuto raised his hands in resignation. He seemed to stare at the sound sensei, and talk to his teammates a bit before leaving. Now of course, Sakura was very suspicious about the act, because she knew that he was much stronger than he looked. Sakura noticed that the Jounin in the front of the room were on the same boat as her, as she could see Anko reading what looked to be a file.
Either way it didn't matter too much to Sakura if that meant that Kabuto was out of the running so be it. All she could think about was if she should raise her hand as well. She knew she was reaching her limit and the results could be disastrous, but Sakura was positive that she could at least make to the first break that they were promised.
There was no way she could come this far, just to quit at the very end. It would feel like a disgrace to Ryoma, her teammates, and herself if she did. Sakura tilted her head a little to face Ramus, letting him know that there was no way she was quitting. That was the ninja way!
Ramus eyed her a little wearily, but decided to go along with the idea. His best friend should know what she's doing. He just hoped that Sakura was one of the first picked for battle.
Especially since he could see it in her eyes that Sakura wished to do her battle on her own.
As if Kami heard his wish, the names atop the computer screen read the first two opponents.
Haruno Sakura vs. Temari
Sakura looked around for her opponent to see that she was facing the Sand village girl.
Not a good start…
Motioning for Ramus to leave, he walked towards the stairs his hooves clicking on the floor, and followed her teammates, and sensei to the upper viewing level. Everyone filed to the top viewing except the two opponents who turned to face each other.
While Sakura was happy that she could see a little apprehension in Temari, most of what she saw was pure unadulterated confidence. Something told her she was going to be in for a rough battle.
Meanwhile in the viewing area everyone was making his or her own thoughts and assumptions on how the battle was going to turn out.
"How do guys think Sakura will do? I don't think she stands a chance against that sand kunoichi. Heck she's not even allowing that big white deer to fight with her". Kiba stated staring down at the battlefield.
"They do seem almost unbeatable". Hinata agreed looking on with worry, after all she saw what they were capable of doing.
Shino just stared on in indifference although he did have a feeling that Sakura would actually win this fight somehow.
"Show us what you can do young one" Kurenai thought curious to see the ninja who brought Orochimaru to his knees in action.
"Show us what you've been hiding Sakura" Shikamaru thought as he looked down at the arena trying to assess Sakura strength. Although looking at her now she seemed to be in a lot of pain, as she was clutching her side slightly.
"Okay Sakura show me why you don't think I'm worth your time anymore, ya big billboard brow" Ino whispered looking down at Sakura with a face mixed with sentimentality and sadness.
"Come on let's see Orochimaru's tackler in action" Asuma thought while lighting another cigarette before the battle began.
"That sand village girl better not underestimate this one, or she'll be guilty of the same fatal mistake my team and I was" Dosu thought angrily, while he sneaked a peak at once again disguised Orochimaru's excited shivering form.
"Temari, don't underestimate this one, remember she may be just like Gaara" Kankuro thought, looking at his more than stoic brother.
"Let's just see this kunoichi Orochimaru has been raving about," Yoroi whispered to his teammate.
"Child show me that passion that allowed Orochimaru to retreat" Sarutobi regarded.
"Let's see what this odd one can do," Neji stated leaning on the wall, while Tenten nodded in agreement.
"GO SAKURA YOU CAN DO IT!" Naruto and Lee cheered in unison, waving their
arms up and down. Hiro was yowling loudly on the floor beside them, in his own special way of cheering.
"You can do it Sakura…" Sasuke whispered so faintly that not even Kakashi could hear him.
"Sakura show everyone what you can really do," Kakashi cheered quietly in his mind.
"Okay if no one is objecting the fight begins NOW!" Hayate announced waving his arm downwards signaling the start of the fight.
Immediately Sakura jumped back a couple of spaces and measured her distance. Looking at her opponent she could tell that the fan on her back was her weapon of choice.
In other words she was facing a wind user.
Fan Fucking Tastic…
She was already in a lot of pain, but a fight was a fight. So she swiftly reached into her pouch and launched five ninja stars towards Temari.
"Hmph you really think you'll defeat me with simple tools like that" If this was all the skill, this girl Sakura was really capable of, Temari felt that she made herself worry for no reason. She swiped her fan so fast that to the unskilled eyes, it looked like she didn't even move.
All the ninja stars fell to the ground and implanted themselves into the floor. Sakura could hear some of the astonished gasps, and muttered whispers in the stands. Humph, it seems some of the people in the stands were losing confidence in her abilities.
"Well that failed, but then again that was exactly what I expected. To fight her I'm going to need close combat, and not distance fighting." Sakura summarized in her head.
Knowing that was the best course of action, as distance fighting only played to Temari's strengths.
"Come on are you nervous, with your weak attacks I'm not surprised you missed," Temari jeered smirking at Sakura. Her confidence was returning, and she was sure, as ever that Sakura was all bark and no bite.
A fatal mistake when facing Haruno Sakura...
With a fierce yell, Sakura charged at Temari full force her hand pulsating red charka, which got the attention of all the Jounin and a few select Genin.
"What on earth is that red charka?" Kakashi whispered raising his headband to reveal his Sharingan eye. Maybe Sakura really did also contain a demon, and if she did why didn't the Hokage tell him?
However if Kakashi had turned to look at the Hokage and his guards he would have seen the surprise on all of their faces.
While taken aback by the sudden aggressive charge, Temari was no novice and swung her fan immediately releasing her cyclone justu. She was a little saddened, that she didn't get to be as theatrical with the moons as she wanted to, but oh well she didn't have time for that.
Sakura was hit with powerful gale force winds that ripped through her clothes and was pushing her backwards. (Which the Jonin noticed should have ripped through her skin as well, but didn't). She sent some of her Charka to her feet and firmly planted her hands and arms down on the floor as well. Unfortunately she lost her concentration for her super charged punch, because of that.
Sakura grunted in anger she was already in so much pain, and not being able to end this battle quickly was making her mad. Madder than she imagined it would.
She was a fire dragon, and fire dragons are known in the magical world for having extremely short temperaments.
Like hers…
Sakura could feel the burning frustration and angry annoyance bubbling up to it breaking point inside her. Temari could even see the Sakura face turning bright red and even backed off a little in shock.
However a smirk was still present on Temari's face, because she knew that Sakura was beyond angry now.
And angry shinobi made foolish mistakes.
Although had anyone been looking at Naruto or Ramus' faces up in the stands they would have seen the two fidgeting, the former more than the latter. Both of them knew that Sakura was at boiling point just by her standing perfectly still.
Having been at the source of her anger before both Ramus and Naruto knew that whenever Sakura was mad at you there would be Hell to pay.
That Temari girl was in for it…
The wind receded and Sakura stayed in a bent down position.
"What's wrong girly have you given up?" Temari taunted a sadistic smirk on her face, as she looked at what seemed to be a fallen girl.
"NO DON'T GIVE UP SAKURA-CHAN YOU CAME SO FAR TO GET HERE!" Naruto shouted with his hands around his mouth to her.
"COME ON SAKURA YOU CAN DO IT!" Lee shouted just as equally enthused.
"OF COURSE I HAVEN'T GIVEN UP SHANNARO!" Inner Sakura shouted her as fist raised up.
Back in reality the real Sakura slowly raised her head first, and proceeded to stand up fully erect.
"Humph! Got something to say to me pinkie?" Temari laughed condescendingly.
What Sakura did next would forever stay in the minds, of all who were present.
She opened her mouth, breathed in deeply, and exhaled.
Exhaled with a huge ear splitting roar that sounded like a mix between a lion, and something else. Something unworldly. (Think of the Godzilla roar mixed with a rumbling low lion roar baritone).
She continued to roar for almost a full minute letting out all her frustrations and anger that had built up during the match. Temari was too shocked to attack her while she was doing this.
Sakura's pink hair even lit ablaze with bluish fire pulsing from it.
"WHAT, what is she, What on earth is she?!" Temari thought horror stricken as she slowly backed up adding even more distance between them. Her face was beginning sweat, because although she wouldn't admit to anyone, this Sakura girl horrified her.
Her siblings up in the stands seemed to be sharing similar thoughts. As Kankuro began shaking slightly now extremely worried for his sister. While Gaara was shaking as well, however he was shaking in exciting anticipation more than worry. Baki's face contorted into one of worry as well, this girl could put any extreme damper on their plans.
Everyone else in the stands had jumped up erect in surprise at the roar, Jounin included. Everyone except Naruto and Sasuke as they had seen this before up close during the Forest of Death, but the fire hair was new.
Kakashi stared on in complete surprise his eye the widest it could be; he was even more surprised when he saw that Naruto and Sasuke were not reacting, hinting that they might have expected this. What on earth happened in the Forest of Death? He tried scanning her with his eye but he couldn't come across any unusual signature, what on was going on?!
The Hokage looked on in pure shock, was she really a demon container as well?, No that couldn't be it, because he would have a record of it for sure. So if that wasn't the case then what on earth could se be, because that sound was anything but human.
"This girl must've really brought Orochimaru down, and it wasn't by dumb luck I sure can see that now" Anko thought. When she had entered the arena to give congratulations, she had to admit when finally analyzing the pink haired youth; she thought the girl had to have won by dumb luck. After all she certainly didn't look like she could have brought down a Sannin with relative ease. Then again you're never suppose to judge a book by its cover.
Sakura finished her roar and proceeded to inhale deeply again.
The fire in hair dissipating as she slightly calmed herself. This girl was going down!
She exhaled and let loose a long hot stream of coursing blue flames.
Many in the stands gasped at Sakura as they all could clearly see that she didn't use any hand signs to perform this "jutsu".
Temari panicking swung her fan without any real planning, and let out a cyclone jutsu so powerful that the flames and Sakura were haphazardly flung back to the nearest wall.
"I think, I think I got her," Temari mouthed to herself not really positive what she was saying was true. She looked to the wall adjacent to her waiting for the flames and smoke to clear.
"Well if you're not going to move, then I'm not going to go easy on you!" Temari yelled and let loose another powerful wind cyclone towards the wall, hoping her opponent wouldn't get up. Seeing someone who was able to shoot flames without the use or need for hand signs severely unnerved her.
"NO! Sakura-chan!" Naruto shouted directly below him, extremely worried, as he could see no sign of movement with the smoke still blocking his sight.
Temari continued to stare at the smoke in front of her, was the girl unconscious? She wished to the smoke would clear already.
One minute later Temari would want rethink her wish.
Sakura marched slowly out of the smoke and debris revealing her true and relatively uninjured form to the spectators.
She had dropped her transformation during the blow.
Not realizing she was exposed Sakura straightened up and stared at Temari's shocked face. Hell she even dropped her fan because she was so shocked.
Not until Sakura looked at her hands did she realize what had just happened.
Her red-topped tail with a pink underside was showing through her cargo pants, the pink fur on her tail was erect in alarm. Her pink ear blade/spines were drooped down in anger.
Her shiny white fangs clearly visible to everyone, even with her mouth closed two top and bottom fangs would still stick through. Her scales were more pronounced on her skin especially in her neck, hand, and arm areas. Red or pink scales could be clearly seen; luckily the rest of her skin stayed its beautiful pale white color.
Charcoal black horns that curved slightly in front of her head, just above her ear plates poked out in all their glory. The horns were velveteen as Sakura just began growing them couple of years ago, so they weren't as thick as they would be in her full adulthood. That didn't mean they looked any less intimidating.
Next her dragon claws on her feet and hands, had managed to escape the clothing surrounding them as well. Her shoes were completely torn with thick black claws poking right out of them, and her gloves became non-existent, as her sharp black nails had slashed right through them.
The last most distinguishing feature about was one only a few in the stands had the talent to see, and that was her eyes. While still their jade green color the pupils were now cat like slits narrowed in aggression.
No one in the stands knew what to do or say. This was the last thing anyone was expecting to see in the fight.
"What the hell? Did Sakura become some giant mutant lizard?" Kiba gaped wide-eyed not sure if he believed what he was seeing. " Judging by the smell she's giving off this isn't a Transformation Jutsu either, whatever she's become it's the real thing!"
Akamaru barked in agreement before nuzzling further into Kiba's jacket, but Akamaru couldn't deny that something about Sakura's appearance felt oddly soothing too.
If anyone could have seen Shino's eyes were the widest they've ever been in his life. His bugs were buzzing around in complete alarm probably scared of the Charka radiating off Sakura.
"Kurenai Sensei do you have any idea what's going on?" Hinata stammered looking at her equally stunned teacher.
"No Hinata, I don't, heck I bet even Kakashi doesn't" Kurenai looked down at Sakura with clear confusion and a small bit of fear in her eyes.
"Fore..Head?" Ino observed her former friend in clear shock, has Sakura always be able to do this, and she just never noticed when it happened? Her hands gripped the railing so tight that she was beginning to bleed a bit.
"When I suspected that Sakura was hiding her talent, I didn't expect something like this how troublesome," Shikamaru sighed his voice a pitch higher than it normally would be.
"I'm not so hungry anymore guys" a wide-eyed Chouji breathed in complete awe at what he was seeing.
"Kakashi what is up with your student, is she even human?!" Asuma thought frantically not realizing his cigarette had fallen to the floor.
"What the fuck?" Yoroi choked out looking down at the young girl? He wasn't sure anymore she looked like a monster.
"Yes magnificent" Orochimaru whispered licking his lips in glee. He knew he made the right choice in setting his sights on this girl. Whatever she was she was powerful, and with that usual body she was the perfect target for him. He would be immortal in no time.
"This confirms that she went easy on us!" Dosu growled to himself while he stared at the monstrosity down below. If she could do this before then his team got off easy! Zaku and Kin turned to him, their faces letting him know that they were thinking the same thing as well.
"Sir is this some kind of bloodline limit the girl possesses?" Anko asked the Hokage while flipping through her files to see if there was any mention of Sakura being able to do this.
Iruka was too shocked to put in any input at the moment. In fact if it weren't for his heaving chest he'd look like a statue.
"Should we stop the match, Hokage-sama?" Ibiki suggested he could see Hayate looking up at him for confirmation. He could tell the poor referee wasn't sure what to do in this situation. He was also inching away from Sakura like Temari too.
"To answer both of your questions, No this isn't a bloodline trait the child has no record of any, and no don't stop this match." Sarutobi answered. "She seems to be in control of this form, but if things do get out of hand everyone will jump in and stop her". Sarutobi demanded.
Ibiki with a reluctant wave gave Hayate the word to continue as planned.
"Sakura… is that still my youthful blossom?" Lee said in mid-wave as he paused in shock.
"Kakashi just want kind of student do you have?" Thought Gai.
"…." Neji couldn't even form a sentence at the moment, but he did have his Byakugan activated scouting Sakura's body looking for any clue as to what she has become.
"Wow, boy am I glad she's not my opponent" Tenten gasped out loud, her hands a bit shaky.
"Did you two know, and tell me the truth!" Kakashi ordered as he faced his other two students, his eye forming a scowling angry look, his Sharingan whirling to catch any indication of lying.
"We did know about the roaring, but trust us Kakashi-Sensei we had no idea about this!" Naruto admitted breathlessly. He never would have guessed that Sakura even had a secret this big. Hell this might even take the cake over him carrying the Kyuubi!
Ramus bleated softly with his ears against his head in fright and worry. What was everyone going to do with Sakura now that they had seen what she really was?
Sasuke could do nothing but remain silent with his eyes so wide they threatened to pop out of his head. His mind was blown by what he just witnessed. His teammate had turned into a-a mutant for lack of a better word, and he had a feeling that…
That this only made her stronger.
"TEMARI get out of there now, move!" Kankuro yelled hoping to snap her out of shock. He knew that her pausing could be very fatal.
Spurred by her brother's shouts Temari made a gesture to reach for her fan on the ground.
Too bad Sakura was in no mood for a fair fight now.
Distraught that she was caught Sakura just charged full force once more at Temari letting out a magnificent roar while she did so.
Alarmed by the approaching "beast" Temari threw six well-aimed kunai at her, since she didn't get enough time to retrieve her fan.
Temari's blood ran cold when she saw that all the kunai she threw at Sakura…
Were simply deflected like rubber, and bounced right off her scaly skin. She had no more time to mull over this because the very next moment she was bombarded into the wall by a super strong tackle.
Sakura flipped backwards and landed daintily on her draconic feet. Opening her mouth and letting out another roar, she picked up Temari's fan, and snapped it right in two.
Temari still shaken up from being thrown into the wall didn't even have time to register what happened to her prized weapon, as the very next moment she was doing her best to dodge the flames Sakura was shooting at her.
Sakura kept blowing out fire with all her might, the light tears dripping down her went unnoticed to all except Ramus. She couldn't believe she screwed up this badly; the Draco Council was going to have her head for sure!
Having enough of being center stage, Sakura sucked in her largest breath, and blew out a speeding blue fireball that exploded right before direct contact with Temari. The force of the after blast sent her straight into the left wall.
The smoke cleared fifty seconds later, and there on the floor Temari laid unconscious.
"Looks like we won't be getting that clean sweep, huh sis?" Kankuro mournfully signed while watching his sister be carried off by the medics. He had to admit he was never expecting a being this powerful in the village. This girl may even be a match for Gaara if weapons couldn't even harm her.
Gaara just shook, and shook. He was very excited to see someone this strong here. He was going to have this girl's blood one way or another.
Orochimaru was on the same boat. He now knew that he needed this girl. Her skin couldn't even be harmed by metal! That explains him not be able to bite her earlier for sure. Even more her fire breath seemed to be genetic and not jutsu based. Whatever the hell she was, she was not escaping his sight.
Sakura just continued to stand where she was breathing in and out. Her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath after breathing fire so many times. She could even taste the soot in her mouth. Yuck!
Turning towards the top right balcony, she saw everyone staring at her in rapt attention. Wide-eyed and some were even fear stricken, yet she could not muster up the courage to move forward. After all there was no point in resetting the transformation now, plus she doesn't have enough energy left to do so any way.
"Umm you can head to the stands now, you've won the match is over" Hayate said cautiously not wanting to upset the girl.
"Yeah….right" Sakura sighed softly. Wiping the tears off her face she headed up the stairs back to her team.
Where she wasn't too well received.
Everyone backed up from her a little as she walked by heading back to towards Team 7. Her tail was dragging behind her on the ground, and her head down with her horns covering her silted eyes. No one moved, no one said anything. She finally reached her team, stood next to Naruto, and Ramus moved next to her sensing her despair and nuzzled her to try and comfort her.
"Sakura you know..." Kakashi started looking at her unable to grasp that this was still his student.
"Yes, I know, I know I have explaining to do" Sakura drearily replied, her anxiety building up again.
"Yes, you do but it will have to wait until after the fights" Kakashi sighed turning his head back towards the arena. He could tell she didn't want to mull over it, so he'd let her off the hook for now.
Sakura stood up with her head down for nearly a full minute not wanting to see anyone's frightened judgmental faces, until she felt a slight tug on her tail causing her to jolt up.
"Woah! It's really attached to you Sakura-chan!" Naruto breathed holding her tail up near his waist. "I thought this might've been an illusion, but I guess not!"
Naruto seeing the stoic look Sakura was giving him. Naruto gently placed her tail on the ground and held his hands up in defense. "Gomen, but I was just so curious" Naruto admitted a sheepish smile on his face.
Sakura just continued to stare stoically at him and for a while he thought she was going to attack him. However, Naruto received her beautiful laughter instead. She just broke down crying tears of laughter, and Naruto was very proud of the fact that he had caused them.
Sakura thanked her lucky stars Naruto was the dumbbell he is. Just his childish innocence on the whole situation made her happy, that someone didn't seem completely frightened of her now.
Finishing her laughter she faced the Hokage, to see him staring intently at her. She nodded in response, as if to say "yes I know". Sakura did know that she would be questioned in front of the Hokage, but it seemed that he only wanted to talk to her once all the fights were over.
At least she would get some down time, before the most stressful talk of her life. Even more than the sex talk from her father.
She patted Ramus' head while looking towards the ceiling.
To be fair maybe being discovered would actually make her life easier.
Nothing is set in stone, after all.
New Edit: Hey so besides the fight slightly changing with Sakura's hair lighting on fire, Ramus' inclusion, and the fact I've altered her birth form. Nothing else in this chapter was too different. Also I fixed a few continuity errors as well.
The only other things were a few subtler hints to later content.
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