Previously on 'So you said':
"Tsunade-sama, are you sure it's okay?" Shizune asked, holding Tonton.
"Of course! It's the perfect chance to clear the rumour that she is dead. More importantly, when I was absent, how's the kid?"
"She was qualified to the third round." The black haired quickly replied.
Tsunade inhaled a lungful of oxygen "It seems that she is more than she seems to be."
"Next match! Uchiha Sasuke vs the representative of Haruno Sakura!"
"Hn." Sasuke unconsciously smirked. He was amused because this is the chance he had been waiting for. The cloaked figure had caught his attention and stuck out like a sore thumb ever since the welcome ceremony. This person had no presence nor detectable chakra whatsoever, indicating that they are skilled enough to completely seal their presence for a long period of time…just like he is.
The Uchiha took his time walking towards the arena. Unlike on the other side, Kyou was having a difficult time trying to stop Sakura from either escaping the arena or confront Tsunade for a change of opponent.
"No! You can't! Just get down there!" Kyou pushed against Sakura who was advancing forward effortlessly.
"As if I can fight him!"
The child struggled "Yes you can! You're stronger now!"
"That's not the problem!"
"Then what is?!" Kyou finally managed to push Sakura backward "What are you scared of?"
"I-"
"Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura's representative, please proceed to the arena shortly after break." They announced over the public speaker.
"…" Sakura halted her retaliation and gloomily glanced down.
Kyou crossed her arms "It's just one match, so just try and quickly finish it. I heard there will be a time limit for this one because the difference of level between you two. You've got two hours to finish him."
"Like I said. I won't fight him. Don't tell me you haven't notice the stares he'd been giving me. He's onto me."
"I don't know and I don't care. But he'll go for your cloak first thing so be careful. There's no choice for you but to fight."
"The two examinees please proceed to the arena." Was the announcement over the public speaker.
The black haired child gave Sakura a quick nod before the latter left to the battlefield that she knows, have the possibility of killing her.
Taking extra precautions, Sakura tied her cloaked around her tighter and readied herself against Sasuke who was already launching at her.
She dodged and jumped away 'This isn't going to be easy.' She threw senbon at him before fading into her Genjutsu.
Sasuke spun around with Kusanagi no Tsurugi in hand, he flicked away the little needles. The Sharingan spun wildly in his eyes as he scanned for the trace of the other person.
Undetected, Sakura grabbed Sasuke's ankles and pulled him downward, towards the earth. He puffed into smoke as Sakura's eyes widened in realization, she quickly pulsed chakra into her hands and pushed herself out of the ground. Ignoring many surprise gasps surrounding her, she turned around enough to see Sasuke erupted out of the little hole she just made and is now right behind her. The kunoichi back flipped away to put distance between them.
Wordlessly, Sasuke aimed himself towards her direction as he was being pulled back by the Earth's gravity. Kusanagi was in front of him, charged fully with Chidori "Gekiryuu: Chikara." the water from the surrounding river rushed up into the air and slammed down on the arena, flooding it. Kusanagi was then thrown down to the ground. Electricity spread quickly, Sakura barely managed to escape the attack. A small part of her cloak was fried by the electric energy. The Uchiha, who was standing on the wall performed some quick hand signs and blew a great fireball at cloaked person.
Unable to do anything in mid-air, Sakura retorted to one of her own developed technique that she knew that she was going to regret later "Kawazuzakura: Haru no kaze ." Sakura disappeared and was replaced by falling Kawazuzakura petals that began to fall into the electrocuted water.
"Isn't that-"
"But-"
"That can't be-"
"But she's the only one-"
"No way-"
"Who's-"
Whispering and incomplete sentences waved through crowd.
The cloak fluttered as Sakura reappeared, standing on the concrete wall of the arena 'I knew it…I regret this.' Sakura face palmed herself.
'Suck it up princess. He's coming at you.'
'Inner?' Sakura barely took out her kunai in time to clash against Sasuke's Kusanagi.
'Yea yea. Whatever, I'm not going to help you anymore after this. Work it out yourself.'
'Hey! Wait!' Sakura jumped away from Sasuke who immediately follow her. This time, instead of jumping back, Sakura ran forward and attempted to slash Sasuke's cheek with her kunai in her right hand, he disappeared and quickly reappeared on her left and tried to stab her. The Kunoichi hurriedly whipped around and with the chakra scalpel in her left hand she prepared beforehand, sliced at Sasuke's right abdomen. He quickly reacted to it and distanced himself from her while examining his wound. The pink haired cringed at the amused smirk Sasuke gave her, dear god please get her out of this misery.
A cold wind blew by, Sakura noticed that her arms was exposed with a clean cut on each 'So he did land some damage.' She thought and quickly ignored the sharp pain "As expected of the last Uchiha, very deadly. Are you seriously attempting to kill me?" Sakura thanked god that her voice matured over the years, especially after 8 years…he won't know what her voice sound like, would he?
"I have no reason to not kill you." He spoke coldly.
Sakura snorted "Indeed. But I would like to request that you stop aiming for my cloak, it's my favourite and I would like to wear it again after the exam."
Sasuke didn't answer but instead, he raised his hand and flicked something at the cloak. Not seeing it as something important, Sakura dismissed it and charged towards Sasuke and they began to exchange blows after blows. Unnoticed by Sakura, Sasuke flicked a small spark of fire onto her cloak and now it had begun to burn away at the material, slowly revealing her outfit inside the coat. Black calf boots and black shorts covered by a short sleeveless kimono with blue koi prints was shown. Sakura glided pass Sasuke and quickly whipped around, her cloak no longer covered anything below her chest. Sasuke halted all action and stared at her, astonished.
The last piece of the cloak was blown away by the wind, Sakura's pink hair fluttered along with it. Now face to face with Uchiha Sasuke without anything to cover her, the anxiousness that had been bubbling in her stomach died.
"Oh my god-"
"That's-"
Screams and gasps fill the arena.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto raspy voice called out to her.
Immediately, Sasuke lowered himself back to a fighting stance "So you didn't die."
"Sorry, was it bad news to you?" Sakura gave no emotion away. Should she be happy that he cared a little? Or should she be angry that he expected her to be dead? Does it even matter?
"Hn." Almost immediately, Sasuke appeared behind Sakura, ready to knock her out. But she caught his hand.
"History is not going to repeat itself, Uchiha," She flipped him forward but he disappeared into smoke "A shadow clone…"
"You're still weak and annoying." Kusanagi in hand, he reappeared inches before her. He pulled his hand in an arc towards himself in attempt to stab her.
"I am, aren't?" the impact of the sword that impaled Sakura, pushed her flat against her former crush. Trembling but she did not dare to wrap her arms around him so they stood awkwardly there.
"…" Kyou stared down from the veranda "Are you happy that you got so close to him?"
Tsunade propped her arm on the armrest of her chair and stared down at the two "Pretty realistic."
Blood ran down her mouth and dropped on the floor. Heavy eyelids closed themselves and Sakura shifted all her weight against Sasuke. At this point the raven haired was waiting for the Sakura who was heavily leaning against him to disappeared into smoke any minute and soon, 5 minutes have passed, her cold body did not move. And the rules was set so that the match will only end at the two hour mark, is he seriously going to stand here with a dead body standing against him for another one and a half hour?
An aching pain clenched at his chest as she leaned against him. She's not supposed to be cold…ever. He had spent more than 5 years to make sure of that. She used to radiate warmth and actively move her limps. Not standing here, breathless, lifeless and cold. He was sure she could dodge this simple attack…but she didn't. Her blood dripped and made a little puddle underneath her. No more shining emerald orbs, no more cherry pink hair, no more annoying fangirl and most importantly…no more Sakura.
"Sasuke-teme! I'll kill you!" Naruto pulled his leg over the rail on the veranda "What the hell are you thinking?!" he attempted to climb over the veranda as Kakashi and Hinata restrict him back.
"Naruto! Calm down." Kakashi pulled him back.
"How could you say that Kakashi-sensei?! That bastard just killed Sakura-chan! He just killed her! I'll kill him!"
"Calm down." A matured but squeaky voice called out.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata restrained him on the other side.
Naruto stopped struggling "You…" he said, disapprovingly "Shouldn't you be more worried about your guardian?"
"Take a look at Tsunade. If the mother isn't worried, you shouldn't be either." Kyou motioned at the Hokage.
"But…!"
"Can you still not see it?" Kyou asked.
"Huh?" Naruto titled his head.
The child nodded at the battlefield "Focus and take a good look."
Uzumaki narrowed his eyes and stared at Sakura and Sasuke for a long time. Another spot of pink soon appeared in his vision and he beamed "Sa-" Hinata placed her hand over his lips.
"You can't do that, Naruto-kun!" she whispered "Her cover will be blown if you do that!"
"Ah…"Naruto plopped down to a seat.
'Is this… guilt?' Sasuke questioned himself as he pulled Kusanagi out of her body and caught her lifeless vessel before it touch the harsh ground.
Sakura watches in silent as Sasuke gently laid the supposed 'Sakura' down. If they remain like this for another one hour and a half then the match would end up as a draw, that way they can both pass…was Sakura's original plan but…the Genjutsu she casted was maybe…a little too cruel. Her death was unfolding before her eyes and it was strange…maybe this will really become a reality one day-
"…" slightly startled, Sakura glanced down, a sword was impaled through her chest. Right, if Sasuke was that easily fooled then he would be dead by now "Yamazakura: Sen ha." chakra floated from Sakura's body and materialised into sharp cherry blossom petals "Ato…" she stuttered and pulled herself away out of the sword then placed a hand on the wound to temporarily stop the bleeding.
Sasuke practically teleported right behind her "Running away is useless."
"Kougeki," The thousand petals aimed and squirreled around the raven "Don't think I'm the same as I used to be because it'll be the biggest mistake you'll ever make."
Sasuke made a hopeless attempt to shield himself against the sharp petals, small cuts appeared in various places around his body. Giving up on defence, Sasuke charged forward with Chidori in hand "You talk too much."
Sakura caught the electric ball with a chakra magnetic field produced on her palm before it touch her chest. One hand stopping the blood from flowing, the other stopping an electric ball, not exactly the best situation to be in. Slowly, Sakura was being pushed backward as Sasuke advanced forward. In term of power, Sasuke was always stronger than Sakura but now, they may be on the same level.
The pink haired quickly flipped backward away from Sasuke, the wound no longer shed blood and she was thankful. A little longer and she would have suffer from anaemia for days. Deciding that running away wouldn't solve anything, Sakura ran forward and punched Sasuke. Because Sasuke is Sasuke, he caught it…or so he thought. The impact was huge and it send him flying backward, Sakura transported immediately following him and sliced open another wound on his left abdomen "Pay back for stabbing me." She stopped tracking him before he crashed into the wall.
Kind of pummelled, an angry Sasuke shot out of the wall and charged his choukuto with Chidori. No more playing around, it's time to get serious. Quick slashes and slices by Chidori Katana that Sakura could barely dodge or counter. "Shannaro!" Sakura stomped and shattered the ground in the process of landing a direct hit to Sasuke's chest. That may shattered some bones but thanks to what happened the Hokage had to interfere.
"Restrain the both of them." She ordered as she landed on the cracked land.
Kyou, Kakashi, Naruto and Hinata was immediately down to separate the two. Wild Sharingan glared into emerald orbs and they both engaged in an intense staring competition. Blood trickled down their bodies and bathe the two in crimson.
Kyou took in a sharp breath before jumping on Sakura and covered her eyes which knocked them both to the ground.
"What are you doing?" Hinata asked as she followed them down.
Kyou was quickly out of breathe "Do me a favour and prepare the emergency kit before these two idiots bleed to death," she returned her attention to Sakura "And you, are you stupid?"
"What's wrong with Sakura-chan?!" Naruto looked over Sasuke's shoulder.
"This match is a draw! And this concludes today's exam. All examinee who pass will meet in front of the Hokage tower tomorrow at six sharp." Tsunade disbanded the crowd.
"A little flashback. Nothing much," The kid responded "I'm still surprised you managed to do so much damage when you're not serious, Sakura."
"Please, I'm dying here and you say I wasn't serious? Then what's your standard for 'serious'?" Sakura removed the kid away from her. Hinata returned with the emergency kit and quickly began tending Sakura's wounds who was trying to tend Sasuke who wasn't cooperating.
"Your chakra reserves are still quite high," The child retorted "And you," she indicated to Sasuke "Stay still and let her heal you."
"I don't need it."
"Quit being stubborn, Uchiha." Sakura forcefully pulled his arm towards her and started healing.
"I said, I don't need it!" he yanked his arm away and stood up to leave.
Veins appeared on Sakura's forehead and she stood up with him "Sakura-chan!" Hinata screamed in a whisper.
Kyou tapped on the Hyuuga's shoulder "You should go and heal the others who are injured in the infirmary. The only one who can deal with them are themselves."
"But-"
"Besides, Sakura will heal the Uchiha no matter what so there's no use convincing her. It's okay, I know some basic medic jutsu so rest assured, if they both pass out because of their stubbornness, I'll heal them."
After some moments of hesitation, Hinata left to the infirmary. Naruto and Kakashi was sceptical to leave Sasuke and Sakura by themselves but Kyou convinced them to give the two some space.
"As a doctor, I can't let you walk out of here, injured." Sakura forcefully healed Sasuke's arm.
He pulled it away again "I don't need it."
"Oh yes you do!" Sakura did a low round kick and knocked Sasuke off his feet before she climbed on top of him, pressing down on his broken bones. He disappeared under her and completely from the empty arena "Stubborn jerk."
"Heal yourself first." Kyou tried.
Sakura completely ignored the child and jumped to the highest point in the arena. After some quick hand signs "Kikuzakura: Iyasu." Thousands and possibly millions of Kikuzakura petals descend on Konoha. Exhausted, Sakura fainted. A shadow appeared and caught her before she hit the ground.
"You-" Kyou paused and sighed "Quite stupid isn't she? To release this much chakra, just to heal one person." A petal landed in the child's palm.
As Sakura petals descended on Konoha, Sasuke, who was on his way home, noticed that his wounds was closing at incredible speed. His mind drifted back to her 'She had gotten stronger.' He thought but his pride would never acknowledge that he lost to her, he didn't. Besides they weren't serious so this match didn't count. She was a completely different person, she was a Sakura he didn't know. But why, he wondered, why is there an unsettling feeling that bubbles in his stomach when he sees her? When his sword ran right through her, his heart clenched. Why?
Author note: ]*ΦωΦ)ノHi… so…ugh…here's the un-climatic second part of their match…I tried OTL but the 10 year old me could write better action scenes than me. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it!
Respond to reviews:
To most of you:
I am very evil if you haven't seen one of my other fanfic…I haven't update for a year. I am so glad that I made you all suffer with the cliffhanger (Yes, I am an S piece of bread) But I have to apologise to all of you because this chapter is…rather boring and un-climatic. I will expand my vocabulary and return to edit this when I have the chance.
To Dazzling Light:
Yes, I initially already planned for Sakura's identity to be exposed by Sasuke because no one else is more befitting. And the reason why people refer to her as the representative of Haruno Sakura is because a certain somebody (Suzuki) have been going around spreading rumours about Sakura. She learned (eavesdropped) from the gate guards (Kotetsu and Izumo) about the former teammate of Team 7 who was a girl named Sakura, around 3 months before Sakura return from Suna and because she never heard of this person she decided to tell everyone that this person is dead and always talked about how weak she must've been and how pathetically she died, just like at the beginning when she told Sasuke about the pink haired ninja. The rumour got so bad that everyone in the village believed that Sakura was dead and they even put up grave for her. Of course, Tsunade and Kakashi knew the truth but the kept silent about it because they think it's more interesting that way. So when her name appeared in the list of examinees they thought, it was like her last wish to become a jounin so someone arranged a person to take her place to compete to become a jounin, does that make sense? Also initially Sakura's plan was to surprise her friends that she came back from Suna and that's the only reason why she had to hide. Sorry the reply is kinda long…
All your reviews are greatly appreciated! Thank you so much! Until next time brah~~