Damn! I'm so sorry! Don't kill me!!!! I know I haven't updated in along time but I've been so busy… that's why I got mad when one of my readers sent me a message about this…and told me if I didn't respond to them, they would get my account deleted.. I answered back and they haven't written back… so... I don't know what to do right now… I can only update when I have time to write… don't worry though...from the end of June and on…you will see quicker and faster updates… I'll have plenty of time in the summer... thx to all my faithful reviewers... until this story is finished...this is the only one I'm going to be working on… There is only 1or 2 chapters left after this one… I haven't decided it…I'm so excited… this will be my first completed story on fanfiction ever! Alright…on with the show now!!!!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto… if I did though…I'd be set for life… also I do not own the song lyrics or anything else you don't think I own..

Title: A Ripple In Time

Chapter 12:

Recap:

After Sakura was released form medical care, she and her sensei trained rigorously for days. The other chunin and their senseis helped out as well. Soon enough, judgment day had come. It was now or never. This was their absolute last chance. They afford to mess up this time.

…………………………………………………………………………………………

Sakura strapped on her ninja gloves as she took a few deep breaths. She could do this. Today she would bring her friends backs from the snake's grasp and make him pay. Then the kunoichi sighed. She couldn't help but doubt herself at times. She must have been crazy to make that deal with Kakashi-sensei.

Flashback:

Sakura stood up and walked towards Kakashi who had a serious look on his face. She needed to clear something with him. Hopefully, he would understand.

"Kakashi-sensei, I want you to promise me one thing when we get there. I want you to let me -------------"

"Fight Sasuke and I will take Kabuto since Orochimaru can't fight."

"Precisely. I got us into this mess and I'm going to get us out. It all my fault. The one time those two needed me the most, I let them down, again. I keep messing up everything we try to get Sasuke back. This time I messed up really badly. I even let them take Naruto away. I promised I would bring them back and I'm going to keep that promise. As far as I'm concerned, this is my last shot. I need to make things right."

By now tears were spilling out of the girl's eyes as she clenched her fist.

"Please Kakashi-sensei, this means everything to me!"

Kakashi just stared at his student for a minute. She had gotten quite strong over the years, but so had Sasuke. But what worried him the most was his curse seal. What if he activated it? He would kill her.

"You realize that even though you have gotten stronger, so has Sasuke?"

"Yes, I do."

"And even if you manage to beat him somehow, you will be badly hurt?"

"Yes."

"And if his curse seal activates?"

"Let's just hope it doesn't get to that point."

Both ninja stayed silent for a moment. Sakura was anxious to know his verdict. She knew that he knew that's eh was taking a huge risk here. Kakashi thought it over a few minutes and then sighed.

"Very well Sakura."

"Arigatou."

End Flashback

Damn it! She had to stop worrying, for Naruto's sake and Sasuke's sake. Sensing his former student's uneasiness, the jounin walked over and placed a firm hand on the girl's shoulder. She tensed a bit, but then calmed down.

"Everything will be alright Sakura. You can do it."

"I know, but.."

Kakashi sighed.

"We've been training our buts off for this day. We can't back out now. You said it yourself. No regrets, right?"

Suddenly the girl had a look of determination in her eyes.

"Right Kakashi-sensei, no regrets."

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me sensei. We're equals in battle now."

"Arigatou Kakashi."

The jounin just gave a friendly smile and walked away. Despite his relaxed façade, he was just as worried as Sakura. He hoped things would turn out right today, for her sake and for his. They couldn't take another disappointment in their lives. Sasuke had given them enough already.

After a couple of minutes or so, both of the shinobi finished gathering their weaponry and supplies for battle. Kakashi was carrying the same-old, same-old, except for the fact that he was carrying an extra large scroll on his back. The same followed for Sakura, except she was carrying two sheathed swords on her back and she was wearing ninja gloves. She never wore them anymore, until now at least.

"Ready Sakura?"

"Ready!"

The two shinobi ventured to the gates of Konoha and were there in minutes. Greeting them at the gates were Tsunade and Shizune, as well as the rest of the Konoha 12, save for Sasuke, and Naruto, and their former senseis.

"You two ready?"

"As ready as we'll ever be Tsunade-sama."

"And you Kakashi?"

"No regrets, right?"

The blonde woman smirked.

"Right. No regrets."

After the godaime spoke, Shizune spoke up.

"Sakura-san, Kakashi-san, you two have been training hard for this day, and in turn learned many new things and strived yourselves to become better. Sakura especially. I just knows he's dying to show off her new techniques, especially the one she made herself."

"I always knew she was a fast learner, but I never saw for real until now. Despite my negligence, she's taught herself well."

"Hai, Kakashi-san. We were all amazed. Not to get to the point, we just want to wish you good luck and give you a few things to help you out in battle."

At that moment, Tsunade stepped forward and gave Sakura and Kakashi each a kit full of medical supplies, everything from bandages to soldier pills.

"I had a feeling you would need them, especially my former apprentice."

"Arigatou," the two said in unison.

Tsunade just smiled.

"Now I thinks your fellow shinobi would like to wish you luck before you go."

On cue, all the shinobi stepped forward and started to offer good luck and advice to the other two. Tenten and Lee told the kunoichi they were proud of how wells eh learned the skills they taught her and said they knew she could do it. Gai gave Kakashi a pep talk about how his rival couldn't lose and how it would be a disgrace.

Afterwards, the shinobi waved their goodbyes as the other two started to walk out of the gates. As soon as Kakashi exited, Sakura began to, but Tsunade stopped her.

"Sakura, remember. You can only use that technique on one condition."

"Wakkata."

"Now go. Kakashi is waiting."

"Hai."

And with that Sakura ran out of the gate and greeted Kakashi. Together the two raced to the mountainside. They were both anxious to get this over with. It was going to be difficult considering the power levels of their opponents and having no backup.

Soon, they reached the mountainside and landed gently on top of it. They looked around for sign of the enemy, but found nobody. Damn it! They better have not been playing around.

"Sorry we're a little late. Sasuke-kun was having a few doubts."

Both of the Konoha shinobi turned around and narrowed their eyes when they saw the people before them. Kabuto, Orochimaru, and Sasuke were both there. Behind them, Naruto was tied up and hung from one of the rocks. He looked unharmed, but Sakura knew better. They had probably hurt him somehow.

"Well, well, look what we have here Sasuke-kun. Looks like your little kunoichi friend had followed the letter I set out for her."

"Hn."

"Orochimaru-sama.."

"Nani, Kabuto?"

"I would like it if we disposed of them quickly."

"Of course. Don't worry we will."

The snake them turned his gaze towards the kunoichi.

"You made a wise choice Sakura, by following the letter."

"I did what I had to."

"Is that so? You really think you could take Sasuke-kun away from me, much less the kuubyi boy?"

"Definitely. I swear I will."

Orochimaru just laughed maniacally.

"You really are stupid for thinking that."

"Uresai! I'm not same girl I used to be."

Sakura then turned to Sasuke, and onyx eyes met green orbs.

'I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm going to bring you back home Sasuke. I give you my word."

Sakura then turned back around to the snake sannin.

"I may have failed the first two times, but I'm not going to make the same mistakes again. I'm taking my teammates back home!"

"We'll see about that."

Orochimaru then jumped up to a higher level and landed firmly on the rocks. This was where he would watch the battles from.

"Kabuto.."

"Hai Orochimaru-sama."

Kabuto pushed up his glasses and then charged at the kunoichi. But before he could reach her, Kakashi moved forward and blocked the attack.

"You're not going any further Kabuto. She's not your opponent, I am."

"Is that so?"

Kakashi looked over to his former student and nodded.

"Sakura, go take care of Sasuke. I'll take care of him."

Sakura just nodded and ran in Sasuke's direction and met him in a fighting stance.

"This is it Sasuke. You don't know how long I have waited for this moment."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, nearby in the trees and group of anbu black-opts stood in silence and watched. They had had strict orders not to interfere unless things got really bad, straight form the godaime herself. They couldn't take any chances. One wrong move and they were as good as dead.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

As her green orbs met his onyx ones, she couldn't help but sense a look of remorse and regret in his eyes. Could this be the Sasuke she had left behind months ago? She had never seen that look in his eyes before.

This life's not like you wanted it
His eyes, I can see again, I need you here
In your mind nobody's listening
It's your right not to feel again, just breathe again

Sasuke looked in her eyes for another second and then tore his gaze away from hers. The genin then reached for his sword in his sheath but stopped. He then looked at Sakura and nodded. As soon as he had done that, he leapt of the mountainside and into the trees in the forest. He stopped for a second and motioned her to follow him. Sakura hesitated for a moment, but then she leapt into the trees. What was he thinking?

Time after time, I walk the fine line
Something keeps bringing me back
Time after time, I'm going in blind
I don't know which way I need to go

Sasuke leapt through the trees in a steady pace, looking behind his shoulder every once in a while to see if he could spot the kunoichi. It was obvious that she was trailing far behind him, but he could sense her chakra signature. She was on his tail. Sasuke sighed and continued forward keeping his pace. He didn't want to do this, but she was forcing him to.

Sakura leapt through the trees following her teammate's chakra signature. Even after all this time, she could sense anywhere. Was he running away? Where was he taking her? She remembered Kabuto mentioning something about Sasuke having doubts, but his actions still confused her.

Feels like your world is caving in
And I cry, failing to understand, I wish I can
It's alright if you're missing him
In his eyes you can live again, free within

Time after time, I walk the fine line
Something keeps bringing me back
Time after time, I'm going in blind
I don't know which way I need to go

Sakura sighed. She still cared about him deeply, but he was just making things worse for her and himself. Sakura then smiled. She was a fool. Even after all this time, she still couldn't figure the Uchiha out. She led her life blindly around him. But now was her time to fix that. And with that she sped up her pace in order to catch up to the Uchiha.

Time after time, I walk the fine line
Something keeps bringing me back
Time after time, I can't see the signs
I don't know which way I need to go

Do all these roads lead back to you?
I don't know which way I need to go
One day, some day...

Time after time, I walk the fine line
Something keeps bringing me back
Time after time, I can't see the signs
I don't know which way I need to go

Someday…..

After speeding around for a while, Sakura finally caught up to Sasuke. He was in her view. At the same time Sasuke looked around and frowned. She had caught up.

Sakura now began to speed up faster and faster. Then she made a huge leap and landed smoothly in front of Sasuke, who halted to a stop.

"No more running away!"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Metal clashed against metal as the two shinobi broke apart. They had been fighting for a while now, and neither were able to land a hit. The battle would never end this way.

Kakashi separated and stood back as he scanned his surroundings. Sakura and Sasuke had left the area and Orochimaru was still on the top of the mountain ledge observing their battle. She seemed to have noticed that the other two were gone, as well as Kabuto. Naruto was still unconscious.

"You really are a fool Kakashi. Do you really think that little kunoichi could beat Sasuke on her own? She wouldn't even stand a chance against me."

"You're wrong."

"Really? How so?"

"She's a lot stronger than you think. She can definitely take Sasuke down and beat him."

"You're way in over your head Kakashi."

"Maybe I am or maybe I'm not. We'll just have to fight out and see won't we?"

Kakashi stashed his kunai away in his pouch and moved up his hitai-ate to reveal his sharingan.

"So we're finally getting serious Kakashi?"

"This is the only way this battle can end."

Kabuto just smirked and put his kunai away as well. Then his hand began to blow blue with his chakra.

"Let's begin shall we?"

On cue, both shinobi clashed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sasuke looked stunned after hearing the kunoichi's last words. Sasuke took a deep breath to regain his composure.

"What makes you think I'm running away?"

Sasuke pulled his sword out of his sheath and readied it before her.

"Look Sakura, I don't want to do this. Unless you want to die at my hands, you'll go away."

"I can't do that Sasuke."

Sasuke just frowned and gripped his sword firmly.

"Well then, I guess I'll just have to cut you down."

Then Sasuke came charging at the kunoichi and sliced his sword down on her. To his dismay, she blocked his attack with a sword of her own.

"Calm down Sasuke. You'll get a chance to kill me a little later. We need to talk."

"How many times to I have to tell you? I'm not coming back!"

"Damn it Sasuke! Just hear me out!"

Sasuke removed his weapon and jumped back stunned. Sakura had never yelled at him before. She had never talked to him that way before.

Sakura regained her composure and opened her mouth to speak.

"Just hear me out."

I will forgive but I won't forget
And I hope you know you've lost my respect

Sasuke put his sword back in his sheath and locked his gaze on her. Sakura did the same.

"Look. I've been leading my whole life blindly around you. As much as I wanted to, I never knew much about you. I remember when you scolded me back when we were genin that I didn't know what loneliness was and how you and Naruto went through it. I never admitted it to myself then, but I knew you were right. But I understand a lot better right now and I finally understand what you've been going through my whole life."

"Uresai! You can never understand what I had to go through!"

'You better watch out
If you don't know whats going on around you
You better think twice
Before you fry off the handle and lose it
You better join us
Before you get lost in the shuffle
You better rise against
The demons that are gonna try and hold you down

"You're wrong! Damn it Sasuke! I was there, I saw it all!"

Sasuke looked shocked and was taken back by that statement.

"How?"

"Orochimaru. The attack he used on me earlier was a time travel jutsu. He sent me back to when we were just kids who just entered the academy. I was there and had stopped the massacre, but I just made matters worse in the future. But I went back and fixed it. I was there Sasuke. I witnessed the massacre with my own two eyes. It was painful too watch. I had become close with your family and it killed me to see what happened to them."

Sasuke's gaze fell to the floor for a second and then he turned it on her again. Anger and mixed emotions flashed through his eyes.

"That still gives you no right to tell me you understand what I've been through. These past few years have been hell for me and nothing you can do and say can fix that. I chose this path and I intend to follow it through."

"Dammnit Sasuke! Everyone misses you. They all want you back. Things are not just the same without you around. We need you back Sasuke."

"I told you, I am an avenger. I cannot follow the same path as you."

Does it run in your blood to betray the ones you love?

Yes it runs in your blood to betray the ones you love?
The ones you love, the ones you love, the ones you love

"Dammnit Sasuke! You have to come back! For our sake. People had risked their lives to go after you and to save you room the darkness, and almost died trying. People who didn't even know you as well as me and Naruto did. Yet they risked their lives for you. Doesn't that mean something to you!"

"Hn."

"Each and everytime we keep coming back for you, no matter how badly we get injured and mess up. We care about you Sasuke. We need you! Konoha needs you! We won't give up until we can bring you back. We won't let you get consumed by the darkness and revenge. We won't let you hurt yourself or kill yourself for some stupid goal!"

"Stupid goal! Dammnit Sakura! That man killed my clan! If I don't kill him before I die, I can't ever rest in peace. He has to pay for what he's done!"

"Dammnit Sasuke! Listen to yourself. You're like a broken recorder. All you talk about is revenge, nothing else. Don't you know killing Itachi won't change anything, and that it won't bring you any happiness? You'll still be miserable and alone. Killing him won't bring your family or your happiness back! You're just playing into his hand. He's trying to make you miserable and you're falling for it."

"Don't you think I know that? I know all that. I know killing Itachi won't solve anything."

"Then why are you doing this?"

"I've spent my whole life working towards this goal and I can't give up now. I worked hard to get stronger and stronger, but Konoha can't give me any of that power. So I had to sell my soul to the devil. He can give me the power I want. He already has. I've gone too far to give it up now."

Cause I'm not a pawn for you to play in your fucking game

I've got dignity and I dream that I want to change
The pressure, your troubled and you let me down
I'm not deaf and all I hear is your empty promises

"How can you be so blind? All that bastard wants you for is your body so he can continue with his sick and twisted experiments. He doesn't care less about what you want. Besides, you're wrong."

"About what?"

"You're wrong about Konoha! If you stayed in Konoha, we could have helped you get a lot stronger and could have helped you defeat Itachi."

"Don't make me laugh. Konoha is junk. Everyone there is weak and useless, including you. I doubt you've gotten any stronger."

"You're wrong. I've gotten a lot stronger."

Does it run in your blood to betray the ones you love?

Yes it runs in your blood to betray the ones you love?
The ones you love, the ones you love, the ones you love

Does it run in your blood to betray the ones you love?
Yes it run sin your blood to betray the ones you love?

Sasuke just smirked.

"I doubt that."

"I'm not the same little girl I used to be. I will take you down."

"Forget about it Sakura, I'm not coming back."

"Then I guess I'll just have to make you come back."

I will forgive but I won't forget
And I hope you know you've lost my respect

Does it run in your blood to betray the ones you love?

Yes it run in your blood to betray the ones you love?

The ones you love, the ones you love, the ones you love.

Sakura pulled her sword out in front of her and readied herself for battle. Sasuke followed suit. Then the both leaped into the air as their swords clashed.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kakashi jumped back avoiding another hit from the medics nin. By now, things had already heated up. Both of the shinobi were fighting its fullest and taking down eachother. Kakashi had managed to injure Kabuto in a couple of places in his taijutsu stage. Kabuto had also managed to injure him as well. They were both bleeding down the side of their faces and Kakashi had severed muscles in his claves. Kabuto had managed to hit him.

"I must say Kakashi, you're putting up a good fight."

"I wouldn't think of giving you anything less than that. It would be a fatal mistake to do so."

Kabuto laughed a little and smirked.

"I can tell this is going to be fun."

Kakashi tore his gaze away from Kabuto for a moment and looked at the snake sannin. He was looking at the battle with narrow eyes and was dangerously licking his lips. Then he switched his gaze to the forest.

'Wherever you are Sakura, be careful.'

"What's the matter Kakashi? You worried about your precious kunoichi?"

Kakashi swiftly changed his gaze back to Kabuto and closed his eyes for a moment. He then opened them with a solemn look on his face.

"You're wrong. I'm not worried. I just can't help to think about how Sakura is beating some sense into Sasuke. He really shouldn't underestimate her."

"Well, I suggest you keep your mind on this battle, or it will be the end of you. The minute you lose focus, I won't hesitate to take your life away. On another note, I believe Sasuke-kun will have some problem with that girl. Unlike I, he has emotional attachments to the girl. They will interfere with his better judgment. He might hesitate to kill her, but I have no doubt that he will go through with it. But then again, I'm not Sasuke. I don't have any bonds with you that need to be broken. I won't hesitate to take your life away."

Kabuto then smirked and adjusted his glasses. Kakashi just stood there keeping his emotionless façade.

"Its true that emotions can hinder one's judgment Kabuto, but when used under the right influence, they can be a great source of strength."

"That won't save you here."

"I wasn't talking about me. I was talking about Sakura. You're right when you say they have emotional attachments, but she won't let them stop her from bringing him back."

"Maybe."

Kabuto fixed his glasses again and closed his eyes. A smirk was present on his face.

"Let's continue this battle shall we?"

Kakashi nodded in agreement and the two charged in.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Metal clanged against metal as the two shinobi battled it out with their swords. As much as Sasuke hated to admit, she had gotten better. She could use a sword more fluidly and naturally than he could. She never knew how to before.

The two ninja broke apart and separated themselves as they tried to catch their breath. Sakura had a small smile on her face as she looked the facts over. Sasuke was having a hard time fighting her with his sword. He wasn't as skilled in it as she was. Never before had the thought entered her head but she was much better than him in taijutsu, even Naruto was. Ninjutsu was always Sasuke's strongest point. She had the upper hand for now but she was sure the tide would soon change.

Both shinobi took a few more deep breaths and charged again with their swords in hand. The blades of the swords clashed against eachother and came and again and again. This had one on fro long enough. Both shinobi let out a battle cry and charged in. Sakura slit Sasuke's wrists and he hit her in the stomach with the butt of his sword. The force of the attacks caused both shinobi to let go of the swords. It took a second for them to regain their composure and they jumped back and landed firmly on their trees. They were both panting heavily.

Sasuke was surprised that Sakura was able to keep up with him. Her stamina had improved, and as much as he hated to admit it, her taijutsu was more advanced than his. He wouldn't last long sticking to it and genjutsu was out of the picture. It was Sakura's strongest point back in their genin days. He had to use ninjutsu. They were his strongest points. He would hold out a little longer with the taijutsu and then switched the gears. Sakura had gotten stronger, but she wasn't up to par with him and he would prove it.

Sasuke checked his wrists to see how bad his injuries were. To his relief, the cuts weren't that deep, so he could still form hand seals to use his jutsu.

Sakura coughed up a bit blood as she fought to catch her breath. Sasuke had hit her really hard in the stomach. After a few more breaths or so, Sakura calmed down began to focus on Sasuke. She stood, and Sasuke did the same.

They both locked gazes forma moment and jumped into the air and started throwing kicks and punches at eachother. Neither of them hit their intended target, but Sakura had gotten close. She charged in again. Soon, she would have to start using her super strength. Regular taijutsu wouldn't be enough against Sasuke.

Both shinobi charged in again. After delivering a few kicks and punches, which Sakura countered with her own, he jumped back and preformed a couple of hand seals.

"Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"

Sasuke spit a huge fireball out of his mouth at the Kunoichi, who swiftly evaded the attack.

'She's fast.'

Sasuke then followed with another attack.

"Katon: Housenka!"

Small fireballs were being shot at Sakura who managed to evade them, even the secondary attack of shuriken. She used her other sword to slice them away.

"Those attacks won't work on me Sasuke. I've seen them millions of times before. It's pointless."

Sasuke smirked.

"You've gotten stronger, I'll give you that. But it won't be enough to save you."

"Hn."

Sakura adjusted her gloves and put her sword back in her sheath. She then got into a fighting stance and the two engaged in battle. Sasuke threw shuriken and kunai at her with exploding tags but she managed to evade them. She countered by coming in with a punch at Sasuke, but he dodged and Sakura's fist hit the tree breaking it in half.

Sasuke was taken back by her strength and Sakura took the opportunity to charge at Sasuke. The genin had barely managed to avoid her attack, and her foot hit the ground, causing it to crumble.

Now Sasuke was on the offense, trying to avoid her attacks.

'I can't let even one of those hit its mark. In fact, if I get even grazed by one of them, I'm in big trouble.'

Sasuke busied himself trying to avoid her attacks. He barely escaped some of them. It was too close for comfort. Sakura charged in again, and this time managed to hit him in the shoulder. She heard a satisfying crack. No Sasuke was plummeting to the ground and Sasuke was about to get away from him, but he grabbed her hand with his injured arm and grabbed her sword with his other. He then slashed her chest and delivered a kick that blew the breath out of her and sent her flying. Sakura crashed into the trees, breaking a few, before she skidded to a halt. She then lurched forward and coughed up blood.

At the same time, Sasuke landed hard on the grounds, and had the breath knocked out of him as well. He coughed out blood as well. He slowly sat up and grabbed his aching shoulder. Damn. She really did a number on it. It would take weeks to heal.

Sakura coughed a few more times and spit out more blood. Then she placed her hand on her wound and began to heal it with her chakra. She healed it just enough so the bleeding would stop. She couldn't waste her chakra on healing herself, she needed it to fight.

"So you've learned how to heal yourself like Kabuto."

Sakura quickly turned around to see Sasuke on the tree branch above her. He was holding her sword in his hands and pain was evident in his face.

'Impossible. I didn't even feel him coming.'

"What's the matter?"

Sakura quickly jumped up and moved away to keep her distance from Sasuke. Sasuke just smirked and charge at Sakura.

I am a little bit of loneliness

A little bit of disregard
Handful of complaints

But I can't help the fact that everyone can see these scars
I am what I want you to feel

But I've never had the doubt
But it's like no matter what I do,

I can't convince you, to just believe this is real
So I let go, watching you,

Turn your back like you always do
Face away and pretend that I'm not
But I'll be here 'cause you're all that I got

Sakura quickly jumped away to avoid the incoming attack, but Sasuke appeared behind her and slashed her on the back, and then he delivered a kick that sent her plummeting to the ground.

Sakura hid the ground hard with a thud. Before she even had a chance to recover, Sasuke came down with the sword to deliver another blow. But before it hit his target, something stopped his sword. He looked down to see Sakura clutching the blade with her hands, with blood running down her arms.

I can't faint the way I did before
Don't turn your back on me
I won't be ignored
Time won't heal this damage anymore
Don't turn your back on me
I won't be ignored

"How'd you…"

"If you think I will let you take me down so easily, you have another thing coming. I'm won't give up until I bring you back home."

Sakura then squeezed her hands a bit and the sword shattered to pieces. Then she delivered a hit straight to his rib cage and sent him flying. Sasuke hit a couple of trees before he stopped. She knew for a fact that she had broken a few of his ribs.

Sakura then sat up and coughed up some blood. She couldn't reach the wound on her back, so she swallowed a few blood clotting pills to stop the bleeding. Then she wearily stood up.

Sasuke coughed up some blood and regained his breath before he got to his feet again. He clutched his chest lightly and bit his lips in pain.

"Kuso. Damn her."

Sasuke then turned his gazed towards Sakura. They were both panting heavily and had used up a large amount of chakra. This battle was going to end soon and he would prevail.

Sasuke bit his thumb and produced some blood and formed a couple of hand seals.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

A huge puff of smoke appeared and when it cleared. A huge snake was standing in front of her, with Sasuke on top of his head. He was still gripping his chest lightly from the pain.

"Two could play that game."

Sakura swiped some blood from her chest wounds and formed the necessary hand seals. She then thrusted her palm onto the ground.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

In her place, a huge slug appeared and Sakura stood on top of its head. Sasuke gave her a questioning look before his snake began to charge at her slug.

I am a little bit insecure a little unconfident
Cause you don't understand I do what I can

But sometimes I don't make sense
I say what you never wanna say

But I've never had a doubt
It's like no matter what I do I can't convince you

For once just to hear me out
So I let go watching you turn your back like you always do
Face away and pretend that I'm not
But I'll be here 'cause you're all that I've got

The snake charged in and tried to bite down on the slug, but it dodged. Then the slug countered by shooting mouthfuls of acid at the snake. The snake managed to avoid it, and countered. Just before it could bite down on the slug, it split into tiny little ones and were crawling all over the place. Sakura jumped into the trees and Sasuke followed. He started to punch and kick her, but she managed to dodge. He got her at one point and sent her flying, but before she could hit anything, he delivered a few more blows and sent her flying. Sakura hit the trees really hard, breaking a few of her ribs as well. She then fell off the tree, but the slug caught her and placed her on the ground. Sakura coughed up some blood and clutched her chest lightly. She then jumped back on top of her snail panting heavily, to join Sasuke who was also panting heavily from the pain. Sakura placed her hand on her ribs and begun to heal just enough to take away some of the pain, so it was bearable.

Sakura collapsed on her knees a bit and heaved a bit. Sasuke had caused some damage to her internal organs. Wiping the blood away from her mouth, she stood up again.

On cue, the two animals charged at eachother, neither giving in. The slug kept shooting acid at the snake, and the snake kept trying to bite the slug, to inject its poisonous venom.

I can't faint the way I did before
Don't turn your back on me
I won't be ignored
Time won't heal this damage anymore
Don't turn your back on me
I won't be ignored

Sakura took this to come up with a plan of your own. She took out a few kunai and exploding tags. She wrapped the tags around some kunai and threw them into the trees all around her. She even threw the ones without the kunai. She even aimed some at Sasuke to throw him off. It had worked.

"Your aim is horrible."

Sasuke then jumped of his snake and came after her. Sakura came into the trees and ran around a bit. She winched at times from the pain, but continued anyway. To her dismay, the genin had found her and they began to spar. At one point, Sasuke threw some kunai, and Sakura took the chance to set her plan in actions. She hit one of the kunai with her own and redirected it towards her ticking 'time bomb'. On contact, it set of a chain reaction of exploding tags and a huge explosion was heard. Smoke was everywhere.

When the smoke cleared, the two beasts were gone, and a huge section of the forest was destroyed. Sasuke was nowhere to be seen. Sakura scanned her surroundings with her green orbs. Nothing.

Now
Hear me out now
You're gonna listen to me, like it or not
Right now
Hear me out now
You're gonna listen to me, like it or not
Right now

I can't faint the way I did before
Don't turn your back on me
I won't be ignored

Out of nowhere, Sasuke reappeared and came down with a hit. Sakura barely managed to avoid the attack. Sasuke landed on the other side of forest. Both shinobi were breathing heavily and were low on chakra. They could only perform one or two more jutsus at most. It was too bad. She wasn't going to be able to show off her new moves after all. She didn't have enough chakra left.

I can't faint the way I did before
Don't turn your back on me
I won't be ignored
Time won't heal this damage anymore
Don't turn your back on me
I won't be ignored

I can't faint the way I did before
Don't turn your back on me
I won't be ignored
Time won't heal this damage anymore
Don't turn your back on me
I won't be ignored

Sasuke growled in anger. He was low in chakra, and it was fleeting the longer he waited. He could use at max, 2 jutsu. He growled again. Never before had he used so much chakra before against an opponent and gotten so badly injured. Sakura had truly gotten a lot stronger, but he could tell they were both almost at their limit. When, and if it got to that point, he would have to use his cursed seal. That meant trouble.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Both ninja panted heavily as they tried to catch their breath. They had been fighting for a while, with no resolve. They were dead even and exhausted. But neither gave up. They both charged in and hit eachother in the face, both skidding back. They then stood up again and began to charge.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru watched with great interest. Kakashi was faring better than he thought. Things were getting interesting.

I woke up in a dream today
To the cold of the static and

Put my cold feet on the floor
Forgot all about yesterday
Remembering I'm pretending to be

What I'm not anymore
A little taste of hypocrisy
And I'm left in the wake of the mistake

Slow to react
Even though you're so close to me
You're still so distant
And I can't bring you back

Sasuke locked his gaze on the kunoichi once more.

"You've gotten strong, I'll give you that, but it ends now."

And then sizzling in his hand, the chidori appeared.

"Damn it Sasuke! Don't do this! Look how strong I've become staying Konoha. I brought you down on your knees hundreds of times already. I've injured you badly. What more proof do you need?"

"Not until I'm on the verge of death will I come back."

It's true the way I feel
Was promised by your face
The sound of your voice
Painted on my memories
Even if you're not with me
I'm with you

Then Sasuke jumped off his branch and charged at her. Sakura created a chidori of her own and leapt in the air to meet Sasuke's.

"Chidori!" they both yelled in unison.

Then a huge explosion occurred.

When you hit me back
We fall to the floor

The rest of the day stands still
Fine line between this and that
When things go wrong

I pretend the past isn't real
I'm trapped in this memory
And I'm left in the wake of the mistake

Slow to react
So even though you're close to me
You're still so distant
And I can't bring you back

When the explosion cleared, both ninja were bleeding badly in their shoulders and were plummeting to the ground. Sasuke summoned snakes out of his sleeves and grabbed Sakura.

"Let me go!"

"If I'm going down, you're coming with me."

"Kuso."

Sakura then took her fist and drove it into Sasuke's stomach. In seconds, they both hit the ground. A huge explosion occurred and Sasuke landed in a crater, while Sakura was flung back a couple of feet and hit a tree.

It's true the way I feel
Was promised by your face
The sound of your voice
Painted on my memories
Even if you're not with me
I'm with you

Both shinobi lay still on the ground. After a few minutes or so, Sakura regained consciousness and stood up. Her body ached terribly and she was in pain. At least it's over.

As soon as she stood up, behind her, she felt the presence of a huge amount of dark and evil chakra. Sakura turned around just in time to a beastly looking figure before her. It was all gray, with long purple hair and huge wings.

"Sasuke?"

"What do you think Sakura? This is the final level of the cursed seal."

"Kuso."

Sakura just stood there helplessly as Sasuke scooped in and smacked in through the trees breaking some. Sakura coughed up some more blood. Sasuke then pounded Sakura on her chest, knocking the air out of her.

"This is it Sakura. Its over."

Sakura closed her eyes in defeat. She was too weak to fight back. This was it. Sakura closed her eyes tightly and waited for the blow to come. It never came. Sakura looked up to see Sasuke clutch his head and screamed in agony.

"Sasuke?"

He just couldn't understand it. He was going to kill her until a picture of her crying flashed through his mind and stopped him. The next moment, he was being overwhelmed by the power of the curse seal He couldn't control it. Then Sasuke started rampaging around, destroying everything in his path.

With You, now I see, keeping everything inside
With you
You, Now I see, Even when I close my eyes
With you
You, now I see, keeping everything inside
With you
You, Now I see, Even when I close my eyes

Sakura just watched in fear, as tears began to fill her eyes. Sasuke was in trouble and she couldn't help him. After a few minutes, Sasuke was coming in her direction. Sakura weakly stood up. She had one idea, but it was a long shot. She ran up to Sasuke and engulfed him in a hug and then she placed her lips on his, giving him a long kiss.

No, no matter how far we've come
I can't wait to see tomorrow
No, no matter how far we've come I
I can't wait to see tomorrow

In a moment or so, Sasuke returned to his normal human form and collapsed on the ground.

"Sakura…"

"Sasuke, please come back."

Sasuke closed his eyes for a moment and reopened them. Then he nodded.

"You took me down Sakura. And if you had gotten that strong by staying in Konoha, maybe I can too."

Sakura just smiled and hugged Sasuke.

With you
You, now I see, keeping everything inside
With you
You, Now I see, Even when I close my eyes
With you
You, now I see, keeping everything inside
With you
You, Now I see, Even when I close my eyes

The two shinobi then sat in silence for a moment, until Sasuke spoke up.

"I want to kill him. I want to make him pay."

"Orochimaru?"

Sasuke just nodded.

"Alright."

Sasuke then stood up and transformed again into a beast.

"Climb on. We'll defeat him together."

Sakura nodded and climbed on his back. And then Sasuke took off into the sky heading towards the direction of the cliff. Orochimaru was going down. They would make sure of it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So what do you think? It's 21 pages long and took me 6 hours to write. I think it turned out well. Review and let me know what you think. Thanks for reading.

Also the songs are:

Going in Blind by POD

Blood by Papa Roach

Faint by Linkin Park

With you by Linkin Park

PEacE OuT!

SeGUHA