Note to all of my readers. I do post multiple chapters currently, so some of you may be missing out on a good portion of the story. Go back and make sure you haven't missed anything. Now one with the story.

Cave, Day…

It had been a bit since Sakura woke up. Daichi had started the night guard rotation and finished it out. Now he was sitting on the same rock as last night while Sakura tended to Naruto and Sasuke.

Daichi heard Sasuke making noises while he slept. "Are they dong any better?"

Sakura continued to apply new rags to there heads. "Naruto's sound asleep, but Sasuke's is not so restful.

Daichi saw Sakura yawn and he noticed that her motions were slowed..

Daichi said, "Sakura, take a nap. I'll remain on guard and wake you if anything happens."

"No, I'm perfectly fine." Sakura assured.

Daichi walked over to her placed a hand on her shoulder. "Please take a nap Sakura. You won't be much use to anyone if you're tired."

"Your right." Sakura conceded.

Daichi walked back over to his rock while Sakura went and slept in her spot.

1 Hour Later…

A squirrel ran towards the cave. Daichi barley noticed a paper bomb on it's back. He took out a kunai and threw it in the path of the squirrel. The creature was frightened as it ran the to the the right and back into the forest.

Daichi thought, "Nice try, but you're going to have to come to us if you want a fight or our scrolls.

In the brush

Zaku said, "I thought for sure that would work. Do you think he saw the paper bomb we put on the squirrel?"

Dosu replied, "He did, but I also noticed something else when he saw the bomb."

"That is?" Zaku questioned.

"You'll see just what it is as we head in for a closer look." Dosu replied.

The Cave

"Sakura, we have company!" Daichi exclaimed.

Sakura hopped to her feet and immediately pulled out her kunai.

Daichi said, "You guard the cave mouth while I have a little chat with them."

"Right. I'll back you up if things get harry." Sakura said shaking her head.

Daichi walked 5 feet out of the cave before Sakura took her position in front of it.

"Those are the Sound Genin that tried to attack Kabuto. This isn't good." Sakura thought as she tightened her grip on her kunai.

"What do you want?" Daichi asked.

Dosu replied, "We want to fight Sasuke. Go wake him up."

Sakura shouted, "What do you really want? We know Orochimaru's been calling the shots from the shadows. "

The Sound Genin reacted with shock which meant that they hadn't been in contact with him for awhile now.

Daichi said, "While your at it, tell us what the mark on Sasuke's neck."

"What in the world could he be thinking?" Dosu asked himself.

Zaku said, "I can't stay quit after you two talked to us like that. First I'm going to kill these, and then I'm going to kill Sasuke."

The boy was about to advance when Dosu said, "Wait Zaku." He got off his rock and pulled up a grass spot that hid a trap. "You guys aren't very good. If you're going to set a trap, you must take your surroundings in to account. That way it's actually hidden."

"So that's art of the reason you threw that kunai and detoured that squirrel. You didn't want him setting off your trap." Zaku said.

"Now we kill her." Dosu stated.

That's when Ninja lept into the air. Sakura and Daichi grinned as Sakura cut two lines near her causing two logs to spring from the brush and head straight for the Genin.

"Two logs!" Zaku exclaimed.

Dosu said, "Nice try, but ultimately pointless."

Zaku quickly got over the surprise and pushed Dosu into Kin sending them to the ground. He then held his arms out causing a mighty wind that sent both logs back into the woods. All three of them landed on the ground unharmed.

Daichi thought, "Crud. Things are about to get really difficult. I'm still a little weak after that fight yesterday. Even if I were at full strength, I don't think I'd be able to fend off three Genin. Oh well I can't think about that now. What maters is protecting…"

Daichi's thoughts were cut short when he heard familiar voice. "Leaf Hurricane."

A second later Lee appeared in the middle of the Sound Ninja and kicked them all with a spin kick. They all flew back before regaining their footing. Lee then appeared at Daichi's side doing his usual pose. He had the squirrel on his shoulder.

Sakura asked, "Wha-What's he doing?"

Dosu asked "Who are you?"

"I am the handsome devil of the Leaf Village and eternal rival to Daichi Ryu. My name is Rock Lee."

Sakura asked "What are you doing here Lee?"

Lee was petting the squirrel. "I will appear anywhere and anytime you are in trouble Sakura."

Daichi thought, "Good thing I didn't accidentally kill the little guy because it seems he's brought us some help."

Lee set the squirrel on the ground and it scampered away.

Sakura said, "Right now, on this test, we're your enemies."

Lee said, "Sakura, I already told you. I will protect you until I die."

Sakura remembered what he said when they first met. "Yes, thank you Rock Lee."

Lee had tears streaming down his face. "Yes! She said yes Guy Sensei! She said yes!"

Lee turned to face Daichi. "Your assistance will not be needed Daichi. I can handle them myself."

"Getting an awfully big head there Lee. This is my team after all, and so long as I can fight, I will give my all to protect them."

"There he goes being all cool again. It makes me so mad." Lee thought.

Lee shock his head up and down as he said, "Very well then. Let us take them down together."

Daichi said, "So are all of you going to come after us or just a two on two?"

Dosu threw the earth scroll to the girl and said, "I'm taking on the swordsman. We have a score to settle boy."

Zaku said, "That means your all mine Green."

With Daichi

Dosu charged at Daichi. Daichi decided to move back and lead him away from Lee and his battle.

With Lee

Zaku charged at Lee and attempted a punch, but Lee ducked and kicked Zaku in the face sending him flying away.

Some Distance Away…

Choji sat in a tree, eating some food, while Ino and Shikamaru discussed what to do next.

"Oh man! There doesn't seem to be anyone around whose weaker than us!" Ino complained.

"Hold on a minute. I think Naruto's team may be weaker than we are. Even if they do have Sasuke and Daichi." Shikamaru stated.

"Are you kidding! You can't compare Daichi to Sasuke! Compared to Sasuke, Daichi is less than nothing!" Ino shouted angrily.

"Whatever." Shikamaru said. "What a drag. She's only mad because Daichi stopped her from hugging Sasuke. Of course, it would just lead to another troublesome argument if I said this out loud."

Choji stopped eating as he spotted something in the distance. "Hey Sasuke and Naruto have collapsed," He got his teammates attention. "and Daichi and Sakura are fighting.

"What did you say?" Ino questioned before her and Shikamaru joined him on the branch to see it for themselves.

Back at the Battle, With Daichi

Dosu's right arm began to vibrate and Daichi made it his priority to stay well away from it. Daichi avoided his arm again and threw several kunai in rapid succession. Dosu could only dodge for so long before his sleeves got nailed into the ground.

Then Daichi noticed Kin sneaking up on Sakura and knew he had to finish this fight quickly. He formed the lighting in his hand quickly.

"Lightning Beast Tracking Jutsu!" Daichi said causing a much slimier version of his wolf to charge at Dosu.

The attack hit and he fell to the ground.

"He should be out for at least a minute." Daichi took off running. "I'm coming Sakura.

With Lee

Lee's opponent kept on launching blast of wind at Lee keeping him on the defensive as he had to dodge.

Lee thought, "He had been keeping me away from him ever since the first attack. I haven't been able to get close no matter what I do. Guy Sensei I am going to use the jutsu. The conditions have been met. This is to protect the life of someone precious."

As Lee continued to dodge, he unraveled some of his bandages. Zaku launched another blast, but this time Lee vanished from his line of sights.

Zaku exclaimed, "What…"

It was all he could get out before he was kicked into the air by Lee hitting him in the chin. Lee sprung off his hand and rose with Zaku appearing behind him. His bands wove around the ninja entangling him.

Lee then grabbed onto him as they fell and caused the two of them to spiral as they gained speed. Zaku went straight into the ground unconscious. Lee had jumped off at the last moment.

He panted and felt very tired. "It is over." Lee then heard Sakura shout and turned to see that the female ninja had Sakura by her hair. "No! Sakura!"

Lee took off running.

Cave Entrance

Kin had her kunai out ready to embed it into Sakura. This caused both Lee and Daichi to stop a good distance away.

"Let her go!" Daichi angrily shouted.

Kin had an evil look on her face. "I don't think so. You may have beaten my comrades, but you won't beat me. Now, if you want this beauty queen to live, you will do as I say."

Daichi thought, "This isn't good. The only thing we can do is by time until either of us thinks of some way out of this."

Lee thought, "No Sakura! I swear to get you out of this alive. You will not die on my watch. I could attempt another Primary Lotus. No what am I thinking! It's to risky to try it right now. Think Lee.

Kin said, "Now listen up because I have two demands. One, I'm taking Sakura into that tree to kill Sasuke. Two, I will take her around as I picked up my comrades. You do not make a move until I let her go, or I will kill her."

Daichi thought, "It's the impossible choice. Either we can risk Sakura's life and let her end Sasuke's, or we can attempt to stop her but end u risking Sakura in the process. We don't even know if she will keep her word about not hurting Sakura."

Tears began to spring forth from Sakura's eyes. "That Kuma guy was right about me. I'm just some weak fan girl. I've let everybody done again. How many times have I caved? You'd think that now, when they needed me the most, I could be strong.

Kin began to reach for Sakura's arms, so she could pull her up.

Sakura clenched her fist in anger. "That's it. From this moment on, I'm going to focus on being a ninja. I'm tired of letting them all down. I am a member of Team Seven!"

Sakura took out a kunai and held it with both hands causing Kin to stop advancing for her arms.

She said. "It's pointless. That won't work on me."

Sakura turned her head and smile at Kin. "It's not meant for you."

To everyone's surprise, including Team 10 who was in the brush, Sakura cut her hair causing Kin to fall backwards. Lose hair and Sakura's head band fell to the ground.

Sakura thought, "I've always considered myself to be a true ninja, but the truth is that I was only playing ninja. Sasuke, Naruto, and Daichi are always in the lead. I watch them from the back round Why is that?"

All the times the three male Genin saved her or fought while she stayed back flashed through her mind.

Sakura stood up, "No matter what, they were always there protecting me. Then there's Lee who proved that he liked me even though I treated him so poorly. We're not even teammates yet he put his own life on the line for me.

All this time, they've been trying to teach me a something. It's about time that I learned the lesson." Sakura's head band clattered to the ground. "No more caving." Sakura clenched her fist. "This time, I take the lead.

Sakura turned towards the female Kin though she addressed Lee and Daichi behind her. "Daichi, have your beast tracking jutsu aimed at her and fire when I give the okay. Lee, if she dodges, I'll look to you to hit her with whatever you have left."

Daichi smiled because the moment she cut her hair he saw Sakura's true fire had been ignited.

"You got it Sakura." Daichi smiled.

Lee was smiling as well. "Yes, I understand."

Sakura charged at the female ninja doing some hand signs. The female ninja pierced her with her kunai. She thought she got Sakura, but instead she pierced a log that had taken her place.

"A Substitution Jutsu!" Kin shouted in surprise.

Sakura appeared behind her and kicked Kin in the back causing her to stumble forward. Kin turned around and attempted a kick only to hit another log. This time Sakura ran straight at here while holding kunai in between her fingers. Kin drew her 5 kunai at Sakura and instantly began to look around..

"Where are you appearing from this time?" Kin questioned.

The kunai, this time, actually hit Sakura, but she didn't even scream out in pain. Instead she fired off her kunai nailing her opponent in the same way. Sakura then slid along the ground and hit Kin's feet while she was distracted.

Sakura continued to slide as Kin began to fall. "Do it now Daichi!"

Daichi already had all the lightning he needed and smiled. "Lightning Beast Tracking Fang."

The wolf collided with Kin causing her to stay suspended as the lightning raced through her body. Then she fell to the ground out cold.

Lee swooned over Sakura. "Way to go Sakura!"

Daichi shouted, "You did it!"

Sakura smiled back at both Daichi and Lee. "No, we all did it."

Daichi smiled as well. "I suppose we did."

Ino jumped up from behind the bush her and her tame had been hiding behind. "There's no way Sakura could have done all of that!"

Choji and Shikamaru both appeared now as well.

Shikamaru said, "Seems we were both wrong about them Ino. Their team won't be so easy to fight. This means we can't get a scroll from them. What a drag."

Daichi ducked low as Dosu punched, with his arm vibrating, right where he had been. Everyone was shocked to see Dosu walking up right again. He looked battered, but not any worse than Lee, Daichi, or Sakura.

Dosu said, "Now you've gone and done it. Did you honestly think that attack would keep me down for long?"

"Of course not I just wanted to knock you out long enough so I could help my teammate. Turns out she didn't really…"

Daichi froze, stood up, and looked at the mouth of the cave. Everyone else was looking that direction too as purple Chakra began to leak out. Sasuke the appeared causing even more purple Chakra to flow out. He had black markings on the right halve of his body and is Sharingan was active.

Sakura asked, "W-What's going on with Sasuke?!"

"Sasuke? That's Sasuke!?" Ino asked.

Sasuke looked at his two teammates then at Dosu/.

Sasuke asked, "You two are hurt? Did he do this to you?" Sasuke angrily asked.

"Those marking all over his body…" Dosu thought terrified.

"Sasuke what is this?!" Daichi exclaimed.

Sasuke looked at his hand before placing it as his side. "Don't either of you worry. I'm alright. It's only the power flowing through me." Sasuke clenched his fist. "In fact, I've never felt better.

He gave me this gift, and he made me understand what I am. I'm an avenger. To follow my path I must have power no matter the rice Even if it means being consumed by evil."

"I see. Those marks on the neck that the girl spoke of. They were a curse mark. Who'd have thought he'd survive. More that survive." Dosu thought impressed.

Shikamaru forced his teammates heads down. "We don't want to get involved with this."

"What's this all about?! What's going on?!" Choji quickly asked.

Shikamaru replied, "How should I know!"

The marking began to grow on Sasuke scaring Dosu further. "This changes everything! I can't fight him. His chakra's to large. To powerful."

Sasuke said, "Since you're not speaking, I'll guess it's the only Sound Genin left standing."

Sasuke moved incredibly fast grabbing Dosu's wrist. He lifted him into the air and slammed him into the ground before he could say a word.

Sasuke then lifted Dosu to his feet and grabbed him by his shirt. "So you think it's right to hurt my team. Maybe you'll think differently if I break an arm."

Dosu was scared out of his mind.

Daichi ran over and stopped behind. "Sasuke, this isn't you! Dosu is defeated. We don't need to continue."

Sakura ran over next. "Look around you Sasuke! You are scaring everyone! Please turn back into your normal self!"

Sasuke did look around at the frightened faces around him. and the not so frightened faces of Neji, in a tree, who was passive and Lee who was just surprised and shocked. the curse marks receded, Sasuke let go of Dosu, and he fell to his butt panting.

Dosu fell to one knee relieved. "The mark has receded. We're safe for now."

Dosu quickly retrieved their earth scroll from Kin's pocket and stood before Sasuke. "You are to strong, Sasuke. To strong. We can't hope to defeat you the way you are now." Dosu sat the scroll on the ground. "We'll strike a deal. You let us go, and you can have this scroll."

Sakura and Sasuke looked at Dosu.

Daichi just wanted them to leave. "We accept your deal. Take your teammates and leave."

Dosu nodded his head and picked up both of his comrades. "It would seem we underestimated you but at least found out what we needed to know. For the moment we're even, but If we should meet in combat, I promise you, we won't run or hide."

Dosu began to walk off.

Sakura shouted, "Wait!" Dosu turned around. "Just who is Orochimaru anyway?! What's he done to Sasuke?! Why Sasuke!?"

Dosu replied, "I don't know. All I know is that we were told to target Sasuke, and we did." Sakura gritted her teeth. "I don't know why he sent us to assassinate someone he bestowed such power to."

Dosu Then continued to walk away.

Once he was gone, Team Ten rushed onto the field.

Choji asked, "Hey you guys okay?"

"Ino, check on Lee!" Shikamaru ordered. "We'll check on Naruto!"

Ino shouted, "Right!"

Daichi walked over and pocketed the earth scroll.