Chapter 21: Sakura's Strength

"Come on is that all you got" Laughed Kenshin as he continued to beat Naruto who was lying on the ground. He was coughing up blood for every kick or punch that he received; he tried to get up by had no strength as Kenshin kept putting him to the floor. "Alright then I've had enough fun" Said Kenshin, grabbing his katana. He was about to deliver the final blow when he heard someone running towards him.

"Leave Naruto alone" Shouted Sakura, as she attacked Kenshin with the water blade that she formed. Kenshin moved out of range of Sakura's attack forcing him to move away from Naruto. Sakura then quickly rushed to Naruto's side. "Naruto are you ok"

"Yeah I'll be fine" Said Naruto as Sakura helped him up, Naruto then coughed up more blood.

"How can you be ok, you're still coughing up blood"

"Don't worry about me, let's just focus on him"

"No I'll take care of him while you go back to Kakashi"

"Sakura but..."

"No buts, you have been protecting me all the time so this time it's time for me to protect you, just trust me ok" Naruto then stared at her, he could see determination in her eyes.

"Ok I'll trust you" Sakura smiled at him as Naruto started to head back to safety. She then focused her attention on Kenshin who then started to laugh.

"Ha ha so you think you can defeat me do you, well fine but it's your death wish" Kenshin then started to charge at Sakura as he griped his katana tightly in his hands. Sakura then begun to prepare herself as she concentrated her chakra into her water sword. Kenshin made the first move and swung his sword towards her; Sakura quickly ducked underneath his blade and took a shot at Kenshin. He was able to move back in time but not fast enough as Sakura left a cut on his chest. Sakura then jumped away from him, she then raised her blade into the air.

"Water Style: Water Slicer" Her sword then collided with the ground making a jet stream of water appear and rush towards Kenshin. Kenshin moved to the side as the stream of water passed him and collided with a boulder, splitting it in half. Kenshin the quickly turned back around to Sakura who was running towards him. He then started to channel fire into his Katana.

"Fire Style: Flame Cut" Kenshin quickly dodged Sakura's attack and sliced at Sakura's back leaving a deep burning cut. Before he could do anything else Sakura had turned to water and dropped to the floor. "Crap a water clone" Sakura then appeared behind him and drove her sword through his chest. Kenshin then coughed up blood as he fell to the ground, Sakura's water blade disappearing due to chakra depletion.

"I did it" panted Sakura as she turned around to look at Naruto who was being supported by Kakashi due to his injuries but at the same time was cheering at her, Sakura then started to walk back when she noticed everyone had a look of shock in their face, she then turned around only to find Kenshin locking her into a grab.

"If I'm going to die then I may as well take you with me, Fire Style: Flaming Combustion" Sakura then closed her eyes as she started to panic. After a couple of seconds she then opened her eyes to see Kakashi in front of her with a lighting blade missing her and going into Kenshin stopping him before the Jutsu had finished. After Kenshin had finally died Kakashi took Sakura back over to where Naruto and Sasuke were. When she got there she ran at Naruto who was sitting on the floor and wrapped her arms around him with Naruto doing the same.

"Thank god your ok Sakura" Said Naruto.

"I'm just thankful that you're ok" Said Sakura, after a couple of minutes Sakura helped Naruto of the ground. The group then started to head for the village exit.

"Sakura you were amazing out there, when did you learn to do all that" Asked Naruto.

"Well before we left the village I was training on using the techniques, by the time we left the village I was still getting the hang of them so I guess I was lucky that they worked this time" Naruto then smiled at her. "But what about you don't you feel upset that you didn't find any of your family or clan"

"I am a bit, but when I think about you guys are the closest thing that to a family that I've got, isn't that right brother" Said Naruto giving Sasuke a cheeky smile.

"You keep thinking that Naruto, but I don't think I would have a dobe like you as a brother" laughed Sasuke. Naruto simply gave him a look since he was injured and couldn't be bothered fighting back with him.

"Alright you two don't start fighting, we need to get Naruto back to the village so they can heal his injuries, it's going to be a long trip but the nine-tails will keep you alive" Said Kakashi as Naruto gave him a small nod back.

AN: sorry that this chapter is a little shorter than usual, but don't worry I should be back to full speed once my exams are for over, so stay tuned as next chapter Team 7 will be back in the village.

(For short I'm skipping the boring journey back to the village, I mean come on I don't think you guys want to read that anyway :P)