Author's Note: Phew. This is finally done. I worked my butt off to get this done. I put Claire Farron and Noctis Lucis Caelum aside for this. I know that "Kiryu Zero" had interested a few of you, well, now we find out who he is. Not a shocker on my end. Shouldn't be a shocker on yours either. Anyway, I wanted to use the Curse Mark, but, I decided against it. Let's not scare Sakura anymore than she already is. *Glances at the scene in the hallway* Heh, too late. Anyway, I dedidcate this to everyone who reviewed. Thank you all. Seriously, thank you all for your reviews. They're really helping me. As a thank you, the next two chapters will come pretty quickly. I have them typed up, so all I have to do is reread and change a few things, and they'll be all set. As for that epic fighting scene I promised you, its coming. Just as a side note. About the SasuSakuness of this chapter, that was probably the most intimate scene I have written for this story as of yet. And it was only, what, two paragraphs long? LOL. I'm a fail. Anyway, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or Fairy Tail(Only because I mentioned the characters, and used a scene, because Sakura says that she decided to "Play it like Erza". If you want to see the scene I used, watch Fairy Tail episode 38, right at the end. It's truely epic.) The rest of the chapter is not copied, like not completely copied. But I might as well add Final Fantasy XIII to that list too, just to be safe. And to be safer, I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING AT ALL!
My head snapped to the right. I could feel something on the air. It vibrated throughout the space around the Gokage Summit, where the five leaders of the great shinobi villages were discussing the fate of Amegakure. I could feel something coming. Something bad.
I knew what it was. All of us on the upper level knew what it was. We could tell. We didn't need to be informed. All we had to do was still frostily still like the once snow covered trees outside this barricade that looked more like a menacing castle.
It was the newly rebuilt Kazahana castle. I let my eyes droop. Too bad it's about to get destroyed if things kept going the way they are. It was a battleground. The table below us. Tempers were flying, threats were being exchanged, and scowls were painting fear into each other's eyes. The explosion wasn't too far off now.
Temari, the oldest of the Sand Siblings, tightened her right hand around her fan, ready to sweep it out in front of her in one quick movement. Not long now. About five minutes. Kankuro flicked his fingers, the blue chakra threads attaching themselves to various points on the ground under the Mizukage, ready. Jiraiya, the Toad Sage from Konoha, planted his feet, and Shizune drew her sleeve back from her arm, revealing poisonous throwing needles attached to her arm. I sighed, and lifted my gloves out of my supply pouch, and tightened them over my hands, prepared.
We were ready. All of the standby shinobi I had their weapons drawn, ready for battle. The Gokage knew it too. The five of them knew it was coming. I snuck a glance over in Megumi's direction, and widened my eyes. The curl of her lips was sinister, almost like she wanted all of us to fight and kill each other. She was looking forward to spilling my blood, no doubt.
But I wanted to spill hers too. I wanted to feel the warmth of it running across my fingers, hear the crackling of it drying on my cheeks, and smell the tinny iron which would be Megumi's life blood flowing out of her dead body. Yes, I was bloodthirsty. But the reason for that was simple. I had to protect my friends. I had to protect my village. My home. My family. My comrades. My…Sasu-
"Sakura." I swung my head over to the left, at the shadowed shape in the corner. Red starred eyes gave away his identity. It was "Kiryu Zero". I turned to Jiraiya, and he nodded, giving me the okay. I walked over to "Kiryu Zero", and faced him with an even stare.
What was his game plan? Was he another ninja that wanted to kill me when I wasn't expecting it? Or was he Uchiha Sasuke? Or perhaps Uchiha Itachi or Madara? I shook my head to the left once, stopping my advance. I had to keep my distance. Even the bravest warrior is smart to act with caution when faced with the unknown. And this was a definite unknown.
"What is it?" I asked coolly, blinking as he faced me openly, like he was about to pour his heart out to me. He shifted.
"I just wanted to ask you…Why do you think I'm Uchiha Sasuke? Do I…Remind you of him or something?" I didn't break. I wasn't going to break.
"I don't know. Just the way you like to toy with me and get me riled up reminds me of him. That's all. Is that it?" He shook his head, taking a few steps closer to me.
I didn't back up. I didn't see the need. I knew he was quickly invading my personal space, but I still didn't back down. A black flash caught my eye. A side piece. A side piece that framed his face on the left side. His red starred eyes blinked, turning plain onyx black for a split second, just long enough for me to catch the longing and concern in their greasy irises. Sasuke's tired…
"You…You're Sasuke, aren't you? Just be honest with me…I know who you are…" I muttered, taking the last few steps toward him and resting my hand on his chest, leaning on it, curling my fingers in, my forehead resting on his collarbone. A hand gently rubbed my shoulder.
"Sakura…I told you. I'm not Sasuke. I'm "Kiryu Zero". But you're onto something, that's for sure." My breath shook.
"Why are you lying to me? Even after…Even after I said that I…Love you…" I replied, my voice low, and broken. I couldn't believe this.
"…Sakura…" I looked up, tears falling down both sides of my face, as his eyes opened, the red stars boring into my soul, pained.
"AGGGHHH!" "Kiryu Zero" and I turned around at the scream, and heard the metal clang together. It had begun.
"LADY TSUNADE!" Shizune cried, leaping down into the crossfire, Jiraiya behind her, me on his heels along with "Kiryu Zero". I scanned the area, and widened my eyes at the sight.
In just two seconds, the entire room had erupted into a mound of fighting ninja. Blood was flying everywhere, pieces of metal was raining down onto the floor, as I watched, my hands and arms up over my head as I dropped from the upper level, my feet slamming into the smashed table, only to have my back slashed at by a wayward katana.
I quickly swung my feet up into the air, bringing my heels up to slam the Cloud ninja in the chin, before dropping to the table top, doing well to stay in motion, blades and weapons flying past me, barely missing my vital points as well as hardly cutting open the skin. I widened my eyes at how sharp the weapons were as they flew past my eyes, the light flaring off of the edges of the blades. These guys weren't messing around.
I pushed up off of the table, spiraling in mid air as I narrowly dodged the Cloud ninja that had smashed the table to bits in order to kill me brought his katana whistling upward, slicing at my shin guards. I brought my legs up over my head in a somersault, and landed on the ground in a crouch, ducking away from the slices aimed at me with focused concentration.
I had to live. I had to live. I had to live so that I could end it all. I back flipped, turning my body as another slice came down, then bringing my feet down to slam them onto the enemy's sword, rendering them defenseless.
"My turn now." I brought my body up, and punched with my right hand, hitting him in the face, following up with my left, blood flying out of his mouth.
I swung my leg up into the air, hitting him upside the face, slamming his chin up forcefully with my toes, then brought my heel down, the top of his skull now open to attack. I slammed my right fist down on the top of his skull, the Cloud ninja falling to the floor before his body bounced back up, which I grabbed while I was jumping up into the air, and flung him down toward the floor again, the ground denting in after him. He didn't get up.
"HARUNO SAKURA!" My eyes flicked toward the ninjutsu flying toward me, frozen needles. I quickly began cart wheeling, dodging the onslaught, my green eyes focused on the one who was firing them from what looked like a crescent shaped block of ice. They flew out like a flurry of bullets, like the kunai launcher that had taken Sandayu's life a few years ago.
"HOW-HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE? KAKUYOKU FUBUKI!" I shouted, slamming my feet down onto the ground, rocks rising up from the floor, deflecting the barrage of ice needles.
Once the barrage stopped, I jumped up into the air, my legs swinging up over my head as I front flipped twice, my eyes narrowed. Fubuki stood there, facing me with a cold hard stare. How in the world was she still alive? She should be dead, or at least decayed by now in the forest. Sasuke and I killed her and her friend, Mizore. It didn't make any sense. It didn't make any sense at all. I didn't understand how she could be alive.
"Sakura!" A black flash slid in front of me when I landed, red starred eyed. I let my cheeks flush. After all, the room had just started freezing.
"What are you doing here? It's dangerous, get back!" I shook my head against the wind that whipped through the room, suddenly alive and on my radar. Could they have destroyed the heater in the Rainbow Glacier? I narrowed my eyes and stepped up alongside him.
"Not going to happen. I started this fight, and I'm going to end it." I replied, standing my ground. He didn't back down. He swung his head around and faced me, black side pieces and all.
"Don't argue. Just do it." I shook my head, my pink hair blowing around my face.
"I said no!" He took a few steps toward me, and grabbed me by the waist in one hand, holding me up against his side, my legs whistling through the air as I kicked out, my fists beating into his thighs.
"Sakura, knock it off. I'm not letting you go, got it?" I looked up, my head sliding backwards, my scowl openmouthed, my green eyes burning. Sasuke was going to pay for this. I heard a laugh coming from Fubuki's direction, and our heads swung toward it.
"Uchiha Sasuke? That little brat who "finished" me off the first time with what was it? "Lion's Barrage"? HA! Come out little boy!" The red starred eyed boy in front of me shed his cloak and closed his eyes.
"SHARINGAN!" Now brighter and powerful than ever, the Sharingan blazed, fully released when he opened his eyes. I smiled breathlessly.
"Sasuke…I knew it was you." I replied, resting my head against his side as he faced the enemy, holding onto me tightly.
"Explain the situation, would you?" I nodded, and looked up. There wasn't much to explain.
"Same techniques as last time, only, they aren't shaped like birds. She's using ice needles this time that roll out like machine guns. They're fast. Just be careful, okay?" He nodded, swinging me up onto his back with hardly any effort.
I widened my eyes as I flew through the air, my hands grazing the katana case that was attached to his waist, my eyes widening even further. What was he planning on doing? He had never used a sword before. Was this part of his training with Kakashi-sensei? I wrapped my legs around him, hanging onto him tightly for myself, as he drew his sword slowly, blue light dancing up and down the blade as he pulled it out.
"Got it. Hang on tight, okay? Things are about to get interesting." His Sharingan flashed as he turned his head, a smug smirk, much like the one he gives me whenever he's excited or smug glowing on his face. My eyes widened again. He wasn't playing around. He definitely was planning on shedding some blood today.
"Of course. I'll help when I can-" His head shook to the left once.
"You'll get in the way. Just let me show you how strong I've become, Sakura. Hang on as tight as you can." I let my eyes throb as I stared at him, speechless.
I couldn't place the feeling I was getting. The vibe that was coming off of him. Even now, when his eyes weren't on me, I could still feel the bloodlust rolling off of him like a wave. I glanced at the Curse Mark on the left side of his neck, sighing in relief when I noticed it wasn't glowing or reacting. Even after two years, that seal was still going strong.
"Something troubling you?" I jerked my head back in surprise, Sasuke's voice drifting up toward me, silky smooth. I shook my head quickly.
"No, nothing's wrong. I'm ready when you are." I answered, wrapping my arms around his upper body, clutching my legs around his waist tightly, grasping him for dear life. I could've sworn I heard him smirk.
"Alright then." We both turned our eyes to the enemy in front of us, her green eyes, almost as minty as mine glowing brightly. She was waiting on us. And the ninja around us to thin out, which they had. Sasuke and I were alone with her. Oh to joy.
"You're going down this time, boy. I've been waiting for this moment. You won't live to see tomorrow!" Sasuke's laugh echoed through the room, sharp and quick.
"Let's see you try." Then they ran at each other.
I held onto Sasuke tightly, as he held his sword out alongside him, chakra flowing up and down the blade, slowly shifting, transforming. I widened my eyes, as the sound of chirping birds echoed through the room, Sasuke's answering smile taking sinister to a whole other level.
"Here we go."
A metallic clang reverberated from Fubuki's kunai and Sasuke's katana when they collided, lightning bolts flying everywhere as a result of Sasuke's wild chakra control. I braced myself, as Sasuke jumped up into the air, slamming his feet down onto Fubuki's arm, then kicking her in the face with a sharp foot jab before he back flipped off of her collarbone. His sword glowed in his right hand, so close to mine, Chidori roaring angrily. He still wasn't messing around. He was serious.
I closed my eyes and buried my face into Sasuke's back, not wanting to watch it. The small Uchiha fan crest on his collar rippled beside my right eye, staring me in the face. It was beautiful, a red and white uchiwa fan, the same fan that he always wore on his back. He was proud of it. He was proud of the good genes he carried. And yet, inside, he mourned. He was crying on the inside. I could feel it. And even now, as the clanging of metal against metal rang in my ears, the heat of the lightning bolts grazed my cheeks, I could hear him crying. I could hear his heart crying. He was in such staggering pain. What had happened to him before he got here? How did he get here? When did he get here? And why did he not tell me anything?
"Not bad, Fubuki. You managed to dodge my unblockable Chidori blade. Not bad at all." My eyes opened, as Sasuke was flying backwards through the air, frozen needles slicing through the air around us as his sword flashed out in front of us, deflecting the projectiles with ease.
Fubuki bit her bottom lip in anger. She was hoping this would be over quickly. She was disappointed by the fact that Sasuke was strong. He was stronger than she'd expected. Far stronger. I couldn't blame her. But I was certain that wasn't done with the two of us yet. Knowing him, he probably had more incredible techniques to show us. And use against her. He wasn't playing around.
"Sakura. I'm going to charge her. Head on. I need you to do something." I widened my eyes when he landed on the side of the wall, and pushed off, front flipping through the air as he deflected more projectiles.
"What is it?" I asked, my pink hair blowing against my temples, my green eyes level. I had to help. Sasuke landed on the ground, starting to run forward, pulling his right hand back, and handing his sword to me.
"Hold this for me." I grabbed it, and clutched the handle tightly as Sasuke grabbed his left arm in his right hand, lightning erupting around his left hand, bursting from his palm, the distinctive noise of chirping birds alerting me to his plan. I didn't need to say it. He was way ahead of me.
"CHIDORI! ONE THOUSAND BIRDS!" He dragged his left hand along the ground, the earth denting in behind us in a giant trench, easily as wide as Sasuke himself, the raw power of the chakra in his left hand astonishing. I gripped the sword tightly in my right hand, bracing myself. Fubuki planted her feet, weaving her hands through hand signs as Sasuke advanced, Chidori spitting blue light from his left palm.
"Sakura, when I give you the signal, I want you to jump, got it? I'll keep her busy!" I shook my head in disbelief. He couldn't possibly be thinking of dying here and now, could he?
"I won't leave you alone! We're in this together, understand?" I shot back, shifting my legs so that I could jump. Sasuke's head dropped, a smirk curling the right side of his lips up.
"Stubborn as always. I knew you were going to say that." I smiled. He knew me so well. He didn't even have to try to guess to figure out my next move. He really did love me. I guess.
"You bet! But, I'll do it. I'm ready." I replied as Sasuke's head lifted up, his eyes widening for a split second as he wove through the onslaught of needles that came at us in a barrage.
She was trying to protect herself. Not working to well, because Sasuke just plowed through the needles with hardly any effort. Chidori's bright blue light flashed across her green eyes like fire, as Sasuke's speed heightened, each footstep taking little more than a millisecond to finish, his strides so fast, I could barely see them. He was faster than before.
"TAKE THIS!" He lifted his left hand from the ground, and pulled his left hand backwards, running with his back straight as he reared backwards, his Sharingan eyes glowing menacingly. I tightened my muscles, ready to spring.
"CHIDORI!" He flung his hand forward, the lightning streaming forward, the roaring menace in his palm slamming into Fubuki's chest which she shielded with her crossed arms, her jutsu too late to protect her whole body, since it stopped at her calves, the ice crackling the moment Sasuke's Chidori hit her.
Sasuke shoved his Chidori into her, sending her flying through the air, toward the far wall. She quickly recovered, sliding back across the ground, then starting to run back toward us, holding her bloody chest with one hand, and gripping a kunai with the other. But Sasuke was ready for this.
"Sakura!" I slid my knees up onto his upper back, Sasuke bending over as I brought my feet up, gently, lightly resting the soles of my shoes on his shoulder blades.
"Right!" I pushed off, flying toward Fubuki's gripping the katana with both hands, my pink hair blowing around my face.
I felt like Erza Scarlet. The strength that flew through me, it was uncontained. It felt raw, like adrenaline. I believed in myself. I was protecting someone I loved. I was protecting the people I loved. I was going to end it all. I was going to find Megumi, and destroy her. Like Erza did to Jellal. Or rather, what Natsu did to Jellal. Inside, I smiled. I decided to play it like Erza.
"CHHHAAAAA!" I sliced the katana across her gut, blood spilling into the air as the force of my slice sent her flying backwards.
She crashed to the floor a few feet away from where my feet touched ground, my face dark as I walked toward her, Fubuki holding her bloody front side as her left eye closed against the pain that was burning in her eyes. She lifted her right hand into the air to fight me off, but I grabbed it, and knelt down, both of my knees on either side of her body, Sasuke's katana's point centimeters away from her throat. Yes, I played it exactly like Erza. And it felt good.
Fear glowed in Fubuki's eyes, as I held the blade there, poised to kill, my pink hair blowing in the wind. I was unafraid. Sasuke's footsteps sounded from in front of me as he walked toward Fubuki and I, a slight smile on his face. I kept my eyes focused on Fubuki, my grip tightening on the handle of Sasuke's blade.
"How are you still alive?" I demanded, my green eyes still dark. I was pissed. She smirked.
"Like I'm going to tell you, Konoha scum." I inched the blade closer toward her throat.
"Even when your death is two seconds away?" I asked, tightening my grip on her right arm. Sasuke stopped in front of us, his Sharingan eyes solemn.
"Fubuki. I repeat Sakura's question. How are you still alive?" Fubuki's eyes flashed with fear, and she smirked again.
"I was revived." I widened my eyes, surprised. Sasuke's Sharingan eyes narrowed, the red irises menacing.
"By whom?" I demanded, leaning closer, the sword shaking in my hand. Fubuki coughed up blood, her forest green eyes flashing with amusement.
"Wouldn't you like to know? I guess I'll tell you. Yakushi Kabuto and the snake man Orochimaru. As well as that blinded guy with the white tape over his right eye." I jerked my head back, my pink hair sliding past my temples. Danzo? She had to be kidding.
"Did the Mizukage hire you?" Sasuke asked, kneeling down, his face emotionless. I tightened my grip on the sword. If she made one misstep…
"She couldn't hire us even if she wanted to." My eyes narrowed.
"Us?" I repeated, expectant. Sasuke and I's heads slid toward each other as we glared at Fubuki, anxious for an answer. She laughed once.
"You didn't hear? Kirigakure's in debt. They owe the other villages a lot of money, especially Konohagakure. The Mizukage wanted to destroy the richest village, which would be either Sunagakure or Konohagakure, but she also wanted to punish Konohagakure for not helping Kirigakure out of debt." Sasuke's lip curled up, showing his gritted teeth as he snorted and turned away. My jaw locked.
"So, she thought it would be okay to assassinate Lady Tsunade so that she didn't owe Konoha either." I mused. Fubuki nodded, the light in her eyes diming. Her time was almost up.
"Nadre, Mizore, and I were ordered by our village of Yukigakure's leader to assist her in her efforts, because we owed Konoha a lot of money as well. Not nearly as much as Kiri, but still. We were supposed to help out the small amount of shinobi she had to assassinate Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure. However, my part of the mission has failed. In other words, I'll leave the rest to Samidare Megumi." My snarl escaped through my gritted teeth and locked jaw. Fubuki's head dropped to the ground as the light completely faded from her eyes, dead.
I moved the sword away from Fubuki's throat, letting it drop to the floor with a metal clang, as my palms flattened themselves on the floor, holding me above Fubuki's dead body. My body shook, as angry tears fell from my face, landing on Fubuki's cheeks. I wasn't crying for her death. I wasn't crying for my depraved actions or future actions. I was crying because I was pissed.
Sasuke shifted, looking at my tensed fingers, my tears, my angry scowl, my clenched teeth that were digging into the corner of my bottom lip. This had to stop. These horrible acts of depravity had to stop. Megumi had to die. She had to die in a hole, and rot for some time. No, she needed to burn.
I lifted my head, and turned, my green eyes burning from the tears, my hands and arms shaking violently. His eyes widened for a split second at my shattered appearance, and he looked back at me, his Sharingan eyes gentle. The wind started to blow, ruffling my hair tenderly, as I looked back at Sasuke, the two of us staring at each other. After a few minutes, I looked over at the fallen sword, and lifted it up off the ground, moving it toward Sasuke.
"Take your sword, and go. I'll finish this." He widened his eyes for split second, and took a hold of my hand that was gripping the sword shakily.
"Don't die." I nodded, sliding forward, my other hand resting on his cheek as my bangs mixed with his, our foreheads barely touching.
"Sasuke…Thank you..." I murmured, closing my eyes. Sasuke sighed a long, drawn out sigh, enjoying my presence, or entranced by it.
"Please…Don't die." I smiled, my eyebrows twitching as tears began to slide out from under my eyelashes.
"I'll come back to you. I promise." Sasuke's arms wrapped around me, his chin resting on my shoulder as I smiled, holding him gently.
"I'll meet up with you, Naruto, and Kakashi-sensei after I've ended it, okay?" Sasuke nodded, pulling backwards, looking me straight in the eyes.
He was hurting. I could see it plain as day. Deep in those irises, he was in unimaginable pain. And I was causing all of the suffering he was enduring right now. He was in pain because of me. This realization struck a chord, shaking my resolve. I couldn't leave him like this. I had to comfort him. Convince him I was coming back. And the only way to do that is…
His hands lifted up, the brown palm guards rubbing against the sides of my face, his fingers resting on my ears as he pulled my face toward his, Sasuke leaning forward to close the distance faster. I took a deep breath, and my eyes fluttered closed. When his lips met mine, my blood exploded in my veins.
I didn't understand what was up with this sudden explosion. Maybe I needed convincing too. I wrapped my arms around his neck and knotted my fingers in his hair, holding his lips against mine. He wasn't going anywhere in a hurry. My lips parted, as my eyes opened, then closed, Sasuke's forehead against mine.
Our lips parted and moved against each other, our breathing coming in ragged gasps, his grip on me tightening as my grip on him intensified, my body sliding forward as if it had a will of its own. I knew he was wounded. I knew he was in need of light. I knew he needed someone to count on. But I was there. I knew I wasn't exactly reliable, but I would come back to him, even if I had to crawl.
"You have…To go…Sakura…" Sasuke panted when he pulled back, my hands dangling down over his shoulders, his hands around my waist. I nodded, panting as well.
"I know. I'll see you soon." I replied, standing up along with him, our hands woven together. He smiled slightly, his smug smirk glowing on his red face, his Sharingan eyes glowing.
"I know you will. I-" I put two fingers on his lips to stop him, kissing his flaming forehead.
"I do too." I answered, taking a few steps backwards.
"And when I come back, I'm going to kick your butt with those boots I cobbled up, got it?" I replied, flashing him a bright smile from over my shoulder, my head tilted, my eyes closing. Sasuke's form becoming rigid.
"WHAT?" I opened my eyes, and smiled brighter. He started shaking in fear.
"You never told me anything, idiot. You never told me how or why you came here. You never let me know who you were, even though I pretty guessed that it was you right from the start. WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU TRYING TO DO? MAKE ME WORRY MYSELF TO DEATH?" I screamed, punching him across the face, sending him flying, his sword in hand. I flung my right fist back to my side, as I often did, my scowl furious.
"I'll deal with you after I defeat Megumi. I owe you a butt kicking, Uchiha Sasuke. Just you wait." I turned around, and took off, running down the hallway, my elbows lifting up.
I couldn't stop running. I had to keep running. I had to end it all. I swerved around the corner, jumping up into the air to doge the fighting ninja, landing on an Iwagakure ninja's shoulders, and pushing off with one foot when he crashed to the floor, continuing to run.
Plip. I looked up, watching water droplets fall from the ceiling, the balcony to my right. Megumi was around here somewhere. I just had to follow the water. I turned corners, jumped over fighting ninja, taking out the ones that were in my path as easily as I would Naruto or Sasuke, and continued.
The hallways began to empty, except the water flow got heavier and heavier, making it impossible for me to stop dead in my tracks whenever I made a wrong turn. But thankfully, I only made two wrong turns. I came out of a blind turn, and slid to a stop, the dimly lit hallway red in color.
Blood was everywhere. Iced over, frosted, frozen. Blood was all over the place, splattered on the walls, dripping from the ceiling, layered on the floor. It was a massacre. A full scale scene of murder. I took a few steps, the blood layering itself on the bottoms of my shoes, as I walked through the hallway, the unbearable tinny stench making my nose wrinkle. Only one person was responsible. Samidare Megumi.
"S-Sakura…" I turned my head, as my left foot bumped into something, something metal.
I looked down, the familiar black metal frame of Temari's fan lying at my feet, completely sliced in half, the edges of the sliced pieces red and steaming from the blood that attached itself to them. I looked up, and saw a bloody hand lying limp at a person's side, tattered clothes, legs laced with scratches and cuts. Familiar blonde, unruly hair glittered in the light despite its currently matted form, and my breath caught.
"T-Temari…Who did this to you?" I demanded, going down on one knee in front of her. She lifted her face, her dark green eyes weak and full of pain.
"I knew you'd come…So did Kankuro…" I looked over to my right, seeing shattered brown pieces of clay-like material, which I knew to be parts of his puppets. Blood was painted onto the edges of the pieces, as if he had put up a fight with the Secret Black Move Iron Maiden technique.
I crawled toward Kankuro's unconscious form, ignoring the running ruby water that touched my knees and stained my gloves, my eyes throbbing in horror at his seemingly dead form. He was in worse shape than Temari. His arm looked broken, judging by the awkward angle it was lying in, and his ribs subtlety poked out from his shirt, barely able to be seen in this dim scarlet light.
I lifted my hands and pulled off my gloves with my teeth, weaving my hands through hand signs. I had to heal them. For Gaara's sake. If he saw them like this, he'd surely break. I had to help them. They were dying right in front of me, all because of that spawn of the devil Megumi. My green eyes narrowed as the green fire lit up around my hands, both of my hands glowing.
"S-Sakura…Don't waste…Your chakra on us…" I turned to Temari, who had managed to lift her dripping hand to hold her bleeding stomach. I shook my head, fighting back tears.
"I'm not wasting anything! You're my comrades! I will save you!" I replied, closing my eyes and raising my voice as my pitch flew up a few octaves, tears flying off of my face.
So much bloodshed, all because of one girl. She was going to pay for this. She was going to pay for all of the suffering and agony she had caused. She was going to be dragged to the edges of hell and left there to burn in a flaming ditch, with the rest of the bastards who caused this. Everyone who had done wrong in this world was going to join her. In that little place called hell.
"Sakura…Heal Temari…" I turned my head to my right, tears falling to the bloodied floor.
"Kankuro!" He managed to smile up at me, despite his staggering injuries.
"Who else?" I blinked back tears, and closed my eyes, shaking. I had to heal them. They meant as much to Gaara as Sasuke and Naruto meant to me. If I could keep their bond alive, then I would do it without hesitation. Even if I died in the attempt.
"Sakura, listen to me. We'll be fine. Don't waste your chakra healing Temari and I. We'll be alright. Finish off Megumi. I managed to slow her down a little before I went down." He ordered, his voice firm. I let my mouth drop open, the bright green glow of the fire glowing in my eyes.
I couldn't disobey. He was a jonin, therefore able to tell me where to go and what to do. I was expected to follow without question. I couldn't refuse his orders, or resist the firmness in his voice. I had to go. But I didn't want to. I didn't want to leave them like this. Isn't that why I learned medical ninjutsu, so that I could protect those closest to me?
"I won't leave you, Temari, Kankuro!" I shook my head fiercely, openly sobbing now, as my Mystical Palm technique began to fade, Kankuro flicking his fingers. He was using the Puppet Master jutsu on me. Figures.
"You have to. We'll be alright, okay?" Temari soothed, smiling at me out of closed eyes. Her eyes were glued shut by what looked like dried blood. She looked horrible.
I nodded, as Kankuro's fingers continued flicking, weaving around each other, making me stand up. I struggled to resist, but it was futile. I stood up straight, blood dripping from my knees, my gloves that I held in my right hand. I would pay her back for them. My head dropped, as tears fell to the floor.
"Kankuro, Temari. Let me ask this of you." They looked up at me, expectant. I took a deep breath, biting back on my tongue, my head jerking backwards slightly as I slid my gloves onto my hands, tightening them.
"Don't you dare die. Stay alive. If not for me, for Gaara. He needs you two in order to be who he is. He won't be able to live without you. Stay strong. I'll finish this for you." I replied, my voice strong as I lifted my head, my green eyes dark. Kankuro and Temari smiled in unison.
"You got it." Temari answered, nodding once. Kankuro followed suit, his eyes bright.
"Kick her ass." I smiled bitterly, my lip curling up into a sinister smirk.
"She's had it coming for a long time now, Kankuro. I won't be holding back. Especially not after this." I replied, nodding my head once. Kankuro smirked, then swung his hands across the air, sending me flying down the hall at a faster speed than I normally would.
I felt the Puppet Master jutsu release once I was far enough away from them to not turn back, and I kept going at the pace he set for me, adrenaline flowing through my veins. I was going to end it, for Sasuke, Naruto, Gaara, Lady Tsunade, Temari, Kankuro. Everyone I held dear to me. She was finally going to die.
My feet splashed through water, and I kept myself alert, waiting for doors to begin appearing. I swerved around a right hand turn, my eyes focusing on a structure in the distance. Metal hinges, gleaming handles. It was a door, with water leaking out of the sides of it. I narrowed my eyes. It hadn't taken me long at all.
I balled my right hand up, blue fire weaving together around my fist, as I focused my angry chakra into my tensed hand, Cherry Blossom Impact. I was going to break down that door. I didn't care how much water was behind that door. It was the only thing standing in my way of sending Megumi to hell.
"CHHHAAAAA!" I flung my fist forward, rocks flying from the wall as door slid forward on its hinges, the wall breaking apart as my fist met the metal door, water beginning to flow through the cracks, washing the rocks away.
I focused my eyes on the giant wave that was coming toward me, and I smirked. Too easy. I pushed off, and landed on the top of the wave with one foot, focusing chakra into the sole of my shoe, and front flipped as I pushed off, my hands up over my head as I came out of my flip, then surging down toward the holster strapped to my right thigh, my right hand pulling out the kunai as the water surged out of the room.
I turned when I heard crackling behind me, ice freezing the hole shut, trapping me in the room. I gritted my teeth. This was going to be an interesting fight. She had the advantage with all of this water on the floor. It had to be about eight feet deep at the most, four feet deep at the least. She had a ton of water in here.
"So you finally decided to show up, eh, Sakura!" I turned my head forward, Megumi's brown eyes glowing as she flew up toward me, her kunai drawn. I narrowed my eyes.
"You missed me?" I asked, as our kunai met with a metallic clang. She shook her head.
"Not a chance." I smirked callously.
"Figures."