A/N: hey everyone OMG this chapter was hard to write but I did it none the less. Hope you all like it! Oh and I really stink at fight scenes so this probably won't be the best but whatever lol


Chapter 28 – Lady Sakura

The tension was thick in the air. The wind blew softly, almost afraid of breaking the silence that fell over the opposing forces. Sakura narrowed her eyes while tightening her hold on the weapon in her hand.

"So it seems that you have finally come out to play." Ryuichi smirked. He was inwardly surprised to see the once doubtful Kunoichi appear in front of him with an air of confidence and determination. Her eyes that were once felled with doubt now held power. He found his gaze fall down to the weapon in her hand. "Oh and I see that you have brought your own toy." Was this the weapon that his master had told him about? 'Madoka….'

The other girls watched in awe at how quick Sakura had appeared before them. "Wow….." Tenten said in complete shock. "What's gotten into Sakura?"

"It is the power of the First Kunoichi, Lady Haruki." Ken said as he stood next to his master. "Sakura has obtained the power of Lady Haruki, the warrior hidden with the Cherry Blossoms. She has now become the true leader of the Kunoichi Warriors."

"I thought we decided on calling it the Deadly Kunoichi 5?" Ino interjected.

"That's not the point!" Sierra roared. "Insolent child….." Ino frowned and faced the boar, about to begin her verbal attack when Temari pulled her away.

"Shut it and watch." She merely said and faced the two warriors on the field. Temari could clearly see a change in Sakura. Gone was the air of self-doubt and fear and instead was replaced by determination and pride. But was this all a front? Was she really ready to fight Ryuichi? Temari's grip on her fan tightened. If things got to messy….

"Well are you ready to fight or not?!" Ryuichi rushed at the Kunoichi, who remained still in her place.

Sakura glanced at Ryuichi before slowly closing her eyes. Time started to slow down as Ryuichi step closer. Sakura could feel the power flowing through her veins. She could hear the voice of the weapon she held in her hand roaring, shouting to cleanse the air of the darkness that tainted its once pure essence. The voice was growing louder; the power was craving to be free. Taking a deep breath, she whispered the swords name into the air. "Madoka….." And just as she said her name and just as Ryuichi was about to strike, a bright pulse of pink energy surrounded Sakura and repealed Ryuichi's attack, throwing him back to the other side of the field. Everyone watched in awe as Sakura's once emerald eyes were now a bright pink, staring confidently at Ryuichi's slowly raising form. Ryuichi and Sakura charged at each other, their weapons clashing hard at each other. Sakura jumped back and shot a blast of energy towards the dark servant, slamming into him hard. Ryuichi staggered for a moment before he charged again. Sakura flipped over him and tried to slice at him, only for him to jump behind her. Kimi saw this and channeled energy into herself before shooting a web of acid at him.

"What?!" Ryuichi moved away just as it almost hit him.

"Hn." Sakura slammed her blade to the ground and watched as a pink wave of energy through him back to the ground.

"What the hell was that?!" Ryuichi growled. He however wasted no time and charged at the Kunoichi again, only for her to block his attack with her blade. He jumped back and shot balls of dark energy towards her and smirked seeing them close to impacting her body. Unfortunately for him with this new power came new enhanced speed, which allowed her to skillfully dodge his attack before appearing in front of him with her blade at his neck. Ryuichi quickly disappeared then reappeared across from her. 'So she has some new tricks, big deal.' He thought to himself. "You are still nothing but a weak Kunoichi, remember that!" He was not about to lose again, he was not about to come back as a failure. He was above them, stronger than them. He narrowed his eyes at her as he let the darkness seek in and allowed to taint his already tainted heart. "No….You will not win!" He jumped off his feet and rushed at the pink warrior. He continued to slash and clash at her, trying to land at least one hit. He stopped and stared at the surrounding Avdimi and snarled. "What the hell are you idiots doing?! Attack!" The Avdimi howled and roared as they rushed towards Sakura.

"Hey that's cheating!" Ino jumped in front of an Avdimi and kicked it away. "No help!"

"For once I agree with you!" Tenten pulled out a mace like object from a scroll she laid on the group before swinging around her and the other girls, taking out a large amount of rushing enemies.

Sakura took one glance at her friends then returning to facing Ryuichi. 'They can take care of themselves….' She assured herself. With Kimi attached to her shoulder, she rushed at Ryuichi with full speed. She was not about to let him win.

DEADLY KUNOICHI 5

"…!" A figure stopped and stared off into the distance, the ocean's waves gently grazing at his feet. 'What was that….that burst of power…?' The hooded figure thought to himself. It was strange….it had felt familiar yet….foreign. But there was one thing for sure, it was strong. A deadly yet comforting warmth started to fill the beach air.

"You know you shouldn't think about things that do not concern you." The hooded figure turned around quickly and stared straight at another but much taller figure.

"Who are you?" He said in a cool tone.

"No one that should concern you." The stranger had a deep voice. "But I am merely suggesting that whatever you are thinking about now…..to stop."

"And what would you know about what I'm thinking."

A chuckle was heard from the stranger. "Probably nothing…or probably everything." He stepped back and turned around with his back facing the hooded man. "But once again I warn you." He said before walking away into the distance, fading away into the air. The figure narrowed his eyes then gazed back at the horizon. Who was that man and what was he warning him about? Why did he feel a strange light radiating from him, burning him? Normally he would have ignored that man's words and do what he wanted to do but this time felt different. He felt a strange urge to listen to what the man said to him and not carrying on his thoughts about what he felt. 'It really doesn't concern me….' But if that's true then why does he feel that it does. That whatever that feeling came from, whatever that power was was calling to him, pulling him in.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Another hooded figure appeared behind him. "You do realize that we are on a mission, right?" He chuckled. The hooded figure refused to answer and just simply starting walking ahead.

"Whatever…."

"You sure are a strange one, aren't you…Sasuke…." Suddenly a cool breeze flew in past him, pushing off the hood and revealing cold black eyes.

DEADLY KUNOICHI 5

"WIND STYLE: HURRICANE GUST!" Temari swung her fan and smirked as she sent a powerful gust of wind at the surrounding enemy. It seemed like no matter how many they take out they just keep coming! She could already feel the fatigue that comes from lack of chakra. She knew that this was somehow their plan, get them at their weakest then finish it off. She frowned. 'Damn it….' Looking over at the others she could tell that they were on the edge too. The tired look in their eyes, the slightly off balance fighting positions, she knows this all too well. She slowly stood back up and turned back to face Sakura, who was still clashing with the ex-Hyuga. 'Come on Sakura….you need to beat him….'

Sakura jumped back then quickly dodged a swing of Ryuichi's blade before knocking him on his back and jumping into the air. She pushed her hand out and shot a ball of energy towards Ryuichi who barely dodged the move. Ryuichi could tell that he was starting to lose this match and growled before smirking. 'Hitoshi…..'

"HITOSHI GET DOWN HERE!" He shouted up at the sky and waited for his brother to appear before him. It took only a moment for him to appear next to him and facing Sakura. Sakura wasted no time and got into her defense pose. Hitoshi honestly had no drive to fight her; he did not see the reason. He was not as tainted in the darkness as his brother; he did not have the blood lust. But he could not let his brother know that, he could risk his or his brother's lives so easily. Hitoshi sighed before summoning his own blade and charging at the Kunoichi. He was however pushed away by a force, knocking off his feet. He slowly looked up and saw Hinata with her Byakugan staring fiercely at him.

"You…will not hurt Sakura!" She rushed at him and thrust her palm to his chest, sending him further away. "I'll handle him, continue your fight!" Sakura nodded towards Hinata before facing Ryuichi.

"Damn it….." He muttered. Of course Hinata would find a way to annoy him more than she already did. "No matter I'll just have to finish you myself!" He rushed at her again, this time his body was leaking with darkness. Sakura couldn't help but feel pity for him. He allowed darkness to fully grasp his soul, he allowed it to win. He was so deep in it that he could no longer see anything but rage. His hate for them, for how his life turned out, pushed him into it, seducing him with power…..Sakura could not see it before but now…she knew he was hurting inside. 'He reminds me of…..' She shook her head and quickly dodged another attack from Ryuichi. She stabbed her blade into the ground and channeled its energy into her palms.

"ANGELIC WAVE!" She shouted and slammed her hands on the ground, sending a wave of energy towards her enemy. Ryuichi roared as the attack hit him hard but still stood up.

"Damn you, damn you!" He cried out. Sakura stood back up and narrowed her eyes at him before placing her weapon away. "What are you-?"

"It's time we fight as Shinobi." She cracked her knuckles. She felt it, the power within her. It was growing each time she clashed with him, it was amazing, powerful but….so much. She feared it. She couldn't handle that much power at once, she wasn't ready.

"Shinobi….." He growled. "Fine!" He threw his weapon away and rushed at her. Sakura pulled back her fist then smashed it onto the ground, creating a large crater and Knocking Ryuichi into the air. Ryuichi skillfully flipped in mid-air before putting his hands together. "DARK DRAGON!" He called out as a dragon made of pure darkness rose from the ground and sped to Sakura. Thinking quickly, Sakura slammed her heel on the ground, bringing up a wall of earth from beneath her and shielding her from the attack. She then threw her fist to the wall, shooting said wall at Ryuichi. Ryuichi growled then before slicing through the wall and rushing at Sakura. Sakura gasped as he landed a hit on her and sent her rolling on the ground. Kimi held onto her master before sending chakra to heal her bruised cheek. Sakura let out a breath before getting back on her feet.

"That the best you got?" She smirked as Ryuichi sent a deadly glare towards her. He clapped his hands together once again and called out his dark dragon. Sakura frowned and rushed through the dragon, her light burning it and causing it to fade away before landing a punch in Ryuichi's stomach. As he crouched down she threw another punch up towards his jaw, throwing him in the air. Sakura glanced at Kimi who nodded then started unloading more energy. "EARTH STYLE: METEOR!" Sakura roared as she grabbed the ground from beneath her and threw it high into the air. She then jumped up and punched the thing towards Ryuichi smashing right at him. Ryuichi cried out and fell onto the ground. 'No….I'm not going to-.' He stood up slowly and faced Sakura.

"I-I'm not going to….I'm not going to lose to you!" He raced at her with his hands clouded in darkness. "DIE!"

"Ryuichi…."Ryuichi stopped in his tracks frowned.

"No not now!" HE tried to move but found that his body would not allow it.

"You have failed, return to me at once."

"No I can still beat her I-."

"DO NOT QUESTION MY ORDERS!"Ryuichi bit his lip and stared at Sakura.

"This battle will continue you….trust me….." He said before he and all the other enemies started to fade into darkness. Sakura was about to say something when her body started to give out on her. She sighed and let her now tired body hit the ground.

DEADLY KUNOICHI 5

Hinata jumped back as Hitoshi tried to land a hit. This was strange, this fight between them. He was not putting his all in it. When he hit her she did not feel any hate or rage but….guilt. They had been at it for a while yet neither was tired or badly beaten.

"Hitoshi…" She stepped back.

"Lady Hinata…." He said in a voice covered in guilt and slight pain. Hinata saw it, something that she could no longer find on Ryuichi. She saw…. "It is time for me to leave…" He turned his back and started to walk away.

"W-Wait I-."

"Lady Hinata…." He said once again. "I am….sorry." He said right before he faded into the darkness of the forest. Hinata stood there in shock, completely unaware of even Makena who watched the fight from above seeing that Hinata needed no help. But what was that boy thinking fighting in such a way. He did not put any effort in it or rage. He simply fought….then he had told her sorry, something that no henchmen of Ahriman would ever say to anyone. Something was up with him.

"Lady Hinata?" Hinata shook her head and glanced at her bird friend. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, come let's hurry to the others." She said before quickly running through the trees back towards her friends, the events of a mere moment ago still playing in her head.

DEADLY KUNOICHI 5

"Sakura!" Ino rushed over to the unconscious Leader. "Sakura wake up!" she gently shook Sakura, causing her to stir.

"…." Sakura's once pink illuminating eyes were now back to their emerald green shade from before. "W-What?"

"Sakura you were amazing!" Tenten smiled. "You kicked his ass!"

"You sure showed him, the bastard." Ino smirked. Sakura glanced at all the people surrounding her before her gaze landed on Kimi. Slowly sitting back up, she took Kimi in her arms.

"Are you okay?" Kimi nodded slowly.

"Yes Milady, It has been a while since the last time I did that." She giggled. "But I will be used to it in a matter of days." Sakura gave her a soft smile.

"S-Sakura!" They all turned to see Hinata running towards them. "A-Are you okay?" Sakura nodded, causing Hinata to let out a sigh of relief then looked around. "Where's Ryuichi and-."

"He ran like a little bitch!" Ino chuckled. Hinata truly wished that Ino would control her language sometimes.

"Oh…." Sakura noticed how Hinata looked away and sighed.

"Damn it Ino control your language!" Ino finally noticed Hinata's face and giggled nervously.

"S-Sorry Hinata." Hinata giggled and nodded.

"Oh i-it's quite alright really." She poked her fingers together. The group of teens jumped hearing loud cheering coming from behind then and turned to see the inhabitants of the island cheering on and waving in glee. Lady Chiharu was smiling in the middle.

"Lady Sakura that was amazing!" She bowed. "You truly are the reincarnation of the Great Kunoichi Haruki." Once again Sakura felt uncomfortable at the respect that she was now receiving. Sakura however held back her blush and bowed as well.

DEADLY KUNOICHI 5

"So….it is true then?" A dark figure hidden within the shadows of the room said.

"Yes my Lord, the Kunoichi Warriors of Legend have indeed returned. Reports and rumors have been spreading around quite quickly." A chuckle was heard within the darkness.

"I must say that this is quite interesting, to be in such a time as this." The figure tapped his finger slowly on the arm rest of his chair like throne.

"What do you wish to be done my Lord?"

There was silence for a moment before he decided to speak once again. "Hmmm the Kunoichi returning only means that Ahriman is staring to awaken, something that I am personally not looking forward to…." He sighed. "Kabuto, go and retrieve Sasuke, I have a mission for him."

"As you wish….Lord Orochimaru." He smirked as his glasses reflected in the darkness.

DEADLY KUNOICHI 5

Sakura could not stop staring at the blade in her hand, at how the power of such a weapon radiated between her fingers. It was about mid-night and she still couldn't sleep, the excitement of today still planted in her head. She continued to replay the moments, every detail embedded in her mind. Now really Sakura should be the first one past out, especially since they were to depart for the next weapon in the morning, but she couldn't for some reason find it in her to rest.

"Can't sleep either huh?" Sakura jumped and turned to see Ino smiling behind her.

"Ino….You should be asleep."

Ino shook her head. "Please, how is someone supposed to sleep when Bacon meat is snoring up a storm?" Ino giggled. "Besides you shouldn't be the one that's talking." Sakura sighed and nodded. Ino walked next to her friend and smiled. "You really showed Ryuichi today. I would have personally handled the matter a lot more graceful but we all can't be as skilled as me." Ino smirked and waited for Sakura to give back a response but was surprised when she heard none. "Sakura…?"

"I feel it Ino…." Sakura finally spoke. "I feel the power of Lady Haruki."

"Well you are her reincarnation I mean shouldn't you?"

"Yeah but…It was just so much I….I didn't know how to control it." Ino now understood what was on her friends mind.

"Are you scared of it?" Sakura looked at her friend with her mouth ready to say something but couldn't, because Ino was right. She has personally seen what power, or the promise of power, could do to a person…what it could cause the person to do. She no longer had worries on whether she was ready for this task but now….she worried if the task would change her in the end. Would she want more after this, would she become hungry for more of the feeling that she felt back at that battle between her and Ryuichi? "Geez Sakura one minute you're nervous about destiny and the next you're worried about power, you really need to learn how to go with the flow."

"We can't all be like you." Sakura muttered. "We can't all just go with the flow and be cool about everything like you!" Ino was not upset about Sakura's outburst; in fact she had expected it. For years Sakura has bottled up her emotions and kept most of her thoughts and worries to herself. Ino has defiantly seen a changed in her since she had become a ninja but she still ha d a long way to go. Ino also knew why Sakura would be afraid of power. Because of power Sasuke had left the village and basically betrayed Konoha. Anyone who was close to someone like that would fear of becoming just as them.

"Sakura…." Ino touched her shoulder. "I know, well I don't know, but I….." Ino looked down. "You aren't Sasuke…." She spoke softly. "Sasuke had some issues Sakura and I know you don't like to hear that but it's true. Sasuke left because he thought that he wasn't strong enough, because he wasn't strong enough to handle power or the hunger for it. You….you are." Ino looked back up at her. "Sakura I know that you just started to become comfortable with your new role in the world but you also have to know that you shouldn't be afraid of what you are or what you are meant to have. You're a strong girl and I and everyone here knows you have the power to control and use this new power. Don't let one person blind you from that." She smiled. "It's time you started blossoming Sakura."

Sakura stared at her friend with tearful eyes. Ino's words touched her more than Ino would ever know. Ever since she has known of her destiny she has been afraid. Afraid if she was ready, afraid if they would win, afraid of what she would become. But she needed to stop being afraid and take everything head on, she needed to blossom just as Ino had said. "Ino…thanks…." Sakura couldn't help but remember the story that Haruki had told her long ago. How Alexandra comforted her….

"No problem Sakura!" Ino gave her a tight hug. "Just know that you aren't alone in this, so there is no need to be afraid." Sakura nodded. "Now come on, let's get some sleep before we end up as cranky as Lady Tsunade without Sake in her hand." Sakura giggled and nodded before following the Yamanaka back to their hut.

DEADLY KUNOICHI 5

"Do you have everything you need?" Sakura smiled and nodded at the beautiful woman before her. Today was the day that they leave in search for the second Kunoichi warrior's weapon. Of course Lady Chiharu would not allow them to simply leave without gifts, which consisted of food, water, and other supplies that they might need during their travels. Thankfully Tenten was well skilled in sealing objects in scrolls.

"Thank you so much for everything." Tenten bowed.

"Oh no Lady Tenten, thank you all for finally freeing us from this island." This caught them all by surprise.

"What do you mean?" Sakura asked.

"Well now that our duty has been complete, we can now finally travel around the world just as we had wished, well mostly me."

"W-Won't you miss the island?" Hinata asked softly.

"Oh we will return, eventually. But we now must spread the news of the arrival of the Kunoichi Warriors." She smiled. "Besides, I can now see this Konoha that you had spoken and Suna as well." Sakura couldn't help but smile.

"So, I guess we shall see you soon." Lady Chiharu nodded.

"Oh most certainly Lady Kimi." She said. "But now you must go, you do have business to take care of." Makena flew above them and quickly changed her form. The Kunoichi quickly jumped onto her back and turned back to see the Cherry blossom dancers smiling and waving at them. "Till next time Kunoichi!" Lady Chiharu shouted. The girls waved goodbye before taking off into the sky, knowing in their hearts that they will see them again soon.

"Whoo! Next is me!" Ino shouted. "Where are we off too next?" Ino grinned. She couldn't help but be excited to finally get her weapon.

"Let's check the map!" Ino quickly grabbed the map from Temari, earning her a glare, and stare at the thing. Suddenly a path has shown in what appeared to be a city of some sort.

"I can't believe it…." Kimi muttered. "The ancient city of prosperity, known throughout the land as one of the most prosperous and large cities back in our time."

"Really?" Ino said in shock but couldn't help but smile. "Well when you're a Kunoichi like me-."

"Oh shut it!" Sierra roared, thus beginning their usual verbal battle. Temari sighed and grabbed the piece of paper.

"Hmm this place looks pretty far." Sakura nodded.

"We might need to make some of the trip on foot." Everyone nodded. "But for now let's just enjoy this one moment of peace." She said then looked over at Ino and Sierra. "Well mostly piece.


A/N: Yeah that's it for Sakura's adventure lol Now its Ino's turn! I want to thank all of you for reading and hope that you all enjoyed it! Till next time XD