Lee wasn't proud of himself for staying on the side. Didn't he promise to protect her? But now the proud cherry blossom was on the ground, bloodied form held by her hair.

Her teammates were on the floor behind her. He couldn't ascertain their state or their injury, but it seemed they were in this state for quite some time if the towel on their head was any indication.

When he first saw her, attacked by the sound nin, his instinct told him to interfere, to protect his crush. But the kunai held in trembling hand and weak trap made him pause. Tenten's words echoing in his head.

' How do you think a newly graduated genin like her got it? By hard work?'

He had thought so yes. It had been love at first sight. A lovely girl with an enormous sword on her back made quite a sight. Lee could blush at the strength needed by those seemingly frail arms to hold it. The Sakura from then held herself with strength and confidence that could rival Neji. Coming from someone so obviously civilian, Lee was charmed in an instant.

He and Tenten were civilian orphans. The Academy promised a suitable lifestyle and the faster exit off the orphanage, the stories promised greatness for everyone. Stories of hero with blond hair faster than the wind, of kunoichi with hair like roses. In those stories there wasn't any motion of clans, of bloodline. That was why they were stories.

Lee was an optimist and he believed in himself, it didn't mean he wasn't able to understand the difficulties he went through. Hardships determined by something out of his control. Nothing in their body made them suitable for combat, it was even more truth for him. Only their hard work and complete control over their own body made them go so far. Putting them in a team with Neji was another reminder of the natural chain of the shinobi world :

natural talent against hard work.

Their teamwork was still rocky and there was still a lot of distance between Neji and them, but Lee liked to believe that they respected each other. Or at least that Neji trusted in his abilities even a little. Even if bitter, he could respect the natural talent of the clan kids.

Then a saw Team 7.

The formation of a genius with two civilians was starkly familiar. Rookie of the year, a smart kunoichi and the dead last. It was like looking at a distorted reflection of themselves. So similar yet not.

A genius will the ability to copy everything that he saw.

A dead last with enough chakra to make hundreds of clowns.

A genin with a legendary weapon.

It seemed like a mockery, but Lee held off. What would he know about them?

But seeing Sakura held by her hair, the sword on her back too heavy, more a hindrance than anything else, he wondered if Tenten was right. It wasn't because their situation was similar that he should feel kindship.

He had his answer now. Readying his body, he prepared to intervene.

XxX

Blood splattered on the floor at the same time as the clicking sound of her fallen hitai-ate resonated around them.

Kin fell to the ground, her arms around her slashed abdomen.

Secure on her future death, Sakura locked eyes with her next target. Zaku ? She didn't remember. He seemed to be the leader, if she got rid of him the last one would retreat. Kubi warmly in her hand she run toward him, mind already on her next move.

Inner hadn't erupted any of her bombs, an open clearing too dangerous for her when she didn't want to use Kubi. This was proving to be a disadvantage right now as the pinkette was restrained in her movements.

Zaku readied his position. Hurl of wind was sent toward her.

However, Inner's action had created an image of her in their mind. So weak was she that they didn't even try to take her sword or kunai away. Her attack was more luck than anything else, 'Hey I tried okay ? This sword is light only for you' because of that she didn't think they would still take her seriously.

As she felt the vibrations of his attack, Sakura used her first substitution.

Appearing now on his opposite side, she substituted again a few second later when he tracked her movement.

Anticipating her now, he was quick to attack when she run head on against him. Another sound wave. She saw the exact moment his body relaxed as he understood her strategy, his head already in the air before she even substituted herself. 'Took him long enough ! This is the simplest strategy in the book !'

Substituting one last time, she appeared up in the air. Kubikiribocho high in the air, letting her body open enough for an attack. Sakura grinned as she saw the kunai rapidly approaching.

Two kunai encountered her body. She closed her eyes as pain exploded. She had been smart enough to change her position, so they rested in her undominant arm. But Kami did it hurt !

Kubi aura surrounding her calmed the shock of being hurt and Sakura prepared for impact.

Zaku was none the wiser, only realising her strategy as blood drops fell on him. Sakura could only see his eyes widen, his arms trying to protect himself as they made contact. It could have been good enough for a Kunai, but the sword sheltered itself easily. Blood splattered on her face and teeth, smile stretching her face.

The velocity of her fall, her strength, her and Kubi weight accumulated enough force for Kubi to go through the arm, enter the torso and embed itself deeply on the ground. Zaku's body blocked mid-air.

Her arms throbbed as she found herself hanging out from the handle of Kubikiribocho, her feet not touching the ground. Hanging in there, kunai embedded in her arms, pain in all her body, blade in front of her, empty eyes staring back in horror, Sakura let herself laugh. Kubi was pouring comfortably, she could sense it happiness and even Inner let out a little chuckle. 'We did it, we are alive.'

They were more than alive ! Head throw back she was sure she made a strange sight to the last so…

"SAKURA !"

Instinct moved her and the connection with Kubi cut sharply as her hand let go. Kunai uselessly in the ground where she was a few second before. The familiar melody resonnated in the back of her head.

Who dared ?

Larynx, spine, lungs,…

On the other side of the clearing was the last sound ninja. His single eye was wide open, at his feet was his fallen teammate. He must have tried to heal her while she was fighting Zaku. Looking at the pool of blood and the unmoving body, it must have failed. 'What do we do now ? He is looking right at us !"

Stress was creeping back into her body, the numerous injuries in her body taking its toll and without her sword it was hard to find the serenity needed to prepare a plan. 'What to you mean prepare ? You didn't know what you were going to do !?' She had hoped that he would run away but here he was, unmoving.

Unmoving ?

"Don't worry forehead! Shikamaru got him !"

'Ino-pig ?'

Collarbone, kidney and heart.

Forcing the headache down, Sakura followed the nin shadow until finding the silhouette of the Nara. Letting the tension leave her body, she tried to assess the new situation. Her teammates were still unconscious, Ino and her team were here helping her and the last guy was obviously angry. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Shikamaru trembling, some sweat glistening down his neck. That technique was obviously temporary.

'Sakura, I don't think it's a good idea.'

They were running out of time; her arm was almost useless, and she wasn't strong enough to handle Kubi with one single hand in this state. To be quite honest team 10 didn't seem like a strong bunch either, she could see Choji shaking from here.

Liver, jugular vein, collarbone,…

"Sakura ? Are you okay ?" Ino's voice was worried, not that Sakura could fault her for it. She was in quite a state.

Not answering, the pinkette took out the kunai in her arm letting out a grimace.

"You shouldn't do this, Sakura."

'You know she is right.' Maybe but with the kunai in her, her aim will be off. 'aim ?'

Sakura ruffled trough her pouch.

Spine, lungs, liver, jugular vein, collarbone, kidney and heart.

"I got some bandages if you want some."

Still no answer. Ino gulped. It wasn't that she was afraid of Forehead, of course. She was just being cautious if there was another enemy somewhere. The blood dripping from her hair or the memories of her laugh didn't have any impact on her. This time Ino took a hesitating step forward.

"Ino !' warned Shikamaru.

A kunai razed her cheek meeting the Oto nin in the neck.

He fell down.

The blond turned her blue orbs to her … friend? A little smile was on her lips, clearly happy with her aim.

"Oh, the larynx."

What the hell happened to Sakura ?

Hey How are you doing everybody ? To be quite honest I didn't think I was going to continue this story. It was one of my favorites one to make but as the Sakura that I imagined changed and evolved chapter by chapter I was feeling quite lost in where I was going with this. If you wanted to know the story from this came because of the cover of volume 6 where Sakura and Ino were holding a sword haha. I found it quite badass and wanter a story out of this.

But then I received quite a lot of comments during the confinement telling me about what scene they preferred and what they imagined was going to happen and I found myself coming back to it haha. Someone once talked about a dream they had about this Story and I remember just writing down the scene haha. So yes I'm coming back, I got quite a lot of idea at least until Shipudden and I really want to see what will happen too ! So leave a comment, tell me what you think of this chapter and Lee's POV ? It's quite hard to write optimist people ! See you next chapter !