DISCLAIMER: Some of the text and characters are from Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto, which I do not own. Only the characters & text that were not in the original manga/anime series are mine.

Recap: Squad Seven has made it to the tower! A strange wall scroll hanging on the wall leads them to believe that they should open their scrolls, what other challenges does the exam have to offer?

Lord Hokage's Message

Naruto and Sakura ripped open the scrolls, they stared at the symbol on them. "What's this?" Naruto asked.

Sakura read, " 'Human'… 'Mankind'…?" The scrolls began to smoke.

Sasuke shouted, "Drop the scrolls, now!" Naruto and Sakura quickly obeyed, all of them leaped away from the two scrolls. A big cloud of smoke made it hard for them to see. They all stared at the figure that was beginning to take shape as the smoke cleared.

Sasuke stammered when he could see clearly, "Y-you're…?"

Iruka stood before them. He smirked, "Hey, kids!" He smiled at them, "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Squad Seven was startled for a minute. Sakura finally shouted, "I don't understand!"

"You four look like you've been through the wringer," Iruka commented.

Naruto said, confused, "Iruka-sensei….what are you doing here?"

Iruka explained, "The scroll was designed so that we chûnin could greet the applicants at the end of the Second Exam. It was just good luck that I got to be your messenger!"

"Messenger?" Squad Seven questioned.

Iruka pulled out a watch, "Yeah…you guys barely made it!" He put the watch away. "Congratulations, you've all passed the Second Exam. This calls for a celebration! I wish I could take you all out for ramen at Ichiraku…"

Naruto tackled Iruka with a hug, "Yeesssss!"

Iruka stammered, embarrassed, "H-hey! Naruto! Let me finish!"

Naruto's brain had only heard the word ramen, "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! I'm so happy!"

Sakura slid to the ground with a sigh. Sasuke joined her as he muttered, "Where does he hide all of that energy?"

Sara practically fell to the floor, I've never been so happy to see a floor!

Iruka said, once Naruto was bouncing around the room, "You haven't slowed down a bit, Naruto."

Sasuke smiled, "Exactly." Sasuke than asked, "If we had sneaked a peek at the scrolls before we got here, what would you have done?"

Sakura and Naruto desperately wanted to hear the answer. Iruka answered, "Sharp as always, Sasuke. As you have guessed…an important part of this exam was that you demonstrate the ability to remain within a mission's stated limits. You were specifically instructed not to open the scrolls until you got here. Our orders were to knock out anyone standing around an open scroll until the Second Exam was over."

Sasuke looked at Naruto and Sakura, "Aren't you glad you didn't open the scroll?"

Naruto said, "Kabuto, buddy, I owe you big time!"

Sakura was also relieved, but she had to ask one question, "Iruka-sensei! What can you tell us about the wall scroll?"

"Who cares?" Naruto shouted, "We passed! It doesn't matter anymore!"

"Wrong," Iruka said embarrassed for Naruto. "That's another reason I'm here. Read it again. It's the directive the Third Lord Hokage set for all chûnin. The word 'Heaven' refers to the human mind, while 'Earth' refers to the human body. 'If qualities of Heaven are your desire, acquire wisdom and knowledge to take your mind higher.' In other words…Naruto's weakest area is his brain and academic knowledge, he's got to study harder. 'If Earthly qualities are what you lack, train your body and prepare to attack.' If Sakura's weakness is with her lack of strength she needs to train harder and find the riches of physical stamina and skill. And once you have both qualities no mission, however dangerous, will be a wrong path for you. You'll all be walking a safe path, even in the midst of dangerous missions… That's it!"

Sakura asked, "What about the blank space? What goes there?"

Iruka held up one of the two scrolls, "The word that goes there is a description of what a chûnin should be. The character that goes there is the same as the one in these scrolls, 'jin' meaning one person or all people. The challenge of seeing who survived these past five days was a part of the exam designed to test the applicants basic chûnin abilities. You all passed with flying colors! Keep the chûnin directive foremost in your mind as you move on to the next exam. That's the entire message."

Naruto saluted Iruka, "Yes, sir!"

Sara sighed as she listened to Iruka worry about Naruto, I wish I had someone who'd do that! Naruto takes it for granted.

Life and Death Battles

Squad Seven filed into a large arena with a statue of two hands making a hand sign. Sara glanced around taking note of which teams passed, Shikamaru's team, Kiba's team, Kabuto's team, Lee's team, the Sound ninja, and a squad from the Sand Village…that's still a lot of teams…

Kakashi kept his emotions hidden as he watched his squad file in looking the worst out of all the squads gathered. Kakashi's thoughts kept him from hearing what was going on, even when the proctor Hayate Gekko, arrived. Oh God! What have you kids been through… His gaze rested on Sara as she stood holding her left leg above the ground. Young one...I can only imagine that you got that injury protecting your teammates…

His focus returned to the conversation as Hayate said, "…Anyone who doesn't feel up to the challenge of this elimination round can walk away. Since the preliminaries start now!"

Kakashi stared at Sara, please, Young One! Step forward…raise your hand…something! Just don't go through the preliminaries…you'll be killed…

Sara stood her ground, I know this will be difficult, but…I have to impress someone. She glanced at Kakashi. She noticed that he had been looking at her but he quickly looked elsewhere. Odd…

She turned to face Kabuto as he said, "Well, I'm outta here."

"What?" Naruto exclaimed. "Kabuto…" Hayate quickly jotted his name down and allowed Kabuto to leave.

Naruto confronted him, "Hey! What's up with you?"

"I'm sorry, Naruto, but those Sound ninja messed up my hearing in my left ear from the first exam, and I'm pretty beat up from our fight with those other guys. Now they're saying this could be a fight to the death? I'm just not up for that!"

Naruto lowered his head with defeat and allowed Kabuto to leave. Hayate waited a few minutes to see if anybody else would step forward. Sara had to ignore Sakura and Naruto as they fussed over Sasuke's mark. They knew they had no hope of convincing Sara to back out.

Hayate said, "We'll now begin the preliminaries. They will consist of one-on-one battles as though this were a part of a tournament. There are twenty-two combatants remaining, for a total of 11 bouts. The victors of these bouts will advance to the Third Exam. Each pair will fight until one of them is either dead or unconscious or admit defeat. As soon as you sense that your opponent is overpowering you immediately concede your loss…if you value your life… Since we don't want a total bloodbath, there may be cases where I'll intervene, but don't count on that. From here on your fate is held in…" Some panels on the wall slid back to reveal an electronic screen. "…this electronic scoreboard. At the start of every round we will display the names of two combatants who will be competing. So…not to hurry you all to the slaughter, but let's begin. We'll now announce the first pair."

The scoreboard flashed Sasuke's name and one of Kabuto's teammates named Yoroi. Hayate said, "Sasuke Uchiha…Yoroi Akado… You two have been selected, everybody else, go up to the upper gallery."

Kakashi stepped forward and walked up to his squad, as he passed Sasuke he said, "Don't use your Sharingan."

"How did you know?" Sasuke asked.

Kakashi ignored him, "If the spell-mark on your neck is allowed to run amuck the consequences will change your life."

"I figured…" Sasuke tried to get a sentence in to no avail.

"If they see any sign of that during your match you'll be disqualified," Kakashi continued. "I'll be forced to stop you. Please don't forget that." Sasuke stared after him shocked.

Kakashi easily caught up with Sara, "Now," he said as he walked beside her. "You are not to use your chakra."

"Why?" Sara asked, looking up at him.

"It will be very painful," Kakashi stated. He gently touched her shoulder and teleported them up to the gallery.

Sara recovered from her shock and said, "Warn someone when you do that!"

"Sorry, I figured you wanted to watch the match," Kakashi stated. Sara grumbled.

Hayate allowed the match to begin.

Yoroi asked as he made a hand sign, "Shall I start?" His right hand began glowing and he threw three shuriken at Sasuke.

Sasuke reacted quickly and pulled out a kunai and blocked the shuriken. He cringed in pain as his curse mark throbbed. Rats! Sasuke collapsed as his body refused to do as he wished. Yoroi lunged in and Sasuke barely managed to dodge by digging his kunai into the floor and using it as a lever to throw himself out of the way.

Yoroi suddenly grabbed Sasuke's ankle, and Sasuke swung his left leg and pinned Yoroi, by the neck, to the ground."

"Yes," Naruto cheered from the gallery.

Sara commented, "Don't celebrate yet…"

Sasuke muttered, "My strength…why is it fading…?"

Yoroi easily threw off Sasuke's leg and began raining punches on Sasuke. As Yoroi took a small reprieve, Sasuke wondered, where did my strength go?

Sakura screamed as Yoroi rushed at Sasuke, "Sasuke!"

"This isn't good," Sara muttered as she watched the battle.

Yoroi grabbed Sasuke's head with his right hand, causing Sasuke to go limp. Sasuke gasped, "You're feeding on my chakra…."

Yoroi laughed, "So you finally figured it out."

Sasuke snarled, "Oh…you…" He kicked Yoroi as hard as he could, "Son of a &*(^ %$)&%$!"

Sasuke staggered onto his feet as Yoroi said, "Imagine a little pest like you having the strength to oppose me…"

Sasuke was panting from loss of chakra. That was too close… I can't let him make contact with me again, otherwise I won't be able to move…which is exactly what he wants! This is my last chance, but…how do I beat him?

Sara shouted down, "Sasuke! Don't you dare lose to him! You have a reputation to keep up!"

Sakura muttered, "Do you really think that will help?"

Sara shrugged, "It was worth a shot."

"How can you still call yourself an Uchiha?" Naruto yelled, "You're a disgrace! Aren't you embarrassed to have everyone see you as a big loser?"

Sasuke looked up at Naruto with a "eureka" look. That's it!

Yoroi, seeing Sasuke's distraction, charged, "You couldn't have picked a worse time to let your mind wander! Now I'll absorb all your chakra!"

Sasuke crouched down and kicked Yoroi's chin and sent him flying into the air. Sasuke than teleported up so he'd be behind Yoroi. "After this, I'll limit myself to my own jutsu, but for now… It's over!" He used two fingers to poke Yoroi's back to propel himself around him. "Eat this!" Crap! Sasuke thought as his curse mark throbbed. Every time! It hurts… I'm not going to lie back and let it consume me!

Kakashi was watching the match more intently as his gaze found the curse mark, Sasuke's reached his limit…I was hoping I wouldn't have to interfere… What the-?

Sasuke's willpower forced the curse mark to recede. He smirked and said, "Let's go!" He swung his left leg around in a kick and slammed it into Yoroi's raised arm.

Yoroi said, "Stupid amateur."

"Stupid amateur, indeed," Kakashi said, referring to Yoroi. Sara nodded in agreement.

Sasuke flipped around and struck Yoroi with his left leg. Sasuke flipped around again and said, "And now…" His left leg came down again. "Lions Barrage!"

Hayate walked up to an unconscious Yoroi and checked him over. He announced, "I'm halting this match before it goes any further… Sasuke Uchiha is the winner."

Naruto shouted, "He did it!"

Sara was startled when Kakashi teleported down to keep Sasuke from falling over. She felt a tad jealous when Kakashi said to him, "Well done!" Why can't Master Kakashi ever say that to me?

Insect Horde

Naruto asked Sara, "Bright Eyes, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Sara murmured as Kakashi and Sasuke disappeared. She looked at the board, "Shino's up against a Sound ninja."

Shino and Zaku, with two broken arms, stepped forward. Zaku said, "Who's this loser?"

Hayate looked at the two competitors, "Uhh…well…it's time for the second match of the prelims to begin!"

Shino said to Zaku, "If you go through with this, you'll get hurt. You'll never be the same. Walk away…while you can!"

Zaku replied, "This arm looks like it still has some life in it, and I'm betting I can take you out with only one hand!" He removed his left arm from its sling. Zaku rushed at Shino and Shino blocked his punch.

"It will take more than one arm to beat me!" Shino said.

Zaku snapped, "Just shut up!" Zaku blasted Shino with a huge blast of sound. Zaku taunted as the smoke from his blast cleared, "On your feet loser!"

Shino stood before Zaku unharmed, but he had bugs coming out of his cheek.

Zaku whipped around as he heard a scuttling sound behind him. He turned to see the floor covered with the same insects that had poured from Shino's cheek. Shino said, "You'd better surrender. It's your only choice. If you use your left hand to strike me, my insects will have your unprotected back. If you use your left hand against the swarm, you have to deal with my attack. You're finished either way. Unless you have an ace in the hole."

Zaku was silent for a few seconds, but he suddenly shouted, "Who do you think you're talking to?" He removed his right arm from its sling, "Here's my ace in the hole!"

Meanwhile, Kakashi was dealing with a problem of his own. Orochimaru stood before him, ready to take an exhausted Sasuke. Kakashi glanced back at Sasuke, who was asleep from the sealing jutsu. I've sealed that curse mark and now I have a snake to deal with! Kakashi said, "Don't take a step nearer!" He used his Lightning Blade.

Orochimaru paused, "Do you really think that will work against me?"

"You may be one of the three great ninja, but the man I am today can take you down!" Kakashi stated.

Orochimaru smiled, "You may be right, but there is another Uchiha I could go after, who has just as much talent as her relative. Perhaps I should go after, Sara."

Kakashi practically snarled, "You go anywhere near her I'll kill you! Take another step towards Sasuke and I'll do the same!"

Orochimaru smiled again, "There will come a day when Sasuke will seek me out, since he is an avenger, Sara doesn't have that desire for power, so she doesn't interest me." Orochimaru turned his back on Kakashi. "Now, I believe you were threatening to kill me, or are you all talk?"

Kakashi was startled when his own demise flashed in his mind. Kakashi shuddered, did I miscalculate? What kind of fool am I? No... I meant what I said. That image just startled me, which is what he intended it to do…

Back in the arena, Zaku had blown off both his arms. Zaku stared at one of his arms and watched as Shino's insects crawled out of the hole that was in his hand. "Wh-what on earth?" He shouted in shock and rage as he watched the insects crawl out of the hole.

Shino teleported behind Zaku, "Just now, while I was talking to you, giving you all that helpful advice, my little friends were making their way to key points upon your body…creeping down those tunnels you blast your sound through, and that my friend is a true ace in the hole."

Zaku tried to strike Shino as he stammered, "Y-you!"

Shino easily knocked Zaku aside, knocking him out.

"Creepy," Sara commented.

Naruto snorted, "Yeah, but when did Shino get so tough!"

Dull Eyes…

Kakashi startled them all by appearing behind Sakura, Naruto, and Sara, as he appeared and said, "Hi!"

Sakura asked, "How's Sasuke?"

"Sleeping in a hospital room," Kakashi stated. He added silently, under the watch of Anbu Black Ops. Kakashi glanced at Sara, I pray that Orochimaru won't go through with his threat!

Sakura tapped Sara on the shoulder, "What?" Sara asked as she whipped around. She stared at the board: Sara Uchiha vs. Yakado Misora.

Kakashi moved to stand beside her, "Sara, be careful."

"Yeah, yeah," she leaped down. As she landed she instantly regretted jumping as she almost fell on her rear end. Yakado was more graceful. He was the fourth member of Kabuto's squad. He wore glasses and he had two deadly looking swords on his back.

Hayate glanced at the pair before saying, "Begin!"

Yakado rushed at Sara. Sara tried to move, only to fall on her face as her leg gave out. Shit! #%^&^#$q! She felt Yakado kick her and she went flying. Yakado teleported to her side as she tried to staggered onto her feet. He grabbed her ponytail and braid and yanked her into a kneeling position.

Naruto shouted, "Bright Eyes!"

"Sara!" Sakura shouted, fear for her comrade showing through that one word.

Naruto and Sakura both glanced at Kakashi, whose breathing had turned into gasps for air. Both saw that Kakashi was gripping the rail, leaving an imprint of his hand their. Kakashi was lost in his memories of when Sara was younger; his mind was once again in conflict with his heart. His heart urged him to jump into the arena and stop the match, but his mind told him that she'd get through it, possibly a little banged up, but she'd get through it.

Yakado said to Sara, "Why don't you give up? If you don't I'll kill you."

"Fat chance!" Sara said as she sliced her ponytail and braid off, and rolled out of reach of his sword.

Yakado drew the other sword and said to Hayate, "Proctor! If she refuses to give up within the minute, I will kill her." Hayate glared.

Sakura and Naruto were startled as they heard Kakashi whisper angrily, "…Bastard…!"

Yakado began kicking Sara around like a hacky sack. Every time she tried to stagger to her feet, she was kicked again. After a minute, Yakado kicked her so hard that she hit the arena wall and lay still for a few seconds.

"Bright Eyes! No!" Naruto shouted.

Sakura said to him as Sara, once again tried to regain her feet, "It's okay, Naruto. She's still in this!"

Yakado smiled as he waited for her to stand up. He decided he would allow her to stand, and then he'd kill her.

All around the arena, Sara had the crowd rooting for her. At least from the Leaf Village.

Lee shouted, "Sara! Don't give up!"

Guy soon joined in the cheer by saying, "Use the power of youth!"

Ino shouted, "Are you going to let that ass beat you, Sheatan? Stand!"

"Get'em, Sara!" Choji shouted past a mouthful of chips.

Akamaru barked hysterically while Kiba shouted, "Come on! Stand!"

Sakura shouted, "Get up!"

"Come on, Bright Eyes!" Naruto shouted. "You can do it!"

Sara was gasping for breath as she got her knees under her. I haven't heard two voices that I'd love to hear right now…

Shikamaru stared at her horrified. Don't tell me I'm about to lose her right after I asked her out?

Sara shoved herself up into a kneeling position, I've…got…to…impress…someone…

Yakado shouted at her, "Last chance to give up."

Sara threw a kunai at him and snapped, "I don't lose to losers like you!"

Naruto and Sakura turned towards Kakashi in horror as he shouted, "NO! Just give up!"

Sara ignored the voice that said that, I can't give up! She stood before Yakado.

Yakado shouted as he charged forward, "You're funeral!"

Sara made a quick hand sign, and shouted, "Flight of the Phoenix!"

Phoenix slammed into Yakado and sent him up into the air. Sara made a blob of water hanging in the air. The only water style I know… She morphed the blob into another phoenix. The water phoenix rose up into the air. Sara coughed up blood as pain shot through her body. Master Kakashi was right…it does hurt!

Yakado began falling and the water phoenix slammed him into the ground. Yakado stared up in horror as Phoenix dived at him as Sara shouted, "Barrage of the Two Phoenixes!"

Sara wanted to cover her ears as Yakado's scream split the air as Phoenix hit him and set his entire body on fire. Medic ninjas quickly came in and put out the flames, carrying him to the infirmary, quickly.

Hayate said, "The winner is Sara Uchiha."

Sara swayed before she fell backwards, she was grateful when she felt two hands catch her. She stared up at Kakashi. "Thanks!"

Naruto leaped down, and was running to congratulate her, when he heard Kakashi say in a cold voice. "You know what you need to learn?"

"What?" Sara asked, curious.

"How to give up!" Kakashi stated coldly.

Naruto stared in horror at his friend as she lowered her head in defeat. Naruto was ready to shout at Kakashi. He began walking closer, that jerk!

Kakashi continued, "You're going to the hospital."

"No, I'm not," Sara said in a flat tone.

"Yes, you are!"

"NO, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are, I can easily make you…"

Sara gave Kakashi the bird before she began hopping on one leg towards the stairs.

Kakashi said, "Get back here now!" He was startled when she called him an obscene word. Kakashi said as he made to go after her, "Of all the -!"

Naruto shouted tears in his eyes, "You jerk!"

Kakashi whipped around, "Naruto, I don't have time for this!"

"You're a jerk!" Naruto shouted again. Everyone in the arena was now watching. "You made Bright Eyes eyes go dull!"

"I did no such thing," Kakashi said. "She said you called her that because of her eye color!"

"That's the only way I could explain it!" Naruto snapped, his tears now streaming down his face. He sniffed, "Bright Eyes…always had this…spark…in her eyes. AND YOU MADE IT GO OUT!"

Kakashi stared at Naruto for a few seconds and allowed some silence to span between them. He finally said, "Go upstairs…Naruto." Naruto shook his head before he teleported back up.

Kakashi sighed as Lord Hokage appeared next to him, "That could have gone better, Kakashi."

"I know," Kakashi stated. "I'm going to try and fix this." Lord Hokage nodded before disappearing. Kakashi reached the stairs and heard Hayate announce the next combatants.

As Kakashi made his way up, he was thankful that the stairs had a cement covering, blocking out all curious eyes. It didn't take him long to catch up with the hopping Sara.

Confessions…

Sara glared at him as he said, "Sara…can we talk?" She than gave him the bird, again. Kakashi sighed. "I deserved that… Sara maybe you should sit down for a moment…" Sara ignored him and kept climbing up the stairs. Kakashi finally said, "I need to sit down, so why don't you join me and I can apologize for whatever I said to upset you." Sara sat on the step she had been on and Kakashi sat beside her.

He asked her, "What did I say to upset you?"

"Gee, I don't know," she snapped. "Maybe it had something to do with 'you need to learn how to give up'!"

Kakashi looked at her, "And that made you so upset?"

"When Sasuke almost killed himself in his match, you told him well done," Sara said sounding upset. "And I was trying to impress someone…"

Kakashi shouted exasperated, "Who? Sasuke? Naruto? That Shikamaru kid? You don't need to prove anything to them!"

"None of them," Sara whispered. "You."

"What?" Kakashi stared at her in surprise. "Me? Sara…you impressed me when you fought Lee and Shikamaru, and when you faced my Sharingan…"

She lowered her head, shadows hid her eyes as she said, "I'm jealous of my squad members, Master Kakashi."

Kakashi tried to figure out what she was getting at, "Why?"

"Sakura has her parents…" Sara stated. "Naruto has Iruka, and Sasuke had parents… They all know what it's like to be loved…"

Kakashi felt his heart being ripped in two as he said, "But…that ninja…"

"I know!" Sara said her voice cracking. Kakashi realized that she was close to tears. "That ninja cares about me! Do you know how long I've held on to the hope that he'd let me know that? He doesn't care…" Sara looked straight at him, "Master Kakashi…Naruto doesn't know this…but I think he suspects it…I've contemplated how to end my existence."

Kakashi's eyes widened in horror, "Why would you even think such a thing?"

"No one cares," Sara said. "Not in the way that would end my pain." She put a hand over her heart. "I've only held on because of Naruto. But…it's not fair…" She shook her head back and forth, "Everyone in the squad has someone who cares about them. Sasuke has you for crying out loud! It's just not fair!" Sara buried her face in his vest as she slammed her right fist against his chest sobbing. Kakashi heard her repeat her last sentence every now and then.

Kakashi stared down at her and allowed her to cry. When he thought she'd listen he whispered, "It's about time you cried…I haven't seen you cry in awhile."

Sara looked up at him and wiped her eyes, "Shinobi conduct…dictates…"

Kakashi interrupted her, "I know the rules… However, to every rule there is an exception… Shinobi are human too, so they can cry around the people who care about them."

Sara muttered, "Then I'm screwed…"

Kakashi stared at her for a few seconds before he wrapped his arms around her. She looked up at him, confused by his gesture. "I'm going to tell you something, I wish you would have figured out on your own…" He began. "You're wrong when you said that Sasuke had me. Yes, I give him a bit more attention, but nothing more… You've had my heart from the moment I held you in my arms." Sara looked up at him as he said, "I'm the ninja that cared for you."

Sara smiled slightly, "Yeah…I kind of figured that…I just didn't want to admit it. I didn't think a cool teacher like you would…" She was silent for a few minutes…Sara suddenly said, "Phoenix wants to see your right hand…" Kakashi stared at her and removed his glove. Sara stared in wonder at one of the scars on his hand that was shaped like a phoenix. "Phoenix…really did mark you…"

"What?"

"Phoenix said that another ninja lunged at me and you put your hand in front of me to protect me. Phoenix figured that he should mark your hand, just in case he couldn't recognize you or someone impersonated you."

Kakashi laughed and he sighed, he continued the conversation as if he hadn't just learned that he had been marked by a firebird, "I would have adopted you…but…you can't blame Lord Hokage, I've done enough of that myself." Sara looked up at him confused now. "When I was eighteen, I wanted to adopt you. The Fourth said, before he died, that I could if I felt I was ready. The Third didn't honor that promise, instead he told me to step back. I'm assuming you don't remember much about me, since I heard that one of the nurses told you I didn't care."

Sara nodded her head in agreement with the last part. She than asked him, "Why haven't you adopted me than?"

Kakashi thought, I can't bring myself to tell her now… "I'm not ready just yet." Sara looked hurt so he quickly added. "Soon, I promise, it will be soon. I just have to make sure that we're BOTH ready." Sara nodded satisfied with that answer. "Now," Kakashi said as he released her and stood up. He turned around and said, "Hop on. I'll carry you the rest of the way up."

"What about your back?" Sara asked.

Kakashi smiled, "It's fine, now hop on."

Sara got onto his back and rested her head against the top of Kakashi's head. She said groggily, "Master Kakashi…I think I'm going to take…a nap."

Kakashi replied, "Go ahead…just don't drool on me!"

Asuma wasn't paying attention to the match as he waited for Kakashi and Sara to come up the stairs. He did a double take when he saw Kakashi carrying Sara on his back. Asuma walked up to Kakashi and said to him, "You must be a great talker." Kakashi shrugged. Asuma than said, "I think she's drooling in your hair."

Kakashi sighed and muttered, "I know…"

Naruto was shocked as Kakashi walked up to them; he squatted down and said to them, "One of you wake her up, please."

Naruto shook her and Sara muttered, "Go away."

"Bright Eyes, Kakashi-sensei's hair isn't exactly a pillow."

Sara got off and rubbed her eyes, while Kakashi said, "You drooled…"

"Sorry," she replied looking embarrassed.

Naruto saw that Sara wasn't putting any weight on her left leg. He offered, "Bright Eyes, do you want me to help keep you up?"

Sara replied, "No offense, Naruto, but I'm more likely to knock you over."

Kakashi said, "Why don't you lean against me?"

Naruto was startled as Sara leaned against Kakashi. Sara gave him a meaningful look that said, "I'll tell you later".

Rivals!

Naruto stared at his friend as she leaned against Kakashi. Kakashi-sensei must have apologized… That spark! It's back! Naruto turned his attention back to the arena as the match ended. He said, "Whoa! This is like a never ending freak show! That last guy with the puppet was deadly!"

Kakashi muttered, "Look who's talking."

Sakura smiled, "Good one, sensei!"

"I hope you weren't including me in that 'freak show' statement, Naruto," Sara said as she smiled at her friend.

"Of course not!" Naruto exclaimed.

Kakashi said to Sakura, missing Sara's comment to Naruto, "I don't think you'll be laughing much longer, Sakura." He pointed at the board.

The board read: Sakura Haruno vs. Ino Yamanaka. Sakura stared at it horrified.

Sakura teleported down into the arena as Ino teleported down. Sara said to Kakashi, "This is going to be interesting." Kakashi nodded. Sara suddenly stated, "You were the one that shouted give up."

Kakashi sighed, "You were giving me a heart attack…"

"Yeah," Naruto interrupted. He pointed at the imprint of Kakashi's hand. "He did that!" Naruto was startled when Sara smiled. She leaned against Kakashi even more and Kakashi smiled back at her. They both turned their attention back to the arena. Naruto shrugged off his questions for the time being.

Sakura and Ino glared at each other. Ino finally said, "So, Sakura…it's you and me…I never saw this coming…"

Sakura slipped off her headband and tied it around her forehead.

Naruto stuttered, "Wh-what the?"

Sara answered his unspoken question, "Sakura and Ino have been rivals for a while now… Sakura wants Ino to understand that she's not going to be playing around."

"Well said," Kakashi said as he smiled at her.

Sakura and Ino were silent for a few minutes, both of them lost in their own memories of their childhood together. Sakura finally broke the silence by saying, "Understand this, Ino, you'll never get Sasuke."

"What?" Ino exclaimed.

Sakura smirked, "You're not his type! I'm not the weak little girl I used to be. You're not even on my radar!"

Ino shouted, "Sakura! Have you forgotten who you're talking to? Get give me your attitude you little crybaby!"

"Yikes!" Naruto said. "Sakura is really pushing Ino's buttons!"

Kakashi was quiet for a few seconds before he said, "Like Sara said before, Sakura just wants Ino to be so riled that she won't go easy on her…for old times sake..."

Once again Sakura and Ino were silent as the drifted down memory lane again. Naruto looked between the pair and muttered, "What are they getting so intense about?"

Kakashi leaned in towards Sara and whispered, "He just can't see that he gets the same way with Sasuke." Sara snickered. Kakashi said more loudly, "Well, Naruto, rivalry is a tricky business…Not that I would know…" Sara tried not to laugh as Guy shot Kakashi an incredulous look.

Sara looked back at the arena as Ino moved her headband that was normally around her waist to her forehead. Sakura and Ino suddenly lunged at each other. Sakura made a hand sign to produce clones.

Ino shouted, "This isn't an Academy exam! You need more than simple tricks to beat me!"

Sakura smiled slightly, I'll focus all of my chakra within my feet and then up! Go! She punched a startled Ino sending her flying. Sakura stated, "I may have been a crybaby in the old days, but who's crying now? Come on! Stop holding back! I know for a fact that you can do better than this!"

Ino rubbed her cheek, "If that's the way you want it! The kid gloves are off!"

Naruto exclaimed, "Look at Sakura go!"

"She is a solid contender with her mastery over the fundamentals, and her utilization of chakra, she is definitely the best among the rookies in those areas."

Naruto gave him a sidelong glance and asked, "Even better than me?"

"Uh…yeah," Kakashi said, deciding not to be blunt.

Sara smiled but Kakashi added, to make Naruto feel better, "She's probably even better than our bright eyed friend here." Sara elbowed his side and Kakashi just smiled. I'm glad she's not upset with me anymore…it's just telling her I'm her guardian that's going to be the hard part…

Sakura and Ino lunged at each other again. This time both of them caught the other's punch. They leaped away from each other and threw shuriken at the exact same time. The shuriken collided mid way to their targets.

As Sakura and Ino aimed punches at each other, Sakura muttered, "I can do this!" Both of their punches hit their marks and they went flying.

"Whoa!" Naruto exclaimed.

Kakashi leaned in, once again, and whispered to Sara, "The way this is going, this fight could last forever." Sara nodded, silently agreeing.

Ino suddenly shouted, "How can you be my equal? It's unthinkable!"

Sakura snorted, "You're right! Your obsession with your long flowing hair and superficial appearance is peerless… I'm just no match for you!"

Ino gasped and snarled at Sakura, "You've gone to far! Making fun of me…" She pulled out a kunai and sliced through her ponytail.

Naruto exclaimed, "What is it with the girls cutting their hair today?"

"Did you three plan this?" Kakashi asked Sara.

"No," Sara said. "Sakura and I were in life and death situations, while Ino…is just being a drama queen!"

Ino shouted at Sakura as she threw her hair to the ground, "This is nothing!"

Naruto muttered, "She's crazy!"

"I already knew that," Sara muttered back.

Ino made a hand sign and snapped, "This ends now! I'm going to make your lips say, 'I give up'!" She moved her arms in front of her changing the hand sign slightly.

Sakura stared at the hand sign, stunned. I recognize that hand sign… She said confidently, "I understand your impatience, but your wasting your time!"

"We'll see about that," Ino snapped.

Sakura smiled, "I see what you're planning…your Mind Transfer Jutsu. Where all of your psyche and spiritual energy is loosed upon your opponent and you usurp the psyche of them reducing your rival to helplessness within her own body while you possess it. But it has a flaw…that bolt of energy can only move along a straight path and it moves very slowly. And if it misses it is several minutes before it can return to the user's body. In that time your body is limp, weak, helpless as a ragdoll."

Kakashi muttered to Sara, "Sakura's in no danger as long as she keeps moving. If that art of Ino's fails, she'll be able to punish Ino's defenseless body until Ino's spirit is able to return." If it comes to that, Hayate will stop the match.

Sara sighed, I swear he's trying to make up for all the time he missed when I was younger…if he adopts me, I hope he isn't like this all the time!

Ino snapped at Sakura, "What of it? No one knows what will happen until I try!"

"You only get one chance," Sakura taunted her. "If you miss, it's over." Sakura bolted as Ino took aim. Sara turned as Shikamaru shouted at his teammate, "No! You fool!"

Ino unleashed the jutsu and her body went limp. Everyone in the arena waited anxiously to see who was who.

Sakura was also in a limp position as she said, "You lose…" She raised her head proudly, "Ino!" Sakura tried to move, but found that she couldn't, Ino's hair was holding her in place. She glanced at the ground. She stared at Ino horrified.

"Gotcha, Sakura," Ino said as she sat up. "I set this trap and you fell for it!"

Sakura gasped, "You don't mean-!"

"Exactly, the hand signs I made earlier were just a distraction to keep you from seeing the real trap," Ino said. "You ran right into it! Can't move, can you? I made a living rope out of my hair by running chakra through it!" Ino stood up and unleashed her jutsu, for real this time. Ino collapsed while Sakura went limp for a few seconds.

Ino said through Sakura as she looked up, "Too bad, Sakura!"

"Oh!" Naruto exclaimed.

Sara muttered, "This isn't good!"

*This is the last part for the week, then two will be up next week ^^

**Oops! I had this uploaded but I forgot to put it up!