The Shinobi Way

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Author: One of the reviews said that there was no possible way that Sakura could have learned medical techniques in just two hours. That is true in a way, but if you put in aspect of the two finer qualities of Sakura, chakra control and intelligence, it's not all the impossible. In addition, sorry that I didn't make it clear before, that when I mean healing techniques, I meant learning to bandaging wounds, herbs, learn different types of pills to use, etc, etc. Anyways with that said, why would it matter if I'm not staying true to the Naruto facts. Isn't that the point of fanfics, is to create something beyond the original. If we all had to stay inside the same concept, wouldn't that leave us with the same boring stuff?

I allow any kind of reviews, but that doesn't mean I can't reply with a comment of my own.

Thanks for the reviews.

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"I've taught you as much as I could, don't go getting yourself killed now."

"I'll try not to, Tsunade-sensei." With that said, Sakura went to the entrance of the forest. Sakura looked back one last time with a smile on her face before continuing on her way.

"Why did you send that girl. It's impossible for her to complete the mission with that amount of training." said the assistant who was standing behind the Hokage. Doubtful of the girl completing the task at hand. "It's impossible. She can't possible do it."

"She has enormous potential to become a great healer. Her chakra control is the best I ever witness." remembering back to the training she had given Sakura. The little genin had surprised her by showing how quick she caught on to the information she was given. And with the technique she taught Sakura, she was able to form a surprisal amount of chakra in her hand on the first try. "These children never cease to amaze me."

"Answer me one question Lady Hokage. Why did you agree to teach that girl?" he questioned.

Tsunade looked down and smirked. Remembering the reason.

Sakura smiled.

"Give me two hours."

Before she spoke she raised her head toward the forest once more.

"She reminded me of someone who once challenge the idea of doing the impossible...."

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As they journeyed through the forest, Gaara's thoughts got a hold of him. "This is the same girl who I almost kill. Yet here she is asking for my help. I should say something."

Gaara looked over to her.

"I ----"Gaara began but was interrupted.

"No need to. If Tsunade-sensei believes in your abilities then there's no reason to think otherwise." Sakura looked at him and smiled.

"Besides, it doesn't suit your personality to apologize."

Gaara smirked.

Sakura racing though the forest with Gaara by her side. Suddenly they saw a clearing ahead of them, when they reached it, there laid a deserted field that was once a battle field.

"This was the last place I was at."

Sakura looked around the area. She then closed her eyes and felt the two chakra of her two teammates. She opened her eyes and looked to Gaara. "I can sense their chakra, their close."

Sakura took a step forward, but in a split second someone appeared in front of her.

"Kabuto-san?" surprised to see a former participator in the chuunin exam had appear in front of her and in a place like this.

"Never expected you to be here, Sakura-san." he smiled.

Gaara walked in front of Sakura and put his arm up. With Sakura behind him, she became confused.

"I don't understand? Gaara? He's not the enemy. He's a leaf–" but before she finished, she lead her eyes to the headband that should prove his innocents, but was in shock to find a once leaf symbol was now of the hidden sound. Sakura quickly responded by putting out her kunia. Her hands shaking, she pointed it at her target.

Putting a finger up and swayed it side to side. "Now, now Sakura-san. No need for that. I have no quarrel with you. I'm actually looking for Sasuke-kun. Orochimaru is very worried about his little container."

"Container?!" Sakura responded.

Kabuto smile became more wide.

"Ah yes. Always the one left out, huh Sakura-san? Well it'll be my pleasure to fill you in."

He readjusted his glasses before continuing. "Orochimaru needs his body to become completely unstoppable, but since he miss his deadline, we'll need to wait a few more years before attempting to do so."

"You're just using him?!" Sakura shouting.

Sakura went to a fighting stance still shaking.

"I won't let you take Sasuke-kun, not now, not ever!" her voice trembling.

"Look at you. Pathetic. I may have underestimated Naruto-kun, but you can't even hold a kunia steady. Without your precious team seven you're nothing, but useless. How can you possible hope to stop me?" asked Kabuto.

Doubt written all over Sakura's face. "He's right. How can I possible stop him?"

Gaara step forward again. "She might not, but I can. I've defeated the one you sent with the bloodline. You cannot be difficult to stop."

A shock expression appeared on Kabuto's face. "He's the one who defeated Kimimaro?!"

"Impossible."

Gaara looked behind him and saw that Sakura was still petrified. "You should go. I'll deal with this."

She looked toward Gaara. "Understood."

She ran to the direction of the two familiar chakra.

"Sorry, but I can not allow you to ruin my plans." Kabuto headed to Sakura. With a kunia in hand, Kabuto ran with incredible speed. Closer and closer he came toward her. She immediately panicked, Sakura put her arms together in front of her face and trying to shield from the upcoming attack.

"You're fights with me". Gaara said as sand began to pile up underneath Kabuto's feet.

"Dessert coffin."

The sand started to engulf him, but in the last second Kabuto escaped the deadly claws of the attack.

"Go now." he commanded.

She disappeared into the forest once more.

Gaara looked in the corner of his eyes to see if Sakura had made it out and then looked back to his opponent.

"Now where were we."

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"Sasuke! This is it." Naruto yelled across the battle field.

Naruto raises his hand and a huge ball of light shone.

"You're right. This will be it." Sasuke said in response showing no emotion, but you could see in his eyes that he hesitated.

Sasuke arm started flickering a blue chakra.

Sakura came in time to see her very own teammates in a battle between themselves. "What's going on? Why are they fighting each other?" Then she realized that they were going to use the same jutsu as before.

"No, this can't be. Not again. Teammates shouldn't be fighting like this."

She took a step forward.

"This isn't how it should end!"

As she closed in, the blindness of light engulfed her. Pain was felt throughout her entire body, but yet she still stood her ground. As she stood there, remembrances of team seven flooded her head. And there she came to a conclusion of what their time together meant. Friendship.

With that, a smile appeared on her face and eyes still remained closed.

"Good....I made..i–" but before Sakura could finish, blood appeared at the edge of her lips and dripped down her pale skin. She slowly fell toward the ground.

"Sakura!" Both screamed her name, one louder than the other.

Sakura could hear them calling her name. As it echoed in her mind, everything went blank.

Both Gaara and Kakashi appeared from opposite sides of the clearing. Both witnessing the event. "Sakura?! Why is she here?" Kakashi swiftly teleported himself to her before she reach the ground. Cradling her in his arms, Sakura tiny body bleeding more intensely. He looked down at the girl in his arms.

"Am I too late?"

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Walking near the end of the forest, the group stopped.

"That was a powerful explosion of chakra." said Neji.

"No, Sakura-san!" Lee yelled.

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- To be continued