Authors notes : hmm. not much to say really? This chapter is based on fights? Some fluff...and DEATH. BWHAHA ) REVIEW? yah..you should )
Disclaimer: Nope..not yet. Still don't own Naruto.. sigh
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"Rasengan!" Naruto yelled as he charged forward at the Neji clone as he thrusted his hand full of chakra into his chest and it was thrown backwards and slammed into a building, the top of the building collapsing down on him. Naruto stood breathing heavily as the Neji clone didn't get up. Naruto was suddenly knocked back. He was sent flying into the Kazekage building as he stopped in mid-air. Naruto looked up to see Kakashi holding him. Kakashi put him on his feet as he examined the situation. Baki not to far behind, walked out and saw the leaf shinobi doubled. His eyes widened as he looked at the real Naruto and Kakashi and bowed his head. He now believed them and that was his way of apologizing.
Lee let out a battle cry as he finished off the Tenten clone with a hard kick to the abdomen that sent her flying across their makeshift battle field. The clone struggled to get up but finally fell in defeat. Lee turned to face Naruto and Kakashi as he held out his thumbs up and a wide grin spread across his face.
Tenten let out a scream as she was forcefully knocked out of the air and flew back heading towards a bent and broken wodden post with a sharp edge. Her eyes widened as she spotted the spike ready to penetrate her body as she closed her eyes. She waited for the pain to rush over her body as the stake penetrated her but she soon opened her eyes and looked up to see Neji. Neji had dove from where he was fighting and caught Tenten before she was caught on the wooden spike. Tenten smiled as Neji just looked at her with his pearl eyes before setting her on the ground.
Neji and Tenten made thier way over to Kakashi, Naruto and Lee. Kakashi sighed as he examined the clones that were left. Kakashi, Sakura, Naruto and Lee. At least the Neji and Tenten clones were out of the way. They wouldn't have to worry about major projectile attacks or their chakra circulatory systems closing. "Alright," Kakashi finally spoke. " Neji, Lee, you fight Naruto. Tenten and Tamari do your best to keep Sakura occupied. Naruto, Kankuro you will help take me down. " "Hai!" They all answered as they all got in position to their new opponent. "What about the Lee clone Kakashi-sensai?" Naruto asked anxious. Kakashi shook his head. "We have to ignore him for now and hope that he doesn't get involved." They all looked at Kakashi wide-eyed as they nodded and turned their attention back to their opponents.
"Naruto, how much chakra do you have left?" Kakashi asked quickly glancing over his shoulder at Naruto. "Just enough left for one more Rasengan." Naruto said breathing heavily. "Good." Kakashi responded. "Kankuro, keep my clone occupied." Kankuro nodded as he jumped in front of Naruto and Kakashi holding crow in front of him with his chakra strings.
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The sakura clone charged forward with a chakra fist aimed for Tenten. A sudeen wind blew the Sakura clone away. Tenten looked over at Temari as she nodded in saying thanks. She took out her last scroll as she bit her finger and ran it across. Smoke surrounded her as she once again held her staff. The Sakura clone got to her feet as she took out a kunai and threw it at Tenten. Tenten spun her staff as the kunai got caught in the staff. Tenten smirked as she pulled the kunai out and spun it around her finger. She looked over at Temari as Temari nodded almost reading her thoughts and knowing what she wanted. Tenten jumped into the air taking out a small scroll. She dropped her staff as she ran her already bitten finager around the scroll and smoke appeared. From teh smoke appeared about a dozen kunai and a dozen more shurikan all heading towards Sakura. Temari appeared beside Tenten as she gave one final wave to her fan that helped the kunai and shurikan to travel at an amazing speed almost impossible to dodge. The Sakura stood still, like a deer in the headlights as she blocked her face and the kunai and shurikan made contact with her body. Once the dust settled, Tenten landed on the ground kneeling on one knee breathing heavily as her and Temari looked over at the bloody mess left over from the Sakura clone that now lay dead on the ground. A smile spread across their faces.
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Lee was thrown back as Neji caught him. Lee stood as he used his thumb to wipe the blood dripping from his smirk. " I guess he didn't lie when he said he could whoop my butt." Lee said with a small laugh. Neji got into a fighting position. " Stay back Lee." he said in his demanding tone. "But.." Neji simply looked over his shoulder as Lee nodded holding his side. "Watch for the opening." Neji said to Lee as he turned back to the Naruto clone. Lee ran forward. As his hands started moving extremly fast on the Naruto clone's chest making his hands seem a blur. "Sixty-four palms!" he yelled hitting the Naruto clone sixty-four times with his hands. Neji suddenly grasped his chest as he looked down to see that the Naruto clone had got him with a kunai. Neji stumbled to the side as he looked over at Lee who was already in motion. With a final battle cry he slammed his foot into the Naruto clone's chest sending him flying backward. The Naruto clone tried to stand but only grabbed his chest where his heart would've been and collapsed to the ground.
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Crows mouth opened as several kunai shot out at the Kakashi clone. He easily dodged it. Naruto appeared behind the Kakashi clone taking him out from behind the knee's, the real Kakashi appeared above it with a kunai in his hand. This was it, they had the Kakashi clone. Suddenly Kakashi was stopped. The Lee clone stood holding a kunai to Kakashi's. Kakashi back flipped, "Kuso!" he said under his breath as he looked at the Lee and Kakashi clones. Kunai's flew out towards the Lee clone as he deflected them all. Kakashi looked around to see where the kunai's had come from when he saw Baki standing over to the side a little with a wide grin on his face. "Baki-sensai!" Kankuro yelled. "Go Kakashi, I'll take care of this one." Kakashi nodded his head. "But, Baki-sensai, you're injured!" Temari yelled. Baki shook his head. "Don't worry about me, get yourself looked at." He said as he ran forward and the kunai's clashed once again as Baki drew the Lee clone away from the Kakashi clone.
Naruto appeared beside Kakashi as did Kankuro. "Naruto, follow my lead." Kakashi said as he looked over at Kankuro. "Kankuro." Kankuro nodded as he dissapeared reappearing in front of the Kakashi clone using crow once more. Blades were now a part of this puppet as he viciously swung at the clone but theclone dodged and countered the attacks with ease. The puppet stood still as a blue light surrounded him when suddenly he was blown into pieces when the real Kakashi and Naruto were comming towards the clone each with a powerful attack. Naruto pulled his hand back and Kakashi slightly lifted his. "Chidori!" "Rasengan!" They both yelled as they thrusted their hands forward into the Kakashi clone. A flash of light appeared as everyone had to shield their eyes from it.
When the light dissapeared everyone looked over to see that the Kakashi clone had been taken care of. The real Kakashi was bent down on one knee and Naruto was laying on the ground both breathing heavily. "We..did it." Naruto said in between breaths.
A scream of pain was heard as everyone turned their attention to the voice of the scream. "Baki-sensai!!" Temari yelled as she took a step forward. The Lee clone had him pinned to the wall with a Kunai in his stomache and several more on various places of his body. Shaking, he slowly lifted both his arms, each holding a kunai as he bruoght them up, letting out a final yell he stabbed them into each side of the clone's neck. The clone let go of the kunai as he took a few steps back slowly falling to the ground. Baki began falling to the ground as Temari ran and caught him. "Baki-sensai." she said as she could fell her eyes watering. Knakuro appeared by his side crouching down. Baki looked up at them both with a smile. "I couldn't have asked for better students..." he said beginning to cough up blood. "Sensai.." Temari said in a low whisper. "T..take care of your brother..and look after yourselves.." he said coughing up more blood. "It..was..an...honour.." and with that his eyes closed and his head fell to the side. "Sensai!!!" Temari yelled as her voice echoed through the empty streets of Suna.
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Gaara peered over the side of the building as he saw his sensai speak his final words. His hand was clutched into a fist as it felt like he had just been stabbed in the heart. Sakura stood a few feet behind him, not knowing what to say. "Gaara.." she said slowly taking a step beside him. She looked down as she saw the pool of blood underneathe him. She figured he had lost about half of his bodies blood already and was amazed that he was still standing. "Gaara, let me look at that or- " she stopped as he turned to look at her with his emotionless jade eyes. He shook his head as he brushed by her slowly limping heading towards the door that led into the building. After a few steps he stopped and collapsed. "Gaara!" Sakura yelled as she ran to him. She knelt down beside him as she reached to undo his clothes so she could see the extent of the damage. He slapped her hand away. She looked at him for a moment wanting to hit him, to yell and scream but she didn't. She simply reached out her hands again as she trued to undo his clothing again. He slapped her hand away once more as she now glared at him and moved closer to his face. "Gaara, you have to trust me." she said placing a hand on his face. He moved his head away as he looked in the other direction. She sighed as she moved back and pulled out a kunai cutting open his Kazekage robes. She pushed them off as her eyes widened at the sight of the damage. "Oh Gaara.." she said looking at the two deep gashes on his side. She spotted the green sticky substance as she leaned closer and examined it. "Posion." she said to no one in particular. She made a few hand signs green chakra surrounded her hand once more. She held it over the wound as she began to close it up. She could feel it fighting back against her treatment as the poison was meant to not allow this wound to be healed. She closed her eyes and concentrated as she put more chakra into it and the skin began to repair itself. She opened her eyes as she traced her fingers where the wound once was. She looked as she saw Gaara beginning to sweat and wince in pain. "The posion's beginning to take effect." she said to herself as she slowly stood. She bent over and picked up Gaara putting him on her back, piggy-back style. Due to her monsterous strength, this was nothing. She then jumped over the side of the building landing beside all of her injured comrades as she let out a sigh.
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"Well then Hiroshi, are you going to co-operate?" the sound nin said holding a kunai in his hand. Hiroshi simply turned his head to the side. "I will not give you what you want." he said sternly crossing his arms. "Oh?" said the sound nin with a grin. "Well then, looks like we'll have to do this the hard way." screams could be heard as another sound nin came into the room holding a kunai at a womans throat. "Ayame!" Hiroshi yelled uncrossing his arms. "Now then," said the leader as he stepped closer to the woman taking her from the other sound nin. "tell us where they are, or she dies." he said pressing a kunai to the womans throat tightly causing some blood to trickle down. "Don't tell him..Hiroshi." the woman said. The sound nin pushed harder against her throat as more blood trickled down. Hiroshi stood frim as he watched his wife struggle. The sound nin let out a laugh as he handed the woman over to another ninja. He began walking around the room looking at the pictures displayed on a shelf. He stopped as he picked up a picture. "I haven't seen her in years." he said tracing his finger over the picture. "Sakura." he said with a smirk as he placed the picture down. He raised his hand as he pulled down the scarf covering his face. "Come now uncle, I don't like playing games." he said with an evil grin as he turned and faced Hiroshi. "Takashi!" He said in surprise. "I'll give you one more chance, where are they uncle." he said twirling a kunai around his finger. "You see, if you don't tell me, first I'll kill your wife over there, then I'll kill you. And after I will find my cute cousin and end her life. But she will have the most painful death and maybe she'll tell me." He said with a grun. "Leave Sakura out of this! She doesn't know anything about the scrolls!" Hiroshi said with fury. "Oh well, looks like I'll torture her anyway." he said turning and facing the other sound ninja holding Ayame. "Kill her." he said as the sou d ninja obiediently slashed the woman's throat. "Ayame!" Hiroshi yelled as he drew his katana and slashed at teh ninja who killed her. Takashi quickly turned throwing several kunai into Hiroshi. Hiroshi dropped his katana as he staggered back and fell collapsed beside Ayame. "Hiroshi?" he heard someone yell his name as Asuma and Kurenai ran in. "Well, it's time to go boys." Takashi signaled to the other sound nin as they nodded and dissapeared. Kurenai and Asuma ran in throwin shurikan and kunai at the dissapearing figure of Takashi only knicking his arm. "Hiroshi!" Kurenai yelled kneeling beside him. "Asuma, go get Hokage-sama!" She yelled as Asuma soon dissapeared.
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"What happend to Gaara?! Is he alright!?" Naruto yelled quickly getting to his feet. Sakura nodded. "He'll be fine for now, but we have to get him to the Konoha hospital right away. Is everyone okay to travel." she said looking around. "Yeah, we'll be fine, just minor injuries. " Neji answered supporting Tenten. "Good," Sakura said adjusting Gaara on her back. "Let's go." she said as Kakashi stopped her. "I'll carry Gaara." he said holding his injured side. Sakura simply shook her head. "No, it's okay. Besides, I have the most strength right now and you're injured." she said with a smirk as she dissapeared with everyone else following except for Kakashi. He walked over to Temari and Kankuro. He placed his hand on Kankuro's shoulder. "C'mon, you guys should come with us so we can tend to your wounds." Temari shook her head. "No, I won't leave Baki-sensai!" she said holding him closer. Kakashi looked at Kankuro as he nodded. Kakashi hit Temari in a sensitive place at the back of her neck as she passed out. "Are you okay to carry her?" Kakashi asked Kankuro who replied with a nod. He stood picking up Temari as they soon dissapeared.
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The door slowly opened as Asuma and Kurenai slowly rose. Tsuande closed the door behind her as she approached them. "Well?" Kurenai asked anxiously. Tsunade shook his head. "He's not going to make it." she said slowly. Asuma wrapped his arm around Kurenai slowly for comfort. "How much longer does he have?" Asuma asked calmly. Tsunade shook her head. "There's no telling how long. His heart could fail at any minute. He has suffered severe blood loss and damage to his inner organs. There isn't anything even I can do." she said lowering her head. "What about Sakura, does she know?" Kurenai asked. Tsunade shook her head. "She hasn't returned from her mission yet." Tsunade said as she turned and made her way back to the Hokage building. "Watch him until..." Tsunade stopped as she let out a sigh. Kurenai shook her head in understanding as she made her way into the room Hiroshi was in.
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They finally arrived in Konoha two days later. All out of breath and injured they slowly made their way to the hospital. Sakura brought Gaara to a room as she layed him on the bed and informed the nurses to tend to him immeadiatly as she needed to go to see Tsunade. She left the hospital making her way towards the Hokage building using the rooftops to get there as fast as she could. She finally arrived as she made her way up the stairs passing several ninjas. They all bowed their heads to her and murmerd "I'm sorry." Sakura paused for a minute confused as she brushed it off and arrived at Tsunade's office. She knocked on the door as she could hear Tsunade call from inside telling her to enter.
Sakura entered the room which was dark, and only somewhat lit up by the moonlight. She saw Shizune standing near the desk her head lowered and her hands together. Tsuande slowly turned and faced Sakura as she began making her way towards her. "What's going on?" Sakura asked, "Why is everyone acting so weird around me.." she said taking a step closer to Tsunade. "Sakura." Tsunade said quietly. "Something happend while you were gone.." she said looking up at Sakura placing her hands on her shoulders. "What? What happend." Sakura asked anxiously. "It's your parents Sakura." Tsunade said gripping Sakura's shoulders tightly. 'My..my parents? What's wrong, what happend! Are they sick..what.." Sakura said worried. "They.." Tsunade sighed. "They were killed." Sakura shook her head. "No...no.." she said as she could feel her eyes starting to water. "Sakura, there was nothing we could do." Tsunade said moving closer to hug and comfort her. Sakura pushed Tsunade off of her as she ran out of the office. Tsunade sighed as she looked over at Shizune who was returning her sad glare.
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Sakura ran down the streets of Konoha, tears streaming down her face. The streets were empty due to the fact that it was about eleven at night. Sakura made her way to the bridge as she tripped over a rock and fell on her face. She didn't try to get up as she just layed there. Her tears soaking the sand as she cried.
They're gone! I could've saved them! That stupid mission, if I wasn't on that stupid mission I would've been here to help them! No, even if I was here I couldn't have saved them, I'm too weak! Weak! I let everyone I cared for, everyone I loved slip through my fingers! They all left me, first Sasuke and now my parents!
She yelled out in her head. She suddenly stopped when she heard someone. "Sakura-chan?" She slowly lifted her head and wiped her eyes to see who it was.
Naruto.
"Sakura-chan." He said holding out his hand to help her up. She accepted and rose to her feet. She stood there for a moment as she threw herself at Naruto. Naruto accepted her and wrapped his arms around her, comforting her. She cried into his clothing as it seeped through and he could feel her tears against his skin. He held her tighter. "It's all my fault!" She yelled. " I could've saved them! If I wasn't so weak I could've stopped this!" She said beating against his chest with her fists. "Sakura. It wasn't your fault. You weren't here." Naruto said. "Yes it is! Even if I was here I couldn't have stopped it!" she said yelling. "I'm too weak! I'm too weak!" she said repeatedly banging her fitsts against him, crying. "No you're not Sakura." he whispered in her ear. They stood there for several minutes finally moving over to a tree where Naruto sat against it and Sakura layed in his lap crying. She finally fell asleep as Naruto noticed this. He picked her up and silently made his way back to his house with her in his arms.
He pushed open the door to his apartment as he walked into his bedroom setting her down on his bed. He slid the covers over her as he brushed away piece of hair that had stuck to her face from her tears. He closed the door as he grabbed a blanket and pillow from a nearby closet. He walked into his living room and undid his couch that opened up to a pull-out bed. He made himself comfortable as he soon fell asleep.
Sakura slowly opened her eyes as she looked around. She sat up examining the room. She knew where she was. She didn't see Naruto anywhere as she slowly stood and opened the door. She walked out into the living room where she spotted Naruto sleeping on the pull-out bed. She slowly made her way over to him pulling back the covers as she slid in beside him. She lifted his arm and placed it around her as she snuggled up close. Naruto slowly opened his eyes as he looked over and saw Sakura laying beside him. He pulled her closer as she layed her head on his chest. He smiled as he closed his eyes falling asleep once more.
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It was the day of the funeral as they all gatherd in the cemetary. Pictures of Hiroshi and Ayame Haruno were placed beside the tombs. Almost all the villagers and ninjas were present. With the exception of the injured in the hospital. Sakura stood her head bowed as she fought back the tears. She knew, as a shinobi, they were not allowed to express their emotions. Naruto placed his arm around her as she leaned her head against his chest. She could hear Tsunade talking about her parents and that they were a blessing and it was a great honour to have them in the village. It was true, the Haruno family had done much for the village. Her father, Hiroshi, was a legendary samurai who saved the village on more than one occasion. And her mother, a close friend of Tsunade, was a great medic nin. One by one, they all moved slowly to place flowers outside the tombs. Everyone left as Sakura was the only one who stayed. She knelt before the tomb where her parents were layed to rest.
"I promise. I will no longer be weak. I will protect everyone I love, even if it means risking my own life. I will avenge your deaths. I will kill the ones who did this!" she said slamming her fist against the ground as she lowered her head and she dig her hands into the ground. What was this feeling.
Revenge.
The tears had dried up. Her smile replaced with an emotionless glare.
Hate.
Now she knew. This is what Sasuke felt. This is what Sasuke left for. To avenge his parents.
Power.
She now wanted the same. She wasn't foolish enough to leave the village and she still had her sanity. She would train. Yes, train. To become more powerful, stronger. She wouldn't be the weak Sakura who always got in the way. Who always needed someone to protect her. She would avenge her parents death, she, like Sasuke, was now an avenger.
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Weeks passed as Sakura was always out training. From sunrise to sunset. She would be sent on the odd B rank mission. Her friends were all worried about her. She wouldn't hag out with them anymore. She wouldn't be around to hit Naruto when he was being foolish, or there to point out his stupid mistakes. She had finally gained the courage to move back into her house. She would never open the door to those who came to visit, or return people's calls. She would stay locked up in her house, or out training when others weren't around.
Tsunade had finally requested to see Sakura. Sakura knocked on the office door as she entred. She entred to see Naruto, Shikamaru, and Neji waiting inside. She walked in and stood between Naruto and Neji. "Sakura." Tsunade said standing up. "We have very important information to share with you. The night your parents were killed. " Tsunade said as Shikamaru, Naruto and Neji all looked at Sakura for a reaction but she stood listening attentivly. "They were killed by sound nin in search of something. Important scrolls to be more specific. The leader of these sound nin, Takashi Haruno." Shikamaru, Naruto and Neji all wide-eyed looked at Tsunade then back at Sakura who still made no reaction. She smiply clutched her hand into a fist. " These scrolls he was after holds the secret to the Haruno clan. An unimaginable power that can only be used by a member of the Haruno clan. If obtained by that of evil, it could be devestating. That's why we're sending you four to find it before Takashi does. It is of the utmost importance that you do not allow Takashi to obtain these scrolls!" Tsunade said slamming her fist against the desk as it cracked. She let out a sigh. "As jounin, I'm certain you can accomplish this mission. I won't lie to you, it will be a dangerous mission one that should not be taken lightly. You will be travelling to the mist country where one of you descendants are believed to have the scrolls Sakura." Tsunade said turning and looking out the window. "This mist country! But they're our enemy!" Naruto protested. Tsunade sighed. " I know. That's why I said this was a dangerous mission. Many of our other jounin are injured or on another mission you four are the only ones available. As soon as I can I will send more as backup. Neji, you will be the leader of this mission. You have been briefed. You leave in an hour." Tsunade said in finality as they all bowed and left the office.
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They all met at the gates of Konoha as Sakura was the last to arrive. Neji gave them final instructions as they all checked their gear and set out to the mist country. They were all worried about Sakura. It was, afterall, her cousin they might have to end up killing. Neji lead the group, followed by Shikamaru, then Sakura then Naruto at the back. They had all expressed their concerns before leaving and they knew that Sakura was their number one priority.
Flashback
" I am sending you on an A-rank mission. I will give you further details once your fourth member arrives. But know this, Sakura is your number one priority throughout this mission. Watch over her and make sure she does not get harmed. We need her to get to those scrolls safly so she can obtain the power before her cousin. She is the key to this mission, and to the survival of this village. I will give you further details once she arrives. Protect Sakura at all costs. Do I make myself clear?" "Hai Hokage-sama." They all replied in unicen.
End flashback.
Neji had his Byakugan activated as he glanced over his shoulder at Sakura and let out a sigh as they continued towards the Mist. Even though they had been told of the dangers of this mission, they were not prepared to for what was about to happen...
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Author's notes: bWHAHA. cliffhanger MUCH? ha. oh man. well that was indeed fun. so much drama ! D : haha. hm well. REVIEW. REVIEW. REVIEW.please? annd i will write the next chapter ASAP. ) YAY. DONT WORRY SASU/SAKU FANS. the fluff is soon approaching. lmaoo. )