A/N: Wow. I haven't updated since last year! I'm so sorry to leave the previous chapter hanging like that! To be honest, I've actually gotten done with this chapter a while back, but never had the time to post it. FYI, this'll be the first battle scene I've written for a Naruto fic. I'm not really good at it, but wish me luck! I'll try my best!

Oh yeah, I kind of changed a few things that'll affect the original storyline, but more on that later. I don't want to give anything away!

Chapter Twelve: The Battle Begins

"Sakura! Look out!"

Before she even knew what was happening, Sakura felt herself being thrust into the ground face-first, the kunai knife just barely missing her.

Sakura struggled to pull herself up to her knees and then turned around in search of Rock Lee. But the moment she caught sight of him, a gasp escaped her throat. She briskly crept over to him. "Lee! Your arm!"

The kunai had left a deep laceration in his right arm, and bright red blood now tarnished his green jumpsuit.

"It's okay, Sakura; I am alright," Lee winced, clutching his injured arm with his free hand. He then traced his eyes along the path the kunai had traveled, and froze.

Sakura couldn't help but follow his glance, but when she saw who the kunai had come from, her eyes dilated in surprise. There was no mistaking it. No way! It's—

By now, it was high noon, and the glistening sun pried through the overhead tree canopy. The forest was unusually quiet today: no chirping birds, or even the slightest sound of a gentle stream. It was the ideal setting for Sasuke—one that was quiet, peaceful, serene…and most importantly, one that was without distractions.

Keeping his hands in his pants pockets, Sasuke trudged on toward his favorite training spot. Right now, the only thing on his mind was the upcoming Chunin Exams: The finals are only three days away now. Time's running short, and I've already wasted so much of it. But this ends now! I've got to plan out the perfect strategy in order to defeat Gaara…

Kakashi warned me that he has the ability to manipulate sand and can form a shield out of it independent of his will. He can even create a sand armor as a last-ditch resort to protect himself from physical injuries… And from what Kakashi told me, even Lee's taijutsu was no match for Gaara… A smirk formed on Sasuke's face. …But I've got a special move up my sleeve that'll be my ace in the hole…

Clang! Something suddenly brushed against Sasuke's foot. He glanced down at it. But as soon as he realized what it was, his blood ran cold. He stared hard at it, a deep grimace crossing his face.

For staring right back at him was a single forehead protector lying idle on the forest floor.

One that came from the sound village.

Meanwhile…

"Surprised to see us? We are too, but at least now we'll finish from where we left off. And it looks like your little Sasuke isn't here to protect you."

The same taunting sneer, the same mocking tone, the same arrogant voice… Both Sakura and Lee knew all too well who they were up against…

It was the Sound Three all over again: Zaku, Dosu, and Kin.

"I only wish he was here, though…to pay for what he did to my arms!" Zaku continued, both his arms now wrapped up in white cloth sling.

Sakura could feel her blood boiling over. "What do you want with us?!" she demanded, reaching into her shuriken holster for a kunai knife. I could never forget… These guys are from Sound, and what's worse…they're working for Orochimaru! But…Sasuke isn't here right now. What could they possibly want?!

"Oh, nothing much. While we're here, we just want a rematch. That's all," Zaku answered.

Sakura glanced at Lee, and then glared at the Sound Three. "Why are you here?! The second phase of the Chunin Exams is over! Can't you just leave us alone?! The finals are in three days!"

Zaku gritted his teeth in anger, and was about to proceed until Dosu intercepted him. "Don't be too hasty, Zaku. We have to carry out our mission. This is no time to be picking fights—"

"Our mission"? Sakura repeated skeptically.

"The mission can wait! Besides, I'm not gonna let that little girl off so easily—not like the last time! This time, I'll finish her for good! And if you so want, you can finish off that taijutsu kid!" Zaku proclaimed. He then shoved Dosu's hand aside and jumped down from the tree.

Dosu sighed. "Well, I suppose it can't be helped." Then he, too, (and Kin) jumped from the tree, landing squarely on the dirt floor.

Zaku grinned. "Now…where were we?"

Sakura flinched. Oh, no. Not again! I… I don't think I can take these guys… Her kunai knife trembled in her hand.

Lee seemed to have noticed this. He held his arm out in front of Sakura.

Sakura blinked in surprise. "Lee?"

"Let me deal with this, Sakura," Lee insisted sternly.

"But…your arm…"

"You do not have to worry about me; I will be fine," Lee reassured her. "Remember what I told you the last time? I vow to protect you with my life!"

Sakura's eyes widened as the scene reeled in her mind: Lee's sudden appearance from out of nowhere in her defense, his unwavering pledge of coming to her aide anytime and anywhere that she was in trouble, and even his putting his life on the line to ensure her safety…even if it meant his downfall.

Back then, Sakura had only taken a stand for herself when there was no one left to protect her. Well, I am not gonna let that happen again! Sakura told herself. If there was anything I learned from that day, it was that I'm through with caving! This time, I'm gonna fight alongside Lee!

"No, Lee…" Sakura finally blurted, her eyes concentrated on the ground.

Lee suddenly turned to face her, looking as shocked and horrified as if his beloved Guy-sensei had just told him to forget his Nindo. "What?!"

"As much as I appreciate it, your vow—thanks to me—almost cost you your life the last time," Sakura began. "On that day, you taught me that I don't always need protecting…" She glanced up from the floor, the resolve flashing in her eyes. "…So I'm not gonna sit back and let you risk your life for me again. This time, we'll fight together!"

She pulled herself to her feet, now gripping the kunai knife firmly in her hands. I can do this, Sakura told herself, I know I can!

Lee could only stare at her in awe. "Sakura…"

Zaku sneered. "So, the little girl finally decided to fight after all, huh? Too bad it'll be your last battle once I'm through with you!"

Sakura scowled, falling into a defensive stance. That's a lot of tough talk for someone who can't even use his arms… What's he thinking?

Apparently, Lee—now having broken free from his daze—was having the same thoughts: "I do not know what he is planning, Sakura, but it is still three against two," he observed. "Our best bet is to defeat this guy quickly, and then each take on the other two."

Sakura nodded. "Right."

Unfortunately, Lee hadn't considered all the factors…as a slight grin crossed Zaku's face. "I'm afraid it would be that easy for you brats that take me out."

Sakura frowned. What's he talking about? How can he still be smiling like that? Without his arms, he can't use can't create his sound waves… What's he thinking?

It was then that Zaku suddenly ripped his arms free of the sling. He smirked. "Heh. Think you had me there? Guess again."

Both Sakura and Lee gasped. What the—? I thought Sasuke had… Sakura trailed off in mid-thought, the sudden realization quickly sinking in. I get it! His sling was just a ruse to get us to think his arms were broken, when all along, they weren't! …I guess Sasuke had never broken his arms in the first place… But, either way, this guy being able to use his arms again will just make things more difficult!

Zaku crossed his hands out in front of him. "Slicing Sound Wave!"

Before they could get pounded by the wall of air, Sakura and Lee quickly leapt out of the way.

Having gotten past Zaku's offense, Sakura snuck up behind him and hurled kunai at his back. It was then that Zaku suddenly turned around. "Stop messing around!" he barked.

Sakura formed a few hand-signs before Zaku's attack redirected her kunai back at her.

Thunk! A log appeared in Sakura's place, pierced by all of the kunai.

"Again with the substitution jutsu?" Zaku mocked, "Who do you think you're kidding?" He reached into his waist pack to obtain a pair of his own kunai knives. "Heh. You must be joking if you think you can fool me with such a lame jutsu!"

Kunai in hand, Zaku spun on his heels. "Take this!"

"Leaf Hurricane!"

Before Zaku could release his kunai, he received a sharp blow in the jaw, sending him sprawling across the floor.

Lee landed squarely on his feet, and fell gracefully into his signature stance: his right arm outstretched with his open palm perpendicular to the ground and facing him, while his left arm remained behind him.

"If I were you, I would not be so quick to underestimate my opponents," Lee advised, with Sakura now close behind him.

Zaku pulled himself to his feet, wiping away a streak of fresh crimson blood that dripped from his mouth. "I almost forgot there were two of you," he remarked irritably through gritted teeth.

Suddenly, Dosu and Kin appeared in front of a surprised Zaku. "Enough with the games, Zaku," Dosu told him impatiently. "You can't take them on yourself. Don't forget what we're here for…"

"Yeah, yeah. The mission. I know," Zaku answered.

"Then let's just finish them off quickly…right here and now…" Dosu pulled up his right sleeve, revealing the sound device on his arm, while Kin laced her fingers with senbon needles.

"Heh. This'll be fun," she sneered.

Sakura scowled. I was afraid it'd come to this. This changes everything! Now they have the advantage! Lee and I will have to be careful if we even hope of winning!

"Sakura…" Lee's voice interrupted Sakura's thoughts, and she glanced up at him, but only to see his turned back.

"Yeah?"

"This is it…" Lee told her, his voice so low that Sakura could barely recognize it as Lee's. "I'm sorry that today had to turn out like this…"

Sakura smiled meekly. "T-that's okay, Lee; you had no way of knowing…"

"But I promise you...we will see through this together!" Lee proclaimed fervently over his shoulder, flashing his nice guy pose. "So let's do our best!"

Sakura just stared at him for a moment before smiling again. "Yeah."

"Cut the small talk!" Dosu suddenly exclaimed. "I'm going in for the kill! This ends now!"

A/N: Ha-ha. Another cliffie! Aren't they great? Anyway, this time, I'll really try hard to post the next chapter soon! The battle is about to get intense!

As for the changes I've made to the storyline, you could probably tell by now what they are: Zaku lost both his arms in his match against Shino, and at this time, the Sound Three are already supposed to be dead (by Orochimaru and Gaara), but I decided to keep them around! I hope this doesn't bother anyone!

Please R&R!