Hey Everyone! I know everyone has been patiently waiting for this chapter; thank you! I really hope everyone likes this chapter, I worked hard on it! Now I have a question to ask everyone, and I would really like a response. Do you think I should continue this story (for maybe sixteen or so more chapters) or do you think I should end this one if a few chapters, and then start up a sequel? I'm thinking about just continuing this story, but i know some people really don't like long chapter stories. Either way, let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter 15: The Final Part of the Chunnin Exams

"Who is it?" Kakashi asked curiously.

"Zabuza Momochi actually," Sarutobi stated as his smirk widened. "He heard about Sakura being in the Chuunin exams and volunteered to help."

Sakura knocked on the Hokage's door; she was actually standing outside of that door more often than not…

"Come on in," Sakura heard Sarutobi state. She walked inside the room, and shut the door very swiftly. She really had not wanted to be here… She really wanted to be at home thinking and sulking.

Sakura walked in front of the Hokage's desk, she bowed once and then stood indifferently. "What did you want to see me about, Hokage-sama?" Sakura asked, her voice sounded as indifferent as she looked.

"I'm afraid Kakashi will not longer be able to be your Sensei for the Chuunin exam finals," Sarutobi said as he looked into the young girls eyes. "I have found someone else who has volunteered to teach you, though."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," Sakura said with another nod. "Who will this person be?"

"I think that should be a surprise for tomorrow," Sarutobi stated with a smile. "Tomorrow at training field one, five am."

"Was there something else you wanted to talk to me about?" Sarutobi asked as Sakura stood in front of him; Sarutobi could see a slight change in the pink haired girls eyes… something like fear.

"I had a dream the other day," Sakura started quietly. "It was when Kaka- when Hatake-sensei and I had gotten back to my apartment."

Sarutobi's smile turned into a frown, "What was this dream about, Sakura-Chan?" Sarutobi asked with concern.

"… It was like I was under a spell or something," Sakura stated with a shiver. "My curse mark seemed to have developed or changed somehow."

There was a pregnant silence until Sakura decided to continue. "Orochimaru… it was like he had some control over me," Sakura said while looking down toward her feet. "He kissed me… I did nothing to stop this."

Sarutobi's eyes shone even more concern. "Describe what your curse mark looked like; how as it different?" Sarutobi asked.

"It had grown to be a long mark across my neck," Sakura said while touching her curse mark lightly. "Orochimaru touched it, and it was almost like it changed me…"

"Thank you Sakura," Sarutobi stated grimly. "The researchers looking into the curse mark told me that they have found information on Sasuke's curse mark, but not your own."

"Okay," Sakura stated with one final nod. "Thank you Hokage-sama."

---

Sakura sat meditating at training field one; it was barely three in the morning, but Sakura could not sleep. Her nightmares were becoming more and more often, and Sakura didn't even need to will herself against the sleep.

"You're here early," a rugged voice stated from the forest. Sakura's emerald eyes shone bright through the moon light.

"I was not expecting you, Zabuza-san," Sakura stated as she bowed slightly to the older man. Zabuza smiled as he saw the well known mist headband wrapped around Sakura's waist.

"I figured I owed Haku a favor," Zabuza stated as he looked to the sky. He then glanced toward Sakura; his sword ready to attack. "And since you're his sister; I figured I would pay it to you."

"I appreciate that," Sakura stated as she stood in a defensive position.

"But I am slightly confused; why is the Copy-nin not training you?" Zabuza asked as he flung his large sword at the girl. Sakura dodged the attack quickly; she flipped back several times.

"Hatake-sensei is training Sasuke," Sakura said while dodging another sword attack from Zabuza.

"His loss I suppose," Zabuza stated as he set his sword on his shoulder. "Have you been properly trained in sword fighting?"

"Only what I was taught in the Mist Academy," Sakura stated. "I was only able to attend that for a few years... You know the circumstances."

"Do you have a sword?" Zabuza asked while he glanced toward the girl; Sakura shook her head slowly. "Then take my own."

Sakura's eyes widened when Zabuza placed his precious sword in her grasp. "I'm sorry Zabuza-san; I cannot take this."

"Shut up girl; let's get to practicing."

--- Chuunin Exams---

Sakura stood in the center of the arena; people were screaming and yelling wildly. Sakura glanced to the shinobi beside her; everyone was here… everyone besides the sound nin from the forest.

"It appears Dosu-san will no longer be participating in the exams," their new proctor, Genma stated. "His opponent, Gaara, will be facing Sasuke Uchiha in the final match of this round. Since everyone is ready, we will begin the first match.

"Kankuro and Shino, please step forward."

Shino took his place before Genma, but Kankuro did not. "I am sorry proctor, I am going to have to withdrawal myself from this match."

"So be it," Genma stated as the crowd started booing. "Kankuro has decided to forfeit; Shino wins."

"The next match will be Neji and Naruto," Genma stated. "The rest of you should start heading to the waiting area."

"How was your training Sakura?" Sasuke asked as the two climbed up the stairs together. Sakura slightly smirked as she answered.

"You'll just have to wait and see," Sakura stated slyly.

---

"That was a great match, Naruto, you are the winner," Genma stated as Naruto stood before him. "We will be starting the next match; Sakura and Shikamaru."

Shikamaru walked slowly down the stairs while Sakura walked beside him. Her appearance had changed over the last month; her features were a little more pronounced and her hair had grown longer.

"I hope you are ready, Shikamaru-san," the ever polite Sakura stated with a gleam in her eye. Shikamaru's eyebrow rose, but he said nothing as the two took their places before Genma.

As Genma introduced them, Sakura's eyes caught a flash of silver in the crowd. Of course he'd be here. Kakashi stood in one of the lower balconies; his eyes were staring straight into Sakura's.

Sakura's eyes flashed forest green as she brought her attention back to Shikamaru.

"May the battle begin," Genma stated before jumping backward.

Shikamaru took several steps back, and brought his hands in a defensive position. Sakura's calculating eyes saw this, and she soon went into offensive mode.

Sakura's fists glowed blue as she shot toward Shikamaru. Shikamaru leaped backward as one of Sakura's fists collided with the ground; the whole arena shook.

Shikamaru's eyes widened as his feet faltered. He slipped slightly on the shaking ground, and fell backward. Sakura immediately pounced at the opportunity.

She leaped into the air, and brought a fist to his chest; it connected and sent Shikamaru spiraling into the ground.

"Holy sh-" Genma's reaction was cut off as Shikamaru poofed into smoke. Sakura's eyes, already calculating this, blocked a round house kick Shikamaru tried to connect with her face.

"You have a hell of a right hook, Sakura," Shikamaru commented as Sakura squeezed his leg. He flinched lightly as he sent his other foot toward her head; Sakura grabbed the other foot, and squeezed it just as tightly.

"Something I was taught when I was younger," Sakura mused as she threw Shikamaru's feet away from her. Shikamaru's eyes widened as she immediately started to do hand signs. "This was only recently taught to me."

"Weapon Summon: Zanbato," Sakura's hands were immediately weighed down by the giant, but fierce sword formerly owned by Zabuza Momochi.

Adding chakra to her hands, she allowed the sword to lay easily against her shoulder; a shocked look appeared on her opponent's face.

"That's one of the seven deadly swordsmen's sword," Shikamaru commented in aw as he took several steps back.

"You caught me, Shikamaru-san," Sakura stated while swinging the sword with one hand. "This was one of the mist swordsmen's sword."

Sakura leaped at the brunette haired male swiping her sword as she went. Shikamaru leaped backward, barely dodging the large sword in the process.

"How can you handle such a large sword, while being so quick?" Shikamaru asked while continuing to dodge the sword wielding girl.

Sakura had thought about her opponent before the match; she had talked with Zabuza about Shikamaru.

'Never let up,' Zabuza had said during a practice session. 'If you give him the chance to think, he'll take it.'

Sakura added more chakra to her sword; a blue light could be slightly seen around her sword. She attacked Shikamaru once more; Shikamaru flipped backward once again, but the sword connected with his arm.

Shikamaru stood before her; his left arm was bleeding heavily, and his eyes were wide once more at the pink haired girl. "How did you-?"

"I was able to hit you because I added more chakra to my sword," Sakura stated while walking forward, "the extra chakra added an extra few inches onto my blade."

Shikamaru fell to his knees breathing heavily. "I give up," he stated before he fell face first into the ground. The proctor, Genma's, mouth was wide open.

Sakura dispelled the sword, and walked to Shikamaru. She placed a glowing green hand to Shikamaru's arm; the bleeding stopped immediately.

"The winner is Sakura Haruno," Genma stated after he had gotten over his shock.

Sakura lay Shikamaru back down gently, and began walking over to the balcony where the other genin stood.

"That was so bad ass Sakura-Chan!" Naruto stated as she walked up to the rest of the group. "You didn't even have to use any ninjutsu!"

"Thank you Naruto," Sakura stated with a sigh. "You did well against your and Neji's battle, also."

Sasuke walked up to Sakura with a smug smile. "Look's like we'll be meeting each other in the next match then."

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "You'll have to win this next match first, Sasuke," Sakura said with a slight smile. "Good luck."

Sakura glanced around the small balcony only to see Gaara staring up at his Kazekage; there was hate in his stare.

"Gaara Sabaku," Sakura said while walking up to the red haired teen. "I look forward to seeing your match against Sasuke."

"You won't be seeing the whole thing, I'm afraid," Gaara muttered while walking passed the girl. "But I do hope we get a chance to battle."

Sakura immediately became concerned; even though she did not know Gaara, there was something completely wrong with him. "I'm going to talk to the Hokage," Sakura whispered to Naruto before poofing away from the small balcony.

Sakura appeared at the door which would lead her to the Hokage; only someone stood in her path.

"Sakura…"

"Hatake-sensei."

"Why are you here Sakura?" Kakashi asked; his eye shone no emotion toward the pink haired girl before him.

"I need to talk to the Hokage," Sakura said while taking a step forward. "There's something wrong here."

"Sakura go back to the balcony," Kakashi stated while standing in front of the door. "Sasuke is up now."

Sakura blinked but then nodded. "I'm keeping you from watching your prized student," Sakura stated. She walked up to the silver haired sensei, "I'm sorry, but I have to see the Hokage."

Kakashi couldn't stop the fist that connected with his stomach; Sakura and he were too close for him to even think about it.

Sakura quickly stepped passed Kakashi as she moved toward the door. Opening the door, she walked straight toward the Hokage.

"I'm sorry, Hokage-sama," Sakura stated with a bow. "I need to talk with you immediately."

"Sure, Sakura-Chan, but Sasuke's match is going-" Sarutobi was cut off by a loud, piercing scream. Sakura shivered as she looked down to the match below her. Sakura could not see Gaara anywhere, but Sakura did see a large sand dome in the middle of the arena; Sasuke's arm was inside the sand dome, and he wasn't the one that was screaming.

"Gaara!" Sakura heard from the stands below her. She watched as Temari flew down to the center of the arena, quickly followed by Kankuro.

"I guess it's time," the Kazekage stated while standing. Sakura and Sarutobi looked over questioningly at the Kazekage. "I'm sorry Sakura-Chan; we'll have to meet up later."

Sakura's eyes went wide as the 'Kagekage's' voice turned into that of Orochimaru's. Sarutobi stood between he and Sakura. "Leave the girl alone, Orochimaru," Sarutobi stated with a glare.

Orochimaru ignored Sarutobi as he looked passed him at Sakura. "Remember I will be seeing you soon," Orochimaru stated before grabbing the Hokage and heading toward the top of the roof.

Sakura tried to follow only to be knocked back by a hardened, unseen force. Sakura flipped backward only to find a purple force field surrounding the roof where Orochimaru had taken the Hokage.

"God Damn it!" Sakura heard a curse from below her; she glanced down to see Genma try to fight off several unknown ninjas in the center of the arena. She leaped down, and intercepted one ninja that were trying to attack Genma's back.

"Sakura," Genma nodded toward the girl. "You need to stop Gaara and his siblings; Sasuke followed them, but I need you to hurry and go."

Sakura nodded, but started to head towards the balcony. "I'll wake Naruto from this genjutsu; we'll follow Sasuke together."

Sakura appeared beside Naruto; the genjutsu that had been cast over the arena had left many ninja in a deep sleep. Sakura quickly broke the jutsu Naruto was under and explained the situation to him.

"Sasuke went after Gaara; there's something going on here, Naruto," Sakura stated while she helped Naruto stand. "We're under attack; our village is… I think it's by Sand and Sound…"

"Let's hurry and help the Teme!" Naruto cheered as the two began to leave the balcony.

"I would like to join you," a low voice spoke from behind them. Sakura turned to find Shino standing behind them.

"Sounds good to me, Shino-san," Sakura stated before the group of three jumped off the balcony. "Or mission is to stop whatever needs to be stopped; our village is under attack, and we need to help save it."

"How are we going to catch up to them?" Naruto asked loudly. "Sasuke must have left minutes ago."

Sakura's eyes flashed forest green. "Leave that to me."

---

Kakashi stood astounded after Sakura's match. "She did better than I even thought she could have," Kakashi stated fondly. He watched her walk up to the balcony, and decided it was time to talk to the Hokage about his two year mission. "Sasuke's match can wait."

He poofed in front of the Hokage's door within seconds. "Do I really want this?" He questioned himself calmly. What would his students think about him just abandoning them? Especially Sakura…

Kakashi made his decision and walked closer to the Hokage's door; just as he was doing so, however, Sakura poofed into existence a few feet away from him.

"Sakura…"

"Hatake-sensei," Kakashi flinched as she said this… his mind took over, and he lost all emotions.

Several minutes later, Kakashi found himself on the ground, holding his gut tightly. He flinched lightly as he stood; Sakura really could hit someone hard.

Walking into the room that held the Hokage, Kakashi found it empty. He looked quizzically around before finding a purple force field surrounding the room; Kakashi felt the Hokage's chakra, and another, more sinister chakra there.

"Orochimaru," Kakashi spat under his breath. Kakashi quickly glanced around the arena, and sighed with relief once he had spotted Sakura. She was with Naruto and Shino, and all three of them were leaving the arena, and heading toward the forest.

"This cannot be good," Kakashi muttered as he watched the three exit, along with several sound ninja following after the three.