So here's an all-around played out time travel fic! Hope ya'll enjoy!
Summary: When Sakura and Naruto are attacked by Tobu in Konoha, instead of Naruto getting caught in Tobi's genjutsu Sakura pushes him out of the way in time and is caught alone. Unbeknownst to Tobi his genjutsu was something far different. Something had gone terribly wrong. He did not send Sakura into a parallel universe of his own creating but sent her back in time, not knowing what he did wrong until it was too late. Now Sakura wakes to find herself thrown back in her Genin days the day she graduates from the academy.
Chapter 7 – The Chunin Exams Part 1 –
It had been three weeks since Team Seven had gotten back from their mission in the Land of Waves. When they had come back to the village, they were of course required to debrief their mission to Lord Hokage. Nothing unusual happened in the least but Sakura was told to wait back with Kakashi sensei as her other two teammates were asked to leave.
_FLASHBACK_
Sakura, Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi sensei walked through the Konoha Village gates, from there one of the gatekeepers Kotetsu had escorted them to the Hokage tower. He was a tall slim man with spiky black hair and he wore his hitate headband around his forehand. He had black eyes and slightly tanned skin and wore a single bandage across his nose around his face. Sakura mentally cringed she didn't know what was in store for her. Naruto was walking alongside Kakashi with his hand behind his head, Sasuke slowed down his pace making sure he was in step with Sakura.
"Sakura?" Sasuke asked snapping his pink haired teammate out of daze.
"Huh?" She looked at Sasuke.
"You, ok? You've been spacing out."
"Oh yeah just fine Sasuke-kun." Sakura said as they arrived at the Hokages doors. Without realizing it herself she began to sweat slightly; Sasuke took notice of this. 'This is no joke…Lord Hokage…what if he thinks I'm a spy, that I'm not me from the future but someone else playing me?' Sakura walked into the room Standing beside Naruto and Sasuke with Kakashi behind her. Sakura completely spaced out the entirety of the debrief it wasn't until the end when Kakashi sensei spoke did she snap back to reality.
"Lord Hokage, it seems our little Sakura here has something she has been hiding from us." Naruto and Sasuke whipped their head around to stare at their sensei, wondering what he was speaking of.
"She has been studying medical ninjutsu and proves to be quite skillful even though she still has a lot to learn." Kakashi said as he smiled threw his mask.
"Sakura dear, I need you stay back with me so you can explain all of what you learned to Lord Hokage, being a medical ninja is a very rare thing indeed and we are always needing more." 'That's not subtle at all Kakashi sensei!' Sakura thought angrily. But it seemed to calm Naruto down as he was the first to run out of the room.
"I'm starving! I need Ichiraku Ramen! Bye Sakura-chan!" he called back as he bolted for the doors. Sasuke was another story; he stood his ground. He had noticed how nervous Sakura was before entering the Hokages office he didn't buy it. Sakura sighed as she looked toward Sasuke.
"Sasuke-kun, it's true…I know I seemed nervous before and I was, I am honestly, because truth be told some of those medical ninjutsu books I read where in the restricted zone in the library. Only those with extremely precise chakra control are aloud to use medical ninjutsu, which is why they lock those scrolls up, to keep any other ninjas from hurting themselves by learning or attempting the technique without a practice or a teacher." Sasuke looked down at the girl one last time contemplating on leaving still, before he finally decided it was fine.
"Hmph." He mumbled as he stuffed his hands in his pockets before walking out himself. Sakura sighed. 'That was close, but at least I wasn't lying…they really do lock those scrolls up for that purpose, Lady Tsunade Showed me where they hid the keys, so I knew where to find them.'
Sakura, Kakashi, Lord Hokage, a two other shinobi were left in the room.
"So Kakashi, what's this about Sakura being able to use medical ninjutsu? Since when?" The Hokage asked as he lit a cigarette from behind his desk.
"Well Lord Hokage it's a bit more serious than that, actually its extremely more serious than that. I must ask that you advise the remainder of shinobi to leave the room at once. This is an extremely delicate situation." The Hokages face stilled as his eyes widened. One of the shinobi who stood next to the Hokage spoke up.
"Just who do you think you are making dem-"
"Leave!" The Hokage shouted. The two shinobi looked stunned.
"I said Leave!" Gaining the realization of the situation the two shinobi had left the office leaving just the three, Sakura, Kakashi, and the Hokage.
"Now Kakashi I ask you this again, what is the meaning of this."
"Well Sir, I believe Sakura would be the best one to explain." Kakashi said while he looked down at his young student. Sakura felt her throat dry up as she tried to speak. She took a deep beath and calmly began explaining the situation to the Hokage. After Sakura explained the entirety of the situation she paused.
"Also Lord Hokage, you die in the very near future…if you request it of me I will tell you-"
"No…Sakura that wont be necessary. I am an old man, if my time will come then I open it with wide arms. A new Hokage is what is best for this village even I know this. I will die protecting my village, but my time as Hokage was supposed to end long ago…" The Hokage said as he put out his cigarette. He crossed his fingers in front of his old wore out face as he leaned against his elbows. Sakura waited knowing, he was going to ask a question.
"Who takes my place?"
"Lady, err I mean The first Hokages granddaughter, Princess Tsunade, I am to become her apprentice." The Hokage laughed at this.
"Haha, that gabling drunk? Well, she's slicker than a wet bar of soap. I guess I'll have to try to pinpoint her whereabouts now to prepare…ahh well dear you must be exhausted from this conversation especially after such a long and tedious mission, please go home and get some well-deserved rest." Sakura nodded as she bowed.
"Oh and Sakura, I would like for you to train under Hana Inuzuka, for now. Just to help stop suspicions from arising. We will need to notify her of your situation though." Sakura nodded and was about to leave before she turned back around towards the Hokage. Tears were welling up in her eyes that she refused to let fall.
"Sir?"
"Yes Sakura?"
"I just want to thank you for everything you've ever done for me, and the people of this village, we are truly lucky to have a Hokage like you."
_END FLASHBACK_
"Sakura?" The pink haired kunoichi shook her head, Naruto was asking her something, but she hadn't heard him even though he was particularly closer than usual. She was helping him walk back from a mission they had just completed.
"Oh uuh what was that Naruto-kun?" Sakura asked.
"You've been spacing out a lot more recently now Sakura-chan. But I was asking if you wanted to go to Ichiraku ramen with me?" Sakura had generally actually considered going but she really needed to train more, especially since she knew the chunin exams were coming up, which meant Orochimaru would be here soon.
"How bout we all go train Naruto-kun? Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked bother teammates as passed civilians in the bustling streets of Konoha, with their sensei right behind them.
"Nah I'll pass Sakura-chan." Naruto complained.
"Haah maybe if you haven't overdone it you'd be willing." Sakura grumbled underneath her breath.
"You're a real nuisance." Sasuke directed at Naruto has he stuffed his hands in his pockets and continued to walk forward.
"That's it! Sasuke-"
"Hah!" The raven-haired boy cut off his blonde teammate before he could get anything else out. Sakura just sighed as the slapped her hand over her face, while letting go of the seemingly now fine teammate she was just supporting.
"Lately your teamwork has been almost non-existent" Kakashi sighed as well.
"You tell him! You're always messing up our teamwork Sasuke!" Naruto yelled at the boy who was now walking away from him.
"He was talking to you bonehead. If you're so sick of me always saving you, why don't you get better than me?" Sasuke said as he turned his head back to look directly at Naruto. Kakashi looked up towards the bright sky as he saw a messenger hawk fly by, deciding it was a perfect time to take his leave since he finally stopped the two boys from continuing what petty argument they were about to begin.
"Okay that's it, we'll call it a day right now. I've got to go hand in my report on today's mission."
"Hmph I'm going home." Sasuke snapped as he began walking away.
"Neh, enjoy your ramen Naruto-Kun! Bye Kakashi sensei! Hey Sasuke wait up!" Sakura called as she ran after the boy. He slowed his pace down so she could catch up with him.
"Want to train with me?" She asked hopefully.
"Hn, No I'll pass." Sasuke said coldly as he kept walking away leaving Sakura standing there confused as to what she had don't to get that sort of reaction out of him.
"Hey Sakura don't listen to that Jerk just come have some ramen with me!" Naruto called after her. Sakura Turned around and saw Kakashi was already gone but simply smiled at Naruto waving her head back and forth and continued her way to the training grounds. Sakura trained for hours, she knew Naruto and Sasuke had learned about the chunin exams and met Garra, and his team but she just hadn't felt like dealing with all that ruckus. She needed to build her stamina, and she had been able to rain for a few days now seeing as she had to go see Hana and listen to her bark about all the medical ninjutsu techniques Sakura already knew so if anyone asked questions, she had an alibi.
Sakura grabbed her hair and pulled it down; it was already dark, and she could clearly see some stars shine through the brightness of the moon. 'Why was Sasuke acting so cold towards me…made me feel like I did back then. Oh well I'm sure he has his reasons, and all will be back to the new norm tomorrow.' Sakura grabbed her water bottle that she set down on a nearby rock and took a few gulps. After feeling fully refreshed she poured the rest of the contents over her face wetting her hair the process.
"I know you're watching me; you can come out now." Sakura yelled at the trees that were to her left.
It wasn't until a few minutes passed by did a small figure jumped down from the tree line. Sakura raised one of her pink eyebrows as she placed her hand near her thigh in case she needed a weapon. 'I know this chakra..' She thought wearily. A small boy with red hair and pale white skin walked up to her, his eyes were a lifeless seafoam green, and he bore the kanji love above his left eye on his forehead, he carried a large gourd on his back that looked over sized for his small frame.
"Not many people can sense my chakra if I don't want them too, you leaf shinobi have a few worthy amongst you." Sakura cringed, she knew this boy would not always remain the way he seemed now; evil, lost, unbalanced, but mostly murderous.
"It's kind of hard to miss with all the chakra you have stored inside of you." Sakura spoke smoothly, not wanting to show her fear to this boy, knowing he would relish it and may in fact do something dangerous. His cold eyes narrowed on her, questionably.
"What do you know of the chakra I have stored inside of me?" He asked. Sakura knew what he had meant by it and not wanting to seem like she knew to much about him she lied.
"Nothing really, you're a genin from the sand, Garra? Right? I just know you're an exceptional ninja, you've completed 8 C rank missions and one B rank mission to boot, and you've returned from each mission without a scratch on you, so I just deduced that you have a gift, not many people can accumulate as much chakra as you can." She said hoping he would believe her bluff, if he had known she knew about the tailed beast the was sealed inside of him she knew he would kill her on the spot, and even if she wasn't the same weak genin as before, she was still not match for a tailed beast, at least not alone.
Garra studied the girl in front of him and crossed her arms over his chest.
"You know a lot for a leaf genin." Sakura mustered the best cocky smile she could make.
"Well the chunin exams are here, so I had to do some research, would be stupid if I didn't especially since my own teammates didn't know of the exams until today." Sakura had never once thought she be thankful for Kabuto before this moment, if she hadn't remembered his stupid ninja info cards from her past then she wouldn't of been so lucky.
The boy seemed to believe her, and Sakura mentally felt relieved, but she still wasn't going to let her guard down, she knew the tail-ed beast inside him craved blood.
"You seem to already know my name, what is yours?"
"Uh Sakura Haruno."
" Its late, why ae you out here all alone Sakura?" She couldn't help but shivered from his monotone voice.
"Ahh well I-"
"She's not alone." Sakura made sure not to jump at the sound of her teammates voice. Sasuke had walked up causally with his hands in his pockets. 'Sasuke? Where did he come from?' The sand ninja smirked at the boy who now stood next to Sakura.
"Sasuke Uchiha. We meet again?"Garra now had a smirk of his own plastered on his face, if Sakura wasn't so uneasy at the moment and it was under entirely different circumstances, she might have laughed.
"I had promised Sakura I would train with her but was late, and I didn't want to disturb her, she takes training very seriously. So, I waited." Sakura blushed at this. 'He was watching me the whole time. But he said he didn't want to train with me." Sakura thought hastily as she heard her teammate continue.
"But its late and I figured I'd at least walk her home, learning that we have many new faces in town I wanted to make sure she didn't run into any trouble." 'What these two met earlier I know it; well I mean things could have changed but -no they definitely did they know each other's names…which means Garra was here because he was following Sasuke!' Sakura knew her teammate was suspicious if her but this was down right not cool, he was now spying on her, but she wouldn't let that bother her. If the role was reversed, she was sure shed do the same thing.
"Ah well you know it is late and all, I'm exhausted, so Sasuke why don't you say we leave?" Sakura asked, wanting so bad to get away from the sand ninja. Sakura was expecting the foreign ninja to object, but he simply stood there as he watched the two leaf genin walked away, after a few moments passed he was about to go after them before he was stopped by two hands that appeared on each on his shoulders, stopping him. The boy simply shrugged the hands off and continued to watch the retreating forms of his almost prey.
Sakura couldn't help but feel a bit irritated at the boy who had seemingly come to save her from the dangerous sand ninja. He was walking slowly next to her not intending to start a conversation so Sakura would.
"Why were you spying on me Sasuke?" She asked making sure not to add her friendly endearment 'kun' at the end. Sasuke took notice of this but wouldn't let her see it bothered him.
"I – Me? What about you? I mean seriously you change completely overnight and I'm not to be suspicious of it?" HE retorted. Sakura calmed down a little. 'He's right, I should have played it cooler in the beginning, and made it seemed like I was the same and slowly act like I progressed a bit, I should of known for Sasuke to get curious, Naruto of course not but Sasuke yes.' Sakura sighed.
"Nothing changed…well that's not true something did change. I just…" Sakura tailed of searching her brain for a good enough explanation that wouldn't seems like a complete lie.
"It's just if I'm going to be completely honest with you, I need you to believe me ok, because I know it sounds crazy but its true." She started looking at the boy next to her. She stopped walking, forcing him to look her in the eyes, beginning him with her emerald irises. Sasuke sighed.
"Yes fine, ok." He murmured.
"Its not that I've always been completely weak ok." 'Lie, Lie, Lie! I feel horrible but…no! I need him to believe me! I need him to drop this now!' She thought hastily. As Sasuke waited for her to finish. The bright lights of the streets made each other's skin glow along with the moonlight from above.
"Ugh its so embarrassing! But ok… I wanted you to notice me so badly. I remember when we were little some girls said you like long hair, so I grew mine out hoping you'd see me, but honestly after I grew it out I liked it not for you but for me, even though I still tried to get your attention so desperately. I would, for a long time, just worry about my looks, my forehead mostly; about how big it was and how I could try to find other ways to get you to notice me. But finally, I woke up one day and I picked up some scrolls in my spare time. I would read and study, I would sneak away and practice, and before I knew it I got really good in a short amount of time…haha…I guess having a big forehead means I have a big brain. But I was scared id get made fun of, and I know that sounds crazy, why would anyone make fun of me for wanting to get stronger? But I felt like that, and along the road somewhere I began to feel happy with myself, because even though I started just to try to get you notice me, it ended with me being happy and feeling accomplished of myself, and I finally realized that no matter what I did if you didn't want anything to do with me I wouldn't be able to change your mind. That night before we graduated, I replayed how I acted towards you in my head, and I felt so ashamed and embarrassed that I acted like you were a trophy to be won because Sasuke you are not. You're a person you have been through so much I can't even begin to understand, and I treated you the way I did, and I decided I didn't want to be like that. Not to mention I thought about how I treated Naruto…My own mother said something that made me cringe, and she's always said it but when she told me to stay away from him that he was bad news I remembered at how almost everyone's parents did that and I reflected on how that might of made him feel too, because I've always thought Naruto was funny, an idiot yes but funny nonetheless. So that night I decided to start fresh. Be someone I wanted to be for me; not someone I thought you, nor my mother or Ino, or anyone else wanted me to be or to judge me for being that way...I wouldn't fear being made fun of for my forehead or for any abnormal strength I accumulated. I would just be me." Sakura waited for an answer from Sasuke and when she received none she started walking ahead. 'Great he didn't believe me, and why would he what I just said was basically a soap opera, he-' Sakura was pulled from her thoughts when a hand stopped her from walking any further.
She knew it was Sasuke, but he still didn't say anything, she waited and waited and nothing she ripped his hand off her shoulder and started to walk away again.
"Hah, told you it was stupid." She murmured under her beath.
"A little, but I'm glad you told me. Honestly makes more sense than what I had started thinking." Sakura felt her ears strain, she turned on her heel and looked at her handsome teammate. The glow of the different shops reflected in his dark eyes making them look like and endless galaxy.
"You're not upset?"
"No, I'm not gonna say its not weird but you've always been strange to me."
"Haha, yea…uh so what were you thinking?" she asked him as she resumed walking.
"It doesn't matter, all that matters is you told the truth." Sakura couldn't help but feel guilty for lying to her teammate, but she had to look at the bigger picture, she couldn't let this bother her because somewhere in the village at this very moment Orochimaru was hiding and he was plotting.
"Yeah haha." They continued to walk in silence 'It's not like I really was lying, I did realize all those thing but it was only after he left, I may of not be honest completely but I did tell the truth..' Sakura reassured herself. It wasn't until they got to the base of Sakura apartment did she thank Sasuke for walking her home, not that it was needed she really could take care of herself but it was nice to finally get him to trust her fully, without any suspicions.
Sakura waved one last time and made her way up the steps.
"I'm proud of you Sakura" Sakura stiffened she was midway up to her front door; she turned around to look at the boy who just spoke but when she did, he was nowhere to be found. A blush was very evident on her pale face. Sakura smiled and shook her head making her way into her home. As she took off her boots she sat for a few moments. 'Did I imagine it?'
"Sakura dear is that you? You need to let us know if you're going to be so late, you missed dinner." Sakura smiled to herself as she gathered her thoughts and went to greet her parents.
Sakura waited on the bridge where she and her teammates normally meet for their next mission. She was as normal the first to arrive. A few moments later Sasuke arrived he nodded in her direction as he normally does to acknowledge her presence.
"Good morinig Sasuke-kun." She said knowing he wouldn't respond, a few moments later Naruto came as well, dragging is feet in his stead.
"Why does Kakashi sensei make us meet here so early if he's always hours late." He groaned and he yawned.
"Good morning, Naruto-kun." Narutos demeanor change quickly. He looked up at Sakura and smiled.
"Sakura-chan! You won't believe what happened yesterday! There were these sand ninja, that were harassing poor Konohamaru, and if it wasn't for me he would have been clobbered." Naruto beamed; Sakura knew he was lying but couldn't say as such. Sasuke chuckled next to her.
"What's so funny teme!?" Naruto growled.
"Nothing, its just that not how I remember it." He started calmly knowing it would bait Naruto. The two boys started glaring daggering at each other and before Sakura knew it hours had passed of them bickering to one another.
"Ok, that's it! Seriously you two! If we enter the exams, how are we gonna get anywhere with you guys acting like this!" Sakura cut in finally hearing enough.
Naruto stopped confused a little by what she had just said.
"How did you find out about the chunin exams Sakura?" The blonde boy asked as he scratched the side of his face.
"Hmph? Really Naruto-kun? Its all anyone's been whispering about." Sakura said matter-o-factly as she crossed her arms. Just as Naruto was gonna respond their sensei jumped on the bridge.
"Morning guys! Sorry I'm late I had other business to attend to." Kakashi spoke as he waved his hand causally back and forth. Sakura narrowed her eyes in annoyance as Naruto screamed at their sensei.
"You are such a LAIR!"
"Anyways…" Kakashi said ignoring Naruto completely.
"This may surprise you but I've recommended all three of you for the chunin selection exam."
"See what I mean guys!" Sakura mumbled under her breath referring to what she had told her teammates earlier.
"You have to fill out applications." Kakashi finished as he handed each of his students a paper application.
Naruto jumped up and down with excitement and tried to hug Kakashi, but he held him back by holding out his had stopping the boy.
"If any of you don't wish to compete, the exam is entirely voluntary. The choice is yours. You needn't turn in those application forms unless you want to. If you do, report to room 301 at the schoolboy 4:00 tomorrow afternoon. Now if you'll excuse me, I must finish some business I started earlier. Bye for now." Kakashi jumped away, hoping his students would all take the exam. Naruto cold barley manage to contain his excitement as he walked alone Sasuke and Sakura humming a lively tune.
"The chunin selection exam! I'll bet there'll be a lot of tough competition. Like those sand ninja!" Sasuke said nothing of course but he too was excited nonetheless, as was Sakura.
The next day Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke, all met outside the school when the time came too, the normal school that was normally filled with kids from the academy was now packed with ninja from all over the country, all waiting for the same thing. To begin the exam. When the three teammates entered the school, they came to a crowd of applicants crowding the door, two other leaf shinobi were blocking the way.
"Is someone as talentless as you really planning to take the chunin selection exam? Why bother? Bunch of snot nose kids. "One of the boys who was blocking the way said. He had black spikey hair and three single bandages on his face one over each cheek and one on his chin. He sported a red nose, most likely from allergies, and carried two small swords on his back. He was talking down to a weird looking boy who was not much older than Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
He looked frail on the ground, weak; he round black eyes staring helpless at his ongoing bullies at the entrance. He wore a bowl cut hairstyle and had black hair. He stood out for sure; he was a leaf shinobi team 7 had never seen before, he wore a bright green bodysuit and adorned two bushy eyebrows that looked like fuzzy caterpillars on his face that now harbored many bruises from his attacker.
"You said it." His companion agreed, he was the same height as the boy who stood next to him and had brown hair that was tucked under his bandana like hitate. He had black eyes and pale skin.
Sakura observed as another unknown leaf shinobi stood over the boy on the ground, she had brown hair that was tied up in two high buns that laid on each side of her head; she wore a pin sleeveless pink qipao shirt and tan baggy pants.
"Please let us through." She begged as the boy with spikey hair struck the side of her cheek. Murmurs of distaste erupted from the crowd that gathered around.
"What? You misunderstand were just trying to spare you. The chunin exam is incredibly difficult and we should know. We've failed three times so far. There are people who made it then immediately gave up being shinobi, others who ended up crippled, some reduced to vegetables…we've seen it all! Besides that, chunin are cell commanders they lead their units. The responsibilities for failed missions and dead shinobi rest firmly on their shoulders, and you little punks have the nerve to apply? We're saving a step by weeding out the obvious few who won't make it." The spiky hair boy shouted back at all who stood nearby. Sasuke was the first to approach the two boys blocking the way followed by Sakura and Naruto.
"That sounds good in theory, but you better let me through. And drop the genjutsu you've created, while you're at it. I have business on the third floor." He said as his black eyes narrowed at the two, murmurs of confusion spread through the crowd.
"Heh..so you figured that out eh?" The brown-haired boy blocking he way sneered.
"It was easy, right Sakura? You were the first to notice it. You're the most analytical and the best in our cell at seeing through genjutsus." Sasuke said as he smiled over at his female teammate. Sakura smiled.
"Of course I noticed it. I mean we're still on the second floor." Sakura said as she mentioned to the room number above the two who blocked the way. The sign above the door showed '301' and in a instant it read '201'.
"Hey, not bad, but just seeing through it isn't enough." The spikey hair boy angered by team 7 went to swing a kick at Sasuke who was already countering the attack with his own, both leaf shinobis attacks were ceased by the once seemingly beaten bushy browed boy on the ground, his bruises seeming to have disappeared along with the aura of helplessness that surrounded him earlier.
'What? He blocked my kick, and there's something weird about my chakra. His bruises disappeared too, were they fake…' Sasuke thought to himself as he removed his foot from the strangers hand. Sasuke listened as a boy with long brown hair with pearl pupilless eyes came up.
"Lee! That's not what we agreed on. You're the one who insisted we should avoid drawing attention to ourselves."
"But.." Lee faltered as he made eye contact with Sakura. 'Oh man here we go…' Sakura knew lee was about to profess his love and she could already feel the embarrassment radiant from her body as he walked up her.
"Hi. My name is Rock Lee. You are Sakura? Right? Please be my girlfriend. I'll protect you with my life!" Sakura mentally screamed profanities as she nervous smiled and calmy spoke.
"No, thank you."
"Hey you! What's your name?" The brown-haired boy changed the subject directing his question at Sasuke, who in turn raised a single eyebrow in is direction.
"Its common courtesy to give your own name first." Sasuke responded toward.
"You're a rookie, aren't you? How old?"
"I don't have to tell you a thing." Taking that as their que to leave Sakura grabbed Sasuke arm and led him away after that.
"Why is it always Sasuke!" Naruto grumbled under his breath, not caring if his teammate heard him./
"Oh come on Naruto-kun, don't let it bother you." Sakura giggled as she tried to reassure her teammate he was just as cool as Sasuke. Team 7 was suddenly stopped by a shout from above them.
"Hey! You with the scowl, wait!" Sasuke looked up in annoyance knowing Lee was the one speaking.
"You and me, here and now. Want to fight?" The boy jumped from the second floor down to the first earning a gasp from Naruto.
"You want to fight me?" Sasuke asked.
"yes! My name is Rock Lee, among sticklers, etiquette requires one to introduce oneself before asking for the name of another, Sasuke Uchiha."
"Huh, so you knew who I was all along."
"I'm calling you out! I want to test the effectiveness of my techniques against the last surviving member of your legendary clan, besides…." Lee blushed as he directed his gaze towards Sakura, who started waving her hands in front her frantically.
"Lee, was it? I uh I'm…flattered…but n-"
"you are an angel!" He cut her off as he blew a kiss her way, Sakura groaned deeply and slapped her forehead.
"Hey leave Sakura-chan alone! And keep your weird kisses to yourself! If anyone's gonna win Sakura-chans heart its me!" Naruto yelled as he clenched his fist.
"Hey creep, Sakura was very clear earlier, she told you no. And you're challenging me even knowing my lineage? In other words, you're stupid. So, bushy-brow, do you really want to learn what it means to be an Uchiha?" Sasuke asked darkly as he glared at the older boy in front of him.
"Absolutely."
"Hold it! Let me handle bushy-brow, he'll be toast. Give me five minutes." A Naruto said.
"I have no interest in fighting you, only Uchiha."
"Story of my life. Its Sasuke this and Sasuke that. Well, I've had it!" Naruto cried as he charged Lee but withing seconds the poor boy was flat on his back, Sasuke began to chuckle.
"So that's why I sensed your chakra was off earlier. You use strictly taijutsu, just physical attacks." Sasuke said as raised his eyes to meet Lees, the sharingan activated.
"Pretty amazing, I got to admit. But come at me and ill end this in five minutes."
Sakura stood in front of the forest of death her heart was pounding in her chest echoing so loud her ears heard nothing else. Naruto, Sasuke, and her had taken the exam not even an hour before, and before that Sasuke had been smacked around by the older leaf shinobi Lee, when he had approached them. Sakura knew that was a big blow to Sasuke's pride and it made her worry more about the events she knew was to happen in the next few months. Time was ticking, this was her chance to stop Orochimaru, this was her moment to see if all her training would be enough. She knew she would be alone in this task, the Hokage has informed her that they would need to place all other shinobi in key places to prevent much damage from the event coming, knowing that preventing all damage was impossible.
Sakura and her teammates stood alongside a few other teams that had passed the exam, waiting for instructions from a woman named Anko. All inspected the forest that was behind a tall chain fence, its extremely large trees covered by moss had vines draping down from them. It looked like a forest of giants, whereas any lone person who stood inside it was viewed as an ant.
"This is the arena for the second exam: Training Ground 44. Also known as the forest of death!" Murmurs of worries through the small crowd that gathered at one of the many entrances to the second exam could be heard.
"You're about to find out firsthand why they call this forest, The forest of death!" Naruto began to mimic the speaker in the best insulting voice he could muster.
"Like that's really going to scare us! You're trying to psych us out, and I'm not going to fall for it!" he screamed at her.
"Naruto-kun, be quiet!" Sakura barked at her teammate as the punch him in the head turning her back to the boy now on the ground clutching his head she bowed.
"I'm sorry sensei, he doesn't understand the seriousness in this matter." Sakura pleaded knowing the temper of Anko.
"Heh, heh." Sakura stiffened, her body began to shake bit by bit as she looked behind her, her eyes widening. The Sanin who haunted most her dreams was standing behind her, disguised as a woman. Long dark hair that matched her lifeless pale skin and black eyes looked past Sakura, her eyes inspecting every inch of the proctor Anko.
"Sakura?" Sasuke asked as he placed a hand on her arm, the dark evil eyes darted towards Sasuke's voice and narrowed hungerly. Sakura grabbed Sasuke, and Narutos hand and pushed her way towards the front trying to put as much distance between her and Orochimaru.
"Sakura?" Sasuke prodded her again, she looked at the boy next to her and shook her head, feeling the sting from lingers eyes behind her.
"Before we begin the second exam, there's something I have to hand out." Anko spoke clearly as she waved a single paper in her hand.
"They're consent forms. Everybody must sign one. We want all the details covered before the first deaths occur. Sign before you go in, so we can't be held liable. You wouldn't want me to get in trouble, would you? First, I'll explain what the second exam entails. Then you can sign the forms. With the other two members of your cell, bring the forms to the hut behind you and submit them. Now about the exam. To put it simply it's a no-holds-barred survival test. Let's start with the topography of this training ground. I'll explain the rest later. Training ground #44 is bordered by a circular perimeter, interrupted at regular intervals by forty-four locked gates. There are forests and a river and in the center is a tower about ten kilometers from those gates. Within the confines of this carefully delimited area, you're going to undergo a survival test. During the course of that test, you may use any ninja arts or weapons you have at your disposal. It's a kind of fight-to-the-death version of capture the flag or in this case capture the scroll. There's a scroll of heaven and a scroll of earth. Your objective to to acquire both scrolls. There are 78 of you here. That's 23, three member teams. 13 teams will start out with a heaven scroll, and the other 13 will start with an earth scroll. But you'll need both scrolls to pass. So, your objective is to hold on to your own scroll, get your hands on one of the other kind and then bring them both to the tower at the center."
"In other words only half of us will pass." Sakura huffed and narrowed her eyes at the young kunoichi.
"You bet! There's also a time limit. You have 120 hours in which to complete this exam, exactly five days." Murmurs were heard throughout the crowd.
"Five days!"
"What are we supposed to do for food!" Both Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi were heard complaining, quickly they were shut down.
"That's your problem. The forests are full of nature's bounty. Of course, they're also full of man-eating animals, deadly insects, and poisonous plants. There's no way as many as 13 teams will pass this. As time shortens the trials will come harder and faster with recovery time for any mistakes, accidents, or injuries. You'll be surrounded by enemies at all times. So you'll have to sleep with one eye open. So, in addition to those who die in attempts to defend or capture a scroll, some of you are bound to succumb to exhaustion, exposure, starvation, and dehydration. Now let's talk about the rules and what offenses you can be disqualified for. Obviously, the teams that fail to reach the tower in time as a three-member cell, carrying both a heaven and earth scroll are out! So, any team that loses a member whether to death or serve injury. And under no circumstances can you leave the forest before the time is up. No recess. No time-outs! Also, you're forbidden to look at the contents of the scrolls until you're inside the tower. If any of you make it to the chunin level, there will be times when you'll be entrusted with top secret documents, so consider this a test of your trustworthiness. That's all the explanation you get. We'll trade one scroll for every three forms. When you've got yours, enter through the gate, everyone will begin at the same time. One final piece of advice, stay alive!" All teams began to gather, and each sent one person to grab a consent form, Sakura was the first in line. She grabbed the form passed it to her teammates and when they finished signing, she returned the form and was given a heaven scroll, 20 minutes passed by and all teams had acquired the scrolls they needed.
"All right, everyone follow your proctors to your respective gates. When the signal sounds in half an hour the exam will begin. We will let you through the gates. I advise you to cumulate a strategy you have 30 minutes to gather your belongings before the second part of the selection exam begins! Remember, Stay Alive!" With that all gates to the forest of death opened and all teams went their separate ways.
Sakura stood by her teammates in the forest of death, she could feel the death radiating all around from this place. She knew she had to think of something in order to protect Sasuke from the snake Sanin, but she was distracted by her hyperactive blonde teammate at the moment.
"Heh! Just try and let someone sneak up on us to take our scroll! Id like to see them try!" Naruto blabbed for a few minutes, Sakura was becoming frustrated she knew there was to be an attack at any moment from the rain ninja.
"Ahh I need to take a leak Naruto said as he began to undo his pants, Sakura stiffened.
"Ahh You idiot! Not in front of me!" She yelled as she wacked him over the head, Naruto grumbled under his breath as he walked into the bushes. 'Now!' The pink haired girl thought to herself as her teammate disappeared.
"Sakura, what was that all about earlier?" Sasuke asked, keeping quiet until his teammate disappeared. Sakura looked over to the boy she had felt strongly for her entire life and sighed.
"Sasuke-kun, it was nothing seriously, I-I just had a moment of weakness, I just…" Sakura trailed off as Naruto reappeared from the bushes he once occupied, her eyes narrowing, just as she was about to say something Naruto interrupted them.
"Aww man I really had to go he-he." Naruto spoke as he scratched his head. Sakura observed her teammate and mentally let out a breath of relief. 'Its really Naruto…but he was supposed to be knocked outby the water ninja…what is going on?' Sakura thought to herself. Sakura looked over at her two teammates and spoke.
"Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun, we need to keep our guard up. We were lucky right now when we just separated, but we may not be in the future."
"Uhh…what do you mean Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked as he raised an eyebrow, obviously confused by what she was saying.
"Hn, she means that we cant blindly trust each other when we get separated, it could end up badly, there are ninja who want our scroll." Sasuke bluntly said, as Naruto glared at him.
"What can we do then?" The blonde asked his teammate.
"The safest thing is for us to have a secret password. That way we'll know. No matter who they look like or how they sound, if one of us gets that wrong, they're an enemy." Sasuke began as he advised all his teammates to sit and gather around him closely.
"Listen carefully I'll only say it once! It's a poem called 'Ninki'-'Ninja Opportunity'. When I ask for it here's what you respond. 'We thrive in the chaos of the enemy tide. Quiet shinobi don't need dens to hide. Our only concern is to watch and wait until the enemy lowers the gate." He finished as they dispersed from the huddle.
"Go it!" Sakura agreed while Naruto sat there looking confused and flustered.
"And you expect me to remember that…? How!?" Sakura chuckled.
"Whaaa? Sakura-chan!" Naruto whined.
"I'll take the scroll." Sasuke said as he stood up from the ground. Sakura felt a shiver down her spine. 'Orohimaru!...the reason why the rain ninja didn't attack right away had to be because of him…' The pink haired shinobi thought intensely as she studied her surroundings.
"We need a better password…like swordfish!" Naruto exclaimed as his teammates ignored him. Naruto grumbled again as he jumped up from the ground and followed his friends. Ten minutes passed as all three young genin walked on, looking for a second scroll of their own.
"Ow! What was that?" Naruto shouted as he rubbed his cheek, blood lightly forming around the new scrap.
"Its an enemy!" Sasuke shouted; all three stood on guard, Sasuke and Naruto each grabbed a kunai as Sakura dug in her bag for a scroll. She opened the scroll while forming signs and two short Kanata appeared in her hands, she knew who this was, and she had prepared the best she could for this moment. Her emerald eyes that glowed with hate narrowed as three older ninjas stood in front of them, each one covering their face with straw hats. 'Orochimaru!' was her last thought before she cleared her head, calming herself for the battle that would occur; she would not lose.
"Stick around you two, it could be fun to watch, but I go in alone from here." The man who disguised himself as a woman, Orochimaru, was the only one to speak. Sakura threw a smoke bomb on the ground and pushed both her teammates as a signal to hide. Sakura scanned the area, she needed to find Sasuke, she knew he was the target. 'I'm sorry Naruto, I need to do this, you will be ok, I know it!' She thought ferociously as she ran to where she believed Sasuke was, and she was right. In the bushes lurked her sharingan wielding teammate. He turned sharply on his heels.
"Sakura?"
"Sasuke-kun! I- "She began to whisper, as she was stopped y the boy in front of her a kunai held up in her direction.
"Stay back! Don't come near! What's the password…Ninki?"
"We thrive in the chaos of the enemy tide. Quiet shinobi don't need dens to hide. Our only concern is to watch and wait until the enemy lowers the gate." She saw her teammate sigh a breath of relief, as Naruto came bounding in from the opposite side of where they stood.
"Good! You guys are alright!" He spoke as he ran up to them being stopped by Sakura.
"Stop! What's the password? Ninki?" Sakura asked as she pointed her small sword in the direction of the blonde-haired boy.
"Right! We thrive in the chaos of the enemy tide. Quiet shinobi don't need dens to hide. Our only concern is to watch and wait until the enemy lowers the gate." Sasuke and Sakura both narrowed their eyes at the boy.
"I got the password right! What are you doing Sasuke!" Naruto screamed as he deflected the kunai that was thrown at him.
"Naruto-kun would never be able to remember that password!" Sakura yelled in the blonde's direction.
"And he would never have been able to deflect my attack." Sasuke finished as he stood on guard. The blonde boy's eyes changed to a murderous glare, as he laughed, and a puff of smoke appeared and disappeared around him revealing the woman Sakura knew It to be.
"Orochimaru!" She whispered, Sasuke did not hear his teammate, but the man disguised in front of her did, narrowing his eyes that were once locked on Sasuke to her.
"Well, done you two…" The voice sent shivers down Sakura spine as she returned the gaze that was directed at her, a silent conversation being spoken with eyes.
"How did you know?"
"No matterrr…I'll get whatsss mine."
Sakura knew he was toying with her and could hear the words as if they were being verbally spoken, but they were not.
"What gave me away?" The enemy spoke.
"I knew you were underground eavesdropping on everything we said. That's why I chose that kind of password. The kind the real Naruto would never manage to memorize. You fell into my trap." Sasuke barked to the women not knowing who really stood in front of him.
"I see...watch and wait eh? Ha ha This is going to be more fun than I thought." Sakura stood readying herself for what was to come next. Nothing happened in the next minutes, Orchimaru stood there making no immediate moves, all Sakura could think about was her teammates and how she could help each one but she reminded herself not to worry about Naruto, he seemed to always come ack and she believed in him. Sakura looked over at Sasuke who began sweating, she was bout to say something when the snake spoke.
"I suppose you'd like to steal our earth scroll, wouldn't you? Since you've already got a heaven scroll." Sasukes eyes widened when he saw the long tongue escape the women's mouth as it engulfed the scroll, he watched disgusted as she shoved the rest of the scroll down her throat.
"Now, shall, we see who will be stealing scrolls from whom?" She spoke as she looked at Sasuke, amused. Sakura felt her breath leave her whole body as the ninja in front of them began ripping skin off the left side of her face to reveal pasty white skin and a piercing yellow eye slitted like a snake.
"We'll fight to the death!" Sakura stood frozen, not able to move, its as if she witnessed her own death, a kunai to the forehead. 'It's...a genjutsu I remember this I know what this is, but this heaviness in the air is unbearable I don't remember it like this!' Sakura thought frantically as she looked over to Sasuke, who like her was stunned, not even seconds later did the boy begin to heave up all the contents in his stomach. Sasuke locked eyes with Sakura when he looked up.
"Sasuke…I-I can't move…" Sakura's eye wide with fear looked at the boy she so desperately wanted to protect finding herself in the same predicament.
"Heh...I imagine your paralyzed by now." The women spoke as her voice slowly changed to that of a man, his face showing no signs of what they had thought they saw before, no yellow eye, no skin ripped off. Sakura looked up just in time to see him throw kunai, but she couldn't move her body wouldn't move, the next thing she knew she was in a different spot than the one she was just rooted to before, Sasuke was in front of her and blood was dripping down his leg. He had stabbed himself, and he had grabbed Sakura and hid.
"Sasuke-kun, are you-" Sasuke slapped his hand over her mouth, stopping her from speaking, not wanting the ninja to find them. 'He did it to make himself move, to snap him out of the daze...' She said finally snapping out of her daze, she clutched her swords in each hand and glared in the direction she knew Orochimaru to be. Sakura heart ached, she knew how frantic Sasuke was at the point, and she had to help him.
A snake inched it was down the tree from above them and Sakura saw, she struggled against Sasuke's hand trying to remove it with her own; finally she kicked him causing him to look at her just as she pushed him off the branch they sat on.
"Sasuke go!" she screamed as she grabbed her swords and cut the snake's head off. Sakura bounced a few feet back from the motionless snake waiting.
"Sasuke-kun, are you ok!?" She called to her teammate not taking her eyes off the now twitching headless body of the snake. When she heard no reply but intense heaving from below, she looked down for a second to make sure her teammate was ok. Sasuke sat a few 100 yards below her on another branch of the giant tree they occupied.
"Shame on you, for letting you guard down, stay on your toes like a good prey should. It makes the chase so much more rewarding for the predator!" Sakura snapped her eyes up to see the man shred his way through the body of the deceased snake, swords ready in hand. Just as he was about to charge Sakura he was topped by a wave of shuriken.
"Sorry Sasuke, Sakura-chan, I can't remember the password!" Sakura almost cried out with relief but kept her mouth shut. Naruto was there, he'd finally caught up.
"Naruto to the rescue huuh? You're completely psyched to be saving the day but now would be a good time to run for your life! This guy is way out of your league!" Sasuke yelled from below as he activated his sharnigan for a second before he took a breath and closed his eyes once more. The once red irises were now back to his natural black, eyes glaring up at the man whose body began to morph as he wrapped himself around the branch like a snake.
"If its out scroll you want, come and get it! Just take it and go!" Sasuke called up, as Naruto almost lost his footing from the shock out what he just heard.
"Sasuke! What the hell do you think you're doing! Is this some clever way of beating the enemy? By handing over everything we've got!"
"Well done, you're obviously natural born prey, instinctively knowing your only hope lies in the chance of the predator being distracted by some tastier bait!" The man swiveled around the trunk of the tree to the branch Sasuke was on, his body began to stretch it ways towards the black-haired boy who went to throw the scroll. Just as the scroll left Sasuke hand Naruto appeared next to him scroll now in his own hand.
"Stay out of this! You'll ruin everything!" Sasuke yelled just as Naruto threw a punch at his teammate, fist connecting to face. Sasuke was thrown back by the force and now laid next to a growling Naruto, Sasuke stood up and jumped backwards from his teammate.
"What do you think you're doing!" he shouted at the blued eyes boy.
"I forgot the password, so I can't prove it but this so called Sasuke is obviously a fake! Right Sakura-chan?" Naruto shouted. Sakura stood there trying to think of what she could do next, contemplating her best chance.
"Naruto you idiot, I'm me! "Sasuke growled.
"That's bull! And you're the idiot, idiot! You're a coward which Sasuke isn't. So you're not him! I'm not so sure we need to be afraid of this guy and even if we did hand over the scroll there's no guarantee he'd spare us! So even if you were Sasuke, I'd still be telling you you're an idiot and maybe a chicken too! "Sasuke stood frozen by what his teammate had just said.
"oh Naruto this is rich, and you're completely right! Why bargain when I can kill you and take the scroll!" The man called out as her shoved his left sleeve up to reveal markings on his wrist, he bit his finger drawing blood which he smeared on the mark on hi wrist.
"Summoning jutsu!" he called and a giant snake appeared underneath him, Naruto charged the man, as Sasuke called out to him begging him to stop, but it was too late the snake whipped its head at Naruto and sent him flying, he was thrown through many branches, the aura around Naruto changed from light to heavy and evil. 'The none tails chakra!' Sakura thought frantically, as she watched Naruto gather chakra to his feet and bounce back towards the snake.
Orochimarus eyes widened as he noticed the change in Naruto, he weaved hand signs and a giant gust of wind knocked Naruto back, now directing his gaze at Sasuke.
"Now it's Sasuke turn! How will he take it!" He screamed. Sakura jumped to her feet as she watched the giant snake charge Sasuke, she jumped in front if her friend trying to protect him from the snake behind her, she wrapped her arms around him.
"Sakura! What are you-" He stopped mid-sentence; Sakura turned her head around to see Naruto standing in front of them both with wild red charka swirling around him as he held the beast off, his hands and arms stopping the snake from opening its mouth.
"Hey are you ok, you big chicken." Naruto huffed as his bright red slitted eyes met Sasuke cold dim ones. Naruto yelped when a tongue wrapped itself around his body and yanked him up.
"Hey! Gross! Get off of me!" he yelled as he kicked his legs around the air helpless.
"Naruto-kun!" Sakura cried as she turned around.
"Heh, the brat of the nine tails is still alive and kicking! How fascinating that, when he is consumed with rage, he loses himself and a bit of the nine-tailed demon fox inside comes through. An amazing development! There's the proof. The jutsu that seals the monster within, it appears on your skin like a tattoo." Orochimaru spoke as he took his hand and pronged the jutsu on Naruto stomach, causing Naruto to fall unconscious, as he was thrown through the air. His body thumped to the ground motionless. Sakura jumped, her swords in hand as she went to attack Orochimaru.
"Oh what's this another little insect coming to play?" Sakura swung her swords at the man who caught them with his long slivering tongue.
"Orochimaru! You can have either of them, I swear I w-"
"YOU!" Sakura was cut off her arms slightly went limp at the sound of his voice, allowing the man to discard her swords to the side, he grabbed each wrist and started to whisper in ear.
"How do you know of who I am?" Sakura shivered.
"I will never forget you!" Sakura sneered, as she wiggled on her hands free from the man's grasp on her, she gathered chakra in her fist and pulled her arm back to throw a punch at the man who stood in front of her.
"Oh please you think that- "The man began but stopped mid-sentence feeling the chakra in her fist, he let go of her other hand trying to gain as much distance from the girl as he could, but he wasn't fast enough. Sakura's fist collided with his face, and he was sent flying back, his body indented in the tree behind him.
Sakura huffed as she jumped off the snake's head and landed next to Sasuke, running to gather her weapons. Her eyes landed on Naruto and scanned him making sure to see his chest rise every few seconds.
"Sasuke-kun, we need to stop this now, this guy is bad news." Sakura said as she tried to snap her teammate out of the daze, he was in. Sasuke looked up from the girl as he clenched his fists his eyes blazed red, the sharnigan activated once again. Sasuke didn't bother answering his teammate as he charged the man who was crawling out of the crater his body had made. Throwing shuriken, Orochimaru dodged all attacks and side swept Sasuke charging Sakura.
Sasuke eyes widened as he threw more weapons at the man rushing towards his teammate. Orochimaru stopped right in front of Sakura wires preventing him from moving closer, Sakura froze.
"Only Tsunade, the Slug Sanin, knows those moves you just displayed, I can sense the split in your chakra girl where did you learn this Tsunade has been in hiding for a long time now! Where is she!?" he demanded of the girl he could not reach.
"Your fights with me!" Sasuke yelled as he made hand signs, and a burst of flames engulfed the wires. Orochimaru simply turned his body towards Sasuke revealing his face which was now melting off showing the white pasty skin and bright yellow eyes he had seen before.
"That one so young should have such mastery of the sharnigan power! Truly a worthy successor to the honored name of the Uchiha clan! In fact, I believe I wat you after all!" He hissed as he charged Sasuke. Sakura went to attack him from behind but was pushed backwards her body slamming into a near by boulder leaving her gasping for air.
"No…Sasuke…Run!" She tried to scream through gasps as pain engulfed her body.
"Its marvelous fun having you show me all your tricks…you really are his brother, aren't you? You can see and conceal things with those eyes of yours that Itachi himself never dreamed of!" Sasuke's eyes widened with hate and rage.
"Just who the hell are you!?" He demanded.
"I'm Orochimaru. The Snake Sanin. If you'd like a rematch, then pass this exam as quickly as you can!" he hissed as he burnt the earth scroll in ash. Sakura laid there helpless as she tried her best to stand on her feet.
"Ill see you again, if you manage to defeat the three sound ninja who answer to me."
"Stay away from him, I don't want you going near Sasuke!" Sakura screamed as she tried to run after the snake man.
"Perhaps not but wishing won't chase me away." He sneered as he made hand signs, his neck extended from his body and went after Sasuke biting the surprised boy's neck; A mark appeared seconds later.
"No!" Sakura screamed as she threw her kunai at the man who retreated his neck and jumped out of harms way. Sakura eyes filled up with tears and fell from her face. 'I failed! He, Sasuke…he's..' Sakura thought as her body fell limp, all her energy seeming to be drained from her. 'I did nothing AGAIN! I was weak again…why? Why am I like this…' Tear of frustrated fell from her eyes her face now coated in a thinly of mud.
"Why does it hurt everywhere!?" Sasuke yelled as screams of agonizing pain echoed through the forest. Sakura found what strength she had left and jumped towards Orochimaru making sure to make no sounds. She infused her blade with chakra and before the man could turn around, she stabbed him through the gut, she her a hiss escape his mouth as he turned around grabbing her by the collar of her shirt.
"I haven't forgotten you, brat!" Sakura dangled in the air her hands clenched his wrist.
"Why Sasuke! Why not go after Itachi!?" She cried, helpless.
"Wouldn't you like to know…" He braked out as he pulled the sword out of his stomach with his free hand. Sakura could see the sweat beads linger on his face.
"Don't think I'll forget about this girl." He cried as he threw her next to Sasuke clutching his stomach with his now free hand.
"I look forward to seeing you again Sasuke, in the quest for power…" Orochimaru winced, he directed his gaze towards the girl who struggled to get up before he weaved hand signs.
"But let you live today, I may have need of you…" He glared at the girl as he melted away into the trunk of the tree.
Sakura could only hear her heart pound in her chest; she could focus on nothing else but the boy screaming out I pai in front of her, she grabbed his shoulders and held him tight into her chest and cried.
"I'm sorry Sasuke-kun, I'm so sorry!" She cried for what seemed like an eternity, but she knew she had to get her teammates somewhere safe. Sakura finally sighed and gathered her strength and found a nearby tree she could hide in.
Its roots formed above ground creating a feeling of a cave. She gathered Sasuke first and laid him on the ground and went and collected Naruto and laid him down as well. Looking at her two teammates who were now struggling as they slept, she placed her hands over her eyes and cried, she didn't care if anyone heard she didn't care if she seemed weak, she let all her frustration, anger and sadness out. 'Get yourself together Sakura and think…This body is so weak! I have trained so hard, but I didn't have enough time…I thought I could do something and when it really matters, I froze again! I couldn't stop Orochimaru…I can't…I can't save Sasuke…can I…' The tears fell more freely with the thought that haunted Sakura mind, after a few minutes the tears stopped, Sakura wiped her face with her one sleeve and took a long deep breath.
"There's still hope I will never give up; I will save you Sasuke-kun." She whispered to herself, before falling asleep.
So heres chapter 7, I just kinda realized that my writing is weird so I may reedit all the chapters, I tend you do third person and I don't know if that's the best choice for this story so I may do POV… but it may prolong the next chapter so if yall have any thoughts on that let me know! Im super excited for these next chapter to come kinda where my idea formed so haha yea. But enjoy!