Born to Die

~Chapter Seven~

Chunin Exams: Part 2 ~ Do you believe in Dragons?

Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure I don't own Naruto and he belongs to Kishimoto, but please correct me if I'm wrong!

Author notes:

EEEE! SORRY!

I know I'm like two days late again! Sorry! I revised this multiple time to get it right and its huge. Anyway please enjoy this chapter but first let me get a couple of thing straight.

One~ Sakura's strength/ skill level

Sakura is not a super powerhouse even at the end of this chapter! She is currently below the skill level of Neji, Sasuke, Naruto (in actual battle) and Gaara! So no she is not some super powered freak – yet. Like on a scale of 1-10 with Neji, Gaara and Sasuke being 8's and Naruto being like a 7.5-8 sakura would be a 7-7.5 before the events in this chapter and a 7.5-8 later on

Two- Her age!

Sakura is about 9 years and 8 months old now. The rest of the genin (excluding Team guy and Gaara's siblings) are about 10 ½ to 11 ½ ya I know their a bit younger than usual but hey! Its fan fiction!

And lastly!

Who should Sakura get together with!

Gaara

Neji

Itachi

(ya I know, small list but if you have suggestions review them to me!)

Quote

"The Spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure."

~Vince Lombardi

"Never let your head hang down. Never give up or sit down and grieve. Find another way!"

~Satchel Paige

Death…

It was everywhere. The air smelled of rotting flesh. The world sounded of dying screams. My mouth tasted of that all to familiar metallic tang, and my skin was warm, and sticky with the crimson syrup.

I could only do one thing, and that was think.

"What the hell is going on?"

Oh yes, that and panic. Mm, Panicking sounded like a fabulous idea at the moment and so I tried it. Only to have my plans utterly destroyed by a break in my deadly little world.

The salty yet sweet smell of an Ocean breeze and saltwater taffy assaulted my nose, and shortly after I realized the warmth I felt wasn't from blood, but from a woman's arms cradling me close to her.

Again, "What the hell?"

But, this time for another reason. Everything seemed so familiar about this stranger. Her scent caused a strange, warming, nostalgia in the pit of my stomach and her heartbeat soothed my erratic soul.

A memory faintly glowed just out of the reaches of my mind. I had to know, and I had to see it - or them with my own eyes and so I took a deep breath, and cracked a cautious eye open.

I quickly fell into the clutches of a flashback; one of only two I had received since loosing my memory when I was six.

Long, Silky, Onyx hair tickled my face, and I looked up into their polar opposite. Staring back at me was a pair of endless, loving, pearly eyes that calmed me instantly.

"Okaa-San!"

The memory, though short lived was fantastic.

I looked up, and was attacked by the same combination of hair and eyes that reminded me strangely of Ying and Yang.

"Okaa-San!" I thought, my heart overflowing with joy at the discovery of one long lost parent.

The warm, fuzzy feeling in my stomach molded into a sickening brew when I saw her face. It was barely short of maimed, though still strikingly beautiful. Cuts, bruises, and blood littered her comforting features and I dared myself to wonder exactly whose blood was sticking to my skin.

She was breathing heavily, and I could tell she was running away from something. I whimpered and caught her attention, "It's okay Sakura." She whispered, her voice hoarse with fatigue. "We're going to be okay. Just hush until we get out of her, okay?"

I was already swimming in questions, "What's so wrong with this-"

Bad idea. The minute my vision strayed from Okaa-San's face I was reminded of why I had been literally 'scared to death' earlier. The world seemed to be one, enormous, bloody collection of carnage. There was blood everywhere, blood on the earth, blood in the sky, blood on the hundreds of slaughtered people, blood on the burning buildings, and blood on us.

I was snapped out of my reverie when Okaa-san jerked to a halt, her chest rising and falling much to fast under me. Short, fuzzy hair fell into my line of view and I looked at it curiously because it was a dark, ashy blonde.

'What the hell?' I know, I seemed to frequent that phrase recently but last I had checked my hair was pink – not blonde. Okaa-san and I were the only ones here, and I knew it wasn't hers so that meant it must be – mine?

Okaa-san gasped and cried out, "Raiden!" her voice heavy with relief. Seconds later we were attacked in a deadly hug, a whisper escaped them.

"Kiyoko, thank Kami your safe." His voice was smooth, deep, and awkwardly familiar. So I chanced a peek up at this person.

A boisterous laugh somewhat akin to Naruto's rang out, loud and clear. The owner's butterscotch locks trembled, but still remained upright as if they were never endingly gelled. I would've called him Naruto had his hair not been such a dark shade of blond, and had I not seen his eyes. Merry, enchanting, Hunter green orbs laughed and the scent of a redwood thicket and cinnamon bombarded my senses.

"Otou-San!"

Talk about a crazy day. I gazed up and found myself staring right at my very own Otou-San and Okaa-San. I wanted nothing more at that moment than to cry tears of happiness at finally meeting them.

Okaa-san smiled weakly, a tear escaped her milky eye. "Ah, of course Raiden. I was so worried about you though!" she whispered.

My Otou-san nodded before looking from me and back to Okaa-san. "I'm fine. C'mon we need to leave now and get Sakura out of here before he-"

Why must all good things come to an end?

A frightening chill crept up my spine and I shivered. My parents tensed and an ominous, cold-blooded, and sickening laugh rattled the air around us.

"Ku-ku-ku-ku, Leaving s-so s-soon Kiyoko-Chan? Raiden-Kun? Pity, I was hoping I could meet that daughter of yours first."

I didn't need a flashback to know who it was, but the mere thought that he could be here did well to scare the living shit out of me. Yet I still looked. Disturbingly familiar saffron eyes met my own, Orochimaru's saffron eyes. Oh shit.

Okaa-San bristled up, immediately snarling toward the Snake-Sannin while Otou-san roared at him. "Fuck off Orochimaru! There is nothing Sakura has that you could possibly want, so how about you haul your slimy ass back to Otogakure where it belongs!"

I could've laughed at my Otou-San had this not been so serious. Orochimaru half-smirked and half-scowled, "Don't play s-stupid with me Raiden-kun, you and I both know exactly what S-Sakura-Chan has that everyone wants. Don't relatives get first pick, Raiden-kun?" Snarl. "Fine, you oversized lizards just can't s-seem to get the message. Allow me to personally beat it into you."

In an instant, crimson, ash, and lavender Chakra flames enveloped the area including me. I felt no pain and ventured to open my eyes – only to be amazed for the umpteenth time that day. One, big, ugly, ashen snake hissed toward me, and two dragons.

My Dragon mark tingled uncontrollably but I managed to ignore it and instead focus on the two dragons that I knew had to be my parents. Otou-san – though already wounded was magnificent. His Goldenrod coat shone with power as his jet-black mane whipped madly around, but his eyes bled to crimson. Three, black tomeyoes swirled angrily and I gasped – Sharingan.

Okaa-San snarled deeply and drew my attention to her. Bloody, and injured she was gorgeous to say the least. Her pale, moonlit silver coat complimented the golden tone in Otou-San's well. Her mane was a light onyx that hinted with purple, and her eyes burned savagely toward her enemy, the veins standing out around them.

" You've got once chance Orochimaru, leave now and live. Or fight and die." She snarled, talking through her mind as not to drop the cloth I was swaddled in.

Orochimaru chuckled evilly, " No, no my dear Kiyoko-Chan. It is you that will die today along with your low life mate." He hissed. " Hand over Sakura-Chan and I will spare your insolent lives. The choice is yours, Kiyoko-Chan."

"No. Never. No-Fucking-Way." Okaa-San growled and dropped to a defensive crouch.

Otou-San roared wickedly, baring his dagger-like teeth. "In your dreams, you pedophile!"

An irritated scowl blossomed on Orochimaru's face, "Fine then, Death it is."

Of course I just had to blackout now. The searing pain of my freshly inflicted curse mark – Courtesy of Orochimaru – had returned and pulled me from my flashback-happy comatose.

Only to be brought back moments later by a bone chilling, bloodcurdling scream.

If that scream wasn't mine, then I must've made my own right now because instead of watching an epic battle between my parents and that sick, snake bastard. I was watching him eye me like a cross between a hungry tiger, and a rapist with those inhuman amber eyes of his.

And my parents? Dead beside me, thanks for asking. What the fuck! Since when did the villain ever beat the heroes?

The nauseating smell of Okaa-San's and Otou-San's blood snapped me out of my thoughts. I quickly discovered – much to my horror – that I lay between them, in a pool of their blood. It must've been a last ditch effort to save me.

I trembled uncontrollably as Orochimaru stalked forward, "Ku-ku-ku-ku, S-Sakura-Chan it has been a while hasn't it?" He said, his voice sent me into a fit of complete horror. He towered ominously over me, but surprisingly reached over and ran a pale finger over my Okaa-San's even paler face.

For just a split second, a look of true sorrow, or depression, maybe even regret flickered across his face. " I truly wished it didn't have to end this way, my little Imouto-Chan. Rest in peace." He whispered and as quick as the emotion was there it was schooled away again.

Shocked couldn't even begin to describe how I felt at that moment. "Fuck no… Imouto my ass…" I thought, but in my gut I knew he wasn't using some sick pet name. "Oh, Kami-Sama I must be cursed…"

His golden eyes quickly moved to me, "Ah, Sakura-Chan the time has finally come. Time to join your only remaining family, my little dragon." He crooned, leaning down next to my neck.

My eyes widened in fear, "Hell no! Not again! Not again!" I hissed inwardly, squirming under my blood soaked blankets.

His icy breath fanned my neck, "Here's my present to you, Happy first birthday Sakura no Ryuu." He breathed, and I could only sit and await the inescapable fate that I was doomed to now.

"Damnit! We were to late!" Maybe Kami-Sama has a soft spot for me?

Orochimaru's head jerked back at an alarmingly fast rate, and an irritated scowl marred his face. "S-so, those brats finally caught up to me?" he asked, obviously pissed that someone had shown up.

"Orochimaru's destroyed the entire place. What the hell was he looking for anyway?" a feminine voice asked, sorrow painfully evident.

The Snake-Sannin clenched his fists before turning to me. In a flash he was by my ear again, "Do not worry, little dragon. We will meet again." He hissed. "Be ready, because when we do you'll prove your worth of being the last Dragon alive. Until then, Sakura-Chan."

And then he was gone, and I quickly succumbed to the harsh clutches of unconsciousness. I floated through the somewhat familiar, black, never ending void that comatose provided.

I wanted to give up, to let go, and to die. My parents were dead, my home – destroyed, my kind – eliminated. And the cherry on top of the cake for this whole disaster was Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, defect of Konohagakure, was my fucking UNCLE! Why in hell's name would I want to live?

A biting pain in my arm is what answered me, and I looked. My Dragon mark had crawled down my arm, reaching to my elbow and was now glowing a faint green with chakra. I don't know how the hell this helped anything but it did.

It gave me hope, and more importantly it reminded me that I couldn't give up. Why? Because I had something worth fighting for. Like hell was I going to just lie down and die now! Let Orochimaru win – when hell freezes over!

Pain shot through my neck, and I was reminded of his own personal tag he had on me now. I smirked. Pain was good, you had to live to feel pain, and the living could kill. I gripped my neck hard; trying to quell the pain with pressure because even though pain was good it didn't mean it was pleasant.

A wisp of carnation hair danced in the corner of my vision. Well at least one good thing came out of this – I finally had the answer to my alien hair color. What happens when you add red to blond? You get pink. Add Blood to an infant's dirty blond hair and presto! Instant pink haired person!

In my perspective, it was simply a reminder of what happened to them. They died protecting me, and I'll return the favor by killing the man – no thing that destroyed everything I had. Orochimaru.

Light began to attack my vision and I cringed, forcing myself to stay awake so I wouldn't be going up into the light rather than back toward my own.

Just as the last of my unconscious realm was fading I heard a voice call out to me.

Okaa-San's voice.

"Sakura? Sakura promise me something? Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Remember that, and you can do anything my little cherry blossom."

Her melodic voice drifted away, and left me a whole new Sakura.

No longer will I steal glory from the name Mitarashi Sakura.

No longer will I hide under the name Haruno Sakura.

Today I am Sakura no Ryuu, and now I will live under that name like it was always meant to be. But first, I had a little something to settle.

Something to settle with someone who did accept their name – the name that I now shared – but hid from it.

Pain…

Pain was the first thing Sakura could think of when her conscious returned to her. The burning pain in her neck because of the curse mark, the dull, throbbing pain of unconsciousness, but most severe of all was the constricting pain in her lungs and heart. – The pain of losing your precious ones.

"What the hell was that?" Ah! Her Inner had – as usual – uncanny timing.

Sakura chuckled inwardly, "I – We just found and lost the only family we had. The family we didn't even know we had." She said, her tone a cross between sorrow and hatred.

"I'm aware of that dumbass, I saw it too. Now, What are you going to do about it?" Her Inner asked, both aware of the growing flame that had lighted inside Sakura's soul.

Said Kunoichi grinned, "First, we're going to get up and off our lazy Asses." She thought, "And then, we're going to kick that Snake-Bastard's ass to hell where it belongs." The flame grew.

Her inner self cheered, "YA! We totally kick ass! Shannaro!" and her Inner-Self fanned the monstrous fire that grew inside of her Outer-Chan.

"Yes Inner, but we'll do it how we were supposed to. As a Ryuu." And then, the flame exploded, engulfing her in its power, it's spirit, and changing her very being.

Sakura felt her eyelids flutter open, revealing savage, jade orbs that burned with their owner's fighting spirit. A sadistic smirk crept its way onto her face, revealing dagger-like teeth that could rival Kisame Hoshikage's. She silently clawed the ground, her talons leaving inch deep marks in the bark even with little effort.

A feral, untamable feeling filled her being, giving her the strength to fight. Killing intent rose from beneath her ferocious nature and near consumed her, but she would not give in to the curse mark.

That meant giving into him. It meant Orochimaru won. Like shit she was going to let that happen.

A snarl erupted from her throat; the very sound of it commanded fear and respect. "Ah, so we meet again Orochimaru." Sakura growled, her voice alone could make most Chunin cringe with fear. "I do apologize that it has to come to this, your death will be much untimely –"She grinned, and licked her lips in anticipation. "Uncle."

The Snake Sannin stood frozen with his back to the dragoness. "Ku-ku-ku-ku. Confident aren't we S-Sakura-Chan?" he questioned. "I must admit your recovery was much impressive but, you did always take after your mother. S-so headstrong, and s-spirited. It is a s-shame I cant allow that to continue on now."

"What did you say?" her Inner self hissed, already boiling with anger.

Her jade orbs widened momentarily at the talk of her Okaa-San, but anger took precedence in her heart and she stalked forward a step. "SHUT UP!" She yelled, her jaws snapped over and over again with hatred. "You don't deserve to say talk about her Orochimaru! You don't deserve to be associated with her! You didn't deserve her!"

She had managed to strike a nerve in the great Snake Sannin – something unheard of.

In a flash said Snake Sannin had turned on her, hands already blurred with hand signs " Summoning Technique: Manda!" he bit his thumb, drawing blood that he then smeared along a tattoo on his left arm.

Though Sakura didn't bother to stick around and hear who he summoned, and in an instant she had pounced on Orochimaru. Her claws and teeth were engulfed in fire like chakra as she attacked the snake, but the instant she landed a hit - he disappeared.

"Shit." She cursed. "I can't believe I fell for a shadow clone!"

Her Inner groaned, "Neither can I."

Sakura roared, the trees trembling slightly in her presence. "Come out and fight me you coward!" she yelled, her acidic green eyes searching the forest canopy for Orochimaru.

" A S-Shadow clone? You fell for a genin level Jutsu? Pathetic, truly pathetic you overgrown lizard." Sakura's eyes widened, her body frozen to the spot.

"Crap, forgot about the summon." She gulped.

Her alter ego nodded hesitantly, "And guess who's dragged their slimy ass back here for round two." Electing a snarl of annoyance and shock of fear from her outer.

"Manda."

Manda chuckled, "I'm amazed the Sannin had to S-Summon me for this. Oh well, his loss." He hissed. The dragoness quickly turned tail, pushing off a tree for extra speed but Manda snapped out like a whip catching her streamline body with his teeth.

"AHH!" Sakura cried, her body immediately numbing from the stupid snake's poison. She panicked and lashed out, reacting purely on the raw instinct to survive now.

Manda struggled to keep her under control, "S-stop struggling beast." He hissed earning another round of viscous attacks from his captive. His body was already considerably damaged from the fury of her, and - though he would never admit it – he wasn't going to last much longer.

Sakura growled, "Sure, I'll get right on that you overgrown worm!" and continued her relentless attack on the King Snake.

"As soon as you admit we're the superior species. You legless excuse for a dragon." Her Inner snorted, adding a bit of humor to the tense moment.

The Ivory dragon's breathing was heavy, a concoction of sweat and blood matted down her coat as she continued to struggle against the enormous, purple snake who insisted on keeping her captive.

Her patience was growing thin, and she could tell that the Snake was waiting for it to snap before she attacked. Inwardly she smirked, 'Good, just keep it up Manda. You'll never break me.' She thought, her resolve now restored and continued to mess with Orochimaru's summon.

"God Damnit! Just bit me already would you?" She snarled, her tone held nothing but disrespect and attitude.

Manda reared back in disgust, "You insolent little brat! I've s-spared your life long enough!" He hissed, and lunged toward the bratty dragon with fangs poisoned and poised to strike.

But Sakura was faster, and just as Manda was moments away from biting her she struck. Managing to free a paw she had lashed out, catching her captor across the side of the face with a chakra enhanced swipe.

"Go Outer-Chan! Shannaro!" Her inner self cheered. Sakura growled at the snake, and quickly slipped from his loosened coils when he retreated in pain.

"Served him right too." she thought, "That's definitely going to leave a mark." And indeed it would. The Snake king would forever bear evidence of the dragons scratch over his face now, and would never see the light of day from the left ever again.

But as she stalked away she thought, "It can't be that easy can it?" and he moment she turned around she met irritated Saffron eyes, and felt a painful paralyzation jutsu attack her. "Damn it…" she cursed, buckling under the added pain of her burning curse mark.

Orochimaru chuckled, "Foolish little dragon. Did you really think you could escape that easily?" he questioned, an amused glint in his eye.

Sakura snarled at him as best she could, "In all honesty yes." She spat, "I figured once I finished off your little slave over there I'd go after you."

The snake Sannin's smirk quickly melted into an irritated scowl, " I would suggest you hold your tongue, Sakura-Chan." He hissed, probing her cursed mark and earning a cry of pain. "After all, your not exactly in a position to be smart-mouthing me now are you?"

Sakura growled, her jade orbs staring defiantly into his. "I will not back down." She grunted, "Not now, not ever, and besides since when did you have the authority to tell me what to do." Her voice was scarily calm.

Orochimaru's smirk dropped, and he leaned closer into her wolfish face. Looking at the dragon he mused, 'Ku-ku-ku, I'll have to admit. If I was a weak shinobi I would be quite frightened by now.' His eyes never strayed from hers, and thus kept her weakening body paralyzed.

"You forget dear S-sakura-Chan that I am your Oji (Uncle) and you should treat me as such." He said, chuckling when her face twisted into that of disgust.

"Alright, fine O-J-I san." She spat, spraying his face with saliva and blood. "Bull, I don't care if you were my Hokage I'd still treat you like the useless, lowlife, disgusting, shitty, cowardly vermin you are." She paused for a moment, and then snorted in his face. "And nothing would ever change that."

"Wow…" Her Inner self gawked, and Sakura couldn't help but feel her confidence flicker a bit as Orochimaru's face remained blank.

The Snake Sannin and Dragon were face-to-face, and eye-to-eye. His cold, icy breath met her own, hot and burning. He was the prodigy of his generation, but the one that defected for power gained through any means possible. She was the heir that gained the power he was always supposed to have, and she was the spirited one, never rejecting those for power.

It royally pissed him off.

Orochimaru felt the hatred boil up inside of him, and his patience snapped completely. "Look here brat, I've lost my patience dealing with your weak, pathetic attempts." He hissed.

Sakura cringed in pain under the glare of his intimidating Zircon orbs. The Jutsu he had her under was frighteningly similar to the powers of the Sharingan, but the catch was it only worked on those with a cursed seal.

Lucky her, she just happened to fit the requirements and she was paying for it. The burn of her internal organs being poisoned brought tears to her eyes, but still she fought desperately to stay strong. Losing was simply not an option.

"Do you know why so many people fear me S-sakura-Chan? Hmm?" he asked, a sickly cold tone in his voice. She answered him with only silence and the sound of her troubled breaths, and to that he cackled. "Ah, s-see fear is natural upon seeing me. I am not afraid to kill; I do not care who I kill, or what I kill. It is just one step closer to the ultimate goal."

He leaned closer into her face if even possible, "You need to learn fear, and it's your lucky day for I am your S-sensei."

Her Orbs paled to a sickly Peridot as realization dawned on her – he was going to kill her. A fear unlike any other swept through her bones and they buckled causing her to fall to the ground – to his feet.

Panic. She was living it, and at that moment Sakura's whole world was crashing down on her. 'I don't want to die! I can't die!' she thought feverishly, 'He's going to kill me to! Just like mom and dad!'

Shame. Sakura realized that her failing body had moved on from panic, and now she was ashamed. "What will Anko Onee-Chan think of me? What will Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi-Sensei, Guy-Sensei, Gaara, Neji – what will Otou-San and Okaa-San think?'

She felt her fire fade to near non-existent when she dared to answer her question, 'they would be disappointed in me. I will have failed them.' She thought hopelessly.

Orochimaru laughed, enjoying the show of his victim thrashing in pain upon the forest floor. "S-See S-sakura-Chan? This is why you fear me." He hissed. "Like your insolent parents you lack the intelligence to have common sense."

Memories flashed before her eyes. Memories of her parent's death.

"Your just as much a pitiful, sorry creature as they were. Your kind only deserved one thing-"

'No! No!' She writhed in pain. She could feel their blood on her skin, she could see their cold faces, and she could smell their death all around her. 'All my fault!'

"Death. I simply gave them what they deserved, death. It's time for you to give up little dragon, it's over - You're over, and you've lost." The burn of her organs increased, "Your death will come soon, but know this little dragoness. You are weak, and would never have made any a difference in the world. You were born to die."

The Searing burn of poison eating away at her organs, the bite of her curse mark, and the pain of knowing nothing but failure engulfed her in the sweet escape of unconsciousness.

Sakura cried in the inky black realm, "Why am I so weak? I let him win?" she sobbed, "The least I could do was beat the snake, but I couldn't even do that."

She felt lost, hopeless, and useless – or so she thought. The flame she thought had long since extinguished inside of her flickered back to life once more – because it refused to give up.

'Sakura…' the voice ghosted by her ear but she knew it immediately – it was her Okaa-San's voice. "Sakura, remember this. Life isn't meant to be easy but remember what's important in it all. Just because someone else thinks its impossible doesn't mean we wont stand up and try the hell anyway. Never give up and never let anyone tell you you're too weak to stand up to them…"

Fear, misery, and pity – it all vanished from her soul upon hearing her Okaa-Sans words. The Flame exploded in her heart, and determination flooded her veins.

"Sakura…" Her heart warmed as her Otou-San's merry chime rang throughout the darkness. "When you feel like there is nothing left to fight for, nothing left to live or die for. Remember the people that believe in you, that protect you, that stand by your side – Fight for them. Continue on, Fight on because you know there will always be the people who see you as a hero, as someone who no matter what the odds will find a way to do what's right. You're their shining light sakura, and don't ever forget that. So Fight for them and fight for you, because your spirit guides many more than you think…"

If there was ever a time when she was so touched the dragoness could not remember because now it felt like she was living pure spirit. 'What the hell was I thinking?' she growled.

" I do believe you were actually thinking about giving up." Her Inner said.

Her jade eyes burned with determination as she sprung to her feet, "I know, and I cant believe I even thought I could." She whispered, but a moment later the doubt vanished again. "But we have to keep trying!"

The cheery image of Naruto passed before her eyes, "We're going to fight for Naruto, because he never gives up no matter what! I'm not going to back down, I'll find a way!"

She smiled with courage, and felt her spirit literally set on fire. Chakra set aflame engulfed her entire body in warmth, and it only fueled her more. She felt pain among this but ignored it because only one thing was on her mind – that she had to keep fighting and fight she did.

Sakura opened her Jade eyes, and found she was still staring into Orochimaru's Saffron orbs. The will to fight flooded her senses again, and like an enigma her body became swallowed in the minty flames of her chakra. She rose to her feet, but neither beast moved an inch otherwise.

She gave him a toothy grin, "Surprised?" she snarled, and for a moment relished in the utter shock and disbelief that flashed across his face.

Her Inner self snickered, "You should be!"

Sakura growled lowly, and allowed her burning hot breath to snap him out of his stupor. She wouldn't want her dear Oji-San to miss this after all now would she? "You will never break me Orochimaru. I will never give in, never give up, and never stand down because I have the one thing you don't have. I have people who believe in me, people who would die to protect me, and people who love me."

Still frozen the Sannin hissed, "love is a weakness, and others will only get in the way of your goals." She laughed at him, her voice held no hint of doubt.

"That, Oji-San is why you will never really, truly, be strong. You don't even know what your fighting for anymore do you? I have something to fight for, someone to die for, and myself to never back down for. That's why I win." She said, her jade eyes burning holes in his.

Sakura smiled as she reared back, her body set afire with her chakra. A feeling of righteous power flowed through her veins as she charged down and before Orochimaru could snap out of his shock enough to move she had struck him.

The Snake Sannin was sent flying back several yards. She had struck him across the chest with her fiery claws, no jutsu of any kind but pure, raw power. Sakura sprung towards Orochimaru as he got up, and lowered into a defensive crouch.

Orochimaru threw his head back and laughed, one arm clutching his bleeding abdomen and the other hung limply at his side. "I guess I have underestimated you little dragon." He hissed, "Forgive me, but I am going to have to cut our little meeting short. Though don't worry we will meet again-"

Her eyes narrowed in anger as she flared the severely depleted chakra she had in warning, "Don't even think about running away Orochimaru!" she snarled.

"And when we do, be prepared because there is no such thing as second chances." And in an instant his body was engulfed in flames and gone before the blink of an eye.

"Coward!" Her Inner self shrieked, shaking a fist at the retreating smoke Orochimaru left behind.

Sakura snarled, "Of course he would run! He just didn't want to believe I had landed a hit!" the fire died, and she found herself with a feeling of accomplishment.

"I may not have been able to kill him, but I proved that he couldn't make me give up and that is just as good as winning. Don't you think?" She thought.

Her inner laughed. "Sure! As long as we kick his slimy ass to the devil in the end who cares?" and Sakura sweat dropped before rolling her eyes.

"Sure Inner, whatever." She said, trying to ignore the intense fatigue that was hitting her hard now.

"Hey, aren't we forgetting something?" Inner asked.

Sakura's eyes flew wide open, pain and fatigue pushed aside. "Shit! The boys!"

Sakura stumbled through the Forest of Death, two, limp forms swayed with her hobbled gait as they hung from her gentle jaws. Her breath came in sharp, ragged gasps. A result of the broken rib that was currently to close to puncturing her lung for comfort.

She stopped and let her weary eyes search the clearing, "This place looks about as good as it's going to get. What about you Inner?" she thought.

Her Inner snorted, "First off, I am you Dumbass. Second off, I don't really have a choice do I?" the alter ego retorted.

Sakura chortled painfully, "Nope, not really." Her Inner self rolled her eyes before growing silent again, allowing her Outer self to limp toward their choice of shelter tonight - a hollowed out mass of tree roots.

She quickly settled down inside the cave and thought, "Better than sleeping outside, I guess." Sakura yawned, sleep's hold on her consciousness already strong. She cast a drowsy glance at Sasuke and Naruto.

She had treated them earlier as best she could with her (very) limited knowledge of medical chakra. Much to her delight the dragoness had managed to bring down both their fevers and heal their bruises.

Sakura cringed as she saw Sasuke's curse mark. "Yuck, that is one nasty bruise." She thought, grimacing.

Her inner laughed, "Hate to break it to you 'oh smartest Kunoichi of her generation.' But you've got one too."

Sakura instantly found herself staring at a nasty looking patch of tattooed, ivory fur. "Nobody asked you, 'oh opposite of Outer-Chan'." She snapped, and then quickly tore her eyes away from the 'gross' sight.

Her eyelids drooped, and Sakura unconsciously brought her 'boys' closer to her. Gathering them with her tail so that they rested against her ribcage- the part that wasn't cracked.

A low, groan of exhaustion escaped her lips and she cradled her head between her paws, much like Akamaru. "How the hell did we get into this fine mess?" she thought somewhat amused.

"No matter, I'm sure we'll make it out of this hellhole. We're Team 7! No, we're a family and family sticks together." Her lips unconsciously curled into a grin.

"I know we'll make it, and we'll make it together. Sasuke… Naruto… you aren't the closest thing I've got to family, you are my family and I'll be damned if I give up on you now. You're part of my Kazoku."

" 'Kazoku' means family – no one gets left behind, and no one is ever forgotten."

END NOTE:

So?

How was it? Ya I know I skimped you on the fight scene but It was horrible the first like twenty times I wrote it! Anyways PLEASE REVIEW ME!

It takes a lot of work to write these and when you guys review, you feel amazing because someone took their time (no matter how small) to tell you what they thought. Meaning, you touched them close enough that they cared, and that's all us writers are ever trying to do ne? p.s. that last line in the chapter was a play on the line from Lilo & Stitch in case you were wondering :)

ANYWAY!

Heres the poll again!

Who should Sakura end up with?

GAARA

NEJI

ITACHI

Please REVIEW me your answers!

Until next time!