I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 12: Attack
Over the last few weeks, Sakura's training was more than beneficial. First, Neji make no mention of anything different about her chakra pattern, which means the byakugan could not see through her technique – it was a success. Second, her defensive techniques had definitely improved to the point where she had two entirely different fighting styles – her second goal was achieved. Finally, and most importantly to Sakura, she knew she was in love with Neji. She vowed to do everything possible to get him to forgive her.
Neji was impressed with the medic's progress, but was disappointed with his own. He came to the border with the intention of trying to sort out his feelings for Sakura. Several things got in the way. First, was that he couldn't stop dreaming of her. The next two problems revolved around the medic. First, the medic's mannerisms remind him so much of Sakura that he would swear she was Sakura using a henge (although his byakugan would see through that). Second, were the feelings he was developing for the medic. Neji was beginning to hate emotions – and he would take out his frustrations during his spars with the medic.
Sakura knew that her spars with Neji were getting more intense, but she attributed this to anxiousness. They had received news that rogue ninja were heading in their direction, so that tensions have been high. While Neji decided not to cancel the sparring sessions, they did begin to wear the wireless communicators in case something happened.
The spar so far this morning had been more intense than usual placing Sakura on edge. About twenty minutes into the spar, one of the ANBU team members patrolling called in over the headset.
"Captain, we have spotted two rogue ninjas making camp. Orders?" Neji held his hand up to signal an end to the spar.
"Hold position and observe. The report stated there were five rogue ninjas. We will be there shortly." By the time Neji had finished giving the orders Sakura had already gathered her supplies and headed for the entrance. Meeting the other team member at the door the three started towards their teammates.
After about two minutes an explosion occurred and shouts could be heard over the radio. After getting as close to the fighting as they could without being detected Neji signaled them to stop and activated his byakugan to assess the situation. There were eight rogue ninjas, not five, and while Horse and Cat were holding their own it was obvious it wouldn't last. After quickly making a plan, Neji gave orders to Porcupine and Sakura. Sakura had to bite her tongue when Neji told her to stay back and heal when needed.
Neji chose the moment and jumped into the middle of the fight. As soon as Horse and Cat saw the captain, they knew to get a safe distance away. Just as Neji's feet hit the ground, he began kaiten. This caused the rogues to scatter and gave Sakura time to heal Horse and Cat.
It did not take long for the rogues to recover and surround Neji in the crater. The rogue leader watched on as his men began to systematically attack Neji. Neji realized quickly that this particular band of rogues were much more coordinated than others. With a slight nod of his head, he signaled Porcupine he could begin his assault.
Situated behind several large trees, Sakura healed Horse and Cat. Neither had major injuries, but she healed them and boosted their chakra stores a little. Once she healed them, she nodded to allow them to return to the battle. After they left Sakura began to construct another one of her creations. Using the trees and ground, she created a chakra barrier. This chakra barrier shielded the area against objects and explosions. In addition, the only chakra signatures that can cross the barrier are the ones Sakura allows.
The rogue leader watched his men attack the Konoha ANBU with the white mask. He knew he was a Hyuuga from the first move he made. Wouldn't it be a slap in the face of his former country if he could capture a Hyuuga alive? Quickly making the decision, he relayed the information to his team. As he finished giving the new orders two of his men dropped.
Narrowing his eyes, the rogue leader went to the closest one thinking all he needed to do was release a genjutsu. However, as he approached the man he noticed several thin black sticks protruding from his body. Closer inspection showed these to be senbon. After realizing that his men were dead, he quickly looked to the trees to find the ANBU responsible. Spotting Porcupine, he sent a jutsu at the tree, which caused it to explode out from under Porcupine.
Sakura had been observing the battle and realized what was going to happen right before the explosion. She managed to catch Porcupine as he fell without being detected and transported him back to the temporary shelter she created. Assessing his condition, she healed the life threatening injuries but did not wake him up. Turning back to the battle Sakura realized that all the Konoha ninja were fighting and the rogues still had twice their numbers.
Letting Neji know that Porcupine would not return to the fight, Sakura positioned herself outside of the main area of the fight and continued to observe. The rogues were holding their own against the Konoha ANBU, which made Neji think that they had more of a history together than he had first assumed. None of them had headbands with insignias, which made it impossible to determine their country of origin. Most of them were fighting with weapons, and the only jutsu that had been used so far was by the leader when he blew up the tree porcupine was in.
Neither group seemed to have an advantage, even though the rogue ninjas had the greater numbers. Suddenly another explosion occurred. Neji knew that the explosion originated from the rogue ninja leader, but had not seen the consequences directly because he was fighting with the other rogue. Knowing he needed to end the job quickly, he cut of the chakra pathways of his opponent and turned to face the rogue. As he took in the destruction around him, he realized that the rogue not only took out Horse and Cat, but also the other four rogue ninjas. Turning he faced off with the rogue leader.
Sakura had seen the rogue ninja leader perform the explosion jutsu again and tried to figure out what the jutsu did. Quickly gather Horse and Cat, she brought them back to the makeshift medical tent and healed the life threatening injuries just as she had done with Porcupine. Relaying to Neji that the team was down for the count she once again repositioned herself to watch the fight. Realizing that back up would be needed she bit her thumb and knelt to touch the ground as she continued to observe the fight. A small slug appeared, and Sakura told the slug to relay the situation and position to Konoha and bring back up as soon as possible.
Neji knew that the rogue leader had correctly identified him as a Hyuuga clan member because he always kept a certain distance away. Like Sakura, he was trying to identify the jutsu the rogue leader was using to help him avoid it during the fight. Neji was showing little fatigue so far, but he recognized the rogue ninja as a strong opponent – he had learned long ago not to underestimate any opponent. For the first time, the rogue ninja spoke.
"Well, imagine my luck when I realized that I had bumped into a Hyuuga during my travels through Konoha's forest." Neji merely stared at him. "Although, I do believe I will have more luck in obtaining the byakugan than my former country, as I know that I need to keep you alive. See that was the mistake my country made all those years ago. They did not understand the juin and how it worked. However, as I said I have learned from that mistake."
Sakura could tell that Neji was trying to control his emotions by the way he was controlling his breathing. She knew the story of Hinata's kidnapping and Neji's father's sacrifice. She watched carefully as Neji assumed the traditional Hyuuga fighting stance. Trusting in Neji's abilities she turned once again to observe the rogue leader hoping to gain insight that would help Neji.
As the two ninjas fought, Sakura eliminated jutsu after jutsu in her head with regard to the explosion jutsu that the rogue ninja was using. Just as she realized what the rogue ninja was doing, he began to perform it again. Neji noticed the hand signs and decided to use kaiten to attempt to deflect whatever was going on. Sakura seeing what was happening couldn't decide what to do. She had realized that the rogue ninja was essentially throwing chakra at objects causing them to explode.
Realizing that she could not reach Neji in time to stop the explosion she hoped the kaiten would deflect enough of the chakra not to harm him too much. Just as the two jutsu met, Sakura ducked behind a nearby tree for cover. Once the debris had settle enough for her to chance it she transported to Neji's side finding him barely conscious. Knowing what the rogue wanted, she quickly transported them both to the temporary safe haven. As she healed his wounds, she could hear the rogue ninja cursing and trying to figure out where the Hyuuga had disappeared to.
Neji was conscious, but barely. As the medic healed him, he tried to give her instructions on what to do. He wanted her to return to Konoha and tell them what had happened, hopefully the rescue team would find him before the rogue had a chance to take his eyes. Before Sakura could respond, the rogue ninja found their location.
"Well, it seems as if I should have paid more attention. I did not realize you had a medic with you. While I would like to make a deal with you girl, I know that you would return to Konoha and they would mount a rescue mission. Therefore, I am just going to have to kill you before I take the Hyuuga." Hearing this Neji attempted to sit up and do his best to give the medic a chance to run away, but a firm hand on his shoulder kept him where he was.
"You can try your best, but you will not take my captain."
"Hahahahaha, what do you think you, a mere medic, can take me down?"
"Nope, I know I can." Neji was desperately trying to get the medic to shut up, but she wouldn't listen. Deciding to forgo any more talking the rogue ninja grabbed several kunai and shuriken and flung them at Sakura. Neji looked at the medic wondering why she wasn't even attempting to move when the kunai and shuriken were deflected by an invisible wall. Standing and turning the medic smiled at the rogue ninja under her mask.
The rogue ninja cocked his head to the side and tried to figure out what the medic did to deflect the weapons he threw at her. Sakura merely smirked, knowing that her shield would hold up against anything the rogue ninja could throw at it – including chakra. The rogue ninja continued to probe the barrier with various objects and getting impatient finally threw a large burst of chakra at the barrier. Just as the chakra contacted her barrier Sakura took the opportunity the explosion caused and turned to face Neji.
"Captain, he can not enter this dome as long as I am alive, I healed you as best I could for now. I already sent word to Konoha, so back up is on the way. I will hold of the rogue until they arrive." Neji tried to protest but the medic left before he could say anything.
Desperately trying to hold on to consciousness Neji watched the fight between the medic and the rogue. As he watched he realized that there was much more to this medic than what he knew and the more she fought the more she reminded him of Sakura. He also realized that the rogue was more than a rogue and probably should be classified as an S-class missing ninja.
Sakura was breathing heavy. She was not trying to defeat the rogue ninja, just stall long enough for help to arrive. As the fight continued Sakura knew that she was in trouble, and needed to do something fast or else all would have been for naught. Taking a deep breathing she gathered her chakra into her fist, jumped and plummeted toward the ground.
Neji's eyes widened as the medic performed one of Sakura's signature moves, and got the same result Sakura would have. Although his vision was blurry Neji saw the medic land within a few feet of the barrier and begin to perform hand signs while the rogue ninja was recovering from the sudden earthquake. As Neji's vision faded to black he saw two things, first the back up from Konoha arrived and second the medic's hair shortened and lightened to a very familiar pink.