For my last chapter, I had a review for which I have to address. I know that Sakura may seem like a bad character, but her past will be revealed in the coming chapters. Please just bear with the story. It is only the beginning. Don't fret, Sasuke and Sakura's time is coming. Soon. But you guys will just have to wait and see. ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto does.

~Recap~

"As much as I would like to disclose my past with Madara, I cannot for complex reasons. My past is my past alone. On an semi-related note, the Raikage will be holding a sort of test or trial as to see the skill level of all the shinobi. They are to be put into groups with other shinobi of their level. He invites you to join him as a 'judge'. That's the end of the message. I must leave to inform some others about tomorrow. It was a absolute pleasure to finally get to meet the Leaf's first two hokages."

"Sakura, don't-"

Sakura didn't wait long enough to hear Hashirama calling for her. She went from tent to tent informing the necessary people. After an hour or so of being a messenger, Sakura went back to her tent to take a long, very long nap. "I don't feel like talking to anyone. It's been a very trying day. Naruto is only going to make my head ache more and Sasuke...that dumb prick will say the only word in his limited vocabulary. Yeah, I'm feeling antisocial. Stop thinking Sakura! You still have to take part in the test tomorrow. Some rest will do you some good." On that final note, Sakura finally shut her eyes and moments later was fast asleep. As she lay in her slumber, she could not see a pair of red eyes watching her from the opening of her tent.

"Sakura."

~Recap end~

Sakura woke up in a daze. She felt as if someone was watching her from the outside. "No. No one was watching. It was just me being very stupid and paranoid. God, I hate keeping secrets. But it is for your own good. And the good of others. You can't let it endanger them." She pulled her thin blanket away from her warm body and left the tent. She took her dear sweet time in getting to the Raikage's tent. So long that he took it upon himself to yell at her the instant she stepped with the tent boundaries.

"Where the hell were you? You're half an hour late! It's not like you to be...not punctual! We can't waste time. We can't waste YOUR time!"

"I was taking a stroll. I desperately needed the fresh air to cool my unease. I thought someone was outside my tent, but I figured it was just me being paranoid. But here I am, so yeah. Are you making the announcement for the test soon? Half the camp isn't even up."

"Exactly. We gave them enough time to sleep so even if a sudden wake should happen, they are prepared, hm?"

"That's evil, but I like it. Will I be taking part in this test? Even though you know my skill level?"

"Yes. I may know it, but the rest of the world doesn't. I think it's high time that you show your true power. And this is the perfect way of revealing yourself to the world without it realizing that you're doing it intentionally. I'm forcing you to do it, so you won't have any problems with giving others a excuse."

"Clever. Alright. I think I will use this scheme of yours. Anyways, I've been dying to fight someone all day. Just an inkling to beat someone up."

The Raikage laughed heartily and slapped Sakura on the back. She forced a smile and performed some hand motions. A gush of water flew from the nearby pond and came rushing towards Sakura. It served as a platform for the her and the Raikage. As the water rised, Sakura performed another series of jutsus that made the voice louder. Then she took out a little whistle and blew. It produced the most shrill sound ever. A sound that grown men jump out of their skins. A sound that made women cower in the corner. A sound that woke shinobi from their deep slumber. A man appeared from the inside of a nearby tent, rubbing his eyes and stretching his arms.

"What the fuck is that noise?!" It's four in the fucking morning! Some people are trying to get some shut-eye before...oh it's the Raikage. IT'S THE RAIKAGE. Get the fuck up. GET THE FUCK UP!" A crowd gathered around the raised column of water to hear what the Raikage had to say at such an early time.

"I have an announcement to make. Each one of you will test your strength and skill in an ultimate solo challenge. Since we are so close to the Leaf village and their arena hasn't been completely destroyed, the test will be held there. Each one of you will fight your fellow shinobi until the other falls. We have enough medics on hand to heal each one of you after each fight. Men and women will fight one another. We begin in five minutes. Get ready and report there immediately!"

Naruto heard fight and got fired up. Unfortunately for his tent mate, Sasuke, he received a accidental kick in the face in the wake of Naruto's liveliness. He flew back into the cold ground, not having anything soft to land on. "Watch where you're kicking, dobe."

"I can't believe that we're having a test. It's like the chunin exams all over again, teme! Maybe we'll get to fight each other because we know all know that I'm going to win!"

"Hm. In your dreams."

"Ah see! You acknowledge your future defeat!"

"Hm."

"Come on, teme! Let's go! Sakura's probably going to be there too! And she's probably going to be taking part in the test too!" Sasuke remained completely passive to the piece of news, but deep inside, a warm feeling arose to blanket him with a happiness that he had not known in a very very long time. He didn't like it. It made him feel weak and powerless, so Sasuke shrugged it off and followed Naruto out of the tent and towards where the Raikage stood. Along the way, they met up with the rest of their peers. Ino, Kiba, and Lee were just as equally bouncy and lively as Naruto was when he first awoke.

"Sasuke-kun! A test! Another chance to prove that I'm better than Sakura, eh?"

"Yes! Another way prove my youth to the rest of the world!"

Ino noticed that Sakura wasn't around. "Where's Sakura? I don't see her. Now that I mention it, I didn't see her yesterday either! She wasn't in the medic tents; Shizune said that Sakura took a little break, that it wasn't her shift. I wonder where she is. Is she going to take part in this test or is she too afraid to stand up to me after all these years?"

Sakura appeared behind Ino the moment she spoke the last sentence. "No Ino. I can assure I'm going to take part. I wouldn't want to miss a chance to beat you again." Ino wasn't expecting her friend to come from behind her and screamed bloody murder. "Haha, see? You can't even hide your sentiments that well."

"Sakura! Where have you been? I didn't see you all day yesterday!"

"I had some things I needed to take care of, but now I'm here. Are you guys ready?

Naruto and the others gave Sakura confident confirmations. "Good because it's going to be a long day ahead of us." Ino connected her and Sakura's arms and called for the other girls.

"Let's do our best to show the guys what we're really capable of!"

"I-I'd like t-to show N-N-Naruto that I can take care of him!"

"I mean Neji may be gone, but I can still show the world how I precise I can throw kunai!"

"Hm." The girls looked at Sakura. Her answer was similar to those of a certain passive gentleman. Had Sakura been spending enough time with him that she adopted his way of speech? "Sakura, you sound a lot like Sasuke."

"No I don't."

"You're doing it again."

"No I'm not."

"You're giving four word answers! And you used 'hm'!"

"So?"

"Stop that! Sakura! What's going on with you? You've been acting really strangely."

"No I haven't. Can you drop it?" Sakura gestured to something over Hinata's shoulders. "It looks like the Raikage is motioning for everyone to be at the arena. I have to go. The Raikage wants me to monitor with the other kages." Her left foot moved back and she disappeared into the air.

"What was that all about?"

Sakura appeared again by the Raikage's side moments later.

"Are you ready Sakura?"

"Yes I am."

"Good because we're up first."

"Why?"

"It's to be a practice match. To show others the extend of damage they can inflict upon their opponent. I can't have them killing each other before a huge battle that may or may not determine our fate."

"Fine. Is everyone here yet?" A messenger of the Raikage appeared by his side. "Sir, everyone's been accounted for."

"Then let the games begin." Raikage looked out upon the crowds of shinobi gathered in the seats and above. "The first fight will be between Sakura and I. This is to show the extend of damage you can inflict upon the one you fight." He jumped over the railing and Sakura followed suit. They both landed like feather on the dirt ground. Each walked to the opposite sides of the arena and turned back to look at each other. The Raikage cracked his knuckles and twisted neck from side to side to get rid of any tension. Sakura, on the other hand, shrugged her shoulders. Her chest rose and flew after a large very intake of breath. She was ready.

"Start!"

The Raikage charged at Sakura. His fist was alight with his signature lightning, but what surprised everyone was the fact that Sakura had not moved an inch. Not even a budge. Just as the Raikage neared, Sakura stepped to the side and allowed the Raikage to fly into the wall, causing a large rumbling sound. Then she turned to where the Raikage was, fist lighting up with green, and punched the hole in the wall. She quickly jumped back before the he could land a good hit on her. Her fist glowed neon green; she pulled her arm back and shot it forward. Knuckles collided with face flesh and the Raikage flew back into the hole he created. When the dust cleared, Sakura was met with an empty hole. She sensed a presence behind her and before the Raikage could land a move that would break her, she grabbed his arm, swung him over her shoulder, and slammed him into the ground. Grabbing a kunai from her pouch that was strapped to her upper thigh, Sakura pushed it lightly to his throat before he could rise.

"Well done, Sakura. No sweat. No cuts. No bruises. To be expected."

"Please don't speak so highly of someone when they're holding a sharp weapon to your throat." She retracted the kunai and offered her hand. "Now let's begin with the real games."

"Alright." He turned towards the crowds. "And that's how it is. The first fight will be...Tenten of the Leaf and Sakura of the Leaf." And so continued the wins of Sakura and losses of others. Sasuke and Naruto also continued to win their battles until they were the final three. Normally, person A would fight person B but could not fight person C. However, the kages were very interested in how the boys would fare against Sakura. Would their strength and finesse be enough to finally defeat the unstoppable cherry blossom?

"Next fight is Naruto and Sakura."

"Alright! I get to fight Sakura-chan!" Hinata told hold of his wrist before he could leap down.

"Be careful, Naruto-kun. Sakura has consistently won all her battles. And she's even unscathed."

"I'll be fine. I even think I'm one who will go easy on her." He ate his words later. Even the demon within couldn't control Sakura's power. Everytime he attempted to land an attack on her, she merely flicked it away with a chakra-infused finger. Then she would take the opportunity to land a paralyzing blow. Naruto ended up with his face planted to the ground. He truly "ate" his words.

"The next final fight will be between Sakura of the Leaf and Sasuke of the Leaf."

"I get to fight Sakura. She may prove to be new challenge. Not that Naruto isn't a challenge, but Sakura's...different than usual." Sasuke jumped off and faced Sakura. She stared back at him with fierce orbs. Crimson met emerald in a fiery clash. If the sparks could instigate fire, the entire arena ablaze. No one could deny the chemistry between the two. Except for the sources of such sparks. Sasuke and Sakura both felt something the moment their eyes met, but both decided that it was a feeling that they were not comfortable with. So in order to rid themselves of the feeling, Sasuke's sharingan came out and Sakura's fist glowed. And the charge began. Ducking blows and avoiding eye contact, Sakura was adept at dodging Sasuke's every move. She began to memorize his movements and used this to her advantage. He was beginning to tire, but she showed no signs of giving up. Sasuke staggered and Sakura used this time to land a punishing blow on his lower abdomen. That sent him reeling and falling to the ground. Sakura was winner, but this could not satisfy her. Immediately after she was declared winner, she leaped and landed beside the Raikage.

"Well, it seems that you played out my expectations perfectly Sakura."

"I aim to please of course. But I have another concern that needs to be addressed immediately."

"What would that be?"

"We're lacking teamwork."

"How so?"

"For example, Madara's troops are terrified of him, yet act as one in order to protect each other from his wrath. The shinobi are all capable, but their pride is a major obstacle. I propose another test."

"Another? For what?"

"For the purpose of teamwork and may I suggest that Naruto and Sasuke be made leaders of their groups."

"Very well Sakura. You are, after all, one of my advisors. I'll announce tomorrow."

"I know that I'm fattening the cows for kill, but Madara wants Naruto and Sasuke at their prime. I think this is the best way to show that they are truly at their prime right now."

I have the the fifth chapter outlined, but I haven't typed it yet. I'm in the middle of yet another drama. You guys can expect a myriad of chapters in the next three days. After I put up chapter 10, do not expect another chapter until Friday or possibly Saturday. Ending on that note, reviews are always appreciated!