The Turning Point
Sasuke and Gaara's match was met with cheers of excitement and relief from the crowd. Finally everyone would get the opportunity to finally see the two ninja fight. Sakura watched as Genma informed Sasuke and Gaara of the rules before stepping back and letting the match commence.
Immediately the sand from Gaara's gourd began pouring out and Sasuke recalled what Sakura had told him about the red haired boy's preliminary fight. This was clearly the sand technique he had used to defeat Rock Lee but there was no way Sasuke was going to let himself get beaten by it. Instead of attacking him, Gaara remained motionless clutching at his head and mumbling sentences about feeding something sweet blood and his mother.
Sakura and Naruto exchanged concerned looks. From their encounter with Gaara in the hospital they knew that he was hell bent on killing Sasuke and the mental distress he seemed to go through when he tugged on his hair wasn't helping ease their fears. Sasuke wasn't going to waste any time and immediately threw two ninja stars straight for his opponent. A clone of Gaara made of sand quickly blocked the attack; it seemed that Gaara had turned his sand shield jutsu into a sand clone jutsu. But it worked to the same affect and shielded the real Gaara.
Sasuke needed to destroy the clone and Sakura watched as he ran forward and struggled using a series of martial arts moves. Eventually the clone was destroyed and the Uchiha prodigy ran forward seeing that Gaara was now open for an attack. But once again the sand acted as a defence and the crowd groaned as it seemed Sasuke would be unable to get through again. But Sasuke disappeared and reappeared behind Gaara as Lee had done in the preliminary rounds. Landing a skilfully placed punch Sasuke knocked the Sand genin backwards causing his face to crack.
His speed was easily that of Rock Lee's normal speed and Sakura marvelled at it. Sasuke was clearly using his Sharingan to mimic Lee's speed but the downside to that meant it required a lot of stamina to keep it up. Sasuke ran forward again to kick Gaara whilst avoiding the sand, then just as Lee had done in the preliminaries he used his incredible speed to run in a circle around Gaara which confused him. Ducking under the sand he landed a series of powerful taijutsu style moves and Gaara stumbled back.
It looked as though Sasuke had the upper hand and Naruto grinned, this Gaara guy looked like he was all talk and no action. Gaara got to his feet and Sasuke waited to see what he would do next, immediately Gaara placed his hands in a jutsu summoning position. The sand began rising up around him and began forming a sphere which encased Gaara. Not wanting to let the Sand ninja make the first move, Sasuke punched the sphere but the sand shot out in spikes, protecting the user of the jutsu inside. The Uchiha boy jumped back sustaining a small cut to the cheek but his right hand and left leg bled heavily.
Gaara activated the Third Eye which sat above the sand sphere and watched Sasuke who knew exactly what he had to do. He didn't expect to be revealing the jutsu that Kakashi had taught him so early but he needed to break the sphere open and get to Gaara. Direct chakra to the bottom of his feet Sasuke raced up the wall of the stadium and stayed perched up there. Sakura squinted trying to see what he was doing. Sasuke did a quick series of hand signs and placed his left hand over his right hand and held both between his legs.
A huge blue light began to radiate from Sasuke's right hand as the sound of thousands of birds chirping filled the arena. Sasuke whipped his right hand behind him causing the cement of the wall to rip apart. He ran back down the stadium wall and headed straight for the sand sphere hoping to break through Gaara's defence.
Amazing Sasuke's using his chakra control to focus it all in his right hand. Like my chakra punches but it seems to be a lot stronger. What else did Kakashi-sensei teach him? Sakura thought a little enviously
Good he's managed to pull of the Chidori so far without any mistakes, Kakashi mused from his position in the stands of the stadium. He caught the eye of Gai and Lee who had made the journey out of hospital to watch the final rounds. Gai regarded him suspiciously but Kakashi simply smiled and waved.
Naruto too marvelled at the technique and immediately felt inadequate. He had wanted to fight Sasuke to test out his new strength but now he feared Sasuke was a lot stronger than him. Clearly being an Uchiha was a big deal, in just a month Sasuke had picked up this powerful technique.
Sasuke's Chidori managed to break a hole through the sand sphere and hit Gaara on the left shoulder. Blood began to drip onto Gaara's hands from the wound and he stared at in astonishment. The pain was overwhelming and he'd never bled before. Sasuke tugged on his arm to withdraw it from where it was resting on Gaara's shoulder but he couldn't remove it. Activating the Chidori Sasuke tried again and Gaara let out an inhuman scream as the Chidori activated on his fresh wound.
The Uchiha boy's eyes widened in shock as he was pushed back from the sphere by a huge monster arm which thrashed about in the air before retreating back into the sand ball, what in the hell was that? Sakura, Naruto and Shikamaru exchanged horrified glances, was that the demon Gaara had been talking about in the hospital?
The pink haired ninja looked across to where Temari and Kankuro stood; both looked as shock and terrified whispering to each other. Sakura heard the word plan being thrown around and her eyes narrowed in suspicion. The sand sphere began to disintegrate and revealed Gaara clutching his bleeding shoulder in pain. He mumbled and hissed to himself but fell on his knees.
"Hey what the heck is that stuff?" Naruto asked loudly and pointed towards the stands where what seemed like a cloud of white feathers was gathering.
The feather began falling faster and in greater numbers covering the stands where the crowd sat in the stadium. Sakura watched as one by one the crowd began to fall asleep and her eyes widened as the feathers began to seep into the finalist area.
"Release" Sakura muttered as she dissipated the feathers around her, Naruto, and Shikamaru who seemed annoyed at the fact that everyone got to nap but him.
"What was that stuff? And what's going on everyone's asleep!?" Naruto asked.
"That was a genjutsu and something isn't right here" Sakura replied glancing at Temari and Kankuro who had released the genjutsu as well.
"Man I could have done with that nap" Shikamaru complained but shut his mouth when he saw the dirty look Sakura gave him.
Meanwhile on the stadium floor Sasuke was breathing heavily and his eyes remained fixed on Gaara. Whatever was in that sphere wasn't human and had almost broken out of there.
Just what the hell is this guy? Sasuke thought and found it strange that the crowd had gone completely silent. Looking up to the stands he noticed everyone was asleep and frantically tried to locate Sakura and Naruto.
Seeing his teammates were safe and awake he turned his attention back to his opponent. Was this part of his battle strategy? Put everyone to sleep so he could kill him?
Suddenly Temari and Kankuro appeared beside Gaara and quickly examined him. "He's low on chakra and his wound is worse than I thought!" Temari exclaimed.
Naruto and Sakura appeared beside Sasuke and faced off against the three genin from the Sand. "What's going on here?" Sasuke demanded getting to his feet with the assistance of Sakura.
"I must kill him!" Gaara rasped and made to stand up again but couldn't. A huge explosion came from the Hokage area and smoke began to billow out in thick waves.
Is this what Tsunade felt was coming? An attack on the Leaf Village, Sakura thought and she eyed the sand ninja suspiciously. This had something to do with them.
"What are you three still doing here? The operation is in motion and Gaara is crucial" Baki the squad leader of the Sand siblings asked, appearing in front of his students.
"Gaara's hurt! He has little chakra and the transformation was only just stopped" Kankuro spoke up.
"That little fool he'll ruin us all. Take him away and bandage his wounds, let him rest until his strength returns and then get him into position!" Baki hissed angrily.
"So who is the leader of this little operation then? Orochimaru?" Genma asked stepping in front of Team 7.
Sasuke and Sakura froze at the mention of the name but Baki simply smiled "I'm not at liberty to say." He turned to his squad who still hadn't moved "What are you three doing? Get going! I'll handle these ninja!"
Immediately Temari and Kankuro held onto Gaara and disappeared over the stadium wall. Genma turned to the members of Team 7 and Sakura immediately knew what he would ask them to do.
"Sorry Sasuke looks like your Chunin experience ends here. But all three of you are official at Chunin level and what's more you're Leaf Village shinobi so you know what you have to do" Genma instructed staring at Baki.
"You want us to go after Gaara right? The match continues?" Sasuke asked deadpanned.
"Yeah something like that but be careful and keep your wits about you. Now go" Genma said and Sasuke lept into action before Sakura or Naruto could even react.
He was gone in the blink of an eye jumping over the stadium wall the same way the Sand siblings had just done. "That's so like the Teme to leave without us! Let's go Sakura-chan!" Naruto said and Sakura nodded.
"Sakura! Naruto! Don't go after Sasuke just yet, I have something that can help you. Bring Shikamaru with you" Kakashi called out and the remaining members of Team 7 looked up into the stands to see their sensei and Gai fighting off Sound Ninja.
We should have left when Sasuke did. Now we have no idea where he's gone, Sakura thought as she signalled to Shikamaru and all three joined Kakashi and Gai in the stands.
From their position they could now see the Hokage area where the Kazekage appeared to be holding the Third Hokage hostage. Surrounding them seemed to be a huge barrier and from the four ninja holding it in place that it was some kind of jutsu.
The sound of metal scraping on metal filled their ears as Kakashi took down another an opponent. Gai seemed in his element as he cheerfully threw two ninja into a wall. Some other Jounin Sakura didn't recognise joined in on the attack and one performed a fireball jutsu the same as Sasuke's. Once Kakashi was satisfied the numbers had been trimmed he turned to the three genin who looked ready to fight.
"Well done Sakura on releasing that genjutsu. I knew that teaching you that for the genin survival exams would come in handy. I have a mission for you all now, it's an A ranked mission so you need to be careful" Kakashi said and almost received a sharp blow to the throat from an enemy ninja when Gai stepped in and stopped the attack.
"You're slow Kakashi! I've taken down at least 80 ninja while you've been standing their talking!" Gai exclaimed and shot his long term rival a dazzling smile. Kakashi simply shrugged and Gai fumed heading back into battle.
"Kakashi-sensei I believe we need to go after Sasuke and help him. That boy Gaara isn't a normal opponent and I don't think we'd be much help battling here with you and the other Jounin. I heard them saying they were planning something with Gaara" Sakura stated her case clearly.
"Yeah Sakura's right sensei! Why does the teme get to have all the fun!?" Naruto demanded not quite on the mark and Shikamaru yawned.
"Sakura I fully intend to send you after Sasuke that is your A ranked mission. But to do that you need to track him and I have someone who can help you with that" Kakashi said and caught a deflected kunai in his hand from an enemy ninja.
Slicing his thumb and allowing the blood to seep out from the cut, Kakashi performed a quick series of hand signs before placing his left hand on the back of a sleeping audience member. "Summoning Jutsu!" he called out and with a burst of white smoke a puppy appeared where Kakashi's hand had been.
"Is that a puppy?" Sakura blinked in confusion and Naruto stared at the dog in disbelief. "That thing is supposed to lead us to Sasuke!?" he whined and pointed his finger in the dogs face.
The dog promptly opened its mouth and bit down hard on Naruto's finger causing him to yell out in pain and shake the animal off.
"I am not just a puppy or a thing. My name is Pakkun and I am a ninken" The dog spoke and Naruto glared at him angrily.
"Pakkun is a skilful tracker and will lead you to Sasuke. Now I need to brief you on the mission" Kakashi said as Gai kicked an enemy into the wall behind them before running up and breaking a hole in it.
"Using Pakkun as your guide find Sasuke and prevent him from fighting Gaara. The situation is far too dangerous for any of you to fight and we have no idea what the Sand village has planned. They've already infiltrated the Leaf I'm sure. Once you find Sasuke you're all to move to a safe location and wait further instruction" Kakashi instructed as he aimed a kick at an enemy who got too close.
"Listen I don't really want to get involved in any of this" Shikamaru said stifling a yawn. That genjutsu had given him some time to catch up on some much needed sleep and he wouldn't mind going back under.
Kakashi sighed. "Shikamaru I saw your match you have the makings of a good strategist and this is a time for you to use those skills"
But Shikamaru sat on the ground determined to try and get back to sleep. Sure it would be a drag if Sakura and Naruto got into a mess with Gaara but what was Sasuke to him? It wasn't that Shikamaru was a sadist who wanted to see his fellow candidates suffer; he just didn't want to move. Pakkun decided he'd had enough of the whining child and padded over to where Shikamaru sat.
"Oh jeez not you. I told you I'm not going" Shikamaru said as the dog rubbed against his hand. Pakkun opened his mouth and using his sharp teeth bit down on the lazy boy's hand.
Deciding they'd wasted enough time Sakura grabbed Naruto by the hand and pulled him through the hole in the wall made by Gai. Pakkun followed clamping down harder on Shikamaru's hand as he dragged the genin with him.
They weaved in and out of the trees carefully as Pakkun would stop momentarily to sniff the ground picking up Sasuke's scent and then lead them off in another part of the forest outside of the village. But Sasuke and the Sand siblings were too far in front and it seemed as though it would be a while before Naruto, Sakura and Shikamaru would catch up to them. Sakura shook her head to focus as her mind whirled with a range of scenarios about the outcome of Sasuke fighting Gaara. Not one of the scenarios ended favourably for Sasuke.
I can't think like that. I have to stay focused and ready. The Sound and Sand have teamed up and their forces have spread throughout Konoha. We could be walking into a trap any second if I let my guard down. Wait I sense chakra signals! Two squads, eight ninja no wait nine ninja!
"We need to hurry! There are two squads behind us plus an additional ninja which makes nine on our tail altogether" Sakura said urgently to her squad.
"Oh man what a drag. I can't believe I got mixed up in this" Shikamaru complained loudly.
"Hey don't make me bite you again" Pakkun said and Shikamaru flinched. Pakkun took the time to look back and regarded Sakura with an impressed look; she sensed the chakra of their enemies as soon as he had smelled them.
"We need to lose them before they find out location" Pakkun said and jumped from the trees onto the ground, the genin followed him cautiously.
"Why are we stopping? We need to get to Sasuke!" Naruto demanded as Pakkun began to walk backwards.
"Shut up and follow me. We're walking back over our footprints and if we do it well then we can make it look like we weren't even here" Pakkun instructed and they were obliged to follow.
Sakura huffed in annoyance it seemed frivolous to waste time covering their tracks but she supposed Pakkun was Kakashi's ninken and probably knew things they as genin did not.
"This is designed to buy us some time and hopefully make them lose our tracks" Pakkun explained answering Sakura's silent question.
But it didn't deter the Sound ninja who continue to pursue them. Sakura suggested an ambush style attack and it seemed to be a plausible form of attack until Pakkun pointed out that the ninja were of Jounin level and it would hinder the original task of stopping Sasuke before he could fight Gaara. It was Shikamaru who then suggested the decoy move, one of them was to stay behind and act as a decoy to hold off the Sound ninja while the others continued with the mission. But it would be a one way trip back there was little chance of a sole genin surviving against nine Jounin especially those connected with Orochimaru.
It was time to decide who would stay back to act as the decoy. Obviously Pakkun was out as he was to lead them to Sasuke so it had to be one of the three genin. Sakura swallowed hard, she didn't want to die but then confronting Gaara was just as much chance of death. Especially if the demon within him had been released. Either way each path contained risk and an outcome of death.
"I'll do it I'll stay behind and hold them off. Shikamaru you're the best with strategy and Naruto you have the strength to confront Gaara" Sakura volunteered quietly.
"Sakura! You don't stand a chance against them alone! I won't let you stay behind!" Naruto said angrily.
"Someone has to Naruto! If we don't it stands in the way of the mission and more to the point we'll all die" Sakura retorted.
I can't let her stay here I made a vow to protect her. The teme would kill me if I broke it and I couldn't live with myself anyway, Naruto thought and looked at his teammate anxiously.
"Well I'd made my mind up already but this confirms it. I'll be the one staying behind Sakura" Shikamaru interjected.
"What but I" Sakura began but Shikamaru cut her off.
"I appreciate the offer but it's got to be me. After all my jutsu is design to be a decoy specifically. Besides you two are Uchiha's teammates it's only fitting you should go. Your strength and medical abilities are going to be an asset Sakura, plus Uchiha seems to listen to you so he might actually retreat if you ask him nicely" Shikamaru said sounding serious for once.
"Hurry up they're coming we need to go" Pakkun said pawing a tree anxiously.
"Are you sure you can handle this Shikamaru?" Naruto asked.
"It's going to be a drag but I'm probably one of the only people here who has a good chance of pulling it off and getting out alive. Now go and find Uchiha" Shikamaru said and left in the direction of the Sound ninja.
Pakkun took off running again with Sakura and Naruto following behind him. Pakkun announced that Sasuke had stopped his movement but he was still ahead of them by a great distance. If he had stopped it only meant that Sasuke had caught up to the Sand genin which meant he would be facing off against all three. Sakura pushed off harder from the branch she had just landed on and willed the others to go faster.
Sasuke had managed to catch up to Gaara and his teammates. He stood in front of them preventing them from going any further. He observed that Gaara seemed completely out of it and Kankuro supported his weight. The girl Temari eyed him carefully and made her decision jumping into the air, Sasuke smirked at her attempt to divert his attention.
"Kankuro go! Take Gaara and find somewhere safe and follow sensei's orders. I'll take care of the Uchiha" Temari instructed and Kankuro grimaced at the thought of his teammate taking on Sasuke alone.
"Alright we're going" Kankuro relented.
"Oh no you're not!" Naruto yelled and jumped onto the same tree branch as Sasuke, Sakura and Pakkun following close behind.
"Hn dobe Sakura what are you doing here?" Sasuke asked his eyes fixed on Gaara.
"You didn't think we'd let you have all the fun did you teme? Sorry we're late Kakashi sent us with his ninken" Naruto explained happily.
Kankuro quickly disappeared with Gaara avoiding the kunai Sasuke threw as a reaction. "He's getting away" Sasuke hissed.
"Right you two follow Gaara and Kankuro. Temari and I have unfinished business here" Sakura said and reached for the gloves in her pocket.
Sasuke and Naruto exchanged looks, they didn't want to leave their teammate battling it out alone with Temari but if they didn't move soon Gaara and Kankuro would escape.
"I'll stay with the girl, you two go on ahead" Pakkun decided and Sasuke nodded.
"Be careful Sakura if you think you can't win run. Promise me you'll run from this fight if it gets too much" Sasuke urged and Naruto quickly agreed.
"I can't promise that and I have no intention of losing here. Now go before they get too far from you" Sakura replied sharply.
Sasuke hesitated but he knew from her fight in the finals that Sakura had the means to beat Temari and he didn't want to acknowledge the idea that she might not come out alive. But Sakura was stubborn and would always do what she thought was best for her teammates. Now that the Leaf village was under threat it was time to do what was best for lessening that threat. With a nod of consent Sasuke set off after Gaara, Naruto close behind him.
Temari threw a handful of kunai in their direction but Sakura quickly jumped and deflected the attack.
Sorry sensei but I don't think any of us have the intention of hiding from this fight, Sakura thought as she readied herself against Temari. Thankfully due to their fight beforehand Temari didn't have a whole lot of chakra left. Sakura's reserve had come back strong but she didn't know how long it would last, she certainly wasn't at peak capacity.
I don't want to use the jutsu yet because it uses a lot of chakra and my reserve could suffer. Besides if I'm to go up against Gaara I'll probably need it. Best to handle this like before but the terrain is different. I need to force her onto the ground in the trees she has the vantage point.
"You're persistent I'll give you that but this is much bigger than just our little fight. So get out of my way! Wind Jutsu!" Temari said and sent a huge gust of wind which hit Sakura causing her to fall to the ground.
She quickly took the opportunity to conceal herself behind a tree as Temari sent another gust of wind down from her position up high. But the attack wasn't as effective with the way in which the air travelled. Temari huffed in frustration not knowing how Kankuro and Gaara were fairing against the Uchiha kid and the blond boy. She didn't have a lot of chakra left to play games with Sakura, this needed to end and now.
Come on, take the bait. You're frustrated and tired right. You want to go after your teammates but you can't and that makes you feel helpless. If you come down here I'll have the advantage and I won't waste it.
Sakura smiled as she heard Temari jump down from the trees and land almost inaudibly on the forest floor. She had one chance to get this right and there was no way she was going to waste it.
"Come on out little girl and let's finish this" Temari taunted and Sakura obliged, directing chakra to her feet she ran out from behind the tree.
Temari reacted instantaneously and sent another wind gust but Sakura simply shielded her face and continued to run as she had before. Temari's eyes widened and she knew she had to get back into the air and obtain back her advantage. Backing up a few steps she felt her back hit the tree behind her and Sakura smirked. Temari was in position and the pink haired girl used her taijutsu speed combined with an extra boost from her chakra reserve.
Pumping a little into her fist Sakura punched Temari into the tree she had backed into. Temari let out a painful groan as her body crumpled against it. Sakura was pleased, she had to have the right amount of chakra to make sure the punch wasn't going to destroy the tree but would effectively injure Temari to allow the second phase of her attack to continue.
She had positioned herself carefully when she took Temari's initial attack. A grove of trees within the forest had grown close together over the years; each entwined and tangled with the other. They were old trees but still carried a hefty weight about them. Sakura knew from her tree splintering practice with Tsunade that these would work well. Because time was of the essence and her chakra reserve getting lower every second, Sakura had only a few moments to detain Temari.
Quickly withdrawing some ninja wire Sakura worked fast to pin Temari to the tree holding the wire in place with a kunai which she pushed hard into the trunk of the tree. Temari hissed and struggled against the wire but Sakura paid her no mind.
She made for huge tree located to the immediate right of Temari, getting behind it she gathered the chakra in her fist and hit the tree hard. It cracked immediately and fell in front of Temari pushing up against her stomach. Sakura performed the same hit on the tree located to the left and it landed next to the other fallen tree creating even more pressure against the Sand ninja.
"What have you done? I can't move!" Temari demanded breathing heavily as the full force of the trees began to crush her sternum.
"I thought it would be obvious but I guess not. You're trapped her and with any luck this is where you'll stay until we're finished. Then you'll answer to Konoha for your treachery" Sakura replied and jumped back up to the tree branches were Pakkun sat licking himself and patiently waiting.
"Nice job girl" he said eyeing her "You know I think that deserved a touch of my paws but I'm sure you'd rather get to your teammates first"
Sakura laughed a little despite herself "I think that's my general goal. But we need to hurry I have a feeling Sasuke and Naruto are going to need all the help they can get"
"You have no idea what he's capable of! Gaara isn't just some normal opponent he's dangerous" Temari warned, her voice strained.
"It's because he's dangerous that we have to go after him. Look what you've inflicted on a village that did nothing but welcome you. Why is the Sand attacking the Leaf?" Sakura demanded.
"I have orders to follow" Temari spat.
"So do I" Sakura replied calmly and immediately departed with Pakkun leading the way to Sasuke and Naruto.
Sasuke landed on the tree branch his whole body hurt and the curse seal pulsed sending shockwaves of pain throughout him. He knew he shouldn't have activated the curse mark but against something that wasn't human what choice did he have? But the use of the seal plus his Sharingan had drained him completely of chakra. Naruto was now up against Gaara alone and Sasuke was unable to use the Chidori or give his teammate any assistance.
Gaara's demon Shukaku had taken over half his body and was getting stronger every minute. As a consequence Gaara's speed and strength was increased tenfold. Sasuke hated himself for struggling, for not being enough even after all this time. How could he hope to take on Itachi like this? Gaara had said it himself in his deranged state; Sasuke's hate was weaker than his. And with a weak hate fire the rest of him was weak. How would he win then?
He had used the Chidori to rip through the demon claw that had taken over the left side of Gaara's body but that had only excited Gaara's bloodlust for him. Sasuke glanced up from his position on the tree branch to see Naruto had missed an attack leaving Gaara an opening, after promising Shukaku the Uchiha's blood it seemed all Gaara wanted to do was to kill Sasuke and satisfy the demon. Having the demon spout a tail as well as a left claw, Gaara took the opening eager to satisfy the bloodlust within and feel alive once more.
It was at this moment that Sakura and Pakkun arrived having tracked down the two boys. "W-What the hell is that?" Sakura asked as Gaara jumped straight past her.
"The boy Gaara by the smell of it but there's another smell on him. A dangerous one and it's not human. I can smell Naruto not far away he's running back here and Sasuke but he's not moving" Pakkun said.
Sakura's eyes followed Gaara's movements and saw Sasuke lying on the ground. The black flames on his face and arms indicated he'd used the curse seal. Doing a vitals check he seemed relatively unharmed other than the fact that he had no chakra. Sakura felt a chill down her spine; Sasuke had no chakra which meant he couldn't get himself to safety and if she didn't move now Sakura was sure he'd be badly injured.
"Alright let's give it a shot! Time to use that new technique we've been working on with Tsunade-sama! It's going to be tough but we can't leave Sasuke for dead!" Inner piped up determinedly giving Sakura the courage she needed.
Jumping out from her position in the trees Sakura gathered the chakra in her fist and punched Gaara on the right side of his face, the side which had not been taken over by the demon. The Sand ninja regarded her with a look of pure hatred and horror as his body collided with a nearby tree trunk throwing him away from Sasuke.
Landing neatly on the branch where the Uchiha boy lay Sakura quickly examined him "Sakura what are you doing here?" Sasuke ground out as another wave of pain rocked his body.
"You used the curse mark. Kakashi told you not to and you've made the seal on it weaker. Why! You promised you wouldn't!" Sakura asked angrily ignoring his question.
"Does it look like I had much choice? You have to get away from here, take Naruto and go. You don't stand a chance against him! This isn't the time to be lecturing me!" Sasuke spat back.
"YOU! You foolish girl you're here to protect him I suppose. And for what purpose?" Gaara asked having stabilised himself again, using his monster like tail to grip onto a tree branch.
"Sakura! Go and get out of here" Sasuke urged again and let out another ear splitting yell as the mark on his neck pulsed again.
"And him! Even as he lies there now suffering at my hands he wants to protect you from me. To save you! Why!?""Gaara demanded completely deranged caught Sakura off guard when he hit her with his demonic arm.
Her body hit the tree trunk and she struggled to get back up. The pain was blinding and she wanted nothing more than to heal herself. But she needed her chakra for that technique.
"Love? Is that why you'd die for him? Because you love him? And does he love you? Is that why he wants you to flee, to run from me because he doesn't want to see you die before his eyes" Gaara yelled and Sakura froze.
"What are you doing!? Leave now while you still can!" Sasuke yelled out again but it fell on deaf ears. Sakura locked eyes with Gaara's demonic form and found she couldn't turn away.
"I thought I knew love once too. But it's all lies and deceit! That you would risk your own life for his and what has he done for you!? The Uchiha clan, last of its kind in the world hell bent on hate and revenge, that of which he desires most and you offer him what? Love? Friendship? WHAT ARE YOU TO HIM!?" Gaara screamed and clutched his head in anguish trying to process Sakura's intentions.
Sakura stared at Gaara in horror, her eyes flicked quickly towards Sasuke who had curled into himself from the pain of the curse seal. There was no choice she needed to use the technique now and then while he was down try and seal off the curse mark even though she had no idea how.
Getting to her feet despite the pain Sakura closed her eyes and focused her chakra. The technique Tsunade had taught her was a continuation of her chakra controlled punches and essential for further development. It was basic but effective building on the skills of the taijutsu training as well. She made sure she had positioned herself in front of Sasuke whose blood Gaara still craved. The balance of chakra had to be perfect but instead of just one fist she directed the flow down the right side of her body to gather in her right fist and leg.
Once she felt the balance settle Sakura opened her eyes and fixed them on her target. Not wanting to wait another minute in case she lost the perfect balance she had created Sakura jumped forward heading straight for Gaara. She had one shot and this was it, her chakra would be almost if not completely gone after this.
A frontal attack! You idiot Sakura! Sasuke thought and grew angrier at his own helplessness. Where the hell was Naruto!?
Her right leg cocked she managed to smash her way through the sand arm Gaara had. She knew she only had a few seconds before it grew back even stronger and thrust her leg forward again connecting Gaara with another tree trunk. The force of the impact was so strong that the tree split and Sakura readied her right fist, gaining leverage she chakra punched Gaara from above sending him into the ground.
A few meters before he actually collided with the earth, Sakura jumped down after him. Gathering the chakra she'd put in her right leg she directed the concentration to her right fist. Avoiding the tail made of sand Sakura punched Gaara in the middle of the chest with her fist and drove him into the ground.
Jumping back to avoid the impact Sakura was breathing heavily and felt her strength waning. The dust from the impact settled and she couldn't see Gaara at all. Had she done it? Had she actually beaten him with that technique? Tsunade said it would be good enough for the final rounds but she was sure her teacher didn't anticipate this kind of attack from a person like Gaara.
Sasuke could feel some of his strength returning and managed to pull himself into a sitting position against the tree trunk. He had felt the earth shake and moved his head to see the remains of Sakura's technique but he too could not see Gaara.
Something doesn't feel right she's still in danger, Sasuke thought.
"Sakura! Get up here now!" he yelled but he was too late.
"That was impressive, you almost had me there I'll give you that. But while you continue to fight for love and friendship and others you will never know true strength!" a demonic voice yelled from behind her.
Sakura whipped around and felt sheer terror run through her. Gaara was far from defeated he had fully transformed so that not a part of him was human anymore; he was now Shukaku and wasted no time in using his sand tail to throw her against a tree. Sakura heard at least three of the major limbs in her body snap and could feel consciousness fading her.
I failed once again. It's never enough. I'm never enough.
The last thing she saw before she blacked out completely was the Uchiha emblem in front of her.
Happy Wednesday!
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