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Shifting Dunes

It was breezy, and any other day she might have had the time to enjoy the refreshing air. But while the air is filled with flying puppet parts, the feeling of enjoyment just isn't there. The longer this battle carried on, the more her stamina depleted. She wanted to throw up at the thought of Lady Tsunade's training having gone to waist all these years, so that left her with no other option than to fight until someone caved. 

Sakura's expression was tough, even though her breathes betrayed her and exposed the anxiety that sat inside her chest in a lump. Wooden shards flew through the air and were flung in every direction. Needles attempted to hit her at every angle. She knew her gratitude lay with Lady Chiyo who had attached puppet strings to Sakura so that attack speed and agility could be increased. 

The kunoichi let out shouts as she struck down Sasori's puppets. The puppeteer was more talented than what she initially gave him credit for, but she made the mistake of underestimating an Akatsuki member. Sakura's mind drifted in the middle of this battle to her comrades who were off fighting elsewhere; Kakashi Sensei was chasing after the blond Akatsuki member while Guy Sensei and his team were busy elsewhere. It was just her and Chiyo, but there was no telling how long Chiyo would be able to hold out. It was up to her. It always is.

"I will give you this, you are impressive, Kunoichi." Sasori's voice cut through the chaos. Sakura gasped as she analyzed what was happening. Even with the struggle it caused, the pink haired girl went against the strings she was attached to and tossed her body in front of Chiyo's. The pain was unreal, her face distorting at the indescribable feeling climbing inside her body. "But that is not nearly enough to defeat me." 

Warm blood trickled down her lips. Determination crossed her maturing features. Sakura clenched her fists and funneled the chakra she had into her right hand. This would hurt, and she counted on it. The old woman's cried had not even rang in her ears before she forced herself further into the blade that ran through her. Making contact with Sasori's wooden body, she hit him and sent him flying backwards. 

Come on Sakura, you've got this! She repeated to herself. She had to get this before he made another move. It was just her, anyways. She has to complete this on her own. Launching off her feet, she brought her leg down onto Sasori while he was still down. An angered grunt came as she noticed it hadn't even created a crack. 

Sakura was forced to jump back before making another attempt at breaking him. The man didn't even flinch. Her eyebrows dipped and her lips pressed tightly together, creating a dark scowl. Her foot was about to make contact with the ground when a force pulled her back. She let out a yelp. Looking back, it was Lady Chiyo who forced her back.

"Sakura," she sounded out of breath. "You cannot simply charge this boy like that. Not with that wound of yours." Sakura's face filled with a touch of guilt. She muttered a small sorry under her breath but it wasn't heard. "You heal yourself while I take care of this." She sounded determined, so she followed orders, sure to keep an eye on the battle that would take place. Holding a hand over the wound, she subconsciously stitched herself up. It would take a lot of concentration to heal a would like this, so a quick stitch would have to do. She must be ready to strike at the first opening created. Hopefully Kakashi Sensei was doing alright. Sakura shook her head clear, of course he was alright! What was she talking about? A jonin of his calibre would make easy work of someone like that. 

Both puppeteers pulled out countless puppets. The speed was absolutely incredible! It was something she could only ever dream of achieving. Each decibel echoed in her ears. Out of her peripheral vision, Sakura saw Lady Chiyo staggering and adjusting her stance constantly. It struck Sakura as unnatural, as compensation. Standing up, she was quick to move behind the sand elder and planted her hands near her back before she started to heal Lady Chiyo. Sakura still kept her eyes on the field, but focused on the internal operations of the jutsu.