Beyond Konoha - Different Dimensions

Chapter 25

---25---

NOTE- this chapter has skipped the written exams for the Chuunin exams and is set before Team 7 encounter the Sound Shinobi and when Naruto & Sasuke have both been knocked out. Sakura and Kasumi are left alone in shelter under a tree, waiting on what to do next.

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I watched, my heart breaking as two of the most precious people in my life, lay suffering and unconscious before me. Next to me sat Sakura, who was in tears, crying over my boyfriend who'd recieved a strange looking mark on his shoulder from some creepy snake ninja.

My brother however, had taken on about two giant snakes and had exhausted nearly all his energy and chakra after going Nine Tails. It pained me to watch him transform into Nine Tails, since I remembered the deal that I had with the masked man. If he had the Nine Tails, my family and home would be spared but if that meant betraying and handing over my big brother, I'd rather die a vain death and be treated like scum! I looked up at Sakura, hoping to see her smile at me, I needed as much support as she did right now. She glanced up, her lip trembling and tears streaming down her cheeks. I tried for a smile but she looked down again. This time, I didn't think that any soothing or encouraging words would help her...

--flashback--

'Hey Pinkie!' I grinned, finally getting her alone. She was sitting on top of the Hokage heads, looking out over Konoha. She turned around, surprised.

'Oh, it's just you Kasumi,' she mumbled, turning back to face the village. I stopped.

'Hang on a second, you normally flip if I call you Pinkie. Sakura, are you alright?' I asked standing behind her.

'No, no, I'm fine, honest,' she said.

'No you're not,' I said, sitting beside her. 'Now tell me what's up,'

Sakura glanced at me and then returned her gaze to the village ahead of us. A warm breeze blew, making our hair dance in the wind.

'It's these exams. I don't think I'm ready, all I do is try to flirt with Sasuke-kun! Even when I know he can never be mine!' She said, her eyes brimming with tears. Her words stung me like a thousand needles, each one piercing through my skin. 'But,' she continued. 'I know that I'm going to fail these exams because I do nothing! I'm useless compared to you three, Naruto has his amazing strength and Sasuke has excellent skills and looks as well, and you Kasumi, you've cheated death, seen beyond what any of us could ever have imagined, you've created your OWN kekkai genkai for crying out loud! And me...Sakura Haruno...well I'm just a spare part,' she sobbed as her tears fell.

My eyes widened but then my face softened as I put my arms around her shoulders and hugged her. She stopped, her eyes wide.

'But Kasumi, you hate me, why are you showing me kindness?' She asked, crying harder. I pulled away from her and rest my hands on her shoulders and looked her right in the eyes.

'Sakura, you are not useless, you are not weak, you are not a failure and you are not going to pull out of these Chuunin exams, just because you don't feel ready for them! You're going to stop self pitying yourself, one thing I hate is when people self pity! No, you're gonna go in there and show them what a real Haruno can do! You've got the brains, wits and skills that we three don't have, these things are the talents that we will never ever have or ever come close to having superior over yours, because you are Sakura Haruno, the pink-haired Shinobi who will become one of the greatest Ninja to ever live! You'll walk in there and you'll show them very thing you've got! And if you don't get Chuunin, then I am unworthy of Genin level!' I told her sternly.

She blinked a bit, as more tears escaped down her cheeks, her lip began to tremble and eyes watered more.

'K-K-Kasumi!!!' She cried, glomping me. 'I-'

'It's alright Sakura, you don't need to say anything,' I interrupted, looking out to Konoha. Sakura eventually let go and faced the village too, taking everything in.

'I'll have my moment, Kasumi. The one time that I'll show my true courage and strength, I promise!' She vowed, as a gentle breeze blew. I smiled to myself as Sakura turned to face me, a large grin across her face. I gave her a closed eyed smile.

'I'll be there,' I grinned. Sakura held out her hand, and stretched out her pinkie finger.

'Pinkie Promise?' She asked. I smirked.

'I pinkie promise, Pinkie,' I laughed.

'Don't call me Pinkie!' Sakura laughed. I smiled and looked back out to the village.

--end of flashback--

Sakura sniffled.

'His fever has gone down a bit,' she whispered. I nodded.

'Good,'

'And Naruto?' She asked looking up. I looked down at my brother, whose head lay in my lap.

'I've tended to his minor wounds but I don't think that I'm any help when it comes to replenishing his chakra,' I said sadly.

'Go to sleep Sakura, I'll keep watch,' I smiled weakly. She shook her head.

'No. I have to stay awake, Kasumi, I must!'

I nodded and we sat in silence as it rained.

Suddenly I reached for my kunai, startling Sakura, but she too, reacted and pulled out hers too, sensing what I did. She nodded, sleepily and yawned.

A squirrel leapt out of the bushes and I sighed.

'Don't let you're guard down yet, Kasumi. We're being watched...' She warned. I nodded and gripped my kunai, yawning a bit too.

'Well, well, well. Someone's been up all night. Get up Sasuke Uchiha, we want to fight him!' A Sound Ninja snarled, jumping from out of no where. I growled and Sakura's face hardened.

'No! You're working for Orochimaru! I know it! Where is he hiding? What does he want with Sasuke!!' She demanded. The Sound Shinobi all laughed. I clutched my kunai and set my brother down gently.

'Sakura, get ready. Something tells me it'a going to be a long and hard battle,' I growled, walking out, my fist clenched and one hand free to throw shiruken and kunai. 'If it costs me my life protecting you guys then so be it, just hold them off from getting Naruto and Sasuke, while I take on this trash. I'm counting on you, Pinkie,'

'Kasumi!' She started. I stopped but didn't look back. 'Be careful! Naruto would never forgive me if you died protecting us, and neither would Sasuke, neither myself...'

'Relax, just keep your side of the bargain,' I said. 'I'm not going to die so easily!' I turned, giving her a closed eyed smile. I heard her gasp but then relax as I turned back, an bitter look towards my enemy.

'And Kasumi! Don't call me Pinkie!' She smirked. I chuckled and faced my enemy.

'Heh heh, I'm not going to let you get through to them, prepare to witness te strength of a Namikaze!' I growled.

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Sorry for the slow updates, just got back from New York ^^. Spring break! Whooooooo and that means...........more updates!!!! ^^ XD Enjoy minna-san