Into a New Path

19

"Sakura Talking."
'Sakura's and other Thoughts,'
'Inner's Thoughts,'
"Inner Talking."
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Sasuke took the scenery in. Haku never stood a chance against them, against her. He could see the spots where the senbon had pierced her clothes. The bandages she wore on her ankles were ripped and bloody. Her gloves were in the same condition, and her clothes were in no better shape. Sakura was stronger than him by a million miles. This was her second kill in the week. He knew when he had seen a grin stretch across her face that she knew she had won. She had conquered yet another shinobi and that didn't scare him. What had scared him was the moment he had seen her green eyes turn red with the hauntingly black tomoe.

He had awoken his Sharingan in the heat of the battle, but Sakura had the Sharingan. This changed everything. As soon as Sakura turned to look at him, he brought his gaze up and met the red eyes with his. "Well Sasuke," she muttered as her eyes slowly turned back to the familiar green, "It'll be our little secret." All Sasuke could do was nod and meet her gaze. "You can trust me," he stated and saw her grin.
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Naruto knew it from the moment they had departed from the Great Team 7 Bridge. He knew it from the moment that they had given the mission report and only stared as Sasuke seemed to follow Sakura everywhere. While he had helped Kakashi-sensei, something had happened on the bridge. Sasuke seemed to stand taller and seemed more full of himself. Heck he occasionally had a grin on, when he walked along side her. He looked more at peace, and Naruto would never understand why. Sakura had killed not once but twice. She had no remorse. Heck he even saw her smiling like a mad man. Yet, Sasuke stood by her, ready for the fight to start.

As the weeks passed, every genin seemed to be aware of the actions Sakura had committed on her mission. As he walked along side Sakura, Sasuke could see the way Ino quickly threw him glances and the frown on her face. He could see how Shikamaru gave them a side glance, the way Kiba would take a step back, and the way Naruto seemed to lag behind them as they walked. Kakashi sensei would only raise his eyebrows at everything that would happen around them.

Team 7 was known as a cursed team throughout generations. One member always was a prodigy, steps ahead. The other was a mediator, who would break up the fights. The third member was the most outspoken one. The one that could sway hearts with a few words. Yet, as he looked at his three genin training, he could tell he had it all wrong. The prodigal one was not Sasuke, but Sakura. The mediator could very well be Sasuke at this point, and the outspoken one was supposed to be Naruto. He could only stare as Sakura meditated and would often see Naruto throw concerned glances her way. He was really beginning to doubt if his team was mentally ready for the Chūnin exams.
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"Well, hello there," Sakura stated as she quickly grabbed the sand ninja's puppet out of mid air. Temari took a step back at the unexpected shinobi and clutched her fan. She had not sensed the girl appear at all. She stared as a black haired boy stood behind her and in front of the blond haired brat. "What would happen?" Sakura stated as she innocently stared at Kankuro, "If a fire jutsu set ablaze you and the puppet?" Kankuro was about to insult the long haired girl but froze at the familiar voice. "Drop it Kankuro, or I'll kill you." Sakura slowly dropped the puppet's arm and glanced at the red haired with a little bit of interest.

"I'm sorry for the trouble they have caused," the red haired stated and Naruto took a brave step forward. "Identify yourselves," he stated and watched as the blond girl scowled. Sakura simply crossed her arms across her chest and stared at the red haired. She tuned everyone out and held his gaze. Viridian clashed with pale blue eyes, and Sakura simply raised a lone eyebrow. "Subaku no Gaara," he simply stated, and Temari quickly whipped her head around to stare at the two. "Haruno Sakura," she stated and turned. She gave a side glance to Naruto, who only avoided her gaze, and began walking away. Gaara simply reeked of blood, lots of blood.
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Sakura grunted as her back hit a tree. To say she was pissed off was an understatement. That grass ninja was toying around with them. The female shinobi kept talking about the Uchiha and the Sharingan. Stating how badly she wanted to get her hands on it and that Sasuke was going to be the willing Uchiha to give it to her. She was dissapointed to see that Sasuke had started cowardly throwing every attack that he could think of at the moment at the unknown shinobi. Sakura only shook her head and set the wires Sasuke had set up on fire. She quickly appeared next to him and watched in pleasure as the grass ninja seemed to crumble to the ground.

"My, you two, you almost had me there," the shinobi stated as she started clawing at her face. The two genin wore faces of disgust, and Sakura clenched her fists. "Fire release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet," she stated as she quickly jumped back and dragged Sasuke with her. "That is no ordinary shinobi," Sasuke stated as he held his side and looked at the dragon flame. "Well, Sasuke-kun," a voice stated from behind them and Sakura watched as Sasuke was thrown to the side, "You are right about that." Sakura quickly jumped to the side and dodged the kunai that could've been a very fatal hit. "Out of the three of you, I did not expect you to have such skill," the pale shinobi stated and his yellow eyes glinted with interest.

You sure have interesting chakra, little girl," Orochimaru hissed out. Sakura let out a smirk, "This fight is exciting, but I'm afraid that it's about to end." Orochimaru raised an eyebrow at that sentence, but quickly tensed as he felt a chilling rising of evil chakra. Was the little girl releasing that? He looked at her and for a second her eyes turned a familiar pattern. His eyes widened ,and he took off his eyes from his previous prey. He gave a crazed grin and charged at her. "You'll be a perfect vessel. Give me your Sharingan, Uchiha!"