Sakura Petals

The Forest of Death pt 2

I really don't like the feeling of this Sakura.

I know, neither do I.

I replied as I felt a wave of terror come over my entire being.

"Ok, what the hell is up with this forest!?" Naruto yelled as the snake lifted him higher and opened up it's mouth, getting ready to swallow him, adding to my horror.

"Naruto, look out!" I yellled, but it was too late. The giant snake had swallowed him whole. "No! Naruto!" What was I going to do? As much as I truly hated to admit it, Sasuke and Naruto are right, I'm not strong enough.

Sakura, stop doubting yourself. At times like this you can't think negatively. Even against all odds you must always believe in yourself that you'll be able to win against any enemy.

How can I though? I'm all alone. Being put on a team and being sent on missions was supposed to help me bacome stonger, but I was never able to do anything because the guys had always told me to stay away, they never gave me a chance to fight on my own or along side them so I was never able to grow. What am I supposed to do now that I'm all alone?

You aren't alone Sakura, you have me. Use me!

What do you mean use you? You mean as a sword? But I've never been able to use you before, what makes you think I can now?

This, exactly this conversation and the reason we're having it. You can talk to me, out side of your dreams, which is rare all on it's own. Your body is also calling upon your inner strength. Most people have a fight or flight instinc in their bodies, despite never having been in a real battle your body is telling you to fight because your body knows you can. Listen to it. Fight. Use me and FIGHT!

All of a sudden my mind went blank. I couldn't see anything, but I was able to hear.

The rustling of the leaves, the howling of the wind, and the muffled yells of my team mate calling my name. My hand had a mind of it's own and went to my hip where I felt a new heavy weight on my side. My eyes snapped open as I grabbed a hold of the hilt of the sword that appeared.

I could hear it, the name.

The name of the Samurai in the scroll.

The name of the voice in my head.

The name of my Zanpakuto.

"SENBONZAKURA!"

A large gust of wind blew around me as I pulled my zanpakuto free from its' sheath and held it in front of me. The blade glared against the sun as I briefly inspected it. I couldn't admire it for too long because I had a stupid team mate that needed my help. I pushed myself forward with the blade in hand, charging for the snake that had swallowed my team mate.

"Let him go!" I yelled as I swung my sword down from above my head, hitting the snake on it's back. For a brief second I didn't think that the sword would do much against the scales, but I guess the sword was much sharper than I thought it was because it sliced through the snake like it was butter. The beast wailed before swinging its' head around to look at me. It looked ready to strike but stopped half way before it looked to where I cut through it before it screeched again as thousands of Naruto clones emerged from the hole I'd created, causing the snake to tear completely in half, killing the beast once and for all.

I looked down to the sword covered in the blood belonging to the snake and smiled to myself.

I did it. Well, sort of. I helped Naruto escape the snake, but he wouldn't have been able to do it without me.

"Sakura-chan?" I looked up to Naruto who had called my name, he looked at me with confusion. "What are you doing here?"

"I came here to help you." I said as I walked closer to my team mate. Relief flooding my system after seeing the unharmed blonde.

"What do you mean, I don't need your help Sakura, I got out all by myself." I gaped at him. I mean I guess he couldn't exactly see me do it, but how does he explain the hole all of his clones escaped from?

"Naruto, where do you think all your clones got out from?" I asked as I stared at him.

"Huh, what do you mean? The snake just exploded with the amount of clones I made. I mean there wasn't that many that I had to make which was surprising, but that's what did it." Naruto said. Part of me wanted to explain to him that it was the hole I made with the sword that let him out but decided against it, he'd probably make some comment about that being impossible because I was a civilian born, and I swear if he makes some kind of comment about that again, Team 7 will be short one member and the Hokage wont have a son to take his place as the next Hokage.

I sighed and shook my head.

"Whatever, Naruto. Sasuke's fighting all alone right now against that grass ninja from earlier and I really think he's underestimating his opponent. I didn't like the feeling he gave when he came out cloned to be you."

"Well I'm sure Sasuke's fine, but let's go back to him anyway. We have to finish this together after all." I sighed happily at his words. I was still put off by the events that just happened, but decided not to worry about it for the time being, considering we still had a teammate that was fighting all on his own.

That idiot, he better not die.

The Uchiha Clan would have my head if anything too serious were to happen to him.

Naruto and I took to the trees, my zanpakuto back in it's sheath at my hip. As we were running back to my other idiot teammate, Sanbonzakura spoke to me.

I'm glad that you are now able to use me in battle. Though there is much to learn, this was an important step to strengthening our bond. But might I suggest something? I know that they're your teammates, but their doubt in you as not only a fellow ninja but as their team mate will put you all in danger one day, if it hasn't already. But maybe you should look into getting a new team or leaving this one for a while. They need to mature mentally, and you need to get stronger physically. If you stay on this team, that may not happen. And if you can't permanently leave the team, then perhaps find a way to train with out them around.

I couldn't help but sigh, he was right.

He was so right.