The Alternate Path

By Inner Self

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto..insert hefty speech about how great Masashi Kishimoto is..or any of the characters..yada-yada.. also, some quotes from the manga.

There will be a different team fighting Cell 7 in the Shinomori, instead of the otonin. The Asuma Cell won't be appearing either or Lee-san and his team for that matter. I figured luck changes certain events so I have that much flexiblility at first, then my options open up when the story grows.

Summary: If only Sakura could've bloomed sooner, could it have made any difference? (Hell YEAH!!!) And if Kishimoto-san had wanted a heroine, would Sakura be a better-liked character than she is? (Once again...HELL YEAH!!!)

Number One: The One Who Throws the First Punch!

Orochimaru has left Sasuke in a state between life and death.

"..Unnh...Uh..." Sasuke groans in his sleep.

"His breathing is improving, but..his fever's still so high!" and then Sakura notices three different chakras, 'Huh! A group is approaching!'

"Gaara, not to be annoying or anything, but we've already past the second chuunin exam. Why are we not waiting in the tower?" Temari asks, already knowing the answer. He replies with the usual 'Shut up' and Kankurou starts, "Its been only twelve hours…" a thud is heard as they land in front of Sakura, "Shouldn't you wait until the next exam?"

While Sakura rises to her feet, feeling the weight of standing up to the three sand-nins, and Gaara replies, rather as a statement than a question, "Temari, why don't you prove your existence instead. Amuse me."

'Shit! I hate being the bad guy! Whatever happened to diplomacy?' A startled, fearful expression vanishes as fast as it appeared on Temari's face.

'Snap out of it! Damnit, we have to protect them!' With that thought of encouragement,Sakura shakes off the emotional paralysis and faces the girl. 'No slacking off and no holding back! Got that! You penny pincher!'

"Look girl, give us you're scroll and we'll leave! But considering the situation your teammates are in, such an order is useless. You don't have a scroll, do you?" And Temari smirks, proving that, apparently, she can play the antagonist quite well. As she's pulling out her gigantic weapon, Sakura releases the log trap. "You think such a basic trap will work against me?" and she opens the weapon, which turns out to be amonsterous fan.

'Yikes!'

With a swing of her hand, Temari creates a vortex, a wind-type jutsu, called Itachi and that shreds the log into splinters. Then she calls to the brown-haired kid, "Can we go now, Gaara?"At the same time, Temari uncovers the ground trap laid by Sakura, making both of Sakura's attemps at an ambush fail.

"…Temari…Blood…" The boy darkly demands.

Sakura takes the chance to throw a handful of shuriken at Temari, who unfortunately dodges. Sakura chooses the safety option and performs another substitution jutsu. Sakura is wise in her decision because at the next moment, Temari swings her fan once again. With a 'poof!' of smoke, Sakura reappears in a different location, a log replacing her previous one.

'She's offensive, and she's best with long ranged attacks.' Feeling cornered, Sakura uses her only option and creates another substitution.

"Such basic attacks. Is that all you got?... Itachi!"Sakura tries to sneak behind her after substituting, but Temari catches her off-guard and closes her fan, jabbing the butt of it into the Sakura's stomach.

'She's good at melee, too!' Sakura thinks, as her breathing hitches.

"You won't supprise me." Temari smirks menacingly. She then pulls her fan away and opens it to swing her favorite technique...!

Recovering from having the wind knocked out of her, Sakura grabs her side with her left hand and stares at her opponent, who is releasing her final assault.

'Shit! If that fan lands its over! Aie! What do I do? Pissed off Inner Self to the rescue! I told ya not to hold back! Here I come, shannaro!'

As Sakura was not contemplating a smart plan to put into action and save herself from death, Inner Sakura mentally knocks Sakura out and flies into action…

Inner Sakura opens her eyes. With the first thought in mind to stop her and her outer self'sdeath…she throws a punch. (A/N: - - ..baka..)

"Haaa!" Temari starts to launch her attack…

…but Sakura's attack (A/N: hehe, a punch!) lands first…

"Take this! Shannaro!"

…and turns out to be a monsterous blow! (A/N: eh, good work?)

'Mother, that effing hurt! Okay! I'm done! Happy, Sakura? Now you get to deal with this pain in our arm!' Inner Sakura recedes from her physical form and leaves. Sakura to deal with the aftermath.

"My beautiful fan! Look what you've done! How the hell!" Temari continues to yell, bicker, and cry at the same time while Sakura stares in wonder at the miracle--'Behold! I am the miracle maker! Muhaha!'--

"Damnit! Gaara, this isn't a joke anymore, we have to return to the tower! It'll take me the rest of the second test to repair this!"

"Shut up if you don't want to die."

"Uh! You wouldn't kill your sister, ne?" Temari puts up her hands in a nervous reaction.

Sand starts to form in the younger brother's out-stretched hand. A cork appears, and he sticks it into the huge gourd on his back, "Whatever." And with that they leave...

"They just leave!!!"

End of Number One

Inner Self here! So, what did y'all think? Huh? Was it any good? How was the fight scene? Please, tell me what you think of it! Only 'smart' flames! ('You suck' is not acceptable!) Reviews are greatly appreciated! I'll do my best!

A/N: 1) How would Temari act if her fan broke? 2)Naruto is considered a children's show in Japan, even though it has so much blood and cursing (The characters even say the b-words.) So, I am very confused. Would Naruto be considered T on this site? Or should I move it to M just to be safe?

Anyways! Read and Review! (Arigato-gozaimasu!)