To: All Readers

As promised, I have commenced re-posting for Clashing Spells. I did say the story would be taken down today and then put back up Monday. But, I realized, I did not want to go through the whole ordeal of creating a “New Story” when all I had to do was replace the existing chapter. Also, why wait until Monday when the previous chapters—1 thru 10—have been edited. I admit to not post all the chapters at once in order to buy myself more time and complete writing for this story. Though, updates will be more frequent, hopefully I can complete writing this story before I leave for College the 22nd. I am really REALLY excited about Clashing Spells, more so then when I first took it upon myself.

I would especially like to thank all of you who have taken the time to read and write a review. Thank You very much! From the bottom of my heart it means a lot. Also, I would like to, once again, apologize to all of you who have been waiting ever so patiently. I’m not sure if I’ve lost readers because of that. But I do hope to continue receiving the support I once saw and continue to gain. I look forward to many responses!

Sincerely,

A-chan (Yes, A-chan, Junnosuke_sama, -butIdoLOVEyoU-, and the once crazy4sasuxsaku)

Disclaimer: Shucks! Not the rightful owner of Naruto or any of its characters.

Clashing Spells

-butIdoLOVEyoU-

000000000000

!!!!...You can’t be serious?...!!!!

Revised by the wonderful Junnosuke__sama! LOL (that’s me btw)

Sakura Haruno stopped dead in her tracks in order to survey the sky.

Something was amiss. She took a quick glance at the ground beneath her and then at the heavens. The sun had made its climb. By position, she assumed it was noon, or a little past that. Sakura was wholly puzzled by the strong sunlight radiating at her feet. It was either the stronghold was taken down or there were fewer trees than she remembered correctly. Frowning, Sakura adjusted the strap on her left shoulder. It really was odd. Normally, the trees in Otogakure Forest shielded a part of the sun, making it look like a far away speck glittering at the top of the tallest tree. No matter what, day always looked like night.

Sakura shook her head. This was genjustu. An illusion cast by Sound members so that passing civilians were not struck strange—as she was—by the immense darkness—in her case, light. It had to be! Even if the trees were void of leaves, the sun reflected noting of its clear sky upon the vast darkness that loamed here, in Otogakure.

Sakura was not lost after all. She started to believe as much when darkness never prevailed over light. Or maybe, the fortress really was down. However, why would it ever be down? Unless Orochimaru’s been killed?

Sakura chuckled darkly. Orochimaru could not be dead yet. He could not! It was only three years since she left, too soon for him to die. Besides, she was not a shinobi for nothing. She could tell a genjutsu a mile away. This was Sound doing. It was another layer of protection against enemies and prying eyes. Genjutsu was her specialty. Sakura could tell it had taken a strong concentration of power in order to weave a shield such as this.

Relaxing her tense muscles, Sakura rolled her head around her shoulder. Her body ached. It had been a long journey traveling from her sensei’s village to Otogakure.

Finally home, Sakura thought a sneer etched on her face.

She took a glance around the forest. Everything ground level looked the same. Dirt on the dirt road, rocks lying dead, and patches of green grass that oddly enough grew green without the sun’s light. Boulders stood in place of monuments and not a single bird tweeted in the trees. The beginning of the road to hell, Sakura always thought.

It would only be a few minutes before she found the hidden entrance door to the devil’s village, Otogakure.

After traveling for three days, the first thing Sakura wanted to do was soak in hot water. Her limbs felt sour, heavy. The only thing she dreamt of was water, hot, cold and refreshing water. She thought about a warm meal as well, a comfortable bed and even more steaming water. She had been drenched once before in cold rain. It left her clothing soggy but Sakura endure the extra weight packed into her clothing and the itching discomfort after her clothes dried on her.

“A few more minutes,” Sakura encouraged herself. She was headed the right way; she could feel the ominous presence of Sound to her bones.

-

-

Midway through breaking the illusion placed around Sound base, Sakura was tackled to the ground. A hard body pressed her down on the ground, a kunai was held to her throat.

“State your purpose.” A gruff voice demanded from above her.

Sakura attempted to twist and turn, but she was roughly pushed down.

“Why should I?” She asked in the same tone.

“You’re trespassing Sound property. What business do you have?”

“I am not trespassing! Do you know who I am?” Sakura sounded indignant. Did sound members not recognize her anymore? This had to be a new fool that kept watch at the entrance.

“Enlighten me,” the male voice answered. He never shifted from above Sakura.

“Get off me first!” Sakura bellowed. She was tired. Her chakra was low and she did not need the extra weight sitting over her.

No response other than the kunai pressing a bit too intimate to her unmarred skin.

“I’m Orochimaru’s niece, Sakura.”

The kunai at her throat slacked for a brief second before it was removed all together. It was then shoved into the ground, right in front of her face. A pale had kept its grip over it. The body moved slightly from her. “His niece?” He asked fingering her pink hair.

“Yes! So move, you dunce!” She bellowed annoyed that her hair always made people doubt her relationship with Orochimaru.

“How can I assure you don’t lie?” He ignored her request and never moved fully from her.

“How do I know you’re part of Sound and not some phony trying to secure his way in?” Sakura retorted.

“What would be my purpose?” For some reason, the monotone voice grated her nerves.

“What would be mine?” Sakura tried craning her neck to get a look at the Sound offender. She could not see anything but several lined trees and a well defined arm.

“Alright, let’s say you are his niece. What would you want with him?”

“I don’t have to answer that.” Sakura bellowed, clearly annoyed with the ignorant fool. Who dare question Haruno Sakura about her doings? No one! Not even Orochimaru dare do as much.

“Ah, but you must or I can’t allow you to enter.”

Sakura gritted her teeth. “Get me Kabuto.” She finally demanded. “The damn pet will tell you who I am!”

There was a sigh. “Will you stop wasting my time and tell me why you seek Orochimaru?”

“Domo. It’s Orochimaru-domo to you.” Sakura never bothered with the formalities when referring to her uncle. For Sound members, it was out of the question.

Mocking laughter came from above her. It angered Sakura so much that her chakra sparked to life. Without so much as thinking, she concentrated to launch the Sound bastard off from her. It moved the body from her, but when she turned around, the bastard stood standing. Her chakra had been weak against him.

Sasuke Uchiha peered down at the kunoichi under him. Her sea foam green eyes glared daggers at him. He ignored the finely curved eyebrows, the high set of her cheekbones, and the alluring tilt of her eyes, the smooth texture of her skin and her equally pink supple lips, matching the flush of anger residing on her cheeks. Instead, he concentrated on returning the glare.

Sakura, as she had introduced herself, Orochimaru’s niece, carried no sort of identification. There was not a single proof of a hatei-aite anywhere on her body. Sasuke assed that she carried a pouch, it appeared too small for weapons.

Sakura sneered. “Another unsuccessful Sound member I see.”

The man before her arched an eye brow. For some reason, as soon as she turned around and caught sight of who it was that pressed against her, her heart started a fluttering motion in her chest. Sakura blushed out of anger and awe, the same. He had to be a head taller than her. Sakura immediately took a liking to his dark—very dark—charcoal eyes; they were as dark as his hair and the rest of his attire. He stood tall and proud, exuding great power. Sakura instantly became aware, because of his chakra, that he could not be just another Sound member. He was someone of importance.

Maybe Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura thought, having heard rumors of the missing nin, now traitor to the Hidden Leaf Village.

He was gorgeous.

A straight nose, lips that seemed to pout in all his seriousness, a creamy complexion, dark mystifying eyes and an aura that choked—

Sakura frowned deeply. This was not good. The first person she came across before she could set foot in Sound was Sasuke Uchiha. This will be a great obstacle, Sakura thought. No where had she calculated to start off on the wrong foot with Orochimaru’s most coveted offering—as rumor had it.

Sakura stamped down the simpering attraction that started to bubble somewhere in her body. Before returning to sound, she had vowed to not set her mind astray with thoughts of the opposite sex. She had a purpose for returning, a mission you could say, and she was not going to let it go to waste by turning love struck.

Nope, Sakura closed off all other senses but those required for a kunoichi. She was not going to let herself be caught by the alluring look of the “oh so great” Sasuke Uchiha. His great looks would not detour her from what she sought in this world.

Sneering again, Sakura looked to where she left her traveling bag. She had set it down, long enough to open the casted seal.

“Open the damn gates,” Sakura demanded, frowning at the missing nin before her.

“Why would you need to see Orochimaru?” He crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“I believe I’ve corrected you once before. It’s Orochimaru-domo to you.” Sakura could tell that the “oh so great” Sasuke Uchiha had an attitude of “oh so greatness”.

A smirk edged its way onto the man’s set of smooth looking lips.

“Listen, Princess,” the damn bastard stopped for dramatization. “Either you tell me what you came for or I’ll be on my way without you.”

Sakura contemplated it a second longer. “Help me up then.” She grumbled under her breath.

She took great satisfaction when the Uchiha outstretched his hand for her to take. His palm felt a lot rougher than hers. When she stood, she dusted herself off and marched in the direction of the invisible doors again. Positioning her arms she performed a serious of quick hand sings. The door bolted open and it came to life before her.

She turned to laugh at the glaring Uchiha. Thinking, I’ve got my greatness too, Sakura was startled when she was hauled off her feet and unceremoniously thrown over the Uchiha’s broad shoulder.

“Put me down, you imbecile,” she shouted. Her lithe body trashed in his vice like grip.

When she received no response she attempted to kick said imbecile’s face. It was impossible with the way he carried her over his shoulder. She tried a few hand sings, for a substitution jutsu but she could not cast it. His greater chakra suppressed hers. Sakura became infuriated.

How could this traitor’s chakra be stronger than hers?

She was Sakura Haruno, trained by the best of the best. And no one got away with making her mad—on several occasions. Sakura opted to angrily pound her fist into her carrier’s back.

“I said put me down!” She clawed her almost, non existent nails down one side of his back.

A safe distance from the entrance door, she was, yet again, unceremoniously dumped onto her arse. “Why’d you drop me like that for?” She screamed, glaring daggers at the Uchiha.

“I thought it would shut you up.” He said in a gruff voice. He made no attempt to caress his burning back. The bitch, he thought.

“Just exactly who do you think you are?” Sakura scurried to her feet. “Don’t you dare think that you can take such liberties with me as to manhandle me wrong! I’m Orochimaru’s niece!” Sakura proclaimed, reminding the Uchiha yet again.

“I could care less whose niece you are. Do you expect me to back down just because you tell me insignificant details such as being the worthless niece of Orochimaru?”

Sakura gaped at the man before her. She could only think one thing, killing Sasuke Uchiha for calling her worthless.

“Fuck you,” she bellowed racing the Uchiha head on.

Miraculously, she connected a solid punch. She had expected him to be quick on his feet and evade her all but obvious attempt. He did not. Sakura gaped at her fist while Sasuke looked at Sakura for a few seconds before walking past her.

“Where are you going?” She barked after him.

“You’re annoying.” He responded in an equally annoyed tone.

Sakura stopped. She had never been called annoying. “Che.”

She followed in the direction of the Uchiha, quickly breezing past him. She, yet again, expected for him to whirl her around, to stop her from entering Sound but he did not.

Sakura picked up her bag and stormed her way into Sound.

She ignored the questioning looks or the fellows that recognized her and offered her a welcome return. The base has grown, Sakura thought in passing, observing how living quarters were constructed outside and surrounded the main buildings she remembered. There were even hut like tents situated against the entrance wall.

Sasuke with his hands in his pocket, observed as the intruder stormed her way into the main building. She cared little for those who greeted her on her way in and not once bothered to look behind her as he tailed her every move. Reaching Orochimaru’s door, she burst the door open. He was conducting a meeting but she, too, cared little for what went on in the room.

“Sa—,” Orochimaru quickly averted his eyes from his niece to Sasuke who entered the room right behind her. “Sakura?” He questioned, rising from his seat. The men—some sitting in chairs in front of Orochimaru and others reclining against wall—turned to Sakura.

“I have returned.” Sakura looked peeved at the audience inspecting her.

“So quickly?” Orochimaru looked baffled, Sasuke noticed. He momentarily looked down at his table and then at his niece. “I was expecting you a year from now.”

“I have surpassed my sensei. Here,” Sakura produced a sealed letter from the side of her travel bag. “Michiru-sensei asked me to deliver this to you.”

Whispers roused from every corner of the room. Sasuke noted the annoyed expression splayed across Sakura’s face and the look of disbelief in Orochimaru’s eyes.

He quickly tore at the letter and read its contents. He burst into fits of laugher after having read the correspondence. “Sakura, you’re a genius like your uncle.” He then proclaimed, walking from around his table to envelop Sasuke in an awkward hug. Sasuke did not miss the ecstatic look about Orochimaru’s face.

“I did tell you I would become a Master Medic-nin in less than four years.” Sakura stepped out of Orochimaru’s embrace and returned the smug look. “Where’s Kabuto? That bastard didn’t greet me at the door. He owes me too.”

Kabuto, as if on cue, stepped out from the few men who occupied the wall behind Sakura.

“Sakura, you have become a medic-nin, but do you think you have outranked me?”

“You know I outranked you that first year when we met for sparing.”

Something glinted in Kabuto’s eyes. Sasuke could not determine if it was something like love, adoration or envy, maybe.

“Well then, I’m now your humble servant, Sakura-chan.” Kabuto took a deep bow before Sakura.

“What’s this about?” Orochimaru inquired.

“A bet.” Sakura snickered.

Sasuke, having seen and heard enough attempted to slip out of the room. He had training to get done.

“Sasuke, wait with me,” Orochimaru requested.

Sakura turned to him. Indifferently, she watched him linger at the entrance door. She was right about guessing he was the famous Sasuke Uchiha who had been lured away by her uncle.

Orochimaru turned to his fellow Sound members. “The meeting will resume in an hour. Take a break everyone.” He motioned for everyone to fly out of the room with a wave of his hand.

Sakura and Sasuke remained in the room. “Take a seat Sakura, darling.”

“Make it quick, I want to eat and rest.” Sakura took the seat in front and to the left of Orochimaru.

“Sasuke,” Orochimaru offered the seat next to Sakura.

He in return did not say anything.

“Well, as promised Sakura. I agreed to let you train on a battle field if you became a medic nin. You’ve done as so and I’ll have to keep up my side of the bargain.”

Sakura smiled. “That is why I assign Sasuke as your trainer.”

Sakura blanched. “You what?”

Orochimaru ignored the look about Sakura’s face. “He is my pupil as you must know.”

“Surely, you can give me someone better.” Sakura hastily stood.

“He is the best, Sakura darling.”

Sakura glared at her uncle. “You train me.”

“Sakura, it will only be moment’s time before Sasuke surpasses me.”

“You don’t actually expect me to train with this—,” Sakura took a look at Sasuke “—with this traitor.”

“So you have heard of Sasuke Uchiha, from the Hidden Leaf Village.”

“Who has not heard? Even the unborn babies know about a traitor such as him.” Sakura accused. “Why do you keep him here? He’ll betray us too!” Sakura slammed her hands on Orochimaru’s desk. She leaned forward, speaking to Orochimaru only. “He’ll bring your enemies, ours, and massacre this entire village, much like his clan was.”

“That won’t happen.” Orochimaru affirmed.

“How do you know? How does anyone know? His village had the same esteem for him and he betrayed them. You think he gives two shits about Sound? You think anyone does? They’re all green with envy, ready to squish us like the little vermin we are. And you,” Sakura glared at Orochimaru. “You’re blind to it all.”

“He betrayed Leaf for a very good cause.” Orochimaru glanced at Sasuke.

“There’s never a good enough reason for an act of betrayal.” Sakura glanced at Sasuke too. “I won’t have this insufferable jerk—,”

“Sakura! He’s my pupil, respect him.” Orochimaru stood to regain the authoritarian voice he seemed to lose at the presence of Sakura.

“And I’m your niece! He should learn some respect.”

“Fine, go along. Eat. This matter has been decided. No amount of arguing will change it.”

Sakura gaped at her uncle, she then recovered quickly. “The things I left behind, I want them in my room.” She coldly bit out.

“They will be brought to your room. Another thing, Sasuke has taken over your room so—,”

Sakura curled her fist, restraining from doing something drastic. “Answer me; will he be taking over my name, over my place? Will he take my life too? Are you planning to give him that much? I want my room. I want it now!” Sakura squared her shoulder.

Orochimaru took a deep breath at the face of his niece’s anger. “I have to talk to Sasuke; we can talk room arrangements later.”

“No you won’t, you’ll continue talking to me.” Sakura glared.

“Well, if Sasuke is willing to move out—,” Orochimaru looked at Sasuke.

“I’m not handing it over. I like that room very much.” Sasuke could care less, but he had enough of the damn brat’s attitude. She had insulted him plenty. Time for some retribution, Sasuke thought darkly. He glared at the back of Sakura.

“I will not hand my room to that jerk.” Sakura screamed at Orochimaru.

“Are you saying then, that you wouldn’t mind if it was someone else?” Sasuke inquired. Taunting her.

“Yes! I would mind.” Sakura twirled around and glared at Sasuke. “Stay out of this.” She then warned him.

Sasuke looked at her for a long second. “Bark at Orochimaru all you want. But unless you want to pay the price, I suggest you measure the way you talk to me.”

Sakura’s glare deepened.

“I want that room back.” Sakura turned again to Orochimaru. Sasuke could see that the man was loosing his cool.

“You wouldn’t want him to host his apprentice poorly, now would you?”

“There are other rooms, damnit!” Sakura whirled around again.

“Glad to know, maybe you should pick one while I talk to your uncle. That is, unless you’re still not done with your little tantrum.”

Sakura marched up to where Sasuke stood. She had meant to strike him across the face for sounding so full of himself, however, in one fluid motion, Sasuke spun her around and pinned her against the nearest wall. His hand chocked around her neck.

“I suggest you leave that madness of yours for training.”

“Like hell I’ll let you train me!” Sakura attempted to quick Sasuke but he moved in too close to her. Sasuke smirked. Sakura had a great defying attitude.

“Let go of me.” She then barked in his face when he continued to look down on her.

“Sakura—,” Orochimaru intervened. “Let me make this nice and clear for you. You’ll be training under Sasuke and no one else.”

“Like hell—,”

“It’s and order and it’s final. Now go.” Orochimaru had finally lost his cool. He slammed his hands against his desk and looked at Sakura, expecting something more from her.

“But…”

“About that room, since you want it so badly and Sasuke isn’t willing to move out, I guess you’ll both have to share.”

“You can’t possibly mean?”

“Yes Sakura, I do. Now, I said go!”

Sasuke released the newly resigned Sakura. He expected her to use a dirty method of hitting him on her way out. She did not. Instead, she glared poison in Orochimaru’s direction before picking up her bag and storming out of the room. The door slammed shut behind her. Surprisingly it did not come undone from its hinges.

[ ~`_`~-

Well, that's chapter one! It's not so far off from the original one. I mean, instead of starting the scene with Sakura shouting: "Put me down!" I started it with more scenery. Personally, I think this chapter has more appeal than the previous chapter one. Or maybe that's just my wishful thinking? LOL. But well, I hope that to those who have read the previous version, find room to like this chapter better, if not, just as well.

I need comments!! Do you guys want to see the next chapters that follow? (If not, I'll gladly put up the previous original chapters. Though, I can't promise to keep consitent with the previous flow of writing.) I'll warn you, some things have changed and there are new scenes that substitute what I felt should either be put on hold for future chapters or should fill a void. However, the plot has not changed greatly or at all. Basically, the quantity and quality of writing has changed.

I really hope you guys enjoyed reading. And one more time, even louder: I NEED COMMENTS!, lol