Sakura and Ino squared off on the arena floor, Hayate stood between them ready to commence the fight. In spite of herself Sakura couldn't help feeling slightly nervous. Although she had been training with Tsunade and Team 7 it was obvious that Ino had been training as well. Witnessing the abilities of her teammates in the battle against the Sound Ninja, Sakura wondered what Ino would be showcasing.

The only ability Sakura had seen from her rival was her Mind Transfer Jutsu that Inner had prevented from taking over. But Inner hadn't made much of an appearance since the preliminaries had begun, who was to say that she would be able to prevent the jutsu from taking over her mind.

Ino was the stronger of the two of us in the academy. I surpassed her in the intellectual exams but she excelled further than I did in combat, Sakura thought.

"I didn't think I'd be fighting you Sakura, at least not this soon. But I'm warning you I won't go easy on you" Ino stated. Sakura said nothing in response.

"Man, of all the people in the world for Ino to go up against why did it have to be Sakura?" Shikamaru asked out loud, recalling the kunoichi's fight before the second exam.

"GO SAKURA! YOU CAN DO IT! DON'T LOSE!" Naruto called from the balcony above. Sakura nodded and pulled on the black gloves Tsunade had given her.

"Well, whenever you're ready, you can start" Hayate said and moved back.

Immediately Sakura and Ino charged towards each other, deciding she'd best play it safe to begin with Sakura aimed a kick at Ino's head. Ino quickly ducked and avoided the attack before responding in kind with a punch. Sakura saw it coming a mile away and raised her forearm to block it. She then tried a basic leg sweep which Ino jumped over with ease.

Ino then threw three kunai, Sakura caught one as it traveled through the air and deflected the other two with ease. It was obvious to both female ninja that the other was holding back, partly because of their strong past and partly because of their exhaustion from the second exams.

I won't bring out my new skills until Ino decides to stop pitying me and fight me properly! Sakura thought and narrowed her eyes.

She's holding back! Dammit Sakura, stop acting like you're better than me! Ino glared at her long-time rival.

Both girls ran at each other but neither changed up their attacks and the hand to hand martial arts combat continued. Asuma and Kakashi watched both of their students silently. Naruto watched Sakura hopefully, his teammate was doing well! He knew Sakura could win against Ino no trouble.

"Is that it? Is that as good as kunoichi can get in hand to hand combat?" Neji asked no one in particular.

"What did you say!?" Naruto asked angrily ready to step in and defend his teammate.

"Seriously Neji? It's obvious they're going easy on each other. Don't you remember? They were really good friends once" Tenten spoke up.

Ino and Sakura? I can't really remember them being friends they were always fighting over the Teme, Naruto recalled.

The close hand combat became a lot faster and harder, Sakura was successfully blocking all of the moves Ino threw at her but she could feel her pace slowing. The temptation to use a chakra punch was strong but Sakura wanted it to be a fair fight with both herself and Ino giving it their all. Ino, seeing Sakura's momentary lapse in concentration threw a punch directly to her stomach.

Immediately the pink haired kunoichi recoiled and bent over a little. Why hadn't she been paying attention? The hit was basic but it had enough force to wind her. Ino cocked her fist and went to deliver another hard punch but she stopped.

Looking at her rival bent over and in pain, Ino didn't see the Sakura who was her greatest competition for Sasuke's affections. She saw the small little girl with the wide forehead that used to trail after her in the academy. Her best friend.

Before she even knew what she was doing herself Ino had opened her clenched fist and slapped Sakura across the face. Both girls looked at each other in horror, Ino stared at her hand in disbelief. The early academy years were at the forefront of both of their minds, particularly the lesson in flower arranging. It was part of the kunoichi concealment lessons they had been taught, the purpose being for when a kunochi was trapped behind enemy lines and needed to blend in with the local female customs.

Sakura followed Ino around everywhere, it was clear she looked up to her. Ino was strong and popular whereas Sakura was weak and shy. The flower arranging had been going well although Sakura was embarrassed because Ino could do everything perfectly and knew all the names of the flowers. But Sakura knew nothing about flowers at all. But after an explanation from Ino, Sakura had sat in the middle of the flower field with all of her classmates and happily picked the flowers.

That was until Ami and her friends had come along; they began to tease her because of her forehead and told her that she wasn't at all special. But Ino wouldn't have any of it; she threw flowers into Ami's mouth and called her a jar because she was so empty headed. Ino was brave and strong and not afraid to be Sakura's friend. That was what Sakura admired most about her.

It was also the first time she had heard her Inner. The voice was loud and quick tempered but it spoke the truth.

"WHAT DID SHE JUST DO TO US? BACK OFF ABOUT THE FOREHEAD WILL YA!" It had shouted, and Sakura had instinctively covered her ears which made Ino giggle.

"I-Ino did you hear that?" Sakura asked timidly.

"Hear what Sakura? If you mean Ami crying and running away to tell the teacher then I'm pretty sure the whole class heard it!" Ino exclaimed happily.

Sakura wondered about the voice for the rest of the lesson, if Ino couldn't hear it then it must be in her head. Like a friend inside of her head! Sakura smiled at the thought of another friend to protect her from all the bullies at the academy!

She learned a lot about her Inner from then on. Like the fact that it wasn't a good idea to shout out Inner's thoughts herself, otherwise she would get into a lot of trouble. But Inner was always there; sometimes her thoughts would come out when Sakura was mad. The other kids at the academy soon grew scared of the fiery temper that the little girl had suddenly developed.

But it was a combination of Inner plus the confidence that Ino had given her that allowed her to progress through the academy and to the preliminaries right now!

There's no way I'm losing to Ino! This is my chance to show her how far I've come! I need to win and make it to the preliminaries for my team, for my parents, for Tsunade-sama but most importantly myself! To get Ino to fight me properly I need to hit her where it hurts!Sakura thought and clenched her gloved hand.

"Listen up Ino, this fighting over Sasuke business is done. We're not his type; he doesn't look at either of us. I'm not going to fight you for him. I want to be a powerful kunoichi and to be honest you're not on my radar as a worthy opponent anymore" Sakura said with conviction.

"Sakura! You had better watch your step, mouthing off to me like that! Don't push your like I'm going to become a powerful kunoichi as well and Sasuke has got nothing to do with it! UGH! Billboard Brow!" Ino spat back in anger.

"What is Sakura-chan doing!? She's got Ino all mad now, isn't that out of line?" Naruto asked Kakashi completely confused.

"Hm, I guess it is a little. But there is more to it than that. Sakura isn't the type to needlessly flaunt her own power or hurt people callously. But she doesn't want into to take pity on her in this fight" Kakashi explained.

Sakura studied Ino carefully, the blond girl was absolutely angry enough now to give it her all. Reaching up the pink haired ninja untied her headband that sat between her forehead and her ponytail. She drew it out in front of her and Ino's eyes widened. They had made a pact after Sakura had been put on the same team as Sasuke. They wouldn't lose to each other and Sakura had tried to give Ino back the ribbon she had lent her to tie her bangs away from her forehead.

They had promised each other, shaking hands and holding the ribbon that when they wore their forehead protectors on their foreheads they would be true shinobi. Ready to fight each other without either one losing to the other.

"Alright Sakura I got the message loud and clear" Ino said and reached for her headband as well.

Both female ninja secured the headbands across their foreheads tightly and faced off against each other once more.

"This time we do things right. No holding back. Got it?" Sakura said determinedly.

"Yeah I got it let's do this" Ino replied, equally as determined.

Sakura quickly ran forward making the familiar clone hand jutsu, two clones appeared and they charged straight for Ino with Sakura running somewhere amongst them.

"Seriously? You think you can take me on with a basic ninja art like that?" Ino called out and stopped completely.

If I look close enough I can spot the real one, she thought but Sakura was way ahead of her.

Chakra to my feet for an extra boost of speed before Ino sees me through the clones and a little chakra to my fist to give her a taste of what's to come. Perfect, Sakura smirked and sped up.

Ino had spotted the real Sakura but it was too late, the two clones disappeared and Sakura hurtled forward with her chakra fist heading straight for Ino. The punch connected and Ino skidded along the arena floor and landed face down.

From the beginning Sakura's been exceptional at chakra control but now it's clear how far she's improved. Timing a jutsu and being able to focus the chakra to her feet for speed and her fist for a powerful strike. She's surpassed Sasuke and Naruto and most of the genin here, Kakashi mused as he watched his student.

They fought like this for some time. Ino would get the upper hand in the fight but Sakura would come back just as strong. Sakura refrained from using her chakra infused techniques as her chakra supply was dwindling dangerously. They had been fighting for ten minutes without someone taking the upper hand permanently and both kunoichi were breathing heavily.

"ENOUGH! I'm putting an end to this right now. There's no way you're going to beat me!" Ino yelled loudly and brought her hands in front of her to form a circle.

Sakura's eyes widened, it was the same jutsu Ino had used in the written exam to try and invade her head. She would hit her with the mind jutsu and Sakura would be forced into surrender.

"THERE'S NO WAY INO-PIG IS GETTING IN HERE! CHA!" Inner yelled triumphantly.

I see you're back then, Sakura said.

"Damn right I am! Remember, Ino was there but so was I when you had no one! We're not losing to her or anyone else ever again! No one is going to push us around anymore! Not Sasuke or Kakashi or those kids from the academy and especially not her!" Inner declared angrily.

Right. Let's do this then. That mind transfer jutsu is useless because Ino needs a still target to get an accurate hit. I'm running out of chakra so we need to end this and soon. I'll try my best to avoid her jutsu but if by some strange miracle she does get a hit, can you keep her out? Sakura asked Inner.

"HELL YEAH I CAN! LIKE I SAID I DID IT ONCE I CAN DO IT AGAIN!" Inner exploded eyes full of fire.

"The Mind Transfer Jutsu? Really? I know you're frustrated but this is desperation Ino. You can't hope to hit me I won't stay still. Not like you tried in the exams. Besides we all know that failed" Sakura said confidently.

"Shut up! Stop lecturing me about my own jutsu. I'll never know until I try! You were lucky once that whatever the hell that thing is protected you but you're not going to escape this time!" Ino spat back, trying to get Sakura within her line of sight.

"Alright, have it your way!" Sakura said and began to move around the arena, avoiding the attack.

There's no way she'll hit her, the chances of it succeeding are astronomical, Asuma thought. Ino was a strong competitor but Sakura had the upper hand now as result of Ino's desperation.

She keeps moving! I need to hit her! Ino thought angrily.

Sakura moved fast, keeping her eye on her rival and the position of her hands making sure to stay out of the jutsu's grasp. But she couldn't keep this up, moving around and wasting chakra. She needed a plan and fast.

Suddenly the unthinkable happened, losing her footing in the middle of avoiding Ino's line of fire Sakura fell and hit the arena floor. Ino smirked her rival had made a crucial mistake and now the match was hers.

"Sakura! Quickly get up!" Naruto called out in despair as everyone on the upper level watched Ino line up her jutsu with her target.

Why isn't she getting up? Could she be out of chakra? No it couldn't be that, a trip like that wouldn't have been devastating. Unless? Well, how about that huh? Kakashi thought and smirked slightly but remained silent.

"Looks it's finally over, once Ino activates this jutsu Sakura is as good as done for" Shikamaru said and Choji nodded.

"Time to finish this Sakura! Get ready to withdraw! Mind Substitution Jutsu!" Ino said loudly and activated her jutsu.

The pink haired teen attempted to get up but no avail as the mind jutsu made contact with its target. But nothing happened. Ino's spirit remained within her body much to her shock and disbelief.

"INO! What are you doing!? Quit playing around and activate the jutsu!" Shikamaru yelled out to his teammate.

"I-I'm trying! It's not working!" Ino replied, confused and horrified that her jutsu had failed.

It should have worked! Why didn't it work!? I've got to strike while she's down! Ino thought and reached for her ninja pouch.

"Fine! If I can't take over your mind to win this fight then I'll end it with this!" Ino said and drawing out a kunai she flung it straight at the pink haired kunoichi.

"SAKURA! HOW CAN YOU JUST LIE THERE LIKE THAT! GET UP AND FIGHT!" Naruto screamed with all his might.

"Naruto! Hold your tongue! Do you want to get us thrown out?" Kakashi chastised.

"But Kakashi-sensei, Sakura's going to lose! She came so far and Ino's going to win!" Naruto exclaimed unhappily.

"Are you sure about that? I wouldn't count Sakura out just yet" Kakashi said and turned his attention back to the fight.

Ino's kunai hit its target but instead of an anguished cry all that was heard was a dull hollow sound. Sakura's beaten and struggling body had turned into a large chunk of wood.

"A substitution jutsu!?" Ino gasped in shock.

"Yeah that's right, substitution. Now you're going to pay big time" Sakura said from behind Ino.

Just as I thought, a clever and well thought out move. Now Sakura has the upper hand, let's see what she'll do with it, Kakashi thought as Naruto grinned happily.

This girl, I knew when we met her and her teammates that she was something interesting. Her chakra control is exceptional. I hope she makes it to the finals because I know I'll be there and I want to fight her, Temari thought.

"ALRIGHT SAKURA!" Naruto called out in encouragement.

"A substitution jutsu! Just what I would expect from my youthful cherry blossom!" Lee exclaimed happily.

"This has gone on for way too long! Take this!" Sakura yelled sending chakra to her fist she hit her long-time rival hard.

Ino's body crumpled forward and sailed above the floor before crashing into a crumpled heap. Sakura took in a shaky breath; it looked as though Ino was done. But the blond girl rose shakily to her feet and wiped the blood from her lip and used her last burst of chakra to run forward, fist outstretched.

Sakura charged forward too as Ino's punch reached a close proximity to her face, Sakura twisted her arm back earning a grunt of pain from Ino. With her last ounce of chakra the pink haired teen aimed a chakra infused kick at Ino's solar plexus. The attack connected and Ino fell face first onto the arena floor unable to get up.

Sinking to her knees Sakura breathed deeply. She had nothing more to give; Ino had been a strong competitor. If she were somehow able to continue fighting Sakura wasn't sure how long she would last. Silence engulfed the arena as everyone waited for the final verdict; Hayate approached Ino and crouched down to examine her.

"Ino Yamanaka is unable to continue. Therefore the fourth battle of the preliminaries goes to Sakura Haruno who will continue into the final exam" he said calmly.

"SAKURA-CHAN YOU DID IT!" Naruto exclaimed and pumped his fist in victory.

Smiling slightly Sakura returned the gesture. Asuma quickly jumped down onto the arena floor and picked up an unconscious Ino before returning to the balcony. Sakura got to her feet and attempted to make her way towards the staircase but she was completely out of chakra.

"Sakura Haruno, do you require time in the infirmary?" A medic asked.

"No I think she'll be just fine she just needs to rest up a little" Kakashi said, appearing out of thin air.

"Yes I'll be fine when I regain some chakra I can heal my injuries myself" Sakura replied.

The medic walked away grumbling about Kakashi and his unwillingness to send people to the infirmary. The silver haired man ignored this and helped his student to her feet. Both ninja made their way up to the balcony.

"Sakura are you okay?" Naruto asked as his sensei and his teammate re-joined the group.

"I'm alright, just tired and down on chakra is all" Sakura said, managing a tired smile.

"You truly did well Sakura!" Lee exclaimed happily.

"I think we should let her rest don't you all? Perhaps you should take a seat next to Ino for a few minutes" Kakashi gestured and motioned for Sakura to sit next to Ino who had already awoken.

Sakura sat next to her childhood best friend and rival as the digital screen lit up again to announce the next match between Temari and Tenten.

"Forehead" Ino said quietly.

"Pig" Sakura replied as Gai and Lee took up a loud chant about Tenten's youthfulness.

"I can't believe I lost to you" Ino said disappointed.

"If it helps you gave me a hard time. And we were pretty evenly matched" Sakura offered.

"Don't make me feel better about it I lost because you were better than me. I guess you bloomed into that flower after all huh?" Ino said and shot Sakura a small smile.

"Yeah, it took me a while. But thank you, it's because of you that I realised I was a bud in the first place" Sakura replied and smiled back.

"Alright no need to get all mushy on me Forehead when we battle again someday I will beat you. You were right about Sasuke though, now he doesn't seem interested but he will be one day and I won't lose to you over him" Ino said definitely but smiled.

"Whatever you say Pig" Sakura laughed and Ino joined in.

Tsunade, you have trained her well so far. She is just like you were. Among all of the genin females she appears to be the strongest. Just how far are you planning to take this? Sarutobi thought as he watched Sakura and Ino laughing together.

Sakura stood up and walked over to where Kakashi and Naruto were. She wanted to see the rest of the matches and observe the abilities of her potential opponents for the