Chapter 1

Sakura looked around her tiny but efficient apartment filled with very little furniture and no personal belongings. Like most of the places she lived she only had the furniture and her few belongings. She preferred it that way. She didn't have very many things she was attached to and never stayed in one place for very long. This particular apartment was low cost. Meant for one person and in a large neighborhood. It wasn't considered important to most people. This was fine with her. She had a small kitchen and living room that was all in one room. A small bedroom and bathroom which was all she needed. The apartment didn't have a washer and dryer but she was used to going to a laundry mat. She would have to buy curtains for the windows and a bed set for the bed but that was minor. She never carried anything more than her clothes and a few personal belongings that she treasured. Thinking about her treasured belongings made her automatically think of Sasuke and the necklace he had given her 5 years ago. The pain went through her heart. She had to shake away the tears and the memory. She couldn't dwell on the past. She had things to get done. She wasn't getting them done sitting around.

"Time to get up and moving. Have to stop feeling bad for myself."

Sakura stood up from the chair and thought about everything she needed to do. She wondered where to start. She was exhausted since she did after all get into town very early this morning. She went right to looking for an apartment as soon as she got off the bus. It had taken her all day to find a suitable apartment in her price range and one that wasn't junk. She had about 600 dollars saved up from the last town she had been in working as a waitress. She had stayed there for 6 months before she was found again and had to run. The security deposit had only been $150 and the rent for the month had only been 200. She had enough left to eat on and buy what she needed but she would soon need to find a job.

"Ok sakura, the first thing you should do is get something to eat and some food for the fridge. Then get the sheets and curtains and come home. Then go to bed."

Sakura talked to herself, it had become a habit since she had been on the run alone. She felt less alone that way and kept her mind straight. Looking for her coat and her purse she walked back to the bedroom. She found them on the bed. Making sure she had her keys, phone, wallet, pepper spray, gun, pocket knife and coat she headed for the door. Checking all the windows were shut and locked. Checking her watch she noted it was after 6 pm and hurried out the door. She would get back before it got much later and darker. She hated the darkness the most knowing she would be alone and would not have anyone to protect her. Even with all her self-defense weapons she could not count on saving herself. Shaking her head at her thoughts she headed out the door. Down the 3 flights of stairs that led to the front door leading out of the building. She was lucky to find this apartment because it was only a block from a small grocery store that had a restaurant included and a dollar store. It was also well lit along the streets so she could see all around her. That was one thing she was grateful for. It only took her a few minutes to walk the block to the stores. Sakura headed for the grocery store and restaurant as her stomach grumbled. Thank god for small family owned businesses that stayed open late. She noticed the help sign on the window and wondered what job/s they needed filled. It was close to her place so it was a good place to check out. Walking in she noticed the old style layout and loved the way it looked. Looking to the left she could see the restaurant side and the grocery store part. Deciding she was too tired to eat in, and not super hungry, she headed for the groceries.

"What do I want? Something quick and small."

Grabbing a loaf of bread, milk, cereal, sugar, coffee, coffee filters, cans of soup and some cookies she headed for the register digging in her purse and walking. Sakura didn't see the girl heading towards her and bumped right into her. Dropping her purse and everything on the floor. Looking up she saw a girl with long blue colored hair and bright blue eyes.

"Oh geez I'm so sorry! I'm such a klutz!"

The girl got down and began helping sakura gather up her spilled groceries. Luckily the milk didn't spill and nothing was smashed. Sakura wasn't upset. She was just embarrassed and tried to tell this girl it was fine.

"It's ok. I wasn't paying attention."

The girl looked at her bashfully and helped her up. Handed her the small basket of groceries she had picked out.

"If you're done I can check you out. I promise I won't trip you or anything."

Sakura felt bad, tried to smile, and reassure the girl in front of her.

"Yes I am done now. I would appreciate it if you would help me check out. I trust you won't cause anyone to fall. Honestly don't blame yourself. I wasn't paying attention and we all have our day's right?"

The girl in front of her looked relieved and walked to the counter on the far left side of the store. To the cash register. Sakura sat down the basket and laid them out. Digging out her wallet and waiting for the total she looked around wondering what job needed filled.

"I noticed the Help sign on the window. What job do you have open?"

"We need someone to do both waitressing and store work like: stocking and unpacking new deliveries."

Sakura felt some hope. She had done both before.

"I would like to fill out an application. I am new in town and need to find a job. It doesn't have to be full time, part time is ok with me. "

The girl looked surprised and handed her the bagged groceries.

"No need for an application. You got the job."

Sakura was shocked; she didn't have to fill out an application?

"Are you sure? I can fill one out."

The girl shook her head and smiled.

"I really need the help since I have been trying to do it all myself and I like you. I can tell your trustworthy and a nice person. I don't need you to do an application."

Sakura couldn't help but smile.

"Ok well thank you. How much do I owe you for the groceries?"

"Nothing, they are on the house."

Sakura was shocked once again and looked at the girl in wonder.

"Are you sure? I can pay you."

"Yeah it's fine. Consider it a welcome gift."

"Well thank you. What time would you like me here to start? When do you want me to start?"

"You can start tomorrow. Can you be here around 7:30 am? I can show you what we do in the store before we open at 8 am. It's not hard, you will catch on quick."

Sakura nodded and felt overjoyed. She had a job and things were working out for once.

"Ok, I can do that. What do I wear?"

"Just wear a nice pair of jeans and a nice shirt. We are informal here."

"Ok. What is your name?"

"My name is Hinata."

"Ok Hinata, it's nice to meet you. I am Sakura."

"Ok Sakura, see you tomorrow."

"Will do. Thanks again Hinata. Have a nice night."

Turning to walk out the door, she waved at Hinata, and smiled. This town may not be so bad after all. Walking out of the store and heading for the dollar store she smiled the whole way. Finishing her shopping in no time she headed home arms loaded. She had to get to bed. She had to get up and go to work early in the morning.

-Las Vegas, Nevada -

Gaara was not happy and someone would pay for their failure. Sakura had gotten away from their grasp again! How hard was it to catch one woman? Especially one with no experience or background in martial arts, weapons or any form of self-defense! He had sent 4 people after her. All of them fully capable. What was he not seeing? There was obviously missing something if she had avoided all the men he sent as well as escaped them time after time. He cursed Sasuke for the trouble he caused. On the flip side he did open the way for him to take the leadership. He couldn't let anything get in the way of his success or bring down the business they made a profit from. Picking up the phone he decided he needed a new approach and he had a few people in mind to help him. In the mean time someone needed to take the blame for this last fiasco.