Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Naruto…nor do I wish that torture upon anyone (especially myself) because it would have never been finished.

A/N: Ok so this is my first story that I've actually completed I really hope you like it because I've worked on it all year and my friends say it's good, I don't, but it's never perfect in the creator's mind right?? Apparently my friend says the first chapter is crap…funny crap…but still crap all the same.

WARNING: Some spoilers if you haven't read up to chapter 399

A/N/N: By the way if you don't feel like reading the entire story the last chapter makes a good one-shot so at least read that. I should be getting it up soon so you don't have to wait, but don't read it if you're going to finish the story!! Any who, here we go…

Currently Naruto was sitting in Sakura's room trying to help with one of her emotional breakdowns. What was with PMSing women?? Once more he opened his moth to speak "Sakura st-"

"No! I won't stop Naruto!! I'm a wilted flower…an ugly, dead, wilted flower. Nobody loves a dead flower people only step on them…" Sakura broke down crying, "I can't see it anymore Naruto, I've lost my reason to live and now…I'm fading. Fast." There was silence after that only filled with Sakura's sobs.

Anger and frustration began to fill Naruto's eyes then he exploded. "FINE!! If that's how you want it Sakura just give up hope, but just so you know I'm not giving up on my promise." He huffed and shook his head ashamed then continued lecturing, "I'm going to bring him back at all costs, and if I'm not good enough I'll die trying. Now I'm going to granny to see about that mission right now. This time I WILL bring back Sasuke!"

Sakura watched Naruto leave her home while trying to hold back painful hiccups. Sakura decided then and there that she was going to help Naruto at all costs instead of sitting at home like a bum. Upon that vow she swore then she picked herself off the ground and climbed into her warm, welcoming bed and falling asleep while listening to the rain beat on her window.

NXT DAY

Sakura awoke to a bird chirping on her balcony. Immediately Sakura rolled out of her bed and took a quick shower, got dressed, and began throwing together a fast breakfast. Pulling together all her medical items and a weeks worth of food along with her weapons, gloves, and ¥50,000. Then she ran all the way to Lady Tsunade's office for debriefing. Sakura made it in only a couple minutes and could minutes and could already hear her mentor and Naruto bickering.

"What do you mean no?! This is for Sakura!"

"Naruto will you listen to me for once?!" Tsunade had yelled, "You do not tease the snake for you are crunchy and taste very good with applesauce!!" Oo

"But Granny!!...wait, what?? Tsunade took advantage of Naruto's stupor and threw a book at him, hitting him squarely on the head. "OW!!" Naruto complained rubbing the newly formed, large, red bump on his head. Sakura quickly stepped in through the window and announced her presence.

"Tsunade I have a preposition for you." She'd said with an evil smirk. Tsunade turned around and faced Sakura putting on the most angelic smile you've ever seen, obviously not seeing Sakura's now hidden smirk. "I request my cell; Sai, Naruto, and myself; are allowed to search for a certain 'missing nin'." Tsunade not being quite herself (for she was under the influence; evidence was on her desk in plain view.) smiled cheerfully at her favorite student.

"Yes of course, and who will you be going after??" Tsunade lifted a half empty bottle of sake off her desk and poured herself a glass.

"Gomen sensei, but…" Sakura glanced over at Naruto and winked happily at seeing his mouth hanging open in disbelief at how she was manipulation the most stubborn woman in the world. Sakura continued once again, "Gomen but we want to search for Uchiha Sasuke." Once again she paused studying her mentor's face searching for any signs of refusal. Unfortunately Tsunade's face was getting red with anger so Sakura decided to fall into the pitiful girl act with big shojo eyes. "Lady Tsunade, I beg of you, let us go and I promise by Kami that if this mission is a failure that neither I nor anyone on my squad will ever try to find him again." Tsunade sighed in annoyance slightly because Sakura was pulling those big sad puppy dog eyes and partially because she couldn't believe she was giving in.

"Fine already. Sakura quit degrading yourself I'm going to let you go on this mission, but I'm assigning an ANBU squad member to your team to ensure your safety you will act as the medic nothing more. When you find Sasuke you will treat him as the enemy and he will be brought to receive trial. Do I make myself clear?" Both Sakura and Naruto nodded, "I Tsunade, Hokage of the Leaf, assign Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Sai, and Yamato to retrieve Sasuke Uchiha from the clutches of Orochimaru." With burning desire lighting their eyes for the anticipation of seeing Sasuke again both Naruto and Sakura yelled in unison, "We accept!!"

LATER IN FOREST W/ SAI, YAMATO, SAKURA, AND NARUTO

The four man cell was moving quickly through the forest when the call of a blue bird sounded signaling them that it was time to rest. Sakura sat down promptly and leaned against the trunk of the tree, they'd been jumping from tree to tree for the last three hours at top speed and she was exhausted. Closing her eyes she could see Sasuke vividly of course it was the memory of three years ago and she could only imagine what he looked like now.

Sai glanced at Sakura. She looked exhausted he couldn't help but take a mental picture for drawing later. Her chest was heaving up and down with the laborious cycle of taking in air and her petite figure glowed ethereal in the sheltered light from the canopy, speckled in dark and light. The pink tint to her cheeks was so inviting, wait he wasn't supposed to be having these feelings…right?? Sai looked away disgusted with himself he was a shinobi. A tool of war, a member of root, he wasn't going to let feelings get the best of him.

Naruto waited impatiently for the team to head out again. Of course he had noticed how tired Sakura was and he knew he cared more about her health than finding Sasuke but he'd promised her…sighing in annoyance Naruto sat down and pulled out the rice ball Sakura had given him earlier before they left and began nibbling at the flavored rice.

Sai looked around making sure that he wouldn't be followed. Then confirming his hypothesis he headed out into the darker part of the forest towards the man…thing that had beckoned earlier that week. He made it there in almost no time at all seeing as he knew the way and disappeared in a cloud of smoke transporting into the depths of the snake's lair.

-x-X-x-

Sasuke glared at this man in front of him. Orochimaru must really have thought that he needed companionship, but he got the wrong person. What he really wanted was a certain girl fair of skin and had a smile of an angel. This man however kept a forced happiness and was disgusting him. Sai was the closest thing to a rat in this dark tunnel he'd ever seen.

"I've brought you company Sasuke-kun." Orochimaru said brightly making the S's lasting longer than normal and stressing the kun, he walked slightly in front of Sai and Kabuto and held a somewhat creepy smile like the "I'm-a-creepy-rapist-and-you're-just-my-type" smile. Once more Sasuke glared at them only with more repulsion. Only one word ran through Sasuke's mind at this time: pedophile.

"I don't need a companion I need to get stronger. Orochimaru I want you to teach me now. I am getting impatient." Sasuke stood up ant his eyes flashed red. Sai stumbled backward and fell. All he could see as red everywhere and the spinning sharingan in front of him.

"Sasuke-kun that's not how we treat a guest." Orochimaru scolded cooing poor Sasuke's name. Sasuke reluctantly released the genjutsu on Sai. Blinking once again Sai cleared his mind and looked now in fear at the Uchiha standing before him. But then again he still had somewhat of an ace in his pocket.

"Stop playing games Orochimaru or your use to me will be used up." Sasuke said as his final word. Everyone knew that that meant the conversation was over but Orochimaru proceeded.

"He has information of your old team, the Konoha brats. I thought you might want to converse of old times." Sasuke scowled at Orochimaru and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Orochimaru sighed in annoyance "Kabuto show our guest his room." He said then disappeared. "Jeez why do I have to do everything around here??" Kabuto thought then turned and began walking to the door. "Come on and stay close. It's easy to get lost in here if you don't know your way…"

Eventually after what seemed like hours Kabuto stopped in front of one of the million doors in the hallway. "This is your room don't leave unless Sasuke, Orochimaru, or myself comes for you." Kabuto said with venom in his words. Sai walked into the musty, dull room and the door was shut and locked behind him. He could here Kabuto's footsteps walking away and fading ever so slowly. Slowly Sai walked around the premises examining every detail caught by his artist's eye. Then he sat down on the crude bed in the corner and waited for the imminent meeting with Sasuke that he was sure to happen within the hour. Then pulling out a scroll, ink, and a paintbrush he began painting the scene where he'd last seen Sakura.

Stroke after stroke was completed until Sai was looking at an almost realistic painting of Sakura. He'd used water colors on this painting giving it a more worn look but it was subtle, maybe even one of his best…a miniature carbon copy on paper. Then a sound erupted from behind him. Quickly Sai looked around sharply to see Sasuke revealed in the fading smoke.

"Hello Sasuke-san, what brings you here at such an early hour?" He greeted with his half smile and squinted eyes.

"Hn…" Sasuke walked forward watching Sai in the corner of his eye towards the desk. It was there that Sasuke laid eyes upon a painting of a young woman. No doubt he knew it could only be Sakura; there was no other that he'd seen with pink hair. Yet this woman had a…heavenly essence about her which Sakura never had. Sasuke was contemplating this when Sai broke his train of thought.

"She is beautiful…is she naught. This is a scene from yesterday, since she became a medic she's been kept in the hospital. This is one of the few missions she's had since she's completed her training. She was so very tired after running for so long so fast." Sai paused to study Sasuke's face, still nothing showed…any nostalgia at all was hidden so Sai continued, "She's quite a handful in battle though. Even you would be given a run for your money." Then it was the silent man's turn to speak.

"Tell me…what of Naruto??"

Sai laughed, "I assume he's stronger than you now. He's mastered his element and is very close to Sakura. She's the only one who is allowed to heal him now. Sasuke they're here…still looking for you." Once again everything was silent and cold stares were exchanged.

"So you're my replacement for cell 7?" Sasuke asked bitterly, Sai nodded. "and what of Sa—wait I hear something…" Several feet could be heard running through the halls, doors were being closed. Sasuke then grabbed an explosive note and threw it at the ground and jumped up into the air to escape the explosion.

All throughout the forest the sound from the explosion spread. As the dust cleared, a small figure in red could be seen running towards Sai then the dust finally settled and everyone could see clearly. Sakura looked up at the figure on the ridge of the crater. She was blinded by the sun and could only see a shadow, but she knew it could only be one person.

"Sa-suke-kun…" she uttered in amazement.

"Sakura."

"SAKURA!!" Naruto yelled as he ran into the clearing, "are you okay?? He didn't hurt you did he?" he said grabbing her arms and looking into her jade eyes.

"No he didn't. Naruto I'm fine..." she replied sighing in exasperation. Then her attention was drawn to Sasuke who was presently jumping from the crater edge to the ground floor. Casually he walked forwards toward Naruto and placed his hand upon the jinchuriki's shoulder. Sakura backed away slightly in fear. Was Sasuke going to try to kill Naruto? Or was he going to consent and come back with them?? It was apparently the former because Sasuke began to draw his katana and placed it against Naruto's back ready to run him through like shrimp on a skewer. Sakura quickly pulled on her gloves and began walking forward.

Sasuke watched as Sakura stepped closer and closer finally she was within range. Suddenly he pulled his arm off Naruto and it was surrounded in lightening before anyone could react he slammed his fist into the ground causing a huge explosion and the entire crater to be filled with lightening.

Sakura gasped in pain. Her vision was completely white and she couldn't see anything nor hear for that matter the chirping of birds rang through her ears.

"You Bastard!! Don't you dare touch Sakura! I'll kill you Sasuke; I swear I'll kill you!" Sakura heard Naruto yell from somewhere far away. The next thing she knew something grabbed a hold of her waist. Well aware of whom it was, Sakura grabbed the arm and threw Sasuke over her head and into a distant wall. Quickly running a chakra covered hand over her eyes she healed her damaged retinas and blinked several times in the bright sunlight. Finally adjusted Sakura looked around for Sasuke…he wasn't there…an ominous feeling called in the pit of her stomach, he was below. Quickly Sakura jumped to the side just as Sasuke came up from the ground.

"So he wasn't lying. You have gotten better Sakura…" Sasuke whispered only auditable to Sakura herself.

"And you too Sasuke…" she replied in too much shock to say anything else. Sasuke smirked at this and slowly began to walk foreword. Sakura stood stalk still, she couldn't tell her body to move and she knew she had to. "Come on Sakura we have to move!! MOVE!!" She thought to herself just as Sasuke was two paces in front of her Sakura started and gave Sasuke a chakra laced power punch to the gut sending him reeling. Quickly Sasuke regained his composure and wiped the blood away from his mouth.

"You may put up a good fight Sakura." He smiled he actually smiled! But obviously that's not good is it… "But this is nothing to my power." With that Sasuke attacked with rapid punches leaving Sakura no time to counter. Move after move was predicted. No one had a chance against the sharingan, no one. Soon Sakura was a bloody mess, but there was still one thing she knew he couldn't predict. Lacing chakra around her fist again she punched the ground with such fervor that a deeper crack than intended formed. The flying rocks were sent in Sasuke's direction and eventually he was covered. Thinking that was the last of him Sakura walked over to the wounded Naruto and kneeled down by his side.

"S-Sakura why'd you kill him??" Naruto asked voice shaking in pain.

"He's not the Sasuke that we used to know…" Sakura replied in bitterness, and then her voice softened. "He was a danger to everyone. I couldn't just let him kill all of you. Now be quiet so I can concentrate." Sakura closed her eyes and felt the warmth of her chakra enter her hand. Guiding her hand along the length of Naruto's body she found the most fatal wound and began healing it first. "Where's Yamato?" she asked after a few minutes.
"He left with Sai to retrieve reinforcements…" Naruto replied voice still shaky.

"Great…" sarcasm laid heavily on Sakura's voice like lead dripping over every word. "That's really gonna help us." Sakura laid her hand on Naruto's chest and then healed every scratch on it.

"Sasuke!"

"Naruto be quiet!" Sakura yelled crossly with her eyes still closed. "Sasuke's dead."

"Sakura duck." Naruto had raised his arm to throw shuriken but was stopped by the iron grip of Sakura.

"Naruto quit it you're obviously tired and seeing things I'm getting you home." Sakura opened her eyes in fury and saw Naruto's scared eyes. Sighing Sakura laid a hand on his forehead, failing to see the shadow looming over them, and used a special jutsu procured by herself to put him to sleep for the time being. Standing up and turning around to retrieve her things she found herself face to face to Sasuke.

"Sorry Sakura-san but I don't die that easily." And with that he sent a blow to her temple which caused her to go unconscious.

"Sakura!!" Naruto yelled sitting up after several hours of sleep caused by the young medic. "Where could he have taken her??" he looked around wildly.

"So you're up…" Yamato looked over at the broken Naruto. He really did look bad he still had a broken leg and still many scratches. "Sakura's been taken far away. I can't sense her chakra let alone the tracker I planted on her."

"I thought you said you could find us where ever we were with that seed of yours!!" Naruto yelled in fury.

"Yes I did say that…but I expected it'd be you who got in trouble not Sakura. Sakura's chakra is not as great as yours. Now we must return to Konoha and await orders from milady."

A/N: hmm…wonder what's gonna happen?? Guess you'll just have to read on. Please review I want to make this the best story EVER.

Lots of love

FallTiger