Tsunade

The Elders had argued that the choice she made was a bad decision. The way she saw it she really didn't have any other choice. It was the only option she had and she had to bend the rules a little to get that far. She had just sent a messenger to retrieve an ANBU that had probably just stepped foot in his home after a rather rough week long mission. Her best medic had been injured in a routine mission on her day off. The stupid girl had volenteered to help a group of ninja, just out of the academy, complete some chores for an old farmer on the outskirts of Konoha. They had been attacked and narrowly escaped with their lives thanks to their ANBU escort. . The children had received minor injuries... her medic however, was not so lucky.

Sasuke

He'd been out on a mission for the last week, in the center of an enemy base, surrounded by bodies and the stench of death while waiting for his opportunity to get the information required to go home. When he returned he sent his report off with a lower class ninja that had been waiting at the gate. He entered his home, happy for the mandatory down time after a tiring mission, stripping himself of the ANBU mask he wore, throwing it on the bed. As he was about to rid himself of the stuffy uniform and get in some sleep when the damned tapping started at his window again. He glanced back at it finding the note with his keen vision. Reading it from where he stood he sighed. It read: Urgent - See Hokage He picked the mask up and repositioned it on his face before leaving his home threw the window.

Tsunade's Office

Sasuke stormed into the Hokage's office without bothering to knock. He was agitated to be called in just as he arrived home. He tossed the note down on her desk and scowled when she looked at it with a light amusement in her eyes. "If you keep sending people who cannot face me I will give them something to fear." He growled out and crossed his arms. Since he was obviously not going to sit down Tsunade decided to get to the point so he could go home and ...well try to rest.

"Sasuke," She made sure she had his attention before continuing. "I have a mission for you." At his dark look she hurried to continue. "You won't have to leave your home. We have an injured medic in need of protection."

"You couldn't get anyone else to do it? I have mandatory down time."

"I wouldn't ask this of you if I weren't sure you were the only one who could do it."

"Why?"

"Sasuke... it's Sakura..." Tsunade said wearily not sure she wanted to be present for his reaction. "There appears to be a group that calls themselves Death Eaters after her. They are built up of several S-Class criminals and... " Shizune ran in at that moment quietly rounding the desk to whisper to Tsunade. Tsunade sighed and nodded. Shizune left as she came and Tsunade looked back to Sasuke. She took in how worn he looked and how angry he seemed at this new information.

"What's wrong with her?" His voice was hard. She knew it was his ANBU voice. The one he used when he arrested someone, killed someone, or when he couldn't let his emotions get in the way of his job.

"We're not sure exactly what they did but, she has been blinded. I can cure it, it will just take time. A month or so. She will need protection though on until they are caught though." Sasuke turned as to leave.

"She has already been moved into your apartment in the Uchiha Compound along with some personal belongings she may want. You will need to let Neji know he can go home when you get there. Sakura will need to be taken to the hospital once daily to receive treatment. App-"

"No," He interrupted her. "if there are people after her she will not leave the safety of my home until she can see." At the look Tsunade gave him he explained. "I know what I'm doing. I was an S-Class criminal before. They are watching her. I have no doubt that if you put anyone other than Neji to watch her in my absence she would be attacked. You will have to come to her."

Tsunade nodded, easily agreeing with his logic. As he was going through the door sh remembered what she was going to tell him. "Sasuke, she is refusing help dressing."

Sasuke glanced back at her, "It's fine, I can handle it." He left the tower, mask in place, to return to his home.

If only he knew the sight he would come across would leave him wondering if he really could handle it.