WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters. I get depressed actually having to put this in words. Great. For the next six weeks I'm going to cry myself to sleep. tear oh no…it's starting.

Notes: thinking hehehe….thinking…..I don't know how to do that

Sakura, are you listening to me?" Sakura was brought back from her thoughts by a smack on the back of her head. "Pay attention when I'm talking to you. Did you hear any of today's lesson?"

Sakura rubbed the back of her head. "I'm sorry Tsunade-sama. There's been a lot on my mind lately."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Really? Like what? It must be really important if it's causing you to mentally skip my lesson."

"I don't want to talk about it." Sakura sighed in frustration. Why is everyone trying to look inside my head? First that stupid Ino-pig and now Tsunade. What if Kakashi-sensei starts asking questions too? His sharingan eye will see right through my lies. He might tell someone, then everyone will find out about me taking lessons from-

SMACK

"Oww!" Sakura rubbed her now swollen forehead. "What the hell did you do that for?"

"I told you to pay attention when I'm talking to you!" Tsunade pointed to the door. "Out!"

"What?" Sakura stared at her teacher in disbelief. "Your kidding…right?"

"No, I'm not kidding. I'm also canceling your lessons for the next week." Tsunade grabbed a 2 inch stack of papers off her desk and handed them to Sakura. "But you still have to do the homework."

Sakura stood up in protest. "Tsunade-sama, you can't be serious. How am I supposed to complete the assignments if I didn't hear the lesson."

Tsunade started to leave the room. "I guess you should have thought about that BEFORE you started to doze off while I was talking."

"But Tsunade-sama, I was only-"

"I don't want to hear it Sakura. If you have any problems with the assignment, you can ask Kakashi for help." Sakura began to object, but Tsunade raised her hand. "No buts."

After Tsunade left, Sakura plopped down into the closest chair. Great, she thought, now I'm going to have to talk to Kakashi-sensei. He may be dense, but he's a ninja. He's going know something's up. GRRRRR. Sakura laid her head down on her knees. Why did I have to be so stupid during Tsunade-sama's lesson?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tsunade headed toward her office, leaving her frustrated student behind. That was unusual for her, she normally hangs on my every word. I can't wait to hear the details on this one. Tsunade opened the door to her office and saw that someone was already there. When the intruder took no notice of her, Tsunade made a coughing noise to get his attention. He stood up in alarm.

Realizing who had entered, the man bowed in respect. "I'm very sorry to intrude Hokage-sama, but I need to speak with you immediately."

"Very well," Tsunade motioned for her guest to be seated. When he declined she continued.

"You can start by telling me who you are and who sent you."

"I am from the Hidden Mist Village, but my name is not important."

Tsunade eyed him suspiciously. " Why aren't you wearing the symbol of your village?"

The man sat down in one of the chairs. "Forgive me Hokage-sama, but we do not have time for such curiosity. If I do not deliver my message immediately, they could destroy our village."

"Who could destroy it?"

"The akatsuki." The man sighed and sat down in the chair across from Tsunade. "They are after the no-tail. They know we have been keeping her under our protection."

Tsunade leaned back in her seat. "There is no such creature as the no-tail. You should know this, every village keeps a record of the children that are born. I haven't seen this no-tail in any of those records."

The man leaned forward. "You say one thing, yet you believe another. You know who I'm talking about Hokage-sama," his eyes were filled with defiance as they locked onto hers. "After all, you are the one who helped seal the crane within her."

Tsunade glared at him. "Please do not make accusations, especially when you don't understand what you're implying."

"I see," The man sat back in his chair. "The Hidden Mist Village is asking for Kanoha's help. We will not be able to keep the Crane from them for long. If they get a hold of her…"

"Let's pretend for a moment that I believed you. How would Kanoha be helping?"

"I cannot tell you unless I am guaranteed your full support."

"What if I don't agree with your methods? For all I know you could be planning on killing her off." From the man's silence, Tsunade knew that she had guessed right. "What will that accomplish?"

"We have no choice. It's the only way to protect our village." The man stood up and turned his head to the window. "Will you help us?"

"No. I will take no part in this."

"If that is your decision, there is no need for me to remain here. I will now report your message to my village." And with that he was gone.

Shit. What the hell am I going to do about this? She rested her head on her hand. Jiraiya's going to kill me if anything happens to Aiko.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Sakura finally found Kakashi, he was reading in a tree. Figures. Make Out Paradise again. How can someone read the same book for 7 years! Sakura put on her best fake smile. "Kakashi-sensei, can you do me a favor?" No response. "Kakashi-sensei?" He's not even listening. Damn that stupid book! Sakura hopped up into the tree and stood in front of her former teacher. "Kakashi-sensei, I need your help on my assignment."

Kakashi slowly peered at her from behind his book. "What?"

I can't believe I'm sinking this low. He's never going to let me live this one down. "I need your help on a couple of my questions."

Kakashi slowly scratched his head in amusement. "Are you admitting that I'm more intelligent than you?"

"WHAT! NO WAY! You're just as dense as Naruto!" Sakura glared at him.

"Oh," Kakashi said sounding disappointed. He looked at his book again. "Because if that's what you were saying, I could have helped you."

Sakura's eyebrow began to twitch. I knew he would do something like this. He's such an idiot. "Kakashi-sensei, I don't have time for this."

"I'm sorry. Did you say something Sakura-chan?"

I guess I have no choice. I need finish this and leave. He's going to be pissed if I'm late. Sakura took a deep breath and bowed her head. "Kakashi-sensei, you are smarter than me in every way. Can you please lend me your greatness and help me with my assignment?"

Kakashi stared at her, his visible eye squinting. "Okay. What's wrong with you?"

Just play it cool Sakura. He doesn't know anything. He's just suspicious. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Kakashi said putting his book down. "Usually you don't give in so easily when I say something like that. So now I know you're up to something. What is it?" Sakura mentally slapped herself. Dammit. He's going to find out. What the hell is wrong with me today? I keep doing this stupid crap. "Well? Spit it out."

"Even if I was up to something, why would I tell you?"

Kakashi's eye went wide. "What? Your not going to tell me what's wrong? I thought I was your favorite teacher." Kakashi scooted forward on the branch. "Come on, you can tell me."

Sakura jumped out of the tree and stared up at Kakashi. "Yeah right," she yelled, "You just want me to tell you because you're old, you have no life, and you want to gossip!"

"So does that mean it's a juicy topic?"

"SHUT UP! I said I wasn't going to tell you, now let it go!" At least he's not smart enough to use the sharingan.

"Okay," Kakashi picked up his book, "But when you want to do your homework, you know where to find the smartest ninja in the village."

"Speaking of Iruka-sensei. Have you talked to him lately? I hear he's been training with Gai. I bet he's strong enough to beat you now." Sakura laughed to herself as she darted off before Kakashi could respond. Okay. That either made him mad or it confused him. I'm so evil. Sometimes I surprise myself.

Kakashi stared after her. "Bah! That Iruka isn't smarter or stronger than me. At least I don't think so… I'm going to have to look into this." He opened his book to where he had saved his place. "After I finish this chapter."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Ahem." Tsunade tried to ignore whoever it was that had entered office with out knocking. "Umm…Hello?" Why don't people knock anymore? When Tsunade finally looked up, she regretted it.

"Naruto? What the hell are you doing here?"

Naruto's face fell. "It's good to see you to Tsunade-sama." He came closer and took a seat in one of the chairs. "I thought you'd be surprised."

"I'm definitely surprised." Tsunade leaned back in her chair with a sigh. "You weren't supposed to come back for another month. Why are you here?"

Naruto grinned. "Jiraiya and I finished our training early."

"Jiraiya is here too?"

"Yup. He's downstairs."

Oh crap. I need to think about how I'm going to tell him. "Naruto, I have a mission for you."

Naruto sat up straight. "Really?"

"Yes, but before I give you the details go find Sakura, Kakashi, and Sasuke. Once you find them, tell them to come back here." Tsunade eyed the young ninja in front of her. "Understand?"

Naruto adjusted his headband. "Yeah, I got it. I'll bring them here." He ran out the door and smacked right into Jiraiya. "What the hell! Watch where you're standing you old pervert!"

SMACK.

Jiraiya growled at his student. "HOW DARE YOU CALL ME OLD!"

Tsunade sighed at the scene before her. After a year, they still haven't changed. I better stop this before I have to heal somebody.

"OLD MAN, I'LL TAKE YOU RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW!" Naruto rolled up his sleeves.

Tsunade stood up. "ENOUGH!" The two madmen stopped their ranting and stared at her. "I will not tolerate this right now! Naruto, go attend to your business! Jiraiya get in here and sit down!" When they began to object, she slammed her hand down on the desk. They both flinched in shock. "I MEAN NOW!"

Naruto took off running while Jiraiya was stuck inside a small room with a very angry Hokage. "What the hell is your problem Tsunade?"

She sat down in her chair. "We have a serious situation on our hands. The Akatsuki have discovered the location of the Crane."

"WHAT! How did that happen? We left her with the Hidden Cloud Village. They guaranteed us her safety."

"Somehow she ended up in The Hidden Mist Village. Mist has decided to take extreme measures to ensure their own safety."

Jiraiya slowly looked up. "What kind of measures?"

"I think there may be a way for us to stop them if we-"

"What kind of measures, Tsunade?"

Tsunade sighed and looked away. "They plan to kill her," she whispered.

Jiraiya stood up "What the hell do you mean they plan to kill her! We can't let them do that. We have to stop them!"

"Jiraiya, calm down. I already have a plan to get her out of there, but we need to act quickly."

Jiraiya sat back down in his chair. "Send me."

Tsunade stared at him. "No."

"But I'm-"

"I don't care. I'm not sending you in there. Especially in your current condition."

"What condition?"

"If I send you on this mission, you will let your emotions take control of your decisions. I can't risk losing an ally because you got worked up."

Jiraiya growled in frustration. "But you can risk her life."

"I'm not risking her life. If you shut up and stop arguing for a minute, I can tell you what I'm going to do."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sasuke sat on a rock waiting for Sakura to show up. Why did I agree to this? I'm only making myself suffer. This is ridiculous. Sasuke stood up. I'm leaving. She can train herself.

"Sasuke!" Sasuke saw Sakura walking towards him. Damn. "I didn't keep you waiting too long, did I?"

"It doesn't matter. Let's get this over with."

Sakura quickly reached into her pouch and pulled out a kunai knife. She threw it at Sasuke aiming for his feet. He dodged it easily. He looked at her with a smirk on his face. "That was pathetic."

Sakura shrugged. "Just a test to see how fast you are."

Sasuke stared at her. "Testing people in battle will get you no where. You must enter a fight with the assumption that your opponent is stronger and faster than you. If you underestimate an opponent," Sasuke moved so fast she could barely see him. Sakura tensed as she felt his breath on the back of her neck and the cold steel of the kunai knife against her breast. "You will die."

Sakura smirked. "Maybe," she said as she twitched her hand, "You should take your own advice."

Sasuke looked down. "It's seems I have misjudged you." Sakura had anticipated his attack and positioned her knife right above his left kidney.

"I guess that's what happens when you assume."

This could prove to be entertaining, Sasuke thought to himself. "No more games. Let's begin."

"Fine." They broke apart. Sakura got into a fighting stance. "Don't ask me to heal you afterwards."

Sasuke pulled two kunai knives fro his belt and twirled them on his fingers. "That won't be necessary."

She glared at him. "We'll see." Sakura ran forward jumping into the air. Putting all her force into the blow, she slammed her fist into the ground. The ground around Sasuke began to crack and split. Dodging the jagged rock flying in his direction, he climbed into the branches of the tree behind him.

That was unexpected. I need to stay on my guard. Sasuke sighed. This is going to take longer than I thought.

"Sasuke, you cheater! You can't hide in the trees!" Sakura rested her hands on her hips. The tree in front of Sakura moved and she jumped back. "Sasuke? What are you doing?"

Sakura felt a rise in chakra behind her. She quickly turned around and came face to face with Sasuke's fist. He hit her hard enough to send her crashing into the tree she had just been staring at.

"You need to be on your guard in a fight. Don't relax even if you think you know where your opponent is." Sasuke stared at Sakura. "I think that's enough for today."

She stood up. "What? But we just started."

"If we continued, we would just be interrupted." She stared at him. Sasuke turned his head away form her. "Don't you feel it? The chakra headed this way?"

Sakura closed her eyes and reached out with her chakra. But that's… She opened her

eyes and stared in shock towards incoming chakra. "No way," she whispered. "Not him."