Panting, I ran as fast as I could. I stopped and took a moment to catch my breath placing my hand on a tree. I leaned over breathing hard. I been running for what seemed like hours. Just as I thought I was in the clear, I heard a branch break. I looked up and glanced around. I saw a shadow from behind me. I started running again not bothering to look back. I was exhausted and extremely low on chakra, the only thing I could do was run. This mission had failed drastically. I was the only one left alive. My clothes were torn and I was bleeding slowly. I had managed to wrapped the spot on my leg that was bleeding with a piece of my shirt but it wasn't doing much to help. I suddenly trip over a rock that was in my way and landed on the ground with a thud. I groaned as I forced myself to get up. I hissed quietly in agony as the pain shot through my leg. I started running again trying to get away. I noticed my vision getting blurry slightly as I continued to run. "Come on little girl! Stop running. There's no chance of you getting away from us!" The man yelled from behind me.

This mission was supposed to be easy. What went wrong? How could we have the wrong intel. All we had to do was gather the herbs and go back to the village. Why did they attack us, What do they want? They can't possibly be after the herbs we collected. Maybe we grabbed one that we weren't supposed to but still to kill us before we had any chance to explain, that's just cruel. Why are they doing this? I thought to myself as I ran. My breathing was getting more jagged. My steps flimsy and balance less controlled. I could feel myself slipping as I continued to run thinking that this may actually be the end. Tears formed in my eyes, stinging slightly as I used my hands to wipe the tears away. My body felt hot and numb. My strength was deteriorating fast and I could tell I was about to collapse. Just as my body was about to go limp, strong arms caught me and my eyelids grew heavy as I passed out from the pain and exhaustion. The only thing that ran through my mind now was Sasuke.

I caught her. She had run into me bumping me a little bit as she tilted her head slightly looking at me with worn out eyes before she passed out. A group of three men appeared in front me looking greedily at the young girl in front of me. I signaled for the three men I had behind me to attack the three enemies. I picked up the young girl hooking my arm under her legs and the other behind her neck and stepped back to a safe distance. I watched as my men easily beat up the enemies. I glanced back at the girl. I didn't know who she was but I did know she was the girl we were supposed to check up on and see what had happened to her and her comrades. It looks like we had made it on time. I knew she was one of us because of her leaf headband and she was the girl in the picture that Hokage Tsunade had showed us. The girl's clothes were torn badly exposing her fair skin and the cuts she had, probably obtained from battling. Her black shorts were torn on her left leg exposing most of her thigh and it looked like she had worn something pink over it but it was long gone now. Her red top exposed her shoulders but looked like it was cut off and there was a long slit on her right side causing the top to blow in the wind baring part of her stomach and just below her chest. I took off my flak jacket and covered her with it to prevent anyone from seeing anything other than her clothed body. My men started walking towards me.

"Well, we beat them. How's the girl, Sakura wasn't it?" Yamato asked as he crossed his arms. I looked at him and then back at the girl, Sakura. She looked so peaceful in my arms. Her face pressed against my chest, her arm hanging by her side while the other rested on her stomach.

"Well she's passed out but she'll be fine. Let's just get her back to the village." I said. Yamato and the others nodded. We all jumped to the trees and headed for the village. The wind rushed passed my face as each foot hit the branches. I held Sakura lightly as she started to squirm a bit. I glanced down at her as her eyes started to flutter open. She looked up at me and noticed my headband. She crossed her arms and looked down. Her expression dulled. I stared at the passing trees.

We made it to the village in no time. The group and I walked past the main gate. The two guards greeted us and looked somewhat concerned about the limp girl in my arms. Sakura has fallen asleep after she had woken up. "Yamato, why don't you head to the Hokages office and let her know what happened. I'll take Sakura to the hospital." I announced and Yamato nodded his head in agreement and took off while I walked towards the hospital. I walked as onlookers just stared at me and Sakura. They seemed curious and I ignored the stares. Sakura started stirring again lightly groaning. Her eyes opened revealing her emerald green eyes. She pushed me away as I quickly put her down so she wouldn't fall. "I was going to take you to the hospital. You need medical attention." I told her but she shook her head no.

"I can heal myself, I just ran out of chakra." She informed as she looked down hugging herself with one hand. I ran a hand through my hair sighing. Sakura has barely looked me in the eye. I glanced around taking in my surrounds as I thought for a moment.

"You should still go to the hospital just in case." I insisted as I reached out to grab her shoulder but she pulled back quickly. She wrapped her arms around her waist, squeezing tightly enough that her knuckles went white. "Are you alright?" I asked as she clenched her eyes shut avoiding eye contact completely. Tears formed in her eyes as she slowly shook her head no. I rubbed the nape of my neck as I looked down at Sakura. I tried to reach for her shoulder again and this time she let me. I squeezed it reassuringly. I smiled softly even though she couldn't really see it because of the mask I whad on. I put my hand on the small of her back pushing her gently in the direction of the hospital. She jumped slightly at my touch but quickly relaxed. I led her to the hospital. As we made our way there I noticed she just stared at the ground letting me guide her. I thought to myself, what happened out there? What did those men do that she's so timid now I asked myself. I didn't bother to ask her since I didn't think she'd open up to me. When we arrived at the entrance of the hospital, Lady Tsunade was waiting outside. Her arms crossed over her huge chest and she looked angry with her eyes closed and her teeth clenched. "Lady Tsunade, is something the matter?" I inquired.

Tsunade looked at Sakura, her eyes softening. "Sakura, what happened? I need your report of the mission." Lady Tsunade questioned. Sakura turned her face away, a small blush forming on her cheeks. "Kakashi, leave us." Tsunade ordered. I nodded my head and quickly vanished leaving the two women to talk amongst themselves.

Sakura' POV

The man, Kakashi left leaving a puff of smoke where he once stood. Lady Tsunade approached me slowly. She reached out her hand as if to touch me but never did. I looked at her, tears brimming in my eyes. I couldn't hold them back anymore. I collapsed in her arms as she caught me, letting me cry into her chest. She held me, rubbing my back in small circles. Tsunade tried to shush me, she placed her hand on my leg moving the makeshift bandage covering the wound and she healed me and she comforted me. "Sakura, what happened on the mission?" She asked, her voice filled with worry.

"We were picking the herbs you requested but these men, three of them attacked us. They had managed to capture us.' I sobbed, shaking my head in disbelief, 'I tried to save them but I couldn't. The men, their Jutsu, they were controlling them. I had to injure my teammates, but once I did the men, they somehow just snapped their necks. Then they caught me, They tied me up and...and,' I sobbed uncontrollably. Tsunade hushed me.

"I understand. I see, Kakashi let you wear his jacket. Are there any wounds there I should worry about?" Tsunade asked as she unzipped the jacket looking at my torn clothing. "Oh Sakura, I'm so sorry that this happened. Did they…' Tsunade looked down at my legs,'did they do anything to you?" She whispered cautiously. I shook my head.

"They didn't get that far. I managed to keep running until the team you sent found me." I answered. Tsunade led me into the hospital and checked me in.

"I'm going to have Kakashi check up on you later since he was the one that found you. If you have any issues or anything of the sort just tell him and he'll relay it to me. I'll send him by later today." She spoke softly and smiled slightly. I tried to smiled back and nodded my head in agreement. A nurse came and led me into a room as Tsunade left the hospital. I was hooked up to an iv and bandages were put on my leg and stomach. I laid in the bed and stared up at the ceiling thinking back to the mission.

We jumped from tree to tree heading towards Nanakusa Island. It's east of the land of fire. We were a three man squad. All of us were medical ninja but I was far more advanced than the other two. My two comrades had two big baskets on their backs while I had a small backpack. It was a nice day for an easy mission. The wind was blowing my hair back out of my face and we were all talking and laughing, sharing stories of past missions with other people. We were to gather as many herbs as we could carry. We had made it to Nanakusa island in no time once we reached the boat. We didn't rush there but we weren't really taking our time either. Once the boat docked we hopped out and gathered some herbs, taking our time to identify the right herbs we would need. We were doing fine. One basket was already filled to the rim and the second one was halfway done. My little bag was already filled too. Once we had gathered the herbs, we headed back to our ship and embarked back to our home village. The sun was setting and it made a beautiful sunset over the the water. The water rocked us side to side as the clouds overhead floated by. The calming sounds of the waves rushed to my ears. I smiled as I stared off at the water. All of a sudden I heard one of my comrades screaming but it quickly faded. I ran to where the sound was coming from and stood shocked. I searched around and saw no one. My comrade jumped out and attempted to hit me with a kunai. I easily dodged and was shocked. "Sakura, they're controlling me! I can't stop!" He yelled. I tried hard to avoid getting hit.

"I don't know where the one controlling the jutsu is." I announced. I kept dodging but it wasn't enough. Fuji had cut my thigh, blood poured out as I hissed in pain. "Sakura, please! Get away." Fuji yelled as he started making hand signs. He made a clone of himself and they both attacked. I threw a kunai at the clone and he disappeared. I stabbed Fuji in both of his shoulders to prevent him from using his arms. Just as I was about to tie him up so he wouldn't be a threat anymore his neck snapped. One comrade was already dead. Blood pooled around him falling from his shoulders, his eyes big like he was shocked. I ran around the ship yelling for my other comrade. " Itsuki!" I yelled frantically searching for him. I saw a foot from the corner of my eye and turned my head to face it. I saw Itsuki tied up with tape covering his mouth. I looked to the sides to make sure no one was around and ran to his aid. I took the tape off of his mouth. "Are you alright?" I asked in a whisper. He nodded his head as I quickly untied him.

"Behind you!" Itsuki yelled as he got up and pushed me out of the way as he got hit with three kunais in the stomach. I yelled his name. He groaned in agony. "Sakura, get out of here." He hissed as he struggled to get up. Get your pack of herbs to the village and I'll hold them off as long as I can. I closed my eyes shaking my head in protest. I got up and charged at the man ready to punch him. I needed to buy time until the boat docked. Just as I thought I had control of the situation two other ninjas jumped out from the shadows. They attacked relentlessly as I tried to hold my own. Slowly running out of chakra and my teammate slowly bleeding out, I had to come up with a solution. I stood back breathing heavily. I thought about my options. I could leave on my own but I can't leave my comrade. I could also carry him to safety but that would leave me open to attacks. I could also keep fighting till we get to the docking station and lead these men away so that Itsuki could get himself help. Out of all the ideas the last seemed best. We weren't to far from the shore now and we could be docking any moment. I continued throwing punches and whatever items I could at them.

"Itsuki, when we dock I will lead the men away. You go and get help alright." I told him as I dodged the flying kunais.

"Not gonna happen." The enemy sneered. He lifted his hand up in the air and as he did, Itsuki's body lunged at me and tried to hit me but I used my kunai and hit Itsuki deep in his thigh so he wouldn't be able to run. His body was raised in the air and the enemy balled his hand up into a fist and the bones in Itsuki's neck snapped and he fell helplessly to the ground as the enemy noted he was no longer useful. I stared in agony as both teammates were now dead. While I was distracted for a moment, one of the men jumped on me and quickly tied me up against the pole after throwing my bag to the side. I squirmed around trying to get lose. One of the men, a tall but strong looking man with dark hair came up close to me. He used a kunai and cut off the shoulders of my top, smiling deviously. He tore off the pink apron skirt that was over my black shorts. The man reached down to the hem of my top and tore a slit on the right side exposing the side of my stomach. The man lifted up my shirt slightly and dug his kunai into my stomach cutting it. I hissed in pain, shutting my eyes tight. I put my hand around the pole and used some of my enhanced strength to crush the pole freeing myself quickly. The boat crashed into the dock knocking over the enemy. This was my chance. I quickly got up and jumped off the boat and took off running. I ran and ran. Once I thought I was a safe distance, I stopped for a second and tore a bit of my shirt and wrapped it around my injury on my leg. I could hear the footsteps of the enemies behind me. I started running again but my shorts got caught on a branch and I quickly tore it off and kept going.

It seemed after running for a bit longer I had ran into Kakashi. I failed the mission and lost my comrades. Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Come in." I answered in a hushed voice. The door opened slightly and Kakashi poked his head through the door. He waved and entered the room.

"How are you doing?" He asked as he pulled a chair to the side of the bed and sat down. He crossed his leg over the other and rested one arm on the back of the chair. His face still covered by the mask, he smiled slightly and the corner of his eye crinkled. I sat up a bit and smiled, pushing a strand of hair out of my face.

"I'm better, thank you." I replied. A nurse walked into the room looking down at a clipboard.

"Sakura Haruno? You are being discharged since your injuries aren't severe and they're almost completely healed from the looks of it. Just make sure to change your bandages frequently. These are from Lady Tsunade." The nurse informed as she looked up and smiled. She handed me some new clothing and left the room.

"I'll let you change. I'll be outside." Kakashi said as he stood up. He reached up and grabbed the curtain pulling it around my bed. I heard his footsteps depart and the door open and close. I got up slowly letting my legs slide off the bed and dangle. I put on a red top and pulled my black shorts on. I put on my pink apron skirt along with my low-heel knee-high boots. I pulled on my black fingerless gloves and my pink elbow protectors. I tied my red headband over my hair and got up from the bed. I looked at myself in the window and thought that I looked back to normal for the most part. I turned around and headed for the door. Once the door opened, I saw Kakashi. He stood with one foot placed on the wall and the other on the ground holding him steady, his hands in his front pockets as he stared aimlessly at the wall. "All done I see." He stated cooly. I nodded my head and walked past him handing him his flak jacket. He caught up to me putting his jacket on. "Well Lady Hokage thinks it might be time to put a new team together,' He begins, 'She thinks it should be Sasuke, you, and I." He claims. I look at him.

"Sasuke?" I repeat the name, butterflies in my stomach, heat rose to my cheeks. I quickly look away trying to hide my face. I could feel Kakashi eyeing me as we walked.

"Yes, Sasuke. Lady Tsunade wanted us to meet in her office in about half an hour. I figured maybe since I had to check up on you anyway, we could just walk there together." Kakashi added. I nodded in agreement. We walked slowly passing the time but silent. Neither of us knew what to really say and we didn't know each other well enough to want to talk to each other anyway. We avoided eye contact not really interested in attempting to be friendly. As we got closer to the Hokage building, we both saw Sasuke making his way there too.

"Hey Sasuke!" I yelled smiling excitedly. He turned to face me eyeing me, a small smile crept onto his face. I ran to him leaving Kakashi not to far behind. I jumped into his arms as he loosely held me. I gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Yo." Kakashi said cooly. He raised two fingers to his forehead and then pointed to Sasuke signaling a form of hello. Sasuke nodded his head in acknowledgement. The three of us walked together to the Hokage building silently. I held on to Sasuke's arm as we walked. We entered the building and Kakashi knocked on Lady Tsunade's door.

"Come in!" Lady Tsunade yelled from inside. We entered the room and bowed respectfully waiting for Lady Tsunade to speak. "I have a mission for you three. You will leave after tomorrow. Sakura I suggest that you go to the bath house to relax a bit before you go. Now the mission is an infiltration mission. Sasuke, you will be the messenger between me and the team. Kakashi, you are the captain. You and Sakura will infiltrate together. The mission is to find out what is going on in the Village Hidden in the Waterfall. There has been some rumors that people are mysteriously disappearing ever since a newcomer has arrived. Find out who the newcomer is and find out what they have to do with the disappearances. Once you have done that I will decide what to do once we gather enough information. Kakashi and Sakura, you will be living together and you will have fake identities. You're dismissed. Kakashi, stay a moment." Tsunade commands as she waves her hand for Sasuke and I to exit.

Kakashi's POV

I stayed in the room as Sakura and Sasuke left. I had my hands in my pockets putting more weight on one leg than the other. Lady Hokage sighed in frustration. "Kakashi, keep an eye on Sakura. Her previous mission's failure may take a toll on her." Lady Tsunade explained. I nodded my head in agreement and left the room. I wondered why this was how things were gonna be on the mission since Sasuke and Sakura are dating. Why couldn't they be the ones living together, hell I barely even know Sakura. I know Sasuke way better. The two of them would probably be a better pair to be living together but even then their exchange earlier seemed entirely one sided so maybe not. Well I guess I would just have to deal with it. I used my nose to sense where Sasuke was. I approached Sasuke and Sakura who seemed to be walking to his home.

"Hey, can we talk for a moment?" I asked as I looked at both Sasuke and Sakura. Sasuke nodded and led us into his home. I took of my sandals and placed them against the wall. Sasuke motioned for me to sit and I did. "So I think we should come up with a cover story for us two and I wanted to see what ideas you may have." I stated simply as I eyed Sakura, glancing at Sasuke every few moments.

"You're engaged to be married." Sasuke states bluntly. I looked at him, my eyes squinting just a bit more than normal.

"Are you sure? I don't know if I feel comfortable with that." Sakura said as she folded her hands together looking down at the table. Sasuke looked at Sakura with a small tight lipped smile.

"Sakura, it's for the mission. It's the best cover. If things get bad, I could come in and say I'm the best man and no one would question why I would be staying with you." Sasuke dictated. Sakura looked down at her hands again fiddling with her fingers. She blushed a deep red and avoided eye contact.

"Sounds like a plan. Well it's late, I should get going." I stated as I excused myself and let myself out. I walked down the street heading to my apartment. I walked past the bar and noticed some of the women eyeing me. I looked up at the sky and went to the bar instead of going home like I originally planned. I took a seat at the counter and tapped on the wood signaling for the bar keeper to get me a class of sake. He handed me a glass and I drank it quickly, ordering one after the other. I had been drinking for an hour or so when a woman sat next to me and ordered herself a drink. Her long black hair trailing behind her. I looked down at my cup just staring at it. I ordered another drink.

"What's got you drinking tonight?" The woman asked. I raised my eyebrow as she put her hand on my thigh rubbing up and down. I chuckled slightly.

"Nothing, just didn't want to go home alone." I said as I shrugged my shoulders. Her blue eyes stared at me, she smiled before laughing. I eyed her slim body up and down. She crossed her legs and tapped the counter for the bartender to give her another drink.

"I'll go home with you." She purred. She gripped my shoulder as she got up turning my body with her. She grabbed my hand and led me out of the bar after I paid for our drinks. Once we exited the bar, I put my arm around the small of her back leading her towards my apartment. She was talking to me but I wasn't really listening. I just keep nodded and acknowledging that she was speaking. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of pink fly past me. I looked in the direction it came from and saw Sasuke just standing from his door frame as he watched Sakura run from him. I looked back in Sakura's direction and then Sasuke's. He was now gone, back in the safety of his home. I let my arm fall from the girl's waist as I turned to go chase after Sakura leaving the girl alone and confused. I ran after Sakura as if it was my duty. I kept thinking to when Lady Tsunade told me to keep an eye on her. That's just what I planned on doing. I finally caught up with Sakura. I didn't go to her yet but just watched what she planned on doing. She walked towards the bridge and leaned over. She was crying. Her tears fell into the river below. Her shoulders were shaking and she hugged herself tightly her knuckles going white like before. She seemed she was the type to let her emotions get the best of her. I continued to watch her. She wiped the tears off her face. Her eyes now puffy and red. She sighed heavily letting her head drop. She pushed herself up and looked up at the sky as she trudged away from the bridge. She headed in the direction of Sasuke's house but she didn't stop there. She walked past his place but not much farther. She took something out her pocket and walked towards a small little apartment building. She entered her building and closed the door behind her. Now that I see that she made it to her home, I jumped from down from the tree I was on and walked to my apartment which I know now was not far from Sakura's place. Once I arrived at my apartment, I took of my sandals and placed them in front of the door. I took off my shirt exposing my chest to the nice cold air I let in through the window. I made my way to the bathroom and stripped. I turned the faucet on to the shower and climbed in. The lukewarm water relaxed my muscles as I relaxed against the wall. I sighed and soaped my body up quickly just to let the water wash away the soap. I stayed in the water a few minutes longer before I turned the faucet off. I grabbed the towel from the rack and wrapped it around my waist. I walked to my bedroom and pulled out a sleeveless black shirt with a mask attacked and some sweatpants. I quickly put it on and crawled into bed. I let my head hit the pillow as I closed my eyes thinking of what tomorrow will bring. I slowly drifted off into a deep sleep.