Chapter 1 The Mission

8am the clock flashed beside the bed next to the picture of Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto, and kakashi in the back. Sakura sighed and looked at the clock then to
the ceiling. She didnt have to go to work at the hospital till 11am. "2 hours" she said. Sakura slipped off her covers. Her feet touching the ground walking
towards the bathroom. Cold and hot water ran through her pink hair as shampoo went down the drain. When finished she went traveling around town and went to the
ramen shop. Now in her 20's she was fully developed and every guy had terrible nose bleeds. Sasuke has been gone for years. People finally stoped looking for him.
Sakura sat eating her chiken and egg ramen. She saw Gai walk off with a ramen to go. Word around town was he got sick and was bed rest. Sakura of course knew this
because she told him to. After her brunch she walked around town. Shizune bumped into Sakura and blinked. "Sakura! I was just looking for you." "you were?" She
asked. "Hai! Lady Tsunade said to meet her now." Sakura didnt know if this was good or not. She looked at her watch. 10:45am it said. "Shit!" she said in her head. I
still need to get my uniform and clock in. Instead she went to see Tsunade-Sama. Sakura knocked on the door. "Come in!" Tsunade said. "You wanted to see me Tsunade-Sama?"
"Hai!" she said. I have a mission for you. Sakura blinked. "What kind?" She asked. Tsunade looked up with folded hands to her chin. She smirked. "B rank, trade and
information. You are to sneak into town, find the Akatsuki, gather information then capture Miren, Shiho and bring her back safely. She holds power almost as good as
yours, Sakura. In return you trade...yourself." Sakura looked completly shocked, she couldnt speak. So Tsnuade carried on with the details. "Kakashi and Neji will
be going with you. Your mission will start in the morning." There was a knock at the door. It was Neji and Kakashi, they walked in. "Yo" Said the silver haired ninja
said. "Late as normal" Tsunade said. "Sorry Kakashi was reading Icha Icha Paradise and sorta fell." Neji spoke. "Hello, Sakura" Kakashi said. They all looked at her. Her
mouth was open with quivering lips. That shocked look never left, fear was now in her eyes.

"What's with her?" Neji whispered. "I just told her the details about the mission." Tsunade said. Kakashi grunted looking at the scroll of the mission.
He then handed it over to Neji whom had a straight face, looking it over then kakashi sighed. "When do we start?" he asked. "7am at the gate" Tsunade said.
Everyone looked at Sakura who was still standing in shock and part fear. Her mouth still open shaking a bit. She then closed her eyes tightly biting on her
lip before coming back to reality. "Sakura.." Kakashi spoke but Tsunade put a hand up to stop him from talking. "She'll be fine." The Hokage said with a
thin smile. She knew what was keeping Saukra from wanting to go on this mission, but she had to face it. Her fears of returning to Akatsuki, of seeing that
bastard again. Her blood boiled in anger and fear. Sakura then turned on her heel and walked out of the room silently, with everyone watching her. They all
then sighed. Soon as she got out the door of the builing, she ran. Hard and fast. She sent chakra ino her legs as tears poured down her face as she ran.
"Hey, Sakura!..." Said Naruto but she kept running ignoring him, along with everything and body else. She was blocking out the world. The blond stood there
dumbfolded and ran toward the Hokage's building. "Granny Tsunade!.." he said forcing the doors open with a loud Bang! That made everyone look at the blond
who was beathing hard. "I just saw Sakura running through town...she was crying.." he said in worry, concerned for his friend. Tsunade gave a deep sorrowful
sigh, resting her chin on her folded hands. "I know.." was all she said. Kakashi and Neji remained silent. "What's going on..?!" the blond asked with
more worry. "Sakura, is about to go on a mission in the morning. One she doesnt want to go on, but she has to go for her own sake.." The Hokage said.
"What kind?" he asked. Kakashi looked at the floor as did Neji and spoke up for the first time. "Its a difficult mission, Naruto. You see..Sakura, had something
bad happen in the past between her and Akatsuki. Because of this she doesnt want to go. But the only way to over come fear, is to face it again." the ninja told
his student. Naruto's brows folded together in confusion then looked at the floor. "What kind are we talking about kaka sama..?" Naruto and Sakura were now
old enough to be on their own with the need of a sensei anymore. Naruto and Sakura being 23. "Ten years ago as you can guess when all of you were 13, Sakura
was sleeping in her bed, she was kidnapped by a Akatsuki member. It wasn't mentioned because we didnt want anybody to worry or panic. So we all made it seem like
she was on a mission with a ANBU member. We found her back in her apartment by herself. Later we brought her to a meeting to question her." He said with a slight
pause making sure the blond was listening. Then Tsunade Sama contunied for him. "We asked her all the questions in a normal kid napping. When we asked her who it
was that took her, she said it was no other than Sasori, Itachi, and Kisame. She broke down in tears, but we werent done yet." She sighed rubbing her temples.
"We asked her what else happened, what Sakura said made our breath hitch in our throats and send chills down our spines. She said she was raped by Sasori. She said
it was only him. The others left no harm to her." The blond looked shocked while Neji tried to hide his disgust from the story. This was the first time hearing it.
"Its no wonder she reacted like that.." Neji said. Kakashi shook his head hearing the story for the second time now, it still upset him to hear it again. Naruto
balled his hands into fist as a few tears shed from his eyes."I will not let them get away with what they did to her!. If its-" He was cut off by Tsunade then
continued the story. "Sakura has a scar barely seen to the human eye, on her hip down to her inner thigh and pelvic bone from the rape. Apparently she was hurt by
a sharp object. With Sasori being a puppet he could have easily hurt her with his joints that clamped onto her silky skin. This was easily fixed with a medic jutsu.
She is left emotionally scarred and there's no way of erasing that kind of abuse." The woman said. Sakura ran past everyone, she didnt want to return home thats where
they'd look for her, she ran to the outskirts of town and jumped up into a tree bringing her knees to her chest crying silently to herself.

"Cha, youre such a pain." Inner sakura said to the water works, but even she didnt want to return back there either. The emotional pain was harsher than she thought
it ever would be. The thought of the physical pain she felt while losing her virginity to a puppet boy made her wince. The forest sarted to grow dark as night fell
all across the sky. "The stars are beautiful." She thought looking up at them through the leaves. Its been hours since she ran out of town. "Well what are we suppose to
do?" Naruto asked. "There is nothing we can do.." She said. "Bullshit!" The blond yelled at her fusterated by the whole situation."Watch it, you little brat!" She spat at
him. He then cringed to a very angry Hokage. "Sorry granny Tsunade.." he whispered calming down. "She will still have to go on this mission with Neji and Kakashi. To
receive Shiho." she spoke calmly despite the headache she was getting from the blond. Naruto hung his head then walked out of the office. Soon as he was outside he
looked up at the stars. Kicking a rock he headed to Sakura's place. He knocked on the door a few times, without answer he went to her window. The lights were out with no
one inside. This worried him more, so he went and sat in front of her door. Half an hour later Kakashi came by to see him slumped against the door. out cold in a deep
slumber. "Naruto, what are you doing here?" he asked. "Its a hour before 7am" he looked up at his former sensei. "I was waiting to see if Sakura was alright.." he mumbled.
"Sakura, didnt come home?" the silver haired ninja asked shocked. The blond shook his head. "Sakura, where could you have gone?" he asked himself. She yawned and stretched
even i,n a tree she got a good nights rest, but still had a deep feeling in her chest and a lump in her throat. "Today, I go back there.." She thought. Shaking her head she
bit her lip to keep from crying again. Now a half hour before leaving for their mission Kakashi was back in the Hokage's office. "SHIT!" she said pounding her fist on the
oak desk. "Where the fuck could she have gone!?" she asked now fuming. "Even Neji couldnt detect where she's hiding." he said with a hollow voice. "She's our best medic
nin and not to forget best fighter Konoha has.." she muttered. Sakura just sat there in the tree. Her presence hidden as she kept her body from letting off any Chakra.
Allowng her to stay hdden. She didnt want to go back again but she knew if she didnt Tsunade sama would be pissed and most likely make a punching bag out of her. It was
still too early for anyone to be up so she silently snuck into her apartment without anyone noticing. She quickly showered, changed, and ate before leaving. This time she
would be going into her own death bed. So she wrote out a will and few notes placing them in a drawer in her desk that was always unlocked with other materials she used
for her reports and such. Sneaking back outside prepared, she went back to the outskirts of the village waiting for her life to end; to leave on the mission. She sighed
then started to walk towards the path that'll lead her towards the Akatsuki hide out. Tapping her nails on the desk as Kakashi and Neji stood there they we staring at a
chair that was smashed, Shizune sent for a new chair. "Even with this mission sucessul, doesnt she know we'd bring her back. Right?" Neji asked the fuming Hokage, pissed at
her prized pupil for her actions. "I suppose so." She said. "Only matter is finding her." Again the doors burst open, only instead of just Naruto, Sai was with him this
time. "I dont think you'll find her in the village or around here." Sai said. Naruto nodded. "What's this?" she aked the two boys. "I knew she returned to her place early
this morning, knowing no one would be up she snuck in. She ate, showered, and got dressed." They said. "Naruto checked her windows again only to see a towel on her bathroom
floor, and cereal on her table that wasnt there lastnight. Her kunai and everything was also missing.." The Hokage stared at them in shock. "Look around the village. Then
report back to me!" "Hai!" Sai, and Naruto said then disappeared. She swung her chair to look outthe giant glass windows. "Sama, what are you thinking?" Kakashi asked.
Ten minutes later the boys returned. She shook her head. "Sakura youre going alone, arent you?" she mumbled. Everyone looked at her in surprise.

For three hours she's been running. Her feet leaping off of the branches in her path. "Just a bit further" She thought to herself. Already she was past Konoha boarder,
heading towards Suna. There she ran into one person; Temari. They almost fall off of the high branches catching their balance. "Oh Sakura!" she spoke almost out of breath.
"What are you doing this far out?" she asked curiously. "Im on a mission" she whispered. Temari's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "What about you?" Sakura asked."Im on
my way to Konoha, about a report." she said back to the pink haired girl. "Come with me for a little while.." Sakura asked her then set off again. Puzzled the blond
followed her. When they reached the the enterance she released the seal and turned to Temari. "I need you to take someone back with you to Konoha.." she said, Temari
nodded to this then hid. Sakura enter and walked through the dark tunnel showing her the way to her destination. When she stepped into the light everyone but one person
turned and looked at the pink haired intruder. "Its so nice to see you again...Sakura." The voice spoke sending chills down her spine as a maroon haired boy said with a
smirk, knowing one day she'd return. Back in Konoha No where was Sakura to be found around or near the village of the hidden leaves. "Damn it! She did go by herself."
Kakashi said. With Neji, Sai, and Naruto to look down afraid for the pink haired friend. "She's strong.." Tsunade said with a dry smile, but she had faith in her student.
"Hai" they all said. "Lets just pray, she doesnt get hurt." Sai said. They all nodded. Waiting pactiently outside like instructed Temari hid waiting for the person she was
to take back with her to Konoha. A pale but fair skinned girl looked at Sakura half scared and half happy. "Im here for Shiho." Sakura said firmly. She looked at the girl
with silvery pink hair with black streaks and green eyes. She walked over to Sakura's side silently. She was afraid, and she had a right to be. These were S ranked
criminals in the bingo book, they were Akatsuki members, most wanted missing ninjas who left and betrayed their villages. She was staring dirently at the man who have
kid napped and rapped her ten years ago. "Shiho, I want you to go towards that tunnel and run. Keep running until you are in the trees. Youre free from here." She said
firmly not moving a inch since she walked into the huge room. With a nod the girl did as she was told. Outside Temari saw a scared girl run from outside the entrance
looking back to see if she was followed and ran into the trees hidding behind one. Temari approached the girl and said she would take her back o the hidden leaves and to
not worry. Everyone was looking at the brave girl who entered their hideout without permission. Her chest dropped as her heart beated faster. He slithered behind her
grabbing her arms that made Sakura stiffen as he wispered in her ear making her close her eyes. "I knew youd return, I knew it. I saw it and here you are back here again
all by yourself with no place to run to." he hissd at her as a few members laughed. Her breath hitched in her throat and he kissed her kneck then tossed her into a chair.
Despite all that gone on, with the girl running they forgot about her and went back to what they were doing. Nervously Sakura looked around spotting Itachi sitting in a
corner of a table by himself watching her with those ruby red sharingun eyes with a normal stoic face.

With the hideout far behind them Temari asked the girl her name as they ran across branches nearing Konoha. "My name is Miren, Shiho. I am the daughter of a famous man."
she said barely above a whisper. Running into the entrance of the village they headed towards the Hokage's office passing Kakasahi and Naruto along the way. Who turned and
looked at the two girls running at full speed through the streets. They looked at each other then ran the same way. "Thank you Temari." Tsunade said to the blond girl.
"Youre welcome Tsunade Sama." she said wih a smile. Kakashi and Naruto passed through the door to see what was going on. Naruto looked at the silent girl with a curious
eye. "Also Tsunade Sama, behalf of Suna, KazeKage Sama would like to know if the mission between Suna and Konoha was ready to take place." She nodded. "Yes, Temari you can
KazeKage that its ready and we can leave the day after tomorrow." Mission? Konoha and Suna? Naruto was dazed by what he was hearing. "Granny Tsunade, wheres Sakura? Wasnt
she suppose to bring this girl back?" Tsunade bit her lip to the question while Temari blinked and looked at the Hokage. The silent girl looked at the ground. "No" was
all she said to the boy. He blinked bewildered to the reply."NO?!" he shrieked at her. She shook her head. Both girls stared at her in amazment while Kakashi kept his say
out of the situation. Tsunade couldnt bare telling Naruto his comrad wouldnt be returning. Kakashi finally spoke up. "When do we go to get her?" He asked with Naruto
nodding his head. "At the moment you wont." Everyone but Shiho was shocked. "Sama, I saw Sakura. On my way here. She told me to bring Shiho back with me." Tsunade nodded.
She knew why she asked Temari. "Yes, Temari. I know. And at the moment Sakura, wont be coming back. She probably wont ever, even with me having faith in my prized pupil.
She wont be here again." She said clearly. Temari nodded, Kakashi sighed and Naruto hung his head clutching his hands into fists again. The girl shifted in her seat that
brought everyone attention on her, she blushed and looked at the ground again. "Our biggest thing right now, is to get Shiho back to her home." everyone agreed. Naruto,
Sai, Temari, and Kakashi all went with the girl to take her back to her home, where she beonged. "To bring the girl back, and to trade herself over to Akatsuki for the safe
return of Miren, Shiho?!" Temari, and Naruto asked. Kakashi sighed. "Yes." was all he said. Shiho clung to the copy ninja for life while they ran quickly. Sai remained
silent then softly spoke up. "That is what the whole ANBU was told too. That Sakura might not return, for her mission being complete as soon as the girl was outside and
away from the criminals." They were entering a wealthy village as they headed to the temple. They all stopped at the door letting the girl down. "Were from Konoha and Suna"
Kakashi said to the man. Everyone bowed in respect as Shiho's father thanked them for the safe return of his daughter.