A/N: Ok so here is chapter one to "Reborn." This is my first Naruto fic so review and tell me what you think.

Also I would like to thank my BETA Reader AnimeLover4evr. She gave me the title and looked over my chapter and gave me a few ideas as to what I could do with it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor will I ever. This is the only time I will say.

Chapter 1: A Past Mistake

A pink-haired kunoichi walked through Konohagakure's front gates. She had just returned from an S-ranked mission, and was heading towards the Hokage tower, located in the middle of Konoha. Sakura looked straight ahead while the two shinobi at the gate noticed the blood on her clothes, but then put it aside when they had noticed that Sakura had no cuts on her and didn't seem in pain, but of course, she became really good these days at hiding her pain.

If anyone were to look at Sakura now, and then compare her to her twelve year old self, people would see what that one event had done to her over that five year period.

No longer did Sakura hold that happy exterior. No, everything happy about her, was crushed. Sakura had changed and everyone saw this. She had brutally trained herself each day after already exceeding her sensei Tsunade, claiming that she did not want to appear weak anymore. She pushed herself up the ranks into the position she holds now, captain of ANBU. Her medical skills were great and not one to be doubted; she could easily kill with those hands as well as heal. She got the title of the greatest kunoichi in Konoha, and was known for it through all five great nations, but really, all that mattered to her, was getting stronger, she could care less about some title.

But, of course, that was not all. Sakura became more distant, she basically worked alone. It's how she is and it was how she preferred it. Never really was up to working in teams anymore, ever since her life turned upside down. Her eyes though, her piercing green eyes, held no life to them. Those are what really gave Sakura that empty look and it was sad just to look at her.

Naruto and the others had tried to help her many times, had tried to convince her to come back to her old self, but she simply replied that her old self was weak and that she would rather died a miserable death than to go back to her once happy life. Sakura had given up the hope of Sasuke ever returning to Konoha when she realized how foolish she was to have ever loved him. She regretted it everyday, and that regret is what she fed on everyday to give her the strength to push herself to where she wanted to be.

To say Sakura changed was an understatement, no, Sakura's whole life changed, and nothing about her was recognizable, except the pink hair that now was to her lower back.

Sakura arrived at the Hokage's tower and began to head inside before she heard someone call her name.

"HEY! SAKURA-CHAN!" A blonde headed boy yelled.

Sakura turned around to see Naruto heading her way. She smiled but it still wasn't that same smile she used to wear.

Naruto caught up to her, "Hey Naruto," she replied.

"When did you get back Sakura-chan?" As soon as he got a close look at Sakura Naruto realized that she was covered in blood. "Why is there blood all over you!? What happened!?" Naruto asked hysterically.

Sakura looked at the blonde before her and sighed, "Relax Naruto, this isn't my blood. My target struggled a little bit when I was trying to kill him," She replied.

Naruto sighed and then smiled, "Thank Kami! You had me worried there for a second."

"You don't need to worry about me Naruto, I don't need people's pity," Sakura snapped.

Naruto continued to smile, "Hey, how about when you're finished with Tsunade-baa chan, we both go out for ramen!" He said trying to change the subject.

"Sure," she replied.

"Alright, I'll see you when you get done Sakura-chan!" And with that Naruto waved and then sped off.

Sakura shook her head then turned back around and started to head to her sensei's office. Although Tsunade has been her sensei for a few years now, Sakura really didn't see her as her sensei anymore since she had already learned everything the slug sannin could teach her, but she figured she would still call her that out of respect for everything she had done for her.

Sakura came up to the door and knocked on it, and when she heard a firm 'enter' she walked in only to find Tsunade under a big stack of paperwork at her desk.

Tsunade looked up from her stack of paperwork tiredly, "Ah, Sakura, I see you have returned. How did it go?" She asked eyeing her blood stained clothes and then returning to her face.

Sakura looked at all the empty sake bottles around her desk and then looked at her sensei, "Target struggled a little bit, but other than that it went smoothly," she replied.

"That explains the blood on your clothes?" She asked more than stated.

Sakura only nodded and Tsunade sighed in relief, "That's good to hear."

"Tsunade-shishou, I've told you many times that you don't need to worry yourself with me. I am capable of handling myself. Pity only makes a person weak and I have no use for anyone's pity," Sakura felt like she was repeating herself.

Tsunade sighed, out of everyone, Tsunade missed the old Sakura the most. She used to be so happy but now, it was like a nightmare that continually plays out and won't stop. Sakura had become so cold she may have even rivaled Uchiha Itachi with her cold exterior. She didn't want the help of anyone, even though she desperately needed it, she needed people to help her see her old self, to show her what she's doing to herself, but every time someone would try she would turn them away, claiming that she didn't need anyone's help and to just leave her be.

Tsunade looked back at Sakura, "I know you don't but it's always good to check up on your student, ne?" Tsunade's face now became serious, "Now for the purpose of your mission, Sakura, did you find anything out on the Akatsuki?"

Sakura looked at her sensei with her stoic expression and began her story, "I followed the guy who was my target for a few days to find out if he had any information." Sakura paused in which Tsunade nodded her head for her to continue, "A few days went by he seemed to know nothing of the Akatsuki. So I figured I would just kill him and leave since it was pointless if he knew nothing useful, completing my mission. I was going in for the kill until I heard some news that I thought I should listen into."

Sakura looked at her sensei's expression and continued, "He claimed that Itachi and his partner Kisame had come by that village not too long ago. I quickly dispatched of him soon after since he had no further information that was useful, completing the mission that we were hired to do."

"I then decided that since Itachi and his partner were around I would look into finding them, to gather some information on them. I had spotted them not too far away from where they were last seen, and before I got near them I had quickly masked my chakra." Sakura sighed, "Here's where things got complicated. Kisame had asked Itachi when Sasuke was going to kill him, or if he ever was going to kill him, and Itachi had told him that there was no need to worry himself with his younger brother, that there has been no sign of Sasuke. But Itachi did say that Sasuke had succeeded in killing Orochimaru and that it would only be a matter of time before Sasuke came after him. Kisame then claimed that he didn't care but was curious."

"So the rumors are true, Sasuke did kill Orochimaru after all? That's some positive news. That's one enemy that we don't need to worry ourselves with. Is there anything else?" Tsunade asked eyeing the pink headed girl in front of her knowing full well there was more to her story.

Sakura nodded, "Yes, but here's where it got weird. After listening intently to what they were saying I sensed a chakra level quite close to where we were. It got my attention but Itachi and Kisame seemed to not have noticed it. It was rather odd that they had not sensed such a strong chakra level, but yet I could sense it clearly. I wanted to continue listening to their conversation but my instincts told me to follow the chakra and locate where it was coming from. So I took off, and when I had thought I was about there the chakra just disappeared, and I couldn't pick up on it again. So after that I headed back again to listen to Itachi and Kisame some more and when I had arrived they too were gone. So when there was nothing left for me to do I just returned back here."

Tsunade looked like she was deep in thought, "This chakra, how strong was it when you sensed it?" She asked.

"It was, I believe as strong as Itachi's, if not stronger, but there was a familiarity with this chakra. It felt like I had sensed it before but I wasn't quite sure on it. When it just disappeared like that it surprised me. It was as if it was never there," Sakura explained.

"That is odd; we'll have to look more into it later. Did they mention anything on Naruto? Or what their plan was?"

Sakura shook her head, "No, they didn't even mention his name or the Kyuubi's name. It was just on Sasuke and what happened. There conversation wasn't really worth listening into."

"Well, at least they won't make a move for a while. We just need Sasuke now."

Sakura sighed, "Tsunade-sama I still don't understand why you want to bring that traitor back to the village. For all we know he could betray us again if we even do succeed in bringing him back. I find it all pointless to even try," Sakura stated.

"Sakura, I went over this with you before you left on this mission! You know why bringing Sasuke back would be in our benefit!"

"Tsunade-sama, why do you insist we have to bring him back!?" Sakura yelled.

"Because, Sakura, taking Itachi down is not the whole Akatsuki. We want every member brought down before this upcoming war causes too much trouble. They are all as equally dangerous, Itachi just being the more dangerous one. Sasuke would be a great help to us if he came back and fought along side Konoha," Tsunade explained to her furious student. Apparently the thought of bringing Sasuke back triggered some hidden anger in Sakura, because she was more than furious.

"No disrespect shishou, but I hardly believe Sasuke is in any position to be helping the village he betrayed five years ago. He has no right to step back into this village unless he is being executed for his betrayal. Besides we have plenty of extraordinarily powerful shinobi here who can defend Konoha just as well as he! " Sakura explained trying to calm down.

"Enough! I have given you an order! Your mission is to assassinate this man we were hired to kill as well as gather information on the Akatsuki and what their motives are, or when they'll strike, and also to find out about Sasuke's movements. Find out where he is and bring him back! Am I understood Sakura?" Tsunade snapped.

Sakura nodded furiously. She bowed and then headed for the door and was about to open it before she was stopped by Tsunade's voice.

"I don't understand Sakura; a few years back you would have jumped at the chance to bring Sasuke back. Why resent him so much now? What's so different now?" Tsunade asked with a hint of worry lacing her voice.

Sakura didn't turn around but instead still faced the door, "He made me who I am now. I feel no need to show him anymore mercy than what he showed me. He left me that night, broken. I have no more trust, love, or compassion for him. Those all died out years ago, which left me with nothing to feel towards him, but resent and hatred." Sakura was shaking with anger now, "He went to the enemy even though he could have gotten his desire here. He left us behind for his own ambition for power and for that I can never forgive him. I have resented him ever since that day, and my feelings for him now will never change." Sakura finished then continued out the door to prepare for her mission.

Tsunade sighed in her hands "Sakura, what have you become?"

"Yes, I know my mission and I will not go against your orders Tsunade-sama, but I'm telling you now that I don't agree with them," Sakura said remembering what she had said the day her mission was assigned.

Tsunade sighed, "I know how you feel Sakura but just bear with me here."

"Is he not even going to receive punishment for leaving the village!?" Sakura yelled.

"Sakura calm down, we will have a suitable punishment for him, yes, but we will not execute him. We need his help if we are going to bring down the Akatsuki. Their plan is to capture the Kyuubi's power as well as all the other tailed beasts in order to use it for their plans, putting Naruto as well as everyone else in danger, but for them to do that they are going to have to get through Konoha to get to Naruto. That, or they will simply capture him when he is on a mission which we cannot allow. Meaning that they will start something that will lead into blood shed to get what they want," Tsunade explained.

Sakura sighed, "I take it you want me to go back out to find more information on Sasuke?"

"Yes, but not right now, I will send for you when I need you. But be prepared for anything Sakura," Tsunade said.

Sakura nodded, "I always am."

"Good, you are dismissed." Sakura bowed and then turned to leave.

Sakura walked out of the Hokage Tower and again was met by Naruto who was waiting for her, "Hey Sakura-chan, you ready to go?" He asked.

Sakura nodded in which led to Naruto grabbing her arm leading her towards Ichi Raku's.

"So how did the mission go Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked after the long moment of silence upon arriving at the ramen shop.

"It went alright, mission was a success," Sakura replied back.

"I knew it would be, you're the captain of ANBU after all. You didn't receive the title of the greatest kunoichi in Konoha for nothing," Naruto smirked.

Sakura laughed, "Don't always be so sure Naruto; you may have just jinxed me. Plus I don't need a title to prove my strength."

Naruto huffed, "Heh, yeah but you deserve the title. I mean, you worked so hard to be where you are. Kakashi-sensei and I are really proud of you Sakura-chan." Naruto smirked at her.

Sakura just looked at him. She didn't know how to respond to that. It's not like she didn't like the compliment, its just she didn't need it, she didn't want it. After all, Kakashi never really complimented her or was ever proud of her. His compliments were mostly revolved around Sasuke and Naruto. Ever since her genin days she could see it in his eyes, it was the look of pure annoyance of having to teach a silly little crazed fan-girl, and to this day it truly disgusted her. Now all the sudden Kakashi was complimenting her on her strength and skill. She wasn't blessed with power and knowledge when she was born, unlike Sasuke who was born with the kekki genkai Sharingan, born from a superior clan, and declared a child prodigy, and Naruto, who is the human container for the Kyuubi in which he can call for its power when needed. No, she worked hard for her rank, and with that came the title she holds now, captain of ANBU and the greatest kunoichi in Konoha, which is said to have spread through all five great nations. Compliments and such titles these days though, are wasted on her, but everyone still thinks that she deserves praises and acknowledgments, but she thinks they are worthless and are not needed. "Thanks Naruto," she finally said.

Naruto smiled at her and began to say something before he was cut off by the guy at the ramen shop.

"Here's your guy's ramen," the guy said.

Naruto became excited at the sight of the ramen and forgot what he was going to say, "Oh, wow, this looks so good!" Naruto began digging in immediately, in which Sakura rolled her eyes at his antics and then began eating her own ramen.

The two's conversations at the ramen shop continued on for hours. Although, it still didn't lighten Sakura back up, Naruto was still happy that he could hold a conversation with her.

It was well around seven before Sakura got up from where she was sitting, "I need to get back Naruto. I have to be at the hospital early tomorrow," she said.

"Hey, I'll walk you home then," Naruto said.

"That's not necessary Naruto, really, I'm fine."

"I know but I feel like it. So how about it?"

Sakura sighed and then nodded her head which made Naruto smile, "Great, then let's get you home," he said happily.

They started to walk and already Sakura was silent, "You know Sakura, if you stay silent all the time people are going to think you are mute," Naruto smiled.

Sakura glared at him, "Why would I care what they think?"

"I'm only saying Sakura; you need to lighten up a little. Ever since—you know who left you have isolated yourself to where you let nobody in to help," Naruto explained.

"I don't need people's help Naruto, and I am over him! I have been for years now! He's just a memory to me, one that is slowly fading away!" Sakura snapped.

"Are you so sure you want that? He was our team member, and with him we made a good team, even if it was lousy C or D ranked missions we went on."

"Naruto, I still can't forgive him for what he put me through, for what he put us through. I just can't! He doesn't deserve it!"

After Sakura finished what she was saying they were at Sakura's apartment, "Look, I'll see you tomorrow Naruto." She opened the door and then headed inside.

Naruto sighed, "Sakura, just look at yourself. Is this what you really want?" He said to himself as he turned to leave back to his apartment.

Sakura walked into her bedroom and laid on the bed not even bothering with changing into her pajamas.

Sakura was deep in thought, she really hated it when people tried to change her, but she couldn't help but understand what Naruto was saying. She got mad at that thought, "Naruto, I wish it didn't happen but it did. I no longer see myself ever forgiving Sasuke and I no longer see myself be the person I used to be. I cut my bonds; just like he cut his and I can't go back. I just—I just want you and everyone else to stop trying! It's all pointless, and all your efforts are wasted!" She continued to trail on her thought.

"There is no hope for me; I am a tool for Konoha, just as I had asked for when I began cutting bonds. I can no longer turn back from the path I have chosen for myself, just…give up Naruto." She thought to herself.

Sakura was starting to get tired but resisted the urge to fall asleep. What point was there to go to sleep when she tossed and turned all night and then ended up falling asleep, only to be woken up a few hours later by one of her nightmares that plagued her every night? She never had any nightmares without him being in it, and she really didn't want to see his face in her nightmares tonight. So she tried to resist, tried to create insomnia, but fatigue took over and she was asleep.

"What's the plan Leader? How do you intend we do this?" Kisame asked.

"Hn, we could always capture the pink-haired girl and use her as bait. After all she has been spying on us for quite some time. She could have information that does not need to get out," Itachi put in.

"If it comes down to that, then yes, we will use the girl as bait, but for right now we need to form alliances to build up our defense. Konoha itself has a strong defense and we will need everything to tear it down in order to reach our goal. But, if you find the girl, bring her. She could pose as a threat," Pein explained.

"She's just one kunoichi from Konoha. How much of a threat could she be?" Sasori asked.

"I heard she was the greatest kunoichi in Konoha, yeah. I wouldn't underestimate her Sasori," Deidara said.

"We shall see how great she really is. Just bring her if you spot her again," Pein ordered.

Everyone nodded their heads and left.

"Why are you walking around here in the middle of the night?" His cold voice asked her.

"I knew you'd come this way…if you were to leave…so I just waited here." Her voice was quiet, broken.

He began walking once more. "Go home…and go back to sleep…"

She fought to hold in the tears as his foot steps began to fade away. He was leaving, that much she knew. He was leaving, and he wasn't even planning on saying good bye.

"Why won't you say anything to me?" Her voice was quiet, nearly a whisper as he stopped walking. "Why is it always silence with you? You never say a single word to me." She desperately wanted answers, to keep him here for as long as she could. Tears were betraying her. He knew that much.

"I told you, I don't need your help. You would just get in the way. " His voice became even colder. "Don't try to look after me."

Moments of silence passed and slowly an anguished smile found its way of her tear stained face.

"No matter what, you just always hate me, haven't you?" She let out a small chuckle that he barely heard.

She chuckled lightly to herself, trying desperately to stop the tears.

He stayed quiet.

"When we were assigned to a team that's when it all began though. You and me…along with Naruto and Kakashi-sensei." Her words, again, were greeted with his silence. "We did all sorts of missions, just the four of us. It was painful and difficult at times, even with that though…I still enjoyed it. I looked forward to every mission."

He scowled, his back still facing her, but he waited. He knew she had more to say.

"I know all about your past Sasuke-kun. Even if you get revenge though…it won't bring anyone happiness. Not even you, Sasuke-kun…nor me."

"I already know." She let out a gasp at his words. A smirk, now adorning his face as he thought about his decision, his reason for his sudden departure. "I'm different from you all…I can't be following the same path as you guys. Up until now, we've done everything as a group, but there is something else…I must do." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Deep inside my heart, I wanted to continue doing these missions with Kakashi, Naruto…and you, but in the end I've already decided on revenge…for that reason only, do I live."

Her face scrunched up as her tears began to fall more forcefully now.

"I'll never be like you or Naruto." His voice was stern, leaving no room for discussion.

"Do you really want to go back to being alone? You told me how painful it was to be alone! Right now, I know your pain!!" She took a step forward while he stayed where he was, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I may have friends and family…but…if you were to leave…" Her voice grew quiet as she continued speaking. "To me… It would be just the same as being alone." His eyes softened as she clenched her eyes closed, the tears continuing to fall.

"From here on out…we all begin new paths. I have accepted this and so should you." His voice wasn't as cold as it had been previously, but still held the authority that left no room for comment.

She let out a gasp as her eyes shot open. "…I-I-I love you with all my heart!!" If you were to stay with me…there would be no regrets…because every day would be a blessing, we'd be happy….I swear!!" She took another step forward. "I would do anything for you!! So…Please just stay with me!" She took a deep breath while he stayed quiet. "I'll even help you with your revenge…I don't know what I could do…but I'll try my best to do something." She began to cry even harder now, "So please…stay with me…or take me with you if you can't stay here. I don't want to be alone!!" Her voice cracked as it grew softer. Her head lowered to the ground.

He turned slowly so his side faced her. His infamous smirk adorned his face as he took in her appearance. "You really are annoying. There is nothing you could do that would help me with my path."

Her eyes grew as she watched helplessly as he began walking once more.

"Don't leave!!" She screamed as she took one more step towards him. "If you do I'll scream!"

Suddenly he was gone. Her eyes grew in size when she felt his presence behind her. Fresh tears rolled down her already tear stained cheeks as he stood behind her, hands in his pockets, eyes closed, taking in the night air.

"Sakura…" His voice was low, hesitant. "…Thank you."

Another fresh tear and then her eyes widened once more as she slightly lurched forward as his hand hit the pressure point in the back of her neck, knocking her unconscious.

Sakura woke up breathing hard, her fists clenching her bed spread.

"Damn it! Why can't I sleep without having him in my dreams…no… having him in my nightmares!?" Sakura looked towards the window and saw it was raining. Really she didn't mind the rain because it fit her mood perfectly, but she couldn't help but scoff in disgust. "I can't believe how weak I was back then! It just makes me sick!" She growled.

Sakura tore her eyes from the window and looked at her clock which read 2:30 AM. She knew there was no hope of going back to sleep so she just sat there in her bed watching the rain fall off her window.

Sakura was deep in thought when she felt a strong chakra near. It felt familiar but she couldn't place it…until it dawned on her, "That's the same chakra as before!"

Sakura quickly grabbed a kunai and ran outside to where she sensed the chakra, and just like before, once she thought she had caught up to it…it disappeared.

Sakura looked around desperately trying to pin point it again, but just like before it was as if it was never there, "What the hell is going on!?" She growled.

She turned back around and headed back to her apartment drenched from the rain. Once there she took back to sitting on her bed not even bothering with drying herself off. "I know what I sensed. I know there was something there, but how could it just disappear like that? It just doesn't make any sense. Nothing could just disappear that quickly." Sakura's thoughts about the subject didn't make any sense to her and it aggravated her.

Out of furry Sakura had turned her head only to be met by the picture on her dresser. It was of her and her team, Kakashi, Naruto…and Sasuke, back in their genin days. Sasuke was glaring at the camera, and Naruto was glaring at him, while she was smiling energetically into the camera with Kakashi's hands both on Naruto and Sasuke's head. You could even see him smile through that mask with his one eye squinting and an indent in the mask. Back in those days she used to be happy, but during these days, she despises her old self.

Sakura continued to stare at the long forgotten memory of the picture. A few years back she had taken the picture and folded the part of Sasuke in it only leaving a picture of Naruto, her, and Kakashi. She did this so it wouldn't be a reminder. Looking at him only brought back memories of her weakness, and she never wanted to be reminded of her past. She even thought so much as to burn the whole thing but decided other wise and only folded the part of Sasuke.

Sakura turned away from the picture in disgust. It may not have Sasuke in it anymore, but it still had her in it, when she used to be happy. She got up from where she was sitting on her bed and went over and put the picture down so she no longer had to look at it.

Deciding to think of it no more she finally decided to change out of her drenched clothes and go back to bed, or at least, try to go back to bed, and hope that her nightmares had subsided for the night.