Chapter One:

The Return

Panting, exhausted and numb, I kept forcing one foot in front of the other. Stopping wasn't an option. They were gaining distance the more I slowed down. Tree limbs and branches flew by. I was exasperating my limits. My eyes began drooping; my blinks gained length, the forest grew darker.

Then there was falling. A loud crack jolted me awake as it snapped underneath me. I tried to grab at something as the earth grew nearer and nearer but I couldn't. I felt the hard damp earth sink as my injured body slammed into it. A small moan of pain escaped my lips. The world started growing darker and engulfed me. The last thing I say was a dark, blue eye figure standing over me.

As I started examining her wounds, I was amazed at how far she had traveled. Even for a kunoichi as skilled as her, this was impressive. She'd lost a lot of blood. I was no medic-nin like her but I was sure the forest floor offered nothing but infection. I carefully picked her up as to not tear her wounds more and kept running. I knew of a nearby river I could take her too. It lead to Konoha, her home.

The rest of the way to the river was a thoughtless blur of leaves, branches and bushes. When we arrived I started cleaning her wounds. I still had a purpose for her. She could help me achieve my goal, escaping Akatsuki.

I just finished making the fire when I heard something in the woods. It wasn't an animal. I sensed its Chakra level, Sasori. I stood and readied myself for a fight.

The red haired Sand-nin slide through the trees and met my gaze. Sasori never comes out of his shell. I pulled out a kunai and tossed it in his direction. It poofed into a cloud of smoke, a shadow clone. I turned to see another holding my blue haired kunoichi in his arms. I tossed another kunai. She fell into the river as the shadow clone disappeared. I lunged to go after her but a voice stopped me.

"Nuh uh uhh."

I slit my eyes open only to be blinded by the blaring sun…and an extremely bright orange jumper. I then noticed that he was dragging me out of the river. How long have I been in here? My skin had pruned.

"Are you okay? Why were you sleeping in the river?" This blonde boy asked me. his bright blue eyes were full of concern. They reminded me of my companion…

All I could manage was a slight groan of pain. The gash in my stomach was no longer numb from the water. I tried pushing myself off the ground but it didn't work. I did however manage to roll on to my back. The blonde boy saw the extent of my injuries.

"Oh my gosh! I have to take you to my sensei! He'll know what to do!" He helped me up and put my arm around his shoulder. I was considerably taller than him which made things difficult but it was a relief not to stand up straight at the same time. He noticed my headband. "You're a leaf ninja!" I ran my hand against the much abused metal plate.

"I guess you could still call me that." I mumbled. I looked around as we started walking. "is this Konoha?" I asked.

"Yes! And one day, I WILL BE HOKAGE! BELIEVE IT!" He did some goofy pose.

I chucked out loud. "What's your name future Hokage?"

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki!"

I chuckled again. Then a sharp pain in my side stopped me. "Sakora. My Name is Sakora." I moaned in pain again.

"Come on! My Sensei isn't far."

"Has anyone seen Naruto? I'm usually the one that's late." Kakashi asked after waiting on him for almost an hour.

"Maybe he ran away. Oh, and Kakashi-sensei, you were late." Sakura said.

"You spoke to soon." Sasuke said. Sakura and Sasuke sighed as Naruto and a seriously injured blue haired kunoichi walked up.

"Kakashi-sensei! She's hurt! She needs our help!" Naruto yelled.

She looks very familiar. Could it be? Kakashi thought to himself.

"Really, Naruto. I'm fine. I just need some rest." She said. Kakashi recognized her voice.

"But Sakora! You need help." Naruto pleaded.

"I just need to rest up. I need a place to stay. I can heal myself. Don't worry."

"She can stay with me. I have plenty of open rooms." Sasuke offered.

"That's very generous of you Sasuke." The silver haired man said. I knew him. It was Kakashi, my oldest friend.

"Yes, it is. Thank you very much." I looked over to Kakashi. I wondered if he remembered me. 5 years was a very long time and I had changed. He took my limp body away from Naruto.

"I'll carry her. Training is off for today guys. I need to speak with the Hokage." He picked me up and started off towards the Uchiha complex. "It's been awhile, Sakora. Too long."

"I agree. Just take me to the Uchiha complex please." The rest of our trip was in silence.

Sasuke ran home and started to clean up a room. Sarika won't be pleased. Sarika was his cousin, the only family that had been on a mission when the massacre had taken place. She was also a member of Sakora's team. Sarika had been devastated when she found out Sakora had been declared a missing nin. She hated her from that point on.

"Sasuke, are we expecting someone?" Sarika asked as he made a bed.

"Yes. A leaf kunoichi was found in the woods today. She'll be staying with us." Sasuke tried to be as vauge as possible.

"Okay…that's strange. You'd think they'd put her with a medical-nin or something." Sarika walked away and left Sasuke to ready the room.

He was relieved she didn't inquire anymore. He finished the bed and went to the front of the complex to meet them. He didn't have to wait very long.

Kakashi dropped me off in my room at the Uchiha's. I had regained some chakra strength. I felt that familiar green glow surround my hand and I began to heal the huge gash in my stomach. It was very relaxing to heal someone, even yourself.

My relaxation soon ended as my old friend and teammate walked in the door. "Sakora? What are you doing here?"

A/N so...Should i even bother? idk. let me know please.