Sakura:

Sometimes things happen because they just do. But I never really believed it until the day that it happened. The one thing that changed my life and almost ruined everything that I've worked so hard for.

It all started the day of the festival…


A Lost Memory

Naruto carried boxes through the hall were the dinner was going to be help at the end of the festival. He had invited his friends from the Sand and Cloud villages to come and enjoy the peace that had held since the end of the war four years ago. When the sand siblings showed up he had never expected that Gaara would actually help with everything, but from the moment they three showed up they joined the preparations.

However what really shocked Naruto was what Sasuke confided in him two years after the war and Sasuke had returned to the village


(flashback)

Sasuke walked down the street of his village smiling. He finally realized what had really brought him back to the village. It wasn't his brother's request or trying to bring his clan's honor back. it was a certain pink hair Konuchi. He realized it and told the only other girl who had shown any real interest what he really thought of her.

Now however he needed someone to ask about it. But he knew that none of the other Shinobi would listen to him. None…except for a certain blonde, who knew exactly what he was going through. That was why he was going to the blonde's house hoping he was alone.

Sasuke walked up to the Namikazi manor and knocked. Though he sighed when Hinata opened the door. "Hello Sasuke." she said sourly

'Great…'

"Hina-chan…don't." said Naruto walking to the door. "I'm sure that Sasuke just wants to talk."

"Naruto-kun…" started Hinata.

"Hina-chan don't worry I'll be fine." said Naruto and he walked out of the door and motioned for Sasuke to follow him. "Sorry, the others besides Sakura and myself don't trust you still even though it's been two years."

"I know and that's why I need to talk to you alone." said Sasuke "I don't care about them as long as I have you and Sakura…"

"What do you need?" asked Naruto noticing how serious Sasuke was.

"I…uh is Sakura…uh…seeing anyone?" he asked blushing causing Naruto to smile. He knew that Sasuke like Sakura but was too proud to admit it until recently.

"No she's not. At least not that I know of." said Naruto "Though if I were you I would tell her you fell soon."

"Thanks Naruto." said Sasuke then he smiled at the one person who he had thought for years was an idiot. Now however he knew he was wrong.


Naruto still couldn't believe that Sasuke actually told him how he felt but he did. However two year later and Sasuke still hadn't told Sakura what he felt for her. Naruto knew that if he didn't then someone would and Sasuke would go back to the way he was before.

Just then Gaara walked up with Bee who had just arrived. Naruto was so into his musings that he didn't even sense them. Gaara noticed this and placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder.

"Hey you okay?" asked Gaara concerned.

"Yeah just thinking." said Naruto

"About what?" asked Gaara confused as to what was so intense that his friend didn't even notice the two of them.

"Oh never mind, what's up?"

"I was just letting you know that Tsunade wanted to see you your old team and asked if me and mine would come as well." said Gaara

"Alright." said Naruto and he gave his box to Konahamaru who had just walked over to see what else he could do. "Thanks Konahamaru."

"Sure."

"Let's go." said Naruto and the groups left the hall after Naruto caught Sasuke and Sakura's attention.


Naruto walked into Tsunade's office wondering what was going on. It wasn't often that Tsunade had called the old team seven together. But he knew that if she was calling the three Sages together it had to be bad.

"What's going on Lady Tsunade?" asked Naruto causing Tsunade to smirk after realizing again that he had quit calling her granny when it was something important. Naruto had really grown up during the war. That much was evident from his calmness and ability to analyze things before attacking like he used to.

"There's been an issue with the borderline in the Village of Uzakari. They asked for some help in handling it. The problem is..."

"We don't have Ninja skilled enough to go beside the three of us." said Naruto understanding at once. "So what do we need to do?

"If Gaara and his team will assist you I need you three to go and find out what is going on." said Tsunade looking at the three Sand Siblings and the three new Sannin.

"I don't have a problem helping them. Temari? Kankuro?" asked Gaara looking at his brother and sister

Kankuro smirked slightly as he turned to Temari. "Not in the least, who knows I might find a challenge in it." Temari rolled her eyes slightly and chuckled. "Yeah, I guess it wouldn't be so bad."

"Very well. Kakashi will also be going just as back up." said Tsunade and the six nodded and left. Gaara turned to Temari and nodded knowing what she was going to say

"Go tell him you'll be back soon."

Temari smiled sheepishly before turning away. "I'll be back in a sec guys don't get killed why I'm gone okay." She said causing Gaara to roll his eyes.

"Go." he said.

"I'll be at the gates in a minute you guys I have to go see Hinata." said Naruto and he ran off after Temari causing Sasuke to look at Sakura then turn away.

'What was that about?' Thought Sakura then she Shrugged.

Meanwhile Shikamaru was in the hall 'supervising' the work being done while really sleeping when Temari walked up to him. Temari looked over at Shikamaru and sighed. "Hey there, what are you supposed to be doing?" She smiled lightly at him before nudging his shoulder. "Well?"

"Huh? What?" asked Shikamaru confused. "Oh hey Temari what's up?"

Giving a small huff Temari crosses her arms and sighs. "I was coming over here to say that me and my brothers are going off with Naruto. I wanted to tell you bye before we left."

"Why what's going on that would require a Sannin and three Sand ninja?" asked Shikamaru instantly alert. He hated whenever Temari left on missions but didn't try to stop her because he knew she would kill him

"The village of Uzakari is in some trouble and Lady Tsunade has asked for our help." She smiled lightly at him and patted his shoulder. "Don't worry about it, nothing too big."

"I hope." he said more to himself than anything "Who else is going?

Temari shrugged and looked away to think. "Sasuke and Sakura i believe are joining us as well."

"What is so important that she's sending all three Sannin?" asked Shikamaru then shook his head. "Just promise me something Temari."

"Yeah what?" She tilted her head slightly in confusion.

"That you'll be careful. I have a bad feeling about this." said Shikamaru looking at her tenderly. He may be lazy but when it comes to the people in his life he wasn't going to lose anyone else

Temari's eyes softend a bit as she moved closer to hug Shikamaru. "Don't worry I'll be careful."

Just then Naruto walked in and saw Temari and Shikamru and smiled. Then he walked over to where his own girlfriend was sitting taking a break. When Hinata saw Naruto she smiled but could tell that there was something bothering him so she walked over to him. "Hina-chan can we talk?"

Hinata looked at him with a concerned expression which softened slightly. "Yeah what is it Naruto?"

"I'm not going to be here for the festival." said Naruto sadly. He had had something big planned that night but if what he was feeling was right then something was going on big

Hinata frowned slightly before trying her best to brush it off. "O-oh...That's alright."

"I'm sorry Hinata." said Naruto looking down. He hated the fact that he was the strongest in the village and wished that someone, anyone else could go, but he knew that they couldn't. He and the other Sannin were the only ones that could go to that village without getting killed.

"S-so what is it that you're need at this time?" She smiled up at him trying hard to brighten up the mood.

Naruto smiled sadly and looked at her. "Tsunade isn't sure but there's trouble in the Uzakari village, you know that village. Where Link and them went."

"Uzakari village? I'm guessing it must be serious if they send you there." She responded in a low voice.

"Yeah just don't say anything. Gaara is the only other one that knows except for Sasuke." said Naruto in an equally low voice. "That's why she can't send anyone else because of the fact...well you know."

Hinata nodded slightly and smiled. "Yeah...you'll be careful right?"

"Yeah. I promise." said Naruto then he smiled. "Hey you know Kurama won't let anything really bad happen to me."

She gave a small giggle at Naruto's statement. "Yeah well you need to be here still when you get back so you can make it up to for missing the festival." She gave a sweet smile and placed her hand behind her back. "Now isn't that right?"

"Yeah you know it." said Naruto then he looked away sad again confusing Hinata again.

"Hey...are you okay Naruto?" Hinata asked with a concerned tone.

"Yeah... I'm fine." said Naruto. "I...I have to go." and he left just as Tenten walked up with Ino.

"What was that about?" asked Ino

Hinata frowned. "I-I...don't know."

"Hmm I wonder..." said Tenten thoughtfully

"What?" asked Ino, Tenten looked at Hinata and Ino both curious and shook her head.

"Oh never mind." 'But that dumb Naruto he'll have to replan everything now.'

After Naruto and Temari rejoined Sasuke and the others Sasuke noticed that Naruto wasn't the same as when he left them and knew something was wrong and that he knew more about the mission than he let on in Tsunade's office.

"You alright Naruto?" asked Sauske as the two walked up.

"Yeah..." said Naruto looking away but the others knew that he wasn't. However they also knew not to push him.

"Anyway let's get going." said Gaara. "Kankuro did you send a message to Baki?"

Kankuro nodded slightly. "Yeah, earlier. "

"Alright let's go." said Kakashi and the seven nins walked out of the Leaf village never suspecting that the mission they were going on would have a much different outcome than they thought