Chapter Two:

There is no changing the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails. - Anonymous.


The next couple days Sakura had her face in the medical text books trying to absorb as much information as she could.

A light knock on her bedroom door interrupted her studies.

It was her mother.

She sat down next to Sakura on her bed.

"So you're leaving for another mission tomorrow Sakura-chan…. Alone?" She said, slowly.

"Yes, mother. Why?" Sakura seemed puzzled that her mother was discussing her mission with her.

"I'm just… Worried. The last time you went off by yourself you almost got yourself killed."

There was a pause.

Sakura's entire body stiffened as she put her hand to her throat.

"Don't be foolish Sakura, do not put yourself in danger by looking for him again." Her mothers voice was stern and serious.

That's what her mother said, but what she meant was "Please… Give up on him."

If only it was that simple.

"Mother, I'm 17 years old. I can complete the mission given to me. I'm not going to wander off on my own terms. Please, you have no reason to worry." Sakura had a hint of anger in her voice, did her mother genuinely not trust her?

Sakura's mother left her at that to let her continue her studying but it was all she could do to read another sentence without becoming unfocused.

Her mind was filled with thoughts of anger, regret, humiliation.

Ever since that day she vowed never to be caught as the damsel again. If she considered herself a true kunoichi, she would be seen as one -not as a failure, not as weak, not as cowardly, not a little girl but a young woman who was perfectly capable of holding her own.

Opening the window, she let in a calming breeze. She shut her eyes and inhaled.


Sakura woke up bright and early; it was the day of her mission.

She reached into her drawers and pulled on a fishnet under shirt to go beneath her usual red tank top, along with her black shorts, skirt, and gloves.
Sakura sealed most of her heavier supplies away into a sealing scroll and swung her back over her shoulder.

-xxx-

"Right on time, as usual." Tsunade stated as her apprentice entered her office.

"Here's a list of some specific plants I'd like for you to look for. Also, here are the medical scrolls. Do NOT lose them." Tsunade handed her a stack of scrolls and papers and she put them into her pack.

"This mission shouldn't take more than 5-10 days, depending on how fast you get there. Travel time will account for the majority of this mission, after that you should be in and out in no time. Any questions?"

Sakura shook her head, "None, thank you Shishou."

"Alright, get going. Before that Naruto wakes up and comes busting through my doors demanding he get a solo mission too." Tsunade dismissed her.

Naruto. Sakura should've said bye to Naruto but it had barely crossed her mind while she studied the textbooks. She felt guilty, but she wanted this mission to go smoothly and quickly, so she crammed the information into her memory.

Right as she passed through the gates she made a mental list to make sure she hadn't forgotten any scrolls, or weapons.

After about 15 minutes had gone by,Sakura realized that despite their loudmouths and crude comments she missed Sai and Naruto's presence on a mission.

Naruto's spirit usually put everyone else at ease.
Although, this wasn't a dangerous mission so she was already at ease… For the most part.

Get to the land of Tea, gather, go home. Simple.

Sakura admitted even on the most minor of missions she did not want to disappoint her Hokage.


One day had passed and Sakura hadn't face a single problem. It was actually surprising, almost every mission she'd been had involved a small run in with a bandit or two, maybe a wild animal, but now; nothing.

Maybe Lady Tsunade was right when she said this would be more of a vacation than a real mission….

At that thought Sakura kept her eyes peeled for the nearest Teahouse where she could stop and have some quick lunch.

She followed the sounds of a busy, bustling street and knew a village was near. Sakura smiled when she saw a small Teahouse just on the edge of the village.

The inside was mostly empty.

"Some tea and some food sounds wonderful," she inhaled the smells and smiled.

Sakura plopped her things down and immediately a man came to take her order , he was dressed rather strangely with a white cloth around his face, quite similar to the mask Kakashi always wore.

"What would you like?" He said gleefully.

"Some green tea, and some Onigiri. Thank you." Sakura folded up her menu.

"Perfect." The waiter took her menu and walked away.

Ten minutes had passed and still no tea. Sakura tapped her fingers aimlessly on the table.

Maybe they are out of tea… I should probably just make camp somewhere anyways.

She rubbed at her temples slightly.

Right as Sakura considered leaving, her waiter arrived with a pot of tea and her glass.

"I'm so very sorry for the wait."
He said pouring the steaming liquid into her cup.

This guy gave her the creeps with that mask, and that...weird tone of voice.
She shook it out of her head as she finally took a big gulp from her cup.

"Aaaaaah." She filled it up with tea once again.

This isn't so bad…

Her mind relaxed.

After consuming a few cups of tea she decided it would be smart to use the restroom before she took off again. Sakura stood to her feet.

Woah.

I must have stood up too fast.

A flash of dizziness hit her like a tidal wave. Sakura made her way to the ladies room, shaking her vision back into focus ever so often.

Wow, I feel weird… Come on, Sakura. Snap out of it.

A voice yelling behind her caught her attention.

"No! That bathroom is- uh, it's out of order!" the waiter yelled suddenly dropping a tray with a loud clank.

Sakura had already entered.

Her eyes went wide.

An older man in a kitchen uniform was tied up on the ground, mouth taped, and eyes frantic with fear.
"Hmmm-mmmm!" The man tried to speak, but the tape was restricting his words.

Her mind was racing with confusion.

"I'll, h-help."

Sakura's words moved slower than molasses coming out of her mouth. She braced the wall trying to a dig out a kunai, when a knife whizzed past her and straight into the Kitchen Man's chest.

"No!" Her head whipped around to see the waiter and two other men dressed like him.

W-what the hell is going on? Who are these men? Why are my movements slowing!

Move, Sakura!

"Grab her, she's almost out." The "waiter" said in a completely different tone than he had been portraying earlier.

Sakura panicked trying to fumble out a weapon and backed up, her limbs becoming jello. She grasped the sink behind her and wished and prayed her body would react as fast as her mind.
It was like being being trapped inside your body; like those nightmares where you try to scream and you can't make any sounds.

The three men turned into six as her vision began to double.

As quick as she could she forced chakra into her fist and swung it aimlessly trying to hit a real person.

Then, it was black.


A/N: Second chapter, longer than the first, wooooooo!

I am genuinely so surprised I actually got follows AND reviews on my first chapter, it means so much and helped ease my anxiousness, hehe.

Also, for those of you who are eager SasuSaku shippers, here is your warning, I don't rush things... but you won't be disappointed in the end (eh... I hope not)

Anyways, thank you so much for your kind words and encouraging words.

xoxo