A/N: I just want to start out by saying thank you to 'Zephxr' for being my very first review of this story! I couldn't wait to update so that you guys could see what comes next. Not too many people have seen this story yet, so if you could show your friends that would be great! This chapter was written with certain pieces of information left out, information that will come in due time. I always try my hardest to make each chapter longer than the last, so hopefully, this won't be too short! Please read and leave your thoughts in a review!

-n a y a

"Do not look for healing at the feet of those who broke you."

—Rupi Kaur

Sakura awoke the next day on her pallet in the plush grass, feeling refreshed from her sleep. Her joints were sore and stiff from the low temperatures during the night, and the air around them was beginning to heat and steam with the recent passing of morning. It appeared to be around midday; the sun was also just starting to peak over the tops of the dark juniper green trees and shone brightly. Sakura stretched her arms in a high arc above her head, releasing a wide yawn. Hm. It seems she'd slept too deeply, if she was as relaxed and rested as she felt, on a mission no less. One of her teammates must have pulled a double watch and neglected to wake her for her shift.

Casting an accusing glare around the small clearing, Sakura searched for Ahiko or Masamune, but both were absent from the clearing. They must have broken camp early to scout the surrounding woods one final time. Sakura's wandering eye then landed on Raiden who—upon feeling her gaze on his back—sent Sakura a dry smirk.

He was clearing up his sleeping space quickly and efficiently, seeing as the time was soon approaching for them to fall into formalities when they made contact with the other squad. Sakura quickly set to work in clearing her own space, filling her personal belongings into her pack and closing it with a tight snap.

She made her way over to Raiden, who was standing by one of the stumps by the now lifeless campfire. Bumping his hip, she murmured, "You took my watch for me. I could've gotten up for it." She picked up his short sword, whose handles were wrapped neatly with thick, green gauze, for grip. The blade was sharp and clean, forged of the Sand Village's famous iron sand. A gift Raiden's father had commissioned upon his entrance into ANBU, he'd told them once.

Still packing, he replied lowly, "I know that, Captain. But considering the events scheduled for today, I figured you'd need all the rest you could get." He cast her a sidelong, knowing glance over his shoulder, and finished closing his pack. Slinging it onto his back, he held out his gloved palm. Sakura flushed slightly, returning his blade, which he strapped securely on his back.

Raiden was usually professional to a fault and tended to place himself at an emotional distance from others. He rarely talked and every action he took was measured carefully and never wasted. The fact that he had taken an extra shift in light of the daunting situation she currently faced, spoke of a kinder side of Raiden that she wasn't always used to seeing. Seeing her pleased expression, his amber eyes lighted, and a smirk quirked his lips that resembled the shadow of a smile.

A short, high-pitched whistle came then, from within the trees. Ahiko and Masamune were ready to move. Sakura and Ahiko stared at each other for a long moment, before each of them slid on their respective masks and became Slug and Ox.

—

Sweat trickled down a masked ninja's furrowed brow as he dashed through the treetops. Matted, silver hair slick with sweat and blood fell into his vision wildly; he flicked it back with a rough shake of his head. The sun had just crested into the sky and shone brightly in the midday hours. Sweltering heat made the elusive ninja's face mask cling to him like a second skin, coupled with the occasional flicks from native bugs in the forest.

Glancing to his left, Kakashi Hatake surveyed the state of his younger co-captain, Shikamaru Nara. He was managing to keep up with the brisk pace—barely. Shikamaru's body weaved dangerously back and forth through the trees, pacing a little bit behind Kakashi. Sheer willpower and Kakashi's watchful eye were the only things standing between him and the forest floor or a tree branch. Shikamaru had been apart of the initial contact battle after they had found Team Hebi and Sasuke a few miles outside of a small village and had received a crushing blow to the head from the one named 'Juugo'.

Swiveling his gaze to his opposite side, Kakashi checked over the other members of his squad, all of them a little worse for wear. His alert eye landed on Sai, the only member of their team with more professional field knowledge than any of them, minus himself. He had no obvious outside injuries—save for the shattered, broken drawing arm hanging uselessly as he leapt—but had also been on the receiving end of the orange man's monstrous strength as well.

Sai had broken out of their formation to help Shikamaru battle; a trait he had clearly inherited from a certain rash blonde that accompanied them. Kakashi vaguely remembered Sai calling for him to be careful after Shikamaru had taken the brunt of a vicious side-arm swipe that had knocked him into a tree, dazed. Sai had then jumped to his defense out of desperation, which lead to him sustaining his broken arm.

Currently, Sai jumped alongside at breakneck speed, keeping up just as well. However, Kakashi noted the light sheen of sweat that coated his pale complexion and his labored breathing. How, when he prepared to spring for the next branch, Sai favored his left side and restricted any movement within his torso area, trying to minimize any jarring movement, if possible. Kakashi's brain whispered 'broken ribs', and his mouth pulled downwards at the thought.

Lastly, Kakashi leaned forward on the pretense of running faster to get a closer glimpse at Neji Hyuga's countenance. Neji himself had battled with the white-haired swordsman, discovering quickly that their capabilities were ill-suited for a proper battle, in regards to one another. The Hyuga had been endlessly blocking the mouthy ninja's wide slashing arcs with his chakra rotations, wary of any poison-laced on the blade. However, the adage that 'poison is a woman's weapon' seemed to hold some form of truth, as a grudgingly well placed, poison-dipped senbon penetrated his three-sixty rotation and had slashed a deep gouge in the side of his neck.

The senbon came from the red-haired female by the name of 'Karin'.

Kakashi had a sinking feeling that she was the reason for his team's wild, three-year, goose chase after Team Hebi. Based on the accounts and descriptions given in their limited intel, coupled with the sparse encounters they'd had, the kunoichi never actually fought if she could help it. Which meant that she had to have another purpose for traveling with Team Hebi altogether.

Kakashi had a sneaking suspicion that the young woman was actually an excellent sensor of chakra, and knew not only how to track or sense it, but manipulate it as well. The sum of false trails and scents Pakkun had followed, as well as the trace amounts of fabricated chakra chains Neji could see for miles, had been largely disappointing and frustrating. For every time they had managed to find the correct trail, they had blundered and followed three misleading ones beforehand.

Kakashi was sure she had also been the only one capable of poisoning Neji during his battle with the Mist ninja, seeing as her admittedly unique abilities had allowed for her to be able to see the minute weaknesses in Neji's chakra barriers. Impermeable to the cursory once-over, but riddled with weak spots to the rogue kunoichi.

Straining to be heard over the whipping leaves and air, Kakashi called out, "How are you holding up, Neji?"

The Byakugan user turned snowy white eyes toward his team leader and gave a curt nod.

Kakashi's alert, grey irises found the dark-haired man's own pearl gaze when he started speaking, raising his voice to be heard as well, "My health will be sufficiently stable until we reach Konoha. I have no doubt that I can make it, Captain." He assured, determination set in his gaze.

Kakashi's eyes slid to Neji's throat. Hidden beneath Sai's messy, makeshift bandages, Neji's neck was an unsightly mess of torn and bleeding skin. Smaller veins similar to the ones around his eyes webbed out from around the wound and peeked out from behind the bandages, dark purple against his skin with the strain of the poison. Rolling beads of sweat in the result of exertion and the strain of travel were clearly visible along his brow, and his posture was incredibly stiff as he ran through the treetops.

Kakashi knew that the Hyuga's threshold for pain would not allow him to show any outward signs of discomfort, which did not help Kakashi assess his health. Another existential worry was that the harder Kakashi rode their team to speed towards Konoha, the more the foreign poison would circulate through the Hyuga's blood stream.

At the same time, Kakashi had an equally pressing reason to beat a hasty return to Konoha. Team Kakashi had not failed in their three-year-long mission objective; Sasuke Uchiha had been detained and captured. However, the events surrounding his capture were grim and had left both the detainee and the last member of their retrieval unit in a direly critical situation.

Kakashi glanced down at the bright crimson and navy green scrolls strapped to his waist securely. He could feel the hum of chakra emanating from the scrolls, however, the energy coming from within was waning. He could feel both scrolls activity decreasing gradually as they traveled, and it shot a trill of worry up his spine that he hadn't felt in a long, long, time. He fervently hoped that they would make it to Konoha before it was too late.

—

In a scene reminiscent of the previous day, Team Iriko was traveling at a slower pace, still quick enough to keep them on schedule. They hurled themselves through the air, and the mood had shifted considerably. Gone were the teasing smirks and playful shoves. Instead, a somber silence had fallen over the elite assassins. No one had spoken since they cleared camp, a mere set of hours previous. It was sundown now; the sun leaned heavily into the horizon, a visual, smattering, interruption of brush and orange-gold light dripping down into the forest tree line.

The atmosphere pervading the group was markedly tense. Anticipation and nerves thrummed through the entire group as they leapt from tree to tree. Their mission was officially about to commence. Team Iriko had passed within range of the other team's wireless radios around twenty to thirty miles back and were en route to meet them within a maximum of thirty minutes.

Sakura released a shaky breath, a sound muffled slightly by the mask covering her face. This was it. She would be seeing all of her ex-teammates again, whether she wanted to or not. She would be re-introducing herself in a way, presenting a newer and definitely improved Sakura Haruno. All the years she spent training, learning, growing was about to be put to the test.

When they saw her in her complete ANBU uniform, when she addressed them with the highest authority ringing from her voice, they would know that she had not spent her time fumbling and crying in their absence. All of her ex-teammates would come to understand that just as they had changed, so had she.

Initially, when she had realized that they were missing, it had taken Sakura a long time to figure out the actual truth. She had barged up to Tsunade's office, furious with her teammates for completely standing her up at the bridge when they routinely met for training, and had every intention of knocking the shit out of them when she saw them next.

Sakura had vented a whole embarrassing five minutes to Tsunade, before asking whether or not her sensei had seen them. The hard, steeling look the Fifth Hokage sent her in return had taken Sakura aback. It was the look she gave newly widowed wives or children seeking out parents killed in action. They weren't dead, Sakura had rationalized. She had seen them a few nights ago at Ichiraku's. For the life of her, Sakura hadn't been able to understand why her teacher's eyes glimmered at her with so much regret and finality?

And then, Tsunade began speaking, and proceeded to crush Sakura's heart into a thousand pieces. As it turns out, Kakashi, Naruto, and Sai hadn't given her a moments notice when they had slipped out of the village under the cover of night, for what she thought was the final time, as the years would pass. They'd gone home, packed their necessities, and disappeared. No note. No explanation. Just gone.

When asked why she was not considered for the roster of ninja who would be participating in the high-ranked mission, Tsunade had responded that 'Certain elements regarding her former relationship with the mission's target would not construct a condusive environment for her to help the unit capture its target'. Sakura's pink brows had risen so high; she remembered gripping her own wrist for dear life to control the urge to smash anything, anything within her reach.

Sakura remembered every single feeling she experienced as Tsunade explained. Embarrassment had been the strongest. Hot, licking, flames of embarrassment had eaten up her face, while the next and heavier emotion had been a weighted disappointment. It sank so low in her belly that she'd thought it would drag her through the floor. Another emotion, clear as day, had been hurt. It spread through her chest like warm liquor, and she hadn't felt it in that magnitude in a long time (Since Sasuke last rejected her, to be exact). Then, wrapping it all her feelings together in a neat little bow had been anger; although the feeling had been blunted slightly due to shock.

Tsunade had stared at her, watching her work to control her calm, to not let her emotions overrule her. "Those are the reasonings of the captain and co-captain, not mine." In retrospect, Tsunade hadn't sounded entirely convinced either, but the fact that she'd still allowed them to leave her still hurt, regardless.

Tsunade had seemed slightly alarmed though, when Sakura's eyes had glossed over, and her shoulders had kind of slumped forward, as if someone were pressing on them. She'd been expecting a tantrum, Sakura supposed. No, she'd do that later, she had too many questions whirling in her head.

Her previous relationship? The one where Sasuke degraded her, treated her like a hindrance, and eventually a nuisance? And what of Naruto and Kakashi's 'prior relationship'? They were just as much affected by his absence as she was, Naruto more so! Naruto was like a cat with a laser with anything even remotely concerning the rogue Uchiha, and a liability at times, even with the best intentions.

Sweet, sweet Naruto had left her behind in the dust to chase after the person who only ever truly mattered to him, stomping and destroying her faith in him altogether, in one go. Bringing Sasuke home was supposed to be a team effort, something restricted only for the most devoted members of Team Seven to complete. Yet here she was. Forgotten, cast aside.

Sakura recalled bitterly all the countless nights she had spent staring at her ceiling fan, wracking her mind, wondering what it was about her that made her unqualified to go with them. Eventually, she would usually hop out of bed—disgusted with herself—and go train until she was exhausted.

As the commanding leader of her own ANBU unit now, Sakura was equal parts anxious and excited, but tried hard to conceal the slight tremors that accompanied her movements. As she jumped through the trees, Sakura set aside her anger and hurt for a moment.

How had they changed? Did Kakashi still read that disgusting little orange book? Was Naruto still a loud-mouth? Or had time spent on the road tempered his exuberance somewhat? Was Sai still as pale as she remembered him?

And Sasuke...how had his time with Orochimaru affected him? Sakura hadn't seen him in so long, the image of him that she held in her mind was that of a young boy. She knew he'd matured and grown, but she just couldn't picture him.

All in all, it didn't matter. Sakura would not be cowed or intimidated in their presence. She was a ninja of the highest caliber, and wouldn't relapse back on old habits and insecurities. She was a goddamn kunoichi, and they would respect her just as her ANBU teammates did.

Beside her, Raiden's wireless radio beeped three times, signaling that they were within range of others using the same frequency. Behind his mask, Raiden gave a sharp nod and flashed a hand twice.

Ten minutes out.

Good, Sakura thought, emerald eyes narrowing. Let's get this show on the road.

—

Kakashi raised a hand up briskly, bringing the entire squad to a staggering halt.

"I don't know who is up ahead," He started lowly, slowly lifting his forehead protector and revealing a swirling crimson, Sharingan eye, "But we've got company."

A/N: OK, I thought I'd clarify in case I didn't give you guys enough of a clue, but after being away for three years, Kakashi was unaware that a retrieval team was being sent to meet them. Sneaky, sneaky, huh? And you'll figure out where on earth Naruto and Sasuke have been this whole time as well, lol! Please read and review, any constructive criticism is welcome!

-n a y a