Sorryyyyyy it took so long to get this updated T.T i've been really really busy with a ton of birthdays and getting my license and all that jazz T.T I'm working on a new one shot too soo you might see a new story but yeah i'm really sorry for the seriosuly long wait

Chapter 2

Sakura stood up from the gave and put on another unbreakable mask. Sai understood her actions, probably better then anyone in Konoha. She wasn't willing to let people in any more, not when they either left or called her weak. "Sakura," he called her name, not the name he had given her, her actual name; and that caught her off guard. Turning her sharp eyes to him she waited for him to continue, "People worry about you." he whispered hesitantly. "You never seem happy."

Inside, Sakura was happy he had decided to care, "Sai," she called quickly forcing a smile, one no one could see through, "I'm completely content." Sai understood the word. Not happy, not sad, not loved, not hated, balanced. He gave a nod, she wasn't going to break her mask, at least not for him. She stepped in front of him, bringing him back to reality, "The mission?"

Sai nodded and pulled out a scroll, "There's a bar known for S class criminals," This make Sakura's eyes sparkle. "Is this alright?"

Sakura's face broke and she smirked, "S class huh? This could be interesting..." Sai only smirked with her as she asked simply, "What else?"

Sai pulled the scroll farther reading off anything he thought to be important, "Because of your... skills, you'll be playing a part of a waitress and maybe even an actor on stage." He felt Sakura's eyes narrow almost glaring at him, "Nothing you cant handle Sakura." he whispered softly. "You'll entertain while i get the information."

She sighed and rolled her eyes, "Be a decoy?"

Sai smirked rolling the scroll up, "Slightly," he gave a grin as his face became a mask again, "Well, you'll understand more when we get to that point." Sakura gave a nod and smirked, "What is that look for?" Sai's voice tried to stay even but it sounded almost like a whimper.

Sakura closed her eyes, "I'm almost looking forward to this." And with that her mask became solid, refusing to let him back in. Sai gave a nod, "Talk to Tsunade-sama, we'll leave tomorrow morning." With a small twitch of her lips, almost a smile, Sakura disappeared in a whirlwind of cherry blossoms.

Silently, Sai watched as a few petals touch the ground before becoming dust, Just like her... he thought quietly, beauty disappearing in a second. Before he could think his mind was scolding himself for the thought. Shaking his head with a smirk he scolded the pastel haired woman for her invasion of his thoughts before he left to tell Tsunade about the mission.

Sakura's eyes focused on Sai as he stared at the ground, she had hidden herself away from him, something didn't feel the same about Sai and Sakura felt the need to find out. Missions with both Sai and Sakura together had become more and more difficult because of the constant string of injuries Sai was dealing out. What is going through your mind? Sakura questioned as she watched him shake his head and walk off. What aren't you telling me Sai?

Sakura kept her mask on as she jumped from branch to branch running back to her home. Jumping down from the trees she shoved her hands in her pockets, walking slowly down the cobble stone road. Her feet stopped unwillingly, only to have her look up and see a bench. Every cell in her body seemed frozen as she stared at the bench Sasuke had left her at. That was the start of it all. She thought silently. Why now? Why am i thinking about him now? Her mind snarled as her eyes darkened, her face still solid as stone.

"Sakura-chan?" his voice snapped her out of her dark memories. Looking up slowly Sakura's emerald eyes were greeted by sapphire blue, "Sakura-chan," he cooed happily as he walked closer, Sakura almost let her facade drop but forced a smile, "I thought you would be off on another mission or something." The blond whispered nervously.

Sakura smiled, "I'll be leaving again tomorrow Naruto." she whispered softly. Naruto could only give a nod, he knew how much missions meant to her, how it was her only escape from the mask she wore in the village. "Everything alright?" she asked softly.

Naruto gave a soft smile, "I need some girl advise." he said laughing nervously. Sakura couldn't help but smile at this, the gutsy ninja always had the best timing to get her mind off the raven haired missing nin. She gave a soft sigh and smiled waiting for him to continue, "Well you see... there's this girl."

"Hinata."

Naruto's face lit up like wild fire, bright red as he became nervous, "How'd you know?" Sakura only put her hand on her hip, "Oh that's right, you're Sakura." Naruto shook his head, "Well... she said she loved me when we were fighting Pain." Sakura flinched at the memory but nodded, "Now though... its been so many years and she hangs out with Kiba a lot." Sakura watched his eyes, they were flooding with the emotions he wished to show the Hyuuga heiress. "I don't know what to do..." he whispered softly as he clenched his fists.

Rarely did Naruto not know what to do, and Sakura knew that. She gave a soft comforting smile, one she only saved for him. "Naruto," she whispered softly, "Go to her house. When you get there walk up to her, no matter who's there, and hug her." Naruto's eyes widened as he listened to his pink haired friend. "Hold her close and tell her honestly how you feel, and wait and see her reaction." Naruto beamed and smiled, excited to try the Haruno's idea. Everything became silent as they both smiled each other. Sakura knew what was happening, quickly putting her mask back on she looked at him, "Go Naruto." she whispered softly as she turned her back and began walking away.

Naruto watched her back in silence, Sakura... His eyes glistened as he smiled. Thank you.

Sakura put her hands in her pockets and pushed her bags to the side, What am I doing here? She thought as she looked up at the sky, I could be anywhere... but here, in this village... It feels wrong. With a constant mask Sakura walked to the training grounds for team seven. Looking at the logs she smiled, A kunai was in each log, the far left and the far right held up a bell while the center one held a message. Kakashi... you idiot, she thought quietly as she looked at the parchment. Kakashi had been dead for years, and that message was from him, she hadn't touched it. I know you wanted me to read this... Her fingers traced her name on the paper, I just cant open it Kakashi...

"Sakura." Sakura flinched at hearing her name. Staring at the note she refused to let her attention to be pulled away. "Tsunade-sama said we can leave tomorrow." Sakura gave a nod as she slowly pulled herself away. "Are you alright?" Sai asked quietly as he walked to her side. His dark eyes were worried as he watched her.

She was quiet for a second as she looked at him, "What's it like being a missing nin?" she asked quietly. She watched his eyes widen, her judgment telling her to act as if it were nothing, "I was thinking about Sasuke earlier..." she whispered her eyes and face void of emotion.

Sai gave a nod as he looked at the paper, "It feels like you do right now." he whispered softly. Sakura looked up at him in confusion, waiting for him to continue with what he was saying. "You can hardly trust anyone... you have to keep your emotions locked away tight otherwise you'll mess up." his eyes were focused on the wood pillars but Sakura knew he was searching his memories trying to answer her question, "Always fighting, never understanding why."

Sakura gave a soft nod, "Let's go." she whispered softly turning away from the memories that called her emotions to the surface. Sai staid still though, and Sakura could only turn back and look at him.

"Why'd you do it Sakura?" Sai asked softly. Sakura knew what he was talking about, he asked this question often.

With her eyes on the ever darkening sky Sakura chose it was time to answer him, "I didn't want to be weak anymore. Kakashi taught me so much when i was on his team. Everything he did, it made me want to be like him even more." She focused on his eyes as she whispered, "He even accepted you into team seven, even when he knew what you were doing." Sai's eyes widened as he looked at her. He didn't know what to think of her as she told him the answer he'd been asking for a year. "I wanted to be like him. Be as strong as him: physically mentally and morally..." A small smile came onto her lips as she felt her eyes beginning to tear up, "The last thing i ever wanted after i became his daughter... was to have him leave me."

Sai put his hand on her shoulder, "I'm so sorry Sakura." he whispered softly as his eyes filled with pure compassion.

She shook her head, trying to push her emotions eyes, "For what Sai? For him living a ninja's life? Dying for something he cares so much about?" she spat darkly as her emotions came flying out without warning. Her eyes became dangerously dark, "All he ever did was fucking fight! He knew he was going to die that way!" Closing her eyes looking down she bit her lip hard, "We all know the risks of becoming a ninja... After he died i figured that out. We're tools Sai! Replaceable tools..." she looked up at him with a bittersweet smile, "I wasn't willing to take it as anything more then that... I didn't want to become close to someone just to loose them."

Then a funny thing happened as they both stood their. They both began to understand. Sai pulled her close as she began crying, letting her tears fall. "It'll be ok Sakura." he whispered softly as he comforted her. Her head leaning against his shoulder as he whispered in her ear, "We're not leaving, you're part of team seven, no one gets left behind." Sakura's eyes widened as her tears fell silently.

Sai... Her tears fell as she was held close, you sound so much like him... Closing her eyes she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer, you're so warm now... please, Sai, save me. All he could do was hold her close and comfort her, his eyes sad as he held her close. Part of him wanted to scream and yell at her for the way she was thinking, the other part was amazed by how much she had learned.

"It's going to be ok Sakura," he whispered softly, "After this mission I'll help you as much as I can." he muttered as he stroked her hair. Sakura slowly pulled away and nodded, her pale cheeks stained with tears. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" he asked softly as he held her by her shoulders. With a silent nod Sakura tore herself from Sai's grip and began running, she needed to clear her mind.

Remember all this is for the mission Sakura, that's all he wants. Sai is a ninja, a tool, just like you are. Sakura felt her tears returning as she thought those words. Shaking her head she ran to her house, hoping that this mission would go well for them both.

And that's where the title comes from! xD hope you all liked it