Author's note: So I think I'm going to stick with third person. I thought it was going to be a train wreck but I think I've found a way to make it work! Thanks everyone, enjoy!

Disclaimers: I own nothing but the plot.

Warnings: None.

Word Count: 4,777

"What could they want from you, Sakura?" Tsunade asks the pink haired teen. She intertwines her long red nailed fingers in front of her face, inspecting Sakura over them. The remainder of the Chunin exams have been canceled for a few days so they could get everything sorted out. Now all the Kage and the reason for the delay stand in a council chamber so it can accommodate all of the Kage on one bench and Sakura secure beneath their scrutiny.

Sakura shakes her head slowly, uncomfortable. "I'm not really all that sure, my lady. I mean, other than the usual reasons, me being your student and all."

Tsunade shakes her head too, and looks at the four other Kage on either side of her. All of them share looks of confusion. There had to be more than just that, Sakura knew. It was common knowledge who she was. She was even said to of pasted her master in terms of medical ninjutsu and overall physical strength but that was to be expected. Lady Tsunade was over fifty years old and Sakura was sixteen. It was bound to happen.

What Sakura just couldn't wrap her mind around was the fact that more people have arisen donning the same cloak that Nagato had made. It was suppose to symbolize peace, and that is the last thing any of the people wear those cloaks usually want. Sure, Itachi, Obito and Nagato wanted that, but no one else. Seriously.

"No offense, Ms. Haruno," the Mizukage says flippantly, and Sakura knows immediately that this is going to be painful to hear, "but other than your medical prowess and brute strength, there isn't anything that could be considered of value about you. From what I understand, you come from a merchant family and the actual ninja lineage dates back to your father, who appears to be the oldest Genin alive."

Sakura flinches, face flushing in embarrassment. That wasn't just painful, it was positively scathing. And as much as she wanted to tell the Mizukage to stuff it, that she had more worth than just being the Genin's daughter and the Hokage's student. But, she couldn't because it was true. Her dad was the oldest Genin alive and she was as good as she was because of Lady Tsunade's teaching.

"Clearly, there is more to her than that," Gaara says calmly. "Sakura has proven more than the fact that Lady Tsunade's an excellent teacher. And she should not be judged by her father's abilities because she have no reflect on her own."

Sakura bows her head in thanks toward the Kazekage, and he smiles lightly. The Mizukage shrugs like it meant no difference to her.

"Perhaps we are looking in the wrong place," the Tsuchikage says, crossing his arms over his chest, bowing his head in thought. "Perhaps Ms. Haruno's uniqueness does not steam from her training or family occupation."

"What else is there?" Tsunade asks.

Ay crosses his arms over his chest too, turning his nose up a bit. Dark eyes study the young doctor in front him, trying to see what Onoki could be referring to. He looks at the bring bubble gum pink hair, jade green eyes, small structure and pale skin. He shakes his head. "Personal?" he guesses.

All five sets of eyes turn to Sakura and she shrugs lightly. "Maybe? I didn't recognize any of them. Or at least the man. From what Naruto described of the two girls, I don't know them either. There is also very little to go on about the leader. Captain Tenzo got me out of there before any of that, so I wouldn't really know but based on the vague description of tall, male with a mask isn't enough for me to go on."

"That wasn't what I was thinking," Onoki says. "Something on an entirely different level then even that."

"Then what?" Gaara asks.

Onoki rubs his chin for a moment before looking to the ANBU next to him. "Go out there and get the remainder of Ms. Haruno's team."

"Yes, my lord." the ANBU bows and leaves in a puff of smoke. He returns a minute later with the requested people.

Sasuke has a darkening purple mark across his face from Toroh kicking him, Naruto looks a little beat up but none too worse for wear. Kakashi, Sai, and Tenzo all looking fine. The five men make their way to stand beside Sakura and tip their heads respectfully to the Kage.

"Look at them very closely," Onoki says, nodding down to the six man squad.

The other four Kage stare blankly at the group, trying to see what Onoki did. Just as he's about to give up, it comes to Gaara.

"Her connections," he says, eyes wide.

Onoki nods solemnly. "Who else could adamantly say that they are best friends with the nine tails jinchuriki, the Uchiha massacre survivor, student of the Copy Cat ninja and legendary slug princess? Surpassed her master at the age of sixteen as the worlds most powerful medical shinobi? Both merit and personal connections. And not just that, there is only a handful in the Alliance that wasn't somehow helped by Ms. Haruno. With her job as both head doctor and top medical shinobi, a lot of people know her name and owe her their lives. That alone seems like motive enough for me."

Sakura flushes again in embarrassment. It's an honor to have the wise Tsuchikage name off her achievements.

Ay purses his lips. "The Tsuchikage makes a good point, but something still feels amiss."

Mei nods. "But what though? In all honesty, we are back to where we started with the original Akatsuki."

"My lady," Kakashi says when a silence that followed Mei's words. Tsunade nods for him to continue. "Is there a chance that they were just going after Sakura merely because she was a victim of circumstance?"

Tsunade raises an eyebrow. "Elaborate, Kakashi."

Kakashi steps forward and looks between the Kage. "Most people were seated, yes? Sakura arrived late. Is there a chance that she was just the most famous yet easiest target to get to? Most others, such as Sasuke or Naruto would have been deep in the crowds and it would have been much harder to get to them than it would for Sakura whom was standing in the very back."

"True," Ay says, "but they didn't seem to have any problems battling off two Uchiha, the nine tails and you, Hatake."

"Don't forget yourself, Ay," Tsunade says coyly.

"Listen here, Tsunade-"

"We have to focus on what we do know," Gaara interrupts before Ay and Tsunade can start arguing. "As much fun as mere speculation is, it doesn't deter the fact that for whatever reason, Sakura was a target today and that there is at least four people out there masquerading as Akatsuki. That and the possible leader came forth right away to claim that he will be back and he will do everything in his power to succeed where Obito failed."

Tsunade rubs her temples, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. "Okay, for the time being, there is going to be a protection detail on you, Sakura. Just until we are able to accurately assess what exactly needs to be done."

"Ma'am, I don't-" Sakura starts but Tsunade holds up a hand to stop her.

"Saukra, you won't know they were there. You can continue with your everyday life, you'll just have people following you around all day every day for an undisclosed amount of time. Cool?" Tsunade asks.

Sakura looks up at her master exasperated. "Do I really have a choice?"

"No," she says simply.

"Then it's great," Sakura says in mock perkiness.

Tsunade returns it ten fold. "Goodie, now scoot. Get home and keep yourself safe."

Sakura and her team bow politely before heading out. Naruto wraps her up in his arms the moment they are out of the room with the door shut behind them. Sakura blinks in confusion, stock still for a moment, before relaxing and hugging him back.

"Are you okay, Sakura?" Naruto asks quietly.

Sakura buries her face in Naruto's shoulder. "Yeah, I'm cool."

"Do you need anything, Sakura?" Kakashi asks, watching as a single green eye peaks at him over Naruto's shoulder. She nods slowly, pulling away from the boy with the blond afro.

"I'm good, sensei. I'll be okay," she turns to walk of only to stop and turn around, pointing a finger at the five men. "Just because something shady is going on, doesn't mean you all can go all protective on me, got it?"

"Sakura," Tenzo says softly, "we're just worried. It's not wrong."

"No," Sakura agrees, "but I'm not any more helpless now then I was a week ago. They caught me on a week day, okay? Besides Kakashi sensei might be right in assuming that I might have been a victim of circumstance. And if not, I have protection."

"We could be part of her protection detail if we asked," Sai points out.

Sakura gives him a look. "I love you guys, really I do. But if you start spying on me, mission or not, I might kill you."

Naruto rubs the back of his neck, looking over at Sasuke then back to Sakura. "I really wish you would let us help you."

Sakura pats his cheek. "I'm not helpless, Naruto."

"I know," Naruto trails off.

Sakura drops her hand and smiles at them. "Thanks for worrying, but I'll be okay. Promise. Now, I've got to get to work, I'll see you guys later."

"Work?" Sasuke finally speaks up. "Are you sure you should be working right now?"

"Yeah," Sakura stretches her back, pops going up the spine. "Some people were hurt in the attack today so I have to go make sure everyone is okay. Don't worry, I won't be there for long. Just regulation is all. Later guys." With that, Sakura turns on her heels and walks off, leaving her concerned boys behind. This entire thing is so strange to Sakura. She's so used to being the one worried out of her mind for Naruto or Sasuke. Now being the object of their worry... it's just weird.

Well, Naruto's worry. Sasuke seems mostly indifferent about this entire thing. He admitted to her and Naruto a couple of weeks ago that he was going to try and build a friendship with them but to not get their hopes up. He wasn't good at that sort of thing. Sakura understood. Yes, she still really liked Sasuke. Loved him, even, but she has matured enough to focus on other things too.

Like work.

And friends.

And training.

And friends.

And her team.

Which Sasuke is on.

And friends.

Which Sasuke is one of.

And work.

Which Sasuke often frequents because he and Naruto keep blowing each other up trying to create new jutsu together.

And training.

Which means healing the two morons that keep blowing themselves up.

Sakura runs a hand through her hair, making a note to shower when she gets home. She pauses, looking around at the settling silence blanketing the village in appreciation. This is the moment she loves most. The peaceful silence. No wars, no battles, no underhanded schemes.

Yes, the Akatsuki are out there. Again. But they can't ruin this. They can't ruin this peaceful, calm moment.

Sakura turns and head to the hospital, worried that this calm, peaceful moment wont last much longer.

That night, as Sakura tosses and turns in bed, she couldn't get her mind off of the return of these renegade Akatsuki. What could they want from her. Yeah, if there was a smart evil villain then hey wouldn't tell anyone their entire plans, but Sakura wished that she at least had an indication. At least that way she would... well, she would at least know and isn't that what they say is half the battle?

Sakura sits up slowly, tugging down her shirt that had started ridding up in her tussle with the sheets. She crosses her legs and looks out the window, watching the clouds move about in the dark sky. The moon three-quarters full tonight. Sakura bathes beneath the moonlight wondering where her protection is. She squints into the darkness but is unable to see anything.

She lays back down and closes her eyes, willing herself to fall back to sleep. There was nothing that she could do now.

The next day Sakura is up bright and early. She pulls on her skirt and shirt, only to stop. If her life is going to be constantly in danger right now, then she should be prepared for a fight at any given time, even work. Stripping her skirt to pull on her shorts and battle overdressing and medical pouch on her hips. Making sure that everything she needs in her pouch before moving onto the more cosmetic part of her morning routine. She combs and brushes her hair, putting her headband, branded with the Leaf's symbol on the top of her head.

She glances over at the headband engraved with the word, "Ninja", and smiles. That is a powerful symbol of our unity. No one ever thought it was possible, but the proof is right there, sitting on her vanity and out in the real world. Men and women, walking all about with different headbands: cloud, leaf, mist, sand, rock, all talking and hanging out. Like all of the horrible battles and strife didn't exist. Or at least, it didn't matter anymore.

A knock on her window pulls Sakura away from her thoughts. She turns to see an ANBU staring in at her. She walks over and opens it.

"Lady Sakura, there has been incident that requires a shinobi of your caliber to handle. Lady Tsunade already suggested you go. It's best to keep everything as normal as possible," he says, moving out of the way so she can climb onto the window sill.

"Okay, what's going on?" Sakura closes the window and jumps down to the street level with the ANBU next to him.

"A Hyuga is having problems with his eyes. Because it's a blood limit related problem only certain people can perform whatever is needed on the shinobi, approved by the head of the family," the ANBU tells her.

Sakura nods and runs toward the hospital., the ANBU disappearing into the shadows. A nurse hones in on Sakura right as she walks into the hospital.

"Where is the Hyuga?" Sakura asks.

The nurse waves for her to follow. "This way, ma'am."

The room wasn't that hard to find, she probably wouldn't have needed the nurses' help. There is quite a few Hyuga gathered outside the door. They move out of the way when Sakura rounds the corner. She marches right into the room to see Hinata, Hiashi and another female Hyuga. Sitting on the bed is another Hyuga, pale as a sheet.

"Sakura," Hinata greets, when she sees the pink haired girl. "I'm so sorry we had to call you here."

Sakura shakes her head. "No, don't worry. What's going on, Hinata?"

"Liara," Hinata turns to the woman.

The woman, Liara, steps closer, shooting a worried look back at the man on the bed. She looks back over to Sakura, "He's my husband and last night his head started hurting and this morning, he couldn't see. It was horrible. He's in so much pain," she says softly, eyes darting back to the man on the bed. A crease of worry appearing between her eyes.

Sakura nods, walking over to the man on the bed.

"Hi there, can you tell me your name?" Sakura asks softly.

"Tyris Hyuga, Lady Sakura," he says, face shifting toward the pink haired girl. His eyes searching in the darkness for her.

"So, you can't see at all? With your normal sight, and with your byakugan?"

Tyris shakes his head. "I can see with neither, ma'am. My head just stopped hurting about twenty minutes ago, and I haven't been able to activate my byakugan since."

"And when exactly did your head start hurting last night?" Sakura walks over to the sink to properly wash her hands.

"Around midnight, ma'am."

She dries her hands off. "Did you do anything out of the ordinary yesterday?" He shook his head. "Okay, I'm going to have to take a look," she pauses to look over to the head of the Hyuga family. "May I?"

Hiashi nods, eyes narrowed in concentration. "You may proceed, Lady Sakura."

Sakura put the tips of her middle and pointer fingers on both hands to his temples and told him to close his eyes. She closes hers too and sends her chakra into his head. She gently probes his brain, finding her way to his eyes. There was a little bit of damage on the retinas but nothing that would cause blindness.

"Can you activate your byakugan for me?"

She watches silently as the chakra attempts to go to the eyes, only to be deterred and taken down a different vein before stopping all together. Sakura pulls away and rubs her chin in thought.

"It appears the issue maybe because of the chakra flow to your eyes. I think something is wrong with it, but I couldn't actually say without knowing how a byakugan should be activated," Sakura concludes, turning to Hiashi. "From what I do understand, on the way to the eyes, the chakra seems to have deterred, or been taken to a different path so to speak, thus stopping it from creating the byakugan."

Hinata wraps her arms around herself. "If you can fix whatever is wrong with his chakura flow, will it fix his normal sight too?"

Sakura shakes her head. "There is no way to know for sure unless I fix it. As far as I can tell, there is nothing wrong with his eyes normally. It could just be a horrible reaction to something blocking his byakugan. Your blood limit allows you to see in 360 degrees without even truly activating it. If I had any knowledge of do-jutsu from the sharingan, it wouldn't be of any help to me because that do-jutsu is one that could possibly not manifest in some Uchiha, whereas the byakugan is something that all Hyuga can access, even at a young age."

Hiashi looks troubled. "So what would you need in order to fix his eyes?"

Sakura turns to him. "I would probably just need to see how the eyes work. I mean I could fix it without knowing, but there is a chance that it wouldn't be done right."

Liara turns to Hiashi, falling her to knees. "Please, my lord, may Lady Sakura see my byakugan? Please, I will do anything. Please!"

Sakura and Hinata watch the Hyuga woman, bow deeply to her lord, begging for the convenient living of her husband, in awe. Her dedication nearly unfounded. Sakura can hear the raw emotions built up in her voice and if Sakura could see her face, she bets that the poor woman would be crying profusely. Sakura can feel admiration welling up in her chest.

"Liara," Tyris says softly, turning to where her voice was, but still unable to see her. "Please it's okay. I'll be fine. We can adjust."

Liara looks up and at her husband sharply, tears leaving trails down her face. "No, Tyris, if Miss Haruno can help you, I must do everything I can! Please don't try to stop me!"

"Lord Hyuga," Sakura says formally. She walks around the bed to stand before him, looking into his clear eyes. Clear like Neji's not with the hint of purple like Hinata. "I too must beseech you. There is very little I could learn from your eyes just from seeing the flow of chakra. And besides, Hinata is one of my best friends and Neji was one of them too, when he was alive. I would never dream of doing anything that would harm their clan." Sakura bows deeply at the waist. "Please, let me help your fellow clansmen. I will do anything."

Hiashi stares at her for a long moment, slightly surprised at her willingness to do something to help. He shouldn't, he tells himself. It's merely how medical shinobi are programmed. But there was no doubt that Sakura was a close personal friend with Hinata and his late nephew, Neji, and they usually seek Sakura out if they were in need of medical assistance. Well, whatever Hinata couldn't heal with her meager skills as a medical shinobi.

Finally, he looks over to his daughter, who was looking at Sakura with a gentle smile and deep affection in her eyes. Calling her name pulls her attention to him.

"Yes, father?" She says softly.

"You trust Lady Sakura with our clan's secrets?"

Hinata didn't hesitate. "Yes."

As the future head of the family, Hiashi has to trust that Hinata would do what she believes is good for the clan. So, taking her word for it, he concedes.

"Very well," Hiashi says, closing his eyes, "you may proceed Lady Sakura."

Sakura nods, straightening.

"My lord," Liara says softly, bowing deeply again. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

Hinata bows lightly. "Thank you, father."

"Thank you, Lord Hyuga." Sakura says then goes and kneels in front of Liara. "Are you ready?"

The light brown haired woman nods. "Yes, ma'am." She stares into Sakura's green eyes as the medical shinobi puts her fingers to her temple.

"Now... activate your byakugan," Sakura whispers, eyes slipping closed. Obeying, Liara's byakugan appears in her eyes, veins bulging out. Sakura purses her lips, pulling away to stand up. "Okay, so I was right. You can put your blood limit away now, Liara."

"That's all?" Liara asks, unsure.

"Yeah," Sakura says simply.

"So fast," Hinata murmurs. "Did you find what you needed?"

Sakura nods, walking back over to Tyris. "I did. Now, Tyris, I need you to lay back for me, please." A little hesitant, the blind Hyuga obeys. Sakura puts her fingers to his temples and closes her eyes once more. A green glow appearing at her finger tips. She moves her left hand over his eyes, covering them with her palm. "Calm down, Tyris. Relax and let me guide your chakra."

Tyris nods jerkily. "Y-Yes, ma'am."

Sakura concentrates for a few minutes in silence, before slowly pulling her left hand away from his eyes, hand changing like she was holding a string and pulling it from the space in between his eyes. Barely conscious of it, she steps into the light from the window behind her to block it from his face. Another moment of silence. Then another and suddenly Tyris gasps in pain, eyes shooting open as the byakugan appears.

He roughly rubs his eyes, trying to get past the pain. A Hyuga's eyes are exceedingly sensitive. Liara runs to his side, grabbing his hand tightly.

"Are you okay, Tyris?" she asks.

He squints at her for a moment, blinking rapidly. "I... I am. Liara," he reaches out and wipes the tears from her face. "Oh, my beautiful Liara, I will never worry you like this again. I'm sorry."

"You can see?" Hiashi asks, mildly impressed.

Tyris blinks a few times. "Yes, I can. My eyes kind of burn but I think they are okay." Liara squeals happily, throwing her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

"Thank kami! Thank you, Lady Sakura, thank you so much!" Liara says, rocking back and forth with Tyris in her arms. "How can I ever repay you?"

Sakura laughs. "No need. I'm glad I could help. But I need to make sure that everything is fixed. I need you two to separate for just a moment then you can hug and kiss to your hearts content," Sakura says bemused, when the two separate, color flushing their pale cheeks at the public display of affection. Hyugas tend to be more on the regal side of the spectrum.

"Uh, yes of course, my lady, please continue," Liara says softly, standing back but still holding Tyris's hand. Hinata laughs softly.

"It's okay to be happy, Liara," she tells her. Liara flushes even more.

"Yes, lady Hinata."

Sakura checks Tyris's eyes for any more damage, healing his retina's and making him take away his byakugan to see if he can see without it. He could, The she had him activate it a few times on his own to make sure there is no more problems. Finally, she deduces that the problem has been solved.

"Alright, you're good to go, Tyris. I think I've healed the problem. You're eyes may burn a bit for a few days and you may have a bit of light sensitivity but I suggest that you rest your eyes for two or three days, and when you think your ready activate your byakugan a few times a day to make sure there are no problems. If pain resurfaces or the burning doesn't stop within the week, come back. I think that's everything." Sakura beams at them. "You can leave when you want."

"Thank you, Miss Haruno," Tyris says, then stands and bows respectfully.

"Yes, thank you again," Liara says, still holding onto Tyris's arm.

Sakura nods. "Take care of yourselves and each other."

They both nod.

"Thank you for your assistance, Lady Sakura," Lord Hyuga says. He tips his head, then turns and leaves. Liara and Tyris on his heels. Hinata stays behind a moment, waiting for them to be out of the room before turning to Sakura.

"Thank you for your help again, Sakura-chan," she smiles lightly. "Do you know what caused that to happen?"

Sakura shakes her head. "No clue. Maybe have all Hyuga make sure their eyes are okay."

Hinata nods. "Will do. Thank you, Sakura."

Sakura smiles at her friend. "No problem, thanks for letting me help."

Hinata laughs. "No problem." She sobers up, looking at Sakura with wise purple eyes. "Are you okay?"

Sakura opens her mouth, about to say that she was. Why wouldn't she be? But then the events of yesterday hit her. She was the target of this new form of Akatsuki. But why? She couldn't wrap her mind around it. Shouldn't Naruto be the target again? She supposes not, seeing as Naruto is becoming more and more powerful at such an astounding rate, it's going to eventually be nearly impossible for him to find opponents that can challenge him. Sakura closes her mouth and shrugs.

"I guess, as good as someone in my position can be." she shrugs again, trying to write it off as something that isn't much concern for her. She's a shinobi of course she will have people vying for her life. This should be nothing. And normally it wouldn't but these enemies are piggy backing on the already dark and ominous fear that comes to people when they hear the name Akatsuki or see the black cloak with red clouds.

"I'll be fine, Hinata," Sakura finally says. Then smiles, but it doesn't have the same mirth as the one before it did.

Hinata nods slowly, reaching out to touch Sakura's shoulder with a look of comfort on her face. "I'm here if you ever need me." Then with a small, assured nod, she leaves, closing the door behind her.

Pride swells in Sakura's chest at how strong Hinata has come over the years. But that pride quickly fades. Something tells her, that even though these new Akatsuki are flying the same colors as the other, they are soon going to make a very prominent and powerful name for themselves. And it's only a matter of time before they come back for Sakura for whatever reason they have decided to target her.

If they come back- no, when they come back, Sakura will be ready. She won't let them catch her off guard again.