Reborn

By Makira

Chapter 2:

Rendezvous

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Weird, eh?

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Sakura opened the doors and stepped into the Hogake's office.

As she lifted her head, her eyes met with her master, who acknowledged her with a smile. Sakura also noticed there were others in the room as Shizune said; one in particular who gave her a special surprise.

"Sakura!" shouted a voice in a cheerful tone. Sakura turned her head left and her face immediately lightened up.

"Ino!" Both of them embraced each other like the long time friends they used to be. "It's been way too long."

"I know, I actually kinda' missed you, forehead." Ino said with a smirk as they let go of their hug. Sakura looked back with a grin.



"Sorry to break up the short reunion, but we have some more serious business to attend to." Tsunade then got up from her seat and began to lean at the front of her desk. She took a sip of her tea and then focused her attention on the group.

"As you all know, apart from the ongoing pursuit against the members of Akatsuki, there have been a number of reported attacks against the Sand. Since they are again our allies, we have an obligation to assist them in their time of need. Last week though, an attempt at one of their Council member's life was made. As a result, in an attempt to intimidate the enemy, they appointed Gaara as their new Kazekage. Long story short, the plan didn't work and they need our assistance in handling this matter as quickly as possible."

"Don't tell me you're sending us to Sunagakure," Shikamaru said with a sigh, "man, what a drag…" Sakura only now noticed the rest of the two members on her team. Shikamaru was a pleasant surprise, though he still retained his lazy demeanor.

"Oh c'mon Shikamaru, I kinda' like the heat!" Kiba said playfully as he pet his large companion. His friend was none other than Akamaru, who was now the size of a normal person, which Sakura also found to be quite a shock. Last time she saw them together, Akamaru used to sit on his head.

"Now's not the time to be talking about preferences!" the Hokage shouted. "None of you are children anymore. This takes priority!" Everyone suddenly froze at the ferocity of the Fifth's tone. "You're all headed to the Sand Village, no questions asked. You are to rendezvous to the Kazekage's location and carry on your investigation from that point. Your mission is to figure out why these sudden attacks on the Sand are occurring and under no circumstances are you to engage the enemy; that's what Team 12 is for." Tsunade then picked up a scroll from her desk and tossed it to Shikamaru. "On the map is where you will be meeting a few of the informants since your meeting will be held in secret. They will brief you on the rest of the situation when you arrive. That is all." Tsunade then got up from her desk and took a seat again. "Good luck team.

. . . . .

"Jeez, I hate going to the sand. The Fifth can be so troublesome sometimes," Shikamaru said as he finished polishing his kunai. The team had decided after a day's worth of traveling that they would take a short break in a neighboring village. The inn they were staying at was pretty cheap, but the couple running the place was more than willing to go out of their way for a team of shinobi to make the place a better stay than what it was worth.

"Yeah, the thought of meeting that Gaara guy still freaks me out," Ino voiced in. "Didn't he try to kill us last time? Good thing Sasuke beat in time," she said as she began to lie down on the creaky bed.

"It was actually Naruto who defeated Gaara," Sakura said correcting Ino. Sakura began to remove her headband as she took a seat on the bed adjacent to Ino's. "Sasuke told me himself during the Third's funeral."

"Whoa, wait a minute! You mean that loser was actually the one who beat that sand freak?"

"Hey, watch your mouth, Kiba," exclaimed Ino.

"Oh, uh… sorry Sakura." Kiba replied. His face then lit up as he turned his head to look at her. "Hey, to make it up to you, I'll let you ride Akamaru sometime. He's gotten really fucking fas-"

"No, Kiba, don't worry about it, really. It's okay." Sakura said with a faint smile.

"I think it's time to head to sleep," Shikamaru said as he scratched his chin, "We need to be off early this morning if we plan the make it in time. Shikamaru then let out a tiring yawn and proceeded to head to the door. "You coming Kiba?"

"Yeah yeah," Kiba said as he stood up and cracked his back. "Hey, you girls want Akamaru to stay here for the night?" Ino and Sakura both stared at each other confused and then back at Kiba.

"What do we look like, 12? We're freaking ninjas; we don't need some overgrown pooch protecting us."

"Eh, whatever. I guess it's just a habit I picked up after teaming with Hinata after so many years." Kiba then looked up with a grin. "Let's go boy!" Akamaru suddenly stood up and leaped over both beds onto Kiba's head. "AHH, NOT ON ME YOU IDIOT!!' Kiba yelled as he struggled to crawl out from under the dog's massive weight. Both Ino and Sakura couldn't help but laugh until their stomach's hurt and tears rolled down their faces. Even Shikamaru shared a chuckle at Kiba's humorous misfortune.

After Sakura had calmed down, she began to observe the rest of her new team in such a rare moment. Even in the middle of a crucial mission to help a faltering ally, the team still managed to find some time to clown around. Ino was still laughing as Kiba began to wrestle his own pet while Shikamaru cheered them on. It was a scene Sakura wished she experienced more often instead of sulking around and wasting precious time reminiscing of the past. Sure Naruto and Sasuke we're gone, maybe for good, but that didn't mean Sakura should suffer from it.

Maybe she wasn't as alone as she previously thought.

Maybe it was time to make new friends.

"Alright guys, enough fooling around. We have a big day ahead of us." Shikamaru proceeded to walk to his room. "Let's go Kiba."

"Aye-aye captain," Kiba said as he lifted Akamaru off of him, "Good luck Sakura. You're gonna' need it trying to sleep with Ino's snoring."

"Oh shut up!" Ino yelled as she tossed a pillow at his face. Kiba instinctively dodged the attack and gave Ino a shit-eating grin.



"Ha, too slow, man you missed m-"

BOOM! Kiba was suddenly on the floor with feathers showering him from every direction.

"Nice hit Sakura!" Ino then looked at Kiba again and tried to keep her composure as he tried to get back on his feet. Kiba then mumbled something to himself and left the room covered in feathers. As soon as he did, both girls exploded with laughter.

. . . . .

"Strangely enough, both my parents didn't have pink hair. You've seen them, haven't you?"

"Can't say I have. I know you're lying to me though, Sakura. Pink can't be a natural color for someone's hair."

"How many times do I have to tell you? I don't dye my hair or anything, it just comes out pink. I don't know why and I'd give you an answer if I had one. I'd be curious to find out myself."

"Maybe one of your grandparents had it."

"Eh… maybe."

"Or maybe you're just a freak of nature," Ino teased with a grin, "Yeah that's probably it. You know, I always thought you were a bit weird."

"Ha, if I'm weird then you must be like sub-human or something," Sakura snapped backed, "besides, I know you're jealous of my pink hair."

"As if, at least not with that big forehead blocking the way," Ino replied as she poked Sakura on her head.

"You'll regret that Ino-pig!" Sakura yelled as she grabbed one of Ino's hands and slammed her across the head with a pillow.

"That's it, you're asking for a death wish!" Both girls then began exchanging lighthearted hits against each other as they giggled profusely.

. . . . .

"Is that it?"

"Yep, that's the place."

Far from the Inn, two figures hidden in the high branches of a large cedar were busy scanning the area while also doing a bit of scouting. Both were wearing all black attire with accompanying headbands without a symbol. They waited until some voice cracked through their ear pieces.

"Have you confirmed the location of the reconnaissance group?"

"Affirmative."

"Roger that. Proceed as planned."

"Over and out."



As soon as the last comment was issued, both ninja removed the earpieces and tossed them to the ground. As they neared impact with the surface below, the earpieces began to sizzle until they suddenly exploded with a loud pop.

"What now Kuro?" asked the ninja's partner.

"We attack at dawn. Don't oversleep Mikoto, I'm warning you."

"Is that a threat?" Mikoto said seductively as she leaned up against the cedar's trunk and took a seat.

"Don't test me. I have no problem in killing you if I feel you become burden."

"You're quite the team player, aren't you?" Mikoto sighed as she stretched out her neck and gave it a few cracks. Why do I always get paired up with some psycho?

"I'll be back in a few hours," Kuro said as he stepped off the tip of the branched and disappeared into a puff of smoke.



Good riddance.

. . . . .

"Hey Sakura, could I ask you something?" Both girls had been gossiping for the past few hours, and the lack of sleep was starting to take a toll on their eyes. They were much more somber in the way they spoke and were about getting ready to fall asleep. Sakura readjusted her legs and covered herself with the nearby sheet. A small breeze had hit her feet and ran a cool chill up her frame. She then shifted herself on the bed until her body faced Ino's.

"Shoot." Ino covered her mouth and gave a satisfying yawn. As she realigned her vision with Sakura's, she cleared her throat getting ready to speak.

"Do you still love Sasuke?" Sakura was a bit surprised at how bluntly Ino had asked about it. Sakura didn't mind though.

"I don't think I ever have."

"What do you mean?"

"He was always felt more like a brother to me." Sakura looked away and began to stare at the ceiling. "Sasuke became more than a crush as our lives moved on. Like Naruto, he became someone I would die for. Not that it matters anymore though... What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Didn't you like him too?"

"Not really. I just said I did mostly to annoy you. Feels really stupid now that I think of it."

"Heh, you're such a bitch."

"Sure am."

Sakura looked back at Ino. As their eyes met, she noticed Ino was giving her the same bedroom eyes Sasuke had given her so many years ago. The beautiful way the moonlight illuminated Ino's rounded cheeks and neck was, in short, stunning. It was also one of the few times she's seen Ino without her signature ponytail as her hair flowed freely on top of her shoulders.

"I guess we're not rivals anymore, huh?" It was as if Ino's lips suddenly became a magnet to Sakura's eyes as they lightly glistened in the dim lighting. Ino noticed her sudden interest and playfully bit down on her own lower lip.

"Nope…" Sakura replied as she remained focused on Ino's movements. As she began to question her suddenattraction, she suddenly felt one of Ino's toes slowly caressing her own, working her way up Sakura's legs. Her cold touch made Sakura shiver.

Is this really happening?

As Ino continued her foreplay, Sakura felt a familiar warmth creep up between her legs.

It is really happening.



The more Ino rubbed her feet up hers legs, the more she realized how surreal the situation had become. For the first time in her life, Ino looked somewhat tempting. Did Sakura really like her? Sakura never liked women, and a lot of the time the thought of sleeping with one revolted her. Here with Ino, though, it actually felt right. Her touch felt good. Did that mean Ino liked her as well? She was after all the one making the first move. This couldn't be happening. All this and it was all happening so fast as well. Sakura decided not to fight it.

After a while Ino slowly crept up closer and closer until finally their faces were both a few inches away. She then extended her right leg over Sakura's left and hooked her by the back of her knee. She could feel Ino's nervousness as she moved closer to her friend. Their face inched toward each other's a bit more.

No, I can't do this. It'll be too awkward seeing her later on, but…

As their faces barley touched she could feel Ino's breathing on her cheek. Her warm breath gave Sakura a sudden chill. It smelled heavenly as well.

Fuck it.

As both girls locked lips, Ino pulled Sakura closer and began to run her right hand through Sakura's hair. Sakura felt Ino's warm tongue begin to touch her own. After a few seconds of kissing, Ino's confidence rose and decided to push farther into Sakura's mouth. Sakura then snapped back to reality and opened her eyes. Ino did as well at the sudden stop. Sakura released their kiss as quickly as it started and both girls simply stared at each other, embarrassed about the kiss they just shared. After an awkward silence that felt like an eternity, Sakura got the courage to speak up first.

"I really can't believe we just did that..." Judging by Ino's face, she felt the same way as well. Ino laid down and took her focus off Sakura. Another moment of silence proceeded.



"Are you going to talk to me…?" Ino looked back at her pink-haired friend, her lips still wet from their small, lustful exchange.

"Let's just drop it and pretend it didn't happen."

"Why did it happen?"

"It just felt right… didn't it?"

"I guess so." Sakura then laid down as well and rested her head on a pillow with her eyes still focused on Ino's profile. "What now?"

"I don't know… let's just get some sleep. We could talk about this later if you want…"

"Do you like me Ino? You could tell me." Ino was a bit shocked at Sakura's sudden question. Feeling Sakura's persistence in the matter and wanting a straight answer and nothing more, Ino figured she would tell her what she wanted to hear. She turned to meet Sakura's eyes again and took a few seconds to meditate on her answer. Her heart beat began to accelerate; she realized the answer she gave Sakura to this question had the ability to destroy their entire friendship.

"Ino?"

"I do. I'm sorry about the kiss." Ino then got up and walked to the bed across the room. Sakura wondered what she should do. Ino actually admitted that she liked her and Sakura didn't know if she felt the same way. This had all come so sudden and wondered if this was really happening. Sakura figured it would be better to leaves things off as they are for now, she would bring this up with Ino after the mission. As she prepared to go to sleep, Sakura noticed her bottom lip was still wet from their kiss, and got the sudden mental image of Ino biting down on it.

Ino as my girlfriend.

Fuck.

Sakura wiped her lips clean and then headed off to sleep.

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A/N: Yay, chapter 2's finally done. Hope you guys like it.

Please review! I'd love any feedback, good or bad.