The prologue was kinda short, but don't worry people, we still have plenty chapters to go. Thanks for the reviews and here is chapter 2, loyal readers.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.

Chapter 2: Special Affection~

Sakura's eyes shot open, realizing she was on a bed and she came face to face with an unfamiliar woman. "So I see, the bitch is awake," Karin muttered, secretly jealous of her beauty. Sakura held a poison covered kunai to her neck. "Fuck off, whore and step away before you're staring at your own heart," Sakura growled, glaring at her hotly with a threat that seemed extremely deleterious.

Suigetsu burst out laughing. "I like her, she's dead serious too. Karin, you better get away from her, before she follows through on that threat," Suigetsu advised, grinning madly. Karin's face turned aghast and she unconsciously took a step back. "That's better," Sakura smirked, an mock affable tone in her voice.

She then groaned and rubbed her eyes with one hand, "Where am I?" feeling uneasy. Suigetsu greeted enthusiastically, "You're in Fire Country with Team Hebi. I'm Suigetsu. What's your name, beautiful?"

She realized she was changed into gossamer clothing and seethed, looking around for the culprit. Suigetsu reassured her, "Calm down, your little friend, Ino, changed your clothes. I didn't touch ya. Now, can I have your name?"

His airy tone confused her, she didn't know what to make of it. Kidnappers wouldn't be so friendly...right? Sakura answered slowly, a bit cautiously, not feeling an alias was necessary, "Sakura Haruno." She looked at Karin in disgust at her plain, yet dowdy clothing and Karin sneered. Suigetsu prompted, in a eager tone, "Hot name, cherry blossom. So what's up with that Ino girl?" Karin screeched, "Suigetsu, stop talking to her. Sasuke-kun won't be pleased to see you interacting with that thing," very furiously.

Sasuke said in a extremely cold tone, "Shut up, Karin," as he walked in. Karin was agitated, but obediently didn't say anything else. Sakura gasped, astonished, "Sasuke? Wha-?" Ino came in after Sasuke and gave Sakura a tight bear hug. "I'm glad you're awake, Sakura. I was beginning to get worried," Ino joked, smiling warmly.

Sakura managed a small reassuring smile, yawning, "How long have I been asleep?" Ino shrugged, "9 hours." Sakura shot up suddenly and shouted, "9 hours?" She felt a jolt of pain in her arm and leg and cried out. Ino tapped her chin playfully in thought, "Oh, yeah and your arm and leg are broken." Sakura gritted her teeth and glared. "Oh, really? Thanks for telling me," she exclaimed sarcastically. Sakura used her good arm to finger-comb her long hair.

Sasuke just watched the two interact in mild amusement. Sakura's eyes traveled to Sasuke and she murmured quietly, "Ino, how did you find him?" Ino explained gently, "He came to us after you passed out. He said he would help us."

Painful memories full of hurt, pain, and rejection engulfed her as she stared at the man that had broken her heart years ago. It was him, the Uchiha prodigy.

Sakura asked suddenly, her face blank, "Sasuke, can you come here?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow and demanded, "Why?" Sakura didn't say anything, but he saw a flash of hurt cross her features. He looked at her silent pleading eyes and walked over to her reluctantly.

Sakura punched him in his face hard, though Sasuke didn't raise a hand to defend himself or return the pain, seeing as how his actions were culpable. It was a sign of equitable rights, only for Sakura. Tears sprung to her eyes and she raised her hand to hit him again, but she became irresolute. Karin cried out, "Sasuke-kun! How dare you hit him, you stupid wh-" Sakura screamed angrily, "Shut the FUCK up!" Karin frowned, but became silent.

Sakura raised her emerald colored eyes to look at his coaled ones and extended her hands to his face; confirmation to make sure that he was real. To know for sure this wasn t a dream.

Sakura mused absently, her face contorted deep in thought, "Still handsome as always." Sasuke stared at her, neither pleased nor displeased, his expression enigmatic.

Karin growled and broke the silence, "Hands off, Sasuke doesn't want you, Pinky." Ino gave her the finger, making Karin shoot a glare.

Sakura flashed him a weak smile, but Sasuke didn't smile back. He looked at her with indifference, as if he never knew her. Sakura's smile faded and her eyes went to the floor. "Same old Sasuke, isn't it? Cold and indifferent as always," she chuckled painfully. Karin smirked in triumph. Ino clenched her fists and said, "Sasuke-kun, you-"

Sakura sighed deeply and snapped, giving Karin a scathing glare, one that was filled with anathema, "Stop, Ino." Ino hmphed and settled for gazing fermently at the Uchiha in a scornful way.

Sasuke decided that castigation would be useless. He mentally laughed wryly, 'As if anything I do could tarnish her image of what she thinks I was or still am.'

Suigetsu spoke up in disbelief and joy, "The Samehada is mine. Thanks, sweetheart, for keeping me the trouble of killing Kisame-senpai." Sakura nodded, shaking her head mentally at his giddiness, "No problem. I'm still tired." Suigetsu grabbed Ino's wrist gently and drawled, "Come on." Ino took one last look at Sakura and left.

Karin whined anxiously, "Come on, Sasuke-kun, she wants to be alone." Sasuke demanded impatiently, "Karin, leave." Karin shook her head and pouted, "No, I'm not leaving you in here with her." Sasuke glared and spat, "Now." Karin gaped for a moment and stormed out, closing the door rather forcefully, but not slamming it in case Sasuke might get angry. Sasuke looked at Sakura, who turned away from him, staring into her lap. Sakura closed her eyes and ordered harshly, "I meant you too, Sasuke."

Sasuke didn't say anything, but sat on the edge of the bed, not too close. Sakura frowned, and stared at him in disbelief. Sasuke spoke after a few seconds and inquired, "Is it true you know where the Akatsuki's hideout is?" Sakura's eyes widened and she squinted at him suspiciously, "Yeah, but who-?" Sasuke replied simply, "Yamanaka."

Sakura rolled her eyes at her air-headed friend and supposed, "So after I tell you, you're going to leave, am I right?" Sasuke's face remained impassive and he replied honestly, "Yeah." Sakura sat back, crossed her arms and smirked grimly, her expression sadistic, "Well, then, I guess you'll have to kill me, because I'm not telling you a damn thing."

Sasuke was shocked, but recovered quickly and commanded, "Tell me, Sakura."

"Why would you think I would tell you if you asked?" Sakura challenged, daring him to come up with an acceptable reason.

"You still love me," Sasuke stated dryly. Sakura did not make an attempt to repudiate that accusation, only smirked.

Sakura concluded firmly, "Forget it, I'm not going to tell you. You haven't done me any favors, Uchiha, so what the hell do I owe you?"

Sakura gritted her teeth to keep her temper in check. Sasuke almost growled in frustration, staring at her as she were an petulant child. "I've always knew you were annoying," he finally said. Sakura could not tell by his inscrutable gaze whether he was irritated or just indifferent by now. Sakura ignored his previous statements and whispered, "Leave me alone, Sasuke. Kill me if you want, but I refuse to say anything." Sasuke groaned, his brows furrowing, "Fine."

Sakura was quiet for a moment. Then she turned to him and stated dryly, "I hate you. So much," very simply in a sepulchral type of voice, as if they were talking about the weather. His anger seemed to abate replaced by a small twinge of guilt. "No...you don't," Sasuke corrected her, his tone vapid, as if he had experienced too much to feel anymore. Sakura's eyes showed astute judgement, not letting him see that his words pierced her heart. "Let us join Team Hebi," Sakura spoke quietly, in a defeated type of tone. Sasuke got up and left the room and Sakura lied on the bed, lost in her thoughts.

His previous friendship and memories would be enough to erase the record of discreditable actions.

17-year-old Naruto Uzumaki woke up to banging on the door. "Ugh, who is that?" he muttered sleepily. [Probably Sakura-chan...] Naruto swung open the door and was a little startled to see Kakashi and Sai. "Oi, sensei, what are you knocking at my door like that, so early in the morning?" Kakashi explained, "Me, you and Sai have a mission at the Hidden Rain Village." Sai began to walk off, "So let's go, dickless." Naruto yawned and murmured, "Oh, okay. I'll get dressed right now...Hey, who the hell are you calling dickless?" Sai gave a fake smile and answered, "You." (A/N: I'm not going to make them notice Sakura is gone until the mission is over.) Naruto argued while he got dressed and they walked to the Hokage's tower.

Ino remarked, wrinkling her nose in distaste, "Karin, is it? I don't know what the hell your problem is, but I'm not going to let you ruin Sakura's chance at Sasuke." Karin scoffed and sneered, "Like I care about that big fore headed bitch. Sasuke has been with my teammate for 5 years and I really like him, so stop being such a nuisance, Blondie." Ino's temper rose.

Suigetsu suggested to Ino, "Just leave her alone. We both know that Sasuke doesn't want her." Ino smirked and Karin snarled tautly, "Suigetsu, stop being such an asshole." Suigetsu shrugged, with a wide smile, "Obsessed whore. We can play the name game all day, darling." Ino walked over to him and giggled with a fond smile, "I like you already." Suigetsu raised a brow and grinned, "Really? Thanks, you're not bad yourself. Your name is Ino, right?" Ino nodded and blushed. "Are you single?" Suigetsu asked, taking in her luminous blue eyes, her long blonde hair, her exposed, pale stomach, and her royal purple ninja attire. "I might be," she teased lightly.

Juugo stated roughly, "Here comes Sasuke." Ino's attention went to the Uchiha prodigy and she probed, "Is Sakura asleep?" Sasuke grumbled distractedly, "Hn."

Sasuke suddenly spoke, "Juugo, let me talk to you." Juugo, a little surprised, replied, "Of course." When they were out of earshot, Sasuke explained Sakura's terms in exchange for information about the Akatsuki's hideout. Juugo voiced his suggestion, "Well, unless you agree to what she wants, we'll be looking for months." Sasuke let out a breath in annoyance. He mumbled, "Hn," and headed to Sakura's room. He walked in to see Sakura asleep.

He stared at her and couldn't help but notice her natural beauty.

Her pink hair gracefully spread across the black pillow. Her cherry red lips, slightly parted as she slept peacefully. Her chest rising and falling with every breath she took. She was absolutely mesmerizing. His thoughts came to an end as she moaned softly.

He shook her awake and Sakura blinked twice.

"Sasuke..." she muttered sleepily, pulling Sasuke into the bed next to her. Sasuke glared at the sleeping woman and she laid her head on his chest. Sakura muttered, "Naruto, you idiot, you can't cook ramen in the woods..." Sasuke rolled his eyes and shook her again. Sakura's eyes fluttered open and she saw Sasuke's annoyed expression and her hands on his bare chest. She sat up and Sasuke got up. She apologized, yawning, "Sorry," realizing what she did.

Sasuke brushed it off, "Hn." The room was quiet before Sasuke said finally, "Fine." Sakura looked at him incredulously. Sakura smiled warmly which made Sasuke's heart jump. Sakura started, "I'm glad you decided to let us come with you..." Sasuke frowned, interrupting, "Not me, us. You both are part of Team Hebi." Sakura nodded and put her hands in her lap.

The tension rose as the room got quiet. Sasuke looked at her fidgeting slightly and scowled, "Now what?" He glanced at her, cool as an ice burg, still indifferent, but curious. Sakura had softened considerably noticing that the old Sasuke was resurfacing, giving a small smile, "Can I have a hug? I only hugged you once and I would like to do it again, since it's under better circumstances." Sasuke groaned and closed his eyes. He checked for any approaching chakras and found none. (Ino was masking her chakra though.)

"Yeah," he allowed, finally. Sakura smiled warmly and wrapped her arm around his neck and giving him a kiss on his cheek. Sasuke raised a brow and Sakura explained, "Well, my arm is broken, so you had to settle for a kiss. At least it was on your cheek." Sasuke hned and walked out the room. Sakura called out, "Sasuke?" Sasuke didn't reply, but he stopped in the doorway without turning around. Sakura told him, her voice calm and uncaring, but her eyes soft, "I don't hate you."

Sasuke replied, "I know," and walked out of the room.

Naruto got to the Hokage's office and started banging on the door. "Oi, Tsunade-baa-chan, open up!" he drawled loudly. Kakashi sweatdropped and Sai shook his head. Shizune opened the door and Tsunade shouted, "Naruto, do that again and I'll murder you!" Naruto scratched the back of his head and coughed sheepishly, "Yeah, well, I was sleepy and interrupted from my wonderful ramen dream. What's the mission?"

Tsunade shuffled through the papers on her desk and informed them, "A simple mission. You three, along with Neji and Tenten, have to go to the Hidden Rain Village and give them these documents."

Kakashi asked boredly, "C-ranked?" Tsunade corrected him, "B-rank. Someone is trying to get their hands on these papers. They are very important." Naruto waved it off, "No problem. Can I do something before we leave?" Tsunade answered, "Go ahead. Just be back here in an hour."

Naruto rolled his eyes and grumbled, "Yeah, yeah, granny, I get it." Tsunade clenched her fists and Naruto ran out of the office. Shizune and Kakashi both thought the same thing. [He's an idiot...]

Naruto went to the Hyuuga mansion and knocked. Hinata answered the door and she blushed. Naruto grinned nervously, "Hey, Hina, could I see Daichi and Keiko before I leave?" Hinata nodded and Naruto pecked her on her lips. Hinata instructed the maid to get the babies and the maid brought Naruto and Hinata's children. Daichi was 4 and Keiko was 3.

Naruto kissed them on their foreheads and said to his wife, "When I get back, we could go out for dinner. We could talk about living together and talk to your dad afterwards, alright?"

Hinata nodded and beamed, "Yes, that would be wonderful." After the maid took the babies back to the nursery, Hinata was wrapped in a pair of strong arms. She snuggled into the warmth, and turned her gaze to meet her husband's cerulean eyes. Naruto leaned forward, and pressed his lips against Hinata's in a warm passionate kiss. When they pulled away, Naruto smiled, "Could you tell Neji to meet us at the Hokage's office in 45 minutes?" Hinata nodded in understanding, "Of course." Naruto grinned goofily, "See you when I get back." Hinata smiled warmly, "Bye." Naruto headed off to Tenten's house.

Sakura healed her arm, but since Kisame drained so much of her chakra, she didn't have enough to heal her leg, or waist. Team Hebi came in the room and Sasuke said sternly, "We have to go." Sakura stared at him, "Well, my leg isn't fixed, so I can't get up." Sasuke bit back a rude remark and motioned for her to get on his back. Karin's eyes radiated hatred towards Sakura, but she kept quiet to not get Sasuke mad at her.

Ino had already healed herself, so she just made mild conversation, "So Sasuke, where are we going?" Sasuke stated simply, "Hidden Earth Village." They left the inn and left the village. While they were running through the forest, Sakura's stomach growled loudly, "I'm hungry." Sasuke glared incrediously and scolded, "Why didn't you say that before we left?" Sakura taunted him, "There's no use dwelling in what I could have done, Sasuke." Sasuke smirked evilly, "You know, dropping you sounds really tempting." Sakura tightened her good leg around his waist. "You wouldn't," she dared, admittably a little nervous. Sasuke, with the smirk still on his face, said, "Try me, Haruno." He took pleasure in her slight terror.

Karin made a gagging noise, making Sakura shoot a menacing glare at her. Sakura looked at Ino and got an idea. She snuggled into the crook of Sasuke's neck, making Ino grin, Suigetsu snicker, Karin stumble, Juugo's eyes widen and Sasuke grunt. She then sighed, "Sasuke, you smell really nice." "Hn." he blankly replied. Although Sakura was just trying to get under Karin's skin, she really loved the musky natural scent of his skin. Karin bit her tongue to keep from strangling Sakura. Ino snorted as her and Suigetsu burst out laughing.

Sasuke shot them a suspicious glance and Juugo blinked. Karin said, "Oi, Sasuke-kun?" Sasuke responded, "What?" Karin fluttered her eyelids, "Did I ever thank you for saving my life?" Sakura and Ino looked at each other. Sasuke sighed, getting annoyed, "Yeah, repeatedly." Karin said quickly, "Ah, just wondering." Sasuke shook his head, knowing exactly why Sakura and Karin were acting so strange, but decided not to get involved.

That is the end of this chapter, over 2,000 words like I said. Thank you for reading and after 10 reviews, I will update. See ya.