Chapter Two: Lilium

…

Os Iusti Meditabitur Sapientiam Et Lingua Eius Loquetur Indicium.

{The mouth of the just shall speak wisdom and his tongue the judgment.}

[Elfenlied – Lilium]

…

xXx

"You'll see, Sakura-chan, we will come back soon. We'll be stronger than ever before, believe it! And we'll be able to protect you better, right Sasuke?"

"Hn."

The time has come. The day, the most terrifying day of my life, has come. My team would leave me behind. They would start on a long journey, together with their respective teachers, so they could acquire new and better skills. Without being interrupted by missions for the village.

And that's why I would be left alone, without a team. Naruto would go with Jiraiya from the Legendary Sannin, while Sasuke would take on the journey with Kakashi-sensei. And I? Who would care about my training? I'm nothing special. Neither I'm a descendant of an as powerful clan as Sasuke, nor am I the only child of the Hokage like Naruto. Only a small, insignificant kunoichi, which didn't have the slightest idea of what would be important for a ninja life.

And that is how it came that I stood here, at the entrance gate of Konoha, slightly away from the Hokage with his wife Kushina-san and the Uchiha Clan-Head Fugaku-san with Mikoto-san.

Jiraiya became slowly but surely impatient.

"Damn, where is Kakashi?"

Naruto voiced similar concerns, while Sasuke stayed calm. He admittedly looked around, but I guessed that he looked for his brother than his sensei.

That's why we fooled around, while we waited for the ever late Copy Nin. At least the boys did. I tried to participate too, but with my anxious state of mind my attempts could be classified as mediocre. I stopped trying and watched how Naruto and Sasuke got themselves in another fight. This sight looked so common to me, that I didn't know whether I should laugh or cry.

Sometime later Itachi-senpai joined us. He exchanged few words with Sasuke, but afterwards went back to his parents.

Then Kakashi-sensei came, two hours too late. He briefly patted my head, as if I were a little girl, and joined Jiraiya, who started on berating him for being late again. The boys faced me again.

"Of course we will stay a team when we come back!"

"Don't make promises which you can't keep."

Before I ended my sentence I already regretted it. Great, now they would get more worried because of their decision than before.

As predicted Naruto's look became sad. Even Sasuke looked slightly guilty.

I shook my head.

"Forget what I said."

"But we will come back."

Surprised I faced Sasuke. Did he really speak – voluntarily – to me?

"The bastard is right. We promise faithfully, that when we will come back to you, no one will separate us! Even if we'd had to mess with these elders from the Uchiha clan. We'll be the best team Konoha has ever seen, just believe it! Sasuke will confuse our opponents with his Sharingan, I will beat them with my Rasengan and you will hold our backs with your chakra control."

I smiled, even if he just implied that I'm so weak that I'm only good for staying behind their backs. But I couldn't resist; Narutos enthusiasm has this kind of impact.

"Promised?"

"Promised!" the boys shouted out simultaneously, even thought Sasuke was quitter and not as noticeable.

Out of the corner of my eyes I could recognize the smiles of Kakashi-sensei and Jiraiya. Okay, Jiraiya's smile was noticeable, but with Kakashi it was more difficult. You had to rely on what his eye showed you.

Then the boys took off with their teachers. The families went home afterwards. Only I stood here for a while.

"Come back soon, okay?"

xXx

"Come on, princess! Let me come with you."

I rolled my eyes.

"First: If something should go wrong, even the best genjutsu wouldn't help! Or how else do you want to hide a two meter high, blue shark man? You're always seen in the bingo books, you know? And the second thing: Don't call me princess! How often do I have to repeat myself?"

Reassuringly Kisame raised his enormous hands.

"At ease, Sakura-chan. What's the matter anyway? You're more aggressive than usual."

I let out a sigh.

"I'm only slightly anxious. If the Kazekage recognizes me… well, than I'm as good as dead."

"Oh come on. As if he recognizes you after all these years. I mean how old were you? Twelve? Thirteen? That was five years ago. Why should he remember?

I looked up from my current task – packing all the necessities for my travel to Suna – and raised a pink brow.

"Okay, pink hair isn't something you forget lightly. But what do you think are the odds for him to leave his comfy Kazekage office on the day you arrive in Suna? I think you should stop worrying your pretty head about this."

"Everything is possible since Gaara became Kazekage. A headscarf is in order."

Once I finished packing my small travel bag I changed into my costume. Kisame tactfully turned around but didn't leave my side. But as a partner I trusted him.

He didn't look like it, but Kisame is a gentleman to the core. At least he was towards women, who didn't end up being slaughtered by him. Which meant – normally – Konan and me. Or the few ladies, who didn't run at the sight of Kisame and even spent the night with him.

"It's a shame that I never get to see how you play the part of exotic belly dancer."

Again I rolled my eyes. He was a gentleman, but one with perverted tendencies.

"Oh shut up, you pedophile."

Now I was ready for my travel to Sunagakure. Underneath my ordinary – not the Akatsuki one – cloak, which usually was used for undercover missions, I wore an oriental getup, which showed (too) much skin. Generous cleavage, bare midriff, long skirt slits – so I could freely use my legs in my dances -; golden circlets for my arms and legs, much jewelry on wrists, ankles and neck – where they joined my faithful, emerald green amulet-; a veil, which only showed my eyes; also a headscarf, which hid my pink hair. The color of the fabric was a lush, dark forest green, which matched my eyes.

"In all honesty, little one, I'm not surprised that the guards let you pass without much inspection. Or that you still have to earn your entry in the bingo book, even if you are on the level of an S-class missing-nin."

His comment made me smile slightly.

"How should I put it? There are some things you better leave to women."

xXx

After a few days I arrived in Suna. Actually the guard let me through… after a relatively short inspection. They quickly looked through my small travel bag, where I kept my money, change of clothes and diverse antidotes for trade. I explained to the guards, that my home village was plagued by poisonous snakes and that's why we were skilled in the complex creation of antidotes. I only wanted to earn some extra cash, I explained further. They actually didn't suspect me of anything. I wouldn't be too surprised if Deidara and Sasori would manage to snatch the Kazekage from under the Suna-nin's nose.

However… I really wanted to sell my antidotes for some extra money. I only withheld the information, that I personally made these antidotes and these ones became dispensable.

After selling my goods to a vendor for medical merchandise I sought a busy street, where I could attract as much attention as possible.

Our informant had to find me, not the other way around.

With my dancing I achieved to attract the attention of many different people: men, women and children; merchants and customers; rich and poor; civilians and ninjas. Although the ninja made me feel nervous. I wasn't like Pain with his diverse paths or like Sasori with his countless puppets. Alone I couldn't hold my own against a Hidden Village. For these situations I needed Kisame's support.

Neither knowing his name, nor his appearance of the 'informant' – I personally called this lot spies or whistleblowers – I didn't have another choice than waiting for someone to approach me.

Maybe it would have been better and especially simpler to send Sasori himself, because it is technically speaking his own informant. But it would have presented us with the risk, that somebody would recognize him, even with his puppet.

Deidara was instantly out of the question because: a) he was an infamous missing-nin and his face adorned all bingo books and b) with his never shutting mouth he would attract (negative) attraction to himself. Besides Kisame everyone needed to prepare for the coming extraction, and why Kisame couldn't go was more than clear. Because I – whatever the reason – didn't manage to secure my place in the bingo book I was the ideal candidate for doing these kind of missions, be it seduction missions or undercover-missions. Maybe my 'specialty' was the reason for my still absent, official title of 'missing-nin'. A case, which never ceased to be amusing to the other Akatsuki members.

It wasn't my fault that my stupid former village still didn't realize that I still walk the earth, alive and kicking.

Since recently however I couldn't be too sure about my KIA-status.

When an ANBU team was on my tail my strawhat fell accidently off. They saw my hair, possibly my face too. And my gut instinct warned me, that these ANBU could have been Konoha Shinobi.

So my picture would get a place in the bingo book, after all. At least they would brand me a criminal, a missing-nin. At best my identity would stay anonymous and the bounty hunters would look out for pink hair in combination with green eyes. Of whom most likely existed only one.

At worst Konoha would draw conclusions from the reports of his ANBU and my appearance and would realize, that I wasn't as dead as they believed.

In this case I would have to look out for an onrush of ANBU. Leader would kill me if I didn't manage to control this problem.

But I would worry later.

Our informant approached me during a small break. The spy was an older man, who looked quite ordinary for Suna-proportions.

"Hello, my name…"

I stopped him before he could go on further.

"Art…" I began. The man understood immediately.

"… is a form, which is dedicated to eternity itself, and thus should exist for eternity."

I nodded. The code was correct, and definitely sounded like Sasori.

"For certain reasons you won't give me your name, and I will not give mine either. We discuss the details and our paths separate from there on."

He nodded. After packing my things together we strolled through the village and talked with each other. For outsiders it would have looked like a man escorting a young dancer through his village, but in reality they saw a traitor, who sold information to an Akatsuki member; an organization, which would soon abduct their beloved Kazekage.

After exchanging information the spy left, while I continued my dancing on another street till the evening. Not for my personal amusement, but for making my role as a street artist more believable. Such details saved my life more than once.

Before the sun began setting behind the horizon I finally packed my things and proceeded to the village gate. The first part of the operation was concluded, now all that's left to do-

Absorbed in thought I didn't notice the person in front of me and bumped into someone. How embarrassing, even though the people here didn't know of my true profession. Especially the one standing… Wait.

Speaking of the devil. Or thinking. Or whatever.

I somehow managed to clash with the Kazekage's brother (his name was Kankuro, wasn't it?). And Gaara himself, together with his sister Temari, stood right beside us.

If I came here out alive, Kisame wouldn't live another day to laugh about my current situation. Because I could and wanted to, not because he deserved it. Even though he was the one who told me that I didn't have to worry about meeting the Kazekage. Did I already mention that I hated sharks?

"I'm so sorry." I said instead and bowed down.

"No problem, Miss…?"

"My name is Hana. I you would excuse me…"

I tried to get away as soon as possible. But it seemed that Kankuro had other plans and grabbed my wrist.

"Maybe I should walk you until the gate as apology. Or maybe until your destination? A lady like you shouldn't travel alone…"

"My husband awaits me."

This particular excuse helped me most of the time when I was in a hurry.

The blonde began to butt in.

"Leave her alone. Don't you see that she is capable of traveling alone? You men with your outdated opinion that all women are weak…"

I liked blondie.

Gaara however didn't say anything at all, though he observed the situations quietly. I had this feeling, as if he scrutinized me, but when I looked in his direction he gave his brother an impressive glare.

"I really have to go, my husband awaits me."

Actually only Kisame, but this piece of information didn't concern anyone.

With that said I hurried left the Hidden Village, followed by the eyes of the sand siblings.

xXx xXx xXx

"Take your mask off, weasel."

Itachi obediently took his mask off.

"Itachi, report."

"Mission status: failed, sir."

Minato Namikaze sighed softly, interlaced his hands and propped his chin on said hands.

"Explain."

Itachi dutifully explained the course of the mission, until he came to the part of the realization, that their target was… homosexual. Itachi paused his report so the Hokage could recuperate from his fit of laughter.

"Hehe, sorry about that, but based on your report it was the first time for your team to get confronted with such situation?"

Itachi nodded.

"Such situations happen to every Shinobi, who undertake undercover missions, at least once. Kunoichi aren't an exception either. But I digress. Continue."

„After our target left with her lover for the night we intended to poison her in her sleep and get the scroll in this way. But when we found her in her room she was already dead and the scroll was missing, as well as her lover."

Minato nodded. He understood what he was driving at.

"We followed her chakra signature as well as we were able and found a young woman with a dark cloak, which was painted with red clouds."

Minato jolted up.

"The Akatsuki. That makes her the first woman we know about, who is part of the organization. Any striking attributes? Ordinary ninja are usually beneath the organization."

Itachi didn't have to think long.

"We only saw how she used genjutsu, but she didn't fought us. Some other member took her away before we had the chance to engage her. Her appearance however was quite unusual, especially for a kunoichi. Long pink hair and green eyes, but with the lighting condition at the time I can't be too sure."

Itachi fell quite, but finally continued.

"But she somehow looked familiar."

The Yondaime couldn't contain his surprise.

"That's impossible, but what if…?" The Hokage uttered under his breath while he rose from his chair.

"I'll be right back."

He vanished in cloud of smoke, but just as fast he already returned. But now he hold something which looks like a photo frame. He turned the frame around so that Itachi could see the contained picture. Instantly he recognized his little brother, who argued with his best friend Naruto, the son of the Yondaime. Only that the boys were around twelve years old when the picture was taken. But Kakashi, who stood behind the boys, didn't change at all. Which could be due to his mask. But Itachi didn't take an interest in these details.

"Did the kunoichi look similar to the girl on this picture?" asked Minato.

He recognized her, she has been the last member of Team 7. Has been, because she was considered KIA shortly after Sasuke and Naruto left the village. The circumstances weren't well known, but nevertheless Sasuke blamed himself for what happened, just as the rest of Team 7. If he remembered correctly her name was Sakura.

What was more important than her name was the fact that the kunoichi, who led his own Team to failure, did look like an elder version of the little girl on the picture. And that was what he told the Hokage.

Minato slumped on his chair and buried his face in his hands.

"Who would have thought that this would happen to her…"

The Yondaime straightened himself again.

"What we discussed here and what is being currently discussed will never leave this room. That's an order, Itachi."

Itachi nodded. „I understand."

"Good. I don't know any other kunoichi who has pink hair, which is quite typical for her family. But her family is dead, so the Akatsuki kunoichi can only be Sakura Haruno. We don't know why, and how this arrangement came to be, but now she is a part of an organization, which consists of missing-nin. And she didn't return to her village. That means that I don't have another choice than categorize her as a missing-nin, rank unknown. You will inform all ANBU Teams of her, so they could be on the look-out for her. They must bring her back. Alive. But only ANBU members are allowed to know. You can imagine why."

Sasuke and Naruto. Maybe Kakashi. Sai didn't know her.

Minato sighed.

"Naruto will kill me if he finds out, but the village has priority. Come with your Team tonight for a new mission. Dismissed."

xXx xXx xXx

"It's always striking how many informants you command."

"I would hurry if I were you, so you can use the surprise to your advantage. You will need it."

"Can it be that you are still sulking that you got me as partner, after all these years?"

"Everytime I see the other Teams in Akatsuki, like Pain and Konan, or Kisame and Sakura, I wonder what I have done to deserve you."

"This discussion should be better left for later. Let us explode everything!"

xXx xXx xXx

"Hey bastard, bastard number two! Where is Kakashi?"

Sasuke believed that the question was as unnecessary as the remark 'The sky is blue'. But this sight had something comforting. He, already waiting on the bridge, stood beside Sai with his insincere smile, although it wasn't as insincere as before; Naruto – the fool – as crazy as loud, and Kakashi like always much too late.

For years this sight hadn't changed. And Sasuke hoped, that this sight wouldn't change for the years to come.

Naruto donned this look again, which always appeared, when he seemingly thought about something.

"Does anyone know whether he does this intentionally? Always coming late, I mean."

Sasuke just shrugged. Sai though looked like he thought about his question seriously.

Not necessarily. I believe I saw him recently standing before the monument, just before he met us here. Visiting his friends and teammates who passed away, if I remember correctly."

There went their good mood and good morning. As tactless as Sai was prone to be he simply forgot that Sakura stayed a topic declared taboo.

Therefore my glares were dedicated to Sai. There were so much of them that it was a miracle that Sai stayed unaffected. Naruto however looked like a kicked puppy. How he managed to look like this with eighteen years stayed a mystery.

"You know, Sasuke, shouldn't we at least every now and then visit her grave? I mean there isn't… anyone… around to do that."

Naruto had a point. They should have at least found some time for her. Five years passed, since they saw her for the last time. Since they… left her. Until today they didn't know all circumstances of her death. Only that it happened shortly after their departure.

After three years they returned to Konoha. Their happy reunion with their families though was overshadowed by an angry Ino, who tearfully broke the heartbreaking news. Team 7 didn't believe her at first, they couldn't comprehend, how an almost innocent girl like Sakura could be dead, but the Hokage gave them the confirmation.

Back then they all felt guilty for her death. If they hadn't left Sakura behind, if they had found her another teacher, if they had taken her along. If, if, if.

Only since recently Sasuke didn't think about Sakura with guilt, and also Naruto seemed to cope with it. But it wasn't easy. He and Naruto promised her, that they would be a Team again, when they returned. Instead Sakura died, because they weren't there.

"Sorry for being late, but there was this old lady…"

Kakashi's arrival startled Sasuke out of his thoughts. He didn't notice how much time passed.

"Don't waste your breath on apologies, Sensei. Let's begin our training" Naruto interrupted before Kakashi could say anymore.

But Kakashi shook his head.

"Today's training has to be cancelled. The Hokage expects us. In fact ASAP, it's about something important."

Without much hesitation the Team set off.

xXx

The Yondaime Hokage dropped the amenities. It has to do with a serious matter.

"I come down to business: a message from Sunagakure arrived me just now. The Kazekage was abducted."

Astonished silence filled the room. At least most of the Team were silent.

"WHAT!? GAARA WAS KIDNAPPED!?" Naruto shouted.

Minato nodded.

"According to descriptions we are dealing with the same organization who tried to kidnap Naruto: the Akatsuki."

Sasuke could imagine to what all this amounted to, but he couldn't comprehend why Naruto should be involved. He was an actual target of Akatsuki.

They were fourteen then and still on their journey when it happened. Kakutsu and Saoten were the members who tried to retrieve Naruto. Saoten they managed to kill; Kakutsu slipped away.

"And you called for us so that we can assist Sunagakure with the rescue of their Kage. But why us?"

"It's simple: All shinobi, who I would usually assign this mission, are currently all not in the village. You are the only ones I can trust with this. I don't want to put Naruto in harm's way, but you are the only Shinobi in the village who were up against Akatsuki. You are perfect for this assignment."

"But the confrontation happened years ago. And we can't be certain that we'll meet the same man from back then." Sasuke intervened.

"That's why you will get all the information you need."

After supplying them with all the information they needed, the Hokage dismissed them.

"Depart as soon as possible and help the Suna-Nin. Dismissed."

Я рисую черной краской На стене тупое слово.

{I paint with black ink a mute word on the wall.}

[t.A.T.u. – Belij Plashik (White Robe)]

Next chapter: Farther Away

Something you should know: Updates can take longer here with this story, because I have to translate it from German to English (such a pain in the ***) Anyway consider you warned. (But the next chapter is in the making...)