Hullo, guys! Wow, lot's of warm-fuzzies from the review department! I love you people!

I would like to thank my anonymous friend 'aznmelon' for the inspiration for this chapter.

To 'SweetAssassin': Your nose is correct! Deception is in the air!

Also, I'm very sorry, 'Volstgalph234', for ruining the story for you. I hope you still keep reading!

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Sakura groaned. Another briefing.

She had been called in for a mission by Tsunade, and thinking that it was time for a little adventure, Sakura had volunteered to come. But, before any mission, there was the briefing. Sakura just rolled her eyes and dismissed it.

Finally, once a dozen or so other ninjas had been seated, Tsunade called for their attention.

"Shinobi," she started, "I have called you here for a very important mission, so pay attention! The Akatsuki have been spotted." At the mention of the dreaded gang of missing-nin, a murmur went through the crowd. Did Tsunade want them to go after the Akatsuki? Most of them weren't even ANBU!

"Don't be alarmed," Tsunade continued, "I know that most of you guys aren't ANBU. What I need is and 4-5 shinobi to go undercover in the Sand, and try to get into the Akatsuki."

Sakura was confused. She didn't know why she was there, since she was really only good at medical jutsus.

"We're going to need one ANBU to pose as a criminal, one medical-nin, and about two ninjas to report on their progress." Tsunade looked at each shinobi in turn. "Sakura, I'd like you to be our medical-nin."

Sakura gasped. Tsunade valued her medical skills enough to send her to the Sand! Moreover, while she was in the Sand, she might meet Hideo! Sakura grinned broadly. This was the chance of a lifetime! No matter that is was dangerous; Sakura was up to the challenge!

In the end, Tsunade chose Neji because of his bloodline limit and skills, to be the main ninja. The two who were supposed to be reporting their progress were Ino and Shikamaru. They would be leaving in a week. The plan was to stage Neji 'assassinating' a government official, and then have him take Sakura as a 'hostage'. Sakura would really be making sure that Neji didn't kill himself, healing him when needed. Hopefully, the Akatsuki would accept Neji more once he was a criminal.

After the briefing, Sakura went home, thinking. She could be gone for as long as two years. This would mean that she would have to leave her life behind. Leaving that apartment she had been looking at, leaving her mother, leaving her friends. Nevertheless, she would do it. For the village. For Hideo.

Later that night, she got online to talk to Hideo. To her joy, he was on!

CherryBlossom123: Hi!

ScarletNinja: Hello, Sakura. How are you?

CherryBlossom123: I'm great! I just was offered this job in the Sand, and I took it!

ScarletNinja: That's great! Maybe you could visit me sometime.

CherryBlossom123: I'd love that! And how are you?

ScarletNinja: I'm okay. The meeting I had to go to went well. Look's as if I might be in for a promotion.

CherryBlossom123: Wow, good for you!

ScarletNinja: Hey, Sakura, mind if I invite a friend? He's wanted to 'meet' you.

CherryBlossom123: Sure.

Entering Private Chat Room: MysteriousSwordsman.

ScarletNinja: Sakura, this is my friend; you may call him Tomoyuki.

CherryBlossom123: Nice to meet you, Tomoyuki.

MysteriousSwordsman: Hullo.

ScarletNinja: Tomoyuki, this is Sakura; the one I've been telling you about.

CherryBlossom123: Only good things, I hope.

MysteriousSwordsman: Of course. Hideo has only been going on about how gr8 u r 4 the past week!

ScarletNinja: I've only known Sakura a few days!

CherryBlossom123: Lol

MysteriousSwordsman: I no! That's y it's so sad!

CherryBlossom123: Are you guys always like this?

MysteriousSwordsman: Yep!

ScarletNinja: On second thought, maybe bringing Tomoyuki in here was a bad idea…

MysteriousSwordsman: Hmm… U seem 2 b full of those, Hideo!

CherryBlossom123: No, Hideo, it's fun to watch you guys fight! Lol

ScarletNinja: So, Sakura, what are you doing that's bringing you to the Sand?

MysteriousSwordsman: Ur comin 2 the Sand? Cool.

CherryBlossom123: It's just a mission… I have to watch over this one person. I might be there awhile, though.

ScarletNinja: Is it dangerous?

CherryBlossom123: Sort of. I'm leaving in a week.

MysteriousSwordsman: How long is it gonna take 2 get here? Is the person disabled?

CherryBlossom123: Well, not really. I'm not sure how long… Maybe a week, maybe a month.

ScarletNinja: Well, it will be very enjoyable to have you here.

CherryBlossom123: I look forward to coming!

MysteriousSwordsman: Hideo, we gotta go, remember?

ScarletNinja: Oh, right. I'll talk to you later, Sakura. We have another meeting.

CherryBlossom123: Bye Hideo! Bye Tomoyuki!

MysteriousSwordsman: By Sakura!

ScarletNinja: Goodbye, Sakura.

Sakura shook her head. That Tomoyuki was goofy. And she would be seeing Hideo soon! Her head buzzed with elation. She had almost forgotten Sasuke. Almost…

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Yay for 'Tomoyuki'! It's pretty easy to figure out, but anyone know who he is? Keep reading, and keep reviewing! I love encouragement!