Third chapter! Yay! I'm glad that you've all taken the time to read this, I know its not the best and in desperate need of a Beta reader…but I couldn't be bothered to search for one XD so you're just going to have to deal with my mediocre writing skills. So, without further ado, I present to you- the third chapter of The Hatter

~.~

Sakura had managed to pull herself to the far corner in her small living room- eyes glued to the hideous tea pot sitting harmlessly on her coffee table.

How had it gotten there? - was the main question that ran rampant in her head. It must've happened while she was…unconscious. There was no other explanation…but then, who did it? And how did they know about….the dream?

"Fuck." Sakura cursed quietly to herself, a bit of the shock wearing off. She was now able to stand but wouldn't, or couldn't –she didn't know- go near that dammed tea pot. Every time she looked at it she expected to see the long, long table and the…the...man.

"Pull it together Sakura." She whispered through clenched teeth, heart racing despite her best efforts to calm herself. "It was only a dream." She winced as unbidden images raced behind her eyelids.

Clenching her hands into fists, and taking several deep breaths, Sakura was able to calm herself to where she wasn't a panic-stricken mess on the floor.

"I've got to get outta here…" She mumbled, looking around for the scroll that Tsunade had given her. She was just going to leave early, telling the Hokage that she was just excited to get away for a while and…. Sakura nodded her head, that would work.

She eventually found the scroll- wedged between her couch cushions. She grabbed it quickly and rushed upstairs to pack a small bag.

Then she was out of the door, running as fast as her legs would carry her to Tsunade's office.

~.~

Sakura mumbled a quick apology to Shizune - who she had, ran into upon entering the Hokage building. The elder woman just brushed off her apologies and mentioned that Tsunade actually wanted to see her.

"Really?" She mumbled, more to herself seeing as she was already going up the steps to Tsunade's office.

She knocked on the door twice and barely waited for a response before rushing in the room; all smiles –although they were fake.-

"Ah, Sakura…something told me that you would be here…" She smiled and motioned for her to sit in the plush chair seated in front of the oak desk. Sakura sat, and managed to catch her breath.

"Actually, Hokage-sama… I was wondering is I could leave for the mission a…a little early. It seems as if I'm a little eager to get on the road." She said sheepishly, smiling.

Tsunade looked at the pink haired ninja with a bit of a smile. "I figured as much, just as luck would have it… I've received word that there has been another attack on the prince's life, and we need someone out there immediately. So, Sakura, if it would be better…you could leave now if you like." She smiled lightly, taking a sip from her ever-present sake cup.

Sakura almost sighed with relief, but held it in. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. I will leave right away." She nodded and stood.

"You are dismissed… oh- and Sakura..?"

"Ma'am?"

"Be careful…okay?"

Sakura blushed a bit and nodded, closing the door softly behind her. Once the door was closed, Sakura rested her back against the cool wood and slid down till she met the floor. She curled her arms around her legs and took several deep breathes.

She felt bad about lying to the Hokage, but things had worked out in her favor.

Well, sitting here wasn't going to get her out of Konoha, so Sakura stood and squared her shoulders- lifted her chin, and began the long trek to the gates. A hard smile graced her features.

"I can do this." She murmured to herself confidently. "I will do this."

~.~

I feel so bad because this chapter was late AND it's really short. But I have an excuse! My internet provider is doing some kind of work on their systems and I'm unable to get on the internet at this time. But it should be up and running soon enough then the updates will be at their regular rate, about a chapter every one to two days. =) Thanks for reading.

OH, more one thing. I've been debating on making this a non-romantic story, but I'm also messing around with the idea of something along the lines of, Sakura x Alister. PLEASE let me know what you think in a review!