Yeah... Hi guys! I'm Rikotsu-sama... I'm SP3234-sama's new co-author for this fiction... Don't hate me! Okay? Yeah... I'm picking up where SP3234-sama left off... I'll try to make uber long chapters like SP3234-sama, but I'm not as good at it as her... So the chapters may be shorter...

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of it's characters.

Today Tomorrow and Always

By: SailorPrincess3234

Co-by: Rikotsu-sama

o0 Chapter 3 - Grave Matters 0o

Sunday February 27th, 2005. 12:37 A.M.

"Sakura!" My mother gasped as she came bustling into my room after I screamed. "What's the matter? That was an awful scream!"

"Nothing, Mom." I lied, jumping out of bed, throwing my black jacket over my flannel pants and shirt pajamas. "I gotta go see someone."

"Oh no, Sakura. It's way past dark, and the middle of the night. You're not going anywhere." She blocked the doorway, stopping me from passing.

"Mom! Get out of the way!" I screamed, not caring if I woke the whole neighborhood. I needed to talk to Tsunade-sama right away! After a quick thought I did a couple hand seals and lightly tapped my mother in the stomach. She froze and I dodged past her. "Sorry for the jutsu, Mom! It'll wear off soon!" I shouted back down the hall as I hurried downstairs and to the front closet.

I slipped on my sandals, grabbed my house keys and dashed out the front door, leaving it hanging wide open to the chill night air. It was snowing, light and fluffy white flakes. I continued to run through the snow, the slightly icy sidewalks were no foe for me.

Sunday February 27th, 2005. 12:52 A.M.

I stopped to catch my breath in front of Tsunade's office's large wooden doors. My breaths were slightly shallow as I push open one of the doors. I ran up to Tsunade, who was sleeping at her desk again. I shake her awake and she mumbled something like, "Five more minutes..." How typical. I shook her harder until she sat up quickly and looked at me with sleep-filled eyes.

"Sakura. What have you found out about Sasuke?" Man Tsunade-sama can wake up fast.

"Two weeks." I panted, still out of breath from a few miles run. I channeled a little chakra to my lungs, which made it slightly easier to breathe.

Silence ensued, neither of us knew what to say. Tsunade-sama sat cross-legged in her chair, tapping her chin, no doubt thinking of what to say or what to do. "Sakura." I looked up from staring at the floor, hands on my knees.

"Yes, Tsunade-sama?" I asked.

"Return to my office in the morning, we need to start your training. I do not want you going back outside in this snow with just what you have on, so go down the hall and go in the last door on the right. That is a spare bedroom. Sleep there."

I nodded, and turn to leave. As I reached the door to her office, Tsunade-sama spoke once more, "Oh, and Sakura." I turn to look at her. "Be thinking of the others you wish to bring with you. Make sure you trust them with your life. Now sleep well, Sakura. You will save Sasuke."

With those comforting words in mind, I left, closing the door behind me.

Tuesday March 1st, 2005. 8:06 P.M.

Dear Diary,

I've been training with Tsunade-sama for four days now, and I've greatly improved my skills, but I do not know how much these improvements will help me when I try to save Sasuke. I am unsure of my strength... Unsure if I can help Sasuke-kun at all... I wish I could know wether this is a futile effort, or wether I can save him...

I've also picked the others I wish to bring with me: Naruto of course, Lee-san, and Neji-sama. They are all very strong now and really good friends to me, even if Neji is kind of a weirdo... Well, I should get going. I'm meeting Naruto at Ichiraku Ramen to get my mind off Sasuke-kun.

Write 'cha later.

Yours truly,

Sakura

o0 Chappie Fin 0o

A/N: Sorry that it's short, but i think this was a fairly good place to stop. Hope to write chappie 4 soon! Bye-bye!

-Riri