What was lost, what was Gained

ch. 3

Sakura's POV

I hurried home and packed all kind of things I could think of, who knows how long it will be before we return home. All my shuriken and a few scolls. Not to mention my medical ninja kit, that thing took up a lot of room. I caught my reflection in the mirror, I looked tired. Which I was but still you notice things more when you see them with my own eyes. My eyes. I use to hate looking in the mirror because my eyes always seemed to be full of tears, for 'him', for Sasuke. Even though is back at the village, he still isn't all here, his heart and mind are on his brother. Like always.

"Sakura you're being silly."

I shoke my head.

"Being jealous of Itachi, Sasuke wants to kill him, he should be the last person to be jealous of."

I laughed lightly and stuffed my favorite red ribbon in my bag, I took it with me on many missions, I found it to be a good luck charm.

"Who are you jealous of?"

I jumped. Naruto was seating on my window seal, adjusting his headband.

"Oh nothing. I was just mumbling to myself."

I went back to packing. This would have been awkward a few years ago, but Naruto was my brother now. Still it was a bit weird, ususally he says something. When Naruto is silent you know something big is on his mind.

"Is everything okay with you and Sasuke?"

Yep, that was Naruto, as blunt as ever. Still even that was a question that Naruto could have been more sensitive.

"Naruto don't be stupid. Sasuke and I are fine."

The look Naruto gave me said he wasn't buying it.

"Lately you seem more depressed and I know Sasuke was talking to you earlier at the ramen shop. It wasn't my business so I didn't say anything but you know you can still talk to me."

He gave a light smile, I returned. I got off my bed and walked to the window. Another thing I could do because Naruto was my brother, I hugged him.

"Thanks Naruto for caring. Actually Sasuke wanted to talk to me because he was worried too. Don't worry, everything is just fine. Sorry I worried you."

Naruto accepted that and his smile covered his face.

"Okay Sakura. I'm just glad that Sasuke wasn't stupid enough to miss that."

He laughed, I laughed. Naruto turned back to the window, about to jump out.

"Naruto, are you nervous about the akatsuki, their plans?"

I asked. Naruto froze in his steps but didn't turn around to face me.

"Sakura, I'm fine. Akatsuki can't touch me, after all I am Naruto Uzumaki, the next hokage!"

He looked over his shoulder and gave me a thumbs up. I gave him one.

"Have fun at Hinata's."

I yelled as he jumped out my window and headed towards the west side of the village towards the Huuyga compound. I went back to packing, I knew why I loved both those knuckle heads so much, they always made the best me come out.

Naruto's POV

I was happy to hear Sasuke had fixed what was bothering Sakura. Sasuke was my best friend and Sakura is like a sister to me. Still I know Sasuke, he's not the most open person, but I know he cares about Sakura. I reached Hinata's place in minutes. Hinata seemed over joyed about the mission.

"Naruto that's great, this is what your team has been hopeing for."

I wrapped my hand took hers as we walked into her gardens. Her long dark hair draped on my arm. She smiled at me.

"Yeah it is great. However Hinata the akatsuki they're targeting carriers of the tailed beasts."

Her smile dropped and her arms wrapped around mine holding me to stop.

"But...that means they'll be going after...you."

I cupped her face with my other hand.

"Yeah but I can handle those old farts."

I laughed but Hinata didn't even crack a smile.

"But there is soemthing you can do for me Hinata. If I think this misson is going bad I'm going to call for back-up but not to Granny Tusnade. I'm going to contact you and the other rookies. I'll need all of you guys to back us up."

Hinata released my arm and stared down at the floor. I cupped her face with my other hand.

"It's going to be that dangerous isn't."

She stated. I smiled. How I loved her, she was always so caring.

"Yeah it will be, but I'll be with my team. Still I will send you notes and reports. I need you to gather the rookies on a regular bases and study the things we gather on the akatsuki. Discuss it with the others and when or if I need back-up you guys will be ready."

Hinata's frown disappeared slightly.

"You always have a plan Naruto. Okay I'll do this. I know the others will be on board. We trust you Naruto."

"I know. I can't believe sometimes how I came to have such great friends. And to have such a great girl."

Hinata blushed, heavily.

"Naruto it's you who us better, with your strength."

I leaned in and kissed Hinata. Her arms wrapped around my neck and I smiled as she kissed back. She pulled away.

"you better take care of yourself mister, I mean it."

She tried to sound authoritive and kinda did, still I smiled.

"Yes ma'am."

I leaned down and kissed her again, this time niether one of us pulled away.

Sasuke's POV

I had repacked my bad at least twenty times, I was taking at least twenty more times the supplies I normally take.

"There is no room to make mistakes."

I mumbled looking at my bag again. The thoughts of my brother kept flooding into my mind. He killed my family, his family. He nearly killed Naruto, which lead me to wanting to kill Naruto. You left the village, which gave me no choice but to do the same. I have to follow him every where to find him, it is his fault for all the misery in my life. For all the suffering I've cause on this village, on the rookies, on Naruto and on...Sakura. It's all his fault.

"When I kill you Itachi, I make sure my hands are stained with your blood."

I smiled, at my dream come true.