Woot Woot! Here's chapter 4!! I would like to thank everyone who had reviewed for my story!! I love you all!! Now so I won't keep u waiting here's chapter 4!!

Chapter 4: Time to Leave and waffles?

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Sakura stirred and opened her eyes. She closed them again disliking the light in the room. It burned her eyes. Wait! She opened her quickly and blinked multiple times. After her eyes adjusted she looked around the room. Dark green, a simple dresser, a desk with many papers on it, and a cute deer stuffed animal. Not her room. Someone else's room and why she was here she doesn't know.

'What the hell!? Where am I? Was I kidnapped? Am I tied up!!?'

She pulled the covers off her to reveal her legs. She wasn't tied up she was perfectly capable of moving. Sakura sat on the edge of the bed looking around confused and puzzled. She had no idea where she was or who she was here with.

'Who took me here? I can't remember...Wait that person who attacked me last night. They must have kidnapped me and took me here away from Konoha!'

Sakura looked at the closed door. She hears music coming from the other side.

'Probably locked...'

'Idiot...try opening it!'

She gets up and walks to the door.

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Shikamaru walked around the kitchen making waffles. He was playing Blaqk Audio while making breakfast. He had already gotten used to his shorter hair. It was easy to manage. Just the way he liked things. Although he had accidentally cut his bangs on an angle which now hung over his left eye starting on the right side giving him side bangs which he didn't like. They got in his way too often.

He flipped his hair away from his face and put the waffles on some plates ready to be eaten and walks into the living room.

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Sakura twists the door knob to find it open and walks out. She smells a delicious aroma.

'Food...'

Sakura walks into the next room and looks around for another person. She finds no one so she searches for the kitchen. Following her nose she finds it and sees waffles on the table.

"Waffles..." she dazes off staring at them lovingly. She has an awkward obsession to waffles. She walks slowly up to them eyeing each piece.

"Uh...Sakura...What are you doing," comes Shikamaru's curious voice.

Sakura regains her composure and takes a stance.

"Who are you," she demands. Shikamaru gives her a stare that says what-the-hell-you-don't-recognize-me-you-fool. Sakura doesn't budge.

"Sakura...it's Shikamaru. Remember I had to cut my hair for the mission," he asks slowly trying to calm her down. He really doesn't want one of her punches in his face.

Sakura looked like she was thinking it over. Her stance went down and she seemed to calm slightly. Shikamaru sighed and let his defensive arms fall to his sides. Before he knew it he was sprawled on the wall behind him with a stinging sensation left on his face.

'Well at least I know the disguise works…'

Shikamaru rubbed where her fist had connected with his face. Sakura had regained her composure and was glaring at him expecting him to recoil and attack. Shikamaru stood up and took something out from his pocket. He kept his eyes on Sakura as he unfolded the paper in case she attacked again. Sakura tensed as he handed the paper towards her. She grabbed it and read it. It was the paper for their mission.

"Ohmigosh! Shikamaru I'm so sorry! I thought you were some attacker who kidnapped me," she stuttered blushing madly from her embarrassment. Shikamaru looked at her confused. Did she remember what had happened?

"Relax its okay I would have done the same…" he lied trying to stop her rambling. Sakura's face changed to one of anger.

"Wait! Why am I at your house in the first place," she demanded with her hands on her hips.

"You really don't remember? You were attacked and I helped you. Then you passed out and I didn't know where you lived and it was late so I brought you here," he explained his tone held boredom. Sakura thought for a moment.

"Oh…That really happened…," she whispered to herself. Shikamaru watched her facial expressions.

"The mission! What time is it? We're gonna be late," she paced back and forth.

"I already talked to Tsunade she said we can leave at noon. But first she wants to see us," he said following her as she moved from room to room.

"Okay so I'll go back to my house and pack then I'll meet you somewhere okay," she asked stopping.

"I'll meet you outside her office. Sound good," he asked cracking his neck. Sakura winced at the popping sound but nodded. She would have told him that was bad for him but he probably wouldn't listen. Sakura began walking to the door and opened it.

"Thank you," she smiled before leaving towards her apartment. Shikamaru smiled slightly and walked into his kitchen.

"Where'd my waffles go," he searched around for them frantically.

'Great...now my waffles are gone too...'

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Sakura walked through Konoha with waffles in her hand.

'He makes them good.'

Sakura continued on her way towards her apartment.

'What am I going to tell Sasuke? I can't make it today at Ichiraku? I'll ask Naruto to tell him for me…Then I won't look like an idiot.'

Sakura switched her destination to Naruto's house. She walked past Ichiraku checking to see if Naruto was there. Nope.

'Just Shino, Choji, and Kiba…'

Sakura wanted to go in to say hello and catch up but she was low on time.

'I can talk to them later right now I need to find Naruto…'

Sakura continued down to Naruto's house. Along the way she passed some shops. She looked into some thinking about if she should get a different outfit instead of her usual ninja attire.

As Sakura was looking into the various windows she heard an obnoxious voice.

"Of course I'm a guy why would think I'm not you freak," Naruto yelled to his companion.

Sakura looked over to see Naruto and Sai walking down the sidewalks together. She walked over to them.

"Hey Naruto, can you do something for me," she asked. Naruto and Sai stopped and stared at her. She was puzzled.

"Have we met," Naruto asked scratching his head.

"Baka! Its Sakura," she yelled pumping her fist in his face.

"Oh, Sakura-chan! What happened to your hair," his face turned into a grin.

"It's for a mission. That's why I need you to tell Sasuke I won't be able to meet him at Ichiraku okay," she asked nicely "Please…?"

"Ugh, why did you even agree to going with that jerk," he crossed his arms making a disgusted face.

"He just told me to go! He was staying at Ino's house and he didn't give me any time to answer or reject," she whined.

"Naruto just tell him so my ears will stay intact," Sai said monotonously rubbing his ears.

"Shut up! I'm not shouting! I'm calmly asking Naruto to tell Sasuke my message," she glared at the pale boy.

"Okay! Okay! I'll tell him for you," Naruto said putting his hands in front of him in a silencing manner.

"Thank you," she hugged him. Naruto's face grew slightly red.

"Well go get ready for your mission. Don't worry me and Sai will tell the loser you can't make it," he waved to her and started walking again. Sakura smiled and waved back she took the street leading to her apartment.

"Do we have to," Sai asked irritably.

"She said we have to deliver her message. But that doesn't mean we can't change up a few words she said," Naruto put his hands behind his head and grinned at the other boy.

"You're smarter than you look Naruto," he smirked back. Naruto chuckled and they both went to look for the chicken butt.

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Sakura unlocked her front door and stepped inside. It was good to be home. She walked into her room and searched for a bag to hold her belongings in. Sakura pulled out a black and white bag and threw it on her bed.

She searched in her dresser for some different outfits that would make her seem different. She pulled out a fishnet shirt, a black skirt with shorts, and black leggings.

"Where did these come from," she stared at the black clothes. "Maybe I was depressed when I bought these." She threw them onto the pile on her bed. She found many new clothes she didn't know she had. She decided to wear her favorite ones today.

It was a black fishnet shirt with a mahogany undershirt that matched her hair, dark gray knee length pants, and a pair of ninja sandals.

When she was finished packing she looked at her clock in the kitchen. It read: 11 o'clock.

'I'll meet Shikamaru now I guess. He's probably going to be late though…'

'If you know he's going to be late then why are you going now?'

'I don't know…I..Its good to be early!'

'Ooooh!!'

'Ignoring you now…'

'Fine be that way!!'

Sakura grabbed her bag and headed out her apartment door. She locked it and started walking.

'I should give my key to someone and they can take care of my apartment while I'm gone…How about TenTen.'

Sakura knew where to find her best friend. At the training grounds with Neji. Ever since Ino started hanging out with that Sand nin girl, Temari, Sakura had decided to find a new best friend. She had become great friends with Hinata and TenTen. TenTen was her really close friend that she trusted her life with and Hinata was like her sister. She trusted her with her life as well.

Sakura walked faster to the training grounds eager to see her friend and looked around for TenTen.She found her and Neji sitting under a tree resting. Sakura walked up to them.

TenTen stood up and hugged her.

"Sakura! Long time no see. I haven't seen in you in two days! What did you do to your hair? I like it" TenTen exclaimed.

"I'm going on a mission. I had to change my appearance so no enemies would recognize me. How did you recognize me," Sakura smiled back.

"I've known you for a long time and I know your chakra. Is it a solo mission," TenTen put her hands on her hips.

"No, I'm partnered with Shikamaru," Sakura said slowly.

"Oh, well that's not too bad! I mean he's nice and smart. He's kinda cute too," TenTen smirked. Neji stayed silent listening to the girls talk.

"TenTen! It's just a mission! Besides I don't think he likes me very much I do annoy him. But anyways I came by here to see if you would take care of my apartment while I'm gone," Sakura explained.

"Oh, sure! And I'm sure you two will be great friends after this mission," TenTen took the keys from Sakura.

"I've gotta go now. Tell Hinata I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye to her and tell her everything about the mission. I'll write to you both. At least I think I can," Sakura hugged her friend.

"Okay. It's alright if you don't write we'll understand. Be careful," TenTen hugged her back.

"Bye," Sakura waved and teleported to the Hokage's office.

"Another round," TenTen faced Neji. He stood up and nodded then took a stance.

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Sakura walked down a hallway leading to Tsunade's office. She passed by a few nurses she knew saying hello and smiling at them. Sakura reached the Hokage's office but didn't find Shikamaru waiting for her. Sakura went over to a bench across the hall from the office and sat down.

She sat there listening to the rush of people moving down the halls. Soon, there was silence as if everyone had gone inside to rest. Sakura leaned forward putting her arms on her upper legs. She looked left and right looking for a reason for the long silence. Nothing, not even one person walking in the long hallway.

Silence filled Sakura's ear until she heard voices coming from inside Tsunade's office. One was obviously Tsunade and the other...either Kakashi or Shikamaru. They sounded almost the same to her.

The person turned out to be Shikamaru. He opened the door and walked out rubbing his head.

"Crazy lady," he muttered. He looked down as he walked. Sakura laughed at his irritation. He looked up and rolled his eyes.

"Thanks for being so considerate...," he sat down next to her.

"Sorry, am I supposed to go in now," Sakura asked innocently.

"I don't know," He leaned back onto the bench.

"Some genius you are," Sakura teased.

"Hn. It's not a full time job," He replied quickly.

"Oh, I didn't know...," She smirked in his direction. He grunted and put his head on the back of the bench looking up. Sakura frowned and got up. She walked back and forth thinking if she should knock or not.

"You pace a lot," Shikamaru noted with his eyes closed.

"How would you know your eyes are closed," she asked defending herself. He smirked.

"I can hear your feet shuffling back and forth," He said in a reduced voice.

"Oh...," Sakura said dumbfounded.

'He really is smart...GRRR!!'

'That's my line!'

'Shut up!'

Tsunade walked out into the hallway and looked at the two. She had a scroll in her hand and was glaring lightly at Shikamaru. He cringed slightly rubbing his head.

'She had to throw a paper weight at my head...Why couldn't she throw the book it was holding? At least that weighed less...'

"Sakura, I have this scroll for you. It contains special healing jutsus for you to study. I don't know what kind of disease this is so you need to be ready," Tsunade handed the scroll to Sakura.

"Hai. When do we leave," Sakura asked firmly.

"About now would be nice. You need to get there and help as soon as possible. But be careful you need to keep your identities hidden understood," she stated robustly.

"Are we allowed to write to people back here in Konoha while we're away," Sakura asked worriedly. She needed a friend to talk to that wasn't a boy. She looked at Shikamaru awkwardly.

'I'll be living with that...'

'You're so mean!!'

'Well sorry!'

'Apologize!'

'Why?'

'You have insulted my future boy friend!'

'Nani?! You are so weird...'

'I am you!!'

'Shut up!!'

'Hee hee...'

Tsunade looked like she was thinking. Sakura randomly flicked her head angrily. She received curious stares from Shikamaru and Shizune. She just smiled shyly and shrugged.

"I suppose you could write...but make it seem like you are talking to a relative. Don't worry I'll inform TenTen and Hinata about that," Tsunade nodded. Sakura smiled. Tsunade knows her well and is practically her second mother.

"Thank you, Shishou," Sakura bowed. Tsunade smiled warmly at her and put the papers on her desk into piles.

"I would see you to off at the gates but I have too much paperwork so just check in with the guards before you leave. Dismissed," She said picking up her pen. Shikamaru and Sakura bowed then headed out the door.

Sakura walked over to the bench and picked up her bag. She saw Shikamaru didn't have one.

"Where's your bag," she asked. Shikamaru shoved his hands in his pockets.

"A nurse with blue hair told me to leave it at the front counter," He shrugged, "I don't know why." Sakura nodded.

"Let's go get it," She started walking through the hall and down the stairs. Shikamaru followed. They walked together towards the desk. A brunette was sitting there. She looked up and smiled at them.

"Can I help you," she asked kindly.

"Hai, is there a...," She looked at Shikamaru waiting for him to identify his bag. The girl behind the desk looked over at him.

"A dark green bag," he asked putting his arm on the desk and leaning on it.

"Oh yes...It was in the lost and found," She got up and walked over to a box. Shikamaru stood up straight and looked puzzled. He had given it to that girl with blue hair before. She said he had to leave it there because he wasn't allowed in with it.

'Wow, I believed that.'

He shook his head thinking. The girl took out a green bag and brought it back over.

"Here you are," She handed it to him. He nodded thanks and walked towards the door. Sakura followed him.

"I thought you said that girl was holding it for you," she asked perplexed.

"She was but...I don't know maybe she left it there by mistake," he opened it and saw nothing had been tampered with or taken, "Everything's still here. C'mon let's get going to the Waterfall Village. It's pretty far away." Sakura nodded and looked over at him. She didn't really get a good look at him since this morning. She had to be able to identify him with his new haircut.

He looked good with short hair. His bangs covering his right eye gave him a tantalizing look. She thought she would never think of it but he was actually...attractive. Shikamaru glanced toward her through his bangs. She looked away quickly and stared at a falling leaf passing by on the wind.

They reached the gate and checked out with the guards. Soon they were jumping through trees on their way to their first stop. Tanzaku Town, a small town near the border of Leaf and Sound. A bad place for leaf shinobi. Hopefully, no one knew who they were or could identify them easily.

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Sorry I haven't posted in a while!! Just school is a killer and I need to keep my grades up!! Darn parents! HeeHee jk Love u Mom!! And btw in this story Ino is evil just in case you didn't know yet...Their plan will be revealed throughout the whole story so pay attention. lol... Read and Review! Please!! I'll update soon thanks for reading!! -Jes