Disclaimer: I don't Naruto... And I don't like repeating things like this...

"B- Rank Missions"

"TSUNADE-BAA-CHAN!" Naruto's lound shout was heard as he entered the Hokage's office with a loud banging of the door. The blond- haired ninja barged in through the Hokage's office without much warning but was easily recognized. Inside the office was the Hokage, with Shizune standing at her right and two other ninjas, standing in front of them, Neji Hyuuga and Ino Yamanaka.

"Huh? Hey, Tsunade-baa-chan, why did you call for me? Are you giving me another mission! Huh? Huh? Huh?" Naruto was as noisy and as nosy as ever, but the Hokage had learned to control her temper and ignore his rantings instead. She stood up from the chair that she was sitting on and went to face the three Chuunins who were inside her office.

"You three will be given a B-rank mission. You have to go to the Hidden Village of Jishin and you must retrieve the fire crystal which the village desperately needs. It was reported to have been stolen by a group of ninja bandits who were rumored to be members of the Akatsuki. Further details about the mission is found here, in this scroll. Any more questions?" Tsunade clearly explained.

"When are we leaving?" Neji turned to ask the Hokage. "Tommorrow morning, at five o'clock, be ready. Meet Shizune at Area 111." Tsunade stated. "Okay! Another mission! Haha! I bet this will be interesting!" Naruto said in delight. He always liked having missions. 'Ugh... what a dobe...' Ino thought in disgust.

After sending off Naruto, Ino and Neji to prepare for their mission, Tsunade opened the list of chuunins who were to be sent to another mission. As she turned another page, the Hokage's brows furrowed in sheer concentration. "Shizune, are you sure that it will be okay to pair them up with each other?" Tsunade was quite skeptical about it. Afterall, it isn't easy to trust a once turned traitor chuunin and a yet emotionally unstable chuunin to undergo a Class B mission. "I think they're both ready, Tsunade-sama." Shizune stated. "Very well, Shizune... I trust your judgment."

In Area 115...

Sakura was breathing ragged breaths out of her lungs, trying to fight a Jounin with the use of a katana. She was trying to master Konoha's Secret Sword Technique but it seemed obvious that she needed more practice. "Tired already, Sakura?" Haru asked. He's a Jounin and a master swordsman with the use of Konoha's Secret Sword Technique. He's also the brother of the Jounin named Hayate who died when he learned of the plan to destroy Konoha (remember the sick-looking Examiner at the Third Chuunin Exam?).

"I chose to teach you the Secret Sword Technique because I thought you were special. Don't tell me you're just gonna give up." Haru challenged the pink-haired Chuunin who was trying to wield the katana. "I won't give up!" Sakura said as she ran towards him but suddenly disappeared in the blink of an eye. "Konoha's Secret Sword Technique! Dance of the Crescent Moon!" Sakura appeared above the Jounin and was about to attack him with a heavy blow, but the Jounin was fast enough to lift his sword and block her attack.

"Nice one... but your form still needs much polishing. I think that's all for today. After doing the Dance of the Crescent Moon, your body will need rest." Haru said with a smile, showing off a dimple on his left cheek. He sheathed his katana back to its scabbard and went to sit beside the still panting Sakura. "By the way, the Hokage asked me to tell you that she wants you in her office this afternoon." Haru said. "Something about another mission, I guess."

"Okay... Thank you, Haru-sensei..." Sakura stood up and sheathed her own sword. Her knees were a little wobbly because of lifting a full-length katana but she didn't show any sign of protest. She slowly placed the katana over her shoulder and was ready to go. There's no doubt why Haru thought she was special. She's a talented medical specialist and a well-disciplined kunoichi.

"Oh, and Sakura... after you get back from your mission, I don't think we should use a full-length katana yet. I think I overdid training you immediately with a katana. Maybe next time, we could use a kodachi instead. You're still not used to the length of a katana. Is that okay?" Haru good-naturedly placed both his hands on the back of his head and walked along with Sakura. His silver colored hair was blown inecessantly by the wind.

"Hai, Haru-sensei!" Sakura smiled. She liked Haru-sensei. He was like a brother she never had. "So, I think I'll just walk you over to the Hokage's office." Haru said with a smile, to which Sakura also smiled in return.

Sakura arrived inside the Godaime's office with Haru, immediately noticing the presence of the onyx-eyed avenger. He was standing at a corner with both his hands buried deeply inside his pocket. The Hokage was busy fixing mounds of paper work but immediately stood up when Sakura and Haru entered the room.

"Konnichiwa, Tsunade-shishou..." Sakura greeted with a small bow. "Good afternoon, Sakura." The Godaime greeted back but she turned to Haru instead. "How was her training?" The Hokage immediately asked. "Fine, just fine, Tsunade-sama. She's starting to get the hang of using a sword." Haru answered good naturedly. He was very much like Kakashi minus the Icha Icha Paradise and the late timing.

"Good. I'm glad to hear that. You may leave now, Haru." The Godaime said, then, in a puff of smoke, Haru disappeared. Tsunade turned to the onyx-eyed avenger. Up to now, she still has doubts about the Uchiha prodigy but for now, she will try to trust him. "Sasuke, come here." She said to which the Uchiha silently obeyed. He stood side by side with Sakura and listened to the Hokage. "I'm sure you two know why you're both here right now. I am assigning you both to a Class B mission. The village of Ame will be holding it's Rain Festival three days from now. Your mission will be to protect the son of the village's daimyo. He will be honored as the succeeding daimyo of the town on the day of the festival. Our intelligence division has reported sightings of Akatsuki ninjas around the village of Ame. They may have planned something, and it is up to both of you to stop it."

Upon hearing the name Akatsuki, the Uchiha prodigy stiffened. Only one person came into his mind... Uchiha Itachi... If the Akatsuki ninjas are sighted on the village of Ame, there is a possibility that his brother will be there too. Only one thing ran inside the head of the younger Uchiha... Revenge...

By the next morning, both Sakura and Sasuke were ready. They met up at Area 214 and upon sunrise, they were ready to leave. It takes about a whole day and a half to get to the village of Ame but the two didnt waste any time. They hastened their speed and arrived on the border of the village of Ame by night time. One thing they didn't expect though, traps surrounded the borders of the village of Ame. They had to fight or they would be killed.

Sakura and Sasuke were both lured into a trap and they easily fell for it. Invisible chakra strings were unconsciously attached to their bodies! They were trapped and they couldn't move! Another disadvantage was that it was night time and it was dark. It was impossible to see things at night. "Sasuke-kun..." Sakura whispered in fear. She was paralyzed, she couldn't move! The strings were tied all over her body!

Sasuke gritted his teeth in disgust... They were in danger. He needs to do something! Fast! "Shraringan!" He activated his sharingan and saw strings of chakra tied to both their bodies. Next, he tried to move his hand but the string that was tied to his hand became tighter, slowly slashing his flesh. Blood seeped out of his wrist. 'Damn.!' He thought in disgust.

A low cackle was heard within the dark trees as it laughed evily at them. "Oh, would you look at that... I caught two little mice..." The voice laughed out loud. "So, Konoha sent you two to beat us, eh? For your information, the entire border of the village of Ame is surrounded by my strings! What do they think of me? Simply child's play!" The voice began drawing nearer until they saw the ninja to whom the voice belonged. He was tall and slim with red fiery hair and stitches at the side of his round dark eyes. His face was menacing as he faced Sakura. Slowly, he walked towards her and held her chin with his hands. He chuckled softly. "A doll, I see... Maybe I could play with you... Hehehe..."

Then, all of a sudden, the strings all fell loose. "Get your filthy hands off her." The Uchiha commanded in a deathly tone. His eyes burning red with his sharingan and his right wrist bleeding with crimson blood. He cut the chakra strings loose with the use of his right hand, moving it forcefully even though the sharp chakra strings sliced through his wrist.

tbc

a/n: tap-chan, I really appreciate your review. Thanks! Btw, I do own Haru and the string ninja villain...

Preview of the next Chapter: "Obsidian Chakra"

Because of too much dodging, Sasuke didn't notice the chakra string that was behind him. He tripped on the string and began falling down the branch and into the ground. He was about to stand up but the blade of Sakura's katana threatened to cut his throat. He had no escape. Sakura lifted the katana, preparing for one death blow to end Sasuke's life. Then, the blade came rushing down swiftly as Sakura's shout was heard. Sasuke couldn't do anything but close his eyes. Even if he used his hand to shield the katana's attack, it'd be no use. Was it the end?