Sasuke spotted the kyuubi.

"Naruto, what's wrong with Sakura, and you better answer me. I won't let you escape this time" Sasuke growled.

"Well, she doesn't go by Sakura anymore. That's why she doesn't answer you," Naruto calmly explained.

"What?" Sasuke asked surprised.

"Well, she…"

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"Um, shechangedhernametoKyouko," Naruto muttered quickly and incoherently, evidently scared of Sasuke's temper.

"What?????"

"Kyouko, her name's Kyouko now…" Considering he was not yet a bloody pulp, Naruto decided it was safe enough to explain.

"Kyouko? Strength?" Sasuke's voice was spiteful, "What, does she thinks changing her name makes her stronger? Pfft. A new name doesn't mean she's any better."

"Is that what you really think? That she remained weak? It's been six years," Naruto said,

Sasuke just stood there. Time seemed to have stopped the day he left all those years ago. The Sakura in his mind was still the frail girl from his past. He couldn't comprehend the change.

"…"

The kyuubi sighed, "Come on, we're supposed to meet with Tsunade."

"Hn," replied Sasuke.

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"BAA-CHAN!!!" Naruto yelled, bursting into Tsunade's office. Sasuke followed calmly, and then quickly moved from the doorframe to avoid the sake bottle that was thrown in his direction.

"Naruto!!!!!! How many times do I have to tell you I'M NOT OLD," yelled the enraged Hokage.

"Hai, hai, whatever. What are we here for??" Naruto said. Tsunade ignored him, and turned to the silent Uchiha leaning against the wall.

"Sasuke, you know your punishment as a missing-nin has yet to be decided,"

"Hn," Sasuke replied.

"However, considering you're a special case, I'm allowing you to go on this mission," Tsunade explained.

"Mission?" Naruto asked curiously.

Tsunade ignored him and continued, "I expect you to be on you're best behavior. How this mission turns out could greatly affect how you're past is viewed during your trial." The look in her eyes told Sasuke loud and clear that this part of the conversation was about more than just the mission.

"Aa."

In and instant, Tsunade was to her normal self. "Now, about the mission - go find Kyouko, she'll inform you. Basically, the three of you are to complete an assassination. She's the captain, and I advise you not to argue with her."

"HAI!"

"Hn, come on, dobe. We need to pack before going to see Sak--- going to see her. " Sasuke walked out.

"Hey! Teme! Wait for me!!!"

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"KYO-CHAN!!!" Naruto yelled.

''You're here for the mission, am I correct?" Sakura didn't turn around. She threw a scroll at them.

"The mission is to assassinate a man who has been on a murdering spree near the Cloud village. You guys are coming as backup and lookouts, but you should both be fully prepared for an all out fight. Go pack, and we'll meet at the bridge in 2 hours."

Sakura turned to Sasuke. "I'm the captain on this mission, and I won't tolerate you risking anything. Obey my every order, and don't expect me to be lenient if you mess up."

In an instant, she was gone in a flash.

"Let's go!" Naruto yelled.

Sasuke blinked, confused at Sakura's attitude towards the mission. What happened to the girl who was so innocent, afraid of killing? Wasn't she the one who wasn't supposed to be tainted with blood on her hands yet?

Naruto glanced at the Uchiha who was, for once, at a lost for words, and smiled bitterly. "Sasuke, she's been like this since you've left. You can't expect her to just sit around and let you keep getting better than her. It's best we just follow her orders. Come on," Naruto's eyes were filled with the pain that only meant he had seen this way too many times already.

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The three stood again on the bridge - the place where their first and strongest bonds were made.

And the place where they were broken.

"Sasuke, Naruto," Sakura turned to face them, her ANBU mask already in place.

"Let's go," Her voice was icy as she headed for the trees, letting the other two follow.

It was ironic, the position they were in. Sakura was once considered to be the weakest out of all Team 7. Where the other two were bestowed with abilities and powers, and had the world ready to help them succeed, she was always expected to watch. She was the one least likely to succeed, the one that needed to be rescued.

Yet, here she was. She was a powerful, deadly ninja and ANBU leader. Her medical skills were second to only Tsunade, mistress of potions, herself.

Sasuke and Naruto, in their own battle for the top, they had expected her to stay the damsel in distress, almost wanted to protect her forever. Yet here they stood, watching her back as she pushed pass them both.

Both boys rushed up to catch up with Kyouko and the three left the village to complete their mission.

"Hm…team seven? A revenge-filled prodigy from one of the most powerful clans, a hyper Jinchuuriki with no clue to what he can do, a childish fan-girl with perfect chakra control but no clue how do use it, all led by the famous copycat ninja, Kakashi, who's pervertedness is second only to Jiraiya. Yup, team seven's weird alright."

Well, it just got weirder.

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Now you won't know what happened to Sakura!!!! BWAHAHAHA. (sugar high...)

R&R!!!! there's a bubbly feeling u get when you find that your work is important enough for people to write about it!!!! Remember! NO FLAMES!!!

Until next time!!!!!

-RomanceIsMyDoom