Wow! Haven't updated in forever! I usually like to put a new chapter up every week…but you know, just can't get to it with school and all. Plus, spring break threw me way off. Anyway, I got around to finishing this chapter. I tried to make it kinda long.

Oh, and thanks so much for the reviews! I appreciate it so much! You guys are great!

Well moving along…

Last time: Naruto and Neji lose the battle against the four masked females.

Sasuke felt something warm against his skin. He was waking up from his unconsciousness. He heard the rain coming down through his closed eyes while it patted his skin. His body ached and he didn't want get up, but then he remembered. He sat up quickly and shot his eyes open as he felt his stomach and his head sting. What happened? He thought to himself. Those girls…I got attacked…I…lost? He put a hand to his stomach and was going to put one to his forehead, but then he saw it.

He realized what was so warm against his side as he saw blood covering his hand. Thinking it was his, He felt around his body for the wound, but then saw a trail of blood leading away from him, growing in width as it got further. He followed the blood as his eyes were lead to Neji. Neji!. He staggered up and walked a few steps to where Neji was laying. He felt himself in a panic, but was calmed when he felt a pulse.

What happened?

Sasuke looked around the area. Naruto lied next to Neji, and he saw Shikamaru a little ways off by a tree. He strained himself towards Naruto who was breathing. That left Shikamaru. He limped towards him, and fell while he was about halfway there. He began to crawl the rest of the way using one arm. The other clamped his aching shoulder.

He got to Shikamaru, and checked his pulse. He felt his body relax dramatically as he now knew all of his teammates were alive. He scanned the area. Blood spots scattered throughout the ground, and he noticed a very thin wire covering the ground.

He put Shikamaru on his back and forced himself back to Neji and Naruto. He placed him on the ground next to them. He fell to his knees, exhausted, as he noticed wire loosely around Neji and Naruto's bodies. He then followed the wire to the trees. Looks like it was some battle.

He began to think things over. He had gone to confront Orochimaru on his own, and had run into those girls. They battled, and that was the last thing he remembered. He hit the ground with a fist. He hadn't stopped Sakura, and he hadn't been able to help his teammates out.

Then, something caught his eye. Something rested in Shikamaru's pocket. Sasuke reached out for it, and pulled it carefully out of its place. He examined it. It was a flower. It was a deep shade of red, and it wasn't any type of flower he was familiar with. Its petals seemed to glitter in the now softened rain. He rubbed the petals gently with his thumb. It was soft.

"It's like it was just placed there."

He placed the flower gently back into Shikamaru's pocket, as he glanced over his fallen teammates again. "What should I do?" he asked himself.

I just can't leave them here. I don't even know if I'd be able to make it to Konoha if I tried to get help. I can't carry them all back...

Things seemed hopeless. He thought through each of his options as he came to the same conclusion. He was confused. He didn't know what to do.

"My best option…is to go get help," Sasuke convinced himself. He tried to stand up, but then was reminded of the bad shape his body was in. He fell back to the ground on his knees, and began to feel light-headed. He lied down on the ground, and closed his eyes to shield them from the rain. "I can't do anything."

"The Sasuke I know doesn't give up so easily," a voice called out.

Was he dreaming? Sasuke knew that voice. It was that calming voice. He had to admit, he loved hearing this voice. It was her voice.

"Sa…Sakura." Sasuke tried to get up, but stopped when he heard her walking towards him. Soon, she was by his side. She cradled his head in her arm. He felt a slight smile come to his face. He felt a rush in his body. He began to realize how worried he was about her, and to see her now, and to know that she was okay; he felt a surge of relief. He slowly reached up towards her face; maybe he was dreaming.

She caught his hand in hers. So it wasn't a dream after all. Sakura looked down at him with a sad expression. "Sakura…wh.." Sasuke began, but was interrupted when he heard her call out. "Hinata, come here."

Hinata? He soon saw her examining the other boys. "Is it only you two?"

Sakura nodded.

"How did you escape? What happened?"

Sasuke looked over both of them. They didn't look injured.

"Ino and Tenten were killed. Hinata and I were the only ones to escape."

"How did you escape from Orochimaru?"

Sakura and Hinata exchanged glances. "We…" Sakura stopped. "Orochimaru?"

Hinata finished for her. "We'll talk about that later. You guys need treatment."

Sasuke looked them over again. They seemed different in a way. Hinata usually didn't act so serious. Sakura wasn't smiling like usual.It must be because of Ino and Tenten. He thought. Something didn't make sense to him though. Something was wrong.

"Wait… tell me what happened."

Both girls said nothing.

Sakura obviously didn't want to talk about it. I don't know what happened, butI won't say anymore.

"Well, I'm glad that you two are okay." He struggled to say. "Everybody's worried."

Hinata spoke. "…They…are?"

"Then we'll be sure to get back soon." Sakura said as she helped Sasuke to his feet. "Sasuke-kun, can you walk?"

"I…uh…." He began to feel drowsy. "Sure…" Things started to become blurry.

"It's okay, Sasuke-kun. We'll go get help." Sakura set him down gently next to Neji. "Wait here. I'll be back." Sakura smiled very gently at him, and Sasuke felt himself relax. "Yeah, okay." He tried to smile back.

Sakura stood up slowly, and Sasuke felt himself drifting off again. "We'll be back soon."

"…Right…"

Sasuke closed his eyes slowly and listened as Hinata and Sakura headed off. Things became silent after that. He began to listen to the rain droplets. He lied there for awhile, and then turned his head to the side as he opened his eyes to blurry vision. He could make out the figures of his three companions.

"Hurry…" Sasuke said as he fell unconscious again.

-

Shikamaru heard a few faint voices and footsteps not too far away from where he was laying. He shot his eyes open quickly and looked to his surroundings. He was in a hospital room, and he was alone. He looked to the shut door as he heard people talking outside.

He turned his head toward the window. It was still gloomy and cloudy, but at least the rain had finally stopped. What happened? How did I end up here? Shikamaru thought through what he had last remembered. He had assembled his teammates, and rushed off into the mission. He had fallen unconscious after that.

After I fainted they probably just brought me here. He sighed. Some leader I am. I only delayed the mission more.

He heard the door creak open and looked to see Tsunade coming in. He sat up slowly in his bed. "Tsunade-sama?"

She looked up towards him, and smiled slightly. "You're awake."

"Yeah, I'm feeling much better. I should be able to leave on the mission soon."

"Shikamaru…there is no more mission for you guys."

"What? It was my fault. I'm the one who fell unconscious. I was the one who wasn't a good leader. I mean, if I hadn't gotten hurt—"

"You all got hurt Shikamaru. That doesn't mean it's your fault." She paused. She looked at him again and he felt uneasy for a reason that he couldn't explain.

"What? We all got hurt? I-I mean….I'm the one who fell unconscious. Wait…what happened to the others?" He gripped his bed sheets tightly.

"You all were hurt pretty badly. You don't remember what happened?"

"No, I thought that I fell unconscious after I got attacked, and Neji and Naruto brought me here. I don't know where Sasuke is, but…" He stopped to think.

"Sasuke is in stable condition. Hinata and Sakura came for help. We sent a team, and we found the four of you unconscious." She paused again and Shikamaru could see that she was tense. "Ah…" she began, but did not finish.

"Hinata and Sakura? Then…what happened? What's going on? You found Sasuke?"

"Yes, Sasuke was with you guys, but no, I don't know what's going on…We'll talk with the rest of the guys when they come to." She put her hand over her face and took a deep breath, exhausted.

"Yeah…sure. Wait…just Hinata and Sakura?" He suddenly felt panicky and looked towards Tsunade for an answer.

"We'll talk later Shikamaru." Tsunade began to leave the room, ignoring his question.

"Wait…why is there not a mission for us anymore? What happened to Tenten and Ino?" Shikamaru felt himself become frantic, still unsure of what was going on.

"We'll talk later Shikamaru," Tsunade repeated. "Oh yeah, and that was in your pocket. Why were you carrying it around?" She pointed toward something on the table next to Shikamaru's bed. And with that, she walked out of the room quickly.

Shikamaru sighed and told himself to calm down. I hope everything's okay. He then looked to the table, and saw a lone flower placed on top. He picked it up and looked at it intently.

"Where'd I get this?"

-

"Wow, can't believe you two escaped Orochimaru! I mean, not saying you're not strong, but wow! You're really something Hinata," Naruto gleamed as he quickly ate the hospital food on his tray. Hinata sat next to his bed in a chair.

"Well…" Hinata stopped. "I guess." She looked down to the floor, with an almost expressionless look on her face.

Naruto stopped chewing, and sat the tray on the table next to him. "Hinata? You okay?"

She looked up to him, and her eyebrows furrowed. "Yeah, I'm fine." She then smiled slightly.

"I should tell Tsunade-sama that you're awake now." She stood up slowly, and turned towards the door. She stopped when she felt Naruto's hand in hers. He slowly turned her towards him, and led her back to her chair.

"Naaah, she'll find out sooner or later. Sit down…so we can talk." He smiled at her, as she sat back down. She squeezed his hand, than slowly let go of it. Naruto saw the troubled expression on her face. She had changed since he last saw her…a lot.

"So, what exactly happened? I mean…with Orochimaru?" Naruto began.

"We…we were searching for Sakura, than he captured us. We were there for awhile…than we escaped. Tenten and Ino…they didn't make it."

"They didn't? Hinata…I'm sorry…" He paused and looked away. Didn't make it? What does that mean exactly? He took a deep breath and suddenly felt very uneasy.

"No…I'm fine. It'll just take time," Hinata said suddenly as Naruto looked up towards her and than away again. It was silent for a few seconds.

"You know Hinata, I'm really glad that you're okay." He tried to smile.

"Thanks Naruto-kun." She tried to smile back and played with her fingers.

"So, you have any idea why Orochimaru took you guys?" he said slowly and quietly.

"No…I mean…I…don't know…"she shook her head.

Naruto sighed. "Yeah, a lot of this doesn't make sense. But, you know, I'm sure we'll figure this all out." He smiled.

"Yeah…"

He stopped to think. "I'm sooo ready to get out of bed. Let's take a walk!"

He slowly got out of bed and recalled Shikamaru's words,

Orochimaru isn't the one who took Sakura.

So, if Orochimau didn't have anything to do with it…then why does Hinata claim they escaped from him?

Is Hinata lying to me?

-

Sasuke nibbled at the food that he was given. He didn't have much of an appetite, but he felt content. He looked over to the side of him where Tsunade was talking to Sakura. Tsunade smiled at him, then at Sakura, and left the room. Sakura made her way towards him, and sat down in a chair next to the bed.

"Tsunade-sama says that you'll be able to get out of bed very soon," Sakura said, smiling at him. "She really is amazing. I can't believe what amazing healing powers she has."

"Yeah…" he glanced at her. She was still being bothered by something.

"So…how are the others?" he picked up his fork and stabbed a piece of meat which he observed than placed into his mouth.

"Shikamaru and Naruto are also awake, but Neji is still sleeping. He should wake up soon." She was looking at the ground.

"I see…" he cleared his throat. "Listen…Sakura…"he put the fork down and looked at her.

"Hm?" she looked up.

"…never mind, forget it."

"What, you can tell me." She adjust herself in the chair

"Well, I don't think it would be best to talk about…" he leaned back into his pillow.

"You're talking about Ino and Tenten right?" she said nonchalantly, which made him gaze up and look at her confusingly.

"Well…yeah, but you know, you don't have to talk about it." He answered.

"I don't mind talking about it. Plus, I'm okay. I'll miss them, but you know…" her voice trailed off.

Doesn't seem like that's what's bothering her…than what is? And…well, why isn't it bothering her?

"Yeah…okay…" he said quietly and looked at her questioningly. For some reason she didn't seem the same.

"You shouldn't worry about me. I mean, Ino and Tenten's parents just found out…Asuma-sensei and Gai-sensei too. In fact, I think Neji and Shikamaru are the only ones who haven't heard yet…"she said quickly.

"Well, weren't you and Ino best--"

"I'm stronger than you'd think Sasuke-kun…" Sakura stood from her seat, and Sasuke could tell that she was on the verge of tears. It was sudden.

"Sakura, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

Sakura took a deep breath. "No…it's not your fault. I think I'm going to go now." She headed toward the door.

"Hey, wait…"

She stopped. "Sasuke-kun, if I were ever to disappear again, would you come after me?" She still had her back to him.

He stopped, confused. "Yeah, I would…I mean, we're friends, right?" He wished she would turn around so that he read her face.

"Well, don't. You shouldn't come after me. It's not worth it." She was shaking.

He paused, and couldn't find anything to say.

Sakura walked quickly and exited the room.

Sasuke fidgeted with the blankets on his bed, placed his tray of food on the table next to him than lied back down. Something's not right…

-

Shikamaru headed through Konoha. He was stopped by a few people who asked if he was okay. He just smiled and nodded and continued on his way. He was told he was ready to be released. He would've usually stayed anyway and slept, but it was different this time. He looked at the red flower in his hand, while he made his way to the Yamanaka flower shop.

Things like this were usually too troublesome, but he had a strange feeling.

He got there. It was closed. He sighed and looked down, but wasn't surprised. The shop had been closed since Ino left.

"Hey, Shikamaru."

He turned to see Chouji who was trying to smile at him.

"Hey Chouji," Shikamaru tried to smile back.

"Glad to see you're back and okay." He waved.

"Thanks…" Shikamaru had his attention towards the flower shop.

"So, why'd you stop by the flower shop? I mean…forget that. Forget I said that." Chouji said quickly, and looked around to think of something else to say.

"Hm? Sure…you know I just…" Shikamaru looked at the flower in his hand.

"Yeah, we'll all miss her." Chouji shifted uncomfortably.

Shikamaru looked up suddenly and turned towards his friend. "What are you talking about Chouji?"

"You mean…you…I…uh…"he was suddenly very nervous and he turned away.

"Are you talking about Ino? Chouji, what happened to Ino! Tsunade wouldn't tell me." Shikamaru almost didn't want to hear the answer. He took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…" Chouji rubbed his eyes with his arm. "I've gotta go." He hurriedly began to walk away.

"Chouji!" Shikamaru called out desperately.

He turned back around. "You know…I just…you mean you don't know?"

"I would if you told me."

"Shikamaru…I can't. I mean, you should ask Sakura. She's the one who told me." He turned around again and began to walk.

"Chouji…what happened to her! I have to know."

Chouji hesitated and stopped again. "Why'd you come to the flower shop Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru stopped. Why exactly did he head towards here? "I don't know…just…the flowers remind me of her…" He scratched the back of his head. "So, what happened?"

"That's it. That's exactly why I can't put it into words for you." Chouji's voice became louder.

"Huh?"

"Well…you know…your feelings…"

"What's that mean?" Shikamaru walked closer to his friend.

"I think you have an idea about what happened Shikamaru, but I can't just tell you straight out. I know how much it would hurt you." He looked down.

"I don't think I understand…"

"….when you have strong feelings for someone…"

"Strong feelings?"

"Yeah, when you feel strongly about someone…it hurts a lot to lose them…I can't put it into words for you Shikamaru. It would hurt you too much to have actually heard it out loud."

"Chouji…" Shikamaru clenched his fist. "I think I know what happened." He looked towards the ground. "You don't have to protect me though."

Chouji walked over and placed his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Shikamaru….I'm sorry…it was hard for me to hear it, and it would be hard for me to say it. I just can't tell you." He removed his hand slowly back to his side.

"I think I just want to be alone for awhile."

Chouji looked worryingly at his friend. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah." He motioned for him to leave. Chouji took a look at him, than turned his head toward the ground. "Okay, just say if you need anything."

"…Thanks…"

Chouji hesitated than began to walk away.

Shikamaru watched him disappear. He then put his hands in his pockets and bit his lip. He closed his eyes. "You could've just told me Chouji. I can take it." He felt himself almost shaking, and something trickled down his cheek. "Wha…"

Shikamaru wiped the tears away quickly. "Too troublesome…way too troublesome."

He opened his eyes and began to kick the dirt. He watched as tiny droplets hit the ground.

Shikamaru wiped his eyes again. "Ino…"

He turned toward the flower shop again, and looked at his reflection in the glass. He himself could tell; he was trying too hard to keep back tears. "Eh, what's wrong with me? What was Chouji talking about? Strong feelings…I don't understand."

But then, something caught his eye in the window. Shikamaru looked closer. A group of red flowers just like the one he had put into his pocket. He took it out and compared them. They were exactly alike.

He stopped and thought for a moment. Suddenly something struck him, and he felt hope build up inside him. His tears stopped building.

"Somebody gave me this flower while I was unconscious…"

-

Naruto walked steadily with his hands in his pockets. He glanced over to Hinata.

"You sure you're well enough to walk?" Hinata asked him as she caught his glance.

Naruto smiled. "Yeah, I'm good. I just wonder why Neji hasn't woken up yet. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you when he does wake up though."

She smiled back. "Yeah…I really care about Neji. I wish he knew that." she turned her eyes to the ground.

"Hm?" He gave her a questioning look. "All you have to do is tell him when he wakes up…"

Her eyebrows furrowed. "I really care about you too Naruto-kun. You should know that…"

He stopped and she stopped with him. "Naruto-kun?"

"Thanks Hinata." He felt himself blush as he scratched the back of his head.

"But you know Hinata…you haven't been acting like yourself…you know…you've kinda changed…"

"In a bad way?" she was looking in the distance. She was already aware of how much she had changed.

"No, no, not at all" he waved his hands up on front of him and smiled. "…so, something bothering you?"

"Naruto…"

"Hinata, I care about you too…so that's why I want…I want to know what's wrong…" Naruto was fidgeting with his sleeves.

She sighed. "I just—aaah!" She ducked her head at the sound of an explosion on the other side of Konoha. "What was that?"

Naruto looked into the direction of the smoke. "C'mon, we'd better go see what's going on."

"Yeah…"

He began running and Hinata followed after. She then slowed her pace and made sure Naruto didn't notice she stopped following. She watched as he disappeared from view.

Hinata heard something behind her. She turned around.

"Sakura…"

"We…we'd better get going." Sakura motioned for her to follow.

"Yeah…"

Confused? I kinda wanted to make it that way…I'm trying to make everything come together in the end. Oh, and yeah, I know that it's obvious who the four girls are. I thought that it made things even more confusing. And I know Neji wasn't in this chapter at all. He'll be there next time.

Anyway, hehe, I just read the most recent chapters of Naruto(253 and 254 I think…) . I don't want to spoil anything if you haven't read them yet, but wow, Sakura is so strong now! Hehe, and go Gai's team!

Well, I'll try to update sooner this time around…

Thanks again for the reviews!