This is the last of the Awakening story next update will be the start of the Finding story. names can change i havent settled on it but i will keep both stories together here because well i want too and i think it would be easier for everyone.

I hope this chapter is a complete shocker to you all and if not well congrats and thanks for not bringing it up in the reviews.

If you dont understand what is going on in this chapter please give me the time to type up the new chapter and i will put down everything on that one. Thanks for sticking to this story!

enjoy

-Felina

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Second Chances

Chapter seven: Awake

The village was in a huge movement for the wedding of the Kazekage's sister and the Nara. People seem to forget their own problems and lives to help with the work. This was a first for them to have a wedding on the borders with an ally village where everyone could go if they wanted too and most did. For some it was a break from work and to meet other people from Sand that wasn't on a mission to their own village.

Sakura put her hurt and confused feelings on hold, wiping her tears away and busying herself with Temari who thought that everyone was just plain weird with how they acted and bustled about for her and Shikamaru. The older girl took to hiding with Sakura while the young medic went about her things. It kept her from thinking of Sasuke and her life.

Though it was just on the back of her mind.

Sakura knew Temari was using the wedding freaks as an excuse for being at Naruto's first thing in the morning and than stayed with her when she went home. It was nice of her to keep her company after the Sasuke thing last night and Sakura welcomed her happily. The girls stayed at her apartment looking at some photo books and packing. But before long they had to face the world after Chouji came with a message that Shikamaru was about to run.

Temari frowned and complained that if he couldn't handle his own village than how was he going to deal with hers?

Chouji pointed out that her village had more insane people than his. Sakura just smiled while Temari gave him a questioningly look.

It was close to midday when people started to file out of the village gates and headed to the Leaf and Sand borders to meet up with the Sand people who would join them to set everything up. The ones staying behind took to helping the others load and give good wishes to them. Temari had to be there with Shikamaru who as far as Sakura could tell didn't look like he wanted to shake another hand. Chouji came soon and pulled his best friend and Temari into a hug and patted Shikamaru on the back afew times after he let them go, both males grinned at each other making Temari roll her eyes with a small smile.

"You're getting married and it's about time." Chouji said giving a wave to Sakura who stood just off to the side. She smiled and waved back.

"You sound like Ino, Chouji." Shikamaru commented to the taller man. Chouji laughed.

"Well am sure she would say that if she was here."

"She'll still say it once we meet up at the border." Temari added looking back to Sakura who had been quiet for the most part.

"Yeah she will plus her speech." Shikamaru said rolling his neck.

"Speech?"

"Ha she still gives that to you?" Chouji shook his head while Sakura grinned.

"Shikamaru Nara! If I hear your being an ass to her I'll beat your hide for weeks!" Sakura spoke like Ino before raising a brow to Shikamaru. "Does it go like that?"

"About."

Temari laughed. "Didn't think she would be so nice."

"Ahh she's nice to her friends." Chouji said and he only got looks. "She just shows it a different way, that's all." They kept their stares on him making him sigh. Sakura stepped up and pat his arm with a smile.

"Don't worry we know she is. I bet she'll be happy to know that you defended her."

"Oh, don't tell her! If you do she wouldn't leave me alone!" Chouji said making the group laugh. Sakura sighed looking up at the sky.

"Well I'll see you guys tomorrow at the border, I have afternoon shift." Temari frowned.

"I thought you were packing for our group."

Smiling, Sakura said. "No I wanted that done before tomorrow because I'm coming with the Hokages group in the morning. Working this shift doesn't promise me a lot of sleep for this trip so I wanted the packing out of the way."

"Oh. Well then see you soon."

"Of course." Sakura said smiling at her friends before walking away. She wished she was walking with them because then she would be with her friends but Tsunade wanted someone other than ANBU with her. Said it would be boring. But she guess it wasn't going to be that bad seeing how Naruto, Kakashi, Sai, and Shizune was going to be in Tsunade's group as well.

Thinking of Naruto, she glanced again at the sun and knew he would be at the hospital for some healing from his sparring match with Sasuke. She shuddered with the thought of him. Well she could always pass his case onto another medic.

Sure it could be called avoiding or running away but she really didn't want to see him at the moment in a small room, alone. That could be dangerous. For who and what she had a clue but didn't want to think about that and if and that's a big if, she had to deal with him she would pull Naruto in with them so he couldn't start a fight with fist.

Sakura didn't want to risk it, not with Sasuke.

Sakura, as she had guessed, was told Naruto and Sasuke had just entered afew moments before her and they had sent Hinata to deal with her boyfriend and his friend but had requested someone to join her. Sakura gave a tight lipped smile before heading to the room the two idiots was with Hinata.

She got to the room just as Hinata was about to knock.

"Hinata wait a second please." Sakura called. Hinata jumped slightly and looked down the hall to her and gave a sigh with a smile before walking towards her.

"Oh thank goodness. I didn't want to be in the same room with them right now." Hinata spoke softly once they stood a little away from the boys' room.

"Well I don't want to deal-"

"With Sasuke?" Hinata said biting her lip. "I'll take Sasuke if you don't want to be near him and even if you don't mind healing him right now I think it would be best if you didn't." Sakura blinked at this and how Hinata had spoken to her. The slight command in the shy girls' voice and how she didn't shake or shown a single sign that she was nervous about it; caught Sakura off guard.

"Hinata I'll be fine as long as you and Naruto are with me." Sakura said once she got pass the shock. But Hinata shook her head rotating on her heels, marching back to the door.

"I wish to heal him so you heal Naruto. Do not question me on this." The Hyuuga commanded of her superior. It left Sakura trying to blink through her shock, failing which had her open hanging open at the other girls back. In the back of her mind a thought popped up wondering if this was the real Hinata but she shook that thought off when Hinata paused at the door again and glanced over her shoulder Sakura, looking ever nervous.

"I… please understand, Sakura. We don't… you know, with him and you together but mostly him." She added before opening the door and stepping in. Sakura shook her head quickly, moving down the hallway to the room with a shy smile on her face. Her friends were a bit overly protective of her but she was the same with them.

Entering the room she felt the icy glare from the right so she didn't look that way and moved to the left where Naruto sat, humming quietly, and facing the right side of the room watching his girlfriend with his friend.

"Are you pleased with yourself?" Sakura asked already checking him over with her eyes before calling the charka up to her hand, passing it over his check.

"Yup." That was all he said but it said it all with his tone. Her eyes glanced to the side to see a more beaten Sasuke leaning back against the headboard of his bed, frowning down at his lap where his hand stayed in fists. Sure enough hating that he lost to the 'idiot' or at least the blonde gave him a good beating; Sakura wasn't going to ask then and there, not wanting to get Sasuke any madder than he is already.

The group stayed quiet for the whole healing session and when it was done Sasuke sent one more glare at her before marching out of the room leaving the medics and Naruto there letting go of the collected breath they were holding.

"Do I ever want to know?"

"Sakura… Just give him time am sure he'll come back around." Naruto said giving her a smile.

"Until them, don't be alone with him." Hinata said.

"Or better yet just don't be alone." Naruto added making Hinata nod quickly. Sakura shook her head.

"You two…"

"Please Sakura."

Rolling her eyes at the puppy eye face she was getting from both ends, she walked to the door. "Fine, whatever but I think you guys are forgetting I am a ninja and being one I do know how to fight. Naruto thanks for letting me stay at your place last night."

"Your welcome." He said pulling Hinata in for a hug. "See you later."

"Yes later, be sure to see Sayuri, she thinks you forgot about her." Hinata called just before Sakura closed the door, making her paused and wince slightly. She had forgotten her promise to the older lady.

"Oh… How mad is she?" She asked turning back to face them. Hinata gave a shrug and an apologetic smile. Sakura groaned, sending a wave to them before walking out and closing the door knowing that old Sayuri could be a hand full when she was upset.

Sakura made her way to the woman's room, wondering what she could do to make the woman happy with her again if it calls for something. She didn't really know her, only by reports, her journal, and the week before she left for Sand she had visited her.

She was about to knock on the door but it opened and Sayuri stood there staring down at her with a small frown. Sakura gave her a smile which caused the woman to roll her eyes and move back into the room, waving her in.

"So this place has been busy, huh."

"Yeah, nothing to bad I guess." Sakura answered closing the door and going to the bed while Sayuri took to her rocker picking up the book she had on the window silt. Sakura took notice of the flowers that sat by her bedside.

"Are these new?"

"Yes. My brother's granddaughter stopped by with them afew days ago." Saturi said dryly, reading her book.

"Oh wow, how did that go?" Sakura tried to get something. The woman blinked her eyes, giving Sakura a side glance before rolling her eyes and shutting the book.

"Oh greatly." Sayuri said not losing the dryness to her voice. "We had so much to talk about that she stayed here for thirty minutes before telling me she had a date and she just couldn't be late for that." She put the book back on the window silt only to bend down to pick up her knitting needles and yarn, working them together.

"Because seeing me for the second time in her life isn't that great." She added with an edged that made Sakura wince. "But enough about that, I can't dwell on them. I heard about the Uchiha return… How is that going for you, not well I believe, no?"

"Wait, how did you know about that?" Sakura asked not hiding the surprised in her voice or face.

"My dear, the walls of this place have ears and mouths and we know that things with mouths like to make noises, humans do it so well that they forget about the ears hearing what the mouth speaks." She paused on her fifth row to look up at her, raising a brow. "This place has all the gossip in the village." She added going back to her knitting.

"That is where you learn the most from a village, at their hospital. Their pains, the joys, rumors; things of that nature are all founded within walls like this. So denied or confirm that these rumors are just that; rumors."

"Sasuke is back with no memory of me." Sakura said frowning, thinking of the woman's words. Sayuri gave a nod for her to continue and she did something that surprised her afterwards; she told the women everything right down to that last glare not even thirty minutes ago. She didn't know why she felt so comfortable with the snappy, easy to insult you and blunt woman that would sometimes speak in riddles just to throw you for a loop but she did. It probably reminded her that Tsunade was like that in some ways and it made Sakura wonder if all women of their time was raised to be that way or did it just grow on them after time.

But when she was finished she had started pacing the room from wall to wall and Sayuri had stopped in her knitting to take up watching her. Sakura gave her a sheepish smile.

"You think am crazy now don't you?" she asked.

"That would defeat the reason that I am in here, wouldn't it?" Sayuri asked back, pushing her hair over her shoulder before beginning on the yarn again without her eyes leaving Sakura. Sakura took notice that she was making a plain straight line with the green yarn letting it take the form of a scarf.

Sakura rolled her eyes at her answer. "You are really hard to understand sometimes."

"Again with the reason I am here, dear." She commented.

"Sayuri, I have seen the reports and read everything on you; they said you were a shell but I don't see that." Sakura said walking back to her and sitting down on the bed. "Your smart and it shows with this little riddles and comments of yours. Yet you sit in these walls when you could be out there and you know you could be."

"Sakura." Sayuri sighed out, stopping again. "You really shouldn't be in this area if you question the patients like that." She smiled as Sakura huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "I've been in this room for thirty six years I don't mind it. But as for your little problem I would say beat him with a stick."

"Sayuri!"

"But people don't seem too happy with beatings with a stick nowadays." Sayuri said smiling. "A shame really, it worked well."

"Yeah I see how that worked." Sakura said with her own smile, letting the woman drop the subject of her life. She couldn't force her to speak about it if she didn't want too so she settled for a slight jab that got the woman to laugh softly. "You never did answer my question though."

"To call someone crazy you should make sure you have the right facts and had taken the time to think about it but no dear, I don't think you're crazy. You just have a crazy Uchiha on your tail." Sayuri said starting back up on her knitting.

"But you just said-"

"Oh I know what I said and I stand by it but when it comes to that clan; just label them all crazy. You'll have fewer headaches if you do and don't try to understand one thing they do, just step aside and hope it doesn't pull you in but I think in your case, there is no stepping aside."

"So what can I-"

"Well let me think now. You should always think before you speak because that falls back on what I said before with the ears hearing." Sayuri cut Sakura off again leaving the medic to shake her head with an amused look on her face.

"But your not letting me finish-"

"And you should always know that old farts like myself, are mind readers and we know everything. Saves time that way." Sayuri said pushing the yarn ball away by her foot before starting to rock back and forth, falling into a relaxed stage while the medic stares at her. The woman let a small smile come to her face before adding. "So hush now, listen to your elders and let me think in peace."

"Fine." Sakura said still not believing the woman across from her but still couldn't get over the amusement of it all. Here she was the head medic and Sayuri's doctor and she was waiting for an answer to her own problems in stand of questioning Sayuri about hers. But of course the elder wouldn't answer the questions without sending Sakura's head reeling about in circles if she didn't like or want to answer the question straightly. And really thinking about it all just gave Sakura a small headache.

It was no wonder everyone called Sayuri a basket case. She could make you think that just after talking to her for a bit and she didn't feel like saying anything straight.

She watched Sayuri move her fingers and the needles, working the yarn together while ever once in awhile her foot would appear from under her gown to push the ball away again once it got pulled back. Sakura caught Sayuri's eye afew times but the woman stayed quiet through out it all with the only sounds coming from the wood of her chair moving against the floor, the birds outside the window, and the tick sound coming from the needles as they touched.

"Well." Sayuri finally said with a sigh. "Have you tried to release that seal in his mind? It could be the reason behind this."

"True but it could be something hes had for awhile. A ninja would put a seal in his or hers mind under –" Sakura stopped mid sentence, remembering why Sayuri had been put in the hospital. Sayuri simply gave her a questioningly look.

"Capture? No need to hold out on my account. I know why someone would do something like that." She said tapping her temple gently before picking up the needle again and continuing letting Sakura know she had of her own. "Some things are best left forgotten, I suppose. But it's an idea. You could always get an ANBU to do a Time Reversal Technique on him and see if the memories themselves are inside of his mind."

"I've heard of that. Naruto went under it once." Sakura commented giving that thought some more thinking, it could work well. She could ask Tsunade to make it look like his last check up of his week long daily checks. "Probably could get done in about three to four days." She added mostly to herself.

"Three to four days? It's a bit long of a wait for something like this."

"Well yes but remember the wedding happening tomorrow at the borders. Tsunade and I are going there in the morning and so are a lot of people. It has become a day off for mostly everybody." Sakura said. "So after that time he'll have that jutsu done and we will know what happened or is happening in his mind. Thanks Sayuri."

Sayuri gave her a small smile before looking at the scarf, finishing it.

"Hitomi."

"Did you say something?" Sakura asked confused as she stood. Sayuri looked back up and shook her head. "Oh… must have been out there then." She murmured letting it go as someone walking by the door. Sakura stood up and saw the sun shining it.

"Oh my! I didn't think that much time has passed!" Sakura said.

Sayuri chuckled as she stood holding the scarf out to Sakura. "That's what happens when you get a lot of your chest. Here take this thing, I don't need it."

"Then why did you-"

"Because I felt like it, just take the stupid thing." The old woman huffed basically throwing it in Sakura's arms before heading for the bathroom. "Now get out, I don't want any company for awhile now."

Sakura winced when the bathroom door slammed but smiled as she walked out with her new gift. Sayuri acted rough and rude but she was a sweet lady who cared about everything and liked to relax and help. It was to bad life and the people around her as she grew tainted her into being this way with everyone. But Sakura couldn't say that; Sayuri has been cut away from people with only afew visitors over the passing years that she could have changed from that shell that was written in her file to this woman. It made sense; people did always say time heals all.

Sakura went about for the next four hours doing her rounds, and finishing up with all the paperwork that had been piling up since she had gotten back. The day was slow were at the hospital was a good thing. An awesome day for the hospital is when no one came in hurt of course that would be a tad boring for the medics, nurses, and everyone else who worked there but that would mean people were being careful. Well it was busy for her and after her shift was over she went straight to Tsunade's office in the Tower.

"Hello!" She called out happily wearing her new present as she walked into her sensei's office. Tsunade looked up from her work and gave the girl before her a smile before looking back to her paper.

"Sakura could you bring me that pile over there?" The Hokage asked waving to the corner. And that's how Sakura got pulled into helping Tsunade with her work once again but during that time she told the blonde what happen with Sayuri and what the woman told her and the plan they pulled up together. Tsunade agreed with it but she also thought it should be done now not later but let it go when Sakura brought up the wedding and how everyone was busy with it.

So Sasuke had an appointment with some ANBU after the wedding and the village got back to normal. It was close to eleven at night before Sakura got home and after she made sure she had everything packed and ready for the early morning trip than a wedding, Sakura set her alarm and fell into bed, asleep before hitting.

Sakura had woken up by the alarm, taken a shower, dressed, and ate in record time and was out the door heading to the gates where she would met up with the guard for the Hokage and wait for Tsunade to get down there so they could go.

Naruto showed up, yawning about ten minutes after she came and he sat behind her while she and some of the ANBU played a card game before passing out using her shoulder as a pillow. It left him wide open for when Sai showed up and drew on his face before he too sat down to watch and doodle in his book. Kakashi showed up soon after Sai only to ruffle her hair and lean against the wall on her other side.

Tsunade, when she came up with Shizune and Tonton, gave them a amused look before flicking Naruto's ear, snapping him awake so they could start off just as the sun started to rise.

The trip was spent with friends chatting off and on while Tsunade hung back some watching the younger ninja's, namely Naruto who pulled Sakura and Sai into it, cutting in front of some ANBU causing them to growl at them or forget that their where there to watch over their Hokage and give chase to the three. It was amusing for those on the ground walking or in the carriage. Sakura had found herself jumping in through a window to sit in front of Tsunade if one ANBU or Naruto got to close and gave small talk with her sensei before jumping out again only to land on the roof of the thing and tell Kakashi, who was using the roof like a cat sunbathing, that he was lazy and should join. He gave a flick on his wrist before saying he was protecting the Hokage.

She rolled her eyes and went in hunt for Naruto or Sai to bug – to talk with, yeah that sounded better to Sakura.

She was surprised by an ANBU as he slammed into her from the side only to throw her up over his shoulders where she met coffee colored hair.

"Neji!" Sakura cried out with more surprised and mock protest. She only got a chuckle from the man as he continued on his way with his new luggage. "Neji I swear! Put me down now or, or I'll…"

"You'll what, Sakura?" He replied with amusement that richens his voice. It was at that time that she saw a flash of gold blur by on the tail of something black.

"I'll call Naruto." When he still didn't set her down and she swore she felt him chuckle she took a deep breath only to yelp again in surprised as Neji let her go on the branch he stopped on. Rubbing her sore bottom as she stood, she glared at him. "What was that for?"

"I believe your words were 'Ha ha, can't catch me.' Right after you cut in front of me and after I had fallen off. Please correct me if I got the wrong pink haired medic." Neji asked smirking under his mask at her shocked expression.

"Oh, haha." She gave a nervous laugh before stepping backwards, off the branch, falling down upon the one below before bolting from the area with Neji's laughter chasing her along with some others that had witnessed what had happened.

The rest of the trip was spent keeping Naruto from attacking Sai as per say their normal 'am happy to know you too friend' interaction. Or that's what Sakura deems it. It was also spent checking with Tsunade and the carriage, poking Kakashi's side as she sat crossed legged next to him but he didn't even show he was aware of her doing so. She had gotten more daring in her boredom once noon had pass and the group wasn't planning on stopping for another hour for their first break.

At first it was his side, just above his hip before moving up to hit just below his ribcage. Still nothing, so she moved up till just under his arm pit seeing how his right arm's hand was under his head. When nothing happened, not even a squirm or a glance she grinned and went to the elbow before having her fingers 'walk' up his forearm to his wrist and gave a quick poke, poke. It was when she got to his cheek that his lone eye rolled lazy towards her and gave her a bored but a little annoyed look.

"Yes Sakura?"

Smiling very brightly she answered with a cheerfully. "Hullo!" Kakashi gave a snort between a 'oh my god am gong to kill her' and a 'this cant be happening'.

Sakura became very good at reading him over the years. She likes to tell herself that and always guesses when it came to her aloof, porn reading sensei.

She continued to smile at him as he gave her that same bored stare, his eye moved back to the page but snapped back to her when her lifted her hand up for another round. "Hello." She called again with cheer, having a short lived blasted. She was bugging him for once.

"…yo."

Her hand moved forward but stopped when his eye snapped back to her.

"Sakura, was there something you wanted?" He asked slowly. She shook her head like when she was a little girl at him with the smile still in place and decided to let him read for a bit so not to truly annoy him. After all no one wants an annoyed Kakashi after them… she should get Naruto he would love this. When afew minutes clicked by with him reading again she started from his hip again and worked her way up and down his side from hip to pit and back again. She kept the smile in place to keep from laughing at him when his eye twitched slightly at it but did nothing else.

She goes going to poke his cheek again but he gave a sigh and turned his head to look at her. "Sakura, I think you're a bit old to be doing this."

"Doing what sensei?"

"Sakura-"

"Lady Hokage! We're taking our break if you would like to come out."

"Damn right I do." Tsunade said opening the door and stepping out mumbling about the stupid thing and how she had walked the countryside and yet she was forced to ride like luggage. Sakura gave Kakashi a smile before laughing her way off the roof to land next to Tsunade who gave her a questioning look before looking up to see Kakashi's head. "Bored Sakura?"

"Of course not Lady Hokage." Sakura answered sweetly as they walked to where everyone was starting a small camp site to rest and eat. Naruto came bouncing over with his meal and a big grin. They sat, ate and joked during their small break before packing up and going. Sakura took to lying on the roof with Kakashi to take a nap for the rest of the trip.

She woke up when the got to the border and the site of the wedding by Kakashi returning the favor of poking her on her forehead. She could tell he was grinning down at her when she frowned but she swats him away before hopping down to help unpack the luggage. The girls that came and wasn't on guard duty went to the tents to change and get ready while the men went to the other side where the men's tents were set up to do the same. Sakura was impressed with how the place looked. The many people who came ahead of them had changed the normal cliff with his trees into something that looked like a backyard wedding and party zone. The colors of both villages mixed well together by ribbons weaved through out the branches and white streamers and wooden poles made up a fence around the place to keep people from falling off the cliff and playing in the woods once they got drunk and the dark settled in the white would glare out by the fires that were already being started.

She could smell the food as she stepped out in her gown and headed to the bigger tent where she knew the bride would be. Her eyes took everything in with a soft smile; she was happy for her friends and was glad for the break away from the village and Sasuke. She knew he wouldn't come to one of these so she would take some peace with that knowledge. Her worrying thoughts came to stop when she saw Ino standing outside the tent already done with her outfit. Her long blonde hair was done in curls and let loose down her back with some flowers weaved in. Sakura knew what was going to happen with hers then.

But she stopped to watch Ino talk with Gaara who stood in front of the blonde in his Kage's outfit without the hat. They both seemed to be in deep conversation because Ino would move her hands around a bit when she spoke and Gaara would nod here and there before he spoke and it was Ino's turn to nod. But what stopped Sakura was Kankuro standing with Chouji and Kiba off to the side of the Kazekage and medic. Even though it seemed like he was talking with the two, his eyes kept flicking over to the blonde with a soft smile on his face. Kankuro finally got done with whatever the three men were speaking about and walked over to Ino, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on top of her head.

Ino tensed but relaxed back into his hold. Gaara grinned at his older brother and kept on listening to what Ino was saying.

"Ooohhh." Sakura couldn't help it, it was too cute.

She walked over to them as their heads turned to see who dared make a comment and Ino laughed happily pulling out of Kankuro's arms and met Sakura in between with a hug.

"Hey Sakura!" Ino said happily, grabbing a wrist of Sakura's before pulling her over and in the tent. "You need to get ready!"

"Hello." Sakura said offered to the two males when they gave a small wave. She heard Gaara tell Kankuro he was going for Tsunade before she got moved in front of a mirror and two girls she didn't know started on her hair. Ino took a sit next to her with a grin.

"So how is everything?" Ino asked as the hair dressers continued with their work, fussing over Sakura's hair.

"Alright." Sakura answered and before Ino could start in on what Sakura knew she wanted to talk about she asked her own question. "How did everything go with Kankuro?"

Ino brighten. "Great! Oh well expect at the beginning where we fought but afterwards it's been great! Gaara wasn't to happy about our fight though seeing how we sort of brought into his room."

"Oh dear, what did you do?"

"Me? Nothing of course, it was Kankuro who decided to walk into his brothers' room first and I didn't think our discussion was over. But whatever I see Temari!" Ino said waving to the bride as she came over looking stunning. "Temari you look great!"

"Yeah whatever, can't wait to get out of this makeup though." Temari said sitting down on the other side of Sakura with a sigh. Ino and Sakura laugh at it before Sakura turned to the older blonde when told.

"I had smelt food but didn't see it. Also wasn't there going to be a dance floor?" Sakura asked.

"Yeah well both villages are making the food and keeping it to the other side of the border. That's where we'll have the party. The wedding will take place on this side."

"So that's why I didn't see so much when we were coming in." Sakura commented to herself finally getting up to look in the mirror after the girls were done.

"Yup!" Ino said cheerfully spinning some hair around her finger. The three girls spent the rest of the time just making small talk about Ino's life before Hinata, Tenten, and Matsuri came in and got their hair and makeup on. Just after they were done Chouji, Neji, Kankuro, Kiba, and Naruto came in letting them know it was about to start and the girls went to the man they were paired with for the line up.

Baki came just as they were in line and didn't care if people knew he was uncomfortable in his outfit and being there. He was messing with his tie when Temari came forward and pulled his hands away and started to fix it.

"Really sensei, for being a harden ninja and counsel member for my brother and training us and never losing your cool but being in a tux got you all nervous?" Temari said grinning up at the frowning man.

"I don't like it."

"Me either, hell most of us rather be in our normal clothes and you can be after I kiss that Nara guy of mine."

"You make me feel old." He grumbled. The grouped gathered laughed at him.

"No problem sensei!" Kankuro called out before ducking the kunai sent at his head. Temari rolled her eyes at them before pulling him to the back where they would be. Soon the group was moving and Sakura smiled over at Kiba who gave Kankuro a kick to the butt. Sakura moved quickly to stand next to Kankuro as Ino and Chouji made their way out first before following. Kiba and Matsuri came after them with Naruto and Hinata in back just before Temari and Baki.

The wedding went smoothly even though Asuma forgot the rings and had to run back into the tent and get them but no one was mad at the boy as he came back with a goofy grin on his face. The wedding went great and at the end Shikamaru and Chouji's mom was crying with their husbands hugging them to clam them down. Most of the wedding group went back into the tents and changed into something better for dancing and moving around in the woods. So when the girls were done they went across the bridge and met up with the guys and others.

Tsunade and Gaara stayed a bit longer after the wedding and with a promise to see them later both Kage's shook hands and headed back to their villages taking with them their bodyguards and people who weren't staying the night.

Sakura finally saw the 'camp' site for everyone who was staying the night and couldn't help but laugh at it. Small to huge tents shattered around forming a circle with a fire in the middle, lights were strung between the tents with clothes lines as well. If Sakura didn't know this was a wedding she would think that this was a new settlement popping up.

"Sakura!"

She turned in time to see something blonde before she was picked up and spun. "Naruto!"

"Come dance with me!" He asked already pulling to the dance floor inside.

Laughing Sakura spent most of the time dancing with her friends, hanging out at some tables where others sat drinking and joking. She was pulled into an arm wresting match between the Jounin of both villages but once the Sand ninjas remembered she wasn't only a medic they told her it was cheating. It had made her laugh and pull out to stand by and watch.

It was close to eleven when she noticed the thinning of people around her and the place but not wanting to go to sleep yet, went for a walk from the happy people. Maybe she shouldn't have had those drinks but at the time they were welcomed and had flown through everyone. Now they gave her a buzz and made her body loose and the feeling of boneless as she walked through the surrounding forest after she by passed the ropes. Once and awhile she would glance behind her to still see the glowing of the fires before continuing on her path with her thoughts.

Now that she didn't have people around her and life seemed to slow back down she hated it. She had busied herself with work, the wedding, and just everything else that had happened that she didn't have to think about Sasuke that much plus the talk with Sayuri had helped a lot. Once she got back Sasuke was going to have that jutsu done and hopefully that would show them what his evil brother did to him and see what they could do to reverse it. Even if that doesn't work Sakura was already thinking about putting him under with Tsunade's help and looking into that seal.

Perhaps they could even call in a sealing expert and that person could help. So Sakura wasn't so worried that they would get Sasuke back. Sakura knew it and wrapped the green scarf around her neck.

"Hitomi."

Sakura turned quickly taking in the surroundings, searching for someone. "Hello?" She called once she couldn't see or feel anyone close by with her charka; her mind came up with two things. One she was drunker than she realized or two, she was hearing someone across the cliffs where she could still see the tents and someone's voice echoed. Even with those thoughts she was now sure someone was near her.

"Who's there?"

"I'm surprised you noticed though it did take you some time." Sakura turned quickly to where the voice was coming from. It filled her whole body with dread because she knew he wasn't at the wedding or party meaning he had came here for this reason. "But then again you didn't even know where I was nor did you sense me for the pass five minutes. I could have killed you."

"And yet you didn't, Sasuke." Sakura said staring up at the last Uchiha who stood on a branch above her. She cursed herself for not bringing that many weapons. She had thought she didn't need them for a wedding or a walk and left most of them in her pack at the camp site. His eyes stayed locked with hers as he gave a careless shrug before jumping down. "Listen."

"No. I've had enough of listening to you and to everyone else you have fooled." Sasuke said his voice dropping low and irritated. "They say your some great thing and that I should know you but I haven't and won't fall under this jutsu you have going on."

"Have you thought that maybe, seeing how you're the only one who doesn't know me, that just maybe you're already under one to forgot me?"

"I'm not wrong."

"Of course not!" Sakura yelled throwing her hands up in the air. "You can't be wrong, never." She made sure her voice was mocking. "Well let me tell you something Uchiha! I know all about you and your damn attitude problem! It makes me wonder why I stayed on your side!"

"What are you talking about now, woman?" He growled.

"Before you start saying things about me and try to kill me let me inform you that-"

"I said enough!" Sasuke yelled. "I'm not listening to anymore of your lies!" With that he was attacking. Sakura jumped away from the cliff near the tree lines only to step back slightly when he appeared in front of her. He was fast and seemed much faster to her when she was drunk but she still took that step back towards him with her fist aimed at his chest. He stepped sideways letting her fist go by him but he caught the arm before she could pull back, making her fall towards the ground when he pulled. She cried out when he yanked her arm back, throwing her back towards the cliff before she touched ground. She was lucky her shoulder didn't pop out of jointed or her arm break but it did sting badly.

Sakura give it much thought as she rolled away from knifes that were thrown at her before jumping to her feet and ran towards the camp. She knew if she could get near it he would stop or so she hoped. She got ten steps away when he appeared in front of her again. She slides till she was under him and punched at his knee. Sasuke fall with a grunt not expecting that from her. Sakura stopped sliding, flipping over on her stomach before pouncing up like a cat on his back with her left arm wrapping around his throat while her right hand grabbed her left wrist tightly and held on. Her legs wrapped around his waist when he stood easily, grabbing at her arm. He seemed to get bored with grabbing at her because his hand moved down his leg. Sakura slips her leg down and wrapping around his leg covering his leg holster from his hand which dug into her instead.

Sasuke let her leg go but made Sakura cry out in pain as he slapped the bleeding wound over and over again. When his hand latched on to her redden and bleeding skin again her mind realized that he wasn't trying to kill her only hurt her bad enough so she couldn't attack or get away. His other hand slipped between her arm and his neck and held her arm back from closing around his windpipe again and with that he dropped backwards, holding her under him with her leg and arm as his body fall on hers, crushing the air out of her lungs with a gasp. He used that second to pull her off his neck and flipped over pulling her arms above her head and pinning them there.

"Why aren't you killing me?" Sakura asked once she got air back in her lungs.

"Well I could have and will most likely but there would be a problem." Sasuke said smoothly changing both her wrists to one hand. Sakura inwardly rolled her eyes and told him to keep it up. If he thought that would hold her charka laced muscles down, let him. She'll wait till he was comfortable and 'realized' she couldn't get away from him than she'll attack and knock him out.

"What problem." Keeping him talking, she told herself.

"The problem of everyone believing you and if you go missing, people are going to wonder. No one would or does believe me but if I got the information from you and you tell them, I'll be right." Sasuke told running his hand down the side of her face, Sakura whipped her head to the side with a growl.

"Don't touch me."

"Why not? You got to touch me all week." Sasuke said grabbing her chin forcing her to look at him and his smirk. "What happen to that love you have for me? Come on tell me what you're playing at and I could get the village to kind to you thought seeing how much they love you I think that part would be easy." His face leaned down before his lips touched her ear and she shivered. "All you have to do is admit to this plan of yours and tell me – everyone what village you really come from."

"You know." Sakura breathed out. "If any of what you think was true and I did say something you're not offering anything for the nonexistence information that I find worthy."

"Worthy? Hm." The male hummed as if in thought but his eyes showed he already knew. "Well a Clan does need to be reborn of course with that thought you would need to be under watch at all hours, don't need you killing one of my sons."

"What!" Sakura was seeing red. How dare that… that… argg!

"You heard me."

"Eat shit asshole!" Sakura broke lose of his one handed hold and brought one hand down sharply at his neck, cutting the charka flow on the left side before pushing with everything she had against his chest. She stood quickly and could some pride that Sasuke was on the ground cursing her. "Here's how it's going to go, Uchiha! I'm going to drag your half beaten ass to the camp site behind us where I know Naruto and the others are and have you under lock and key with ANBU watching over you. Than we go back to the village and we lock you up until we know what the hell your brother did you and once we do know and fix you. I hope you remember all of this because we'll be having a very long talk after or in-between the beatings I give you!" Sakura growled going to his prone side with a hand already for a sleeping jutsu.

A sudden pain hit her just under her ribs making white spots flash before her eyes for a few seconds but enough time for her throat to be grabbed and lifted on the ground by that hold. She didn't remember when she closed her eyes but when she opened them she was staring down Sasuke's arm into burning red eyes and vaguely she realized it was the first time she saw them since he's been back.

"You're going to die for that!" He growled at her lifting his other arm up showing a kunai in his hand. Sakura tried to tell him no but it came out as a choking sound with no air. Her hand shot out and held his kunai away from her by holding his wrist. Her other hand yanked on his arm holding her neck, using what charka she could to make him release her. His hand loosen some and she felt herself fall making her realized that he had her over the cliff's edge. The only thing that kept her from falling down was her hold on his arm.

Sakura looked up at him to see the kunai being brought up again for a strike but this time at her arm. Seeing no other choice, thought she was sure if given more time she could of thought of something else; Sakura gave a battle cry summoning the charka she could into her fist and slamming it into the cliff under his feet, than they were falling with rocks hitting or passing them.

Sakura twisted to face the falling man that was with her whose blood eyes were widen with shock staring back at her. And before her head hit the cliff's side she thought she saw someone else, just standing in the shy…

Watching from the red and black sky…

…The wounded unicorn berated the lion for his treachery but the lion mocked the unicorn for his trustful weakness in aiding an enemy…

"Hitomi!"

Said girl jumped slightly form her nap on the hill from hearing her named called. She moved her body till she was sitting and looking over the long grass to see a long white haired woman wearing a long plain brown dress, walking around at the bottom of the hill.

"Oh where is that girl." She heard the woman mumbled and with a bright smile, Hitomi grabbed the book and her small bag before standing and running down the hill.

"Grandmother!" She shouted half way down causing the older woman to turn and look up at her with a pouting glare.

"Girl I said not to call me that! It makes me sound old." But she accepted the hug Hitomi gave her once she got to the bottom.

"Sorry Sayuri." Hitomi apologized with a smile that showed she wasn't truly sorry at all. Sayuri huffed before walking to their little home. Hitomi kept up with the older woman's pace easily. "How was your trip? Did you find that group you told me about for that boy we helped?"

"It was long and boring and of course I found them. If I didn't I would have that boy still with me and I wouldn't be back here if that was true." Sayuri informed her companion as they reach the cottage. Sayuri walked up the stairs and sat on her rocker while Hitomi sat on the first step, leaning back on the post for the railing. "So tell me what you have been doing since I've been gone."

"Well I went down to the village and got the supplies you wanted me to get. I've been having the dreams again."

"Can you remember anything of them?" Sayuri ask leaning forward. Hitomi shook her head.

"Not really. The same things, red eyes and feeling like I'm falling, it's the same thing over and over again. But I feel like am forgetting something well a lot of something. I'm sure it's real or at least some parts." Hitomi stopped and looked up at Sayuri when the older women put her hand down on her shoulder.

"Don't force it dear or you'll get a headache."

"I sound crazy don't I?"

"Yes but in this case I think your allow some crazy talk." Sayuri shrugged out as she leaned back into her chair. Hitomi gave her own sigh, lifting her face to watch the sunset over the village below them. The young girl was glad her companion had return safely after the two week journey to the outpost. It was to quiet without the older woman and she told Sayuri that. Sayuri let out a laugh. "Oh please it wasn't like I wanted to go to that outpost but it was the closest one near here that the caravan went too. And if that young man was going to live he would have to go to a ninja village where their medical knowledge could save him."

"Do you think he'll be alright?"

"Of course he will. The boy had a strong will to live and I think he should have made it to Suna last night if the caravan did what they said they would." The white hair woman stood placing her hands on her lower back and bending backwards. "Say what is that book you have is?"

"Oh sorry but I found this." Hitomi told her, standing and showing the book. "I hope you don't mind me reading your old journals."

"Naa of course not, that's what their there for." The owner said waving the book away as she opened her door and went in with the girl following. "A record of someone's life to show that they had lived and had thoughts and worries just like everyone else; I don't mind, maybe you should start one."

"Yes that sounds nice."

"Come on now, we have dinner to make and some healing ointments."

Still, Hitomi thought putting her bag and book down on the table before washing her hands. Still I feel like I should have known him.

"Man I hate this time of year all these people coming and going with supplies and stuff." One of the guards said watching the man he was going to replace for the next shift, check the travel papers of a family coming back.

"And stuff." The man said mocking but smiled over his shoulder at his friend after giving the family the papers back and welcoming them.

"Eh shut up. Your just getting the beginning of this mess, I got to deal with it till night fall!" he complained.

"Well am not to worried about it… or your complaining, you always complain."

"I do not!"

"Yeah you do, either it's to boring or to much work; why not just ask for the night shift? Wait I know! Too late, right?"

"Shut up." He mumbled turning his head away making his friend chuckle while taking the next set of papers. They stayed quiet for awhile listening to the people move about while taking papers and passing them back.

"Well if you think about it- whoa."

"Whoa what?" The young man asked before looking to where the older man was pointing. "Whoa that's a huge caravan!"

"No men that's four different groups coming in at the same time." A new voice told them before behind them. They looked and quickly straighten before the Kazekage's older brother. "I saw them from up top." He informed them taking to the other side of the gates where the other man was. "You two check their travel papers while we do the goods check. We can work them out quicker that way and these two can go back home afterwards."

"Yes sir!" Kankuro and the Chunin on his side took the goods list from the leading man of the first group before telling him to give the travel papers to the other two men. Once they did that they worked with the second in command who showed them where everything was and let them check for hiding ninjas that would sometimes latch on to these moving towns. It took them about twenty or thirty minutes to get down with them before going on to the next.

They were about half away done with the second one when a woman in her early thirties came up to them at a run.

"Excuse me!"

"Sorry miss, please stay with your group and we'll have you moving in less than an hour or so." Kankuro spoke calmly a repeating thing they tell everyone who wanted to get things done then.

"No sir that's not it-"

"Yes am sure, could you please let me work so we can get this done faster and get to your group faster." Kankuro said with a sigh finally turning around to see her. He saw her eyes take in his face paint with widen eyes and seem to be caught off guard – he loved that – but he also saw a strong hard glint in her eyes that he loved to see in women but not in this line.

"A man is dying!" She yelled at him causing Kankuro to lose his grin and blink at her before giving her a wave as a signal to show him. She turned and ran down to the last caravan with him close behind. He stopped before she did; took in their healer bent over a prone body, pumping on his chest before turning and yelling for the medical group. He turned back and took the rest of the steps and knelt down on the other side remembering the medical jutsu to get the heart beating again as he did the hand signs.

"Move back Miss." He told the healer and once she wasn't touching the dying man he slammed his hands down on his chest. The man's spine bent forward towards Kankuro's hands before he fall back on the ground wheezing loudly but alive. Taking a deep breath, moving back so the medics could continue with their work but it fall out in a whoosh when he finally looked at the man's face.

"Where… Where did you find him!" He yelled the question out looking at the people there while pointing at the man. "Where!"

"H-he was put in our care five days ago!" The healer told him panicking. Kankuro turned to the Chunin that was working with him before grabbing the collar of his vest, pulling the boy to stand closer.

"You stand here and make sure you do not leave his body!" he told him before pushing the charka down to his feet and taking off in a run. "I'll be sending more and make sure he doesn't die!" He yelled over his shoulder leaping onto of the carriage taking to the high ground. Kankuro stayed high going from the gates to the buildings roofs making his way to his brother's office. Once he got there he didn't brother with the door just ran up the wall and jumped in through the window.

He stood with a grin seeing the sand just above him and Gaara frowning at him with a tea stain on his robes. But the grin quickly erased remembering the reason for this visit wasn't to surprise his brother for once.

"Gaara you need to see this."

Gaara looked at him for a moment before shrugging and following Kankuro out the window to where ever Kankuro thought he needed to see.

The powerful red head stared down at the pale face of his friends' teammate. He was stunned to say the least. The village had all but given up hope that they wouldn't find one of the two lost ninjas of the Leaf and their team was destroying itself form the inside out because of it all. But now… just maybe he had something that would give them that hope again…

Even if he hates the man lying in his hospital…

"Send a message to the Leaf village and inform them that we have their Uchiha in our intensive care. Use the fastest bird we have. Now!"

"Yes Lord Kazekage!"

His friend needed this hope in the form of this man,

Sasuke has been found after two months and could know where Sakura was.