48 hours later
Sai sighed to himself as the Hokage addressed both him and his team to what lay ahead beyond Kohana's gates. Thankfully he was in the condition to continue with the commitment he made to Naruto, although the doctor had ordered for him to have at least a week's worth of rest. All the same, even if he had felt worse he would have gladly accompanied his team.
"…I want no rash or dangerous decisions from this point on-" She glared at Naruto whom only grinned smugly, "The point of this mission is to bring Sasuke into custody…nothing more nothing less…the route portrayed is as you can see not on the map, that being said you know the dangers of unmarked territory. The possibility of the Akatsuki in this area alone is high…very high…if trouble arises, you go no further. I want neither fatalities nor injuries, am I understood?" Tsunade narrowed her eyes, willing one of us to step out of line.
"Grandma-Tsunade we're not kids, we can take care of ourselves. We all will come back safe and unharmed, right guys?" Naruto glanced at us as Sakura nodded enthusiastically and I shrugged.
"Alright…I trust your word Naruto. I would have given this to more suitable candidates, however rumor has it that Orochimaru plans to invade the village within 3 days. We need all of Kohana's forces within reach, for any attack that may arise. I can't tell you…that I think you're all unqualified or that if I were to lose one of you, I would be able to continue onward. With that being said come home safe…you are dismissed."
10 hours later
"God…I'm starving, anyone got anything to eat?" Naruto inquired, grinning as Sakura threw a bag of chips his way.
"Thanks, Sakura. What would I do without you?" Naruto greedily munched on the snacks, unaware of Sakura's soft smile at his antics.
"Hey, Sai…why were you in the hospital the other day?" Sakura spoke, although she knew perfectly well why he was in the hospital. She and the other nurses had found Sai unconscious and shivering at the entrance to the hospital; he was fevered and soaked from head-to-toe in mud. It was still raining when they found him and Sakura had found a note in his pants pocket. When she read the note and recognized who had addressed it her blood ran cold, her heart filled with lead. The handwriting was unmistakable and she couldn't believe what she was seeing with her very own eyes.
'I'll come back for you, I promise.' S
"Oh- I was a l-little dehydrated is all, nothing to concern yourself with." Sai muttered, bristling not at Sakura's intense stare, but the feel of eyes glaring holes in the back of his head. Sakura wanted to bring up what she had found, however Sai was acting oblivious to everything.
"Oh I see… dehydration huh? Hallucination does not fall under the list of symptoms for dehydration, though." Sakura was too bright for her own good. Sai jumped as he felt warm breath on his neck and a hand brushing his backside. Sai quickly sprinted to Sakura's side at the feel of an invisible presence watching him, wanting him.
"Sai, what's wrong? Are you still feeling ill?" Sakura tentatively touched Sai's forehead. Sai brushed her hand away asserting a smile.
"Oh, no…I'm fine. I am still experiencing the hallucination to some degree, though." Sakura swirled around, immobilizing Sai with a glare painting her flawless face. Sai truly was a bigger idiot than Naruto at times; she was sure if she brought up Sasuke Sai would brush her off and then Naruto would demand to know if Sai had seen Sasuke. All in all hell would break loose.
"What the hell? You said you were fine…hallucinating is not a joke Sai, why did you not tell Tsunade? Oh my God, you should have said something! Sai…why would you-"Sakura was interrupted as Naruto took control.
"Sakura…relax, Sai is fine. Nothing is wrong…okay? He can handle himself...if need be. I guarantee it, I believe it!" Naruto soothed Sakura's complaints, while Sai resisted reacting to the, 'You're mine', whispered in his ear.
16 hours later
"Fuck…I am so bored! Hey Sai what is green and smells like bacon?" Naruto grinned at Sai's perplexed gawking.
"I don't know what?"
"It's Kermit's-. " Naruto let out a shriek of surprise as he unexpectedly tripped landing with his face down and ass in the air.
"What the hell, did I just trip over?" Naruto yelled. Sakura giggled only for her amused expression to convert into one of pure horror.
"Sakura, what's wrong?" Naruto tensed at the frightened expression.
"Look…over there." Sakura whispered, pointing beyond the thicket of trees where two men stood bickering with one another.
"I don't understand, what are you-"Naruto frowned as Sai crouched down motioning for them to do the same.
"They're members of Akatsuki…members Hidan and Kakuzu." Sai informed quietly, gulping at the dry lump in his throat.