EDITED: Jan 27th, 2008

Shorty had dem apple bottom jeans, boots with da fur!

Good song.

Happy Readings (:

-

Not so Weak Anymore

Chapter Seven

We'll Do this Together!

-

Sakura was walking into the hotel in deep thought. It was almost seven. She had told everyone to meet at the hotel at five to go out for dinner.

'So much for that…'

She was about to walk into her room, which she shared with the girls. She doubted they would have waited for her. They probably went looking for her or went to dinner without her.

'Sigh.'

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and walked in. In the room, were all three girls. Ino was sitting on her bed reading a magazine, Tenten on her bed sharpening her kunai's and Hinata, packing. They all looked at her when she walked in.

'What do I tell them?'

"Sakura! Where were you! We went looking for you awhile ago!" Ino said looking at Sakura.

Sakura went and flopped on her bed. It was right by the window, so she looked outside. All the girls gave her odd facial expressions. She turned to them,

"Where's Konohamaru and Moegi?"

"We sent t-them out to dinner. Just the t-two of them. we told them we'd w-wait for you." Hinata said. Sakura smiled again and looked out the window.

"Uh, Sakura? Is everything okay? You weren't attacked or something, were you?!" Tenten said. Sakura looked at them and smiled. She shook her head, then followed it up with a sigh.

"Guys, what I'm about to tell you, please, promise me you won't tell anyone. And you'll let me go." The three other Konoha nin's looked at her oddly.

"S-Sakura, what are you t-talking about?" Hinata asked.

"Just Promise me!" Sakura shouted. The girl's eyes widened at her loudness. They all looked at each other and then nodded at Sakura.

"Now you got to tell us what we need to promise you and what you're talking about?" Ino said. Sakura nodded.

'Where do I start?'

"Okay, well while I was walking, some kid tried to steal my wallet. Having my ninja skills, I was easily able to catch the little him. There was a girl with him too. But, what I didn't want to find was…" She paused. She looked at the girls. They were listening to every word she was saying.

"The two kids posses the Sharingan. Making them Uchiha."

There was a dead silence…

"WHAT?!?!?!" they all screamed in unison.

"For real Sakura?!" Tenten exclaimed.

"Do I look like I'm not serious?" Sakura said with a serious look on her face.

"I talked to them – telling them whom they were, and what they possessed. They knew nothing about their heritage. They seemed to take an interest into it though. After some thinking, they both want to become ninja. You see, Orochimaru killed their parents and…" Sakura explained there story, and the girls listened to the story.

"…and that's what's gone on so far. They want to become ninja. They want me to train them. but I can't take them back to Konoha. It would be too dangerous for the village. So, I've decided to leave Konoha for awhile. Become a missing nin."

The girls gawked, "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND FOREHEAD!" Ino screamed aloud. Sakura shushed her.

"But I have another reason for not going home. I want to improve these new skills we've gained. We really aren't going to get stronger if we go back to Konoha. They know nothing about our powers. I've talked to Old man Yugi, and he is going to train me, and I will train the two Uchiha kids. It's for the best." She ended looking to the ground. all the girls looked to the ground. there was an awkward silence.

"Well, I though I was the only one thinking of not going back to Konoha."

Sakura looked at Tenten.

"You mean, you wanna come with me?"

Tenten nodded with a smile, "Like you, I want to become stronger with these new powers. Also, lately, I feel like a burden to my team. Neji has become stronger, as has Lee. I'm the odd weak one. I've slacked off. It be best if I wasn't around holding them back."

Sakura nodded at Tenten, "Tenten, thank you."

"Well if you two are going, I'm coming with you!" Ino declared.

"Plus, I can't let Forehead here get stronger then me!" Ino said acting all cocky. Sakura smirked, "So that's three of us so far."

Everyone looked at Hinata. She was looking at the ground. A tear went down her face. After a moment, she then looked up and smiled.

"I may not be able to see Naruto-kun for awhile, but I think it be better, if I went back stronger and I could defend myself in almost a year, rather then go back now, weak. I need to prove myself as the Hyuuga heiress." Hinata said. They all went into a group hug.

"It's settled then. When Konohamaru and Moegi get back, we'll pay a visit to Old man Yugi. We also need to get a plan sorted out. I had the two Uchiha kids stay with Yugi. We need to think of a plan to make it look like we died or missing somehow…" Sakura said. All the girls went into a thinking mode.

And after ten minutes of thinking, they had.. absolutely nothing.

"Hmm, maybe the old man can help us out?" Ino said shrugging.

"May as well give it a try." Sakura said. They then heard a knock at the door. Tenten opened it. It was Konohamaru and Moegi.

"Hey Sakura came back! Where were you!?" Konohamaru asked.

Sakura stuck her tongue out at the young genin, "None of your business. Anyway since your back, we four girls are going out for food! We'll be back before ten." Sakura said exiting the room, followed by the girls. Konohamaru and Moegi shrugged, heading into their room.

They were walking down the street that lead to the 'Destiny' shop. They were currently in the park, and Sakura stopped for some reason. The girls stopped as soon as they saw Sakura stop. The Haruno turned around and faced the three girls.

"No matter what happens, no matter what goes on, We will always be friends. And have each others backs… Right?" Sakura asked. Everyone smiled.

"Of course S-Sakura. friendship is the m-most important thing." Hinata said putting her hand out.

"We may not get to see our friends and family for awhile, but as long as we have each other, we'll be fine." Ino said adding her hand on top of Hinata's.

"We will train together, and we will beat this Kenji guy. Together, as friends." Tenten said adding her hand. Sakura closed her eyes and smiled. She then put her hand on top Tenten's.

"Yeah, Together."

-

It was currently Tuesday, and the girls were set to come home by Wednesday. Sasuke noted how anxious Naruto was, waiting for Hinata to arrive home. Sasuke was wondering how Sakura would take it, seeing him back in all. Not to long ago, she was fighting against him, putting up a pretty good fight.

Would she run and hug him, crying in his chest?

He would expect that to happen, but seeing the new Sakura fight him, he was thinking otherwise.

So he was stuck, with Naruto, eating Ramen as usual, and waiting for Kakashi-sensei to appear. Naruto was rambling about non-sense as usual. Sasuke looked into the crowd of people behind them in the market area. He noticed someone who looked familiar.

' Rei?'

Indeed it was Rei. Rei had a cloak on, so no one could really see him. He was in an ally way across from the ramen stand. He did some hand signs, which were interpreted into a code of some kind. Sasuke was watching his hand movements carefully.

'We need a status report tonight on anything happening in Konoha. I will pick the scroll up later tonight, sharp.'

And with that, he vanished. Sasuke sighed. Naruto was still rambling about… everything. Getting this status report would be troublesome. Nonetheless, Sasuke started actually listening to Naruto's conversation, hoping to get info out of him.

-

The 4 Kunoichi reached the shop. Sakura had knocked on the door. two minutes later, old man Yugi appeared.

"Oie, what do you want now?" Yugi said grumpy. Sakura glared at him.

"What's wrong with you?" She asked. Yugi started mumbling something and went inside. The girls followed.

"Those two brats you left me have eaten almost everything!!" he almost screamed.

"Is he talking about the Uchiha kids?" Tenten asked. Sakura smiled,

"Most likely."

Heading into the main room, they saw two children playing a board game, eating some rice at the same time.

"Ehem.." Sakura cleared her throat.

The two Uchiha kids turned around. Akira smiled while Daisuke merely glanced.

"So these are the Uchiha's?" Ino said. Akira and Daisuke noticed the three other girls. Daisuke blushed a bit–he wasn't normally around girls except for Akira–or even older girls for the matter.

"Akira, Daisuke, these are my friends, Ino, Tenten and Hinata. Girls, this is Uchiha Akira and Uchiha Daisuke." She said introducing the groups to each other. The girls nodded towards the Uchiha's with a smile. Akira smiled back and waved, while Daisuke nodded.

"Anyway, Old man Yugi, we need to talk." Sakura said. The old man nodded and sat at the table. The girls did the same, as Daisuke and Akira joined in. Akira sat at the right of Sakura, while Daisuke sat on her left. The two of them really didn't trust many people after living the bum life. Akira knew she could trust Sakura though.

"Hinata, Ino and Tenten all want to come along with us. We need you to train us Yugi. They will also help me train the two Uchiha. Plus, they can't help us train in Konoha as well as you can. Is that okay?"

The old man was taking a drink of his tea. He put the cup down and looked at the girls.

"This won't be easy training. You must be dedicated. The world rest on your shoulders. Also, there is more for you to know, but I will explain it during your training. Are you willing to dedicate yourself to this?"

The girls nodded without a second thought.

"Very well. Tomorrow we leave."

"HOLD IT!" Ino shouted. Everyone looked at her, "We are currently on a mission with two genin. We can't leave them! Plus, we're suppose to leave tomorrow and arrive in Konoha late night. We need to make it look like we died in a battle or even we're missing nin or something!"

Yugi had his eyes shut. He slowly opened his eyes after a moment, "Why do you want to make it look like you died? Why not just tell the Hokage about the fix your in?" he asked. Sakura knew how to answer it.

"Tsunade wouldn't allow it. She would insist on training us. Then our teammates would ask questions and stuff. Plus, we can't take the Uchiha back. It's too dangerous. If one more person finds out about them, they could be in a lot of trouble. It would be easier if we faked death somehow."

Yugi understood the situation and nodded, "So you want my help to make it look like you died?" They nodded. The old man smirked, "Very well. Listen up!"…

-

Rei was currently walking through the Sound headquarters. He was thinking about the mission Sasuke was on. He had just received the scroll from him. Sasuke seemed different. He communicated a little more then usual, and he seemed to be having second thoughts of the mission. Spying on him the other day, Rei noted Sasuke continually stared at a picture–one of his old team. From what he saw, almost everyone in the picture was present in Konoha,

except for the girl.

Haruno Sakura was on Uchiha Sasuke's mind on the odd occasion.

Rei was walking towards Orochimaru's office. Orochimaru was in the office, waiting patiently for Rei to return with the scroll.

Rei knocked on the door to Orochimaru's office.

"Enter."

Entering, Orochimaru's beady eyes were on Rei, "Did you get the scroll?"

Rei nodded and put it down on Orochimaru's desk. The Snake Sannin picked it up and read the contents.

"Is this ALL he received? This is useless!" Orochimaru said angrily. Rei nodded. "He didn't seem like the normal Sasuke we know. He's out of it, always looking at his old team seven picture." Rei added. Orochimaru titled his head.

"Really now? there has to be some significance behind this."

Rei nodded. "I think he's thinking of Haruno Sakura, The Hokage's apprentice. She's currently on a mission, and will be returning tomorrow. Otherwise, everyone else in the picture is present in Konoha" Rei said. Orochimaru licked his lips.

"Ahh yes, I remember her from the Chunnin exams. Rei I have a new mission for you."

A dark smirk was evident on Orochimaru's face. Rei knew what was coming.

"Kill Haruno Sakura."

-

"So that's the plan, Do you understand?"

The girls nodded,

"If you do somehow get caught in an ACTUL fight with ninja's from another village, you'll know what to do. Now get going. You also need to think of a disguise for the next 10 months. Now, get going." Yugi said trying to get rid of them. Everyone got up from the table, with the four girls heading towards the door. Daisuke and Akira headed into the other room for bed. Sakura was about to leave when once again, Yugi pulled her hand.

"Sakura, I need you to pretend to be Daisuke and Akira's older sister when we enter other villages during training. It's a safety precaution. Akira trusts you very much and Daisuke might not show it, but he does as well. You are their guardian. They belong to you now. Do you understand?"

Sakura slowly turned the corner to the room Daisuke and Akira went into. The two of them were lying down into there own beds, sound asleep already.

'a very busy day for the two of them.'

"Yes, I do. They mean a lot to me, even though I just met them. I will teach them all I know, and they will grow into fine ninja. It is like having siblings, or even kids if that sounds right. I will protect them." Sakura said with a sweet smile. Old man Yugi smiled back.

"Goodnight Yugi. See you tomorrow." Sakura said leaving.

Goodnight to you too."

-

CHAPTER SEVEN FINISHED!

Blah, no originality really. I wrote this a year ago, so I didn't change much x)

Review, yeah?

Shellzonfire