"Do you think you can do this?" Naruto asked leaning on the front of his desk and crossing his arms over his chest. He'd never had been one for sitting down. Sakura and Ino nodded in response. Naruto looked from one girl to the other. He had the utmost confidence that they could do this, but he wasn't sure if it was right to send Sakura out of the village after only being away from her captors for a year and a half. Just then his moment of thought was interrupted by Tsunade walking in,

"HEY! Grandma Tsunade! This is my OFFICIAL office!! You can't just waltz in here!" Naruto jumped to a full standing position and waved his arms around expressively

"Oh get over it," Tsunade flicked Naruto's forehead, and he fell back and his back fell onto the edge of the desk, "I'm here to finish briefing the girls. They ARE my students, and this is medical matters after all and Last I checked, you were no doctor."

Naruto grumbled as he brought himself up to his feet. He glared at Tsunade, "FINE. You finish it!"

Naruto went behind his desk and sat in his chair, and mopped.

Tsunade smiled, liking that she won; "Now you understand that a virus is spreading out in Suna, and their medical team can't figure it out. They specifically asked for Haruno Sakura and her nurse. You girls are to go there and assist them for a minimum of 7 days, and then, if needed, stay till the situation is stabilized."

The two girls nodded, "Yes Tsunade-sama." They said in unison

"Geez girls, you should take your job more seriously," Naruto said sarcastically, since he'd cooled off. He looked to them and smiled, and in return Ino smiled and Sakura gave a light giggle as she smiled and put her hand to her mouth.

"You have an hour to get ready and leave." Tsunade said bluntly

Naruto rolled his eyes, "Take as much time as you need"

"When did you gain the right to counter my decisions??"

"When I became Hokage!"

"That means NOTHING! I'm still your superior!"

"Oh really? You look like you could be my sister, GRANNY"

"WHERE DO YOU GET OFF CALLING ME GRANNY?! You're a grown man now I don't have to take this from you!"

"Nope, but you still do," Naruto snickered evilly and crossed his arms. His snicker grew to a grin as he saw that Tsunade had run out of things to say. It was her same pit fall every time. She had grown more repetitive with age. After all she was in her early sixties or so now wasn't she?

Tsunade crossed her arms angrily, "Your dismissed girls!" Tsunade said to her pupils who she knew where holding back their laughter. Every one laughed when they fought.

Naruto and Tsunade stayed the same, till the two girls had left. Then Naruto turned around in his chair and looked out the window, facing towards the entrance of the village, His grin faded and his face filled with worry.

"I'm sure they will be fine," Tsunade said, her face also relaxed, and was now almost as worry filled as Naruto's.

"Even you have some doubt. What if-" Naruto began, but was cut off

"Lets not think about the 'what ifs'. We just have to pray our fears don't become real…."


"So I went through all the trouble of killing you for nothing??" Sakura screamed in incomprehensible anger

"Well basically, yes" Sasori stated in a mocking tone. He watched as she breathed heavily trying to control herself. He just snickered in delight of making her angry; seeing her anything other then happy. Disappointment crossed his face as she gained control of herself and stood calmly before him. A scowl crossed his face, witch brought amusement to hers.

"I'm ready for the mission Leader," Sakura said standing straight and turning to Pein giving a bow of respect.

"Alright," He said, and looked to Sasori then her, "You two will go into town and pick up some fabrics, medicine and other necessities. Sasori here makes clothing and uniforms, and Sakura is a skilled medical Nin, so you both are good for this mission."

"Yes sir," Sakura and Sasori said in unison, though Sasori sounded board and Sakura respectful. They looked to each other and scowled, then turned back to Pein.

"Since Sasori is still considerably new to being Human, we wanted a skilled medical ninja to be his new partner, since he still takes to many life threatening risks in battle because he doesn't yet know better. Ultimately, Sakura your Job as Sasori's partner is to keep him alive. He is valuable to our organization." Pein stated sternly. He received an eye roll from Sasori -which no doubt Sasori thought he didn't see- and a nod from Sakura, accepting the responsibility with grace.

"Now get going" Pein stated, and in a flash of speed, the two were gone, Leaving Pein alone in his office.

Sakura woke to the soft sound of shuffling feet, beeping machines and Ino whining slightly in her sleep. This was their third day in Suna. They had figured out what the virus was yesterday- airborne flu virus, heightened by the current drought- and Sakura and Ino had spent the rest of the day attempting to decipher a vaccination, and went to bed around 4 30 in the morning after finally finding one. She stood up; she was still in her medical cloak and a nurse's outfit. When she left she just grabbed some nurse's outfits. She was too lazy to pick out a bunch of outfits to change into, and changed when they started treatments. When they were heading back she would change into the outfit shed worn 3 days before, and there wouldn't be a problem.

They had set up some cots in the Head doctor's office at Suna's Hospital for them. Sakura looked out the window, really looking at her reflection. She looked fine. Her make up needed re touching though.

She sighed and sat back down on her cot. She looked at the floor, and her dream flashed across her eyes. No, it wasn't a dream. It was a memory. It was her and Sasori being introduced as partners. It was exactly what happened, right down to the musty air smell of Pein's office, mixed with the slight scent of Sasori's Cologne, witch had the time disgusted her, though now she found herself embracing the memory, it still brought a pinch of annoyance to her, since his favourite hobby was still bugging her, despite his feelings towards her.

She closed her eyes, and imagined all the memories locking away for the day so she could work through the day. She would pretend that she was fine. She would smile and laugh, and hopefully no one would notice anything was wrong. Sakura stood, and walked over to Ino's cot. She shook the blonde lightly

"Ino, come on, it has to be about noon" Sakura said as the blonde girl stirred awake. Once Ino had opened her eyes, Sakura went to her bag and got her makeup and headed to the bathroom


Ino sat up and watched as Sakura left. She sighed as she thought about all the things Sakura had revealed and trusted her with. She couldn't comprehend the feelings she was having.

She thought about it all; Sakura leaving and becoming a criminal. She thought about how she had found the perfect man, and become strong enough that even the Hokage had trouble comprehending just how much she really did know or what she was capable of. She had travelled the world, fought some of the strongest opponents, and discovered herself. all with her true love at her side.

Ino thought, and realised how she really felt. She envied Sakura. Ino always dreamed of adventure; of her life being envied by future generations. She wanted to live free, not a single thing to tie her down and maybe a love as free and adventurous as she was. Sakura had never wanted these things, and she had them.

"Hey Ino come on! Kazekage Gaara asked us to do some house calls," Sakura said from the door way with a smile. Ino couldn't see any of the pain she knew Sakura was feeling. At that moment, Ino got an idea.


"I told you it was the other way. Again I'm right," Sakura said joking and triumphantly looking at the map of Suna

Ino put her hands to her head and yelled, "Yeah no shit," she said in defeat. She put her hands down and sighed; "Now we have to walk all the way back up this long street" She turned and started walking

"It's not that bad Ino. You're just not used to walking so much at once," Sakura stated knowingly looking at the map. "You also had the map upside down" Sakura smiled

Ino sighed, "I never really had to read one before, I had Shikamaru on my team, and He's a genius. I can only remember one time I had to, and that's when I was Fourteen and we had to help those kids on a field trip for the ninja school. They read that map better then me!" then Ino remembered something, "Wait, You had Kakashi sensei on your team! You would have never had to read a map with him, and when you became a medic-nin you like never had any missions. How can you read one so well?"

Sakura smiled, "One: I may have had Kakashi sensei on my team, but do remember I had Naruto as well. And when Sasuke was around, he wasn't that good with maps either. When Kakashi wasn't there, I had to do the directions. Though I never got a chance to give them cause, well, you know how Naruto is. Two, I had SOME missions as a medic-nin, just they were more towards helping at the hospital, some times I would even go to other villages and help with Health care, and when I got older I went out with Naruto and you guys on some missions. I had to do a little map work there. And third, when I was, well you know, we traveled the world and Sa- I mean my partner wasn't good with maps either so we were both taught by leader how to read a map, use a compass, make a makeshift compass and other things. After that to keep my skills in tip top shape, I marked different villages we visited on a map. If I ever get the chance to retrieve it, ill show you" Sakura smiled once again and looked to the map

"Oh," Ino said, her feeling of envy returned once again, and she tried hard to stop it from rearing it ugly head.

Sakura nodded, and looked up, "alright, the house should be right…about…he-" Sakura was cut off by hitting a woman heading into the home she was pointing at, and the next second they were both on their backs opposite each other, Sakura's map over her face, the woman's groceries every where else.

Sakura sat up and looked around, "Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Sakura said hurrying to her knees, then handing the map to Ino she began to collect the woman's things

"No its fine," a silky sweet voice said warmly, sounding extremely familiar in Sakura's ears. Sakura looked to the woman to see the beautifully tanned skin of the stunningly beautiful Naomi Aburame, who upon recognizing Sakura, smiled sweetly

"Naomi! What are you doing in Suna?" Sakura asked as the two women stood and placed the items back in their bags.

"My grandparents caught the virus as it first got around the village, so me and Shino decided to take our vacation time here" She opened the door, "Come on in, Temari told me you would be stopping by" a sunny smile crossed the girls soft features.

"But why would your Grandparents be here? Aren't you from an Insect users clan in Rice country?" Ino asked as the three girls stepped into the medium sized home.

"When my grandparents retired, they moved here. I would visit them every summer so this is like my second home," Naomi said factually and walked into the kitchen to put the groceries away

"But are you sure you should be so far away at a time like this?" Sakura asked worriedly

Naomi looked confused, and then remembered what Sakura meant, "Please. Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I can't be here for my family!" she said nonchalantly

"Naomi, your 8 months pregnant," Sakura stated bluntly, "Your due date is fast approaching"

"Naomi looked down at her enlarged stomach, "I guess you have a point. But I'm sure my little boy wont mind being born here if it comes to that." She smiled sweetly enough to melt the heart of any man. Shino was very lucky.

"Mama!!" cried a small voice. Everyone turned to see Shino standing in the door holding his and Naomi's little daughter Aiko. Hearing that single word, Naomi walked calmly over to Shino, kissed his cheek and took her daughter

"Hello my sweet baby," Naomi said lovingly.

"You took quite some time. Did something happen?" Shino asked, a slight worry trickling out in his words.

"Oh Honey I'm fine! I got everything and I even found Sakura and Ino! Remember Temari told us they were coming by to give my grandparents their vaccinations" Naomi cradled the small Aburame girl, of whom was due to turn two soon. The small fraction of the Aburame clan had be come frequent patients to see Sakura, worried about how small their daughter was. She had gotten to know Naomi well, and she was a good mom and wife, and Shino a dedicated father and husband. They made a beautiful family.

"NAOMI!!" came a call from the front door; Sakura immediately recognized it as Temari

"Kitchen!!" Naomi responded

Shino sighed, "Sakura, Ino, I will take you to your patients." He obviously wanted to avoid the Temari.

"Honey you can call them your grandparents, its fine," Naomi said as she placed her daughter on the floor to crawl around and amuse herself while she put the groceries away.

Sakura and Ino walked off in the direction of Shino, and as they left the kitchen they could hear Temari and Naomi's excited chatter. You could tell they were close friends. Ino asked Shino about the relationship, and he said Temari and Naomi met when they where kids while Naomi was visiting Suna. Shino then lead them upstairs to the elder's rooms.

"It was great to see you and thank you so much!" Naomi said gratefully as the two medic-nins stood outside the door to the home, "You're welcome to stay longer if you like."

Sakura shook her head, "We have lots of other work to do, but we will try and visit. Remember to take care. We don't need you going into early labour!" Sakura said sternly. Naomi just smiled and nodded politely. And Beautiful as the girl was, and as graciously as she acted, she never listened to a word of warning no matter what it was for. That worried Sakura, for both Naomi and her unborn son's sake.

"Bye!" The two girls said and turned and headed for their next house call.


5 Days later, Sakura and Ino had finally finished everything up. Villagers Health was already increasing, so since they had already said the allotted seven days, they decided it was time to head home. They paid one last check up on Naomi, Shino and Aiko before heading out.

They had made good time and in a little less then a day they made it into River country. It had begun to rain heavily, so Ino and Sakura took shelter in a stone Cave. Sakura stood wringing out her hair. As planned she had worn the same outfit she wore the day she left. She only wore the Capris and the tank top, since the sleeveless half jacket laid near the fire drying. She shook her hair, and removed her head band laying it near her jacket.

She looked around and saw Ino sitting near the fire. Ino was in her spare clothes, a purple T-shirt and black shorts. Her hair was down, and she looked extremely lost in thought.

"Hey, earth to Ino!" Sakura said jokingly; sitting down near the blonde girl.

Ino turned and looked Sakura, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure! Anything," Sakura stated as she laid down on the now warm floor of the cave.

Ino took a deep breath, "You don't really want to be in the village do you?"

Sakura's eyes went shocked, then soft with guilt, "No. To be Honest I don't."

"Then I want you to go back to the Akatsuki. I will help you make it look like we were raided."

Sakura sat up and looked into the deep eyes of Ino. She was Serious, "You would do that?…"

"But on one condition." Ino stated and turned her body to face Sakura. Sakura nodded, still in shock.

"Take me with you."