SO another chapter... I got people story alerting me yay! AND despite the fact that I have a deadline for my coursework on friday... I'm updating!

I thionk that deserves a review... please?


Naruto stood with Sakura on the mountain, both of them looking down on the village.

"Kakashi said something to Sai and me outside Tsunade-Sama's office." Sakura said softly, smiling, her green eyes glittering as they reflected the sight before her, "I didn't understand it then, but here, looking down at the village with you, I do."

Naruto looked down at her, his face relaxed and calm, all traces of his earlier fury had vanished. "What was it?"

"That it was almost time for him. Almost time for his generation to step back and entrust Konoha to the younger Nin."

"I don't get it." Naruto frowned.

Sakura elbowed him. "I didn't think you would, I only just got it myself. He meant that the younger generations of Konoha constantly meet and surpass their elders; Konoha is ours to inherit as Shinobi, and we're almost ready."

They looked at each other in understanding and grinned.

"I think I get it now." The boy said, happily. "He also said that I would surpass the fourth- I mean, my..." He frowned then, not quite willing to say it. Sakura frowned, concerned; she knew it was hard for him to accept that his father put the Kyuubi inside him, but this change in him was scary. Unbelievable.

She flattered herself that she could read him, but at the moment he was too far away. He had a pain inside him that she couldn't reach; Yondaime had done something that he found himself having trouble forgiving, this disturbed him beyond belief, she knew, Naruto's heart was too kind to never forgive someone... She had the feeling that even Orochimaru wasn't beyond this boy's forgiveness.

Stop worrying, you have your own problems, remember? What Granny Haruno wrote in that letter to you, stop ignoring it!

This is more important.

For crying out loud, you idiot.

Yes, I am an idiot... I say I know him... that I love him, but I'm so useless to him.

Not this again.

It's true! What I said to Yamato, it's true... The things I can do for Naruto are so small...

"Thank you Sakura-chan." Naruto said softly, hugging Sakura tightly. "Thank you for helping me." The girl buried her face in his jacket, wishing that he wouldn't say that kind of thing. He always made out that she was some sort of amazing ninja, she knew the truth. She was worthless as a Shinobi; still, after so much training, determination and hard work, she hadn't changed enough to make a difference. She hadn't changed enough to help him.

Sakura's head shot up.

Oh my god.

Now you see my talents?

Oh my god. Is that true?

Would I lie to you?

Kakashi-sensei and Yamato found it?

"Naruto... Kakashi-sensei and Yamato found Akatsuki."

He looked at her in surprise. "What?! How do you know?"

"Sakura Bijuu, she knows, I think she's trying to... um, I don't know." She mumbled, thinking how stupid she must sound to him. He, who had known the true pain of a Jinchuuriki, and here she was worrying about hers... getting out.

That was Grandma Haruno's worry. The destiny she had written about. Before passing her Bijuu into the foetus of the last Haruno girl.

But she knew nothing of the true pain that came to the other Jinchuuriki. The Sakura Bijuu had been kept secret by those that knew, not even her parents had known about it. Naruto, Gaara and the other seven, had been persecuted mercilessly by everyone; forsaken by their families, rejected by their neighbours, she was not like them.

Grandma Haruno was right you know, about her prophecy thing.

How could I ever have thought that you were anything like me?

I've always been here, in your head. You can't escape fate, I'll gather the Bijuu and we will feast together.

Stop it. You won't; even if you get out and take me, Naruto will stop you.

You're kidding? The nine-tails and I know all of his attacks, he's done for girl.

You wish, he'd just come up with something new.

I wonder what the Sakura Bijuu's abilities are. Naruto wondered, keeping an eye on the girl beside him as they headed in the direction of Sai's house.

I'm not telling.

You know?! Did you know who she was before?

Not telling kid, now shut up, you're bugging me.

Ever get the feeling that we say the same things to each other?

Grrrrrr...


They came across Sai on the streets near Kakashi-sensei's apartment. He looked pretty pissed about something, but his eyes cleared when they filled him in on where Yamato and Kakashi were.

"Akatsuki?" He asked, raising an eyebrow in interest. "So we barge in on them now? That's a little... impulsive for my tastes." He thought about it, these guys were after Naruto and now Sakura too. Could he pass up the opportunity for a surprise attack? "What the hell, let's stop them now. Let's go No-Penis and Pink-Hair."

Sakura smiled a bit; at least his nicknames for her were beginning to improve. She knew that Naruto wasn't too pleased though.

"Yeah, let's go."

Naruto grinned, realising what this meant. This would probably be the fight of all of their lives, they would finally face the greatest threat to their way of the ninja, and it would be tough. He looked from Sai to Sakura and punched the air in enthusiasm.

"Let's go get our stuff then we'll meet by the gate!"

"Got it."

"See you there."

"We are definitely gonna win!"


Sai carefully packed his drawing materials into his pack. He noticed that his hands were trembling in anticipation. He couldn't remember ever feeling like this.

No one had ordered this mission, it was vigilante work, and it was illegal. He found himself grinning a stupid Naruto-like grin as he prepared for the fight that would probably end his life. This wasn't just any enemy; this was Akatsuki. The best ninja in the village had almost died fighting the underlings of this organisation, what chance did an un-led team of three have against the leader?

But I'll be damned if we go down easily.

He smiled.

Who knows? Naruto may be right... Knowing how unpredictable things can get around him...

Looking back, the boy had changed a lot. So much loneliness had been forgotten, so many tight bonds formed among the younger generation of ninja, not just in Konoha.

His fingers lingered over a small picture book for a moment as he smiled, lost in memories of his brother, he picked up the book and tucked it into his pack. I know that he changed me for the better.


Sakura crept into her room through the window, careful not to wake her parents as she rifled through her ninja things. She packed up some essential medical supplies and stamina pills; all the essentials. As she stood upright she looked at the photograph on her dresser. This photograph was the only one she had on display.

A smiling Kakashi sensei stood above three young Genin. On the left was a blond boy wearing orange with his arms crossed and annoyance on his animated face as the Jounin ruffled his hair. Next to this boy stood a Pink haired girl with a cheerful, excited smile on her face as she clasped her hands. Then, on the far left, stood a dark haired, pale skinned boy with a solemn expression, looking away in distain as Kakashi-sensei ruffled his hair too.

I barely recognise the three children in that photograph. Sakura realised. Too much has changed since then... We were relative strangers starting our paths as fully fledged ninja.

Yeah, too much has changed. Those kids there... they're nothing to you now right?

I guess so, but just because it has no relevance now, doesn't mean that it's not important.

No relevance?

Yeah... all of us have changed now, and that picture is of a memory, not us as people. Sasuke joined Orochimaru in his thirst for power, I went through that depressed stage when I wanted to be less of a hindrance, and Naruto... I think his change has been the smallest but at the same time the most astounding; he hasn't changed much in his demeanour and values, but he's progressed so much as a ninja, gaining much better control over his chakra and he's much more capable in the field.

Well, it won't help in the end.

Want a bet?

Sakura had just finished packing when the door to her room opened.

"Sakura..." Said a dismayed voice, "What are you doing?"

The two pink haired kunoichi faced each other; one with shock, one with reluctance. Sakura's mother held onto the doorframe tightly, her face white as she watched her daughter preparing for a mission no one had ordered.

"Where are you going?" The pink haired woman whispered, "Did Tsunade-Sama give you a secret mission or something?" Sakura looked away, what could she say now? Both her parents had retired as ninja after the Kyuubi's attack on the village 16 years ago.

"No." The girl whispered to her mother, "Please don't tell her."

"How can I not? Are you- are you leaving the village?" Haruna's hand came up to her mouth; this was her worst nightmare... Sakura leaving for good.

"I'm not abandoning the village, mom, I'm helping it."

"By running away? I know that Grandma Haruno's letters disturbed you honey, but this isn't the way."

"Then tell me what is." Sakura glared.

"I- staying here. Where there are people who can help you."

"I won't be helped by anyone other than my teammates in this. This is Akat- um." She cut herself short but the woman before her has realised.

"NO." She said, with an authority Sakura had never heard in her mother's voice before. "You will not go to take on Akatsuki by yourself." She blocked the door and Sakura turned to the window, but that was blocked too, by her father.

How did he sneak up on us?! The man has a wooden leg!

"Dad..." Sakura sighed.

"Listen to your mother Sakura. No matter how strong you, Naruto and Sai are; there is no way you can take on Akatsuki."

The medic ninja's fist clenched; she didn't want to do this.

"It's not your decision."

"Sakura, listen; so what if the Sakura Bijuu is destined to lead the other Bijuu to destroy the world? It's something you can control."

Sakura punched a hole in the wall and left. Ignoring the cries of her parents.


Naruto had just joined Sai by the gate when Sakura showed up, her face flushed with some emotion that made her eyes shine.

"We have to go now. My parents caught me, they know we're going after Akatsuki, I don't think they know which one though."

"Damn it." Sai cursed. All three immediately left, led by Sakura, who was led by the Bijuu.


REVIEWREVIEWREVIEW I want at least three reviews! (I figure 5 might be pushing it... who knows how many people read this?) or I don't update tomorrow!!! Or any other day!!! THREE REVIEWS PEOPLE!