Disclaimer: me no own Naruto-kun

Chapter 10: Mission Complete?

Six weeks had past, Sakura was still on her mission in the Suna village. She was assisting their medics with medical research for a poison antidote. It was reported that two months ago, there were several cases of mysterious death occurring among the returning chuunin of both the Suna village and Konoha. All the deceased showed signs of dehydration among bleeding in the ears, eyes and nose. At first this poison acts like a common flu illness, then causes the brain to hemorrhage, resulting in death. A genius design, but hell trying to counteract the effects. It had taken weeks of strenuous work and little sleep, but they were finally getting results. All that was left now was to take the prototype antidotes to Tsunade. The antidotes were extremely experimental and any other village to get their hands on it would be at an extreme advantage. Konoha sent Shikamaru, Ino and Chouji as escorts to go back home. She couldn't wait, Sakura was so exhausted and worn out. Over the past few weeks she hasn't had any time for herself, she looked forward to a hot bath, and her soft bed. Team 10 entered the lab with Temari as their escort.

"Arigato, Temari-san for your assistance, until next time eh.."

"I look forward to it Shikamaru, ja ne." Temari winked at him, and waved as she walked back.

"What the hell was that all about! I saw you undressing her with your eyes, I'm not stupid! You could have at least waited until I left the room for fuck's sake! Next time I'm going to kill that sleezebag skank!" Ino ranted at Shikamaru.

I..I..INO CALM DOWN! I was not undre...hmm...We'll talk about this later. Are you ready Sakura-sama?" Shikarmaru asked.

"Hehehe, I really missed you guys. Yes, I'm ready, oh the viles, dozo, Ino, Chouji take two each, just in case," Sakura said as she handed them viles of the antidote..

"What is it?" Ino asked.

"I can't tell you, but it's important that we get these to Tsunade-sama."

They all left and traveled for a day and a half with no trouble. Their mood was starting to lighten and relax as they got closer to home.

"The pink haired one, focus on her. We'll take care of the others. Ready...wait for it, wait for it...NOW!" Shurieken flew through the air. Sakura hit the ground avoiding them. Team 10 jumped and dodged them, or at least they thought. The shurieken returned with a boomerang effect and tied them with it's invisible wire. Sakura watched from the ground, as she tried to get up, a net surrounded her and pinned her to the ground. "Kawarimi no jutsu!" There was now a stuffed doll under the net, and Sakura gathered her chakra to her feet, and ran up a nearby tree. As she leapt from branch to branch she felt someone behind her. Turning her head she found herself face to face with the enemy. In a blink of an eye, he hit her across the face with the bottom of his sai. knocking her out cold. He grabbed her body and threw her over his shoulder.

Meanwhile Chouji inflated himself and broke the wire. A few quick handseals and Shikamaru had one of the attacking ninja in Kagemane no jutsu. The remaining ninja lept into the air, and started to spin as he let down a rain of needles and kunai. "Shika-kun!" Ino shouted as she ran and threw herself over him. The mixture of weapons pierced her body. Chouji executed his Bunbun Baika no jutsu and extended his big boy arms with enlarged fists and punched the airborne ninja. He flew into a tree and broke his neck. All while Shikamaru activated the Ninpou Kage Kubishibari no jutsu to strangle the other enemy. When he was finished, he picked up Ino's limp body. His eyes swelled with tears as he looked at her. "Damn woman.." She struggled to put her hand to his cheek, "I'm sorry, ..I..I had to..I c..could..n't let.. you die...The thought...of...losing you...is un..bearable.." "Chouji, go after Sakura! "Don't worry Ino-chan, you'll be ok, I..I promise...my love." he held her hand and kissed it. Tears shed from his eyes as Ino smiled.

Sakura began to wake up, she opened her eyes but didn't move. Seeing his weapons bag, she gently made her way in and took out a kunai. Wasting no time she stabbed him in the back "YOU BITCH!" He stopped and threw her to the ground and kicked her repeatedly. As she layed there coughing and bleeding, he grabbed her backpack. Sifting through her stuff he became annoyed, "Where are they!" Dumping the contents of the bag on the ground, he found one vile. This enraged him further. He picked up Sakura by the hair, "Whereare the rest?" No answer... Lifting her higher to his eye level, he asked again, "Where...Are..They?" She looked at him and spit in his face. "You stupid bitch, I was going to let you live.." The ninja punched her then tied her hands behind her back, and dragged her to the tree next to them. Then he rammed her head into the bark and continued to press on it. "Tell me now and the pain stops." "...Fff uck...you.." she said as she tried not to yell from the pain. Something sharp now pierced her shoulder, his sai. There was nothing stopping it now, she let out an agonizing scream, "AAAAHHHHhhhhh..." It echoed through the forest.

"Oh no Sakura...she's dying!" Ino cried.

"No. Chouji will be there in time. (please get there in time)"

"Well, ready to talk now? Awww...what's wrong...are you crying? Hynn..then you won't like it when I do this." Another scream escaped her as he stabbed her other shoulder slowly. Pulling out the sai, Sakura collapsed to the ground. Two more kicks landed on her stomach, the wind was knocked out of her. She was coughing harshly, but there was a different pain. Her abdomen burned and felt like her insides were being twisted and squeezed. "Hahahaha, you're pathetic! hahaha." He kneeled down next to her, "You know, my master will not be pleased with onlyone vile. You better make it worth it." He moved to unzip her shirt, she managed to get one hand free and slapped his hand, and in return he slapped her face. "You want it like that, I'll give it to you!" He sat on top of her, ripped her shirt from the neck, and held down her arms. "You know you want it." he said as he licked her face. She gathered what chakra she could to her forehead, and head butted him. Falling to the side of her, she grabbed his sai and slit his throat as he looked up. "Piece of TRASH!" she screamed out in rage as she plunged his sai into his heart. Sakura passed out beside his corpse. His blood started to pool beneath him and run into her hair and clothing. Seconds later, Chouji arrived, "I 'm too late.." Rushing to her side he looked her over, and found she was not dead...not yet. "I have to get her to Tsunade-sama or she'll die." Her clothes were ripped and stained with blood, she was shaking and going into shock. Chouji picked up the vile and lifted up Sakura and leapt faster than he thought possible.

"Ino-chan, try not to move so much...I just pulled out 50 needles and 10 kunai..Why are you so troublesome?"

"I have to help find Sakura..."

"Yameru..you'll only injure yourself further." Shikamaru said while holding her up.

"Damn it Shika-kun leave me...Chouji? Oh my god, no.., no..., No! SAKURA! Is she..."

"No, but we have to hurry."

End Chapter 10

A/N: ohh so sorry, I know its been what 2 weeks since last update, (thats long for me) I really have no excuse, but if you want me to update sooner, you must review ;) The updates may be taking longer now that the story gets deeper, but i'll do my best...