(Third Person POV)

Sasuke and Sakura joined Naruto at the base of the Hokage Tower while other Jonin were ushering the villagers into the underground bunker. The wall was getting weaker and weaker; everyone knew that before long it would collapse even more. Building were catching fire and the air was filled with blood curling screams and the crying of children.

A mob of black blurs infiltrated the village and headed straight for the three ninja currently standing out in the open. Naruto made a few clones appear, Sakura readied herself with chakra infused fist and Sasuke activated his sharingan. Three men, identical in looks and size, stopped in front of Team 7 with wicked smiles on their faces.

"He he looks like Asuka's plan worked perfectly. Now it's time to take out these two idiots and take that lovely little pinkette with us."

The man in the middle licked his lips and stared at Sakura in her nightgown. Sasuke's face twisted in anger and her lunged for the man, but missed the man by only a few inches. Naruto's clones ran towards the enemy and started to throw kicks and punches. One man was thrown into the air and kicked straight down into the concrete road. Sakura took the defensive and stood strong waiting for someone to attack.

More men started to fill the small courtyard, leaving Sasuke and Naruto distracted and Sakura vulnerable. Someone sent Naruto's clones flying and one by one they turned into clouds of smoke and vanished. Sakura was dodging attacks but not all of them. A few hits to the stomach and chest left her leaning over coughing up small amounts of blood. Instead of trying to heal herself or retreat, a chakra infused fist met the ground and everything started to shake.

Sasuke and Naruto watched as they flung up into the air, each using rasengan or chidori they began to take out enemies one at a time. Landing on the ground more chirping was heard as their silver haired mentor appeared and taking out a few more men.

Sasuke scanned the area but the men that were in the small vicinity were laying in piles of two. Naruto rushed over and caught the pink haired medic before she fell to the ground. A green glow covered her stomach as she healed every bit of damage.

"Does anyone else need this?"

"No Sakura. But if I had to guess, this is just starting. You need to get somewhere safe so Sasuke, Kakashi and I can protect you."

The woman shook her head no as the other members of her team were floored. This was no time for anyone to be stubborn or annoying, they all knew that. Sakura regained her composure and stood up tall.

"I'm not going anywhere so get over that. We need to go out to the wall. That's where whoever in command is going to be. Most likely watching from the shadows."

"You have a point Sakura. Sasuke go up to the top of the tower and scope out the area. Naruto use sage mode to get an exact number."

Sasuke ran up the building along with Naruto, leaving Kakashi alone with his young student. Sakura's eyes were getting heavy and her body started to ache all over. No amount of healing could replenish what was already lost. Kakashi's eyes softened as he watched his student breath deeply and try to regain her composure.

"Sakura, you are better off going with Tsunade underground until this is all over."

"No! I've worked too hard to fight along side them. Yes, I'm tired but it's also the middle of the night. I can do this."

As she finished her sentence Sasuke and Naruto rejoined them with worried eyes.

"It seems that there are about 50 more just like them on the way to the wall. Their chakra is strong but it appears that they burn through it quickly. Once we are there I will be able to tell more."

"Okay Naruto. Where are the rest of rookie nine?"

Sakura worried for her friends and comrades. This sneak attack was definitely something from an old style ninja or someone that played by the old rules. For anyone to break through Konoha's wall was impressive to say the least.

"What are we waiting for boys? Let's go."

A smile crept onto her face and the others joined her. Naruto took off along side Kakashi, but Sasuke stopped Sakura from moving. His black eyes stared at her, worry and concern covered his face. Sakura's smile faded and her hand reached up to rub his cheek.

"Sasuke stop worrying. Let's go help our village."

The medic ran after her friends leaving the last remaining Uchiha staring off into the distance. Something wasn't settling right with him either, it was if that attacker wanted the ninja to be the only one's left out in the open. Leaping up to race after his friends, the remaining members of rookie joined them in the race to the wall. No opponent jumped in their way but watched as they closed in on their target. Sasuke's mismatched eyes landed on a familiar face and his blood boiled in anger. Asuka, the man that had attacked Sakura, was standing on the other side of Konoha with his arms crossed over his chest and the look of victory in his smile. Nothing would please the Uchiha more than pummel this man into the ground. Taking a step forward, every ninja present was ready to take the offensive.

Sasuke's POV

My eyes glared at the man who was responsible for hurting Sakura and destroying our village. This was his plan all along, to draw all of us to one spot then try to dispose of us. Asuka wants to finish this perfect body in order to create a weapon. So the only choice was to either lure Sakura or Tsunade out, or attack them straight on. Tsunade is most likely underground helping the villagers which leaves only one option: Sakura.

Stepping in front of Sakura, Asuka let out a huge laugh.

"You think you can save her? None of you can, just save yourself some disappointment and pain."

"Never! Sakura is our friend and you always protect your friends. You better watch out before you are the one who ends up disappointed."

Naruto is searing with anger and frustration, his chakra is spiking and his patience is dwindling down. Looking around everyone's was. Ino was being held back by Sai and you could tell that Kiba was ready for some one-on-one action.

"Then so be it."

Everything happened in a blur. Men were coming out of the woods and attacking straight for Sakura. Kakashi managed to dodge a few water style jutsu and return them full force. Sakura was creating craters in the earth while sending them sky high, Naruto plucked them off one by one. I was too focused on keeping Sakura safe that I missed them coming straight for the others.

Ino was fighting three all at once and her green shirt was starting to cover in blood, hers and the attackers. Shikamaru had a few stuck in the shadow paralysis while Choji fought off more that were threating him. A few ran towards me and I hit in the chest, back and stomach all at once sending a huge shock of pain through my body. Kiba and Akamaru came twisting through and took two of the off of me while I used chidori to finish off the last remaining.

All of our friends were covered in blood; their own, the attackers or a mixture. Eventually there were only a hand full of enemies remaining and all of rookie nine were exhausted. Sakura had received the least amount of damage since he needed her in full health.

"Told you, no one messes with our friend."

Naruto had his hands in fists still and Sakura was staring deadpanned at the man. This battle wasn't over yet and that was more frustrating. Sakura looked around at everyone standing here, her mind was going a mile a minute and you could tell. A secret plan that would most likely end in failure. Asuka took a step forward and help his arms wide open.

"Sakura, wouldn't you like for all of this to stop. Just come with me and I'll leave your village and friends alone."

"I don't know who you think you are but I will never go anywhere with you. This battle will only end one way and that's with you dead."

That's my girl, strong and surprisingly intimidating. Sakura ran full force to him just before I was about to grab her, a fist collided with the man but he didn't move. Instead Sakura was held up by her throat with Asuka just laughing. Naruto and I sprung into action while the others handled the remaining enemy ninjas. Naruto caught Sakura as I broke the arm that was holding her up but not before he was able to stab her in the gut with a kunai, wrapping my hands around his throat I pushed him down into the ground.

Red was all I could see as I punched the man pinned under my hand over and over again. No one would ever hurt Sakura again as long as I am alive and breathing. Muddled screams brought me out of my rage and a small hand caught mine with force. Sakura's green eyes were filled with tears as she looked down at me.

"Sasuke stop!"

I've heard that exact phrase in the same tone before once. When I was about to wipe the sound ninja off of the planet for hurting her. My arm went limp and I knew that the man was almost gone, why had she stopped me? Kakashi sensei appeared beside her and ripped me off of the man, Naruto held me back from beating him even more senseless. Sakura hugged my chest tight as I wrapped my arms around her, not caring that every single one of us was covered in crimson.

"I'll take him from here. Anbu just showed up and they are disposing of the bodies. Everyone is to report to the hospital where Tsunade will check over everyone. Sakura you need to assist her."

The pinkette weakly nodded and held onto my shirt tightly. The dobe smiled as Hinata came running into his arms with tears springing from her eyes. For now the battle was over, rookie nine had just saved the village yet again.

"Hey Sasuke, Sakura."

"What?"

We both said in unison, turning to the dobe he had a huge smile plastered on his goofy face.

"This was a great pajama party!"

Every single one of us laughed at his childish joke as we began our short walk back towards the hospital. Holding Sakura as we went I felt her become more sluggish and heavier. Looking at her eyes, they were halfway closed and her breathing was out of control. Entering the hospital, I felt her slip out of my grip as she collapsed on the floor. Blood was covering her body and the ground underneath her. Two nurses ran over to her and collected the frail pinkette and rushed off with her.

My heart raced as I ran after her only to be stopped by Tsunade. Her face held great sorrow and worry for her student.

"Uchiha, I will help her. Stay out here and wait or go home and change."

"If she dies…"

"She won't. If she does you may kill me."

My eyes opened in shock, this woman was a very special person to Sakura. This is the one who taught her everything she knew. Nodding my head, the older woman rushed off into the operating room and I stood looking at the doors. A large hand was placed on my shoulder as I tried to hold my composure.

"Sakura will be fine teme. You aren't giving her enough credit. Go home and shower. Hinata and I will wait here."

The only thing I could do was walk away, if I were to speak my entire being would shatter into a million pieces. As I walked there was only darkness.

Naruto's POV

Sasuke left without a word something that was normal but not this time. Our teammate, our best friend and our missing piece to the puzzle was in an operation room fighting for her life. What had caused Sakura into this situation? Out of all of us she was the one who had sustained the least amount of injuries. I looked into Hinata's silver eyes, they held sorrow and remorse. Sakura meant a lot to everyone in this village, but even more so to rookie nine.

Hinata pulled me to a pair of chairs that sat right outside the double doors. My head fell into my hands as exhaustion started to over take my body. Even with Kurama, my body could only handle so much with no sleep. Hinata's head rested on my shoulder and I released the breath I had been holding.

"Naruto…she will be okay. We have to trust in Lady Tsunade."

"I have complete faith in granny. Sakura has to make it through, not for us…."

"But for Sasuke."

I relaxed more into my chair. This woman never ceases to amaze me. Yes I will admit that I can be very immature and childish, but that's what she loves about me. Closing my eyes, we both fell into a light sleep waiting on the slug queen.

Clicking of heels woke me and granny was standing in front of us. Hinata lifted her head and rubbed the sleep away. Sasuke still wasn't back yet but that was fine with me.

"How is she?"

"Stable. I'm keeping her in a comatose state for now. There was a large amount of poison in her system, something that I have only seen twice before. I removed most of it but it's up to her now. Her room number is 189 just let the Uchiha know."

"Thank you Lady Tsunade. We will fill him in. You should go rest."

Granny's face saddened as she turned away. Sakura was fighting for her life still and even Tsunade was skeptical, though she would never admit it. Leaning back into my chair, Hinata stood in front of me.

"Naruto I'm going to go tell the others. After that I'm heading home to clean up. Stay here and wait for your friends. I love you."

"I love you too Hinata."

A small smile graced her lips and she left my side. Reality set back in as I felt his chakra slowly approaching the hospital. All of his life, loved ones had been ripped away from him and now the one person that he truly loves was fighting for her life. Sakura has always been able to see the good in Sasuke and I. Her loving spirit and unconditional loyalty are the most amazing qualities about her. They were what made me love her when we were just children. But now she is my sister, comrade and friend. If Sakura were to die, the world would lose a truly happy soul.

Sasuke's chakra was right outside the building and I rose from my seat looking straight down the hallway. He would be walking in here soon looking to me for answers and understanding. Taking a deep breath in I squared my shoulders and waited.

Sasuke's head was lowered, his body posture limp compared to his normal confident stance. A piece of my heart broke for my friend, my brother as I witnessed this scene. Once he reached me, he looked up and his eyes were red. Not from the sharingan though, but from tears. I took another deep breath at this, Sasuke Uchiha had been crying. Hiding my surprised expression, I looked straight at him.

"She's stable now. There was a poison on the kunai that stabbed her and Tsunade is keeping her in a coma. There is a small amount left in the blood stream but she has to fight through it. Her room number is 189."

"Thank you Naruto."

I reached my hand and placed in on his shoulder in a reassuring manner. We both knew that Sakura was stronger than this and wouldn't give up without a fight. But we also knew something else. This wasn't going to be an easy battle. I watched my broken comrade walk down the hall to find her room as I left the hospital with my head low. Only time would could tell now…