Chapter 13
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"How did it go Tsunade-sama? Sakura asked as she stood straight behind her masters desk.
"Remind me how that knuckle head roped me into this job? Sound has recalled all their ninja and the civilians are no longer permitted to leave. Something will happen sooner rather than later." Tsunades groaned drinking the sake Shizune gave her. Then realising Shizune gave her a rather large bottle of sake instead scolding her for drinking too much.
"Alright brats, what happened and why is Shizune giving me sake?" Tsunade demanded downing just over half the bottle.
"Well while you and Itachi were meeting with the other Kages this was delivered by what appeared to be one of Orochimaru's henchmen. Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi are out looking for leads with Kurama out of the seal. Hinata is ready at the hospital in case they return injured." Sakura relayed as Tsunade sat and read the letter.
"Hidden Leaf,
How far can the mighty fall? Prepare yourself Tsunade-chan I am coming for you and the Uchiha sharingan. I will be immortal and I will dominate the land.
Orochimaru"
"He's lost his mind! But something doesn't sound right, Orochimaru is always clever with words. This is short, strange and if I recall correctly is handwriting is nothing like this. Maybe my other perverted team mate can figure this out." Tsunade said her two apprentices.
"You summoned for me Shizune?" Jiraiya said as he appeared in the window.
"Ask and you shall receive. Jiraiya, we have received a message from Sound. Something about it doesn't seem right almost like it wasn't Orochimaru didn't send it. I need you and Ibiki to examine it while I prepare a letter for the other Kages telling them my suspicions and and what was written. Shizune I need sake and for everyone to leave. Do not tell the village, let our shinobi to be on high alert and double the guards and the hospital staff. Tell them we have been threatened, notify the civilians where their shelters are located, make sure they are stocked to maximum capacity and the academy is to be suspended until I say otherwise. Sakura assemble the Council, wait for your team mates and brief them. Itachi, I know we just got back but I need you to organise the police force and Shisui is to report to me the moment I'm finished the meeting. Dismissed!" Tsunade ordered as she set about the task required of her.
Within moments she was alone in her office as a lone tear and a sense of foreboding came over her.
Sakura was running as she could with an unconscious Kakashi on her shoulder with her team mates covering her from front and back. Sound ninjas had been spotted in Fire Nation and as usual her beloved idiots engaged is a fight with them.
"Give you bakas credit even though you are so dead when we get home you did manage to capture all of them alive and sealed in the scrolls. Sakura grunted as the village wall came into view, with Itachi waiting for them to let them in without delays.
"Go to Ibiki now, I'll take Kakashi to the hospital." Sakura told her team mates before heading to said hospital.
"You know she put a hole in Father's office door when she ripped it open and terrified Mother and Shisui on her way out." Itachi informed the two younger men.
"So, how much do we owe to fix the wall?" Naruto asked.
"That would all depend on the information we get from the ninja you captured. Hurry Tsunade-sama is furious." Itachi replied.
"You do realise no matter what you lot are sent on that it always ends in a complete mess whether it be good or bad." Tsunade couldn't believe that Team 7's luck was worse than hers on missions c rank and above.
"You realise Granny that we don't do it deliberately. I know a life of a ninja isn't easy but our luck with enemy nin sucks; if they're out there you know we'll find them even if we didn't know they are around." Naruto defended their bad luck.
"We were patrolling the out skirts when we were surrounded. The leader was surprised to see us, I guess he was expecting lower ranked jonin. They aren't strong but they are resourceful, I needed to bring out his sharingan to see why out hits seemed not to bleed. Tsunade-sama, these ninja's had seals. Seals to limit bleeding, chakra loss and to increase their speed. Naruto removed the seals easily and I copied the sealing matrix. We defeated them and sealed them." Sasuke reported.
"Then why is Kakashi in the hospital with a hole I can fit my hand through and wave" Tsunade could feel a headache forming.
"Because he's an idiot and decided while Naruto was preparing to remove the seals with a few clones and Sasuke was defending him, Kakashi was going to be a distraction and attacked most of them head on and alone. A earth jutsu connected with his stomach and just missed any organs and they remembered the first aid kits I made for them and Kurama stopped the bleeding! I swear on of these days it will be me that beats you lot almost to death!" Sakura was pissed. Naruto set for her to help them by a toad that ruined the paper work she had almost completed. She will kill them one day.
"Well, I guess there is nothing we can do until Ibiki reports back his finding. Until then prepare and train. I will alert the rest of the village, the civilians and genin will be sent to the shelters secretly so that when Sound does strike they will be out of harms way. Also, Gaara has replied to my letter. The other Kages are on high alert and have prepared their villages also." With that Tsunade dismissed them and went to prepare her own village.
"Sakura-chan, Itachi-kun, I wasn't expecting you two for another few hours!" Mikoto smiled as the couple entered the door.
"Pain-kun sent a messenger saying he will be here in two days. Konan will be looking after Rain while he is here. Naruto-kun will be so excited to see him again!" Meme spoke up from over the stove.
"Good thing I have been practising my bloodline limit, I can do it now on command!" Sakura smiled.
"Congratulations Sakura you have done well." Fugaku almost smirked looking up from the news paper.
"The world's going to end! We're doomed!" Meme shouted running to see if there was a star in the east.
"Baa-chan, what's wrong?" Shisui and Sasuke appeared armed with katanas and kunai.
"She's being dramatic as your Father congratulated Sakura on mastering her bloodline in such a short time." Mikoto sighed at her mother in-laws antics.
"Oh, don't act like you're not shocked! I know my son and I can count how many times he's complimented anyone and this only takes one hand!" Meme retorted.
"Now that we've had that conversation. Itachi, I do need you and Shisui to prepare one of the guest houses for Pain-sama and Konan-chan will be in the coming days. I will not have the leader of Rain and his soon-to-be wife stay in a house that is covered in dust, cobwebs and in need of a good airing out." Fugaku interjected.
"Why? There are so many other things we could be doing other than housework!" Shisui moaned.
"The two of you have speed that is almost unmatched and now you can put in good use! Sakura is going to be busy at the hospital, your father will be busy with the council and I will be preparing the food for when they arrive. So get your feather dusters and buck up." Mikoto smirked.
All they two boys could do was bang their heads on the table.
Dinner at the Uchiha main house was unusually full of laughter.
Sakura headed to the hospital earlier that usual to get started on her paperwork before she had to start her rounds visiting her favourite patients. After ten minutes the chaos that is normally is caused her team mates.
"Sakura-sama your team mates are here and well they are being a little disruptive." One of the nurses of in training poked her head though the door.
"Thank you, send them in please." Sakura sighed as she put her paperwork in her desk draw.
"Sakura-chan, what are you doing in here?" Naruto shouted.
"I'm working Naruto, so what is it that you so desperately need that it can't wait until I'm finished working!" Sakura snapped, she was already behind on her paperwork and there were patients that needed her attention.
"It's Saturday, you never work on Saturdays. We've got a training session booked with Itachi and Shisui in 10 minutes." Naruto whined.
"As much as I would love to beat you two a bloody pulp I told you yesterday and last night that I couldn't join in today. I have too much paperwork and I have patients that I am on call for. I'll try to join you all next time I won't be done until late tonight. Sorry guys." Sakura reminded them.
"I told you idiot, you couldn't convince her to come and abandon her responsibilities so we can train. Will you be busy tomorrow morning? We can reschedule for then." Sasuke inquired.
"Make it late in the morning and you got it. Don't be late and bring Kakashi with you, it's been a long time." Sakura agreed.
With those two gone Sakura left her office to start her rounds and seeing those she knew were in there and to make sure they weren't giving her nurses any troubles.
"Neji, for the last time no. If you get injured you come to the hospital and if the doctor says you need to stay for observation for a traumatic head injury then you are going to stay even if I need to break both your legs and arms and let them heal naturally!" Sakura seethed.
"I am perfectly fine to leave and rest at home. I no longer have any pain and I can see clearly. There's no reason for me to stay here!" Neji retorted.
"Nurse! Cease Neji-sama's pain medication and report back to me if he no longer feels any pain!" Yep today rocked. Neji was being stubborn, Lee was being loud trying to visit him, Naruto was whining and Kakashi was..
"Kakashi, why are you sitting on my window?" Sakura eyed him to see if he was injured.
"I'm fine, just thought if I'd see my favourite student and see if she would like to have some lunch with her old sensei." Kakashi eye smiled at her.
"I would love too. I've been here since 4:30 this morning and then had to deal with Naruto and Sasuke." Sakura answered while getting her purse.
"We can go where ever you like today. I heard a to sushi shop opened near the market district that has gotten some good reviews." Kakashi offered.
"Sushi would be amazing and then you can tell me what is bothering you cause I'm eating sushi without you making a face about it." Sakura followed after Kakashi.
After placing their orders and getting their drinks Kakashi spoke; "Sakura I know that you have been preparing for this coming war with sound but have you thought of your wedding to Itachi-kun? Maybe some positivity going on things may not be so bleak. I'm not a young fighter anymore, Naruto, Sasuke and yourself need to be prepared that I might not be coming out of this war unscathed." There was no light-heartedness in his voice.
"Alright Kakashi, I want to know what mission your going on. You would not be having these thoughts if there was no reason. I know on the battle field you and Gai are a destructive pair even to this day, that you are still destructive on the battle field. Please Kakashi-sensei tell me what is going on." Sakura pleaded towards the end.
"I am going on a intel mission with one of Rain's elite force members to see if we can gather some of Sounds plans. I'm not going to be kidding that I can handle whatever Orochimaru or Kabuto will throw at us if he finds us." Kakashi elaborated.
"We're having a training session tomorrow, Sasuke and Naruto are going to ask you to come this evening. I think you may want to tell them then so they don't freak out on you while they have sharp and pointy items in their hands." Sakura smiled.
"That sounds like a better idea. Those two seem to forget that not every dangerous mission I am sent on involves them but they do make great company. I heard Pain and his wife are coming to see Tsunade soon and Gaara is coming as well. Thought I might tell you in case Tsunade and Pain forgot to tell you that you will have another visitor as well." Kakashi chucked then vanished in a puff of smoke and leaves.
Sakura left the restaurant after making sure the bill was paid, which Kakashi did, and headed back to the hospital for the remainder of her shift.