WITH SAKURA:

Sakura smiled at Itachi as turned, heading down the hallway to the training field.

"Tell Kisame I'll be there in a minute."

He waved his hand slightly in response. Giggling, she turned into her room and locked the door behind her. She pulled out a scroll and wrote Sai's name. Opening it, she quickly wrote a message and then rolled it up. Sealing it with a jutsu requiring Sai's chakra, she summoned a raven. Shrinking the scroll and attaching it to the raven's foot, she smiled.

"To Sai please. Just like last time."

The raven nodded and took off, flying out her open window. Sighing, she grabbed her katana and jumped out the window, running towards the training ground. Kisame and Itachi were already sparring. Sakura grinned.

"You started without me!"

"Sorry kitten. Itachi-"

Kisame jumped back when Itachi's fist flew toward his face. Sakura spotted Samehada resting against a nearby tree trunk.

"-was getting impatient."

"Aw, Itachi you ruined my fun!"

"You'll survive."

He muttered a few words under his breath and a giant fireball, famous to the Uchiha clan, flew towards Kisame. He dodged, shaking his fist at his ever impassive partner.

"Damn it, Itachi! You said tijutsu only!"

"I never said tijutsu only for me, just for you."

Kisame's eyebrow twitched and he rubbed at the burnt spot on his wrist. Sakura skipped over, placing a hand over the wound and bathing it in a green light.

"If you like Kisame, I'll take your place."

He shrugged, rubbing her hair thankfully after she had finished healing his wrist. He began to walk off the field, stopping next to Samehada. While Sakura tied up her hair, Itachi sent Kisame a look, causing his to sigh. He grabbed Samehada and disappeared. Itachi side stepped every punch Sakura had suddenly began throwing his way. He moved to the side, sweeping his foot beneath her legs. She casually back flipped away, smiling before melting into the ground.

Itachi sighed. She'd obviously been training with Zetsu again. He stood silently, forming his chakra into a net, coating the area and searching for her chakra signature. Before he had a chance to find her, an elbow to his spine sent him tumbling forward. He gained his footing before he fell and turned back to her.

"Smart move, Sakura."

"Thank you Itachi."

They were at it again, their motions so fast it looked like nothing more than the wind rustling the leaves on the field. Itachi managed to land a solid hit, throwing Sakura into something rough and scaly. Her knees started to buckle as her chakra poured out of her and into what she had figured out was Samehada. She could feel the vibrations of Kisame's laughter through his sword and she frowned, jumping away. She stood in the middle of the field, Itachi on one side and Kisame on the other.

"Hey, no team-tagging! That's not fair."

"Kitten, relax. We're under orders from Leader."

"Besides Sakura, it will be good training."

Sakura twitched and sighed. Figuring the best way to get out of it would be knock Kisame out first via Itachi's hand, she melted into the earth again. Kisame and Itachi shared a look and tensed, jumping into the back to back position. They were in for a hell of a fight.

LATER:

Sakura collapsed on the ground, folding her arms behind her head and looking at the setting sun lazily. Kisame sat next to her, leaning back, his palms laying flat on the ground behind him. Itachi sat Indian style, closing his eyes and seemingly relaxing.

"I totally won."

"In your dreams kitten."

"It's a good thing my dreams are always made reality because otherwise, you'd be a liar."

"That's to complex of a sentence for him to understand Sakura. Make it smaller."

"Hey! I understood what she said!"

"Did you? What did she say?"

"She said that her dreams become reality and that it is a good thing because otherwise I would be a liar. She's implying that she kicked my ass, even if it was in her dreams."

It was silent for a moment. Itachi opened his eyes and turned to look at Kisame, who was attempting to look scholarly. Suddenly, Sakura burst out laughing, holding her stomach and rolling over. Attempting to muffler her laughter into the grass, she grasped Itachi's arm for support. Said ninja rolled his eyes and helped her sit up.

"Kisame, seriously, you are one hell of a good time!"

"Thanks kitten."

They grinned at each other.

"To bad I can't say the same for you."

Kisame continued to grin, trying to keep from snickering. Sakura twitched and tackled him. Itachi sighed and opened his eyes, watching his two companions roll around and exchange verbal blows. Unknown to them, a shinobi of extreme caliber was observing them silently. Soon, the figure thought, soon.

WITH SAI:

Sai had just returned home and flipped on the lights when a light knock on his window caused him to grab a nearby kunai. He relaxed when he saw it was a raven, Sakura's signature red feather blending in with its black feathers. Opening the window, he allowed the bird to rest on his desk and gave it a small piece of bread. The raven ate quietly while Sai opened the scroll.

Sai

I have more news. After returning Asuma (I hope he had returned by the time you get this) I came back to the base. We had a meeting almost immediately after I arrived. Hidan and Kakuzu are to check in on Konoha again. They will be checking your forces, strength, weak entries, and looking for Naruto. I will send you another message when they return in the next day or so. I will make sure to include things you will need to try and correct.

Soon after they return to the base, our Leader is sending everyone to a remote and highly secret training ground. When they return we will be launching an attack on Konoha. Yes, I fear trouble is brewing. Soon, I may send you a letter you cannot open. That is because it is to go to Naruto. Promise me you won't try to open it. I have already begun to place an intricate genjutsu on it to assure no one but the Hokage would read it.

Also, do not approach Asuma regarding his stay with me. I had to erase his memories. Keep in mind you are lucky to keep yours, though I do not mean it as a threat. I am trusting you Sai and I know the seal on the back of your tongue has disappeared due to my murdering of Danzo. Which means you can now freely discuss anything that had to do with ROOT. Including that meeting.

Please, be on guard. Try to keep the team in the village. Keep Kakashi safe...buy him some dango, m'kay? He loves it…How are Hinata and Sasuke? And Ino and Naruto? I wish I could be there. But enough of that. I must go, or the others will get suspicions.

Love for eternity, Sakura

Sai sighed, rolling up the scroll and writing a reply.

Sakura

Asuma has made it back with the story that you healed him so the Akatsuki members could torture him. He says he then managed to escape and make it back to the borders. Even Yamanaka-san did not manage to find anything suspicious. You are in the clear.

I will be awaiting your next scroll. As for the one meant for Naruto only, I will not try to read it. You can trust me. I will not give you away. This village was not pure and I thank you for fixing that. Everything here is so much more peaceful, thanks to the Elders being gone. All the ROOT members have been given new ranks thanks to Naruto.

I will. Kakashi is much quieter…he seems sad most of the time. Hinata and Sasuke are publically engaged, though the wedding date has not been decided. Ino and Naruto are also publically engaged and are currently basking in the afterglow of…what did Sasuke call it? Oh, yes, basking in the surprise of the fooled. I do not quite get the expression.

Write soon, Sakura. Your messages assure me you live and are safe.

Love, Sai

Smiling slightly, he rolled up the scroll and sealed it. Shrinking it to the appropriate size, he placed the scroll on the raven's leg and let it sit on his arm. Opening his window again, he set it down.

"Sakura please."

The raven seemed to nod and then it flew off, disappearing into the fading day. It was not until it had fully vanished that Sai pulled his gaze away from the window.

THE NEXT DAY/SAKURA:

Sighing, a pink-haired medic stood from her chair, pushing away from the desk and heading to her bathroom. Upon opening the door, she twitched at the mess. After picking up for a few moments, she turned to the mirror. Her pale complexion looked slightly hallowed out around her eyes, causing a sunken look. She pulled at the skin under her eyes, wincing at the bags. Her hair was still soft, luckily, since she had washed it after training with Kisame and Itachi the night before.

"I still look like shit."

"Slightly."

Sakura twitched at the figure that had just invaded her mirror. She turned, staring at the newcomer silently.

"What's up Kakuzu?"

"I need the body."

Sakura nodded, walking past the imposing shinobi to her desk. She pulled open a drawer, pulling out a unmarked green scroll. She handed it to him.

"Just release the seal."

"Right."

She nodded, watching him walk out the room. Turning back to her desk, she picked up the scroll she had received from Sai earlier that morning. Looking back at the direction the stitch-nin had disappeared, she prayed she wasn't alone when he came looking for answers.

END OF CHAPTER

Back from Europe! The next two chapters are for all of you being so loyal and patient.

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LOVE

Eris-R-Renee