Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

WITH SAKURA/NORMAL POV/THE NEXT MORNING:

A soft knocking caused the pink-haired kunoichi to raise her head and glare at her window. Reaching with her hand, she grasped the thin black cord hanging from her curtains and pulled lightly. The curtains opened instantly and flew to the other side of the wall, leaving the room bathed in soft, golden light from the early morning. The kunoichi grumbled and then proceeded to hit herself in the head when she saw who was waiting at her window. It opened quietly.

"Yo."

"Go the fuck away Kakashi."

Kakashi smiled, his mask crinkling around the edges. Jumping into the room, he closed the window behind him and pushed his little orange book into his pocket. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he reached over and began to run his fingers through the fuchsia strands.

"Come on Sakura, I haven't seen you in months. It's the longest we've been apart since we meet!"

Sakura looked up, smiling softly. Kakashi helped her climb out of the bed and she grasped him in a hug. Burrowing her face in his vest, her smile widened as she felt the vibrations of his chuckle moving through his chest.

"I did miss you Kashi..."

Still chuckling lightly, he patted her head gently and gestured to the bathroom door when she pulled away. Raising a brow at him, she turned and entered the bathroom. While she was pulling off her clothes, Kakashi settled on her bed. She had left the door open and she stuck her head out.

"Why are you here anyway? And how'd you get past my jutsu?"

"I broke them because when we were building this place, some of us placed jutsu on it to assure your safety-"

Here Sakura snorted, causing Kakashi to look at the bathroom door in amusement. The water began to run but he carried on, knowing she could hear him.

"Not that we thought you couldn't protect yourself. Really just a precaution. Anyway, since I had jutsu laid under yours, I could just walk in."

"Fantastic. Is there any other guys I should worry about walking into my house?"

"Oh, we can't get into your house. Just onto the property."

She mumbled something about 'then what's the emergency staircase for?' under her breath before giggling.

"Anyway, you never answered my other question."

"Which was?"

"Why are you here?"

"Oh, right. We have a debriefing this morning."

The water stopped and Sakura walked out in a towel, wringing her hair. Pulling open the closet, she quickly pulled out a small box and then walked back to the bathroom.

"Do you know who else will be there?"

Small shuffles echoed from the still open bathroom door. Kakashi just shrugged and swung himself so he was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I don't know. Anyway, hurry up. We have 5 minutes."

"Right."

Sakura walked out of the bathroom, completely dressed and ready to go. Her style had changed a little while she was in Suna. She now wore a red mid-drift tank top with black mesh over it, covering her long arms and circling her middle finger to hold it in place. Black ninja pants still covered her legs and she now wore black ninja sandals. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail and her forehead protector rested as a headband, like she wore when she was younger.

"Come on Kashi. I don't want to be late."

She held out her hand and he grasped it in his. Not even a moment after he touched her, the two disappeared in a small flurry of anemone petals.

SAKURA POV/AT THE MEETING:

Just as Kakashi and I entered the room, there was a knock at the door. I turned and opened it upon shishou's nod, letting the shinobi in. When they had all entered, I closed the door and turned, walking to Tsunade's side. Looking around, I wondered what the mission was.

Kakashi, Neji, Naruto, Shikumaru, and Shino. They are all extremely strong.

And you. A group of perhaps some of the strongest shinobi available.

Hn…it is odd.

"As you know, you have been called on for a mission. Before I tell you what it is, you must accept the mission as you cannot back out."

I glanced at Tsunade out of the corner of my eye, knowing she already knew my answer. Still, I answered 'hai' along with everyone else. Tsunade nodded gravely and pulled out a scroll, unraveling it.

"This mission is A-rank and could possibly turn into an S-rank. You are to retrieve Uchiha Sasuke under any circumstances."

I let my face betray no emotions, though I spotted Kakashi resting his hand on Naruto's shoulder and shooting me a glance. Nodding lightly, I turned to scan the rest of the group and notice all of them seemed slightly tense.

"Sakura."

I turned to Tsunade, nodding once.

"You will be captain, since you are the only active ANBU member on this squad. Kakashi, you are second in command."

Everyone is looking at you.

I know. No one besides Tsunade, the Elders, and Kakashi know I'm an ANBU. It's a surprise to them.

The Sand Siblings know.

I meant in this room.

Naruto knows.

I doubt he remembered. Besides, I never explained it to him.

Tsunade rolled the scroll up and handed it to me. She turned back to the group.

"You are dismissed. I expect you to leave in an hour. Go."

"Hai!"

They all disappeared, Shikumaru and Neji shooting me a glance when Tsunade grasped my arm to keep me back. They left the room and closed the door behind them, though I knew they didn't leave the building. Tsunade stood, grasping my forearms and scanning my face.

"Sakura…this isn't an option. We need to bring him back."

"Why?"

"Konoha has received some intelligence having to do with some of Orochimaru's plans."

"And what plans would those be, shishou?"

Tsunade bit her lip and fell into her chair. I kneeled in front of her, watching as she rubbed her forehead tiredly.

"He is planning on attacking the Leaf as soon as he has Sasuke's body."

"When will he get Sasuke's body? I thought he had to wait at least two years."

"It's been almost three since Sasuke left."

Tsunade sighed and rested her hand on my head gently.

"Orochimaru is growing weak and will need Sasuke's body in merely a week…at most."

I felt my jaw lock in place and bit my tongue, trying desperately not to growl. Tsunade sighed and hoisted me up, leading me to her door.

"Sakura, you must promise if you can't bring him back that you will-"

"Kill him."

Tsunade nodded slowly and I sighed.

"I promise Tsunade-shishou."

She kissed my forehead gently and sent me out of the room, where Shikumaru and Neji were waiting. They pushed themselves off the wall and took their places on either side of me.

"Sakura!"

I turned, looking at Tsunade. She leaned against the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest, her face set in a grimace.

"I never wanted it to be this way."

"I know shishou. Neither did I."

AT THE GATE/NORMAL POV:

Sakura turned and looked at her gathered team. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out transmitters. Tossing them to everyone, she began to place hers around her neck.

"Make sure these are on at all times."

They all nodded and placed their own around their necks. Naruto was unusually quiet and Sakura shot him a small frown, to which he shrugged helplessly. She nodded and darted her eyes to Kakashi, who moved from his spot next to her to stand besides Naruto.

"Alright. Shikumaru, up front with me. Kakashi, Naruto. You two are in the middle. Shino and Neji will be in the back. Let's move."

The group jumped out of the gates, jumping to the tree tops and moving quickly. They carried on in silence, the only noise that was heard was Sakura and Shikumaru murmuring quietly to each other about destinations and directions.

LATER THAT NIGHT/SAKURA POV:

"Stop."

Everyone dropped to the forest floor. I looked around and then turned to Neji for confirmation. He nodded.

"It's secure."

"Good. Kakashi, take Naruto and get some water. There's a stream not too far from here, you know the one."

He nodded and we shared a small smile, both of us thinking of little accident we got into there not so long ago. The two walked off.

"Shino, Neji, and Shikumaru. You three get the camp ready. I'm going to scout and get some fresh meat."

The three nodded and I quickly jumped away, taking to the trees again. I settled into pattern and began to scout while keeping an eye out for some food.

Naruto is…

He's fine.

Are you sure?

Yes. I need to ask though…do you worry for him because of me or because Kyūbi is sealed in him?

It took her awhile to answer. Meanwhile, I managed to snare a rabbit and headed to the stream to clean it.

At first it was for my brother…then you began to grow on me. As did your affections and emotions. I have always been able to feel emotions and think reasonably, unlike my brothers and sisters. You made them stronger.

That's right. The Tails weren't capable of human reasoning.

Yes, that's the reason they attacked mindlessly.

I'm sorry that I accused you of not caring about Naruto.

It's alright hime. You needed to know.

As long as I'm asking questions…why do you always call me hime?

She didn't answer. Shrugging, I went about skinning and cleaning the rabbit. When I had finished, I stood and began to walk back to the camp. The sun had set and I could see the fire.

Maybe another time, hm? It's a story that shouldn't be told in the company of others.

What? Why?

Not now hime. I'm tired.

…all right.

I sat at the fire, watching as Shino patiently stirred the broth I had begun. Naruto and Kakashi sat across from me. Neji sat on my right and Shikumaru on my left, while Shino sat between him and Kakashi. Shino served the broth and I reached into my bag, pulling out a bottle. Kakashi raised a brow and I shrugged.

"It adds flavor."

"Whatever helps you feel better Sakura."

"Can it Kakashi. Or should I share that time you got completely wasted?"

He twitched. Naruto looked at us in interest and I winked at him, chuckling as Shikumaru grabbed my sake and took a drink, passing it to Shino beside him. I supposed we all needed a little to take the edge of. Neji nudged my shoulder gently.

"So when did you become an ANBU?"

At this I shot Kakashi a glare. He sweat dropped and took a sip of the sake, which had made its way around the circle twice already.

"Are you still upset about that Sakura? It was so long ago!"

"Pissed is more like it! I was 14, dumbass. It was only 2 years ago. And I got roped into it Neji. By stupid Kakashi over there and our scheming Hokage."

The boys chuckled at my expression. Neji handed me the bottle and I drank deeply, passing it on to Shikumaru again.

"Kakashi decided to go back to Waterfall for a trial run in the ANBU exams. Since we're allied, they had no objection. Only after I returned to the village did I realize it was taken seriously because we were allied with them and I actually passed."

Shino frowned.

"I heard the Waterfall ANBU test is brutal."

I shrugged.

"Yea, I guess."

Kakashi rolled his eyes and shot me a look.

"She passed, but we couldn't leave Waterfall for a week."

"Why?"

"She had to recover and her chakra was blocked from a poison."

At this everyone turned to me.

"What? I couldn't figure out an antidote because I couldn't use my chakra and the guy that infected me was in a coma. So we had to wait for him to wake up so we could get the antidote."

Shino hm-med and looked at the fire. Shikumaru eyed me carefully.

"I heard that to pass you have to be interrogated."

"We have to be interrogated in Konoha as well. By Ibiki."

At the name, most shivered. I chuckled. Shikumaru shook his head.

"No, I mean you can't be a virgin."

I rubbed my head tenderly when Naruto began to stutter.

"S-sakura-chan? You didn't-"

"Kakashi? You LET her?"

Neji was glaring at Kakashi, who looked confused.

"I didn't know that. Sakura?"

Kakashi began to eyeball me. I stood quickly, trying to hide the shaking of my fists by pushing them into my pockets. Rolling my eyes, I quickly scaled a nearby tree.

"Everyone to sleep. I'll take first watch."

They all sighed, knowing they wouldn't get an answer out of me. I settled into the tree, trying to think about anything other than that cursed night.

Sakura-hime? Are you okay?

Fine.

She seemed to hesitate before seemingly disappearing from my mind. It seemed she had only gone off to mess with my nerves, because the next moment my eyes were closing and I was nodding off.

FLASHBACK TO WHEN SAKURA WAS WITH THE AKATSUKI/SAKRUA DREAMING:

"Sakura-chan."

"Orochimaru-san? Let me go!"

"Why would I do that Sakura?"

"I'm going to call for Pein-niisan!"

"Your precious niisans won't be able to hear you in here."

Sakura whimpered and tried to wiggle out from under Orochimaru. His slimy tongue flicked out and trailed up the side of Sakura's face. Tears prickled at the corners of her eyes but she refused to let them fall, remembering what Hidan-kun said about letting the enemy seeing you afraid. It would only make them happy.

"Sakura-chan, don't you love me?"

"No."

Orochimaru pretended to pout, his cold fingers making quick work of Sakura's pants. She squeezed her shinning emerald eyes shut and tried to block out what was happening.

"You have to love me Sakura-chan…I'm your family."

"No, no you're not!"

His knuckles skimmed the side of her cheek, cracking the bone slightly.

"Quiet!"

Sakura, being the prodigy she was, noticed his eyes dart to the door. She knew this meant something.

"I thought you said no one can hear?"

"Be quiet Sakura-chan or I'll have to be mean and make you."

Sakura closed her mouth and titled her head to the left, trying to appear submissive. Orochimaru chuckled and ducked his head, moving it to nuzzle Sakura. She clenched her eyes shut and took a deep breath. Quickly, she opened her mouth and began to scream. Orochimaru's head shot up and Sakura's scream was cut off as his tongue pushed itself into her mouth. Her eyes widened and she began to squirm. Orochimaru chuckled again and pulled away.

"Poor, poor Sakura-chan, don't worry. It'll only hurt for a minute."

Confusion clouded the child's eyes and the man above her let out a laugh. Suddenly, a searing pain ripped through her stomach and she let out a startled scream, loud and shrill. Orochimaru grinned, placing his hand over her mouth. Tears began to roll down her face and she was so lost in the pain she didn't even notice the door being thrown open.

"Orochimaru! You bastard!"

Sakura was vaguely aware of one of her niisans picking her up and handing her to Konan-neechan. When she woke up a few days later, they all reassured her that Orochimaru would never be back and would never hurt her again. Only a few months later would she be placed in Konoha's care.

END OF FLASHBACK/NORMAL POV:

Everyone in the camp awoke when they heard a scream. Shikumaru was the first to react, jumping up next to Sakura and gathering her in his arms. He jumped back down to the forest floor. Kakashi shot Shino a look and he nodded. He pulled the still sleepy Naruto up and the two jumped away, off to scout the area. Neji and Kakashi settled next to Shikumaru, who was trying to wake Sakura up. Her skin was slick with sweat and tears rolled down her cheeks as she shook.

"Sakura…"

Kakashi shook his head.

"That won't wake her up. Watch and remember."

The two didn't ask why they would need to remember, merely watched as Kakashi took Sakura from Shikumaru. He sent chakra to his fingers and then shocked Sakura. Her eyes flew open and she quickly shot into a sitting position. Her breaths came out shaky and deep, as though she couldn't catch her breath.

"Sakura...what was it this time?"

Neji and Shikumaru shared a glance, one that exchanged a 'this time?' sort of question. Kakashi shot them a look promising to explain while he rubbed Sakura's back in comforting circles.

"F-fucking hell, Kakashi."

She took a shuddering breath, leaning against him heavily. Her eyes darted to Shikumaru and Neji, whom she then turned to.

"You can't tell anyone about this, either of you. They could suspend me for emotional instability."

Both of them nodded. Kakashi nudged her gently.

"Hey, you need to tell me. Remember what I said."

"I know."

She remained silent. Kakashi sighed but nodded, motioning to Shikumaru to help her stand. He did and she began to walk away.

"Sakura?"

"I'm going to wash off. When the boys get back, all of you go to bed. Don't mention this, even if they ask."

Kakashi nodded and turned to Neji and Shikumaru when she had disappeared into the trees.

"What just happened?"

Kakashi sighed. He settled next to the empty fire pit, staring at the ground in deep thought for several minutes. Neji and Shikumaru shared glances. Kakashi finally looked up, glancing to the right to see if Sakura was heading back. When he saw she wasn't, he turned to the two shinobi.

"If I tell you, you can't tell anyone else about it. Alright?"

They both nodded.

"You both now how Sakura isn't from Konoha?"

At their confused looks he frowned.

"Hm, I thought you would at least know that."

"They wouldn't."

The three turned to see Sakura walking back into the camp site. She kneeled over, doing a quick fire jutsu and lighting the fire. Then she settled next to Kakashi and Shikumaru, leaning against the former.

"The 3rd hid the truth very well. Very few know about it."

"Who?"

"Kakashi, mostly because he's the one who found me and he then agreed to be my guardian. The 3rd, obviously, as well as shishou. Naruto, Sasuke, Gaara, and his siblings."

Kakashi nodded.

"And the other jonin. Do you want me to continue?"

Sakura shook her head.

"I will."

Sighing, she settled more comfortably on Shikumaru's shoulder, causing him to move his arm around her shoulder.

"I don't know where I was born, though I remember being raised in Ame."

"The Village of Rain?"

"Hai. I was orphaned, how I don't know, until I was 6. That's when Orochimaru got a hold of me."

Kakashi winced and turned away. He had heard this tale before, many times when they had been traveling and he had to wake her in a sweat, fearful and crying.

"Orochimaru? What happened?"

Sakura shrugged.

"Stuff. Shit happened, you know?"

"Descriptive."

"Don't patronize me Hyuuga."

His eyes narrowed at her tone, which seemed so unlike her. Shikumaru looked down at her, noticing her glare toward Neji, one that was so serious you would think they were enemies. She had never glared at any of them like that, even when she was beyond pissed. Kakashi touched her leg gently and she blinked, sucking in a deep breath.

"Anyway, he fucked me up and then…"

Here her brow furrowed.

"I don't really remember anything until I woke up in the Konoha hospital."

She reached up with a hand to rub at her head gently. Kakashi glanced at her worriedly. He knew she pushed herself to hard to remember what had happened, she wanted to remember. The teens were lucky, he thought as he watched Shikumaru gently massage her head. They didn't get the whole story, the bits of memories of pain and sorrow. Nor did they hear about her tailed-beast. Kakashi, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Sakura had agreed it was a need to know basis.

"Naruto knows…"

Sakura mumbled softly under her breath, her eyes fluttering closed. Shikumaru gently began to ease to the ground, letting Sakura fall on top of him, her eyes closing completely. Neji stood and grabbed Shikumaru's sleeping bag, unrolling it and placing it over the pair carefully. He then nodded to Kakashi and jumped to the tree, settling back against the trunk heavily. Kakashi sighed, aware that the two would not sleep well tonight. It was a lot to take in, even more to be able to deal with. Sakura trusted them and that was important to them. Kakashi shrugged and stood, off to find Shino and Naruto before the two fell to the forest floor asleep.

END OF CHAPTER

Okay, anti-climatic there at the end. Sorry, I just couldn't get that right. How are you guys doing? Think I should try and make this story shorter? Cuz if you do…I need to know lol. I have like, at least the next 20 chapters mapped out. And ideas for about 20 chapters after that. I might break this into 2 stories. Sound good?

Review pleaseeeeeee

Eris-R-Renee