Disclaimer: Naruto is a Japanese manga created by Masashi Kishimoto. All characters in this story are copyrights of Masashi Kishimoto, Shonen Jump, Studio Pierrot and Viz Entertainment.

-----

The Lazy Uchiha

By Bud

Chapter 42: Avoiding Issues

Yamashiro Aoba, Tokubetsu Jounin of the Leaf and seasoned veteran shinobi. Easily recognized by his stylish sunglasses, swept-back spiky hair and tilted headband, Aoba could be considered one of Konoha premiere shinobi with a mission success rate of ninety percent or more. While not as skilled as someone such as Hatake Kakashi or a genius like Konoha's infamous Uchiha, Aoba has been around the block a few times and has many tricks of the trade that would give him an advantage over any whom oppose him. Old age and treachery will always have an advantage over youth and skill. While Aoba was far from being old, he was one of the few ninja in the higher ranks that you had to give the respect he was due for the many support roles that he had played throughout his shinobi career. There was not one active Tokubetsu Jounin, except that she-demon Mitarashi Anko, whom he has not saved.

So why was Aoba stuck with gate duty?

What a drag, he thought while he sat at his booth with his cheek resting in the palm of his hand. Of all the mission he could be participating in - assassinations, arrest, escort or transportation - he was slated with guard duty. What was the Godaime thinking when she issued the order? Sure, the lack of teammates was a problem, however, she was adamant in her decision to place him at the gate until a combat medic-nin was available to join his team. Not that he needed that person, but that was the Hokage's orders. I could sure use some yakitori about now.

..ring.. ..ring..

He sat up to greet the latest arrival. "Welcome to Konoha. May I see your---" Black cloak with red clouds, check. Conical straw hat with white cloth streamers, check. Mysterious looking, check. Aoba disappeared from his seat, appearing in an offensive position in front of the cloaked man. "Akatsuki, eh?"

"Yamashiro-san, what is this meaning of this?"

Aoba gave a start. "Hiryuu-san? Washimaru?" His eyes refocused on the alleged Akatsuki member. "So, that must mean you are..." The cloaked member of Team One ignored Aoba, completely bypassing his position as if he were not there. The veteran shinobi shivered. "Uchiha Itachi..."

"Forgive Itachi, Aoba-san," Washimaru showed the man a curt bow in respect. "He is being a little difficult at the moment and is not listening to our warnings. He has been having a little too much fun with that cloak he acquired recently."

The Jounin raised an eyebrow from behind his shades. "How much fun exactly?"

"Too much."

-----

"You're doing great, my cute student! Keep up the work. Don't let up one bit!"

"Hai, Gai-sensei!"

Neji frowned. "How are you able to be as energetic as you are knowing our teammate has been hospitalized after nearly dying?" It was not that he was jealous of Gai's attention for Lee, he was just annoyed that two of Konoha's biggest fools could have so much energy when their minds should be elsewhere. It was only a week after that encounter with that man in white and even he was still recovering from fending him off. Not that it made much difference.

It was the older bowl-cut that answered first. "There is a fine line, Neji-kun, where one must grieve and when one must make the decision to move on. Tenten-kun was seriously injured by that Bijomaru and would be out of commission for the next two weeks before she is released to perform her duties to the village. Take this as a lesson, my cute students, that there are those whom die and those whom live and adapt." He made a dramatic pose, fist clenched and tears streaming down his cheeks. "You survived and live to tell about your encounter. Remember it, learn from it and become stronger! Tenten-kun is alive and the time for grieving is over! Now you must train so that you can protect Tenten-chan with your very lives!"

"She would kill you if you suggest anything of the such," the dead-panned voice of the Hyuuga prodigy had a tone that spoke the unadulterated truth.

Lee, much to Neji's displeasure, decided to open his mouth. "But Gai-sensei is correct, Neji-kun. We must train to become stronger. We cannot make the mistakes that we have against that samurai. If it takes ten hours, ten days, ten years or tens of thousands of years, we mush become stronger so that we can protect those precious to us like Tenten!"

"True," Neji began before his voice turned somewhat sarcastic. "We do require further training. Lee, shall I register you as a returning student at the academy so you can refresh your memory in Shinobi 101?" Lee frowned, adverting his eyes.

"Neji..." Gai said in warning, although his intension was not favoritism, but to stop two teammates from arguing monist one another.

The Hyuuga continued. "Be as it may, your lack of intelligence that you have displayed during our mission to Katabame Kinzan has showed that you do require re-training, Lee. There have been times when Tenten and I both have been embarrassed by your antics with Gai-sensei. However, the embarrassment that we have faced because of your lack of judgment had not only jeopardized the safety of our fellow ninja in Team Seven, but the villagers and men we were assigned to protect. It is one thing for the Jounin sensei of another team to give us critique, but another Genin younger than us?"

"After a meditating on thoughts that have disturbed me since we have returned from our mission, I have come to a conclusion that the Uchiha's allegations and critique of your conduct as a Shinobi of the Leaf is questionable." He cursed the cast placed upon his left hand, wrist and forearm. An itch formed right in the middle of the protected appendage. "Be glad that you hear this from me, your friend and teammate, and not someone else."

Rock Lee had little to say.

Gai placed his hands on his hips. "Neji that was--" His eyes narrowed, his attention now focused toward the dense forest the surrounded them. At first there was nothing, only the sounds and feeling of the creatures that naturally inhabit the forest. Then suddenly he was assaulted by the strong killing intent of a hostile ninja, one whom felt oddly familiar. Even Neji, who now had his Byakugan activated, was feeling the hostile chakra the poured into their training grounds. "You cannot hide from me with such a killing intent. Show yourself, now."

Neji paused. Yourself? Only one?

The presence decided to humor the Leaf Jounin. Gai's eyes widened in recognition. "That cloak..." He narrowed his eyes at the individual hidden behind a hat and black cloak with red clouds. "Who... are you?" A deep, hypnotic voice answered.

"I am the terror that flaps in the night." Daylight suddenly faded into darkness. The sun's brilliant radiance gave way to a towering moon that casted shadows that stretched as far as the eye could see. Gai, Neji and Lee tensed, closing in upon one another to take up a defensive stance that covered all angles. The cloaked figure disappeared, even vanishing like a wisp of wind before Neji's eyes. His voice echoed within their minds. "I am the winged scourge that pecks at your nightmares..."

Lee shivered at such a quote. "Gai-sensei..."

"Be calm, Lee." Gai addressed his other pupil. "Neji?"

"I cannot see him. It is as if he has vanished."

"I am the raspberry seed that you cannot floss out. I am the slug that slimes your Begonias. I am the special news bulletin that interrupts your favorite show. I am the low ratings that cancel your program. I am the batteries that aren't included. I am the wrong number that wakes you at 3AM. I am the hairball that clogs your drains. I am the surprise in your cereal box. I am the itch you cannot reach. I am---"

"Enough already!" Neji shouted in frustration. "Get to the point!"

A pair of red eyes appeared right before Neji, completely shocking and freezing the Hyuuga in place. Even with his Byakugan and the close proximity, he still could not see the man. Only the soft kiss of his breath could be felt upon his face, yet even as his one hand struck out in front of him, he made contact with only air. Genjutsu.

"Tsk, tsk," teased the voice, actively taunting Neji. "This is how you should attack."

"Neji!" Gai tensed, feeling the sudden movement of an impending strike. Neji closed his eyes and braced himself.

SPLAT!

The Hyuuga looked up, finding that the darkness had once more become light and that he was perfectly fine. Lee looked as if nothing happened to him, only obvious confusion evident in his face that went far back into the deep recesses of the bowl-haired Genin's subconscious. A sigh of relief passed over Neji, thought he was upset that whomever decided to use such powerful genjutsu as a practical joke had more time on their hand that anyone else and needed to get a life as quickly as possible. At least it was Gai that was hit with a coconut cream pie in the face and not him. As easy-going as Gai-sensei was when it came to jokes, there was only one person whom could actually piss him off.

Like he was now.

"Uchiha Itachi."

-----

Team One sat together in the hall of the Hokage Tower just outside of Tsunade's door. Hiryuu sat with his legs akimbo, his blade resting upon his lap while his hands rested upon his knees as if he was meditating. At the opposite end of the small bench Washimaru sat with a newspaper in his hands, his legs crossed with one foot gently bouncing to an unheard beat. Between them Itachi sat, leaning back with the straw hat covering his identity. As clerical workers, shinobi and kunoichi alike and the occasional ANBU passed by the trio, glances and whispers were thrown in the direction of the Uchiha wearing the cloak with red clouds.

Akatsuki? Here?

Two Hyuuga caught one?

Isn't that the enemy?

Where is Itachi? Who is that sitting with them?

A snort came from under the hat, startling a pair of greenhorn ANBU that guarded the Hokage's door. They quickly faced off against the cloaked man with weapons drawn out in defense. The only response Itachi gave them was a shifting of his body and the bulge centered around his crotch that shifted the cloak as he scratched himself.

The Hyuuga paid no heed. Just a normal day with Itachi.

The door to the Hokage's office opened and they were greeted by Shizune. "Team One, Hokage-sama shall see you now." She stepped aside to usher them in.

Washimaru showed a smile of appreciation to Shizune causing the older woman to blush, adverting her eyes from the bishounen Hyuuga. That brief moment allowed him to deliver a swift kick to the lazy Uchiha resulting in the cloaked shinobi jumping up and down on one foot grasping his shin in a rude awakening. Itachi gave Washimaru a quick shove and followed suit, Hiryuu shaking his head as he adjusted his sheath to slide harmoniously into the sash around his waist. Tsunade's assistant held back a giggle when the cloaked shinobi flicked the older Hyuuga on the ear that resulted in a playful shoving match between the two. She closed the door as instructed by her Hokage and Master.

Tsunade looked up from the papers on her desk. "Ah, you have returned in once piece, good." She raised an eyebrow at seeing the cloak of Akatsuki worn by Uchiha Itachi.

Hiryuu, the elected spokesman of the three, stepped forward. "Team One reporting as ordered, Hokage-sama."

"Report."

"Hai, Hokage-sama." Hiryuu coughed into his hand and began to give the details of their mission as stated in their official report. While he spoke, the eyes of the Hokage passed over the three elite shinobi as if evaluating them individually. From her research into Team One, she was surprised to learn that the three were respectively the first, second and third ranked ninja in their graduating class and ironically their ages were in the reverse order with Hiryuu being the oldest and Itachi the youngest. They had a mission completion average of over ninety-five percent, the majority being assigned to the Lightning Country and other missions that exceeded the borders of the Fire Country.

Itachi she knew of first hand and ignored him in general. She did wonder about the cloak that he wore, something that caused her to inadvertently draw her attention toward him. She knew it was that fool and no matter the disguise - practical or genjutsu - she could identify him, the lazy bastard. How he acquired the uniform of a member of Akatsuki was the question at the forefront of her mind and why did he flaunt it throughout the village? Hyuuga Washimaru, one of her most loyal ANBU operatives and one of her lesser headaches. More feminine in appearance than most kunoichi, she could not deny his heterosexuality with his obvious flirting with Shizune at her door. Washimaru, according to reports from Kakashi given to Sandaime Hokage over the past few years, has indicated that Washimaru was one of his better subordinates and has been pushing for his promotion to Tokubetsu Jounin or to full-fledge Jounin. Each promotion was declined by Washimaru himself. She had to keep special watch on that Hyuuga form this point on.

And the spokesman of Team One, Hyuuga Hiryuu, was the unknown. Hyuuga, on average, graduate the Academy at the age of twelve. He did so at fifteen. Hyuuga are natural taijutsu specialist, especially with their Jyuuken. He was considered a failure at Jyuuken, yet is considered second to none at kenjutsu and battojutsu. His mission record is not as extravagant as someone like Uchiha Itachi or Hyuuga Washimaru, yet the number of solo and long term missions classified as A-rank and S-rank clearly exceeded the combined sum of his two teammates and averaged a one-hundred percent success rate. Ranked third under Konoha's White Fang and Hatake Kakashi in such a category.

How the three of them were assigned together, she would never know. However, Hyuuga Hiryuu was perfect for a special assignment.

"...and we returned to Konoha per your request after Itachi-san had completed his D-rank grocery retrieval." Hiryuu finished, snickering at the final words he added to the report. A mere tilt of his hat indicated Itachi's glare directed toward him.

Tsunade leaned back in her chair. "I see. Interesting." She picked up a stack of papers, glancing at the manuscript written down. "Your information regarding the Kurosuke Family and Kurosuke Raiga had been a key in a A-rank mission which resulted in the liberation of Katabame Kinzan, the destruction of the Kurosuke crime family and the death of Raiga. That information saved hundreds of lives in Kinzan."

"We are glad that we could of been of service, Hokage-sama," said Washimaru. "That information was retrieved from one of our targets and we thought that the information could be used to update our bingo books. Never did we expect such information to be used in that purpose."

"Quite." Their Hokage shifted in her seat which resulted in more of her ample cleavage being exposed. She allowed a coy smile to play across his lips at the slight redness rising on Hiryuu's visage. She focused on the hidden Uchiha. "You're surprisingly quiet, Uchiha. Do you have anything to say?"

The straw had rose slightly, exposing a pair of crimson eyes veiled in darkness. "I am the terror that flaps in the night..." The cloak opened in a dramatic fashion, positioned as if they were wings of a night stalker. The image of terror was broken by the display of a familiar blue shirt and white shorts. "I am the twenty-five ryou service charge on all returned checks. I am---" Hiryuu smacked him upside the head and down to the floor, knocking off his hat.

"Ow...!"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "I am not even going to ask." She sighed, going back to business. "While the mission in Kinzan was successfully, there was an incident in which we almost lost three of our most exceptional Genin. If not for the quick actions by Kakashi and a platoon of our best medic-nins, they would of died on the field."

"A whole team? What of their Jounin?" Hiryuu inquired.

"No Jounin was assigned for this mission despite it's A-rank classification. I made the decision to employ two Genin teams in a joint mission. Team Three consisting of Hyuuga Neji, Tenten and Rock Lee were to escort three citizens of Katabame Kinzan and assist the strike team - Team Seven." Itachi, who had picked himself up and dusted himself off, frozen at the mention of his team. He stared at her as if she had spoken the words that would summon the Devil himself. "Of Team Gai, Tenten has suffered wounds that would take her off of the active roster for the next few weeks. Of Team Seven - Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke nearly died on the field before being stabilized by medic-nins and transported to our facilities where I managed to bring them from critical to serious condition. They're currently hospitalized at the moment--"

Itachi was out the door before anyone realized it.

"Itachi---" Washimaru called out to him.

"Leave him be," said the Hokage, nodded to Shizune to follow the Uchiha. "There are more pressing matters to attend to. Orochimaru had issued a hit on both Naruto and Sasuke, it seems. Why, when his goal is the Sharingan, is a mystery. However, we have an ID of the assailant and Kakashi's ANBU and Hunter-nin platoon is currently tracking him down, though I doubt they can successfully take him down." She leaned on her elbows, staring at Hiryuu. "Are either of you familiar with a samurai by the name of Bijomaru?"

Washimaru looked confused. Hiryuu, on the other hand, instantly recognized the voice. "I believe he was imprisoned years ago in the Stone Country in a maximum security fortress within their iron mountains, correct?" He sighed. "I was assigned to track and kill him by the Daimyo of the River Country, but the Sand beat me to the punch when he was within my grasp."

"Can you kill him?"

Hiryuu knew where this was going. "I have fought him to a stand-still once before the Sand captured him." He shook his head. "A ninja, even someone as skilled as our Copy-Ninja, cannot defeat him. One must think like a Samurai to defeat a Samurai of his caliber." Tsunade sighed.

"Then you have your mission. Report to ANBU headquarters and someone shall give you the coordinates and frequency of Kakashi's radio. You will act independently from ANBU and work alone. Take this man down as all cost." She narrowed her eyes. "Do not return to the Leaf until you have his head in a burlap sack."

The older Hyuuga bowed deadly. "Hai, Hokage-sama."

Her eyes focused on Washimaru when he became the sole occupant of the office. He sweated, not able to meet the Hokage's gaze as he had been trained. Like clock-work, he knelt before his Hokage, awaiting her orders. "Chuunin Hyuuga Washimaru awaits the orders of his Hokage."

Again, she sighed. "You're to stand down for the next month or until Kakashi returns. Until then, watch over Itachi."

He nodded. "Hai, Hokage-sama." He turned, pausing when his back was to his Hokage. "However, I will watch over him because he is my friend, not by your order."

Tsunade's office felt very empty once her doors closed.

Time to check on Sakura.

-----

The mood was tense around Konoha's prestigious hospital. There was something in the air that put patients, medical personnel and visitors on edge. The once blue sky and radiant fall sun that basked Konoha in blanket of warmth became hazy, dropping the temperature a few levels. Birds that sang their songs were quiet, flying away in flocks or just avoided the hospital altogether. These signs were premonitions of events to come.

An even more tense situations in one of the patient rooms had a pair of blue and black eyes staring right into one another. Eyes filled with utter dislike and loathing of the other pair. Eyes of two predators stalking their prey, waiting, watching, anticipating for that moment to strike. The intensity of their eyes caused attendants to steer clear of that specific room and avoid the two as if they were the plague.

"I am tired of these games, Naruto. Your foolishness ends. Right here, right now." Sasuke said with tone as cold as the frigid north. The blonde smirked, though his eyes remained focused, determined.

"Funny you should say that, I was planning to say the same thing." He clenched his fist. "Today is the day I finally show you who is the real talent, Uchiha, believe it!"

Sasuke snorted. "As if you could ever defeat me, dumbass."

"Put your money where you mouth is, Sas-UKE!"

"NARUTO!"

"SASUKE!"

Click.

"..." Naruto stared at the board. "Noooooo...!!!"

"Sasuke, eight. Naruto, zero." Sasuke counted as he toyed with Naruto's king piece. Nothing like showing your mental superiority to someone than handily beating them at a strategy game like Shogi. "Face it, Naruto. You're skills as a shinobi are unquestionable, yet in this game you're my bitch."

"Shut up."

They had been hospitalized for almost a week since their last mission. The wounds they have suffered have been healing, albeit slower than either desired. Their wounds, so grievous, that the Hokage had forbidden them from return to their shinobi duties until she personally deems them fit for duty and clears them herself. Such a decision annoyed both Team Seven shinobi, both with much more important business to attend to such as training and working on their personal skills so what happened before would not happen again. So, they wasted their days laying in bed, sitting at the table in their room, talking about future training, ideas for new techniques, watching movies and playing board games. Shikamaru, now a Chuunin to their surprise, stopped by and gave them the Shogi board they now played on almost frequently. Besides the new Konoha Chuunin, they received a visit from the rest of the Team Gai, Team 10 and Team 8. A few get wells from others, but most of their time was spent alone with one another.

She did not visit and they liked it that way. They were still upset with her. Still, her lack of presence left a bitter taste in their mouths which never wished to discuss.

"One more time!" Naruto demanded. Sasuke merely rolled his eyes. "I'll beat you this time, believe it!"

"You'll be doing no such thing," said the bandage wrapped Uchiha. "The only thing you've managed to do all day was stroke my ego and exponentially increase my winning record and your loss ratio."

A chuckling sound filled their ears, echoing off the walls of their shared room. Sasuke's eyes widened, both in surprise and fear. "Foolish Ototo. You have allowed Naruto-kun to stroke you? That is unbecoming of an Uchiha and down right homosexual."

"Itachi-sensei!" Naruto cheered, waving his arms at the... red clouds on a black cloak? "What in the---"

"Shut up, Aniki." Sasuke growled, wincing when he tried to shake his fist at the cloaked Jounin. "It's bad enough that I'm stuck in here with this dumbass, I don't need your fag jokes making me more miserable than I already am."

"Being an Emo is unbecoming of an--"

"Aw, shut up!"

Itachi managed to crack a brief smile despite the feelings of inner turmoil bubbling inside of his heart and soul. Seeing Sasuke in such a state, even though treated by the Godaime Hokage one of the greatest pioneers in medicine, tore at the very fabric of his being. Every second he resisted the urge to pull his brother into a hug and never relinquish him, to protect him from further harm. He spoke in his monotonous tone, which did not fool Sasuke one bit. "You participated in a mission gone bad, correct? Inform me of the details."

Those words seem to engulf the two hospitalized shinobi in a bubble of silence. Itachi waited patiently, his gaze not once being met by his younger sibling and his loud pupil. He had heard the report from the Hokage, so he knew what to expect from these two fools, however, he wanted to know exactly what occurred for Naruto and Sasuke to be beaten so horrifically yet their kunoichi teammate was not.

"Answer me." His eyes narrowed. "Now."

Naruto opened his mouth, but the words refused to come out. For once he was speechless, too embarrassed and ashamed of himself to speak to the one man in Konoha whom had completely accepted him and taken him under his wing. Again he tried to speak, yet when his cobalt eyes met with a sea of blackness, he immediately looked away and kept quiet once more.

Coward.

"You already heard it from Hokage-sama," Sasuke said in a low voice, also not meeting his brother's eyes. "We completed a mission and where torn apart by some assassin courtesy of Orochimaru. That's all the happened."

"And Haruno?"

Again the bubble of silence appeared, yet only briefly. "We haven't seen her since." Sasuke finish in a manner that he wished to not speak of that particular subject. It was all Itachi required.

"You are fools." He stated, the tone in his voice cold enough to freeze the fires of hell and dripped enough poison to kill all of Konoha. Upset was only the tip of the iceberg for Uchiha Itachi. Yes, he had the explanation from the Hokage. Most importantly, he had read the medical reports in both of their files pertaining to the mission and their recovery from the medic-nins assigned to retrieve them. "Just remember as you sit there, brooding and wallowing in your self-pity, that you would not be alive if it was not for her. You both should be ashamed of yourselves." Itachi turned his back to them.

He did not see the tears falling from his brother's eyes.

Naruto finally found the courage to speak. "Itachi-sensei..." The sea of black focused itself upon him once again. "If you... see Sakura-chan..." He swallowed. "... could to ask her to.. stop by?"

A simple nod was his only answer.

-----

To look back into the history of the medical ninja, one would have to search far back into the history of Konohagakure well before the Shodai Hokage. The medical ninja is considered a shinobi or kunoichi well versed in the arts of medicine, whether it be first aid, field stabilization or emergency treatment. They are the nurses, the doctors, the field surgeons and the combat medics that keep their fellow ninja alive and/or assist in preventive medicine for ninja and civilians to maintain a healthy lifestyle or tend to their wounds. In Konohagakure exist several small medical practices that cater to the civilian and retired ninja population - at least half of the licensed doctors were former medical ninja.

Konoha was known for their medical ninja and their miracles in both the hospital and the battlefield. Anyone was capable of performing battlefield first aid and emergency medicine with the proper training. Not everyone could become a medical ninja and only a select handful qualify to meet Konoha Combat Medical ninja standards.

A combat medic-nin of Konoha, or KCM for short, must be able perform a quick observation of a patient and ascertain their blood pressure, physical condition at contact, if they suffer from a head-trauma by the dilation of their eyes and if they are capable of breathing upon first glance and contact. This requires a medical ninja to be highly intelligent, able to observe and comprehend in detail within a short period of time and multitask. They must be able to identify various wounds, condition and capable of treating or stabilizing the patient and quickly and efficiently as possible by either administering medicine, surgery, properly binding or bandaging wounds and extracting poisons from the body. For that, a medical ninja must have extensive book and practical knowledge of medicine and how to administer treatments under pressure. A medical ninja must be able to perform field surgery such as sewing wounds, reseting dislocated and broken bones, amputating limbs and various other forms of field surgery that would save their fellow ninja's life. They must have extensive knowledge in various seals, maintain an exceptional level of control over their chakra only found in exceptional Jounin and maintain a level head under extreme duress.

And this did not include their skills or talents as a ninja of the Leaf.

Konoha Combat Medics were the most heralded ninja in all of the five great shinobi nations. They were more specialize than an ANBU operative, unless that operative was also a Medic-nin. They save lives, that was their main mission in life. A mission that was stressed during the 2nd Great Shinobi War which resulted in not only Konoha coming out on top, but a revolutionary new system which prevented the needless deaths of those injured on the battlefield. This resulted in the creation of Konoha's Medical School founded by the order of Sarutobi, the Sandaime Hokage and future Godaime Hokage Tsunade.

If was here were one could find Haruno Sakura, member of Team Seven and the new apprentice of Tsunade. The pink-haired kunoichi was located in one of the lower levels of the facility in a private chamber once owned by Tsunade during her younger years before leaving the Leaf to travel. In was here where Tsunade studied, written books on medicine and tutors exceptional medic-nin prospects. A huge room made for such a statuesque woman with walls lined with various books ranging from fictions and non-fiction literature to hundreds of medical books written by long dead authors and doctors and many current medicine practitioners. Scrolls detailing specialized procedures, antidotes for poisons and to simple treatments such as resetting a nose, one of Tsunade's first acts as a medical ninja.

The four walls surrounded a long, wide table top in one section while the middle held an altar-like desk surrounded on three sizes by a large pond filled with large fish. One of those fish was placed upon the altar on top of a scroll with various seals written. It was with this dying, breathless fish that Sakura used the knowledge she had learned from Itachi and her new master to bring the fish to life, to breathe once more.

Mold the chakra. Concentrate. Apply the necessary amount required to jump-start the circulatory and respiratory system. Concentrate. Concentrate.

Nothing.

"Again..."

Nothing.

"Again..."

Just outside the door that lead into her room, Tsunade observed her new pupil with a keen, appreciative eye. She was everything reported by Itachi. Intelligence, determined and eager. Her determination had shown itself when tasked with an assignment, complimenting her ability to read, analyze and comprehend new material for her lessons. She was learning faster, too fast for Tsunade's taste which was why she gave Sakura her current task, to take her away from the books and use what she learned and apply it to actual medicine. It was veterinary, but still medicine.

"She's desperate," she spoke out loud. "She see's those two as her own and knows that she has done an unspeakable wrong. She punishes herself everyday and strives to improve upon her weaknesses until they are all but relinquished from her very soul. She cares more for them than herself," she said. "And that is why she came to me, Itachi-kun."

"The one who can see is sometimes more blind than those who lack true sight," said the cloaked man within the shadows. Tsunade, even though facing away from the Uchiha, could clearly make out the red clouds from the corner of her eyes. "Her true flaws were right in front of me, yet I did nothing to correct them."

"You're a Shinobi. We Kunoichi are of a different mindset when it comes to the killing arts. There are those that can and cannot handle the mental stress and some whom are not meant to be killers, period."

"Was I wrong to train her as I have?"

Tsunade shook her head. "No, you were not. You're training was flawless. Besides that Yamanaka Ino and Hyuuga Hinata, Sakura is one of the better overall kunoichi at her level and age group in terms of skill and overall potential." She sighed. "I believe you're only mistake was allowing her to believe she was ANBU material."

"Wait." She quickly held up a finger, still not acknowledging his presence by looking upon him. Her eyes were focused on her pupil. "She believed that her purpose in life was to become ANBU and dawned your mask in order to further impress both you and her teammates. A common mental defense for Leaf Kunoichi her age during the Great Wars in order to create a persona designed solely for killing the enemy, to become stone cold assassins like their male ANBU counter-parts."

"I did not know of such a persona..."

"As you know, the first kill is always the hardest. Such is the way of our profession."

"That it is, granny."

Her face twisted into a snarl. "Who the hell are you calling granny, stupid little boy?" She continued to observed the pink-haired kunoichi. "At her level, there is less than a one percent chance that she would be able to revive that fish in time before it's circulatory system completely shuts down and decomposition sets in. Her control over her chakra is superb, but not up to the standards that I require of an apprentice. She waste too much chakra for such a small creature, it drains her and causes slight disorientation that ruins her concentration the task at hand. This exercises trains her to focus and regulate the amount of chakra needed for her task."

"Am I to assume that you're taking her from me?"

She could feel the disappointment in his tone. It seemed that he would miss having the girl around, however, she was in an environment and ninja job-class she desired to excel in. After seeing the determination in her eyes that day, Tsunade could not deny her what she desired. "Yes, Itachi-kun. Naruto and Sasuke shall remain on your team and you will operate as a three-man team. Sakura will be too busy with my training to remain in Team Seven."

He sighed. "Very well."

"You're hesitating," she made note, though did not directly acknowledge that fact by name. "Speak."

"Uzumaki has requested that Haruno visit him and his teammate."

"I'll will pass along the message." He turned his back to her, once more disappearing into the shadows.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama."

-----

"Awww..! Come on, Itachi-sensei!"

"Resistance is futile, Naruto-kun."

"Hospital food sucks. I want.. RAMEN!"

"And I desire several million ryou. Since I do not have such a ridiculous amount of funds, you shall suffer for the time being by not being able to enjoy your favorite dish."

It was a calm and uncaring Uchiha Itachi that dragged a struggling and protesting Uzumaki Naruto throughout Konoha Hospital. Nurses reported that he was missing since that morning, ignoring the Hokage's orders of being quarantined to the hospital until further notice. Itachi, happening to be visiting since his first visit several days ago, took it upon himself to find his wayward student and drag his ass back, beaten and further injured than he already is, if he had to. Naruto was very easy to predict. Hungry? Find cheap food. What is cheap? Ramen. Where can you find such cheap ramen that is of good quality while having quantity? Ichiraiku. That would explain the bowl of soup held in Itachi's other hand. The same bowl Naruto barely touched before he was assaulted, beaten and dragged all over town by the scruff of his neck. The same bowl Itachi decided to feast upon to tease his wayward student.

"My raaaaa-meeeeeen...!"

"Mmm... miso..." drooled the elder Uchiha. With a swift kick he broke open the door to Naruto's room, startling the current occupant before he proceeded to roughly handle and deposit the blonde on his bunk. "There you go, Naruto-kun, you have returned to your room safe and sound?"

"You call this safe?" The Jinchuuriki pointed to the lump on his forehead. "And I'm tired of staying in here. I want to get out! I want to train! I want to annoy Tsunade-baachan! I want to find out how many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop! And most importantly, I want RAMEN, believe it!"

"Would you shut up, you idiot. I'm trying to read this book." The younger Uchiha frowned, adjusting himself so he would be more comfortable. "I want to leave, also, but that big boobed woman won't allow it."

Itachi's ears perked up. "What is this? Icha Icha Paradise? You know you're too young for that, Ototo."

"I'm not reading porn! It's a book Washimaru gave me while you were out hunting this blonde idiot." He glared at his older brother. "Don't put me in the same category as that perverted old man that you call friend."

"How disappointing," Itachi said with a shake of his head and the clucking of his tongue. "And here I thought my little Ototo was growing to be a fine young man like his Aniki. Learning about girls, the techniques; becoming more adult in more ways that one. I guess you're taking the curved and homosexual path in life."

"I'm not gay!"

"He doth protest to strongly, that he does. Do not deny your true sexual preferences, Ototo. Your brother loves you no matter how much you love taking it in the backside."

Naruto nodded sagely. "That is why he's Sas-Uke."

"DIE!"

It was the sounds of fighting, destruction and complete mayhem that waved hello and offered her a seat as she turned into the room. Sakura had to duck under the thrown chair, dodge the flying vase of flowers and perform several gymnastic moves to evade the various medical equipment ejected from the room.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!"

The chaos ceased. Sasuke's eyes completely focused upon her, one arm cocked back for a vicious punch, one foot stepping on Itachi's stomach and his other arm holding back a smiling blonde. Naruto was not really smiling as Itachi had a hold of his student's face and stretched it near painfully to ward him off. He had a fist close to being buried in Sasuke's stomach and a foot just mere millimeters away from Itachi's crotch. The older of the two, Itachi was buried under his two students, his mouth one second away from biting his brother's leg that was not buried in his stomach and his hand occupied by deforming the blonde's face. His eyes focused on the new arrival, their look of indifference telling all that she needed to know. The three disengaged from one another, completely ignoring Sakura as they returned to their original positions.

The room was still trashed.

"Sakura."

"Itachi-sensei."

Silence.

"Sakura."

"Sasuke."

"SAKURA-CHAN!"

WHAM!

Itachi raised an eyebrow.

"I'm so sorry, Naruto!" Sakura quickly engulfed the blonde, checking his head for further injury. She dotted on him like a hen that found it's missing child, only mother and son happened to be the same age. It looked more like a friend helping another friend after a minor accident between the two. "Geez, I came here to see you guys and all I do is make a mess of things. Just like I always do. I guess I better be going."

"Sakura-chan, I'm fine and you don't have to go."

She shook here head. "No..." She glanced at Itachi and Sasuke. "I know when I'm not wanted. I better get going.."

"Sakura. Stay here." Eyes focused on Sasuke. "You can stay."

Itachi nodded to his younger sibling, slipping out of the room unnoticed while replacing the door he had broken back into it's place. It was only after a moment that Sakura realized her Sensei's departure, a sad feeling engulfing her once more as she took a seat on the only remaining chair between the two hospital bunks. She could not meet neither eyes of the two boys.

"... i'm sorry..."

He could barely hear her. "What was that, Sakura-chan?"

"I said that I'm sorry," she said out loud, a few tears trickling down her cheeks. She had rehearsed her words over and over, trying to build the courage she once had before her complete breakdown and failure. Yet, even as the words filtered throughout her mind, she could not will herself or find that courage to speak properly. To show that she was once again the kunoichi that was fearless as them. "It's all my fault that you're in here. If I wasn't such a coward, if I wasn't so depended upon a simple item to do my job, if I wasn't so weak and a failure, you wouldn't have been in those situations that I put you through."

"I'm a complete failure as a ninja--"

CRACK!

Naruto's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "SASUKE!"

Sakura picked herself up off the floor, her eyes widened in shock and fear, blood beginning to trickle from her lips and the throbbing pain of the welt and future bruise beginning to form on her jaw. She stared at Sasuke and his out stretched fist. His pitch black eyes locked onto her own green, the fiery cauldron of Hell itself thrashing wildly in a raging inferno within them. His cold voice, as cold as the frigid north, was like the sharpest kunai stabbing deep within her heart.

"Never again," he said, bringing his fast back while he pushed himself off his bunk to kneel down until his nose was just millimeters from her own. His eyes bore down into her, as if looking right into her soul. "Never again do I want to hear you speak of such blasphemy, nor do I wish to hear you speak down upon yourself. You are not weak. You are not a failure. And most importantly, you are not a coward."

"But I--" She reek as his fist once again found it's mark on her cheek, knocking her completely to the floor. Tears freely ran from her eyes once more. "...sasuke..."

"Damn it, Sasuke!"

"SHUT UP!" With strength that only complete rage could produce, Sasuke shoved at the blonde sending him toppling over backward to the other side of hid bunk. He reached out, grasping the pink-haired kunoichi by her red dress and hauled her up into his wild, Sharingan eyes her locked onto her own. "But nothing! You hear me?! You're not weak, a failure, or a coward! Someone weak could never do the things you have done! A failure would never of became such a good kunoichi as you have!"

"A COWARD WOULD NEVER OF STAYED TO SAVE NARUTO'S AND MY LIFE!!"

The rage left the Uchiha, his knees becoming like jello, unable to hold himself or the beaten kunoichi. They both collapsed upon one other, their knee hitting the floor and their bodies leaning upon on other for support. Sasuke's panted as the fatigue hit him hard, his breathing labored and his body shivering as if it was freezing. Her body also felt fatigued, her entire face throbbing from the vicious rage-fueled strikes, her breathing labored and short. Her body shook, not as it would in pain, but as one would while crying. She was once engulfed in sadness, fear, loneliness and self-loathing. That was replaced by relief, happiness and a type of sadness only found between friends and family. The tears would not stop, the emotions would not relinquish her from it's hold. She had apologize; they had not only accepted but taught her - the most violent of ways - the error of her thinking and that she meant more to them than she realized.

Her arms weakly circled Sasuke's form as she gave in to her emotions once again. He returned the gesture.

"Sakura-chan." One pair of green eyes looked up at the blonde sitting on the bunk, smiling. "You mean a lot of us. Yeah, we were mad at you because of everything that happened, but our dumbasses didn't realize that you're the one that kept us alive long enough for the medic's to get to us. It's like that time during the Chuunin exams when I was knocked out and Sasuke was injured by Orochimaru. You protected us and kept us alive for as long as you could until help arrived. You saved both of our lives twice and at the same time. You're a strong ninja, a brave kunoichi and even if we fight and argue with each other all the time..." He smiled that bright smile, his hand showing her a thumbs up.

"You're our most precious friend and nothing in the world can replace you, believe it."

She smiled behind her falling tears. "Naruto..."

Sasuke coughed. "Naruto... stop talking like that... you're weirding me out." Sakura let out a light giggle. "...idiot."

"Fine!" He jumped on the bed, his arms spread out in preparation. "GROUP HUG!"

The other two freaked. "NO YOU IDIOT DON'T---!"

Naruto leaped.

-----

It was several hours later when Sakura finally departed from her two teammates. She carefully closed the broken door, turning and leaning herself up against the adjacent wall as a tired sigh escaped along side her breath. Tiny droplets of tears slowly crawled down her cheeks as the emotion of those past few moments hit her like a ton of bricks. She smiled as she wiped away the tears.

Sasuke, Naruto. How did I ever come across friends like you two?

As she turned, her shimmering eyes skimmed across the form of a black cloak with red clouds. It was a uniform that brought dark feelings toward the fore-front of her mind, yet she calmed herself know that the man wearing such an evil uniform was not only one of the strongest Shinobi of the Leaf, the man was her first true sensei. She would never fully understand the madness that is the mind of an Uchiha, nor would she ever figure out his reasoning for all that which is does to portray himself as nothing more than an obstacle and road bump in life. But she will always respect him, cherish the memories she saved within her consciousness and think of him more like an irresponsible big brother than a sensei.

Her connection with Team Seven was that deep.

"Sakura."

"Itachi-sensei."

Itachi's seemingly lazy eyes focused upon her. "Is there something you wish to discuss with me, Sakura?" She nodded.

"I will be training under Tsunade-sama from now on. I do not believe that ANBU is my calling, Sensei, so I have personally requested to become Tsunade-sama's apprentice in the art of medical ninjutsu." Itachi just stared at her, as if her words were of no importance. "After recent events, I've found that my skills as a kunoichi of the Leaf was not made for direct combat and that I am better suited as a support unit treating the sick and injured on the battle field." Especially for those two...

"A combat medic."

"Hai, sensei. So, I will be leaving the team effective immediately to pursue my apprenticeship. I have already informed Sasuke and Naruto of the decision."

He raised an eyebrow. "Not Sasuke-kun?"

"Honorifics are of no importance between teammates, Sensei."

Itachi closed his eyes. "Very well then. I wish you luck."

She looked at him for a brief second before making her way past him and down the hallway. It was just as easy as she believed, that he would allow her to simply leave the team without protest and question her actions as he has done throughout her short career under his wing. Yet, as her sandaled feet stopped just a few feet from his position, she could not help but respond to the tug of her heart and the call of her conscience. "Sensei?"

"Hmmm?"

"It's my fault your brother is in the position that he is now. I failed to uphold to your standards and I abandoned my teammates mid-combat," she said with a soft, cracking voice filled with emotion. "You said a person that breaks the rules is trash, but someone who abandoned their friends is worse than trash. I'm sorry to have to burden you with my foul-ups and failures."

Again he shook his head. "Tsk, tsk. When will you ever learn, Sakura?" He reached over and flicked her on the forehead, stunning the girl somewhat. "My foolish brother and Yondaime's legacy are both alive thanks to your efforts despite what wrongs you have committed. I do not praise weakness, your ability to learn or your handling of that situation. I am disappointed, however, you showed that you can work together with your teammates and that you cared for them more than anything else. For that I am proud so say to anyone that you are my student."

"Sensei.."

"Our Hokage is one of the greatest medical ninja and the main reason why she deserves the title of a Legendary Sannin. Learn everything you can from her, respect her as you have I and never betray her trust. Became a great medical ninja for Sasuke and Naruto, but remember that they are not fragile, they are ninja just as you are." He stared her right in the eyes. "Never forget your goals and always remember the reason as to why you have taken this path. Remember and become stronger. For our village, for your Hokage, for them - and more importantly for yourself."

Why did everyone wish to make her cry? Why do their emotions become out of control and the flood works take over? Questions Sakura would leave for another day and time. She blinked away the tears, finding herself looking down at the headband lying in the palms of her hands. She studied it's once mirror polished to perfection surface, now faded to a blurry non-reflected surface after almost a year of use and abuse. The hundreds of nicks and scratches were only visible to someone looking closely, surrounding the engraved Leaf symbol as if kept protected on purpose. The memories from missions and training all flooded back to her, reminding her of all the good and bad, the success and failures, the praise, criticism and ridicule she faced throughout her short ninja career under Uchiha Itachi.

"Sensei."

"Hmm?"

She held out her headband, her symbol as a kunoichi of the Leaf. "I will study and learn as Tsunade-sama's apprentice and become a medical ninja. Until then I shall renounce my position as a Kunoichi of the Hidden Leaf. Until I complete my training or until Tsunade-sama acknowledges that I am ready, I ask that you hold this until I return to Team Seven."

Itachi simply stared, as if evaluating her. "You are serious." It was a fact.

Sakura eyes hardened, attempting to imitate the same material her forehead protector was made out of. "Dead serious."

"Very well, Haruno Sakura." Her item disappeared into the darkness inside his stolen cloak. "We shall wait for your return no matter how long it shall be."

"Thank you, Uchiha Itachi-san."

-----

End of Chapter 42

-----

Author's Notes:

I was dying at the end of the chapter. I couldn't figure out how I wanted to take this. Eventually, the whole team will be separated and it would progress into the three year time skip. I know how I want to do it, but the finer details are a big vague. What I'm going to do is work on my Monster of Deimon story as the NFL will be starting season soon and Eyeshield 21 subs are coming out again.

This is the first chapter of what could be call the Break Up Arc of the story, where each teammate finds themselves with decision to be made and take their own path in life. I could easily assume that this is a common occurrence between teammates in Konoha, with only a select few being an exception like Team Gai in the Shippuuden Arc. As usual, any question or comments, leave a review.