Chapter-46

News spreads fast. Kakashi found out about how Orochimaru and two members of Akatsuki had been killed in Suna. It must be them. Only they are capable of this. He thought with a smile. Sakura… you better stay alive.

Sasuke also heard the news. It was encouraging that someone had stepped up to take action towards them. He kept walking till he reached the Hokage's office. His teammates were already there. He stood beside them and stared at the Hokage with a stoic expression. Tsunade cleared her throat and stared at Team 7 (minus Sakura) and spoke

"We have received a word that there is a secret cave where Akatsuki gather. Your mission is to investigate the area and report it to me. If they are inside, do not battle. Run. Got it?"

"yes" they said in unison.

"good. You guys should leave in half an hour. Dismissed."

They all walked out and went home to pack. They met at the gates after half an hour.

"All right. It will take us 3 days to get to Suna so let's not waste time and move quickly." Said Kakashi

Sasuke and Naruto nodded and they took off.

Sakura was at the book store, working. Itachi had left 2 days before to join a meeting held by Akatsuki. They probably want to discuss Diedara and Sasori's death. She sat in the bench outside the book store. It was her break. That's when she saw them. Kakashi, Naruto and Sasuke had come to Suna! She watched them with her held down so as to not look suspicious. She noticed they had grown taller. Their bodied also seemed strong. They passed by the book store without even glancing at her. She released a breath she was holding and went inside the store. Little did she know, Kakashi had noticed her. So she's here, huh. Great selection for hiding. Glad to see you're okay, Sakura.

They arrived and Gaara summoned them in.

"Hello. Thank you for travelling this far."

"it's nothing. What are friends for?" said Naruto cheerily

"Haha. Yes of course. We received information from someone anonymous and they revealed the location of the nearest Akatsuki hide out. We need you to inspect it."

"All right. When do we leave tomorrow morning. You can rest here for the night."

" Thanks, Gaara!"

"He is the Kazekage dobe."

"For me, he's my friend Gaara."

Gaara chuckled a little while Kakashi excused himself and Naruto and Sasuke.

They reached their room and put their bags down.

"Man, Suna is so boring! There's no fun here."

Sasuke ignored him. Suddenly, Kakashi said he was going out for a bit. Naruto and Sasuke just shrugged and said nothing.

Kakashi walked to the book store and saw Sakura arranging the books.

"It's been a while, Sakura."

"My name is Akari and yes, it has been a while sensei." She said without facing him

"Did you give the anonymous information of Akatsuki's nearest hideout?"

"Yes."

"I also think you're the one who killed those two Akatsuki members and Orochimaru. Am I right?"

"Yes."

"I'm glad you're safe, Sakura. And in case if you're wondering, those idiots are fine. They bicker a lot. No wonder you hit them all the time. But they believe you are alive."

"That's good to hear."

"Well that's all I can tell you. Good bye. Take care Sakura."

She turned to face him with tears in her eyes. "Take care sensei." She said with a sad smile.

Kakashi's eyes softened and he nodded and left.

As he walked, Kakashi felt like it has been pierced after seeing Sakura's broken smile. I'm so sorry, Sakura.

Kakashi returned to the room and found that Naruto and Sasuke were laying down the sleeping bags.

"Hey sensei, where did you go?"

"No big deal. Just went to meet someone I know."

"oh okay"

"Lets sleep early so that we can leave at dawn."

And they fell asleep after a while. They woke up next morning early, packed their stuff and started leaving.

They followed the map and found that the place had been destroyed.

"Well so much for that. Let's start digging in the rubble."

They started ramming through the rubble but found nothing. Kakashi activated his sharingan as stared at a wall. He could see chakra prints on the wall.

"I think this place was intentionally destroyed and not too long ago. I can still see the chakra prints."

"Well I guess that completes the mission." Said Sasuke.

" Come on. Let's report to Kazekage."

They nodded and went off.

They told Gaara about the cave. And he sighed

"Looks like it really was a hideout. There were seals in four places as well." Said Kakashi

"I see. Thank you for your help." Said Gaara

"It was our pleasure. Come on Naruto, Sasuke."

"Bye Gaara!" Naruto said with a grin

Gaara waved at them with a small smile.

They were just outside the village when Kakashi looked one last look at the village and turned around to walk away.

Sakura reached home and found Itachi already there.

"Hey Sakura. What happened?

"Kakashi sensei, Naruto and Sasuke came today for investigating the location of the hideout I gave to the Kazekage anonymously. Kakashi sensei recognized me and he talked a bit and then left."

Itachi's eyes softened at her sorrow full face. But he said nothing. Because he knew she didn't want to hear anything right now. so he just sat with her in comfortable silence.

After some time, Itachi spoke

"The Akatsuki are targeting two tailed beast. The jinchuriki is from the cloud village so we will have to travel for a while. Hidan and Kakuzu have been given this duty."

Sakura nodded. "When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow. Sleep well." And then he left.

Sakura couldn't sleep a wink that night.

In the morning she met Itachi in the forest and they started travelling towards the cloud village. After a while they started walking on the ground instead of jumping on trees. They forgot that the path to Konoha and the path to cloud village diverges. As they were walking, they found Team 7 taking a rest. Sakura's eyes widened when they saw her.

"Sakura-chan…?"

She shrunk behind Itachi.

Sasuke felt like he was going to faint. She's here. She's here! She's alive! He quickly scrambled to his feet and started going towards her but Itachi came and stood in between.

"Sakura! you're okay right?"

"She wont speak to you."

"Why not? Sakura-chan come on, come back with us! Please!"

She hid her emotions and stared at him blankly.

"Sakura..?"

"I told you little brother. She wont speak because she only listens to me."

"What? What did you do to her?!" asked lividly

"I just casted a jutsu that makes her obey my orders." He lied easily

Sasuke stared at Itachi in shock and then at Sakura who had a blank face.

"We will be leaving now. we don't have the luxury for this meeting. Let's go, Sakura." and they both started walking.

"Itachi! I'm definitely gonna kill you! Sakura! I'm gonna come for you alright?! I'll definitely come!" shouted Sasuke and then he just watched them walking farther and farther till they disappeared.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! She was so close yet she's so far away!" said Naruto while punching a tree.

Sasuke just staring where Sakura disappeared with grief written all over his face.

Kakashi looked at them with sorrow. There's nothing I can do. They will need time to recover. So he stood silently.

The rest of the way, not a word was spoken by Team 7. Meanwhile Sakura was shaking with tears falling down as she walked with Itachi.