Itonami: Late as usual! T-T Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not know any part of Naruto.

Chapter 11

Rumors spread like wild fire around Konoha in the morning about the newly arrived missing nin that the ANBU had captured. The name of the missing nin stirred the hearts of many young women, deep romantics whodreamed about falling in love with a dangerous criminal. Ino had only grimaced angrily as Sakura did not answer her door. Was something wrong?

Sakura was actually in a deep slumber, exhausted and tired from what she had to deal with the past few days. Getting captured by Itachi, entering his mind and seeing the horrible image of Sasuke, then meeting Sasuke and almost killing each other, their moments spent in the village, next Itachi's death, then finally, the near execution of Sasuke. Yes, she was just trying to sleep away all of her worries and fear in one day. Sakura did not even awake when the phone rang shrilly in her room. She had left everything to simply rest her body and mind.

Flashback-

Ino looked at her with her angry, cerulean eyes. "When will you let him go? We don't know if he's even alive! Don't be foolish and keep tormenting yourself! I hate seeing you sulk all the time! He's not coming back, Sakura! He left us! Twice at that! He doesn't give a shit about Konoha or you!"

Her rampage was cut short by a harsh slap. Her sea foam green orbs flashed with tears. "How dare you, Ino." Her voice was trembling with anger. "You dare judge me? If Shikamaru left without a word, what would you do? Just move on like he was nothing? Maybe you're heartless to be like that, but I'm not. I will not be heartless like you—"

This time Ino broke in an outrage. "Heartless! You call me heartless! I cared about him as much as you did! I'm hurting as much as you are! He was my friend! I almost loved him, damn it! But face it, he didn't give a rat's ass about what we thought about him! He put his stupid revenge first, before his friends. Sakura, you can't change what happened! It just did! It's not your fault! It's been too long! You can't keep going on like this!"

The pink haired chuunin looked away and grasped the sheets of her hospital bed. Her head pounded. "Let me think, Ino."

She sighed exasperatedly. "Sakura—"

"Please! Just…go." She said, squeezing her eyes shut and a lone tear slid down her face. Ino hesitated and left abruptly, leaving her alone in her hospital room. Upon opening her eyes, Sakura saw a kunai amongst her things on the floor. Reaching for it, she picked it up and stared at its glinting blade.

"Sakura-san?" A timid voice called out to her. She looked up while instantly dropping the weapon on the ground, making a piercing clanging sound. Lee flinched. He rushed to her and held her hand. He ignored her slight recoiling reaction when he made contact.

"What were you thinking? Don't tell me you were about to hurt yourself!" He exclaimed.

Very suddenly, she burst into tears and rested her forehead on his strong shoulder, weeping and sobbing her heart out. He put his arms around her, as if he could protect her and shield her from all the dangers of the world. If he could, he would die to do so.

Another Flashback-

Sakura lay on her side, drifting off to sleep after a long talk with Sasuke. He was next to her, his bare skin exposed to her warmth. She could hardly believe that the man next to her was Uchiha Sasuke. Maybe it was an imposter. Yes, maybe that was it. Or she was going delusional. Perhaps it was both. No, that wouldn't make sense, would it? It was either one or the other. It couldn't be both…

Her mental arguments were put to the stop when Sasuke brushed his hand against her cheek. Automatically, she shied away from it, just in case he was an imposter. She didn't want a fake Sasuke touching her so tenderly. But he soon grasped her hand underneath the blanket, and held on to it. His hand almost engulfed hers. They were severely calloused, but they had some certain, calming warmth to them that she couldn't shake. She loved it.

She was afraid to open her eyes, because her mind had played nasty tricks on her before, causing her to lay awake into the night. But the man beside her felt very real, almost too real and it occurred to her that it was inappropriate to be in a bed with a man that she had just met, but today could be an exception. Reality didn't exist in dreams, nor did its rules.

He shifted from his former position, startling her awake. He didn't let go of her hand. Sakura thought she could stay with him forever. She silently prayed for such an eternal moment. "Sasuke? What time is it?" she asked, sleepily, rubbing her eyes.

His voice was so sweet, so melodic to her ears. "It's only three in the morning. Go back to sleep." And she followed his instructions, lying back on her pillow to sleep. Suddenly, she was aware of his scent, a clean, soapy smell that was pleasant to the nose, and it was mixed in with a bit of the rugged outdoors. He could smell like a green forest right after a spring shower. Sakura breathed in much of it as she possible could, before her head started dizzying.

"I'm going out to train, Sakura. I'll be back." His voice whispered gently in her ear. His warm breath tickled.

-End Flashback-

Sasuke lay by himself in a dark cell with two ANBU guards at the door. His chakra freely flowed through his body, leaving him refreshed. The cell bunk was quite uncomfortable, but he wasn't one to complain. It felt like a rock supporting his back. He was wide awake for he didn't dare sleep. The final moments of Itachi would haunt his dreams and Sasuke knew the mental strain in his mind would snap. To distract himself, he threw a pebble that he found on the ground in the air. Up...down...up...down...

Some part of the Uchiha wanted to know what was going on outside his little world. Did the Hokage announce that he had returned? What would they think of him now? What was Sakura doing just now? Sleeping, perhaps? Yes, she would be resting now. That was good. He was sure the kunoichi wasn't as restless as he was.

His fist clenched when his thoughts went to Orochimaru. He had tried to use him, only as his container and nothing more. The power promised only came from his own training. The curse seal was nothing more than the Sannin's way of control. When Sasuke found out that he was not going to achieve any more power than he had then, he had stormed out, trashing the entire lair out of anger. He felt helplessly betrayed, but he had known that his own power outmatched Orochimaru's.

"Is he awake?" A feminine voice asked one of the guards outside.

"We don't know. He's been quiet."

Sasuke sighed and rolled off the bed smoothly and landed on his feet. Upon straightening, he greeted his visitor. He gave her a half bow. "Hokage-sama…"

The Godaime looked at him sternly. "We have alerted the villages of your return. It won't be long before Orochimaru finds out."

He sensed there was something more to it than that. He looked at her expectantly. She continued. "Just to make sure you won't break open the cell and run away, I've decided that I will do a special type of containment jutsu. Go back to what you were doing and don't mind me."

She asked the ANBU guards to step out of the way and entered his cell started to proceed inking the walls with her writing brush. Sitting in the middle of his cell, she started to make a constant stream of seals and let out a steady amount of chakra. Sasuke, having nothing else to do, watched her. His eyes flickered when he noticed that her breathing was more labored than usual.

Then it dawned on him. "You're getting old."

Tsunade did not bother to answer and completed her containment jutsu. Her light, beige eyes glared at him, but he only stared at her frankly. "Your chakra is weaker than what I remember it being. You seem to have less stamina."

Her mouth twisted into a scornful smirk. "I guess you can say I'm past my prime."

"That's obvious."

Shescowled at him. "I will notify you when Orochimaru is spotted." With that, she left and Sasuke was left again in his cold cell. Lying back down, he couldn't feel a little helpless in his little cage. The ANBU outside his door took up their positions again. He felt a little irritated at himself for not breaking out, but something strong kept him from running away again. A new life awaited him…

Tenten entered the Hyuuga compound and found her way to Neji's training spot, stopping shortly to greet some of the family members. Neji was no where to be found. He was probably tired. Figuring out to try his room, she slid open the door carefully and quietly, and she saw Neji sleeping on white futons with a familiar dusty brown kitten from before curled up next to a muscular arm. His hand covered his eyes, as if it wasa shieldagainst the bright, latemorning sunlight streaming in. Other than the arm, the rest of body faced forward, relaxed and unmoving, besides the measured rise and fall of his chest…that was not completely covered by his blanket.

Quickly lowering her gaze to the dark wooden floor in an embarrassment she never knew, she backed out to close the door, but she refused to blush. Tenten never blushed. Nothing would make her blush…not even Hyuuga Neji.

"You weren't going to come in?" A profound, baritone voice asked. There was a little hint of disappointment laced in it.

Tenten almost jumped ten feet in the air. Facing away from him, she tried to smile weakly. "Oh, Neji, you're awake. I-I just wanted to s-see if you were…um…awake…yeah…" She mumbled. Heat found its way to her cheeks, tinting them a slight red. Damn, she blushed.

Neji sat up, careful not to wake Chopsticks. He reached for a loose white shirt and tossed it on lazily. He stopped all movement. Carefully turning his head first to his left then to the right, his gaze stopped on the cat. He tugged out a black ribbon from the kitten's clutches. The Hyuuga tied his hair in his usual low ponytail and got to his feet.

In a flash, he suddenly had his arms around her waist from behind and he leaned down to whisper into her ear. "Did you miss me that much? It's quite early."

She shuddered pleasantly at his touch. "No, it's not early, and no, I did not miss you." She grunted."Are you feeling up to a spar?"

He raised his eyebrow though she couldn't see it. "A spar? You want to spar? That's new, Tenten."

She scowled. "I just feel like it, Neji. If you don't feel up to it, I can go ask Lee. He's been up since four in the morning. And you—" –she spun around in his arms to face his chest—"have been sleeping until now, and the time is almost noon. I thought you'd be up, but you were just having fun sleeping with your cat."

An amused chuckle met her ears. He gazed at her with his pallid eyes. "Jealous, Tenten?"

Tenten looked surprised and looked at him then at Chopsticks. "Jealous of what," She pointed to the sleeping animal, "the cat?"

The corners of Neji's mouth slipped into a smug smile. "The cat is merely temporarily occupying the place beside me, until I decide that a woman is going to replace him." His smile was faint, but Tenten could tell he was serious.

"Gee, how romantic, Neji. You're going to attract all the women to take the place of your cat." She said sarcastically.

He chuckled again and his eyes betrayed a look of desire. He leaned closer to her ear. "Actually, I was hoping to attract you." He reached inside the pocket of her pants and slipped something cool on her fourth finger. The ring was a beautiful white gold and it had two, tiny diamonds embedded in its glinting band.

Chocolate eyes shot wide open at the sight. He continued. "I've already asked Hiashi-sama. I asked him when he was going to the woods to meditate. He has said that I have chosen well." The Hyuuga tightened his hold around her slender waist. "Would you consider me? I want only you to take the place beside me."

She was speechless. Neji's eyes narrowed slightly. Upon opening her mouth, she whispered, "It would be my greatest honor."

Right then, Hyuuga Neji could have proclaimed to the world that he was truly the happiest man alive, but he only smiled, a smile that was reserved for Tenten, and Tenten only.

He felt like he had enough energy to survive Naruto's Rasengan a thousand times over, but he only embraced the woman in front of him, his comrade, his friend, his closest companion, trusted teammate, and now his future wife.

He felt like he was floating and that he could touch the sky, but instead, he raised her hand and kissed it, softly yet gracefully, in an innocent gesture that made her eyes shimmer with tears.

He could have wiped the tears away that trailed down her flawless cheeks, but he watched them being shed in happiness that he, and only he, had given her.

A purr eased them back into reality and they both looked down. Neji, rather annoyed that the brown cat had interrupted their moment, nudged him away with his foot. Tiny sharp teeth sank into his toe and a hiss escaped the angry kitten. Tenten reached down and cuddled it into her arms where it happily stayed. Chopstick's stormy gray eyes blinked up at her and mewed.

"What was his name? Sakura called him something."

The Hyuuga pondered on it. "Aa…I believe it was Chopsticks."

The weapon specialist wiped her face dry. "So, you're Chopsticks. I'm afraid you aren't going to be sleeping with Neji in a short while." The cat stopped his purring. She winked at it. "But don't worry, you'll be sleeping with me. Now let's get you fed."

Neji smirked as he turned back to his room and proceeded to take off the shirt. Tenten gasped. "Neji, what are you doing?"

He looked over his shoulder at her casually. "I'm changing my clothes. I'd rather not spar in my sleeping clothes. You can stay…if you'd like."

His fiancé boldly sat on his futon while playing with Chopsticks as he changed. His attire was his black jounin pants and a tan collarless shirt, without the jounin vest. He only wore it on minor mission such as a class B or A. The ANBU required a completely different outfit.

Letting the kitten trot along side her ankles, Tenten followed Neji out to the Hyuuga private training area. It was one of two places where they would train. Tenten flicked out a kunai aimed at her fiancé's head, and he easily caught it and began twirling it around his finger.

"Just because we're getting married doesn't mean that I'll go easy on you, Neji."

He smirked. "I didn't expect you to."

Meanwhile, Hinata was on her knees while she waited nervously for the results of Naruto's talk with her father. They were conversing in low, conservative voices and she couldn't bring herself to eavesdrop on them. Her hands played with each other busily. She couldn't stop. It irritated her. An uncharacteristic frown creased her round, porcelain face.

"I wish you the best of luck to you, Naruto-san." Her father's voice could be heard through the thin rice paper walls.

"Thank you, Hyuuga-san." Naruto exited the room and found his way to Hinata.

She got up quickly to her feet and her expression on her face clearly asked, 'what happened?' Naruto's smile eased onto his face and nodded vigorously. "Not yet, Hinata. I'm not worthy, yet. Don't worry, I'll prove myself."

Hinata didn't dare doubt even for a moment and her confidence soared higher when Naruto declared, "It's a promise of a lifetime!"

Sakura woke with a start. Her green eyes snapped open and her body was rigidly pressed against the bed, her blanket kicked off and splayed on the floor. Scrambling out of bed, she grabbed kunai and held it in a defensive position.

"Sakura, it's just me!" Ino said, opening door.

The medic nin relaxed and tiredly sat on the edge of her mattress. "Ino, you scared me."

"You have excellent reflexes, by the way." Ino commented wryly. "It's two in the afternoon, sleepy-head. I had to break open your lock to get in. I thought something happened to you."

Sighing, Sakura looked at Ino. "You've heard about Sasuke, haven't you?"

The blonde haired chuunin snorted. "Of course, why do you think I had to barge in here like this to have my throat cut open by an ANBU medic?"

"I don't know what happened, Ino, and you know I'm at a strict liability to not discuss what happened on the mission."

The blonde nodded. "What did he say? Are you ok? What will happen to him?" Her questions spilled from her mouth before she could stop it.

Sakura looked solemn. "Sasuke is going to fight Orochimaru. He said that he was going to defeat Orochimaru in exchange for a life."

Ino looked shocked. "What are you going to do?"

The pink haired woman smiled weakly and looked pointedly into blue eyes. "I will be here for him…always."

"Is that what you promised him? Even when he's the most dangerous criminal that threatens Konoha's existence?" She asked quietly.

Sakura shook her head. "I won't argue with you today, Ino, and Iwant youto leave if you're going to criticize a man you hardly know."

"Do you know him?"

The question was left for Sakura to ponder. Ino had left. Sakura plopped back down on the bed and stared at the ceiling pointlessly. Letting out a big sigh, she wondered if she was too harsh on Ino. But she deserved it, her thoughts said angrily, because she was judging Sasuke like she knew everything about him. But then a softer voice told her that her friend may be a boisterous woman, but she was only looking out for Sakura's well being. Ino had been the one to sit beside her whenever she came back from missions and they had completely forgotten their silly competition, returning to being the best of friends.

They now were always meeting each other for lunch and dinner, having slumber parties at one of their houses, taking turns as hosts, and telling each other every one of their secrets. It was a year ago when Ino had told her of her new crush on Shikamaru. Sakura was their matchmaker, not that Ino had needed one since her boldness always got her ways accomplished. Even now, when it came to Sasuke, it always managed to break them apart; Ino still angry that Sasuke left Sakura and Konoha, and Sakura still depressed over Sasuke's betrayal.

The tired, pink haired woman sat and made up her weary mind to call Ino and apologize. Maybe she could take her out to dinner if she wasn't busy with Shikamaru…

Her thoughts slowly swam to Sasuke. She wanted to see him and see how he was, whether he was feeling ill or if his injuries had healed well. Sakura also wondered what the ex-missing nin had meant by wanting a life. It puzzled her, and it proved to be so when she got an enormous headache from thinking about it.

In the evening, she decided to take a long (a very long one, mind you) bath to feel a little bit more like woman, she turned on the water and waited for the tub to fill up. Sakura scooped up her kunai and placed it on the ledge of her bathtub, then removed her soiled, sweaty clothing. Sinking into the bath, she sighed contently as she reached for soap to wash her body.

"What do you want?" She asked calmly, while gracefully rubbing the bar of soap across her arm.

A dark figure hid into the shadows away from the light of her bathroom. It seemed to smirk. "You are an excellent kunoichi, Haruno Sakura," it chuckled quietly. "Of course, you are the apprentice of Tsunade. Your reputation spreads far, little kunoichi, even as far as my ears where I'm secluded. Ever since Sasuke-kun left, I've been very bored. Now, I've found him again…and his little flower."

Orochimaru stepped in through the doorway, revealing long, flowing ebony hair and amber eyes, like a snake's. His thin lips were curved into a sneering smile at her. His pale skin was a complete contrast to his hair.

Sakura reached for her towel and wrapped it around her body. Her eyes traveled past the sannin's shoulder. He turned around and reached for her robe. Tossing it to her, she put it on and tied the sash firmly around her waist. At lightning speed, she grabbed her kunai and jumped at Orochimaru.

He neatly step-sided and she flew out of her bathroom, out of her apartment, and the building, darting quickly to the Hokage Tower. It was an emergency.

Orochimaru had arrived. The village needed to be awakened! The war began.

Author's notes: I know I'm late and this time, I can't blame it on school, but on my laziness. I had a writer's block and didn't feel like dealing with it. So, I just stopped, until I read your reviews and decided that I needed to keep going.

Neji and Tenten are getting married. -.-;; I'm not sure if you all will like that, but...that's ok.

As for Naruto and Hinata, they are going to get married as soon as Naruto becomes Hokage. That is how he wants to prove himself to Hinata. He knows it's not necessary, but he feels like he needs to do it…I guess.

So, Sakura has gone back to her eternal devotion to Sasuke, but don't think it's going to be like that forever. Her love for the ex-missing nin will be put to the ultimate test! Please stay with me on this! This chapter was kind of an intermission. It's just a poor attempt by me to bridge the capture of Sasuke and Orochimaru's war together.

Even though it sucked like none other, please review to give me just a little word of encouragement! T-T Please! I beg you! I'm sorry for being late!