Chapter 20: In Danger

For the first time in weeks, Sakura woke up alone. Even though Sasuke didn't allow her to get too close, even when he was asleep, she still felt a difference when she woke up and her assumption was confirmed when she opened her eyes. Sasuke's side of the bed was empty. She had a bad feeling, but she didn't know where it came from yet. She got up and got dressed quickly, realizing that Sasuke wasn't in the bathroom either.

Worried, she searched for him in the entire apartment, but he wasn't there. In a futile attempt to calm down, she tried to tell herself that he was probably training or visiting Tsunade to ask for an assignment or something of that nature. He would come back. Unsettled, she made breakfast and when she was about to sit down to eat, there was a knock on her door. It couldn't be Sasuke, he never knocked. "The door is open!", she yelled.

The unexpected visitor was Naruto. "Good morning, Sakura-chan," he said and tried to sound cheerful, but she could easily tell that something was bothering him.

"What are you doing here so early?" she asked and stood up.

"Sakura… I met Sasuke last night and he asked me to tell you something…" He hesitated, but she already knew what he was going to say.

"He's gone, isn't he?" she asked sadly.

Even though she knew better, she was still hoping that she was wrong. Naruto nodded, "He said he wanted to train. He left the village and he wouldn't tell me when he was going to come back."

"It's because of me," she stated; it wasn't a question. She knew she was the reason.

"I guess so," the blonde said. "He sounded worried… about you. He said it was better for you if he left the village. He told me to take care of you."

Sakura's throat tightened and she fought to hold back the tears. "How could he do this to me? I thought he had changed. That cold bastard." She wiped her face with the back of her hand and tried not to cry. "What does Tsunade think about this?"

"He asked me to tell her. I was just about to go and see her," Naruto replied.

"Then I'll come with you," she muttered. "Let's go. Now."

Tsunade was definitely not thrilled when she heard the news. "He did WHAT!" she yelled angrily. "That idiot is nothing but trouble!" She inhaled deeply and sunk into her chair. "Why did he do it NOW, of all times to up and leave…"

Sakura asked, "What do you mean? Is there something I don't know about?"

"There was a reason why I… well… asked him to stay at home for a while. We have news from the Sound. Orochimaru is recruiting an unusually high number of shinobi. I have a feeling that he is planning something and we're not going to like it. That's why I wanted to keep Sasuke out of sight for a while and to make sure he is safe within the Hidden Leaf Village. At least until the Anbu find out what Orochimaru is up to."

"Do you think he's after Sasuke?"

"Honestly, I don't know, but it's a possibility. It's been a long time since he's taken over a new body. Maybe he needs another or maybe he's just seeking power in Sasuke. It might be something completely different, but I guess he wasn't too pleased when Sasuke lost his determination to become stronger after Itachi's death. Orochimaru risked a lot to get Sasuke and I doubt that he just gave up on him. I feared for a while that he might show up. If he is really after Sasuke, he will bring him back to the Sound against his will, since Sasuke doesn't need Orochimaru's power any more."

Sakura grew pale. "That means if Sasuke is out on his own and wanders near Orochimaru, then it could be the perfect opportunity for Orochimaru to kidnap him."

"Exactly" the Hokage confirmed. "It's less dangerous if Jiraiya is training him, but Sasuke has to find him first." She shook her head with a sigh, lost in thought for a moment. "No. Even though I'm not sure about it, I can't risk losing Sasuke to Orochimaru. I'll send out a team to look for him and bring him back – even against his will." She looked at Naruto. "This is an A rank mission, because at worst, you might have to face Orochimaru."

Naruto nodded determinedly. "No problem. I will organize a search team, and we'll leave as soon as possible."

"I want to go with you," Sakura said and met surprised glances from the others. "I'm serious about this. I know, I'm still a Chuunin, but Sasuke is my husband. I almost lost him once and I want to be there when you bring him back home."

"Sakura…" Tsunade said slowly, "You're underestimating the danger. If you really…"

"I don't care" Sakura interrupted her. "If I can't be a member of the team, I'll go to Amegakure and look for him myself."

The Hokage sighed. "You're as stubborn as Sasuke… Very well, Sakura. Join the team, but try to stay out of trouble. Maybe you're not aware of it, but at the moment you're the one who keeps Sasuke from accepting Orochimaru's offer." It felt like a compliment and Sakura nodded, contemplating the Hokage's words. She wasn't sure how true the Hokage's theory was, if she was really the reason why Sasuke had stayed it the Hidden Leaf Village until now, but it was a pleasant thought.

Naruto seemed to be less concerned about the idea of having her in the team. "Alright, Sakura. We'll meet at the village entrance at about noon. I'll go and recruit others to join the mission." He waved Tsunade a quick good-bye and then he left the room.

"Is there anything else, Sakura?" Tsunade asked. "You seem depressed…"

"I'm not sure if it's important or not, but…" Sakura hesitated, fidgeting with her sleeve. "After Sasuke returned to Konoha… when you sealed the curse… I think he's sick. He has been having a fever every once in a while, even though it gets better quickly. I don't know how often he's had it, because he never told me, but I still noticed it sometimes. What's wrong with him, Tsunade-sama?"

"Oh, that. I figured it might happen. Sealing the curse can have some side effects. It is Orochimaru's jutsu and Sasuke's body needs time to fight it." Tsunade smiled. "He will have this kind of fever for some time, but it should be nothing to worry about. He is strong and – if he doesn't meet Orochimaru and the curse remains inactivated; he will be fine. The fever is just a sign that the seal is working."

"Thank you so much… I'm glad to hear that."

"You better go now and prepare yourself for the mission."

It didn't take long until Naruto had found enough members for a team. Aside from Naruto and Sakura, the team consisted of Neji, Shino, and Shikamaru. Neji would especially be helpful to find and catch Sasuke, other than Naruto he was probably the only one who might be a match for Sasuke, if they really had to bring him back with force.

Sakura was sure that this was going to be an eventful mission.

…tbc…