Authoress's note: I'm updating now. I heard Harry Potter is going to come out in July? Is it just New Zealand (a small country where I come from…) or what? You must be wondering why Itachi wants Sakura? Ha, ha, I will tell you soon. Thanks for all the reviews! Sorry for the short chapter last time. I have to admit, it was a bit crappy… I'm sorry if my fic is really slow. Anyway, this is chapter eight. Sit back, and relax. Now if you excuse me, I have a disclaimer to write.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto! Or any of the characters, but I do wish I can…
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Chapter eight
Sakura woke up in the next morning. She had taken Naruto's advice. She blinked; surprised that she didn't feel sick anymore. Naruto was right, for once… Sakura smiled broadly and quickly get changed. Today, she wore her usual black top, white skirt and her boots. She doesn't want to wear the red dress she wore earlier. It made her look dull.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto gasped when she got out. Sasuke's eyes shot open when Naruto said her name. He was lying on the grass. Onyx eyes studied her in suspicion. "You-"
"I'm fine." Sakura replied curtly, yawning a bit. She glanced at her watch on her thin wrist. 11:48 "I'll cook lunch."
"A-Are you sure?" Naruto asked. "I mean; do you want me to cook it?" Sasuke then sat up, "Naruto, let her cook it. I have to admit her cooking is better than yours." A smirk escaped from his thin lips as he saw his angry expression. Sakura couldn't help smiling. "Thanks." Her emerald eyes shimmered.
Naruto glared at Sasuke. "One more word out of you, I'll-"
"You'll what?" Sasuke asked coldly.
Sakura frowned slightly. Not again. She cleared her voice over the arguing. "After lunch we'll go straight to our mission – Uh, wait." A huge bird landed on her shoulder. There's a letter in the bird's beak. Sakura paused, and then took the paper. She stared at her Tsunade shishou's messy handwriting and she read it aloud.
Sakura-I'll be sending Rock Lee, Hyuuga Neji and Tenten with you for backup. I reckon it's not very safe for you three to work on the mission, since you were sick. They will be arriving by today afternoon, which will be in a few hours. Please wait for them. Take care.
-Shishou
Sakura's eyes widened. Naruto got up and read the letter again. His mouth hung open. "What is this about? Sending those three to help us! But we are skillful! How did she found out you were sick?" He looked at Sakura with great interest. Sasuke then groaned. Oh great, more people.
"I send a message to her of course." Sakura said.
"Why did you do that!" Naruto asked, a frown on his face.
"Because Naruto." Sakura said impatiently. "She has the right to know. If I don't recover, I'll be going home straight away!" She shot an angry look at Naruto, who gulped and didn't say anything.
Sasuke looked annoyed.
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Tenten sighed. "Another mission." She was at Hyuuga Manor, sitting with Hyuuga Neji. But she smiled. "This is going to be fun… with Sakura-san and all."
Silvery eyes widened. "Haruno?" Tenten nodded, "with Sasuke-san and Naruto-san."
Neji flinched. "You said he was cute."
Tenten looked at him, eyebrow raised, "who? You mean Sasuke-san?" She laughed while Neji scowled. She smacked him playfully on the arm. "Well he is." Neji scowled again. Tenten giggled. "Jealous?" She shifted closer to him. She felt him stiffen.
"No." He replied coldly. Tenten chuckled.
"He's not as cute as you." She said softly and laid her head on his shoulder. Neji put an arm around her, meaning that he understood. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, and then he moved his mouth towards her mouth. She kissed him back in passion.
Then the door slid open. Their eyes shot open and released each other. They saw Hinata standing beside the door, looking embarrassed and shocked. "Hello Hinata-san." Tenten said pleasantly. It took her a while to talk. "W-Well…" She said, still blushing, she realized that she stepped into the room in the wrong timing. "Lee-san is waiting for you outside."
"Lee is here?" Neji asked in amusement.
Hinata nodded her head. "Lee-san is waiting in the Living Room, Neji-niisan."
Indeed, Lee is sitting on the couch in the Living Room. "Hello Lee." Tenten greeted him. Lee got to his feet. "Ah! You're here! Let's go!" He punched his fist in the air, "another mission! I'm so excited." Neji shook his head.
"I'm glad I'll able to see Sakura-san, Sasuke-kun and Naruto-kun once again." Lee said. "It has been a while…" His voice trailed off. It's been four years. Tsunade and some other ninjas had killed Orochimaru a few years ago, and he returned to Konoha. Sakura was happy. But he still hasn't killed Itachi.
Neji flinched. "Naruto? Oh yes… I remember him…"
"Of course you do Neji." Tenten said. "He beat you in Chuunin Exam, once." Neji frowned.
"So anyway, what were you guys doing? You were late. Hinata-san had to get you." Lee said. "So what were you doing?"
"Nothing." Tenten and Neji said together. Lee's thick eyebrow raised, "right." He obviously didn't believe them. "Now where did Tsunade-sama said to meet them?"
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"They are late." Naruto commented. Sakura shifted uneasily. "Yeah, well, maybe they got lost." Naruto groaned in his hands. "Great, they've never been to this place before." Sakura opened her mouth to say something, but caught Sasuke's eye and she shut up. She was about to tell him that she did saw Neji and Tenten kissing in the woods. Unbelievable, Sakura thought silently and shook her head.
"I'm going to take a nap." Naruto decided, mumbling as he lay down. "Wake me when they're here."
Sakura sighed and said. "I guess it's you and me." Sasuke snorted. He can nearly read her thoughts. Oh Sasuke-kun! I'm so glad we're alone together. He smirked and waited for her to say this. But she didn't, instead she took out a pad and a pencil from her bag.
"What are you doing?" Sasuke asked.
"Sketching, what does it look like?" Sakura said. "I'm not going to just sit there and do nothing. My brains will probably rot by the time they get here." Sasuke stared at the pink-haired kunoichi in amazement. Then Sakura realized that they didn't have lunch. She jerked her head up; she stood up so quickly, Sasuke looked at her alarmed. "Are you hungry?"
"No." He replied, and his stomach gave out a rumble.
Sakura sighed. "I'll cook."
He noticed the pad. "Can I look at it?" Sakura turned back. "What? Oh ok." Then she blushed. "They are not really good. Don't be surprised."
Sasuke opened it. He was surprised, but not at how bad she had drawn. It was fantastic. He stared at the pictures of people, trees and buildings. "You draw all of them?" Sakura nodded. "Spend my holidays drawing them. I didn't realize I stuff it in my bag. Just found it yesterday."
"They are good." Sasuke said. Sakura blushed with pleasure. "Thanks." And she turned back to her cooking. Just then, Naruto snored.
They waited about two hours and those three turned up. "Sakura-san! Sasuke-san!" Tenten said excitedly, and she turned her gaze on Naruto, who was still sleeping. "Oh he's not dead is he?" She asked. Sakura laughed. "No, no. He's not. Just asleep." She bend down and shook him.
Tenten beamed at everyone. "Haven't seen you for a while." Tenten said to Sasuke, who merely nodded. "You grown taller." Neji scowled beside her. She pinched him on his right arm.
"Sakura-san!" Lee said. "How are you?"
"Fine." Sakura said. "Thanks."
"Ah! Sakura-san!" Tenten said suddenly. "We met a—" Her voice trailed off, she fell silent when she caught Neji's eye.
"Honestly. Why do we need them?" Naruto said beside Sakura. "I mean we are strong…" Sakura glared and said. "Yes, well. They are Jounins, and we still are Chuunins. Seriously. Don't you ever use your brain?" Naruto still looked pissed.
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"Ah yes… the girl."
"Itachi-san, we don't have much time left."
"Yes, yes, of course. I know what we'll do. It won't be long." A sly smile crept up on Itachi's lips. "She's close. Companied by her friends. Of course, we do no need to worry about them." The men beside him laughed. (a/n: sorry, I hope you don't find this too random. XD)
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"Where is that… woman?" Naruto asked as they jumped from branches to branches. Sakura sighed with dismay. Tenten said. "She's a shinobi. Well Tsunade-sama said she was not sure. Who knows, we haven't seen her for almost ten years." Naruto raised his eyebrow so high that it seemed to disappear into his blonde hair.
"All we do is kill her?" Lee asked. Sakura nodded. "Yes, but it's not going to easy. I heard she's from ANBU." Lee's eyes widened, deeply impressed. He always wanted to join the ANBU. Gai-sensei said that he'd qualify next year.
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"This is foolish." Neji said to Tenten, eyeing his teammates sleeping on the ground, except Sasuke, he had wondered off somewhere. He, however, show no sleepiness. Tenten frowned. "What do you mean foolish." Neji sighed. "This is foolish."
"No it's not." Tenten scowled as she loosens her hair bands, letting her long, wavy, chestnut hair reveals. Neji's expression softened and took her hand. "Sit down." He ordered. Tenten frowned slightly but sat down.
"Haruno… she still loves Uchiha Sasuke?" Neji questioned, Tenten gazed at him and a small smile played against her lips. "Yes… even though I think she knows that he doesn't love her back."
"She's foolish."
"Foolish?"
"Yes, for loving him." Neji said. Tenten sighed. "I don't think she's stupid. She loves him, and I don't think that will ever change." Neji rolled his silvery eyes. Tenten scowled. "Well, I was like that as well."
He looked at her. "What?"
Tenten smiled. "You used to think of me as a friend." Neji looked up at the dark sky. "… Yes." Tenten yawned.
"Go to sleep Tenten."
"Neji…"
He bend down and kissed her cheek. "Go to sleep, I'm here."
Tenten suddenly realized something as she darted her chocolate eyes across the ground. "Uh, where's Sakura?"
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"Stupid idiot, wondering around in the woods alone at this time!" Sakura said angrily, she found Sasuke had 'gone' somewhere by himself. She grunted as the leaves and twigs came in her way. "Curse this!" She gritted her teeth as she spotted a figure standing by a tree.
"Sasuke-kun!"
The figure spun around, eyeing her with surprise. "Sakura? What are you doing here?"
"I'm going to ask you the same thing." She snapped. "Wondering around the woods at a time like this! You're insane." A familiar smirk played around his lips, Sakura blushed. "What if I am?" He stepped closer. She found her blush harder. "Let's go." She mumbled. Sasuke stopped and grabbed her thin wrist, he felt her shudder at his touch. "No I like it here."
Sakura tried to free herself, but his grip was too strong. "Sasuke-kun, it's dangerous here."
Sasuke sighed. "Fine you win."
Sakura smiled and started walking then she halted. "Er…"
"What? Something wrong?" Sasuke asked.
"U-Uh no… H-Hand…" Sakura stammered, feeling her cheeks grow red.
"You don't like it?" Sasuke asked.
"N-No… it's-"
"Let's go." He cut her off. Sakura blushed prettily but didn't complain. This is ridiculous she thought. Sasuke suddenly stopped making Sakura bumping into his back. "Ouch- Sasuke-kun?" He didn't answer and looked around. "Sasuke-kun… what's wrong?"
"Be quiet." He said. "Someone is here." Sakura shivered with fear. She felt her hand going numb. Then she shook her head. Don't have to be scared Sakura. You're already a Chuunin! And one of the best medicine-nin in Konoha! I don't have anything to be scared of. I have to be strong.
"Get ready Sakura." Sakura heard him murmur beside her, who curtly nodded. They both jumped away, Sakura gripped her kunai. A dark figure appeared beside her. Sakura concentrated her chakra and punched. (A/N: please tell me in the review if chakra is spelt wrong. Thanks)
The figure fell and hit the tree trunk, which cracked. Sakura squinted through the dim moonlight. She gasped as she saw the person's outfit. Akatsuki… Tears formed around her clear, emerald eyes. No, no, no! This can't be happening! Akatsuki… that means…
"Sakura?" A voice said in her ear. She spun around and saw Sasuke, unharmed. "Are you okay?" She nodded and sniffed.
"Did they hurt you?" Sasuke asked.
Sakura forced a smile and shook her head. "No, no, of course not." If he finds out… "Sasuke-kun, let's get out of here. I- uh, I'm tired…" He raised an eyebrow. "Are you crying?"
"No." She said stubbornly. "Let's go."
"Wait, are you hiding something?" He asked, folding his arms.
Sakura gulped. Since when can he read minds?? "Of course not Sasuke-kun. Why should I? Please, let's just go. It's getting really late." He gave her a suspicious look. "No seriously Sakur-"
"My, my." A familiar's voice said behind them. Sakura felt like she had stopped breathing. That voice… no, it can't be…
"Itachi." Sasuke seethed, turning around to face his older brother. "You."
"Yes me." He said quietly. "Haven't seen a for ages Little Brother."
"Sasuke-kun-"
"Don't interfere Sakura." He said. Itachi turned his gaze at Sakura who shuddered. "Ah, so this is… Sakura-san."
"Leave her out of this Itachi. It's just between you and me." Sasuke spat.
Itachi ignored him and said. "Sakura-san, haven't you see you for ages. You're the pretty one, aren't you?" Sakura felt her cheeks turning red. Sasuke froze. "Don't you dare touch her!"
"Jealous?" He sneered. His sharingan darted towards Sasuke. Then Sakura realized what he was doing. "No! Sasuke-kun! Don't look at his eyes!"
Itachi smirked, "Oh, I won't use that on him. Sakura-san… yet."
He then appeared behind Sakura.
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"They are very slow." Tenten said impatiently, folding her arms. It's nearly dawn. "Neji, did you see her go?" Her brown eyes stared at him.
"No." He said in a bored voice. "I was busy talking to you." Tenten rolled her eyes. "Uh, I suppose you're the prodigy here?" Naruto scratched his head, groaning. "Oh Tenten, you woke us up because of that?" Tenten shot him a nasty look. "It's Sakura-san and Sasuke-san we're talking about here!" She said shrilly. "What if they were killed? Kidnapped? Lost?"
"Tenten." Lee began. "I-I don't think Sakura-san and Sasuke-kun are that useless at fighting. In fact those two are excellent."
"Lee is right Tenten." Neji said.
Tenten looked at her teammates' faces. Then heaved a sigh. "Oh maybe you're right. I worry too much."
"Can we go please go back to sleep now?" Naruto asked.
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Sakura blinked and sat up slowly. Ow… my head hurts. She winced as she got up, she found herself tied in a empty room. She groaned, she doesn't really remember how she got here.
"Sakura, you're awake."
She nearly jumped two meters high when she heard Sasuke's voice. He was also tied. "Oh Sasuke-kun! I'm so glad you're here. Uh- Why are we here?"
"Itachi brought us here." He said through gritted teeth.
"Itachi? What does he want with us?" Sakura asked, astonished. "I thought he wanted Naruto…" She added quietly. Sasuke glowered in the dark.
"Are you still trying to-to kill him?" Sakura stuttered.
"Yes." He snarled. "But I know he's interested in you."
"M-Me?"
"Yes you Sakura. I don't understand. A weak person like you, why is he so interested in you." Sasuke said, still glowering. "You're weak, and I'm strong. Didn't you hear him? He said he wasn't interested in me." He spat the last few words out.
"I'm not weak." Sakura said, he noticed there were coolness in her tone.
"Don't try to deny it Sakura."
"Oh I'm not. Sasuke-kun, I know perfectly well what am I, thank you. I'm not weak; I can beat you until you beg me to stop and then heal you again. Of course I'm not going to waste my chakra. I'm one of Tsunade-shishou's finest students, while you followed some kind of freak to seek power." Sakura said hotly.
"It's not your business." He said coldly.
"I'm not weak. And I'll prove you that." She said, glaring at him. He sneered. "You're useless and weak. That so-call Hokage is an idiot."
"Don't you dare insult Shishou!" Sakura said, her voice rising. "She is a good teacher and a great Hokage! Everybody knows that!"
"Yeah everyone knows she's an idiot."
"Don't say that!" She said shrilly.
"I'll say whatever I like!" Sasuke shouted back.
"Keep your temper Little Brother. Haven't our dear parents taught you nothing?"
Sasuke spun around and saw his brother sneering at him. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
"I heard you two fighting." He said. "Yes you were right. I have no interested in you." He walked towards Sakura and placed his fingers on Sakura's chin, making her look up at him.
"Paws off Uchiha!" She snarled.
"I like your attitude." He smirked and circled his arm around her waist, and she shivered. Sakura tried to free herself but he was too strong.
"Our friends will look for us. And we'll kill you. We still have a mission to do." Sakura said angrily. Itachi released a laugh. "No there's no lost ninja here." He smirked as he noticed Sakura's face. "I made it up, you see. I can't believe the Konoha people actually believe that. Oh well it must be your unlucky day…" Sakura looked at him, shocked. Sasuke swore under his breath. "Itachi… you're not going to get away with it…" Itachi ignored him.
"I'm going to keep you two for a while." Itachi said calmly. He pointed at two trays in front of them. "Eat." He ordered as he cut free their ropes. He smirked as he saw Sasuke's face. "Sasuke, don't try to attack if you don't want to die." With that he shuts the door behind him with a bang.
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Authoress's Note: Long chapter! I hope you all like it! I'll update the next chapter ASAP. Please review! I'll be thankful! XD, see you next chapter! Ja!