Sorry if I haven't updated in such a long time...anyway...no one is pretty much interested in my story, but it's all right as long as I did my best to share my story.

3 years after...

"Naruto, Godaime-sama wants to speak with you and your team as soon as possible!" Genma sounded really serious so Naruto simply nodded his head.

"I'll gather them up. We'll, meet her there. Thank you." Naruto was now an ANBU squad leader. He went to Shikamaru, Neji and Sakura. Sakura was the medic-nin in their squad.

When they got to Tsuade's office, the first thing she said was, "You have a mission! Sakura, I'm sorry, but you're not coming on this one."

"But why? Why can't she come? What's the meaning of this Tsunade baa-chan!" his habit of calling him a old lady hasn't gone yet despite of his promotion. But, he wasn't trying to be funny. Why indeed can't she come?

"When I say she can't, she can't! This mission includes Sasuke!" She said it straight out.

Sakura's eyes widened. Her heartbeat went faster. She felt a faint coming but she stayed strong. After three years, she hasn't heard this name, so she asked, "Are you going to bring him back?"

"No! That has been tried and failed. He is now an official Missing-nin!"

"You mean...you're gonna have him killed?" Sakura asked in complete fright.

"No, but if it must be done, it shall be!"

"What is the mission?" Shikamaru finally asked. He interrupted the conversation because he knew that it would'nt come down to a very happy ending. It might even be hazardous to his health. After all, he thinks that arguments like that are too 'troublesome'.

"Orochimaru must've ordered Sasuke to get him the Scroll of Forbidden Techniques. The mission is, retrieve the scroll! Do what you must!" I officially declare Uchiha Sasuke a MISSING-NIN!" Tsunade said these words with so much hesitation. She didn't really want to declare Sasuke a missing-nin, but she had no choice. For the past three years, she thought of Sasuke as a captured ninja, a brainwashed shinobi, but he has gone too far. The Scroll of Forbidden Techniques is very sacred and, well...'forbidden'. It has to be retrieved. In the hands of Orochimaru, it can spell trouble with a capital T.

"Missing-nin?" these words came out of Sakura's lipd but echoed in her head. These words were like sharp kunais stabbing her chest continously. As much as she wanted to disagree, there was nothing he could do. Dhe's not the hokage. What if Sasuke refuses to give it back? What if Naruto would have to kill him first? Would he? Could he? Doubts filled her mind as she was in some kind of trance. She acted like she was'nt in this world anymore. Then, Naruto suddenly held her hand...

"Don't worry, I'll get the scroll back! I'll bring Sasuke too! I'll try to make him ertourn home...for YOU!" Naruto finally had the courage to wipe the tears off her cheeks. He wanted to hug her. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to tell her how he feels, but, he thought that if he did, he'll only make her even more sad. He'd make her remember Sasuke even more. There was nothing else that he could do but to tell her that he'll bring Sasuke back, just to comfort her.

"You have to leave at once! There's no time to lose! Every second counts! Follow him before he crosses the border!" It was obvious that Tsunade was in a rush. She actually said three statements conveying the same meaning, 'hurry'.

"Sakura-chan, we'll be back as soon as we can!" Naruto bid."We'll be going now, Hokage-sama." the affix 'baa-chan' disappeared. He really was serious now. But, before he could go, Sakura ran to him and hugged him. "Thank you, Naruto! You've always been a good friend!"

"You're welcome Sakura-chan!" he smiled at her. 'Friend? Only a friend? I guess I could'nt ask her more by making her love me more than that...' he thought. He always felt that he can't make Sakura love him. He always wanted her to be happy, and because he knew that Sasuke was the only one who can make her happy, he didn't even dare to tell her that he loved her... more than his own life. He was always like a nail being pounded by a hammer everytime he sees Sakura sad because she missed Sasuke, but still, she left her alone. He didn't try to interfere. Not once did he try to take the chance that Sasuke wasn't there. He was free to show Sakura the love that he had for her, but he always kept in mind that Sakura will never be happy with her, only with Sasuke.

Sasuke was once again being careless. Naruto and his team caught up with him easily. They met at the border of Fire and Field Countries.

"Sasuke!" Naruto said his name in so much desperation. His closest comrade has now become his worst enemy.

"Well Naruto, we meet again!" Sasuke replied smirking. It was as if he never left Konoha at all.

"I'll ask you this question again, after three years...won't you come back to Konoha?" Naruto asked this question to his 'best friend'.

"You know that my answer is, no! Naruto, I know that I have to go back, and I want to, but I can't! Itachi is still alive! When I succeed in killing him, maybe then I'll go back, but I'm still not strong enough!" Sasuke was still covered with the darkness of vengeance. Orodhimaru was taking advantage of his docile mind. He makes Sasuke think that he'll be strong if he stays in Sound. Sasuke is still like a lost puppy who'd foolw you wherever you go, just to have somewhere to go to himself. Also, he's very close-minded when it comes to Naruto and Sakura. Everything that they say seems to go in one ear and out the other.

"Sakura is still waiting for you! She's always crying because she misses you and she's worried about you! Unless you go back, she'll be loneley forever!" Naruto wanted to cry himself as he said these words, but he was tired of crying.

"No! I still can't go back!" Sasuke was almost ready to kill himself as he said these words that he never really meant.

"I-I-I BEG YOU SASUKE! I BEG YOU TO COME HOME! What do you want Sakura to do before you come to your senses, suicide?" Naruto was getting desperate. His whole life, he never pleaded like this, but he would do anything for his Sakura-chan.

"Naruto, you're , Sakura will be lonely if I don't go back...so please...do me a favor..."

"You mean you're going back to Konoha? You don't know how happy Sakura-chan will be if she sees you again!"

"No, please do me a favor and, and tell her that...that I'm dead."

"What?"Naruto was dumbstrucked by what Sasuke said. Has he really lost his mind?

Hey guys, sorry if I'll cut it here, but I just really don;t have time to type...see ya. Don't worry...it'll be worth it... I hope... Thanks for at least taking a peek...

Kayra