It was now morning and time for team 7 to begin it's mission to save the princess. Naruto was heading toward the gate meeting place. The Villagers were looking and snarling at him as they always did. Normally, it hadn't bothered him and he brushed it off without a problem. However, now it was different because Sakura scarred him emotionally. Now he was quite vulnerable to even the smallest emotional pain. Now the villagers mocking and cruel actions really got to him. He ran to the meeting place as fast as possible...just to avoid further pain.

Sasuke was as calm as always. He was walking toward the gate with moderate speed. He didn't want to be there too early. After all, their Sensei had a distinct habit for being late.

Sakura was getting ready as well and noticed Sasuke walking down to the gate. She had a good view from her window. She finished getting herself together with great haste and rushed out of her house to catch Sasuke.

"SASUKE-KUUUUN" she yelled obligatorily loud

Sasuke stopped and waited for her since he knew she would only badger him anyway.

"Morning" he said quickly with no sense of feeling or concern.

"Looks like we'll be going together" she said as she smiled at Sasuke

"Whatever" Sasuke quickly replied

Inner Sakura

He doesn't mean to be so emotionless and blunt. That's just how cool guys like him are

At least that's what she thought.

They both continued on until they saw Naruto at the front gate. Usually, Naruto is loud and trying to say hi to Sakura. But this time, he just sat by the gate, quietly awaiting Kakashi. Sasuke could usually care less. But even he was a bit overtaken and concerned by Naruto's silence. So he broke the silence.

"Morning shorty" Sasuke said, expecting a smart remark

"Hey Sasuke" Naruto replied, not even turning his head to look at Sasuke.

Sakura was quite concerned as well. In the back of her mind, she knew that she was a part of why he was acting like this. She decided to try to apologize.

"Hi Naruto, good morning" she said with a smile

"..." Naruto gave her no reply

Sakura thought that maybe he didn't hear him. So she went in front of him and tried again. She stared into his eyes and was completely lost in them.

Inner Sakura

" He has such...beautiful eyes..." she thought to herself as she continued to gaze into his eyes

"Morning Naruto" she said a bit more concerned but still smiling.

Naruto still gave no reply. Sakura told him that he was not to speak to her or even be near her unless they were on missions. And since they weren't on the mission just yet, he wasn't going to reply to her. In fact, he moved away from her since she said for him not to be close to her either. He got up and went on the other side of the gate to be away from her.

"...Naruto...what's the matter?..." now she really began to worry

She was used to Naruto being cheerful, bright, and always trying to be with her. This Naruto before her now was different. He almost seemed to have no soul.

"You don't remember what you said to him yesterday do you?" Sasuke said to her.

Inner Sakura

" I didn't mean it. I was just pissed. He ALWAYS GETS IN MY WAY! He doesn't understand me at all. I HATE NARUTO...but...he didn't deserve that...I was harsh on him yesterday..."

"...Oh...I ...didn't mean it..." she said as she looked down to the floor in shame

"Why are you telling me that? You should be apologizing to the blond kid over there?" he said pointing to Naruto

Just as Sakura began to walk to Naruto, sorrowful face in all, Kakashi appeared.

"YO!" Kakashi said waiving hello to his young team

" Ok everyone, make any last minute preparations you need to now. I'll explain the mission in detail as we're traveling."

Team 7 did just as Kakashi said. They made all their last minute preparations. Extra shurikens, medicines, and ropes for example were some of the things they brought with them along with rations. Soon, they had begun on their way on their long journey to the Sand village.

Naruto pressed on about 8 feet ahead of the rest of the team, not wanting to be near Sakura. He actually felt that she was truly much happier with him doing exactly as she asked...or yelled at him rather just the day before. However, Sakura wasn't so happy. Sure, she didn't want Naruto around her. But she didn't want him to be in this depression either.

Sakura was walking close by Sasuke smiling and talking about anything that came to mind. Sasuke however, didn't seem to give her much attention. In the back of her mind, she couldn't help but be concerned about her blond teammate. He gave her exactly as she wanted. But it turns out she was beginning to regret what she had said

Inner Sakura

"He's so depressed...but...what can I say to him...Damn you Naruto!"

Kakashi began explaining the mission to his team.

" Ok guys, as you know we're going to the sand village. Now the princess that we're rescuing is actually a resident of the wave country."

"Sensei, why would she actually been in the sand village in the first place?" Sakura asked

" I'm getting to that. It was actually just a political mission for the princess and her court. The wave country was trying to establish a trading network with the sand village. But people that oppose such a union hired rogue ninjas to kidnap the princess. As I've said yesterday, we basically have to retrieve her. Then we will be escorting her back to wave country...ARE YOU GETTING ALL THIS NARUTO?" Kakashi yelled out since Naruto was several feet away.

"Yes I heard it all sensei" he replied, without so much as even turning his head to see his teammates.

The team went on talking about while Naruto continued to stay at a fair distance from everyone. Sakura every once in a while looked at her teammate, just wishing for a chance to apologize. He gave her exactly what she had wanted. And she had come to regret it. Not having Naruto be himself made her feel lonely.

Night fell and the team decided to make camp for the night. Sakura had chosen to get fresh fish from the nearby river. And SASUKE went for firewood. That left Kakashi and Naruto preparing the actual encampment. Naruto began talking about how excited he was about the mission. Naruto was quite enthusiastic. Kakashi was happy that Naruto was acting like his old self again.

"Man, I can't wait to get on with this mission. It's just one more chance to prove I'm destined to be the greatest ninja of all time." Naruto said with confidence.

"Naruto, don't get ahead of yourself. We don't know how many ninjas we'll be facing. Not to mention what conditions we will have to face once we get there" Kakashi warned

"Like it matters, nothing can stop me when it comes to getting the job done. I ALWAYS come through. Believe it!" He said confidently grinning.

Sasuke had come back with the firewood before Sakura came back with the fish.

"What are you so confident about all of a sudden?" Sasuke said as he began to put the firewood down and make a fire.

"About how I'm gonna kick butt on the mission"

"At least your back to normal" Sasuke said as he set fire to the wood as everyone now awaited Sakura's return.

" Well well, look who's talking again" Sakura said looking at Naruto with a smile

"...yeah...hey guys, I'm going to go to bed now. I'll need a lot of sleep for tomorrow." He said as he tried to escape Sakura.

"But Sakura just brought back the fish. Now I can get started cooking. Aren't you hungry Naruto?" Kakashi said suprised as he saw Naruto turn away food

"Yeah I'm fine. I just feel tired sensei" he replied

"You right that you'll need sleep. But you'll need food for strength too. Not to mention your food is getting cold" Kakashi sounded almost commanding.

"I'll eat later. I don't mind my food a bit cold" He said as he turned his body and slowly drifted to sleep

Everyone looked on in confusion. Everyone except Sakura that is. She was really upset. She knew she was the source of how Naruto has been acting. She noticed how he was his loud cheerful self until she came back with the fish.

Inner Sakura

"Why are you feeling this way girl...this is Naruto we are talking about here. N-A-R-U-T-O! He deserves it for being in the way all the time...Oh who am I kidding? I don't want him to suffer like this..."

Once everyone called it a night and went to sleep, Naruto crept out of bed and grabbed some of the leftover cooked fish. He then went and sat by the river looking up at the moon. Sakura however, had been acting like she was sleeping. She couldn't sleep. Not without at least trying to make things right between her and Naruto. She noticed when he grabbed some food and walked to the river. So she followed him.

" Beautiful moon isn't it" Sakura said softly as she quietly walked up behind him.

"What...?" Naruto said with surprise. Despite being a ninja, Sakura snuck up behind him with relative ease. His mind wasn't focused.

"...yes it is a beautiful moon"

" Mind if I sit down with you?" she asked with a sincere look in her eyes

"I better get back to bed..." Naruto began to get up and head back to the camp

"Wait...please..." she grabbed his hand and looked into his eyes

"...I can't...I'm sorry" Naruto said reluctantly and went back to the camp.

"Naruto..." she whispered his name as she watched him walk away.