BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

"Why are we going to Shushu-ya for Sasuke-kun's birthday?" Hinata asks Naruto as they walk to the restaurant holding hands.

"Well he wasn't here to celebrate everyone turning 20, so I thought maybe we could do it tonight!"

Naruto and Hinata walk in to the restaurant and spot their friends. Ino and Sai are sitting next to each other, talking. Kiba is arguing with Shikamaru about something while Shino listens quietly. Choji has already begun eating. Lee is going on about his training while Tenten sighs, wishing Neji was there. Sakura and Sasuke have yet to show up.

"Hey everyone," Naruto says, interrupting everyone.

"Naruto! Hinata!" Ino rushes over, hugging them both. "I feel like I haven't seen you guys in forever."

"But I just got flowers from your shop earlier this week," Hinata says.

"Pfft. It's still been too long."

Just then, Sasuke walks in. Almost too quiet to be noticed.

"Sasuke-kun! How have you been?" Ino wraps her arms around his neck, but he doesn't hug back. He remains stiff until she releases him.

"I'm fine." Ino smiles at that and sits back down at the table.

"There you are! We've been waiting for you. Do you know where Sakura-chan is?" Naruto questions.

"What? Why would I know?" Sasuke defends.

Naruto squints, noticing Sasuke's change in demeanor, then pulls him aside.

"Hey! Get off me."

"Why did you get all defensive when I asked about Sakura? You better not have done something to her, you asshole."

Sasuke's face darkens in thought. "Relax. Sakura's fine."

"Then what is it?"

Sasuke sighs. He can't keep anything from Naruto. "I spent last night at her apartment."

Naruto's eyebrows shoot up simultaneously, "You did? Is that why you were late to our sparring match?"

"Yeah."

Naruto looks Sasuke up and down for signs of anything. "Hmm… okay. Well, let's join the others. Sakura-chan should be here soon." And to Sasuke's surprise, Naruto leaves it at that.

xxx

An hour and a half later and Sakura still hasn't shown up. The group had decided to go ahead and order an hour ago, not being able to stand Choji's complaints. Everyone raises their glass as Shikamaru gives a toast to growing up.

"This is a drag, but I guess I have no choice. He holds his sake up, "To us. We've come so far since the Academy. I wouldn't have it any other way. And to Asuma-sensei and Neji." Everyone smiles fondly and clinks their glasses together. "To Asuma-sensei and Neji."

Sasuke looks at the clock and begins worrying. It wasn't like Sakura to be this late. He finishes the sake Naruto had ordered for him, sets money on the table to cover everyone's dinner, and gets up.

"Sasuke! Where are you going?" Naruto yells.

"I have some business to attend to," the Uchiha manages and walks out.

"We haven't even given him our present. I wonder why he left in such a hurry," Hinata says.

"That's because he's going to look for Sakura," Shino adds.

"What? How would you know?" Kiba counters.

"Isn't it obvious? He smelled like Sakura and he got defensive when Naruto asked him where she was. Not to mention, he barely touched his food. No doubt he's concerned about her."

The group silently stare at their odd friend, realizing he's probably right.

"I saw Sakura going into the North Forest earlier today. Maybe she is still there," Sai says with an inappropriate smile.

Ino sighs dramatically, "Sai! Why didn't you say something?"

Looking perplexed, he replies, "I just did."

"I'll catch up with Sasuke to let him know," Naruto adds, suddenly feeling worried as well. He jogs outside, not sure which direction Sasuke went. He puts his hands together, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he yells. 20 clones appear in front of him. "I want each of you to spread out and look for Sasuke. Let me know when you've found him. Disperse!" Naruto glances up at the moon. "We're coming for you, Sakura-chan."

xxx

"Where am I?" Sakura blinks, slowly opening her heavy eyelids. The back of her head is pounding. She lifts herself up off the cold, hard ground and looks around. It's pitch black except for the sliver of moonlight shining into her room from the barred window. Her hands are bound together with chakra-blocking restraints. Suddenly, the urge to puke wells up in her throat and she vomits in the corner. She wipes her mouth, "Was I poisoned?" She beats the cuffs against the floor to no avail before passing out again.

When she wakes back up, she finds herself in a room, chained to the ceiling, with two unfamiliar men. One of their headbands is visible.

Leaf shinobi?

"Looks like she's awake," a husky voice, belonging to the brawny shinobi, snarls. "Perfect. Let's begin."

Hello! I wasn't sure at first where I wanted to go with this chapter but ended up here. Don't worry! Sakura isn't going to just be a "damsel in distress". The next chapter will cover where Sakura is and Sasuke and Naruto's mission to find her. I should be uploading within the next few days. Again, please let me know if you have any questions or comments! Enjoy :-)