Mayo here!
Hello all, and welcome to a new chapter of Blood Stained Petals, today we will finally be getting into the meat of the plot. I really hope you all enjoy this story i am conjuring up!
Go check out my profile for a link to a doll i did of Sakura's new outfit!
Inner Sakura will also be making her debut in this chapter, as i had forgotten about her before, tbh.
Important note at the end!
Enjoy~!

Chapter 3

Sakura was not new to high profile missions, she had completed her share of S-rank missions over the years, and had yet to fail one. But she was not a ninja that they would normally send out alone. However, the delicacy of her mission called for it, so it must be done. Sakura ground her teeth as she made her way back home, thinking over the briefing she had been given just hours ago.

"Sakura," Kakashi sighed and rubbed his temples as the pinkette fumed before him, beside an equally as upset blond. "I need someone I can trust for this," he sighed, "and Naruto, you know that you going on this mission would be too suspicious, and dangerous."

Sakura still stood, confused and a annoyed that her sensei would suggest her for a mission of caliber. Not to mention how it went against the council's decision. Being discovered would lead to heavy punishment, and if Kakashi were discovered as the one behind this, he would be stripped of his title.

As Sakura over thought the situation, a familiar voice popped into her head, one she had thought she had lost long ago. "Ya! What they hell are you thinking?!"

Sakura had to stop herself from widening her eyes as the voice rang through her head, "What in the world? I thought you were gone years ago!"

Sakura's inner-self scoffed, ignoring the question, and as if she were her own person, continued speaking. "After all the training we've done, you don't think we could do this? You're crazy if you don't think we can pull this off."

She had to admit, she had become an amazing ninja, she rivaled even Tsunade in some aspects. She had to mentally sigh at her inner's words, she had once dreamed of taking on such missions, truthfully. Her inner-self continued to rant on, and Sakura did her best to push her out of her mind once more.

"I suppose..."Sakura spoke aloud, her face melding from annoyance to thoughtfulness. "I'll think about it..."

Sakura's answer made Kakashi smile, and made her blond friend exclaim a 'what,' only to be calmed by light pats from Hinata.

"Good, good." Kakashi spoke cheerfully, "I'll need a while to get all the details in order anyways. How about you head back to work, and i'll send you the details tonight?"

Sakura bowed to Kakashi and turned to leave the room, pulling Naruto along so they could chat about the mission he had just returned from, while she walked back to the hospital.

Sakura's mind traveled back to the real world as she approached her apartment door, unlocking it and entering. She made her way to the couch a plopped down with a large sigh of relief. After stretching her muscles and relaxing into the couch, she noticed a note sitting on her coffee table, and reached to get it.

Sakura Haruno,

You have been assigned to a village on the outskirts of the Fire border for medic relief.
Please report to my office in two days at day break to receive a full briefing, and be prepared to leave immediately.
I have informed the hospital of your departing and you are excused from work tomorrow to prepare for the trip.
Pack only the essentials, and it will be important for you to not wear any clothing that could connect you back to anyone, or thing, here in Konoha.
Bring you headband for identification, but do not don it.
The location of this village is in a hostile area, and you will not want any unwanted attention.

Rokudaime Hokage

Sakura's eyes widened as she read the letter, "Two days?!" She exclaimed, jumping to her feet. "Why so soon?" She huffed.

Sakura's inner decided to pop back up at this time, "Well, because it's an important mission. We gotta get to the bottom of this as soon as possible!" Inner Sakura fist bumped, making Sakura physically facepalm at her mental self.

"Yeah, yeah." She waved her hand in the air, as if to fan away inner's presence.

"Forger it missy! I'm here to stay this time," inner spoke confidently, but was ignored by Sakura.

"Well, that doesn't leave me much time to get ready..." She ran a hand through her shoulder length locks, wincing as she snagged a few kinks. "Guess I should start getting ready now."

She made her way to her bedroom, grabbing a bag and stuffing it with all her underclothes before moving to her closet. While going through her clothes, she realized he had hardly any ninja appropriate shirts that weren't red, and even fewer that didn't have her family symbol on it. She let out a heavy sigh, knowing this would mean she would have to do some shopping tomorrow.

Leaving the packing unfinished for now, the pinkette quickly went and washed up, crawling into bed immediately. It was going to be a long day tomorrow.

Sakura awoke before the sun even rose that morning, her inner self already going on and on about what all she had to do toady. With a heavy sigh, the annoyed kunoichi got out of bed and got ready for the day.

After combing all of the kinks out of her hair, the pinkette decided to put it up in a loose bun, instead of having it blown about while she was out today. She donned her normal everyday wear, excluding her gloves and medic skirt, and made her way out as the sun finally rose.

"We should drop by Ino-pig's and take her shopping with us." Inner finally said something that Sakura didn't find completely annoying or useless.

It had been a while since the two friends had hung out, and she would have to say farewell to her friend anyways, so Sakura nodded in agreement with her inner-self.

"That's the first good thing you've suggested all morning." Sakura spoke aloud as she left her apartment, realizing, and scolded herself mentally for talking to herself out loud. She'd have to be careful so people didn't think she was crazy, this thought earned a laugh from inner.

Sakura made her way to the Yamanaka flower shop, sure she would find Ino there bright and early. She took in all the sights of her home village as she walked, taking deep breaths to relax, and hopefully remember these places on her, inevitably long mission. Finally she reaching the shop, the sent of flowers filling her and bringing a smile to her face.

"Oi!" Sakura yelled out as she entered the shop, "Ino-pig, you in here?" She made her way past the many flower-stands to the counter where Ino sat half awake.

"Forehead." Ino lazily greeted, eyes half-lidded as she awoke. "What in the world are you doing here?"

Sakura quickly explained the cover mission to Ino, earning many sleepy, and uninterested nods from the blonde.

"So, i'll be gone for, i don't know how long, really. And i wanted to know if you wanted to go shopping with me." With the mention of shopping, Ino perked up.

"Forehead, i thought you'd never ask!" The blonde shot up out of her seat, yelling up the stairs that connected to her parents home that she was leaving and that one of them needed to watch the store.

The girls giggled and caught up with one another as they spent hours in the market district of Konoha. Sakura picked a variety of tops out, as well as a few bottoms, and a new pair of boots.

It was already noon by they time they finished up, and decided to head out for an old favorite treat, Ramen Ichiraku.

Surprisingly enough, many of the Konoha 11 were seated at the bar. It was a delightful surprise, as Sakura would be seeing these people for the last time today for a while. It made saying her goodbye's much easier as well.

The group laughed and all caught up for a while, finally they all departed on their own ways. Sakura was now left to return home with all her new purchases.

The day ended quickly, and Sakura finished her packing and got ready for bed. That night, she had trouble falling asleep. She would certainly miss her village, but this sort of mission was an old dream of hers, and she couldn't wait.

The next morning came quickly, and Sakura got ready equally so. She had packed her new clothes from yesterday already, so she pulled out clothes from her closet.

She wore a red, sleeveless, kimono-type top, and paired it with a pair of waist high, loose, black pants, which she tucked into her new boots. Inspecting herself in the mirror, the pinkette didn't quite like how simple the outfit was, and she rummaged around through her drawers for a practical accessory. She pulled out a deep red cloth belt, situating it around her waist, and covering the top of her pants.

With one last inspection of herself, Sakura grabbed her deep mauve colored, hooded cloak and made her way to the Hokage tower.

Sakura was immediately greeted as she entered the tower, the receptionist let her know that Kakashi was waiting for her in his office.

Quickly, she made her way up, knocking lightly as she reached the door.

"Enter." Kakashi's sleepy voice rang out, and Sakura did as told.

"Good morning, Kakashi-Sensei." Sakura chirped, giving the sleepy eyed Kage a bright smile.

Kakashi scoffed at her greeting, and went straight to business. "I hope you're ready," the man gave her a serious look, earning a nod from her.

She approached his desk, looking over the map he had lain out on it. He pointed to a location west of the village, "This is where Naruto encountered the unknown Akatsuki member. He seemed to be headed towards Rain." He slid his finger along a trade route that lead to the Rain village as he spoke.

"I had some people scout out this area yesterday for a ways, and there was nothing of suspicion for a days journey." His finger stopped on a small village on the Rain and Grass border. "Years ago, this village was known to be a meeting place for the Akatsuki, but we haven't heard any news about that for a long time." He leaned back in his chair, peering up at Sakura with his single eye. "It would make sense that they would use this location again, this is the first location i want you to scout."

Sakura nodded to Kakashi, looking over the map in front of her. Meanwhile, Kakashi grabbed a small scroll off of his deck and extended his arm to hold it out to Sakura.

"This will have all the locations i'd like you to visit." Sakura took the scroll, not bothering to open it yet, and she slid it into a pocket on the side of her pack.

"What am i supposed to do if i find something out? Return?" Sakura raised a brow in question.

"No," Kakashi shook his head, "send word, but don't leave the area. You need to stay hidden, but keep an eye on anyone suspicious."

Sakura nodded to acknowledge his words, brow creasing as she thought of how difficult it would be to hide from elite ninja's such as the Akatsuki.

"You're still in," Kakashi questioned.

"Of course." Sakura smiled to her former sensei and nodded.

"Well," Kakashi stood and sighed, making his way around his desk. He placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder before speaking again. "Good luck, Sakura... And be careful."

Sakura gave the man a reassuring smile, his fatherly side was showing, as it sometimes did. This thought made Sakura's smile grow more, and she moved in to hug the older man.

"And you don't run the village into the ground while im gone." She pulled back from the tight hug with a smirk on her face.

Her sensei just gave a weak smile as he stepped back from the girl. "I'll see you when you return, Sakura."

She gave the man another smile as the bittersweet words washed over her, jerking at her heartstrings again. She was leaving her home, alone, and it would be a lonely and hard journey. But she could do it for the village, and her friends.

"Of course, Kakashi-sensei."

With that, Sakura departed from the Hokage tower, and made her way to the border of Grass and Rain.

Well...
I hope you all enjoyed this update!
I hope i can keep pushing chapters out this fast.
Pertaining to the review i got, I want everyone to know i am trying my best to fix those problems with my writing, and i have been for a while.
I tried to make things more spaced out, and include more dialogue this chapter, i've always been lousy with dialogue tbh...
I'll try to improve!
Here's the important part: I honestly have no clue as to who Sakura will end up with. I've created a poll on my profile for you all to vote on, so go do that.
If its not showing up, or you're having trouble, just drop me a PM, review, or however you want to make your choice known!