A/N: Hello! Here I am… well it's the holidays again…so thank god I can chill a bit on the homework… I mean I still have homework but at least I can sleep some more and chill out… I just finished watching an interesting episode of Ghost Whisperers that show isn't that creepy but I get scared when the spirits pop out eek… Okay, now on we go with the next zee chapter…lawl..Merry Xmas everyone lol...

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and its characters.

Chapter 3

Sakura woke up with a very bad headache and a sour taste in her tongue. She rolled around in her bed some more. She was sure she smelled bad, as she smelled an unpleasant scent in the air, between vomit and alcohol. The sunrays from the windows were annoying the hell out of her. She quickly buried her head under the covers.

" Are you done sulking?"

Sakura quickly lifted her head from the covers. Kakashi stood there in her lounging sofa, in her bedroom, watching her-to her it seems- in amusement. She can't really tell under that mask.

" Kakashi!" Sakura gasped. " Don't scare me."

" A fatal mistake. You did not even feel my chakra when you were awake. As a jounin, you are supposed to even have sensed me in your sleep. If I were an enemy, you'd have been dead by now." Kakashi lectured.

" I was drunk." Sakura reasoned lamely.

Kakashi shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

"So…. what are you doing here?" Sakura asked, another thought flickered in her head. " Did you stay here the whole night?"

" I will explain that soon, and no I didn't, as soon as you were asleep I left and came back here around an hour ago." Kakashi explained tastelessly.

" Explain now. I have all the time in the world! Just so you know I gotta go by eleven to do my shift at the hospital." Sakura said with false enthusiasm.

" I will. But I suggest you have a shower first, and you know, cool down a bit. Maybe you won't have the temper of a grizzly bear after you shower." Kakashi suggested.

Sakura immediately yelled, " I do not!"

" Sakura, just go shower." Kakashi said exasperatedly.

For some reason, Kakashi was not up to his usual smart comebacks and fighting mode with her, as Sakura noticed. He seemed a bit tense. Maybe he's turned off by how awful she smells. Sakura cringed, how could she let any man see her in this state?

" Fine, Mr. Grumpy, don't know what's biting your butt, but get off mine." Sakura replied.

Kakashi didn't reply. He just watched the window. Sakura took this as a cue for her to shower.

Sakura turned on the shower before stepping in herself and closing the shower curtains behind her. She continued to indulge in all her thoughts. Kakashi was right, the shower worked out for her. She quickly grabbed the shampoo before tackling her hair with it.

It was nice of Kakashi still, even though he ditched her, to walk her home and made sure she was safely tucked in bed. She felt embarrassed from last night, she needed his help anyways, she remembered where she would not tell Kakashi where her keys was, she suddenly decided to play a hide and seek game of her key, her loud voice echoing through the silent corridor of the apartment building. Then she remembered Kakashi having to rummage through her bag, in order to get a key to drag her behind.

Once she was done with her daily cleaning, the shampooing, the conditioning, the body washing. Oh, and let's not forget the essential face washing, a girl has to get herself busy in order to look decent. Sakura decided to put on a white v-shaped top and black three quarters with a red sweater.

Kakashi waited till she sat in front of him on her bed. He couldn't help but admit that Sakura looked so adorable today.

Sakura started first before he said anything.

" Before you start, I want to say I'm sorry. While I was showering, last night, well the things I did, I remembered them, I'm sorry…" Sakura apologized awkwardly.

" Heh, see that's how my little nice student usually is." Kakashi said, smiling through his mask. Sakura realized this was his way of saying 'don't worry about it." And smiled back.

" I'm not going to beat around the bush, as they say, I was supposed to tell you last night, but things just didn't go as planned… anyway, Sakura…we're going on a mission." Kakashi stated.

" …Okay… so like who's in this mission?"

" Just you and me." Kakashi replied firmly.

" Oh."

When Kakashi told that, Sakura felt again, the same familiar sensation of her heart doing flips and all sort of things against her chest. Kakashi saw Sakura's face changed from neutral to some kind of panic. He is curious on what she is thinking about. He too tried to shake away the thoughts of just the two of them being alone.

" So, pack today and see all your friends. We leave tomorrow early morning." Kakashi explained, and turned to leave.

Sakura was quite surprised when he suddenly wanted to leave. Wasn't he going to tell her what the mission was about?

" Don't be late." Kakashi said seriously.

" You shouldn't be talking." Sakura said coolly.

Kakashi didn't turn his back and kept on walking, when he was outside. He made a simple wave and closed the door behind him. Leaving Sakura to ponder on her own.

It's been a while since she had been assigned on a mission. Tsunade perhaps thought she was better suited to working as a medic-nin at the hospital better than on missions. Sakura missed that kind of mission, she loved saving lives but hey, and she would love to kick some ass and get some action too. It was time to put all the torturous training that Kakashi gave her and put it to use. But, maybe, she was taking this too lightly. Kakashi also mentioned about seeing her friends. Maybe this mission was actually a dangerous one.

She was also kind of annoyed as well, it was only a day since Naruto and Sasuke came back. She's not going to be able to spend time with her friends as well. Sakura stood up from sitting on her bed and opened the window.

" I have to pack!" Sakura said to no one in particular.

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" Eh? Going on a mission?" Naruto asked loudly.

He quickly stuffed the bowl of rice to his face. Hinata and Sakura smiled with disgust inside watching the young man eat like there was no tomorrow. Still, Inner Sakura said with relief, we're not having any ramen this time. I'm getting of it, I'm sure Hinata is glad as well.

" Naruto-Chan, please swallow everything before you talk." Hinata said gently.

Hinata has grown up into a quiet, mature, pretty young woman. Her grace and obedience would make her a good wife. To any man's delight, Shikamaru said once, who should be talking because Ino is really, really loud. Her raven hair now grew up to her waist, which she now tied neatly behind her head in a ponytail. Her eyes, indicating she was born in the Hyuuga clan, had a tranquil peacefulness within them. She was a total opposite of Naruto. But opposites do attract.

" Yeah, jeez Naruto, I hear you talk all the time. I want to have some peace at least when we eat." Sakura added.

Hinata giggled and continued to eat.

" Sakura! It's been a while hasn't it? I guess you're happy now… you can put what Kakashi trained you with to good use."

" Yeah…" Sakura agreed.

" Just that…" Naruto said sadly.

" What?" Sakura asked.

" Oh!" Hinata gasped. " Yeah…" She made a face with Naruto as well.

" What!?" Sakura asked again.

" Well, we didn't want to tell anyone yet. But Hinata and me are inviting everyone to dinner this Thursday. And well, we are announcing our engagement…" Naruto whispered.

" Arrrgh no!" Sakura shrieked. " I won't be there." Sakura added sadly.

" Sorry Sakura…" Hinata apologized sincerely.

" What? No, it's okay, haha, bad timing I guess… that's what I'm annoyed at. When I'm free, nothing comes up, when I actually have something to do…urrgh…anyway I wish all the happiness to you…cheers." Sakura gave a silent toast to Naruto and Hinata.

They continued chatting about Hinata and Naruto. When Sakura looked at her watch, she realized that she has to go and meet some other people. So she bid them goodbye.

" Good luck and be careful." Hinata hugged Sakura. Sakura giggled and thank her.

" Sakura-chan. Take care of yourself. I don't wanna have to use my bad healing powers on you when you come back." Naruto pulled Sakura into a hug.

" You don't even have any." Sakura punched his back, but she hugged him all the same. She gave him a friendly peck on the cheek. " Sakura?"

" Yup?"

" Remember it's still on, you gotta try and see what's under sensei's mask? Threaten him or something? His icha-icha book is good for a threat." Naruto winked.

" I'll do my best. It's a mission." Sakura joked. But everyone knew it was serious in a way.

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Sakura rang the doorbell to Uchiha Sasuke's apartment. She waited for a few seconds, the door opened to reveal the young man himself, as usual looking handsome, wearing his home clothes, today he was wearing a dark blue shirt with denim shorts. Sakura couldn't help but feel envious that this hot guy looks good in anything he wears, and he doesn't even care. Sakura would love to look good in anything she wears.

He nodded to her and opened the door so Sakura could come in.

" It's sort of dusty." Sakura commented.

" Of course, left it for around a month." Sasuke said nonchalantly and headed to the kitchen to make both of them some tea.

Sakura sat herself into his black sofa. She released her handbag so it sat near her. She looked around the room and her eyes fell on the picture. Her smile widened, she forgot about that picture, she didn't even know Sasuke would keep such things. Her hands neatly traced the frame. The picture was of Kakashi standing up, and sitting in front was Naruto, Sasuke and herself. Although it was one year ago, Sakura realized how much all of them are growing up. Sasuke actually became something of a normal person. He is still moody and quiet at times, but Sasuke has allowed people into his life now, to Sakura's delight, she loves him like a brother now. It was different and weird, she thought. The times she spent with Naruto would be all fun and joking with laughter and fighting, but with Sasuke it's more peaceful, they discuss things and sip their tea. Only occasionally they would bicker as fierce as they would with Naruto.

Sakura saw Sasuke heading towards her with a tray of tea in his hands. She thanked him for the tea, and they both sat there in silence, sipping their tea. Sakura chose to bring up the conversation first and told him about her going on a mission tomorrow.

" I see." Sasuke responded, running his hands through his black hair.

" Kakashi was kind of weird yesterday. He looked worried." Sakura asked.

" Oh really?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

" Yeah…I guess this mission might be dangerous." Sakura reasoned.

" Where were we last time? I have this urge to finish our conversation that we had before. I guess I can't keep it inside of me anymore, and you're the only one I trust, besides Naruto." Sasuke interrupted her.

" Umm…when you were one on one with your brother…"

" Yes, I just don't want to explain when we fight, it was bloody and gory. I never imagined I would be terrified like that when I fought him, but it was horrible and scary. No one should go what I went through…"

Sakura sipped her tea and listened.

" But, right at the end, it was where I summoned all my chidori in one blow, that I aimed straight for his chest, my hands went through his stomach. I can't forget the blood gushing out of his body, leaking out of my hands, which was still pierced through his body. I screamed like hell. And I pulled my hand out. Itachi…he pulled me down with him, on the bloody lake which was all his blood, and then I was scared and exhausted, I wasn't able to do anything, except just watch him."

" I watched him as he mumbled a couple of words. I guessed he was swearing…I don't know, I just don't want to remember…but then a green light came out of his body and this heat painfully entered inside of me…I screamed in pain, I realized he summoned one last jutsu… just to make me feel pain… before he died…" Sasuke finished his story.

" Wow…" Sakura was freaked out.

" Were there any side effects after this green thingy entered inside of you?" Sakura was worried about that.

" No… I expected some kind of pain after, but nothing came, the only pains I suffered was the physical, you know, the bruises and cuts and broken parts…" Sasuke explained.

" Okay good, maybe he didn't finish the jutsu in time, the complete part of it…thank goodness." Sakura said gently.

Sakura looked at her time.

" Hey, sorry, Sasuke, thanks for telling me, and trusting me, but I have to go now. I guess I won't see you for a while. When I come back, you're probably on another mission." Sakura said.

" Do come back." Sasuke replied. To her surprise, Sasuke put his arms around her to gave her a hug as well. Sasuke never does that.

" Thanks…" Sakura thanked Sasuke and embraced him.

" Hey! You never hug. Getting affectionate are we?" Sakura teased him.

" Hn. Whatever." Sasuke grunted and gently released his arms around her.

Oh well, Sasuke will always be Sasuke. Inner Sakura thought.

" And I will take down Sensei, to see what's under that mask…" Sakura added.

" Hn. Go ahead." Sasuke responded with no enthusiasm

" Have some support! You're just being a sourpuss cos last time you tried he pulled you underground and won't let you get out for hours." Sakura

" Hn." He led her out of his door and closed the door behind him

" Sakura?" Sasuke asked seriously.

" Hmm?" Sakura replied.

" Be careful." Sasuke told her firmly.

Sakura nodded and waved him goodbye and exited out of the building.

TBC

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A/N: How was it? Sorry it's a bit boring cos it's the beginning, I always suck at writing beginnings. I think I made Sasuke out of character though, he's not this talkative, I find Sasuke and Kakashi the hardest characters to write about as I don't know what runs through their minds. My endings of the chapters are so blaugh, I need to work on that too. Please read and review so I can improve on my writing!

Nops