Sakura thought back to how she got here in this situation. Both she and Shikamaru looked at each other before sighing. Currently, she was on a two team mission; hers and Shikamaru's. However, that wasn't the problem. The problem presented itself when Naruto and Chouji got themselves captured. This situation was sad, because both boys were obviously jounin strong, but they pulled a gennin mistake. She was, of course, the first one to notice something wrong. Moving gingerly, she spotted Kakashi with Sasuke and Sai. All three heads turned to her when she flashed a pen light in their direction. Kakashi gave her the "what should we do" look, and Sakura seriously debated on letting the enemy kill them. Sighing Sakura knew she couldn't let that happen.

"This is stupid..."

Shikamaru smirked. The council had given her this small mission to test her. They didn't say that directly to her, but she was no fool either. She also knew that they had gotten Kakashi and Asuma to keep a critical eye on her. Sai was only here in case they needed to deal with her. Tsunade's obvious discomfort and Shizune's fidgeting was all the evidence she needed to back up her theory. Twirling a few kunai, she gave Shikamaru that look that he had gotten accustomed to on missions with her. Performing a few hand seals by Shikamaru, the whole place went dark. That's when she moved. Everyone heard confused shouts and the spilling of liquid before he released his jutsu. Sakura stood right beside the tied up Naruto and Chouji. Enemy bodies lay scattered around. Blood had been spilled everywhere including on the boys, but none had touched Sakura. Jumping down, everyone looked impressed at her, except Shikamaru. He was used to Sakura's techniques and abilities. Sad thing was she wasn't even getting started. So, those guys never stood a chance against her.

"Hey, would someone like to untie us?"

They all looked at Naruto and Chouji Couldn't they at least untie themselves? Flicking down a kunai, both of their bonds were cut off. As they worked the kinks out of their body, Sakura turned over the dead leader's body. Pulling out the package, Sakura safely tucked it in her pouch before standing ready to leave. Twirling around quickly, her kunai met the katana blade of another. Sending a powerful kick to the abdomen, the enemy was sent flying back. Once they stood, Sakura understood. This person was a hunter Nin from the village of enemies she just killed.

"Keep your secrets for they mean nothing to us."

Re-holstering her weapon, Sakura turned around and left. Shikamaru followed without a word, but the others lagged behind. They were unsure whether or not to really let this go. Since Sakura seemed ready to let it go, they slowly and quietly followed. Once a good distance away, Yamato questioned Sakura's motives.

"Sakura-san, why did we not engage them?"

Sakura turned and Shikamaru smirked. He knew what that took on her face meant. She was devising a way to kill this guy quietly. After all, Sakura was the most elite of the elite. NO one ever dared to question her. However, with all the questioning about her loyalty, Yamato must have felt like he had right to ask her this. Kakashi quietly watched to see how she would respond. Putting a hand on her shoulder, Shikamaru knew what was going on. Wondering how long she knew, he sighed. This was all too troublesome and tiring.

"Did you see a reason why we needed to engage?"

Kakashi got a bad feeling about where this was going.

"With all due respect Sakura-san, they are the enemy. We are ordered to eliminate anyone if we spot them. Frankly with your reputation of late, I don't think your decisions are most wise."

They watched her work her jaw and a flash of anger flickered across her eyes. Kakashi knew better than to piss off this girl because she had a temper and pride just like her teammates.

"Yamato-san I'm fully aware of the laws and requirements."

"Then you should know we should have engaged and killed."

"I will not nor allow the necessity you feel for unnecessary killings."

"What would you do if these men that you spared killed your fellow comrades later on?"

Shikamaru knew that Yamato was stepping deeper into the danger zone.

"I would deal with such a situation if or when it ever arose."

"Do you think yourself so mighty, Haruno-Taichou, that you not even you have to obey the laws placed by our esteemed council?"

The cold bite that Yamato added to her title was chilling indeed, but Sakura seemed unfazed.

"If you have any problems with my ruling take it up with Hokage-sama. Until such time, Yamato-san, I am your superior and I expect compliance until said time."

With that Sakura continue walking, and Shikamaru quickly caught up.

"Why did you not tell him to respect you as well?"

Sakura smirked at her friend.

"That's just something you earn, and you know that."

Shikamaru smirked back.

"Think he does now?"

"Only he has the answer to that question."

Sakura penned her eyes to a dark night in the woods. Something was wrong though. Everyone wasn't at the camp, and she looked around confused. After all, the last thing she remembered was them settling down for the night. She wouldn't have put it passed the others to pull something like this, but not Shikamaru. He would have warned her. So then why?

A rustling of leaves caught her attention instantly. Turning around, a group of mist ninja came into view. One of them was younger than the rest. Recognizing him, Sakura's body went cold. Her hands had instantly reached for a weapon, but they weren't there. She felt naked.

A cloaked figure dashed into the area and quickly dealt with all but the youngest with least resistance. However, the smaller one proved to be tricky. Sakura watched the figure take several swipes at him and one of the connected. Each weapon was met with a partner from the mist. Soon, they were let with taijutsu. He wasn't using much else since Sakura knew; he was building up for his bloodline trait. Pulling out a kunai from a top of a tree, the figure came down and successfully dug it into his stomach. At first he stayed down bleeding, and the figure moved into a defensive position.

"What then...?"

Sakura heard the guide whisper, and she wanted to scream at them to get out of there. Her voice however wasn't there, and all she could do was watch in horror as it unfolded. The mist ninja tore off his mask, revealing the face of only a twelve year old boy. This shocked the figure. He came then, and the figure was forced to fight back. During the next few steps, the figure successfully embedded a kunai in his neck, eye, cheek, heart, knee, hand, and back. Despite their efforts, nothing worked. Then the figure's hand glowed green ant they ripped it through the boys' chest and pulled out his heart in the process. Crushing the torn body part in its hand, they boy dropped and fell to the floor once they retreated their hand.

"Blood..."

The cloak had been ripped off by the wind when they rushed at the boy for the final attack. Sakura looked at herself. She collapsed to her keens as she stared down at her blood-cloaked hands. This was a memory she remembered now all too well. Most of the details, she remembered clearly, she locked away. So why were they unlocking now? Not much more came as she began to scream. Looking down at her past self screaming, Sakura remembered why she wanted to forget this memory so badly. All she could do was scream at the time. Feeling helpless and lost, all she was thinking of was blood. Her heart had broken, and that's why she needed to forget.

"So what do you think?"

Kakashi looked up from the fire to look at Yamato. He must have been asking about Sakura's earlier decision. Looking over at the sleeping girl behind Yamato, Kakashi held no ill will against her for the decision. For he too was tired of useless deaths.

"I think she made the right decision?'

"Are you angry for my method of judging her?"

Kakashi shrugged.

"The council told us to judge her in our own ways, then to report to them our findings. Howe you go about to get your findings is up to you as well. I hold no grudge to you for your method."

Yamato inwardly sighed. It may not be known to Kakashi, but many jounin and even ANBU respected him. After all, he was in line to be considered for Hokage. Secretly, they were considered of course. However, Kakashi candidacy was obvious, even to his longtime rival, Gai.

"However, Yamato-san, you could have gone about it a little more delicately. I don't think frontal confrontations will prove much worth against her. After all, Ibiki-san had informed me that she puts even him to shame in interrogations. Sakura knows all the risks in the book and out, so be very careful with her."

"Ah..."

They knew very well that this was a loosing battle, so that's why they sent Temari to Konoha. It wasn't really to get back-up, but because she would be safe there. After all, Temari was their only beloved sister. Loosing her was not an option that lay before Gaara or Kankuro.

Another explosion ripped through the sky and Gaara's shield was weakening. His sand rose behind him, alerting him of a threat. It was already too late thought. As he had begun to weaken, his sand's defenses had slowed. One of Deidara's birds was behind him. Deidara smirked as it exploded. Gaara was sent flying through his crumbling frontal sand shield.

"Gaara!"

Kankuro moved to try and catch Gaara, but he was met with the iron tail of Sasori's doll. Sending him flying through a poison gas trap, which Kankuro accidentally inhaled. Coming to a sliding half, he saw Gaara being lifted and taken away.

"Ga-Gaara..."

Halfway to Konoha, Temari stopped in fast retreat to ally country. A deep and unsettling feeling lay in her stomach suddenly. Her sense said that Kankuro was or was going to be fine, but something screamed at her and her other brother.

"Gaara?"

Sakura woke up screaming. Shikamaru was instantly awake and bolting to Sakura's side. Everyone else woke up, trying to rub the sleep out of their eyes. Once they grasped what was happening they crowded around Sakura. Kakashi put a sympathetic hand on her violently shaking back. Clutching to the side of her head, Sakura screamed loud and painfully. Grasping her by her shoulders, Shikamaru tried to shake Sakura out of it.

"Sakura! Wake up! It's just a dream, Sakura!"

Tears flowed through her clenched eyelids, and Sakura bent over, continuing to scream. Gently easing Shikamaru back, Sasuke enveloped Sakura in his arms. Naruto put a hand on her head, while Kakashi kept his on her back. Shikamaru placed one on her shoulder. Feeling their comfort, Sakura eased quiet. Looking up into their puzzled, yet concerned faces, she smiled through her tears.

"Thank you."

Shikamaru didn't have the heart to tell any of them that Sakura had been like this a long time ago.

Two figures and nine shadowy figures stood around looking down on the battle beaten Kazekage. Pein was inwardly please, although he would never say it. It would be a pain if they all got big egos because of a simple compliment. Also, it was a waste of his time, so he didn't bother wit hit. However, Konan knew when he was pleased when he didn't show it, but that's what you get from a childhood friend. The only other person who knew what he thinking or how he felt was currently returned to Konoha via Uchiha Itachi. Word on the wind was that she also had no memory of her past six months, which would include their little talk. Due to Sakura' return though, Orochimaru was afraid to attack. He didn't blame him for that decision though. Sakura was even more powerful than himself, and he is a direct descendant of the man who created ninjas.

After all this, Pein had been planning to visit his cousin, but someone else had already said they would. He didn't argue since it would have resulted in said person crying to Sakura, and him getting a scolding. Bastard... Secretly, Pein glared at Itachi. It was all his fault that they were going through this. Idiot, he would kill him later for this headache he created. Sighing, Pein created the hand seal.

"Let's get this over with."

The other complied, and the extraction began.

Early the next morning, the group was making it home. Sakura surprisingly was too weak to walk, which Shikamaru had suspected. After all, Shikamaru was the only one that knew about the attacks and their after-effects. He had told n one, not even Tsunade. It wasn't because he didn't think that they weren't important, but becasue Sakura didn't want them to know. When they stopped happening, Shikamaru figured Sakura had finally dealt with it. They all had darkness that they had to bear as shinobi. How wrong were they?

Sasuke was currently the one carrying Sakura on his back. They walked a little farther back, and there was an awkward silence between them. Both of them were still weird about what had happened between them. Sakura was uncomfortable only because she still didn't remember anything from her life with Akatsuki, and Sasuke was weird because he knew what he did to his friend was wrong. However, being an Uchiha made apologizing incredibly hard. It was all becasue Uchiha's were just born with an unimaginable amount of pride.

"About the other night..."

Sasuke was grateful that Sakura couldn't see his face. The others were facing directly ahead and not looking back. Her hands gripped his shoulders tighter, remembering about the event in question. Where she met Itachi, in what seemed like their first meeting, but yet not.

"I'm... sorry..."

Sakura's eyes widened. She had almost missed it. Sasuke's apology had come out so soft. If she hadn't attuned many of her senses, she probably would have missed it. Smiling softly, Sakura hugged him lightly.

"It's okay."

Sasuke smirked.

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"I appreciate you not making this harder or a bigger deal than what it is."

Sakura looked puzzled.

"Who said I wouldn't?"

Sasuke's face grew into one of horror as Sakura waved her arms and called out to her teammates.

"Naruto! Kakashi-san! Guess what?"

Kakashi was instantly at Sakura's side. Seeing Sasuke's horror-written face, he knew it had to be good. Patting Sakura's head, he smiled mischievously at his oblivious partner-in-crime.

"What is it Sakura?"

"Sasuke-san apologized to me!"

That instantly got Naruto over and laughing at the growing red Uchiha.

A soft breeze ran through Sakura's hair instantly waking her to her surrounding. Konoha was where she knew she was, in a small field where many instructors brought their young kuniochi to learn flower arrangement. The peacefulness of the afternoon was welcoming her to sleep. Movement close by got her to crack her eyes open again to see who was invading her rare relaxation time. She instantly bolted up recognizing the boy who stood before her. Uchiha Itachi, a younger dark, ebony eyes stared down at her and a playful smirk lay on his lips.

"You just can't stay away from me."

Sakura was up in an instant, flipping out a kunai in the process. Itachi looked amused at her reaction to him. Of course, he kept a cautious eye on her weapon. He knew what it took to become an ANBU captain, so he was taking no risks with her.

"What did you do to me?"

Now, Itachi's expression turned to one of annoyance.

"You're not making any sense. I didn't do anything to you..."

Itachi was instantly in front of her. Pulling her chin up, he gazed deep into her eyes. It was then he confirmed at what he thought he saw.

"There's a barrier to your memories."

Swatting his hand away, Sakura glared hard at him.

"I know that, and I have a really strong feeling, you're the one who did it."

Itachi looked annoyed again.

"I don't deny that the jutsu used can only be done by the sharingan, but I didn't do it."

"You've had to!"

He was shocked at her screaming at him. After all, not even his father dared to raise his voice against him.

"Why did you do it?"

Sakura felt her feelings flare. She just didn't understand anything. Why had she gone? The very decision to stay with the Akatsuki for six months destroyed what little of her life she had left. Not to mention, the worst part was, that just his name disturbed the calm waters of her heart. Opening her eyes, Itachi was no longer there.

"Sakura?"

Turning around, she came face to face with the present Uchiha Itachi. His attire was very casual, and even his hair wasn't tied back. Sakura would have guessed that he had been sleeping. He looked shocked to see her. Taking a step towards her, Sakura took a step back. She could see the look of disappointment before it was replaced by a blank stare.

"Why are you here?"

Looking around, Itachi took in where he was. By the looks of it, he was located in Konoha. Turning back to Sakura, he wondered why she was shaking. Taking in her expression, he guessed she was terrified of him at that hurt him. Had being around Sasuke really crushed what was left of them inside of her? Itachi tightened his fist before releasing it. There was no point in holding onto someone who no longer knew or cared about you.

"You should be going."

"Why?"

Itachi smirked.

"Because I'll kill you."

Sakura felt a painful jolt ran throughout her chest. She wasn't shaking because Itachi scared her, but of not knowing why he struck emotions inside of her. For the very emotion she couldn't allow anyone to know about, and it was love. There was nothing that explained why or how she could feel this way about a man that she had only met once, or was it? Was the reason hidden in her memories?

"Why...?"

Itachi tisked in annoyance.

"Didn't I just answer that?"

Sakura looked straight at him with anew determination, but desperation laced her voice.

"Why did you take my memories away?"

Itachi widened his eyes in surprise. When did she figure it out?

"That wasn't your right! My memories belong to me, and if I had been in love with you, why is it so wrong for me to remember?"

Itachi watched her cry. Everything was beginning to disappear in the wind, in the shape of Sakura petals; it was then that he realized that this was her dream. Feeling himself fading from it, Itachi moved to reach out for her.

"Sakura!"

Hearing him say her name in such a panic mode her look at him alarmed. Seeing the Uchiha Itachi sin such a panic over her, she felt something warm. Perhaps, he loves her too. Itachi hand brushed her cheek, and then he disappeared in a burst of petals. Sakura was left all alone, in a white area, with a single tall, metal door in front of her. Her eyes could now see the memory blocking jutsu.

Itachi jump started awake. He was breaking heavily from the exertion of the dream. Sitting up in his bed, itchy placed his tired head in the palms of his hands. Looking to the side, he stared at Sakura's empty side of the bed. Then, he remembered her terrified expression.

"Shit..."

"Saku-chan?"

Sakura snapped out of her fiftieth daze, and it was only ten in the morning.

"Should we do this at another time?"

Sakura looked at Shinrai and shook her head no.

"Sorry about that. Let's continue."

Currently, both Sakura and Shinrai were in a nullified void. It was pretty much like Oblivion, but it wasn't. In a nullified void, there were no limits and any damage done was nullified. The scenery was pretty much the same, just grayed out. On the outside of the void, it would look like both Sakura and Shinrai were just standing there.

"Would you like the honor to start first?"

Shinrai smirked.

"You're going to regret that decision."

Concentrating, Shinrai fully summoned the orb into his hands. In a powerful gust of wind, Byakko appeared with a loud roar. His powerful eyes gazed down at Sakura. She stared back with her own chakra flaring against theirs. Her green chakra began to mix with red as it flared higher and higher. However, Suzaku did not appear nor his orb.

"You're at a level beyond us, aren't you?"

Sakura smirked at his annoyed expression.

"That's just natural. I've been able to do this and expand longer than the rest of you."

Shinrai should have obviously known that. After all, most of the materials he read were in Sakura's handwriting. Most of the materials were about advancements Sakura had discovered willingly or through great pain. Not known to many people, Sakura's power was so high sometimes they advanced without Sakura's consent. It made it that much harder and painful to cover it.

"Byakko-sama, please be my sword in this fight."

Byakko smirked.

"You're a precocious one, aren't you?"

Shinrai smirked up at him.

"Well, I have a feeling that she's going to be tricky one."

Byakko looked at Sakura and smirked again.

"You have a very good eye."

"That and I had a spar with her before."

Byakko raised a brow and let out a monstrous laugh.

"I imagine that ended quite badly."

Shinrai blushed.

"She's more powerful than you think."

Byakko stopped laughing at Shinrai's embarrassment and face Sakura seriously.

"No."

"Huh?"

"I, too, have faced this one in battle."

"How did that end?"

"It ended with a horrible end."

"Then let's make sure that it doesn't end that way this time."

Shinrai and Byakko came at Sakura fast.

Slowly, Gaara's soul continued to be pulled out with the demons. Akatsuki, who stood around him, smiled happily. Soon, the great power of the Sand demon would be at their fingertips. Pein was extremely happy. One piece of the chess board would soon be knocked off. A snickering caught his ear. Everyone's attention moved to Tobi.

"This is exciting!"

"Shut up you crazy person, yeah."

"Aw senpai. You'll hurt my feelings."

"Leader-san please let me kill Tobi, yeah."

"Enough. Just concentrate you idiots. I don't want to have to do this a second time, even if it would kill some of you."

Itachi, Kisame, and Sasori turned away knowing fully well that Pein meant what he said. Another shadow appeared suddenly, and he smirked at the results so far.

"Very nice."

The new shadow and Tobi shared a secret smile no one caught.

Another powerful attack hit the fire wall that pushed Sakura back. Pulling more fire out, Sakura dodged the powerful wind that Shinrai sent her way. Flipping away before Byakko could attack, Sakura threw the hot flame at Shinrai. Byakko quickly appeared in front of his guardian. His roar alone extinguished the fire, but they didn't see the attack that came from behind. Both of them jumped away before it could burn them though. The mighty tiger god roared again sending Sakura back, flying through several trees. As she stood, a bird's cry from the sky caught their attention. Sakura had finally summoned Suzaku down from his holy place in the sky. Sending both of them flying back, Suzaku cried again. It was a warning for them to stay back and away from his guardian.

"I think we should stop this."

Shinrai looked at Byakko.

"Are you serious? Saku-chan is just now starting to get serious."

"That's the reason why we should stop this, Shinrai-sama. When this girl gets serious, it's extremely dangerous."

Shinrai sighed. Making the correct series of hand seals, Shinrai performed the exiting jutsu. As the void lifted, both respective gods also disappeared back to their holy places. It was late afternoon, and both of them gasped heavily as the void finally lifted. They finally returned, and Yuu looked up from her stitching to see them both bending over breathing. She smiled, knowing full well how hard that had been on both of them. A rustling in the bushes caught all their attentions. Naruto fell through, and the married couple smiled at his clumsiness. Sasuke and Kakashi walked over him and just shook their heads. Sakura gave them all a confused look. Sitting up quickly, Naruto shouted over to them.

"Time to get lunch!"

Sakura grimaced. Naruto's version of lunch was only one thing: ramen. Shrugging her shoulders though, they all walked off with Sakura's teammates. Finally reaching their destination, they entered Ichiraku. Soon into waiting for their meal, Naruto captivated everyone's attention but Sasuke and Sakura. They sat a little farther down from the bumbling idiot. Both of them sipping on green tea, and Sakura inwardly wished she had alcohol. She also, inwardly, hated the fact that she picked that up after her sensei.

"So..."

Sakura turned her gaze onto Sasuke.

"What?"

"About that Tanaka Tsuki girl..."

She smirked.

"Want to know if she's dating someone?"

Sasuke turned red.

"Of course not!"

All eyes turned on the Uchiha that just had an open outrage. He coughed trying to cover his idiocy for drawing attention. Sakura chuckled as she took another sip of tea.

"So then, what did you want to know about Tsuki-chan?"

"If she's mother's best friend's daughter, then you obviously know what's she's like."

Sakura looked off into the distance, and Sasuke stared down at his tea cup, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"She's overwhelming, immature, quick-tempered, and sometimes idiotic."

Sasuke sweat dropped. Wasn't she supposed to be laying out the good points about her destined best friend? Sakura chuckled.

"However, Tsuki-chan is hardworking, trustworthy, kind, compassionate, and loving. She is the perfect partner for someone who wants a big loving family, like a certain Uchiha I know."

Sasuke knew that Sakura had taken that jab at him. There was no way she could have been talking about Itachi, even if she did remember him. After all, Itachi had single-handedly killed almost everyone in their family. He blushed under that realization. Shaking his head, there was no way that his curiosity about the girl had anything to deal with infatuation. Sakura, who was watching him from the corner of her eye, smirked in happiness. Teasing Sasuke was so much fun, and she silent chuckled with that happiness. The food was served and Sakura reached for her refilled tea glass. It immediately cracked, and Sasuke looked at it with a raised eyebrow. A drop in her stomach and the need to vomit immediately had Sakura up. She ran outside, followed by everyone else. Looking worried at Sakura, a flash of Gaara's image came to her.

"Sakura-chan, what's wrong?"

Sakura turned her wide eyes at Naruto.

"It's Gaara-sama..."

The last of the souls were finally sucked out of Gaara's body. Shukaku's spirit placed in a large stone figure, while Gaara's soul began to drift into light until the shadow figure sucked it into a yellow bottle. He smirked in response.

"What did you do that for, yeah?"

"I need the proper leverage for the next step and this is it."

Pein narrowed his eyes. He knew exactly what this shadow puppeteer was planning.

Rushing forward, everyone quickly followed Sakura. Upon seeing the gate, Kakashi worried Sakura was going to make a run for it. Running past the guards and gate, alarming everyone, Sakura kept rushing forward. A figure soon came into view, and everyone was having a hard time keeping up with Sakura. Coming to a skidding stop, Sakura came quickly to the aid of a battle-torn Temari.

"Temari-san!"

"Sakura-san?"

"What the hell happened to you? Wait, is it... Gaa-Kazekage-sama?"

Temari nodded her head. By now, everyone came to Temari's aid too. Kakashi now understood why Sakura took the risk of leaving the village, despite any punishment the council could throw down on her. Sakura quickly began to a quick look over as Temari explained for her appearance.

"They just came out of nowhere. It was a loosing battle from the start. We soon realized that. Just that, about a few minutes ago, I felt something really bad happen to Gaara."

Temari grabbed Sakura in a panic.

"Please! I beg of you Sakura-san, please don't let them have my little brother!"

Sakura felt Temari's pain. Placing a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder, she lightly smiled.

"I'll handle it, I promise."

Sakura waved over the guards that had followed them.

"Take Temari-san to the hospital at once. We'll report to Hokage-sama, and she'll personally see to Temari-san. Please make sure no one touches her until then. Also, notify someone to take your posts as you watch over Temari-san."

"Hai Taichou!"

Each of the placed one of Temari's arm over their shoulder. Both of them performed a few hand seals and they disappeared in a puff of smoke. Sakura nodded her head and they were all off to Tsunade's office. Quickly avoiding the villagers, Sakura made it to Tsunade's office without any injury to any of the villagers. Tsunade looked up from her papers to take in Sakura's worried expression, and she immediately gave the girl her full attention. She knew very well that Sakura would never waste her time with idiotic nonsense.

"Sand was under attack."

"Was?"

"Hai. Temari-san has just entered the village with serious injuries. It seems that they engaged the infamous group Akatsuki and lost."

The council members in the room gasped in knowing what had happened.

"Hokage-sama it is also within my knowledge that they now have their hands on Kazekage-sama."

"That's ridiculous."

Sakura stared hard at the opposing council member.

"What makes you think you know this?"

"Gut feeling."

They laughed, but Tsunade knew better. No one should ever underestimate Sakura's ability to know something. Standing from her desk, Tsunade addressed Team Kakashi.

"Kakashi-san, go out and retrieve Team Gai. Then, everyone meet at the gate for further mission instructions."

"Hai!"

Everyone disappeared but Sakura, because she felt an oncoming argument about her departing.

"Hokage-sama, you can't seriously be considering sending her!"

"It's highly unethical."

"Shut up! We won't find anyone better to deal with these men then Sakura. I will not hear any further argument. You all know as well as I do that she is the perfect candidate for this mission."

There were whispers around the room, because they all knew very well that it was true. The oldest council member addressed Sakura.

"A moment of your time Haruno-Taichou."

Sakura followed the man out onto the balcony and the doors shut behind them.

"Where is Sakura-chan?"

"Shut up dobe. You're so loud."

"I have to fully agree with the Uchiha."

"I think it is fine. Naruto-kun is full of the power of youth!"

"Good eyes Lee! Naruto-kun continue to burn with that power of youth!"

"Oh brother..."

Kakashi sweat dropped.

"Sorry about the delay."

Everyone turned to a quickly approaching Sakura.

"Let's get there at top speed."

"Sakura-chan, what did those guys say to you back there?"

"Huh?"

Sakura turned to Naruto's curious expression before looking to the side, remembering.

"Haruno Sakura, upon your return to this village, you will face the punishment that we the council have laid down for you for your betrayal of loyalty."

"What is the final decision?"

"Upon your return, Haruno Sakura you will be executed."

"Sakura-chan?"

Sakura smiled.

"It's nothing. Let's go now."