Naruto's

SAGAWI

Little Japanime Girl

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. Its quite obvious by my lack of story-telling skills.

A/N: Ok I am very pleased with those who have reviewed both here and on deviantart! I really was surprised and very happy with such a positive response. BUT, it's even more surprising to find such uber crazily high stats and a few reviews. That's a huge contrast. So please, if youre reading my chapters, please let me know what you think! I'm always open to opinions and suggestions. AND, I need to know what everyone thinks cause it will reflect in my progression of this story and many others. Again, thank you to those of you who took the time to review and omg even placed me on favorites and alerts! If you check the link to the manga then I will forever thank you cause thats where most of my time and effort is placed. Its my baby! Haha so please continue to bring support.

Here's chapter two; please enjoy!

Rooftop Hustle

Ino and Naruto race against time to save Sakura's life. As they jump from rooftop to rooftop, they question Sakura's mission and mental state.

"Hang in there, Sakura-chan!"

Naruto carried Sakura in his arms with Ino trailing behind as they ran and jumped the rooftops across town to the hospital. Naruto had many questions to ask his beloved Sakura, but his priority was to check her in the hospital before anything else.

Ino, however, was a different story. Ever worried to see her old friend so strangely, Ino couldn't stop the questions and worries buzzing through her head.

She looked over to her right at Naruto's back and was able to get a peek of the top of Sakura's head and dangling legs, Something happened on the mission.

She looked up at the afternoon sun after a few minutes and squinted her eyes, She's not herself.

"Almost there, Sakura-chan," rang Naruto's comforting voice in their silence.

Ino avoided looking at the pair in front of her and looked straight ahead in hopes of keeping her mind on the journey.

What happened to you? You were so happy to go.

The images of rooftops immediately faded and Ino was left in confusion as she thought back to the day Sakura left on the mission with the ANBU team.

---

Merely at special Jounin, Sakura was offered a mission with three other ANBU because her medical jutsu was crucial for that particular errand. Sakura stood awkward in her jounin vest amongst the ever infamous ANBU uniform clad trio waiting ahead for her to catch up. She faced back and waved.

The captain of the team had turned around and muttered, "...Let's go."

Sakura smiled and cheerily said to her friends as she waved, "Bye guys! See you soon!!"

Everyone that day was happy for her having such an opportunity and never thought her 'soon' meant 18 months later.

—

Naruto could not rid himself of the sight that caught him when he noticed Sakura's battered figure holding on to the wall at the threshold of Konoha's entrance. His frown deepened and his brows furrowed as he was both angered and confused.

Who did this to you Sakura-chan?!

His Sakura was strong and when things got too tough she always had help. He held pride in always being there for her just as she was there for him and her being on this mission to return that way hurt both his pride and heart. His eyes narrowed when he thought further on it.

Couldn't your team help protect you? They are ANBU afterall.

When he heard of her mission he was adamant of her accepting because of its dangers but as soon as she and Sai ensured him she would be under the protection of an ANBU squad, his worry lessened. It was just a fraction, but enough to let her go–even though she might have gone anyway.

He then remembered her teammates and recalled noting how strong they seemed. Placing two and two together, his simple mind noted something alarming. Something he was sure Ino had already realized.

Speaking of which, where the hell are they anyway?

Naruto looked directly ahead and swallowed the nervous lump in his throat before attempting to ask her something very delicate.

"Ano, Sakura-chan, when we get to the hosp–"

Her voice cut through his sentence harshly, "Take me straight to Tsunade, you two."

True to her nature, her tone was no-nonsense but, it did not help lesson the shock. Naruto and Ino were surprised to hear such words considering her situation.

Ino sputtered out incredulously, "Y-You're joking, right?!"

Naruto's eyes widened in panic knowing more or less what Sakura's reply would be so he hastily and forcefully told his precious person, "Tsunade can see you at the hospital! There's no hurry!"

Ino didn't miss a beat as she too added with a tone one would use to convince a stubborn child, "You know she will understand your delay, Sakura."

A tense moment of silence was spent between them as they awaited Sakura's reply.

She quietly concluded as if to herself, "I guess you two wont do me that favor then," then she lightly added with a hint of disappointment, "What a shame..."

Her words struck the two blondes and they both shared a shamed look for a second before pushing it aside. They knew her health was more important than her need to see Tsunade.

The quietness bore more weight than it had before and the blonde duo found themselves sweating in the back of their necks from feeling so much pressure. Pressure on whether questions should be asked or not and if asking one in particular would hurt Sakura more that what she already seemed.

The jumped from a building to another and Ino asked tersely before they actually landed, "...Hey forehead, w-where is your team?"

Naruto bit back his surprised gasp and sweat trickled down his temple as he glanced back at Ino. She had asked that one question they were worried about.

They landed and both discreetly looked at Sakura's mostly covered face for some sort of reaction. Naruto felt her still in his arms and caught a glimpse of...sadness? He could not label it. Her soft words were spoken slowly.

"...You should know that..."

The looks were no longer discreet as they waited for her to finish. Then she looked up so that Naruto could see her smile with her eyes closed. There was something in that smile that seemed terribly familiar to him.

"...that's classified information!"

Their eyes narrowed and misted as they processed her overly cheery response. Sakura was never that evasive to anyone. Ino had noticed that smile and it could not get passed her. A chill ran through her and she had to look away.

Even though her point is valid... I... I didn't like that smile...

Ino forced a weak chuckle and tried to keep the conversation going. She did not want to stay with the heavy feeling.

"Heh, yeah... s-silly me. You haven't reported yet."

Naruto quickly added in a cheery voice with a thin overlay of nervousness, "Yeah! So that means you have to get better to do that! Right, Ino?"

Ino distractedly replied as she hide her eyes, "...Right."

Sakura paused before mockingly replying, "...Sure!"

Naruto ignored it and continued his tracks as he landed on another rooftop. Ino stopped and looked down.

Sakura didn't even try to fight back so that she could report. The Sakura I know would've argued with us. And the medic nin Sakura I know knows that she needs immediate medical attention.

Ino remembered when Sakura last asked her to train; she seemed so at ease and happy. Something Ino wanted to see in her friend again.

What's so urgent that she's willing to risk her life for instead of waiting a couple of hours to report?

Naruto had quickly noticed that Ino's footsteps did not follow his on the roof and so he stopped and looked back.

"Huh? Ino?"

Her back was already turned to him and she was obviously deep in thought. He spoke again.

"Why did you stop?"

"Eh?"

She was thrown out of her thoughts from Naruto's voice and looked over, "J-just thinking..."

"I see."

Naruto had an idea of her reasons why but there really wasn't any time to spare. Ino too seemed to know this.

"Sorry."

Sakura shifted in his arms and she clenched her bloody hand that held the bag.

"Oh, that's right. I almost forgot," she lightly spoke up.

Sakura looked to the side and sort of sang out his name as if teasing him, "Naruto."

He looked down at her and she continued to speak, "When I arrived... You and Ino wanted to tell me something?"

Sakura began to remember the argument she stumbled on earlier and noted aloud, "Considering your argument, it seemed important."

Naruto stiffened and spoke loudly and wearily, "Oh that? Haha! Th-that can wait! Um..."

Shit, Sakura! Now's not the time!!

Ino noticed something in the corner of her eye and looked down.

"Yo Naruto! We're here."

Naruto was never relieved to hear annoying Ino's voice to interrupt. Ino looked down at the hospital from the rooftop and spoke to Sakura.

"Naruto's right, Forehead. We'll tell you later."

---They finally made it to Konoha Hospital with the reluctant Sakura. Will she cooperate as a patient?---

A/N: That's it for chapter two! I hope it wasn't too boring and that you liked something!

Here's the manga link: h t t p / w w w . d e v i a n t a r t . c o m / d e v i a t i o n / 5 9 1 0 8 4 2 4 /

please please comment on both cause I spent a ridiculous amount of time on the manga and script! Leaving a review wont kill ya! So do it!

Bai bai for now

LJG

P.S For notes and updates check my profile often!