What was Lost, What was Gained

ch. 4

Sakura POV

The sun hadn't even risen yet as team seven assembled at Konoha's main gates. Sasuke was the first to show up Naruto and I had run into each other while on the way. Sasuke didn't look nearly as tired as Naruto and I, we were practically falling over.

"Holy cow Sasuke, did we have to get up at the butt crack of dawn."

Naruto whined, rubbing his eye.

"Shut up loser."

Sasuke snapped adjusting his backpack. This was a great start to the day, arguing.

"Techinally Naruto, it's not even dawn yet."

That didn't help, Naruto moaned and Sasuke rolled his eyes. It didn't take long before Tusnade, Jiraiya, and Kakashi showed up.

"Hey Kakashi-sensei! Pervy Sage!"

Naruto cheered up and ran up to his sensei's. Kakashi waved.

"Hey Pervy sage how the heck did you get Kakashi here on time?"

He laughed. Kakashi slummed.

"Come on Naruto, I always try to be on time."
Kakashi sighed in defeat seeing his students cock an eyebrow at his lie. Tusnade cleared her voice.

"Any way, on to the mission. Sakura, I'm putting you in charge, your the leader of the squad."

Sasuke and Naruto stared, their mouths gaped open, kinda. Like always Naruto was the first to speak his mind without thinking.

"What!? Granny! Why can't I be mission leader! The akatsuki are after me, it's my future on the line I should have the final say!"

"No way dope, this is involving my brother and my revenage. I should lead. You're too careless and thoughtless, in you're all around stupid."

Naruto and Sasuke pressed their foreheads together glaring, mumbling insults back in forth. I usually would have tried to stop them but I really didn't have to energy for it.

"Tusnade-sensei, why me? Sasuke and Naruto are much better leaders than me."

Tusnade raised her hand up to silence me while Kakashi and Jiriaya were pulling Naruto and Sasuke apart.

"Sakura, you're not one to get into petty fights like these two, but my main reason that the three of us agree on is because you'll think more clearly on this mission. Naruto has a thing with jumping straight in without thinking. Which can work for him sometimes. Sasuke, well this is a very personal mission that's he's waited a very long time for. The fact that his revenage could cloud his judgment is a risk we don't want to take since the akatsuki and Itachi are our targets."

Sasuke and Naruto had finally stopped agruing and were listening in, this time they set their anger towards the three adults.

"What!? Pery Sage! Granny! I can control myself! I think about stuff before I do it...sometimes."

"My revenage is important but I won't forget about the akatsuki, I should be leader. I'm not a fool I know how to accomplish a mission, unless you think I'm encompentant."

Sasuke growled. Kakashi, Jriayia and Tusnade just nodded their heads.

"Now, can it! The both of you. Tusnade made Sakura leader so deal with it or we'll find another team to take the mission."

Jriaiya warned. Oddly enough Sasuke and Naruto didn't say another word.

"Now that the peanut gallery is quiet."

Tusnade snapped. Kakashi stepped forward.

"I am taking another mission on the akatsuki, really its a spying mission. I'll meet up with you three as soon as I can but don't count on me showing up soon. I'll leave tomorrow when the last bit of information is given."

Sasuke and Naruto looked at me then back at Jriaiya who stepped forward next.

"Now if you three need back-up contact us, immediatly. Akatsuki are not to be taken lightly. If you need help we'll send anbu. Got that?"

Sasuke and I nodded but Naruto didn't say anything. In fact Naruto looked away. Knowing that dope he proably wasn't paying attention, Sasuke had noticed but didn't press the issue.

"Good. Now that, that is settled. You guys have permission to leave."

We nodded and headed towards the gate.

"Be careful."

I heard Tusnade say, I turned my head back and smiled. She accepted, unknowing to the turmoil in my mind. I was the leader on the mission that was a make or break. Whether we obtained Sasuke's revenage and taken the risk of the akatsuki from Naruto. When did it all of a sudden come all down on me. When Tusnade made me leader I wanted to object with every breath I had, but I could find the words to turn her down. If I fail as leader Sasuke wouldn't get his revenage and Naruto could end up as a Akatsuki lab experiment or ...dead.

I shuddered at the last word. I can't bare to think of either one of my teammates...gone. Not like six months ago when I thought I lost them both, it was almost too much to handle. I followed my teammates into the surrounding woods, my thought hanging on one question.

What if I do fail?

A/N

Hello my faithful readers, thanks to all those who had kept up with Reunited and have made it this far in the squeal.

Next Chapter: The rookies get together and start forming plans and stragies, but problem errupt and loyalities are tested on who is willing to be back up. Rookies vs. Rookies