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Chapter Four: The Name Of Protection

"I want to meet my Miss Anonymous."

"Cute reunion."

Sasuke jumped and turned around. He seen a short girl in an ANBU uniform standing a ways a way from him. She had a white panther mask on with pink ears and pink outlining the eyes. Sasuke simply stared at her.

"You are?" He asked, confused.

"You could say...your owner." She responded. She had a young, high-pitched voice, and sounded like a child from the academy.

"Owner?" Sasuke asked, amused. He glared at her.

"Yep, for the next two months. I. Own. You."

Sasuke's mouth dropped open slightly. Don't tell me this child was the ANBU shinobi that was going to watch him.

"You don't own me. You watch me." He said icily. The girl put her hands on her hips.

"No, I keep you in check. Don't forget that, Uchiha."

Sasuke winced. Who was this kindergartner? "Whatever, what's your name?" He asked.

"None of your business. When you need me, you can address me with respect. Call me 'miss' or 'ma'am'."

"Hell if I'll call you that!" Sasuke shouted. He bit his lip. I hate her already.

"Watch it, Uchiha."

"Watch, yourself, little kid." He snarled, and started walking toward her. "I don't address anybody with respect. I'll just call you 'brat'." He stopped right in front of her. She was so short! She was shorter than Sakura, and standing next to Sasuke, she really did look like a little child.

The girl clenched her fist, clearly angry. Sasuke hated the fact that he couldn't see her face. From what he could see though, she had very tan skin, long black hair that reached a little past her hips, and she was well developed. He ran his eyes over her.

In one swift movement, she grabbed his jaw tightly in her hands, getting his attention.

"Eyes on my face."

Sasuke attempted to smirk. "You have that mask on. I can't see it." He noticed she was on her tip toes, and could still barely reach his face. "I'm impressed you could reach." He mocked.

She tightened her grip, inducing a small glare from Sasuke.

"I may be short, but I can still hurt you." The girl snarled. Sasuke gripped her hand tightly and forcefully removed it from his jaw. He squeezed her hand harshly and gave her a sadistic smirk.

"How old are you, kid?" He sneered.

The girl ripped her hand from his grasp and slammed her fist into his chest. He didn't budge.

"I'm 17, little kid."

Sasuke's eyes widened. There was no way she was older than him, if only by a year. But before he could speak, she turned on her heel and walked away. She raised her hand in the air. "Hey, unless you want to sleep in the streets tonight, you better follow me."

Sasuke groaned. He wanted to wrap his hands around her tiny neck and crush her. But instead, he followed quietly. Just ignore her.

They came to a small, but nice house near the Village Hall. And the Hokage's office.

"Here's your temporary home. Lady Hokage said she should have a place ready for you at the Uchiha Estate in about two months."

Sasuke cracked his knuckles. "I thought it was only one month?" He asked, upset.

"Turns out the place is a mess, but the Hokage says you can train in one month, so don't get all huffy." The girl said, pulling out a set of keys. She walked up to the door and jabbed the keys into the doorknob.

"Damn, that's still too long." He said, turning away from the girl and looking up into the sky.

"Whatever, it just makes this job easier for me." She girl mumbled.

"How do you figure?"

"I don't have to worry about you dying, or being injured."

"Worry?" Sasuke chuckled.

"I don't have to deal with it. Happy?"

The girl pulled the keys out and pushed open the door. Sasuke turned around and faced her. She tossed the keys in her hand a couple of times, and then tossed them to Sasuke, who swiftly caught them. She walked past him.

"Night." She called back. He turned around and walked into his new home.

"Well, I suppose it would be appropriate to say I'm surprised."

Sasuke and Naruto met up with Kakashi at their old training ground. It was about noon when they arrived, but of course, Kakashi was an hour late.

"You're still the same as before, all the way down to your horrible track of time." Sasuke said, plopping down next to a tree by Naruto. Kakashi scratched his head.

"Yeah, I guess."

Naruto glared up at his old sensei. "Grandma Tsunade already told you, huh?" He mumbled. Kakashi nodded and pulled out a book. The perverted book. Sasuke frowned at him.

"You still read those?" He asked. Kakashi nodded and opened the book.

Naruto waved his hand at Sasuke. "They really aren't interesting. Boring, actually." He said. Sasuke only stared at him. "The pervy sage let me read one." He explained.

Kakashi cleared his throat, getting their attention. "So, Sasuke...how did these past two days go? Being home...does it bring back memories?" He asked, still reading his book.

Yes, many. "Barely." Sasuke grumbled. "These past two days...have been...irritating." He ran a hand through his hair and tugged at the collar of the long sleeve black shirt he was wearing. "This morning was the worst."

Naruto looked puzzled. "Why?" Sasuke sighed and leaned back against the tree.

"The ANBU that's suppose to be watching me...well, she's annoying." He moaned. "Not to mention...it's a girl. Tsunade mentioned it being a 'he' when me and Sakura were in her office."

"Lady Tsunade. She is the Hokage, Sasuke." Kakashi chimed in.

"Whatever." Sasuke said. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It would take a lot of adjusting to stay in this village one whole month. He could hear Naruto chuckling beside him.

"What's her name?" He asked, scooting closer to Sasuke. Naruto had gone on a couple missions with the ANBU before. He was curious if he knew this girl or not.

Sasuke shrugged. "She wouldn't tell me. I didn't even see her face. All I know is that she looks like some child from the academy."

Naruto nodded and stood up. Sasuke looked up at him. "What's she like?" Naruto asked, smiling at Sasuke. Sasuke sighed.

"Annoying. She's demanding, and irritates me to know end. She woke me up at 6 this morning."

Naruto started laughing. "That sucks! You poor bastard."

Sasuke glared at him. Thanks, loser. "My appointment with Ibiki wasn't even until 8. I wanted to yell at her, but right after she woke me up, she left."

Kakashi started walking away from them. "I'd love to stay and chat, but I have somewhere to be. It was nice seeing you, Sasuke!" He called out, before he disappeared.

Naruto waved after his teacher and Sasuke stood up, brushing off his pants.

"Speaking of the interrogation, how'd that go?"

Sasuke grunted. "Fine. I told them everything they wanted to know."

"Like?" Specifics, Sasuke.

"Like, where Orochimaru's hideouts were located, who worked under him, and how I killed him." Sasuke explained. He didn't like talking about the sound village all that much. He actually got on Ibiki's nerves at the interrogation. Sasuke's always been kind of a smart ass.

Naruto nodded and beamed at him. "That it? You cooperated that easily? What else happened?" Naruto questioned, poking at Sasuke's shoulder. Sasuke brushed his hand away and started walking off.

"Nothing. A team of medic nin came in and checked over my curse mark quickly. That was it." He explained.

Naruto's smile faded. "Medic nin, huh? Speaking of medic nin-" Sasuke knew where this was going.

"We weren't."

A small pause followed that statement.

"Have you seen Sakura today?" Naruto asked quietly. Sasuke stopped and looked back at him annoyed.

"No, I haven't. Should I have?"

"She's sick, you know." Duh, loser! Of course I know!

Sasuke's brow raised. "I told her that would happen. You should tell her not to walk around at night in nothing but her pajama's."

Naruto's eyes widened. "You seen her in her pajamas!!!" He ran up to Sasuke and glared at him. "No fair! Sakura's always so pretty all the time. I want to see her when she's just in pajamas and not something nice! I bet she still looked pretty!" He whined.

Sasuke just looked at him. You're such a loser. "So, is she home?"

Naruto calmed down and shook his head. "Naaaah! Sakura never stays home, even when she's sick. She works at the hospital almost everyday. Old Lady Tsunade works her like a dog." He scratched his head. "I seen her early, walking into the hospital. She looked pretty rough. I wonder how she's doing." Naruto said thoughtfully.

Sasuke shrugged and started walking, Naruto close behind him. "What time does she get off?" Sasuke asked. Naruto tapped his chin. "Umm, well she's working the morning shift today," Naruto squinted. "Errr...12:30 I think. Yaaah, in about ten minutes." He finished. Sasuke nodded.

"Well, I'll catch you later, loser."

"Where you going?"

"Home. Maybe catch that ANBU girl and talk to her about waking me up in the morning." Sasuke stated, smirking back at Naruto. Yell at her sounds more appropriate. With a few hand signs, he disappeared.

I should have stayed home. I feel miserable. I bet I look miserable too. Sakura was walking through the streets on her way to her apartment. She had went over to Ino's last night for a bit before going home, so she was lacking major sleep. She had explained everything to Ino, who was extremely excited to see Sasuke. All she was asking was how much cuter he had become.

Sakura slowed her steps and kept her face down. She knew she looked sickly. The only thing that looked half decent right now was her hair, and only because Ino had fixed it up for her last night. Sakura had dark circles under her eyes from no sleep, and her face was pale. Her vision had been blurry all day, but she couldn't disappoint the Hokage by skipping work because of a silly cold.

Her pace was slowing down. Just as she felt herself dozing off she heard some footsteps in front of her. Damn. Why does my head feel so heavy? She kept her head down, hoping whoever was about to run into her would sidestep her.

"Hey."

Sakura's head flew up, causing her to get dizzy and stumble backward. That was stupid.

"Sasuke."

Sasuke examined her face. Talk about a bad day. "Sakura, you're sick. Why did you go to work?"

"I...I had to." Wow, since when are there two Sasukes?...And, why does it feel like the floor is sinking?

Sasuke sighed and walked up to her, placing his hand on her forehead once again. The cold sensation felt amazing against Sakura's burning head. Unconsciously, she put her hand over his and closed her eyes.

"Sakura, you have a fever. You need to go home and sleep."

Sakura just nodded and felt sleep slowly take over her senses. Wow, what a time to get sick. Just don't collapse on him. Please don't!

"Will you be okay getting there on your own?"

Sakura nodded once again. Her legs started wobbling. "Y-yes...I..."

"No, you won't." Sasuke said, removing his hand from her head. He picked her up bridal style. Sakura would have resisted, but she felt her body melt into his arms, as she fell asleep.

Where am I? Sakura slowly opened her eyes. She was at home. In her bed. Oh, thats right. I got sick and... Sakura shot up from her bed and examined her room. She found somebody sitting in a chair beside her bed. The person looked up at her and smiled.

"Hey. How you feeling?"

Sakura smiled.

"Hey, Kalei."

Next Chapter: Under The Stars