Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I'm so sorry! This wasn't supposed to take so long, but alas it did. First I got a new computer and lost the chapter I had written before; or started anyway. So I ad to rewrite it; and believe me this version is way better. Than as I was writing a was stuck on one part. And as we read my typed words I am currently sneezing and coughing my brains out. On top of that just before the stupid Login crap was not working! So please forgive the lateness of this chapter, and enjoy. Oh and before I forget…I do not own Naruto.
"Shh! The kunoichi is waking up." Kisame whispered while putting an index finger over his lips.
All eight of them were crowded around the couch, their heads looking down on the sleeping cherry blossom. She stirred, moved, and groaned. Than her eyes fluttered open. She squinted at the figures hovering over her before screaming.
Sakura jumped up from her laying down position and took a defensive position on the couch. Her eyes narrowed as she swung her foot at Karin. Karin screeched before jumping back. In that second Sakura found herself fending off most of the Akatsuki, save four or five members.
The kunoichi jumped into the air, avoiding a reaching hand while punching some guy in the face. Immediately that guy turned into water and she knew that she was dealing with Suigetsu. Her mind reeled as she dodged Kisame's sword attacks and jumped off of the couch. Hidan and Kakuzu ran at her, Hidan with his alive strings and Kakuzu with his heavy ass sword. Behind them were Sasori and Deidara, Sasori looked like he was shooting chakra strings at her while Deidara threw numerous weapons. Lastly there was Jugo, who looked in pain. The way he held his head was as if he were going to explode.
This is not what I expected when I woke up… Sakura bitterly thought as she dashed towards the door, her hand landed on the handle and she swung it open. Her feet moved on their own but she ran into a stone wall. Wait not a stone wall…a stone chest!
Sakura hissed as she flew backwards and flipped in the air, she caught herself with her arms before she landed on the hard surface of the floor. As she tried to stand up a foot was pressed on her back, and she felt the weight of someone sitting on her. She glanced behind her through her eyes-lashes and saw Deidara on top of her back; his legs were around hers so she couldn't try and fight. Sakura felt her hands being ruthlessly pulled together and a scratchy rope tied around her wrists.
With one swift movement Sakura was pulled up and onto her feet, Deidara behind her holding her still. "What the hell?" Sakura snapped as everyone in the room looked at her. Sasuke; or the stone chest as we first noticed him; walked over to Sakura and took her from Deidara. No one answered Sakura's outburst as she glared at Sasuke.
"Sakura." He greeted.
"Asshole." She growled.
Behind them they heard a snort in disgust. Sakura glanced at the only other female in the room. Karin caught sight of her gaze and glared at the pinkette. "What the hell are you looking at…forehead?" she sneered.
Sakura scoffed before she broke free of the rope that tied her wrists together and in a nanosecond she was in Karin's face. "Who gave you, fucking slut, the right to call me forehead?" Fiery emerald clashed with Karin's horrified eyes. "That's what I thought." Sakura smirked inwardly. "No one, repeat no one can ever call me forehead, unless your name is Ino."
Karin gulped at Sakura's intense gaze, Sakura never let it down until Sasuke grunted and took a hold of her arm. He dragged her away and out of the room.
"Who the hell is Ino?" Suigetsu absently said aloud.
The wind gently flowed into the office space. Filling every nook and cranny with cool fresh air. The smell of early fall made everyone oh-so happy. Fall was a special time of the year; the village would always have festivals that were always spectacular. Tsunade sighed at the thought of having a day where she wouldn't be pestered about the ideas of her having sake. No not at all, at the festival it was a free for all. A day to celebrate the change of seasons, more important to Tsunade though is to get drunk!
The Hokage frowned as she realized she didn't have her precious sake with her at the moment. She looked down at her tea cup and furrowed her eyes brows. Shizune had been through all of her cup boards lately and was making sure she didn't get drunk on the job. Thus causing Tsunade to get irritated because she can't have sake. Che. How annoying.
As Tsunade lifted the cup to her lips the material cracked and caused Tsunade's frown to widen. Why would it just suddenly crack…?
But with no more time to think a hawk flew through the window, and it landed on Tsunade's shoulder. It's golden brown wings spread for a second; showing off it's white under feathers; before closing again and shoving it's leg in front of his body.
Tsunade reached for the note tied to his leg and untied it. Wondering what could possibly be written on it. The paper unfolded as she let her fingers remove the creases, in front of her was a note from the Village Hidden in The Waves. Must be a thank note for the mission assigned to Sakura and Neji.
Oh was she dead wrong, opening the note she let her eyes widen and her mouth part slightly. Her eyes narrowed at the part where it said Neji had gone a little crazy. How stupid of him!
"Shizune!" Tsunade yelled as she put the paper down. Her eyes were hard as they watched the door open and in came a relaxed Shizune.
"Yes Lady Tsunade?" she smiled kindly.
"I need two ANBU teams in her stat!" Tsunade ordered as she watched Shizune. Shizune just stood there and raised an eyebrow.
"What for Lady Tsunade…? Surely you don't want TWO ANBU team— Shizune gulped as Tsunade glared at her.
"If not than why am I asking?! Now go get them! NOW!" she ordered once again and Shizune yelped before running out of the door.
What's Tsunade thinking?! All of the best working ANBU squads are out, she couldn't possibly want me to pair some ANBU with others that simply can't get along…does she? Now thinking back on it…I don't even think we have two ANBU teams here, fully anyway. The way the mission sounds…it's like she need eight shinobi; for a serious job. I guess I'm going to have to get them. Shizune thought as she sped though Konoha streets.
About twenty minutes later, eight shinobi were in the Hokage's office, and Shizune was standing by Tsunade panting from running around the whole village. Tsunade looked at all of the chosen ones with a serious expression. Calculating their capability for the mission. To her they would be good enough. Even though they weren't all ANBU, they still have been with each other from the very beginning.
"You're are probably all wondering why your all here." Tsunade began. "You're also probably wondering why there are so many of you." she continued. A frown etched it way onto her face. "I have grave news that will apply to your mission. All of you are not going to like this news; this person is very dear to all of us, to Konoha." Tsunade sighed. "I'm sad to say Sakura has been kidnapped by Akatsuki." She breathed in sharply and closed her eyes, waiting for all of the inevitable outbursts.
What she received was stunned silence. She cracked her one eye open before looking fully at the selected shinobi. Some had looks of disbelief on their faces while others looked ready to cry. That's when the outburst came; Kiba shouted angrily about how she could get kidnapped. Than Lee started yelling about what happened to Neji and why he couldn't protect his Sakura. Ino was screaming about this can't be happening. Among all of the noise most of Konoha could hear, so believe it or not the door swung open and in came Naruto.
Everyone was silenced at the appearance of Naruto. Some had downcast looks on their faces, knowing that if anyone cared for Sakura more than they did; it was Naruto. Hinata who was already crying began to cry more at the sight of Sakura's best friend. Naruto being stupid grinned and continued to walk into the room. He turned around to see the disgruntled faces and frowned. "Why is everyone so down?" he whispered.
Tsunade sighed and began rubbing her temples. Why did she have to deal with this? "Naruto…" she began but was cut off by said ninja.
"What's wrong Tsunade-baachan?!" Naruto exclaimed. "Why is everyone here?" he muttered.
"Sakura was kidnapped by Akatsuki." Tsunade whispered.
Naruto leaned down to Tsunade. "Wahhh? I couldn't hear yah."
"Sakura was kidnapped by Akatsuki." Tsunade tried to say again.
This time the blonde cupped his ear. "What?"
"I said! SAKURA WAS KIDNAPPED BY THE AKATSUKI!" Tsunade yelled in his face, before calmly sitting down from the seat she so impatiently jumped out of.
Naruto stood off a little bit. He stumbled backwards as he stepped away from Tsunade. His mouth was a gap and he was at a loss for words. He tried to speak but only shut his mouth tightly. Then he opened his mouth again. "W-Why didn't you tell me sooner?! And why's everyone here?!" Naruto asked suddenly.
"They are going on the rescue mission." Kakashi said as he jumped through the window, with Sai on his heels.
The blonde furrowed his eyebrows. "But no one told me about this rescue mission." He whispered. Than he pieced everything together.
"No way! I'm going to go after Sakura-chan! No one can stop me!" Naruto yelled angrily as Kakashi and Tsunade frowned.
"Naruto! You are not going on the retrieval mission, and like hell am I going to let you!" Tsunade hissed.
Kakashi sighed. "Naruto don't you understand that if you go after Sakura, that you'll be putting yourself in danger? Remember that this is the Akatsuki we're talking about."
"I don't care! They could be little kids for all I care! But no one messes with my Sakura-chan. And whoever dares to touch her will live a life of pain and suffering! What are you going to do with me anyway? Keep me cooped up in Konoha?!" Naruto shouted.
This is when the Hokage stepped in, a smirk on her face. "Naruto, I know you well enough that I can't just leave you in Konoha. That's why you, Kakashi, and Sai have your own mission." Before anyone could retaliate on that statement Tsunade spoke again. "You are too travel to sand and ask for reinforcements. We do not want to send a messenger bird for the fear of it being intersected. Remember Naruto this is just as important as chasing after Sakura." Tsunade explained.
Naruto seemed to still protest but Kakashi gave him a look that he wanted to look for Sakura too, but this mission was also a priority. "Hai." Naruto reluctantly muttered before walking at of the office, Kakashi and Sai following him.
"And our mission is?" Shikamaru interrupted the silence that filled the room just moments before.
Tsunade's head snapped in his direction, alerted back tot eh situation. You could tell this whole problem put loads of stress on her, she hid it well; but sadly not well enough. "Oh yes." She muttered. "I have made two teams. These teams where well thought out, and I could only hope no one starts a brawl. Team one consists of the captain Shikamaru, with Chouji, Shino, and Hinata. Shikamaru and Chouji work well together so it only makes sense to put them on the job. Hinata and Shino have long ranged as well as short ranged attacks. Their bloodline limits will come in handy. Your job is to get as much information on the Akatsuki as possible."
"As for the rest of you, Tenten is the captain with Ino, Kiba and Lee. Your mission is to find Neji and do anything possible to stabilize him. I picked Lee and Tenten because you are Neji's teammates, and if he's going to listen to anyone it's going to be you two. As for Ino and Kiba…I have no idea why I put the both of you on the same team. All I have to say is to behave your selves and to remember that this is Sakura we're fighting for here. The quicker we have Neji under control, the faster you can join the other team with their quest for information. You're probably asking why I want to stop Neji from doing what he is doing…" Tsunade explained before being cut off by Shikamaru.
"If Neji were to go after the Akatsuki so rashly he could blow any chance in getting Sakura out safely. The only logical solution is to stop him and find a way that will assure Sakura's safety as well as anyone else's who is involved in this ordeal." He said.
Tsunade smirked. "Glad you understand, that is exactly what I was going to say. But in different words of course…"
"Do you all understand your mission?" Tsunade asked, a serious expression returning to her face. "I want all of you to wear communicators. This way if you get in a sticky situation, you can contact each other. These are new and can't be seen by the naked eyes, you would have to have Byakugan or Sharingan to be able to see them once they're activated." Tsunade explained as she threw everyone small ear buds. They applied them to their ears and some watched as they disappeared in others ears.
"As for supplies, pack for a long mission. With provisions, weapons, scrolls, whatever you think will come in handy." Tsunade continued. "That is all I have to say, you are dismissed. Oh and by the way; leave as soon as possible." Tsunade finished.
They all left the room and Tsunade was left alone, in her sorrow and distress. Tears leaked from her eyes. "Sakura; just be safe." She whispered as she walked out of her office in search for some sake.
So how was it? Things are getting tense…don't you think? I'm sorry it's so short, I hate myself for that. But I didn't want to keep you guys waiting anymore! Also I wasn't able to write more because of emotional obstacles. You do not want to know.
So I ask you that if you liked it to review, but if you didn't review anyways and tell me how I can improve. I have a lot of ideas for this story and it would really help if I had support. Also sorry for rambling on like this, being sick tends to make me rambly. ALSO! To all of those who think author notes are totally pointless and a waster ofspace, im sorry for the inconvenience. But hey, what are you going to do about it? Lastly; I know im annoying; anyways…would anyone like a change in the coupling? Any suggestions? Please include this in your review…im thinking of making it a NejiSaku instead of SasuSaku…but I know a lot of you like Sasuke and Sakura together. So…it would really help if you typed and reviewed your opinion! Thank you! REVIEW!