Chapter 2: Protect & Serve (Part 1) 12/09/2007 16:03:00

Chapter 2

Protect & Serve (Part 1)

It was going to take 3 and a half days for Sakura, Sasuke, Neji, Shikamaru, and Naruto to get Sai to the safe house. They were now walking on the ground, and Sakura was already sick of Sai. He would not stop talking about how the only reason he asked for their help was because he was ordered to, or because his master wanted it that way. Sakura would have killed by now if she was sure Tsunade wouldn't kill her afterwards. Sasuke and the rest of the guys were getting irritated too. They had times where they would have liked to kill him, but there was no way they were going to get in Sakura's way.

"… and honestly, no offence to an of you guys, but if I would have picked my protectors for this trip, it wouldn't be this group-"

"So, how long until we get there?" Sasuke said interrupting Sai's dumbass comment while holding Sakura back at the same time.

"Three whole days." answered Naruto who was dragging his words. "I wish there was a Ramón noodles stand somewhere."

Shikamaru looked at his blonde comrade with one raised eyebrow. "Naruto, do you really think that we'll find a noodles stand, or any stand for that matter around here?"

"No, that's why I said 'I wish', Sheeesh! You know that's your problem Shikamaru, you don't listen."

"What?! Who said I don't listen?!"

"Ino." Sakura answered his question for Naruto with a slight laugh and smile.

"Oh yeah? Well when did she say that?" asked Shikamaru now looking at Sakura's eyes while she was looking ahead.

"Don't ask me, ask her! She is your girlfriend."

"Yea, but you guys are best friends, and you tell each other every-freakin-thi-"

"Yea, and we keep each others' secrets too!"

"Whatever. You women are so t-."

"Troublesome…?" Sakura said cocking her head to look Shikamaru in the eyes. She continued walking and laughed as she did.

"Well if you guys are done talking about Shikamaru's girl issues, I'd like to say something concerning another girl." Sai said now skipping to Sakura's side.

"Sai, we really don't want to hear about your twisted relationships, okay." Sasuke said, frustration clear in his voice.

'Thank you' Sakura said in her head. She knew Sasuke knew what she was thinking because he sent her a grin which she gladly excepted and returned. She quickly, but not too quickly, turned her head so he wouldn't see her blush.

"I'm not talking about a messed up relationship or anything. I'm talking about me and Sakura."

They all came a brute stop and looked straight at Sai. All of them had the words 'What the fuck!' tattooed on their faces.

"Excuse me…?" Sakura finally came out.

"Oh come on!" said Sai throwing his arms up to his sides. "Don't act like you don't know, Sakura. I see the way you look at me."

"Oh, you mean with hate and disgust?"

"Please. I know you're just playing hard to get. You really like me. Otherwise you wouldn't be risking your life for me."

"The only reason I'm out here, Sai, is because-" Sakura was cut off by Sai's finger pressed to her lips. She looked down at the finger in front of her and began to speak through it. "If you value your manhood, I suggest you get away from me and stay away for the rest of this little trip because once I'm through with you, you wont be able to even think about having kids."

With that in mind, Sai's sly smile disappeared as he slowly and carefully back away.

"Let's get going, shall we?" Neji said after casting a cruel look at Sai.

Everyone as protective of Sakura. She had become like a sister to them during the fight with Orchimaru and bringing Sasuke back. Not to mention the battle still going on with Itachi and his comrades.

Sasuke came back to the Konoha village about 5 or 6 months ago. The villagers welcomed him with open arms, but only because they didn't know the whole story. You had to be close to Tsunade or a top ninja to know the real story. Everyone else thought he was a captive… for 3 and a half years. Not all of the people who knew the truth trusted Sasuke again. They said 'He betrayed us once, he'll do it again.' Sakura punched out most of the people who spoke against him, but Tsunade told her it wasn't the absolute best way to argue her side. Tsunade had forgiven Sasuke for the most part. He had to help around the hospital and in the Hokage's office with clean up duty for 3 months. He was also suspended from any ninja work for 4 months. He'd been training in all his free time. That is until Sakura got him to hang out with the rest of them. Sometimes they'd take walks alone, but Sakura did most of the talking… if there was any at all.

They haven't even began walking when Sasuke pulled Sai over to say a few words. "If you ever put your hands on Sakura or talk to her like that again, I'll make you wish Sakura was the one killing you."

"What do you care? You don't even like her. From what I can tell, you don't even like her as a friend."

"Shows how much you know." Sasuke said more to himself than to Sai.

"So what…? Oh my god! Do you like her? Sasuke Uchiha has actually fallen for a girl! And not just any girl…," Sai's voice began to raise, but he lowered it to a whisper when he saw Neji's head turn around. "…but the girl who you always called annoying and a burden. Not to mention the girl you walked out on for freakin' Orochi-"

"You shut the hell up about that." Sasuke stepped in front of Sai so he was face to face with him. Noses only a few inches from each other. "That's in the past. Don't ever bring that shit up again, you understand. I've forgotten about all about it, and so has everyone else. I wont let you fuckin' bring it back! And i'll never call her annoying... ever again."

"Are you sure Sakura's forgotten about it, though?"

Sasuke didn't move. He made no difference in his facial expression. He just stood there glaring at Sai. 'Had she forgotten? Had she forgave him for everything yet? Why hasn't he thought about this before? Is he really that self absorbed?'

These questions kept running through Sasuke's mind as he and the others continued walking. He really didn't know. He didn't know the answer to any of the questions. He thought she had. She hasn't told him otherwise. Although Sakura had changed a lot. Not just in her appearance and strength, but her personality and ways. She wasn't as happy, cheerful, or talkative even. She didn't laugh nearly as much as she used to when they were 12. Now that they were all 18 (except Shikamaru who was 19 and Sakura was still 17 almost 18) she was different. She kept a lot more held inside her too. She didn't say everything on her mind unless it was anger. No sadness, no weakness, no… love. He wondered if he did that to her.

Sasuke was torn from his thoughts when Sakura and Neji who were leading the little pack came to a sudden stop.

"What is it?" Naruto asked.

"Don't you feel that?" replied Sakura.

"Someone's following us." continued Neji.

They all fell silent searching for anything they could pick up. After about 5 minutes, they felt nothing.

"Maybe it was just more passing travelers." Sakura said as she started walking. She took one step forward and a kunai was thrown straight for her. It just missed grazing her cheek and leaving a small cut.

"What the hell?!" The 6 ninja looked up and in a tree stood 3 people. All with a tremendous amount of strength and chakra.

"Hiraku! How'd you miss?! You had her!" called the female rouge.

"I don't wanta kill her… yet. I like her too much. you know how I am with the pretty and feisty ones." They man's smile sent chills through Sakura's spine, but wasn't going to show it.

"Well, we don't have time for your games, Hiraku." said the third one. "We just need to get that thing for the boss, and we'll be done."

Hiraku cocked his head as Naruto and the rest got into a defensive position.

"Yea, you're probably right. Besides, the girl doesn't look like much of a threat."

That did it for Sakura. She wasn't going to underestimated and treated as the weak one anymore. She made that decision a long time ago. She shot up at the man called Hiraku as the other man and woman watched. Sakura quickly grabbed 3 kunia and threw them all at him. They all hit their mark perfectly.

'Too easy' Sakura thought. She twirled her body to look around. After she couldn't see where he went, she turned again to face the sky preparing to land on her feet. Before she could, she sensed him under her. He kicked up with partial strength. Enough for pain, but not death. As she was thrown up, he flashed on top of her sending an even more powerful kick don on her stomach and ribs. She felt them crack and a few completely brake. She was slammed to the ground.

Dust surrounded everything and everyone. Sasuke, Neji, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Sai were worried. They couldn't see anything. Where was she? Sasuke saw something stir a few yards away from him. He jumped at it, hoping and praying it was an okay and safe Sakura. When he ran to the area, he slipped down a wall of a good sized crater.

"Sakura!!!"

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yea I know it was kinda a sucky ending, but this is my 1st fanfic so give me a little credit… please…. Well I'll be working on chapter 3. hopefully you'll all enjoy the 1st and 2nd chapters enough to look for the the 3rd one. thanx looking forward to your comments and reviews!