**Author's Note**

So, I feel the prologue was a downer. HahaHa.

To MYinnerNINJA:

Aww.. yes, I noticed that and there were also a few lines that had grammatical errors in it so thanks you! Right now, we have a slow internet so it's really hard to edit the chapter. However when I recover the speed, I will run through everything and change a few words.

Anyways, on to chapter 1... but before that, an announcement.

Mourning: Yesterday, all the files in my computer were corrupted and i blame it in Vista for giving me this hardship. All the ten years of writing went instantly in the drain and i am currently crying over the lost of the culmination of all my ten years in writing and of course some important videos and picture files. I hope its recoverable. Or I will really grieve for eternity.

RCS PLEASE...

(Review, Comment, Suggestion)

~Himeru-chan~

Chapter 1

Treasure

-OC ALERT-

"And he told you to come here?" Sakura nodded meekly.

She paused for a while to study the reaction of Rock Lee who was wearing his usual green uniform with long black and white bands circling his wrist and legs. He had his mouth opened wide with a slight red flare on his cheeks and his hands were all spread out on the side. She tried to stop a chuckle when she saw him. How he missed this guy! He was much taller than her now and manlier compared to the last time she saw him, which by the way was ages ago. What era did she live in? She sighed. He still had unique fuzzy brows though. That's what makes him Rock Lee of the Hidden Village.

He was not alone when she found him. He was actually teaching the basic form of Taijustsu to several genins which was about a class of 27 or 30. She was amazed to see how he was teaching it very easily to them. It was as if he was a child himself, talking and getting the class' attention in just one shout. Iruka sensei had his time when everyone didn't feel like listening to him. She laughed silently in that memory. She didn't want to disturb the class he was teaching so she decided to just slip out and leave them alone. She tried to hide her aura and turned her back to leave. Before she even had taken her first step, Neji stepped in with his Byakugan released.

At that time, Rock Lee had already noticed her presence and excitedly ordered the children to practice on their own to join the two ninjas in their conversation.

"We're actually here as replacements, the special jounins who were teaching the students were called for a mission. Since we're here as stand-by reinforcements, Lady Tsunade ordered us to stay here until the order is lifted," Neji explained.

That made sense, she thought.

She actually didn't expect Rock Lee to be invited to teach at the Academy but it was not surprising if he was assigned to teach taijutsu since this was his specialty. Neji on the other hand was only assisting his team mate in the execution of moves and as a sparring partner for Lee's Taijutsu during demonstrations.

"Well I just thought that it's better to do it outside since this is Taijutsu..." Lee explained with a laugh while looking at the space of the open building. She nodded in agreement. She remembered their days when they were still in the academy. They never did it outside of the premises of the school but they stayed on a covered stadium near it. She thought this was a great idea, unconventional but who the hell cares? As long as the Genin learn that environment is a part of learning Taijutsu.

The place they were in is actually one of the training areas in the village. The orb shaped ceiling and the cemented floors of the area were held by 5 long pillars. This is one of the brick red colored buildings that are placed in a circular pattern around the village so it was an easy-find place for those who wanted to train their art.

"Anyway, it's rare to see you out of your office Sakura," Rock Lee said as he forced a laugh out, a shade of red never leaving his face. He brought one hand behind his head and started to pat it for a couple of times before bringing it down. It was the second time she heard that this day.

"Yeah, aren't you busy? You never seem to leave your office. Ten told me that you're busy with some paper works." Neji mentioned. Sakura faked a smile. She heard this line for the third time this day. Did she leave that kind of impression to people? She did think she was working so much but a... workaholic?

She sighed. People don't usually see her train because she always do it at night. Mornings were busy with reports for the Hokage. Afternoons were busy for critically ill patients. That was her life for eight years. Missions were rare for her, about once a month. If she was lucky, she'd get two.

Yes, yes, Tsunade is careful, she shook her head and fought off the feeling of being left out from the action.

"Well, I'm out for a change of environment. I'm boiled over there." She laughed a cute one. Lee's eyes widened as if an idea had just occurred to him and he jumped towards Sakura and shook her shoulders vibrantly.

"Why don't you give a talk on what kind of ninja you are Sakura so they'll be able to choose their career paths in the future!" Lee sang happily, hopeful at his suggestion. It might be a good chance to increase the number of medical ninjas in the future so after when she taught about it, she nodded her head. She didn't have anything to do after all and besides, it was a good opportunity to have.

"I think i DO want some reinforcements in the future." she laughed. Rock Lee nodded many times in agreement and pushed her towards the center with both his hand pressed on her shoulders. With one last nudge, she took her step towards the center. She was surprised when Lee pushed her but had recovered her stance when she saw the children looking at her.

Neji acknowledged the idea and started to call the class attention. He began to introduce her beginning with her accomplishments when they were all settled down.

He first mentioned that she was a medical ninja who specializes in the healing jutsu, chakra and power control. He also explained briefly how Sakura had killed one of the most notorious members of the ninja world, the Akatsuki. She also achieved recognition during the previous war for healing the most important and influential people and how these helped in gaining more allies for the village. He also mentioned that the Ninja world had given her the title that only a few people know. She had saved more than a thousand lives of ninja every year, he said. That her knowledge helped Ninjas on surviving a confrontation, probably not as good as their best strategist in town, Shikamaru which is also a noted ninja in his line of work. Her strategy comes from the idea on how to avoid major injuries in battle which is also of extreme importance for survival and completing missions. She was also a researcher that contributes her knowledge in the development of new potions and items that can increase a momentary skill for a short period of time. It was much similar on Chouji's own pill which provides the idea that it might also be possible.

Before he finished, all eyes were on her. Lee's, Hyuuga's and the 27 pairs of the expectant eyes of the children.

She blushed at the introduction although she thought it did not need mentioning. What she achieved at this point were all all guided by their Hokage. It was the Hokage's order that made her strived hard to do it- all research, all reports, all the saving and everything.

At this point, it may sound so surreal but there was a time when she was a helpless Genin who also didn't believe in her capabilities as a ninja. She knew nothing but the foundations of the art. That she felt helpless. That her eyes were always on the back of three men who always covered for her. That she was nothing but a hindrance to the growth of two superb ninjas back then.

Not anymore.

She changed.

Everyone knows her abilities and appreciate her for it.

And she will continue to increase her skill and her art so that she will never be back at that situation again.

She will never be that same old Sakura who always cried because she was a helpless little member of team 7.

"I am Haruno Sakura. First of all, I did not start out with these achievements. I almost died twice for working so hard." she started pulling down her hood to her shoulders so that her pink beautiful hair slid down for exposure. "I was a genin like you were and i was studious even!" she laughed to the fact that she was a bookworm and she knew theories that not all genins would like to know at this point of time. "But even though I had my theories and foundations, I always cry in battle. It made me realize that no matter how good I am in studying, if i can't execute those, I'll die."

"I was always protected by my team mates, those three people that I loved. There's my teacher, Kakashi, my dearest friend Naruto, and..." she stopped and took a breath, taking some steps forwards as she spoke. "and an ambitious teammate, Sasuke." From out of the corners of her eyes, she saw Neji and Lee tensed with the sound of his name coming out from her mouth. The old memories started flooding her again but had shoved the lock almost immediately so that she could say his name without an accompanying memory.

"But if you think that being a medical ninja isn't such a good occupation and you'd want to be someone like your teacher Neji or Rock Lee, then you might try to reconsider my job..." Her hand had slid off to her breast pocket, circled the metal along her fingers and threw towards the bushes. There was silence in the room and no one knew the significance of what she did except for the three jounins in the room.

She began to pull back the kunai along the almost invisible thread that was attached to it and when she finally pulled it back completely, there was a large frog attached on the end of the blade. Sakura smiled when some of the genins stood up with surprise. Some girls even hid in the back after seeing the dead frog. A feat that would most likely maker her cry if she was who she was before. Some children looked at her as if she was a cruel woman who killed animals. That was a mere part of her intention.

"Medical Ninjas, have the ability to kill because they are knowledgeable of the different parts of the body. Just a slight thread in the middle of an enemy's brain can kill them slowly."She pulled the kunai off the dead frog and held the thing in the middle of her gloved hand. "But at the same time," she covered the animal with her other palm and a light green aura floated in it. "Medical Ninja's can cure."

The children were surprised when they saw the frog leaping off towards the bushes again as if something did not happen to it. All of the children laughed and clapped their hands when she was finished. She felt like she did a one shot magic show. After that, she heard the cry of a bird outside and she instantly knew it was the Hokage's Bird. She bowed her head informally towards the two men and pointed a finger upwards.

"I guess that's my cue to go. Tsunade's calling for me." She said as she the Hokage's bird looming on top of the building, hawking while it went a sweet dive towards her. She held out her arm as the bird perched over the length of it.

"Thank you for sharing Sakura," Neji bowed a little. "I'll go and and let them have their break." Neji walked away while Rock Lee stayed and looked over her as if he wanted to say something.

"umm... Sakura?" Lee called. He looked hesitant to move until Neji had bid his goodbyes and turned his way towards the children who were gawking and whispering at each other. The children had their small innocent eyes over her for a few moments before they tried hard to pretend that they weren't looking when she's try to look back at them. She kept thinking that they were cute up until Lee raised his hand up above his head.

"It's really nice to see you again! BYE!" he ran back as fast as he could without looking back and when he finally did try and turn his head over the pink haired kunoichi, she was already gone. Not with a smile that says that she had the most incredible experience that day.

The aura inside the room was heavy. The Hokage who usually greeted her first whenever she enters the room had taken her aback when she saw her standing, looking outside her office and outside the village. Shizune stood silently beside Tsunade with a worried face eyeing her very form and smiling when she sees her looking back at the Hokage. Sakura knew that something is troubling her master. Just the tension inside the room made her muscles tensed.

"Sakura," Tsunade started. Her voice was forceful with a tone that commanded attention. This caught her by surprise and her muscles instantly froze in its place.

"Y-yes... Tsunade-sama?" she answered back, unsure she just used the correct words. She bit her lower lip and swallowed hard. Will she be reprimanded? Get a new mission? whatever it is, she definitely did not feel excitement. If her huch was right, she didn't even like where this was going. Hopefully, her teacher was just being playful.

"Sakura, this is Rikuto, he will be with you from now on." Sakura had her eyes opened wide. Out from the side of her eyes came a figure of a man wearing that distinguished cat mask, silver grey chest and hand protectors and with underlying black long-sleeved sweatshirts.

He was a member of the Anbu without a doubt.

"Tsunade-sama... I," before she could say anything else, Tsunade spoke again.

"Three days ago, three famous medical ninja have been kidnapped from different countries." She started. Sakura sensed the remorse of the Hokage over the situation. Her voice was low and downcast but with a mix of irrefutable anger she only showed when she was somewhat helpless in the situation.

"Sakura, you're a one of our village's pride now. I want to know that you're always safe and sound. You are not going to take no. This is an absolute order." When she finished, Sakura felt that she wouldn't be able to talk the Hokage out of having a bodyguard.

She didn't need an Anbu. She didn't want an Anbu.

They are people who doesn't take good care of themselves.

Whatever the reason of the bastard guy or group that kidnaps these medical ninjas maybe in some kind of a medical emergency that needs a specialized care. They maybe people who are wanted for something. People with bounty offers.

Shanaro. That freaking bastard...

She imagined her inner sakura destroying 100 traing dummies with one punch. She felt her knuckles tighten with a force that no one can reckon with.

"I understand..." Tsunade nodded and dismissed Sakura.

"I'm sorry. I know you don't like this arrangement. Please bear with it for awhile until the case is solved. I've already sent Sai and Kakashi to investigate the matter..." she nodded.

"Will you stop disturbing my work!" Sakura had extended her patience for her teacher but the utter irritation she had for this Anbu called Rikuto, was enough to drive her nuts.

She pushed the willing Anbu, who she taught could have avoided her attack but did not for some reason, into the wall. She lifted him up slightly into tiptoes and slammed her other fist on the wall beside his neck. She tried her best to stop her hand from destroying the hospital wall by sheer power. She was breathing heavily as she tried to control her anger. More than 20 hours of paper work did not bother her much. This Rikuto guy only needed 3 hours to get her this mad.

She was actually disappointed how he'd be so visible around other people whenever he was with her. And if that was not conspicuous enough, he'd be closely observing when she'd be with her patients while she checks their progress. She finally snapped when she saw him inside the ladies room when she had to tie her hair to freshen up.

Actually, she had enough.

Anbu were supposed to be hidden, invisible, disguised, and camouflaged! They are a special force for ninja's sake! Why the hell then, she thought, that there was a VISIBLE Anbu guarding her back as close as several feet away from her, where everyone, not only the villagers but also her officemate, Sarah would even try to take glimpses and motion me towards him as if to ask his existence.

Sakura was ticked off when she felt a light chuckle escape his covered face. He was obviously trying her patience. As much as she wanted to get mad, there were still some patients inside the room they were just in and it probably wouldn't be wise if they saw their healer lifting a man off to the sky. She sighed as she brought him down so that his feet were parallel to the floor.

"Can you please hide when you're guarding me? I can't concentrate." she said, trying her best to make the most wonderful pleading face as she he did not reply she thought she just wasted her effort of actually being considerate. It was either he was mute and they were not allowed to talk to her or he was just pissing her upside down. After a few moments of staring at the holes that were on his cat mask, seeing those pair of jet black irises looking back at her with the same iron stare that seemed to have taken a natural disaster to separate, he heard a sharp intake of air as he spoke.

"I'm not inconvenienced as you are. Besides, it's a pain to hide when I'm baby-sitting..." His voice was cold and devoid of emotion. She felt he was smug about the way he said it to her. Just then, all reason for staying sane momentarily started flashing on and off. Sakura tightened her hold on his shirt, pulled her towards her and made sure he could hear what she was about to say. If not, she'd operate that message to his brain.

"You. are. not. to. disturb. me. or. my. patients. while. I'm. working. Just so you know, this," She began pointing his armor with her other finger while she reiterated her point.

"This brings fear to my patients!" she whispered angrily to him.

"What are you going to do about it? Tell the Hokage?" She heard an arrogant snicker which automatically made her right hand coil into a fist that was already finding its way towards his chest.

She knew he could stop it and she anticipated it. The way he taunted her was effective. As her fist contacted his own big ones, he had used that as a leverage to pull her closer to his body, taking a very surprised woman on the hard wall of his chest protector and next to the areas that were actually devoid of metal.

"If i were you, I'd relax a little..." He pressed his mask over her face which didn't seem to threaten her as much as he would have thought it would to her. Seeing this amused him so much that he let go of his other hand, still hooked her towards him by coiling her feet with his. He had one hand move his mask towards the other side of his face. It further amused him when her eyes widened as she saw him without the mask.

The bangs that fell on the side of his face made his eyes bigger- a pair of scarlet eyes that searched her approval. His medium length hair that he held in a band at the back was pale against his ivory colored skin. There were no other words that could have described him aside from beautiful. Mature, dark, beautiful and sensual. Those were the words that made her blank as she stared back at him.

He smiled at her approval and her willingness of staying in his arms without a fight. (Or was she that surprised to see his face from behind his Anbu mask that she had forgotten to repulse him)

"You know Ms. Haruno.. If you were not kidnapped for your skills." Rikuto started, her attention seemed to have shifted to what he was saying. "I'd say its because of 'something' else."

"What the hell... are you saying, freak?" she wanted to be more forceful but the dryness of her throat kept her from doing just that. It sounded like a tiny croak to his ears.

"Another thing... Ms. Haruno," he started. The faint smell of his cologne together with his imposing presence made her a little dizzy. His hands began its travel again starting from his fingers curling the end peices of her hair and down again to her back, making her arch back towards his body which seemed to please him very much, and down her bottom and her legs. The heat of his hands brushing along the length of her legs made her a little excited, perking up her senses. She heard a stiffled laughed before she felt a gush of moist breath over her heated ears.

"When you're aroused... you shouldn't let the other's feel it." Sakura's eyes widened snapping her out from the pheronomic effects of his being. Before she could deny it out of embarrassment, she heard him speak again, this time his lips were closely brushing against her ear as he spoke.

"Especially when that other is a Captain of the Anbu Black Corps." Sakura snapped her head to the other side. The heat of his lips burned her skin with desire that she never felt before. The blood rushed to places she never imagined would heat up with just a slight touch. She heard him snicker before he let his palms slide on the side of her waist before he walked away.

"I'll be hiding just like how you wanted it." He called and disappeared into thin air.

Sakura was quiet for awhile. She held her hands together and forced a lean over to the wall for support. She was numbed by his beauty but even more so by his cold eyes. It vaguely made her remember about sasuke and his ice cold stare. Was she a masochist for being attracted to a man that gives that same damn feeling of arousal? She covered her face, her face flushed and hot to what just happened.

I wish he would just wear that mask all day, she whispered to herself. Otherwise I won't even have the power to hide my thoughts.

I'm still greaving.. the lost of my files made me took a much needed step as I take a little time to a look back at all the stories and the almost hundreds pages in some of my novel length stories. It's really a heart breaking experience and i blame it on Vista. I blame myself for not saving my files too...

On the other hand, the challenge of writing it again makes me doubtful but excited.

Please review my stories.

Help me realize writing really is worth it.

RCS Please...