Chapter 4

"Juugo, go get Karin." Juugo nodded and ran to the cave. Sasuke glanced down at the unconscious rosette in his arms. He had caught her before she hit the ground, it was funny really, his team were having a difficult time trying to capture little weak Sakura. He looked up at the area, everything was completely destroyed. It surprised him that this was the rosette's doing. How could a small girl destroy everything with just her fists?

'She's not so weak or little anymore.' The raven had witnessed her fight with Suigetsu, her movements were graceful, it was like she was dancing. Her fists on the other hand were destructive, destroying everything in its path. She was also a quick thinker, always knew what to do, how to counter attack. He felt proud of the rosette, she no longer needed protection, she could do fine by herself. Not that he'll ever admit it, though.

"Man, that girl sure is strong." Suigetsu winced. He limped his way towards the raven. Seemed like he had a broken leg, a few broken ribs, a broken nose and a dislocated shoulder. Sakura gave him quite a beating. Juugo came back with Karin behind him, seems like she just woke up. She glared at the rosette and muttered a few curse words.

"So, what do we do with pinky now?" Suigetsu asked.

"She will be apart of team hebi."

"What?! Why?" Karin scowled.

"We need a skilled medic."

"What about me? I can heal you guys!"

"You could only heal miner cuts and possibly puncture wounds." Suigetsu snickered. Karin glared but decided to ignore him.

"Can't we just grab any other medics? What's so great about her?"

"She is far more advanced than other medics."

"How can you be so sure? I say we just leave the bitch!"

Sasuke glared and activated his sharingan. "You'll be wise to hold your tongue, and do as I say."

Karin cowered in fear. "H-Hai."

"Juugo carry Suigetsu. We're going back to town." Sasuke turned and started walking towards town with Sakura in his arms. Juugo grabbed Suigetsu and held him bridal style. The white haired nin started to protest.

"What the hell, man! I'm not a chick!"

"Sorry... It's the way I can carry you without causing more damage."

"I can walk myself!"

"Hah! You can barely stand, fish brain!"

"Shut up, four eyes!"

"You little shit!"

"K-Karin, please refrain from hurting him. Sasuke-sama won't be pleased."

"Humph!"

When they reached the inn, Sasuke immediately went to his room and placed the rosette on his bed. He ordered Juugo to get bandages and attend her wounds since Karin was busy healing Suigetsu's wounds.

"Sasuke-sama it seems like I don't need to. Her body is already healing itself." Sasuke walked towards the rosette and saw a faint green glow surrounding her body. It was true, she was healing herself while she was unconscious. He was amazed on how fast the wounds healed, it was as if she didn't get hurt at all. At takes a very advanced medic to be able to do this.

He glanced at Sakura's bag and notice it was moving. He opened up the bag and saw a puppy. It growled and barked at the raven, ready to attack if he came close to his master. The young Uchiha glared, grabbed the puppy by his collar and tossed it at Juugo. He knows his teammate was fond of animals and had a way of making it shut up. At that moment Suigetsu and Karin walked inside the room.

"Pinky's not up yet? Bummer." Suigetsu said.

"Hi, Sasuke-kun!" Karin squealed.

The young Uchiha ignored them and grabbed a book, it was the bingo book. He has grabbed the book from Orochimaru's hideout, thinking that if he and his team ran out of money, he'd use the book to make easy cash, but he was good on money. Uchiha's are rich after all. Sounds bingo book was different from Konoha's. From what he remembered, Konoha only listed dangerous criminals and missing nins. Sound on the other hand listed every single strong shinobi around the world. The snake sannin must have used it to search for worthy vessels. At least it held good information about the Akatsuki. He flipped through the pages, not really interested at what he's seeing so far. Well that was until his eyes landed on page filled with familiar faces. It had information on the current team seven. The raven read with interest.

Konohagukure: The Infamous Team 7

Name: Uzumaki Naruto

Registration ID: 012607

Age: 16

DOB (Date of birth): October 10

Affiliation: Konohagakure

Clan: Uzumaki

Rank: A to S- Genin

Prize: ¥1,300,000

Biography: The kyuubi jinchūriki. Student of Jiraiya the toad sannin and Hatake Kakashi. Able to fight on par with noteworthy prodigious and skilled shinobi, and master various complex techniques, causing several prominent shinobi to acknowledge his great potential. After his two-and-a-half years of training with Jiraiya, Naruto could match the S-rank members of Akatsuki. Member of team 7, which now consist of Haruno Sakura, Sai, Captain Yamato and Hatake Kakashi. One of Konoha's strongest shinobi. Nature affinity (main): wind release. Signature jutsu: Shadow Clone Jutsu and Rasengan.

Sasuke gripped the book, he glared at the blonde's photo. 'So the dobe's gotten stronger.'

His grip tightened. 'I won't lose to him.' The raven kept reading.

Name: Hatake Kakashi

Registration ID: 009720

Age: 29

DOB: September 15

Affiliation: Konohagakure

Clan: Hatake

Rank: S- Jōnin

Prize:¥15,000,000

Biography: "Kakashi of the Sharingan." Son of the White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, Former Anbu captain and Former student of the Yondaime, Namikaze Minato. Copied over a thousand jutsus with his sharingan eye. Sole survivor of Team Minato and is now leader of Team 7. His prodigious talent, skill, and Sharingan prowess have made him one of the village's most capable ninja, and as such, both highly renowned and feared throughout the world. Signature jutsu: Chidori. Nature affinity (main): lightning release, earth release, water release.

'Still the same old lazy perverted nin.' Sasuke's smirked.

Name: Sai

Registration ID: 012420

Age: 17

DOB: November 25

Affiliation: Konohagakure/ Root

Clan: N/A

Rank: A- Anbu

Prize: ¥670,000

Biography: Orphaned as a child and recruited into Root, a secret branch of the Anbu under the leadership of Shimura, Danzo. As per standard Root training, Sai was conditioned to remove all emotions and as such, has difficulty connecting with others. Was added to Team Kakashi as a replacement for the rogue nin Uchiha Sasuke. Nature affinity (main): Earth release. Signature jutsu: Ninja Art: Super Beast Scroll.

The raven's eyes narrowed at the word "replacement." He knows that he shouldn't be angry, after all, he was the one who abandoned them.

Name: Haruno Sakura

Registration ID: 012601

Age: 17

DOB: March 28

Affiliation: Konohagakure

Clan: Haruno (Civilian)

Rank: A-Chunin

Prize: ¥880,000

Biography: Protégé apprentice of the Godaime and slug sannin, Senju Tsunade. Also a student of Hatake Kakashi and member of Team 7. Nicknamed Tsunade Number Two due to being the second best medic in the world and having similar traits as the slug sannin. Rumored to have already surpassed the fifth Hokage. Expert medical nin and inhuman strength, has perfect chakra control, and intelligence level on par with Nara Shikimaru. Nature affinity (main): earth release and water release. Signature Jutsus: Chakra enhanced strength, Chakra Transfer Jutsu, Mystic Palm Jutsu.

Note: Wanted Alive. Turn in at Kumogakura or Kirigakure to claim prize.

The young Uchiha was shocked at this new information he received on his ex-teammate. To think that weak Sakura surpassed the fifth Hokage. 'Being second best medic in the world is quite a feat.' He stared at the sleeping rosette. She's grown from a naive girl, to a capable kunoichi. He'd be lying if he said that he wasn't impressed. His eyes narrowed on the "Note."

'So, they wanted Sakura alive. Seems like she's made quite a name for herself.' It wasn't a surprise really, being a renown shinobi has its perks, but in Sakura's case not so much. Once the word gets out that she's missing, shinobi from other villages will track her down. Like a race to find a golden treasure and that would be very troublesome. The raven sighed. The rosette always attracts the wrong attention, always getting into trouble.

Sasuke closed the book, looked out the window and watched the sun go down.

Sakura woke up and the first thing she noticed was that she wasn't in the forest. Instead she found herself in a small room. She remembered what had happened, Sasuke managed to capture her and probably took her back to town. She got up and looked out the window, the sun was was setting, she's been asleep for at least 3 hours.

"You're awake." A deep voice startled her. She turned her head and saw Sasuke leaning on the wall to her right. The rest of his team were sitting on the couch to her left.

The rosette growled. "What the hell do you want from me, Uchiha?!"

The Uchiha almost flinched when she had spat out his last name. Key word, almost. He was so used to hearing the sickly sweet "Sasuke-kun" from the rosette.

"Like I said, you will be Team Hebi's medic. Your first task is to heal the rest of Suigetsu's injuries."

"Like hell I'm gonna heal, fish face."

"Who're you calling fish face?!"

"The only person here who looks and smells like one!"

"Why you little-!"

"Suigetsu." Sasuke warned.

"Oh look. Your prince charming came to save the day." Suigetsu sneered.

"More like demon slave driver..." Sakura muttered. Earning a glare for the Uchiha and a chuckle from Suigetsu.

"Alright, just come over here and lay down on the bed, tuna fish."

"One of these days I'm gonna-!"

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever, just hurry up!"

Suigetsu mumbled a few colorful words and laid on the bed. Sakura had him take off his shirt and observed his wound.

"You know... If you wanted me to get naked you could have asked..." Suigetsu teased.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Oh just shut up and stay still." She decided to heal the major injuries, which were is his broken ribs, first. Suigetsu tensed at the feeling of a foreign chakra entering his body, but later relaxed when he felt the pain go away. After that, the rosette moved to his dislocated shoulder. She smirked, swiftly grabbed his shoulder and yanked it back in place.

Suigetsu yelped. "OUCH! That hurt like a bitch! What the hell was that for?!"

"Oh shut up and be a man."

"Bitch."

Sakura smirked and continued to heal Suigetsu.

"Alright. This should be good. I suggest you take it easy for the next few days." Sakura said.

"Wow, I feel a lot better! Thanks, pinky!"

"For the last time... My name isn't Pinky!"

"Whatever, Pinky."

"Urgh! This is impossible!" Sakura shouted.

"Sasuke-kun! How about we go to the hot springs. Maybe spends some alone time together." Karin purred.

"Ohhh! Hot springs sounds good right now. Let's go!" Suigetsu grinned. Karin glared at him.

"Oh have fun. Now that my job is done, I'll just take my leave..." The rosette slowly headed towards the door. She felt someone grab her wrist and suddenly found herself against the wall, trapped between the raven's arms. The rosette looked up and glared at blood red eyes.

"You will be apart of team whether you like it or not." Sasuke's eyes spun.

"Fine but I'm not going the the hot springs with you bastards!" Sakura walked toward the bed and began petting Sora. Sasuke signed, deactivated his sharingan and walked up to the rosette. He grabbed her wrist and bag and yanked her off the bed.

Sakura yelped. Sora still in her arms. "What's up with you and my wrist?!" The raven ignored her and continued to drag her with him. Karin bit her lips and followed after the two.

The red head scowled. 'That witch! Trying to steal Sasuke-Kun from me. I'm have to find a way to get rid of her. Fast.'

As soon as they reached the hot springs, Sasuke let go and gave her, her bag. He and the others went to the boys side while Karin and herself went to the girls side. Sakura sighed and started to undress.

'Might as well clean myself up. That way a can relax and think of a way to escape.'

The rosette looked down and realized that Sora was still in her arms. She put him inside the bag.

"Sorry Sora, no pets allowed in this hot springs. Be good and stay put until I'm done, okay?"

"Arf!"

The hot spring was pretty empty. There were about ten women bathing, not including Karin and herself. The place was fairly big so everyone was spread out. Karin went directly towards the far left, closes to the wall that separated the men's and women's hot springs, hoping to find a peep hole and spy on her dear, "Sasuke-kun!" The rosette cringed. Remembering the time she did the same in her genin days. She stepped inside and sighed. This was exactly what she needed, she tossed her head back and closed her eyes. It was a perfect time to think of ways to escape. She was starting to run out of ideas, every time she attempt to escape, the emo bastard would always be there to stop her.

'If only there was a way to teleport to my destination. That way I can contact Tsunade-shishou and the others.' A moment passed. Then it clicked, the lightbulb lit up.

'That's it! There is a way! The teleportation scroll Kakashi-sensei had given me! Now... How will I be able to get out of here without getting caught...?' Sakura was in deep thought, but something caught her attention. It was a sign that said, "No Pets Allowed."

"A-hah!" Sakura smirked. She looked at the entrance and saw a small opening. She could see her belongings on the shelf. She grabbed a small rock and threw it at her bag. Sora's head popped out, he saw the rosette and happily wagged his tail.

"Come here, boy!" Sakura whispered. The pup understood and obeyed his master. He made his way towards her and licked her face. Sakura giggled. One of the ladies had notice.

"Umm, excuse me. Pets aren't allowed inside the hot springs. The owner isn't going to be happy once she finds out." The lady warned.

The rosette smiled sheepishly. "Ah, yes. Sorry, he just came on his own. I'll put him back. Thank you." The lady smiled and nodded. Sakura saw Karin looking at her.

"Well put him away, idiot!"

Sakura glared. "I will." The red head went back to her peeping. Sakura rolled her eyes ,went to the changing room, closed the door behind her, and quickly got her clothes and changed. She took out a scroll that had the title "Great Teleportation Jutsu" and opened it.

'Thank Kami that Kakashi-sensei gave this scroll to me. I haven't even practice this jutsu... Let's hope my luck is good, today. This jutsu requires a great amount of chakra. It would be easier to use the scroll but once mastering this jutsu you won't need the scroll.' Sakura skimmed through the scroll, remembering everything that's in it. After reading, she put everything in her bag and ran out the door.

(Sasuke POV)

Sasuke and the others went inside the men's hot springs and soaked in the warm water. Not Suigetsu, he had other plans. The white haired nin went straight for the wall to peep on the woman's side. The raven was sure Karin was doing the same thing. Sasuke sighed. He often questioned himself on why he choose these people to be on his team.

'Because I need their skills.' He told himself. Then their was the petite pink haired kunoichi. Why had he brought her along? He should have let her go and move on. Then, there was the possibility of her telling Konoha his whereabouts but by the time they come, he would be long gone.

'She's a medic-nin. She would be useful to the team.' He thought, but deep down he wanted some part of his old life back and Sakura was one of his closes friends. Along with Naruto and Kakashi. Not that he'll ever admit it. Just then, two men came in and sat a few feet away from him.

"Hey man, did you see that girl that ran past us?"

"Yeah! She looked like she was in a hurry. Bummer, she was gorgeous!"

"Well, if we see her in town maybe we can ask her out?"

"Yeah right! A beauty like that? She's way too out of your league, man!"

"Yeah, she probably has a boyfriend..."

Sasuke ignored the rest. He didn't have time to play around. Although, he can basically have any girl he wants. He had many fangirls of all ages, some were quite beautiful. But he didn't want any distractions. Killing Itachi is all he cares about at the moment.

"I've never seen a girl with pink hair and man her eyes! They looked like jewels! Emeralds to be exact!" One of the men said. Sasuke snapped out of his thoughts and went to the men.

"Which way did she go?" The raven said in a dark voice.

"Eh?"

"The girl you were talking about. Which way did she run off too?"

"Are you her boyfriend or something?"

"...No."

The man scoffed. "Why should we tell you? What? Are you one of her fanboys? Or were you friend zoned?" They laughed.

"Well once I'm done with her maybe I'll give her to you?" The guy smirked. Sasuke clenched his fists. He grabbed the guy's neck with one hand and used chidori with the other.

"Where. Did. She. Go." The raven's sharingan spun. The guy began trembling and sweating. He quickly pointed right.

"S-She went that way, sir!" Sasuke let go and used his inhuman speed to the changing room and out the hot springs. He would have killed the guy but he had a little blossom to deal with.

Sakura felt Sasuke's chakra approaching fast. She cursed, the raven found out pretty fast. She was hoping to get a good distance from the others so she'd have time to work on the jutsu but since Sasuke is on her tail, that option goes out the window. She as no choose but to wing it and hope it works.

"Sakura!" A deep cold voice startled her. She looked back and saw Sasuke running after her full speed. The rosette cursed and quickly started doing hand-seals. Sasuke was a few feet behind her, now.

"Alright, here goes nothing! Great Teleportation Jutsu!" She started to feel light, it was working. She felt something being yanked off around her neck, but not pay attention to it much at the time. Before disappearing completely, she turned around and winked at the raven. A sign of mockery. His face was a mixture of shock and anger.

"What do we do now?" Suigetsu asked. The others had finally caught up. The raven looked at the necklace, it was silver with a single pink blossom. He then summoned his hawk, having him sniff and remember the scent on the necklace.

"I need you to locate this scent." The hawk nodded. Sasuke climbed up his back.

"Get everything. We're leaving." Everyone nodded and disappeared.

Sasuke clenched his fists. "Prepare yourself, Sakura. You'll regret making me angry." His eyes burned red and spun wildly.

A/N: Here's to another chapter! (Cheers) Anyways, sorry for the long wait. Life doesn't give me time to write... (T^T) It'll probably be a while for me to update my next chapter. So thank you all for being patient with me. I'll Do some editing/fixing to this chapter later. Follow, Favorite, Review! Tell me what you think of the story so far! Until next time! Bye! 3