Rokudaime

Chapter Six

The medical scroll

The sun was setting as Squad Six ran across the mass field. Their forms were only black blurs as they enter into the border of Fire Country. It was the ending of the second day, which left them with less than twenty four hours to get back to Konoha to accomplish their mission on the appointed deadline.

The Captain turn to look over her two teammates and noted that they were beginning to slow down. Sakura turn her head forward once again and caught sight of Konoha's forest a couple miles ahead. They were almost home and it would take about two to three hours to get to the village. 'We can rest once we enter the forest.' Sakura thought as they continued on running. The sky was a stunning midnight blue with stars taking their place in the sunless space. The moon was shinning brightly, its moonlight the only source of light for the Konoha Shinobi.

The Deer mask Anbu felt as if his legs were going to give out on him and not to mention that his back had went numb a few hours ago. He furrow his brows in determination, searching within his mind for motivation. 'This is what it means to be Anbu. This is what it means to serve your village. This is what it means to be a Shinobi.' Kin chanted to himself repeatedly, blocking out the strain and pains his body was experiencing.

Kiyoshi on the other hand was pissed. The Crow Anbu had a glower of a look underneath his mask as he ran. No matter how much he tried to push his body to keep up with his Captain, he couldn't. She was just so damn better than he was. He glared at her form just ahead of him and had tighten his fists in the process. When they got back home he was going to undergo intense conditioning and his Captain was going to be the one to train him.

They were nearing the forest that surrounded Konoha and they knew that it would only be a matter of hours before they reach the village.

The best part for Sakura was that she didn't break her mask.

As they ran through the thick forest something in the back of the Sakura's mind kept telling her that something was off. The atmosphere had not change. As Sakura jump from tree branch to tree branch she noticed that she was abnormally louder than usual. The sound of her feet connecting to the branch echoed out and reached her ears. A Shinobi wasn't suppose to hear themselves.

Then it clicked.

It was too quite.

Sakura couldn't hear the sounds nor noises of the nocturnal animals that inhabited the Forest that surrounded Konoha. Not even a bush was shuffled by deer nor were the leaves in the trees disturbed. Was someone watching them? The Kunoichi narrowed her eyes as she scan the field, critically.

She couldn't see them, but she could sense them.

The closer she got into the Forest the more prominent the feeling became.

"Someone is watching us."

Sakura stated into her ear piece as she discreetly pulled out a kunai from her weapons pouch that was strapped to her right thigh. Kiyoshi and Kin nodded their heads subtly and repeated the same action as their Captain, drawing their kunai out from their own pouches. Kiyoshi, smirking from within his mask, shook with anticipation of the upcoming danger that was shrouded within the night.

"Finally some action." The Crow Anbu whispered through his ear piece. It had communicated over to Sakura, who in turn smirked slightly as oppose to Kin, who was trying to suppress his own eager one from appearing on his face. "Okay, Boys, keep your eyes sharp and be prepare for anything." Sakura warned as she surveyed the area again. "I have a feeling they're after the scroll." The Kunoichi whisper and as soon as she had said those words a familiar sound filled the air.

Swish, Swish, Swish, Swish

All three Konoha Shinobi had dodged the offensive kunai aimed at them and retaliated with their own. The only difference was that their kunai made contact with flesh. One body fell from the tree tops and onto the forest floor. The form struggle to stand, groaning in pain as he unhesitatingly pulled out the kunai from his collar bone, arm and chest. The enemy Shinobi wore dark clothing that concealed his entire body save for his eyes.

As the Shinobi had dropped the kunai to the ground, three more jump down and stood behind their comrade with their leader standing in front of them. The moonlight made the Shinobi's headband gleam, giving the Konoha Shinobi the ability to distinguish which village the enemies had originated from.

All three tense visibly.

Their hold on their kunai had tightened.

Cloud Nin.

What the hell were Cloud Shinobi doing in Fire Country?

Sakura promptly stood forward in front of Kiyoshi and Kin, showing the Cloud Nin who was in charge of the team. With fire in her eyes she narrow them on the four foreign Shinobi. The corner of her lips raise into a deep snarl from underneath her mask and from the stance she was in, informed the enemy shinobi of it. Deepening her tone she told them, "What is your business here?" The heavily hostile tone that came from the petite Anbu made the Captain of the Cloud Nin chuckle. He had titled his head to the side as if raising an eyebrow expectantly.

He had pulled out his arm and had unraveled his gloved palm.

"Hand over the medical scroll of Suna."

The Leaf Anbu tense more at the mention of Suna's scroll.

How did they know about the medical scroll from the village hidden in the Sand?

'This isn't good...I need to dispose of them now before they kill us, but if I do then Cloud-' Her line of thought was cut short when the three Cloud Nin had shot forward with kunai in their hands aimed for her. Sakura had waited for the Shinobi to block her view from their leader. It was only a split second, but it was more than enough. Kisho and Kin quickly step forward and had blocked their attacks with their own. Kin held one Cloud Nin off with his dagger while Kiyoshi held off two with his katana, which was held at neck point near the major artery of their necks. The Leader of the three shinobi had walked towards Sakura, who in turn had widened her fighting stance.

She quickly glance over to Kin and Kiyoshi and once she knew that they were fine she brought her sole attention to her opponent.

"Come Kunoichi, hand over the scroll, and no one will get killed."

At the mention of the word killed, Sakura knew she would have to end their lives. She just hope that back up will arrive soon. While the three Cloud Shinobi went for an attack, she had quickly send one of Katsuya's small clones to inform Tsunade of the situation at hand and to send for reinforcement.

From behind, Sakura could hear Kiyoshi trash talking the Cloud Nin and mentally shook her head.

He was going to be reprimanded for that.

Taking the Kunoichi's minor distraction to his own advantage, the Captain of Cloud, had charged forward and threw a set of kunai at her. Sakura quickly dodged the sharp objects and had followed up with her own. Her kunai had missed and had felt him coming from her left and quickly threw a punch that met air. The glow of blue chakra was visible around her fist and the Cloud Nin had cursed since he had barely dodged it.

He quickly distanced himself from the Kunoichi and grunted out in displeasure. Getting the medical scroll now would be harder than previously determined. This Anbu was no doubt the Hokage's protege. He would have to avoid both her fists and kicks at all times. It would prove difficult considering the scroll was most likely somewhere on that body of hers. 'I just have to knock her out then.' He thought as he took out a kunai with a tag attached to its handle.

Sakura had watched the Nin closely while talking through her mic. "Kin. Kiyoshi. I want you to take care of the remaining Cloud Nin. I'll take care of the leader. Kill if necessary." She ordered out as she prepared herself for her attacker's assault. Maybe a little Genjutsu would do him in. Sakura had waited for the moment when his guard was down to unleash her Genjutsu.

The Cloud Nin opposing Sakura began to throw bombs in every direction the medic went for. The patches of ground exploded and trees collapsed to the ground in heaps. One bomb caught Sakura by surprise and had set her off course and crashing into the ground. Dirt arose from her trotting form across the ground. The dust cloud hid her form as she quickly back flip up. Sakura's mask had cracked from her face meeting the ground and small fine lines of blood from which the mask had shattered, had cut her face. One shard had nearly missed her eye by one centimeter.

Sakura breathe in heavily to intake oxygen before regulating her breathing. The bomb had knocked the air out of her lungs. It didn't take much time for her body to automatically heal the cuts on her face since they were only minor wounds. However, the wound on her side would have to wait until she finished the leader off. A sharp rock must have peirced her side while she had been thrown to the ground.

"I was hoping I would have gotten you sooner, but all well." Taking more bombs from his pouch he continue to throw them at her two at a time. As the bombs met the ground his surroundings change. Everything was starting to become slower than usual, almost as if he were in a dream and everything he saw or heard became dull.

He blink and stumble back a few steps. "What's going on?" He asked himself out loud as he searched for the Kunoichi. She was no where to be seen. He soon smirk when he saw her body laying limp on the ground along with her two companions, not to far from her. "Good, now the scroll." He told himself, not noticing nor concerning himself as to his team's whereabouts.

As he approach Sakura's body and had reached down for her vest, to search for the scroll, the moment his fingers made contact with her suit, she had turned into thousands of small Widow spiders. Surprised, the Cloud Nin had yelled in shock and began to swing his arm to prevent the small spiders from crawling up his sleeve. A sadistic laugh echoed throughout the forest from every direction, clearing enjoying the Cloud Nin's terror. "You Know the Black Widow Spider is the most poisonous spider on this planet." As soon as she spoke the small spiders began to multiply into mass numbers.

"P-poisonous?" The Cloud Nin stuttered out in panic as he feverishly began to shake them off. He could feel them entering into his clothing and had screamed as they bit him over and over again. "The bigger they are the better off you are, but you're not so lucky...the smaller they are the more poison they release within their victim's blood stream. It's a defense mechanism that is efficient and so cruel." The voice taunted in amazement. The Cloud Nin screamed in agony as his skin began to burn and the tightening of his trachea, closing off his breathing.

The Cloud Nin took off his suit and mask and had proceeded to roll over in the ground in order to kill the spiders. The fear of poison drove the Cloud Nin on as he repeatedly hit his skin to kill the insects that threatened his life. Soon his vision became blurry as black spots began to dance before his eyes.

'This is it!' He thought with panic as he felt his air supply shut off completely. As he slowly drifted away, the image of the Kunoichi flashed within his mind. Hair of a pastel pink and eyes of emerald that burn as brightly as the sun did. It was at that moment when he had figured it out.

He tiredly brought his hands together to form the releash seal and had muttered out a weak, "K-kai..."

Sakura sigh in relief after she had unleashed her Genjutsu.

At the moment the Cloud Nin was screaming and rolling over in the ground shirtless and mask less. It gave Sakura a view of the Shinobi's face and she had immediately frown in pity. He appeared to be around her age maybe a year older. When he had stopped moving, Sakura turn away and headed towards Kiyoshi and Kin, who were taking care of the three Shinobi on their own. From the looks of it, they were doing well.

As she walk away, the Cloud Nin had curled his lips into a deep, resentful snarl and charge towards the Kunoichi, angrily in blind fury. The adrenaline from the fear he had just undergo seconds ago was still present within his veins. The rashness of his action would surely be devastating.

He let out a cry while aiming for the Konoha Kunoichi's slender neck. Sakura had felt him coming and had waited until he was close in range before she had quickly turned around and struck out her fist and landed a solid, chakra infused punch through his abdomen. The force of inertia from the Cloud Nin's charge and from Sakura's power filled punch had caused the remaining bombs hidden within the body to explode upon impact.

The explosion had send her flying backwards and into a tree.

Her outfit was tattered and drenched in blood with pieces of guts and flesh hanging off her body that were not her own.

The Cloud Nin that were with Kin and Kiyoshi quickly turned around to witness the horrid scene of their Captain being killed. They were only two people in the world that could have achieved such a gruesome power. One being, Tsunade-Hime of Konoha and the other being her apprentice, Haruno Sakura.

"We got to get out of here!" Exclaimed one of them in slight panic, the other two had nodded in agreement and went to escape. Kin and Kiyoshi heard this and quickly jump in front of them, blocking their escape route. "You won't get very far and unless you want to die you better stay put." Kin said seriously. "Our Captain has a very short temper, you see, and when she's mad there's no stopping her." Kiyoshi added with amusement in his voice.

After he had said those words an angry cry was heard from their left.

The ground shook as Sakura pushed a tree off of her and threw it a few yards away. Not only was she drenched from head to toe in blood and guts, but her mask had broken from the blast earlier and to think that she had thought that she could go on a single mission without breaking it. The only other color visible from the sea of red were her emerald eyes.

The red brought them out rather nicely, despite it being blood.

Kiyoshi snickered while Kin stifled a tired laugh.

Once Sakura had stood up a team of Anbu had arrived.

Squad One.

"A meeting?"

Shizune ask, not sure as to why the Council would want a meeting with Tsunade. Everything was going well, not to mention the fact that there has been no problems with the other nations.

"Yes, a meeting. We must discuss the economy of Konoha. The Council and The Hokage must come up with a solution to solve this potential crisis." Koharu said with her closed eyes with her brows set in resolve. Shizune stared at the old woman and set her lips in a thin line. "I'll inform Tsunade-sama of it." The medic said, bowing slightly to the Elder.

Koharu nodded and took her leave.

Shizune furrow her brows as she walk back to the office.

Something in her gut told her something was array.

As she open the door to the office and look inside, the medic could see Tsunade staring out the window. "Tsuande-sama?" The dark haired medic said as she closed the door. "Koharu has just informed me that you are to be present in a meeting with the Council tomorrow morning." Tsunade had heard Shizune's words, but chose to ignored them. The Council were not in her mind right now. "My cup cracked." The blonde said thoughtfully.

Shizune raise a brow.

She turn to the desk and saw the green cup with a crack running down its side.

The spill contents were left on the wooden desk, most likely it was sake.

"A bad omen?"

Tsuande nodded and had turned to look at her assistant with raised brows.

"Most likely, but for what I'm not sure of." She had explained with a frown set in uncertainty. "Hopefully Sakura returns soon, I have an uneasy feeling." The Godaime said in worry, a crease forming on her forehead as she bit down on her thumb.

"Argh!"

Tsunade quickly held her left arm. It had quickly stiffened to the point of pain and quickly pumped healing chakra into the inflicted limb. Shizune immediately ran over to the blonde and assisted her with glowing hands. "It's becoming more persistent, Tsunade, you have had three already today." The dark haired medic said concerned and worried. "I know that Shizune!" Tsunade snapped as the chakra began to work its effect and loosen the muscles in her arm. The pain eased away and the Godaime sighed in relief. Shizune knew it was not meant in anger and thought nothing of Tsuande snapping at her.

The pain she could see was unbearable, even for someone as strong as her.

"At least we know it has something to do with my muscles." She started as she rotated her left arm. "The fibers are simultaneously contracting, rendering me limp if not eased away by healing chakra." She stated more to herself than Shizune. "The same goes for the rest of my body, but mostly my arms, but the question is why is it happening?" Shizune's gaze was curios as to why as well.

Thoughts of Tsuande's mysterious disorder was dismissed when a miniature size of Katsuya's clone appear through the open window.

Tsuande approach the indigo colored slug and furrow her brows.

"Katsuya?"

She said in question, waiting for an explanation.

"Lady Tsuande, Sakura requests back up against Cloud Nin in the Forest!" The small slug exclaimed, huffing for oxygen after her long run through the Forest and to the Tower. Tsunade quickly looked at Shizune. "Send in Squad One." The medic was already running out the office to send the messenger hawks to be dispatched.

Tsuande stood in the office and had asked Katsuya's clone about the situation in the Forest.

"There were four Cloud Shinobi, three of them were held back by The Crow and Deer mask Anbu. Sakura was facing the Captain of the enemy team. Before I left I caught the words of Medical Scroll." Tsuande gritted her teeth as an angry crease formed on her forehead and in between her brows.

"Damn it, how did they know?" She asked herself as she quickly stood up and went to her desk. She grabbed an empty scroll and began writing. She would have to dispatch a few Squads of Anbu around the border and to investigate the village for any spies.

"Damn, Cloud, couldn't they just let us be."

She cursed angrily as she wrote.

He had to get to her.

His Sakura was in trouble.

The red Hawk that had flown and screeched in the night sky was the signal for his Squad to be out and ready. He had been thinking of her at the time, since he couldn't sleep, and heard the alarm from the flying mammal.

In need for a new mission to keep his mind off Sakura, he had gotten dressed into his uniform in no time and was jumping from roof top to roof top while his Squad assembled along side him. It wasn't until he had grabbed the scroll from the Hawk that he realized Sakura was in need of help.

He had to keep his emotions in check and contain his worry for the pink haired medic.

He just hope she wasn't hurt.

They reach the Forest and were now locating Squad Six's position by their Anbu canine, Akamaru.

"Have you two picked up on their scent yet?"

Neji asked slightly agitated, the question director towards Kiba. "Yeah, they're up ahead, I'll say about a mile or so." The owner of the large canine had picked up on Neji's emotion and raised a brow in wonderment. The scent that was coming off Neji was worry and fear. That was abnormal. Who was the Hyuuga worried about? Was he worried about a woman? But the only woman in Squad Six was Sakura...

Kiba's eyes widened in realization.

No...Neji and Sakura? Kiba shook his head. Impossible. Neji was a hardened Shinobi who only focused on training and advancing his blood limit, the Byakugan. He couldn't picture Neji with someone as emotional as Sakura. Sakura had his respects, but the two together didn't mesh well with him. They were complete opposites!

'Stupid mind, I'm thinking way too much.'

Kiba told himself mentally as he continue on towards the location of Sakura's Squad.

As the approach the area where their fellow Shinobi were at, there was a loud explosion that made the Shinobi halt in their steps and hide in the protection of the trees. After the explosion went off there was a strong gust of wind that passed by them, causing the shinobi to hold onto the bark and branches from being blown off.

Neji gritted his teeth as he peered from behind the tree, waiting for the gust to be over with. A few seconds later it died down and he gave the order to proceed. This time Neji was moving faster and so did his Squad.

When they finally reach their destination, the first thing that granted their sight was a blood-covered Sakura.

Neji remained where he was at and stared at Sakura.

She was covered in blood from head to toe and he couldn't tell if it was her own or someone else's. The rest of Squad One went to apprehend the Cloud Nin and placed chakra cuffs around their wrists. He walked up to her fully aware of the others watching his every move.

They were curios as to what would transgress between both Captains.

Sakura felt her heart race within her chest and tried her best to remain calm and compose. What was he planning on doing? He had obviously been worried about her, especially when she was drenched in blood that wasn't her own, but he didn't know that. At least not yet.

Her eyes were startled and unsure at first, but they slowly changed to a reassuring gaze as she wiped the blood from her face with her sleeve. One half of her face was cleaned from the pungent colored while the other remained bloody. "I'm fine, Hyuuga-san. The blood isn't my own. Thanks for backing us up." Sakura said as causally and as formally as she could muster without throwing herself into his embrace.

She knew the others couldn't know of their relationship.

If they did word would surely reach Hiashi-sama.

Neji remained silent, but nodded.

"That explosion was from you." He stated, but in his mind he wanted to hold her. Sakura confirmed it with a nod. "Yeah, we better hurry back. Tsunade needs the item we picked up as soon as possible." She told him before walking away to her team. With the Cloud Nin in hand they travel back to Konoha. Neji was leading the front while Sakura guarded the back.

As Sakura travel her eyes were fixed on Neji.

She had missed him so much.

Ten-Ten was a fellow comrade, but Neji was hers and she would not hand him over like she was willingly too a few days ago.

"I won't give up on us, Neji, and I know you won't either."

A/N: My computer works! So I should be updating regularly. I want to thank all of you who have left reviews and to those who have added this story to their favs and alerts!

I don't really know how I did with this chapter, but I hope it was pleasing to you all. In the next chapter I want to put in some Neji and Sakura lovin!

So Review and Enjoy.

Lady Manami