Again, I do not own Naruto, and just to let you know, this story is taking place right after the time change in the manga, but I take over from there. Hinata only stutters infront of elders and when intimidated. And I would like to thank my few, but awesome reviewers! Other then Zach... Because Zach doesn't need a thank you.
Hyuuga's Winged Guardian: Thank you, and here is your update! And yea... Hiashi is weird like that.
LightStar101: Arigato(or however you spell it) Im glad you liked it!
NarutoSakuraSasuke4ever: Again, thank you for your review, but I think I pretty much firm on the parings, but who knows I might change it.
The Silent Winds Call Me: Faithy! You can be my betta if you wish, just remind me to remind you and all will be well!
ok guys, I am using a different system this time, for every review I get, I will write 200 words, I saw that somehwere and thought that it was a nifty idea! So review! Because I dont feel like cutting off their trip to Suna.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
I am Sakura Haruno: Chapter 2: Mission! To the Sea of Sand!
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I woke up with a pounding headache. I reluctantly opened my eyes and looked around to be welcomed by the familiar sight of my room. I got up and ignored my head, and started making my bed until I realized that I hadn't fallen asleep in my room.
"I am almost positive that I was drunk and passed out in some alleyway."
I looked around for any clue of how I had gotten here but found none. I shrugged and then decided that taking a cold shower might calm my aching head. The cold water felt nice as it rushed over me. After a good hour or two in the shower I decided that I probably needed to move. I Stepped out onto the cold tile and wrapped a towel around my bare form. Looking in the mirror I saw a tired pink haired girl with dull green eyes. I was interrupted from my thoughts when I heard someone knock on my door.
I opened the door just a little, only to be knocked back three feet. Clutching on to my towel I sat there half naked looking at a blushing Naruto.
"Na… ru… to…!" I could feel the "inner me" yelling for revenge.
He waited outside patiently rubbing his now sore head.
I quickly donned my ninja attire and opened the door to let Naruto back in.
"What did you want, Teme?"
He gave me a small smile indicating that what ever he had to say wasn't that important.
"Kakashi invited us out to lunch."
I nodded and sighed, knowing that this would mean ramen for the third time this week.
I pulled my wet hair back and followed Naruto down the streets of Konoha.
"Sakura-chan, are you all right? You look kinda sad."
I gave him a small smile, I couldn't tell him about Sasuke or then we both would be upset. He seemed to notice I didn't want to talk so he kept quiet the rest of the way.
When we got to the place where Kakashi was meeting us, I noticed he didn't have his book with him.
"Great, no "Icha Icha Paradise" that means he is serious."
Naruto sighed, he seemed to have read my mind, but we were close like that.
Another thing that had changed in four years, Naruto and I were best friends.
"Well I personally don't want anything, but Tsunade-sama on the other hand…"
Kakashi always seemed to have a bored air about him, always with a book or just watching.
"That old bag, what does she want?"
I giggled a little as Naruto crossed his hands over his chest giving him that five year old look, but I quickly regained my composure.
"Is it a mission?"
Kakashi nodded then explained the extent of our new assignment.
"Well, Suna is having some agricultural problems. You see, they broke off their alliance with The Grass County because they sent unauthorized ninja into their country, or something like that. Not only did this break the treaty, but it also caused tension. Now the grass is refusing to send food and goods Suna. So they have asked us to supply them, so on and so forth."
Naruto looked confused.
"Well then what is the problem?"
"Well I don't know ask lady Tsunade."
I laughed as Naruto completely fell out of his seat mumbling something along the lines of, "Stupid perverted baka."
"Well then," I grabbed Naruto from the floor. "We will be heading out to Tsunade's office, but if she was the one who was supposed to tell us, why did you invite us here?"
"I was hungry" He smiled and ran off.
"Damn him…" I paid for all the meals and then we were off.
As expected, my teacher wasn't exactly happy that we were late. Hinata was already sitting down in the room.
"Well I expected this from Naruto, but not from you Sakura, but you guys are lucky, we are waiting for someone else, he already knows the mission so Ill explain it to you."
She finished off her glass of sake and started on the story.
"We are sending goods over to Suna, but no matter how big the supply, there will not be enough to feed everyone there for more then three months, Fire country is a decent farming area, but we don not produce nearly as many crops and their old alliance the Grass country. So not only will you be bringing them food, you will be staying and helping them farm enough land to feed themselves."
"B-but Hokage-sama, why don't we just… keep bringing in more shipments, that way… we could s-save time…"
Ok, note to self, help Hinata's speech problem…
"Well Hinata, that would work under most circumstances, but if we did that we would have to raise the production of crops, and goods. This would raise farming taxes and put small rural farmers out of business."
When it came to the country I knew every inch, and every dime spent and made.
Tsunade nodded.
"Sakura is right, but that isn't the only problem. We are also in alliance with the Grass country, sending to much to the sand might cause tension for our alliance. So to avoid any war or small conflict, we need to be as neutral as possible. Each of you have been specially chosen for this mission. Haruno Sakura, you are familiar with healing herbs and medicines. Not only could you help the agriculture, you would be able to raise the count of medical practices there. Uzumaki Naruto, you have a bond with the Kazekage, which might come in handy. And we also need the Byakugan. Not only to scour for rouge ninja, but it will also be able to since root systems. Ah finally decided you show you face."
I looked up to the door and saw another set of pale eyes staring back at me.
"Hyuuga Neji, I though I told you to stay on those crutches until you fully healed!"
He just ignored me and went up to Tsunade.
"Listen you guys," She started "Because you have an injured ninja with you, or at least until his wounds completely heal. This is classified as a B mission. Watch for rouge ninja, you set off tomorrow morning at noon. Sakura is the captain of this mission, now leave, I have important business to take care of!"
We were literally shoved outside and sat in silence for a minute.
"Business my ass, that old hag is just going to sit there and get drunk!"
I hit him for insulting the Hokage, but I also knew what he had said was the truth. Feeling as I should take my anger out on something else I turned to Neji.
"Now you mister, go get that crutch of yours!"
He ignored me again, and kept walking.
"Talk to me Teme! You are going to have to listen to me eventually, I am this team's captain!"
"Well then, this mission must not be very hard if Hokage-sama put a weakling like you in charge."
I could feel the anger boiling up inside me, I saw Naruto smack his own face out of the corner of my eye.
"What did you just say? Weak? I am the one that heals your ass every time you get injured!"
"Just because you are a medic-nin doesn't make you strong."
There it was, I got read to kick is pompous ass. I gathered the chakra in my hand pulled back and…
"STOP IT!" Hinata jumped in front of me, there were tears in her eyes. "Please don't fight, please…"
That was the first time I had actually noticed she was there after we had left the Hokage's office, and it was most defiantly the loudest I have ever heard her. Even Neji looked startled.
I let my hand drop, but scowled as Neji just smirked at me. He walked away, I smiled as I saw him limping slightly.
"So what is stuck up his ass?" I asked, actually curios.
"Well, his day hasn't been going exactly as planned…"
I sat down on the ground ready for a nice story.
"He left really early this morning to train and help his wounds. He came back in a good mood until Yumi came over…"
"You mean bitch woman?" I asked.
"Yeah, she was upset… because she said that the only reason he left so early was to go with another girl. She yelled at him… and in the end she broke his crutch. He has been having problems getting around all day and he hates having people help him…"
I let out a sigh.
"Now I sorta feel mad for being mean to him…"
"I personally think that he is actually out with other girls" Naruto put his hands behind his head. "If I were him, I would do anything to get that girl to break up with me."
Well… now that you mention it… He had been a little distracted ever since he came back from his last mission, maybe he… met a girl?"
"Maybe"
I started on my way home, Naruto and Hinata followed me. I silently laughed as I watched them. Naruto slid his arm around her waist and she turned bright red. If only Neji knew about this… Now that would be funny.
I finally reached home, said my goodbyes to Naruto and Hinata, and fell asleep on my couch, it was only seven at night, but I needed to pack in the morning anyways. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
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Other then the ending I was found of this chapter and enjoed writing it, I hope you liked it too... Rember the whole review thing, and please Review! I have over 120 hits and only 5 reviews so help me out here, and I am looking for input for my story!
-Rei
