"What are you doing?" I called out confused and angry. I was asleep on the couch until I heard her whimper, only to wake up and see Sasuke standing over her. My blood boiled watching him pull a needle out of her arm. That bastard drugged her.
"Taking what is mine." In a flash Sasuke scooped Sakura into his arms and was holding her close to his chest.
"You're not going anywhere with her Sasuke!" I pull out two kunai ready to throw at Sasuke.
"Now, now we wouldn't want to injury Sakura would we?" Sasuke planned to use Sakura as a shield if I threw any weapons. I was frozen I didn't know what to do. He had her, he had Sakura and at the moment I couldn't think of anything to do.
"Why" was all I could manage as I blocked his path to the balcony. I couldn't ripe my eyes off of Sakura. She had fallen asleep in nothing but a bra and a pair of shorts, relieving her body completely. The amount of damage that had been done to her body made me want to throw up. Why the fuck did Shizune not tell me how bad of shape she was in? Why hadn't Sakura tell me how bad she was hurt?
"Orochimaru wants her." Sasuke takes a step toward the balcony and I raise my blade higher ready to strike.
"Put her down Sasuke."
"Why should I? This is all she ever wanted when we were younger. She wanted nothing more than for me to come in and sweep her off her feet." That smirk he held on my face made my sick. "Besides I am almost ready to kill Itachi and once that is down I will need her for my second goal."
With that I snapped. How fucking dare he talk about Sakura like that! Like hell she would bare his children! I leaped forward extending my arm to punch Sasuke in the face, but when I made contact it poof. Substitution jutsu. I turned to see him jumping out of the window with Sakura. "No." I automaticity jump out following him down the street.
Sasuke had gotten faster, I'll give him that but he was not leaving with her. I bite down on my finger and summoned my canine. Once they appeared running besides me I sent they off in different directions. Bull was sent to get Yamato, Biscuit was sent to get Naruto, Pakkun was sent to warn Lady Tsunade, Urushi was sent to get Sai and the rest were sent to fan out and look for Sasuke just in case I wasn't following the right one.
We ran through the streets of Konoha, jumping from rooftop to rooftop. Every once in a while I would throw a weapon in hopes of slowing Sasuke down but he would simply dodge it. I couldn't use any of my Justus there was too much of a risk of hitting Sakura. We ran out of the main streets and Sasuke made his way toward the training grounds.
I could feel other ninja begin to circle us. "Sasuke there is no were to hide. Hand over Sakura now." My voice was laced with authority. Sasuke looked down at the sleeping beauty in his arms and reached down and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. He is being so tender with her why?
"Why should I? She is obviously not safe in their village. Look at her! Who did this!" Sasuke's chakra levels began increasing and I could see the curse mark on his neck begin to grow. Did he really have feelings for Sakura?
"I am handling it. She is in safe hands with me. If you take her to Orochimaru she will only be in danger, you know that." I take a step closer to Sasuke. I just need to distract him a little bit longer and the rest of the team will be here to take him down.
"I thought you loved her! How did you allow this to happen? Why were you not there to protect her?!" Sasuke's skin was slowly begging to turn grey, the mark was taking over.
"Sasuke of course I care about Sakura, she is my student. Just as you are my student, please I do not wish to fight you." I take another step, Sasuke is too busy staring at Sakura to notice my movement. I can see Sakura beginning to stir, even if he did drug her I am sure she is feeling the large amount of charka coming off of Sasuke.
"Bullshit! You've always loved her haven't you?!" Sasuke looks up from Sakura and sees how close I am.
"Sasuke clam down."
"You have all this time haven't you? All those time you saved her while we were missions. All those times you had Naruto and I spilt off, so you could be alone with her. You sick perverter bastard!" The cruse mark began to grow and Sasuke was slowly losing it. I had never seen Sasuke this emotional. He had never been this cornered about Sakura. Why was his mark activating so quickly when he wasn't even in battle? I look more closely at his neck and notice my seal completely gone.
"Oh fuck" I mutter. Without the seal around the curse mark, it can completely over take him.
"Teme!" I see Naruto running behind him, a rasengan already activated. Before I could even call out to Naruto and warn him Sakura was in Sasuke's arms he makes a direct hit with Sasuke's shoulder. Sending Sasuke flying forward form the hit. He releases Sakura and hits a tree. Sakura is thrown a couple feet past it. I run to try and catch her but it all happens to fast. I watch in horror as her body hits the forest floor and slides a couple feet before stopping.
"Sakura!" I look over to see Sasuke screaming, completely in demon from, his eyes a bright crimson color. Before Sasuke had a chance I'm already at Sakura side picking her up. The left side of the head is bleeding, and some of her pervious injuries seem to have reopened. I look over to Naruto to see a shocked expression. It is very clear he had no idea Sasuke was holding Sakura.
"Kakashi is she-" Naruto begins but trails off unable to finish his sentence.
"She is fine, focus on Sasuke. His seal has broken there is no telling what he will do." I disappear and reappear behind Naruto. Sasuke is beginning to stand, a crazy look in his eyes. Before Sasuke could step forward, wood is being wrapped around Sasuke, holding him to three tree.
"Captain Yamato!" Naruto yells. Yamato steps out of the tree line sweating. Yamato looks completely dazed. He isn't wearing his forehead protector or his chin mask. He is dressed in black pants and a black long-sleeved with only his kunai pouch attacked to his leg. He must have just woken up and came running.
"Kakashi what is going on!?" Yamato questions stepping closer to Sasuke, encircling another layer of wood around him.
"Sasuke tried to take Sakura." I watched Yamato's face harden. This was all the proof we need to confirm what the hostage had said. They were after Sakura, and it must have been important if they sent Sasuke after her.
"You're foolish if you think this will hold me." Slowly we begin to hear the crack of wood as Sasuke pushes forward. This isn't good. I look down to see Sakura once again stirring in her sleep.
Break!
"Naruto!" I yell jumping back trying to get as much space between Sakura and Sasuke as possible.
"On it." Naruto rushes toward Sasuke and the two begin to fight. They are both going at it full force. Sasuke is no longer responding to Naruto, by now he is too far gone. This is getting worse by the minute. I stare down at Sakura not really sure if I should put her down and join the fight or run off with her to somewhere safe. When Naruto begins to lose and Yamato is knocked down I have no choice but to lay her down and join the battle.
What is going on? I feel as if I'm free falling. I look around but all I see is darkness. I reach up and touch my forehead only to have it throb in response. Am I in a genjutsu? I put my hands together and rush my charka, hoping to break the jutsu but nothing. I can hear the clashing of metal in the distance and I can feel high levels of charka.
"Sakura-chan." I stiffen. I know that voice, but there is no way he could be here.
"Nii-san" I slowly turn around and see him standing there perfectly fine. His eyes weren't missing, a smile plastered on his face. I run to him, throwing my arms around his neck burring my face into his chest. "Nii-san" I call out again. I couldn't believe it, my brother was standing right before me.
"Sakura-chan you need to wake up." I look up and stare into his crimson red eyes confused.
"But I don't want to wake up, when I do you won't be there." I grip around him tighter not ever wanting to let him go.
"Sakura your team needs your help."
"Well I need you more." I knew once I opened my eyes he would be gone. He died. He wasn't real. This wasn't my Nii-san I was hugging, no he was long gone.
"Turn your face toward the sun, let the shadows fall behind you." I looked up at him, tears forming in the corners of my eyes. That is what he would always tell me whenever I got scared. "Tell a pray, just carry on and the shadows will never find you."
I could feel my Nii-san being to disappear between my arms. Though he wasn't real he was right, I just have to carry on.
I took a deep breath and tapped into my seal on my shoulder and all the blackness began to turn to spin and I was falling into the darkness.
My eyes shot open and I realize I am looking at the night skin. The warmth in my body was gone, and I could feel the cold earth beneath me. Shouting could be heard to my right and I struggled to sit up. My limbs felt heavy and it was taking a lot of work just to keep my eyes open.
"Sasuke clam down!" Naruto voiced boomed. Sasuke? Sasuke is in the village! No! I gathered charka in my hands and feet and forced myself up. I turned and noticed Yamato and Sai on the ground unconscious. Kakashi was kneeling between Sai and Yamato in a protective stance barely awake. Naruto was charging Sasuke head on. I could feel the nine tail foxes chakra slowly leaking out of Naruto. I watch as the two boys collide into each other, with such a force that a wave of air is sent out around them. I take a step trying to reach my team but quickly fall to my knees.
"Let me have her NARUTO!" Sasuke glazed in my direction and notices I am awake. Sasuke sends me a weird look, that I am not sure how to read.
"Never! I already lost you, I refuse to lose her to!" Naruto responded creating another rasengan, but this one is the biggest one I've ever seen him create. Sasuke creates a chidori and I could feel the power coming off both of them. Are they trying to kill each other? I turn and watch Kakashi fall, his charka depletion getting the better of him.
They charge toward each other again, this time aiming at vital points, hoping to take the other down. I spike my charka and focus myself up. There was no way I could just sit there while my two boys tried to kill each other. It was a split second decision, but one I knew I wouldn't regret it. I appear in-between Sasuke and Naruto, taking their hands and pulling them upwards, sending their attacks into the sky.
I feel the two energies run through my body. Between Sasuke's cruse mark and Naruto's nine tail charka my body was about to go into shock. The boys looked at me wide eyed, confused and amazed at how I got between them and evaded their attack. "Sakura-chan" I hear Sasuke whisper and I feel his charka begin to lower. I quickly scan the two boys and notice no serious damage. I notice Sasuke's seal is now gone, which explained why he freaked out. But what happened? His mark was in tack when we last fought.
I hear ninja screaming in the distance. The boys attack definitely alerted the rest of the village that something was going on. If Sasuke stays here he will be put in jail, and if up to Danzo killed. No I can't let that happen I made a promise to Itachi to protect Sasuke possible. I could feel the presence of Leaf shinobi grow closer and closer. I inhale a slow deep breath and when I exhale a way of power is pushed throughout the training fields. A shield is placed around Yamato, Sai and Kakashi preventing any damage from the rare power. Naruto is thrown back several yards but lands softly on the ground unconscious and unharmed. Sasuke and I are wrapped in a bubble and transported.
I blinked and I was no longer in the training fields. I looked around finally calming down. My cruse mark burned as it retracted back. Once I was back to normal I fell on my knees panting. What the hell happened?
All I remember is walking into Sakura's room and losing it once I saw what happened to her. I closed my eyes trying to remember what exactly happened. One minute I was fighting Naruto the next my hand is put in the air. My attack was counteracted but how?
"Finally got that all out of your system?" I shot up in a fighting stance. How did I not notice I wasn't alone? "Your seal broke and your cruse mark took over Uchiha. I thought you were stronger than that." Sakura walked toward me, no weapons in her hand, no jutsu activated. I relax but keep a strong focus on her. "Calm down I won't hurt you." Her hurt me? Wasn't I the one trying to hurt her?
But I could even react to her comment her hands are roaming my body healing the wounds I received from the fight with her team. "You're an odd girl Haruno." I hear her giggle lightly. Oh how wonderful did that noise sound. It had been so long since I hear her laugh, I never realized I missed it till now.
"What were you thinking?" Sakura finished healing me and took a step back her hands on her hips.
"Hn." I couldn't answer her question because I had no idea what I was thinking. The mission was simply, grab her and go. I was not supposed to be angry nor was I supposed to lose control.
"Would you like another seal placed on your mark?" Sakura eyed me waiting for a response.
"Like you could even if I wanted you to." I hissed.
Sakura smirked and stepped forward placing her glowing hand on my neck. As soon as it made contact I felt a warm feeling throughout my body. It didn't hurt, like when Kakashi performed the jutsu. "This one will not break, in fact you should be able to draw strength from the mark without having it take control."
Sakura turns on her feet and begins to walk away. I cursed at myself for doing this, but I reach out and grab her hand. "Why are you covered in cuts and bruises?"
"Uchiha, focus on yourself. You are living in a lie. Things are not what they seem. You need to open your eyes and finally travel the path you were originally destined for." Before I could question what she meant she disappeared in a cloud of cherry blossoms. I watch as the last of the blossoms hit the floor. I bend down and pick up a couple of cherry blossoms and secure them in my left pouch, wanting to keep a piece of her with me,
My eyes open and I am instantly blinded by a white light. Did I die? My eyes adjust to the unwelcoming light and I notice I am in a strange room. I hear beeping coming from behind me and then the smell of blench reaches my nose. I am no longer confused where I am. Great I am in the hospital. Wait Sakura! Did Sasuke take her?
I jump out of bed and my bare feet connect with the cold floor. I turn to my right and se Yamato and Sai asleep in a bed. To my left laid a snoring Naruto. If we are all here that means we lost! He has her! I have to get her! I rush to the door and fling it open, not caring that I am not wearing shoes, not wearing my weapons pouch, not wearing anything I would need for battle.
I pull the door open and go to run out the door when I collide with something soft, and suddenly I am losing my balance and falling forward. I brace myself for the hard tile but am quickly surprised when only my knees hit the hard surface, while the rest of me lands on something soft.
"Kakashi!" I hear Tsunade yell. I open my eyes and low and behold the soft object underneath me is Sakura. Her eyes are wide with shock. I realize her face is only inches away from mine and the position I'm in is highly inappropriate. My face immediately begins to turn a bright red.
"Sakura-chan you're okay." Sakura doesn't answer me, she just looks in my eyes. I fell her body stiffen as she to realizes how I am on top of her.
"Hatake get your ass up and off my student now!" Tsunade yelled, not happy I was still on top of her number one student. I quickly jump up and realize I was the one who knocked Sakura-chan down.
"I am so sorry Sakura, are you alright?" I offer my hand, which she takes and I pull her up. I scan Sakura making sure she really was alright. She had a few stiches on the left side of her forehead closing the gash she received when Sasuke dropped her. She is wearing the same clothes as last time I ran into her. A tight black jounin shirt, tight medium washed skinny jeans, black sandals and black fingerless gloves. Her beauty pink hair followed in lose curls, and she wore soft makeup.
"It's alright Kakashi-sensei, but I should be the one asking you how you are feeling." She raised a hand and placed it on my forehead. "You're burning up, do you feel hot?" She cocked her head sidewise looking at me from another angel. That slight tilt of the head made butterflies exploded in my stomach.
"Ah yes. I am alright. You see I am just a little embarrassed that I ran into you like that." I reach up and scratch the back of my head.
"Where were you running off to Kakashi?" Tsunade asked as she pointed for me to take my place back in my hospital bed.
"I woke up and thought Sasuke had won the fight, and left with Sakura-chan." Sakura just smiled as she began to check over Naruto vitals and charts. Tsunade began checking mine.
"It seems like they are all recovered, just waiting for their charka levels to rise again." Tsunade stated turning to Sai to check him over.
"Well of course, I healed them after all master." Tsunade shot Sakura a motherly smile showing her she was proud of her work. "Kakashi go back to sleep I know you are tired." I shook my head no in protest, but by now my adrenaline was wearing off from when I first woke up and I feel myself becoming more and more tired. Sakura smiled and shook her head lightly at me before walking over and placing her hand over my eyes, forcing them closed and releasing charka from her hands that made my whole body feel all warm and tingly. I smiled and slowly drift off to sleep, knowing Sakura was safe and next to me.
I storm off completely pissed off. The council did not back me when I stated I wanted to talk with the Fire Lord before the wedding was announced publicly. I slam my office door as I entered. Temari was in my seat looking at paperwork.
"So I'm guessing the meeting didn't go well." She states not even bothering to look up from her papers.
"No. Everyone thinks I should just proceed with the wedding without asking questions. If I don't, not only will the new treaty not be valid but our current treaty will be void." I pace bath and forth, contemplating what my next move should be.
"Do you not wish to marry her?" Temari asks pecking up from her paperwork. I feel my blood rush to my checks and I am sure my checks match my hair color by the way Temari is giggling.
"I never said that." I walk over to my couch in the corner and take a seat. I slump forward, my elbows on my knees. "It's just…what if she doesn't want to marry me back?" I look up to my big sister for guidance only to find her smirking from ear to ear.
"Gaara I am sure she would love to marry you. You two have become very close over the years. Everyone in Suna loves her, they would welcome her with open arms. She fits right in with the family and I couldn't think of anyone better to help me keep Kankuro in check."
I smile feeling a little better about my decision. Temari knew my feeling for Sakura, I never told her but she always knew. I wanted Sakura-chan to be mine, even before I asked her to become Ambassador. She was a strong, passionate women that any man would be lucky to have. But the more I thought about how perfect Sakura was, I questioned if I was good enough for her. Could I really give Sakura-chan everything she wanted? Could I really be the one to make her happy? My happiness was now gone. What if she wanted children and I wasn't able to give her the children? What if she wanted tolive in the Leaf instead of here? Would I move? Would I give up my position as Kazekage or would I have to put my foot down and make her move here?
"Gaara clam down, I can tell you are completely overthinking this. You love Sakura, and it is oblivious that Sakura cares deeply for you. Stop freaking out, we are going to the Leaf in a few weeks, you will be able to talk to her face to face then, until then just breath."
I let out a breath and lean back into my couch closing my eyes. "You know Ms. Sakura Kazekage has a nice ring to it Gaara." I let out a small laugh, a smile slowly forming on my face.
"What do you think is going to happen Senpai?" Yamato and I had been back and forth all morning over what to do. Sakura-chan had fallen asleep in one of the hospital chairs examining a medical file, and I hadn't taken my eyes off of her. I was afraid if I did I would lose her again.
"We need to talk to Lady Tsunade and inform her about the Foundation. I won't let Danzo get to her again." I grip the bed sheets feeling the anger run through me. That bastard was going to pay for what he did to Sakura-chan. I glance over and see Naruto on his side clutching a pillow snoring and Sai was still asleep on his back. Naruto began to toss and turn, and I could hear his stomach growl. The knuckle head would be up soon in search of food. My eyes leave Naruto and fall back on my sleeping beauty. She looked exhausted. I wonder what Sasuke used to drug her.
"Mmmmmhhhhh Sakura-chan that feels so good…" Naruto beings whispering in his sleep. "Ahhhhh Sakura-chan come there and give me a kiss.." I turned a little pissed off. Naruto was having a dirty dream about Sakura, and was kissing his pillow. That's it. I take one of the pillows on my bed and chucked it at him, hitting him right in the face.
I smile slightly as Naruto wakes up and rolls off the hospital bed. "Oye what's going on?" Naruto asks jumping up and looking around the room.
"You're in the hospital Naruto, keep your voice down or you'll wake Sakura and Sai." Yamato spats. Well it seems Yamato is a little upset about his dream to.
"Sakura? So that means we won?" Naruto sat back down on the bed, a puzzled look on his face. Why was he confused? Wasn't he the one that beat Sasuke in battle?
"Why do you seem so surprised? You're the one who won the fight Naruto." Yamato said getting out of bed and walking over to mine, taking a seat on the bed.
"No. Sasuke was too strong. The last thing I remember is my hand being pulled up and my attack releasing toward the sky." Naruto paused and it seemed like he was trying to recall the events of last night. "Come to think of it I think the last thing I saw was a flash of pink before I blacked out." All our eyes shot to Sakura's sleeping form. Had she woken up and stopped the fighting? If so what happened to Sasuke?
"So Sakura is the one who won the fight." I let out a breath. How strong had she become? How did she get this strong? She didn't come from a powerful clan, she didn't have a seal or curse mark to tap into. So then how? And more importantly why? It seems when it comes to Sakura-chan its always one step forward, two steps back.
"Oye now that I'm thinking about it, why was Sakura so badly injured?" Naruto's eyes sudden become very serious. His eyes fixed on mine, expecting me to know the answer.
"We don't know yet Naruto, but I promise you we will find out." Yamato answered his question. I hadn't had the chance to talk to Yamato about who had injured Sakura. Yamato had been grown and experimented on by Danzo, he knew how cruel that man could be. That's why Yamato freaked out when I told him she had joined the Foundation. I had to physical restrain him from running down to Danzo's office and demanding Sakura be released from duty.
The door opens and Lady Tsunade and Shizune walk in. "How are you boys feeling?" Tsunade asks looking over our charts. I hear Sai start to wake up in the corner.
"Fine." Yamato and I respond.
"I'm great you better believe it! When can we go home Granny? I want ramen." Naruto's voice boomed in the tiny room.
"How many times do I have tell you to keep your fucking voice down while you're in the fucking hospital!?" Tsunade yelled louder than Naruto had. I turn back to Sakura and watch as her eye fluttered open revealing those big beautiful eyes.
"Sakura-chan! You're finally awake!" Naruto jumps out of bed and runs to the hospital chair pulling her into a hug.
"Naruto clam down, your being too loud." Sakura chuckles, hugging the yellow knucklehead back. Naruto released the hug and steps back a slight blush on his checks. Sakura looks my way and our eyes lock for a moment before she adverts her gaze and gives her full attention to Tsunade. "When can they be released M'Lady?"
"As soon as they get dressed." Tsunade sets down the charts and looks up to the men in the room. "You're all clear for duty." I watch as Shizune shots Sakura a nervous look, which Sakura refuses to acknowledge. "Sakura-chan while they change may we have a word outside please?" Sakura nods and leaves the room without question. Yamato shots me a look, but all I could do is stare at the door as I feel Sakura moving further and further away from us, from me.
Lady Tsunade and I made our way toward the Hokage Tower. Apparently can I have a word outside really means I need to speak to you privately, all the way across the freaking village. I wasn't looking forward to this little talk. I had already reported out last night that I had awoken just in time to see Naruto fall. I lied and told her we fought for a while until Sasuke felt he was being surrounded and fled the village to avoid capture. I wasn't looking forward to telling her about the Foundation. I had no idea how she would react. As we climbed the steps of toward her officer I became more and more nervous.
Once inside her office I feel her charka spike. Oh crap was all I could think. She is really going to let me have it now, "Why didn't you tell me Sakura?" I looked at her confused, no way did she already know.
"M'Lady what are you talking about?"
Tsunade opened her desk and pulled out a huge file that had the words highly classified written write down the front. She opens it and turns it around to show me. I went into shock as I realized it's filled with information about my time at the Foundation. "Start talking now!" Tsunade yells clearly pissed I went behind her back. I didn't blame her. I was pissed at myself. I broke her trust.
My eyes fall to the floor not waiting to look at my master. "I can't M'Lady."
"What do you mean you can't?" Tsunade asks getting angrier.
I didn't answer her question, I simply stuck out my tongue. I hear a gasp escape her lips as she notices the seal. She knew what that seal meant, it meant I would not be able to talk to her about my time at the Foundation as long as I had the seal. I couldn't tell you how many times I tried to break the seal, but it wasn't the same as Sai's. Sai's cruse mark was easy, and I was able to remove it in one try but mine seemed to only grow stronger every time I messed with it. "I see." I look up and lock eyes with Tsunade. Her expression was no longer anger but sadness and tears threaten to spill from her eyes. "I am not going to lose you to him Sakura-chan but-"
"I know M'Lady. I understand." Her hands were tied. During the time of Third Hokage a deal was struck between the Hokage and Danzo. Danzo would have full control over the Foundation and the Hokage could only demand the help of the Foundation. No one could step in and remove a member unless Danzo agreed upon it.
The only reason why Sai was allowed to stay with Team 7 was because Danzo and I had struck a deal. I had promised to be the "entertainment" for a quest in order for him to gain information and alliances among a foreign group of shinobi. Once Danzo obtained what he wanted Sai was discharge from the Foundation, making Danzo unable to ever touch him again. It was a small price to pay for Sai's freedom.
"Who has your loyalty?" Tsunade asks, tears no longer in her eyes.
"With you M'Lady. It's always been with you." I tried to sound as heart felt as I possibly could because I really did mean it. While Tsunade was not perfect, there was no question that she would protect Konoha and the citizens with her life.
"When you returned the night of the attack who did you come to first, me or him?"
"I went straight to you." I watch as Tsunade makes the connection. I can see it in her face as she pieces it all together. She now understood why I had disappeared for three days, she knew once I left the integration room that I went to report to him, days after the incident happened making it impossible for him to do anything about it.
"Is that why you have these injuries? Because you came to me first and not him?" I simply nod and watch as her eyes grow in horror. "Sakura-chan why? Why come to me first if you knew that would be the outcome?"
"Because you are my master. You are my teacher, my second mother. I trust you and your decisions without question. You wouldn't not make a single movement that would endanger your people. No matter the punishment I will always come to you first. M'Lady I know I went behind your back, but I needed to in order to keep the Foundation in check. They were becoming too strong, too big, too fast. The Hokage cannot interfere but I can be the buffer between the two. Please allow me to stay within the Foundation and keep it in check."
"But at what cost?" Tsunade stands up and walks in front of me, placing her hands on my shoulder giving me a worried glare. She was still pissed at me, but I knew she knew where my loyalty laid. She knew I hadn't and won't betray her.
"Whatever cost necessary to protect my village." Tsunade smiled and gave me a node, understanding my choice of action. I knew I couldn't be saved form him, so why fight it. I drug my grave the day I allowed him to place his mark, now there was no going back.
It had been three weeks since Sasuke tried to take Sakura, and we hadn't heard or seen any sign of him returning. Sakura has become closed off again. I tired talking to her again about the Foundation but she quickly shut me up saying she told Tsunade and that there was nothing left to talk about. The harder I pushed for her to talk to me the more she withdrew, so I gave up, at least for now. Tsunade had kept me assigned to protecting Sakura and when I couldn't Yamato took my place. Yamato had become very protective of her, and for that I was grateful. I trust Yamato fully and I knew he would do everything in his power to protect her if need be.
The last couple weeks had been uneventful. Team 7 had not be sent on any missions, and while Sakura was working her shift at the hospital I stayed and guarded, while the rest of Team 7 trained. It was amazing watching Sakura work. One day a group of anbu that had been ambushed was brought it and I watched as Sakura took complete control of the situation. She directed the nurses where to put the injured ninja and was quick to start calling out orders without missing a beat. When two of the anbu began to take a turn for the worse Sakura created two clones and sent them to the rooms to help preform the surgeries. I couldn't imagine the amount of charka control that took. To be able to perform medical ninjutsu was a difficult task on its own, throw in two clones having to perform medical ninjutsu at the same time with different injures in different rooms while the original Sakura moved from anbu to anbu healing and directing orders, was amazing to watch.
What really caught my attention was Sakura's determination. She would continue to work on a patient long after the patient was thought to have died. Just last week a seven year old boy was brought in that had been found face down in a river, not breathing. The ninja that brought him in stated he had stopped breathing three minutes before he arrived. I knew after four there would be brain damage, but that didn't seem to stop Sakura. She quickly took the boy and place him on a bed. Her hands grew green and I watched as she guided the water out of his lung through his mouth. Once the water was removed she started to perform CPR.
Nurses crowded around her after ten minutes with no signs of improvement telling her to stop, but Sakura refused to. Her hands glowed green every time she pumped his chest, trying to shock his heart back into starting again. After twenty compressions she would bend down and fill the little boy's lungs with air, and then once again begin pumping. After thirty minutes I stepped forward to pull Sakura off thinking there was no hope left, thinking the boy died before he got to the hospital when Sakura stopped the CPR. I watched once again in amazement as the little boy's eyes opened and he began to cough. Sakura helped sit him up and panted his back, helping the little boy breath normal again.
Sakura had the boy lay back down once he had stopped coughing and had an oxygen mask over his face. Another nurse stepped forward and started an IV. I look around to see all the nurses with a shocked expression on their face. Sakura scanned the little boy's body, checking for damage and paused a long time on his head. When she pulled away her hands she was smiling, no permeant damage had occurred. As the boy was wheeled into another door she sent a Tsunade like glare at the hospital staff. She started yelling at them, I was taken back as she went on to explain you never give up on a patient until everyone ounce of your energy and charka is drained and you are unable to move. That look in her eyes, she was disappointed in her staff.
When we made it back to her office her knees buckled and she began to fall forward. I was quick to catch her and slowly lowered her to the ground. She was panting hard and I could tell that she lived by her own words. I could feel just how low her charka levels were. She had pumped charka into that child for over thirty minutes, while performing CPR, while all the hospital staff stood around doing nothing, already given up. Sakura stayed on the floor for thirty minutes before she was well enough to stand. Once she could walk she was back in beast mode and began to make her rounds at the hospital, stopping to check on the young boy.
Every day I spent with her, the more and more I fell in love with her. Every time I got to see a new part of Sakura, I realize just how much she had out grown Team 7, out grown me. Every part of my body craved her. I wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with this pink haired kunoichi. Though I was doubtful that would ever happen.
I look up from my Icha Icha book and stare at Sakura. She has been staring at the same medical file for the last three hours. Medical books and scrolls laid spread out all over her office. Sakura seemed really frustrated. The more she looked at the file the more she got upset. Finally I couldn't take the silence anymore.
"Sakura-chan is there anything I can help you with?" I push my book back into my pocket, already knowing how the story ends. I keep my eyes fixed on Sakura but she doesn't respond. "Sakura-chan?" Still no response, she is just reading the file. I get a little fed up with being ignored and walk over to her desk, closing her file.
"Uhh?" She questions as she looks up at me confused.
"I was calling your name. Is everything okay?" I release the file and she lends back in her chair closing her eyes, clearly tired form her twelve hour shift at the hospital.
"Sorry I was lost in that file. I am having a hard time coming up with a cure for a patient and it is very frustrating."
"What is the problem?"
Sakura's eyes shot open and she straightens up. "Sorry I cannot release patient client information."
A small chuckle escapes me. "Fair enough. Come on I'm taking you to dinner."
"But Kakashi I still-"
"No butts. You have been working for twelve straight hours, and I highly doubt you have had anything to eat." Sakura eyes me but doesn't protest. I smile knowing I won this battle.
I wait patiently as she organizes her files and places them in a drawer locking it. She removed her doctor's coat and placed in on a coat rake in the corner of her office. Once outside I watch as she relaxes. It was about 8:30pm and the streets of Konoha were still crowed. Everyone was trying to prepare for the upcoming festival. Women walked down the street with shopping bags filled to the brim. Shop owners were decorating their shops inside and out in hopes of attracting more customers. Shinobi from all ranks jumped all around helping hang decorations.
I was about to recommend a nice little tea shop toward the edge of town, when I feel someone tap my shoulder. I turn to find Yamato with a shit eating grin on his face. "Hey Kakashi, Sakura." He greets.
"Hi Yamato" we respond, and I send him a death glare for interrupting our "alone" time.
"Naruto, Sai and I just finished training and were about to grab some food. Would you like to join us?"
You've got to be kidding me. Before I could respond Naruto and Sai come walking up. Sakura looks at me, waiting for me to respond. I didn't want to come off strong so I agree to a Team dinner, but make a mental note to kick Yamato's ass later. We were quickly seated, and Naruto started to order enough meat to feed a small army. He ordered so much the rest of us felt it wasn't even necessary to order for ourselves.
"So Sakura-chan do you have a date for the upcoming festival?" Naruto asks as he places his meat on the grill.
"Yes I do Naruto."
"What?! No fair I was going to ask you!" Naruto whines. Sakura laughs and asks her head.
"Who are you going with Sakura?" Yamato asks, elbowing me in my ribcage thinking I had been the one who asked her. But I was not. I was pissed that someone had the nerve to ask her let alone someone outside of Team 7.
"Lord Gaara." I nearly chock on the meat I was eating hearing his name. "The sand siblings are coming here to discuss the upcoming treaty and also to attend the festival to begin to strength our two villages bonds." Sakura smiles and takes her meat off the grill. Yamato shots me a look, and I send one back.
"Gaara's coming? That means we can have our rematch."
"Yeah because that went so well the first time dickless." Sai comments sending Naruto into a fit of rage. Sakura, Yamato and I just chat among ourselves as the two finish fighting. All of sudden I watch Sakura stiffen. Her eyes dart to the front door and then back to our table. Sai too seems to be on alert. I look over to the front door and see a ninja walking up to us. The ninja had orange hair and appeared to only be a few years older than Sakura and Naruto. Sakura drops her chopsticks and I can see her hand slightly shaking. I reach down and place my hand on top of her thigh under the table, letting her know that I was here and that everything was okay.
As he gets closer and closer I can feel Sai and Sakura alertness rise. He stops in front of the table looking down on us with a smirk. Sai glares at the man. Naruto stops eating and looks up to see why everyone stopped talking. "Can we help you?" Naruto says with his mouthful of meat. I glance at Sakura, she is still looking at the table.
"Why are you here?" Sai asks before the guy answers Naruto.
"You're needed, now." His voice laced with venom. Sai stands up without question. "Not you traitor." Sai gives him glare. If Sai knows this guy then he must be a part of the Foundation. Sakura starts to stand up but Yamato quickly grabs she shoulder pushing her back down into her sit.
"Tell him to fuck off, she isn't coming." Yamato comment catches the ninja off guard and he quickly becomes angry.
"Now Sakura. This is not a request, this is an order." Sakura raises her hand and takes Yamato's hand off her shoulder. She stands from the table and starts to walk to the front door.
"No you don't." I'm already up, along with Yamato, grabbing onto her arm making her stop. A few people around the restaurant stare at us and whisper. "Sakura is not allowed to go anywhere without me or Yamato by orders of the Hokage herself. So unless one of us accompanies her I'm afraid she will not being leaving with you."
"Kakashi it's alright I will be right-"
"No." I begin to pull her toward the table when that bastard grabs her other hand.
"I don't know who you think you are but if you do not remove your hand off of her this instant I will kill you." Yamato stated and I can feel Naruto stepping behind me.
"Fū leave." Sai states reaching behind me and touching his scroll. So Fū that's his name. He lets go of Sakura and takes a step back.
"Now Blossom." He sends her another smirk. Sakura steps forward and I let go of her hand. No! Sakura steps forward and Fū places a stand on her shoulder and they disappear.
Yamato and I run out of the restaurant looking around but she is nowhere to be seen. I can't even feel her charka.
"God fucking Damnit." I cruse. She fucking left! Why did she do that? She should have just stayed with us, with me, she would have been safe.
"What just happened?" Naruto asks following Sai out of the restaurant looking around trying to stop Sakura.
Before I could responded Sai is pushing my back toward the restaurant's wall, his hands gripping arms. "Why did you not tell us!?" He shouts as he grips me harder. "When did she join?" Sai searches my face for answers.
"We didn't know until a few weeks ago." I answer.
"Yamato you knew about this too and did nothing! What kind of senseis are you? Do you realize the situation she is in?" Sai is pissed. I've never seen him pissed before. I didn't even know he cared for Sakura this much.
"Sai let go of Kakashi-sensei." Naruto says ripping him off of me. "Can someone tell me what is going on now?" Naruto's eyes dart from me to Sai.
"They're not senseis Naruto. They knew Sakura was in the Foundation and did nothing!"
"Foundation? Isn't that where you came from?" Naruto asks clearly not understanding how bad this was.
"So he was the one that hurt her. He hurt her and what did you do? Stood back and did nothing!" Sai turns and starts walking away. I am completely at a loss for words. Sai was right, and right now Sakura could be in danger and there was nothing I could do about it.
"Oye Sai wait up!" Naruto yelled as he followed after him.
"Kakashi." Yamato watches as the two boys disappear into the crowd.
"I know. This is bad. If he has the nerve to send someone to come get her when she is with us he knows we know." We walk back inside and pay for the food.
"We need to talk to Lady Tsunade now." I nodded and we make our way to the Hokage Tower.
I am pushed forward as soon as we appear in the office. Danzo is setting at his desk. "What took you so long?" Danzo says eyeing me.
"Her team knows, and they did not like the fact she was being requested." I sent Fū a glare. If we could just go at it one on one I would have no problem killing him. Fū knew I was stronger, much stronger than him. That's why the coward was always quick to call out those two little words, to render me helpless.
"Why am I here?" I ask.
"I was testing to see if you would come, given that you were with your team."
I turn to leave the office pissed. "Next time you summon me it better be important. Do not waste my time Danzo." I exist the office and slam the door behind me. He wasn't just testing me, he was trying to start issues with my team. I left knowing they didn't want me to, and now they were going to be pissed. They were going to have questions and now I was going to have to answer them.
I walk outside of the Foundation trying to calm down a little. I was also pissed at myself for falling for such a trick. Why did I go into shock when I saw Fū? Was I so caught off guard by his presence that I completely froze? The last time I had seen him was when he was conducting my punishment, and when I saw him the memory of the pain came flooding back.
I was about two blocks away from the Foundation when I saw Naruto and Sai running toward me. "Sakura-chan!" Naruto yells and I stop walking. What were they doing so close to the Foundation? The boys caught up with me and to my surprise Sai pulls me into a hug.
"Why…..why did you join?" His normal monotone voice was laced with concern.
"Sai I can' talk about the Foundation." Sai releases the hug and takes a step back.
"Don't tell me you have the seal." I nodded my head yes and Sai looks at me in shock.
"Sakura-chan what is going on?" Naruto seemed nervous. Had he been told what was going on?
"Everything is fine Naruto I promise." I flash a smile.
"No it's not. We are going to the Hokage right now." Sai grabs my hand and begins to pull me toward the direction of the tower.
The trip to the tower quick and silence. I had never seen Sai act like this before, but it was kind of nice to know he was protective of his teammates. When we reached the office we could hear yelling.
"What do you mean there is nothing you can do you're the Hokage?!" I hear Kakashi's voice through the closed door. I reach up and knock three times. She is quick to say come in and I walk in to see everyone in the room pissed off. Kakashi and Yamato had scowls on their face and Tsunade looked as if she was ready to rip one of their heads off.
"Sakura." I hear Kakashi whisper.
"Why was everyone yelling?" Naruto asks throwing his hands up thinking Tsunade would throw something at him, in the current mood she was in.
"If Sai was able to leave the Foundation and placed on Team 7 then why can't the same be done with Sakura?" Yamato asks, the slighter calmer one between Kakashi and Yamato.
"Because it's not that simple." All their eyes fall on mine. "Danzo was the one to request Sai be placed on this team. True it was a part of another mission, but once that mission failed Danzo didn't pull him from the team. Danzo of his own free will released ownership of Sai." I try to explain best I can without having the seal take over and prevent me from talking,
"But why would he do that?" Kakashi asked. In was clear that the two senior members of Team 7 where just told that Tsunade could do nothing to help. And it was even clearer that they weren't happy with that answer.
"Because a deal was made." I look at Sai and smile. "Danzo and I made a deal. Once my part of the obligation was met, Sai was honorably discharge and allowed to officially join Team 7. Once honorably discharge Danzo is not allow to request Sai's service again." I explain and Naruto mouth hangs open.
"What was the deal made?" Tsunade asks, a disturbed look on her face.
"It doesn't matter. I had to perform a mission for him, once the mission was completed the deal done." Sai reaches out and pulls me into another hug. I could feel tears hit my neck and fall down toward my collarbone.
Sai was crying in my arms. Was he really this thankful for my decision? When given the choice I didn't even think twice, I knew right way Sai was worth one bad night. "Thank you" he whispers, and all I could like to do was tighten the hug while the rest of Team 7 stood back and let us have this movement.