Disclaimers: I do not own Naruto
Chapter 11: An Unexpected Mission
"Onichan!!!!!!" Sakura shouted, "Nichan, niichan!"
A young boy with shoulder length, brown hair and emerald eyes turned around to face his little sister.
"Niichan, look!" Sakura opened her tiny hands, a baby weasel lay in her soft palms. A wide grin was plastered on her face as she excitedly showed her brother her newfound friend. "I found it on the ground, niichan, can I keep it?"
Aki laughed and ruffled Sakura's pink hair, "Sakura, that animal in your hands, do you know what it is?"
Sakura tilted her head to the side and gave her brother a questioning look.
"It's a weasel, Sakura, in fact it's still a baby, just like you."
Sakura looked at the small creature in her hands and looked back at her brother.
"Sakura," Aki cooed, "We need to put it back in the tree, where it belongs, we can't separate it from its mother, or it will die."
Sakura's eyes started to water, "But niichan, I want to keep it…" she pouted.
Aki giggled and knelt down on the grass in front of his sister, "Sakura, how would you feel if you would be separated from okasan, otosan, and I?"
Sakura looked down at her feet, "S-sad…" she slowly said.
"Don't you think it would be sad if it's separated from the rest of his family?"
Sakura hesitantly nodded and pointed at the cherry blossom tree on the other side of the park, showing her brother where she found the weasel. Before she gave it to her brother, she kissed it on its little head and wiped the few teardrops that threatened to fall. After Aki finally placed the weasel back on the tree, he heard silent sobs and turned around to see his sister's tears flowing freely down her pale cheeks.
"Don't cry, Sakura," he whispered in a soothing tone, wiping her tears, "In fact, you should be happy it's with its family now."
Sakura wiped her tears once more as she brought her gaze upon her brother's face; instead, she saw a shadow blocking her view. She realized it was her brother's hand.
"Sakura," he smiled, "It's time for us to go." The young girl nodded and took her brother's hand.
After walking down the road for a while, her brother suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.
"Sakura," Aki called, trying to get her attention, "There's someone I'd like you to meet."
Sakura stopped skipping and looked up at her brother, her eyes widened in excitement, "Really, niichan? Who?" she ecstatically asked, jumping up and down.
A boy around her brother's age started to approach them, he had raven hair, and pitch, black eyes.
Sakura let go from her brother's grip and ran towards the boy in front of her. As she abruptly stopped in front of him, she gaped at him, a perplexed look occupying her face.
"Ne, Sasuke-kun, how'd you grow up so fast?"
The boy looked down at the small girl in front of him, and smiled, "Little girl, my name is not Sasuke, it's Uchiha Itachi."
--
"Sakura, Sakura," a voice called out her name.
Sakura's eyes immediately opened, she slowly rubbed her eyes until her vision started to clear. As she looked up she saw a boy with raven hair and pitch, black eyes, "Uchiha Itachi…" she whispered.
The face gave her a skeptic look, "Sakura, what are you saying, it's me, Sasuke…"
Sakura closed her eyes once more and opened it again, she finally saw the boy in front of her, "Ano, gomen Sasuke-kun… I wasn't thinking right."
Sasuke bit his lip and gave her a questioning look. He eventually shrugged it off and waited for Sakura to get out of bed. Sakura stretched her arms out trying to get rid of her sleepiness, slowly sitting up from the soft mattress.
"Sasuke-kun," she asked, "Why are you back so early, I thought Tsunade-sama gave you a mission?" a small yawn emitted from her mouth.
Sasuke stared at the sleepy girl, "Hn. Well, Naruto and I finished earlier than expected," he paused, "Why you don't want me here?" the young Uchiha smirked.
Sakura couldn't help but giggle, "Of course not, I'm extremely glad you're here," she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Really now?" Sasuke grinned as he pulled Sakura closer to him.
"Really," she confirmed, their lips barely touching.
"Teme!" a loud voice shouted from Sakura's doorstep, interrupting the surprised couple. Sasuke backed away from Sakura and sealed his lips tight. He took his gaze from Sakura's direction and clenched his teeth, "Damn you, Naruto, I didn't even get inside her mouth!" It would be unethical for an Uchiha to display too much affection, especially with a witness right in front of them. Sasuke looked at the dumb blonde's direction and glared at him. Who else would be stupid enough to barge in at such a time rather than the dobe.
As Naruto entered the small, yet quaint house, he saw Sakura in Sasuke's arms and scratched his head, "Ano, I guess this was a bad time," he chuckled nervously.
Before he knew it, Sakura was standing in front of him, she balled her hands into a fist and her veins started to pop out from annoyance. "Naruto!" she said between gritted teeth, "How dare you ruin a my moment with Sasuke-kun!"
Naruto ran ahead of her and hid behind Sasuke, "Teme, protect me from your girlfriend, she's gonna kill me!" he frantically whispered.
Sasuke, unfortunately, stepped aside as Sakura started to run after Naruto, "You deserve it, dobe."
"Naruto!" Sakura screeched, "You idiot, only you would be stupid enough to enter without knocking!" she shouted as she chased after her blonde friend, bat in hand. Seconds turned into minutes and minutes seemingly turned into hours as loud banging sounds could be heard from inside the house. Everyone passing the Haruno residence would stop to stare at the Uchiha heir, wondering how he could be so at peace during times such as this; he was lying on a chair by the doorstep, eyes closed, and practically asleep. Ignorance. Yeah that was it, it was either that or he had become immune to all the commotion his two comrades always made. Sasuke finally stood up when he saw Naruto coming out of the door, a huge, swollen bruise planted on his head. An extremely irked Sakura, walked out after her so-called friend, and started cursing as she passed Naruto.
After a few minutes of silence, Sakura was finally back to her normal and somehow peaceful self. As the three friends strolled through Konoha, heading for Ichikaru, Sakura gazed down at the large hand that held on to her small, soft ones. She couldn't help but giggle inwardly at this sight. When they first started going out, it was hard for her to adjust to Sasuke's actions towards her; she was often caught off-guard when he had acted too kind towards her. But she was used to it now, in fact, she loved to spend as much time as she could with him.
Sakura looked up at the sky. How long has it been? It's been exactly three years since Sasuke confessed his feelings for her. Three long and experiencing years. They've all gotten stronger, and everyone changed. That's right, everyone matured throughout those years. Ino was finally together with Shikamaru, we never expected that to happen. Neji and Tenten started going out two years ago, and the dobe, Sakura laughed inwardly, Naruto finally got a girlfriend. Who's the lucky girl, you might ask. Well, believe it or not, it's Hinata, the shy girl confessed to Naruto two years ago, leaving a devastated Kiba heartbroken. They were all jounins now, with Naruto studying under Jiraiya and Sasuke under Kakashi.
The pink-haired girl stole another glance at Sasuke. She had to admit, among all her friends, Sasuke had changed the most. He wasn't as distant as he used to be, they talked more and he finally opened up a part of himself that he had sealed off from everyone years ago.
He resisted temptation and the offer Orochimaru gave him; to go with him to Otogure until he obtained enough power to kill his brother. The young girl remembered it like it was yesterday. Although she had promised herself that she would never cry anymore, on that day, she did. The day he came back with Naruto. The day he promised he would never leave her again…the day she willed herself to get stronger, for him…
Sakura sat on a concrete bench, the same one Sasuke laid her on, the night he left her to defeat Orochimaru. She just sat there, waiting, waiting to see if he would return, I'ts been a year since both he and Naruto left her. Sakura looked down at her hands as they both lay above her lap, there wasn't even a single scratch on them, not like the other ninja's, they somehow always had a small scar hidden somewhere on their bodies. Sakura balled her hands into a fist, gripping the edge of her dress tighter. She tightened her hold on it until she let go and banged her hands against her lap, droplets of tears fell onto her soft, pink dress. She wasn't strong enough to fight, that's why, that's why they always protected her. That's why her skin was always so soft, why her hair was so silky and long. It was because she was always behind them, watching their backs as they fought to protect her, as they both risked their life for her.
"It was always like that wasn't it," she thought to herself, "They were always protecting me, afraid that one battle would break me." Sakura paused and looked back down at her hand, feeling the texture of her skin, "I was always the weak link of our team, unable to stop the fight when it got too worst, unable to convince them to stop when I knew how much they would hurt themselves, when I knew the dangers they would face."
"I couldn't even save the one I loved the most from making a decision everyone knew was wrong…"
"If only I was able to convince Sasuke-kun to stay, If only I was stronger, he would still be here right now!" Sakura threw a punch at the bench she was sitting on, and allowed gravity to slowly pull it back by her side, "It's all my fault, It's my fault Sasuke's gone, it's my fault I couldn't stop him! I'm so weak, weak and stupid!" She lectured herself.
Droplets of rain started to fall from the cloudy skies. Sakura brought her hand up until she could fully view it. As she studied every length of it her thoughts started to bother her once more, "People say, a person's hand can tell the quantity of ones experiences…" Sakura stared at her fingertips, her eyes trailing down until it reached her wrists. "I want, to get stronger, so when people look at me, they'll know I'm not as weak as they thought me to be… So they can trust me with their lives, and believe in me…" As a drop of rain trailed down her face, Sakura brought her gaze upon the misty skies, allowing the cold water to mix with her own tears. "This would be the last time," she promised herself, "This is the last time, I'd cry…"
"Sasuke-kun…" she thought, "I miss you so much, please come back to me… I promise, I won't be weak anymore, I will become stronger, I promise…"
A loud roll of thunder streaked through the air when Sakura heard her name being called, "Sakura…" a deep voice sailed through the air.
Sakura immediately turned her head to face the direction the voice came from. There, in front of her, she saw a bruised and wounded Naruto and an injured Sasuke, both limping and helping each other to enter the village of Konoha. Sakura's tears fell freely down her face as she ran towards the two boys. And she greeted each one with a bear hug.
Sasuke winced in pain as Sakura added the extra strength to hug him, "Sakura, you're hurting me," he slowly mumbled.
Sakura pulled back from Sasuke and slapped him. Sasuke remained silent as the Sakura threw her temper at him, he had deserved it after all, "You idiot!" she lectured, "Do you know what you just did, leaving for one year without telling anyone, do you know you were almost recorded as a missing-nin by Tsunade-sama!"
The young girl looked away from the boy who always always made her heart beat too fast, whether it was from happiness or sadness, or even anger, "I can't believe you. Leaving and taking Naruto with you so you could kill Orochimaru, without taking me and worrying me! With everyone thinking that you've betrayed us! Do you know what you've done to me?! If a person could die from restlessness, I know I'd be gone by now! You, you're such an idiot Sasuke!" Sakura shouted at the top of her lungs.
She suddenly grew silent as Sasuke took her within his arms, "I'm sorry, Sakura," he whispered, "I must have worried you so much."
Sakura bit her lip and started sobbing on Sasuke's chest, taking a tight grip on his already drenched shirt, "You idiot, if I only didn't love you and you weren't injured, I really would have hit you right now, not slapped you, hit you!"
Sasuke chuckled as he pulled Sakura closer to him and inhaled her scent. He had truly missed her, as hard as it was for him to show it, he did, and he didn't know any other way to show his affection for her but to hold her tighter within his arms. "Sakura, I'm sorry for leaving you… It's just, I didn't want to lose you especially not because of that snake," he growled as he mentioned Orochimaru, he had went through hell because of that man and any thought of Orochimaru disgusted him.
Sasuke brought his gaze upon Sakura, she still looked beautiful despite the fact she was completely drenched by the rain. He pushed a strand of her pink locks behind her ears and whispered, "I'll never leave you again, I promise…" Sasuke locked his gaze with hers and spoke once more, "It hurts me too to leave you knowing you'll hurt without me, knowing that I won't be there to protect you…"
Sakura smiled and placed her finger on his lips as an action to hush him, "Sasuke-kun, you'll never have to worry about leaving me again," she cooed as she caressed his cheek, "I will get stronger, Sasuke-kun. I'll train hard so next time, you can take me with you, and we'll beat whatever fears you have whatever problems trouble you… together, ne"
Sakura held on to Sasuke's hand, "You'll never have to worry about breaking my heart, Sasuke-kun … This is the last you'd ever see me cry…"
Sakura gazed at Sasuke, everyone truly changed, and she had to admit, she too had bloomed. She wasn't the same weak girl anymore. She is currently training under Tsunade as a medic-nin, she was grateful that Sasuke and her friends supported her through it. This time, she isn't the only one they were always protecting, now, it was her turn, this time she would protect them. Sakura looked at the big picture, she couldn't be any happier, everyone was very blessed, life couldn't be any better; it was perfect.
Sakura abruptly stopped when she bumped into something, losing her balance and falling into Sasuke's arms. "Oww!" she shouted as she looked up to see Naruto abruptly stopping in place.
Naruto suddenly shouted, "AAAahh!!!"
Sakura looked up at Sasuke giving him a questioning look, Sasuke gave Sakura the same look and gaped at Naruto as he helped her up.
"What's your problem now, dope?" he asked, a hint of irritation was present in voice.
"Teme, Sakura-chan!" he exclaimed, "I totally forgot!!!!"
Sakura sighed, "What did you forget this time Naruto, a bowl of ramen?"
"No, I know I forgot something but I can't put my finger on it," the blonde boy frantically thought, "I don't have a date with Hinata today, I know that… no wait… do I?"
Sakura shook her head disapprovingly, "Naruto, I can't believe you, you know if Hinata brakes up with you one day, I wouldn't be surprised." Sakura rolled her eyes, she took back what she had thought of earlier, not everyone had matured. Sakura couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, "Naruto, when will you ever learn," she thought.
"Sakura," Sasuke called, "Let's go, I'm hungry," he said, putting his arm around her shoulder. He started walking and dragged the poor girl along as Sakura tripped and struggled to keep up with his pace, looking back at Naruto every once and a while.
A loud, screeching sound suddenly filled the air, causing Sasuke and Sakura to turn their heads, facing Naruto.
"Teme, Sakura-chan!" the blonde boy shouted, "I remember! Tsunade baa-chan wanted us to meet her!"
"What!" Sakura shrieked. Sasuke glared at the blonde boy, screaming at his idiotic friend would seem too melodramatic, so he let Sakura do that part all the time; the screaming and lecturing part, that is.
"Naruto! Why didn't you tell us earlier! Do you know how mad Tsunade-sama will be when we're late!" Sakura adamantly said, dragging the two boys with her at an inhuman speed, scolding them at the same time.
By the time they arrived at the Hokage's office, an irked look was occupying the legendary Sanin's face, "Team 7, why are you late?!" she demanded.
Sakura stepped back a little, while Sasuke wouldn't dare make any eye contact whatsoever with the fuming Sanin. Even the great Uchiha Sasuke was afraid of the Hokage's temper, he would never of course show that fear in front of anyone, not even Sakura. Naruto, however, failed to analyze the tone of inflection used by the Hokage, and decided to answer like he usually did. "Ano, baa-chan, you see, Sasuke-teme and Sakura-chan were making out when I went to tell them, then Sakura-chan got mad at me and chased me around her house, and then," the boy rambled on. His gaze was fixed upon the white ceiling of the room while his pointing finger was positioned right below his mouth, as if trying to re-tell a story that was recently told to him.
Tsunade looked up from the stacks of papers in front of her desk and broke the pen within her grip. An extremely peeved look was occupying her face. The fox-like boy's voice became louder and louder until the Hokage's vein finally popped, "Naruto, shut up!!!"
The young ninja immediately quieted down and cowered towards the corner.
Tsunade glared at the Naruto and cleared her throat, "Finally, some peace and quiet. Now, team 7, you, and fellow rookie nine ninjas have a S-rank mission…" the blonde woman started until she was cut off by a certain loud-mouth ninja.
"Baa-chan!" Naruto exclaimed, "Finally! We get to do something interesting here!" he happily danced around in circles.
Tsunade tried to control her raging temper and decided to ignore the overexcited boy, "Since all the Anbu members are occupied with other more important missions, I have decided to let the rookie nine ninjas to handle this mission, it is the retrieval of a S-class criminal. You are to retrieve one of the members of Akatsuki and bring him back here, unharmed and alive. He is already held captive in the Sand Village, they are only waiting for your arrival to bring him back here," Tsunade paused to take a deep breath, and eyed every single one of them, "Are there any questions?"
Sasuke spoke up, "Who is the S-class criminal?"
Tsunade suddenly became silent, as if she was having second thoughts if she should tell the young Uchiha who they were to bring back. The fifth Hokage locked her gaze with Sasuke's eyes, and noticed the raven-haired boy was starting to get suspicious of this whole situation. Tsunade let out a soft sigh, she was hoping she didn't have to include team 7 in this mission, but there could be some complications within the mission and she didn't want to risk any of the village's ninjas. Considering the fact that they would bring back one of the most dangerous ninja who rebelled against their village. All she could do now was hope that Sasuke's reaction would be better than suspected. Tsunade took in a deep breath, "You are to bring back, alive, the missing-nin, Uchiha Itachi."
Author's Notes:
Hey there, and Happy New Year to everyone! I'm terribly sorry for updating sooooooo late. But I have a very good reason!!! XD You see, some people were starting to get weirded out by my plot so I decided to change it, please bear with me while I'm doing this, cuz it is afterall for you!!!! 33333333333
I love you guyz for reviewing!!!!!!!
R&R please!!!!!
ShamanShadow