Title: One Leads to Another

Author: Regal Baring

Fandom: Naruto

Disclaimer: I don't own these suckers, I don't make any money, so don't sue me. I'm poor.

Chapter 3

In which true colors are revealed

"OUT! Get out of my sight!" A series of crashes and the thundering of footsteps marked the horde of shinobi and secretaries that came barreling down the hallway from the Hokage's demolished office. Squeezing tightly to the walls, Sakura, Sai and Naruto barely avoided being trampled to their unfortunate demises.

Since she was the apprentice of said Hokage, she was the one that took a quick gulp, a deep breath, and tentatively announced their presence.

"Hokage-sama, may we come in?"

"INSIDE, NOW!" she roared back.

"I guess that answers us," Sakura muttered underneath her breath, motioning for the boys to follow.

She knew Tsunade's emotional outbursts could be labeled three ways: the long-wait outburst, the drunken outburst, and the oh-dear-the-world-is-ending panic-ridden.

This was borderline mental breakdown.

Sakura stood in front of her master's cracked desk, hands clasped behind her back while she stood calmly. Sai, coming up beside her, was a cold, pale pillar beside her. Naruto came around to her other side, draping his arm across her shoulders and leaning like she was the only thing holding him up.

The room was in utter shambles. One of the tall windows had been cracked, a spiderweb of shattered glass all that remained. Secretary desks were upturned, papers scattered. It looked like a whirlwind had come and gone.

But Sakura was more shocked at Tsunade's appearance, though she knew better than to say anything to her face. Dark bags puffed underneath her eyes like small black balloons. Her face, normally so young and smooth, had sharp creases between the eyebrows and stress lines pinching the corners of her mouth. She still wore the clothing she had donned for Sakura's birthday party. It was as if Shizune had simply dragged her from the bar to her office.

"It took you long enough," she growled. "I sent for you hours ago. Shut the door."

It couldn't have possibly been that long. Naruto scoffed, but Sakura interrupted what was sure to be an impossibly rude remark with an elbow, and Sai moved to follow Tsunade's order. There was a strange silence for a moment with Tsunade's usual staff members gone.

"I'm sorry for the delay, shishou. We came as soon as we could. Do you have a mission for us?"

Her eyes grew dark and deadly. "The Akatsuki have attacked the Land of the Waves – specifically the 'Great Naruto Bridge'. With little to no shinobi to protect its people, many have died."

Sakura gasped. After so long…she had not thought of that battle in a long time, but how could she ever forget one of their first battle's as a team against Zabuza and Haku. She instinctively glanced at Naruto, whose face had gone white with shock. His grip tightened to the point of pain as he clutched her shoulders but she didn't squirm away.

"Why…why would they have gone there? It's just a poor little town…" Naruto's voice trailed off, a catch in his throat.

"Apparently it wasn't poor any longer. With a growing economy after the completion of the bridge, the population was growing steadily. And good trade with no protection brought those who were greedy and strong enough to seize it," Tsunade answered, her voice gentling as she recognized the pain in his eyes.

Sakura knew Tsunade would have known about their battle in the Land of the Waves from a report, and understood his pain. So when Sakura saw the indecisiveness flash through her master's eyes, she stiffened suddenly.

"Naruto…Tazuna, the bridge builder, was also killed in the ambush. I'm sorry-"

"What?! No…no, this can't be. We protected him! What happened?" Naruto babbled, gripping Sakura's shoulders so hard she couldn't prevent a wince from crossing her face.

Sai moved deftly, removing Naurto's hands away from her and holding him steady, though his expression never changed. Though Naruto growled and yanked his hands away, Sai remained alertly at his side.

Tsunade pretended not to see. "According to the reports…" she glanced down briefly at a thick sheaf of paper, "he was trying to protect the village and stop the bridge destruction. But there were only fisherman to fight the Akatsuki."

"Why didn't they call Gaara for help? Wouldn't the Kazekage have many outlooks for Akatsuki members, especially along the trade routes?" Sakura asked, trying to steer the conversation in another direction. She could see from Naruto's shattered expression that he couldn't handle any more.

"There are only minimally guarded outposts that far out on Suna soil and no one was close enough for immediate assistance. The Akatsuki had closed off escape routes for the island. With no warning and no shinobi to hold them off until help could arrive, there is little anyone could have done." Tsunade looked as if she wanted to shrug, but resisted when she caught sight of Naruto's furious expression.

Sakura held onto Naruto's forearm for a moment, squeezing without her monstrous strength, before pulling away. Straightening her shoulders, she looked at Tsunade without hesitation.

"What is our mission, Hokage-sama?"

"The three of you will be heading to Land of the Wave. Yamato will be meeting up with you along the way. We've been sent preliminary reports from the Kazekage, but I need you to track down any survivors. Hopefully from there we will have a lead to the Akatsuki."

"Wouldn't this be better suited to a reconnaissance team?" Sakura asked, hesitating for a moment.

"Hell no! We can handle this! We've been there before, we know the area," Naruto said through gritted teeth, his fists clenched.

"We are a combat team, Naruto," Sakura said impatiently. "We are not the most suitable for search and rescue."

"Normally I would agree with you, Sakura," Tsunade said, ignoring Naruto's outburst. "However, there are extenuating circumstances."

"If Sand shinobi are there, why are Konoha ninja involved in this?" Sai asked, speaking up for the first time.

We all looked to Tsunade, even Naruto's grumbling falling silent.

In one of the few times Sakura could remember, Tsunade looked uncomfortable. "We have reason to suspect that Uchiha Sasuke was involved in the attack. You are the team that can most easily recognize his work."

A heavy silence fell upon us. If this was true, and Sasuke had turned to the Akatsuki in an effort to destroy Konoha and it's allies…

"Only Sasuke would know to attack the Wave country," Sakura whispered, her head bowed as she thought aloud. "It was our first major battle as a team – he would know we would want to go there immediately. It could be a trap, Hokage-sama." Sakura looked up, and Tsunade's face was so upset she wished she hadn't spoken.

"I know, Sakura," she said, sighing and lowering her face into her palms. "If there were any other way I could do this, I would. There are no guarantees for your safety." Her voice was muffled and grumpy.

There was an uncomfortable silence between us. Sakura darted a look between Naruto and Sai, hoping that Tsunade was not breaking down under stress. For months there had been tension rising in the shinobi ranks – so much that even civilians were starting to notice the increased numbers of patrol. With the Akatsuki actively searching for the tailed beasts - and even successfully removing it from Gaara - it was no wonder that much of the country was on high alert.

When the Hokage finally raised her head again, Sakura was relieved to see her eyes were dry. "There's no one I trust more than you three with a mission of this nature. I would have preferred that Kakashi join you on this mission, but he is away at the moment. However, I believe you are all experienced enough to handle this."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," they answered simultaneously. There could be no more hesitation. Tsunade was right – they were the right team for the job.

Sakura looked into Naruto's face and read the determination to do what was needed. Sai had a general air of indifference, which wasn't usual, but if Naruto and Sakura were closer to bringing home Sasuke, then even better.

Sakura met the bright blue eyes of her best friend, and he gave her a solemn nod. Though the situation was not a happy one, and their friends from the Wave country had been killed, it was still a strong lead.

"Be ready to move out today. You have two hours to pack. I've alerted the Kazekage we have shinobi moving through their territory, so you shouldn't have any problems. Report as soon as possible. Dismissed."

As one unit, they turned and headed for the door. As Naruto and Sai filed out, Naruto uncomfortably quiet, Sakura turned to face Tsunade, who looked at her with dark eyes and a broken grimace marring her face.

"Don't worry, shishou. We can handle this."

And with that, she quietly shut the door behind her, hurrying to catch up to her teammates stepping into the elevator and pretending she didn't hear the shatter of glass muted by the heavy closed door.

As Sakura absently packed her bag (and cast faintly longing looks at her blow dryer), she mused on the strange twists that fate had thrown rather rudely in her face.

Here she was, successful in her field, but what did it amount to? She and Naruto had spent years of their lives hunting Sasuke, who wouldn't hesitate to kill of them if the need arose. They were all in limbo…moving forward a step only to be pushed back violently because of a situation like this. She could admit, in moments when her rage and pain subsided, that she still loved Sasuke. But this new Sasuke was not the one she loved – she loved the boy he had been, filled with pain but who had, for a few brief moments, found his niche in the world.

She huffed angrily at herself. Now was not the time to reminisce -- or imagine the slow torture she would inflict on Sasuke. She had a job to prepare for. So many people, friends, dead…she could picture the destruction that the Akatsuki had left behind.

There would be so much to do…no time to get emotional. She had made herself stronger than that.

As she settled her backpack on her shoulders, grim determination stole over her pretty features. She had a feeling that this time would be different; she knew, with utmost certainty, that they wouldn't be coming back empty handed.

While Sakura knew she was recognizable (and rather popular with those shinobi constantly in and out of the hospital), she felt the amount of attention focused on her as she strode to the front gate was uncalled for.

Adult women walked across the street as she neared, young girls stared and giggled and even young children gazed at her with wide eyes. But it was the men that unnerved her out the most. They leered, their eyes scanning her up and down and lascivious grins on their faces.

It was horrifying and Sakura wondered if she'd make it through town with her innocence intact.

When she spotted a familiar cropped shirt and painting scroll near the front gate, she felt a wash of relief for backup.

"Hey," she greeted, coming up beside him. She tried to ignore the sniggers behind her back, clenching her fists and breathing deeply. She didn't know what was going on, but if it didn't stop soon she was going to knock some buildings down, and then Tsunade would have her head because of the extra paperwork.

He didn't bother to look at her; instead he stared off into the woods clustered outside of the city limits. She decided to adopt his stance, and gazed off into space, hoping she had remembered to take that extra load of laundry out of the dryer. They would be wrinkled beyond repair if she hadn't.

While she waited – not so patiently – for Naruto to show up, she could hear louder comments brushing against her with the force of a battering ram.

"…look at her, thinking she's…"

"…I heard the most atrocious thing…"

"Seriously, I heard there was a witness…"

"…I wonder if she's any good…"

"What is going on?!" she muttered stressfully, finally turning around to stare at the crowd passing down the street. She noticed many averted their eyes away, smiles and smirks on the faces of people she had never met before.

"Just ignore it, ugly," Sai said listlessly. "Whatever you've done will be forgotten when we leave."

While Sakura was glad to see that Sai had returned to all of his former glory (and not that strange Sai from earlier this morning), the casual insult grated on her already stressed out nerves.

"But that's just it," she said darkly, "I haven't done anything. I have no idea what these people are talking about."

Irritated and becoming chilled since random winter breezes still managed to sneak by her light jacket, she found herself reciting medical jutsu in an effort to distract herself. She would never know how she had worn that dress last night…it was too cold right now for this sort of thing. Why couldn't her birthday fall in the early days of autumn rather than the end of winter? Everything was nice and crispy, not too warm, not too cold, and all the leaves were beginning to fall. Well…she could do without the leaves in her hair. But still, the idea was nice.

And darn it, what was taking Naruto so long?!

"Saaaaaakuuuraaaa-chaaaaan!"

Sakura sighed in embarrassment.

"Sorry" – pant, pant- "I'm late. I was rushing around and lost track of time." He smiled sheepishly, shouldering his pack.

"What were you rushing for? I know your bag was still packed from your last trip," she admonished lightly. "I bet you made a stop by the bathhouse before you came here."

She was surprised at how upset that made her, but she hoped neither of the boys heard the stiffness in her voice.

Apparently Naruto had missed it. "Na, I didn't go there. Just had some other stuff to see to first," he said, waving a hand to dismiss the questions. "Anyways, let's get going."

"Ah, wait! You have a bug…" Sakura reached up to flick the bug that had gotten tangled in Naruto's wild hair. "Hey, isn't this one of Shin-"

Naruto interrupted her with a weak laugh. "Ah, ha-ha, no, not at all. Probably something else, let's go now-"

A husky chuckle interrupted Naruto's bumbling. "Look at this heartwarming scene, fellas," Ino said, smirking and tossing her hair. Chojii and Shikamaru stood by, looking vaguely uncomfortable. She joined Sakura and Naruto, crowding their personal space. Sakura wanted to take a step back, but rather then show any weakness to her 'frenemy' she lifted her chin, eyes cool.

Her arm still upraised, she calmly pulled the bug from Naruto's hair, letting it fly away in dizzy circles.

"Ino-pig," Sakura said in greeting.

"Big-Forehead," Ino returned.

There was a short silence, while Naruto's baby blues darted back and forth between the girls.

"I've heard a few things about you today, Sakura-chan," Ino said sweetly. Only the darkening of her eyes gave any warning that what would come next would not be pleasant. "A conduct no Hokage's apprentice should be engaged in."

The two boys behind her shifted, their faces red and turned away from the scene.

"What? What are you talking about?" Sakura was completely puzzled. She hadn't done anything that would warrant such an intense reaction from the townspeople.

"Nothing," Naruto said, shifting away from Ino to stand protectively by her side.

"It's not nothing," Sakura snapped angrily. "I've seen the way these people have stared at me, and I want to know why."

"I said it's nothing," he stressed.

"Hmm, like you don't know," Ino purred to Naruto, her eyes lighting up at Sakura's verbal sparring with the blonde boy. "You saw her that night." She reached out, touching the tips of her fingers against Naruto's black sleeve. She had moved closer, almost hugging his side, before Sakura could react.

"Get away," Naruto growled. He didn't push the girl away, but looked as if he were seriously considering it.

"What night?" Sakura asked, trying to peer around Naruto's body. She huffed in disgust when she couldn't see, impatience making her fingers dance against the strap of her pack. "Look, we don't have time for this. Just spit it out."

"Why, that you and Naruto slept together last night, of course. Everyone's talking about the little public performance you all put on in the street as well."

"WHAT?!" Sakura cried out. Naruto didn't speak, hunching his shoulders in dismay.

"I tripped and fell, that's it," Sakura said shrilly. The people moving past them had slowed, a crowd forming at the edges of their circle. While some tried to pretend indifference, others were watching avidly.

Sai looked completely nonplussed, but had moved closer to their group once he realized this was going to take a while.

"Who would say something like that?" Sakura demanded angrily. "Naruto and I are just friends. We wouldn't do something like that." She tried to tamp down an embarrassed blush, remembering their behavior last night. She determinedly did not glance at the blonde beside her – and missed Naruto's agonized expression before he covered it up.

"Ah, well, I must have seen something I hadn't. I'm sorry," Ino said sweetly. Her apologetic smile was not at all sincere. "It's just that you guys are always touching…I figured you had to have been…intimate together."

Sakura froze in shock. Naruto stiffened. The crowd murmured, edging closer. Sai kept them at bay with a dangerous, cold glance.

"You…how could you have spread such rumors about me, Ino?" Sakura asked, hurt clouding her features. "I know we argue but…I thought that…we were friends."

Ino smiled, brushing blonde bangs out of her eyes. "Friends? Us? Whatever gave you such an idea? We're rivals, not friends Big-Forehead."

Sakura's mouth tightened in annoyance and she opened her mouth for a blistering retort when Naruto jumped in.

"You stupid girl," he sneered at Ino, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets and jerking himself away from her. "There is no competition. Sakura has already beaten you."

Sakura caught her breath, turning her head to look at Naruto slouching beside her. Sai didn't bother to say anything, but his slight nod was word enough.

"While we do not have the same abilities, we are still equal in talent," Ino boasted, but her words came slower, more hesitant.

Naruto burst into laughter. "You?" he asked incredulously. "You think you could take on Sakura, who's beaten Sasori of the Red Sand?" That he ignored Sakura had had help in assuring Sasori's defeat didn't seem to matter at the moment.

Ino threw back her shoulders proudly, tossing her long mane of hair. "While Sakura has everything handed to her, I've worked hard to become a real member of a team. I don't hold them back. Could I say the same for you, Sakura?"

Ino knew exactly what to say, the poisoned darts hitting true.

Sakura was confused, but hid it well. She let derision fill her eyes – for could any girl who had so deceived her friend really be trusted in a team? But most importantly, Tsunade-sama did not suffer fools – she had fought and bruised during every session with her master, to prove herself time and again that she could be depended on.

"You shouldn't even dare to compare yoursel-" Nartuo began angrily, but Sakura cut him off gently.

"That's enough Naruto," Sakura said quietly, still holding Ino's hot gaze with her own. "It's not worth it to argue like this. We have somewhere where we have to be now."

Sakura turned and took a step towards the gate, showing her back towards Ino in silent insult. Naruto and Sai trailed behind her.

"What are you going to do?" Ino taunted, her hands on her hips. Sakura stopped, but didn't turn around. "Run away as usual? C'mon, let's see how you fare with a real kunoichi," she said, raising her hands and beckoning her closer.

Sakura paused, indecisive. She wasn't usually so hesitant when it came to throwing punches. But right now, all she wanted to do was to leave the ugliness of this behind. Her feelings felt raw; she had been betrayed by the only girl she would have said was closest to knowing her.

She finally turned with a sigh, taking a few steps forward, and was irrationally pleased when she saw Ino squint her eyes, waiting for a surprise attack. She took a final step forward, coming to pause once more in front Ino. Ino had frozen; her hands were still fisted in the air.

She could hear Naruto swearing, and could guess Sai was probably restraining Naruto from launching himself on top of the other girl. Naruto didn't care about male versus female weakness – he wouldn't be brutal, but he wouldn't hold back against a girl like Ino either.

Sakura let her eyes show everything. Such hurt and disappointment, anger and confusion. There would be no doubts left. Ino had declared war. It would be finished one way or another. But not today.

"Let's go, Naruto. We have places we need to be," Sakura said, finally looking away from the girl and glancing back over her shoulder. "We don't have time to waste on this."

"What? Aren't you going to punish her for what she's done to you?" Naruto asked, almost snarling in his rage as he glared at Ino. "You've heard what people have been saying because of this bitch."

Ino wisely stepped back once she realized Sakura would not rise to her bait, and Sakura once more returned to her teammates. Ino was fuming, her eyes wild and frustrated. The people watching were whispering, some laughing, some shaking their heads in dismay. Most were watching avidly, eyes bright with curiosity. Others began to move along once they realized the show was over.

With Naruto and Sai on either side of her, she laid a soothing hand on Naruto's arm. She held it there till he turned from shooting a death glare at Ino and met her eyes. "Let's go," she repeated softly. "We have an important mission to complete."

She knew he could see all the hurt and betrayal in her eyes. She had to get out of there. If she didn't, she'd burst into tears and half the town would be rubble by the time she had let all of her anger out.

Naruto looked upset and indecisive, but he finally heaved a sigh and patted the top of her head. "Alright, Sakura-chan. You're more kind-hearted than I am, that's for sure."

Sakura laughed shakily, wrapping her hands around his arm and leaning her forehead briefly against his shoulder. "I don't think you know the same Sakura-chan as everyone else," she said.

"Well," she said, straightening up and throwing back her shoulders. "We've got a lot of ground to cover. It's time to leave."

And without further word she sprinted out the gate, her two teammates beside her while Ino was left coughing in the swirl of dust.

TBC

Note: Sorry, still no smut – but it's coming up, and it'll be great! Haha. And sorry for the hating against Ino, but I needed a bad "guy" so to speak, and she's a pretty good one. Up next: Suna desert, fighting and maybe a tad bit of jealousy? Hehe.