Back to Missions

Lunch was ... awkward to say the least. Naruto couldn't help but feel like he was trapped in the middle of an unspoken battle between his two teammates. Located on his left was Sasuke who was currently in the middle of snapping his chopsticks. For the third time. On the other hand, Sakura hadn't even touched hers. Naruto had tried to start a number of conversations. All of them ending up with him looking like a crazy person who talks to his ramen. Well, one more try couldn't hurt, right?

"So ... how did you guys like the party?"

Silence.

"OW! The hell, Sasuke?"

His previous comment resulted in Sasuke smacking him in the back of the head. All right, maybe trying could hurt.

"Drop it, Dobe."

"Drop what, all I did was ask how you liked the party!"

"OW! Damn it, teme, again?!? Geez, I'll stop asking you. Sorry for wondering."

"Naruto, he's right. Just let it go."

To say Naruto was confused was a major understatement. He didn't understand why the topic was so touchy. Unless, something happened between the two of them.

Whoa, where did that crazy thought come from. Like either of them would ever stop acting so oblivious. Ch, I really am stupid.

Sakura got up and headed towards the exit. Naruto just watched as she walked out the door.

"Sasuke, is there something going on between you two?"

"OW! A third time, Sasuke! Really?"

"I already told you, drop it Naruto."

"Why won't anyone answer my questions?"

"Because they're stupid, dobe. See you later."

"Yeah, sure thing, teme."

Naruto was left there, alone with his thoughts.

All right, there is definitely something going on there. Of course, the two of them are so unbearably stupid it's almost suffocating.

(With Sakura)

The nerve of him. Just acting all broody and silent, thinking he can just sit there and not say anything to me. Of course, not that there's anything he can really say. Or that I'm expecting him to say. So why am I so hung up on this? Yeah, this is pointless. So let's just move on.

Sakura continued on her merry way, acting like nothing had really happened. To bad she couldn't keep her mind off the fact that there was this longing feeling by her side. It was in the back of her mind, continuously nagging her. Not letting her forget.

(With Sasuke)

You know, you're really something.

And why do you say that?

Oh, just because you had the perfect opportunity to talk to someone about how you really feel and, just like always, you stood by and watched it pass.

Why would I need to talk to someone if nothing really happened?

For Kami's sake the girl admitted she still loved you. Not to mention the fact that you admitted you loved her.

Momentary lapse of judgement.

Some lapse.

Sasuke would have continued his little inner self discussion if it weren't for the ANBU that appeared right in front of him.

"Uchiha, Lady Hokage wants you in her office right away."

"Hn, whatever."

Sasuke made his way over towards the Hokage tower.

(Tsunade's Office)

Tsunade sat up straighter in her chair when the one and only Uchiha walked through her door.

"Glad to see you got my message."

"What is it, Tsunade."

"A mission just came in."

"You are aware that I'm not allowed to leave the village yet."

"Of course I'm aware. I'm the one who gave you the sentence. There's no one else I can send, or trust to send."

Sasuke was intrigued.

"So it's a solo mission."

"Not exactly."

"How can that be. It's either a solo mission or it's not."

"I'm sending someone else with you. Thus making it not a solo mission, but it's not technically a whole team mission."

"Who are you sending with me?"

"Sakura Haruno."

(With Sakura)

Sakura was on her way over to her mentors office. She had made this a habit whenever she was troubled and needed to get things off her mind.

Knock Knock

"Come in."

"Shishou..."

Tsunade observed as her apprentice walked through the door. Something was on her mind.

"Ah, Sakura, just the girl I wanted to talk to."

"Why's that?"

"Pack your bags, I have a mission for you."

(At the front gates)

Sasuke and Sakura were standing on the outskirts of the village. Tsunade was there seeing them off given the fact that it was such an ungodly hour of the day.

"All right you two, be careful. Once you're past the marker, open the scroll to get the next set of directions."

"Thank you, shishou."

Sakura found herself in her teachers arms.

"Be careful, Sakura. I don't want to lose you too."

"Don't worry about it, if there's anything you've taught me it's how to take care of myself."

Sakura pried herself out of the woman's arms.

"We really should be going if we want to make it before daybreak."

Sakura turned her back on her only home and headed towards the forest. Sasuke was about to join her when the Hokage's words stopped him.

"Sasuke, take care of her."

"Aa."

Tsunade watched the two of them shrink into the impending tree line. A small smile pulled at the corner of her lips because in that, "Aa," the Uchiha had spoken volumes. He would do whatever it took to protect Sakura and Tsunade knew that. The reason she knew it was simple. Because Sasuke was in love with the girl and sooner or later, he would be confronted with it. Face to face.

______________________________________________________________________

Sorry this one's a little short. It's kind of a fuller chapter. Fear not, the next one is coming soon. Review if you will.

musicXinXtheXdark