Author's Notes: SOOO. Here's another chapter ) ENJOY ; and review..please.

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Naruto slowly opened his eyes as looked around.He saw white walls and a window to his right. He slowly lifted himself to get a better view. There was a small table beside his bed with a vase with flowers in it. He drew his attention to the bed next to him as he could see someone laying down in it connected to a whole bunch of machines. He spotted the red hair.

Gaara

He sniffed the air as he looked down beside the vase and spotted a hot bowl of Ramen. He licked his lips as he reached for the bowl but fell back down on the bed wincing in pain.

He looked up as he heard the door open. "Tsunade-sama?" Naruto asked as he watched the beautiful blonde woman approach him.

"Ah, Naruto. You're awake. how are you feeling?" she asked as her hands began to glow green and she examined his body.

"I feel alright, just in some pain." Naruto answered trying to once again sit up. "Where's Sakura? What happend?" Naruto yelled leaning up against the back of the bed he was in.

Tsunade sighed. "We sent reinforcements, a little too late it seems. Temari, Kiba, Lee, Kakashi and Shino were sent to help you along with a few ANBU. When they arrived, everone was reportedly dead." Tsuande stopped as she heard the door open. She looked over her shoulder and watched Kakashi and Temari walked in.

Temari walked over to Gaara's side as she took a seat beside the bed. Kakashi made his way over to Naruto and Tsunade.

"Well Naruto, you're looking better." Kakashi said as his eyes was arched upwards and he was smiling beneathe his mask. Naruto slowly nodded as he turned back to Tsunade. "Well, what exactly happend?" He asked shifting in his bed.

Tsunade sighed. "I wasn't there, maybe Kakashi should take over in explaining the story." she said as she turned to Kakashi who nodded.

"Well, when we arrived it was seemingly quiet. We slowly approached the already opened gates as we walked through the abandoned streets.."

Flashback

"Everybody keep your guard up and follow me." Kakashi said as they walked through the streets. He watched as some bugs flew towards them. "Shino." Kakashi said stopping.

Shino held out his hand as the busgs landed on him. Shino was quiet for a few moments as he lifted his head and looked up at Kakashi. "There's an exact count of fourty-one sound nin corpses up ahead littered around the temple in the middle of the city. No sign of Sakura, Shikamaru, Neji or Shikamaru." Shino said as the bugs dissapeared into his sleeves.

Kakashi sighed. "Alright, let's go. They must be in the temple." Kakashi said as he began moving forward again. The path soon opened up to the center of the city where the temple was in plain view. The stepped over corpses and avoided the pools of blood. They stopped at the stairs of the temple as they looked around once more before slowly advancing up the steps. Kakashi stopped as he turned and gave the ANBU orders with his hands as they nodded and dissapeared.

"Where did they go?" Lee asked as he watched them dissapear. "They're going to keep a perimeter to make sure no one enters or leaves." Kakashi responded walking up the steps once more. Kakashi stopped as he took out a kunai and threw it into a nearby building as a noise was heard and a sound nin fell to the ground.

The remaining eight elite sound ninja appeared from the hiding places surrounding the five shinobi. They all got into fighting positions as they awaited orders. "There's eight of them, that means we each get two. Is everyone okay with handling two?
Kakashi asked glancing over his shoulders at the others. They all nodded.

Temari took out her giant fan as she waved it. "Wind style: Wind scythe jutsu!" She yelled as the wind formed into blades and the two ninjs in front of her were blown a great distance away whilst being cut in half.

"Konoha senpu!" Lee yelled as he spun with his leg outstretched and bunch of leaves surrounding him and the two ninja as he executed a number of tai jutsu moves. They fell on the ground and didn't get up.

Shino flipped backwards throwing several kunai as the ninja dodged them. He held out his hands as a swarm of bigs headed towards teh ninja covering them completely draining all their chakra. The bugs returned to Shino as the ninja fell to the ground dead.

Akamaru jumped on Kiba's back as he bent down on all fours. There was a puff of smoke as there was now two Kiba's. They jumped in the air and began spinning in a spiral, "Gatsuuga!" They yelled as both spirals headed for an individual sound ninja. They stopped as the second Kiba turned back into Akamaru and the sound ninja's were dead.

"Chidori!" Kakashi yelled as he finished off the last two sound ninja with ease. He stood up straight as he let go of his arm and turned to the other shinobi. "Is everyone okay?" he asked looking at each one of them. They all nodded as the appeared behind him and they stoo in front of the temple gates. They pushed them open and enterd.

They walked through the entrane hallway and the to room where the altar was. Kakashi stepped forward and examined the altar where the scrolls once were. Temari bent down beside the now dead elderly man as she let out a sigh and stood. Kiba, using his keen senses, began walking down the narrow hallway that led to the room with the fireplace. Kakashi,Shino and Temari followed him.

They entered the room as they looked around. "Someone fought to get in here." Shino said pointing to the chair's and table pushed away from the door. Akamaru began barking at the small opening beside the fireplace as they all made their way to the opening. Kakashi peered inside as he saw Neji laying on the ground. "They're in there." Kakashi said as he stood facing the others. "Shino, wait out here." Kakashi instructed as he entered the room with Temari and Kiba.

Kakashi walked over to Neji as Temari ran over to Shikamaru and Kiba bent down beside Naruto. Kakashi pulled a needle out of Neji's neck as he examined the end where there was a sticky substance. Kakashi stood. "They've been knocked out. They're not dead, but they will be if we don't get them back to Konoha." Kakashi said picking up Neji. Temari and Kiba nodded as Temari picked up Shikamaru and Kiba picked up Naruto.

They exited the room as they made their way back to the entrance of the temple. Temari handed Shikamaru over to Shino as he was too heavy for her to carry.

They exited the temple as the four ANBU that were with them appeared in front of them. "You go on ahead." Kakashi instructed them as the ran off. Kakashi gave the ANBU instructions to gather as much information from that room they found the leaf shinobi and then head back to Konoha. One he gave them instructions he ran to catch up with the rest of them as they made their way back to Konoha.

End of Flashback.

Naruto sighed. "What about Sakura?" he asked looking at Kakashi anxiously. Kakashi shook his head. "She wasn't there. They must've taken her." he said as he was now looking out the window at Konoha. "What would the Akatsuki want with Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled. Kakashi stopped and slowly turned to Naruto as he glanced over at Tsunade who was just as shocked as he was.

"The Akatsuki? What do you mean Naruto?" Tsunade asked confused. Naruto looked over at him. "The Akatsuki were there. Neji said they too were searching for the scrolls. I saw one of them right before I passed out." Naruto said to Tsunade then looking up at Kakashi.

"Was Sakura there before you were knocked out?" Tsunade asked hiding her worry. Naruto shook his head. "No, when we got into the room we only found blood smears on the wall and a small pool of blood." he explained a little confused. "The Akatsuki then entered afterwards hitting us with those needles. Why, what does that have to do with anything?" Naruto asked looking back from Tsunade to Kakashi.

"That means the Akatsuki don't have Sakura." Kakshi said walking towards the door looking back at Tsunade who was gripping the heets on Naruto's hospital bed tightly between her fingers. "Orochimaru." Tsunade said gritting her teeth.

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"Orochimaru-sama. Takashi is back, as is Sasuke with the girl." Kabuto informed him as he entered the room.

"Excellent. Bring them to me. " He commanded as he began laughing maniacly. Kabuto bowed as he exited the room and headed towards where Sasuke and Takashi were.

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Sasuke entered his room as he placed the unconcious woman on the bed. He sighed as he examined the wounds. Still not removing the mask he walked over to his desk where there were a few scattered scrolls, some brushes and a small jar of ink. He heard a knock on the door as he walked over and opened it. He emotionless obsidean eyes where looking at the figure in front of him. "What do you want." he said coldly. The figure smirked back at him. "Orochimaru-sama would like to see you. " Kabuto answered " And bring the girl." he said with a wicked smile. Sasuke shut the door on Kabuto's face as he could hear him begin to laugh.

Sasuke walked over and looked at the unconcious woman on his bed. He examined the mask as he was contiplating on taking it off but shook his head as he picked the girl up and swung her over his shoulders carelessly. He exited his room as he headed down the hall to the room Orochimaru was in.

He heard Sakura becomming restless on his back as he figured she was gaining conciousness again. He opened the door as he entered the room. He saw Orochimaru sitting in the middle on a chair with Kabuto beside him and Takashi bowing in front of him.

"Sasuke-kun." Orochimaru called out with a smirk. "I see you have the girl." he said as his smirk grew wider. "Hn." Sasuke replied as he stepped closer.

"Do me a favour and put her in that." he said as Kabuto walked over to a wall where there were shakles hanging. Four of them, two up high and two more a little more down from the ones higher up. They were there for torturing no doubt.

Sasuke sighed as he walked over to the shakles. "What purpose does she serve." he said turning towards Orochimaru.

"She contains valuable information that will help me, us be stronger Sasuke-kun." Orochimaru said with a wicked grin.

Sasuke sensed something weird about this, but he simply shrugged it off as he brought the girl forward and strapped her wrists into the top shakles and her ankles into the bottom. He stood looking up at her once more as she began to move.

"Kabuto, tend the the girls wounds and make sure she's at 100 before we start questioning her." he said with a smirk as Kabuto nodded and stood in front of Sakura.Kabuto's hands began glowing blue as he healed Sakura's wounds.

Sasuke sighed as he turned and began to leave. He stopped as he caught a familiar scent invading his nostrels. He glanced back at the woman as he turned and walked off once more.

"I see you didn't remove the mask Sasuke-kun." Orochimaru said glancing over to Sakura, then back at Sasuke.

Sasuke stopped as he shrugged. "I didn't remove the mask simply becasue I don't care who it is." he said as he moved closer to the door.

Orochimaru began to laugh viciously as he turned his attention back to Kabuto."Kabuto, remove the mask." he said as Sasuke stopped, his hand on the doorknob. Kabuto nodded as he reached up and removed the ANBU mask throwing it over to Sasuke.

Sakura's pink hair fell forward due to the fact that he head was hanging down. She slowly lifted her head and opened her eyes. She looked around at her surroundings as her vision began to come back clearly. She saw Kabuto in front of her as her eyes widened. She then moved her gaze to Takashi then to the dark figure sitting in the chair. She turned her head as she noticed a figure standing by the door.

Sasuke sighed as he turned the knob and exited the room. He was tempted to turn around and see who it was that they had kidnapped and were about to torture. He headed back to his room as he couldn't take his mind off of that familiar smell. He stopped as he entered his room.

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"Well we can't just sit here! We have to go find her!" Naruto said shifting in the bed and moving to swing his feet over the side, he windced in pain as Tsunade then pushed him to lay back down.

"Naruto, you're in no shape to do anything.You need to rest until your wounds are fully healed. Kakashi has already sent Pakkun and the others to track Sakura. Don't worry, we'll find her." Tsunade said with a smile as she turned and exited with Kakashi.

Temari stood up after a while as she sighed. She walked over to Naruto as she smiled. "Don't worry Naruto. Sakura will be okay." she said with an unsure smile as she turned to leave.

"Temari-chan?" Naruto said sitting up a bit as he glanced over at Gaara who was in the bed beside him. "Hmm?" Temari said turning and facing Naruto. "How's Gaara?" Naruto asked leaning against the back board of the bed. Temari sighed as she glanced over to Gaara. "He's doing much better. It's a slow recovery for him. He would've died if it wasn't for Sakura." Temari said with a smile as she left.

Naruto sighed as he slumped back down into his bed. He turned his head to look out the window.

"Naruto." Gaara said weakly as he slowly turned his head to look at Naruto.

Naruto turned his head to look at Gaara as he was surprised he was concious. He had been unconsious ever since the attack on Suna a month ago. "Gaara?" Naruto said watching as he struggled to open his eyes.

"Sakura, will survive." Gaara said slowly as he opened his eyes fully and looked at Naruto.

Naruto shook his head. "It's my fault! I should've protected her like I promised I would! I should've made sure no harm came to her!" He said slamming his fist against the bed.

"Naruto, don't blame yourself, there was nothing you could do, you were greatly unumberd and Sakura knew her mission was to retrieve those scrolls." Gaara said as he slowly moved his head back looking up at the ceiling.

Naruto looked at him. "You heard?" he said surprised finguring out that Gaara had been unconcious for a while now.

Gaara slowly shook his head. "It pains me that I am restrained to this bed instead of helping to get Sakura back." Gaara said calmly, no emotion expressed in his voice.

Naruto looked up at the ceiling as well. "You have no idea how much I feel the same way." he said clutching the bed sheets tightly. " I will save Sakura, and bring her back. I promise I will."

"Much like the promise you made to bring back that Uchiha boy." Gaara stated as he continued his gaze at the ceiling as though there was something interesting happening up there.

Naruto quickly looked at Gaara then looked away as he clenched his fists even tighter.

Sasuke..

He shook his head. "This promise, I will follow through on." he said his fists turning white. "I promise." he said as he finally released his grip.

"It's a good thing you didn't follow through on returning that Uchiha boy." Gaara said glancing over at Naruto.

Naruto turned his head. "Why?" he asked puzzled.

"He's no good. And there's no doubt that if he would've returned Sakura would've gotten closer to him and still loved him while he always ignored her feelings and pushed her away. She deserves better than to be with that scum." Gaara said, still no emotion in his voice.

Naruto widened his eyes. He had never heard Gaara talk openly about how he felt towards someone. And even though he didn't directly say it, Naruto knew. "You love her, don't you." Naruto said waiting for a response.

Gaara's eyes widened as he turned his head and looked at Naruto without saying a word then he simply turned his body and faced the wall. He didn't know what to say? Did he love her? He knew he wanted to always protect her and make sure she was alright. He thought about her a lot and cared about her. Gaara had never loved anyone before. It could possibly be true that he did love her. But he would never admit it.

Gaara didn't have to admit that he loved Sakura, Naruto already knew he did. Naruto sighed as he turned his head and looked out the window at the full moon high in the sky. He opened his hand as he still had Sakura's necklace clutched between his fingers.

Please be okay, Sakura-chan.

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Sasuke stepped out of his shower as he wrapped a towel around himself. He walked into his room and changed into black pants, he threw on a white shirt that did up at the front. Sasuke had always chose to leave it undone. On the back of his shirt was the Uchiha symbol. He turned his head to look at the door as he heard a loud scream echo through the building. He sighed as he wanted to know who it was. Who it was they were torturing, who it was held that scent that was so familiar to him but he just couldn't place it.

He sighed as he grabbed his katana and decided to go train, that would certainly take his mind off things.

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Sakura was breathing heavily as er head hung low. She watched as her blood dripped onto the ground. She slowly raised her head as she spit on Kabuto. Kabuto smirked as he removed his glasses and wiped them clean. He took out another kunai as he threw it into her going straight through her arm.

"Now now my precious little cherry blossom, I'm going to ask again. Where are the Haruno scrolls?" Orochimaru asked with a wicked smile as he glanced over at Takashi who was holding out a kunai ready to strike her.

"I told you. He has them!" She said motioning towards Takashi. Orochimaru nodded his head as both Takashi and Kabuto hit Sakura with a kunai. She let out another scream in pain. "Don't play games with me young one. Those scrolls were empty. There was nothing on them whatsoever." Orochimaru said annoyed as Kabuto cut her once more and she let out another scream as Orochimaru began laughing even more wickedly.

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Sasuke flinched as he heard another scream. He passed by the door to the room they were in as he stopped. He reached his hand out to open the door as he pulled back upon hearing another scream.

What am I doing? Why do I feel like I need to go inside...

He thought to himself. He sighed as he turned the knob and entered the room. He took a few steps in as the chair Orochimaru was in was blocking his view of Sakura. He slowly moved to the side as he watched Takashi throw another kunai at her. He looked closly as the woman came into better view. She lifted her head as she let out another scream of pain. Sasuke's eyes widened as he saw her clearly now.

Sakura?

"Glad you could join us, Sasuke-kun." Orochimaru called out from his chair. Sasuke wasn't surprised that he knew he was there. He took a few steps out of the shadows as his gaze returned to normal.

Sakura lifted her head as she heard his name. She looked at the figure slowly approaching Orochimaru. Her eyes widened as she recognized him ."Sasuke.." she said in almost a whisper as she coughed up more blood.

"What do you need from her." Sasuke said as he glared at Orochimaru. He could see Takashi out of the corner of his eyes twirrling a kunai around his finger waiting to throw it at Sakura.

"My dear Sasuke-kun, she holds the key to the very center of your powers. She can help make us stronger. Unfortunatly, " he said with a sigh. " She will not cooperate." he said with a smirk as Takashi threw another kunai at her and Sakura let out another yelp in pain, but they were getting quieter as she was slowly losing her energy.

"Stop it." Sasuke said glaring at Orochimaru with his dark eyes that held no emotion.

"Why Sasuke-kun? Don't tell me you care about this pathetic excuse for a shinobi. She can't even protect herself. Come now Sasuke, it appears I was wrong about her holding the key to our strength. I can tell that she really doesn't know where the scrolls are." he said with a grin.

"So then let her go." Sasuke said in his cool monotone voice as he glanced over at her.

"Why? I think we'll have some more fun with her first." Orochimaru said with a wicked grin as he waved his hand and Takashi now threw several kunai at her.

The kunai all dropped to the ground in front of her. Sasuke now stood, his sword unsheathed, as he deflected the kunai. "I said stop."

"Sasuke! You dare defy me!" Orochimaru said rising to his feet.

"I don't need you anymore." Sasuke said as he glared at Orochimaru who was now standing.

"Sasuke, what do you think you're doing? Are you going to save her and then leave? You can't leave me. You can't leave all this power behind. How will you kill your brother? You belong to me now Sasuke. You're not going anywhere!" Orochimaru said with a grin as Takashi and Kabuto stepped forward blocking Sasuke. "I own you."

Sasuke felt the mark on his shoulder beginning to burn as he refused to wince in pain. Takashi and Kabuto threw several kunai at Sasuke. Sasuke brought up his katana as he deflected the kunai in an odd way. They all bounced off the blade and went around him cutting each shakle as Sakura was released.

She fell off the wall as Sasuke caught her. He then turned throwing kunai with perfect speed and precision, each with a tag on the end.

Takashi and Kabuto's eyes widened as they jumped out of the way. Sasuke dissapeared into the darkness with Sakura.

"SASUKE!!!" Orochimaru yelled as Sasuke could hear it echoing through the building.

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Sasuke ran through the forest. He was now very far away from the building he was in. He left the country of the sound as he was now in the fire country. He stopped as he saw a cottage in the middle of the forest with a stream running around it. He slowly stepped out of the bushes as he made his way up the path of the cottage.

He passed over the bridge that went over the stream as he climbed the few steps and stood at the entrance of the cottage. He set Sakura down on the porch as he unsheathed his katana and slowly opened the door. He entered the cottage. There was a bed to his left against a wall, a fireplace on his right. He made his way through the cottage. There was a bathroom up ahead and an eating area. There was a backdoor as he slowly opened it.

He heard the sound of buzzing flys as the smell of death invaded his nostrels. He glanced over as he saw a dead couple piled on each other. No doubt the previous owners of the cottage.

Sasuke sighed as he sheathed his sword and made his way back through the cottage and out the front door. He picked up Sakura as he re-entered the cottage laying he down on the bed.

He took out a kunai as he cut the black ANBU clothes off of her leaving her only in her undergarments. He threw the bloody torn clothes to the side as he examined her wounds. He sighed as he ignored the fact that she was only in her bra and underwear. He stood up and walked over to the eating area as he rummaged through things. He finally pulled out a pot as he walked outside to the stream and filled the pot with water. He walked back in and headed over to the fireplace. He grabbed a two rocks as he banged them together finally creating a spark as the fire was lit. He placed the pot of water over the fire and warmed it up.

Once the water was warm he made his way back to Sakura as he sat on the bed beside her. He took off his shirt as he ripped it and dipped it into the warm water. He began washing the blood off of her body. He moved the hair out of her face as he slowly wiped her face. He ripped his shirt again wrapping it around her wounds and pulling tight. He could see her wince in pain as he pulled the cloth tight.

He sighed as he was finally finished. He looked up at her, resting peacefully. He looked at her and how much she'd grown. He never really noticed how beautiful she was. He would just always see her as some annoying girl who was obsessed with him. He looked down at her body. He sighed at the damage they had caused. He stopped the bleeding for now.

He felt her shiver as he looked down at her bare body. He rose to his feet as he pulled the blankets up and covered her. He walked over to a dresser beside the bed as he picked out some clothes. He layed them at the foot of her bed as he turned and walked to the door. He stopped as he turned and looked at her one last time. They were in the fire country and Konoha was two day travel. He knew that they would be out searching for her and there was no doubt they would come across the cottage and find her. He left her once, and he could do it again. He sighed as he turned and exited the cottage, leaving Sakura..once more.

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Sakura's jade eyes slowly began to flutter open as her vision was kind of blurry. She opened her eyes completely when the feeling of pain washed over her body. She closed her eyes tight as she could feel the pain growing stronger. She opened her eyes and lifted her head slowly pulling back the covers. She saw that her body had been bandaged up and that she was only in her undergarments.

She looked around the room as she glanced over to the door that was slightly ajar.

Sasuke..

She let out a sigh as she slowly unwrapped her bandages. She winced as she had to pull it off, some of it was attatched to the wound because the blood had dried. She did a few hand signs as her hands began to glow green and she held it over her wounds as the tissue began reparing itself and her wounds were healing.

When her wounds were healed she swung her legs over the side of the bed as she rose to her feet. She felt chilly as she rememberd she was only in her bra and underwear. She looked down the bed as she saw clothes sitting in a neat pile. She grabbed them as she slowly put them on. She walked over to the fire as she spotted the pot and bloody rags beside it. She saw what was left of Sasuke's shirt thrown to the side. She slowly picked it up as she examined it. It was ripped and torn but the Uchiha symbol was untouched.

What am I doing. I'm over Sasuke. I can't do this. I can't get attatched again.

She sighed as she threw the shirt into the fire and watched it burn. She turned as she headed for the door. She stopped taking one last look at the cabin as she left, planning on never returning.

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"I want you to find her and bring her to me, alive." he said as he moved to sit down.

"But won't he be there?" Takashi argued.

Orochimaru smirked. "No, Sasuke would've already left. She's alone. Find her." he said looking up at Takashi with a wicked smile. "I want her alive.I don't care if she's beaten up a bit, but dead bait won't do any good." he said waving his hand as Takashi nodded and dissapeared followed by ten elite sound nin.

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Sasuke travelled through the forest by the treetops as he stopped. He sighed as he looked below him at the ground. He jumped down. He leaned against a tree as he looked up at the sky. It was mid-day now and he had no idea where he was going. All he could think about now was her. He wondered if she had been discovered yet? He sighed. Maybe he would go back to see if she was okay. No, he couldn't, he didn't want to get wrapped up in that. He had been just fine all these years without her.

He was lying to himself. He had always missed her, always missed being loved and appreciated. She had loved him for who he truly was. She wasn't just another fangirl that loved him because of his looks and the clan he belonged to. Her love was sincere, and all he did was ignore her and throw it all back in her face. She probably hated him now. He had lost the only woman who would ever love him and accept him for who he was.

He shook his head.

What am I saying?

I don't care about her.

That's all in the past.

I left her behind along with everyone else.

I've been fine without them, and I still will be.

I have to kill my brother.

I have to forget about them.

Forget about her.

He sighed as he began to walk away, going no where in specific. Just, away.

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Naruto sighed as Tsunade ran another examination on him. She smiled as she pulled her hands away. "You're doing much better. You're body is fully healed and you should be able to continue your training by early next week."

"Next week!" Naruto yelled. "That's so far away!" he said crossing his arms as he sat up in his bed.

Tsunade sighed."Nothing is ever good enough for you." she said as she turned and open the door to exit when a smile spread across her face. "Hello Hinata." she said with a nod of her head.

"G..good morning Hokage-sama." Hinata said with a bow.

Tsunade smiled as she exited the room. Hinata walked in as she saw the two boys laying in their beds. Gaara was asleep, Naruto was anxiously looking out the window when he turned his head and saw Hinata.

"Hinata!" he said waving his hands.

"G.g..good morning Naruto-kun." she said with a blush as she made her way over to him. "I made you some ramen." she said with a smike presenting the bowl of hot ramen.

"Wow! That looks great Hinata!" Naruto said with a smile as he licked his lips. Hinata handed him the bowl. "Careful, it's hot." she said with a smile.

Naruto nodded his head as he took apart the chopsticks and began to eat the ramen. A few moments later he was done as he layed back against the headboard. "Wow Hinata, that was really good! The best ramen I've ever had. You made that yourself?" He asked rubbing his stomache in satisfaction.

Hinata nodded with a smile. "Yes." she said quietly as she blushed a bit.

"Thanks. I really needed that." he said as he looked at her and noticed her blushing. "Tsunade-sama says I will be able to train by next week." he said with a wide grin.

"That's great news Naruto-kun." Hinata said returning his smile.

"So Hinata what have you been up to lately?" Naruto said placing the bowl on the small table beside his bed as he shifted his position.

"Um, nothing much. I've been training with Neji-kun lately and improving on my skills." she said with a smile.

"Training." he said with a sigh. "I miss training. As soon as I'm out of here I'm going to train real hard so I can save Sakura-chan!" he said with a smile.

Hinata smiled. "I know you'll bring her back Naruto-kun." Hinata said as she placed her hands on the side of the bed.

"You know Hinata, I would watch you train with Neji. You're really good." Naruto said as he looked at her.

"You really think so?" she asked blushing slightly.

"Yeah, I'd be scared to fight you." Naruto said with a smile.

Hinata blushed a bit more as she turned her head away. "That is the best compliment I have ever gotten Naruto-kun. Thank you." she said with a smile.

"I'm serious. " Naruto said with a smile and a small laugh. Hinata began to laugh a bit as well. Naruto gazed at Hinata for a minute or so. He had been told that she had a crush on him. She had really grown since he was gone for those few years. Her hair was longer now and she had become a beautiful woman. Naruto never really noticed Hinata in that kind of way before.

It was then he realized his feelings for Hinata were more of that then what he felt for a mere friend.

He shifted in the bed once more trying to get comfortable when he heard something fall to the ground. Hinata bent over and picked up a necklace. "Is this yours Naruto-kun?" Hinata said handing him the necklace. Naruto took it and looked at it as he let out a sigh and shook his head.

"No, it's Sakura's necklace." he said as he clutched the necklace tightly in his hand and held it to his chest.

Hinata placed her hands on the side of the bed once more, a bit closer to his body as she sighed. "You still love her, don't you?" Hinata asked looking down at her hands.

Naruto looked up at her as he smiled. "I love Sakura, yes, but only in a way a brother loves a sister. My heart belongs to someone else." Naruto said as he reached his hand over and placed it on top of Hinata's.

Hinata's eyes widened as she looked down at Naruto's hand on hers then up at him. She began to blush again as she smiled. Naruto returned the smile.

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Sakura made her way through the forest. She recognized her surroundings as she figured she was drawing close to Konoha. She was only a day away. A kunai suddenly whizzed past her head and stuck into a tree near her. She saw a tag attatched to the end of it as she quickly jumped out of the way. The tag exploded as the tree fell over.

Sakura quickly got to her feet as she looked around. She looked up as she saw Takashi staninding on a treebranch in front of her. There were the other ten sound ninja scattered around the branches on the trees surrounding her.

"Well cousin, we meet again." Takashi said jumping to the ground as the other sound ninja did as well. "This will be our last and final meeting." he said as he raised his hand and the ninja attacked her.

Sakura took out a kunai as she deflected the ones that were thrown at her. She managed to keep the ninja away from her as she threw a few kunai that caught some of them and they fell to the ground. Sakura raised her fist as she brought it down to the ground. The ground around them shook as it opened up engulfing the remaining sound nin. Sakura and Takashi jumped up onto the tree branches as the ground below them was torn up.

Takashi's eyes widened for a moment as he witnessed what just happend.

One hit from her, and I'm finished.

He smirked as he threw several kunai and shurikan at her. She dodged them all easily as she jumped from tree branch to tree branch heading towards him. She lunged at him executing a number of tai jutsu moves as he dodged and blocked them all. She managed to hit him in his stomache as he flew backwards and fell to the ground. She jumped down in front of him as he stood up.

He took out ten kunai's as he threw them all. He made a few hand signs. "Shadow Kunai Minipulation Jutsu!" He yelled as the kunai's were doubled and tripled. Soon there were a thousand kunai's heading towards Sakura. Her eyes widned as she didn't have time to dodge or deflect all of them. She raised her hands in front of her face as she closed her eyes.

She heard the sound of kunai's dropping to the ground. She opened her eyes as she saw someone standing in front of her.

Sasuke

He deflected some of the kunai's with his katana but there were too many and over thirty penetrated his body. Sasuke stood strong glaring at Takashi,

"Kuso!" Takashi swore under his breath.

This wasn't supposed to happen! He wasn't supposed to show up!

"Sasuke, glad you could join the party." Takashi said with a wicked grin.

Blood dripped down Sasuke's body as it formed a pool of blood beneathe him. Sakura looked down at the blood as her eyes widened. She rose to her feet and stood beside Sasuke.

"Why did you come back." she said not sparing a glance at him as she stared at Takashi.

"This isn't the time Sakura." Sasuke said in his cool monotone voice as he pulled out the kunai.

"Oh no? So what I'm supposed to wait until this battle is over so you can leave again?" she snapped as she took out a kunai.

Sasuke glared at her as he held his chest and winced in pain as Takashi used the opening. He lunged forward with his katana ready to penetrate Sasuke. Sakura's eyes widened as she jumped in the way taking the blow. Sasuke's eyes widened as he saw what Sakura had did. He felt blood on his face, it didn't belong to him. He looked down as he saw the other end of the Katana through Sakura's back.

"Why did you do that.." Sasuke said quietly. "Why did you do that!" Sasuke finally yelled at Sakura as he grabbed his chest.

Sakrua coughed up blood as she looked down at the Katana through her stomache.

Takashi smirked as he jumped back leaving the katana through Sakura.

Sasuke slowly fell to the ground. "Why did you do that." he said once more, this time quieter.

Sakura grabbed the end of the katana as she slowly pulled it out of her stomache. She winced and let out a cry of pain as she pulled it out. She threw it to the side as she leaned over holding her stomache.

Takashi began laughing. "Two for one, not a bad deal." he said with a smirk. "This reminds me of when I killed your family."

"You bastard." Sakura said as she lifted her head.

"First, I killed your mother. Slit her throat and watched the blood pour out. Oh how a chill ran up my spine when she screamed."

"Stop it." she said glaring at him.

"And then, after your father watched your mother die helplessly, he begged for his life. He begged that I wouldn't kill him."

"Stop it.." Sakura repeated.

"He begged and he begged." he smirked. "He was nothing but a weak, miserable fool. Much like yourself dear cousin."

"Stop it. Stop it. Stop it." she said louder.

"Your family died protecting you. Then you're little boyfriend over there died protecting you as well. Everyone is dying and it's all your fault Sakura.."

Marks began to appear on Sakura's body as she began glowing slightly.

"You're weak. You've always been weak and you will always be weak. You always need someone to protect you. It's your fault they're dead. You're fault they're all dead!" he said as he began to laugh.

"STOP IT!" she finally yelled as her eyes were now glowing pure white as different coloured chakra began to surround her.

Takashi stopped laughing as his eyes widened. "No, it can't be." he said as he looked at Sakura.

Sakura held out her hand as red chakra, green chakra, blue chakra and white chakra began forming in it.

"The power of the Haruno clan..but how. How did you get the scrolls, how did you obtain the power!" he yelled as he took a few steps back, backing right up into a tree.

"I will avenge my family!" Sakura yelled as she charged forward and pushed the ball of coloured chakra into Takashi's chest.

"NOO!" he yelled as the charka ripped through him.

Sakura stood back breathing heavily as the wounds she had suffered were now healed. Her eyes returned to normal as the marks on her body disappeared. She looked down at the bloody mess that remained of Takashi.

She leaned against a tree as she was weak. Her bodys energy had been drained. Thunder roared through the sky as she looked up and felt a drop of rain on her face followed by many more. It began raining mercilessly. She slowly made her way over to Sasuke as she knelt beside him and checked his pulse. She let out a sigh of relief. He was still alive.

She picked him up as she put one arm around his shoulder and supported them."Sasuke, hang in there." she said as he looked at her weakly with no response.

They made their way through the forest falling several times before they came upon a familiar sight.

The cabin.

Sakura made her way up the pathway that led to the cabin using all her strength to support Sasuke. She finally made it to the door as she pushed it open with her free hand. She walked inside and made her way over to the bed as she layed Sasuke down on it. She sighed as she leaned against the wall. She looked over at Sasuke as she made her way over to him. She took off her shirt as she ripped it. The blood had all been washed away thanks to the rain.

She began to wrap his wounds with ripped pieces from her shirt. She knew she didn't have enough energy or chakra left to heal him and she would have to wait until she was fully rested. She pulled the blankets up over him as she saw that he was pale and sweating. She placed a cold wet rag on his forehead to help with the fever. She watched as he winced in pain. She sighed as she stood and grabbed a shirt from the dresser.

She made her way over to the fireplace as she began banging the two rocks together to create a spark. She was breathing heavily.

"C'mon. C'mon." she repeated over and over until finally a spark hit the wood and a fire was created. She poked at it until it became bigger. She curled up beside the fireplace as she leaned her head against the wall and slowly drifted off to sleep.

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Author's notes : DONNE. phew. that was a long one. haha. so. they've met ! and there was some fluff with Hinata and Naruto finally. haa. DONT WORRY. as i promised, there will be fluff with Sasuke and Sakura. the next chapter will mostly be dedicated to them and all their fluffiness XD REVIEW. i love you guys. )