Author's notes: hah. well everyone was pretty much upset about what happend in the last chapter. sorry folks, but that's how it must be...for now. )
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A few days had passed. Sai and Sakura hardly exchanged words except for meaningless ones like, "We'll rest here for the night." or " Are you hungry?" Other than that, they didn't speak.
They had finally arrived at the gates of Konoha. It was mid-afternoon as they entered the city. They headed towards the Hokage building. As they walked through the city Sakura could hear people whispering "Is she the one? That's the one that was kidnapped. I heard she was the last of the Haruno clan" Sakura tried as best she could to ignore them.
It had been a month since Sakura had left on the mission she was assigned. They ahd reached the Hokage's building as they made their way up the stairs. The neared the Hokage's office as Sai stepped aside allowing Sakura to go ahead.
Tsunade had been sitting in her office angered and agitated. She had told Shizune that she was not to see anyone today. Tsunade raised her head from her desk as she heard a knock on her door. "I already told you! I don't want to-" Tsunade stopped as the door opened and there standing in the entrance was Sakura.
Tsunade couldn't contain herself as she lept from her chair and threw her arms around Sakura. "Sakura!" she yelled hugging her. Sakura smiled as she felt Tsunade hugging her. Tsunade was a like a mother to Sakura.
Shizune quickly ran in as she heard Tsaunde yelled. She stopped when she saw her hugging a familar pink haired kunoichi. Usually, it was not custom for a Hokage to show her affection like this towards a subordinate. But, Shizune knew of the bond they shared with each other as she simply smiled and left shutting the door behind her.
Tsunade pulled back as she looked down at Sakura. She brushed a piece of hair from her face as she smiled. "Sakura, I've missed you..we've missed you." she said as she gave one last smile and then turned to head to her desk. "Now, I want to know everything, every single detail from when we first sent you on the mission for the scrolls to where Sai rescued you." Tsunade sat down as she looked up as Sakura who was frowning mildly. "After, you visit all your friends of course." Tsunade added as she linked her fingers, her elbows on the desk.
Sakura looked up as a smile spread across her face. "Thank you Tsunade-sama." she said as she bowed and hurried out the door. She ran down the hall as she passed Sai. "Where are you going." Sai asked watching her whizz past. She stopped as she looked over at Sai. "I'm going to see everyone." she said with a smile. Sai sighed as he walked in front of her, "Here, I'll take you to them." Sakura looked at him confused, she knew where all her friends lived...
They walked through town once more as they finally stopped at a building Sakura knew all too well. "Konoha hospital?" Sakura said confused as she looked at Sai. He simply nodded as he led her inside. They got into the elevator as Sai pressed the number six. Sakura knew that floor was for the people who were in serious condition's.
The steel doors opened as they walked out and Sai led her down the hall. He stopped infornt of a room with the numer 222 plasterd on it. He gave her one last look as he turned the knob and they entered. Sakura's eyes widened as there she saw everyone, all her friends each hooked up to a machine and laying in a bed. None of them moving, none of them awake.
"What..how...what happend to them?" Sakura asked looking over at Sai. "They were all sent on a mission, a mission to save you." he said bluntly. Sakura remembered. When she was captured by Orochimaru and help prisoner she remembered seeing Naruto's face and then she blacked out. Sai turned and exited the room giving her some time alone with her friends.
Sakura walked by the beds one by one as she saw each of her friends.
Neji,Lee,Shino,Shikamaru,Ino,Choji,Hinata,Tenten,Kiba, even Kakashi-Sensai and finally, Naruto.
She stopped at Naruto's bed, which was placed right beside the window. She sat down beside him as she looked at him. She held one of his hands with hers as she gently placed her other hand on the side of his face. "Oh Naruto, why did you come. Why did you have to come and try to save me. Look what happend to you, look what happend to you because of me." she said as she could feel the tears threatening to fall. "You stupid boy, why did you do that, why?!" she said as he hand fell and she placed her face on his chest as she began to cry.
Th sun had long set and it was nighttime. A nurse entered the room as Sakura looked over at her, she did not recognize the face.
Probably someone new.
She thought to herself. "Excuse me miss, but visiting hours are over." she said with a sweet smile. Sakura looked at her shocked, she was not only a visitor but head of staff here at the hospital which meant if she chose to stay later than visiting hours, she could. However, seeing as though this nurse didn't know she let it slide as she stood up and walked to the door.
She exited the hospital as she began walking down the street. She climbed some stairs as she lifted a doormat and laying underneathe was a key. She smiled as she picked it up and placed it in the keyhole. She slowly opened the door as she entered the one room apartment. She closed the door behind her locking it. She walked in as she placed the key on the counter. She headed to the bathroom, she started running the water as she took off her clothes and got in. She couldn't remember the last time she had a nice hot shower.
Several minutes later, Sakura stepped out of the bathroom with a towel on her head. She wore a t-shirt t hat was much too big for her and just her underwear. She walked into the kitchen as she opened the fridge, all that was inside was some milk and water and old lunch meat. She sighed as she closed the fridge and opened the cupoard. She saw that it was filled, row by row with boxes of instant ramen. She smiled a bit as she took one and boiled some water. She sat in the dark kitchen as she ate the ramen.
Once she was done she headed for the bedroom. She opened the door as she saw clothes all over the floor. She smiled as she stepped over the clothes and layed in the bed. "Messy boy." she said before her eyes closed and she fell asleep.
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"Well?" an irritated voice hissed.
"I've just recieved word from our undercover ninja, and she says that the ninja are still all badly injured and in the hospital. She says it's impossible that they could be able to be in fighting shape by the time we get there." he said with a wicked grin.
"Excellent. How far are we now?" the voice said.
"Konoha is about a five day travel." the man said pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
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Sakura woke up early the next day, at the crack of dawn. She stretched and yawned as she stood and took off her clothes. She got dressed as she now wore her red tank top with her black shorts and pink skirt overtop. It had been a while since she was dressed in her regular clothes. The whole time she was with Sasuke she was wearing the clothes from when they were at the cabin.
She walked into the bathroom as she saw those very clothes laying on the ground. She sighed as she picked them up and threw them in a pile with the rest of Naruto's clothes. She decided she was going to clean his house for him. She spent the whole morning cleaning and doing laundry until she was finally done. She slumped down on the couch as she closed her eyes.
She got up and walked into his room as he searched his piggy bank for some money. Sure enough, there was money,not much, but enough. She exited the apartment locking the door behind her. She headed into town as she ran into someone. "Sorry about that." she said before continuing on. "Sakura.." a voice called behind her, she turned to see the woman she had run into was Kurenai. Sakura smiled " Kurenai-sama!" he yelled as they ran and hugged each other. They too, shared a special bond, almost like a sisterly bond.
After spending some time together and catching up over lunch Sakura and Kurenai made their way through Konoha. They stopped as they neared Sakura's home. She looked down at the ground as Kurenai noticed and suggested they take another way, Sakura nodded as they turned and left. Kurenai then explained that she had to go to the Hokage for a mission briefing and that she would visit Sakura as soon as she returned.
Sakura walked through the streets as she approached the Yamanaka flower shop. She walked inside as the bells rang from above her. She saw a man standing at the counter as she recognized him. It was Ino's father. She approached the counter as she smiled and the man returned the smile. "Welcome home Sakura." he said. "Thank you Mr.Yamanaka." she said with a sweet smile. "What can I do for you today?" he asked placeing his hands on the counter. "Well, I was wondering if I could get eleven flower arrangements." The mans eyes widened "Eleven? Why would you need so much?" he asked. "Well," she started " I wanted to buy them all for all my friends who are injured at the hospital, including Ino." she said as she looked at the ground.
The man smiled as he crossed his arms. "Well then, I will get started straight away on making the arrangements, say, would you care to help?" he asked. Sakura looked up at him as she smiled and nodded her head.
A few hours passed when they were finally done. All the arrangements were beautiful, and each different and unique. Sakura stood at the counter as she looked at the man. "How much do I owe you?" she asked taking out some money rolled up. "Nothing, they're yours." he said with a smile. "Are, are you sure Mr.Yamanaka, I have the money and-" he cut her off. "Please Sakura, you don't owe me anything." She smiled and nodded as she walked out of the store with all of the arrangements wrapped up and placed on a trolly. She made a few more stops at some shops before finally heading for the hospital.
She arrived at the hospital as she got off on the sixth floor. She walked towards the room as someone was just comming out, it was the nurse from the night before. They exchanged a smile as she entered the white room where all her friends lay.
She unwrapped each arrangement as she placed one beside the bed of each of her friends. She then took out a bag as she walked up placing a different item on the table beside the arrangments she had previously set down. Beside Neji she had placed a sheathed Katana. Beside Lee she had placed a bowl of the special curry he had loved so much. Beside Shino's bed she had put a special book she had got from an old friend on her way b ack to Konoha. It was about insects and the secrets of fighting with them. She lifted Shikamaru slowly as she placed two brand new pillows that were extremely comfortable. Beside Ino's bed was a brand new expensive outfit that hung on the wall. She had placed a cake beside Choji's bed as well as a cupon for a free all you can eat buffet. On Hinata's table she put tiger lilly with a brand new bottle of purfume beside it. Beside Tenten's bed she placed a brand new scroll that had never been read before and held ancient secrets with projectiles. On Kiba's table she placed a box of dog treats and a brand new coat. She bent down and pet Akamaru's head as he lifted his head and licked her hand. She then took out a book that had a blue cover, she placed it on the table beside Kakashi's bed, it was a brand new, not released limited edition of his kind of books. Finally she reached Naruto's bed as she took out a fresh bowel of Ramen and she pulled out a cloth. She placed it on the table gently, there was something inside.
Day after day was the same routine for Sakura. She would wake up, go to the hospital and clean the room, check on her friends and then she would replace the bowel or Ramen. She would take Akamaru out for walks and play with him, and sometimes he would go home with her. Tsunade and Kurenai monitered this as they watched her and saw exactly what she did.Sai noticed this as well, he followed her to keep an eye on her and make sure she was OK.
Every now and then their parents would come and visit, and Temari would come and visit Shikamaru. She would enjoy when Temari came because she would actually have some conversation. Sakura talked to Naruto everyday, she told him of everything that happend, and what she was thinking and sometimes joke with him. She knew that even though he wouldn't say anything, or couldn't rather, he was listening.
Finally, four days had passed as Sakura entered the hospital, the same time every monring, 11:00 right on the dot. Akamaru greeted her as she smiled and pet him. She replaced the bowel of ramen beside Naruto's bed as she sat beside him and pulled out some paperwork as she was back to doing the Hokage's work. Sakura stood as she headed for the door when she heard something. "S..sakura." she recognized it as Naruto's voice as he said it a few times over. She sighed as she opened the door and called back, "Hold on Naruto, I'm just going to the-" she stopped when her eyes widened and she realized what had just happend.
She turned and ran back in as she skd to a stop beside Naruto's bed. "Naruto! Naruto!" she yelled as she looked at him. He slowly opened his eyes as he smiled. "Sakura-chan, you're okay." he said weakly. Sakura felt her eyes beginning to water as she threw her self forward and hugged Naruto. "Oh Naruto!" she said as tears began to fall and a smile was spread across her face.
A few moments passed when Sakura let go of him and they smiled at each other. "Sakura, why are you crying? Is everything alright?" Naruto asked worried. Sakura smiled as she wiped away her tears. "Everything is perfect now Naruto." she said as she grabbed hold of his hand. "Here Naruto," Sakura said turning to the side as she picked up a bowel of hot ramen. "This is for you." she said wit a smile. Naruto's eyes grew wide with hunger and excitement as he sat up in the bed and took the bowel from her. Her pulled apart the chopsticks.
They sat and talked about everything that had happend. They talked and laughed together and grew sad together until it was nighttime.
Naruto and Sakura let out a big laugh as Naruto cracked a joke about Sai. "Hey, could you try and keep it down please." a lazy voice called out as Sakura and Naruto turned to the side and saw Shikamaru staring straight at them from his bed. "Shikamaru!" Naruto yelled. "Yeah, we're trying to rest here." a dog like man answered as he slowly sat up in his bed with a sly grin. "Kiba!" Sakura yelled. "Well then, I guess our covers are blown. " a silver haired ninja said as he opened his eyes. "Kaka-sensai!" Sakura said with excitement as she heard giggling and everyone else sat up in their beds. "Wait a minute, how long have you all been awake." Naruto asked crossing his arms. "A while." Tenten replied with a grin.
They all laughed, surpringly even Neji shared a chuckle. "These flowers are beautiful!" Lee excalimed. "My favourite flower!" he said as he leaned over to smell them. "Where did all these arangements come from?" he asked looking at Sakura. Sakura had opened her mouth to speak when she was stopped by a womanly shriek. They all turned their attention to Lee who had his hands clasped together. "SPICEY CURRY!" he said as he noticed the curry.
Everyone looked to the table beside their beds as they all noticed they ahd something left for them. "Well, I just picked up a few things for you guys, no big deal really." she said rubbing the back of her head."Awh, Sakura you shouldn't have." Tenten said with a smile. "Well, it was the least I could do, I mean, you all risked your lives to save me." she said thankfully with a smile.
Choji and Lee immeaditaly began eating their food. Ino screamed when she saw her new outifit. Tenten and Shino stared wide-eyed at their new items, knowing that they were ancient and never read before. Kakashi stared, almost drooled, when he saw his book. He picked it up and began reading it. Hinata picked up her items as she smiled gratefully at them. Kiba smirked at the dog treats and admired the new coat. Shikamaru snuggled into his soft and comfy pillows. Neji picked up the katana as he unsheathed it, on it was the symbol of his clan. He looked up as Sakura as he nodded his head in thanks. Sakura smiled as she watched everyone enjoy their gifts.
Naruto figured that the ramen was his only gift, he leaned over and placed the empty bowel on the table when he noticed something there. He picked up the cloth as he felt something inside, he slowly inraveled the cloth as he stopped for a moment looking down at the item that lay in his lap. He picked it up as he held it in it his hand. It was a jade necklace with a golden trim. The one Sakura had given him all those years ago when Sasuke left, the one he had with him at all times. He clutched his hand tightly as he looked up at Sakura and smiled a smile that meant a lot as Sakura returned the smile.
Sai watched from the window as he reported back to Tsunade that everyone was awake and well. They all carried on into the night talking about things and laughing together just enjoying each others company. Sakura noticed Sai as she casually made her way over to the window and pulled him in. "Sai!" Naruto yelled with a smile. "Hey small penis." Sai replied with a smirk. Naruto's smile faded as he crossed his arms. "It's good to see you're OK." he said with a smile. Naruto smiled back.
A couple of hours past when that same nurse that nobody recognized returned saying visiting hours were over. Sakura and Sai stood as they began to exit, they waved and said their goodbyes as the exited Konoha hospital.
They walked down the dark and empty streets of Konoha as it was about 11:00 at night and everyone was inside. It was a silent walk as Sakura stopped when she thought she saw something. "What is it?" Sai asked stopping and looking at her. "It's nothing, I thought I saw something, just my eyes playing tricks on me." she said with a smile as they continued on. Sai knew that Sakura had been staying at Naruto's house. Sakura began getting this uneasy feeling that something was wrong. They arrived at Naruto's apartment as Sai turned to leave. "I'll see you tomorrow." he muttered. Sakura turned and faced the door. "Sai." she said softly. He turned and looked at her. "What?" he asked annoyed. "Uhh, could you...I mean, would you mind.." Sakura stutterd. "What is it." Sai asked with a sigh. Sakura cleared her throat as she looked at him. "Would you mind just staying the night." she asked. "No." Sai replied immeaditaly. "Please! Just for tonight, I promise." she said with a smile. Sai rolled his eyes. "Fine." he said as he walked up to her. Sakura smiled as sehe unlocked the door and they entered.
A few hours passed as Sakura was in the shower. She exited the shower as she looked around for Sai but there was no sign of him. She spotted an open window as she climbed outside and found him on the roof. She sat down beside him as they stared up at the night's sky. "They're beautiful, arn't they?" Sakura said looking up at the stars. "Hn." Sai replied "Sakura, what is it you see in that idiot. " Sai said breaking the silence. Sakura sighed as she looked at him. "At first, it was just a stupid little crush, but after a while I didn't like him for all the reasons the other girls liked him. Him and I grew close, as good friends. I grew to appreciate him and the ninja he was becomming until finally it grew into love. " Sakura answered. "Did he love you?" Sai asked looking at her. "I..I don't know. " Sakura replied. "Just as well, I don't see how anyone could love and ugly hag like you." he said looking back up at the sky. Sakura glared at him as she pulled her fist back ready to hit him when she stopped and her face softend. Instead of hitting him she smiled and placed her head on his shoulder. "Me either." she replied softly.
A pair of red eyes watched from a tree not too far away. His raven coloured hair blew softly in the wind as he glared at the two on the roof. He clutched his hands into a fist as he turn and left. "Now I see the real reason she wanted to come back." He said as he dissapeared.
Sai rolled his eyes as he noticed her laying on him. "Get off Sakura." he said coldly. "What are you deaf!" he said when she didn't reply. He glared down at her as he noticed she was asleep. His face softened as he picked her up and brought her back inside. He placed her in the bed and put the blanckets over her. He turned and headed for the window when he turned and ooked at her. "Ugly old hag." he said with a smirk dissapearing outside the window and returning to the roof.
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Sakura walked through a dark place. There was a light fog covering the ground.There were tombstones, she was in a cemetary. She walked over to some newly burried persons. There were eleven tombstones as she read the names of each."Neji,Hinata,Shikamaru,Lee,Kiba,Ino,Choji,Shino,Tenten,Kakashi and Naruto." her eyes began to water as she felt a hand on her should. She turned to see someone. "Sai!" she yelled as she umped into his arms crying. "What happend?" she asked looking up at him. "Don't you remember, that night we left someone sneaked it and injected poison into them, finally burning down the hospital ensuring their death and the deaths of many others. I could've stopped it that night if you hadn't of asked me to stay with you, it's your fault their dead Sakura." Sakura shook her head. "No...no." she said as she began crying. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"Sakura!" a voice called as she opened her eyes. "Sakura, what the hell! You're going to wake up the town!" Sai said angrily as he let go of her. "It was a dream, calm down." he said as he walked towards the window again.
Sakura was breathing heavily as she wiped the sweat from her forehead."Sai! We have to go to the hospital,right now!" she yelled jumping out of bed. "What?" Sai said turning to face her. "Why?" he asked crossing his arms. "No time to explain, we just have to go, now." she said as she grabbed her weapons and headed for the door. "Sakura!" Sai yelled aggrivated as he ran after her.
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Footsteps echoed down the hallway as a door opened and she entered the room. Kakashi lifted his head. "Yo." he said sitting up in his bed. "Can I help you?" he asked setting his book down. The woman smiled sweetly. "Oh, just a regular check up." she said as she walked over to Neji and took out a syringe. "I don't remember any check ups at this time." Kakashi said shifting in his bed. "That's because you've been unconcious every night." the nurse replied holding the syringe just above Neji's intervenus. "Well, I guess you're right." Kakashi said as he began reading his book again.
The woman injected the syringe into Neji's intervenus, as she did for everyone else. "Have a good night." she said with a sweet smile as Kakshi nodded and waved. Kakashi began reading his book again as he avertedhis gaze to Neji who began trembling and sweating, as did everyone else. Kakashi placed his book down as he moved to get out of his bed and find help when he stopped. He began having trouble breathing as he began to tremble. He fell over on his bed.
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"What do you mean they're going to die?!" Sai said rolling his eyes. "You're talking crazy." he said following her. She arrived at the hospital as she got into the elevator Sai got in behind her. "Sai, I just know something's not right." she said as she stared at the doors as they began to open. She saw the nurse as the nurse smiled at her and stepped into the elevator. Sai and Sakura passed her as they ran down the hall.The nurse smiled wickedly as the elevator door closed behind them.
They arrived at the room as they saw smoke comming from underneathe the door. Sakura looked worridly at Sai as he reached to open the door. "Locked." he said looking over at Sakura as she held her hand into a fist and broke the door open. They rushed inside as the room was filled with smoke and a fire on the opposite side of the room. "Sai, go after that nurse!" Sakura yelled. "But what about them?" he protested. "Don't worry about them, I'll get them out." she said as she ran to Neji's bed and carefully unhooked him from the machine when a small no explosion happend and she fell to the ground. Sai left and dissapeared out the window.
Sakura stood as she began coughing, she didn't have enough time to save them all. She had to put out the fire. She stood out in the middle of the room as she held her hands together in an unrecogizable hand sign. The tattoo for a fire symbol appeared over half her face as she opened her eyes adn they began glowing red, there was a faint glow of red around her as she held out her hands and fire circled them. The fire in the hospital room then began dying down, moments later it was completely gone. Sakura dropped her hands as her eyes returned to normal and she fell to her knees.
Tsunade burst into the room with several ninja behind her. "Sakura!" she yelled as she ran to her side. "Get them out of her and treated right away." Tsunade said to the ninja as they nodded and each took one of the ninja and took them out of the room.
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Sai followed the nurse they had seen earlier as she went into a dark ally and took off her nurse costume and wore a black suit underneathe. She began writing on a scroll as a bird appeared and she tied it to his claws and the bird took off. She turned to leave when Sai jumped down tackling her. "I got you now, traitor." he said as he had her pinned to the ground. He hit her in the back of the neck as she was knocked unconcious.
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A few hours later, each of the ninja were taken to a different part of the hospital where Sakura and Tsunade treated them and extracted the poison. They then left to where the ninja Sai caught was being held for interrogation.
They entered the room as the ninja was tied up to a chair, Sai was leaning against a wall. "Who are you ?" Tsunade said coldly as she looked at the ninja. The ninja smirked as she looked at the Hokage. "Who are you." Tsaunde said as she walked forward and lifted the ninja and the chair up. "Tsunade-sama, calm down." Sakura said placing a hand on her teachers shoulder. Tsunade dropped the ninja to the ground.
"What does it matter who I am, this whole town will be gone quickly and all of you will cease to exist." the ninja said with a wide smile. "It's a shame those pathetic ninja didn't die." Sakura rane forward as she grabbed the ninja and slammed her against the wall, the chair breaking instantly as a few ribs did as well. "Those ninja are ten times the ninja you will ever be. You are a coward who attacked them when they had no chance of fighting back. Now we're going to ask you again, who sent you !" Sakura said pushing the woman against the wall harder as a few more bones broke. "I'll..never tell you!" she yelled back.
After a few hours of torture and punisment the ninja finally cracked. "Alright! I'll tell you!" she said spitting up blood. "Orochimaru sent me to take care of the wounded ninja so that his attack on Konoha could go smooth and with little difficulty." she said breathing hard. "Attack?" Tsunade said stepping forward. "He's going to attack, when?" she asked clutching her hand into a fist. "Tomorrow..he has an army of thousands prepared and they should be here tomorrow mid-day."
Sakura, Sai and Tsunade all exchanged glances. "I've told you everything I know, now please, I beg you, let me free." The ninja said looking up at Sakura pleadingly. "PLease.." she said tears in her eyes. Sakura looked down, fury and hate in her eyes as she smirked and brought her foot down upon the girls head smashing it into the floor as blood splatterd. "Sakura!" Tsunade said wide-eyed and surprised at what she had just did. Sai was left speechless, Sakura had just killed a defenseless person without regret or remorse. Sakura was different now... she was like him.
Sakura turned and left the two speechless as she headed for the training grounds.
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Author's notes: haha. well, there you have it. ii made sakura killed someone.. MWHAHAHAHHA. lmao. i dont know. i thought she needed to show the tougher side of her and how she is strong and relates to sasuke. ANNND that she doesnt tolerate anyone messing with her friends. CHYAAAH lmaoo. okay well review and let me know what you think.
Chapter 14: Advance on Konoha.