Disclaimer: I'm not crazy enough to have invented Naruto, nor do I own it.

A/N: Sorry about the wait, but here it is, Chapter 5!

Fog. Why was there so much fog? She couldn't see anything, not her feet, not her hands, not the nose on her face. The freezing cold seeped into her bones, draining her of life.

"Sakura."

She swiveled around towards the voice, only to be met with more fog. Slowly, the heavy mist began to clear revealing a lone figure standing before her.

"Sakura"

The figure took a limping step forward, its head hung low. The shadows and the mist receded from its face. A kunai protruded from its skull, blood seeping in its hair. It lifted its head just enough to make eye contact with the girl. Pain and fear where written all over its face, tears mingling with the coagulated blood.

"Sakura . . ." It coughed blood several times before continuing. "You, you failed me, sister."

"Onee-chan?" The girl took several steps back from the figure, not wanting to believe what lay before her eyes. She bumped into something behind her. Turning her eyes, she saw her mother and father grasping her shoulders, tears in their eyes.

"You failed us."

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Sakura's eyes flew open, her heart beating at an abnormally fast rate. She lifted her head, and found that she had been using a textbook as a pillow. She brushed the drool from her face and stared at the diagram of the nervous system before her.

"Onee-chan," she said, barely above a whisper.

She walked downstairs, grabbing her trench coat on the way. Opening the door, she found herself face-to-face with Neji, who had his fist raised, ready to knock. His eyes were red and puffy, and looked utterly exhausted.

"Sakura –"

"She's dead, isn't she."

A look of astonishment crossed his face.

"Yes, I'm sorry." Sakura leaned against the wall, and buried her face in her hands. She was alone. Entirely alone.

"She died honorably. She . . . she died honorably. That . . . kunai was meant for . . . meant for me." He brought his hand to the bridge of his nose, desperately fighting an uphill battle to hold back tears.

"But . . . but you weren't supposed to hear that from me. Tsunade-sama would like to speak with you."

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It was early, far too early to be up. The sun hadn't even risen yet. And it would be a long day. Bad news, such bad poured in from every angle. But, then again, this was the burden of the Hokage.

"Oh, Shizune, what I would give for some sake right now."

"But Tsunade-sama, you have so much work to do, and it's way to early to start drinking."

"Don't remind me."

The door creaked open, and a girl with pink hair entered her room, still in her pajamas and a trench coat.

"Sakura –"

"I know, she's dead. But that's not why you summoned me, is it?"

The Godaime was shocked. This girl never ceased to amaze her.

"Yes. Please sit down."

Sakura took the seat right across from the Hokage's desk.

"Now, I know this must be very painful. I too have lost loved ones." Taking the hand of her apprentice in her own, she continued. "But, you know, I have always considered you as a daughter to me. If you ever need anything . . ."

"Why did you summon me here?"

"Right. The mission of your sister's team failed, but it did bring back important news, distressing thought it may be. You see, Akatsuki is yet again on the move. It seems the stars are once again in alignment, and they now seek the Kyuubi."

"You think they will attack Konoha?"

"No. At least, not until they have the Kyuubi. So for the time being we're safe. But we must get Naruto out of Konoha, and make sure they don't get to him."

"And you want me to go with him?"

"No. I have a different mission for you."

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"God damn it, where the hell is she?"

Naruto paced back and forth, obviously losing patience.

"I can understan you being late, Kakashi-sensei, but Sakura? She's NEVER late for missions."

Kakashi was quite surprised. The girl hadn't shown up at the fallen hero's memorial either. Kakashi, Naruto, and Sai had been waiting for her for over an hour now.

A squeal could be heard as a little pink blob came flying towards them. Ton Ton (Poor pig, I'd kill myself if somebody forced me to dress like that) came running up the three of them, obviously out of breath. Sai detached a scroll fastened to her leg and opened it.

"Our mission is canceled, and Tsunade-sama wishes to see us immediately."