Disclaimer: The fantastic manga "Naruto" is soley the creation of KISHIMOTO Masashi. I do not own "Naruto" but I'm a hardcore fan :D

Author Note: please read n review :D onegai!!!

Love Conquers All

Chapter 3: The Mission

Somewhere near the Fire Country....

"Sakura-Neechan, it's my turn now...it'sso unfair how Ayumi always gets to go first," squealed a little girl.

"I'm sorry, Kare. I told you that my favorite singer's name is Ayumi, that's why I fell for Ayumi, since she has the same name as my favorite singer," Sakura apologized calmly.

"Okay, it's your turn now, Kare," Sakura replied as she spun the little laughing Kara around and around.

"I feel dizzy now, onii-chan. Neh, can we all go buy ice cream from Mr. Toshi's shop? Please? Please?" Kara pleaded with big, puppy-dog eyes.

"Ok, since I'm still on break lets all go there ok children, but on one condition, I'm gonna be the leader." said Sakura.

All the children looked up to Sakura with admiration in their eyes and replied simultaneously, "YAY! Onii-chan leads the way. Onwards!!"

Sakura led the children all the way to the shop; she did silly hand movements and funny faces along the way which the children tried to copy. While accompanying the children Sakura mind wandered as she looked at the small village she now has lived in for 3 months, she could still remember that morning in Tsunade Sama office.

Flashback

Three months ago in the Hokage Office, Konoha

"Sakura this is a very dangerous mission you're taking. Are you sure about it?" Tsunade replied calmly as she sat in her chair looking at her student. She herself couldn't believe that her student, who was once so dispirited and miserable, has come so far and changed for the better these past three years.

"You do remember the first thing I had told you, that I wasn'tgoing to train you to be a medic so that you could help Sasuke with his revenge, ' Tsunade said as Sakura continued to listen intently to her sensei.

"I took you in because I know that you're talented and that there's a high need for medical ninjas out there. I believe that you are the best of the best. I'm very proud of you, Sakura but to take such a mission just when you got into ANBU is ridiculous. It's suicidal. I still can't accept this, but from all your determination I have come to realized that you're gonna do this with or without my blessing and I'd rather you do it with my blessing," the Hokage argued.

Sakura's face changed from one of despair to that of overcome joy.

"Hokage-sama! A-Arigato, this is my life's mission. You know that we haven't heard anything about the Akatsuki's these past three years. They were on the down low until we found a bit of info saying that someone saw the Akatsuki's near the country of fire and I didn't want to miss my chance in taking them down while they're there."Sakura replied. Tsunade nodded agreeing.

"Yes, I see what you mean and this has definitely played out in your favor hasn't it? Since there's a village near the country of fire called Sharief, that's in need of a medical clinic. So I decided to open one. Your mission is to go undercover as a commoner without any ninjutsu or genjutsu and help those in need of medical attention. You'll set up a clinic there in that village and search for any clues that happen to come your way. Send your findings back to us and make it so that it's untraceable to anyone who happens to try and intercept it," explained Tsunade. Sakura nodded.

"Remember you're only an observer, so don't act drastically. If by any chance you can't find any info within one and half years, you must return to Konoha. Understood?" Tsunade warned her student.

"Yep, I understand sensei. I'll try my best in getting the info you need. Well I should be off now, take care Hokage-sama and don't gamble away too much and drink sake moderately. It kills," Sakura smirked at her last note and bowed respectfully.

"Wait, Sakura. I didn't get a chance to officially congratulate you. So congrats on becoming Anbu and I got a present for you also. I hope you like it. I thought of you when I saw it, go on. Open it, Sakura," Tsunade ushered the pink haired kunoichi to open the box. Sakura did so and she was stunned to find a soft, beautiful emerald green ball gown with an elegant bow at the back.

"Tsunade-sama!! Arigato gozaimas!!! It's gorgeous, I absolutely love it," Sakura couldn't believe her eyes.

End of Flashback

"Onii-chan!!! We're at the shop already. Come on, your break is nearly up. Haiyaku!" Ayumi groaned.

Sakura snapped out of her revere, it has been 3 months since the start of her mission and still she didn't find a shred of evidence that led her to the Akatsuki's. None of the villagers knew anything about them and there had been no sightings since she had arrived in the area. The children of the village had readily welcomed her when she arrived in the village and now Sakura was an asset to the village people. Life was so much easier now that she was here to help.

"Okay, okay, I'm going..." Sakura chuckled, "Sometimes I think you'll only like me for my money," Sakura joked, "Just wait over there by that tree near the bridge and I'll come by later, okay?

"Okay onii-chan and we love you!!! Lets go!" the children's cried as they skipped on over to the tree by the bridge.

After a while, Sakura finally purchased some chocolate ice cream and some extras for later. She paid for them and walked out of the shop towards the children. Seeing as Sakura was having a hard time carrying all the ice creams to them, Kare decided to help her.

Running across the street to help, Kare didn't notice an out-of-control wagon was headed her way. Sakura's ninja senses kicked in, but before she could do anything, from out of nowhere a man intervened and pushes Kare out of harms way. Sakura quickly ran across the street towards the child.

"Kare! Oh my gosh, are you alright?" Sakura cried, lifting the child out of the stranger's arms and cradling her against her chest.

"I'm ok Sakura-neechan; you don't have to worry anymore. So please don't cry," Kare replied as she wiped the tears from Sakura's cheeks.

"Okay, I'm sorry I didn't get to you on time. Y-you just mean the world to me and I thought I'd lost you," Sakura replied happily. She stood up and faced the stranger, " Thank you… " Sakura replied, stopping in mid-sentence, staring at him in a total daze.

Author Note: please read n review :D onegai!!! Hmmm… guess whose coming up in the next chapter ;) hehe well if you have a good description of Itachi sama then please send it to me… and I still need a beta, so if u interested then message me :D peace out!