Gaara sat still in his seat, studying the ninja before him with a glare. "What is this?" the sand nin trembled slightly and bowed. "It is the Rock nation saying that the Rokudaime is as good as dead."

"Shikamaru" Gaara spoke louder than necessary, causing the doors to open up with a bang. Both Temari and Shikamaru entered, looking flustered, and their clothes looked like they had been fighting or something like that. It didn't bother the Kazekage at the moment; there were more important things to take care of. "Shikamaru. I need to know where Naruto is, now."

The shadow nin stared at him a few seconds before shaking his head. "I am sorry, but I do not know where Naruto is – all I know is that they are possibly in the rock country at this moment-"

"Temari, get a medic squad, and the best fighters in the sand," Gaara grew calmer and turned his eyes to her.

His sister saluted and then froze. "…w…Why?"

"The rock country has sent me a message – saying that the Rokudaime will never arrive, so we could just give up."

"What! Did they kill him!?" Shikamaru yelled, slamming his fist into the table. Gaara closed his eyes pained and looked at the door. "You have your orders."

-

Naruto panted hard, and Sakura forced him against a tree. He was in much pain, and her hands hovered above his chest. "Relax Naruto – It's going to be alright." Tohru watched fascinated as the green light intensified at her words. Naruto's panting began to slow down.

His hand suddenly grabbed Sakura by the shoulder, and pushed her into his chest. Clutching her tightly, but leaving her enough space to continue healing him. She hissed at the contact, and tried to break lose, when he whispered. "Sakura – what did Itachi want from you?"

She froze, and turned her gaze to his neck. Sakura then pushed herself out of his embrace, and hissed. "Tohru – get some water, will you?" the little girl looked a bit disappointed at being dismissed, but nodded. "And you call if there is something wrong."

"Yes, Sakura-san."

Naruto then turned his tired gaze to her – even though he was slowly healing on his own, getting his chakra back. "What did he want, Sakura?"

She had her eyes tied to where her hands were working. Feeling him fear the worst she decided perhaps it was time to tell him. "You know…I worked as an undercover agent for Tsunade-sama, for the past seven years…"

He didn't say anything. "However, six years ago, I was captured by Akatsuki for reasons unknown to me – I just tried to kill Itachi. I would've been dead today if they didn't need me." She let her hands go his arm, beginning to heal it. "When I got there – Itachi…I don't know why, he became very fascinated with me." She narrowed her eyes. "…."

Naruto looked the other way, sighing deeply. "So he was here…in order to pursue you to come with him?" Sakura didn't say anything, and began to work on his other arm. She could hear him exhale defeated again. It was obviously bothering him that she didn't say anything. "What did he say, Sakura?"

"Itachi said – that I was weak. Mostly in order to break down my mental consciousness, and said he would protect me from all dangers if I gave him three sons." Sakura's hand moved to his leg, and she felt him twist slightly when she accidentally brushed against his inner thigh. "Sorry…" she muttered. Sakura felt herself become tired, because of the soon overuse of chakra – but it was important that Naruto would be able to move. "Are we far from Suna?" she spoke.

"A days journey…."

Sakura's eyes sprung open and for the first time her gaze was on him. "What!? Are you insane! Teleporting this far – you could die! And with three people too! How – god damn it Naruto! Sometimes I wonder what is going on in your head!" she poked his head with her finger, and he hissed slightly from the pain. "Aren't you supposed to be a Hokage!? A Hokage doesn't do something as suicidal as what you just did – really, sometimes I wonder if you even s-"

Sakura never managed to finish her sentence when Naruto cupped her face and kissed her hard on the lips. Refusing to give in she pushed him away, and was about to restart her rant, when Naruto brought her face to his again. Sakura was still mad at him, tried as hard as she could to get away, but Naruto's grip on her was too tight.

She stopped fighting for a second, and stared at Naruto's closed painful eyes. He looked like he had been to hell and back, and right now she was an angel from heaven. Sakura's shoulders slumped, and he grabbed the opportunity to let his hands wander to her waist. Deciding that perhaps it would make him happy if she returned the kiss, she closed her own eyes and let her hands crawl around his neck. Naruto responded heartily by tightening his embrace, pressing her against his form. Sakura was sure she could taste blood and tears…But what most was striking was how desperate he seemed.

If it was even possible, Sakura's heart began to beat faster than ever before.

-

Hinata made sure the hood around her head was secured tightly, and then grabbed Neji by the hand he had given her. He nodded, as if to say everything was going to be alright.

Two days in the wildness was taking its tall on the young Hyuuga heir, and she was desperate to sleep, or take a bath. Decent food would also invade her mind not too often. Also, Hinata was used to Neji's company ever since their…

…No, she was not going to think of that. It wasn't like it meant anything. Neji himself had told her that many times – that it was for the good of the clan. Hinata didn't mind, she was busy wondering about Naruto. Biting down in her lip she became nervous once again, and unconsciously squeezed Neji's hand. It startled the older Hyuuga and he turned around to watch her. Hinata though didn't say anything, and just brought a hand to her face. It was almost sickening how much she missed the Uzumaki boy.

What sickened her even more, was how Naruto seemed to stare at Sakura. The way his eyes could glint only for her. Perhaps it was because they had known each other for such a long time, and therefore had developed a tighter bond than most. However, Hinata didn't understand – Sakura had been gone for 7 years – she had even betrayed Konoha! Yet, Naruto still might fancy her.

It was enough to make her cry. However, you did not cry when you were in the company of Neji, who dragged her along with him. The other Hyuuga were following closely behind.

It had been dangerous to get out of Konoha. Ever since the Nanadaime had become Hokage, everything became extremely strict. No one was allowed outside Konoha for missions in other countries. They even agreed to peace with Oto – Hinata was very worried about the future situation of the Leaf.

That was when Neji had proposed an escape plan for the most important people in Konoha. Including her and Neji. It had gone a bit too well – and Hinata still worried a lot. Neji gave her hand a squeeze, making her jump a little. Expecting his usual scolding face, Hinata became very surprised when she saw a very tender smile on Neji's face.

"Don't worry – I'll protect you."

-

Shizune sat at her desk, rummaging through her papers. The Nanadaime was not the type of person who treasured what she did – all she ever did was paperwork, paperwork and paperwork. In the end, it was no different than when it was the Godaime or the Rokudaime. Shizune had always been the one to do the dirty work.

She had been careful. It was she who was supposed to distract the Nanadaime while the escape group would run away through the forest. It had been easy for her, Shizune had to admit. A small smile crawled to her lips, as she struggled to not make herself overly suspicious.

The door to the office slammed closed, and she could hear Kabuto's steps coming towards her faster than she had believed he would. Shizune stood up and swung her bag over her shoulder. It was time to go home. Kabuto was not a nice man, and really, all he deserved was a huge punch to the face. Right now she really wished Sakura was actually there.

Before Shizune managed to open the front door, a hand shut the door in front of her. She met face to face with the man with cold black eyes and grey hair. Shizune glared. "What?" she hissed.

Kabuto snarled and pushed her by the shoulder, slamming her into the wall. Luckily she was prepared for that, so it didn't hurt at all. His hand dug into the soft skin around the bone, and she needed to mentally tell herself to calm down.

"You…I know it was you." he snarled.

"What are you talking about? I didn't do anything? What has happened?"

"Don't play stupid with me" Kabuto slammed her into the wall again, harder this time. It was strange that a boy, only nine years younger, could act so childishly. Wasn't he supposed to be 28 now? Shizune thought as she shoved him out of the way. "I don't care who you think you are, but you better start acting reasonably, or I'll have to report this to the Hokage!"

Of course she wasn't stupid. Shizune would never be report anything to the Nanadaime. It was Shikamaru you told things to – she just needed to keep up her mask and barrier. The Kabuto boy shouldn't be underestimated. With a soft click she opened the door, and the last words she heard the night was…

"I know you are hiding something. I will find out – and then you'll wish you had followed the Rokudaime to his death."

Shizune slammed the door closed hard behind her, anger rising showing in her face.

-

Naruto pushed her away, and jumped backwards. His muscles were tense, but he was healed enough to actually move at this point. Sakura, completely dumbfounded, turned her head to the sides, trying to find any possible reason for being pushed away. He looked at the ground before them. Where he stood before, two poison arrows had hit. It looked like they were dangerous enough to kill both him and Sakura. Cracking his knuckles he gave the girl before him a knowing gaze, and she nodded back, standing up.

"You stay behind as backup." he muttered. Naruto formed the seals faster than before, and with one strike of his hand, the landscape before him was demolished into dust. The trees were gone, and only left a man to fall to the ground. The ninja gracefully turned around and landed safely on his feet. He was too far away for Naruto to see any facial traces that might show him who he was.

"Naruto," Sakura spoke behind him, "he uses poison arrows. Be careful, your best offence at this point will be defence."

"Sakura, you just stay behind, you've already lost too most chakra to heal properly. Let me handle this." Naruto could see her bite down in her lip, she weren't happy about the turn of events. However, she nodded – something that surprised him greatly.

"I will find a way to contact the Sand for assistance …I am going after Tohru."

Naruto gave her one last longing glance, but she never managed to return it – she had already escaped through the forest. He jumped out of the way again, when two arrows hit the ground. He growled tiredly. "I am so sick and tired of all of you!" His hands formed the seals without any difficulties. Naruto could feel the Kyuubi start to move – it was dangerous what he was doing. He could risk going into four tails if he didn't keep his emotions cool. "SHIPPUDEN NO JUTSU!"

The tornado came from the sky, smashing into the ground where the ninja had been standing. The earth broke into several pieces, and it twirling into the tornado. Naruto bit down into his lips, and formed a new set of seals. "KATON NO JUTSU!"

The tornado swallowed the fire, involving it into dangerous fireball, burning everything that came into its path. He wasn't so sure that the ninja had gone completely. With speed unmatched he charged forward, but only to meet the edge of a sword trusting towards his head. Naruto jumped backwards, his feet slamming the sword out of the ninjas hand, by hitting it on the flat side.

The masked ninja, obviously a Rock, made a shout in surprise and jumped backwards. He quickly brought his hand to his back, finding his bow to shoot his arrows at Naruto. However, Naruto had already gotten to his feet and ran towards the other. The rock ninja gave him a snarl and fired an arrow at him. The Rokudaime could hardly keep the laughter in, as if he would be stupid or slow enough to get hit by an arrow.

It was a surprise when Naruto brought out a kunai, and cut the ninja by the shoulder. He had barely managed to get out of the way. Naruto however, wasn't interested in cutting him or killing him at this point – all he wanted to do was to remove the mask. It came off with a loud scratch, revealing a face he recognized without a doubt.

"Daikon!"

-

Sakura quickly found Tohru. The girl had stared upon her teacher in shock, when Sakura took her around them arms, and let them both fall to the ground. The blast came, and trees around them cracked from the pressure. Tohru screamed and held unto Sakura with force. "What's happening!?"

"Stay down!" the pink haired kunoichi screamed, pressing the two of them into the ground. As soon as the blast had subsided Sakura jumped up, turning her head to the place where Naruto would be.

"Sakura-san! I saw them – I saw the people from the sand, they are coming here!" Tohru spoke all so sudden, making her teacher stop. For the first time really look at her student. "What?"

Tohru nodded, and excited look in her face. "I saw them! They are coming towards us! I think they saw the explosion."

With a firm hand, Sakura grabbed her by the arm and began to run towards where Naruto was. "Tohru, you know what to do!"

-

Temari grabbed the scroll with ease, commanding the ninjas to retrieve more information. The scroll was opened quickly, and her eyes scanned the worn piece of paper intensively. Her fingers stroked the wooden material, reading every sign, and put them into connection. Her eyes widened. She jumped out of her chair, and ran towards Gaara's office.

The scroll landed on the floor, and the words that were written could only be deciphered if you knew the code.

The rock army has been seen coming towards Konoha. Parts of the army will arrive to Suna in a matter of days.

-

Sakura felt her feet smash against the ground hard, holding Tohru tightly by her hand and dragging the girl with her. The small girl struggled to keep up with her teacher, but she knew she had to do her best.

The pink haired kunoichi tightened her grip on the girl's hand, as if reassuring her things would be alright. The trees flashed by them quickly, a blur of brown and green. It was a strange sensation – it was as if there were no blur at all – all she could see was the orange in the distance. Even though all there was in her path were brown stupid trees.

That was when she quickly sensed something behind her, and turned her head backwards. Her eyes widened momentarily, when she saw the Godaime Hokage, Tsunade, stand on a branch with crossed arms. Beside her stood her long lost team-mate, Uchiha Sasuke, his hand high into the air, as if he was bidding her goodbye.

"What?" Sakura whispered, her head still staring at her teacher, who opened her mouth. She could see her lips move, and slowly mouth the words…

Sakura though never managed to listen, when she saw Sasuke disappear from her sight. His dark eyes became one with the brown trees and green leaves – and all the remained was her dead teacher, staring at her proudly.

-

Daikon panted hard and jumped away from yet another tornado coming towards him. Of course he had heard of the Rokudaime's unlimited chakra. He avoided yet another tornado again, and lay flat on the ground. However, this was insane – no one could teleport this far, and pull of this many jutsus.

It was time to get away from the Hokage, and go after Sakura. His mission was not the Rokudaime. The Tsuchikage had assigned him the assassin of Haruno Sakura – not to get himself killed by some….monster!

"Naruto!"

They both stopped, and to their surprise Sakura stood in the newly created clearing, Tohru holding unto her hand. Naruto turned around, anger showing clearly in his eyes. "Get away Sakura!"

However, before any of them had registered what happened, Daikon had fired an arrow directly at Sakura. The pink haired woman gasped as she felt the sharp edge hit her in the stomach. Tohru screamed her name, but all Sakura could feel was the poison entering her body – slowly numbing several of parts in her stomach area. "…..sh-"

Naruto was by her side then, completely forgetting about the fight he had fought a few minutes ago. His hand reaching out for the arrow, but Sakura grabbed him by the hand. "No!" he stared at her confused, his eyes wide with fear. "What? Why?" she could feel his other hand squeezes her shoulder slightly, it was shaking badly too.

"If you pull it out it will just make it worse," she winced when the pain came, her face slowly growing more white. "Sakura!" he screamed, Tohru tucking unto her skirt, as if trying desperately to make it all better by doing so. The pink haired woman slowly let herself lie down on the ground, Naruto hovering above her all the time. His blue eyes wide with fear.

She could feel the poison creeping through her veins and her eyesight began to disorientate. With her lack of chakra she couldn't possibly heal herself …Sakura was dying. All because she decided to aid Naruto in his fight. Then she felt him take her hand, clench it tightly, his voice only a murmur. "Sakura! Sakura! Please! Please don't!"

He wasn't going to cry – he promised he would never cry again. Yet, despite all efforts, he felt his eyes get wet. "Please! Sakura! I don't want to lose more of my precious ones! I don't want to be alone! Sakura! Please!"

Tohru gave a small sob, clinging unto her teacher would be improper. However, she ached to touch her, feel the warm smile on reserved for her.

"I have to say something…" Sakura gasped out.

Naruto's eyes snapped up from her wound to her eyes, meeting her green gaze. Not wanting to stop her speech, he just clenched her hand tighter.

"I have lied to you…I have secrets."

His eyes widened.

"……….I…." Sakura could see her teacher behind Naruto. Her form hovering as a guiding angel above him, staring at the dying woman below her.

"………I knew…that the rock had decided to invade Konoha in a few days." She felt his hand suddenly clench even tighter in surprise.

"……." She closed her eyes. "……I was even asked to join them."

She felt him take away his hand, and Tohru asking him what was wrong. Naruto stared upon the pink haired woman. Disbelief, surprise and hurt claiming his frightened face.

The last thing she heard was the footsteps of the Suna troops enter the clearing. "Hokage-sama!"

-

"Naruto!" the young boys head snapped up. It had only been a few months since Sasuke had died, and Sakura had left too. Tsunade had her arms crossed.

"I am tired of seeing you sulking around! So now you listen up!"

He didn't say anything in reply.

"I will make sure you'll become Hokage! So from this day on! You will be my apprentice!"

Naruto's eyes widened.

-

A/N: did this take me a good while to finish or what? No honest, I have had these major selfesteem problems, couldn't find the will to write or draw anything. Now, what is going to happen after this? Haha – no one will ever guess.

Here are a few hints:

- Someone dies

- Someone is reincarnated
- Tohru is more than meets the eye
- Someone leaves, but returns
- Someone looses a child

If one of you gets all of them right – then I am going to dedicate a chapter to you X3

Questions:

1) what the h..? What is it with Tsunade and Sasuke appearing all the time?

Easy, Sakura is mentally damaged in some way, after having spent time in Akatsuki's care. Tsunade and Sasuke are not ghosts. They are illusions. They represent Sakura's inner emotions, and only appear when she is in a tight situation. Now – they also have a symbolic meaning in the story.

2) What!? What happened to Sakura?

Sakura having used most of her chakra on healing Naruto, has gotten limited muscle use by now. She couldn't avoid the arrow, and since she has no decent amount of chakra, she couldn't possibly heal herself. Knowing Suna probably wouldn't have the measures to heal her properly. So why not just tell Naruto the truth?

Anyway, review or flame me if necessary.

All rights to Kishi!