"Naruto there's been a slight change of plan. We're meeting up with Kakashi, Itachi and Sasuke in Yugakure. So we'll relax while we wait for them"

"I get to see Sasuke-teme again? Cool, I'll finally be able to show that dick that I can win a fight against him." Naruto gushed.

Jiraiya merely laughed at his student as they continued their journey among the melting bits of frost on the ground. After a moment's pause a grin appeared on Jiraiya's face. Naruto immediately knew what he was thinking and face-palmed in disgust. Leave it to his mentor to think of perverted things in a country that had a large amount of hot springs.

"Urgh, Ero-sennin at least save your perverted thoughts until we get there" Naruto sighed in desperation. But he couldn't complain. He did, after all, read Icha Icha Paradise. Which was saying something since Naruto was a little bit too stupid to actually take the time to sit down and read a magazine, let alone a 'Novel' as Jiraiya put it?

The Sannin chuckled perversely before explaining how it 'Helped him get ideas for his book'.

Sasuke groaned in annoyance he just found out that he would have to meet that… dobe – he chose that word since he thought that it was fitting for someone of Naruto's poor calibre.

'Oh well' He thought 'this will give me a chance to prove to him that he really can't win against me' Sasuke smirked to himself. The continued through Kumogakure, they were half-way towards their destination because they decided to go at full speed. Despite the fact that they would never admit it, they were feeling home-sick. Three years away was a little too much for even those who called themselves men.

Sakura walked tiredly towards her bed. Today was absolutely shit. That was the nicest way she could put it.

The hospital was over-crowded. She lost a patient. The worst part of it was that he was an Uchiha. The council demanded answers to his death and what caused it. This meant that she had to do an immediate autopsy, forcing all her plans to be postponed.

One of the elders, Yashiro Uchiha, got into a heated argument with Kiba, who saw the way she was being treating and decided to intervene. Before anything could escalate, Minato showed up and had to break the two of them apart. Yashiro left satisfied that Minato had given Kiba a simple D-rank mission that would take three days to complete. He also scolded Sakura and told her to control that 'Mutt'.

Then she remembered why she had little love for the Uchiha's. They had a thing for disturbing the peace.

After dragging Kiba to her office to calm him down he fell asleep with his head on her lap. Only then did she discover that he had been on a recovery mission that started at first light. He was exhausted but still managed to defend her. This was one of the many reasons why she loved him deeply as a brother. After convincing him to sleep over at her apartment since his clan house were on the opposite side of Konoha, she lay on her bed clearly fatigued and wore a large black t-shirt that reached mid-thigh. She got under the covers and buried her face in the pillows, while hoping that the next day would be better.

Kiba woke to the sound and smell of Beef Steak Jerky cooking. He shot out of Sakura's and proceeded to make his way towards the kitchen. There before him was Sakura wearing her standard ninja gear. She also wore a red cloak with a hood that had a toggle button engraved with the Konoha symbol. Fingerless gloves on each hand. Her kunai and other weapons were tucked away safely in a pouch that rested across her hips. The senbons were hidden in her hair making it look like an exotic hair style.

She looked at him and smiled apologetically, Sakura made her way over to him and embraced him softly, "Thank you." The Inuzuka smiled sheepishly before peering over her shoulder to stare at the food, Sakura rolled her emerald eyes playfully before stepping aside to allow him to eat. 'Damn. Sakura sure knows how to cook'

"I've got scouting duty, I'll see you later on." She smiled at him before leaving.

Sasuke was having thoughts about the forgotten pink haired girl on his team. He wondered what she was doing and if she was still that annoying weak girl. He sighed in frustration; he didn't want her to hang all over him like she did while they were back in the academy. He didn't hate her, but she was just another fan-girl who wasn't cut out for the ninja world. Itachi saw his brothers troubled expression before asking his "What's wrong Sasuke. You look distressed. What are you thinking about?"

"Sakura." That was his only reply.

Itachi lifted a delicate eyebrow in question. But Sasuke proceeded to ignore him and started to concentrate on the path in front of him. They were near Shimogakure's borders and they needed to find an inn for the night. Only a couple more miles and they would be able to rest, before travelling at dawn the next day.

Naruto sighed in relief. They reached the village and predictably Jiraiya have gone to flirt with a woman, and this left Naruto to his own devices. Shuffling slowly he walked to their pre-paid hotel to drop his bags and hopefully get some rest.

As Naruto lay in the bed he let his thoughts drift over to think of Konoha, his father, and then Sakura. He felt guilty, he promised to protect her but he left her defenceless with no-one to help her.

Though he would never admit it, he was painfully aware of how powerless she was. It was understandable because as far as he knew she came from no important clan. No special abilities or even a bloodline limit. Sometimes he felt sorry for her. He knew how strong she could be but her stupid crush on Sasuke was holding her back. He just hoped for her sake that she done something with her career or Sasuke would ridicule her more than necessary.

With those final thoughts he drifted off to a deep slumber.

The area Sakura had to scout was peaceful and quiet. The forest was alive with deer, rabbits and all type of animals, this area of the forest was largely isolated so the creatures didn't run when humans approached. Very few had been hunted so their survival instincts didn't kick in when she approached, they didn't see her as a threat. She did her job by spreading out her chakra to see if any nin had been in the area. She would know because chakra left a distinct trail that could be followed and tracked. Sakura should stretch her chakra up to 50 miles, which was impressive. After doing this a few times in over twenty five locations her job was done, and as protocol require she had to report back to the Hokage. Minato. Her heart sped up at the thought of him. The pinkette stopped herself from thinking about him anymore as she returned back to the village.

The village was still busy even though it was nearing evening, the warm weather and approach of summer made the days stretch for what seems like eternity. Sakura didn't mind though, walking though the market was relaxing as it was eventful, everyone and then her green eyes would take note of something that seemed appealing, and store this memory for later, so she could return.

A hand grabbed hers, causing Sakura to turn around in curiosity. Ah Shisui Uchiha, he smirked devilishly at her. The medic-nin knew he wanted to sleep with her, he made it very clear the day she followed his team on a mission and acted as their medic.

After the mission was complete and all the members when to their respective rooms in the inn he decided to pay her a visit. He entered to room quietly and stood directly behind her before grabbing her hips and pulling her softly towards him. Sakura didn't really know what to do, when she asked if he needed medical assistance he simply snorted and started kissing her neck. He took advantage of her hesitance by cornering her between the wall and himself. At this point his hands were roaming all over her body, Sakura couldn't deny how good it felt, but she wasn't an object that could be used and discarded. She pushed him away slowly and looked him in the eyes, to signify it was over, but before he left she saw the mischief sparkle in his eyes.

Sakura wanted to rip his eyes out and feed it to him, but she remembered what Minato had said to her about the Uchiha's and a possible civil war, and right there and then she decided she would use Shisui to get her information. She knew it was a little bit evil since he'd never done anything remotely offending to her, but it was for the sake of the village she told herself.

Standing on her tip-toes she placed her hands on either side of his head and leaned in, Sakura tilted her head to the side and whispered seductively, "At 11 go to the hospital and request to see me, I'll give you a… private check-up." Making herself blush she looked at him and pointed a seductive gaze to him and she hoped that he caught what she was implying. Shisui smirked and walked past her as though nothing happened to avoid gossip.

She felt slightly guilt but didn't have time to dwell on it as she continued to make her way towards Minato's office.

The Yellow Flash was diligently signing papers and everything else that was required when Sakura stepped into his office, just the sight of her alone made him catch his breath. It was the way she moved and interacted that caught his attention, he forced these thoughts from his head. It was inappropriate for him to see her as anything other than he fellow shinobi for a number of reasons. First and foremost she was half his age, second she was his son's teammate. Naruto would never forgive him, Minato as very aware of the way Naruto felt for Sakura. He was getting ahead of himself, he didn't feel anything for her, and she was just different. A good type of different.

He welcomed her in and asked about her scouting duty, "the forest was clear Hokage-sama. I sensed no chakra and the animals shows no signs of human interference." He nodded in approval and allowed her to leave.

Before Sakura left she had a question to ask, "Is Kiba going to be okay? I know the Uchiha were pretty mad at him yesterday"

"They wouldn't dare do anything to him. He's from a powerful clan, and besides I already told them if anything were to happen to him I would interrogate them first." Minato relied with a wave of his hand.

Sakura sighed in relief; she didn't want her friends getting harmed on her behalf.

When she left, Sakura decided to treat herself to some ramen, she was starved.

By the time she pinkett reached home it was already 8 o'clock. This gave her 3 hours to wind down and change before going to the hospital to entertain Shisui. In her apartment she found Kiba lying on her bed.

He must have been completing that D-ranked mission.

Sakura entered her room and changed into the hospital uniform. It was a standard white dress that reached the top of her knees. She made sure everything was in order before sitting on the side of the bed trying to wake up Kiba. He stirred slowly and looked up at her, "I've got a shift at the hospital, stay as long as you like" her hands combed his hair as he mumbled something incoherent.

Sasuke let a small smile reach his lips, because even though he would never admit it he missed Naruto. There was no-one to argue with and Naruto was his best-friend. Their insults to each other were proof of this.

They had about 6 more hours of travel before they reached Yugakure. He and the dobe would be re-united. Sasuke was sure that Naruto would have a lot to say. Sasuke would also make sure Naruto experienced his new jutsu first hand.

Kakashi looked at Sasuke like he was mad.

"Thinking about a girl." He teased jokingly

"Shut up."

"Aw Sasuke that's no way to talk to your sensei"

Sasuke just gave him a glare that said if looks could kill, you'd be dead. Itachi laughed at his little brothers' misery. "Maybe he's thinking about Sakura his team mate." At this Kakashi froze for a split second, this didn't go unnoticed by Itachi.

Naruto was restless. He was so bored, it was unbelievable. He went the hot springs, he read a book, he slept, and he even did some research on the country.

It was depressing. And he had about 6 more hours before he met Sasuke at the village gates. Rolling out of bed once more, he set of to find a ramen stand and see if eating would keep him occupied.

Jiraiya could sense his students' boredom and decided to meet up with him at a ramen stand later on.

He took it on himself to help Naruto get laid. Yes that will keep him occupied until Sasuke comes. He grinned mischievously to himself. A dark haired girl, smiled seductively at Naruto causing him to blush and look away. She came closer and fluttered her eyelashes at him.

"You wanna go somewhere quiet." She whispered in his ear.

"Sorry but I don't screw hoes." He whispered back and grinned as he stood up. Leaving the black haired girl stunned and angry. Jiraiya stood there shocked. He was at the ramen stand about to convince his student to find a nice person to sleep with, when a girl walked over to Naruto and tried to seduce him, but he rejected her. Nobody else heard the rejection but Jiraiya channelled some chakra to his ears to hear the conversation.

Maybe something's annoying him? Naruto was never rude and he knew how to reject someone without hurting their feelings but what he did to that girl was … un-Naruto like.

Jiraiya walked into the hotel room, looking for Naruto. He found him in a deep slumber, whispering 'I'm sorry Sakura'. Then he realized why Naruto was acting to weird, he was afraid of meeting his female teammate for the first time in 3 and a half years. That was understandable but when it came to Naruto everything was complicated.

He swiftly went to Naruto's side and shook him slightly saying that they had 30 minutes until the met Itachi and the rest, so if he wanted to take a shower he should do it now.

Naruto got of the bed and made his way to the bathroom while rubbing his eyes. A grin made his way to his highly defined features. Sasuke-teme.

As they neared the gates of Yugakure, Itachi was personally wondering how the young Uzumaki/Namikaze was doing. He also wondered if he still wore orange; not the best colours for a ninja but it somehow suited him. Sasuke was standing in-between Itachi and Kakashi, he felt the need to sleep, and they had been travelling for 6 hours without rest. Hopefully this wouldn't come back and bite him in the ass. In the distance he saw Naruto come running to towards him. He was slightly surprised at the brotherly hug he got. After Naruto let go Sasuke teased him about his sexuality. Yup, things were back to normal.

For now anyways.