Flaming Heart

Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine.

A/N: Thanks everyone for your wonderful reviews. Here's the new chapter.

I hope you enjoy it.

The wind swept across the tall trees, the leaves dancing along in a fantastical dervish. On the clammy ground, the fallen splattered leaves seemed to rise upwards, taken against their will in eddying whirlwinds, the faint light of the moon glimmered by short moments the path ahead, before it was lost in the oppressive darkness that the clouds above supplied.

A faint stirring on the muddy path broke through the soft moans of the wind and two masked figures stepped forwards into the warmth of the moonlight. The white vest and the dark pants, plus the mask on their face and the tattoo on their upper arm deceived no one. One of the mask illustrations resembled an owl and the other mask resembled a vulture.

The one who wore the owl looking mask was clearly a female; she had long curly blond-hair and which was pretty obvious to see through her shaped figure. Her partner, the vulture looking mask nin had short blond hair and walked behind her, every now and then he looked around their surroundings making sure that they hadn't been followed. Suddenly, they came to a stop and they stared at the clearing field in expectation. The female ANBU raised a gloved hand to one of her white vest pocket and pulled out a sealed scroll. Then in a single, fluid movement, she knelt down on the weathered grass, lowering her head forwards, as though in a display of subjugation to the upcoming storm.

For a while she rested, her body trembling with nerves or simply from the gelid cold that reached her bones. Nevertheless, through it all she remained impassive, her slender frame impervious and resilient, utterly majestic. In addition, it was something expected from an ANBU.

Her partner watched her in silence. His senses still alert to what was around then, trying to feel something, a step, a whisper, anything that would immediately tell him that someone had seen them or if someone was there. He remained firm as a stone, a statue, focused on keeping his guard up.

Small droplets of rain greeted them at the same time. Their heads jerked toward each other. The blonde-haired female nodded her head at something unsaid between them. Quickly she opened the scroll, her hands joined together in a simple and singular hand seal and she held her breathe as she watched in both surprise and fear as the word NORTH slowly appeared in the blank scroll.

The male ANBU nodded quietly as she swiftly stood up and destroyed the scroll. Then, they both walked towards the dense forest ignoring the heavy rain that fell down as if the rain itself was telling them not to. To turn around and seek shelter. To turn around before it was too late.

But they never did falter, the male ANBU would simply not abandon his partner and she seemed resolute in going further. He could see it though, the slim hesitation in her trek, the slim hesitations on her breathe. He was about to say something, to ask her once again if she was sure. However, before any word could escape his lips, he noticed them. He could see him.

They both stopped, the female and male ANBU and stared ahead.

There he was right in the middle. Beside him, stood two other ANBU, their mask were blank, probably to try to hide their identity. Nothing on them gave away their intentions. A closer look told them that there was more, they were hidden between the trees, taking advantage of the darkness and of the rain.

They shifted their attention to the figure that was standing in the middle. The bandages that covered half of his face, the cross scar right in his chin, the walking stick in his hand supporting him. The blond-haired ANBU wondered why he insisted in leaning to it. He was now fully aware that the man did not need it.

The blonde-haired female bowed respectful and she waited for her partner to do the same. The male ANBU suppressed a displeasured growl and bowed his head too.

"Danzou-sama," greeted the female ANBU, her voice trembling.

It seemed as though time has stopped, suspended on the impenetrable silence that fell between them. Danzou looked apprehensively at the male ANBU clearly showing how displeasured he was by the new and unexpected company.

The blonde-haired woman paid no notice or if she did, she simply chose not to. Her head rose to Danzou's eyes level.

"Well? What do you have to tell me?" asked Danzou. His voice was raspy and cold. Scorn and impatience filled in it.

"Danzou-sama…" the female ANBU started, "the girl's name is Sakura Haruno. She's integrated in Hokage's-sama team. She was found by the beach up in the north not too far away from Konoha with the leaf headband on her forehead," she stopped, and discreetly spared a worried look at her partner.

"That's it?" asked Danzou, his knuckles were white as he pressed his hold on the walking stick, "You have been following this girl for more than a week and that's it?"

"There is more," the male ANBU replied as he lazily stared in Danzou's direction, "Hokage-sama himself doesn't seem to know who she is. Jiraiya mysteriously disappeared two days ago only to return short after with Tsunade," the male ANBU stopped as Danzou eyes narrowed in further suspicion as the Sannin names were added, "Plus, we followed Tsunade and Jiraiya and the pink-haired girl… they seemed… to know each other, as if they were old friends,"

"Danzou-sama!" the blonde-haired female added, her voice now more clear, "In their conversation sir… the pink-haired girl when asked about her intentions she told Tsunade-sama that she was going to change the future,"

Danzou held his free hand in mid-air and stared at the two ANBU nins.

"The future?" he muttered, then his hand fell back to his side, "Carry on,"

The female ANBU nodded, "They also mentioned the Shichibi… it seemed as if Tsunade and Jiraiya's intention was to know more about the man who sealed the beast,"

"Interesting…" Danzou muttered quietly while he weighted the information in his head.

The two ANBU nins stared at each other for a brief second before returning their attention to Danzou. The male ANBU seemed oddly uncomfortable as he stood there waiting for further orders, for Danzou to speak. This whole mission seemed odd. Smelled strangely to his nose.

Why would Danzou require information about this girl? Why indeed right behind Namikaze's back. It seemed as if his partner shared his opinion, only that she didn't want to upset Danzou-sama. No one ever wanted to upset him. They knew… they heard stories.

"For now we'll merely watch… when the appropriate time arrives I want her… I want this girl alive…" said Danzou as he turned his back on both ANBU nins, "Until then await for my orders,"

If the male ANBU had been suspicious of Danzou intentions now he knew perfectly well that the man was up to no good. He never wanted anyone alive.

Sakura looked up to the dark sky as she ran forwards; it was nowhere to be seen. There were no stars in the sky, just the dark boring sky.

A growl. An incredible loud growl echoed through the landscape.

She ran faster, her wounded legs ignoring the pain as she launched herself forward. Her emerald eyes were engrossed in what was ahead of her.

Suddenly, she felt her world crumble as she tripped and soared through the air – there was a throbbing insupportable pain in her foot and the breath was knocked from her as she landed face-down on the grass. Sakura cursed under her breathe and looked quickly behind, they were approaching her.

Clumsily and in pain, she finally managed to stand up, her frantic heart beat telling her to hurry up. Her trek forward to the bushes was awkward. Her ankle protested and her clothes felt heavy with the moisture from the ground, and she was tired; so tired. Sakura moved with a kind of resigned lurch, all of her hopes diminishing as time went by.

Sakura re-directed her gaze to what was ahead of her, but it was still rather difficult since there was almost no illumination around. After a while she arrived to what seemed to be some sort of a fence. The pink-haired girl reached it and flung herself upwards, driven more by fear than muscle.

However, it seemed that this day was not her lucky day. Gravity was not kind. Sakura found herself unable to move up, and unwilling to move down. She saw them getting closer; she could already hear their mocking laugher.

Sakura felt a firm and strong pair of hands grabbing her by the waist, throwing her without warning towards the ground. Her vision had become blurry and the pain in her head was too much to handle. She cried silently as he tied her hands to a cold chain.

"Stupid bitch," the man spat with a disgusted look on his face. She recognized him, it was Kyo.

"Got her?" A woman said as she approached them. Sakura could not see her face because of the darkness that was hiding her features. "Great, let's go then."

Kyo nodded and started to walk away. Sakura cried out as he yanked, hard, and dragged her. As they walked in silent, tears fell down her face; her emerald eyes stared above to the dark sky.

After some minutes, Sakura found herself surrounded by ANBU nins, all of their masks were blank. Some nodded and congratulated Kyo for catching her; others simply looked at her with a disgusted look on their faces.

"He will be pleased." A tall ANBU nin said as he eyed her.

Sakura was shaking, she didn't know if it was due to the cold weather or if it was due to the fact that she had been caught. Her fate, her life was threatened.

"Shh, quiet!" the female voice ordered as she glanced around. "Something… what the-"

"What? What is it?" Kyo asked walking closer to her.

"Quiet! Something is coming." She said calmly, though Sakura could not see her face, she knew the woman looked horrified. A terrifying expression took over Kyo as he dropped the chains and looked behind her.

Sakura smiled, her heart and heavy breath softened. She was saved. They had came, it finally came to her aid. Kakashi and Rin! She too turned around and her lips parted in surprise, her emerald eyes widened.

"S-S-Sasuke-kun?"

"Hello Sakura,"

Sakura bolted upwards with a gasp. Her green orbs immediately adjusted to the darkness of the room. Still gasping for air, she threw the blankets away and sat at the edge of her bed. Her shaking hands ran through her messy pink-hair as Sasuke's dark orbs still played in the back of her mind.

The dream had looked so frightening and so real.

Sakura shook her head as if she was shaking Sasuke's images out of her head. It didn't seem to work as she wanted. Sighing heavily, she stood up, her toes touching the cold floor. She didn't seem to mind it.

She opened the door of her room and stepped outside onto the hallway. She walked slowly and silently towards the kitchen. She knew the way by heart now.

As she got to the kitchen, she tensed up as she noticed the sitting silhouette by the kitchen table.

"Rin?" asked Sakura as she walked closer.

"Sakura-chan… oh… I-I didn't notice you," Rin answered and Sakura noticed the brunettes trembling voice.

"Is everything alright?" Sakura asked as she pulled a chair and sat down, her emerald eyes still adjusting to the darkness.

"Yeah, everything's fine," Rin answered, her lips twisted upwards in what could be assembled to a smile.

Sakura frowned, "Then why are you sitting in the dark?"

"I just… couldn't sleep," said Rin softly and Sakura nodded, nothing in the brunette's voice told Sakura the contrary, "You?"

Sakura shrugged her shoulders, "the same,"

As they sat there, surrounded by the Kitchen's darkness and their comfortable silence, Sakura mind drifted away from her dream towards Rin.

Just how much did the pink-haired girl knew about Rin? All that she knew was that she was a shy girl, still scarred by the death of her team-mate. She lived with her twin brothers in a fairly big house…

Sakura eyes widened at that thought. What happened to Rin parents? She wanted to ask but no sound ever came out of her lips as she stared at the figure ahead. It wasn't her place to ask. Rin would eventually tell her if she wanted to… just as she did that day.

Two Weeks Later

"Hey guys, come on hurry up!" Sakura called impatiently over her shoulder. She stopped for a minute to glare at Kakashi, who was talking with Rin, "Guys!!"

"Hey! Sakura-chan is right! We're kind of hungry here!" Kenji called out as he stomped his foot on the floor.

"Yeah! Let's go!" Kenjiro quickly supported his twin as he too turned around to glare at his sister and Kakashi.

Kakashi sighed at the three of them impatience, his lazy eye stared at the hyperactive pink-haired girl and he wondered when she started to behave exactly like the twins.

"Calm down Kenji-kun," Rin said, smiling, "We're coming," She gave the silver-haired jounin a quick smile before picking up her pace.

Rin quickly placed herself at Sakura's side and they both laughed at the same time. Kakashi sighed as he noticed how close both girls were. He walked forwards, shoving his hands into his pockets and walked slowly after them, watching as they all smiled and talked with each other.

It looked as if the pink-haired girl had always belonged there, with them.

"You know that the food will go nowhere, right?" asked Kakashi as he too sped up as well, he pulled out one of his hands and messed Kenji's hair who grunted in displeasure, "I doubt that Minato-sensei is going to eat all the food,"

"Not Minato-sensei," said Kenjiro, his brown eyes facing Kakashi with terror, "But she will… she'll eat all the food,"

Sakura and Rin chuckled, "Kushina-san," they both said in unison as they watched the confused look on Kakashi's face.

"Oh," said Kakashi as everything fell into pieces, "What are we waiting for then!" he exclaimed as he started to walk in front of them, "Hurry up!"

Sakura laughed as everyone trotted behind Kakashi, scared that the food was all gone by now.

Meanwhile, a certain red-haired young woman surveyed the noodle stand with a large, beaming smile. Plopping herself down in the front section, she pounded the bell until it sounded as if it was drying.

"Raaaaaaameeeeeeen!" she sang with obvious delight, "Raaaaamennn… and it's all your treat, yuuuum yuuuuum!"

Kushina slowly turned halfway in her seat to glance at Minato, who was currently fighting off a smile. Her eyes narrowed for a moment, and then softened as she smiled herself.

"I'm going to make you wish you never offered to treat me," she said, "are you aware that I eat a lot, aren't you?"

"Miso Ramen, please," said Minato to the young boy who had arrived. The boy nodded before hurrying back to the kitchen.

"Minato…" Kushina sighed as her eyes searched his bright blue ones.

"Hmm?" he absently answered her as he stared at her.

"T-thank you," Kushina noticed how taken aback he was with her soft voice.

"What?" Minato asked slightly puzzled with Kushina's sudden mood.

Kushina smiled nervously, "Y-you know… for everything," she said biting her lip, her head lowered and she stared at her hands that were on her lap.

Minato arched an eyebrow as he looked at the red-haired woman, "It's nothing…" he answered, lifting her chin so she could look at him, "You're leaving aren't you?"

Kushina eyes widened, she didn't expect him to arrive to that conclusion that soon. In fact, she was hoping that he would only find when she was already out of the Fire Country.

"H-hai… I've received direct orders to return home,"

"Stay,"

Kushina's heart broke into tiny pieces as he whispered that one word.

"Stay…" he repeated.

Her eyes saw the hurt and pleading look on his face.

"Stay here… with me… "

The red-haired young woman opened her mouth to answer.

"I… I…"

"HOKAGE-SAMA!!"

The two of them practically jumped from their seats as Kenji and Kenjiro ran toward them. Minato and Kushina nodded at each other as they silently promised to carry on the conversation later. The blonde-haired man then glanced behind the twins and smiled at the sight of his team.

It warmed his heart as he watched the silver-haired jounin in the middle of the two girls. Both Sakura and Rin seemed to be sharing a joke while Kakashi merely shook his head. It also amazed him, that the pink-haired girl was able to capture their hearts in such a short time.

It was as if she had always been there, as if she always belonged with them.

"Food!" Kushina exclaimed as the young boy placed the ramen bowl in front of her.

Sakura watched as Rin waved them good-bye and stepped inside the Konoha's hospital. A long sigh escaped her lips as she turned to Kakashi who stared down at her with the same sulking expression.

"I don't like this either," he told her as he started to walk away.

Sakura rolled her eyes, "You have won every single time so I thought you were enjoying it,"

Kakashi shrugged his shoulders, "At first, yes. Then I lost interest,"

Sakura stopped in her tracks, "Are you saying I'm that bad?" the pink-haired girl stomped her right foot on the floor as Kakashi slowly turned around.

"What? You don't know the answer yourself?" he asked mockingly.

"That's it! You're dead!"

Ten Minutes Later

"C'mon, say it," Kakashi taunted.

"Bugger off," Sakura snapped, refusing to look at him.

"Say it, Sakura," he repeated, an obnoxious grin on his face, though she couldn't quite see it as his mask concealed most of his emotions.

"No," she cried in frustration.

"Say it with me, Sakura. I'm that bad!," he said, his smile growing.

"Stop being so childish," she retorted.

"You know you would be doing the same thing if you were in my shoes," he commented, "the champion… remember?" he added sarcastically.

"I'd rather die!" she retorted as she tried to squeeze her way out of his strong grasp.

The brittle words echoed through the field, carrying with them a mixture of hassle and frustration. For a moment, neither said anything more.

"Well?" the silver-haired jounin prompted in a hiss, looking down at the pink-haired girl he'd straddled with his knees. Her jade-green eyes narrowed at his question.

Sakura who was pinned to the floor by the masked nin and a rather impressive array of kunai knives, squirmed slightly under his tight grip.

"You're not going anywhere," he told her, enjoying the wrinkles on her forehead as she glared at him.

He knew he was pushing it. That she would probably snap at him and punch him into the next world. However, he kept his grip on her strong. He liked the way her lips pressed together in a thin line as she controlled herself not to explode. The way her emerald eyes threatened to kill him as soon as he let her go.

"Please, humor me?" he begged.

"NO!" she yelled.

"I'll shut up if you just say it," Kakashi offered.

Sakura stopped in her tracks and so did he. She stared at him down for a few minutes., then sighed and after a pause, she gave in. The offer that Kakashi might be quiet for a while was too good to pass up.

"I'm that bad…" she muttered sourly.

"Sorry, didn't quite hear that," he said, cupping a hand to his ear with an insufferable grin on his face.

"I'm that bad!" she repeated, grinding her teeth.

"Ah, there we go, Sakura. That was music to my ears," he said happily, strolling off her.

"You're such an immature prat," she spat, ignoring his helping hand.

"Want to go for one more round?" asked Kakashi as he ignored her bad humor.

"No," she answered, crossing her arms around her chest.

Kakashi chuckled, "Hey… let's go for an ice cream,"

Sakura turned to look at him with a huge grin plastered in her face, "Really?" she beamed as Kakashi nodded his head.

"Yep,"

"Yatta!" Sakura jumped and punched the air.

"You've to stop to hang around the twins," said Kakashi as they walked away from the training field.

Sakura shook her head, "Rin is always so busy with the hospital so I offered to train them when they come home from the academy,"

Kakashi looked at her, "You've been training them?" she nodded in response, "What for?"

She shrugged her shoulders, "They said they wanted to be the best… why?" she asked as Kakashi narrowed his eye.

"It's just that… they have never showed interest in learning how to fight properly… just weird," added Kakashi as they turned left to one of the most crowded streets of Konoha.

Sakura smiled, "You know, Kenjiro is actually pretty good. He seems to be able to read some of my attacks,"

Kakashi snorted, "Anyone is able to read your attacks,"

Sakura didn't react. She was used to Kakashi's remarks by now. In fact she actually thought that some of them were quite entertaining. She knew he didn't actually meant what he said, it was as if those remarks were some kind of a barrier he build. Why? She wasn't yet completely sure.

"Ice creaaaam!" sang Sakura as she stopped in front of a small ice-cream shop. She eyed the flavors.

Strawberry… Nop. Mint… Nop. Vanilla… hmmm maybe… Nop… what about… chocolate!!

"Chocolate ice-cream please!" said Sakura as she clapped in a girlish manner. Then she looked at Kakashi as he placed a few coins on the counter, "Aren't you going to have an ice-cream too?"

"No, I don't really like ice-cream," he told her simply.

"Wha-what?" she asked stupidly, "B-but… I feel bad! At least let me pay for my ice-cream," a sudden blush took over her cheeks as the woman from the ice-cream shop picked up the coins.

"I already paid for it," said Kakashi, arching a curious eyebrow as Sakura cheeks reddened.

"Oh well…" she turned her back on him and accepted the ice-cream.

Oh Kami… why am I blushing… stop it already! Sakura thought as she pressed her lips to the ice-cream.

"And then you should have seen me! I totally nailed that test and Kikyo-sensei was really surprised with my progresses and then I told her I had been practicing and she was even more surprised!" Kenjiro spilled out and took a deep breathe. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the pink-haired girl who didn't pay attention to a single word he had said.

"Sakura-chan!? Are you still with me?" Kenjiro asked sharply.

"Huh?" Sakura said stupidly.

Kenji who had been at his brother side the whole time rolled his eyes, "If you're done staring at Kakashi, then maybe we can go and pick nee-san…"

Sakura mouth opened in shock, her emerald eyes threw a couple of invisible shuriken at Kenji.

"I was not staring at him!" she snapped.

"Right, well, nee-san?" he reminded her.

"Where were you boys anyway?" she questioned, watching as Kakashi helped an old woman with her shopping bags.

She couldn't stop blushing at the thought that Kakashi had offered himself to pay her an ice-cream. She knew it was stupid but she couldn't help it. It was as if someone else was inside her own body whenever she thought about it. She glanced at the silver-haired jounin and smiled as the old woman struggled to give him a hug.

"So are we going or not?" Kenji asked as he sighed in exasperation. He eyed the pink-haired girl and rolled his eyes. Jeez what's with girls? He thought bitterly, then a smile crawled in his features.

"Hey, Sakura-chan… you and Kakashi make a nice couple,"

Kenjiro gasped, expecting to see his twin beaten to a pulp anytime soon.

"Hmm?" Sakura asked, "Didn't hear you."

"Nothing," Kenji answered, still smiling.

Kenjiro let out a sigh in relief.

Next Chapter Review

She stared down at the dark-haired boy, her eyes widened in shock, her trembling hands held his.

The boy looked at the strange pink-haired girl, his onyx eyes bored into her scared ones, "My name is Itachi,"

Sakura looked surprised at how his voice sounded so soft, so innocent, so… childish. Nodding slowly, she forced a secure smile on her pale features, "Nice to meet you… Itachi-kun,"

"Itachi!"

"Mom!"

The dark-haired woman stared at the pink-haired girl and bowed in a respectful manner, "Thank you,"

A/N: Okay, so lets speculate a little shall we? I have no idea how old was Itachi before the Kyuubi attacked the village, but I do have a hunch that he was still a toddler. What do you guys think? It's really important, because I want this storyline to work as much as possible so if you have an idea, please please let me know!

And about this chapter, I wanted to focus mainly on the trio relation ship. How Sakura is adapting to her new life and how they see her. Kakashi and Sakura are getting closer!!

If you could drop a Review, it'd be great.

As always, thanks for reading!