Flaming Heart

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I only wish I did!

A/N: Yatta! Thanks everyone for the reviews! Here it is the thirtheen chappie, I hope you all like it.

It was so cold, so cold that any ordinary person would have died of hypothermia. However, he was no ordinary person.

In fact, it was the cold that brought him back to consciousness. As the tall boy opened his eyes, he realized that he had been stripped of his clothing, shoes, and katana. He was wearing instead a thin, sack-like shirt with too short trousers. The cot he lay on was hard, the thin sheets providing no warmth.

He reached out and slid his fingertips across a nearby slab of stone a previous tenant had carved with deep tally marks. The tallies started in an orderly fashion, long and straight. After about thirteen marks, the order began to fade, becoming progressively erratic and jagged. There were so many marks that they continued onto the next slab of stone, but all sense of order had vanished by this point. The tallies had become wild scratches and gouges across the rock, no longer a record of anything at all.

Suddenly he felt a deeper chill pass through him as the door to his cell opened, a white light invaded his dark space, revealing two tall nins.

His dark eyes surveyed them carefully. There… he spotted their headbands. Now he had a small clue of where he was.

"Suna…" his lips moved but no sound ever came. His throat was dry and rough. He had not drunk water for days.

"Heh… I'm going to enjoy this," one of the nin said as he made his way forward.

The prisoner smirked as he carefully watched both nins approach him.

The silver-haired jounin chuckled nervously as he stared at the both girls fierce glare. Kakashi ran a hand through his spiky silver hair as at the same time he decided it was for his own good to step back a little.

"So Mr-we-cross-the-desert-now how are we supposed to pass by them?" Sakura asked, her voice clearly mocking him.

"Two Suna nins…" said Rin, sighing softly, "there is no way we can cross the gates without drawing any attention towards us."

"We will wait until the sun goes down," said Kakashi as he eyed the sky. The sun was hiding between the clouds and there was still a long way until nightfall.

"I have a feeling that they will tighten up the security by night," said Sakura, her eyebrows pushing together.

Rin nodded in agreement, "Then we are going to need a decoy,"

Sakura pressed her lips together; her emerald eyes stared at her two teammates. Rin was chewing her lower lip; her brown eyes fixed on the silver-haired boy. Kakashi's hands were hiding inside his dark navy pants pockets. His uncovered eye was fixed on the desert sand.

Suddenly, like a thunder comes without warning, Sakura eyes widened and the corner of her lips twisted upwards.

"I've got it!" she announced happily as she stared at her wonderingly friends, "I have an idea. It's not the best but I think it might actually work," she added, clapping her hands in a girlish manner.

Kakashi eyebrow raised in expectation while Rin remained quiet chewing her lower lip like she always did when she felt nervous.

"Okay, listen up," Sakura stepped forward, a smile gracing her pale features, "Have you ever heard of a courier ninja?"

Kakashi stared at the pink-haired girl as if she was mad.

"Hai, it's like a postman isn't it?" Rin asked.

Sakura nodded, "Something of the sorts, yes,"

"Well that's nice and all but I can't really see your point," said Kakashi, sighing deeply.

Sakura rolled her eyes and ignored him, "Illusions plus courier nin-"

"Equals to a decoy!" said Rin, her lips parted and formed a knowing smile.

"That way, you will be able to approach them easily," Kakashi nodded as he stared at Sakura. A small smile formed underneath his mask as he admitted to himself that the pink-haired girl was actually quite useful.

"That's right!" Sakura exclaimed. She flashed them a wide grin. Sakura had been waiting for an opportunity to make up to them for what happened two days ago and here was her chance.

Quickly, she placed her hands together and immediately performed the hand seals.

"Ohhhh!" exclaimed Rin as her mouth formed an 'o' in astonishment.

"Well? How do I look?" asked Sakura as she straightened herself.

"Like a courier ninja," replied Kakashi, "Now listen up," he added as he pulled the map from his backpack, "Sakura after you put those two nin unconscious, Rin will also use an illusion to disguise herself as one of the guards along with one of my clones,"

Both girls nodded quietly as Kakashi unfolded the map, "Then Sakura and I will proceed west, towards the feudal lord compound. If we're not back in one hour," Kakashi stopped and turned his head to stare at Rin, "You go straight back to Konoha,"

Rin eyes widened, "But-"

"No buts, you will do what you've been ordered to," said Kakashi, his voice left no more room for arguments. Rin brown eyes searched for Sakura's support but the pink-haired girl only offered her a comforting smile.

A tall pink-haired young woman vigilantly walked through the dark corridors; she walked fast and silently and looked behind her shoulder very often to make sure she was not being followed. Sakura turned left to a much darker corridor and she had no choice but to use a small lantern.

Sakura sighed in relief as she glanced at the metal door that was right in front of her. The door was wide open as if it was inviting her to step inside.

Slowly she retrieved a kunai and held tightly to it, her emerald eyes were fixed on the door only. Her pale features twisted in concentration. She strained herself to hear any possible sound that could eventually come from the room.

She bit her lip as she stepped forwards. Sakura wished that Kakashi had not agreed with her idea of splitting up. They had separated as soon as they managed to sneak inside the building. So far, she had been lucky; she had not spotted a guard or anyone at all. Even though, she was feeling quite lucky, she was also feeling rather nervous.

Had she been spotted and the enemy were hiding themselves for an opportunity to strike? Slowly, Sakura shook her head, shrugging away the paranoid thoughts.

She gulped as she stared at the opened metal door. This was it. The scroll was inside.

Sakura took a deep breathe as her right foot stepped inside the dark room. Her lantern illuminated a small part of the room. Sakura glanced at the room, which seemed to have been a victim of a war field. There were countless of guards bodies spread around the floor. A few weapons which were still stained with fresh blood were mercilessly stuck in their bodies. Sakura nose wrinkled at the horrible smell.

Her eyes fell on the small safe that was standing on the square table. It was open. Someone had intentionally left the safe open. Why? Sakura's form immediately tensed as the hair of her neck stood up.

"Seems I got here first," the voice seemed highly entertained.

Sakura quickly spun around, the kunai was ready in her hand, her legs spread and she adopted a defense posture. However, she slowly allowed herself to relax as she stared at what seemed to be no one other than Kakashi.

"Impressive," said Kakashi, his hands played with what seemed to be the scroll.

"What the hell happened here?" She asked as she crouched next to one of the bodies. She could tell by the smell and the now purplish cuts that the carnage had happened a few hours ago.

"I have no idea," Kakashi answered, placing the scroll inside his backpack. He eyed the pink-haired girl expression grow paler. Her emerald eyes widened slightly, a pure shocking expression stamped on her face. However, she regained her previous posture as if nothing had happened.

Sakura slowly stood up. She could not believe it. Her mind… it had to be her mind playing tricks. She slowly closed her eyes as the world around started to move.

"Sakura?" asked Kakashi as he watched the kunoichi stumble backwards, "Sakura!" he quickly moved and got to her in time. His both hands secured her body firmly just before she reached the bloodied floor.

"Kakashi…" Sakura whispered softly as she stared directly at his dark orb.

"What is it? Are you okay?" asked Kakashi as he sat back and supported her head on his lap. His eyebrow furrowed as he inspected her body temperature.

Sakura giggled lightly and nodded, "I'm fine…"

"You don't look fine," answered Kakashi, a hint of anger in his voice.

"I just felt dizzy," Sakura reassured him as she tried to free herself from his protective embrace.

"Sakura…" Kakashi tightened his arms around her body in order to keep her laid down.

Sakura rolled her eyes and jerked her head towards his body to avoid his prying eye. A crimson colour quickly flooded her cheeks as her emerald eyes widened. She realized that her face was oddly close to his… crotch. She quickly looked back at his face. Kakashi raised his eyebrow and he looked slightly amused.

"Are you blushing?" he asked, a smirk formed underneath his mask.

"W-what?" Sakura retorted feeling the burning sensation increase in her face, "Why would I be blushing?" She asked as she once again tried to escape his arms.

Kakashi chuckled as he held her firmly in place, "I don't know… you tell me,"

"Kakashi!" Sakura exclaimed, a knot consuming her stomach, "What… we really have to go! What if someone comes?" she asked as she squirmed in his lap.

The silver-haired jounin said nothing as he watched Sakura try to free herself. Her breathing was accelerated, her rosy lips parted… maybe he could take his mask out and…

Slowly he shook his head. What was he thinking? Damn his hormones!

"Kakashi?" Sakura asked softly as she noticed his deep thinking posture. He seemed to be debating with himself.

She swallowed dry as one of his hands freed her waist and moved towards his face. Her green eyes widened as his fingers touched the fabric of his mask. Her heart beating slowed down as if it was coming to a final stop. Was he really going to let her see his face? Sakura now had the chance to run from his hold but yet she couldn't move. Her eyes were fixed on his fingers, on his mask. Was he going to take it off? Her stomach fluttered with unwanted butterflies.

Kakashi was her sensei… he was her sensei!

What the hell was happening?

Oh my God! We like Kakashi-sensei!?

Sakura watched with expectation as his fingers touched his mask. She waited, the whole scene seemed as if it was happening in slow motion. She waited, and then a deep breath escaped her lips in annoyance as he scratched his chin.

"Let's go… Rin was ordered to go see the Kazekage," said Kakashi as he slowly let Sakura go.

Sakura shook her head slowly. What was she thinking? Kakashi was never going to let her see his face. Sighing, the pink-haired girl quickly stood up and twisted her nose. She had forgotten how the room stank.

"Her disguise was not discovered was it?" asked Sakura as they stepped out the room at the same time.

"I don't think so," said Kakashi as he rushed through the empty corridor, "But I have a feeling that things are about to get messy. We must leave at once,"

Sakura nodded shortly. She knew what he was referring to.

They had arrived at the Feudal Lord compound only to find it oddly emptied. There were no guards keeping the house. No guards keeping the small temple the Feudal Lord owned.

At first, she thought that they had seen through them. That the Feudal guard was only waiting for them, a trap. However, as soon as she got to the main room and she spotted all the blood, all the bodies… she knew that something was not right.

Someone had been there, assassinated everyone and yet, nothing seemed to have been stolen.

And then, there was that odd sensation. The small tingle that ran up and down her body. The familiar scent of his fragrance… she could only be losing it.

"There is no way that he could… no. I'm being foolish," she muttered under her breath as she followed behind Kakashi.

"Hmm? Did you say something?" asked Kakashi as he turned left on to the other corridor that led them to the exit.

"Huh? I didn't say anything," said Sakura, closing the space between them.

"Sure?" he asked her, watching her from the corner of his eye. She seemed somewhat concerned.

"Yeah…" she answered, turning her head towards him, a wide smile adorning her pale features.

"Okay then,"

Sakura sighed inwardly, happy that he had decided to let it go.

Rin felt rather uncomfortable being under the glowing sun. Her white skin was now tanned and the clothes she was wearing had a horrible stink of sweat that kept sickening her every now and then. She forced a smile to Kakashi clone that lazily leaned against the opened gate.

Forty minutes has passed and they had not returned. It was needleless to say that she was starting to become more and more nervous.

"Hey Gin!"

Rin and Kakashi clone quickly spun around. Two suna nins were slowly walking towards them. One of them waved at Kakashi clone that slowly waved back. Rin gulped as they finally approached them.

"You guys won't believe it!" one of the nins said.

Rin heart came to a stop. Which one of them was supposed to be Gin? Kakashi clone seemed to be sharing the same very thought as he coughed lightly.

"Hey," Kakashi clone replied cheerfully.

Rin took a deep breathe, "What's up?" she asked in a neutral tone.

Both suna nins turned to her and smiled, "Sieg my good man, the Kazekage requires your presence," one of the nins said as he playfully punched her shoulder.

Rin nodded slowly, her brown eyes searching for Kakashi's clone who nodded shortly.

"Alright then!" said Rin as she nodded at the others, "I go see what the Kazekage wants from me,"

"Not so fast," one of the nins said. He was abnormally tall, seemed to be on his twenties. He was bald and had a ginger beard.

Rin froze in her spot and slowly turned around to face the man. Kakashi clone seemed calm and collected. However, one of his hands was already holding a kunai knife.

"Yeah?" asked Rin, raising her eyebrows in anticipation.

"Didn't you guys heard?" the bald nin asked as he scratched his belly, "The prisoner has escaped,"

"Yeah, he killed the jail guards. The whole town is a chaos right now. So if I were you, I'd avoid the main streets," the other nin added. He seemed to be around her age.

"Oh, right," said Rin, flashing them a short smile. She then turned around and walked straight ahead. After a few seconds she guessed that she was not on their eyesight anymore, she started to run forward.

She came to a sudden halt as the hair of her neck stood up. She barely had time to notice the strange presence.

A ruthless pain got her left side. She gasped in pain as blood leaked to the floor. At once, her disguise disappeared.

"Leaf?" a cold, calm voice asked.

Rin fell on her knees, her both hands flashed green. She quickly placed them on the fatal wound. She didn't even bothered to look behind. If he was going to finish her, he could have done it in one strike.

He eyed the brown-haired girl with indifference then suddenly a quick flicker of emotion crossed his frozen features as her hands were immediately covered with green chakra.

"A leaf medical nin. What are you doing here by yourself?"

Rin noticed his demanding voice. She only wondered, how on earth did they found out that she was an imposter. She sighed in relief as the bleeding stopped. She was safe for now. Rin knew that it was for the best to close the wound completely, but if she was going to fight, she was going to need some chakra.

She slowly raised, her back still turned on the stranger.

"Heh," the stranger replied, a sly smirk crossed his pale features as the leaf kunoichi turned to face him. He noticed her widened eyes as she contemplated the length of his wounds.

"You're hurt," Rin simply stated. A wave of relief washed over her as she noticed no headband on him, "You must be the prisoner that the Suna nins spoke about,"

He nodded shortly, "I am," he admitted, "are you going to fight me?" he asked as he watched her defensive posture.

"You attacked me," she stated, her eyes narrowing.

"I thought you were one of them," he replied. His right hand carried a katana covered with blood. Her blood, "My apologies," he raised his eyebrows in a mocking way.

"A normal nin would have died without quick treatment," Rin retorted gritting her teeth together. The boy looked around her age and the way he looked at her annoyed her beyond limits.

"Maybe so," he answered slowly, "Well I got to go. The whole village is looking for me,"

"Wait!" Rin called out, four senbons quickly flew his way. Her lips parted in awe as he simply deflected them easily. She was the faster when it came with throwing weapons, no one, for the exception of her sensei was capable to deflect her senbons this easily.

"Don't," he calmly told her, his eyes met hers.

Rin found herself nodding slowly as he turned his back on her. Katana in his hand. Somehow, she knew that she was no match for him.

"My clone is gone," Kakashi said as he started to run.

Sakura hurried behind, "Gone? The guards?"

"No, some guy killed the guards and my clone," replied Kakashi, a worried expression in his face.

"Rin!" Sakura exclaimed as she spotted the brunette girl standing in the middle of the entrance tunnel staring at the opposite direction.

Rin blinked softly as if she had just came out of a trance.

Kakashi eye widened at the sight of blood on the floor, in her clothes and her hands. In a quick impulse, he pulled Rin towards him.

"What happened?" he asked as his hands scrutinized her wound.

Sakura fiercely bit her lip. She stared at Kakashi and Rin, and then she stared ahead. Her legs moved on her own accord deciding for her. She ran forward and stopped at the village entrance.

Her pink-hair moved behind her as a gust of wind greeted her. She brought her hands to her face to protect her eyes from the sand.

As soon as the wind stopped, she opened her emerald eyes and looked at the recent footprints in the sand. Her heart compressed and the air seemed to vanish around her as the far silhouette walked away.

A/N: Hah… a short chappie. However, I liked this one. Maybe a little confusing… hmmm… If you spot something that does not make any sense please report it to me!