Flaming Heart

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

A/N: Oh my God! It's a new chapter! –waves- Sorry it's a short one. The next one will be the biggest chapter ever. I'm already working on it because I feel inspired! Hey isn't that great?

I apologize for further mistakes you might notice, I had the chapter written down on my notebook and just typed it really fast, I'm in a hurry to go have dinner. It's chicken wings with rice in case you're wondering. Yum Yum.

Masked figures gathered in a straight line facing a dark clothed man. The moon shone from behind them, the dense trees on the hills threw checkered shadows, and dark forms loomed like devils.

On the dark-clothed man left hand was a wooden walking stick. A rough, exasperated sigh left his mouth as he glanced at the small group of ANBU ninjas.

"The Uchiha brat died," his voice was raspy and cold, "matters not," he added, stepping forward, a haunting look possessed his old features.

"Danzou-sama," one of the masked ninjas called out, "what are your orders?"

Danzou stared at the man's mask which assembled a grey wolf, "I want the medic-nin. However, since our pawn is off the game we will have to do things differently," there was disappointment in the man's voice.

Kyo Uchiha death had occurred in a bad time. He absolutely hated when things did not go according to his plans.

"Danzou-sama," the same masked ninja said, stepping forward, "How are we supposed to get the Hokage's apprentice without anyone noticing?"

"I do not care how you do it," said Danzou, clenching his jaw, "Dismiss,"

The ANBU ninjas were gone at a blink of an eye.

Danzou turned around and walked down the improvised road that crossed the small forest. His eyebrows narrowed as he placed his walking stick on the floor, supporting half of his weight on it.

The pink-haired girl was a question mark. If there was something he hated the most, were unanswered questions. He will make sure that the girl is captured and then… he would see his questions answered, at last.

The silence was deafening.

Deep, pensive black eyes stared at the two Sannins, Hanabusa's lips formed a very thin line as he played the conversation in his head.

The young man, Hitori who was standing behind the couch, his arms crossed around his torso, the pouting expression decorating his pale thin features changed to absolute awe at the two leaf ninjas in front of him.

He had never heard such preposterous thing. A girl from the future? How ridiculous! Hanabusa-sensei would never believe in such nonsensical lies.

"I believe in you,"

Hitori mouth opened slightly, his eyes almost dropped right to the floor as his ears captured the words he feared the most.

"Hanabusa-sensei! You can't possible-" the blonde-haired woman head jerked ferociously towards him, "b-b-b-believe t-t-them…" he stuttered the last part trying to ignore the deadly glare on him.

"I'm afraid that I cannot help you," the old man said ignoring his apprentice, "A demon cannot be defeated, not even with the strength of thousands of men,"

"So it's hopeless?" Tsunade asked, her eyes widening at the deepness of the old man's words. She refused to admit defeat. There had to be a way… some way! Anything! Anything that could save Konoha.

The blonde Sannin leaned forward and shook her head in confusion, "So you are telling us that there is no way to defeat the nine-tailed fox demon?"

Hanabusa took a deep breathe and slowly shook his head, "There is an ancient technique… one that is forbidden. I'm sure that's how you've heard about me,"

"So there is a way…" she muttered under her breathe, half relieved.

Jiraiya who had been sitting in silence during the whole conversation eyed the old man intently.

Hanabusa took a deep breathe, "There is a way of course," the man said, his mouth forming a sneaky smile, "Bring me the girl, I will teach her the technique, but I must warn you that only a few are able to perform such… thing,"

Jiraiya narrowed his eyes in suspicion. He knew for a fact, from the books he had read, that the performer of the seal always died.

It felt like a heavy dark cloud was suspended above their heads, threatening to rain at any second. Sakura, took a deep breath, calming herself down, ignoring the invisible sharp arrow that stabbed her heart at the copy-nin's words.

The medic-nin gaze stopped at the Hokage waiting for him to say something, anything at all, that she could stay if she wanted to. However, all he could offer her was a sympathetic smile. Feeling oddly defeated, the pink-haired girl turned around, her green orbs widened as she noticed the old man by her side.

"Sakura…" Kakashi voice made her jolt towards him. The silver-haired jounin slowly moved his head, his mismatched eyes softened up as he stared at her sad expression, "please take care of Rin,"

Sakura almost forgot to breathe as the corner of Kakashi's lips moved upwards, forming a small and adorable smile. Awkwardly, she found herself smiling back not noticing the others amusing looks.

"I promise," said Sakura with a short nod of her head. She then bit her lip as she turned around, her eyes staring only at the wooden door, avoiding to look at the familiar old man.

Since she was little, Sakura had the impression that the old man could see right through people. Sarutobi's eyes, they were like a lie detector and she feared that if their eyes met, he would get all the answers from her.

She finally closed the door behind her. Sakura walked down the familiar corridor and closed her eyes in relief.

The halls were oddly quiet even for a hospital. Three nins were standing in the hall, each of them absorbed in their own thoughts as they listened to the medic-nin's sobs that echoed through the hospital room they were guarding.

The dark-purple haired kunoichi broke the odd silence as she sighed deeply. She looked behind her shoulder and stared at the brunette-haired girl kneeling form. Rin's hands covered her face as she cried hard; her shoulders trembled with every new sob.

"Man…" Anko muttered as she turned around, her feet dragging her towards the crying girl, "I think that's enough for one day," she added as she stood behind Rin, a stern look present in her juvenile features.

Rin's hands dropped to her sides. She slowly half-turned around and looked at the kunoichi in front of her. Her lower lip quivered, a few tears still fell down. Her brown eyes were becoming red of crying.

"Seriously," said Anko, the stern look disappeared of her face as she brought a finger to her lip and pretended to look around with a thoughtful expression, "If you carry on crying like that, I think you'll sink the hospital down with your tears," A small entertaining and yet kind smile displayed in Anko's face. Her light grey eyes met Rin's troubled ones.

A small chuckle was heard behind them, the noise of something made of metal fell to the floor.

"Ewww Gemna! Can't believe you actually put it back in your mouth,"

Both Anko and Rin chuckled lightly at the same time.

"Rin!" Anko turned around and stared at the new girl, "Oh Rin…" Sakura exclaimed sadly as she took notice of the still fresh tear streams on the brunette girl face.

Anko stepped aside and Sakura ran towards Rin, placing herself on the floor at her side. She quickly pulled the other medic-nin to a tight hug.

"Hey. Why don't we lock the door, I'll place a small barrier that will keep the Uchihas-bastards away," Both girls stared at Anko, "Er.. that way you both can go home and rest," Anko finished, placing a hand in her hip, "What do you think?"

"Thank you Anko-san," Rin whispered with a sad and exhausted smile.

"That would be great, thank you," said Sakura, feeling rather weird to be talking to a younger Anko.

"No problem,"

They walked side by side, holding hands. Rin was no longer crying and Sakura was really thankful for that. Seeing Rin cry made her want to cry. The pink-haired girl suddenly looked to both sides of the street and realized that they had walked already passed by the house.

"Uh, Rin… we-"

"I know," Rin answered softly, "I just want to go to this place first,"

Sakura opened her mouth to ask where, but she didn't need to. Right ahead of them was the graveyard. There were several tombs, but at the center, surrounded by a circle of the greenest grass she had ever laid her eyes on, was a huge memorial stone.

Taking a deep breath, Sakura allowed herself to relax as Rin dragged her forward.

They finally came to a stop, right in front of the memorial stone. Sakura was impressed by the several names carved in it. She couldn't help but to feel like a stranger as she stood there, holding hands with Rin.

This was supposed to be a private moment between her and Obito.

"It's… It's the first time I visit him… since… you know,"

Sakura turned her head to stare at Rin. She looked at her teammate with saddened eyes as she realized how deep Rin's pain was. Maybe…it was almost or even deeper than her own pain. No, she wouldn't compare who has suffered, or who is suffering the most. No one should ever go through pain. Any kind of pain.

"You are here now…" Sakura whispered, feeling that it would be wrong if she spoke louder.

Rin's brown eyes gazed at his name.

Obito Uchiha.

What she wouldn't give to see him one last time, to hear him laugh, to hear one of his endless lateness excuses, to hear Kakashu-kun scold at Obito, who would then turn to her, always with a wide smile in his face, whenever he saw her. A smile that always told her that everything was going to be okay.

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry that I'm just a hindrance,"

Sakura felt Rin's grip loosen up. A shocked look spread instantly through her tired features, "You're not!" Sakura exclaimed, perhaps a bit too loud, "Rin! Obito never thought of you as a hindrance…"

"What do you know?"

Sakura was mentally slapped at Rin's harsh tone of voice.

Rin's hands trembled and turned into fists, "Huh? What do you know?" Rin eyes were glued on the memorial stone, "You… came out of nowhere… came into our lives…with all of your secrets…" She paused for a second, "you know nothing,"

Well that was unexpected, "I… I…" The pink-haired girl didn't even know what to say.

"You are here," Rin face stopped in deep thought, "almost for three months and…" the medic-nin shook her head, tears had started to fall down again.

Sakura swallowed dry, "and what?" she asked quietly, not sure if she really wanted to hear the rest.

"I love him…" Rin whispered, "I always have! And then… you… you come out of nowhere… and I… always thought that I would be the one to change him,"

Sakura already broken heart, bled deeply. It was like a piece of glass that remained there carved in her heart, was pushed deeper.

"Oh… Rin… No…"

"No?" Rin sobbed and finally locked her brown eyes with her tear emerald ones, "I… I'm going home,"

Sakura wanted to say something… anything! She wanted to tell her… tell her what exactly?

"I love him too…" she whispered not aware that Rin had stopped for a brief second before she exited the graveyard.

Sakura felt dizzy, her both hands quickly found the memorial stone as support.

"I'm a horrible person," She mumbled to herself as she stared at Obito's name.

After a long moment, Sakura sat down, her back leaning on the memorial stone. Sakura tears finally fell down like a wild river driven by a storm. She couldn't go home. She couldn't face Rin.

The first rays of the sun made her eyes flutter open at once. Sakura opened her lips in surprise as she stared at the familiar silhouette in front of her. She quickly glanced around and the last night events caught up to her. She could feel a long headache approaching.

Her emerald eyes curiously stared at the brown blanket that was covering her legs.

"Erm, thank you," she said, as she quickly stood up, picking up the blanket, folding it and then stretched her arm towards the old man, who chuckled lightly in return.

"I assure you my dear, that is not mine," His eyebrows pressed together in amusement as the pink-haired girl blinked at him.

"Oh…" was Sakura only reply as she wondered whose blanket was it. Her gaze fell back on Sarutobi, the blanket was completely forgotten in her hands. A question formed in the back of her mind.

As if he could read minds, he smiled gently at her, "Today I received a very unexpected letter," the third said, his hands took a piece of paper from his robes pockets. He gave it to her.

Sakura unfolded the piece of paper and gaped at the familiar calligraphy. Her features showed a small frown, her frown deepened as she carried on reading until the end.

"You know," concluded Tsunade's apprentice.

Sarutobi nodded and handed her another piece of paper. Sakura didn't need to unfold that one to see that it was a small map.

Everything, the tree leaves, the clouds above them, even the mosquitoes that flew near by… looked as if they were in slow motion.

It was time to leave.

She had to go.

It was as if a large monster had suddenly dug its enormous claws across her stomach.

"I… I…" Sakura stuttered at the conflict in her heart. She could have sworn that she had seen a small shadow move through the bushes.

"Sakura Haruno," the way the third pronounced her name in a such familiar tone, as if he had said her name before plenty of times before, brought her back to reality, "Playing with the hands of times can bring you the most deadly consequences,"

Sakura nodded, "I know sir," she said, her eyes meeting his for the first time, "I have a good reason to change the course of history,"

Sarutobi arched an eyebrow, "Having a good reason does not give you the right to do it,"

Sakura bit her lip at his words. There was no censure in them, just his honest opinion. She knew he was right, she knew that many would consider what she was doing as an act of egoism. It was too late now.

"I do not regret it," she spoke confidently.

Sarutobi's lips formed a smile catching her off guard, "Then… make sure you do succeed,"

"Hai,"

She stared at his door.

The sick feeling was still so very alive in her stomach. Her whole body felt heavy with doubts. Doubts that she never thought that would come to haunt her at this point. Sakura felt like she was the most horrible person in the world as Rin's outburst played over and over inside her head. The feeling, the need to throw all her plans away was quite tempting.

Her legs stepped forward and her hand finally knocked at the door. As soon as she knocked, she fought the urge to turn back and run down the street. She didn't though, she had to see him.

Sakura's heart raced rapidly as she heard his steps from the inside of the house. Seconds later, the door was wide open and a half-naked Kakashi, stood at the door entrance. Sakura stared at his toned chest, disappointment shot through her as the mask was already glued to his face.

"Sakura," he sounded surprised.

Biting her lip as his voice played in her mind, 'If I don't kiss you right now, I think I'll get crazy,' Sakura pushed him inside and closed the door behind her with a loud bang.

Kakashi sleepy and tired eye gained instant life as Sakura hand pulled his mask away from his face. He opened his mouth but before he knew it, before he could say anything at all… Sakura's rosy lips fiercely touched his.

Sakura parted, flushing one hundred different shades of crimson. Kakashi took a step closer towards the pink-haired girl, placed his hands gently at each side of her face, their eyes met.

"You call that a kiss?" He smirked, his right hand moved away from her left cheek towards her thin waist. He pulled her closer. Sakura could feel his sweet breath on her, "Let me show you…"

Sakura closed her eyes and then opened them at the gentle touch of his lips. She needed to look at him at every chance she got. A small moan left her lips as she noticed that he too had his eyes open. Sakura felt herself drown at every second that went by.

Suddenly, her eyes widened as the hand on her waist traveled down to her lower part.

He groped her!

Sakura opened her mouth, gasping slightly. Kakashi smirked into the kiss and quickly placed his tongue inside her mouth. Sakura knees almost gave in, as her tongue shyly massaged his.

They finally parted, short of air.

What happened next, shocked her. She never thought or imagined herself doing such thing, especially with the silver-haired jounin. She blushed again as her hands touched his chest, she leaned forward, leaving a small trail of kisses.

Kakashi mismatched eyes widened, "S-Sakura… stop," He told her softly. Sakura stopped at once, she eyed him nervously, feeling somewhat slightly embarrassed, "are you sure of this? Are you really really sure? You and me?"

You and me.

If she had been selfish so far, she could be selfish only for a little while.

"I'm sure,"

Kakashi didn't need to hear another word. He quickly picked her up and slowly made his way to his bedroom.

Sakura buried her head in his chest, listening to his heart beat. It raced as fast as hers did.

The copy-nin gently laid her down on his bed.

Sakura never for a second took her eyes away from him, because today... because in a few hours she was going to leave…

Because… Sakura wasn't sure if she was going to see him ever again.

Hehe… sorry for those who are fans of "lemons". I can't imagine me writing one. I don't even appreciate them. Anyway, this way things are simpler and "cleaner," Lool!