Chapter 6:

Sakura and Shikamaru watched Naruto's retreating back as he ran off to check on Hinata. Once he was out of sight, Shikamaru inquired, "So what exactly was that about in there?"

Sakura shrugged and then related her tale with the arrow and how it some how had bonded with her.

Shikamaru put his hand beneath his chin in a look that clearly stated that he was pondering the info that Sakura had just relayed to him. "So this kunai is just like the arrow that you pulled out of Sasuke? And for some reason you are able to not be affected by them."

Sakura looked down at the kunai in her hand and said thoughtfully, "It's the same but different. My arrow seems really young like it was newly forged. I got the feeling that I was the first person that it ever bonded to. Well at least that's what I feel. I'm kind of new to all this you know." She ended defensively.

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and continued, "But you said that this felt different.", indicating the weapon in her hand.

Sakura looked down at the kunai again, weighing it in her hand, "This one feels older. It's satisfied that someone is communicating with it but it hasn't bonded with me. It's just a different feeling. It's hard to explain but I know I'm right. It doesn't want my blood or chakra."

"Okay so say that you are right and this weapon seems safe with you for now. Why did it try to take over Hinata? And who is this Niishi? It's previous owner?" Shikamaru pondered out loud.

"Perhaps" Sakura answered with a shrug, "All I know is that this Niishi is very important to it. It's very agitated and its urge to find her is very strong."

"Her?" Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at Sakura.

Sakura blushed and shrugged, "Again I can't explain it but I know that Niishi is a girl."

Shikamaru sighed and rubbed the back of his neck and looked up. "What a drag" he muttered, "So all we know is that some guy gave this kunai to Naruto as you were leaving Tanigakure. Presumably as a thank you gift for ending the war. Naruto gives this to Hinata and it nearly kills her. Was that suppose to be Naruto's fate?" He wondered out loud.

Sakura shook her head, "I don't think so. Naruto is like Bee. Since he has Kurama inside of him, this type of weapon would not be able to control him."

Shikamaru again rubbed his chin in thought, "So this guy either didn't know that Naruto wouldn't be susceptible or he was sending this as a message. A message to find Niishi. Why couldn't he just approach you directly?" Shikamaru sighed. Looks like they would only get answers by going to Tanigakure, what a drag, he thought.

"Okay. Let's get the Sixth up to speed. We will need to set up a team to investigate this Niishi."

Sakura nodded and the two of them turned to go to the office of the Hokage.

::

Sasuke sat casually with one leg swinging over the arm of the chair in front of Kakashi's desk.

He had informed the Sixth of his investigation near the border of Kumogature. He still had no proof that White Zetsu was still alive and causing trouble. Kakashi in turned had shared the Intel that Ino and Choji had provided.

Sasuke looked over, suddenly looking intense, despite his relaxed pose and said, "You know that I had nothing to do with that."

Kakashi looked at him and cocked his head to the side, "Of course. However I bring it up to demonstrate that someone must not have liked your presence in the area and decided to get some aid in dealing with it."

Sasuke stared in concentration at the Sixth for a few heartbeats before saying, "I really don't know who could be behind this."

Kakashi sighed, "Another thing, Ino says that without a doubt the chakra signature implanted in those men's memories was undoubtably yours."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, "White Zetsu!"

"It would seem so." Agreed Kakashi.

"But why would he show his hand?" Sasuke pondered.

Kakashi shrugged, "I guess he figured that if the Raikage didn't take care of you then this would be a message that he's on to your presence in the area. Perhaps you were closer than you thought."

Sasuke straightened up in the chair, "Perhaps…" He said still in thought but before he could say another word there was a knock at the door. Shikamaru and Sakura entered.

"Oh man, sorry Sixth. I didn't know that you had someone in here. Hey Sasuke! We can wait outside." Shikamaru said with embarrassment. In his haste to inform the Hokage, he had failed the standard protocol to wait for admittance before barging in.

"No Shikamaru. We were just about finished. We can continue our talk later Sasuke. You aren't in a hurry to leave the village, are you?" Kakashi said.

Sakura could feel her cheeks turn pink as she saw that Kakashi was obviously looking from her to Sasuke and back. She sighed and thought, looks like he heard the false rumor floating around that they were a couple. If Sasuke noticed the Sixth's innuendo then he ignored it.

He stood up and started to leave but was stopped by Shikamaru, "Hey Sasuke if you don't mind staying, since you may know something about this as well. I'd like to hear your thoughts."

Sasuke inclined his head and stepped to the side of the room, making room for the two newcomers. He leaned casually against the wall and waited patiently for them to begin.

Shikamaru and Sakura stepped up towards the Sixth's desk.

Kakashi looked at them and noting the kunai in Sakura's hand, surmised, "Looks like you were able to break whatever jutsu was on that kunai."

"Um not exactly." Sakura answered.

The Sixth raised an eyebrow in question. Between the two of them, Sakura and Shikamaru were able to fill the Hokage in on recent events. They also added in their opinions and suggestions as well.

Kakashi looked from one to another, "So if I'm understanding this correctly, you believe that this kunai is a message of some kind and whoever sent it is wanting us to find this Niishi person."

"Yep that's about it, Sixth. I know it sounds strange but given the circumstance that another weapon was found that is the same," he looked sideways at Sakura, "or rather relatively the same as this kunai. I think that we need to investigate this further."

Kakashi nodded. "Okay set up a team for the mission."

"Yes sir"replied Shikamaru.

::

Shikamaru and Sakura could hear an excited Naruto voice from the other end of the hall. After being excused by Kakashi they had made their way to the hospital to check on Hinata.

"Nnn….I'm going to kill him!" Seethed Sakura as she sped up towards the source of all the ruckus.

Shikamaru remained at his sedate pace watching as Sakura sped up in front of him and then entered the room.

He heard the loud thump of her fist on Naruto's head and winced. Then as he came to the doorway, he saw her standing over a dazed blond haired figure. She stood over him with her hands on her hips and yelled, "Keep your voice down, you idiot! You are in a hospital!"

Shikamaru winced again. Sheesh, he thought, she really should take her own advice. Then he turned to see a quite lucid and thoroughly awake Hinata sitting up in bed.

"Hey Hinata!" Shikamaru addressed, taking her attention away from the two knuckleheads at the end of her bed.

She looked over at Shikamaru and smiled in greeting, "Hi" she answered brightly.

"How are you feeling?" He inquired.

Hinata shrugged. "I'm totally fine. A bit tired and headachy but other than that I feel good."

Shikamaru was glad to hear it and so was Sakura. She turned her attention away from the still dazed Naruto and walked to the other side of the bed. Her doctor role took over and she started to check all of Hinata's vitals.

"Yep you seem fine. Can you tell us what happened?" Sakura inquired. By this time Naruto had made his way to Hinata's bedside as well and took a seat at the bottom of her bed.

Hinata looked at him and smiled. Then she looked at him worriedly, "Naruto, I'm so sorry about your present to me. I really liked it."

She looked at Naruto through her eyelashes and started to fidget with the bedsheets on the hospital bed. Naruto reached over and put his hand over hers to stop her.

"Hey don't worry about that right now. I'm the one that should be sorry. I should never have given it to you in the first place."

Hinata looked up suddenly, "No I'm glad that you did! I liked it. I really did. It's just…" Again she paused and started to fidget.

"Just what, Hinata?" Sakura inquired.

Hinata looked up at Sakura, "Thank you. I heard your voice. I'm so glad that you could help him. You see Niishi is his sister."

"Him?" Naruto said in surprise at the same time that Shikamaru exclaimed, "Sister?"

Sakura remained quiet and looked at Hinata, "So you were able to bond with it."

Hinata shook her head, "No it tried but I wasn't strong enough. The voice was so loud and I felt like I was sinking under water. The next thing I knew, I heard your voice and I was back."

Shikamaru interrupted, "But you called the kunai a him? And said that Niishi was his sister?"

Hinata nodded, "I saw images of the two of them when they were young. They were brother and sister."

Shikamaru looked over at the kunai still held in Sakura's hand, as comprehension slowly dawned on him, "Are you saying that there's a soul trapped in that piece of metal?"

Hinata shook her head slowly, "I wouldn't exactly say a soul, more like trapped memories and feelings."

Sakura looked down at the kunai and then thought of her arrow. The feelings that she felt when she held the arrow were almost maternal, like they were….children. The thought suddenly sickened her but all at once she realized the truth behind her sudden bonding with the arrow. Yes there had been a blood exchange when it nicked her but the arrow was looking for a mother figure.

Great, now I'm to play nursemaid, thanks a lot! You could have just ran away like I told you to but noooooo, Inner complained.

Shikamaru shook his head in disgust, "This puts a whole new light on this problem. I need to inform the Sixth of this immediately." With that he exited.

Hinata looked over at Naruto and inquired, "How long was I out for? You did remember to eat and take care of yourself, didn't you?"

Naruto put his hand behind his head, and gave a self conscious giggle, "Hey you know me!"

Sakura rolled her eyes and decided it was best to leave the two lovebirds alone.

As she left the hospital, she realized how late it was. She was exhausted. Where had the day gone? She wondered. She decided to go back to her apartment and grab her things to go to the bath house.

She was surprised to find Sasuke there when she opened the door.

"I hope you don't mind if I bunk down on your couch for a few more nights" he said looking at her with his unreadable gaze.

Sakura sighed, this would definitely be a test for her new found resolve. "Sure, why not?" She managed to say and walked into her bedroom to get her things.

"I'm just going to head on over to the bath house. I'll see you later." She said as she began to go out.

Sasuke called out to her as she closed the door, "Okay I'm going to grab us some dinner. See you when you get back."

She paused as she was closing the door and almost turned back to tell him not to bother, but she was just too tired. She closed the door and gave herself a mental shrug. Oh well if he wants to buy dinner then I should just let him. He probably feels like he owes me since he's staying at my place after all. Inner snickered, "Keep telling yourself that." Sakura was too tired to even scold her inner voice. She continued on her way thinking only of the pleasure of being clean.

::

Sakura felt great after the bath house as she made her way home. She opened the door to her apartment and stopped dead in her tracks. She had the sudden urge to shut the door quietly and run far far away. She would have if she hadn't been caught by the penetrating gaze of Sasuke's eyes.

She swallowed hard and made herself walk inside. There before her laid a romantic dinner for two complete with lit candles and all her favorite dishes. Sasuke himself had obviously been to the bath house since she could tell his hair was still damp. He wore a white shirt open at the throat and tight black pants that outlined way too much of his lean body.

Young Sakura would have been doing cartwheels of pleasure at this sight. The older version of herself was not totally immune either. However this was not what she wanted tonight. She was tired and emotionally drained. She just wanted to come home, eat, and then get some sleep.

She came in, put her bag on the floor, and shut the door. She took her time, stalling to think about what she wanted to say. She turned and was startled to see Sasuke right in front of her. She looked into his eyes. She took a deep breath to tell him thanks for the food but really she didn't need the romance when his finger on her lips silenced her.

"It's just food." He said simply.

She tried again to say something but again he shushed her with his finger to her lips, "Friends?" His lips twitched into a slight smirk as he turned to leave her.

"Come on, I'm starving." He said as he walked to the table.

Sakura watched him as he walked away, "Friends." She echoed in confirmation as she followed him. Hoping that this would not be her downfall. Her heart was already starting to stir painfully in her chest.

::

The next day, Hinata was released from the hospital and Naruto planned a little party to celebrate at his place. All the genin nine were there minus Kiba and Akamaru who were returning from their mission and not yet in the village. The addition of Tenten and Lee made up the numbers though.

Hinata was showered with attention as everyone wanted to make sure that she was feeling okay. Naruto remained by her side the entire party. You could hear his loud voice and laugh as it permeated through the room. Sasuke had to wince a few times and let his friend know that it was okay to speak at a normal level especially indoors. Naruto rebutted by cupping his hand around his ear and yelling, "What I can't hear you?!", at an even higher octave.

Sasuke just shook his head and turned back to Shikamaru and Choji, "I think that he's going to be deaf before he makes it to Hokage."

Shikamaru gave a chuckle, "No he'll just make all of us that way."

Choji clinked his bottle to Shikamaru's and agreed.

Sasuke looked over at Choji and asked, "Did Karui go back?"

Choji looked down at the drink in his hand and said sadly, "Yeah"

"Aw cheer up buddy! I heard that you will see her in a few months. She's going to accompany some candidates for the chunin exam." Shikamaru said as he slapped the big man on his back.

Choji suddenly brightened, "Yeah you're right. My family really liked her but they thought that she was too skinny." He took a sip of his drink and then looked back at Sasuke, "When do you head back? It's not like you to stay in one place for too long."

Sasuke had been watching Sakura surreptitiously as she wandered from group to group in the room, "I'll be here for a while. I think." Was all he answered.

Ever since Sakura had joined the party, she had been trying to find a way to speak to Tenten in private. She was wanting to know more about her new weapon and Tenten was the expert in that area.

Unfortunately that was easier said than done. As soon as she entered Naruto's apartment he whisked her away and into the limelight. Proclaiming that Sakura was a hero and then he started relating how she tamed that kunai in no time.

"Hey Shikamaru, remember how I was fighting you to get to Sakura?" Naruto shouted across the room.

"Yeah I remember". Shikamaru called back drolly. "You were quite the handful."

Everyone laughed and Naruto continued, "Yeah well you see I just didn't know that she was like a weapon tamer or something." Naruto put his hand up to rub the back of his neck self consciously and looked back at Sakura curiously, "I mean like we've been comrades for like forever and I've never seen you do anything like that before. I mean like how were you able to break the link?"

Everyone was staring expectantly at Sakura and she felt herself redden. Yeah tell them about me, your other self, snickered Inner. Before she could think of something to say to cover up the silence, she felt Hinata come up next to her and give her a big hug.

"Thanks everyone for coming tonight." Hinata addressed the party goers, "Thanks for all of you who visited or wished me good thoughts while I was sick. Also I want to thank this man here." She leaned into Naruto and put her other arm around him. She squeezed both of them tight. "I owe you both so much!" Sakura looked slightly uncomfortable but Naruto giggled happily.

Sakura squeezed out of the embrace and used that moment of distraction to put her glass up high and say, "To Hinata! We are so glad that you are better and that you are back to keep this knucklehead in line!"

"Hooray", everyone yelled.

Naruto was looking so pleased, "Everyone, eat up! I got ramen!"

There was a collective groan throughout the room.

Hinata smiled up at her boyfriend and said brightly, "Yum! I've missed Ichiraku!"

Naruto laughed and picked her up so that her feet weren't touching the ground. He kissed her messily, making her laugh. "I'm so glad that you are back!" He said with a tremendous grin.

Sakura made her way to the edge of the room. She had her eye on Tenten. She spied her with Lee. As she approached she heard Lee talking about his latest workout routine. Sakura made her way up the couple. Lee had his back to her but Tenten could see her approaching.

Sakura mouthed "Can we talk?" And pointed to the knapsack that she wore holding her new found friends. She couldn't leave them without them crying and making a racket. The arrow was more like an incessant infant needing its mom, whereas the kunai was just impatient and untrusting. Both, however, only found solace in being close to Sakura.

Tenten nodded to both Sakura and to whatever it was Lee was saying. Lee suddenly became aware of Sakura's approach and turned.

"Hey Sakura!" Lee exclaimed happily and then bowed going to his knees in front of her. "Sakura you are the greatest! I knew that you had such awesome skill. To overcome a blade of death! Truly amazing!"

Sakura looked down at Lee's dramatic adoration and then back up to Tenten. Tenten had her hand up covering her eyes in her embarrassment.

"Lee! Get up! Can't you see you are embarrassing all of us with your scene! And it was not a weapon of death!" Tenten admonished.

Lee quickly got up and looked around. "Please except my apologies, lovely ladies!" He bowed in submission.

"Um it's okay." Sakura said to console him.

"Hey Lee, why don't you go grab Sakura and I a bowl of ramen? I think Naruto is handing out the food." Tenten offered.

Lee gave a salute. "I'll be back in 2 minutes! No make that 2 seconds!" And he took off towards the kitchen.

Tenten called out to him, "There's no hurry Lee! Take your time!" Neither girl could tell if Lee heard Tenten or not.

Tenten turned back to Sakura and gave a shrug, "That's Lee for you! What can I do for you?" Tenten asked curiously.

Sakura took off her knapsack and reached down for her arrow. She showed it to Tenten.

Tenten blew out a whistle and then instinctively reached out. She stopped just shy of touching the weapon. She looked up expectantly to Sakura. "Is it okay if I touch it?"

Sakura gave a little embarrassed laugh and answered, "Oh yeah, I think so. I told it that you were a friend and I needed your opinion. It seemed okay."

Tenten reached over hesitantly. Once she realized that she wasn't going to get branded. She picked it up with more authority and started looking it over with a practiced eye.

"It kind of looks like a chakra dart." She said.

"Chakra dart?" Sakura asked curiously.

"Oh yeah. They are used by a certain clan within the Sand village. You see you load it into this blow tube. Using a huge amount of chakra, you blow through the tube, sending the arrow flying through the air towards your target. Usually the arrow tip is dipped in poison. They would use this to incapacitate their victims, making them easy targets to take out by the time they attack. Did you get this on your last trip to the Sand?" Tenten asked.

Sakura knew that Shikamaru had not given out the whole truth to Tenten. He had just told her that Sakura had come across another mysterious weapon in her travels that was similar to the kunai. Only a handful of people knew that she had gone to Kumogature. Tenten and Lee were not privy to the information.

Sakura took back the arrow from Tenten. She looked at it appraisingly and almost felt the arrow sigh with contentment as it felt Sakura's touch.

"Hmmm. Yeah. I picked it up from the same guy that gave Naruto the kunai." Tenten nodded. It made since that they were both given the strange weapons at the same time.

Sakura thought, what is a weapon that seems like it was made for a clan in the Sand found hundreds of miles to the north in the Land of Lightning?

Sakura looked over and saw that Sasuke had stopped Lee who was coming back towards him. I wonder what Sasuke is talking to him about and then shook her head. She had to stay on task.

"Tenten, do you think that you can make me a blow tube that can be used with this type of arrow?" Sakura asked curiously.

Tenten looked thoughtful for a moment, "I might actually have something that might work. I was designing it with something else in mind but I could modify it…" She was off in thought when they got interrupted by Lee coming back with the food.

"Well that took a lot longer than I thought. Sorry ladies but Sasuke needed some advice on his taijutsu workout. I had to explain how one keeps exercises exciting. I mean how boring to do the same routine 1000 times in a row. The trick is to…"

Sakura took her bowl of ramen as Lee rambled on and she started inching away. Tenten watched her with a slight smirk on her face as she nodded to whatever Lee was saying. Sakura mouthed, "I'll be in touch" and Tenten winked at her when Lee looked down to eat his ramen.

Sakura sighed, with bowl in hand she turned, almost bumping and spilling it on Sasuke's shirt.

"Oops sorry" she apologized.

Sasuke smiled at the crush of people in the room. He grabbed her hand and wheeled her over to the balcony that was open for fresh air. When they stepped outside, Sakura couldn't help but shiver. It wasn't nearly as cold as the Land of Lightning had been, however, at night it was still cool and she had left her jacket inside.

Sasuke picked up a lamp that Naruto had on the ground and lit it with a slight fire ball. Instantly she could feel the warmth and she crowded close and started to eat the ramen. She was hungrier than she thought. Sasuke stood there holding the lamp and watching her while she ate.

"Hey thanks for stalling Lee for me." Sakura said between bites.

"Don't know what you mean." He replied innocently, "I really needed his training advice."

Sakura began to choke on her ramen as she started to laugh. "Yeah right!" She exclaimed once she caught her breath.

She looked at him in the firelight from the lamp. It put his face in shadows but she could tell that his mouth was actually tilted up in a smirk. She felt her mouth go dry as she stared at him. How come he always had this effect on her? She wondered and then shook her head.

"Hey guys!" Naruto called out from behind Sasuke. Sakura had to stifle back a laugh at the sudden look of annoyance that crossed Sasuke's face. Sakura looked around Sasuke's profile and spying Naruto, she ushered him over.

"So nice party huh?" Naruto inquired as he puffed out his chest. Sakura smiled and lifted her almost empty bowl and answered, "Good ramen. Ichiraku set you up, huh?"

"Yeah he sure did! Look I just want to say again, thanks!" Then he gave a laugh and a little knowing gaze at the two of them. "Alright Sasuke! I know that look!" Then he came up close to him and elbowed him in the side then cupped his hand as to whisper in Sasuke's ear. However since Naruto didn't know how to whisper it came out loud anyway, "Heh heh pretty slick getting her alone out here, huh?!" And then he said loudly to Sakura, "Well I think I'm just going back inside. You guys have fun out here." And then he let out a chuckle.

Sakura ignored Naruto's innuendos and said, "I think I'm going back inside anyway." She made her way past a stunned looking Naruto who could only utter a uncertain, "Okay" and went back to her friends.

Once she was inside, she felt the pent up tension she had earlier dissipate. She needed to make sure that she wasn't going to be alone with Sasuke anymore. It was unhealthy this thing that they had. It wasn't going to end up anywhere but her being alone night after night. That wasn't what she wanted, she thought with force.

When the party started to break up, Sakura grabbed her coat and went over to hug Hinata and say goodbye to Naruto.

Naruto looked a bit uneasy and walked her to the door, "Hey I didn't mean to break up the moment between you and Sasuke. I mean, I know you guys don't get to see each other too much."

Sakura gave a brittle laugh, "Yeah you can say that again! Look Naruto it's fine. Seriously, there's nothing between Sasuke and me. I know that I used to want it to be differently but I've changed a lot since then"

Naruto look at her unconvinced, "Uh if you say so." He said and then since he needed to get back into the party to say goodbye to more of the guests, he bid her good night.

Sakura started to leave his building to walk home when she saw the unmistakable silhouette of Sasuke Uchiha leaning up against the wall outside.

"I thought you left." Sakura said as she came up beside him.

"Just needed some air. Too many people. Let's go home." They started to cross the street and go the block or so down to her place.

"Ah about that? I know that you said that you didn't want to go to the visitors quarters and that you preferred my place. I thought you'd be staying only a night or two. You know your usual thing. Well this makes night 3…". Sakura let her sentence hang there in the cool night air as they made their way back to her place.

"Overstayed my welcome, have I?" Sasuke asked in his usual casual way.

Sakura gave a laugh which sounded fake even to her own ears, "No, no. I guess tomorrow you'll be leaving is all. I'm just glad that we were able to clear up this thing, you know." She said it a big too brightly and gestured a circle in front of them with her hand.

"This thing?" Sasuke said purposely ending it with a question. They had reached her place and started to make their way up the stairs. Sakura took out her key and was busy opening the door when she answered. She purposely couldn't look him in the eye, "You know, this thing…us. Or rather the "not us". Please don't make me spell it out." She entered the apartment and started to turn on the lights. Her hand never made it to the switch. Sasuke took hold of her and held her tightly up again this wall. He kissed her so passionately that her head was completely locked out of the moment. She felt herself melt into his heated embrace and her senses were filled with thoughts and smells of him and him alone.

He lifted his head after several moments and said quietly, "Is this what you were referring to?"

Sakura could only moan and nod her head in response. He put his hands on either side of her this time. Giving her space to move if she wanted to. She found her hands pulling up the back of his shirt eager to touch his skin.

Inner sighed, "Oh yeah" which seemed to break the silent spell cast on her head and she heard herself say, "Oh no". She dropped her hands and stood very still.

Sasuke leaned back from the kiss and looked at her intently, "What's wrong?"

Sakura moved around him and started for her bedroom, "We can't keep doing this. You can't keep doing this to me. You come to town every once in a while for a few days and then you leave for months on end."

Sasuke's eyes turned red showing the intensity of his Sharingan, "You know that I can't stay. The people of the village haven't forgotten what I've done. I can't stay here. My job is out there!" He gestured towards the window to the distant lands beyond.

Sakura looked at him and said quietly, "I know. I guess this isn't fair to either one of us."

They stood there in utter silence staring at each other.

Sasuke took a step towards her but she took a step back and put her hands up as if to fend him off. "Look I think it's best that you find another place to stay if you are going to be in the village much longer."

Sasuke's lips twitched into a slight grimace, "Kicking me out, huh?"

"Yeah something like that" she replied and then turned and said goodnight as she walked into her bedroom. She shut and locked the door. She was glad that she never got to turn on the lights. This way Sasuke couldn't see the silent tears streaming down her face.

However she was wrong. With his Sharingan he had seen it all even in the dark.

::

The next morning Sakura awoke and went out into the kitchen. She paused. The blankets on her couch were neatly folded and Sasuke and his things were gone. She sighed and went in to make her tea. She couldn't help but feel the loneliness bear down on her even more than normal. They had only been together at her place for a few nights yet she was already used to seeing his tousled sleepy form in the morning.

She shook her head. If she was already missing him now then how would it feel if she had let herself get even closer.

Great!, Inner sighed longingly. "Shut up!" Sakura found herself saying ferociously out loud and then started to make her tea. She would not let herself think on him anymore. He was gone as usual, she thought and made herself continue on with her day.

::

A few days later, Shikamaru called her to the Sixth's office. As she entered she saw Naruto and Hinata there as well.

"Hi guys. As you all know I was assigned the duty of setting up a team to investigate those weapons of yours, Sakura, as well as to discover any Intel on this Niishi person. I've set up a four man squad. You three will be going and I'll wait to tell you more when your fourth teammate arrives." As Shikamaru finished his sentence, there was a knock on the door.

The Sixth called out for the newcomer to come in and in sauntered Sasuke Uchiha.

"Ah great! Now that we are all here, I can outline the mission."

Both Naruto and Sakura exclaimed in unison, "What he's coming with us?" One sounded joyful and the other sounded incredulous.

"Great! It will be like old times!" Naruto said with a smile and laughed.

All Sakura could do was groan. Inner exclaimed inside her, "Well at least the mission won't be boring!"

::

Hello everyone! I want to apologize for all those Naru/Hina fans. This story has become quite Sasu/Saku which was not my intention when I started it. Oh well! Anyway for those that have stuck around for the ride, Thank you! Please hit follow/faved or hey even better, write me a review if you like it.