Chapter Two

The seven of us are standing before the Hokage who seems a bit drunk. I find myself sighing as Naruto wails and tries to free himself from the top of the desk. A place he finds himself often because he pisses off the Hokage so often. Shikamaru is saying his normal, 'what a drag' thing again and earning a glare from the woman. Shizune just smiles softly as she watches us.

"Tsunade-shishou, you said you have another mission for a few of us?" I interrupt her and she sets back as Naruto slides to the floor.

"Yes, I did. Team Kakashi stays in here, the rest leave. I will talk to you on your mission at a later date." She says and they all 'poof' from the room.

"Doesn't anyone ever use the door anymore?" the older woman asks with a sigh as she leans back in her chair.

"Lady Tsunade?" Kakashi asks and she then says, "I have a mission for you in Suna. The Kazekage needs help with the medical division. He is also asking for help, from all of you but Sakura, on training students for many of the teachers have fallen ill."

"We will do as you will us, Shishou." I say and I bow to her before leaving.

"Oh, one more thing. You all leave tomorrow morning." She yells out to us and I say to the boys, "Well, I'm going to go and get my stuff ready."

I then use a jutsu to teleport me to my room. I set down on my bed and I let myself fall back with a sigh. It's hard being the youngest of the group.

I, over the next hour, pack up everything I will need. I get all my medical supplies and books, my weapons, poisons and antidotes, clothing, female toiletries, and a few journals for writing along the way. I also grab my sketchbook incase I don't feel like writing.

I quickly change out of my daywear into a loose, black top and black, cargo pants. I slip on some flip-flops as well and I run my fingers through my short hair. I sigh and I walk into the kitchen.

I make some instant eggs, a bit of bacon, and I grab a glass of milk. I sit down in the front room and I quickly eat my foot. I finish my milk when I am walking back to the kitchen.

I stop as I hear a knock on the door. I just ignore it till I hear the door swing open and in came a man. That man is Kakashi.

"Kakashi-sensei, what can I do for you?" I ask and he replies, "Don't call me sensei. I haven't been your sensei for a long time. Anyway, I'd like to repay you for healing me."

I frown. What is he up to? This doesn't sound like the Kakashi I know.

He's up to something. Inner me says and I nod to myself. A bad idea. Kakashi grabs my hand and he then drags me from the house. I don't even get to say anything before we are walking down the street.

"Kakashi…" I don't finish because I am suddenly running to keep up with his longer stride.

I force chakra into my feet, I grip his wrist, and I force us both to stop. His feet fly out from under him and I swing around. I feel him jerk back and I fall backwards into him.

"Sakura, calm down." He says to me and I hiss, "Where are we going?!"

"Out." Is his answer and I sigh.

"Can we at least walk?" I ask and he nods.

We end up walking side by side, but he hasn't let go of my hand. I shift uncomfortable under the stares of the people surrounding us. I then ask, "So what will you be teaching the children of Suna?"

"Most likely training them on how to work as teammates. A bit of weapon working, jutsus, and how to notice if you are in a genjutsu." He answers and I quickly rake my mind for another question.

"Uh…so where are we going?" I ask and I see the corners of his lips, under the mask, lift into a smile.

"You'll see." He answers and I find myself growing more curious.

I then hear, "Sakura!"

Naruto comes flying out of nowhere and tackles us into a hug. I wonder how he does that. He is there one moment and then he is gone…well, just put that in reverse.

I feel Kakashi support the fall and I push Naruto off. I sit up and then I see Naruto staring at us. I find myself asking, "What?"

"Why are you sitting in Kakashi's lap?" he asks and our 'sensei' answers, "This wouldn't happen if you don't suddenly jump people into hugs, Naruto."

"Oh, sorry." The blond says and he rubs the back of his head sheepishly.

I stand up and I help the CopyNinja up as well. He grips my smaller hand in his and I pull him off the ground. He then dusts himself off with a grunt and I laugh.

"Naruto, I can't really talk now. Kakashi is 'paying' me back for healing him." I tell the fox-boy with a smile and Naruto suddenly laughs.

The two of us, as in Kakashi and I, walk away. He has his hands in his pockets and I see that he doesn't have his book with him today. I find myself growing even more curious.

"Sakura, what is it that you are most worried about?" Kakashi asks me and I answer, "I'm worried about the village. I'm also worried about Naruto.

"With the Akatsuki after him there is no telling when an attack will occur. I'm scared that they will catch him, take the Kyuubi from him, and then he will die. I got stronger in order to bring back Sasuke, but now I want to protect Naruto. I want to protect the village as well."

Kakashi looks at me with a calm, visible eye. He nods his head and he looks at the sky. He then says, "Then I think it would be best if I give you something."

I frown and I look at him. He takes me to his house and starts looking through his bookshelf. He finds what he is looking for and pulls out a black book.

He opens it and pulls out a scroll. He hands it to me and I look at it. He then says, "It's a summoning scroll. It contains the dragon's line of summoning, which will help you. You need to sign a contract, but only use it if it is very important."

My eyes widen in surprise as I look at the black scroll in my hands. It is thinner then most other scrolls. I then say, "Why do you have this?"

"Sakura, in Suna there is someone you will need to meet. I can't say here, but they will tell you about the scroll and how to form a contract. Keep this hidden till then." He replies and I nod as I tuck it into my pocket.

Something is coming…Inner Sakura says and I hear the pain in her voice.