A/N: SORRYYYYY!! I've been busy with school lately because the faculty has been trying to steal my soul. I also got a job recently which I work all weekend. So thus, I haven't had much time to write this. Anyway, I hope it was worth the three month wait! I did spend most of a day typing almost ten pages of this, after all.
Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN NARUTO!!
Redemption
Chapter Three: Capture
It was cold. In the thirties, Sakura estimated. It was also very late and the team was breaking for some well deserved sleep. It's pretty much impossible to sleep in freezing weather though, or at least, Sakura thought so. She grimaced and pulled the blanket closer around her shivering body. After lying like that for a few seconds, she rolled over and closed her eyes again, trying desperately to sleep. A minute later she opened her eyes and sat up, facing the nearest, largest tree. Naruto was supposed to be on watch for enemies, but mainly to watch Sasuke.
Sakura squinted at the slumped figure leaning against the tree. Yes, he was definitely asleep. Angrily, she closed her eyes, counted to ten, and opened them again. Standing up, she walked over to him and nudged him awake softly.
"Naruto," she whispered, as to not awaken the rest of the team.
Naruto grunted and blinked his eyes a few times, before focusing on her own.
"Sakura-chan… what is it?"
Sakura pointed to where the team was sleeping. "Go to sleep; I can't seem to, so I'll take watch early."
Naruto stared at her for a few seconds and sighed. "You sure?" he asked sleepily.
"Well, you obviously aren't up for the job," she responded.
He blinked, unperturbed by her comment, and sighed again. "Okay. G'night."
Sakura took his place and wrapped a blanket around herself again. Sasuke was sleeping against this tree also, practically right next to her. She glanced at his sleeping form and watched his chest rise and fall. He had a deep blue blanket thrown over himself carelessly. She wondered how he could sleep like that in such weather.
"Stop staring," he muttered under his breath.
Sakura's breath caught in her throat. 'He was awake?'
She quickly regained her composure and responded indignantly. "Well, I have to watch you. What do you want?"
"Yes, you have to watch me, but you don't have to stare at me all night," he responded immediately. She laughed softly, looking away.
Sasuke opened his eyes and watched her. "What's so funny?"
"Haha…it's just funny that…heheh…Karin must have been worse than I was and…haha…you must be so sick of it…" At this point, she managed to stifle her laughter.
Sasuke frowned. "Yes, Karin was a pain and she wasn't even all that helpful."
He paused and eyed Sakura somewhat angrily. "And yes, I am sick of it, so cut it out."
Sakura smirked. "Oh Sasuke, I thought that these experiences would have helped you build some patience," she said sarcastically.
"Hn."
Sakura rolled her eyes and glanced back at the sleeping team members. Sasuke leaned his head back against the tree and closed his eyes.
"By the way, Sasuke, how did you know I was looking at you? Weren't you asleep?"
Sasuke opened his eyes again and sighed.
"Sakura, what did you do before taking watch?"
Sakura blinked. "Tried to sleep…"
Sasuke scowled. "Later than that."
"I told Naruto to go to bed," she added. A few moments of dead silence passed where they stared at each other blankly.
"Oh!" Comprehension dawning.
"Oh." Bland sarcasm.
"Me talking to Naruto woke you up?"
"Yes. Now can I go back to sleep?"
Sakura sighed. "Yes. But I don't know how anyone can sleep in this weather," she muttered.
"Hn."
Several hours later, the team prepared to leave. Sakura packed her things into her bag as Naruto and Hinata cleaned up the remnants of the team's meal. Kakashi and Sasuke stood ready by a tree.
When everyone was ready to go, they started the final leg of the journey back home.
Tsunade sighed.
"I've got a lot going on right now guys. I'm glad you've brought Sasuke back, but you're not done yet. At least, one of you isn't…"
They looked at her questioningly.
"Well, Sasuke needs to be supervised until his trial…and what with Akatsuki troubles and such; I can't spare any shinobi for Sasuke. Hinata, you are going on another mission soon, so you can't watch him…so, who will it be?"
Hinata excused herself and Team Seven glanced among themselves. Finally Naruto grinned.
"Sasuke-teme can stay with me!"
Sasuke grimaced. "Hell no am I staying with the dobe."
Naruto growled in anger, while Sakura moved between the two of them to prevent a fight. Kakashi smiled.
"I don't advise that he stay with me," he said.
Sakura stopped what she was doing and her jaw dropped. She looked between Kakashi and Naruto.
"….No way, you're seriously going to stick him with me?"
Tsunade laughed and Sasuke frowned.
"He can stay with me," said a voice from the corner.
Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto all jumped in response to the unnoticed intruder while Tsunade smiled and Kakashi chuckled.
"I wondered when you were going to show yourself…Sai," Tsunade said.
"Whaa! Sai, you teme! When did you come back? And what do you think you're doing, sneaking up on us like that?" Naruto yelped furiously.
"Naruto!" Tsunade warned.
Sai laughed softly and moved out of the shadows.
"I came back today and it wasn't sneaking. You see, dickless, if you were a good shinobi like Tsunade-sama or Kakashi-sensei, then you would have noticed me. I wasn't trying to hide," Sai retorted calmly.
Naruto's face turned red in a mixture of anger and embarrassment. "Why you…" he seethed.
Sasuke almost laughed. "What did he call you Naruto? That sounded appropriate." Sakura held Naruto back and Sasuke continued speaking, but now to Sai.
His face quickly changed into a peculiar expression. "However, your comments suggest you believe that ALL of us are inept. Am I correct?"
Sai smirked. "You would be correct."
Sasuke glared at Sai. "I will not stay with him," Sasuke said without turning away from Sai.
Kakashi and Tsunade exchanged looks.
"Actually, Sasuke, I think this is a good idea," Tsunade said.
Sasuke looked at her as stoically as he could. "I will not stay with him," he repeated.
"Well you can't stay with Naruto first because you would kill each other and second because I don't think Naruto would do a good job of keeping you in check. You can't stay with Kakashi for the same reason minus the killing part. You can't stay with Sakura because she has a very serious job which requires her constant attention, meaning she can't keep track of you. Therefore, Sai is a good option because you to are both quiet and if you have such a big problem with it then you'll have to grow up because I don't have anyone else to spare for you. Hate him silently in a corner if you must."
Tsunade paused and looked at the Uchiha. He was utterly speechless.
"Now, Sai," she continued without a second thought, "this will only be for a week or two. It depends on how busy the council is. I will not give you any mission for this time period, and you must accompany the Uchiha anywhere you or he goes. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal," he responded.
She looked at Sasuke for his response. He opened his mouth to talk, and then changed his mind and closed it, looking away angrily.
Sakura smiled and stepped forward. "He agrees, Tsunade-sama." She laid her hand on his shoulder. "Right Sasuke? It's only for a week or so after all. How bad can it be?"
Approximately an hour after Team Seven left Tsunade's office, Hinata was back awaiting her next mission assignment. Hinata assumed that it was urgent, considering that she had just come back from a different mission. Tsunade wasn't in her office, and Hinata sighed and looked out the large window behind the desk, waiting. Shino was leaning against a wall, ever the early one. The door opened and Hinata turned to see who it was.
Kiba and Akamaru hurried in.
"You're late," Shino said.
"Yeah, sorry about that. It's chaotic out there," Kiba panted as if he had run there, which he probably had. Shino nodded in understanding.
"So, where's Tsunade?"
The door opened again, and this time Tsunade rushed in.
"Sorry I'm late. I'm busy right now, so I'll make this quick."
They nodded.
"This mission is simple, yet urgent. I need you to go to the Cloud Village and give them this."
Tsunade procured a scroll from the folds of her clothing.
"It's a letter of the utmost importance," she explained. Her face was completely serious.
"I expect you to protect it with all of your strength. The magnitude of damage that this could inflict if given to the wrong hands would be disastrous."
"No pressure," Kiba muttered.
Tsunade smiled sardonically. "Indeed. I expect you to be able to leave by sunset. Traveling at night is safer, for there are far less people to encounter. You should be able to make it in about two days."
She glanced at the three shinobi for any questions or objections.
"We understand, Tsunade-sama," Hinata said.
Tsunade nodded in her approval. "In that case, you are dismissed. May Kami be with you."
It was just past sunset and Hinata and Shino were waiting tensely at Konoha's gates. After a few minutes of utter silence, Hinata heard the sound of someone running towards them and turned around to yell at Kiba for being late. She was already angry because she hardly got any sleep and already had to go on anther high profile mission. The last thing she needed was her team members being late and unreliable.
However it wasn't Kiba and Akamaru coming, but Naruto and Sakura.
"Hinata-chan!!" Naruto yelled, waving his arm as he approached.
As they came within talking distance, Sakura slowed and stopped, but Naruto kept going and tackled Hinata in a giant bear hug.
"Eeep! Naruto-kun! What are you doing here?"
Naruto released her and grinned. "We came to see you off Hina-chan!"
Hinata blushed at the nickname and smiled. "Thank you. That's very considerate."
Sakura smiled. "That's what friends are for. But you must be exhausted!"
Hinata laughed. "I did get a few hours of sleep, so I'll be fine. Kiba's late again though."
Sakura nodded. "I know how you feel, working with Kakashi." She paused and glanced at Naruto and winked.
"Anyway, I have to get back to the hospital. I'll see you guys later! Good luck, Hinata, Shino."
She waved and ran off. Hinata was confused because of the wink and turned back to Naruto, who was blushing.
"What was that about, Naruto-kun?"
"Wha? Nothing…nothing at all. Um, well, I just wanted to say….good luck Hinata-chan!"
He moved forward a few steps and kissed her lightly on the check and then backed up, blushing even more.
"Gotta go, bye!!"
He turned and ran away as fast as he could. Hinata was stunned and blushing heavily. She felt like she was about to faint. Just then Kiba ran up with Akamaru, breathing heavily.
'Hey guys! Sorry I'm late. You ready to go?"
Hinata blinked and looked at Kiba blankly. Shino sighed. "Alright, let's get moving," he said.
--
4 days later
--
Sakura knocked on the door and stood there for several seconds until it opened. Sai stood there, wearing a grey shirt and black pants, smiling as always.
"Hello, hag. What can I do for you?"
Sakura's eye twitched. "You can watch what you say before I personally disable you for starters," she growled.
He raised an eyebrow. "…and?"
She smiled sweetly. "I'd like to see Sasuke," she added.
"Right. Hold on, I'll need to go find his hiding spot," he said sarcastically.
Sakura blinked. "Aren't you supposed to be watching him at all times?"
"It was a joke, ha—Sakura-chan."
She smirked. "Of course."
Sai turned and walked away, returning a minute later with Sasuke.
Sasuke looked at her blankly. "Yes?"
She smiled. "Hi Sasuke! Long time no see."
"It's only been four days."
"Haha, right. Well, I wanted to talk to you." She turned to Sai. "Mind if I borrow him?"
Sai grinned uncharacteristically. "Please do!"
"Humph. Come on Sasuke; let's walk."
Sai closed the door, and they began to walk away in no particular direction. It was late, and it was a full moon. The temperature was starting to drop and Sakura clutched her sweatshirt closer around her body.
"If you wanted to talk, then why didn't you come earlier than now?" Sasuke asked without really caring.
Sakura smiled. "I've got a very demanding job. I couldn't find the time."
"So what is it?" He shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Mainly, I just wanted to know how you are doing with Sai."
Sasuke frowned and clinched his fists inside his pockets. "Hn. I hate him."
Sakura laughed. "I'm aware. So. Not so well then…"
Sasuke glared.
"Right. Well, I'm sure you'll only have to put up with him for another few days and that's it. I don't think it will take more than a week total."
"We'll see soon enough," Sasuke replied blankly.
"And there's one more thing…" She trailed off, looking at the moon.
"What is it?"
It took Sasuke a few moments to realize that Sakura had stopped walking. He paused and turned around to face her. She was looking at the ground, her hair covering her face which was scrunched up in worry.
"Do you know anything about….the other Akatsuki members? Hinata should be coming back from a mission soon and I've been kind of worried about her safety."
Sasuke paused, realizing that he didn't know all that much. He had spent too much time learning only about Itachi and his whereabouts.
"Not much. There aren't very many of them left, as far as I know. There is the one Itachi always traveled with…Kisame. Then there is Pein, Konan, and Zetsu. Pein doesn't seem to do much of the dirty work, so I'd say that if she were in danger, it would be from one of the other three."
Sakura nodded.
"I'm sure she's fine," Sasuke added reassuringly, not knowing why he even bothered.
Sakura nodded again. "I know…I just…have a bad feeling about it. I'm sure it's nothing."
They stared at each other, not knowing what to do next.
"Well," Sakura said finally, "I guess I should take you back now…"
"Yeah," Sasuke said quickly.
The walk back to Sai's house was silent. When they got there, Sasuke noticed Sai talking to an ANBU. The man looked over and saw them. He hurried to them and spoke quickly.
"Urgent request from the Hokage for Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Sai to report to Hokage Tower."
"Thank you," they said in unison, and stared at each other. Sai smirked.
Sakura slammed the door open and rushed into the office. "What's the problem, Tsunade-sama?"
Sasuke trailed closely behind her. Naruto was already there, looking frantic, standing next to Neji. Tsunade sat patiently at her desk with her eyes closed in mild frustration. That was when Sasuke, Sakura, and Sai noticed Kiba, Akamaru, and Shino kneeling on the floor, all injured.
"What happened?" Sasuke questioned.
"Hinata Hyuuga has been captured. I can't send Kiba, Akamaru, and Shino. They are all too hurt. So I've chosen you, Team Seven, Neji, and Sai to go on a rescue mission. Luckily, the message I sent with the team made it to the correct hands, so all you have to worry about is collecting Hyuuga. According to Kiba and Shino, Hyuuga was targeted specifically, so I'm certain she is alive and well. However, this is a dangerous mission. Can I count on you?"
"YES!" Naruto exclaimed passionately. Sasuke and Sakura glanced at each other, before nodding gravely at Tsunade.
"Okay, then that's settled. Sasuke, your trial will have to be postponed."
"Whatever," he muttered.
"In that case, leave as soon as you are ready. You're dismissed."
A/N: Woot!! I'm done! It is currently 11:21pm and I've been typing for hours. I hope it paid off. I know that the majority of this chapter was kinda boring, and I'm sorry about that, but I think the next chapter may be better. Anyway, please review!
Oh, and by the way…suggestions anyone? Any and all suggestions concerning the plot of this story are welcome. –hands out plushies-
