I figured that with the amount of work school is piling on me, I probably won't update again until next week. So I thought 'I may as well update today'. Don't you love me :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did, I would dis - evil Sasuke and make him real, then make him fall inlove with me X)

'Enter,' Tsunade's voice sounded, and I slipped inside.

'You called me, Tsunade Shishou?' I asked, taking the seat that Tsunade indicated.

She nodded her head, taking a swig of Sake. I scrunched up my nose. 'Tsunade Sama, you should really ease up on that stuff. Being a medic, you should know the effects it has on your body, as well as your mind.'

Tsunade grimaced at me. I knew she was fed up with my textbook sentences, but it was fun annoying her sometimes. 'I am perfectly aware, Sakura. But do I look like I give a damn? No.' She took another gulp of Sake, as if to rub it in, before facing me with slightly unfocused eyes. 'You've been given a mission. It's only a B rank, but you've been out for a while and this is all I could get. The guy in question requested two guards. Kami knows why. So take your pick. Who do you want to bring?'

I shrugged. 'Probably Ino. She's been out as long as I have.' Tsunade nodded.

'Here's the outline. Have a look.' Tsunade handed me a small file, which I opened.

'Ishida Daiko?' I raised a brow. 'I've heard of him. Hasn't he been causing a bit of trouble for some of the smaller towns?' I'd heard some of the stories. There were disappearances surrounding that name.

Tsunade nodded. 'Hai. I would've had him arrested, but there's no hard evidence against him, and he paid a good sum of money. He has two other companions with him. Along with a young girl who he said he was taking care of.'

I looked through the profile, and saw other names. 'Ishikawa Hayato, Ono Nori and Sasaki Aika.' There were no photos of the men, which was odd. Tsunade must have seen the look on my face.

'They refused to get a picture. With the money they offered, I wasn't about to insist.'

'How old is the girl… Aika?' I asked her. If Daiko was the source of the disappearances, I wasn't about to willingly leave him alone with a young woman.

'About eight years old, as far as I can gather. He said something about her being his cousin, and going to meet his sister outside the small town Mura, near the Hidden Waterfall Village. While on the mission, there's a message I'd like for you to give to the Kazekage. It's just detailing some of the things we've traded recently.' I inwardly whooped. Gaara and I had recently become really good friends. Even started to like each other.

'Hai.' I grinned. 'I'll go see Ino.' Tsunade nodded at me.

'Be ready to leave in an hour out the front of the gates. I want you back in Konoha in ten days.' I gave her the peace sign, before exiting the room.

Ino and I dropped off Daiko and his gang on the third day. They had kept hoods and masks on the whole way, and didn't talk, excluding Aika. She was a sweet little girl, and it nearly killed me to leave her with them. She had lilac hair and rose petal eyes. She would grow up to be a true beauty. She had reassured me that her cousin would meet her soon, so she would be well taken care of. We immediately headed to Suna, and got there within a day and a half. Suna was as hot as I remembered it to be, and so was Gaara. We stayed in Suna for two days before reluctantly heading back to Konoha. I had a note for Shikamaru in my bag from Temari, and a number of knowing glances from Ino when she saw Gaara and I together. I knew that I'd be having a long talk with her about him on the way back.

With one last hug from Gaara, Ino and I flew back towards Konoha. Little did I know that I wouldn't be seeing Konoha for a long time to come.

Cho walked through the Konoha gates, Aika at her side. The two had travelled around for a while, before coming to Konoha. Cho had figured that Naruto would be here, as she had seen that his headband was the one representing the Village Hidden in the Leaves. She hoped that he would be able to set her up with a job. Cho had finally started coming out of her shell, mostly thanks to Aika. The girl had a contagious happiness, and Cho loved her for that.

She walked through the main street. Everyone was around, as it was the middle of the day, and everybody was out shopping and getting lunch.

"Cho Chan, I'm hungry," Aika said, staring up at her cousin.

Cho smiled down at her kindly. "What would you like to eat, honey?"

Aika seemed to ponder the question for a moment, before her eyes lit up. "Can we get some Ramen, Cho Chan? We haven't had Ramen in months!" She started getting excited. Ramen was a rare treat for her. Cho often didn't have the money, and she didn't really at the moment. But after such a long walk, Aika deserved a small reward.

"Hai. Let's go." Cho led Aika through the bustling streets, trying to not get distracted by the stalls. They soon came across a place. "Ichiraku… Let's go, Aika." They walked in, ordered some Ramen, and sat down, smiling at each other.

Barely five minutes later, Cho heard a familiar voice, with two unfamiliar ones. She slowly turned her head, and sure enough, Naruto's smiling face entered Ichiraku's. Cho noted with a smile (but also a bit of jealousy) that he was holding hands with a very pretty pearl eyed girl. A young man with messy brown hair and red marks under his eyes stood next to them, a hand on the head of a massive white dog.

Naruto and his friends took a seat and ordered their meals. Cho quickly learned that his two friends were Hinata and Kiba.

…"But Kiba, what I don't get, is how you can go for a whole week without Ramen!" Naruto hollered, flapping his arms about and almost upsetting the bowls of Ramen.

Kiba laughed, finishing his mouthful. "I dunno, Naruto. I guess that Ramen just isn't the sort of food that I like to use instead of air."

Cho could feel his dumbfounded silence, before he erupted. "How can you not want to eat Ramen all the time?" He shouted, earning him a few good stares from passersby.

Kiba shrugged. "I find that if I have it only occasionally, then I can appreciate it more." He continued eating, feeling the confused and weirded - out air of Naruto.

"You're crazy, Kiba." Naruto said, looking over at Hinata. "You like eating Ramen a lot, don't you Hinata Chan?" He asked her, almost hopefully.

"H… Hai, Naruto Kun," Hinata squeaked, before leaning back over her bowl and eating it.

Naruto looked at her lovingly, before glancing up and seeing Cho. His brow creased, as if trying to remember something. "Hey, do I know you?" He asked that question at Cho, and said girl looked up, turning a light shade of pink. Recognition sparked in Naruto's eyes. "You… You're that girl… The one outside of Koishi! The one who helped in looking for Sakura Chan! Cho, right?" He asked her. Cho nodded her reply. "What are you doing here? Where's your little cousin… Aika?"

Cho leaned back to reveal the little girl. Aika smiled and waved at him, to which Naruto grinned and waved back. "What are you guys doing here?" He asked.

Cho shrugged. "You know, new start. I thought it would be a nice change." She waved her hand next to her head to slightly emphasis her point.

"Awesome!" Naruto exclaimed. "Where are you working? I'll come by and see you some time!"

Cho blushed and lowered her head. "We only just arrived. I don't have a job yet." Her unsaid words resounded. 'Or anywhere for Aika and I to stay.'

Naruto, however, seemed oblivious to her unfinished sentence. "So, Cho Chan, where are you staying?"

Cho blushed even more furiously. "I… I don't know. I'll just find a hotel room where Aika and I can stay for a while, I guess." She suddenly seemed to find her Ramen incredibly interesting.

Naruto gaped at her. "You can't stay in a hotel, Cho! I'd say that you could stay with me, but I don't really have any room… Hinata, would your father let Cho and Aika stay with you?"

Hinata thought for a moment, and turned to smile kindly at Cho. "I… I would love t… To help you, Cho Chan and… And Aika. B… But my father is head of the Hyuuga Clan, and h… He doesn't take too kindly to… To strangers. I c… Can ask if he c… Can help set you up s… Somewhere, though?" She offered. Cho could see the guilt in her eyes when she said that she couldn't house the two.

Cho was surprised at their willingness to help. She was so use to being shunned. She smiled at Hinata, touched by the offer. "That is fine, Hinata. Thank you for the offer, but we'll be fine."

Naruto didn't seem to want to take any of that. "No, Cho Chan! We'll find you a place! Kiba! How about you? You have a spare room, don't you?" He turned hopefully to his friend, who smiled at Cho.

"Yeah, sure. I have a spare room that you two could take for a while. It's only me and Akamaru there, and Akamaru loves meeting new people!" He told her happily.

Cho smiled at him shyly. She was a bit afraid to stay with him. She generally found it hard to trust men after the harsh treatment she had received at Daiko's hands. But she needed to take Aika into consideration. Aika would be far better off in a home where she could always go back to, instead of constantly moving between motel rooms.

"If it isn't impeding on you or your lifestyle, then that would be greatly appreciated." She agreed hesitantly.

Kiba smiled at her. "Of course it's fine! Come on, I'll take you there now!" He jumped up, beckoning to Cho to follow him. Cho stood up, making to pay for the food, when Naruto held out his hand, stopping her.

"It's alright, Cho Chan. I'll get it. Go ahead." He smiled at her, leaving no room for argument.

"Arigato, Naruto! Thank you very much!" She ushered Aika from the stand, to where Kiba stood waiting. Kiba bent down so that he was eye level with Aika.

"Hey there, I'm Kiba. This is Akamaru." He patted Akamaru's back, to which the large dog gave an appreciative bark.

"Kon'nichiwa. I'm Aika." Aika grinned at him. "Hello, Akamaru," she patted his fur, and the dog turned around to lick her cheek. Aika giggled cutely.

"Say, would you like to ride Akamaru back to my apartment?" Kiba asked her, to which she nodded furiously.

"Oh yes please! Can I, Cho Chan? Oh please!" She begged, eyes alight.

Cho smiled down at her. "Of course you can, go on!" Kiba picked the little girl up and placed her gently on Akamaru's back. Aika smiled, squealing in delight. Kiba turned to Cho.

"Come on, let's go." Cho followed the three of them, a smile gracing her lips.

It was one in the morning when the few street lights of Konoha came into view. Sasuke felt an immediate sense of relief rush through his body. He looked at the girl in his arms and almost had a heart attack. Her breathing had become shallow, and he could feel her heart beat speeding up slowly. Sasuke was at his limits, physically, emotionally, mentally… Sakura had been in a coma for twelve hours. She was now in the danger zone. Every moment that passed, Sasuke was afraid that it would be her last.

"Hold on, Sakura. We're almost there." He panted, closing his eyes and pushing forward with energy he didn't have.

Sakura's heartbeat got faster. No, he thought. We're too close. So close. Don't give up now, Sakura! We're almost there! Her heart beat rose with every passing second. Her breathing started to get faster. Her body got hot.

He jumped the walls to Konoha and made a beeline for the Hokage Tower. There was still a light where he knew the Hokage's office would be. He just hoped that that would mean that she's there.

500 metres…

Sakura's breathing hitched. Sweat rolled off her body in rivulets and her heart beat rocketed. Hold on, Sakura, Sasuke silently begged her.

400 metres…

'Where am I?' Sakura thought. 'It's dark in here.' She looked around and saw that she was in a white summer dress that went to her knees. She noticed that it started to get hot, and a white light flared. Sakura shielded her eyes with her arm. 'What is that?' She thought, and started to walk towards it.

300 metres…

She heard voices whispering on the other side. Voices offering warmth and comfort.

'Sakura,' they cooed. 'Come here, don't be afraid. You're safe now. It doesn't hurt over here.' Sakura started to walk towards them…

200 metres…

An ethereal shape appeared before her.

'Mama?' Sakura asked, a smile forming on her features. The woman took her daughter in her arms.

'Sakura, my beautiful blossom. I've been watching you. I'm so proud of you, and I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you. You've becomes so strong and beautiful and smart. You're everything I knew you would be and more.'

100 metres…

'Sakura honey, it's time. You've fought this fight, and you've done incredible. Papa is waiting for you. He is so proud of you.' Chie smiled at her daughter, taking her hand.

'What do you mean, mama?' Sakura asked. 'It isn't my time yet. I still have so much to do!'

50 metres…

'Come on, Sakura. Come with me. It's alright. You don't need to be afraid. It won't hurt, I promise.' She beckoned towards Sakura, and walked back towards the light. 'Come on, beautiful girl.' She smiled reassuringly.

Sakura stepped back. 'No, mama, I can't. Tell papa I love him. It isn't my time yet. I love you, mama.'

'Sakura, you have to," Chie pleaded.

Sakura smiled reassuringly at her mother...

10 metres…

Sakura stopped breathing.

Oooh, I think I'm getting better at writing cliff hangers XD And you guys probably all hate me right now for leaving it there. But, you're just going to have to wait :P

Chapter 17 - Don't leave me

... Tears were falling down his cheeks, and he couldn't have cared less about wiping them away. There was nothing but the girl before him. "Please, Sakura. Don't go where I can't follow you," he choked, breathing for her again. "Sakura, please... Don't leave me. I love you"...

XD Don't hate me, guys. So, you wanna leave me a review? The more I get, the quicker I'll update. Promise! (Yes, I'm bribing you ;))

So, until next time, that's not all, folks! x