Akane: Is this a happy chapter?
…..Suuuure… let's go with that…
Rai: You've been warned…
Disclaimer: No characters belong to me no matter how many times I stay up till 11:11pm and wish it. Please enjoy the random appearance of what I do own, being Akane and Rai! Two of Okami's Angels! Haha get it? Like Charlie's Angels, but there's only two right now and…yeah. Sorry!
It was one of those times. One of those times when her mind was locked on auto pilot; when she seemed to be living in a separate dimension. It was when she heard the news. The news that would ruin her life. The news that sent her dizzy when she first heard it…. When she didn't want to believe…
**************************************************************************************
Sakura walked happily up the stairs, resisting the urge to hum and skip like she desperately wanted to. Kisame rolled his eyes in annoyance once the humming started again, though she was able to stomp down on the urge of skipping and kept it at a walk. Ever since they had left Grass, she had been happy-go-lucky. It greatly irritated the Mist-nin, but his complaints fell on deaf ears. What was she so happy about? The mission wasn't something that he would call a great one. He only got to kill a few shinobi and after that, the rest was slow going. Itachi walked quietly beside him, watching as Sakura led the way to the Hokage's office. He wasn't acting quite like himself either… But still he was acting like he always did, so how did that make sense? The difference of the Uchiha was that he actually laughed the morning before… He actually laughed!
At a joke…. What was this world coming to? Maybe that explained why Kisame was a little agitated over Sakura's cheerfulness. It wasn't like she was doing anything however her joke about "the village calling and they want their idiot back" –referring to the younger of the Uchiha brothers--had Itachi laugh, even though it was small and borderline chuckle. When he later approached Sakura about it in privacy and asked if he was hallucinating, she merely shrugged and replied with an "I thought it was just a chuckle."
That wasn't right. He could've sworn it was a laugh. And yet he couldn't get him to laugh at his jokes. The kitten did, but all the Mist-nin would get from the Uchiha was a damn chuckle. Sighing he scratched his head as they came to the landing and continued through the hall.
Itachi blinked as they walked by the windows where sunlight bathed in and poured across the floor. It was late afternoon and the sun bright that burned his eyes. It was an improvement; an annoying improvement but still an improvement. That only meant that his sight was returning no matter how slow it may seem. He was by no means complaining. The burning pain was less frequent and the normal blurry lines were straightening into actual forms. If he wasn't a stoic, feared and skilled shinobi, or even a lesser man, then he would be found right next to Sakura, humming the same tune-but let's face it. There was no way on Kami's green earth that was going to happen for he was not a lesser man. His good mood was pointed in one particular thing; it was the news that she had explained to him. According to the blossom-haired medic, his sight would be 20/20 by the end of the next session. He would be able to see everything; see Kisame roll his eyes, see Hidan and the obnoxious Ino…though that one could wait a while. See how much Deidara changed since they first met and he forced him to join… The possibilities were endless. But he couldn't help but wonder what this new team mate of his really looked like under the hazy blurred form.
Shortly after, Sakura arrived at the Office of her Shishou and she happily knocked her knuckles against the door. At first there seemed to be no one there. But then again it would always seem like that. The doors were high quality wood that hid any chakra signature from one side of it. Again she knocked as Itachi and Kisame stopped behind her. Finally there was shuffling from the other side before the door cracked open to reveal a girl with brunette hair and dark eyes that held nothing short of sorrow. "Tenten? What's wrong?" Sakura's happiness dropping low into endless waters that darkened to worry.
"It's not good," she whispered and slowly opened the door to allow the three into the room before closing it.
**************************************************************************************
"She's in Konoha now," Kabuto mused from his spot in front of a monitor that lit the room up with blue shades. With his hand on his chin he calmly watched as the detector followed into what he assumed was the Hokage's office. He wasn't sure how she was able to overcome the effects so soon, but perhaps she was able to keep the effects to a minimum. No surprise there. The way she healed herself at the bridge would only make it obvious. None the less he was intrigued.
"Kabuto," addressed a cold voice from behind him. The said medic looked to the source to see Sasuke leaning against the door frame; a scowl firmly in place and arms crossed over his bare sleek chest, no doubt just finished with training.
"Oh, what brings me the pleasure of seeing you," Kabuto asked mockingly. It was no secret that they loathed each other on a high level. The day they truly got along outside of forced politeness would be the day Hell froze over and sprouted daisies.
Uchiha Sasuke scoffed and rolled his eyes in agitation. "Orochimaru wants you."
"You came all this way to tell me that," he asked with a withered look. There was more to it obviously. The youngest Uchiha didn't do anything unless there was a treat for him. Even if it was as small as sending messages. He was high enough on Orochimaru's favorite list to get away with refusing a small errand.
And he was right as Sasuke pushed off of the wall and sauntered in to look at the monitor. Blue lights illuminated his face from the screen as he recognized the outline of Konoha with a single blue glow-no doubt a person. "Who is that?"
Not interested in telling the Uchiha, he merely shrugged. "You tell me, all knowing prodigy."
A mutinous glare struck but he only smirked. The white haired medic had seen a lot of things that didn't level up with Sasuke's signature glare. With his smirk stretching to a full blown grin, Kabuto walked past him and to the medic table to re-sharpen his scalpels and surgical blades. It was clear now what Sasuke wanted. Who could forget the man's need to know everything going on and be the center of attention, he though bitterly. He was no doubt wanting to know who this person was… The fact that they happened to be a she sparked his interest even more. For some reason-and it was in his right to do as he pleased-he had no intentions of telling Uchiha Sasuke that this little minx that had captured his as well as Orochimaru's attention happened to be his ex-team mate, Haruno Sakura.
After getting no reaction except for the blank shoulder, Sasuke began to grow impatient. "I don't expect you to brush me off."
"You shouldn't expect anything. See that's your problem," Kabuto explained as he turned to observe the Uchiha while pointing his scalpels in a matter-of-fact way. "You are always thinking and expecting things to happen. So much that after a while you begin to imagine things. Not a good habit to start," he said with a shake of his head and turned back to his prized tools.
Again the shoulder! This wasn't setting well with Sasuke at all, but he knew that he couldn't touch Kabuto and vise versa. They were both highly regarded by Orochimaru, meaning both were safe, much to their luck and dismay. "Tell me who she is."
"What's in it for you?"
"The knowledge of knowing."
"A scholar now, are we?"
"Are you going to tell me or do I have to ask Orochimaru?"
"By all means, you can ask anyone you want… But I am the one that will give you the answer. Sadly for you at the moment I just don't feel like saying any names."
After sending a burning glare through Kabuto and willing him to catch on fire he growled angrily. "Fine. Do I know her?"
This time Kabuto faced him completely and leaned against the table. "Yes."
"How old is she?"
"Why so interested? Isn't Karin enough for you?"
His crimson eyes narrowed to slits. "Watch your mouth."
"If you have a problem with the way I address you then feel free to leave my medic room," came his back fire, just as smooth as the surface of his glasses.
Sasuke brushed off Kabuto's attempt at insulting him with his suggestions on Karin. He wasn't about to correct him to say there was nothing between him. Just another annoying fan girl. "How well do I know her?"
Kabuto pondered for a moment. At first glance he would've answered that he knew nothing of the kunoichi's skill and improvements, but that would lead him away from the guess of Sakura. After all, Sasuke thought he knew everything about how she was still weak and wasted her time crying over him. What a shock he would get when Kabuto brought back his little kunoichi to the base. And he wouldn't allow Sasuke near her…. Where was the point in getting an apprentice if Sasuke would only cause damage? Simple enough. It wouldn't be a good strategy move.
"You've known her at the academy," came his short reply. "Other then that I'm not entirely sure how much you know of her."
There were hidden meanings in his words, but Sasuke tucked them away for later decoding. Before another question could arise, Kabuto walked to the door of his room and held it open. "Sorry to cut this interesting conversation short, but I have a meeting with Orochimaru-san."
Sasuke tossed a dry glare at the amused medic before sending a last glance at the monitor. Crossing his arms, he sauntered out of the room and down the hall as Kabuto shut and lock the door in place before heading down the opposite end.
Silently, Sasuke vowed to find out who this woman was and why she was so important. Clearly she was strong and that was only mirrored in the fact that it gained Orochimaru's interest… and seemingly the youngest Uchiha.
*******************************************************************************
How did this happen? How did she end up like this? Couldn't she just have her time of joy before more bad news struck? Sakura found herself in the Hokage office with Neji, Tenten and Ino who stood around the kneeling Sakura and the sobbing woman in her arms. In the corner, talking to Tsunade was Kakuzu and Hidan who were briefed on the incident at hand. Looking down, she held the blonde sand kunoichi around the shoulders and quietly hummed. She hadn't expected this.
"What happened?" Itachi asked stoically. It almost seemed cold to Sakura but perhaps that was because he had once again built up the walls around him when in public. She hadn't really noticed just how much warmer he seemed when it was just the three of them away from public ears.
Tsunade looked over to see Temari crying lighting into Sakura's shoulder. "We have received a radio signal yesterday morning from coordinates near the border. It came from Shikamaru and Zetsu just around 5:11am and there trace vanished shortly after."
"What do you mean? They were killed?" Kismae asked.
"It's…a possibility that we have exercised. Also it may be that they were captured, but there is no proof that they were even in the area."
"Did you send a team?" Sakura asked over Temari's quieting sobs.
"Of course we had. After not getting any response on what they were doing I sent a team to investigate but all that was found was the radio and the remains of the village. What ever happened to the shinobi camp, it leaves that they packed and left once they found out they were caught," Tsunade scowled. Sakura looked to Temari who had stopped crying but still had her head in Sakura's shoulder. No wonder why she was upset. Shikamaru and Temari had been dating for almost three years. It was definitely taking its toll on her.
There was a sudden scoff behind Sakura. "And where have you been?" Ino asked heatedly at Sakura who furrowed her brows at the blonde. Looking back at her childhood friend, Sakura took in her appearance. She wore a green sweater with her hair was in her usual ponytail but wet, obviously she had just come from a shower with her eyes a puffy red. Her cheeks were just as flushed as Temari's but no tears fell as far as Sakura could see.
"On a mission," came her calm reply though she desperately wanted to ask Ino what her problem was.
She loved him too, inner reminded. Jealously was always part of it.
"Did you know about him going?" The room was quiet as the blonde's voice rose shockingly. "Did you know he was going out there and you just left?!"
Itachi narrowed his eyes at her, but she was smart enough to focus entirely on Sakura. "Ino, I know you cared about him-"
"And here you are holding Temari like she is the one who's worse off! I knew him before she ever came to Konoha!" she raged and stomped her foot to the ground.
Temari jerked her head from Sakura and threw a glare that could kill Ino with daggers who challengingly matched it. "Shut the fuck up! It isn't always about you!"
Ino rolled her eyes and tacked her hands onto her hips. "Oh, right! It's always about the Sand Princess! Just because you're a Jounin and Ambassador for your brother doesn't mean shit!"
"Ino!" Sakura started but it fell on deaf ears.
"What's the matter with you," Tenten also barked in.
"Keep Gaara out of this!" Temari growled.
Ino took a step forward challengingly so she towered over Sakura and Temari, trying to use her height to intimidate the kneeling two. "Why? Is he going to sit in a dark corner and cut himself?" she mocked in a child like tone while using her pointer finger to run from the tip of her eye and down her cheek in an imitation of a tear.
Something inside of the sand kunoichi snapped and all she saw was a flash of red as she lunged at the blonde. It happened so fast, nearly everyone jumped out of the way before their senses returned and they hurled back to the middle of the scuffle. Hidan pulled Ino from the ravenous sand kunoichi while Ino punched and kicked at air, occasionally hitting Hidan in the face or chest. "Fuck bitch-hold still!" But she was deaf to any voice except her own screaming at her to hurt the rival female. She wanted to see Temari bleed and cry from her hits not because of the man who had seemingly fallen off the face of the living earth. With a final kick, she heeled Hidan in the balls, making him release her enough to charge back at Temari who was being held back by Neji and Tenten.
"ENOUGH!!" Tsunade yelled as she pushed from her desk and rushed to the fight.
The screams to stop by the other Konoha ninja were washed over by the crude raunchy comments that were tossed angrily across the room. As a free and tearful Ino reached Temari, she rained down on punches to the defenseless kunoichi before Neji released her to defend herself. Tenten followed suit and the fight continued as they tried to pull both apart so there weren't any more cheap shots being thrown. "Ino! Stop it!" Sakura yelled desperately. Blood was splattered across the floor as Hidan was back to his feet, pulling Ino from Temari who had a hold of the blonde's ponytail in one hand while throwing deadly punches to the back of her head. "Ino get a grip! You don't mean any of this!" the pink-haired medic continued. Finally Sakura and Itachi pushed past the group and the pink-haired kunoichi squeezed between the two rival females, helping Hidan split them up as Itachi pulled Temari away in a firm grip. With one last desperate punch, Ino felt her knuckles connect hard into a jaw before all went silent. Opening tear filled blue eyes, Ino stared at the woman on the ground. Sakura sat up with blood flowing from a large gash in her bottom lip and glared at Ino. With her Anbu cloak, she wiped the blood away before standing to her feet and stalking up to Ino who stared on at wide eyes-still in Hidan's grip. "I'm sorry-Sakura-"
-Slap-
Her head was spun to the side and Sakura calmly walked towards the doors, ready to leave this office and not looking back at her friend. The room was quiet and Temari's anger seemed to disappear. Without thinking twice, Itachi released the sand-nin and stepped in front of Sakura, effectively blocking her in the office on her way to storm out. She nearly walked into him before she stopped short a few small inches. Her forehead came to his chin as she stared into dark onyx eyes. "Move, Itachi," she said quietly. His fresh, one of a kind scent of pine wrapped around her and she tried to keep her mind focused on the door just beyond the Uchiha. Instead of moving, he once again surprised her with his thumb that wiped the blood from her lip. This made her jump slightly but didn't move otherwise as a blush filled her cheeks. That was when his lips twitched upwards momentarily before tossing his chin in the direction of her friends. Emerald eyes looked over to see Tenten talking to Temari and Tsnuade taking her seat at the desk. Ino watched everyone while leaning against the wall; stealing a few apologetic glances to Sakura.
It was clear that he was telling her non-verbally that her friends needed her. Not to mention that he wasn't ready to have an over emotional kunoichi in the apartment. Sighing to herself, she looked to Itachi and mouth 'thank you' before walking back to Temari. She knew Ino was going through conflict but so was Temari. For Ino to snap like that wasn't like her. She was vocal and crude at times but she knew when to stay quiet. Perhaps it was Hidan's doing-not intentional of course. Still it was something she would have to look into later.
Sakura sat on the other side of Temari with Ino shortly after pulling a seat next to Sakura. The pink-haired kunoichi didn't say anything but didn't move away either. Calmly she allowed Ino to sit and stay quiet. While Itachi purposely moved to the wall behind them incase another fight arose. If such a fight did start then he wouldn't hesitate to take Sakura out; only because he didn't want her to be out of work for a mission—nothing else, he told himself… though he wasn't sure just how true that statement was.
"I have the tape here for those who want to listen," Tsunade said, going back to the main problem. She knew there was going to be a fight… it was only a matter of time with when.
No body moved from her warning and waited patiently. "Are you sure," Sakura asked the other two blondes. Ino nodded while Temari muttered a "yes." Tenten gave each a sympathetic glance but looked back to Tsunade who pulled out a small radio that looked like it had been through hell and back. The sight itself was heart wrenching to imagine what it held. A knob was missing and three wires hung exposed from the corner that was missing from a fracture. Mud dirt and blood crusted in layers over the black exterior surface. Tsunade took another breath and pressed a button on the side that shattered the silence in static. Heavy breathing was heard before it started to skip like a CD. Panting then static-panting-static-a few words-static, before finally evening out to settle in a fluent panting before the shifting of what sounded to be leaves stopped from the background and silence fell. Finally the voice froze the atmosphere in the office, suffocating everyone who held their breath for the moment.
"Nara, Shikamaru and Zetsu at given location. It is five am and there has been an ambush against us. I repeat we have been found." More scuttling and leaves before a pause. The voice dropped to a lower whisper. "Between one-hundred-seventy to one-hundred-ninety enemy ninjas have burned the village. They have split up 1800 hours yesterday and will be spreading camps along the-----static---------- I repeat, Konohagakure and Sunagakure are being blocked off by other shinobi camps and cornered…"
"Nara," entered the voice belonging to none other then his partner. "To your left."
This time metal against metal was heard through the speaker with hostile voices in the back ground yelling desperately to kill the two enemies. Shikamaru's shadow jutsu was sent into play before an explosion shook the speakers, sending a high pitch to whistle through the office and landed with a thud of what seemed to be when the radio was displaced from Shikamaru. Silence was all that followed and Sakura furrowed her brows. This wasn't good at all. This war was starting to roll over them faster then she had imagined and it could only get worse. Feeling tears in her eyes, she shook them away, pleased that Naruto wasn't here. She would have to tell him when they were alone… She new what kind of problems that would rise, but it would settle over time. Looking over she saw Temari with her hands covering her ears and her eyes clenched tightly. Confused she allowed her gaze to wonder to Ino who had now pulled her knees to her chest and Tenten biting her lip… Was she missing something? There was no proof that Shikamaru was dead. He could just be hiding without radio contact or supplies. Surely they haven't given up hope yet have they?
Suddenly a blood curtailing scream of pain and anguish devastated the silence and emerald eyes jerk expectantly to the tape before Tsunade pushed the button again to stop it, but it didn't shut off like it had many times before. Shikamaru's scream continued. Again she pressed the button and again and again while the pain from the voice grew louder serving the room into horrific images until an unnatural silences poisoned them from the screams that was roughly cut off. Angrily, the hokage tossed the wretched radio into the wall where is shattered. It had clicked its last.
Sakura looked to her friends then to Itachi and Kisame, she didn't want to be here anymore and she couldn't keep her tears in much longer, but she knew she had to be strong for her friends… It was one of those times that she was presented with the curiosity of what to say to her companions who were in pain.
What could she say? What would make them feel better? Would she be able to make them feel better? Perhaps this was why Itachi wanted her to stay. Perhaps it was because he knew she would be in a dilema and she would have to think outside of the box. Haha… It was funny how you would need to put so much effort and thought into something that should be natural.
But she decided to give it a try. She knew that everyone loved to be loved and comforted no matter who they were. The past two weeks with Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame taught her that much. Many people give the appearance that they didn't care about the pain in their life in order to impress others or keep an appearance. Sasuke and Kakashi helped her with that one since she was a genin. But some people, however, weren't afraid to admit to their pain and frustration… Now that Sakura got to the basics of this, it came to the matter of what to say to these people in their time of need. It wasn't normal dread and sorrow that she was dealing with. Oh no, it was worst. A demon that devoured their hope hungrily and left behind the hollow empty depression. It was the demon of war that struck through the hearts of everyone from both sides of the war… Her odds against it was slim.
Still she wanted her friends to cheer up… well not cheer up, but at least not give in to the enemies. She understood, from her years of training with Tsunade that there was a time to sulk and a time to tell the world "fuck you"… It was time for the latter. It was time to spit in the enemies faces and tell them that they weren't afraid. Shikamaru wouldn't want this. He didn't die because of an accident. He clearly said that he knew the risks and was willing to take them proudly to help Konoha. So what did she say? Should she say that she cares? It was obvious that she would care-despite Ino's previous insults. She wouldn't be here if she didn't care. Should she say it's okay? Why would anyone say that to someone? What's okay when they are grieving for a loss? How is it okay? Should she try pointing out the upside of the situation? They knew the positive side of what had happened-if there was any. Where is the comfort in pointing this out? She was trying to be understanding in a way that could show them something brighter, But alas, it wasn't doing them any good.
With Temari leaning on her shoulder once again and Ino finally putting a hand to Sakura's shoulder, she smiled softly and allowed them to cry their tears, while she fought hers down with all her own strength. There was nothing wrong with just hugging the upset person and letting them cry out their sorrows. Perhaps that was what they needed… they needed a listener. Someone to hear them yell and scream and cry….
Was this what Itachi was searching for?
*********************************************************************************************
"You called for me?" Kabuto asked as he entered the room. Orochimaru looked up from his curtain of hair and smirked slyly.
"Ah… I saw that your tracker has been activated." A long purple tongue darted out of his lips before sliding back into place. "When do you plan to take her in?"
"Are you anxious?"
"You know me, Kabuto," he replied with a twisted smirk forming.
"I do and that was why I couldn't help but ask."
"She will help keep our shinobi numbers up and healthy against Konoha and Suna. Of course I'm anxious."
"Well I don't plan to bring her until I know when it is safe. With their guards up, it will be very difficult," he explained while pushing his glasses higher on the bridge of his nose.
"Fair enough-but that was not the reason I called you here," he continued with a careless wave of his hand. "I want you to do a border patrol around Fire Country and Wind."
"To check for holes in the defense?"
"More or less. I need you to map out every camp that is hidden so we can have a view of where everyone is stationed."
"I understand," he nodded. He turned to walk away before Orochimaru stopped him. "I would also like you to take Sasuke with you and Karin."
"Sasuke and Karin?" His grin fell lifelessly.
Orochimaru was all too aware that they didn't get along, but brushed it off as them needing to establish dominance. "Yes. It will keep them focused if they have a break from training."
Damn his mood was killed. So much for his poison working…. "Alright… I understand," he dismissed himself.
********************************************************************************
It wasn't until after nine pm that Kisame, Itachi and Sakura arrived back to their now repaired flat. They had left the office after giving their report, leaving out the strange poison substance for Itachi's sake. Sakura only figured that she could talk to Tsunade in privacy when everything started to settle down before they started to figure out the puzzle of the poison. It was a risky and reckless move on her part incase the attacker tried it again, but for some reason her need to protect Itachi's ego was much stronger. He seemed to be grateful for it to after he tossed a crooked curl-your-toes smirk. Sighing at the memory that already made heat rise to her head, she carefully followed Kismae into the shadowed apartment.
Looking around suspiciously Kisame stumbled through the dark and to the fridge to find his stash of sake safe as he left it. Pulling a bottle he walked to the couch plopped lazily next to Sakura who was lost in thought. Their dinner was quiet and even though Kisame didn't know Shikamaru, he knew what war was like and any thing like this was…. Safe to say, depressing to some extent. As he gulped a healthy lug of sake, he couldn't help but be impressed at Hidan's calm and control that he had. It was clear that he didn't give a damn about Nara, but he kept his mouth quiet. The blue man would have never guessed that the Jashin sadist would have self control. Perhaps that loud blonde bomb shell was a good influence on him; though by her stunt earlier, he couldn't say it was vise versa.
Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he wondered why Sakura hadn't done worse then a slap. Even if the slap was hard and silence shattering, it still wasn't as effective as a punch. Then again he wouldn't expect her to hit her friend. The kitten had claws but she wasn't disrespectful. Looking over at the shift in the shadows, he saw Itachi walk over to sit in a recliner with a glass of water. "Thank you for not letting me walk out," Sakura muttered embarrassingly.
Itachi merely observed her before taking a drink of his water. "You're friends needed you," he said shortly, leaving no room to drag the topic out. But Kisame continued, oblivious to Itachi's irritation.
"Besides, if they tried anything then it was going to be me that broke up the fight," Kisame joked while pointing a thumb smugly to his chest.
Sakura cracked a smile but a sudden knock on the door brought the lightening mood to a halt. Curious she walked to the door and peeked through the eye hole but it was too dark to see anything. Shrugging to herself, she opened the door to reveal a busty blonde smile softly to Sakura. "Hey, Sakura."
"Shishou?"
"I needed to give you a mission assignment away from the other teams' ears," she explained as Sakura allowed her in before locking the door behind her.
"A mission?" Kisame asked with an added withered look. "We just got back."
"Well congratulations, but you're leaving tomorrow for the next one."
She switched her gaze to Kisame, Itachi then back to the mist-nin. "Kakuzu's team is going to investigate any and all clues that were left behind at the remains of the village. I'm aware of your collegian's history in bounty hunting and with Neji's Byakugan it should make it successful. Temari had also volunteered to go and help."
"Well that's all great but what do we have to do?"
"Your job is simple…" she continued, ignoring Kisame's rude inquiry. "There is a man in Cloud Country. His name is Hikaro Goro. He has information on the Sound and Mist ninja that have been harassing travelers, teams and other villages. Hopefully it will lead to a connection between those trouble makers to the ones that are spreading the shinobi camps around the map," she added bitterly.
"That sounds simple enough," Sakura shrugged and took a scroll with the mission details that her shishou handed. Itachi watched Sakura and Tsunade, waiting to see what this mission was fully about.
"I wasn't finished," she said softly. "It is an assassination mission as well. When you get the information you must destroy him. He could snitch on us and move all the camps again before you three even get back here to tell us. That is something I am not willing to risk." Turning, she faced Sakura knowing that this was only going to add more stress to the worried kunoichi. "Sakura, you will be the one to take care of this task."
Sakura furrowed her brows. She hadn't been on many assassination missions. Only…. Four. That wasn't a lot at all. She couldn't bear the thought of letting Kisame and Itachi take over and do it for her. That would only mean that she would portray herself as weak… She wasn't afraid, but she was a healer not an executioner. Well she was technically both but you get the point. At least it wasn't a….
"As a seduction mission…"
**********************************************************************************
Yes it was a short chapter, but I couldn't fit more into it without starting in the next chapter. Anyway I know this didn't have much change to it either but I went back and added a few more things. Review if you want. I'm just writing this story because the idea was too good to let sit. If you don't like it then let me know….. I dare you. And even if you don't like it, the story will still go on! Just try and stop me.
Next chapter I advise you to re-read for those who have already read it. I plan on re-writing it.