Hello people!. When I re-read the first chapter again I realised how many mistakes there were and realised how Kabuto and Orochimaru and pretty much everyone was very OOC, so I'm sorry for that.

Disclaimer: Nothing but the storyline is mine!

Anyway, on with the story!

Chapter 2: A Mission Received…

Four years later …

For the first time in a few weeks, the sun shined down on Konoha. Birds sang, people spoke to one another, and a certain pink haired kunoichi slowly made her way down the path, watching the ground at all times and only looking up when she heard a loud-mouthed blonde ninja call her name.

"SAKURAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-CHAN!"

The kunoichi was surprised at how realistic her smile came out, as not even Naruto could see through it. "Hey, Naruto. What's going on?" She said, trying to sound as interested as possible.

Naruto grinned widely, seemingly impressed with himself for making her 'smile'. "We need to report to Granny Tsunade's office, apparently we've got a mission!"

Sakura's eyes widened momentarily, before quickly resuming her normal posture. "Really? But we don't have a … third teammate …"

She soon regretted saying that as she could already feel the flood of tears on its way, and she refused to let them out. Not here. Not in front of Naruto. She glanced down at the pavement, while Naruto looked at her with soft eyes. He knew he'd lost somebody that was like a brother to him, and it was hard getting over that, but for Sakura, it was an entirely different story.

Naruto coughed slightly, suggesting that they need to get a move on, but allowing Sakura to go at whatever pace she wanted.

If there was one thing Sakura didn't want, it was people feeling sorry for her. She looked back up, a fake gleam in her eyes, and put on the most reasonable smile she could. "C'mon, Naruto. I'll race you!" She said quickly and ran off towards the huge tower.

Naruto looked on for a few more seconds, thinking about how much he missed the old Sakura and how much he'll hurt the Teme for it when they bring him back, before he too ran after Sakura, laughing to himself along the way.

Once Naruto reached the office, he found that an out of breath Sakura was waiting for him outside. Or, that's what he thought she was doing.

"Tsunade-sama's in there with Kakashi-sensei. She's giving him the brief of the mission and she's also telling him who the other member of our team will be. We're gonna go in soon."

Naruto nodded, trying to catch his breath, and leaning up against the wall. Suddenly, from behind him, came a husky laugh and a couple of high-pitched barks. Sakura and Naruto turned to see Kiba and Akamaru wandering up the stairs, both grinning amusedly.

"Hey Naruto, never thought Sakura could make you pant that hard." Kiba said as a devilish smirk appeared on his face. For a short moment, Sakura forgot about her troubles as she hit Kiba around the head, whilst reminding him that he should not speak like that in front of women.

Once she finished and continued leaning against the wall with her eyes closed, Kiba rolled his own eyes and looked at Tsunade's door.

"Why are you two just standing outside? Aren't you normally supposed to enter the office to talk to her?"

Naruto glared at him playfully. "We would've, but apparently Granny Tsunade's giving Kakashi-sensei the brief of our mission. Why are you here?"

"Your mission? Ah, looks like I'm your … I'm your third teammate …" He wished he didn't have to say those words to them, as he sympathised with them for losing their teammate and best friend. Even after four years, it was still a harsh blow to them whenever it was mentioned.

Just as he'd expected, an awkward silence erupted between the three of them, and it remained that way until Kakashi opened the door, causing the three ninjas and dog to look up at the approaching man.

"Yo! You can come in now; I know what I need to know!" He said with a short wave, before he walked back inside, followed by his two students, Kiba and Akamaru.

Tsunade looked at the three chuunin, all with determination written on their faces. She stopped as she reached the pink-haired girl, whose face was full of emotions – none of which particularly good. She sighed inwardly. She didn't want to have to give them this mission. She suddenly cursed loudly at every other team that was out on a mission, before realising that it didn't just stay inside her mind. Shizune stared without blinking, Tonton, who was once resting peacefully in said girl's arms, now woke and squealed loudly, and Sakura, Naruto and Kiba stared in shock, since all they had done was walk in the room. Kakashi just looked amused at the situation in front of him.

"Are you … feeling okay, Shishou?"

"Umm, yes, thank you Sakura. I just … ran out of Sake. Shizune." Tsunade replied, shaking her cup at Shizune, while Shizune just sighed and placed Tonton on the ground and took the cup, glancing worriedly at the three genin before leaving the room.

"Yo Granny, what's the mission!?"

Sakura rolled her eyes and bumped Naruto on the head painfully, before nodding towards Tsunade to continue. Tsunade placed her elbows on the table, bringing her hands up in front of her face.

"Thank you, Sakura. Now, your mission is going to be tough. I selected you three because, simply, there was nobody else that I could give the mission to. All other teams are out, so you three were the best candidates. No matter how much the elders try to convince me that this is an A Rank mission, I think you should be on the alert for more like an S Rank mission. This mission could involve death, trauma, Akatsuki and … Orochimaru."

Before she had a chance to continue, Naruto had already started off.

"Really?! Will we find Sasuke? Will Sasuke be there? What is the mission? Why the Akatsuki? TELL US THE MISSION GRANNY!"

"Naruto … let her finish …"

The sudden change in Sakura's mood was almost horrific. Naruto stopped immediately and stared at her, blinking a few times. Her head was lowered slightly, her eyes were closed, and her fists were clenched tightly. She shook slightly too, although Naruto was unable to tell if that was due to his name being said or the fact that every window in the room was open fully.

"…Again, thank you, Sakura. I realise this will be hard for you all, especially Team Kakashi," She glanced at him. "But I really need you all to focus on the mission. To answer your questions, Naruto, yes, your mission will involve that, If Orochimaru is there, then most likely, same to the next question, and I'm telling you the mission now. We have reports from some ANBU squads that Orochimaru is currently back at his old hideout, the one where you first saw Sasuke-san since his departure. Those ANBU teams are at present on different missions, which is why I have formed this team. You are to go to this hideout, infiltrate it, defeat Orochimaru and Kabuto, and, if possible, retrieve Sasuke. You are expected to finish this mission within 14 days. If you need longer, Kakashi, you inform me. You will be leaving as soon as possible today, in an hour at most. I wish you all the best with your entire mission. And for anyone you bring back. But be warned: there are also reports that Kabuto has been working for Akatsuki too, so if you see or fight any of them, you must keep Naruto away and stay alive. Do you all have the mission?"

Team Kakashi uttered "Hai" before disappearing into thin air. Tsunade stood by the window briefly as she saw Sakura appear at the main gate to Konoha, already having equipment and clothes that she may need. Her eyes softened as she watched Sakura sit on the ground, looking at nothing but the floor beneath her.

"Please be okay, Sakura. Remember what I've taught you."

Chapter two complete. I know it's kinda short, but I just wanted to get the mission out of the way. If anyone is confused as to why they are Chuunin, it is four years later. So they're all going to be Chuunin because I say so =)

One review = one paragraph in my next chapter. Think about that if you like this story and don't review it =)

Please R&R!!

Toodles!

-x-Emma-x-