Yey! Naruto's Bijuu form rocks. Well, except for that strange markings all over.

Anyways... Someone told me that most of my characters are out of their usual self. My apologies =T_T=
Maybe this is how I wanted them to be... Har Har

BTW, thanks a many to all those who continue to support and like this story^^
I promise to do better... And better...

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto does.

CHAPTER 10

Sakura and Itachi arrived in Konoha. Unknown to her, it was planned by her older siblings. As danger threatens to destroy everything, seems like the only people she could ever trust were her old friends and new ones.

XoXoXoXoX

Konoha

"We are so happy to see you, Sakura-chan," Hinata said with a soft smile on her face.

Sai agreed which is a little strange given the fact that he rarely shows any emotions. Naruto on the other hand is still unconscious on one corner. Kakashi gave Sakura a pat in the head before he disappeared. Her sensei took the liberty to inform the Hokage of her arrival. Captain Yamato almost cried when he see her.

"Sakura, I…"

"My sister told me everything. Thank you so much, Captain, for trying to protect me," Sakura cheered him up.

"Ow! What happened?" Naruto asked, Hinata immediately went to his side and told him what he missed. "Sakura! You're okay. I'm so glad," he exclaimed. Sakura was glad to see that familiar grin on his face. The blonde couldn't help himself as he reach for her and hugged her tightly.

"Hey, cut that out. I can't breathe…" Sakura tried to avoid Naruto's arm but lets the brat anyway. She really misses him. When everyone heard a familiar squeal. It's Tonton. Shizune came rushing into the room. She was already crying. Hinata gave her a hanky.

"Hello Miss Shizune. It's good to see you."

"Sakura"

Tsunade looks like she has seen a ghost, but went to her immediately as she shoved Naruto aside causing him to fall head first.

"Ouch!"

"Oh, Naruto-kun, are you alright?" Hinata asks worriedly.

"You look shaken. Did someone attack you? Are you alright?" The Hokage asks Sakura without beating around the bush as she looks for any injuries when she spotted her arm.

"How did you know I was attacked? What made you say that, my Lady?" Sakura looks at everyone's faces. "Did you know something I don't? Please, speak up?"

"Your sister, Miss Kagura, went here earlier." Hinata said when no one spoke.

"What?"

"She came to see me… And gave me this seal." Tsunade showed Sakura the seal imprinted on her palm.

"This is…"

"She said it will warn me if something bad will happen. I'm not sure what it really means. But something evil is coming."

Sakura didn't saw this coming. She never knew her sister still had an open communication with Konoha especially her old mentor.

"I don't understand. Why would she hide something like this from me?" Sakura felt betrayed. Her hands clenches tightly. A soft hand touches her shoulder. Sakura turns and saw Hinata, assuring her.

"She might be protecting you from more harm, Sakura-chan."

"But we are a family. And we are supposed to stick together. Right?" Sakura whispered, trying to convince herself.

"They have lost you once. Maybe they don't want it to happen again," Naruto said while scratching his head.

"But?"

"Those petals that brought you here, it was hers." Hinata added softly. "I remember her chakra signature."

"Oh Kagura," Sakura cried. Tsunade comforted her.

"Everyone, thank you. I never thought you would welcome me."

"It's no big deal, Sakura. You are always welcome here." Kakashi told her. Sakura knew he is smiling behind the mask. He was standing beside the window.

Sakura smiled as she stood up. "Forgive me, but I cannot stay any longer. I have to go back."

"But Sakura," Naruto stand as well, looking alarmed.

"You are right, Lady Tsunade. Someone attacked me. But we happened to escape," Sakura told everyone but looks directly to the Hokage.

"We?" Yamato looks at Naruto who shrugged his shoulder. Hinata nodded in confirmation. They never saw anyone at the clearing.

"We didn't know you have another companion with you. Where is she?" Naruto asked.

"He," Sakura corrected her former teammate. "He was badly injured, trying to protect me." Sakura sourly remembers that good for nothing moron.

"And?" Yamato added urging her to continue.

Sakura sighed. "I put him inside a special scroll, so that he could recuperate faster."

"I never knew we can do that?" Hinata looks curiously at Shizune.

"Konan taught me that." Sakura grinned sheepishly.

"But still, I will not allow you to leave, Sakura. I promised your sister that I… I mean we, will take care of you till this is over." Tsunade told her seriously.

"But my Lady… I can't stay. HE told me he will do everything to take me back. He will kill anyone who tries to get in his way." Sakura looks at everyone worriedly. "I don't want any of you to be hurt because of me." Pleading in Sakura's voice as she clenches her fists. She was starting to regret her decision to come back.

["I knew it, coming back here is a mistake. They are starting to annoy me with their endless questions," Inner Sakura yelled. "Those brats in Akatsuki are much easier to control than these fools."]

"As if we would allow anyone to hurt you." Naruto interrupted her. Tsunade nodded in approval.

"I second his motion. I will not let my guard down this time." Itachi said as he appeared from the shadows behind Sakura.

Everyone except Tsunade looks alarmed at the Uchiha's sudden appearance.

"You idiot! How did you get out?" Sakura yelled at him earning surprised glances. The pink haired Kunoichi rushed to him, took his arms around her shoulder trying to support his weight.

Itachi seems to refuse her assistance but looking at her deadly expression and the scolding he will definitely receive later, he submits without a word but a sigh. Truth be told, he still couldn't stand straight.

"Hinata-chan, can I borrow a chair please."

"Uhm, sure." Hinata nodded as she went outside to get one.

"Uchiha Itachi," Tsunade acknowledge the newcomer. "It's been a while."

"Lady Hokage," Itachi slightly bows his head in respect to Konoha's leader. He tried to school his expression, avoiding Sakura's scrutinizing gaze. He could feel her looking at him. The corner of his lips raised as if to smile. He knew she still worried about his condition.

"You bastard!" Naruto shouted furiously and was about to attack Itachi but Yamato and Sai held him back. "Let me go."

"Naruto," Hinata hurriedly went to the blonde's side, trying to calm him.

"Because of you, Sasuke left," Naruto yelled angrily. Everyone in that room could feel the contempt in his voice. Sakura tried to reason with him but Itachi stops her and shook his head.

"I couldn't deny the fact that I did so many bad things. I guess I deserve your hatred. And Sasuke's too." Itachi said humbly.

"And what are you going to do about that?" Naruto growled. The blonde may have not noticed but Itachi took Sakura's hand much to the rosette's surprise and everyone's astonished looks.

"I was told that you were his closest friend. That you were always there for him when I wasn't." Itachi paused as he looks at Sakura's anxious reaction. "I want to know if you are willing to risk everything to save him from the path he chose to take." He asks seriously. Itachi looks straight to Naruto's eyes. Measuring his honesty.

"Sasuke's heart is filled with hatred. I do not know if I can remove his pain. But I want you to know that I will never abandon him."

Naruto's words were simple. And it filled Itachi's heart with hope. Something to look forward too. He turns to Sakura and smiled apologetically at her. "Sakura, I…"

"I guess I couldn't put reason inside that thick skull of yours. You are as stubborn as a bull, Itachi." Sakura commented coldly.

Naruto looks doubtfully at Sakura and Itachi. "Is there something going on between the two of you?" He asks suddenly. Hinata giggled. Kakashi chuckled behind his masks while Tsunade and the others look incredulously at the blonde.

["Tsk. You really are an idiot. The Fourth should have selected someone smarter to imprison me with, not a stupid little boy like you," The Kyuubi said bitterly.

"And what is that suppose to mean?" Naruto shouted back, glaring murderously at the Fox.]

Itachi felt relieved to know that his brother had such good friends. Too bad, he still went on his own to find the power he desperately needed to kill him. He looks at Sakura and groaned inwardly. His vision seems to blur rapidly. He knew his sight is coming to an end. He only wished he could implant Sakura's face inside his memory. He falls on his knees due to exhaustion and passed out.

"Itachi!"

"Sakura, what is wrong with him?" Shizune asks hesitantly.

"This idiot had a death wish and wanted to be a hero at the same time. I was surprised to see him standing and talking with all of you. I did the best I could to heal him and I don't know if…" Sakura prattle without pausing as the Hokage move towards her and put an assuring hand to calm her.

"Try to relax Sakura. Let me have a look at him." Tsunade told everyone to leave the room as well. She also ordered Shizune to bring Sakura to another room where she could rest.

"I wish to stay with him my Lady." Sakura pleaded, ignoring Shizune.

Tsunade smiled knowingly. "Very well. Shizune, please inform the rest to stay on their guard. Seems like our enemy will come sooner than we've expected." She looks at the seal in her palm which started to tingle steadily since Sakura's arrival, warning her of the dangers that will soon come. "Also, I want you to recall the others. I need everyone to prepare and be ready."

"Yes, my Lady." Shizune left immediately.

"Umm…" Sakura was fidgeting on her spot.

"What is it? Sakura?"

"I would like to request Hinata's assistance for this task. You see… Itachi is…" Sakura breathe deeply and looks at her mentor. "His Sharingan… It's…"

Understanding passes thru Tsunade's eyes. "Oh… I see."

XoXoXoXoX

Outside of Konoha

Neji was temporarily assigned to Team Kurenai as Hinata's replacement. They are patrolling the northern borders as ordered. They would be meeting Gai and the others at the southern gates. Kiba's companion, Akamaru was barking anxiously as if trying to get their attention.

"Hey pal, what's wrong?" Kiba asks.

"Something is not right. The forest seems so quiet. Not a single living creature is present except the four of us." Shino said.

Neji looks around as he activated his Byakugan. The leaves rustled from above.

A kunai was thrown, it almost hit Kiba but Akamaru was able to drag him. Just a few inches and it will definitely kill the Inuzuka.

"Darn it." Kiba curses loudly.

"Is that an explosive tag?"

"Damn!"

"Kiba, run."

The explosion lights fire to the surrounding area. Two shadows suddenly appeared, looking at the scene. The smaller one is looking with disgust while the taller one is impassive.

"I was expecting more from them, you know. Especially the Hyuga. Tsk. I really thought they will give us an even fight. I guess they are really a bunch of losers." The shorter Anbu smirked conceitedly as he adjusted his mask. For Danzo's 'Extermination', he replaced the standard Anbu masks with black ones, and the symbol of Root engraved in each forehead.

The taller Anbu shrugged his shoulders in a casual manner ignoring his companion's loud outbursts. "Do you mind telling me why we are attacking the rest? They could still be used you know," He asks.

"Boss didn't want any of them. He seems to know that they can never be trusted."

"Do you have any idea how he knew all of that?" The taller Anbu seems confused as he scratches his head.

"Beats me." The smaller Anbu took a kunai from his pouch and played with it. "I wasn't told about that. But if you really are interested, you can ask our team leaders. You wouldn't miss them at all because of their red masks."

A whistle was heard from the distance. Both Anbu look at the same direction. "That must be the signal. Let's go back and regroup. They must have a new order for all Root operatives." The smaller Anbu looks at his comrade. "You?"

"Thanks for those information. You really are such a great help," Neji smiled graciously as he attacked the Anbu using his 'Gentle Fists'. The poor fellow drops unceremoniously to the ground without uttering a single sound.

"Is everyone alright?" Neji asks.

"Just a scratch. But nothing too serious." Kiba said as he dispose the other Anbu.

Shino nodded as well. He took the mask and crushed it single handedly. "I always knew they can never be trusted."

"They are Danzo's men all right. But why are they trying to kill us?" Kiba is starting to get anxious. Akamaru barks furiously. "They must be attacking the others as well. We have to go back Neji, they might be in trouble."

"Yes. We have to warn the others." The Hyuga looks at the Aburame and asked, "Shino, do you have any bugs that can be summoned for this kind of emergency. We must inform the Hokage at once."

"I'm already on it." Shino replied.

"What are we waiting for, let's go back," Kiba prepares to leave; Akamaru wiggles his tail in anticipation.

"Neji?" Shino looks at the Hyuga who seems to be in deep thought.

"I was wondering how she knew all of this would happen. That someone from Konoha will betray us." Neji said while looking at the fallen Anbu.

"Let us worry about that later." Shino calmly answered. "We have a duty to fulfill to our comrades."

Neji nodded as he activated his Byakugan. "Let's move."

Leaves rustled as the three Shinobi's disappeared in a hurry.

XoXoXoXoX

The usual stuff... If only all would leave their reviews, comments, etcetera...
Well then... If some of you don't review... I won't update ASAP... *joke*

Which reminds me... Hmmm... Oh yeah, sorry for my mistakes... I knew I made some in this chapter...

Anyhow, thanks for reading^^

Love and peace… Yo!