Chapter 22

She's been standing there for fifteen minutes, her eyes following Naruto and Sasuke's moves. How long were they gonna keep on sparring? They were so engrossed that they didn't even notice her or Kakashi! This is getting ridiculous, she thought. Probably, when I shout ramen, Naruto will stop,

And yeah, get the other one's attention as well. Said her Inner self and smirked.

To hell with it.

"Kakashi-sensei, I'll go on ahead. I think they will not stop. I'll have you to tell Naruto to go look for me, maybe I'm in the hospital or at the Tower, wherever. Just tell him I need to speak to him as soon as possible or I'm gonna murder him. Ja," she said and turned to walk towards the village. Before she completely walks away, she glanced one more time to the two men who were exchanging deadly blows with each other, particularly to the dark haired man, then she sighed. Men…they're men now…her boys.

Kakashi was left scratching his head.

Sakura went to the hospital and volunteered herself to take a tour. The whole area, building and vicinity were unlike before she left for Tea Country. The place was more spacious and she noticed that they do have the latest technology for medicine. She also noticed that there were a lot of personnel she didn't know. Sakura felt a flutter on her heart. She's excited to resume her work as a doctor in Konoha Hospital.

"Sakura? Haruno Sakura-san?"

Sakura turned to see who had called her. It was a girl with chestnut-brown hair, brown eyes. The mednin thinks the girl was around sixteen or seventeen of age.

"Yes?"

The girl's expression went from hesitation to excitement. Her eyes went round and she smiled widely, she run towards pinkette. "It's me! Don't you remember me?"

Sakura looked intently at the girl, running her eyes from the girls head to toe with curiosity. Then it registered to her…she knows the girl.

"Chisa?! "

"Hai!" Chisa gave her a bear-hug, "I'm so glad I'd finally see you!"

"Oh my—this is a surprise! I did not recognize you Chisa-chan, you've grown so pretty!" Sakura gave her a hug then looked at her, "let me take a look at the little Chisa of the Hotaru Village!"

Chisa giggled.

"I told you I wanted to become a doctor right? Your recommendations were a very big help, Sakura-nee. I've been studying real hard. Though I'm not as good as you or Shizune-sempai,"

Sakura gave her a loving smile, "I'm proud of you Chisa-chan. How's your parents and Minoru-san?"

"Oh, they're all fine. The village has been coping up since the last time you came and eventually we're doing much better now. They always asked for you and say hope you can visit them one-time,"

Sakura reminisced her time in Hotaru Village. It is a memorable place indeed…it's where she had found, rather encountered Sasuke. How could she forget that night in the village?

Sakura cleared her throat as well as her mind. She suddenly got embarrassed just remembering that night. How she had showed her desire towards Sasuke, but then it saddens her as well. Hotaru Village was where she had experienced something beautiful, received something wonderful and had ended her dreams…all in one night.

Sakura and Chisa stayed for a bit and chat for awhile. Chisa has been in Konoha for almost five years to study medicine under the tutelage of Shizune. She chose that field for the benefit of her village, had learned a lot of things, had found new friends and found Konoha to be an interesting village. Sometimes during vacations, she returned home to Hotaru Village. Right now, she's an intern and was preparing for an intensive exam for Internal Medicine. Even though not a ninja, her service and expertise was needed on some missions. They were what they call as the regular medics, and even though they did not possess any chakra-infused remedy for fast healing and repairing broken tissues, they were a big help in some field for minor wounds and cuts, and all regular health concerns that involves civilians and ninja alike. After all, everyone is a human.

After a little chat, Chisa bid her goodbye to attend to her rounds in the hospital. The pinkette had informed her that they will see each other frequently because she'll resume her work in the hospital soon.

SxS

Prep Division / Dormitory

Kurenai was busy scribbling on her notes when she heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," The door opened and came walking in his lazy strides was none other than Shikamaru Nara.

"Ah, Shika. Just returned from a mission?"

"Yup,"

"How was it?"

"Troublesome,"

Kurenai laughed, "If you're looking for Ren, he's in the Prep ground. He's taking a little princess for a tour,"

"Who?"

"Haruno Ryuna…Sakura's little lady," Kurenai smiled. Shika's mouth lifted to a smile and there's amusement on his eyes. He caught Kurenai's emphasizing the "Haruno" on it.

"Well, I'll show myself to them. I got something for Ren anyway, and I wanted to meet her as well,"

It was not new to Kurenai that every time Shikamaru came from a mission, he made sure that he'll see Ren first before reporting to the Hokage. He said that it was his promise to Asuma-sensei to take care of his son and Kurenai and to look after them. Kurenai often told him that they were not his responsibility, but he'll hear none of it.

"Go help yourself, you'll be amaze on the resemblance,"

Five years ago, when everyone in the village heard that Sakura was pregnant and would be a mom soon, everyone had same question on them. Who knocked her out. Naruto and Ino, two people closest to her kept their mouths sealed. But it was soon after Sasuke came to the village that they got the idea.

Why she was so much in a hurry to leave Konoha after Sasuke came back and she didn't even waited for him to wake up?

Their suspicions were evident when her daughter was born. And they keep their opinions to themselves.

A lot has been going on between Team 7 and it's not their place to criticize what was wrong or right. All of them are adults now and good friends pat each other on the back and support in any way possible.

Shikamaru bowed and then left to go to the school ground. He found the kids walking on one of the school's ground for prep's, Ren was scowling and a little girl was behind him tailing with her head bowed down, a gloomy expression on her face. It even looks like she was about to cry. Shikamaru smiled secretly while looking at the little girl following the dark-haired Sarutobi boy. Damn Uchiha, really hit it on the spot, he thought. He walked towards the two.

"What's wrong?" he asked, the question intended for the little girl. Both had heard him and when Ren recognized that it's Shikamaru, his face brightened up and ran towards him. Ryuna did not move from where she stood. She just eyed the man with a high pony-tail.

"Shika!" When the little boy had reached him, Shikamaru flicked his forehead lightly, "Ouch! What was that for?"

"I told you not to make girls cry,"

"Who-," Ren paused. He realized what the strategist nin was talking about, "I did not make her cry!"

"Ohh?" Shikamaru raised his brows, sizing up Ren.

"I- I swear!" Ren said nervously.

Shikamaru looked at the little boy then turned his eyes towards the girl, then he smiled. "How are you? I'm Nara Shikamaru, I'm one of your mother's friend,"

Ryuna walked towards them then shyly bowed down to show respect, "H-Hello, my name is Haruno Ryuna, nice to meet you…"

"Haruno huh?" Shikamaru said smiling, more like talking to himself. "Well Ryuna-chan, I've heard you just arrived, welcome to Konoha. Enjoy yourself here," he turned to Ren, "Here's something for you," he gave Ren a transparent bottle. There was something on it, and curious as she was, Ryuna looked a little closer.

When Ren looked at it, his eyes lit up, "It's a Hercules Beetle! Wow! Thank you so much Shika,"

"I've found that on my way here. By the way, what are you two doing here?" he asked, though he already knows why.

"Well, Mom asked me to show her around the school. She's going to be studying here," Ren said while looking at the beetle on the bottle.

"I see…okay," he turned towards the little girl who's been peeking up on him, curiosity on her eyes, "when this rascal here do something to you, tell me and I'll make sure he'll regret it his entire life," he winked at Ryuna and gently tousled her hair.

"I told you-" Ren refuted, scowling.

"Well…he told me I'm a liar," Ryuna mumbled, "He won't believe me when I said that Uncle Naruto is my uncle and that he will teach me to become a great ninja someday," Ryuna said, her small fingers busily ruffling her blouse while she's looking at the ground, "I have Mommy go fetch Uncle Naruto…" the corner of her eyes become watery, "…so that he would believe me,"

"Tch," Ren muttered.

"Ah, so that's what it is…" Shikamaru lazily said as he shuffled Ren's hair a little rough, "oh well, enjoy kids. I'll inform Naruto when I see him around,"

Shikamaru left and went to the direction of the Tower, his face suddenly became serious.

SxS

Training Grounds

Both Naruto and Sasuke were still sparring. Kakashi looked at his watch and decided it's time for them to stop. He jumped from the tree he was perched and called out to them. The two men, huffing and puffing from exhaustion stopped their momentum and then looked at Kakashi as if they've just realized that they have company.

"Whew, I thought you won't stop," Kakashi said, "well, I am ready to run my Raikiri to both of you if you don't stop from my first call,"

"How long have you been there Kakashi-sensei," Naruto said, slumping and sitting on the ground then decided it's better to lie on the grass than sitting. Sasuke on the other hand went to a nearby boulder where he had placed his container and training bag.

"Long enough to finish one chapter of what I'm reading,"

"You have finished that story already since God's know when," Naruto said looking disgustingly on the book Kakashi was holding.

"Right, and before I forgot, Sakura said she needs to speak to you asap, or you'll be dead," Kakashi said then eyeing the young Uchiha who was busy standing and staring at nothing. Did he just stop moving the moment he mentioned Sakura's name?

Naruto sat up right away, "She was here? I didn't even notice!"

"Yeah, a good fifteen minutes of waiting," Kakashi said.

"This is bad, I got to go, or I'll be really dead!" Naruto shouted then scampered away.

"Naruto! She said to look for her in the hospital or the tower-,"

"You should have told me earlier Kakashi-sensei! Mou~" Naruto shouted back then he was gone towards the village. Kakashi scratched his head.

"So, do want to spar with me?" he said to the brooding man beside him.

Sasuke did not answer. He was about to pick up his bag but he stopped again. Kakashi eyed him suspiciously then he sat by the protruding rock nearby, he flip his favorite book.

"I will let a medic look at that if I were you," he said lazily. Sasuke glared at the silver-haired mine but then decided to sigh. Nothing escapes from the meticulous observation of this man.

Naruto had dealt him with damage alright. He thinks he had two broken ribs which brought him difficulties in breathing. That was just the extent of his damage aside from minor scratches and bruises. He should probably stop by the hospital later and let the Hokage take a look at him. That is, if the Hokage will spare her time examining him. Aside from the busty woman, he won't let anyone touch him or examine him.

He had dealt damaged to Naruto as well. He knew he had dislocated his shoulder awhile ago but it seems it was already healed. The jinjuuriki didn't even show any restrain when he run towards the village. It must have healed fast, thanks to the overwhelming ability from the Kyuubi.

He was on that thought when he heard Karin's shriek. He sighed. Kakashi must've heard him and knew what was going on his mind because he heard the former ANBU captain gave out a soft chuckle. That or something on the story he was reading was funny.

"Sasuke-kun~" Karin shouted.

"Karin," Sasuke acknowledged as he fixed his kimono. He will not let Karin see his bruises particularly the sore part around his chest. Karin can heal him, but he won't ask her for it. He won't bite her again just to regain and recuperate.

"Yo," Kakashi greeted. Karin ignored him. She was looking at the surrounding, her hands holding her glasses.

"Hmn, I heard that pinky already returned, I sensed the residue of her chakra," she said matter-of-factly tone, but her gestures told them otherwise. She was scanning around hoping to take a glimpse of a head with pink hair.

"Yes she is," Kakashi replied, smiling, "she just returned yesterday and will be staying for good, isn't it Sasuke?" he said as he looked at Sasuke with innocent gestures and expressions as possible, "I heard she was staying in your place last night?"

Sasuke knew Kakashi was trying to stir something just to rub it on Karin. Sasuke glower on Kakashi but chose not to answer. However, on the corner of his eyes, he can see Karin was agape, closing and opening her mouth. Tch.

"S-She was…she…she slept in your place?! How...why?!"

"That's none of your business Karin," he simply said. Karin shut her mouth and hurt was evident on her eyes. Kakashi felt a bit of guilt but he noted that Sasuke did not deny what he had said or even hide the fact that Sakura was indeed sleep on his place.

"Ah yes, Sakura and her daughter stayed in his place for a night," Kakashi smiled at Karin.

"D-Daughter?" he looked at Kakashi then to Sasuke then cleared her throat. She composed herself. That's right, I've heard that that bitch had a daughter from some bastard out there. There's no way Sasuke will like her because she already had a daughter and Sasuke will never share an heir to some bastard's daughter. I know how important it is now to reestablish the Uchiha clan. There's no way they'll be together in any sense. Serves you right pinky! Sasuke will always be mine! I'll become the Uchiha matriarch someday!

"S-Sasuke-kun, I just came from the mission. It went smoothly and I came here first thing to see you," the red-haired woman said as she fluttered her eyes on him.

"Good," he raised his arm to put the Kusanagi on his back but a slight movement alone brought a searing pain on his torso…like he was being stabbed. He endured it and no expression marred his face. When he glanced at the silver-haired former ANBU captain though, it's another story. Kakashi knew he was enduring the pain and there was mischief on the man's eyes. The Uchiha ignored him though he clenched his teeth and continued to sheath the sword on his back.

What do you expect? He is such a proud man after all, Kakashi thought.

"Sasuke-kun, would you like me to cook for you? I just learned this great recipe from where I came. You will like it!"

"Hn," he grunted while he fixing his things.

"Uh…was that a yes or a no?" Karin inquired with confusion on her eyes. She still could not get the way he answers.

Suddenly an ANBU, cloaked in his usual mask and robe popped up before them. Karin shut her mouth but looked angrily at the newcomer. People just knew when to ruin a good mood, she thought. Kakashi stood up.

"The Hokage requires your presence, Uchiha Sasuke and Hatake Kakashi. It's an immediate order,"

Kakashi nods and put away his book and placed it back on his pouch. The ANBU slightly tilted his head then disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"I wonder what she wants now," Kakashi idly said as he started walking towards the village. Sasuke follows him.

"Uh…what about the dinner?" Karin said.

Sasuke did not answer.

SxS

Sakura was on her way to her parent's house to check if they have already returned. The house was still close with no signs of people inside it. She sighed. She will move later from her new house.

"Sakura-chaaan!" it was Naruto, "Kakashi-sensei said you were looking for me,"

"Finally!" Sakura rolled her eyes as she looked at the blond Jinjuuriki from head to toe, "took you so long to find me! I was already devising ways to murder you y'know,"

Naruto scratched his head and gave out a nervous laughed as he backed away a little, "A-Ahaha, that's a joke right?" he knew Sakura was scary when she meant it. "Anyway, what is the urgent matter?"

"Oh yeah, can you go and meet Ryuna at the Prep school? She was having some trouble because of you,"

"Eh?"

"Long story, just come with me,"

"Uh…okay,"

So they went to the Prep School together taking the easy way by jumping from roof to roof. Sakura missed these kinds of running around the village and she suddenly laughed. Naruto glanced at her and asked her what happened.

"I'm just happy I can do these things again. You just don't know how I missed running and jumping on roofs!"

On their way, she had briefly told Naruto about what her little girl had requested. Naruto laughed and said, "Leave it to me!"

They have reached the Prep School Division and easily spotted Ryuna and Kurenai's little boy, Ren among the children who were playing in the ground. She was sitting on the swing, while Ren was standing nearby busily staring at his beetle. Naruto jumped and crouched behind Ryuna's back to surprise her. He put a finger on her left side of her head so that when she turned around, it would hit her cheeks. "Why the long face, dattebayo!"

Ryuna turned around and her face lit up upon seeing her uncle. "Uncle Naruto!" she hugged him.

"You're looking for me?"

"Hai~" Ryuna said, her cheeks rosy and eyes were teary. Naruto picked her up and swung her around.

"Anything for you Ryu-chan, what is it?" Naruto said as she let her down.

"Well…" Ryuna said then looked shyly on the boy who was looking at them now with shocked and surprised on his face he even dropped his bottle.

The little brat was telling the truth! Ren thought. Naruto gave him a wide smile, "Ossu! How are you Ren?"

Sakura smiled as she stood there not far away from them. It amazed her to see that Naruto was so popular with the kids. He was surrounded with kids now who had recognized him. They were shouting his name and the Jinjuuriki greeted them with a wide smile on his face. He was just like a sun, cheery and very warm. Some kids were asking him a lot of things, like where he has been or what his new jutsu now, while the others want him to teach them techniques. Other kids grabbed his arm and he swung them effortlessly. She looked at his expression and he was happy.

He's far from the Naruto back then when they were kids, when he was shunned by the village people.

He was now acknowledged and accepted…most of all, respected.

Looking at Naruto being surrounded with kids, he would be a great father someday, she thought.

Just then, an ANBU popped beside her. Naruto also noticed the presence of the ANBU. He looked as the ANBU was saying something to the pinkette as she nods. Then the ANBU vanished in a smoke of air.

"Naruto, Tsunade-sama wants us now," Sakura shouted. Ryuna noticed her and run towards her mother. "Hi baby, how was the tour? You liked it here?"

"Yes," Ryuna giggled.

"Sakura?" Kurenai called for her as she approached them, she also noticed the presence of an ANBU so she checks up on them as well as the children who were playing on the ground. ANBU's with their mysterious persona and intimidating aura didn't quite sit well with children so she just wanted to make sure that it would not bring panic to the kids.

"Kurenai-sensei, sorry about that. We were just being summoned by the Hokage," Sakura said

"Could it be a mission?"

"I don't know yet, the messenger just told me that our presence is required asap," Sakura said, "by the way, can I leave her to you for a moment?" Sakura said as she smooth out Ryuna's hair.

"No problem Sakura-chan," Kurenai said smiling lovingly at Ryuna.

"Mommy, are you and Uncle Naruto going for a mission?" Ryuna asked, worried was expressed on her face.

"I don't know yet,"

"Don't worry Ryu-chan, I will take care of Mommy! Leave everything to me," Naruto said and give a wink to Ryuna.

"Yeah, don't worry. Naruto is strong. He can take down any enemies no matter how many they are," Ren said.

"I'll be back," The mednin said as she kissed her daughter's cheek.

SxS

Hokage Tower

Tsunade looked at the people present on her office that afternoon. Kakashi, Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke. Shikamaru Nara was on the left side of her beside the table.

"I called the four of you today for an urgent matter. As you can see, there is the upcoming Chuunin Exam which will be held in the Land of Sand. They are the host of this exam as of now and we have been sending people now and then for the preparations. Our examinees are already there and we still have fifteen days before the Chuunin Exam commences. But I have received a very disturbing message from the Kazekage. This was what the scroll you brought to me Naruto," she said as she looked at Naruto

"What had happened Baa-chan? When I left from Suna, Gaara did not mention anything to me,"

"Yes, there's nothing wrong. He's perfectly fine. Actually, there's no connection with Chuunin Exam or with Gaara with what I am going to tell you now. In fact I just need some records from the Kazekage and that's what had been Shikamaru's mission, to retrieve the requested report," Tsunade looked at them then grabbed a scroll on the stacks on her left side, "This incident had started three years ago. We all thought it was just a normal case of missing people, particularly…children. The first incident of missing people was reported back from a village near the Southern Border of the Fire Country, a two year old boy and his mother. The mother was found but not her baby. According to the investigations, they could not get any information from the mother because she was…not herself anymore. Probably due to shock and trauma, she was put to psychiatric institution and up to now, they can't talk to her.

"Poor woman," Sakura whispered. She just knew how must've it felt losing your child. Though she didn't went through with that kind of ordeal, just thinking that she will lost her little Ryuna will definitely kill her. She secretly looked at silent Uchiha. No expression that can be read from him. He was just listening attentively.

"Did anyone go missing after that?" Kakashi asked.

"As the Hokage said," Shikamaru spoke, "everyone thought this was just one of the normal cases that happened every day. No one bothers to take a look on it, though investigations had been conducted. Apparently it came to light that before that incident, 5 more children have been gone missing. In that village alone, a total of 7 children, ages 1 to 3 vanished, without any traces,"

"T-That's terrible…" Sakura said. Naruto kept silent but he was clenching his teeth, his hands were balled to a fist.

"No incident happened after that, but that's what everyone thought. Apparently, same thing happened on this villages," Tsunade said as she laid scrolls after scrolls of reports. Then showed them a map of Fire country and there were a lot of x marks on it, "The marks indicates the villages where this things happened,"

"This so many…" Naruto finally said.

"It didn't catch any attention because there were some lapses on each incident. After the first incident, the second one happened after 6 months to another village 10 miles from the first incident. But with the same pattern. It was probably to avoid any suspicions that would result from people from non-shinobi villages requesting investigations with the help of a ninja, particularly…us. And one more thing we did observed from all the data we had gathered was, all the missing children are toddlers, aged 2 to 6 years old regardless of their gender,"

"Would that mean, the bastard keep it down so that Konoha won't sniff what he's doing?"

"Was the culprit caught already? What was the purpose? Why did he do all of these? Were the children have been found already?" Sakura said, worry was evident on her face.

"The good question was, what was he's looking for?" Sasuke said. Everyone's eyes darted towards him. He was looking on the map and the x marks on it, then he looked to Tsunade.

"Good observation Uchiha," Shikamaru said.

Tsunade's honey-colored eyes looked at the Uchiha's obsidian ones. She can't read anything on him. The Uchiha survivor's demeanor always puts her on the edge but she can't question his ability. Superb ninja skills far superior than a Sannin. Good looks, money, power, honor which he had worked and earned back all this years…he almost had everything…except family. Aside from that, he's still as cold as ice. Tsunade sighed then took a quick glance at her apprentice. Just when she was expecting to have a bottle of sake to celebrate the medic's return, this happened! She relaxed her shoulders and moved back.

"The cases happened in the Fire Country as you have observed" the Hokage said, "but the motivation was unclear. The missing children have no connection with each other nor possess any special abilities. One common thing between them was their age," she looked at Sasuke," and I know what's going on in your mind, the bastard is looking for something or someone or doing illegal experiments,"

"What?" the three of them chorused. Shikamaru laid photos on the table for them to see.

"This is where Suna come into the picture," Shikamaru said.

The four shinobi gathered around the table to take a closer look of the photos. They were taken from some kind of destroyed underground facility. There were a lot of earth and the place is already unrecognizable due to the extent of its damage. Or was that a small laboratory? Sakura picked a particular photo.

"Tsunade-sama, was this taken in Sand?"

"Yes," Tsunade said as she looked at her apprentice, "Shinobi from Sand discovered it two months ago. Its location is just SouthEast of Sand, near the border of Sand and Fire. However, they were much too late to identify who it belonged to. It was already destroyed and was on that state already, all records and things to identify any person have already been destroyed. They assumed it was used to conduct research and experiment. This was what I asked from the Kazekage. The sad part was…" Tsunade didn't look to any of them. Instead she hugged herself and bit her lips. Shikamaru eyed the Hokage

"They found the missing children, all of them…or what remained of them," Shikamaru said.

Shocked was evident on Sakura and Naruto's eyes. Their minds were working, asking many things at once. Why? How could a human do such terrible things? They were just children! Why was he doing this? What did he want? Who was he after? Why innocent children? Sakura clamped her mouth with her hands. She held herself not to cry. A shinobi should not show any emotions but this is another story! She wanted to run and hug her little Ryuna right now if that would make calm the storm of fury inside her. Kakashi's eyes were hooded but you can feel the rage from the silver-haired man. Sasuke keep silent as usual but if only someone managed to take a look on him, his eyes become darker and more dangerous.

"Baa-chan…" Naruto's voice was shaking,

"I know what you feel right now, but you have to calm yourselves first," Shikamaru said.

"How can I stay calm after all of this? God, those children—"

"Listen Naruto, we're not finish yet. There's more to this and you have to calm down!" Tsunade shouted.

"Well, aside from this," Shikamaru said and gave them a photo, "my team went to that area and it's a pain in the ass to find its location if it weren't for Hinata's Byakugan. We did our own investigation and scan the whole area again and what we found was what was already written in the reports from Sand. We didn't find anything except for this most important evidence that will lead us to the culprit,"

Shikamaru handed them the photo and on it was a single burned paper with scribbles written down in disarray. Naruto's brows furrowed deeper and fury was evident on his eyes, Sakura's was in total rage. Still, no expressions from the Uchiha.

What was written on the note was in bold letters.

NEXT TO SEE…KONOHA.

"What the hell—" Naruto curses.

"Tsunade-sama!" Sakura shouted.

"The time is at utmost importance right now," Tsunade cut them off and stood. "We cannot set aside the Chuunin exam since this is an International Affair. However I'll assign Team Kakashi to handle this case, I will divide you into a two-man team. Kakashi and Naruto will go with me to Suna as my envoy, while Sakura and Sasuke will be left to investigate this incident together with Shikamaru's team. We don't know for sure if he had already penetrated the village or not but we must move in discreet. We must not let this bastard know that we already have an idea of his next target village. I have already informed the ANBU about this and as of this moment, they're already on the lookout. As much as I wanted to initiate a decree for curfew hours, that will alert our target and I cannot risk our chance to find this motherfucker!"

Sakura and Naruto smiled.

"Please, find this bastard before someone go missing in this village!" Tsunade said.

"Hai!" Sakura and Naruto chorused.

They were so geared to go and worked on this case when it was a bit late for Sakura to realize who was teaming up with whom. She paused for a moment when it finally registered to her. She was so caught up with her emotion and wanted to work herself on finding the criminal that she didn't apprehend the teaming up.

She will have to work with Sasuke on this case.

Just the two of them.

Alone.

Oh, dear lord.