Awakened

Night fell in Konoha and the investigation team managed to catch up with Hiruma. The escaped woman held onto her hostage as she goaded the team in purist of her. Just outside the gates of the village by the river a standoff was in the midst of happening.

"Oh wow look at her," Hiruma hissed looking at the reflection on the river, "she always was a beauty. Maybe I should give her a makeover." She slid a kunai from her leg harness mock running the blade over Ino's skin. "Oh but that would be a waste. Now that I have your attention boys you will let me leave. I have stuff to take care of you see." She jumped back careful to keep a distance from Izumo's trap.

"She isn't who she pretends to be," said Naruto to Izumo adding, "Let's go."

"Right," Izumo said using the water technique he widened the trap while Naruto was running towards the woman.

"Woops you almost got me," the woman in Hiruma's body laughed and jumped back, "good thing our girl is quick." With those words the woman vanished.

"What the...," Naruto trailed off searching the area.

"She must have used some form of teleportation jutsu. This is not good we should report this for now," Izumo said.

"I'll check on Ino," Naruto said walking to the blonde who was slumped over at an irregular angle. They were unsure if she had come back from her jutsu as she was still unconscious.

The river continued flowing unbothered by the recent skirmish. The sounds of the water were the only sounds around.

Naruto's team were joined by Sai and Sakura shortly after and their chatter broke the silence.

"How is she," Sai asked staring down at his wife.

"I know you think she should be home but we aren't just housewives. Ino is strong and-

"I asked how is she," Sai repeated cutting Sakura's explanations off.

Ino opened her eyes to the noise and looked at her husband.

"Ino are you alright," Sakura asked.

"My head hurts. I really need some water," Ino said. The glowing light of Sakura's chakra faded as Sakura had finished healing Ino. Meanwhile someone handed Ino a flask.

Ino sat up and held her hand out to her husband. Sai took her hand and kneeled down beside her.

"I know you think I'm foolish but we are so close to getting the enemy. There is no way I would skip out," Ino said to Sai.

"You are not going to the front lines any longer. If I can't stop you someone else will in my place. You can't do this to yourself," Sai said.

"I should go," Naruto said placing a hand on Ino's shoulder, "I'm glad you are feeling better."

"I feel like I'm intruding," Sakura said.

"No. I'm sorry Sakura please continue checking on her. I should go too," Sai said squeezing Ino's hand he added, "I know what you will argue and say but for now leave it alone."

"Sai please come home soon," Ino said.

"I will," Sai said and went closer to the riverbank to speak with Naruto.

Izumo's team had left to report to their findings to Kakashi. Just behind the earlier teams were investigative, tracking and medical teams. Tracking teams laid out a brief plan to begin a search for the missing Hiruma.

Naruto left Sakura's side and said, "Leave it to me." Using his Sage Mode Jutsu he began searching with Shino and Kiba with Akamaru.

000

Sakura watched as the teams left the Hokage offices. Ino went home of her own free will escorted by bodyguards. The remainder of the Shinobi left continued working on their cases.

"How are you Sakura," Sai asked as the room emptied to the two of them.

"I'm shaken I'll admit. Why did Ino end up on the battlefield," Sakura asked.

"They thought than her Shintenshin no jutsu would be useful against this woman. It was all last minute," Sai said.

"She's pregnant Sai. You have to be more careful now…I mean she has to be more careful. I was so worried when I saw her like that," Sakura said.

"I've told her-

"Try harder to convince her. I know how stubborn she can be. I know she wants to help but there are others in the clan who know Shintenshin no Jutsu. There are capable Shinobi who can help out the village as well," Sakura said tying her hair up.

"Look at who's talking. Not long ago you were telling me…forget that you're getting ready to perform surgery on those injured Shinobi. There are capable medic-nin who can help out the village," Sai said gathering his belongings from the table.

"You're right I am going back to work but I'm not throwing myself on the front lines," Sakura argued.

"I'll try my best to talk to her but you can see I already tried and you didn't exactly seem to be in my corner then," Sai said.

"I can talk to her as well. I didn't mean to upset you Sai," Sakura said.

Sai was unaware that he sounded upset. "I'm fine," Sai said and smiled, "I have to get back to work."

"Take care out there," Sakura said as he walked out the door. It was just Sakura left in the meeting room. She took a pause to consider if she were working too hard. Satisfied that she was doing just the right amount of work she left the room to head back to the hospital.

This latest scare was far too close for Sakura. Temari was set to give birth any day now. Sakura thought of their friend Gaara and made a mental note to have Naruto talk to him about his sister.