If you read the story 'Shinobi Life', some of this should seem familiar seeing as that was/is my story! I took it down and then somehow managed to lose it, then found it again *face palm*. So now I am rewriting the story and making it better! Needless to say, I'M SO SORRY!

Chapter 1

Wiping the sweat from her brow, Sakura straightened, looking around smugly at the demolished training grounds.

"Well, that felt good," she murmured breathlessly. The villagers had since become accustomed to the ground shaking whenever Sakura decided to train; however, she was only allowed to use the grounds north of the village due to the damage she caused.

Slowly walking back towards her apartment, she started contemplating what she needed to get done before her next mission.

I need to gather ingredients for a few meals and buy some new gloves, these ones are about to rip. I also need to go to the poisons department and take notes on the new poison being used against our ANBU. Plus, I need to see what—

"SAKURA-CHAAAAAAAAN, I'VE MISSED YOU!"

This was the only precursor to the exhausted and sore kunoichi being tackled to the ground and crushed in a bear hug. Rolling her eyes, Sakura pulled an arm loose and patted the blond's head.

"Dobe, you're going to snap her spine if you squeeze any harder," Sasuke growled while he yanked Naruto up by the back of his jumpsuit.

Naruto started thrashing but instantly stilled when Sasuke made a remark on Sakura's disheveled appearance.

"Why do you look like that?" Sasuke asked, raising an eyebrow.

Sakura could tell that he was concerned, having learned early on how to decipher her friend's blunt way of speaking.

"Yeah, Sakura-chan! What happened to you? You would think that you were the one who just came back from a week long mission!" Naruto tried to grab her again but was held back by Sasuke once more.

"I'm fine. Honestly, you two didn't expect me to train when you were gone? I mean, what was I supposed to do when my team left me behind?"

The silence that followed was heavy with tension, making Naruto flinch when Sasuke sighed.

"Sakura, we know you don't like assassinations."

Viridian eyes widened in surprise, not expecting an explanation.

"Eh, Teme… since when do you explain things? Is it because you missed Sakura-chan just as much as Kakashi-sensei and me? HE WAS WORSE THAN US, SAKURA-CHAN! ALL HE DID WAS COMPLAIN ABOUT HOW THE NEW GUY WAS SO DIF—".

A fist to the face halted Naruto's ranting.

Sakura giggled and separated them, grabbing each one of their arms and walking towards Ichirakus.

"Come on you two, I need some team bonding." She gave Sasuke a grateful look and was surprised when he didn't immediately break eye contact.

They arrived at the ramen stand and weren't surprised when Kakashi slid into a seat beside Sasuke, Sakura situated between the two young men.

"Hey, Kakashi-sensei. Do you need any healing?" Sakura asked, knowing he wouldn't go to the hospital.

"I'm fine, thank you Sakura-chan. Why do you look like you've been training in the forest of death?" Sakura laughed and turned back to her ramen, not missing the shared look of the three surrounding her.

*SLUUUURRRP*

"Dobe, if you get any ramen juice on me…," the glare that was sent Naruto's way would kill any normal person but he was unfazed by his best friend's threats.

"Teme, you would have to catch me first and we both know you can't beat the future Hokage! BELIEVE IT!"

As the two started their usual bickering Sakura laid money down on the counter to cover what they had eaten so far and started walking back to her apartment with a content, sleepy smile on her face.

FLASHBACK-

Running her hand through her pink hair, Sakura sighed.

"How the hell did I get stuck trying to figure out the new budget for the hospital, scheduling the ANBU physicals, AND making sure all the Jonin are up-to-date on their physicals?!"

Her mumbling was interrupted as a presence suddenly teleported into her office. Before she could stop herself, a kunai was leaving her hand, aimed at the person's face.

The masked operative tilted his head slightly and chuckled, catching the kunai with ease.

"Is that any way to greet me, Sakura-chan?" The familiar voice had chills running down her spine.

"My bad Uchi-, ANBU-san. It's been a rough day and I can only assume that your presence means that things are about to get more complicated."

Sakura dropped her head into her hands and tensed as she felt the ANBU flash-step mere inches from her. Looking up, she took the proffered weapon and bit back a groan when the tall figure swiftly knelt to be eye level.

"The Hokage requests your presence immediately, Haruno-san. Do not delay in meeting with her. Also, think very hard before you answer her request. I would hate to see you act rashly."

Sakura huffed at the masked male, wanting to smack him. She was momentarily distracted by the warmth emanating from his knee brushing against her calf.

"Are you calling me brash, ANBU-san? Let me remind you who is in charge of the physicals."

He winced, knowing she wouldn't hesitate to pawn off his visit to an annoyingly infatuated nurse. She quickly created a clone, not wanting to leave her paperwork unfinished.

Running his hand through his slightly curly black hair and laughing loudly, he stated, "Are you trying to get me naked, Sakura-chan? It wouldn't take much for me to give in to someone like you."

At the suggestive tone, Sakura turned bright red, sputtering with indignation. A chuckle was her only warning before long fingers grasped her wrist and teleported into the Hokage's office.

Yanking her arm out of his grip, she glowered as he took his place next to his partner behind the Hokage.

"Sit, Sakura. We have a lot to go over," sighed Lady Tsunade, eyes flashing dangerously. Sakura looked at the large file on the desk with a feeling akin to dread.

END-

Before she knew what was happening, an arm was thrown over her shoulder.

"You aren't leaving us yet, are you Sakura-chan?" She looked at both of her boys and beamed with joy.

As the trio made their way through Konoha, Sakura couldn't help but drag both of them closer.

"You know, I really missed you guys. It's not the same when you aren't around. I get stuck in the hospital and—"

"Sakura-chan, you're stuck in the hospital all the time, not just when we leave! The only difference is that we drag you out of it for team training and dinners. Right, Teme?!" Naruto smacked Sasuke's back as he spoke.

"Don't hit me, Dobe. I'm not a freaking training dummy. You work too hard, Sakura. You should cut back on your hours some. We hardly see you outside of training. Also, mother has been on my back to have you visit her again."

Naruto and Sakura froze, staring at Sasuke like he'd grown another head.

"Did he just use SIX sentences all together?" Naruto stage whispered to Sakura.

Nodding vigorously, she reached out and poked Sasuke on the cheek, forcing his head to the side to see if it was truly him. Smacking her hand away angrily, he stalked off, forcing them to chase after him.

"Who are you and what the hell have you done with the Teme?!" Naruto yelled, tackling Sasuke to the ground.

Sakura giggled and watched the two wrestle for a few minutes before yanking Naruto up.

"Baka, leave him be. I happen to like the expressive Sasuke. It makes our conversations so much easier."

"I hate you both," Sasuke grumbled, dusting himself off.

"Also, when are you going to actually tell us about what had you so worked up, Sakura? You didn't even sense us coming earlier today."

Sakura flinched and mumbled something, making both of them lean in.

"Care to repeat that?" Naruto asked.

"I said… I can't talk about it. It's classified information right now."

They both froze at her statement and shared a look.

"Ne, Sakura-chan, you know you can't keep it from us! We're here to help you! Tell us what it is so we can go through this with you!"

"Shut it, Dobe. You know she can't go against the Hokage's orders. We will support you in whatever way we can, Sakura."

Sniffling, Sakura pulled them in for a hug, relishing in their warmth.

"You guys are the absolute best. I can't tell you anything yet but I promise to try and keep you in the loop as much as possible."

"That's all we can ask for," Sasuke replied as he clamped a hand over Naruto's mouth. The two locked eyes over their teammate, talking without using words.

Naruto rolled his eyes and nodded once, understanding the threat in Sasuke's glance.

"Ne, Sakura-chan… you know we'll support you and I'll try really hard not to ask too many questions but… Kakashi-sensei won't be so easy. You know he is either going to pester you to death or just go straight to granny. Either way, you're screwed."

Groaning, Sakura pulled away from her friends.

"Of course Kakashi-sensei is going to be the tough one, however, he respects confidentiality. He understands how important it is for our line of work. He'll be subtle about his information gathering and he won't pester me like someone I know."

Naruto nodded his head sagely, "Yeah, Ino can really be a pain in the neck. She is always getting into everyone's business."

Sakura facepalmed and Sasuke muttered something about wondering how Naruto passed the academy.