A/N I truly agonized over the timeline for this and when to post chapters. There is a Harry Potter time travel fic that I love that bounces back between the past and the present and it works so well. However, I felt that it would break the tension if I did it that way and while there are a few future scenes that might fit better slotted in the past narrative, I decided to keep the story in order that it happens with the exception of this chapter and the prologue. There WILL be lots of single dad Kakashi and stuff happening directly after the prologue so never fear. For now though, a MOSTLY Sakura centered Part 1.

Part 1

Chapter 1

Sakura

Three years after the war

"Damn." Sakura threw her white coat into her locker and snatched up her hairbrush. Looking in the small mirror attached to her locker door, she fixed herself as quickly as she could. Glancing at the tube of lipstick laying on its side, she dismissed it and slammed the door shut. It wasn't as if she had anyone to impress.

Kakashi-sensei's face floated through her mind, and she blushed.

No. He's not for you, Sakura.

Shaking her head, she grabbed her purse and left. Her morning shift had run over and she was almost late. As long as she didn't get held up on the way, she should be there when the new graduates let out.

"Oh, Sakura! Hang on, I need…"

"Sorry, Shizune." Sakura waved her off as she dashed towards the hospital exit. "It will have to wait. I have to get to the academy!"

"Oh, I forgot." Shizune laughed. "Tell Kazuki-chan I said congratulations!"

A wide smile splitting her face, Sakura shouted back over her shoulder she would as the doors slid shut behind her.

It had been a long shift and she was exhausted, but Sakura wouldn't miss the graduation ceremony for anything. She had promised she'd be there.

Kazuki-chan had been a constant in her life since she was eight years old. His mother, a cousin of her father's, had died when he was born. Upon meeting her baby cousin and subsequently falling head over heels in love with the infant whom everyone had always called her little twin, Sakura had adopted him as her baby brother.

Her parents had loved him just as much, and once his father had started working again, he had spent just as much time with them as he did at home. Kazuki was a part of their family in blood as well as heart. Maybe she doted on him too much, but even at twelve, he never seemed too embarrassed.

There was a crowd of proud parents standing outside the academy when she arrived. Looking around, she caught sight of her father's hair and rushed to meet them. "Hey! Am I late? Have I missed anything?"

Haruno Kizashi smiled down at her. "Right on time, sweetheart. They'll be out in just a moment."

"Sakura-chan," Kakashi-sensei acknowledged her presence, nodding once but not quite meeting her eyes. He had been doing that more and more lately. "I'm glad you could make it."

Only a little bothered by his strange recent behavior, she smiled anyway. "Of course, Sensei. I promised I'd be here for him."

Something flickered behind his dark eyes, but it was gone before she could identify it. She tried to think of what to say, but the academy doors opened and the excited shouts of brand new Genin took her full attention.

Unable to contain her smile, Sakura stood on tiptoes, looking for the familiar shock of pink hair. "Kazuki-chan!"

When he saw her, a blush tinted the tops of his cheeks, just visible over his mask, but he dashed through the crowd to meet them. Getting to her parents first, he patiently allowed them to fuss over him before stepping up to stand in front of her.

She could see the hidden bright smile which lit his green eyes beneath the brand new hitai-ate. The sight made her heart feel like bursting. With some difficulty, she managed to hold back the hug she ached to give him. He was twelve and a fully-fledged Genin now. Probably much too old to be smothered by his Onee-chan in front of his friends.

"Congratulations, Kazuki-chan!"

Kazuki tapped his hitai-ate with a knuckle. "I look cool, right, Sakura-chan?"

That was too much. She would just have to apologize later. With a squeal, she tugged him into her arms, squeezing him tightly. "Oh, Kazuki-chan, you look so cool!" With surprisingly little protest, he hugged her back almost just as tight. Leaning down only a little—he was getting so tall—she kissed his cheek once before hugging him to her again. "I'm so proud of you, Kazuki-chan."

She felt his shoulders shake once as if holding in much stronger emotions than she would have thought, and missed half of what he whispered into her shoulder. "What was that, Kazuki-chan?"

He pulled back a little, looking up into her face, his eyes suspiciously glassy. "Come on, Onee-chan. Don't make me say it again, it's embarrassing." The blush was back as he glanced sideways at his father before meeting her gaze again. "I said I love you, Sakura-chan. Thank you for being here for me today. It means a lot to me."

Sniffing, she would not embarrass him by crying, Sakura ran a hand through his hair. It matched hers exactly, though he wore it in the same way as his father. Not for the first time, she wished she could remember what his mother had looked like. But she had only been seven the one time they'd met so the passing memory hadn't stuck. She didn't remember even ever being told her name.

Her heart squeezed as it always did when she thought about her. She should be here. Kazuki must miss her. His father, she knew, always did.

"Of course, Kazuki-chan. I promised, remember? I'll always be here for you."

She thought she saw a flash of sadness in his face but he hid by ducking his head, nodding at the ground. "I know."

With one final squeeze, she released him and watched him trudge the few feet to greet his father.

To most of the village, Hatake Kakashi was an extremely private person; aloof. He usually kept his emotions close to the vest. But when it came to his son, no one doubted how the storied shinobi felt.

Sakura herself, even though he had almost always kept her at something of an arm's length—especially as her Sensei—felt uniquely privileged to have watched his relationship with Kazuki so closely. No matter what life threw at him, all the loss and pain he'd endured and still carried with him, Kakashi lived every single day for his son.

Wanting to give them some privacy, Sakura walked over to her parents. But as they chatted at her, she couldn't help but watch the pair of Hatake men interact.

Kakashi put his hands on his son's shoulders, whatever he said hidden from her by his mask. His eyes pinched a little and she wasn't sure, but Sakura thought they looked as wet as his son's had.

For Kazuki's part, he hung his head, his shoulders shaking slightly. He nodded once, and then again, responding to whatever his father had said. Kakashi too, just as she had, ran a hand through his hair before the young man threw his arms around his waist. Without hesitation, Kakashi hugged his son back.

Sakura didn't realize she'd been crying until Kakashi looked up, his uncharacteristically expressive eyes catching her own. Caught staring, she turned back to her parents, dashing her hand across her face to hide her tears.

"Sakura?"

She looked at her mother, frowning at the sympathetic sadness she saw there. "Yes? Sorry." She cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, I guess I zoned out. What were you saying?"

Her mother smiled indulgently. "I was saying Kakashi and Kazuki-chan will be joining us for dinner this evening. To celebrate. Will you be able to make it?"

Sakura plastered on a smile. "Of course, Mom. I'm grabbing lunch with Ino and Hinata, but I'm off the rest of the day. I'll bring his favorite treat."

"That sounds perfect." Her mother glanced past her and smiled. "Well, we will see you two this evening, alright?"

Spinning on the spot, Sakura found her former sensei standing unexpectedly close. It was a struggle to keep the blush off her face.

He is not for you.

"Of course, Mebuki. Thank you for…" He cleared his throat. "Thank you."

Her mother smiled only a little sadly and, to Sakura's surprise, reached up to pat his cheek once. "You know you don't have to thank me, Kakashi." She looked down at Kazuki, catching his chin. "We're all proud of you, Kazuki. You have a nice afternoon with your father and we'll see you tonight. I'm making all your favorites."

"Yeah?"

She nodded, shooting Sakura a conspiratorial wink. "Sakura-chan is even bringing dessert."

His face lit up, any sadness which might have been there completely forgotten. "Yes! I can't wait. See you later, Oji, Baba."

With final hugs, her parents left the three of them there.

Alone with her former sensei and his son, Sakura suddenly found herself at a loss for words. She had always managed to keep her sadness and girlish tears over their missing piece to herself. Not once, so far as she'd known, had they ever seen her pity or tears. Now that Kakashi had, she burned with embarrassment. That was something she knew he never appreciated.

"Well, I guess I should be going too." Avoiding Kakashi's suddenly heavy gaze as studiously as he had lately been avoiding hers, Sakura focused on Kazuki. "I'll see you tonight, ok?" She ruffled his hair again and he only slightly ducked, chuckling when she tsk'd in mock annoyance.

"Bye, Sakura-chan."

She turned to leave, only then risking a glance at Kakashi. He was watching her with the same look he'd had when he had caught her staring, but she didn't dare dwell on it. "See you, Kakashi-sensei."

His left eye twitched but he didn't say anything, nodding once in acknowledgement.

Out of the academy yard and free from his sight, Sakura pressed her palms to her face. Her crush on her former sensei had been a recent thing and something she was trying in vain to squash. Nothing would ever come of it.

Nothing could.

He is not for me.

There had only ever been one woman in Hatake Kakashi's heart. Even now, after twelve years, it was plain to her, even if not many others could see, that he still loved his wife. If his dedicated celibacy since her death was any indication, he had no intention of even trying to move on.

Nevermind the fact he had been her Sensei. Even if he wasn't still in love with his wife, even if he were interested, no matter she was twenty and he was only thirty-four, it would be an utter scandal.

Letting out an exasperated breath, Sakura crossed the street to the small restaurant where she was due to meet her friends. There was no use thinking about pointless fantasies anymore. She needed to move on.

Unfortunately, she had not been quite as subtle in her interest as she might have hoped.

Ino and Hinata were already waiting when she got there and slid into the booth across from them. Stirring her straw around her drink, the ice clinking ominously, Ino looked closely at Sakura's face. The smallest smirk twisted the corner of her mouth and she glanced sideways at Hinata. The other woman tried to smile, but her gray eyes looked sad.

"So, Sakura. How was our favorite little pink-haired squirt today?"

She couldn't help her smile. "Amazing, of course. I can't believe how big he's getting! He'll be as tall as me in another year or two." She accepted the drink her friend had already ordered for her, taking a long sip. "I'm so proud of him! We're having dinner tonight with my parents to celebrate."

"Hmm." Ino took a long sip too, eyeing her menu. "Will Kakashi-sensei be coming?"

Too distracted to sense her friend's intent, Sakura shrugged and picked up her menu too, hoping the menu and the lighting hid the faint blush she felt creeping up again. "He usually does. I promised Kazuki-chan I'd make him rakugan, and Kakashi likes my rakugan almost as much as his son."

Eyeing the menu, she missed the glance Ino and Hinata shared before Ino spoke. "For someone who typically avoids sweets, it is strange he eats those. They're basically straight sugar."

Hinata laughed softly. "Well, you do make them especially for him and his son, and you have such lovely kashigata."

She dropped her menu to smile at her friend. "Thank you, Hinata." Only then did she notice the knowing, if slightly pitying smile Ino was wearing. "What?"

"Considering how close he's been to your family since you were so young, and how you pretty much adopted his son as your kid brother, you probably think of Kakashi-sensei as, like, a perpetually-late, porn-addled uncle."

Sakura rolled her eyes but cringed too. "Of course not. He's kind of always been a little distant with me. I mean, I probably know him better than anyone else in our age group, but… I don't know. My parents definitely consider him part of the family as much as Kazuki-chan, but… he's never really made much of an effort to interact with me more than he had to." She frowned, suddenly feeling a little bad about it. "It's been even worse lately, actually."

Hinata hummed, nodding. "You are probably about the age she was when they met. Maybe you look a little like her." She glanced at Sakura's hair. "The hair, maybe?"

"That's… actually incredibly insightful, Hinata." Finishing her drink, Ino waved down the waitress. "I'm sure it will pass eventually, Sakura, but... Ah, yes, I'd like another one of these please, and a few more minutes before we order, thanks!" She turned back to Sakura. "I know you're totally over Sasuke, and your thing with Kiba was an absolute hot mess from the start, but I don't think Kakashi is ever going to be interested, Sakura."

"Ino!" Sakura felt her face burn and her heart ache just a little at the same time. "I… what are you talking about?"

Ino sighed. "Come on, Forehead. Maybe the boys haven't noticed, but you can't fool me."

"I've noticed as well, Sakura-chan."

Utterly humiliated, Sakura dropped her head to the table. This was supposed to be a secret, one which she'd take to her grave. How could she have been careless enough they'd noticed?

She grumbled her reply against the table top. "I know that, don't I? I don't know where this stupid crush came from, but I'm trying to bury it." Sighing, she sat up, avoiding their eyes. "Even though she's been gone for twelve years, it's only ever been her."

"I've never seen another man be so faithful to a memory…" Ino said, and then snorted. "Well, besides those filthy books he's always reading. My mom once commented about how usually when a man loses his wife, he remarries within two years—especially if he's got children. But not Kakashi-sensei. I don't think he's even ever been on a date."

Hinata sighed delicately. "She was the love of his life. No one could ever have his heart again when it still belongs to her." When she noticed them both staring at her, she blushed and pulled her drink closer. "It's… awfully romantic."

Ino scoffed. "Sure it is, tragically romantic. I'm positive our Sakura isn't the only woman over the years who would have leapt at the chance to play step-mommy and soothe his aching heart."

"Ino-pig!" Now more insulted on his behalf than sorry for herself, Sakura glared at her friend and downed her drink. "Don't live up to your name."

"What? I'm right and you know it." She crossed her arms and glared right back. Then, suddenly, the bluster was gone and she sighed sadly. "Well, as long as you know it's hopeless and aren't holding a serious torch for the man."

Sakura sniffed once and picked her menu up again. "Of course not. It's just a silly crush. It will pass. I just need to be sent on a mission somewhere with attractive eligible young men." She reflected. "Preferably ones who don't smell like dog."

Hinata made a half-hearted attempt at defending her teammate, but they all laughed—and just like that, the conversation moved to other things.

KSK

Even though it was meant to be a celebratory dinner, a strange sadness hung over the entire evening. Confused as to why even her parents seemed down, Sakura had done her best to lift the mood, even convincing her dad to break out the sake.

Kazuki eyed the bottle nervously, and wondered aloud if it was a good idea.

"Of course it is, silly. You'll understand when you're a little older."

He only rolled his eyes and went back to eating. If he muttered something about his dad and alcohol, she did not hear it.

Unfortunately, the sake had not lifted anyone's spirits but her own. Annoyed by everyone's attitude, she got up and grabbed her box of rakugan from the kitchen. When she came back to the living room, only Kazuki was left, hunched over his knees on the couch. "Hey, where did everybody go?"

When he glanced up at her, he tried to smile but couldn't quite seem to manage it. "Your parents went upstairs. Something about not holding their sake." He sighed. "Dad's on the roof having a smoke."

Sakura wrinkled her nose. "Ew. I wish he wouldn't do that."

Kazuki laughed but it sounded sad. "He usually doesn't. Just on the bad days."

"Oh." All of her false cheer faded as she sank onto the couch beside him. "I guess that makes sense."

Neither of them spoke for a while—Sakura staring off in thought, Kazuki taking advantage of her distraction to take the rakugan from her lap. After a few minutes, he spoke around a mouth full of sugar. "It's been hard for him lately. He always misses Mom, but he's been more depressed than usual the last few months." He stuffed another one of the small treats in his mouth and leaned over, dropping his head on her shoulder. "Sakura-chan, can I stay with you tonight? Please? Like when I was little?"

Shaking away thoughts of his father, she snorted and looked down at him. "Don't you think you're a little old for sleeping with your Onee-chan, Kazuki?"

His green eyes were earnest and a little sad. "Please, Onee-chan? I think Dad needs to be alone tonight anyway. Please?"

"Oh, alright." She sighed. "I'll have to get up early though, ok? I have a mission first thing."

"That's fine. I have things to do in the morning too." He sat up and reached for another rakugan, but hesitated seeing there were only a handful left. "Why don't you go make sure Dad hasn't passed out up there. He'll want one of these before he goes. I'm gonna go to bed. I'm tired."

Passing her the container back, he smiled tightly and dashed upstairs before she could say anything. Alone, Sakura flopped back against the couch with a frustrated sigh. "What is wrong with everyone tonight?"

Annoyed with her parents for being such downers, and maybe a little unjustly upset with Kakashi for being so sad on his son's night too, she stood and trudged upstairs. Kazuki was probably right. If he really was depressed, she would put a stop to his chain-smoking before he made himself sick and pack him off home with the rest of her dessert.

He was exactly where Kazuki had said: one foot propped between the rails, leaning over his knee, the glowing end of a cigarette illuminated his face in the dark. She really did hate that habit.

For a long moment, Sakura just watched him. He did look especially maudlin, she supposed. There was a faint breeze stirring his silver hair, almost glowing in the dim moonlight. His mask pulled down for once, not hiding the smooth planes of his angular face.

To her, Kakashi looked like a work of art. The subject, a study of heartache—exquisitely rendered. He was tragically beautiful.

"Did Kazuki send you up to find me?"

Blinking away the stinging in her eyes, Sakura huffed a nervous laugh and walked over to where he was standing. "He did. He's asked to stay with me tonight, if that's alright?"

He blew out a long puff of smoke and dashed the cigarette against the rail. "Hmm." The corner of his mouth turned up in the faintest of smiles and he glanced at her. Despite the smile, there was something unfathomably sad in the look he gave her. It hurt to see, so she ignored it, choosing instead to look out at the village below. "I figured he might. I'll be out first thing anyway. He can keep your parents company tomorrow."

Sakura nodded but didn't say anything. Selfishly, she enjoyed the conversation, however brief it would be. It was more than he'd spoken to her in weeks.

Beside her, he nodded at the container still clutched in her hands. "Did he save any for me?"

She looked down, another quiet laugh escaping. "Oh, yes. He told me to bring them up for you."

When he didn't make a move to reach for one, she sighed and plucked one up, handing it to him. It hung there between them for a moment. Kakashi stared at it. The barely-there smile was back again, and he glanced at her.

If she didn't know better—if he was anyone else—she would have thought he wanted her to feed it to him. But then he huffed in amusement and reached out to take it from her. "He does love these. I'm surprised he left me any."

Letting his foot fall from the rail, Kakashi eyed the sweet in his hand with a fond look before popping it in his mouth. After a moment of letting it melt on his tongue, he sighed pleasantly. "I've been meaning to thank you, Sakura."

She almost didn't manage to stifle the gasp at the lack of diminutive in his address. He had never done that before. Clearing her throat, she shrugged. "For what?"

"For always taking such good care of… of my son. He's lucky to have grown up with you around." He reached for another of the delicately shaped sweets. "I don't know how I would have managed without you and your parents."

As he lapsed into silence, Sakura had to fight to keep herself from staring open mouthed at the personal admission. She didn't even know what to say to that. How much had he had to drink? "I… well I'm sure he would have turned out just fine if you'd have raised him alone in a cave." She laughed softly, attempting to lighten the mood. "He adores you."

When he didn't immediately respond, she bit her lip and said something she had never dared to voice aloud. "I know it hasn't been easy for you, but… he's never, ever doubted you love him… Kakashi."

The next rakugan paused halfway to his mouth. His chest rose and fell three times, and his eyes closed briefly before he stuffed it in his mouth. It clacked against his teeth as he rolled it to the side of his cheek. "I should go. It's late and… tomorrow—" He turned to look down at her, one finger hooked in the edge of his mask ready to tug it back into place.

That thing was back. The deep thing in his eyes she'd seen earlier at the academy. "You're right… It hasn't… It hasn't been easy. Every single day—" He swallowed thickly. "I need you to know, I wouldn't change anything, Sakura… At least, nothing which was ever within my power to change."

She couldn't breathe. It looked like he couldn't either. He reached out like he wanted to touch her face, but his hand froze inches from her cheek, retreating. "Goodbye, Sakura."

And then, the mask covered his face again and he was gone, flying across the rooftops in the night.

Air, cool and harsh rushed back into her lungs, unnoticed, tears fell from wide, burning eyes.

What had just happened?

Something, something Sakura did not—could not understand had just passed between them. For the first time since she had known him, Kakashi had shared part of himself with her. Something deep and precious that had looked like it hurt him to share.

Blinking hard, she looked down into the now empty container in her hands and tried to make sense of it.

It had been the sake; it must have been. She'd never seen him drink before—at least he never did around her. What other explanation could there be?

And what had he meant? Why did he need her to know he wouldn't change anything about how his life had played out? What was that about?

It was all just a little bit too much.

No.

He is not for you. He belongs to her.

Hinata's words from lunch came back to her. She probably did remind Kakashi a little of his wife. Then, Kazuki had mentioned his recent depression.

And he must have been at least a little drunk.

For the sake of their strange friendship and her own sanity, Sakura decided that was all it was. The next time she saw him, he'd be sober and as cordial and distant as ever. And she would act like nothing had changed.

Shaking her head to clear it, she turned and went back inside.

Kazuki looked like he was sleeping when she got to her room. But when she flopped onto her futon beside him, he shimmied closer, tucking himself beneath her chin like he had when he was small.

"Goodnight, Onee-chan."

She smiled, his hair tickling her face. "Goodnight, Kazuki-chan."

KSK

There was a skinny arm laying across her face when Sakura woke the next morning. Sputtering and knocking it to the side, she sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. It was still hard to wake up this early even after eight years as a shinobi.

Kazuki was still asleep, snoring softly, a thin rivulet of drool connecting his wide-open mouth to his pillow. She smiled, watching him sleep. Official Genin though he might be, he still looked so young when he slept.

"Please… nuh. Mommy… wait." A louder snore, a snuffle, and then he gracelessly flopped over to face the other way. "More rakugan in my yogurt…." Then his breathing evened out and he didn't stir again.

It didn't take much to guess what he was dreaming about. Though, the mention of his favorite babyhood treat was a weird twist. Leaning over to drop a kiss on his cheek, she ruffled his hair and got up.

After a shower, Sakura found her parents already up and making breakfast in the kitchen. When her mom saw her, she looked close to tears. "Oh, good morning sweetheart."

Sakura frowned but hugged her mother anyway. "Morning, Mom. Are you ok?"

She sniffed and put a smile on her face. "Just a little hungover, I think. Your father and I are too old to be drinking so much rice wine anymore." Waving her over to the table, she turned back to the cooktop. "Go, sit. I'll have breakfast done in a minute."

Pursing her lips, Sakura slipped into the seat beside her father. "Morning Dad."

The paper he'd been reading snapped, folding backwards so he could see her. His voice was just a tad too cheerful. Hungover too, apparently. "Good morning, my precious daughter. I trust you slept better than your mother and I." He laughed a little boisterously. "It's important for a kunoichi to be well rested." With that, the paper snapped back up and he went back to reading.

Breakfast appeared in front of her just then, and, deciding not to question her parents' mood, she ate quickly. Grilled fish, rice and miso were devoured in probably an unhealthily small amount of time, but she was running late.

"Shit." At her mother's disappointed look— "sorry. I have to go."

She ran around the table, hugging each of them. Her mother kissed her and whispered her love, her father doing the same. Goodbyes said, she dashed for the door and slid on her shoes.

Just as she was about to reach for the door, loud footsteps thundered down the stairs. "Onee-chan! Wait! Don't leave yet!"

He was there, crashing into her before she had a chance to turn around. "I'll see you later, Kazuki-chan."

Just like the day before at the academy, his hug was just a little bit tighter than usual, more desperate. "Bye, Sakura-chan. I'll—" His face was hidden in her shoulder but she didn't miss the sniff. "I'll miss you."

Sakura huffed but hugged him back as tightly. "What is everyone's deal today?" She laughed. "I'm only going to be gone for a few days. I'll be back before you know it… and, hey, we can get ramen and you can tell me all about your new Genin team. OK, Kazuki-chan?"

As quickly as he had hugged her, Kazuki pulled away, a bright smile on his face. "Sounds like fun, Sakura-chan. Have a good mission. Be safe!"

"Will do, kid. See ya!" With a final ruffle of his matching pink hair, she left.

"Woo. Alright."

The sun was still low in the sky, but she could already tell it was going to be a beautiful day. Her mission was a simple medical assist to a nearby village. It would be an easy few days.

All in all, she felt great.

A few minutes later, she was at the gates and on her way. Solo missions weren't her usual, but this wasn't something she needed help with. Practically C-rank.

As she left the village, Sakura's eyes were forward. She did not realize there was anyone behind her. She did not notice the way he watched her. And as she started making her way away from the village, she did not see that he followed.

The first half of her journey went normally. She met few travelers on the road and ate her lunch beneath a shade tree. After a bit of a stretch, she was on her way again.

That was when her normal, C-rank mission went wrong. It was such a beautiful day and the journey wasn't far, Sakura had opted to walk along the road instead of rushing through the treetops. But after her short rest, the few people on the road dwindled to none. An eerie silence descended, and she began to grow restless.

Her pace slowed as she tried to take in her surroundings. Something definitely wasn't right. In the distance, she thought she heard a twig snap.

Nothing happened and then, suddenly—it did.

Jutsu markings appeared on the ground around her and chakra suppressing wires flew up from beneath the dirt, surrounding her. She screamed, furious at being caught off guard, furious at not being able to use her chakra as the wires swung her around so she hung upside down.

"What the hell is going on? Somebody better get me the fuck down from here!"

Another twig snapped, this time close and to her left. She swung around to see. Two pairs of feet approached her from the trees. Straining, she craned her body to see their faces.

They were strangers to her. She should have tried to think of something. But at that moment, she was too angry to think clearly. Not that it would have mattered. She was well and truly trapped.

"Ahh. An excellent specimen." The first man, the one who had spoken, crouched down to look her in the face. He wore thick lensed glasses and his black hair was closely cropped. She saw no hitai-ate, and his clothes reminded her of a doctor rather than a soldier. "She possesses a large amount of reserve chakra. Yes. You will do nicely."

"Look, I don't know who the hell you are, but if you don't cut me down and let me go right now, you'll have the whole of Konoha on you before you can do anything with me!"

The other man, who stood behind her where she could not properly see, reached down to pick through the things that had fallen from her pack, snatching up the mission scroll. "Hmm. You're due in the next village for several days. It might be some time before you're missed, actually. And where we're taking you, no one will be able to find you."

Dread, twisted hot and tight in her gut. She was utterly at their mercy for the moment, and no one would know where to find her. The first man, still crouching in front of her, drew a large syringe from his own pouch and held it out in front of her, a chilling grin on his face.

"Don't worry, kunoichi. We're sending you on quite the adventure."

The needle plunged into her neck and in a matter of seconds, she was out. The last thing she remembered was cruel laughter and her shoulder hitting the ground hard. Then, darkness.