Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Wow…its really been a while since i updated hasn't it?…..sorry.

I have no excuse….

She wasn't considered the second best medic in Konoha for no reason. After the whole fiasco with the curse mark and Orochimaru she managed to heal herself completely, and was perfectly capable to getting back to Konoha without any help. However, her teammates didn't believe her. While Sai remained silent for the most part, he did glare at her when she insisted on getting back to Konoha on her own. Naruto on the other hand was the farthest thing from being silent. After Sasuke -so graciously- clued him in on the after effects of the curse mark, Naruto seemed to have made it his duty to prevent her from doing anything.

"I'm fine!" Sakura repeated, as she gave a small spin to emphasize her point. "See?"

"You could be fine now but what if on the way back your organs suddenly rupture and you bleed out and die?" Naruto argued back.

Sakura rolled her eyes. Just what kind of medic did he think she was? "Naruto I've completely healed all my internal wounds and I did a scan for any bleeders and there is none."

"It doesn't mean you won't suddenly just bleed out." Naruto stomped his feet and crossed his arms.

"ALL. MY. ORGANS. ARE. IN. PERFECT. CONDITION. RIGHT. NOW!" Sakura half screamed at him as she placed emphasizes on every one of her words. She was getting beyond agitated. Why won't they just understand that she was absolutely fine? "I'm going." Not wanting to continue this pointless argument, she turned and started to walk back in the direction of Konoha.

"SAKURA-CHAN YOU COULD DIE!" Naruto screamed as he flailed his arms around like a chicken who just got his head cut off. "TEME STOP HER!"

There was a whoosh of wind behind her and before she could even turn around, her eyes drooped and fell to the side. The last thought that ran in her mind was 'bastard.'

Right after Sakura had decided to walk away to prove her point that she was indeed fine, Sasuke had made up his mind about stopping her, even if it meant taking drastic measures. So after Naruto's frantic screaming, Sasuke well...pulled a Sasuke. With his signature move, he disappeared behind the girl and in one swift motion he tapped his fingers on the pressure point on her neck, the same way he did when he left the village. She was probably going to punch him for this but like Naruto said, he wasn't going to have her start randomly bleeding out on their journey home.

Carefully, he caught her falling body and with the help of Naruto they hoisted the unconscious girl onto his back. Her arms dangled limply from his neck and her head was buried into the crook of his neck. Her short hair tickled his cheek, and the smell of lavender and cherry blossoms filled his nose.

"Let's go."

They were inside Konoha when Sakura finally regained consciousness. Ignoring the weird stares from villagers Sasuke felt the girl on his back stir.

"Mmahfhigh" Sakura mumbled incoherently as she blinked awake. Lifting one of her hands she rubbed her eyes. What happened?

Once her vision cleared up she stared down at the mop of raven hair that just fell within her line of sight. The memory of what had happened flashed in her mind. The bastard had the audacity to knock her out. Raising her hand she was prepared to give him a slap on the back of his head, when his voice stopped her.

"Don't you even think about it Sakura."

Her hand froze. How did he know? He wasn't even looking at her. Huffing she resorted to giving him a harsh poke in the back of the head. Feeling slightly better when his head slightly lurched forward. "Bastard."

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"So can you let me down now?" Sakura asked as they arrived at the konoha hospital. During their trip there Naruto wondered off to Ichiraku, while Sai went to report to the Hokage. "I mean I haven't bleed out."

Grunting he squatted down allowing her to clamber off his back.

With a small thud, Sakura's feet landed on the hard gravel ground. Stretching her cramping arms and legs she gave a small sigh of content. Being in that curled up position on Sasuke's back was really straining on her spine.

"Let's go check on Itachi-san?" Sakura spoke after she returned her arms back by her sides.

Casting a side glance at the girl, Sasuke frowned. There was a reason why he carried her all the way back to Konoha. It was to prevent any strenuous movements, yet now she wants to parade in there and check on Itachi? "Go get yourself check out first. I'm sure Tsunade can do a check on Itachi."

It was Sakura's turn to frown. What is with boys and their inability to understand what she has been trying to tell them this whole time? She was fine. She was healed. She doesn't have internal injuries nor would she suddenly develop them. Granted she was squealing on the inside that Sasuke cares for her but this was ridiculous. She was an accomplished medic, so she was perfectly capable of understanding her current condition.

"I'm fine Sasuke-kun" Her reply came out brisk and a bit annoyed, which Sasuke paid no attention to. Instead the image of the bloodied and battered Sakura who was hooked to numerous machinery after that fight with Kimimaro popped into his head. At that time he made a vow to himself that he never wanted to see Sakura like that again.

"No, get yourself checked out." His tone was final, as he glared at her daring her to challenge back.

Heaving a resigned sigh, Sakura waved her hand around as a sign of surrendering. "Fine, fine."

"Old man!" Naruto shouted happily as he pushed aside the white drapes of ichiraku. The shopkeeper broke out into a smile at his most loyal customer.

"Ah, Naruto!" He placed down a glass of water in front of the seated Naruto. "I haven't seen you in a few days, what have you been up to?"

Naruto took a long gulp of the liquid before setting down the glass and replying. "Mission. We took out a huge threat to Konoha."

"Really? Who was it?" Teuchi asked with his back facing Naruto as he prepared the usual for him.

"Orochimaru and Kabuto they were once leaf ninjas."

Setting down the steaming bowl of miso, Teuchi gave the blond a kind smile. "On the house, for your continued service in keeping Konoha safe."

Naruto's eyes lit up like christmas lights in December. "REALLY?! THANKS OLD MAN." Hastily breaking apart his chop sticks he dug into the savory noodles. God, how his missed this place on missions.

"N-Naruto-kun?"

With a mouth full of noodles still dangling from his lips he turned to the left, to see a blushing violet haired girl walk into the small stand. "Himada-chan?" He said with his mouth full, tiny bit of noodles sprayed out. But it seemed like the Hyuuga didn't care, instead she just blushed harder. "Whab are wu dowing here?"

Taking a seat beside her long time crush she gave her a shy smile. "N-Naruto-k-kun seemed to really l-like this p-place so i-i wanted to t-try it out, and t-they do h-have v-very good noodles." Hinata spoke trying to keep her stuttering to a minimum.

Swallowing his noodles noisily he grinned at the blushing girl beside him. "So, how've you been doing Hinata-chan?" He asked to the girl. The last time he spoke to her was during the chuunin exam, and if she likes Ichiraku then she couldn't be a bad person.

"I've been doing great, Naruto-kun. How was your trip with Jiraiya-san?" She replied after placing her order of Beef ramen.

Slurping down the tasty soup, Naruto made a happy sounding noise. "Great. It was tough but I've learnt so much - another miso please - I mean I master fuuton techniques, the rasengan, and the power of the kyuubi!"

Hinata shyly gave her crush another smile. She was proud of him. She saw how hard he had it as a child and how hard he fought to change everyone's opinion of him. In fact it was this quality in him that made her fall head over heels for him.

"You've also got stronger haven't you Hinata-chan?" Naruto said as he took another sip from his glass.

Hinata's blush darkened. "O-of course. I've become a chuunin."

"Wow, that's awesome Hinata-chan." Naruto exclaimed. He was really happy for her. During the chuunin exam when she said that he inspired her, he was shocked. Shocked that he was able to have a positive influence on another. So hearing the news that she made it to chuunin made him swell up with pride. "After lunch wanna train with me?"

Teuchi set down two bowls of noodles in front of the pair. Ignoring the ramen he stared expectantly at the girl.

"Of course, Naruto-kun."

Putting back on her jounin vest, Sakura gave Sasuke a knowing look. "See. I'm perfectly fine."

"Hn." Sasuke grunted as he turned away from her. At least know he knew for sure that she was fine.

Giggling, she ushered the Uchiha out from the exam room and shut the doors behind her. "Let's go check on Itachi-san."

As the two ninjas walked down the busy halls of the hospital, Sasuke briefly took notice of the chaos that laid before him. Injured, sick shinobis and civilians alike were pushed around him on gurneys. The sound of coughing and the putrid smell that most hospitals have assaulted his ears and nose. His face twisted into a look of grimace. How can Sakura stand this place? There had to be millions of germs just floating around, and with all these whiny patients how did she even have enough patience? His mind was so absorbed in his surroundings that he failed to take notice that they had already arrived in front of his brother's room.

"-suke-kun"

"Sasuke-kun?" He felt her shake him on the shoulders.

"Huh?" He mumbled unintelligently as he was snapped back to reality.

"We're here."

"Aa."

Giving Sasuke a weird look, she gave two light taps on the door before gently sliding it open.

"Ohayo Itachi-san." Sakura chirped as she took the chart from her new assistant's hands and gave a small bow to Itachi. "How are we feeling today?"

"Better." Itachi replied in his normal monotone voice.

"I hope Takaya has been treating you properly these few days I've been away." Sakura spoke again, not looking up from the chart in her hands. "Well, it seems that your organs are mostly healed, and you should be able to leave the hospital."

"That's great news." Itachi said, as he was already lifting the corners of his cover and swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. Sakura mentally rolled her eyes. It was so like shinobi's to be this eager to get out of the hospital. After all they are active people, and being cooped up in a small room is bound to get very frustrating.

"Just remember to take it easy." Sakura added as she motioned for Takaya to hand over the new jounin garb delivered for Itachi. "Once I'm positive the black stuff stops coming out from your eyes I'll unseal your chakra."

Grabbing the clothing from the male medic's hand, Itachi stood up. "Thank you, Haruno-san."

"Sakura's fine." The girl waved a hand dismissively. "I'll leave you two to it." With that said Sakura placed down the chart, and exited the room with Takaya hot at her heels.

"What was the mission?" Itachi spoke up after the door of the room closed. Placing the folded jounin clothing onto the bed behind him, he began to shrug off the ugly white gown.

"Eliminating Orochimaru."

"I suppose it went well?" Itachi's voice was a bit muffled as he was tugging down the black skin tight shirt of the uniform on.

"Hn, of course." Sasuke smirked. "I'm not that weak 7 year old boy who couldn't threw a kunai straight anymore."

Itachi chuckled. Sasuke felt his heart leap. It's been years since he heard his brother's laughter. That same deep, throaty laughter that would always bring a smile to his face. "I suppose you're not. I guess we have to spar if I want to see how much stronger you've gotten."

For the first time in a while, a small smile presented itself on Sasuke's face. "Yeah, though after Sakura clears you."

Itachi paused in his motion of zipping up the army green vest. All his life he knew his little brother as a force of nature. Never listening to anyone but those who he deemed worthy. Usually those people were their clans member. He never remembered Sasuke ever listening to anyone else...not even his academy teacher. Yet, basing on everything he saw and heard, it seems like Sakura is also one of those people his little brother listens too...how curious. "You listen to her."

Sasuke blinked. "Yeah." He replied as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. His brows furrowed when a smirk crossed Itachi's face.

"She's a good girl." Itachi said. "I approve of her...you deserve someone who loves you as much as she does."

Sasuke raised a brow. Why did it all of a sudden seem like Itachi just gave him the right to court Sakura? "What?"

"I want grand children, Sasuke." Itachi's smirk grew when he saw the pink tinges on Sasuke's face. "And if you are to get married. I only approve of Sakura."

The pink spots of Sasuke's face grew darker. What the hell was his brother talking about? Hell, he wasn't even sure of his feelings for the girl, and it seems like Itachi was already planning their wedding.

"That was awesome Hinata-chan!" Naruto exclaimed as he stuck out a hand to help the blushing girl up from the ground. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"

Hinata's blush got darker after Naruto's compliment. She shyly replied as she dusted off her pants. "I've been training more with Neji nii-san and my teammates. Sakura-chan has also been training me."

Naruto beamed at the girl, casually slinging him arm around her shoulder, he started to led her out of the training field. "You've changed Hinata-chan." He started.

"Eh?"

"For the better." He quickly continued in case she was offended by his earlier comment. "You seem more confident."

The girl's face darkened even further. "You're the one that made me more confident." Her voice came out slightly wavering, as her heart thumped in her chest. It was like a dream come true for her. Having Naruto being this close to her, and compliment her, she could die happy. "Your determination gave me the courage to make myself stronger. T-To seek help from f-friends."

Ceruleans eyes widened at the girl's words. All his life, he never thought that he could help someone gain confidence. To have such a strong impact on someone other than his teammates. Stopping in his tracks, he walked in front the blushing girl. His cheerful expression turned into a serious one as he pulled the girl into his chest and wrapped his arms around her small waist.

"Thank you." He mumbled onto the top of her head. "Thank you for always supporting me and cheering me on. Thank you for being with me." Pulling the girl out form his chest, he gave her a dazzling smile. He watched as her normally pale face turn even more red. He could practically see the steam rising from the top of her head.

"N-N-Naru-ru -k-kun"

With that she fainted in his arms.

"EH?" Naruto quickly caught the girl and tried to shake her awake. "HINATA-CHAN? HINATA-CHAN?!"

The dripping sound of what seemed like a leaky pipe filled the moist, vast cave like room.

Six hooded figures stood in a crooked circled all facing towards each other.

"We've lost two members." The masked man spoke. His voice was low and grave. "And the traitor Itachi defected."

A small tsk sound came from another man. His shark like teeth gleamed in the dark room. "Never like that guy." He sneered as he leaned back against his sword.

Ignoring the interruption the masked man continued. "We still have five of the nine bijuus to collect, and we're running low on members and time."

A collective murmuring filled the area.

Raising one hand, he silenced the room. The lone eye that shone through the hole of his mask flashed maliciously. "No more side missions. From this point on, our main objective is to get the jinchuriki." Taking in a deep breath, he eyed the remaining members in the room carefully. "Kill anyone who stands in our way."

With that last order all six members vanished in puffs of white smoke.

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A war was coming.

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Again i apologize for the delayed update….but i swear I'm not going to give up on this story!

updates may be sporadic but this story will be completed i swear on my levi dakimura pillow!