Let It Begin

6. Reunion

Every day held the same routine for Sakura: eight hours of training and learning about the different types of poison. Learning new Jutsus from Kabuto and fighting against Sasuke (losing all of them). At least she was able to have small conversations with Sasuke, which gradually seemed to be lasting longer.

And those sound ninja who promised Sakura they wouldn't die really did keep their promises. Sakura was relieved to see them and immediately gave them a lump on their head, ordering them to never do that again. They worked together, helping Sakura learn her poisons. She learned how to make them, how to cure them, and how to recognize them. The two ninja soon became attached to Sakura, telling her that she was the nicest person in Orochimaru's hideout.

She was also allowed to go outside the hideout as long as she had a sound ninja or Kabuto tagging along to ensure she wasn't seen. And before she knew it, three years had gone by.

XXXXXX

Today was Sakura's oh, so infrequent day off. She found it rather suspicious but let it slide, as she was glad she finally had a day to rest. She was actually humming as she walked down the hall to the room she and Sasuke shared

She wasn't surprised to see Sasuke resting on his bed when she entered the bedroom. She walked over to him and looked down at him. He opened his eyes and stared back at her,

"What is it?" Sasuke asked.

"Kabuto and Orochimaru left a half hour ago and cancelled our training", she answered.

"Hn, whatever", he said and closed his eyes. Sakura started to walk towards the door to take a walk, but Sasuke grabbed her wrist and pulled her down next to him.

"W-what the he-" She was cut off by the door creaking open and a black figure taking a step into the room.

"Who's there?", Sasuke asked.

"Caught me red-handed. I originally came here in order to kill you, but now i want to take you back to Konoha. I want to save the bonds between you and Naruto" explained the figure.

"That's why you're here? That's why you woke me up.", Sasuke asked. Through this exchange, Sasuke was getting more and more mad and let his violent chakra leak out and permeate the walls around them. Soon, the three ninjas felt a small tremor shake it's way through the room, and the wall around them crumbled. Sasuke and Sakura jumped on the ledge that overlooked a destroyed base.

"You just had to go that far and destroy not only our room but the entire base", Sakura paused, sighed, and continued, "That's the fifth time already and only because someone disturbed your sleep....Orochimaru is going to be mad."

As the dust and smoke cleared, the man, who had kneeled to keep his feet during the earthquake, slowly stood up and looked at Sasuke and Sakura. He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by a loud voice from the corridor.

"SAI!"

Suddenly a streak of purple and white appeared and slapped Sai away. Sakura was confused and stood rooted to the spot, speechless. She couldn't believe her eyes. It was Ino!

Ino started to yell at Sai but she was interrupted when a familiar voice called her; "Ino..."
Sakura whispered, and she saw another streak, this one was orange and quickly slapped a hand over her mouth.

"Naruto? You came too. Then that means Kakashi's here as well" said Sasuke.

A fourth figure entered the room and answered Sasuke's implied question. "Unfortunately, Kakashi-san couldn't be here. I, Yamato, am here in his place," he introduced himself.