Of Tales now and Long Ago

Of Akatsuki and the Slug Princess

Chapter FIFTEEN

Though the truth of the real Kazekage had been revealed and Suna had surrendered, Konoha had suffered devastating damage. Countless numbers of shinobi had died, and lots more had been injured.

The Slug Sennin, Senju Tsunade's name had been coming up more and more during the meetings. There had been plans to try and bring her back into Konoha, in hopes that she would take over the hospital.

The invasion and the number of the wounded had been a signal of sorts to the importance of medic-nin.

The Shinobi of Konoha had been forced to take missions more dangerous and more further away than what they were usually sued to doing. Itachi was away more often than not, leaving Sakura and Sasuke to take care of the Uchiha compound.

It was a particular day when Sakura noticed that something was going on.

All the Jounin and higher shinobi were more active than usual. It didn't take long for Sasuke to notice either. The two of them arrived at the training grounds where Naruto was waiting for them, but Kakashi was no where to be seen, which was strange, seeing that it was already four hours after the meeting time.

"Where do you think he is?" Naruto asked, glancing around, as if he expected Kakashi to just pop out of nowhere.

"Something happened." Sakura murmured.

Both her teammates turned to her, noticing that she had activated her Byakugan. They followed her finger, looking in the direction she was pointing.

"There's someone there." She said, not sounding at all like the usual Sakura. "Kashi-sensei's there, along with the teachers of Team Ten and Team Eight." She paused, her eyes blank. "And two very powerful shinobi."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

'I never thought we'd meet them so soon.'

Sakura smiled faintly.

There stood Akasuna no Sasori and Deidara of Akatsuki, both whom she remembered very well from when she had first met them.

Unfortunately, they recognized her too.

"Ah! you're that pink brat from before!" Deidara exclaimed.

Everyone present whirled around to look at her.

"Sakura-chan, you...know that girl?" Naruto asked.

Deidara growled. "I'm a guy, un!"

"What are you guys doing here?" Kurenai asked, eyes wide. "They aren't people you can defeat!"

"Well, I can see that, seeing that you guys are having trouble as well." Sakura murmured. "But I don't think we can leave now."

"Hn." Sasuke glanced over at the two shinobi clad in black cloaks decorated with red clouds. It was obvious they wouldn't be able to leave now. The two wanted to avoid the chance of them calling reinforcements. It was likely that some were already headed their way.

"Hey, don't ignore me, un!" Deidara said.

"Sakura-chan, you know this girl?" Naruto repeated.

"I'm a GUY!"

Sasuke shot Sakura a questioning look.

"They were the ones that attacked me before I got back to Konoha." Sakura explained. "I just happened to meet them along the way."

"Wha-you! You were the ones who hurt Sakura-chan?"

Sakura sighed. "Ruto, please don't forget that we are in the middle of a battle."