(A/N: Play music for more effect.)

When she fought, this time, Sakura felt that this battle had been very different. Her moves were sloppy, and she almost could not think clearly, but...she felt more exhilarated than ever before. She would have to work more on her skillset when she returned from the mission.

Sakura decided to lead the man to her original spot where she had lain traps beforehand. The first time had not worked because she was still supporting herself on a broken ankle, which had been miraculously healed by the strange chakra (she didn't have time to ponder about), and he had caught up to her, pinning her down after cutting her leg so she couldn't escape.

She stopped in a clearing, and then waited for the man to appear.

:::

A darker, more sinister part of her that reminded Sakura of Orochimaru cackled when she watched the burnt corpse of the man that had hurt her smoldering on the forest floor. A messy method, painful too, but well-deserved. He had uttered multiple shrill cries before he was stopped by the intense pain he had felt, unable to conjure any energy into screaming.

The bold voice that had healed her didn't speak the entire time as she set off the traps, creating a fiery inferno that destroyed and mutated the body of her opponent, the stench of burning flesh still in the air when she left the area covered in soot.

Yet another part of her made a mental note to ask and research about the feeling as she watched skin melt off of bones that she would later identify as enjoyment and satisfaction.

Suddenly, her knees buckled without her consent, and Sakura felt the vomit rise and eject itself from her mouth, her body racking from the effort.

Slowly, when she was done, the small girl wiped her mouth with her grimy arm and stood up coolly, her calm façade now renewed.

:::

Tazuna watched nervously for Sakura to return. He had lost sight of her when she began fighting the first mercenary, but she reappeared when the second came, and he watched in awe as she fought hand to hand combat with the man, her small form holding against the tall, built man.

That was when it happened—she had gotten injured, and was now retreating further, but Tazuna knew, with a sickening feeling, she wouldn't get far with her injured ankle and whatever had happened just then. He didn't know what part of her was cut, other than the fact that Sakura clutched her ear before sprinting away.

And now—silence. He waited, craning his neck and listening for any sign that either was still alive. Alas, it was impossible, and the bridge builder sat back. The boats next to him that were moving with the water caused a loud, lapping sound, and he sighed. He hoped the petite girl was alright.

Tazuna turned back to the last spot where Sakura had been. Nothing. He sat on a large crate, waiting for one of his protectors to find him. He was getting impatient, and worried, too. What if that small child got killed or mortally wounded because of him?

Then, there was a loud buzzing noise, and he turned in the opposite direction. A few men had fallen from the bridge, most likely from...Kakashi, was it? The sensei that the pinkette had seemed to dislike.

Realizing the buzzing wasn't coming from him, he turned once again to the genin's location. He stiffened, hearing the sand and small pieces of gravel shift from movement, and then registered the sound to be far off, as if some people were running again.

Sakura must be retreating again, Tazuna thought, and instantly felt even worse. The girl was trying to get away, and here he was doing nothing, because he was only a bridge builder. But still, there's nothing I can do. Well, I can pray. He wasn't exactly a religious man, but perhaps Kami was feeling generous...

He hopped off the crate indiscreetly and kneeled on the dirty, wooden floor.

:::

"Teme! Oi, Teme! Wake up, dattebayo!"

Immediately, Sasuke sat up, which ended up being a big mistake. "DOBE! Why were you leaning over and staring at me?!" The dark-haired boy scowled, more angrily than usual, and rubbed his forehead.

"Ow, your head is harder than concrete, dattebayo!" The blonde rubbed his own brow.

"I suppose you would know," Sasuke replied smirking, then looked down at his rugged clothing. "How late were we training?"

"I don't know, —ttebayo," Naruto confessed, scratching his head. "Genta and Inari woke me up, but you were out cold, so we carried you."

"Aa." Sasuke nodded, and then stood up. "What time is it," he called out, going through his bag for fresh clothes.

"Hm...late afternoon? I just woke up too, —ttebayo. But look!" The energetic genin pointed outside the small window. "There's a really cool sunset, dattebayo!"

"Hn." Sasuke glanced out the window quickly. "...Sakura."

"Huh? What about her, dattebayo?"

"Exactly, Dobe. Where is she?"

"Y-you're right! Sakura-chaaan!"

The dark-haired boy sighed, and then followed his teammate out to Tsunami, who was explaining that their sensei and teammate were out protecting Tazuna while he and the other builders worked. "Inari and Genta are out back, training." She smiled, then went back to cooking dinner.

Suddenly, the door opened, revealing the two said boys. "Okaa-san, Okaa-san!" Inari yelled, ignoring the genin.

"There's a talkin' dog that's sayin' Sak'ra is in danger! And the other guy, Kashi, is hurt!" Genta and Inari huffed from running to tell them the news. "The cute dog is—"

"I'm here," a rough voice announced, and the cracked open door swiveled to reveal a brown dog with a blue outfit on, along with Konohagakure's hitai-ate. "You two kids were pretty fast. You did a pretty good job announcing that I was here. Maybe you can touch my paws..."

Everyone sweatdropped at the small dog. "I'm one of Kakashi's tracking dogs and summons, Pakkun. He's unconscious on the bridge, and doesn't know where your teammate or charge is," he explained, making Tsunami gasp.

"What?! Sakura-chan's missing? We have to find her, dattebayo!"

A pale arm held Naruto back. "Dobe, we can't do anything yet." Sasuke turned to the dog. "What happened?"

"A decent-sized group of Gatō's hired men attacked," Pakkun explained, "Kakashi told your Sakura to take the one they were protecting away, but apparently, at least two followed them."

Sasuke gritted his teeth. It just so happened that I was out when they were attacked. Sakura's good, no doubt, but can she really handle—?

"Teme! Let's go, —ttebayo!"

"We can't, Dobe." He sighed, massaging his temples. "For all we know, some mercenaries could be headed this way, and the two of us aren't in top-condition."

"You're pretty sharp," Pakkun observed, "But we can't leave Kakashi out in the bridge, and I can't carry him."

"Sakura-chan—you couldn't find her scent?" Naruto asked.

"No. Kakashi didn't have anything that belonged to her, nor Tazuna."

"...Naruto, make two clones and get Kakashi. Pakkun, you locate Sakura when I give you something of her's, and the two of us will stay here, to protect the house," Sasuke ordered, and then moved to the room where he, Sakura, and Naruto slept.

He returned with one of her kimono-type tunics and allowed Pakkun to sniff it, watching as Naruto made two clones that ran off with the tracking hound as soon as it found Sakura's scent.

"I hope Sakura-chan's okay, —ttebayo..." Naruto said nervously.

"Sak'ra is strong!" Genta chirped, and Inari nodded vigorously.

But is she strong enough? Sasuke stared quietly out the door, watching the clones run off with Pakkun.

Are you surprised with what Sakura did? Why or why not? Do you think the man deserved worse?

What will Sakura do next?

Aww, Sasuke cares! What will happen next?!