Unravel

Disclaimer; I don't own Naruto

" Ah, you're early, Sakura-chan." spoke the third, after Sakura appeared in a swirl of her name sake.

" Sorry, I just could not sleep too well, so I decided to make my way here."

" Nightmare?" the old man questioned.

" Memories. But, you're still right, seeing as they were less than pleasant."

Hiruzen knew she was not ready, nor willing, to talk about it yet, so he decided to drop the subject. And as luck would have it, there was a knock at the door.

" Good, he's here. Come in." he called louder, to make sure he was heard.

The door creaked open and Sakura turned to see, who she would be leaving with. Her eyes slightly widened, when she got a look at who would be accompanying her.

" You wanted to see me, Hokage-sama."

" Yes, Minato. I have a mission for you both." Sakura quickly nodded towards Minato, before gluing her eyes on Hiruzen. She could not afford to spend a long period of time with Minato, so hopefully, this mission would not last long.

" This mission shall last two weeks."

'Of course.' thought Sakura bitterly, as she tried to keep her annoyance from showing.

" Your mission will be to infiltrate one of Kirigakure's military bases to get back an important scroll, that was supposed to be delivered to us from an ally."

" Is this also a rescue mission?" questioned Minato. His voice was hard and his shoulders stiff. He was now one of Konoha's most elite shinobi, ready to serve his kage for whatever means.

A small bit of admiration welled up inside Sakura. This was the future Yondaime Hokage and she would be witnessing his prowess first hand. No matter how much she knew it would be bad to interact with the man, she could not say she did not wish to talk to the legend that she had only briefly interacted with before. However, she quickly focused back in on the conversation at hand, it would not do to miss vital information.

" Unfortunately, that is a negative. The spy was killed soon after his capture. He, along with two others, was one of the ninja hired from the Jomae village, to be bringing back information on all of the nations, to try and disclose why so many fight were breaking out among the great nations, but could not succeed in the end."

Sakura frowned. Knowledge is power and the more power one hand, the more dangerous they became.

" Details for your mission are in this scroll. Failure is not an opinion, I wish to discover the cause of these arising issues, before war breaks out among us. You will leave within the hour, am I understood?" the Hokage's demeanor also changed. He was now a serious man, who was expecting the best from his shinobi.

Before, Sakura had been too young to understand why the Hokage were such respected men amongst his people and shinobi, but it would seem she would be learning first hand now.

" Hai, Hokage-sama." replied both Minato and Sakura in unison.

Minato grabbed the scroll, before they both exited the office. He unraveled it, before scanning it's contents and handing it over to Sakura, who did the same. The second they left the building, they both disappeared to their homes, to grab their needed supplies, while knowing they will meet at the front gate, before setting off.

Sakura grabbed her already prepared pack and added in a few more medical supplies. It's best to prepare for the worst, that way one is not left helpless. She put on her black gloves, tightened the black sash under her stomach, and put her long hair in a high ponytail, before braiding it, to ensure her hair didn't get in her way.

It has been nearly two months, since she donned her ninja attire, consisting of a sleeveless red top, black shorts, and black ninja sandals. However, after Sakura became Hokage, she has saw far less missions in her time, so the bubble of excitement that she tried to contain, was becoming more prominent. She really needed to calm down, especially because she would be accompanied by a legend, who probably would not be impressed with her fan-girling over being outside the village.

Double checking her supplies, she shushin towards the gate, only to be met by Minato.

" Good you're ready, We will be traveling at top speed throughout the day and will stop at the near end of sunset to give us time to set up camp. My hopes are that we are going to make it their, in under the normal five days travel, so that we have time to plan out the infiltration, with as much stealth as possible."

Sakura nodded in understanding. At top speed, it would take a minimum of five days to get there, making the trip 10 total, leaving only four days to get to the base, get the scroll and return. Although 14 days was enough time, if Minato was anything like she thought he was, he was a man, who liked to be home earlier than expected of him.

With that understanding, they headed off in the direction of Kiri, to begin their mission.

OooO

Minato stared at his partner, who was seated across from him. It had taken them two and a half days to reach the doc, where they would ride a small boat over to Kiri. The trip to the doc had been mostly silent, with them only conversing over the mission and small greetings, when waking for the day, but Minato still was able to learn several things about the pink haired kunoichi.

The first thing he learned, was that she's stubborn to a fault. They made it to the docs, nearly twelve hours ahead of standard time, which while no big deal for Minato with his speed, was no small feat for other shinobi. His regular pace, tended to be far faster than others, so he would normally gradually slow down for his other members, as to not run them into the ground. Sakura however, did not seem to appreciate his consideration. Seeing as, when she realized what he was doing, she sped up, to where she was next to him. She said nothing, but shot him a look, which he could translate into words.

I can keep up.

So, he decided to no longer slow down for her, but he never picked up his pace either. He had no idea, why she felt it necessary to match up to his speed, especially when he could tell that it was difficult for her. Every time they would rest, he could hear hear deep breathing and see the small tremble in her legs, but she never complained about it. He also noticed her can do spirit.

Even after running for hours, she was still ready to set up camp, get firewood, and start preparing dinner, after he had told her, he would scout the area. Minato tried to tell her that he could help and after a bit of convincing, she decide to allow him to get the firewood, while she pitched the tents. When she had gone off to bathe in the stream he had found near by, she had returned with a handful of plants.

He had raised a questioning eyebrow, but she had simply replied with. " For medical purposes." That being the end of conversation. She then began to pull out items from her large medical pouch, which were all organized and sectioned off. It was clear she took her job as a medic seriously and from the lack of labels on anything, she must be more than proficient if she is able to know what everything is, just by it's sight.

From their limited time together, all she has shown him, was that she was a studious and strong willed shinobi, nothing personal. However, from time to time, he could her staring off into space, with her eyes seeming to see a million miles away from what was right in front of them.

' Her past, must not be a pleasant one.' he concluded. After all, if she had gone on such a long term mission, it must have been to escape her troubles. Minato knew that most shinobi tended to throw themselves in alcohol to escape their depression, but she seemed to be one of the few, who would push herself to near death, to escape her problems.

He wonders if the reserved kunoichi was always like this, or if time in the field did this to her. He hoped someday he'd have an answer and maybe a solution to her troubles. Even if he doesn't know her, she's an ally and his partner. For Minato, it's difficult to watch others suffer silently, but he would never pry into others business, without their consent.

So for now, he'd just focus on helping her out through the mission and go from their.

OoOo

Sakura was observing her partner, herself.

He seemed to have a internal conflict with himself, before sighing in defeat. Heaven knows, what's causing the problem, but as long as he could still focus on the mission, she would stay out of it.

Sakura's eyes slid towards the large body of water, all around them. Looking at Minato was difficult. His bright hair and eyes, often being replaced by a similar style, his narrow jaw, growing wider and rounder, with three marks on each cheek, and his morning greetings, turn from a soft smile, to a wide grin.

Naruto really did inherit a lot from Minato, in the physical department.

However, it did make it easier to know, that Naruto did not gain the man's personality as well. Sure there seemed to be some similarities, from what she can remember during the war, but it's clear that Naruto greatly took after his mother, in the emotional department.

Sakura wondered, just how the man managed to get Kushina to not only date him, but marry him. Sadly, she would never get that answer do to the fact that they were not together this time, but it just begs the question what changed? What's the difference, this time around, beside herself being here. Yes, Hamura told her things would be different, but how far back did he need to alter the timeline just to make room for her?

It still did not sit well, knowing that Naruto would not be born to the same parents, and of course there was that small part of her mind that said what if, he's not born at all. But, she would quickly squash that thought. Naruto was meant to get his happy ending, after all the good he did, even though he suffered, and dieing without realizing his dream, is definitely not a happy ending. That small bit of logic, is what she clung to in order to keep going.

Stealing a glance at Minato, she knew she need not worry about him never finding a woman, he came across as the perfect package. With his stellar good looks, great personality, and amazing skill, she was sure women were falling over themselves to be the lucky lady, he took interest in. If circumstances had been different, Sakura, herself might have held out a little hope that she could be the apple in Minato's eye, but she knew she had no right in her position.

After rejecting Naruto, often in her younger years and then being on the fence as she grew older, while clearly knowing she held interest in Naruto, Sakura didn't deserve happiness in the love department. At least, that's how she saw it. Sure she had been there for Naruto, when times were tough, but she had not given him the love he needed and rightfully earned, because of indecisiveness, which is something she can't forgive herself for.

Both Naruto and Minato, deserved better.

Perhaps one day, she could get into casual dating, but it would never be serious. After loving Sasuke for years, only for it to hurt her each step of the way, Sakura could not dare to be so free with her heart again, lest she never recover.

Besides, she had a goal to accomplish. One that was starting with this mission. She needs to start changing things and making sure the future of Konoha, does not come to pass. Starting with this war and ending with Madara's defeat. Hopefully, with less casualties, than before.

OoOo

Sakura awoke to the sound of someone throwing up. She lifted herself up, from her sleeping bag, to try an see who. With the dim light of the moon shining through the mist, she could just barely make out blonde hair. Silently, she reached for her medical bag, before preparing a bottle for him. Once finished, she got up and crept towards him, releasing her chakra slightly, so he was not startled.

" Here." she said, as she passed him the water bottle and a napkin.

Minato took both, using the napkin to wipe his mouth, but opted to stare at the bottle, that contained green water.

" I mixed in a few herbs and vitamins, to help sooth your stomach." she answered his silent question.

While Minato began to drink the elixir, Sakura couldn't help but think how funny the situation was. ' Namikaze Minato, Konoha's Yellow Flash and beloved Yondaime Hokage, has motion sickness.' she could not keep the snort coming out, as she thought of it.

Minato, understanding what was so funny, defensively replied." What are you a pig?"

" No, that's Ino." was Sakura's automatic response, as she covered her lips, to keep from laughing.

" Ino?" wondered Minato, before realizing he had struck a cored, seeing as all signs of amusement, were gone from Sakura's face.

" Nothing, never mind." she quickly dismissed, before walking away. " Feel better. " she called, from over her shoulder, as she made her way back into her sleeping bag.

Minato starred at the half drunk water bottle, for a while longer. Seems he might learn more about her, than he anticipated.

OoOo

" Listen up. We'll be reaching the drop off point soon, I'll be back in three days, at exactly this spot. If you're not here with the hour, I'm gone, got it?" spoke their transporter, Sanji. Both Minato and Sakura nodded in understanding. It was a risk to bring enemy shinobi over to Mist, given their harsh morals, but people needed to make a living somehow, which is why smuggling, whether it be people or products, happens often.

Once the driver focused back on the water, Minato turned to Sakura.

" Sanji, will be dropping us off, just shy of eighty miles, from the base we need to infiltrate and regain the stolen information. We'll find a secluded spot to set up and try to scope out the area. Since it's already mid day, so we will not be infiltrating the base, until after we scope out the area and are adjusted well enough to Kiri's climate. I want to be able to move by nightfall, that way they will be less likely to see us coming. Stealth is the key, because they are sure to expect Konoha to try and retrieve our scroll." Sakura gave a curt no, as they reached land.

It would not do to confront the Mist shinobi, if unnecessary, given the fact that Konoha is already on bad terms with Kiri. They seem to just be waiting for a reason, as to storm the border and fight. It's clear now, why herself and Minato were chosen. His speed and rational planning, made her an obvious choice and though her enhanced strength could wake the dead, her medical expertise, can make for a silent death, which is the best option. they need to get in and get out, with no trace as to who infiltrated their base.

Sure it would be obvious that Konoha had struck, but with no proof, Kiri can not move without causing a political problem for their Daimyo. No matter how free ranged the ninja system is, there are still rules it must abide by, no matter what.

Sakura snapped out of her thoughts, as they began traveling through the area. There was a lot of vegitation in Kiri, because of it's moist climate, but there were also high mountains and a thick mist, that never seemed to fade, which would make it more challenging to navigate through the dark. They had managed to find a cave, hidden behind thick vines, that could serve as a cover from the mist and anybody who possibly wandered by. The drawback, however, was the fact that it was hard to see in the dark, so they had to pull out glow sticks to light up the cave, seeing as it was risky to build a fire inside.

" Alright, it's best to get a look around and get a feel for the area, so I'll take the west side and you east, be back within the hour, we still have two and a half more days to scout around. If there's trouble, report back here and if you are confronted then shoot the warning signal and I'll be there." Sakura nodded towards Minato, but inwardly she was wishing technology was advanced enough for at least communicators, because it made things so much easier.

OoOo

It was now approaching nightfall and Tsunade was going over the notes she complied, over the past two days, as well as Sakura's. Just as she promised, she was watching over Obito, to make sure his chakra did not do damage to his eyes and pathways. She also, decided to test several variables, that Sakura had not gotten the chance to try.

She tested if the chakra behind Obito's eyes could be manipulated like his core chakra, only to find that as long as he still had chakra he could work with, the amount behind his eyes would not respond. She had tested to see, if Obito could actually used his sharingan, once she removed the bandages and turned off the lights, only to discover that his sharingan would not activate. Finally she decided to observer him, through the night and found some interesting facts.

Apparently, chakra did not begin to gather behind Obito's eye, until he slept. Slowly, hour by hour, his chakra began to gather behind his eyes. She had scanned his body, while this was occurring and found a strange seal on the inside of his cranium, it appeared to be calling forth the chakra towards it. She had tried to use her chakra to deactivate the seal, but when she came in contact with it, she began to feel dizzy and her vision started to become blurry, forcing her to stop.

It was a wonder of exactly who would go to such lengths for this child to not awaken his sharingan. However, Tsunade just hoped Sakura could make it back soon, because even though she offered to watch over the boy, she was still uncomfortable being in the hospital.

' No. Uncomfortable is not the only thing.' Tsunade thought bitterly. She feels ashamed that she's here, because even with her presence, she is not able to do anything. She cannot heal others, can't direct the staff, can't be of any use, because she's still afraid. Tsunade knows she needs to get over this phobia, she knows there's lives that needs saving, but she just can't. Whenever she remembers what happened to Dan, her chest tightens and she can barely breath, until she's finally able to get the unpleasant memories out of her head.

That's why she drinks and gambles. To forget. To run away. To not face reality. Tsunade's disgusted with herself, but she's human. No matter who her grandfather was, no matter who her sensei is, and no matter who she was, in the end she can't help being weak.

Because she's only human.

" You became a great Hokage and lead Konoha's medical force admirably through the years."

' Sorry kid. But, I'm 20 years too early, to begin leading the medical force.' she thought bitterly, in response to Sakura's words, as she opened up a sake jar.

Hehe, I enjoyed writing this chapter, mainly because I could give insight on Minato's and Sakura's thoughts. I also wanted to give more info on Obito's condition, not to mention relay the internal struggle Tsunade goes through being inside a hospital, while still having her phobia of blood.

Thanks for reading and let me know your thoughts.