When True Love Actually Exists

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto-

Chapter One- When it's least expected

.

It was a beautiful day, just like any other day in Konoha. The weather was nice, it was cool outside and the sky was clear. The villagers were going on with their daily activities and nothing was out of the usual. It had been almost a year since the war ended and everything was finally back in order. Except for Sakura's life that is.

It seemed that no matter how much time and effort she put into working at the hospital or even how often she trained, she couldn't forget about the man who had her heart. She had known for a long time now that no matter what, she would always love him. She would wait for him forever because she truly loved him and after their last encounter she was sure that he may feel the same, even if he couldn't admit it.

He'd apologized for everything. He told her that he couldn't take her with him but that he would see her again and for him to say such a thing to her, she knew, something in him had changed. She was getting tired of waiting though. After all, she'd been waiting most of her life it seemed for this man. Sometimes she felt like he still may never return. But, recalling the look in those beautiful onyx eyes while he spoke then, she had seen nothing but truth in them. It's why she didn't need to argue. He would be back for her and she knew it.

Sakura made her way to the hokage tower. Shizune had come by the hospital moments before Sakura's shift ended to tell her that Tsunade needed to speak with her as soon as possible. Sakura had no idea why. She hadn't had a mission in a while since Naruto was off doing some special training over the last few months and Sai had been doing solo missions lately. Now that she thought about it, Sakura couldn't even remember the last time that she seen Kakashi.

She had finally made it to Tsunade's office, where she knocked twice before entering to smile at her mentor. Sakura new immediately that Tsunade had been drinking and didn't seem herself at all. Sakura quickly closed the door and closed the distance between herself and Tsunade's desk.

"Tsunade-Sama, you needed to see me?" Sakura began hesitantly. It wasn't like Tsunade not to speak as soon as Sakura was spotted.

"Yes... Yes I do." Tsunade let out a long and stressed sigh before taking a long pull out of her sake bottle.

"Is everything okay?" Sakura asked, sitting down just in case it was worse than she was expecting.

"No. I've got to send you on a mission." Tsunade groaned, as if this was terrible news.

Sakura frowned in confusion. Tsunade new Sakura was very well trained for any type of mission, so for her to be worried... Sakura swallowed hard, feeling extremely nervous now.

"Well it has been a while since I've been assigned a mission, I probably need to do something different."

"Listen to me Sakura, there's a team in need of your assistance. Some of our Shinobi have come across some information but while finding out this information there was an attack and this team has no medical ninja. The shinobi I speak of weren't originally working together and they had no idea they'd cross paths but at this moment they are in hiding and both of them are seriously injured from what I gather. They've called specifically for you and so I have to send you immediately so they can be treated."

Sakura nodded in understanding, although she was still lost on why Tsunade had been so worried. After all, that is exactly the kind of thing Sakura was good for and she could very well take care of herself.

"I will accomplish this with little effort." Sakura was certain but Tsunade's lips formed in a thin line, showing she wasn't so sure.

"Things could turn ugly. They will probably want to continue their investigation as soon as they're healed and they might want you to join them and I just need you to promise me that you will be okay and that you will take care of yourself no matter what. Remember, if you go down, there will be nobody to heal any of you!"

Sakura nodded once again. She was not the failure she once was. She had completed unbelievable missions. She had gone through a lot in her eighteen years and she felt she could handle anything by now. Crying or backing down were two things she didn't believe in anymore. After all she was a woman now. A strong, independent woman. She had made a name for herself and she was proud of the reputation she had and worked to keep.

"I promise. I won't fail Tsunade-Sama." Sakura smiled at her mentor. She had so much love for the woman and she was glad Tsunade worried about her at all.

Less than half an hour later, Sakura was leaving the village with Neji, who Tsunade forced Sakura to agree to take with her. Sakura didn't argue much though she felt there was more to this mission than she'd been briefed on. They were headed to sound territory and they only had two days to get there by the injury report on the team she was joining. They needed help and they needed it quickly. Sakura could only hope whoever they were they were smart enough to take care of themselves until she got there.

They made more than half the trip before stopping to rest, having not spoken a single word to each other the entire time. They each set up their own camp and then ate some fruit that Sakura had grabbed from her home. Sakura honestly just didn't know what to say to the guy. He seemed nice enough. Quiet and intelligent. It was just, they had never had anything to talk about and honestly, Sakura wasn't sure he would even like to talk. But she wanted to know if he knew anything else about the mission.

"So Neji what exactly did Tsunade assign you to this mission for?" She asked once her curiosity got the better of her.

"To personally guard you until you've completed your mission." Neji answered without hesitation. This annoyed Sakura horribly. She was not a weakling anymore and she did not need to be protected.

"Do you know the shinobi we will be assisting?" Sakura asked curiously.

"No, I will only be assisting you. I didn't even know other shinobi were involved."

Sakura wasn't sure she wanted to believe Neji but then again she couldn't think of any reason that he would lie to her. The two of them took turns sleeping and then got back on the move just as it started to get dark again. They would make it to their destination before sunrise. They were only a little ahead of schedule and Sakura was glad of that, she couldn't stand the thought of the injured shinobi out there waiting for her to save them. She would never be able to forgive herself if she didn't make it in time.

"We're close." Sakura announced to Neji as they closed in on sound territory. Sakura was told the one uninjured member of their team would find them before they went to far so she slowed down, as did Neji who was right behind her. Sakura sensed a familiar presence approaching only a second before Kakashi appeared before her.

"Hello Sakura," Kakashi gave her a closed eye smile and Sakura frowned.

"Kakashi-Sensei are you the shinobi I'm supposed to meet?" Sakura asked as if it was completely impossible. It didn't make since.

"I'll have to explain later okay. I have a couple people I'm sure you would like to see and they really need to see you." Kakashi laughed hesitantly, scratching the back of his head in a nervous way. Sakura didn't feel good about this at all.

"Lead the way." Sakura said, her voice barely a whisper. What if it was Naruto. She suddenly felt panicked that Naruto could be in trouble and need her so she hurried behind Kakashi, with Neji right on her heels.

Sakura couldn't shake the terrible feeling in her stomach as they entered a hideout only a mile from where they first met Kakashi. The stench of blood upon entrance was sickening. Sakura new before she even seen the weakened shinobi that they were barely hanging onto life and she had no time to waste. She pushed past Kakashi and ran to where she sensed the presence of two chakras.

What she never expected when she pushed the door open was to not only find Naruto but also the man she'd been so unsure about. The man she loved with all of her heart, soul and mind. It was him. It was Sasuke. And both of them seemed to be barely clinging to life.

A/N: Thanks for reading!

This story is going through an edit.