Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, that belongs to someone who has a whole lot more money than me.
It was a cool spring afternoon; Sakura Haruno had just finished her morning shift at the hospital and was now going in to check on Tsunade, Konoha's Hokage.
'She had better be working…' Sakura thought.
Of course, when Sakura knocked on the doorframe, there was no answer. She slid the door open and approached the Hokage's desk. On it was the sleeping frame of Tsunade.
"You know, you really shouldn't sleep on the scrolls. You're going to ruin them," Sakura muttered quietly, moving the scrolls from underneath Tsunade's arm. She walked over to the window, surveying the village.
'What a nice view, you can see the whole village from here.'
"Huh?" Sakura murmured. Down, dashing through the streets was a frantic-looking Shizune, carrying more scrolls than Sakura thought possible. Sakura sighed, 'she's probably getting all worked up over nothing.'
A moment later, Shizune burst into the room, tripping over her own feet, sending scrolls flying everywhere. Sakura helped her up and began collecting nearby scrolls.
"Oh thank you, Sakura-chan," Shizune bowed, then turned to Tsunade, "YOU'RE ASLEEP!? THOSE REPORTS WERE DUE AT NOON!"
Tsunade opened her eyes groggily, "Wh-what?"
Shizune grit her teeth, "the reports?"
"Ah, don't worry, those aren't due until noon! It's only…" Tsunade searched for a watch.
"Er… Tsunade-sama? It's three o'clock," Sakura supplied, "and you didn't get here until one thirty…"
"Ah, I see…" Tsunade picked up a pen and scratched a line of writing. "There, I'm done."
Shizune just stood with her mouth agape, "Th-that's... I-IT?!"
Tsunade looked at her for a moment, "yes."
Shizune looked from Tsunade to Sakura, and then fainted. Sakura dashed behind Shizune and caught her, gently lowering her to the floor.
"You know you over-work her," Sakura stated.
"Bah! She over-works herself."
Sakura raised an eyebrow.
"Fine, maybe you're right," Tsunade grabbed a nearby document and sighed melodramatically, "so much paperwork…" Her eyes skimmed the report, and grew serious.
Shizune, who was just waking up, noticed this, "what is it, Tsunade-sama?"
Tsunade pursed her lips and said, "It's the northern patrol squad, they've been ambushed."
"WHAT?!" Sakura and Shizune said in unison. Tsunade re-read the document, nodding.
"It says that one member was killed on the scene and the other three are in critical condition."
"Actually… one more is dead, if those were the ones I was treating earlier," Sakura whispered sadly. The room went silent; the three had their heads bowed in respect.
After several moments, Shizune spoke, "what happened?"
"Shizune, call in Shikamaru, Hinata, and Neji. If my memory serves me, the others are all on missions."
"Um, yes… that's right! But, may I ask who they're up against?"
"Brace yourselves… It's Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki. Oh, and don't forget to bring Naruto. It'll be a five man team."
"Er, Tsunade-sama… that's only four people…" Sakura began.
"Right! You're going too!" Tsunade exclaimed, "They'll need a medic and Itachi is Sasuke's brother… Maybe you could find some clues to his whereabouts."
Sakura gasped in realization. She bowed and ran to catch up with Shizune.
"Wait! I didn't even give you the mission!" Tsunade sighed. 'Oh well… I'm sure Shikamaru will come get it…' Tsunade thought before grabbing her sake.
A/N: This is the first mini chapter to my first pairing fanfic. I hope you liked it, and I will update a lot and quickly, as long as I get some reviews!! Thanks a bunch!!