Chapter 1 – The disbandment

Haruno Sakura was pissed. And it was a dangerous thing considering her Tsunade-like strength and temper, so people- ninja's and villagers alike- took it upon themselves to save their lives by staying out of her way.

Sakura couldn't believe it was happening. The new team 7 was the top team in Konoha. They had been since they built up on their teamwork. They took missions as a team almost always. But sometimes when the members did solo missions a substitute would be there. But it never hindered their mission.

'So what went wrong?' She asked herself while running on the rooftops of the houses towards the Hokage's office. 'What happened?Why is shishou (mentor) giving off temporary disbandment? '

The other team members were already gathered in the office except one. The one person she never got tired of seeing. The one person she would've given her life to without a single thought (she would've done the same for Kakashi and Riku, but that wasn't the point). The single person she was saving her future for. Uchiha Sasuke wasn't in the Godaime Hokage's office when she arrived, and she wanted him there more than anything.

Shiba Riku was the new member of Team 7, he had joined the team when one of their previous members , about whom no one would talk about much to his curiosity, suddenly disappeared, as said anyway. He was an average built man with a shock of golden brown hair and a pair of mesmerizing silver eyes. In the eyes of the village young women Riku was only second to Uchiha Sasuke, but when considering personality wise Riku won hands down.

With the charming attitude and easy-going smile Riku won the heart of almost every girl he met. His silver eyes shined on everything and he was a man who believed in the silver lining of the cloud. But one thing he never understood was (among the reasoning behind Sakura's infatuation with Sasuke, Kakashi's reason for a mask, etc..) was why no one would talk about who he had supposedly substituted for in the team. He had first thought that it was because that person might've died or gone missing but when he voiced this thought to Kakashi, the masked-nin had said that it was farthest from the truth.

'So why the secrecy?' He asked himself 'why no one would talk about him or her?' He had taken it upon himself to find out, without anyone knowing and so far all he had found out was that this person, whoever he/she was, was hated by the village.

And here he was trying to solve another mystery which was the reason for the sudden need to disband Team 7 when they were the team with the ratio of most successful missions. Even temporary disbandment needed a reason. 'And it better be a good reason', he thought 'and that Uchiha might want to come soon or otherwise will have to endure Godaime's infamous wrath.. Again.'

Hatake Kakashi was a ninja who was prepared for anything and his motto 'look underneath the underneath' never failed him. But now it was baffling him and all because he didn't have the right information. The sudden need for disbandment didn't actually hinder him or anything.'It'll give me more time with my Iruka-chan'; he giggled to himself earning weary and suspecting looks from the occupants of the room. But he was worried and curious as to why the need for such a sudden action.

The Hokage wasn't one to take rash actions, despite the belief of the majority, and the disbandment of one of the best teams means trouble for the money income. 'Or maybe she's going to give us more solo missions. Damn.' He needed to know what the reason was and he needed to know soon.

'Maybe teaching your student everything isn't good. Sasuke better get here quick, then I'll be able to catch Iruka-chan before he goes to the academ'y, he mused to himself all the while having his nose buried in the latest Icha Icha Paradise book.

Uchiha Sasuke didn't care that he was late.' I don't need to tell them everything', but he knew pissing off the Hokage wasn't a good thing, and certainly not the current Hokage.' I had things to do, Satoshi needs to gain confidence or he's going to get killed on his first mission.'

So now here he was, flying off the rooftops towards the Hokage mountain hoping to get to the Hokage office soon. 'That Riku's getting curious, too curious. He needs to lay off his current 'search' looking who he substituted. If Tsunade finds out she'll have his head.'

Sasuke wasn't a tolerant person, he was only tolerant of one person and 'he' wasn't even in the village. 'Sakura's getting on my nerves, when will she understand that I'm not even remotely interested in her?'

The arrival of one Uchiha Sasuke in the Hokage's office made had everyone in the office sighing in relief. If he was even a bit late who would've known what the Hokage would do? She was an unpredictable woman when sober, as she was now. Sasuke silently observed the room's occupants.

Shizune was next to the Hokage's table holding Tonton while the Hokage was sitting on her desk with her chin of folded hands. She had an expression of barely controlled anger and the minute he stepped in a full blown glare was shot in his direction. But he didn't mind it; he himself was an expert in glaring. 'Well you need it when considering those women in the village', he thought with a suppressed shudder.

Kakashi was standing in the corner leaning against the wall with his eyes on Icha Icha Paradise. Not seemingly affected by the tension vibration in the room. Riku was standing next to Sakura with a casual pose and he shot him a grin. Sakura was standing with folded hands and she looked at him when he came in with a bright smile which he didn't take any notice of.

"Well it seems that finally Sasuke had decided to grace us with his presence, we will start the meeting."

Tsunade started speaking when he stood next to Kakashi. "You already got the message saying there will be a temporary disbandment,"

At this Sakura opened her mouth to say something which was promptly halted when Tsunade held up her hand.

"Let me finish sakura, this disbandment will be for one week the Kazekage stays here; which is next week. You will be doing solo missions that week because the solo mission number is going up and we need protection while the kazekage is here. I can't get Anbu because of the rebelling in the next village. I sent them to settle that and we're running out of ninjas." Tsunade's brown eyes were on her paperwork before she looked up to continue.

"The chuunin exams preparations are also there and the Kazekage is coming purposefully for that. Sasuke you will be doing your normal ANBU missions with this and Riku and Kakashi will be partnering up for some difficult missions. Sakura you'll be needed in the Hospital because of the new wing we built and you'll join some other team if needed." Tsunade finished with flourish of her hand. But her eyes were serious.

"Because of all this Jiraiya has gallantly offered his help," Tsunade finished with a dignified snort.

"I doubt we'll get anything done by him but his presence will help. Kakashi you are going to be a proctor in the chuunin exams. I hope you have something. Or else," She threatened before giving him a glare.

'"You're dismissed now. The team disbandment will commence from next Monday."

A/N – This is my first fanfic. Please have mercy on me. Reviews are very much appreciated