Sakura quickly looked to Shino to see if he was seeing the same thing she was. Ino and Naruto were walking towards them, holding hands and smiling.

"Hey guys!" Naruto said brightly. Sakura openly gaped at the two of them, not believing her eyes. "Don't worry, it's just an act," he whispered.

"Oh, wow, I feel stupid then…" Sakura said quietly.

"Would you two like to come over and we can gather in Hanabi and Kizu's room then?" Shino said blankly. Sakura blinked up at him for a moment. He went back to the cold Shino that everyone else saw him as.

"Sure!" Ino said brightly. Shino nodded and he and Sakura led the way towards their hotel.

"What the heck Shino?" Sakura whispered. "Trying to keep up a scary image or something?"

"Yes," he said before lightly kissing her. She heard Naruto and Ino gasp softly behind them, but didn't care. "I have to keep up my scary image otherwise Naruto'll open his big mouth about something I'd rather keep quiet."

"Oh? Do I get to know?" Sakura asked.

"No. Not with Ino being your best friend," he said flatly.

"Awww, you're no fun," she said pouting at him. Shino chuckled.

"I might tell you once they're gone…..but probably not," he smirked. Sakura sent him a puppy look but Shino just rolled his eyes.

"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Ino asked Naruto quietly. Naruto nodded, his eyes wide. He vaguely registered that he had once seen that look on her before, way back in their genin days.

"Almost reminds you of the Sasuke days, doesn't it?" Naruto whispered back. Ino gasped as Shino smiled at Sakura and kissed her a second time.

"I wonder if they're just faking it for the mission, or if its real," Ino said softly. Suddenly she felt something smack her in the back of the neck and Shino turned to glare at her.

"What's up Shinto?" Sakura asked when she saw his glare.

"Nothing. Don't worry about it," he whispered. Sakura narrowed her eyes at him.

"Liar, I can hear your kikai buzzing like they're pissed off," she hissed. Shino's eyes widened in surprise before chuckling.

"Ino's wondering if the two of us are just acting or if we're really together," Shino said softly. Sakura sent a dark glare back at Ino before stomping off in front of the group, small cracks in the sidewalk being left behind after each step.

Shino cursed under his breath and chased after her. Ino and Naruto looked at each other for a moment before running after Shino and Sakura. Naruto snickered as Shino scooped Sakura up bridal style and spun her around in a circle and kissed her neck, making her smile.

"Better?" he asked against her neck.

"Maybe. You think we can drop them off with Kiba and Hinata and you keep that up?" Sakura whispered.

"Maybe," Shino whispered with a smirk as he placed her back on her feet. "We'll see after a bit. For now let's just go back." Shino kissed her forehead after pulling her closer by her hips. Sakura sighed but nodded her head in agreement. Thankfully, they were only a few moments away from the hotel.

Once the door was closed, Naruto ran over and fiercely hugged Hinata. She blushed brightly but hugged him over back while Kiba gave Ino a quick kiss.

"What are you guys doing here?" Hinata asked excitedly.

"Missing you and Tsunade wanted you guys to have some back up because the contact mentioned a big battle," Naruto replied. Sakura chuckled at Hinata's giant grin.

"Why don't you two get a room then we can use transformation jutsu's to keep the couples together?" Sakura suggested with a smirk. Ino smirked back and grabbed Naruto by the wrist and dragged him out of the room.

Shino shook his head and grabbed Sakura by the hand and started to pull her towards the door as well.

"Oh no you two don't," Kiba said with a glare aimed at Shino.

"What? I know everything that went on. You think I was going to completely play hookie?" Shino asked with a small smirk as one of his beetles flew over from resting on top of Kiba's headband. Sakura and Hinata rolled their eyes at each other while Shino was caught in a staring match with Kiba. Thankfully, Akamaru broke them apart by barking at Kiba.

"What's up Akamaru?" he asked. Akamaru bounded over to the window and they saw a pissed off Yorin being harassed by the Kamizuru brothers. "Uh oh….This wont end well….."

One of the brothers tried to grab her, but she ducked and rammed her head into his stomach while kicking the other one in the face behind her. A moment later, a black haired, emerald eyed man was next to her. The mystery man grabbed Yorin around the waist and jumped on top of the roof, her yelling at him the entire time, though oddly she shut up at the look he gave her as he set her down. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips and as quickly as he came, he was gone. Yorin just shook her head and ran across the rooftops away from the Kamizuru boys.

"Well, that wasn't strange at all…." Kiba commented after Yorin was out of sight.

"I do believe we just saw Emyrylis," Shino said softly.

"Emyrylis?" Hinata said. "But Emyrylis is a phoenix according to Yorin."

"That may be true, but I definitely saw and felt something off about his chakra. Besides, we don't exactly know what phoenixes can or can't do," he said logically.

"What if we contact Yorin and ask her?" Sakura suggested. Shino nodded in agreement.

"Ok. I'll do it," Hinata volunteered as she turned to her dresser and pulled out a scroll and began writing a letter. Shino put his arm around Sakura as Ino and Naruto entered the room.

"Ok, spill," Ino said to Sakura. "What's going on with you two?"

"Ino, mind your own business," Sakura said icily. Shino trailed a hand down Sakura's back and rested his hand on her hip. "I think it's pretty obvious what's going on between us."

"Calm down Sakura. It's not your fault that she cant keep her mouth shut," Shino said lightly.

"Hey! What is your problem!?" Ino asked sharply.

"YOU are my problem Ino. I have issues with the fact that you think I could really fake liking someone enough to let them kiss me. Just because it was recommended to act as couples for the mission, doesn't mean that I would let Shino kiss me if I didn't truly care about him!" Sakura said hotly. Shino stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Calm down Sakura. She didn't know. Let's just go over to our room and you can calm down," Shino said softly against her ear. He nodded over at Kiba who pulled Ino away before the girls got into one of their huge fights. Shino pulled Sakura out of the door and into their room, releasing her once the door was shut. Sakura turned around hotly when he let go of her arms, only to be pulled into a searing kiss that left her breathless.

"Feel better?" he asked softly against her lips, his fingers lightly playing with her hips. She nodded and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Come on, into bed," he coaxed as he moved toward it. Sakura complied and turned around and flopped onto the bed. Shino chuckled and sat beside her, his fingers lightly tracing patterns into her lower back.

"Can I just go and beat her face in?" Sakura mumbled into the pillow. Shino lightly kissed her cheek and told her no. "Why not?"

"Because you don't need to start any unnecessary fights," he said, moving to cover her body with his. Sakura rolled over to find herself face to face with Shino before he quickly kissed her-silencing any protests. He softly teased her by nibbling on her lower lip and trailing his hands down her sides and over her hips, all the way down to her knee and back up again. He started the process over again and reached her hip when suddenly the door was opened.

"Hey, I just wanted to say…..oh….ummmmmm……" Ino stammered, her eyes wide.

"Ino," Shino said icily. "I suggest you get out….now." He didn't look up to see her response, but not even a second later the door slammed shut. Shino closed his eyes in frustration, a scowl set firmly in place.

"You know you're not stopping right?" Sakura teased as she pulled him in for a kiss, breaking his concentration. He moaned softly into her mouth when she lifted her knee to rest her thigh against his hip, his hand automatically moving of its own to lightly stroke her leg.

"Mmmm, you sure do know how to distract me….." he whispered against her pulse as he lightly kissed her neck. Sakura chuckled at him and wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing one hand to lightly trace the side of his face, enjoying how his eyes clouded over in pleasure, a small smile on his face.

A tapping on the closed window broke them apart. Shino sighed in annoyance but didn't bother to move.

"Come on in Itachi," Sakura called out softly after kissing Shino's forehead.

"Should I come back in an hour or two?" Itachi joked.

"Yes." Shino said flatly as he buried his head in the crook of Sakura's neck.

"Well, too damn bad. Does anyone know where Yorin is?" Itachi asked worriedly. "If we are to help protect the last artifact, I need to know where she is."

"No idea, ask Hinata," Sakura suggested. "She was just about to go give her a letter."

Itachi nodded once and left through the door and went over to the next room, his disguise from the night before still in place. Sakura sighed and lightly ran her fingers through Shino's hair making him sigh as well. He nuzzled the side of her neck with his nose lightly.

"You know we're not going to get any time alone till we get back home, right?" Sakura chuckled and kissed his forehead.

"And even then we probably wont get it knowing our friends….." she replied. Shino groaned softly, a scowl on his face. Sakura giggled softly all of a sudden. "You think we should have warned Itachi that Naruto's in there?"

Shino smirked into her neck. "Well, he'll find out soon enough. Let's just hope Naruto doesn't attack him."

Sakura chuckled softly. "Oh well." She held Shino close to her and cuddled him. "I'm content to just stay here with you."

Shino smiled and flipped the two of them over, his hand resting in the small of her back. He chuckled at her surprised glance and kissed her forehead. Sakura smiled at him before resting her head against his chest, their legs intertwined, seemingly not a care in the world. They sat up quickly as they heard a thud against the wall from the next room but relaxed again when no other noises were heard.

"Any bets on what that was?" Sakura mumbled.

"Either Itachi hitting Naruto or vice versa is my guess. Should I go find out for you?" Shino asked softly, his hand playing with her hair.

"No. No moving. I like you right here," she whispered sleepily. Shino chuckled softly.

"Alright," he told her as he tightened his arms around her. "I'll stay right here."

Moments later, Shino noticed the tell tale soft, even breathing that indicated Sakura had fallen asleep on top of his chest. Shino smiled lightly and wrapped his arms around her small frame, holding her close to him. His eyes closed in contentment and was soon asleep as well.

-With Naruto, Ino, Kiba, Hinata, and Itachi a few moments before-

"Naruto what the hell is your problem?!" Kiba yelled as Naruto held a disguised Itachi up against a wall.

"I don't trust him. He looks like Itachi!" Naruto yelled.

"Hinata tugged on Naruto's arm lightly. "Naruto, that's Sakura's contact. Please, let go of him Naruto-kun," she told him, leaving out the fact that Naruto was right. Naruto nodded and let him go. Itachi glared at Kiba and Hinata who winced slightly in apology.

"You were going to send a letter to Yorin?" Itachi asked Hinata. She nodded and got out the scroll. "Where is she? I'll take it to her."

"She's probably working at the Kaito Clothing shop. She's a clerk there," Hinata told him as she passed him the scroll. Itachi placed the scroll in his pocket soundlessly, trying to ease the headache away from dealing with the kyuubi brat.

'Sakura owes me for not pounding the living daylights out of him,' he thought to himself as he shook his head.

"Is there anything else you needed Ita?" Hinata asked softly. Itachi shook his head lightly at her.

"No, I should be alright. I'll find the place and keep and eye on Yorin. We cant do a good job protecting the last artifact if we don't keep an eye on the girl," he said softly before turning and walking out the door.

"I don't trust him," Naruto said to no ones surprise as soon as the door shut.

"Naruto, leave him alone. He's apparently really close to Sakura, so I trust him," Kiba said surprising several people. Hinata nodded as well.

"Fine," Naruto sighed in exasperation. Kiba and Ino waved at the others before going across the hall to their room. Naruto turned to Hinata and wrapped his arms around her gently before pulling her over to the bed and lying down with her and holding her close.

Itachi paused outside of Shino and Sakura's room, listening to see if they were still awake. Confirming that they were asleep, Itachi left the hotel, making his way toward the shop that Yorin worked at. He walked soundlessly though the dense streets of the small village, never once bumping into anyone. He soon reached the shop and walked inside.

Spotting Yorin, Itachi made his way over to her only to pause while she dealt with a customer. Itachi smirked at her when she looked over at him and winked, making it known that she knew he was there for her. She tilted her head over toward some chairs and he just as quietly as before made his way over to them and sat down, contently watching her deal with her patrons before finally making her way over to him.

"Well, if it isn't the cutie from last night. What can I do for you?" she asked with a smirk. Itachi gave her an easy grin and handed her the scroll from Hinata. Yorin accepted it and read it quickly, nodding as she went. Itachi watched her closely, wondering what had suddenly put her on edge.

"What is the matter?" he asked her.

"Oh, nothing you need to worry about," she said with a wave of her hand. "Was that all you needed or were you here for something else?"

"I'm just sticking around to make sure you stay safe. It would do us no good if something were to happen to you and the last artifact captured," he said calmly. Yorin smirked down at him and gave him a fake pout.

"Is that all you see in me Ita?" she joked. Itachi rolled his eyes at her.

"Of course not, but at the moment, it is my main concern," he told her.

"It's ok. I'm taken anyways," she winked at him. "My shift ends in another hour if you're planning on sticking around." Itachi nodded as she walked away with a wave.

Itachi sighed softly to himself as he waited for Yorin to be finished with her shift. Soon enough they made their way out of the shop and through the crowded streets, his hand on her lower back, making sure that he didn't lose her. Leading him toward her home on the edge of the town, Yorin walked quickly, keeping an eye out for the Kamizuru siblings just in case.

"You sticking around my house for a while, Ita?" she asked him.

"Probably," he replied, suddenly tensing as he sensed people surrounding them. "Yorin, come here, quickly," he said in a hushed tone. As soon as she stepped close enough, Itachi pulled Yorin close to him and jumped straight up in the air, avoiding several shuriken.

High up in the tree tops, a puff of cloud engulfed the two shinobi, obscuring the view of their bodies. As the smoke cleared, the two were separated as the two Kamizuru boys jumped the two, carrying Yorin away quickly, leaving Itachi gaping behind on the ground, arm outstretched to try and stop them.

-With the rest of the group-

"So when do you think that Ita will be back with news from Yorin?" Sakura asked the group as they sat in her and Shino's room.

"No clue," Hinata replied with a shrug. Sakura got up from the bed and paced to the window. "Stop worrying Sakura. I'm sure he'll be back in no time"

Shino turned his head sharply as the door burst open, Itachi stumbling in, breath ragged. Everyone turned their heads as his body was covered in smoke, pitching face first toward the ground. Rushing forward, Sakura realized that who they thought was Itachi, was actually Yorin.

"Kamizuru………captured…….Ita……help," she choked out with each breath.

"Where Yorin?" Sakura asked, worry quite evident in her voice.

"Mountain……Emyrylis……" Yorin breathed softly before passing into the realm of darkness.