Night, Day and Sunrise

Two days later, they encountered their first clue. It wasn't much, just some dried blood on a tiny scrap of cloth that might, at one point, have been orange. But it was more than they'd found after a week of fruitless searching. An anxious kid from Sunakure, who couldn't have been higher than a chuunin in rank, carefully placed the sample in a sterile, clear bag for further examination by Hinata.


Meanwhile, Sakura was scrutinizing the droplets of blood on a leaf just below the cloth. How these had gotten here, she was unsure, but after a few minutes of deft chakra manipulation, she was certain of two things: this blood was Naruto's, and it had come directly from him.


There was something about the process of extracting blood that interfered - in the most subtle ways - with the chakra patterns. It was actually something Sakura herself had discovered, and she had been working on a long dissertation on the topic before she'd left Konoha. Each substance that blood came in contact with altered the chakra signature, if only slightly. And this blood had only touched this leaf.


It didn't usually matter for most cases, but in circumstances like these, such knowledge was invaluable. To be able to say, for certain, that someone had indeed spilled blood directly from their body could tell ninja a lot about any given situation.


In this instance, Sakura could state factually that Naruto had indeed passed this way, and was alive when he had done so. Why there was not more blood, the pink-haired medic could not say. Perhaps the cloth had been pressed against a wound and had fallen off, the droplets splattering before some new bandage could be arranged.


It seemed odd to be glad for an injury on the part of her teammate, but the Hokage's apprentice was ecstatic. He was alive when they took him, and knowing both him and the Kyuubi, it would take far more to extract the kitsune from his host than had been required in the other cases.


Naruto was alive. They still had hope.


Relaying this information to Temari, the blonde immediately began issuing orders. Their group marked the spot, leaving one member to guard it, while Sakura was sent back with the specimen bag and the news. The rest of them continued to track what they now knew to be the correct trail with renewed fervor.


Sakura could have kissed them all.


She ran faster than she had ever managed before, ignoring the bulge which was starting to show through her clothing. Despite being a medic herself, Sakura was unsure how far along she was in her pregnancy. It was difficult to judge these things, she mused to herself.


Normally, she tracked a pregnancy based upon a number of factors, including the dates of the woman's last period and what days she'd had sexual intercourse since that time. Unfortunately in Sakura's case, that was a little more difficult.


Being a ninja, Haruno Sakura kept herself in peak condition for her chosen profession, which meant far less body-fat than was technically healthy. The only way she had found to explain the problems this caused (both when speaking with civilians as with other kunoichi who were having the same bodily concerns) was to relate the entire situation to that of a young female gymnast.


When exercising so often that the body-mass index dips below a certain level, a girl will frequently skip periods, sometimes several in a row. Some gymnasts, in fact, thought that getting a period meant they weren't working hard enough. Kunoichi weren't that crazy, but more than a few women in Konoha found themselves without their monthly courses. And Sakura was one of them.


She hadn't had a period in well over four months before she'd even begun to suspect she might be expecting, and even then, she'd waited almost a month to test. So, though she could be fairly certain she was more than a month along due to the slight distention of her stomach, she had no clue exactly how far along she actually was.


While it didn't really matter all that much - the baby would come when it was ready, no matter what a doctor's schedule said - at least in the long run, Sakura was anxious to know how things were progressing. And for more than the normal reasons.


While attempting to discern the gender of her child would be welcome, and she'd love to be able to plan a little more for it's arrival - her parent's would certainly need to be prepared before their grandchild actually arrived - what she was really impatient for was the child's chakra signature. If she knew how far along she was, she would then be able to calculate when she could reasonably expect to test for paternity with some accuracy.


The surest, and easiest, way to this information would be to ask Hinata, but even the thought brought up the memory of the sable-haired beauty crying her silver eyes out even as she tried to comfort the woman responsible for ruining all her hope. How, knowing the way the heiress felt, could Sakura be so cruel as so request such a thing?


And how would she explain, if the chakra was Sasuke's, why this didn't actually leave Naruto available? Their relationship was far too complicated for most people to wrap their minds around without being gradually eased into it. And yet, it seemed so simple, so right, from the inside.


The other option was to ask Neji. But not only was the idea of explaining the need for a paternity test to the stone-cold Byakugan user highly embarrassing, Sakura still hadn't spoken to him since the night he'd first arrived. Intellectually, she knew it was a pride issue - on her part - that kept her from apologizing for her behavior to him, but she was still a bit angry.


No, there was no "a bit" about it. She was furious. How dare he order her back to Konoha like that, even if Tsunade had sent him? And then, to make matters worse, he had deliberately invaded her privacy with his bloodline limit, uncovering her secret without any regard for her feelings with no cause but sheer curiosity.


Granted, she probably would have done the same in his place, but she at least would have waited until the woman in question wouldn't notice the breach of decorum.


But asking Neji was out of the question. Not only would it mortify them both, but as Hinata's cousin and protector, he was bound to ask more questions than she was comfortable answering. Even if he didn’t ask them aloud, he'd find out the answers anyway.


So it was up to her to solve this dilemma on her own. Even if there were medics skilled enough in Sunagakagure - which she doubted - they didn't have Naruto's chakra for reference, and she did not want anyone else knowing that she was pregnant. It was far too likely that Tsunade herself would finagle her way out of the village long enough to drag her pupil back, anyway. Sakura hardly needed other ninja assisting the blonde force of nature.


That particular nominative brought her mind back full circle to her missing teammate and added an extra burst of speed to her step. While they had, at first, found no sign of anything, there had been a sufficient amount of traffic through the woods to confuse a path as well hidden as one the Akatsuki members were likely to lay. In fact, while Sasuke had sent teams to follow each track they had come across, he had yet to put himself - or her - specifically on any of them, expecting those squads to come back with a disappointing report. He was right.


Now, however, she had something concrete to show him. In her hands, she held proof of their lover's survival, at least through the fight. But as they both knew from years of experience, even if Naruto had only one breath left in his body, you would still have to pry it from him with a force greater than any they had yet encountered. He wasn't going to give in, not until they'd found him. It wasn't in Naruto to give up.


Those thoughts sustained her as she finished her mad dash for their base camp, not even pausing her headlong rush to wait for approval from the sentries, merely tossing them the code phrase as she passed. It might be a little reckless, especially because she could almost guarantee Akatsuki was watching them, but at the moment, she just couldn't bring herself to care.


Naruto was alive. They had to act fast. Besides, they could always change their safe-words. Such things were secondary; this was truly important.


Flying through the encampment like a pink and red blur, Sakura burst into the command tent with no regard for what she might be interrupting. Her news took precedence.


"Sasuke!" she gasped, cutting off the Kazekage midword, but then her extended sprint caught up with her, and she had to gasp for air. She did not, however, miss the worry that instantly filled all eyes in the canvas enclosure, so she sent her chakra to speed oxygen to her abused muscles. Ignoring her body's protests to such crude manhandling, she forced herself to speak.


"We've got their trail," managing to get that much out at once was difficult, and she hastily took another few breaths, but it had been enough to assuage the fear in Gaara's normally void eyes. Sasuke, however, seemed only a little placated.


Damnit, Inner Sakura shook her fist, he's worrying about us again. Doesn't he know we can take care of ourselves?


Shaking off her inner monologue, she tossed her pink locks over her shoulder, startled to realize they were long enough to do so. Before she could get distracted by another mental tangent, however, she had recovered enough to report and cut off whatever it was her raven-headed lover was going to say.


"South-south-west," she continued as calmly as she could. "We found signs of labored travel - heavy prints, as if their maker was carrying a heavy burden - and we followed them. The ground got harder, making the trail faint, and we almost lost it. But then we found this."


Tossing the specimen bag on the table, she waited just a split second before stating the obvious. "It's Naruto's. I'm certain. And he was alive at the time it fell."


"Sakura," Sasuke began as gently as he could, a difference only she and Naruto seemed capable of perceiving, "we don't know that. We can't know that. Don't get your hopes up. This could just be a false trail they left to confuse us."


Nearly trembling with excitement, Sakura set about enthusiastically disabusing her friend of such notions. "If I were anyone else, or if I hadn't found exactly what I had, I would agree with you. But I would not make such an outrageous claim without proof."


Before the ensuing silence - during which she was sure certain people were calculating her sanity based on various factors, and Sasuke was wondering about her hormone levels affecting her reason - had a chance to dissolve into the babble she knew was coming, she cut them short.


Her explanation of the new technique was short but detailed. She offered to give a demonstration, but - to her slight amusement - there were no takers. The mednin standing in the corner, however, was taking reams of notes, and had a look in his eye that promised hours of detailed questioning later, a prospect she did not mind in the slightest.


Most of those gathered still seemed skeptical, but Sasuke silenced them before they even had a chance to draw breath. "She's right. Haruno Sakura would never make a claim of such import otherwise. It is only one of the many reasons she is apprenticed to the Godaime Hokage."


The speech seemed rather formal, but Sakura knew the game he was playing; by drawing attention away from her youth - and gender, a factor that should not matter, yet somehow always did - and reminding them of her standing and special status, he had just saved them at least an hour of argument. The Kazekage's nod of support didn't exactly hurt either.


"We owe Haruno-san our life," Gaara declared, slipping into formal mode, complete with the royal "we." Or, perhaps in his case, he was referring to himself and his tailed beast, separated from him for the first time since his birth. "As well as the life of our brother. We will listen to all she has to say, and her word is not to be questioned in Sunagakure. If she could recognize, diagnose, and treat previously unknown poisons almost instantly at the tender age of fifteen, it does not stretch credulity to believe that, after such a passing of time, she has managed this feat."


Turning to her, the redhead held out his hand, which she took, blushing slightly from his compliments but confused as to his changed way of speaking. It wasn't like he was making a speech. Or was he?


"Haruno Sakura-san, you and yours," here, his eyes flicked briefly, almost imperceptibly, to Sasuke, then to her own belly before coming back to her own; she understood the silent gesture, but couldn't help wondering if everyone in camp already knew about her child, "are always welcome in Sunagakure. Your skills as a mednin are recognized, and we know you have no need to claim skills you do not have. A test is not necessary; your word is enough."


"Now," he turned back to Sasuke, though he did not release her hand, making it clear, not only through words and actions, but also by his very stance that he was taking their side on this matter, "what else needs to be done to ensure Uzumaki-sama's recovery?"


Sakura finally understood the reason for their oddly prim manners as her Captain, lover and best friend began to detail plans for the continuing mission: the entire council of Sunagakure was here, in this tent. No doubt they had been trying to call off the search. And by careful maneuvering, Sasuke and Gaara had made it clear they were having none of it.


Nor was she. Fortunately - for them - years of diplomacy lessons from Shizune had managed to engrain themselves into her character. She let the men talk for a few minutes while she got her temper under control and analyzed the situation rationally.


As much as she hated to admit it, the councilors were right. She hadn't even heard their arguments, and she had to agree with them, at least in part. Gaara had stripped his village of much-needed personnel for a mission that, even if Konoha could have afforded to pay them for, had a very remote chance of success and did not require the presence of their entire Anbu force.


Yes, they were helpful, especially when there was no direction to focus the search on. Now, however, so many people would only erode the trail as they traversed it, destroying precious evidence through inadvertent trampling. It didn't matter that they were all highly skilled ninja; that many people would not be able to help it, no matter how careful they might be.


There was also the fact that so many people could hardly move across any great distance without attracting attention. All the genjutsu and nin jutsu in the world couldn't hide what was essentially an army traveling along the Fire/ Sand border.


And until they caught up with their quarry, the vast majority of those people would be useless followers - mouths to feed that had nothing to contribute. Even if every single one of them was a superb tracker, too many cooks spoiled the broth. There were only so many signs and hints to read; there was simply no way that many trackers could be used, let alone be effective.


No, it would be better for everyone involved if the extra troops went home. She was reasonably certain that Sasuke and Gaara could work out a roster of ninja to continue the hunt. Between the two of them, they'd have the list done in a matter of hours, if not minutes. Then they could be off, without sacrificing secrecy or speed.


Meanwhile, all those not searching for the missing jinchuriki could go back to their normal lives, taking missions, earning money to keep the task force going, resupplying them. And then, when they found their goal, the reinforcements would be sent for. It might take them time to get there, and they might not have it to spare, but it was the best they could do.


It was painful, but Sakura had seen Tsunade send her own teammate and best friend to his death for the good of the village. Compared to that, this was a cakewalk.


"Anou," once again, Sakura interrupted the meeting. Her subconscious had kept tabs on what was being said, so she knew she was not disrupting anything too vital. Nor had they brought up the idea of sending troops home, much to the obvious displeasure of the councilors.


"I'm sure the thought has occurred to you, Kazekage-sama, but as it has not yet been voiced, I feel I must request that you consider sending some of your shinobi back to their regular duties."


Ignoring the slight look of betrayal and annoyance that crossed Sasuke's features, she proceeded to enumerate her reasons for the request, adding only one more.


"We cannot countenance stripping Sunagakure of so many ninja, even if they are all volunteers. Not only does this pose a threat to the success of the mission, but it leaves your village open and unprotected. Not to mention how many missions you must be refusing due to lack of manpower. That does not promote a positive impression of the village or it's ninja, and it would hardly do for Konoha to put our allies in such a precarious position."


"I am by no means suggesting that your shinobi have been anything but helpful in this matter," she hastened to clarify, hoping she was not putting her foot too far in her mouth this time, "nor do I think that all the troops should be sent home. Rather, they have been invaluable thus far. But to reach the mission objective, such a large force is unnecessary, in my humble opinion. You and Uchiha-Taichou know best how many men are needed for this operation. I merely wish to point out a possible solution to evident problems. I pray I have not overstepped my bounds."


It took a moment for everything she had said to sink in, but the Kazekage responded to her final sentiment even as he processed the rest of her words. "Of course you have not overstepped. And you were right to request that we consider this. For the moment, there is much to be done, and even more to be pondered."


Then he started issuing orders, and his people jumped to obey. The other search teams were summoned, the councilors were offered food - which they accepted - and Gaara declared that he was going to take Sakura to speak with the medics about her new technique. No one objected, even when Sasuke accompanied them out of the tent.


Sakura saw the move for what it really was, however: an excuse to speak without the overshadowing presence of Gaara's council. Far from disapproving, however, she applauded the idea.


"How many shinobi do you actually need on this, Uchiha-san?" Gaara's voice seemed smaller somehow, without the weight and formality of the Kazekage behind his words.


"Need? I would say 'myself and Sakura,' but honestly, I don't know and I won't until I have more information."


Pleased that he included her alongside him as necessary, though she knew it was mostly due to her relationship with him and Naruto, Sakura couldn't help a small smile. However, his answer was hardly helpful at the moment.


Knowing a little better the odd paths on which his mind ran, she had learned over the years that the only way to get a satisfactory answer out of an Uchiha was to ask the right question. Sometimes, it seemed he enjoyed tormenting those he spoke with, like a mad game of hot and cold. But at the moment, she knew he was simply trying to factor too many variables into the equation. They needed to help him pare it down.


"How many do you want?"


"As many as I can get," the answer was quick, almost automatic.


Rolling her eyes, she continued. "How many can we keep together, moving quickly over possibly rough terrain, without broadcasting our movement or destroying the trail?"


"No more than twenty, unless someone's got something big up their sleeve that I don't know about yet." His voice was clipped, nearly mechanical; he was processing more information than Sakura even wanted to contemplate. In fact, she had no doubt he was mentally reviewing the performance and skills of every shinobi in the search force, as much as he'd been privy to. Even while they spoke, he had probably eliminated up to half the ninja in the encampment from the list of shinobi he'd request.


"Nothing that you could use in the fashion I believe you desire," Gaara answered after a moment. "And, as much as I wish it were otherwise, I must return to Sunagakure with the troops we send home."


Neither Konohanin took that amiss. In fact, they had both been trying to think of a way to suggest just that. While Gaara had deferred to Sasuke in every matter, his presence did confuse the issue of command structure. Knowing that he would be leaving relieved Sasuke of several potential difficulties, though there were others it created.


Sakura had no doubt he'd balance it out. But now it was time to probe a little more, before they reached the medical tent. "Is that twenty total, or twenty Suna-nin plus our Konoha-nin? Because I know I'd have to pry them off with a crowbar to get them to go back to the Leaf without Naruto."


"Twenty total," he declared firmly. "More and things would get too unpredictable. Especially with the state we're likely to find Naruto in. I don't want him mistaking friend for foe."


"Friendly fire isn't," a cheerful voice behind them made the trio whirl about, Gaara with suspicion, Sasuke with surprise, and Sakura with delight.


Throwing herself at their stalker, she laughed as he caught her up in his arms, swinging her around like a little girl. "Kakashi-sensei! What... how? When did you...?"


"Orders, on my feet, and just now," the retired Anbu answered her broken inquiries sequentially, putting her down and stepping back just a bit as he noticed the slight darkening of Sasuke's eyes.


"I will tell the medics that you have been delayed, possibly for the rest of the evening," Gaara offered, but Kakashi would have none of it. He'd been hearing rumors of Sakura's new technique for a while, and once he found out that's what they were about to demonstrate, he insisted on accompanying them.


"We'll talk more later," he promised, though it felt more like a threat to the kunoichi. She wasn't fooled for a second. He would copy her jutsu with the sharinghan, as would Sasuke, and then once she was done giving her lecture, she would find herself receiving one. Of that she was certain.



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Yay, a slightly longer chapter! I'm sorry if there are any mistakes in the chapter (I'll edit soon) but I was in a hurry to post. "Why?" you might ask? Because my dear friend, 'Nera, is going to Anime Expo, and I wanted to give her a nice send off.

Lenera has been my writing buddy for years, and she's been helping me write this particular tale. The original concept actually came from a chat we had a few years back, as we tossed ideas back and forth, and she's been invaluable is keeping my creative juices flowing. And you can thank her for the updates, because she's the one who reminds me to do it!

So, any of you lucky enough to be going to AX (I am excessively jealous, by the way, having never been to the Pacific Coast) please keep an eye out for my tall friend. She's promised to have some items in the Art Show/Auction - mostly jewelry - and she is one of the best costume makers I know. Aparently, she's made a costume from Naruto Shippuden - the two-tails - and I can't waitto see her pictures.

Good luck, Lenera, and drive safely!

And safe travels for all of you vacationing for the 4th. Let me know what exciting things happen. I myself will be watching the fireworks in our nation's capital. An old roommate has an office in a building right near the Mall, and her company's having a fireworks viewing on the roof; she's bringing me along for the ride. Thanks, Amy!

Well, that's it for the update. Have a wonderful holiday weekend, and good reading!



Crimson Iris