Behind the Mask

Hello my lovely people who are reading this story, its my first time writing a story like this, so i am somewhat new to this -flusters about- I really hope this story interesting and different from others. Well I would love to get some reviews and I will try to fix the mistakes that I know, that are probably in there.

There is a part in this story about the festival and the festival is joining all the villages together and celebrate with each on in peace. It the one time in a year that all villages that are on peace terms can celebrate together.

Sakura reported to the Hokaga's head quarters. Green eyes remained firm, as she headed towards the room. She still worked in the hospital as always, but she was in her new uniform. It was a black tank top that fit snug around her, letting her more attractive features stand out, well more attractive for the male side. Black arm sleeves clung to her as well, within them held secrete weapon for her mission. Black shorts clung to her waist, as a white belt like cloth hung around her waist, hiding her medical things for the mission. Black gloves were on her fist as she gently knocked no the door of the Hokaga's office.

"Oh Sakura come in! I have a very important mission with you." Tsunade grinned, she was obviously drunk. Sakura merely raised a brow as she spoke "Tsunade! You can't expect me to get here then instantly leave for a another mission! Can't I have a few days of break first?" It was unlike Sakura to pout and complain, but damn it, she was tired from her last mission. Tsunade only grinned bigger as she spoke "Oh don't worry, you will have a few days of break, since you have to be fitted for some new clothes." Tsunade was trying to hide back her laughter as she truly couldn't wait until she told her young little pupil her mission.

Sakura glanced at Tsunade, she swore something just wasn't right about her. "Fine, tell me what it is." Sakura sighed taking this defeat quite easily, oh but she wouldn't for long. Tsunade took a deep breath as she spoke "Sakura you will be heading to the village of Sand. You will be under cover and be Gaara's guard for the festival that will happen, here that all villages may come. Though Gaara was weak after that attack." She paused, as she glanced at Sakura. Sakura knew all to well of the attack. Akatsuki attacked Gaara only to get the demon that l;aid within him, they failed, but that doesn't mean they won't stop trying. They assumed it was best to test out there theory's on him, so they can perfect it, once they obtain Naruto. Tsunade voice awaken Sakura from her thought, green eyes looked to her. "And well..." Sakura stared in slight confusion, Tsunade hardly ever stumbled over words, she was either drunk... or worse. "Well Sakura... you have to dress up as a boy." Sakura sighed. "Oh well if that it then...." She cut herself off, wait a boy? 'Chiaaaa! What the hell a boy? I can't be a boy, I lack some of the necessitates and plus I have boobs!' Her inner voice suddenly began to rant once more in her head. Sakura's jaw dropped "What?" It was easy to tell her anger was raising. "Well Sakura you see, we need the other ninjas here to make sure everything here goes planned, and well, you seemed not to have a mission and you were the perfect choice."

Sakura merely stared, oh she was going to get out of this. "I will not do it Tsunade. Why me, I am sure you can send others?" Sakura was getting back to her twelve year old self, slightly whinny and complaining self. She was 21 years old, and hell if she didn't want to do something, she would use her old self as a last resort. "Sakura!" Tsunade yelled obvious not pleased at her pupil for acting this way. "I told you to do the mission and you damn better do the mission, before I kick you off your squad!" Sakura was taken back, Tsunade hardly ever threatened her. Sakura sighed, she knew it would be no joke and Gaara would most likely need a nurse as well as a strong ninja to help him. "fine I will go, now where do i get my clothes?" She asked realizing this was going to be hell the next few days. "Head down to the store and tell them it’s a mission and they should send the bill to me." Tsunade waved Sakura off. Sakura stared and gave her a cold stare showing her, she was going to do it, but she wasn't going to be so happy about it.

Sakura exited from the office and escaped that place. her anger was slowly dying as she thought it might be fun, to dress as a man. Though it would be awkward if some girl started hitting on her. Sakura couldn't help but laugh at the thought. A few people stared at her and picked up their pace, only assuming she had finally lost her mind. Everyone of her friends was busy for the festival, it was a festival to celebrate all the villages and each year it was somewhere different and finally it was the leaf's village time to hold the party.

Finally here. thought Sakura as she walked into the clothing store only to be greeted by Hinata. What Hinata? "Hinata. What are you doing here?" Sakura was slightly caught off guard. "Oh I offered to help out since the festival is going on and the mistress is kind of busy helping the outfits for it." Hinata was of course gorgeous, but she was still her shy little self, blushing every now and then with nervousness. "though Sakura-chan how may I help you?" Hinata spoke lightly. "Oh yeah, well I need to look like a boy, so I need some new cloths for a mission and such." Sakura stared at Hinata as she suddenly began to fluster up. What did she say? "Are you..." She was cut off by Hinata laughing, her small giggles escaping her lips. "I am sorry Sakura-chan, but I never imagined you would want to change your looks." Hinata giggled once more, trying to conduct herself in the proper way. Sakura was well stunned, she didn't believe Hinata was making fun of her. Sakura snorted and looked away,. but a grin crossed her face. "Oh well lets just get me dressed. The less people know about this the better." Hinata nodded and suddenly began to take measurement and smiled as she spoke "Well I should have your outfit down as soon as possible. I suggest you were a mask to hide more of your female like face. It might make it easier for other to assume you are a man. Plus do you have a name for yourself?" Hinata asked. Sakura stared she never thought of that, she did need a name and she didn't remember the Hokaga mentioning anything about a name. "Well no not really. Do you have a suggestion?" She asked the white eyed Hyuuga. Hinata stared for a moment, a name? She thought to herself, Her mind boggling with ideas. A sigh escaped her lips and suggested. “Do you think we can make a name for you once you get your outfit on?” Hinata blushed slightly, still the same as always Sakura thought as a smile graced her lips. “Yeah sure thing Hinata.” Sakura smiled. “By here around 6 o’clock.” Sakura stared that soon? She shook her head and spoke “You don’t have to rush or anything Hinata.” Hinata instantly flustered up as she tried to say something, then shook her head and spoke “Well it is for a mission and I am actually doing quite well at sowing, so it will be no problem!” Sakura smiled brightly “Aw thanks Hinata. Oh well I better get cleaned up and get ready for the mission!” Hinata waved her hand in a goodbye and began her works, taking rolls of fabric and even decided to work out in the open, so others could watch.

Sakura waved back and began to run towards her own apartment, she no longer lived under her parents rule, which she was no of so grateful for. No one yelling at her for taking to long of showers and using all the hot water. Sakura laughed to herself remembering the good times, in the past. Reaching her apartment door, she slid the key in and unlocked it, as she walked into her house. It was empty. A sigh escaped her lips not wanting this sad thought enter her mind. She was leaving for another mission, a important one to boot. Sakura suddenly began to undress herself, letting her natural pink hair fall down to her mid waist. A smile crossed her lips as she glanced at herself in the mirror. Her skin was creamy to perfection, except for a scar that lingered on her hip. Fingers caressed over the scar as shiver ran down her back remembering what caused it, though she stopped herself and suddenly turned on the shower and began to cleans herself.

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Naruto yawned as he was at his favorite Ramon place. He was gulping down his third bowl of Ramon, when he noticed Neji walking . “Hey Neji! Are you all excited for the festival?” he inquired. “I guess since it is held in your village. I only hope everything goes planned out well.” Naruto stared “Do you always have to ruin the fun Neji?” Neji just glared at the blonde, obviously not pleased by his response. Naruto sighed and gulped down the rest of his Ramon. Neji sighed and spoke “So Naruto have you heard about Sakura yet?” Neji already knew about the mission as he visited his cousin not long before he came here, learning Sakura had to dress up as a boy, even though it was not honorable to lie to other villages, but he assumed it was for the best. “What about Sakura? Ish she hurt? Did her mission go bad?” Naruto was already building up anger. What a mistake to say anything Neji thought. “No she isn’t hurt. She just got back today and I learned she has a new mission.” Naruto sighed being able to relax again “why the heck is she going on the mission when the festival is about to start in a week?” Neji merely rolled his eyes and spoke “She has to escort Gaara from the village of sand, but the amusing part is she hast to dress up as a male.” He remarked. Naruto’s mouth hung, he hardly ever heard of someone having to cross dress. Naruto grinned widely as he spoke “I got to find Sakura! Thanks for he tip Neji!” Naruto was laughing as he began to ran off. Neji raised a brow, maybe it was the wrong thing to tell Naruto, that, but he had to let Naruto know, since he was the last of Sakura’s team, besides Kakashi. Sasuke of course hasn’t returned since the fatal day. Neji sighed as he too began to head off on his own way.

Naruto had the biggest grin on his face as he ran up to Sakura’s apartment. “Sakura!!” He was knocking furiously at the door, wanting to know more about her looking like a boy. “Sakura!” He began pounding a little harder.

Sakura was down with her shower and was dressing herself when she heard Naruto pounding on the door screaming her name. “For the love oh Kami Naruto! I’ll be right there!” She shouted hoping Naruto won’t bust open her door. Sakura got dressed in her clothes and ran to get the door. “What is it Naruto?” She asked with a light frown on her face. Her damp pink hair was still dripping. “Well I heard about your mission.” Sakura stared, “Yeah...” she spoke assuming he had more to say. “Well I heard you had to dress up as a guy. Ha like you could pull that off! Its like asking a me to stop eating Ramon impossible!” Naruto was laughing. Sakura growled in her throat not very pleased by his little comment. “If that all you wanted to do is laugh in my face, well DO SOMETHING ELSE!” She yelled shutting the door in his face. Naruto blinked, slightly scared of Sakura’s sudden shout. Sakura walked into her room and looked at the clock. She still had a few hours to spare. “Sakura.....” Naruto slightly whimpered outside her door. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to make you mad. Can I come in at least.” Sakura sighed as Naruto sounded so pathetic outside her door. “Fine come in.” Naruto was in her room in a matter of moments. “Can you tell me a little more about this mission?” He asked with his pleading blue eyes. Sakura rolled her eyes and spoke “fine whatever.” Naruto grinned sitting on her only black couch. Naruto patted the seat next to him and smiled brightly. Sakura chuckled as she complied with his request. She sat down and looked to him. “Well it seems I have to go escort Gaara here for the festival. The reason is that it seems the Akatsuki is after him, for the demon within his stomach. So I have to dress up as a male, since Gaara wants nothing to do with females, he is slightly sexist, believing girls are on a lower level and such. Though he needs a medic to watch him it seems his demon is causing him pain ever now and then. So It seems I have to dress up as a boy to gain acceptance and totally kick butt if anyone bothers him while on his way to Konoha.” Sakura smiled brightly as Naruto nodded. “Well it sounds like fun, though do you have any clothing to wear?” “Well Hinata is making some clothes for me. I get to try it on around 6.” Naruto nodded closing his eyes trying to imagine Sakura as a boy. His mind transferred her into a well built man, with short hair, like when she was twelve. “Uh yeah, can’t really picture you as a boy. Could I possibly come along?” he asked. “Sure why not, maybe you can help coming up for a name for me.” A name?” He asked, slightly confused. “Well if I am a boy I can’t really go around saying my name is Sakura.” She laughed some noticing Naruto snort over his obvious question. They began to talk for a while, laughing and talking about their past missions and remembering the past.

Sakura glanced at the clock, 6: 15. “Crap! Come on Naruto we have to go to the clothing store!” She grabbed his hand and raced out. Naruto was a little shaken up, being dragged, but grabbed her hand back and raced forwards. A smile crossing his lips as they pulled into the store. Sakura was breathing hard and spoke “I am so sorry Hinata that I am late.” The white eyed female smiled brightly and spoke “Well I actually just finished everything,. Plus I even was able to get a design for you new hair look, you want even have to cut it!” Hinata grinned as she watched Sakura sigh with relief. “Well lets get this out fit on!” Naruto glanced, feeling out of the loop and merely took a chair and watched the two. “The outfit is in the dressing room come out and I will adjust anything that needs to be adjusted.” Sakura nodded and walked into the room and closed the door. She smiled at the outfit, it looked pretty cool. It was black like her own though, silver embroider it. She slipped it on with ease, it was slightly big around her chest, she sighed remembering she would have to wrap her chest to hide her more flaunting feature. She grinned as she placed her pants on, they were baggy to, but stayed in place around her hips. She noticed something silvery hanging in the corner. It was her mask. She placed it on with ease, it was like her senesi. Though it went right under her eyes and cupped around her face. It was a perfect fit. She smiled brightly as she noticed a silver vest, she placed it on and smiled. Ha, she was already more like a boy by the moment. She looked in the mirror at herself. The black shirt clung to her arms, though soon became baggy around her wrist and hands. Her silver vets had a black phoenix embroidered on the back. So amazing, she though to herself, as the pants went great with her black sandals, that tied about her legs making it merely impossible for them to fall off. Sakura opened the door and looked to both Naruto and Hinata. Naruto was shocked, he would have never known who she was besides for the pink hair. Hinata grinned at her work of art. “Sakura you look amazing!” Sakura grinned, though it was hard to tell for the others. “Thanks, though what about my hair?” She asked. Hinata stood up and picked up green ribbon that matched Sakura’s eyes. I’ll just wrap your hair like a ponytail, somewhat like Neji’s” She grinned as she began to work on Sakura’s hair and smiled as it was done. Naruto looked to Sakura, she still looked like Sakura to him, but to others he was sure that wouldn’t know how that was. “Sakura, you look stunning!” He grinned as he began to applaud Hinata. “Hinata, you did amazing! I can hardly tell that’s Sakura!” Sakura smiled as she spoke “well how about some names now?” Naruto and Hinata suddenly became quite each pondering a new name for their comrade. “Oh how about Azusa?” Naruto remarked. “Uh to girly.” “What about Hikaru?”“hmmm... I really like that one Hinata!” Sakura laughed as she gladly hugged her and spoke “Well I should head down to Tsunade’s office! Well see you all later maybe!” Sakura laughed as she dashed out of the store leaving the two behind. Naruto waved back, though a frown seized his face. “To bad she can’t stay longer..” He frowned though he suddenly wrapped himself within Hinata's embrace. They stood their hugging each one, not saying a word. It seems the two had a a secret love life. “Don’t worry Naruto, she will be fine.” Hinata was blushing, though she was in the arms of someone she loved. Naruto grinned “Yeah your right.” He hugged her tighter, he loved Hinata so much, but if others know, it might hurt her more. Naruto was still not great amongst the people of this village, but he was sure one day, they would honor him and himself and Hinata could live happily together.


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Sakura raced down the streets, people began to whisper to each, “who is that? “Wow what a looker!” “Oh he is so gorgeous!” The girls in the groups giggled as Sakura ran by. It was slightly awkward being called that be other girls. Sakura shook her head and suddenly rushed into the Hokagas office through the window. “Sakura glad you are.... here?” Tsuande raised a brow as she took in Sakura’s outfit. “It looks good. The mask and the hair is a nice affect too. I want you to leave tomorrow and for now just go home and sleep. It will be a long journey over there and I am sure Gaara would not be in the best of mood. Most of all Sakura. Be careful.” Tsunade smiled as she suddenly hugged Sakura motherly. Sakura hugged her back, it was a mother and daughter ship relation between them and sometimes it was hard for Tsunade to send her out in missions, in fear she might not come back. Sakura grinned and pulled away “don’t worry. I will be back with Gaara wether he likes it or not! Oh yes I have a new name as well.” The hokaga raised a brow and asked “so what is it?” “Well it is Hikaru!” “Hmm. I think it fits you, if you where a boy.” They both laughed for a moment before Sakura walked towards the window. “I’ll be back! Don’t worry!” Sakura waved and suddenly vanished out of the hokaga’s sight. Tusnade smiled, and she desperately hoped Sakura was right.

Sakura raced onwards and looked towards the flower shop. It was closed. ‘I guess I will see Ino when I get back, But I need some rest and hopefully Gaara will be ready to leave once I get there.’ She hoped “Chia and if he isn’t well I will bring him here hog tied” Her inner voice bellowed throwing punches about. “Well lets not do that yet.” Sakura grinned as she headed towards her apartment. Sakura sighed and figured maybe it was best to just sleep in her clothing. Sakura fell on her bed and easily drifted off to sleep.