~

... his breath froze, he pumped the blood into his heart, hoping to catch a breath of relief. But he couldn't. Not breathing was worse than dying 100 deaths.
Time seemed to stand still.
The room he was in was kept simple.
Sakura lay on the snow-white bed, covered in blood.
With her lips she formed the words "Goodbye!" and then collapsed.

~

Naruto startled. 'Just a dream ...' he remarked with relief.
He looked around. Nothing else happened in the area to leave anyone thinking.
Sasuke slept curled up on the floor. * But he is naked. * thought Naruto. "Really cute ..." he grinned.

* ~ * ~ * ~ *

Since Kakashi didn’t show up in the evening either, Sakura started a little bit of her own business.
She crawled playfully through the thicket like a small child and ran with the cute squirrels.

Otherwise everything seemed to be fine, only she longed for Sasuke.She hadn't seen him for two days and she was already lovesick.
*That's not normal?! *, thought the pink-haired woman and shook her head.

Sickened and lonely, she retired to her tent, but did not fall asleep until late at night.

* ~ * ~ * ~ *

In the early morning the young birds twittered in vain.
Because Sasuke and Naruto had been on their feet for a long time; they couldn't risk being attacked by "that creature" again.
That would certainly turn out bloody.

They walked through the forest at an unusually slow pace.
"It doesn't matter whether we do our job or not, Naruto!", Sasuke said loudly. "Is your life worth less to you than a stupid C-order ?!"
"No, but Kakashi will surely be disappointed ..." Naruto said, brokenly.
"He doesn't care whether we arrived alive or dead, believe me.", Sasuke stopped. "It will be shocking one way or another that we were attacked."With these words they continued on their way and did not pause for a single moment.
They decided to sleep during the day when the forest animals sound the alarm if an intruder enters their home.

* ~ * ~ * ~ *

Bored, Sakura sat on a rock near her bed. Several days have passed in loneliness and Kakashi still hasn't appeared.

It was getting too colorful for the little ones. "What is he thinking ?! I thought this was a very important assignment that had to be completed immediately ..." she mumbled.

"That's right, dear Fraulein." A harsh voice behind her startled.
"O ... Orochimaru ...", her soft voice trembled in the never-ending silence of fear.

Her body shook with fear. "Calm down, Sakura.", She heard her inner voice say to herself. She led her hand to her pocket, in which a kunai was hidden.