Disclaimer: Standard stuff. Naruto and it's related characters and settings are the intellectual property of Masashi Kishimoto. This is a fanmade story and is not for profit. Any similarities with any real persons, places, events is strictly coincidental. Got it? Okay then.
A/N: This story takes place in roughly the same time frame as the "Confining the Hosts" story arc.
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Konohagakure. A day after Naruto left.
Sakura couldn't remember a more busier day of her life. This includes the time of her brutal training with Tsunade, which she thought would never be topped in terms of the fatigue and stress she received in the span of a single day. But that was what she wanted apparently: fatigue and stress.
Copious amounts of them.
The moment she woke up that morning, she made a bee line for the hospital where her talents as a med-nin were still in high demand. Pain may have been nice enough to resurrect all those he had killed during his invasion but the man either failed or simply didn't bother to heal injuries sustained in battle. Oh well, better than being six foot under, right?
Sakura busied herself checking up and healing where she could the numerous patients around the still overcrowded hospital, speeding up the recovery of bone fractures, bruises, and other superficial wounds. For the still more serious injuries she supervised the nursing staff (most of whom are pretty new. Pain picked a nice time to invade when the Hospital was just breaking in some new recruits). She did all this until the sun set on the Hidden Leaf. She ended up tired but it seemed as though she wasn't tired enough.
Because the reason why she was pushing herself so hard, the reason why she was trying to get her mind occupied with an overload of all the usual mundane tasks she's been bored with ever since she became the Hokage's apprentice, was to forget.
To forget their reunion.
"Heh..." Sakura scoffed at the thought. "Some kind of reunion that was..."
She was of course thinking about the brief reuniting of Team 7 following the battle at the Five Kage Summit. Even after nearly a week has past, it was still fresh in her mind. The second time in a long time she was reunited with her old crush, Uchiha Sasuke (the first time being that encounter at one of Orochimaru's old hideouts, which was no more pleasant as the second encounter) She thought to how in the end, no matter how hard she tried, she was still too weak to do anything by herself and she ended up hurting her friends.
In the end, she still had to count on Naruto to save the day. She had to depend on Mr. Dead-Last of the academy. She had to depend on Konoha's number one knuckle-headed, most unpredictable ninja.
Thinking about Naruto, she couldn't deny how immensely proud of him she was. To come so far is such a short amount of time. To gain such power that most ninja could only dream of. Pushing himself so far just by himself, using nothing more than that dream of his to carry him on. Sakura knew it was no longer a dream. It was inevitable, destined even. Naruto will become the Hokage. And he will become a great Hokage at that. He sure as hell deserved that opportunity.
And while Naruto took leaps and bounds towards his goal on almost a weekly basis...she was crawling along in comparison. She couldn't hide the truth that compared to her two former teammates, she was well below the established bar. Even Sasuke has progressed leaps and bounds. As misguided and twisted his goals were, those same goals were what drove Sasuke to the point where he could take on and entire summit of Kage ninjas plus their bodyguards. And the gap between her and them simply grew day by day in those same leaps and bounds. She could barely stand it.
But it wasn't really the issue about strength and skill that bothered her. She had strength and skill and knew well how to use them to great effect. Even a Kage would be lucky to be breathing after even just one solid punch from Sakura. No, it wasn't the strength comparison that was the issue. That wasn't what she was trying to tire her mind enough to stop thinking about.
The issue was about...
"Sakura," called out Kakashi who suddenly appeared in the doorway of the storeroom.
Sakura, who was in the process of grabbing a few bottles of medicine from the shelves, stiffened at the sudden appearance of the jounin.
"Kakashi-sensei," she answered back. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"I could say the same thing about you."
"What do you mean?"
"You're not supposed to be on duty today. Yet since this morning, you spent the last thirteen hours here. It's past seven in the evening already. And you haven't even taken a break or so says the staff around here."
Thirteen hours? That surprised her a bit. She completely lost track of time.
"Well, there were plenty of people who still need healing," she retorted.
"All of whom would've probably recovered soon enough even if you weren't here."
"But in the villages current state, it would be best to get as many of the injured back on their feet to help with the reconstruction effort as well as re-establishing the villages security."
Kakashi let out a sigh through his mask. Ever the by-the-book ninja, that Sakura.
"Alright...we've been summoned to the Hokage's office."
Kakashi decided to go straight to the point. A little more surprise from Sakura's expression. "Well, um...I'm kinda a little busy-"
"Which you shouldn't really be at this point. Just give those to another nurse and let's go to the Hokage's office before she bites our heads off for being late."
"But...I..."
There was a expression in Sakura's face that flashed for a second there. And expression that Kakashi didn't need to use the sharingan for to spot. It looked like desperation. Longing for escape. Kakashi let out an exasperated sigh.
"Walk with me, Sakura," he said.
She looked a little confused now. "Walk?"
"It's a pretty long walk to the Hokage's office from here. We can talk on the way. What? You're too good to talk to your old sensei?"
Sakura blinked, then gave a wry smile. "But didn't you say that Tsunade-sama might be mad if we're late?"
"Have you forgotten who you're talking to here?"
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A short time later.
Konoha at night was a little different now much of the once tall structures that dominated the streets were...well...torn down unceremoniously. The two nin had a clear view of the night sky which was cloudless this night. It was also very quiet. Understandable now that the day was over and the citizens were now resting easy after a hard day's work in rebuilding the village. None of the usual hustle and bustle of the nightlife could be detected. The pair took their sweet time walking to the Hokage's office enjoying the calm atmosphere.
Well, Kakashi at least. Sukura had her eyes to the pavement, expression as forlorn as when Kakashi first saw her tonight. I should say something, thought Kakashi. It would be the "sensei" thing to do. And it looks like she needs a few friendly words right now.
Kakashi was about to say something when Sakura beat him to it.
"I'm envious of them," she said.
A moment of silence followed. Kakashi digested that short statement quickly. Though he didn't have to ask, he wanted to hear it from her. "Of who?"
"Naruto and Sasuke."
Kakashi let out another exasperated sigh. "Well, I've always said that you were the most normal person of the team. Naruto had the Kyubii in him plus he had the Yondaime's heritage to boot. Sasuke was just a born genius. A prodigy. Plus his sharingan didn't hurt his progress. No one is really surprised those two got that strong so quickly but you shouldn't really beat yourself up over a difference in-"
"That's...not what I'm talking about. It's...not a question of strength for me. I thought it was a question of strength at first. And that's why I trained hard with Tsunade-sama."
"But that wasn't it, huh?"
"No...it wasn't...It was more about..."
She trailed off and seemed to be gathering her thoughts. Kakashi patiently waited for her to continue.
"They had a bond Kakashi-sensei," said Sakura.
Another short pause as Sakura gathered the words in her head. Kakashi could see that this was soemthing she really wanted to get off her chest.
"They had a connection. They understood each other on a level I could never fathom. Even though it was clear that Sasuke doesn't care what Naruto had to say to him, I could see it in his eyes. Beyond his sharingan and deep into his eyes. I could see a look of sympathy. Sasuke connected with Naruto's words in a way I can never understand. and only Naruto can read between all the bullshit Sasuke keeps spouting out. Naruto can see his true feelings and he can answer them in kind...I can't do that. I wish I could...as their teammate I should be able to...but I only feel that gap in our feelings grow wider. I thought at first that, if I could just match their strength. If I train hard enough to be on par with their skills, but...I still couldn't reach them...in the places that mattered. Do you...understand me sensei?"
"...So...You really do still feel for Sasuke don't you, Sakura?"
The Kunoichi blushed. "Yeah, I suppose."
"...It's not like I've lost all my feelings for Sasuke either as a former student of mine."
Sakura looked up curiously at Kakashi as he continued. "No matter how far he fell from Grace, the Sandime still loved Orochimaru. In the end he couldn't give up on all that hope he had for his most promising student. I now know how Sarutobi-sama felt. My decision to try and take his life back at the Land of Lightning was probably one of the hardest decisions I've ever made."
Sakura cringed at the memory. "Sorry about that."
"Don't be. I made that decision to protect my precious students. I don't regret it. A ninja shouldn't seek things to regret, Sakura. Simply keep looking ahead and don't lose sight of the things you hold dear."
"Oh...I see. Thank you sensei."
"And to be honest. I'm also jealous of that bond of theirs. It's a bond that goes deeper than simple arch rivalry. It's like those two live in their own separate niche in the world."
"I suppose so. So you don't think it's weird for me?...To have these feelings."
"Sakura...when you were younger your feelings for Sasuke was just the same immature idol worship as every other girl in your age group. But unlike them, your feelings actually matured. Your feelings for Sasuke are genuinely heartfelt and it's only natural that you yearn for those feelings to reach across to him."
"Oh...I'm glad you don't think it's weird."
"Sakura, it's called growing up. Nothing's weird about growing up."
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At the Hokage's office.
With the actual Hokage residence still mostly in ruin from the Pain invasion, Tsunade was in a temporary office that was setup in one of the rooms inside the Konoha Library, one of the few facilities that was unaffected by the attack due to the fact that it was built deep inside the Hokage Monument. Sakura always felt at home here in the library where she spent a lot of her training simply studying medical theory.
The duo passed through rows and rows of books and scrolls and a multitude people picking up literature on a number of subjects until they reached a large set of double doors near the back guarded by two Jounin. Upon seeing Sakura and Kakashi, they exchanged nods of recognition and opened the door to the Hokage's temporary office.
The temporary office was actually an large archive where old mission reports, town blueprints, bingo books, strategical maps, and other things were stored, providing an in-depth insight to Konoha's history. The walls were filled with old books and scrolls and the empty space in the middle was were the Hokage's desk was setup. Sakura quickly found Tsunade sitting behind her desk (which is still full of unfinished paperwork) Shizune standing next to her, a couple of ANBU standing guard, and, unexpectedly, Team 10 seated on a couch to the left. Shikamaru, Ino, and Chouji all stood up as Kakashi and Sakura entered.
"Well, Kakashi," said Tsunade with acid in her tone, "what's the excuse this time for arriving nearly an hour late?"
"Uhhhh...A wagon full of nuns crashed?" said Kakashi with a shrug.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. Really now, what was she expecting from the Copy-nin? "...Ok, you're not even trying anymore. Nevermind, just stand there and listen, all of you. I have to brief you now."
"You're sending us on a mission at a time like this, Tsunade-sama?" asked Sakura.
"Yes, I am."
"Wouldn't it be more prudent if we all stay here for the village's security?" asked Chouji.
"If you're worried about that, don't worry. Our shinobi forces are nearly back to full strength and thanks to the alliance, we'll be getting reinforcements from our good friends the Suna by this time tomorrow. The village is pretty secure as far as I'm concerned. And besides, these missions I have for you are vital to village security in their own way."
"Why pick us?" asked Shikamaru. "This is so troublesome. I'd rather stay to keep the village secure."
"Don't you mean to keep an eye on Kurenai-sensei?" asked Ino with a slight grin.
Shikamaru blushed a bit. "Well...it's on my to-do list."
"Why did I pick you guys?" continued Tsunade. "Simple. In the very short list of people who have faced the Akatsuki and prevailed, you people make up the bulk of that list."
Kakashi nodded and looked towards his juniors. Sakura was instrumental in defeating Sasori of the Red Sand, with the help of the late Lady Chiyo. and Team 10 was there when they defeated Hidan and Kakuzu. Naruto had deafeated Pain and managed to get that woman Konan to leave the group. And, from what he knew, Sasuke allegedly finished off members Diedara, his brother Itachi, and former member Orochimaru. The tall one, Kisame, was allegedly killed by A, the Raikage, and his brother, Killer Bee.
The Hokage was right, it was a short list. Kakashi felt a little bit of pride that the majority of that list were Leaf ninjas (even if Sasuke was on the dark side now).
Tsunade reached into her drawer and pulled out a small book and tossed it too Kakashi. Kakashi caught the book easily, opened it, and observed it was a mini bingo book of sorts, listing twenty people with some fairly detailed information on each name.
"As you know," started the Hokage, "the Akatsuki was composed of ten primary members, all of whom S-class criminals. However, it is also known that a few of the members kept outside connections active and even had entire troops of rouge ninjas working for them as spy networks and mercenaries. We believe this was how Orochimaru started his personal village, the Otogakure. Another member was known to keep an extensive network of spies and that was Sasori. All of the names in that book are known spies that work for him."
Kakashi nodded, already getting the drift of the briefing. He finished skimming the contents of the bingo book then handed over to Sakura for her to check it out.
"So the mission now," said Kakashi, "is to track down these spies, find out if their alive, and squeeze any information out of them regarding the remaining forces of Akatsuki. Is that right?"
"Yes, pretty much. Even though Anko's team did return with a report on Madara's whereabouts, we know the Akatsuki like to jump base a lot. Hopefully you guys can find out where those extra hideouts are if any so that we can increase our chances in this war. It should be quick with the four of you working on it."
Kakashi looked up suddenly upon hearing that last sentence. "Excuse me, Hokage-sama. Did you say the four of us?"
"Yes, I did."
The five ninjas standing in the middle of the room looked at each other with confusion. Shikamaru was the first to speak up the question that was in all their heads. "By four, who do you mean, Hokage-sama?"
Tsunade raised a finger and pointed to each person as their name was called out. "Kakashi, Shikamaru, Ino, and Chouji."
Sakura's eyes went wide. The other four turned to to look at her questioningly as if to ask why was she not included yet was summoned here anyway. Was she not part of the mission?
"No, Sakura, you are not part of that mission," said Tsunade, apparently reading everyone's faces and answering the unsaid inquiry. Which only of course lead to yet another question.
Tsunade didn't miss a beat and quickly reached into a lower drawer from her desk and pulled out a small cloth bag. she held the bag in both hands and held it close to her face while lightly feeling its contents through the thin material. She had a look of nostalgia that Sakura had rarely seen. If she remembered right, the last time Sakura saw that look on her master was during a conversation when the subject turned to her old days as a genin. Tsunade, instead of tossing the item like the bingo book, reached out with her arms and invited Sakura to take it, indicating the item was quite valuable.
Sakura took a few tentative steps towards the Hokage's desk and carefully took the small bag. She gave it a feel. The bag was made of silk that was as smooth as a newborn's skin. There was something round inside, like a thick disk of sorts. Sakura looked up at Tsunade who motioned her palm as if inviting Sakura to open up the bag check what's inside. Sakura undid the cotton yarn tying the bag close and took out the round thing she felt inside.
By then, Kakashi and the others had moved forward a bit to see what Sakura had pulled out. And was she had in her hand was...
"A compact?" Sakura raised a curious eyebrow.
"Well, it's a little more special than that," said Tsunade.
Sakura scrutinized the compact more closely. It was a typically sized compact which filled her palm just enough to be comfortably grasped. The outside shell was coated in a glossy cobalt blue smalt with the lips of the opening lined in silver. She popped it open and inside were two polished mirrors.. Sakura didn't think much of the object until she felt a bit of texture on her palm and realized she was holding the thing upside down. She turned it over in her palm to reveal the top cover that held an intricate design. The design showed a black and white Orca jumping over a blue sea. Sakura looked at it more closely and saw that the Orca was made out of finely carved onyx and pearl and the sea was made out of a bright blue agate.
Okay, so it was a very fine, expensive compact. But other than that...
"Tsunade-sama, it's nice and all," said Sakura, opening the compact again and seeing her reflection on the highly polished mirror, "and I'm sure this thing cost quite a bit but other than that..."
"You'll understand one you undergo the mission I have for you, Sakura."
Sakura looked back up at her master who had now produced a map and was writing down stuff on a small scroll. "First, you go get some rest. I've been hearing about your extra voluntary services in the hospital lately. Stop pushing yourself so much, girl. Just because your job is to look after others doesn't mean you don't have to look out for yourself. You begin your mission first thing in the morning. Same to your team, Kakashi."
"Tsunade-sama, I don't quite understand something," said Sakura, apprehension clear in her voice. "What's my objective on this mission? And how is it important to the security of the village?"
"Quite simple, really." Tsunade paused while she got into a thoughtful pose. "We've seen what the Akatsuki can do and the level of power they had. Pain's invasion made that painfully clear. The one and only person in the Hidden Leaf who can match that power was unanimously voted by the five Kages to be isolated for his safety. And truth be told, despite positive reports from our security teams, I feel a little vulnerable...I want to change that."
Sakura's eyes slowly started to widen bit by bit as the essence of what her master was telling her began to sink in.
"Sakura..." continued Tsunade, "...I've been training you for the past three years now. From what I see in you...and from what Kakashi has seen in you in your recent missions as a team...I believe you are ready for something new. This mission will give that to you. I don't want to tell you everything about this mission now, because I'm sure you'll figure out the rest as you go along. Trust me."
Tsunade became quiet as with the rest of the room to let the words sink in. That nailed it. Sakura could think of nothing else to explain what Tsunade said. She was being sent on a training mission. But training in what exactly?
"Anyway," said Tsunade. You guys have your objectives, Kakashi. Sakura, here's yours." Tsunade handed the girl the scroll she was writing on a minute ago. As they all thought, they were instructions for the med-nin's mission. "By the way. Sakura, your mission will be considered class A and while its given time in official considered indefinite, your estimated completion time will be around two to three months."
Again, Sakura's eyes widened. This night just gets crazier for her by the second. Kakashi didn't look all that surprised. He was expecting this to be some sort of training mission, but he still gave hints of apprehension on the fact that the Hokage was sending his old student and current teammate on such a long mission...alone.
"Um, pardon me, Tsunade-sama," said Kakashi. "Regarding Sakura's mission. Are you gonna send her alone? Without a team?"
Tsunade turned to the masked jounin. "Of course not, Kakashi. I already gathered up a team to act as Sakura's escort for this mission."
"Oh? Who did you get?"
As if on que, The doors to the office burst open with a loud bang causing everyone else's attention to focus on that. The ANBU even got into a battle stance, prepared to unleash a kunai barrage on whoever would dare threaten the Hokage. But, after a split second of recognizing who was at the door, the ANBU quickly relaxed. The rest of the group however sweat-dropped nervously at the sight of the newcomers.
Standing at the doorway were Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon.
"Oy! Granny! What's up with you summoning us in such short notice?" complained Konohamaru. "Don't you know how busy we are?"
Sakura slowly turned towards Tsunade. "You're kidding me, right?"
Tsunade simply shrugged. "Meh. I thought they needed the experience."
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Author's Note: My first stab at a Naruto fic. I've decided long ago that if I ever do a Naruto fic, Sakura would have a big part in it (In this fic however, she's the main character). This is because I believe Sakura is one of the most underrated and under-appreciated characters, not just in Naruto, but in anime in general. Kishi himself admits he wants to give her better roles but just doesn't know how. Here's a my attempt to give Sakura a little bit of the lime light.
While I will stick with the main story as seen in the manga, this story will occasionally take from the anime universe of Naruto (for example, a chunk of this story will take place in the Land of Tea, introduced in the first major filler arc). I prefer the anime universe even though I will admit some of the filler arcs are rather painful to watch (I'm looking at you "Curry of Life" arc!), I like the fact that the anime expanded on the world of Naruto and generally gave the spotlight to characters that had little time in the manga.
