Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto
The low hum of chattering and grocery bags rustling against each other surrounded her. Everybody, townspeople and ninja, looked happy as they walked down the streets in Konoha. Everybody except for one, one lonely kunoichi, whose faced revealed nothing. No content, no sadness, just a stoic mass of indifference. Her slow pace whilst walking through the maze of street vendors and people seemed to indicate that she was enjoying the bustling afternoon in the warmth of the sun, but the curling and uncurling of her slender fingers at her sides, said otherwise.
Her mask seemed to crack as she approached the Hokage Tower. Her pink lips startled trembling, as her pink eyebrows creased inwards. Two streets away from the building the woman's vivid green eyes scanned her surroundings; less and less people occupied those roads. This made her nervousness pique. She shook her head stopping in front of the wooden doors of the tower.
She didn't want to do this, but she had to. It was what was best for everyone, including her. Just thinking about how she was going to word her request, made her hands shake and her heart thump against her chest making it a little harder to breath. Pink tresses flew against her cheeks as she stood in shaking silence in front of the awaiting doors.
"I have to," whispered the girl quietly as she fixed her red sleeveless shirt. Open the doors slowly she walked in, her black boots clacking against the wooden floor. Walking at a steady rhythm up the stairs she, reminisced about the days when she would run up the same stairs in a happy almost excited anticipation for what she would learn that day, but not today. No not today when she had a terrible, heartbreaking request to make.
She arrived to her dreaded destination, and without a moment's hesitation her pale hand raised to softly knock on the polished door.
"Come in," responded the feminine voice that she knew all too well.
Walking in, the kunoichi stood firm in front of the Hokage's desk. A few minutes passed where the petite girl watched her former teacher read over the paperwork that she hated to her core. Upon watching that the pig-tailed blonde stopped ruffling the papers, the girl gulped and prayed that everything went well.
"Sakura," said the Hokage in obvious surprise in seeing her favorite apprentice in front her desk, "What do you need?"
"Hokage-sama," replied the girl formally. Blonde eyebrows went up in surprise; her apprentice never addressed her so formally, none the less she nodded.
"I have a request to ask," stated the girl, her eyes looking above the blonde's head instead of her eyes.
"And what is this request you speak about?" questioned the woman, analyzing every gesture and movement the rosette in front of her did. There was something wrong with this visit and she didn't like it one bit.
"I request," the kunoichi paused to take in a much needed breath, "permission to leave Konoha with a date of return undetermined."
That was something the busty blonde did not expect, her gaping mouth and widened eyes a confirmation. Confusion tugged at her facial features as her brows dipped downward and her nails dug at the wood armrest of her chair. "Why is that?"
"Because," the girl started before her lips started quivering in terror or sadness, and tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, "Because…"
"Sakura, look at me," demanded the Hokage as she glared at her apprentice, "Why do you request a leave?"
The girl's resolution broke as she gasped for air. Her body started shaking as a hand when up to her mouth and the other to grab to her red shirt. Her knees gave out as sobs started escaping her covered lips and a curtain of pink locks covered her distressed face.
Immediately the blonde woman crouched down next to the depressed rosette. She had seen her apprentice's right had fly to her stomach as soon as she asked the question, so she knew why exactly she needed the leave. "Sakura," she whispered as she brought the girl she loved so much closer to her and forced her to leaned her head on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry Tsunade," apologized the rosette as she continued to cry on to her mentor's shoulder.
Said blonde shook her head slightly, there was nothing to apologize for. She ran her painted nails through Sakura's pink locks as she rubbed her back in a soothing manner. When the sobs ended the blonde asked, "When?"
"The ice country ANBU mission about 3 months ago," replied the kunoichi quietly, still leaning on the blonde's shoulder.
"Are you sure about this?" asked the Hokage, pulling the red eyes girl away from her. Her green eyes were shaking but none the less she nodded.
"Alright," smiled the Hokage, caressing the girl's cheek in a motherly gesture, "You'll get the leave. I'll also give you small missions, since you'll still be a leaf ninja. You can come back whenever you want, if you ever want to, just tell me beforehand."
"Yes," smiled the girl as she rubbed at her eyes, "Thank you."
"Here, give this to the guards," said the blonde as she handed a small scroll to the still shaking hands of her apprentice.
The busty blonde intertwined her calloused fingers in front of her lips as her light brown eyes searching for something. Searching for what, she didn't know, just anything that would make her believe that what Sakura had asked was not real. But nothing came, all the more it seemed that the girl was past her breakdown and determined.
Sighing dejectedly, she rubbed her eyes while a frowned marred her features. "Just keep in contact," demanded the blonde, standing up and hugging the girl she loved like a daughter. Tears begging to fall down her eyes, as the thought of never seeing her again hit her.
"I will," smiled Sakura, her green eyes glazing over. She couldn't wrap her mind around the idea of what she was doing. She was about to leave everything behind. Her job, her house, her friends, and everything she loved. A certain blonde plagued her thoughts. The thought of him almost made her rethink the whole ordeal and look for another solution. Almost.
She knew it would break his heart; she was like a sister to him. And she knew that just like he did and kept on doing for Sasuke, he would search across the earth, in every nook and cranny, to find her and bring her back. He couldn't do that, at least not for the time being.
"Tsunade," said the girl with a sad smile, "Please don't let Naruto look for me. Give me at least a year. After that I will do everything possible to stop him from finding me."
Silence prevailed. How could she ask that? It would bring the boy down to just think that his beloved teammate left, and then to let him agonize in self reproach of not being able to keep his team together. That was beyond cruel, and Tsunade was anything but cruel. But the rosette continued to beg.
"If they find me in that state, I won't be able to face him. Please just one year."
"Fine Sakura, I'll try my best," accepted the Hokage as she ushered the girl out of her office.
So here ends the first chapter :)
Please tell me what you think by reviewing .