Warning contains SPOILERS! This story takes place after chapter 353 (after volume 36) of the manga. If you are not caught up to this point in the manga there is a free website where you can read it online: type naruto manga returns into Google.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto of course!

Turmoil

"Sasuke's defeated Orochimaru!?" Incredulous, Naruto stared at the Godaime in disbelief.

"Hai." She said with a brief nod.

"Yatta!" Tsunade watched as he jumped energetically into the air fist raised in triumph.

A soft smile lit up Sakura's face, "then that means… he'll be coming home."

"No, he won't." said calmly and a little sadly, the woman's words cut through Naruto's celebrating and captured the immediate attention of the two teammates. "It seems he has … other plans. Two days ago he was reported being seen at one of Orochimaru's suspected bases. We know he is still obsessed with revenge. It seems he has assembled some sort of team, I think he means to go after Itachi."

An oppressive hush settled over the group, Jiraiya and Tsunade watched anxiously for Naruto's reaction. He was rash and loud and bound to do something foolish. It was Sakura however that broke the silence.

"How dare he!"

"Sakura-chan wha-"

"This team of his, shinobi. People he doesn't even really know, yet he is ready to share his most treasured goal with them?!"

Shock lit up the Jinchuuriki's face, "What make's you think he's going to do that-"

Distant and apathetic, she spoke as though she had just reached some difficult conclusions. "Naruto, it's obvious. Why else would he assemble a team as Tsunade says? Especially since he's not returning home, I mean he tried to kill us before! Itachi will always hold the most sway over is heart. Anyone who seeks to block his vengeance is an enemy." She spoke outright, with a look of deliberation.

'It seems Sakura has finally reached the harsh truth. She finally has accepted.' Tsunade contemplated her apprentice's visage.

"Sakura-chan, he wouldn't…. I mean why not ask…. Damnit!" smash His fist came down and rent the Hokage's desk in two. Papers fluttered everywhere and wood splinters shot through the air.

"Tsunade-sama is everything alright?" Shizune rushed into the disarrayed office. Konoha's leader gave her a 'please leave now!' look, that and intense atmosphere sent poor Shizune scampering out as quickly as she'd come. Jiraiya gave a light chuckle pitying the poor medic's ill timing.

"Bastard! If he's willing to finally let others help him, then why not us?! What the hell is the arrogant dobe thinking?! We were a team, we cared for him, we-" Sakura laid her hand softly on his arm, and abruptly the tirade cutoff.

"Excuse us Jiraiya-sama, Tsunade-sama, but Naruto and I need to talk." Bowing to each of the sannin she strode out, with a disoriented Naruto stumbling behind. The door clicked shut behind the two with a subtle finality.

"What do you think they'll do?" Jiraiya eyed his former teammate waiting.

Meeting his gaze, she was able to read his thoughts on the matter. Working together for so long, being so close, they had both made similar deductions.

"Watch the village border carefully and do not let them out of sight." The seriousness of their expressions impressed just how important the situation was. If Naruto and Sakura were upset enough, they would leave the village. Forsaking all to try to rescue Sasuke from his own darkness. The repercussions would be grave, 'at the least they could get very hurt. At the most…. Death…. Or…. declaration as missing Nin by the council. Who knows what the council's decision could be concerning such an unauthorized mission.'

Her fear and unrest were easy to read, the toad sannin was one of the few people capable of supporting and reassuring the powerful Hokage, "Don't Tsunade, just take care. I will guard against it." After seeing her grateful smile he continued, "don't let 'em out of my sight huh? I'll gladly follow that order Hokage!" he said with a flourished bow and salute. "After all, your apprentice sure has gotten more ah hah, shapely since I last- Gaaaaaunhggg!" as Tsunade's fist came slamming into his jaw in a vicious right hook.

"JIRAIYA YOU PERVERT! I'LL KILL YOU I SWEAR!"

Outside the Hokage's tower, civilians stared up in surprise and terror as the fearful Godaime Tsunade-hime's voice rang out. Looking up from his book, one Hatake Kakashi let off an amused sigh. Then he returned to his ahem novel with a decidedly girlish giggle.

Meanwhile

Haruno Sakura and Uzumaki Naruto had settled down in team seven's old training spot. Rarely frequented by other shinobi, it was private and tranquil. It was clear the two were having a rather intense discussion, anyone even with the desire to eaves drop would probably find himself dismembered by a very irate mini Tsunade.

"Sakura, I made a promise. One that I will keep. I will get Sasuke back!"

'He's serious, he didn't even say –chan.' "I know Naruto; it is your ninja way. But are you forgetting me?" Sitting across from him, grass waved lightly in the breeze as she willed him to understand. His look of confusion was understandable if slightly irritating to the Kunoichi. "We are a team," she said stressing on the last word in particular. A pause, then like a rising sun realization dawned. Deep furrows furled on his brow as he pondered deeply on what she said.

"I promised myself, I said I would never watch your backs again. Yet neither can you watch mine, as a team we stand beside one another. You and…. Sasuke…. were always so far ahead of me. I admired you two, I decided I never wanted to hold our team back again. That was so long ago, the chunnin exams. But like you I will never go back on my nindo. So I've trained like you these past three years, in hopes that I will be ready. I will help you save Sasuke-kun, as is my right as teammates."

"Together then. As a team….. we will save him." Whisker marks stretched outward and a beautiful smile blossomed, greeted by the dawning rise of hopeful tearful eyes across from him. It was one of those perfect moments of clarity and understanding. Such a simple thing, yet it held such profound meaning. Teamwork, it was taken to another level in team 7. It was more than friendly camaraderie, or complimentary skills, or people working well together. It was understanding and belonging, felt in the root of one's soul. To share so much and be complete with one another. Because they were a team.

"Ne ne, Sakura-chan? I think Sasuke didn't ask for help because… we'd stop him."

Dumbfounded, pink hair shook as she nodded her head. "That… makes sense Naruto. I had not thought about it that way. We were not strong enough at the time when we were still together. He must of felt like… he was getting distracted."

Reminiscing, Naruto's eyes had a faraway look, "He said something like that when we fought. He had said I didn't know what it was like to lose family, seeing as I'd never had one." He smiled in a sick sort of grimace, "I think he's afraid of losing the anger and drive. We'd all gotten so… close… I think if it hadn't been for his run-in with Itachi outside the village, things…. may have been different."

Her eyes flashed at the mention of Itachi and grew cold. "What Itachi did was…. unforgivable." Her fearsome strength was tightly controlled as her fingers curled in a tightly clenched grip. "And he must pay for what he did. I just wish it hadn't gotten to this point; we could have helped train him, and worked together. Revenge is only reasonable, if it was Tsunade or anyone else we loved, we'd want the same."

"Ah but Sakura, at that time we were so young. Hearing him talk of avenging his clan even for that brief time, it was fearsome to our naivety. We didn't know how to handle such intense emotions nor such a goal as his. We were not prepared for anything like that. We didn't know what it meant to lose someone, and the finality of death. Nor did we yet fully learn teamwork. That is why we wanted to stop him so much. We did not know. Now we would do anything to keep him from… becoming something dark and twisted. Even by aiding him. And ridding the world of someone like Itachi would be a blessing." His eyes hardened, 'the future will be tough, and our upcoming battles may be nigh impossible.'

Her face smoothed out and jade eyes softened as they gazed upon her teammate. 'Naruto… when did you become so grown up? I missed a lot when you were gone, but no more I promise. We will all be together again.' "Sugoi Naruto! You are amazing!" Sakura exclaimed, clapping her hands together. Sitting up a little straighter, the brazen and proud blonde puffed out his chest looking smug. With a mischievous smirk and glint in her eye, Sakura laid her trap, "I didn't know it was possible for you to say something so intelligent!"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh Sakura-chan! I'm hurt! I've always been wise and super strong, they should have made me Hokage years ago!" he wailed.

"Baka!"

Thank you so much for reading I appreciate it! I'd love you even more if you reviewed though! I'm testing the waters and depending on your responses will determine if I continue this story. So please I'd love to hear your thoughts or suggestions! Thanks again,

missgoten