Summary: "Sakura is devastated when Sasuke leaves. She sets a goal to not be weak, also leaving and training. She comes back at 17, and what does she find? That she's the strongest kunoichi in Konoha and one waiting, regretful Uchiha."

A/N: Hey guys, I'm making a new story! No, I haven't really given up my other stories, I've just been busy… really, REALLY busy. Hopefully I'll get them up along with this one. Here, Sakura and the others start out like they do in the anime, but after that it's completely different. NOT PLOT ORIENTED. Anyway, please review! :P

"Sasuke-kun!" I called out happily, waving my hand frantically as I ran to catch up with the dark-haired prodigy. We were in the middle of the Konoha Park. He was walking calmly, hands in pockets, onyx eyes gazing out from behind his spiked hair. His bangs shadowed his face.

He didn't stop walking, didn't stop to acknowledge me.

But that was okay. I was sort of used to it. Not that that would discourage me to quit fawning after him. I didn't think anything would. He was too perfect, too handsome, too talented and cool. Naruto, on the other hand, the obnoxious, blue-eyed boy who seemed to like me, since he was always asking me to go to Ichiraku's with him, was annoying, and nothing but. I had no idea why Sasuke even spoke to him at all. I mean, seriously, who would want to hang out with Naruto?

I puzzled over this for a moment, then snapped back to the present. Sasuke had gotten ahead, and I mean realllly ahead. I ran again, just to catch up with him.

"Sasuke-kun," I puffed, finally reaching the quiet prodigy's side. Usually he would ignore me or push me aside with a cold word, and perhaps a look of irritation, but this time he gave me a look of contempt. I was surprised - he never did that. He was to "gentlemanly" - too polite. I stopped.

He glared at me with eyes that seemed to cut down to my soul. "You're annoying."

I opened my mouth, about to speak, when he added, "Even more annoying than the dobe."

Now, that hurt. Naruto was really obnoxious. To think that Sasuke thought that way too made me wince.

"But, Sasuke-kun-"

"No, Sakura," he cut in harshly. "Listen. I suggest - no, I demand - that you stop chasing after me. I'm sick of stupid girls obsessing over me when I obviously don't care about them. You're one of them."

I stared at him in shock, hurt beyond words. His glare was so dark, murderous, intense, that I couldn't even think to interrupt.

"Tonight, I'm leaving. There's nothing in Konoha to keep me here, and there's nothing here to help me gain more power. I'm leaving, and no one can stop me." He glared at me, obsidian eyes shooting kunais.

My eyes widened; I couldn't imagine life without Sasuke. "Don't go," I begged, my eyes beginning to water with unshed tears. But those tears would, and soon.

He scoffed at me. "This is exactly what I mean. You're weak. You're pathetic. Get yourself another guy."

Cherry blossom trees waved around us; petals swirled downwards. I automatically caught one as it fluttered past me and felt its velvety softness. "But Sasuke-kun," I said softly, "I love you."

His dark eyes narrowed a fraction. He moved like lightning; disappeared before I even noticed, struck in a flash, but was eerily silent. I felt him strike a pressure point behind me and my eyelids shut to a slit. It took all of my effort to keep conscience.

As my eyes slowly closed, I heard a last sound, a sound that I would've done anything to remember. The sound of his voice.

"Sakura . . ."

I struggled not to black out and heard his final words.

"Goodbye."

That was a month ago. When I woke up I was in my room, lying on top of a made bed. I knew that it hadn't been a dream, and that I hadn't gotten here myself, and I also knew that someone else had been here. My parents had both died on a mission, and I lived alone.

I never made my bed.

After I recalled what had happened, I cried. I cried for hours and days and weeks, and it was only at my worried teammate and sensei's insistence that I'd rejoined the team, training, and missions.

But now, I was in Tsunade's office. She was the Hokage, the leader and most respected person in our village. I stood straight and to attention as she surveyed me critically.

"Sakura, I've heard that you' haven't been paying attention to your normal extent recently."

I winced. Who else could have told her that I was suffering because of Sasuke's disappearance other than what was left of my team?

"Yes," I said stiffly.

She shifted. I could see the dark circles under her eyes, the mounds of paperwork scattered over her desk, the tired yet focused look in her eyes. "Sakura, I understand that you have been troubled by your teammate's leave. We all are. But no one else is letting this get in their way. We are shinobi. We must take the facts, block our emotions, and do the job. As I have been hearing, you are not doing as you should."

I looked down in embarrassment and shame. It was true; the closest people to Sasuke, had there been anyone he was close to, would have to be me, Naruto, and Kakashi. Naruto was really upset by his absence, but after he had gotten over the worst of it in a few days he had gotten back to his usual, cheerful self, though he was punctuated by many a sad look, word, or sigh whenever the subject of Sasuke came up. He didn't let it interfere with his training or his life.

It was true. Naruto was strong.

"I'm sorry, Tsunade-sama. I'll work harder."

She nodded, clearly not believing my feeble attempt at redeeming myself. I was dismissed. With a sigh I exited the room.

I contemplated the matter as I walked back down the long spiral of stone steps, outside to where Kakashi and Naruto were waiting. I have to be strong, like Naruto and the others. What did Sasuke-kun say about me? I'm . . . weak. I need to get strong. My eyes narrowed. Then no one can sneer or laugh at me. No one can call me weak. And somehow, right there and then, I settled something conflicting within myself. Unlike my previous pathetic attempts at convincing myself to stop thinking about Sasuke, for the first time in a month, perhaps forever, my whirling, confused, and love-sick thoughts vanished. I was left with a cold, determined self-consciousness, and a goal. My heart stilled for a second. A goal. An ambition. Isn't that what Sasuke-kun said he had? That's what he left for. So he could complete his goal. A spine-wracking shiver coursed through me and I immediately focused.

I wouldn't be weak.

I'd start by cutting the title off of his name. Sasuke. Just Sasuke. No Sasuke-kun.

Now I'd have to seriously stop thinking about him. There would just be training.

I met Kakashi and Naruto outside where they were waiting, looking worried. Naruto rushed up to me.

"Are you okay, Sakura-chan?" he asked anxiously. I nodded self-consciously. "Let's go train."

They stared at me in amazement and confusion. I stared hard at them, and we left for the training grounds without another word.

I was weak. I was extremely smart, but also very weak in strength, speed, and techniques. Ninjutsu? Taijutsu? Genjutsu? I knew about them, but only through books. I could barely do any in real life. For the first time I really realized my situation and how critical it was. I shouldn't be called a shinobi.

For a week I trained with Team 7 and for a week I grit my teeth over those words: I'm weak. My endurance ended long before Kakashi's or Naruto's. I was slowing them down, and they were worried about me. This was not going to continue.

I asked for Tsunade again, and when I was let in, she growled at me, "What do you want?"

Usually she was serious and tolerable, but I guessed that today was not one of those days. I bowed and said, "Excuse me for my interruption, Tsunade-sama, but I have a request to make."

She looked at me for a moment and leaned back in her seat. "What is it?"

I took a deep breath. "I wish to terminate my training with my team and missions for a while. I want to train by myself, where I can go at my own pace. So I won't have to drag the others behind with me."

Her eyes flashed, alarmed, and then with understanding. She nodded slightly, thinking. After several minutes she gave me another nod of consent. "Of course. But don't make it too long. You have friends and a team concerned for you." Sakura nodded. "Now send in Kakashi for me. I need to speak with him."

And that was the end of my presence in Team 7.

At least, for "a while". And I had no idea how long that would be.

A/N: Soo, do you like it? No? Hm, I'm continuing it anyway. :D But please, please review!