I do not own Naruto :(

Thanks so much to Kashi-Cookie-Monster for editing this chapter for me! :)

Also a special thanks to
Lil-BabYAnG3L

Kashi-Cookie-Monster

EvilKyu Cassielf

and

InoSakuShine

for the reviews! :)

CHAPTER 1

Death of a Kunoichi

Kakashi had returned to Konoha from a three month long mission. He was heading to the Hokage building to update Tsunade on the success of his mission. Most of the shinobi he passed had solemn looks and were dressed in black. Obviously someone had died and he was fairly sure it was someone he knew.

Hesitantly he approached Gai and a grief stricken Lee. "What's going on?"

"It's .." Gai started out quietly.

"My beloved Sakura-chan!" Lee exclaimed through his tears. Kakashi's brow furrowed in confusion.

"Sakura has been killed in the line of duty." Gai spoke in a tone alien to his usual boisterous one. Kakashi's eyes widened in disbelief. "They have a viewing set up at the chapel by the river. Going all day. No service, just people come and pay their respects, then go."

Kakashi couldn't move. Finally he found a strength and forced it to his legs and began to walk to the Hokage building. He didn't believe that Sakura was gone, yet he couldn't find the courage to walk down to the chapel to find out for himself. He knocked on Tsunade's door.

"Come." He entered.

Tsunade started to speak, but Kakashi quickly cut her off. "Is it true?"

"..."

"Is Sakura really gone?"

"Well ... yes and no, but I need to speak with you about ..." Kakashi vanished in a cloud of smoke. Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. She got up and walked out of her office, shutting the door behind her.

Kakashi appeared in front of the chapel. Not wanting to enter, but his legs slowly moving of their own will towards what he desperately did not want to see. As he trudged through the doors, he noticed the chapel was empty with an open dark burgundy casket at the end of the isle. He inched closer. Once he was within a few feet of the casket, he saw her pink locks. He fell to his knees.

Kakashi had secretly harbored feelings for Sakura for at least two years, but out of professionalism, had never acted too much upon them. He had hinted to Sakura a few times, but she simply brushed it off. He didn't believe she was dense enough to not catch on, so he figured she didn't feel the same and just left things where they were. They had become great friends over the past few years however since she had joined ANBU as the head medic sensei.

Once he gathered up the courage, he stood to his feet and made the painful and seemingly long walk, the last few feet to the casket. She was dressed in a red dress, her hair was made up in soft curls, she had a light application of natural toned makeup that she never needed, but was probably administered by the mortician to most young female adults that came in. Her fingers touched over her midsection, holding a bouquet of cherry blossoms.

She looked beautiful, but she was even more beautiful when she was alive and her vibrant green eyes twinkled in whatever light was around. His vision started to blur through his tears and he wasn't able to make out her silhouette anymore. He reached out to run his hand gently over her cheek.

"Kakashi." His hand stopped, but he didn't turn to acknowledge his Hokage. He was so stricken with grief, she could punch him into the wall right now and he wouldn't even attempt to get back up. She took his halted actions and silence as his cue that he was listening. "I need to speak with you about this."

"Sure. Tell me who killed her and where I can find them. That is all I want to hear from you right now."

"Look, I know you are upset, but there is a bright side."

"How is there a bright side to all of this? She's dead! I never got the chance to say goodbye or to tell her ... No offence but there isn't one fucking bright side to this situation!" Tsunade closed her eyes. He was taking this a lot harder than she had expected. She imagined that it was because he had lost so many people in his life and everyone he got close to, died. Sakura was the first person since Obito that he had gotten this close to, and now, she lay in a casket before him.

"Kakashi ... " she turned and noticed a sobbing Ino walking in the doors with a solemn Choji and Shikamaru alongside her. "Come to my office to bring me your mission report." he started to protest. "Hatake, I expect you there within the hour. Don't make me come looking for you. I promise I will give you the name and location of her killer." Kakashi nodded as Tsunade turned to leave.

Kakashi noticed all the things people had placed in Sakura's coffin. There were jewellery, photos, flowers and a few other items. "I don't have anything to give you Sakura. I know you always hated me reading this in public, so I will let you take it with you. After all, you know it was my prized possession." He almost laughed, thinking of that would have made her laugh too. He slipped the orange book along the backside of her coffin where no one could see. He turned around and passed Asuma's old team with a nod as he left.

Before heading to the Hokage tower, Kakashi stopped by the river. It was a spot he took the team back in their genin days. When it was summer and they were about to die of heat exhaustion after training they would take some time here to go swimming before going home. He could see Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke playing. Naruto and Sasuke arguing and having a splash contest. Sakura being caught in the crossfire and hitting them both. He smiled at the memories. Sasuke had never returned and was presumed dead. Now Sakura was gone. He was losing everyone. As much as it pained him, he decided he needed to leave the village.

He wasn't going to risk getting close to Naruto and costing the Leaf one of the greatest Hokage's it would never know. He wouldn't be responsible for killing Naruto's dreams as well. As the sun set and the doors to the chapel were closed, he wiped one last tear from his eye. It would be the last tear Kakashi Hatake would ever shed. He took off to the Hokage building to let Tsunade know he would avenge Sakura and start a new life somewhere else.

"Come ... oh, there you are. I half expected you not to come, but what I have to tell you can't risk being overheard. You are the only one I can trust this information with Kakashi, do you understand?"

"Don't worry. Sakura will have her vengeance."

"Sakura isn't dead."