Chapter 1: Formal Resignation, Sakura's Goodbyes

Naruto looked up from the form and stared at Sakura seriously. He sighed and rubbed his hand over the bridge of his nose while his wife stood behind him cradling their baby. "Are you sure that leaving and resigning is what you want Sakura?"

Sakura had changed after the war and so did her reputation, "It's time for the Lady Mercy to find her own path. You left with Jiraiya and found your way back, Sasuke left and found his way home...now it's my turn. I don't know where my home is anymore Naruto here I've only become stagnant."

Naruto gave her a pleading look, "Konoha needs you Sakura…I need you and even if they don't admit it they guys need you too."

Sakura gave Naruto a sad smile, "You want me around but Naruto…you haven't needed me for a long time." Sakura shared a gentle look with Hinata before she kissed her Otouto on the brow. "Little Brother, you and Sasuke-chan, Sai, Yamato, and Kakashi are all big boys now. You have your happy endings and I need to know if mine is out there somewhere."

Hinata handed Naruto their son and hugged him, "Sakura-chan needs to do this for herself Naruto. You both got to spread your wings. Now she needs to do the same. Tsunade-sama is running the hospital with Shizune. There isn't any reason not to let her go…except being selfish and not wanting her to find her own happiness."

Naruto's eyes teared up as he looked at his wife, "I want her to be happy here." Hinata gave a sad smile, "Naruto besides your team everyone has suspected she would never be happy here for a long while. It's time to let her go." Naruto sighed and sadly stamped the approval on Sakura's papers approving her resignation from the hospital and shinobi forces of Konoha allowing her to leave and return as she wished.

Sakura smiled gently and hugged Naruto, "Thank you little brother. I need to go get my affairs in order and pack so I can be ready to leave in a day or two." She moved and nodded to Hinata and kissed little Boruto on the forehead and patting her pregnant stomach. She then left the office and moved passed Shizune and Genma whom she waved hello to as she passed.

It wasn't long until she headed to her apartment and saw Ibiki come out of his own she gave a dry smile. "Off to T&I, Ibi?"

The large man looked torn between amusement and annoyance, "I still can't believe I let you call me that Haruno." Sakura gave a cheeky grin, "Well you won't be hearing it for a while so enjoy it while it lasts." Ibiki walked into her place after her and said, "So you're finally going huh? I knew after the war you'd be a flight risk…you never really settled like the others your age."

Sakura smiled tired, "Yeah…I just couldn't plant my feet here it's like I was only meant to be here at the start but that I'm meant to land elsewhere. If that even makes sense?" Ibiki nodded with a smirk, "It happens to everyone. Truth be told for you it was only a matter of time."

Sakura grins and serves him tea and some biscuits she made as she begins sorting her scrolls and books into categories, medicinal, poison, hobby, genjutsu, elemental jutsu, and personal. She grabbed one of her large storage scrolls and began sealing her things inside. Once she was done she packed it away and grabbed another storage scroll, she sorted her clothing and personal knickknacks into separate seals and sealed her some of her emergency cash in the third.

Ibiki watched as she meticulously packed and stood saying, "Be right back Haruno." He stepped out and went to his apartment; he had a kit he'd ordered for her after she commented to admiring his own during the war for its versatility. He smirked and brought himself back into her place putting the kit in front of her. Sakura looked surprised, "This is too small for you…"

Ibiki gave her shoulder a squeeze, "I meant to give it to you for your birthday but, might as well give it to you now. You'll need a new one since the boys wrecked your other bag." Sakura gave a small grateful coo in admiration, "Aww Ibi, you're the best…I'm gonna miss you." She hugged the large man and tied the pack around her waist with a smile. He nodded, "Stick here for a bit I'll send Anko your way since she'll be pissed if you don't say goodbye. She's leaving on a mission tonight so she'd miss you otherwise."

Sakura smiled, "Sure send her right on over. I'll be saying goodbye to the other rookies at the dinner/bar get together we're doing." Ibiki nodded, "Don't be a stranger Haruno."

Sakura shook her head and quickly changed into her sleeveless top with net at her neck and just under her bust. She also put on her black shorts with her red skit slit on the sides. She finished her look by tying on her black ninja heels and pulling her long hair up into a loose ponytail with small braids throughout (think Rikku from FFX-2) as she smiled at her reflection. Her front door opened and she grabbed her purse walking up to Anko who seemed to be torn between understanding and pouting.

"You're really finally doing it Pinky?" Anko asked sad, "Aw shit, I'm gonna miss my fellow quirky fatale." Sakura wrapped her arm around Anko's waist and squeezed lightly. "I'm gonna miss you too Purple." They came to an understanding when Sakura helped out around T&I as their main medic for the prisoners. They both stuck out for a number of reasons and neither was ashamed of it. Anko gave Sakura a scroll and said simply, "You ever get into a tight spot and need a hand this is a special summoning scroll that will call either me or Ibiki right to you." Sakura grinned, "You didn't tell him you put him on did you?" Anko smirked, "Yeah right, the bastard put himself on there when he realized what I was doing." The two common women reluctantly parted knowing they may not see each other for a long time if ever again.

Sakura went and enjoyed her night among her old comrades before Naruto announced her intent to leave. She accepted good wishes and hugs from her friends. Ino looked so heartbroken but Sakura hugged Sai and simply said, "Take good care of Ino for me." Sai gave a genuine smile and nodded in agreement.