A/N: This is something I think will happen at some point, or has happened already. And it's basically my take on it. Review! :)
Tsunade didn't know what to say.
She had sent countless kunoichi on missions like this and she'd been on them herself. But looking into those emerald eyes had suddenly left her without words.
"Shisou?" Sakura asked worriedly. "Is something wrong?"
Tsunade opened her mouth and closed it again, abruptly. She needed a moment.
"There's a mission for you," she said finally.
Sakura's brow furrowed; her teacher was never like this. Tsunade looked for the words to explain it. Her heart screamed helplessly as her lips started to form the sentence.
"It's kunoichi only," Tsunade explained.
Sakura was well trained enough that she didn't flinch.
"I understand," she replied. "Please give me the details."
The calmness with which Sakura was handling the situation put Tsunade at ease and she was able to tell her the specifics of the mission without choking up. She gave Sakura a few moments to process all the information before daring to look into her student's eyes again.
"I won't let you down," Sakura promised.
Her determination sent Tsunade into memories of a little boy and a lover gone too early. She swallowed and attempted a smile.
"Come back safe," Tsunade ordered.
Sakura nodded and smiled back before turning around to leave. Tsunade felt the need to say something else as she reached the door.
"Sakura?" Tsunade called.
The girl turned around.
"It won't be easy," Tsunade told her.
"Hokage-sama, I will not let you down," Sakura said fiercely.
And with that, she walked out of the room, a kunoichi ready to take on her mission.
Two and a half days later, Sakura came right back to her teacher. Tsunade looked at her carefully, relief flooding through her body. The girl looked no worse than she had been a week ago, save bruises that Tsunade did not want the explanations for.
"The mission was successful," Sakura declared. "I have everything you need right here."
She reached into her pocket and drew from it a slip of paper. Tsunade nodded as Sakura placed the information on her desk.
"Good work, Sakura," she told her.
The corners of the kunoichi's mouth turned up slightly at the compliment.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Sakura replied. "I'll be leaving now."
Once again, Tsunade was lost for words. She opened her mouth and felt inside for the right thing to say and she found it as Sakura turned to leave.
"Are you okay?" Tsunade asked.
As the words fell from her mouth, she closed her eyes momentarily and waited for her student's answer.
"Shisou, I…" Sakura trailed off.
Tsunade gave her a minute to formulate an appropriate answer.
"I will be," Sakura said slowly. "I will be."
Tsunade nodded and smiled before taking a swig of her sake.
"Nothing less is to be expected from my student," she chuckled, satisfied.
Sakura grinned back at her teacher before leaving.
Tsunade sat back in her chair and wondered if she should have pressed Sakura further on the matter. After all, it was no ordinary mission that she had undertaken, and to come back completely unscarred was impossible.
As Sakura pulled the door shut, Tsunade caught a glimpse of purple cloth and blonde hair. She brought the bottle to her lips again, relieved that there was somebody there for Sakura.
Because sometimes, all kunoichi have are each other.