I do not own Naruto, or any quotes, lyrics or anything else I decide to use in this story. I will NOT be repeating this EVERY FRICKEN CHAPTER.

November 17,

It was foreign for me at the beginning of Team 7. The ways Sasuke expressed his feelings. In annoyance, anger, revenge. It didn't quiet make sense to me. I wish I could understand. To comfort him and whisper, "It's alright, I know what you're going through." Just to show him he's not the only one.

I thought long and hard on a certain matter involving Sasuke and Naruto. Who had been through the most? Who has felt the most pain? Naruto, he never had any family to begin with and was shunned from Konoha. But then he got more and more friends and then just ignored the stares and whispers. I truely look up to him and respect him for that. Then there's Sasuke. He had a family, a very large family who was murdered by his own, close brother. I feel bad for him, I really do. But something that could of helped him through the years after the massacure is for him to not block people out of his life. He could of had supporters, not that he never did, just more.

Looking back at my journal post four years ago is strange to me. I wish I new of a forbiddon jutsu that could take me back in time to stop Itachi from murdering his clan. Then maybe, Sasuke wouldn't hurt so bad. Nor would he have left four years ago in desperate search of power from Orochimaru. Had he never heard of the stories and warnings that the teachers told us about Orochimaru? Or did he simply not care? Perhaps he thought he could get the power he needed then simply kill him and get on with his life? I'm not saying that I don't think he could do something like that, I just wonder where he'll go afterwords?

"Sakura-san,"

Turning towards the door of my decent sized office, I leaned back in the chair.

"Yes?"

"Lady Tsunade wishes to speak with you at the Hokage Tower." Looking over the lady I heaved a sigh as I tilted my head back to look at the plain white ceiling.

"I have loads of paperwork to fill out though."

"She said it's urgent." The women persisted nervously. Biting my bottom lip hard, I stood from my seat re-adjusting the long white lab coat that was assigned to me when I became the head nurse at the hospital. Popping my neck, I pushed the large window that made up most of the wall in my office then stood on the seal. "Make sure to see about my raise." I huffed then stepped off of the window seal casually.

The wind blew nicely through my hair as I fell down to the stone sidewalk to the entrance of the hospital. Stuffing my hands in the large pockets of the lab coat, I lept onto the nearest rooftop. It was the beginning of autumn and the breeze was very relaxing on this busy day. Leaves were all about the village. Glancing at homes there were bags full of leaves.

Making my way quickly ontop of the roofs of homes, restaraunts and shops, I couldn't help but think of the possibilities of what Tsunade needed me so 'urgently'. Another sake fest, perhaps? It IS Monday, Tsunade's favorite day to let her worries and built up stress go away by enjoying bottle after bottle of sake. I urged her to just take up acupuncture, but she refused. Landing on the window seal of Tsunade's office I walked to the front of her desk to see her reading over a piece of paper like it was a 101 on sake.

"Good, you got here quicker than I thought." She muttered, her eyes never leaving the paper. I nodded solemnly, craning my neck to try to read a few lines of the paper, but she flipped it over and slammed it down on her desk. Biting my lip absent mindedly, I dare open my mouth to speak. "Sakura," Oh boy, this is an unusual tone she's using towards me. It almost sounded regretful though. "How do you feel about Sasuke's situation?"

My mouth gaped open and I stare at her inquisitly, wondering what the sudden question was for. "I've thought a lot about that, and I've came to the decision that he can come home whenever he wishes." Tsunade clenched her fist and put them to her lips. Her eyes avoided me like I was a plague. "Why do you ask?" I urged.

"He sent a letter," she murmured, nudging the paper towards me. "He's refusing to come back and says that any further missions to come looking for him will lead to the Sound's first attack on Konoha."

Picking up the paper, I skimmed it over, then read it over more carefully. "I expected this." Tsunade shook her head absently, leaning back in her chair.

"You've grown to much, too fast, Sakura." Tsunade admitted. "It's more than I can handel."

I couldn't help but laugh, "You've gone through way worse, and you say that me growing up is more than you can handel?"

A small, almost ghostly smile spread across her face. It disappeared as soon as it came, "I have a mission for you. Everyone else is gone on other missions, but do not hesitate to decline."

"Alright,"

"There's a mission to research Uchiha Itachi. It's been at the top of the list as an urgent mission meant for a a few ANBU, but I took into consideration the little information you've already tooken acount for in the past. Plus you've just passed you're ANBU exam and aced it with out a sweat-"

"I accept." The words poured out of my mouth before I gave any ounce of thought into it.

"You haven't even thought about it." Tsunade protested, stealing my thoughts and speaking them. I shook my head dismissivly.

"I don't need to." I replied evenly. "It's still quite early in the morning, so I'll go home and pack, then leave by noon."

Before Tsuande could protest any further, I jumped out the window and made my way home. No one was home, so there wasn't many distractions. I quickly piled belongings, weapons, scrolls, everything that I thought needed for the mission. My mind was hazy and I didn't quite understand why I was so desperate to do this mission. After packing everything that I needed at home, I quickly stopped at my office and grabbed a carefully wrapped box. Placing it gently in my bag, I made my way out of Konoha, not even bothering to let the memories of Sasuke's leave haunt me as i passed the chilled concrete bench.

Fixing my headband, I set determidly out of Konoha. Focusing chakra into my legs I jumped through the forest. "Now now now, where are you Uchiha Itachi?"