Sakura leaned over the edge of her balcony, staring out at the town. It seemed almost peaceful now, even though the mourning still continued. It was horrible, the way they found Sasuke's body; all mangled and torn. The only thing to identify him was the Uchiha fan on his back and the Konaha headband on his forehead. Nobody ever raised the question that it was a different body other than Sauke's, why would it be?
Sakura raised herself from the balcony and walked back into her apartment. Her hair, now grown out again, moved side to side, swinging like a pendulum. She stopped, and sighed. Today, today my evaluation comes back from Tsunade-sensei. I hope that I have made Journeyman Medic-Nin. Of course Sakura devoutly hoped she had made it. With the rank of Journeyman, it not only granted her access into any hidden village, it also showed that she completed the entire training that a medic-nin required. Basically, with this "promotion," Sakura would be a traveling medic-nin master.
What Sakura really wanted to do was go to the Village Hidden in the Sand. She had promised Temari that once she achieved the rank of Journeyman, she would come to the Sand Village and start a decent hospital and train up medic-nin for the village. Temari had expressed a wish of learning to heal, just a little bit, so they could take care of Gaara when he wore himself out or lost control. Temari obviously loved her brother, but she also loved her village; which was why Sakura had volunteered her services when she could.
"Sakura! Get down here! The grandma wants you!" Sakura looked out the window, all ready knowing who it was, after all, only Naruto would call Tsunade-sensei grandma.
"I'm coming… hold on!" Sakura dashed into her closet and grabbed her newest over-dress. It was khaki colored with pink lining around the sleeves, hem and belt. It was mainly designed to blend in with the desert, but no one besides Sakura knew that she was planning to go to the desert. The pants under the over-dress were pink, that ended with khaki colored lining. The slippers were khaki with little pink flowers on the toe and sides. She ran out the door with it on, and stopped when Naruto stared at her. "What are you staring at?"
"Sakura! When did you get that?" Naruto asked, still staring slack-jawed at her attire. Sakura shifter her weight uncomfortably.
"What, is it horrible? I thought it was pretty." Sakura hoped he wouldn't find it disgusting.
"No! Not at all, it's just, different… that's all." Naruto turned and ran towards the Hokage's building. Sakura followed him, then zipped from sight as she ran ahead, beating him there. She arrived at the door, patted down her hair and entered the Hokage's study.
"Lock the door Sakura and proof the vent. I don't want Naruto in here." Tsunade said. She looked up after Sakura proofed the vent, door and window from Naruto entering.
"I am here as requested Tsunade-sensei." Tsunade looked Sakura over, taking in the new uniform she was wearing. It was, fitting. The colors fit Sakura like a glove fits a hand. And the design was simple and held an elegance of a sort. She smiled to herself before addressing Sakura.
"Sakura Haruno, you are here because exactly one week ago, you submitted an application for the position as a Journeyman Medic-Nin. Your application was impressive and has been reviewed by the medical society within Konoha. There is but one question left before you receive your answer to your request. The question is this: what would be your first goal as a Journeyman Medic-Nin of Konoha?"
"My first goal is simply to set up a hospital within a village that is in desperate need of its facilities. In accordance of this goal, teaching locals to heal and manage the hospital is also of importance. With the title of Journeyman Medic-Nin, I would be assured that I am capable of doing such." Sakura hoped that would be enough. She still didn't want to say where she was going.
Tsunade looked at Sakura closely, examining her face. When she had spoken, it was full of life and hope, exactly what she had been looking for. "Very well. Sakura Haruno, Jounin of Konoha, apprentice healer and seeker of Journeyman position, you have been awarded your request. Of today, you are now Journeyman Medic-Nin Sakura Haruno of Konoha. You have the right to access to any hidden village as you are now a neutral ninja and as healer, you also have the right to spend as much time outside of Konoha without being labeled a missing-nin." Tsunade dropped her formal tone and smiled at Sakura who was beaming. "So Sakura, what so you plan do to with your new status?"
"I already answered that question Tsunade-sensei." Sakura was still smiling, but she also kept a level look in her eyes. Tsunade smiled.
"You don't have to call me sensei anymore Sakura. We are peers now in the Medic-Nin world. Who knows, maybe you will come back from our travels as the better of the two of us. Just don't get a swelled head if you do." The twinkle in her eye was still there as she got up and hugged Sakura. "Guessing from your answer to the last question, I have a notion that you will be leaving as soon as possible?"
"You are correct. I plan on leaving this afternoon. I'll just be packing and saying goodbye, then I'll go." She looked up at Tsunade, her gaze studying. "You aren't going to have someone tail me, are you? This is really a personal and private matter that I'm leaving so fast for." Tsunade shook her head.
"Of course not. That would be rude. I trust you, otherwise I would have told you to go find yourself another sensei long ago if I thought you were untrustworthy." Sakura smiled at this and bowed low, turned and walked to the door, taking down all the wards. She opened the door and left the office. Naruto was nowhere in sight. In other circumstances, Sakura would have been concerned, but not today. Glancing out over the railing on the stairs, she saw Naruto running around the village. Looking over at the tops of he roofs, she saw Jiraiya had come back and was making Naruto run laps around the village. She waved and Jiraiya waved back. He beckoned and Sakura jumped over the roofs over to where he was.
"So, has Tsunade given you the news?"
"Yes, she has. I'm leaving this afternoon." Sakura looked at Jiraiya, trying to figure out if he knew where she was going.
"So, now that you are a Journeyman Medic-Nin, where shall you be going?" Sakura just looked at him, not saying anything. "Ah, I guess that's your secret, so no one can bother you. It's just fine. I already knew anyways. Your clothing gives you away. You're heading to the Sand Village, aren't you?" Sakura glanced sharply at him, narrowing her eyes.
"You will keep that a secret, won't you? It is essential that nobody knows. This is my project, something I am doing for my friends." Sakura watched Jiraiya, hoping he wouldn't say anything.
"I won't tell anyone, not even Tsunade or Naruto. However, I do reserve the right to tell if something horrible happens." Jiraiya held her gaze, giving the statement that there was no room for argument. Sakura nodded her head in agreement, and turned to face the direction of her apartment.
"I won't have time to tell Naruto goodbye. I need to leave tonight, so I hope you can tell him I said goodbye." With that, Sakura leapt off the roof and heard very faintly his reply of a yes. She reached her apartment and packed her bags, pausing only to take a shower and clean her clothes before she left. Sakura left her apartment and proceeded towards the western gate of Konoha.
Neji stood there, waiting for her. She stopped and looked at him. He turned and gave her a scroll. "From Tsunade. She says to be careful and not to get yourself killed." He spoke, his voice very quiet, like it had always been.
Sakura cocked her head and nodded. "I probably won't be back for a long time, so if anyone asks which gate I went out of, don't bother telling them, please? This is a secret project that is mine alone. If anyone else were to intrude, well, it wouldn't be a secret anymore, now would it?"
Neji looked at her, his eyes unblinking. "I won't tell. I don't know where you are going. Though perhaps by your attire, you are headed somewhere very warm, perhaps Sand? No matter; I won't tell." Sakura quickly hugged him and then dashed out the gates, leaping up into the trees. Neji looked a little shocked by the hug, but he just shrugged it off. It didn't mean anything anyways.