I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 1

Today was the day she told herself as she strapped her kunai holster to her thigh and took a moment to look at herself in the mirror. Today was the day that she had been training herself for over three years for. She was going to surprise them all today, and not just by her drastically altered appearance. Instead of the red fighting kimono that proudly displayed her family's crest upon it's back she had purchased several outfits all of which greatly resembled her ANBU gear which previously she had only worn on missions she carried out with the elite squad of shinobi. She looked in the mirror and saw a woman transformed; the little girl that had once stood behind the other members of team seven was gone, and in her place stood a twenty one year old woman that was drastically transformed. Her hair had grown long reaching her lower back and held into place in a long braid. Her once bright clothes were replaced with black from her tight fighting pants to her mesh top that covered an equally dark tank top underneath. Dark clothes were much more fitting for the plan that she was about to enact. Finally satisfied with her appearance she grabbed her pack that she had prepared days before and made her way to her front door allowing herself only one glance back at the home that she had lived in and loved before locking the door and briefly wondering if she would ever enjoy it's comforts again.

As she walked purposefully down the street her thoughts turned to Naruto. Her knuckle head friend had stood by her side and protected her so much that as soon as she had heard the beginnings of the political uprising surrounding the blonde she had begun to put her plan into motion. Thankfully by that point in time the weak little girl was already gone replaced by a strong and determined kunoichi. By that point her mentor had already declared that she had surpassed her and she had nothing left to teach her. She even held the yen seal upon her head. The problem was that even though the legendary Sennin had taught her all that she could; she still had more that she had to learn to prepare for this day. The good thing was that her perfect chakra control had made her an excellent candidate for the specialized training that she needed. Luckily due to her close relationship with Naruto she had found the most qualified of teachers more than willing to train her without a great deal of questioning as to her motives. She felt as though she was at last completely prepared and it appeared that she had finished her training just in time. A small voice inside her head asked her if this was what she really wanted, but she quieted it immediately.

Naruto had given her his all and then some on more than one occasion. He had put himself in the line of danger to keep her safe, and he had kept every promise that he had ever made to her including bringing back Sasuke. The Uchiha had been found unconscious after a fight with his older brother which much to his dismay did not end with either of their deaths. Naruto had found him and literally drug him back to Konoha once he had regained consciousness. Things had been hard with the members of Team 7 initially, but they seemed to be back to normal now; at least as normal as the group of misfits could ever hope to be. Today she would change that though. Today she was going to step into the line of fire and leave them both behind her. For once Sakura Hanuro was going to be the one protecting her boys. This would be the day that they would be left looking at her back.

The sun was shining way too bright making the day look way too cheerful for Naruto's liking. He looked around the gates and saw most of the rookie nine and team Gai, sensei's included gathered around. He said most because the person who he was most eager to see was suspiciously missing. Of course given the circumstances he wouldn't blame her if she didn't show. After all he could see the tears gathered in many of his friend's eyes; if Sakura couldn't take it he wouldn't hold it against her. If not for the sad looks adorning the many faces around him Naruto could almost fool himself into believing that he was leaving for just another mission, but try as he might he couldn't trick himself into that sunny of a scenario. No; today he wasn't leaving for any normal mission. He had received the official notice last week the council had ruled against Tsunade and try as she might to fight them Naruto Uzumaki had been banished from the hidden leaf. The reasoning had officially been that the risk of Akatsuki attacking because of the Kyuubi was simply too great to allow him to stay within the village any longer, but in reality he knew they were simply trying to find a way to oust him before Tsunade could name him as her successor. He was currently trying his hardest to keep the smile that he was known for upon his face, but it was becoming harder by the second; especially given the fact that the one person he wanted to hug one last time was missing. He was drawn out of his gloomy thoughts by the approach of his best friend.

"Dobe," Sasuke said as he approached the blonde.

"Teme," Naruto replied trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy even given the gloomy circumstances.

"Take care of yourself out there," the Uchiha said, "life outside these walls is not always easy."

"Ha," Naruto scoffed, "you better believe that it will be no time at all before I am back and ready to beat your ass in a fair fight." Naruto laughed and smiled even though it was fake; even though he didn't believe his own lie.

After saying his goodbye to Sasuke he had officially said all of his goodbyes and had no reason to delay his departure any longer. With a final lopsided grin and a wave he turned to begin the journey that lay before him. He had almost crossed through the gates when he heard a slight poof behind him that could only mean someone had just transported themselves into the area. Even given his gloom Naruto's heart soared when he heard the voice that spoke up from behind him.

"I know that you weren't going to leave without saying goodbye," Sakura said with the flower blossoms from her teleportation jutsu still dancing around her.

Naruto turned and was temporarily left speechless by the sight before him. Sakura had always been beautiful enough to take away anyone's breath, but the way she looked right now in her ANUB gear minus the vest and mask with a smirk on her face was a sight that he wanted to hold close to his heart for as long as he was forced to be away from Konoha. It was as he was taking in her appearance that he noticed the large traveling pack that she was carrying and the lack of her forehead protector. He began to grow nervous.

"Sakura-chan what are you doing? Are you planning on going somewhere?" He asked.

Sakura didn't answer his question but instead concentrated on keeping herself emotionless as she strode towards Sasuke; emotions were a luxury she could not afford in the new life that she had planned for herself. When she arrived at the Uchiha's side she caused his eyes to widen as she placed a chaste kiss upon his cheek. What he didn't notice was her hand that she cautiously placed upon his curse mark while he was distracted by her kiss. The sharp pain that flooded through his body as he fell to his knees was something that he never expected. Sakura didn't pay him any further attention as she turned and purposefully made her way to Naruto. Everyone was so caught off guard by whatever it was that she had just done to the Uchiha that the only one who noticed the seals she was making was Kakashi, but his screams went unnoticed as Sakura grabbed onto Naruto and placed a kiss on the same cheek as she had her other teammate. This time instead of seeing Naruto crumble to the ground everyone that had gathered there had to shield their eyes as a blinding red light flooded the area. When at last the light faded the two ninja laid together unconscious on the ground. One of them now had a mysterious new tattoo wrapped around the opposite arm that her ANBU tattoo had been placed upon.

"Take all three of them to the hospital," Tsunade barked out, "don't allow anyone other than me to enter their rooms."

'Sakura what have you done?" The Hokage couldn't help but wonder as she made her own way to the hospital.