Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Enjoy!
It was nearing dawn, when Haruno Sakura the Godaime's apprentice woke up to sound outside her window. Sleepy eyes focused on the window where the sound came from. It was a white dove with a message attached to its right leg.
Jade eyes widened in surprise as Sakura quickly got out of bed and walked to where the dove was waiting. The white bird was owned by the Hokage herself, and receiving a personal message from the Hokage before sunrise was not something that happened unless it was an important matter. Sakura promptly removed the message and opened up the small letter.
Come see me as soon as you receive the message.
Being the Hokage's apprentice she knew that after reading an important message one had to burn it so that it wouldn't leave any traces behind. Doing just that she waited until the letter was nothing more than ashes before moving towards her closet.
Without thinking twice and making sure not to waste any time she got dressed and grabbed some weapons from the hidden drawer in her closet. A quick look at herself showed that she was prepared as if she was going to a mission.
Yet Sakura knew that once you received a message from the Hokage it meant that it was very important, and one had to be prepared for everything.
In less than five minutes she was standing outside the Hokage's office. Before she entered she took a deep breath and prepared herself for what was waiting her inside. She didn't know what was waiting for her but she was ready.
Her right hand reached the door and knocked three times
'knock, knock, knock'
Lowering her hand, she stood in front of the door and waited for her sensei's approval to enter.
"Sakura, come in." Tsunade's voice could be heard.
Slowly the pink haired kunoichi pushed open the door and stepped into the room.
"Sensei," she said softly coming to stand in front of the Hokage's desk.
"I have important news for you; a bad and a good one, which one would you like to hear first?" Tsunade muttered, raising her face to gaze at the pink haired young woman.
Sakura wasn't certain which one to choose.
"Either one it doesn't matter."
"Alright the good news is I have one final mission for you just like you wanted."
After hearing the Hokage's words Sakura stood there looking both surprised and excited, her mind instantly going to the conversation two weeks ago.
"Sensei."
"Hai, Sakura"
"Sensei I wanted to ask a great favor from you, well it's not really a favor. But well its kind of complicated, I don't know where to start or how to start actually."
"Alright, Sakura leave those files there and come take a seat."
Sakura did as she was told
"Now tell me Sakura, what's concerning you? Do you have a problem?"
When it came to her apprentice Tsunade treated Sakura like her own child.
"No, sensei it's not a problem I was just thinking, since Sasuke left to seek power from Orochimaru, and Naruto which I barely see anymore left with Jiraiya-sama. We're not a team like we used to be, Team 7 doesn't exist anymore".
After saying these words Sakura's eyes left Tsunade's face and concentrated on the floor. The kunoichi was having a hard time expressing what she wanted to say and for some reason it seemed harder with Tsunade gazing at her.
"Continue Sakura."
"So my point is I want to put an end to my career as a ninja, I want to concentrate more on being a better medic."
"So that's the favor you were asking me?"
Sakura finally had the courage to raise her face to gaze once again at the Hokage.
"Hai, but there's one last part I want to add to it. I want one last but very challenging and solo mission, cause I want to remember that mission after I retire from being a ninja."
Furrowing her brows, the Hokage took her time to think about the things that Sakura had just said, before giving her an answer.
"Fine be ready for it, I'll give you one final challenging mission, but you have to wait Sakura."
The change was instantaneous; a bright smile appeared on her lips
"I'll wait for it sensei, Thank you!"
And it was that conversation two weeks ago that had led to the pink haired ninja to where she was right now.
"So Sakura what do you say?" Tsunade asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I'm ready for it." Sakura answered without having to think twice. This was what she had wanted.
"I wouldn't decide so quickly if I were you Sakura."
The Hokage could see the eager look in her student's eyes. Still Sakura had to know everything first before making a decision. This was not going to be an easy mission. Sakura must have sensed the seriousness of the situation for she quickly sobered up and stared seriously at the blond woman sitting in front of her.
"What is the mission going to be about sensei?"
After a pregnant pause Tsunade continued
"Akatsuki."
After hearing the word, her jade eyes widened.
"Akatsuki?"
"You heard me right, I said Akatsuki. Sakura do not forget it will be a very challenging mission just like you wanted."
"Sensei what will my duty be?"
"You will betray Konoha, and join Akatsuki"
'Betray Konoha, just like Sasuke-kun did.'
Jade eyes gaze in shock at Tsunade as the owner tried to understand what she had just heard.
"But how is that going to work sensei?" Sakura's voice trembled slightly as she tried to get a hold of her.
"It will be tough but you will manage, only Jiraiya, Shizune and I will be aware of this mission. I forbid you from telling anyone else even Kakashi or Naruto. You will be working as a spy for us, you will only contact me and no one else, and we'll keep in contact but only from month to month so that it wouldn't bring any suspicions."
There was no room for argument.
"Are you sure you are ready for this Sakura? Cause once you accept there will be no turning back. Before you accept think about the consequences, first of all you will not be allowed in Konoha, secondly I will announce your betrayal."
The kunoichi needed to understand.
"Thirdly I will send an ANBU squad after you. During your mission if you ever encounter Kakashi, Naruto or any other Konoha ninja you will attack them as if they are you enemies."
Sakura didn't know what to say or what to do after hearing the requirements for the final mission, she stood there frozen.
'Maybe asking for a final and challenging mission was a mistake from the beginning.'
Tsunade noticed the hesitance in her student's eyes but it was only normal. Sakura would be risking and sacrificing a lot if she did accept this mission.
Letting out a soft sigh, the Hokage leaned back her chair.
"Sakura, I'll give you time till today midnight go to your house and think about the things I told you. And don't mention this mission to anyone understood? It will bring a great danger if you do."
Sakura slowly nodded her head.
"Sensei I give you my word upon my honor that I won't tell anyone."
"If you have any questions I'll either be in my office or at the hospital, don't forget you have time till midnight. You may leave now, and close the door on your way out."
After leaving Tsunade's office Sakura went straight home.
She had nineteen hours to make a decision.
Either way this decision would change her life forever.
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Anime-Goddess-Sakura thanks for betaing
Kainat