GR's Note: I've edited and re uploaded chapters 0-12, 13 and 14 will come shortly.

Thank you to all who've read an reviewed, I appreciate the input!

- Prelude -

"Tsunade-hime, one of the chuunins of Team Kakashi wishes to speak with you."

"Let her in." The door to the Fifth's office shut, then opened and quickly shut again.

"Shishou-sama ... I wish to resign from Team Kakashi for a while." Tsunade looked up from her paperwork briefly only to notice the kunoichi's cheeks flushing faintly.

"Is there a particular reason for this sudden change in attitude, Sakura? I won't remove you unless it's a good one." She looked back down at the medical chart on the desk.

"Actually, I wish to spend an extended amount of time training and traveling. Mostly It's to see the other Hidden Villages and to improve myself for the sake of the village." Sakura bowed respectfully as Tsunade glared in annoyance at the chart on the desk.

"You understand that this is a dangerous time to be away from the village, Sakura. The Akatsuki are moving faster than ever, and Konoha ninja are being targeted more and more."

"I understand that, Shishou-sama, but the village may be safer without me here. The Akatsuki know that Sasori was defeated by a pink-haired kunoichi from Konoha, wearing red."

"They also know that the Kyuubi is here, so I doubt that you're putting the village in any more danger than Naruto himself is. However, if you truly understand what it entails, I can't stop you from leaving." Sakura straightened up. She hadn't expected such an answer.

"You're an excellent kunoichi, Sakura. Whatever you do, do with confidence. Don't give up, and make your friends and your village proud of you." Tsunade had gotten up and patted the girl's shoulder, giving her a friendly smile. Sakura beamed and nodded.

"Thank you, Shishou-sama."

Sakura stood under the town gate, looking back in on the village with a peaceful and sad smile. The dawn was breaking as she slowly turned and started her long walk away from home.

"Slipping away silently, like Sasuke-kun?" A quiet and commanding voice spoke, belonging to the tall white-haired man who had appeared out of the dark forest. The mask he wore covered the lower part of his face, making it difficult to tell if he was smiling, implying a joke. Sakura looked down at the dirt and turned pink.

"It's not like that, Kakashi-sensei. It's just that... the goodbyes would be a little to much. I don't know how long I'll be gone." She shifted her bag's weight on her shoulders, still staring down at the pebbles in the dirt.

"Relax, Sakura-chan, I was kidding. I came to see you off so that you'd know that at least one person will be waiting for you to come back." Kakashi strolled over to Sakura and ruffled her pink hair as she looked up and turned pink herself.

"Team Kakashi won't be the same without you, so don't stay away forever." As she turned to say good bye, she realized that he had already disappeared.