Writer's Note: Alright, well, this little story is about Sakura and her dealing with the fact that Sasuke's left and she basically has nothing. She gets mad at herself that she wasn't strong enough to do anything. She eventually comes up with her decision, and goes for it. She meets someone on the way (Not part of Naruto at all-Just a made-up character I made for Sakura). This isn't really a SasuSaku thing, but eh, if you wanna read it, go ahead. I mean, it'll show up eventually, but... *Won't say anything*. I was bored and thought I should just write something about Sakura since she's not really on a lot. There'll be humor.(: So enjoy, and let me know if it's any good. If you think so, I'll keep it going.

Edit (04/13/13): Hey guys, just so you know, I'm editing and fixing all the chapters for Stepping Up. I feel they could have been written better and just ugh, the way I wrote it back then just seems like, 'wow I wrote that? Seriously?' So, yeah. I'm not changing anything, I'm fixing, adding more detail where it should have been, stuff like that. In short, it'll be better written. lol.

'...'= Thoughts.

( )= Anything to make things clearer; descriptions, etc.

Stepping Up

A few days passed since Sakura tried to stop Sasuke from leaving the village to train with Orichimaru to get revenge. She didn't approve of it at all, yet she could understand why he wanted to leave. He obviously couldn't get any stronger by being here. She laid in bed, looking at her team's group picture on her night stand. She stared for a moment. Her eyes slowly made their way to Sasuke's scratched headband. She sighed, 'I'm not strong enough to bring Sasuke back. I'd fail miserably,' she thought, 'Maybe I should leave the village, too.' She shook her head no, 'I'll only make things worse for Naruto.'

She thought about it for a long time. It was already going to be 1:00AM. She began to reminisce about the memories of team 7. She smiled for a few moments. She then thought about how awful Sasuke treated her. She thought about all the times he was so mean to her, especially when he called her weak, weaker than Naruto to be specific. She bit her lip, 'Asshole…' Tears began to form around her pale face. She then started to think about how stupid she is for even falling for him. She poured her whole heart out to Sasuke, and he simply knocked her out in return. Sakura was so angry at herself for being weak that she screamed into her pillow, swearing. She then came down to her conclusion.

She decided to join the Akatsuki.

True, they're not exactly the good guys, but she thought if she were to get stronger, she must be with them. She was thinking of merely using them. The Akatsuki were obviously stronger than Orichimaru, so she would have an advantage over Sasuke when she'd get the chance to confront him. She walked over to her mirror, and looked at her outfit. She frowned, 'I need a makeover.' She went into her closet and saw that it was filled with the same clothes. She groaned and searched for something different. When she found a big box at the very corner of it, she pulled it out and opened it. She found a long black jacket that lead to be above her knees with zippers on the sleeves (To either make it long-sleeved, mid-sleeved, or short-sleeved.) and a dark purple outfit that seemed similar to Sasuke's black outfit, only there were no sleeves. Sakura smiled, and put on her new clothes.

She then stood in front of the mirror, hands on hips, and smirked, 'Perfect.'

She then packed a backpack and weapons, and was about to jump out her bedroom window when she saw Sasuke's headband. She stared at it and stepped down from her windowsill and took Sasuke's headband, tying it tightly around her waist. She left her headband in its place.

'I'm really leaving, huh...' Sakura jumped from her window, not bothering to attempt to tell anyone about her leave. She left her house and stealthily made her way to Konoha's Gate. She's really going to go through with this. She probably wouldn't be able to come back for a long time, she knew that, but she also knew that she needed to become stronger. Not just because of Sasuke, but to better herself for what is to come. She knows that the future holds many things; she's merely preparing herself.

She started to slowly walk out when suddenly, she heard a familiar voice.

"Where are you going, Sakura?"

It was Naruto. Sakura turned around and saw that it was Naruto half naked in his pajama bottoms. Sakura locked eyes with Naruto and turned back around, heading out.

Naruto realized what was going on, "Wait, Sakura! Don't go. Leave it to me to bring Sasuke back. I know I failed the first time, but I'll keep trying, I promise!"

Sakura stopped, and sighed heavily, "Who said I was getting Sasuke? I'm leaving because I want to." She lied. Sakura found it so hard to lie to Naruto. Naruto looked at Sakura with saddening eyes, filled with pain and fear, "Sakura, don't leave me, too." Tears began to fall.

Sakura looked away, "I'm sorry, Naruto, but I have, too. But, here, keep this." She threw to him what seemed to be a small photo album. Naruto caught it, and happened to fall on a photo of Sasuke and Sakura, laughing at him choking on his ramen. Naruto smiled and looked up to see Sakura, but she was already gone. Naruto closed his eyes, crying. After a while of just standing there, half naked, he looked at the photo while sniffling. He then made a promise to himself.

"I promise to bring Sasuke and Sakura back, even if it kills me." He whispered. He looked up into the starlit sky, and began to make his way home.

Sakura was jumping from branch to branch, thinking of places where the Akatsuki would plant their base. She already looked through the Akatsuki's files that she found in Hokage's office. With an organization like theirs, there has to be more than one base. As you all know, Sakura is extremely bright. She tried to think of ways to contact Akatsuki. She mostly thought about what they're after. World domination obviously, but what were they after to achieve their goal? Certainly there was something that could bring them closer.

She traveled quickly, not taking any rest. She can't afford to waste this precious time. She needs to find the Akatsuki quickly if anyone from the village is ordered to bring her back.

After several hours on the field, she heard a noise. She jumped up in the trees, holding her breath. 'Calm down, Sakura.'

After a long pause, the noises became a little louder. Closer. She stopped and leaned her back against the tree, kunai in hand. She listened carefully to figure out where the noise was coming from. She waited, yet she couldn't get anything. She sighed, thinking it was just the wind or her being paranoid, but it turned out it wasn't. Immediately after she let her guard down, a wolf that was unbelievably huge jumped out and lunged itself at her. She gasped and dodged in time.

"What on Earth-" She breathed.

When she landed, she got a good look at her attacker. A white wolf with pale gray eyes was now staring at her. She was practically hypnotized by its exotic appearance. She put away her kunai, giving the wolf a hint that she wasn't going to attack.

The wolf growled, baring its teeth, "Why did you attack me?" Sakura asked, forgetting it was a wolf. She wondered why it would attack, until she remembered the slab of meat she packed for food. She slapped her forehead, 'Of course!'

While she reached for her backpack, the wolf took that chance to lunge itself at her again. This time she put her arm up to defend herself. The wolf bsunk its teeth deep into her left arm, digging its teeth deeper and deeper into her arm. She cried out in pain and closed her eyes, 'He's scared, nothing else.' She thought fighting back the pain. She started to talk to the wolf again, "I'm not going to hurt you. I'm only trying to feed you," She pulled out the meat and showed it to the wolf. The wolf saw it, and stopped biting so hard. He looked at the slab of meat, then back at Sakura.

The wolf released Sakura's arm and began licking it, cleaning her wound. When he was finished, he took a step back and put his head down. Sakura was amazed by all this. Not only did he understand what she was doing, but he basically apologized. She stared in amazement, until realizing he was hungry. She gave him the slab of meat. He took it from her gently and began biting the hell out of it. Sakura pulled out her kit and tended to her arm. The wolf watched her while she was wrapping the bandage around her arm. The wolf finished about the same time Sakura finished with her arm.

"...I thank you. Your kind are not so generous as to hand over a good piece of fresh meat. I apologize for my previous action. My encounters with your kind weren't exactly pleasant." He yawned. The night was deep.

Sakura cradled her wound, speechless. She eyed the wolf, "You just spoke...?" The wolf nodded. Sakura took a deep breathe, "No way, a talking wolf! I must be going crazy. And you're huge! HUGE. You're like, what, ten feet tall!?"

Sakura went on, pointing at the wolf. The wolf yawned, "Yes, yes, I'm brilliant, I know. Now please, can we get to introducing ourselves? My name is Shiroryu, but you may call me Ryu." He licked his paw, awaiting Sakura's reply.

"My name is Sakura Haruno..." She stared at Ryu, noticing how exotic his appearance was. His fur was thick and silver, shining radiantly in the moonlight that shown through the branches of the many trees surrounding them. Ryu bowed his head, "A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I dare say, your name suits you perfectly. You're hair is as pink as a true sakura blossom as it first blooms. Beauiful indeed, yes."

The wolf walked over to Sakura, "Now, may I inquire as to why you are out and alone in such a dangerous place? You could be easily overthrown by your kind if you're not careful." Ryu planted himself beside her, laying down so he can face her directly. Sakura blinked, still not used to Ryu in general. She thought it completely out of place. 'Are there wolves like Ryu here? I heard stories, myths, legends, but this is just unbelievable...'

"I... I am on my own. I left my village to seek strength from my enemies to prove I have the strength to overcome certain obstacles. That's the whole story in short. You'll have to wait for the full story another time." Sakura sighed, not wanting to talk about the situation. She just didn't want to have to think about Sasuke, but that's all she can think about. 'Does he miss me? Does he even want to come back home? Will he ever come back? Would he ever be the same..?'

Ryu pondered over her answer for a few minutes before replying, "I see. I am also on my own for the same purpose, but a different situation of course. I know you are probably curious about me, but I will only say this: Those who know the stories and doubt them are fools, for stories were once truths."

Sakura nodded, understanding completey. 'So, I was right... Well, isn't that awesome.'

They sat in silence for what seemed forever until Ryu broke the silence.

"Sakura, I was thinking... I am well aware that we are strangers to one another, but I can't help but come to this conclusion: perhaps we should accompany one another on our journey? I know the request is odd and sudden, but I have a feeling. Would you mind?"

Sakura thought about this carefully. Is it wise to take up this sudden offer? She's not exactly strong yet, and she knows she won't be able to hold her ground if a fight were to happen during the search. Maybe Ryu might be some help. It seems like it'd be smart to not go on alone. Maybe he would like to help her find the Akatsuki. After all, he did say their goals are the same.

"I... I accept your offer. If you're going to travel with me, and if what you say is true, than you might as well become stronger with the help of the Akatsuki. They're extremely skilled ninja. Literally. They're the enemy but it seems like the only thing I can come up with. I know I won't get stronger if I stay at home. No one believes in me. They just think I'm a burden. I don't want to be that burden. I want to be able to hold my ground and I think the Akatsuki can help. Do you want to take this route with me?"

Ryu nodded, "I've heard of them not too long ago. Seems like they're causing...much. But if you believe they can help, then I will allow myself to trust you. If you are to travel with me, then I ask you to please not take my trust for granted. This is a big risk, especially for my own kind. That's all I ask: do not betray my trust."

Sakura nodded, "I understand."

After awhile of talking, they eventually stopped and looked for a place to sleep. It was late, and they were both tired from the days events and from no sleep. They can't go on without rest. Traveling with no energy is just asking for a death sentence. They came eventually across a wide tall tree and took rest there.

A lot had already happened in one day. Sakura is starting to think the unexpected will happen from this day forward, yet she wasn't exactly worried about it. She's ready for what's to come.