Smile


Author: S&S

Disclaimer: I don't own any Naruto

Author's Note: I decided to rewrite the the whole plot, summary and most of the characters of the story. I was out of inspiration while thinking about the future chapters of the old one. If you love the old one, I sincerely apologize for remaking it without notifying you all. I'm glad I'm active now with the help of my talented Beta, Vampire Kitten AKA VK. She's very talented with her ideas that helped me feel inspired. She's great with suggesting a lot of things to make this story better. I owe it a lot to her. If she wasn't there, I might drop this story.

I also changed the title and you'll know why in the future chapters. Hope you like the new one!


Chapter 1


The leaves shuffled as three people dashed by, jumping from branch to branch through the trees. Things had rather gone smoothly so far after a successful mission. The first assignment after Uchiha Itachi became ANBU captain. It was quite unbelievable for him to be selected as an ANBU captain at the age of 13. At that age one was usually a genin or chunin.

But, this was Uchiha Itachi. Reaching the rank as an ANBU captain at the age of 13 is simply an achievement to be added to his genius reputation. He graduated the Academy at the age of seven and was promoted to Chunin at the age of 10. A very rare shinobi for this generation.

And now, on his first mission, he finished it with a success in his hands after annihilating his enemies and attaining his package. His first mission assigned to him was S-class mission. It was to exterminate the Rock nins who kidnapped the daughter of a prestigious nomadic clan. To him, it was like a B-class mission, simply because he found it so trouble-free. Those rock ninja were no match for his team. He was a prodigy after all, and would only work with the best.

Now, the three-man team was speeding up as they neared the borders of their homeland, Konoha, with the heiress held in one of the ANBU's grasp. The heiress was in deep slumber after the Rock ninja held her captive for a week with a scarce supply of nutrients. Thankfully, she survived, and rested herself in his medic's hands.

After a long day of traveling, Itachi adjourn himself signaling his teammates to stop. They obediently followed his signal and repose themselves in the hard trunk of the tree. One of his men slowly positioned the heiress who was still sleeping. After positioning themselves, they all raised their mask over their head to relax themselves.

Itachi relax against the bushes and studied gleam of the moon around the darkness of the night. They were almost at the borders of Konoha and Itachi planned to move again after resting for three hours, arriving at Konoha in the morning.

''Care to have a little sake later Izumi?'' one of his colleagues asked with a sort of eagerness in his voice.

Itachi ignored the two adults who kept talking about sake and parties they planned to attend after reaching the village.

''Wanna join, Captain?'' Izumi asked Itachi who simply answered with a shake of his head.

Izumi nodded and continued to talk to the person beside him. It was really a different idea, asking a 13-year-old prodigy to lead them. Izumi was nervous being with a young captain. An adult being ordered around by a teenage prodigy is quite hard to find.

After resting for three hours, Itachi informed the two that it was time to head back to Konoha. They obediently followed their captain and cleared their place. They then sprinted out towards the borders of Konoha.

After hours of traveling, they faced the gates of Konoha with the heiress in their hands. They entered the gate and Itachi was about to ordered the two but stopped when someone suddenly clung into his arm. He frowned as he knew the familiar chakra of the person holding tightly to him.

The two adults snorted at the sight of the familiar girl who happily held Itachi's arm.

''I think we'll be sending the package to her home, Captain. Seeing you are busy right now,'' Izumi informed Itachi with a smirk.

Itachi glared at the two who were controlling their laughter and hurriedly ran off to transport the heiress to her household.

''Takushi. Let go of me,'' Itachi ordered, seeing the brown haired girl smiling while holding his arm.

He slightly flipped his arm away from her but she continued grabbing it. He glared and stared unblinkingly at her.

"I missed you so much Itachi-kun!'' Takushi Akana squealed as she continued to hug his arm. ''I made you your breakfast hearing that you will return this morning, Itachi-kun. We can go out after too.''

She showed him a box containing a typical breakfast meal. He swiftly took his arm out of her grasp and glared at her more.

"I am an occupied person and have no time for child's play, Takushi. Go and play with the children at your age,'' Itachi informed her with no interest.

He always went through this after getting back from a mission, being asked by a fangirl to date or to bear his child. It was annoying to him because he was only thirteen and didn't want to handle any obligation as a parent.

''Oh, we'll if you're not busy we can-'' Akana started.

''As I stated, I am a busy person and rather be busy than to be with you, Takushi,'' Itachi interrupted smoothly while staring at her with his icy expression. ''If you repeat this again, I will imply you're rather deaf and annoying.''

Itachi walked away, leaving Akana holding her homemade breakfast for him.

He sighed in frustration after an annoying conversation with the fangirl he disliked much. He had no time for a weak kunoichi who thinks life is easy. He'd rather be on an S-class mission than to be annoyed by the likes of her.

After transporting himself to the Hokage Tower, he knocked the door and heard the third Hokage's permission to enter. As he came in, he knelt down in front of the Hokage.

''Rise Uchiha,'' Sarutobi ordered and Itachi followed.

The Hokage stared at him as he let out few puffs of smoke from his pipe. Itachi really didn't understand adults and their addictions.

The next Hokage will be addicted to sake, he thought as he watched at the Hokage while standing silently without motion.

''Report'' Sarutobi ordered as he clasped both of his wrinkled hands.

Itachi nodded and informed the Hokage about the events occurred on the mission.

After hearing his report, Sarutobi crinkled his eyebrows at Itachi's report.

''Excellent. You are now permitted to leave and to return after two days for your next mission,'' Sarutobi informed as Itachi nodded and turned to leave the office.

''Boo!''

Itachi stared at his cousin who had attempted to scare him. His cousin frowned seeing his plan of scaring Itachi had failed. Itachi smirked as he turned his head and walks off followed by his cheerful cousin.

''Woah, I never thought you would look so great in the Captain's coat,'' Shisui commented.

Itachi smirked at his older cousin's reaction.

''So, how's the first mission Captain Uchiha?'' he asked while tossing his hands over Itachi's shoulders.

Itachi hated it when someone made contact with him but for his close cousin, he didn't mind it as much.

''Hn. It was all right,'' Itachi answered as Shisui grunted at his cousin's short answer.

He couldn't understand why his 13-year-old cousin was so mature for his age.

''Is that your answer?'' Shisui asked, implying that Itachi should have more expression.

''When I was your age, I felt happy when they assigned me as an ANBU captain!'' Shisui exclaimed proudly. ''You'll grow wrinkles if you act all serious like the Third!''

Itachi smirked at his cousin's words.

''First, Yes, that's my respond to your question. Second, you were at the age of twenty-five when you reached the level of Captain and you're retired. Third, don't talk behind the Hokage's back,'' Itachi replied as Shisui glared at him while crossing his arms.

Itachi really liked to tease his older cousin about his age. It was amusing to witness his reaction.

''I was seventeen and I'm not that old! Geez, you talk like an old geezer, grandpa!'' Shisui said.

He was already 23 and was retired as an ANBU and is now a Jounin. But, he's not that old! Itachi acts like an older person than him. Itachi simply smirked.

''Stop smirking,'' Shisui warned.

''What will you possibly do, cousin?'' Itachi asked, watching his cousin glare at him.

"Um...well...I'll find something!" Shisui declared.

"Sure you will," Itachi replied simply.

''Alright Itachi, you win this time,'' Shisui admitted defeat.

''Better get used to it, Shisui,'' he then finished, leaving Shisui standing there silent because of his statement.

He really did change after such training, Shisui thought as he stared at Itachi's back with a smile. I'm proud to have him in the clan. He is truly a prodigy.

Itachi noticed that his cousin wasn't with him and stopped walking, turning his head to face him. He scoffed seeing him standing there and grinned like an idiot that is in love with an imaginary woman. Even though he always teased his older cousin, he respected him. Not because they were related or he's a former ANBU captain, he respected him because he's the only person who understands him or he can call his best friend. Itachi rolled his eyes at the thought. He is his best friend indeed.

''Why are you grinning there like an idiot who fell in love?'' he asked as Shisui suddenly snapped from his thoughts and glared at him. He then run towards Itachi and ruffled his hair making Itachi frown. He really hated being ruffled like he is short, especially his hair.

''Refrain from doing that, Shisui,'' Itachi commanded.

''Or what Itachi? Sharingan me to death?'' Shisui joked as he ignored Itachi's instruction and patted his head, earning Shisui a glare. Itachi sighed and continue to walk. Shisui was always reminding him that he was taller than Itachi.

''Aww, don't be sad, cousin, you'll grow soon,'' Shisui said while ruffling his hair again.

The two were walking through the village towards to their compound when a voice called out to them.

''Itachi-kun!'' a feminine voice yelled as Itachi turned his head and saw a pink haired girl sitting on the branches of a tree close to them. The two Uchiha stopped walking and gazed at the girl sitting in the branches with a smile.

Itachi raised his brow.

"What do you need Sakura?'' Itachi asked, hinting at his annoyance.

Sakura gave the ANBU captain an appealing smile.

''Get me down.''

''What?''

''Get me down Itachi-kun!'' the 10 year old giggled as Itachi lifted up his eyebrow at her request.

Shisui snickered at the scene between the two.

''You climbed up there and you want me to get you down from your perch?'' Itachi asked as if he wasn't hearing quite right.

Sakura nodded which made Itachi groan.

''You better get her down, Itachi-kun,'' Shisui said with a tease.

Itachi glared at his cousin and sighed.

''Hn,'' he uttered as removed his coat and placed it on the floor.

Itachi then walked towards the tree and widened his arms with a smug look plastered on his face. Sakura grinned as she jumped from the tree and landed into Itachi's arms. Itachi sighed as he stared at the pink haired girl who simply smiled at him and let her down from his grasp.

''Arigato, Itachi-kun,'' Sakura thanked him as he nodded and walked back to Shisui who stared at the two children while crossing his arms.

Kids, he thought as he followed Itachi who walked away, leaving Sakura waving at the two shinobi.

''Hey, that girl is kinda cute,'' Shisui mentioned. ''Do you like her?''

Itachi shook his head.

''Helping someone means you have that sort of affection?'' he questioned as Shisui shrugged his shoulders.

''I don't know. It could be.''

''Well, that's far beyond your imagination, Shisui,'' Itachi said, notifying him that he had no liking for the pink haired girl.

''So who is she and why do you treat her different from your fangirls?'' Shisui asked.

After being with him for a couple of years, he noticed that Itachi always show a cold shoulder to his fangirls. But, after seeing this rare event, he thought Itachi has some sort of little crush on this pink haired girl.

''Hn,'' Itachi answered which made Shisui frown.

Sakura was about to walk away but, she stopped walking when she saw a familiar white coat in the ground.

It must be Itachi-kun's, she thought with a smile.

She then decided to return the coat to him tomorrow as she walks away while holding it tightly. She then left the place and walked around the village.


Her parents died few years ago but someone adopted her and brought her comfort. She had no relatives in Konoha to take care of her. She only knew the lady in the store who her parents always visited. Her adopted parents were also kind to her. Letting her kept her last name made her happy. They never showed that they regretted adopting her and she was happy that she had someone that cared for her. Even though she was all alone, she felt lucky that someone watched over her.

As she continued to walk, she noticed a crowd of people in front of her. She raised her brow and ignored the noise.

''Have you heard? She's back!'' a lady exclaimed as she and a friend chatted.

''After leaving the village she plans to come back?'' a man asked.

''Well, she's the slug princess of course'' the man answered back making Sakura curious.

Slug princess? she thought as she stared at the crowd.

It broke and revealed a beautiful blond haired woman. Sakura never saw the woman before. She wears a grey, kimono-style blouse with no sleeves, held closed by a broad, dark bluish-grey obi that matched her pants. Her blouse closed quite low, revealing her sizeable cleavage. She wore open-toed sandals with high heels and red polish on both her fingernails and toenails, as well as a soft pink lipstick.

The woman held a serious but proud expression on her face. Her hair was tied into a pigtails and her skin was flawless.

She's so pretty, Sakura thought as she saw the woman.

''Geez, things never change around here,'' the mysterious blonde woman suddenly said as she studied the village.

The people were still whispering about her.

''She's so young! What do you think she used?'' a woman asked with envy in her voice.

''Idiot! It's not natural! Haven't you heard she used a special technique?'' the other woman exclaimed making the blonde woman twitch and whip her head to face the woman.

''Shh! She'll hear us,'' the woman warned.

''It's natural you idiots! Use aging cream for once!'' the blonde woman yelled as the three women ran away from her.

Sakura noticed that many people were scared of her.

She's so cool. I wish I was like her, Sakura thought as she continued to stare.

The blond woman suddenly noticed her and gazed back at her. She smirked and walked towards Sakura who became nervous.

''Hey kid, why are you holding that coat?'' she asked while pointing at the white coat Sakura was holding. ''Don't tell me they assign kids like you to be the captain. If that happens, I'm not coming back again.''

Sakura gulped. The blond woman grinned and patted her head.

''Don't be scared. I'm not gonna eat kids like you,'' she said as Sakura nervously nodded.

The mysterious blond woman smiled at Sakura's reaction.

''What's your name kiddo?'' she questioned seeing interested with Sakura.

''U-Uhmm, S-Sakura Haruno'' she answered while stuttering, which made the blond woman in front of her laugh.

''Don't be nervous'' she said as Sakura nodded. She then knelt down to be level with the young girl. ''Do you want to train with me kid?''

That question left Sakura speechless. It was the first time someone offered her to train with them! In fact, she has no experience with the shinobi life because her she thought she was in no position to attend it.

''I'm not attending the Academy and have no experience'' she honestly said which made the blond woman smile at her answer.

''That's okay. I'll train you,'' she said, showing that she accepted Sakura. Sakura then smiled and nodded, making the mysterious blond woman grin. She then stood up and patted her head.

''Great! We're leaving tomorrow evening at the training ground one,'' she informed her as Sakura nodded.

The blond woman suddenly turned her back and walked away leaving Sakura staring at her.

I forgot to ask her name! Sakura remembered.

''Um, sensei!'' she yelled as the blond woman turned to face her.

''What's your name?'' she nervously asked.

''Call me Tsunade-shishou,'' she answered as Sakura nodded.

Tsunade then continue her pace and walked away leaving Sakura in shock at the event that happened minutes ago.


Few hours ago

''You've got guts to come back, Tsunade,'' the Third Hokage said as he stared at the window facing the Hokage monument.

After hearing that the slug princess suddenly returned to the village after disappearing a couple years ago, he never thought that she would visit him first.

''Can't I come back to my village Sarutobi-sensei?'' she asked while placing her hand on her waist. Sarutobi rolled his eyes and puffed some smoke.

''What did you come for?'' he asked point-blank.

''If you continue to smoke, you'll die from a lung cancer,'' Tsunade warned which made Sarutobi's vein pop because she continued to ignore his question.

He then turned his head and glared at her.

''Okay, stop glaring. I'm here to get a student,'' Tsunade answered which make him curious.

A student?, he thought, surprised.

''Why?'' he asked as Tsunade shrugged her shoulders.

''Kill time,'' she answered which caused Sarutobi to twitch.

''Who did you choose to train?'' he asked as Tsunade suddenly became quiet, inciting Sarutobi's curiosity.

He then clasped his wrinkled hands together and stared at her.

It must be a strong shinobi, he thought, hoping she made the right choice.

Tsunade shrugged her shoulders.

''I haven't decided yet,'' she answered and Sarutobi sighed. ''I think I'll search around the village.''

Is she sure of what she's doing? he thought.

''I have a feeling that person is wandering around'' she finished as Sarutobi sighed again and nodded.

''Fine, but choose wisely, Tsunade,'' Sarutobi told her, accepting the reason.

Tsunade smiled at his words and nodded.

''Sure. Ja,'' she replied and suddenly disappeared, leaving Sarutobi shaking his head.

I hope the person she chooses will survive, he thought.


After her conversation with her former sensei, Tsunade wandered around the village and ignored the crowd that was circling around her. She continued to search for her new student and she felt that she was close to that person.

''Have you heard? She's back!'' a lady exclaimed as she chatted.

''After leaving the village she plans to come back?'' a man asked.

''Well, she's the slug princess of course,'' the man answered back. The people were talking about her as they watched her walk around.

She then stopped walking and stared above the Hokage monument in front of her.

''Geez, things never change around here,'' she commented as she stared around the village.

The people were still whispering about her.

''She's so young! What do you think she used?'' a woman asked with envy in her voice.

Tsunade silently smiles at her compliment.

''Idiot! It's not natural! Haven't you heard she used a special technique?'' the woman exclaimed making Tsunade twitch and whip her head to face the three women who were gossiping about her beauty.

''Shh! She'll hear us,'' the woman warned but it was too late because she had heard them already.

''It's natural you idiots! Use aging cream for once!'' she yelled as the three women ran away from her. She rolled her eyes at the sight.

It's natural, she thought and suddenly saw a pink haired girl gazing at her.

She smirked and felt that she was the one she was looking for. She then walked towards her and noticed that the young girl was holding an ANBU captain's coat.

''Hey kid, why are you holding that coat?'' she asked while pointing at the white coat the pink haired was holding. ''Don't tell me they assign kids like you to be a captain. If that happens, I'm not coming back again.''

She noticed how scared the girl looked.

''Don't be scared. I'm not gonna eat kids like you,'' she said as she saw the girl nervously nod. She then smiled at her reaction.

''What's your name kiddo?'' she questioned.

She seem shy and weak but I somehow feel that there's something hidden inside her, Tsunade thought.

''U-Umm, S-Sakura Haruno,'' she answered while stuttering which made Tsunade laughed.

Sakura. nice name. I have decided to make her my student, she thought as she smiled at the pink haired girl in front of her.


Sakura couldn't believe it! The slug princess who was the former student of the Third Hokage asked her to be her student! She thought no one would train her because she was not experienced but this woman she met is now her sensei. And she's leaving tomorrow evening to travel with her! She smiled as she ran towards her house to inform her adoptive parents about the news.

As she entered the house while holding the coat, she ran towards her room and placed it on top of her bed. After placing the white coat carefully, she then went downstairs and informs them the news.

She then ran towards the dining room and saw that the two adults were eating their meal.

''Satoshi-san, Amata-san, I'm going to travel with Tsunade-shishou!'' she exclaimed which make the two cough and choke.

''What?'' the two exclaimed as if they can't believe that Tsunade asked Sakura to be her sensei.

''Are you joking, Sakura?'' Satoshi asked.

He couldn't believe her adoptive daughter's news.

''No, Satoshi-san. She asked me minutes ago!'' Sakura exclaimed as the two adults stared at each other.

''Um, Sakura-chan. Why don't you go upstairs and I'll talk with your father about that,'' Amata said as Sakura nodded with a smile plastered on her face.

She then left the two and went upstairs. She ran towards her bed and hugged the white coat. She was going to tell Itachi about the news too after she returned his coat.

It was already morning and Sakura was very excited. She was ready and was staring at her bag and her things. She was excited to see her new sensei too. She then carried her bag with Itachi's coat in her hand and went downstairs. She was about to say something to her adoptive parents but she suddenly felt something weird around the house. She then stopped walking and listened to their conversation in the dining room.

''We should not let her go! What will happen if we let her get hurt?'' she heard Amata's voice that seemed so worried for her. She silently smiled at the thought that someone cares for her. ''She hasn't reach eighteen yet and we need her to be alive!'' Akara continued. ''What if she dies in there? She's just a weakling!"

That made Sakura's heart throbbed.

''I know honey that's why we adopted her right? After she turned eighteen, we'll ask her to repay us with her money that her parents left her,'' she her Satoshi's words and his reason.

Now she knew why they were kind to her. It's because of the fortune her parents left her. She then decided to leave the house without them knowing. She was sad that she thought they loved her like she was their real child. But, they only act like that because she held fortune in her name. Now, she only has Tsunade and Itachi on her side.

After leaving the house, she then ran towards the place where Itachi always passed. If she could meet him there early, she can tell him her farewell.

She was not yet close to the place but she saw Itachi's figure walking with the person from yesterday. She then felt lucky to see him early and silently follow him.

''Itachi-ku-''

''Well Itachi, she's not that bad. I mean, she's cute but, isn't she different?'' Shisui asked as Sakura listened.

Who are they talking about? she thought as she continued to follow the two Uchiha.

After hearing his cousin's reason over and over again, Itachi then stared at him with a straight-faced reaction.

''She's like all the fan-girls who knows nothing but asking for attention. But her initiative was to climbed into a tree and asks me to let her down,'' Itachi answered. ''A weak kunoichi like her should stay inside the household to avoid inconvenient matters, rather than to attend mission who only cause trouble to one's team.''

That left Shisui shocked at his words. He couldn't believe that those were Itachi's thoughts about fangirls. Sure, for a guy like him who has many fanclubs he should felt lucky because many girls admire him, but this is Itachi Uchiha. The great prodigy of the Uchiha clan. And in this case, he has no interest in girls at this time.

The two were now in deep silence because of their conversation that left Shisui out of words. Itachi ignores the silence and continues the pace. It made him more relaxed.

Without them noticing, a tear fell down in the ground as the pink haired girl gazed at the two Uchihas' back while clenching the white coat. She was about to return the coat Itachi put down when he was about to get her from the tree yesterday, but, after hearing the conversation about her, she refused to move.

She can't believe that Itachi thought of her like that. She first met Itachi in the same position after he entered in the ANBU. At first, she was helping a cat from the tree but she suddenly slip and luckily, Itachi passed by and caught her. She then started to communicate to Itachi but seeing he ignored her, she plans to catch his attention by letting her down from the tree he always passed.

It's true that every time Itachi returned from a mission, Sakura asks him to let her down from the tree and she would be scolded by him. She loved seeing his reaction. But, after hearing his conversation, she never thought she was bothersome to him.

She then put the white coat back inside her bag and went to the place where she sat often.

She didn't know she fell asleep while sitting in the branch of the tree. It was almost sun to set and it was about time for her to go. She has no one to say goodbye because all of them thought of her like a bother. It was better to go in order to remove the bother then. That was what she decided. She was about to jump down when a familiar voice interrupted her.

''Hey Itachi, it's the pink haired girl from yesterday,'' the older Uchiha pointed at Sakura who stared at the two. She then made like she didn't listen to their conversation and acted normal as she was before.

''Itachi-kun! Help me get down!'' she yelled while waving at Itachi who stares at her with a blank expression.

''No,'' he answered which made Shisui shocked except Sakura who continues to smile even with his answer. She knew this was his answer and she accepted it.

''What? Are you kidding me? That girl wants you to let her down!'' Shisui exclaimed.

He felt sorry for the ten year old girl who yearned for Itachi's help. Itachi stared at his cousin with a serious expression.

''I refuse to go through this childish act again,'' he remarked. ''If you wish to help her, you yourself should be obligated to get her down.'' he finished, taking off and leaving Shisui scratching his head, staring at the pink haired girl who gazed at Itachi's retreating figure.

He sighed and when to the girl who was sitting in the tree. The tree was not really high and was in the same level with him. He then grabbed her tiny waist and lifted her up from the tree and set her to the ground.

''How did you get up there?'' he muttered as Sakura only answer him a giggle. He sighed and kneeled down to be level with her head. ''I apologize for my younger cousin's attitude. 'Please excuse him because he only came back from his first S-class mission as an ANBU captain.''

Sakura simply stared at him while dropping her smile, making Shisui nervous. After seconds, her smile returned which made Shisui glad.

''No need to apologize, Uchiha-san'' Sakura started. ''I'm used to it and this is the last time.'' she finished which made Shisui confused.

Last time? That means she'll stop? Shisui thought as he stared at Sakura who kept smiling which made him feel sad inside.

He then gave her a sad smile and patted her head.

''Well then, I'll be off now,'' he said as he stood up.

Sakura stared at him and nodded with a smile. She then waved her hand seeing Shisui leaving her who waved back.

''Arigato!'' she called out as Shisui gave her a thumbs up without facing her.

Sakura then left, skipping along. She failed to return Itachi's coat which was still in her bag. She thought she would keep it and decided to go to the place where she was planning meet her new sensei.

After arriving at the training ground, she saw Tsunade waiting for her. Tsunade then whipped her head around hearing Sakura walk inside the training ground. Tsunade came towards her with a glare in her eyes. Sakura gulped at the sight and was waiting for her punishment. She closed her eyes and waited but only felt a poked on her forehead. she then open her eyes to see Tsunade confused.

''What do you think I'm going to do with you? Rip your head off?'' she asked followed by a chuckle.

Sakura sadly smiled and stared blankly at her.

''So, did you bid your farewell to your friends?'' she asked as Sakura nodded.

She didn't have friends. All of the people she knew thought of her as a bother. Tsunade then nodded.

''Good, so we'll be leaving the village now and you'll be facing hell,,"

Tsunade laughed and Sakura nodded. She accepted the fate now to prove them that she was strong enough to be worth it.

''Come on, let's get going,'' Tsunade said as she walked ahead followed by Sakura going to the village's gate.

As they arrived, the guards opened the gates and Tsunade walked ahead. Sakura stared at the gate in front of her.

Thanks for the care. I'm sorry I'm a trouble, she thought as she stared above.

Tsunade noticed the girl was still standing and facing the gate with tears in her eyes. She sadly smiled at her student's reaction.

It's alright, Sakura. You'll be happy after you return, she thought.

''Sakura! come on!'' she called out as Sakura snapped from her thoughts and wiped her eyes.

She then smiled at Tsunade.

This is it, she thought as she ran towards Tsunade, going with her to a new experience that she'd never done before. She'd prove to them that she was a worthy kunoichi.