Fighter

SunnyBurst30

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Also the plot has been change very much so. You'll see once you read ;)

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Leaving me Behind

"Kakashi-sensei, when are you going to teach us something new?" the loud mouth of Konoha asked as he started throwing his arms in the air. "I'm not going to be here very long, so you should teach me all you can!"

"Naruto the reason I became your sensei was to teach you the basics, such as teaching you how to claim trees without using your hands, not to teach you everything know to ninja," Kakashi said without even looking away from his perverted book. "Besides you and I both know that your father is very pleased that you have literally forced Jiraiya to become your master. So you'll learn from him once you leave the village to go train."

Naruto grinned in agreement at the thought, but that didn't stop him from pestering at his sensei about teaching him while they were training for one of the last times. "True, but that didn't stop you from teaching Sasuke the Chidori, and he has Orochimaru to teach him now as well. So how is that fair?"

The lonely female on the team watched as one of her teammates argue with their sensei as she stood back along with the Uchiha boy. Her crush, none other than, Sasuke Uchiha. Top of his class Sasuke had grabbed the attention of almost every girl in the village their age. Sometimes even younger and older as well. His older brother Itachi was also very popular within the female population. They were both gorgeous, smart, and excellent Shinobi.

She tried to keep her eyes from falling on the raven haired boy every minute; trying to keep her preoccupied by listening to Naruto rant. A sense of comfort that she developed; one that made her know that Naruto was alive and well. Sakura knew that Naruto was due to leave the Leaf in about a week or so with Jiraiya to train and become stronger, it almost hurt to think that she wouldn't see him in months. Maybe years. But she soon got over her sadness in seeing the blonde knuckle head knowing that the Uchiha boy that she has affection for was not going anywhere. For what she knew.

"Ne, Sasuke-kun, are you going to miss Naruto when he's gone?" Sakura had a feeling that she knew what he would say. Something along the lines of, 'Why would I miss the dope?' She knew not to expect the idea of something romantic such as 'Why would I miss him when I have you right beside me?' The pinkette knew not to expect that sort of thing… yet. She still had hopes that one day the young man from the Uchiha Clan would return her feelings. But the idea that he considered her a friend was good enough for her now. Perhaps her feelings would reach him, and before Ino's feelings could.

But he didn't say anything. Sasuke Uchiha just kept looking forward to where the blonde and the Copy Ninja were. Not even giving her a glance, much to Sakura's annoyance. Maybe she was considered a friend. She didn't know what the Uchiha felt or thought. Perhaps Naruto leaving would mean that they would both get closer… even if just a little. Then she could have bragging rights to Ino who was on the same team with Shikamaru and Choji.

As mean as it sounded… she was looking forward to Naruto Uzumaki leaving.

…

Sakura stood by the gates of Konoha early in the morning. Today was the day that Naruto was leaving for his new adventure with his perverted teacher. Kami bless that Fourth Hokage did not follow in the ways the perverted teacher thought when he was only a Genin like them.

It seemed that everyone from the Rookie Nine was here: Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, Shino, Kiba, and Hinata. Poor Hinata seemed like she was going to cry. Maybe when Naruto came back he would be smarter and finally notice the Hyuga girl's OBVIOUS affection for him, and then stop going after Sakura. Even the senseis were here to see Naruto off; Kakashi was right on time for once! That almost shocked Sakura to death. Everybody was here except the soon to leave blonde genin and one raven haired genin as well.

"Kakashi-sensei where's Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked as she looked up at the silver haired Jounin. Though he just looked back with a crinkle look in his one showing eye. One that Sakura learned not to trust of.

"Don't worry Sakura; he'll be here, soon."

Five minutes passed and the first sight of bright blonde hair could be seen coming towards some of the Rookie Nine. Along with the blonde was bright red, white, and more blonde hair that could be seen. Naruto was not only coming along with Jiraiya, but also his father and mother: Fourth Hokage Minato and Kushina Uzumaki.

When the group reached the gate everybody bowed in respect to the Hokage. "Hokage-sama, I take it you're seeing your son off?" Asuma asked with a knowing look, puffing smoke from his cigarette in the corner of his mouth.

"Hai, I trust that Jiraiya will take good care of him," Minato said as he looked at his old sensei and master." And won't do anything to ruin his still young twelve year old eyes with his 'research'," that remark came with an evil looking –but harmless- glare towards the old Sage. He didn't want his son to experience the same thing he had to at his age with. He still remembered the screaming women from when they were caught peeping on them for Jiraiya's book.

"AHHHH! I'm going to miss my little Naruto-kun so much!" and that's where most people could tell where the loudness of their fellow genin got his loudness from. Not to mention his big urge to not think and go into action quickly. Kishuna Uzumaki was one of a kind, but was highly respected in the field of women Shinobi. Along with men as well since they did not want to get hit by the once Red-Hot Habanero. She at the moment was hugging Naruto almost to death.

Everyone laughed, or at least most seemed to laugh. Since nobody could really tell what Shino did behind his coat that covered his mouth…

"Alright, Naruto are you ready to go?" Jiraiya asked looking down at his young pupil. A grin plastered on his face at the idea that maybe this young, idiotic, genin could become like his father. Become the Hokage of the Leaf like he has always dreamed to be.

"Wait! Where's Sasuke-teme?" That earned him a good smack on the head by not only Ino, but also Kushina. Ino hit him for calling her love a 'teme', and from his mother for just saying teme in general. Saying along the lines of 'do not curse in front of your mother'. Sakura didn't though, out of respect for the Hokage. She didn't think that he liked seeing his son get hit.

"Don't worry Naruto. Orochimaru said that Sasuke and he would be arriving slightly later than planned. He said we could earthier wait or go ahead. He told me that Sasuke really didn't care earthier way. Though I hardly believe that…," Jiraiya said as he looked back to see if even could get a sight of the snake sanin. "Really don't care whether we leave them in the dust or not."

Sakura was confused. What did they mean by leaving them in the dust or not? "Jiraiya… what do you mean by that?" Sakura's eyes held curiosity and for some reason her heart was telling her that she didn't want to know the answer to that question.

With a puzzled look Jiraiya turned from looking at the emerald eyed girl towards Naruto. "Didn't you tell her that Orochimaru and Sasuke are also coming?" Naruto didn't reply. In fact he looked away, his azure eyes staring at the coble road that led out of the village. It was still early morning the sun just now fully showing its golden rays. People did seem to care that he was leaving. It showed since they all got up early to wish him good luck and to say goodbye. Even Shikamaru Nara, who looked like he wanted to fall asleep on the ground where he stood.

The Rookie Nine went quiet, with the exception of Ino throwing a fit about the situation. Sakura on the other hand froze in shock. Looking up to her sensei she gave him a questioning look that could be a mix of anger, confusion, and sadness. Kakashi almost couldn't bear to look at her. Minato, the Hokage, also noticed the look in the eyes of the kunoichi that was on his son's team.

"Kakashi, I thought I told you to make sure Sakura-chan knows of their leaving… both of them," Minato was not happy with his old student, but he would not voice his displeasure. Kushina just nodded her head in agreement, herself being in the presence of the two when her husband had given Kakashi the orders to tell Sakura.

Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck with his hand as he gave a small, weak chuckle. "Well you see… I just-" he couldn't even finish his sentence with the loud voice of his blonde student.

Naruto couldn't bear the tension of the situation anymore. He knew should have told Sakura that he and the teme were leaving, but he couldn't bear to see her hurt at the news. So the sight of Sasuke's raven hair and Orochimaru's whiter than white skin was a very welcomed sight. "Sasuke-teme what took you so long?" Naruto kind of knew the answer, but he still asked. Just to seem normal in the awkward situation the Jiraiya had created on accident.

Reaching the blonde Sasuke just sighed as he looked at Orochimaru with slight annoyance, "he talked to my father for fifteen minutes and then Itachi for another twenty. I would've been the first one to be here, but he insisted that I took longer to say goodbye to my whole family."

Sakura stepped forward, hands clasped together in front of her. Her eyes almost looked scared as she started at the young Uchiha. So he was really leaving. He was leaving just like Naruto to go train and become stronger with his master. The pinkette wanted to ask if it was true, or better yet how long he would be gone.

Ino beat her to it though.

"Sasuke-kun! Don't leave me! Please don't go, can't you train here with Orochimaru-sama?" Sasuke though completely ignored her though. By passing her as he made his way with Orochimaru by his side in a silent slow walk.

When the raven haired boy got to where his sensei was standing he stopped; looking up at the old pervert that loved reading Icha Icha Paradise even during missions. Sasuke gave him a nod, but if reading Sasuke was easy then you would have seen that his eyes held words of 'thank you' and 'see you soon'. Kakashi just nodded also and said good luck to his prized student that learned the Chidori, as his other male student came up to him and started saying how much he would miss him and how he would show how much stronger he had gotten when he gets back.

Sasuke also stopped in front of Sakura. She wanted so much to just utter anything to her crush… anything. But nothing would come out; not a 'please stay' or a 'good luck'. Sasuke didn't say anything as well; he just stood there for a few seconds before nodding and walking away. More and more towards the gate that he would soon pass and walk miles and miles away to who knows where. Along with Naruto, Orochimaru-sama, and Jiraiya.

Not her. Nothing of this even involved her. Just her two stronger, faster, and braver teammates, that she won't see for as long as they train with their masters. Did they even care?

Not even ten minutes later and a hug from Naruto, did Sakura watch as her two teammates get farther and farther away from the gates of Konoha. Away from her.

…

She stood at the gates for what seemed forever. Shinobi returning from their missions stared at her as they walked past, wondering what this little genin was waiting for. Waiting for something or someone that wouldn't come back any time soon. Her eyes just looking at the path that two very promising genin had walked upon. Never once looking back to see her sad eyes, never to see as tears cascaded down her cheeks.

Never once

It was almost noon by the time that Sakura's sensei came to find her after he thought that everyone had returned to where they live, train, or work. But not her, she didn't return. Word got around that there was a small pink haired genin just standing at the opening of the gates.

At first he didn't approach her. Maybe because he didn't know how to or perhaps he didn't want to. He knew his female student was a sensitive one and was probably not taking the leave of not just Naruto but also Sasuke very well. Especially since she didn't know that the young Uchiha would be leaving with Naruto. He should have told her when he was ordered to, but he just couldn't bear to see her like… like how she is now. It was in his wrong, but he did it in the best interest of her wellbeing and emotional state. And he also believed that Sasuke would have not appreciated Sakura trying to convince him to stay with her.

Finally taking a deep breath, Kakashi walked up to the pinkette.

He guessed that she probably sensed him- she was always good at that sort of thing- because before he could put a hand on her shoulder, in the way he always tried to comfort people by doing, Sakura asked him a question that he should have seen coming.

"K-Kakashi-sensei… am I… am I a bad Kunoichi?" she didn't look at him as she asked the question. But he could see her start to shake a little. Not from the cold September breeze, but from trying to hold back the tears that started to make an appearance in her glazed eyes once again that day.

"You're not a bad Kunoichi Sakura," Kakashi sighed, "so don't say things like that. You will advance along like and with everybody else."

Something in Sakura stopped her shaking. Instead she froze completely. No words passed through them as Kakashi waited for her to say something. With a speed Kakashi has not seen in Sakura before the green eyed girl turned towards him, away from the path that the Uzumaki and the Uchiha had taken with their masters by their sides.

"Then why can't I do anything?! Why don't I have a master to teach me how to become stronger?! How come I'm not getting to go on an adventure outside the village for who knows how long?! I'm told that I'm weak, annoying, and have no use on Team 7, and I really do seem to believe it now!"

Kakashi's lone grey eye widened at the outburst of the usually bright and cheerful girl. He couldn't answer all her questions, nor could he deny them. He didn't know why she didn't have a master; he didn't know why she wasn't having an adventure like Naruto and Sasuke. But he could not deny that she was the weakest link on Team 7.

"Sakura… right now things are complicated. Team 7-

"What Team 7?!" even after bringing brought up to not interrupt she couldn't help it. So much anger and sadness really did make you lose your common sense. "Without Naruto and Sasuke all we have is myself and you as my sensei! And we all know that I can't do any missions alone, nor could I complete them. This isn't a team Kakashi-sensei, this is just I," she gestured to herself to make her point even more.

"Sakura…"

It was silent once again

Without her even realizing it tears started to flow down Sakura's cheeks. She was so angry at herself for this. She was so weak that she couldn't even yell and argue without tears showing. But she knew that Kakashi-sensei did not deserve to be yelled at. "I-I'm sorry Kakashi-sensei… I just needed to let some steam out."

"It's fine Sakura, the Hokage will find out what to do in this situation," Kakashi said as he finally placed his comforting hand upon Sakura's small shoulder. "How about we go get some ramen? My treat?"

With a small smile, Sakura nodded which Kakashi copied in return. Kakashi turned around facing the lively village where he lived to protect along with many others. Walking that way, Kakashi set his walking pace slow, not wanting to make the pinkette hurry in any way.

Before Sakura followed she turned to face the path out of the village once again. Maybe it was just the heat of the moment or maybe she was going crazy, but something inside her seemed to know what she needed to do, but she wouldn't know just yet.

Even with that new feeling within her that didn't make the feeling of abandon any less hurtful.

Both of them really did go. She knew Naruto was leaving, and she was going to miss the knuckle head she had grown to cherish as friend and teammate. But Sasuke leaving was not something she prepared for. With a sad look she made on last thought about the whole situation. Perhaps it wasn't one that most people would think. But she couldn't help it, because it was really true.

They left, to get stronger, faster, better with their masters. To achieve their goal that all Shinobi should have and want to reach. Leaving everything behind: family, friends, Konoha.

"They left me behind."

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A/N: Alright I have finally submitted something! AND IT ISNT EVEN TO UPDATE ONE OF MY OTHER STORIES! T-T I'm so sad aren't I? Also I'm pretty sure you have noticed that I have changed quite a few things. Orochimaru is not a bad guy, Minato and Kushina are both alive, the Uchiha clan has not been killed, and Sasuke has not left the village (well he left, but.. you know with permission from the fourth Hokage).

Anyway please review if you would like.

And maybe I might even update this regularly… or even at all…

Until next time,

SunnyBurst30