It was a quite day in Konoha, but with the head Baka leaving for his training again, it wasn't surprising. Naruto had been gone for one month now, and his absence was starting to affect me. The both of us were usually inseparable, and not hearing the constant invitation to Ramen made me feel quite homesick. Nerveless, I have been getting majority of my training done as well. I was heading down to Tsunade's office at the moment and passing by the empty village made me think of how the one idiot made everything more lively.

"Morning Sakura-chan!"

"Ah, morning Konohamaru." I smiled.

"Are you getting a new mission today! I heard the Old lady was asking for you."

"Old lady? Do you mean Tsunade. Gosh you sound just like Naruto sometimes, you know that?" I laughed.

"Hey! I am nothing like that fox! I'll become a way better Hokage then him!" He crossed his arms and pouted.

"There you are, at it again! I'll see you later, stay out of trouble." I patted his spiked brown hair and continued to the Hokage's Tower. As I reached the large wooden door's leading to Tsunade's office I could hear a familiar voice on the other side.

"Come in." Tsunade said.
I was greeted by her and by the owner of the familiar voice, Kakashi.

"Ah, Sakura. Just the girl I wanted to see." She said.

"Morning Tsunade. Morning Kakashi." I bowed by head towards them.

"We have a mission for you, an S-classed mission."

"A Solo Mission?" I asked.

"Yes."
An S-classed? Sure I've been on multiple ones before, but always with Naruto or some sort of assembled squad. Never alone."

Shall I continue the details?"

"Sorry, Yes Ma'am."

"As you already know we've had difficulty tracking the Sound recently and it's curtail we know the whereabouts no matter what. It is rumored that some Sound Nin are joining with the Akatsuki to capture the remaining Jinchuuriki."

"But Naruto-"

"Yes, we are already aware of that." She cut me off.

"In order to gather the specific information of both the Sound Nin and Akatsuki's arterial motives we need someone to gain their trust. We need you Sakura to make them believe you are a rouge ninja. Make them believe you want to betray the leaf; just like they have." She said.

"But how am I supposed to get away with that? I am already known from my pervious fights with both the Sound and the Akatsuki, they would never trust me." I explained.

"Ah, well Sakura. We didn't say you would be seen like that." Kakashi said.

"I don't understand? They will still recognize me."

"Not if you are a boy." Kakashi said.

"Huh?" I chocked out.

"You wont partake in this mission as a female. You will be given a different name and a different identity. After today, Sakura Haruno will not exist." Tsunade replied.

"You have one of the best chakra controls in all of the leaf, so concealing your own will not be a problem. No one will recognize you, but you will have to cut off all ties from your previous life a Sakura Haruno." Kakashi explained.

"What will happen if anyone asks about me? What will you tell Naruto?" I asked.

"You abandoned the leaf. That is what we will tell anyone who asks." Tsunade replied.
Abandoned the leaf? That's all I will be remembered as. A traitor. I am sure there's another way to get access to this information. With a stronger squad we can do this without any false assumptions.

"We are running out of time. With the Kyuubi training the village's best ninja are becoming minimal. This is the only sufficient plan that has a chance of success we can go with. It is a lot to ask for, but if this plan does succeed, you will be the leaf's hero." Tsunade explained.

I could save everyone this way. Make sure I protect the ones who have always protected me in the past.

"I'll do it."

They both nodded their heads at me, while Tsunade had a faint smile on her lips.
"Your name will be Akio Yamada. You leave the village in Two days; pack only what you need. No personal belongings that could jeopardize your identity. I wish you the best of luck Sakura." Tsunade said.

I bowed my head and made my way outside the large wooden doors before I was stopped by Kakashi.

"We have to make you look unrecognizable, remember? Follow me Sakura." He said.
We headed down the hallway and entered the third door on the right. Inside there had already been a table prepared with hair dye, scissors, and male clothing.

"I had a feeling you'd agree to the mission so I took the time to prepare this, for your 'transformation.' "

"Uh… thanks, I guess?"

I sat down in front the table and allowed Kakashi to do as he pleased.

"It's a shame to cut away such pretty long hair. Will have to dye it too. Black or Brown?" He asked.

It's true that my hair had grown out. It was down to my waist now and I was planning to continue taking care of it.

"Brown." I replied.

And in one smooth stroke of a Kunai, the floor was consumed by pink.
I kept my gaze plastered on the floor as I felt Kakshi begin cutting the rest of my hair. All that could be heard in the room was the constant 'snip' of the scissors and the occasional yelp that escaped my lips because Kakashi was defiantly not gentle.
I could feel the dye being applied into my scalp; it was relaxing, and I began to doze off.

"Okay, there you have it. No more Sakura Haruno." He said.

I looked up and was surprised at what I was greeted with. There was no more pink, it was as if the pink was never there to begin with. Instead I had the perfect shade of Hazel nut brown, which had been cut short from the sides and long from the top and middle. It was a pleasant style, attractive almost.

"Now time for your clothing." I was given black pants and a red shirt with black sleeves. No emblems on the back, I was leaving all that behind. Kakashi had also placed some loss strands of bandages on top of the clothing.

"Uh, what's this for?" I asked.

He scratched the back of his abnormally spiked silver hair.
"Haa, well you see Akio. Guys shouldn't have…" And he started patting his chest.

I could feel the heat rise to my face as I quickly exited the room and went to change elsewhere. Taking off my red vest with the proud Haruno symbol on the back made me feel sorrowful. Was I really doing the right thing? I finished changing and made my way back to Kakashi. He looked up from a small orange book he held in his hand and I saw his eyebrows rise.

"Well, uh; how do I look?" I awkwardly shifted in my spot.

"Like one of us. I can't even recognize you." He said.
He got up from his seat and made his way towards me and softly patted my new head of hair,

"Good luck Sakura, I am honored to have been your Sensei."

I couldn't tell if he was smiling because of the black mask he always had attached to his face, but when the sides of his eyes cringed up, so did mine.
"Thank you Kakashi."

I made my way outside the tower and back to my own place to pack for my solo mission. On the way home I felt the gazes of strangers and then I realized, I looked like a complete outsider. I tried smiling to local villagers and one girl did what I least expected, blushed. And then I could hear the 'whispers'.

"Kyaa! Who's that? Is he visiting, he's so handsome!" They squealed.
I picked up my pace on going home; I didn't know whether to be flattered or completely mortified. My house finally came into view, but so did the two figures sitting on my door step; Ino and Shikamaru

"I haven't seen her all day! She was suppose to help me out in the shop today too!" Ino yelled.
That's right, I was suppose to stop by the shop today. I can't be seen looking like this while going into my house, it will look too suspicious. I'll fail the mission before I get the chance to start it.

"Why did you drag me along again? Troublesome woman." Shikamaru yawned.
I'll just have to take the way back, and hope I'm not seen.

"Hey you!"

I kept walking.

"Oii! Don't ignore me!"

I turned around and there stood Ino with one hand on her hip looking straight at me.

"I have never seen you around before. Who are you?" She asked.

I made sure to lower the pitch of my voice, "My name's Akio, I'm just visiting." I replied.

"Ah, well nice to meet you." She giggled.

"My names Ino, and this here is the lazy genius, Shikamaru."

"Troublesome."

"If you need any help around the village, I would be more than happy to show you around." She said while playing with a piece of her hair.
Just wait a second. Was she flirting with me? Did I really look that different?

"Ah, thank you, but I'm all right." I bowed my head and quickly made my way around the corner, not before hearing Shikamaru's low chuckle.

My balcony became visible and I climbed up the stoned wall before I had another encounter. As I entered the room, I let out a sigh I didn't even know I was holding before. I started packing for the mission and remembered, nothing personal.
My weapon pouch was now fully stocked, and I had taken some of my dad's clothing for the mission. I was skimming over the rest of my supplies as my eyes landed on the old Team Seven photo. It had been 4 year's sense we had all been together. A sad smile formed on my face and I slowly placed the photo face down.

Two Days Later.

I had woken up early today. Tsunade said to leave the village before anyone would notice you had disappeared. People have asked about the whereabouts of Sakura Haruno for the past two days and it was simply overlooked. Tsunade wouldn't announce I was a traitor until I fully reached the Sound Village. It was exactly a days journey to get to the village and I was too send a messenger Hawk as soon as I stepped foot there.

I quickly made my way through the village, and the Konoha gates came into view; the last time I'd ever see these gates. I ran into the forest without looking back and kept moving forward at a high speed.

I'd be at the Sound Village soon. Turning back was still an option, but I refused to be so weak. The question kept coming up , Was this mission really worth it? Throwing away everything, and everyone for a simple rumor of the enemy joining forces. I dedicated myself to the Leaf, so why did they just throw me away? I am honored yet hurt by such an offer. I hope everyone can forgive me, I hope I can become the Leaf's Hero.

"This way Suigetsu"

I froze, that voice was so familiar yet so unrecognizable. There's no way that would be his voice. I still wasn't beside the village, so why would ninjas be in this area?I concealed my chakra so not even the strongest nin could detect me. I slowly poked my head out and I was greeted by two men. One I had never seen before. He had white hair and wore a purple shirt that was too tight on him. The other man, had been the one I loved all my life.

Sasuke.

Thanks' for reading the first chapter, I hope you enjoyed it! Please tell me what you think and if I should continue. Review's would be really appreciated! Thanks again ^_^

I don't own Naruto !