Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Sakura had finished her bowl of ramen and was actually quite satisfied, considering the fact that she had been going through intense training, practically living off soldier pills. Kakashi-sensei had already told her once or twice that it wasn't good for her, But whatever, she thought, as she finished her bowl off. Eat now, think later. Of course, since she was eating, she'd stopped thinking, and was startled in a very un-kunoichi like way when a messenger popped himself down in front of her. She jumped and nearly broke the bowl. Sakura was gripping it tightly now. "Is there a mission for us now?" she asked.

"No, the Hokage wishes to see you," he said calmly, in that infuriating way Sakura hated. The bowl she was holding cracked just a little. Tsunade knew her too well. She had done this just to annoy Sakura. And make her get over to the office faster. She sighed. "Tell her I'm coming," she told the messenger. "Naruto as well," the messenger nodded at Naruto, who was spacing out next to Sakura. She slapped him quickly, then nodded back at the messenger. He disappeared in a flash of smoke. Sakura gave a stunned Naruto a firm pat on the back, the said, "C'mon, Tsunade-sama is waiting for us."

"I've received information that I think you should know about, Sakura, Naruto," started Tsunade. Sakura noted that she seemed a bit tense. What was she afraid of? "Tsunade-sama?" she whispered.

"Sasuke-kun has killed Uchiha Itachi," she said. Naruto looked like he was going to burst in suprise.

In fact, he did.

"WHAT?!" he cried. Sakura just put her hands over her mouth in shock. Sasuke had finally fufilled his life-long goal. She began to wonder how he was feeling. This made her unprepared for what Tsunade said next. "He could be coming back to Konoha," she said softly. Sakura immediately pulled up a chair so she could sit. Naruto, on the other hand, looked like he was going to pass out. "It's alright. Take deep breaths. Calm down," coached Sakura, in an attempt to keep Naruto concious. Thankfully, it worked. "He's coming back?" she demanded. Was she really ready to forgive Sasuke? She had no idea. She wished she knew if he had a place in this town now. Probably not.

But of couse, he was an Uchiha.

Naruto was thinking the same thing as Sakura. Sasuke was the last of a very powerful clan. He would likely be coming back to open arms. Through him, Konoha would only get stronger. Tsunade seemed to read their minds. She practically said so. "I know what you're thinking," said Tsunade, "And sadly, you're right. Having him here would make Konoha much stonger. That's why I've decided to put him on probation." Tsunade suddenly stood up. "Alright. I think you need some time to absorb this. You may leave," she concluded, as she shuffled a stilled stunned Naruto and Sakura out the door. When they were a fair distance away Tsunade shut the door and sighed. "What more shall that spitefull clan inflict on us?" she asked the ceiling.

Sakura recovered slightly when she walked out the door. "Do you want to go train?" she asked Naruto. He nodded and smiled. Then the two went off to enjoy the few days they had left as a two-man team.