Sakura sighed as she rose from her seat beside of Neji, she couldn't put off going home any longer. Nodding her head in a silent goodbye she began to walk towards the exit.

"Hey Sakura-chan!"

Turning her head she quirked an eyebrow in question.

"Lets train tomorrow! Just you, me and teme. Say at 8? Is that okay?"

"Hai, Naruto, I'll see you there."

Turning she proceeded out the door with Takuto at her heels. She took in the familiar sights of the village until she found herself standing in front of an empty house. The windows acted as hollow eyes that glowered down upon her. Shivering slightly she pushed open the gate and noticed that grass had obviously been cut recently. But, the flower gardens that her mother had once taken such great pride in were lost in an overgrowth of weeds. She froze in place as memories assailed her. But they were interrupted just as quickly by the touch of a cold nose on her hand. Looking down she smiled at Takuto.

"I guess I can't put it off forever can I?" burying her head into his fur she breathed in his scent, "I'm glad you're here with me, I wouldn't be able to do this alone."

Sighing she walked through the door and into the house of the Haruno clan that had sat empty for far too many years.

-

The next morning Sakura found herself leaning lazily against the bridge looking out at the river. Across the village stores, food stands, and restaurants were just starting to open for the day. There was something unnerving to her about how peaceful Konoha was, perhaps she had just lived to many years on the edge to ever be able to appreciate a quiet lifestyle.

Rubbing her temples she tried to shake off the headache that was encroaching on her thoughts. Sighing she waited for the approach chakra signature to come closer and announce himself.

"Does that thing go everywhere with you?"

Sakura slowly turned around to look at Sasuke. He stood there awaiting a reply with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"Takuto understands the importance of loyalty. Such a rare trait, wouldn't you agree?"

"Hn."

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled as he ran towards them. "Ready?"

Flashing Naruto a smile, Sakura began to pull on her gloves and Sasuke started to walk towards the training area. They stood in silence for a moment until Naruto restlessly pulled out a kunai and tossed it at a tree.

"One on one, take turns?"

"No, a three-way spar."

Nodding their heads in agreement Naruto began to make hand signs and shouted, "Kage Bushin no Jutsu!" Seven more Narutos appeared, four ran at Sasuke and the other four at Sakura. Sakura fell back into a more comfortable fighting position and Sasuke started to race to meet his opponent head on. But, before either of the opponents could meet there was an explosion that separated the three. Naruto lay sprawled out on the ground and Sasuke and Sakura just waited for the smoke to clear. The smoke revealed a member of ANBU wearing a cat mask.

"Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke. You are to report to Hokage-sama immediately for a mission."

"Now? But, Sakura-"

"Its fine, I need to stop by the hospital anyways. We'll have a rematch some time, alright?"

"Hai! See you soon!" Naruto yelled as he began to jump towards the Hokage tower. Nodding his head in goodbye Saskue followed after Naruto.

-

"Excuse me! Excuse me!" the young receptionist cried in agony.

Sakura turned to face the young woman, "Yes?"

"Pets aren't allowed in the hospital, you'll have to go outside."

"Tell that to the Inuzakas," she laughed and continued down the hall.

"Ma'am stop I-"

"Do you realize who I am?" Sakura whirled around to look at the woman, her green eyes dancing in anger.

"Is there a problem here?" asked an elderly nurse, "Oh! Sakura-sama welcome back."

The receptionist eyes widened before she bowed her head in apology and murmured, "Gomen Sakura-sama."

"No," Sakura sighed, "I should be the one apologizing. I just need to go pick up a few things from my office. Its been many years since anyone other than Tsunade has questioned my authority. Forgive me?"

"Ha-hai!"

Releasing a tired sigh Sakura began to walk down the hallways that had consumed her life for so many years. Before they had always instilled her with a sense of hope, but now all she could focus on was the shadows of death that clung to certain patience.

Reaching the second floor she fumbled in her pocket until she found her key. Holding the door open just long enough for Takuto she quickly re-locked the door. But, before she could even flick the light switch a pain so sharp that it seemed like her blood had turned to acid caused her to crumple onto the floor. Grasping her head, a tear rolled down her cheek as she winced in obvious distress. She barely noticed Takuto's wet nose nudge her forehead in concern.

"I know," she whispered her voice cracking in pain and perhaps sorrow, "Give me a moment, I'll find it."

With eyes clenched shut, one hand held her head as the other guided her to the desk. Opening each drawer she desperately pushed aside papers. Finally she came upon one filled with small blue vials. Grabbing one she opened it and drank the contents. Blinking

her eyes several times, slowly her vision and mind cleared.

"Hm…about enough for 2 months maybe less. Not too bad. We'll have to start gathering ingredients now though."

Leaning back into the chair she closed her eyes and allowed the wonderful silence to overtake her. She could survive this, and she wouldn't need anyone's help. All she needed were moments like this….moments of solitude. A solitude that was interrupted far too soon by someone pounding on the door.

"Sakura-sama! Sakura-sama! Your help is needed in operation room 3. Sakura-sama!?"

Letting out a groan of frustration Sakura rose from her chair and opened the door. Trying to adjust to the bright lights in the hallway, Sakura looked at the elderly nurse from earlier.

"I'm not on duty today."

"Gomen Sakura-sama. But, Karin-sama is already in surgery and the patient desperately needs a level of expertise only you can currently provide."

Sakura rubbed her temple as guilt overtook her. It went against everything she believed in to not help another person in need. But, at the same time, she needed to start gathering ingredients.

"Who's the patient?"

"Sasuke Uchiha."


A/N: Hey sorry its taken so long to update. I do actually have more written than this but I thought that was a good place to end the chapter. Please read and review! Oh and I posted another story, right now its just a one shot but I'm hoping to add to it soon. If you guys are interested please check it out and let me know your thoughts.

Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto I would be able to fix my car...unfortanetly I don't so my car will continue to be a death trap.