Ok here's the next chapter! I hope you guys enjoy it!

Sakura POV

Tsunade stared, imposingly, at the three of us from behind her big, mahogany desk. "And what, my I inquire, can I do for the three of you?"

She was so drunk. Three years of having her as my mentor and sensei made me perceptive of her drunken-ness. Luckily, we caught her in one of her more docile drunken dazes.

"Tsunade-sensei," One benefit of putting up with her for the past couple of years was my built up immunity to all her intimidation techniques, (Like her imposing stares.) a feet, I am proud to say, that even Naruto hasn't accomplished yet. "I—We were wondering if any news of Naruto's whereabouts have been discovered yet."

She waved her hand at me dismissively, "Like I told you yesterday and the day before that, Sakura," I blushed as my teammates glanced at me. "Naruto is a highly advanced ninja, capable of protecting himself and equipped with enough knowledge and power to defeat any ninja who dares threaten him. You, really, have nothing to worry about."

I sighed but was relentless nonetheless, "Don't you think its odd, how he just ups and disappears on us?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow at me. "A-And sometimes he doesn't even leave his apartment for days and—!"

"Are you implying, Sakura, that you believe Naruto to be plotting something? Rallying against the very village he has sworn to protect? The village that he vows one day to be Hokage of?" I flinched at her accusations.

"No of course not! I would never suspect Naruto of treason! Its just that I'm worried that I'm loosing—" I flushed a fiery red as I realized my blunder, "I mean we're worried that we're loosing him." It was too late to take away my previous words so I just burned in silence hoping that someone would save me from my embarrassment.

"What Sakura is trying to say is, that we're all concerned for our favorite spontaneous, knuckle-headed ninja."

Thank you Kakashi-sensei.

I saw Sai, in my peripheral vision, nod in agreement. Tsunade sighed and massaged her temple, "Have you all even attempted to talk to him about this? Tried to tell him that he's worrying you?" We all guiltily shook our heads. "Well there's your problem, someone needs to—"

"I'll do it!" I spoke up immediately, not wanting to miss a chance to find out the reasons behind my best friend's mysterious behavior.

"Good, now get out so I can enjoy the rest of my paperwork-less night." I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. Good old Tsunade.

As we exited Hokage Tower Kakashi stopped me, "Well here's your chance Sakura." I tilted my head to the side and gave him a questioning look, so he elaborated. "It seems our little Naruto has finally come home." He nodded to something ahead of us.

It was brief but I just saw a flash of golden-yellow as it disappeared over a distant rooftop. I knew that color anywhere; no one in all of Konoha, or any other village for that matter, had hair that vibrant.

I didn't bother giving my teammates any sign of farewell; I'd be seeing them again soon enough. I jumped from roof to roof pushing myself to my limits in hopes of catching my elusive friend. "Naruto!"

I watched, victoriously, as he skidded to a stop and turned to see who had called his name. He smiled at me as I approached, "Hey Sakura-chan! What's—?"

I bonked him on the head before he could finish, "Thats for leaving and scaring the shit out of me for not notifying anyone of where the hell you were!" I smirked when he didn't answer because he was too busy clutching his head and mumbling about 'scary girls with inhuman amounts of strength'. "You really worried us this time Naruto, I mean six days? Where on earth have you been?"

He laughed sheepishly and scratched the back of his neck in his trademark fashion, "You know me Sakura-chan, just here and there…"

I sighed at his persistent vagueness, "Naruto," All humor faded from his face as he recognized my tone. "Why are you keeping this from us, from me? I'm your best friend you know you can tell me anything."

I frowned when I saw his guilty expression. "I was following a lead, a lead on Sasuke." My frown only deepened as I heard his explanation. He was still leaving something out…

I looked down at my feet as I psyched myself into saying my next sentence. "Y-You don't have to do this anymore Naruto. You should know that I've given up on Sasuke, I no longer harbor any of that adolescent love I once felt for him. I know you only pursue him because of that stupid promise I made you make all those years ago, but I'm telling you Naruto that its okay to break it! We don't need him anyw—"

"What the hell are you talking about!?" I jumped, looking up for the first time since I started my little speech. "So what if your intimate feelings for Sasuke have evaporated, he's sill your friend! And even if you don't consider him a friend he is still your comrade!"

His eyes flashed dangerously while he breathed heavily. I watched his fists as they shook at his sides, like he was restraining himself. This was one of those rare moments that I have actually been afraid of Naruto.

"Those who abandon their comrades are lower then scum, or have you forgotten that Sakura?" I froze as I flashbacked to my early genin years, all the way back to the bell test with Kakashi and the newly formed Team Seven. I shook my head, willing the painful memories away.

I looked up at him with cold determination in my eyes and laughed dryly, "He stopped being our comrade the moment he abandoned this village, the moment he abandoned us. He chose power over friendship and bonds, you need to realize that Naruto." I turned to walk away but was stopped by Naruto's voice.

"Your wrong, and not just about Sasuke, but your also wrong about why I chase him," I turned to face him fully, we were now about five feet away from one another.

"I chase him not because of the promise I made you when we were thirteen, but because he represents everything that I am; He is my motivation, my inspiration, my strongest bond, my first friend, but most of all…he is my most precious person."

I felt the unfamiliar sting of tears in the corners of my eyes, it had been ages since the last time I cried. I vowed to never show this kind of weakness again after that run in with Sasuke two years ago, where had all that determination gone? My heart nearly stopped as I watched Naruto pivot on his heel and begin to walk away.

No, I couldn't loose Naruto too.

I jumped up, (When had I fallen to my knees?) and ran to him crashing into his back and hugging him from behind. My voice was thick with unshed tears and I prayed that my thoughts would be voiced coherently, "If he is all those things to you, then what am I?" I spoke into the back of his jacket, my words coming out muffled but still strong.

He sighed and turned around to face me, holding me at arms length, "You were my best friend, my confident, the person I trusted above all else, someone, I thought, who knew me better then anyone else in this village…" I choked back a sob when I realized he was speaking in past tense. "Was I wrong Sakura? Because the Sakura that is all those things to me would never give up on anyone, even if that person had hurt her as severely as Sasuke did. So you tell me, Sakura, what happened?"

He released his hold on my shoulders and walked away. This time I didn't stop him.

Ok well Sakura didn't really confess the way I wanted her to but I guess that just creates more drama for later chapters, right? She is going to get a little heart-broken but I'm not going to all out bash her. (Unless you guys want me to XD) I'm torn between making Naruto wait a whole week before seeing Sasuke or having a mini time-skip so there can be some smut in the next chapter...I guess I'll leave it up to you guys!

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