A/N: Hello again. Now we are in the main story. Tried to make this one longer, opperative word being tried. Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers! Now it's time for...

Messages in the Stars

Chapter 4: Revelations

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. If I did I would have a laptop. Actually more like an army of mutant talking laptops.
Sakura's supisicions and anger continue to grow until reaching a peak. That is where we join her now, two years later...

Sakura had made up her mind.

The time was now, the moment was right.

She was leaving Konoha, forever.

After two years of disrespect and ignorance, she was through. Everyone acted like he was still alive. Was it to make her happy? Well it didn't, it just made her sick. Now as she took cover in a convenient stand of bushes close to the village gate, with the stars shining down upon her, she knew that as soon as she stepped out side her fate was sealed. Isn't it funny how things work out? Two members of Team 7 become missing-nin, and the other one dies, such a tragic ending. Honestly though, she didn't really care. She would go somewhere far away, where old memories no longer nagged at the edges of her perception, waiting for the moment to consume her...

With the whisper of shifting leaves she let her hiding place amongst the bushes and moved to a closer one, a large rock. Nearing it she noticed a commotion near the gate. Perfect, she could use it as a distraction and make her escape quietly. She wove herself in amongst the crowd, fighting her way to the side closest to the gate.

She was about to break free and make a run for it when suddenly she caught a snippet of conversation,

"The rumors were that he was dead, but now he's back, after two years!"

Something rooted her in placed. Two years? Dead? Figuring she might as well find out what all this ruckus was about she again proceeded to fight her way back into the crowd, this time headed for the front. Hearing what she thought was a familiar voice, she pushed harder and finally broke into the front ring of people.

Steadying herself Sakura turned to face the center, and gasped. At the very center was the object of all her worry, sorrow, and anger from the past two years of her life.

Totally taken aback, she cried out,

"N-Naruto-k-kun?!"

There was the feeling again, and she was out.


Sakura blinked. There was the familiar sight of white washed walls. What was she doing in the hospital. She sat up right, remembering last night, her plans, the crowd... and him!

"Tsk, tsk." Tsunade said sighing, "You more then most people know you shouldn't be sitting up so fast after just waking."

Sakura whipped around. Sitting next to the bed was Tsunade, taking sips from her favorite bottle of Sake while the nurses frowned in disapproval.

"What... What is going on?!" Sakura cried out, frustrated.

"Well," Tsunade said, "To put it simply, Naruto is not dead. No, he was on a mission for these past two years."

Sakura slammed her fist down on the bedside table, upsetting a small flower vase.

"You call that simple!? Now I'm even more confused! What the hell was he doing?!" She yelled, cursing for probably the first time in her life.

Tsunade placed her sake bottle a safe distance from Sakura before continuing,"He was on a training mission with Jiraiya. Preparations needed to made incase Akatsuki planned to strike again. It also allowed him to go into hiding without endangering the village," Tsunade took another sip,"I used him to gather information."

Sakura clenched her fists in her lap, before looking up, somewhat teary-eyed,"Why did you lie to me? Why did you tell me he was dead?"

Tsunade ran her hand through her hair, "Well, knowing you, once you figured out something was amiss you would've gone looking for him. I didn't want to place you in danger, or name you a missing-nin, seeing as you would have gone even if I ordered you not to do so. It was for the best."

Sakura was silent. For the best? Two years of growing hatred and sorrow was for the best? Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice Tsunade stand and stretch. Collecting her sake, the sannin lightly tapped her protégé's forehead. Sakura started and glanced up.

"As soon as you check out I have a mission for you. Come to my office," Tsunade whispered.

"Hai." Sakura replied.


A/N: Yes, I think it was longer! Well, please review and be looking for chapter 5! XD