Thank you very much for the review. The first review I got made me inspired. I hope you like this next chapter.

Chapter 4

It has been four years already since Sakura has left. She hasn't sent even one letter to anyone in Konoha except to the Hokage which came with the letter from the Kazekage. Everyone had to get used to a Konoha without the ever cheerful Sakura especially her closest friends.

Naruto and Hinata have been going out on dates more. Yup they're officially a couple. But we can't say the same for Tenten and Neji who are constantly splitting up because of Neji's cold attitude and Ino and Shikamaru well they broke up just a week ago both not being able to stand each others attitude. Lee? Well Lee has been trying to date frequently but doesn't seem to care much because he has been practicing a new taijutsu with the ever youth spirit loving Gai.

Sasuke he's been really cold. And I mean colder than before. It was because of Sakura leaving Konoha which led him to realize that he loved her and wants her back. The Hokage wouldn't allow him to go and follow Sakura and his problem is also the question where to find her. He wanted her back. Sure the news they've been getting from the Kage's when Sakura seems to leave a place has been reassuring but still who would know especially since Sakura requested a few months of self training at some unknown place after her training with the Kazekage.

Flashback

A letter from the Kazekage was received by Tsunade. She called upon her friends and parents as usual to let them know what Sakura's condition is. It has been like this every time a letter arrives from the Kage's signaling her completion of the training there.

"Tsunade, it's a pleasure for me to tell you that Sakura has become an extraordinarily strong medicnin and ninja. She has grown a lot from when she had come here and from when you sent me her picture more than three years ago. You would be very happy with the results that she has reached. I can say that she would be a great candidate to replace one of us five leaders in the future. I would definitely choose her if Gaara wasn't here. She's smart. She makes good decisions and attack strategies. The other leaders have also praised her for her dedication and ability to learn fast and I agree with them. I expect her to be a very good asset not only as a ninja of Konoha but also as a part of all the countries that she has visited. Wish to hear news from you soon signed Kazekage."

All thought that after hearing the news she would already be returning to Konoha but another letter was read to them by the Hokage. Yup it was Sakura asking for a few more months to train on her own. But she assured that she'd be back in no time.

End flashback

Sasuke was always waiting in the favorite spot of Sakura in the cherry blossom garden. Always and of course he still trained. He has become stronger, much, much stronger than before. We can say that he would have a chance in killing his brother already but still no one would know. All of them grew stronger and better at their skills.

Today he had trained all morning, ate lunch with Naruto and the others in Icharaku Ramen House. And then he retreated to his usual resting place.

"When will you come back, Sakura?" he whispered in the wind while staring at the sunset.

Three persons wearing cloaks were in front of the Konoha gates. The guards on duty that night were alert.

"Who are you and what is your business here?"

One of them took off the hoodie of the cloak. It was a woman with the hitai- ate bearing the symbol of Konoha.

"I am Haruno Sakura. And these are my companions from the hidden Mist valley." She answered.

"Sakura-san, Haruno Sakura- san?" the guard repeated.

"Yes." The gates opened and they entered. They headed straight to the office of the Hokage.

Standing in front of the Hokage were Sakura and two others. Tsunade scanned them. 'One was a woman with shoulder length purple hair while the other was a man with unusual light blue spiked hair. They were a very unusual sight. Sakura's hair was covered with the cloak but she still had pink hair that's for sure.' She noted.

"Tsunade- sama I have finished my training and have come back as promised. These are my two loyal companions from the hidden Mist valley. They are very talented ninja's." Sakura said. Her two companions bowed to Tsunade and introduced themselves.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Hokage- sama. My name is Yuzawa Maki." The purple headed woman said.

"And I am Atari Homura." The man introduced.

"Yes, welcome to Konoha. And you, Sakura welcome back. Everyone has missed you." Tsunade said with a smile.

"Thank you. I'm glad to be back." She said with a small smile.

"Now I am guessing that these two need to stay somewhere. And they would need a Konoha Hitai- ate. I will arrange a house for the two of them. Will that be okay?" Tsunade asked looking at the guests. The two just looked at her and then at Sakura.

"Tsunade- sama if it is possible I would like to stay with them." Tsunade was caught off guard by this statement of Sakura.

"Don't you want to see you're parents? Don't you want to stay with them?"

"I will see them but it is best if I stay with Maki and Homura." She answered expressionless.

"I see. Okay then Shizune will take you to the house. I'll see you again." She waved at them that they may leave with Shizune.

After Shizune have taken Sakura, Maki and Homura to the house they would stay in she immediately went to Kurenai and Anko who were in a bar to tell them of Sakura's return. Sakura on the other hand went to her parents' house where they had a long talk and catching up to do. After which she returned to the other house where Maki and Homura were staying.

The next day

All of the jounins already heard that Sakura was back except for Sasuke. He was sitting at his usual spot when all of them went to tell him the news.

"Hey! Sasuke!" They shouted. He turned to face them.

"Have you heard the news Sasuke- kun?" Ino asked.

"Hn."

"Sasuke you bastard! She's back!" Sasuke's eyes widened at what Naruto just said.

"What?" he asked to make sure.

"Sakura is back." He ran and they followed him.

'She's back. Sakura is back. I have to see her. I need to see her.' He thought. All of them were smiling while running behind Sasuke.

"Sakura- sama what would you like to do today?" Homura asked.

"Oh…please don't refer to me as Sakura- sama while there are other people present. It's awkward. I don't know what I want to do. Why don't we just walk around the village? It's the first time you two have come here am I right?" She asked smiling.

"Yes, Sakura- sama. It is our first time here." Maki answered as they walked out of the house.

They strolled in the roads of Konoha and finally arrived at the training grounds. There they sat on the ground. Sakura took off the hoodie of her cloak. The gang (you know, Sasuke, Naruto, Hinata, Ino, Lee, Tenten, Neji with Kakashi, Kurenai and Anko.) arrived at the training grounds and spotted pink.

"There she is." Naruto shouted out. The two people with Sakura jumped up and stood in a fighting stance. Sakura didn't turn to see who came. She already knew who they were.

"Hey, Sakura welcome back!" Ino shouted as she was running towards her. The two took off their cloaks and glared at them.

"Stop right there!" Maki warned.

"What the… hey purple head get out of the way! Who the heck are you anyways?" Ino asked angrily. The others went beside Ino. Sasuke stared at Sakura who did not react at all.

"We should ask you the same question." Homura smirked.

"Why you freak head!" Naruto screamed out loud. The pink haired woman just sighed and stood up. She faced them and signaled Maki and Homura to stand down with a wave of her hand. They just bowed to her. This surprised everyone.

Everyone looked at her. She has matured. They noted. Her face was much more beautiful than before and it seemed to radiate with the sun. She looked at them. The same comment entered her mind. They have matured. They no longer look like teenagers. Her eyes scanned them one by one now.

'Kakashi, Anko and Kurenai…still the same. Neji has become more handsome than before. Lee changed a bit. He still has thick eyebrows but he still looked good. Tenten, yes beautiful and so is Hinata and she grew her hair. How nice it suits her. Ino is as radiant as a sunflower. Naruto still noisy but has matured. And Sasuke…he is much more handsome than he was before. I wonder if he still has fan girls. Silly of course he does. They look different, matured.'

"Sakura! Who are those people?" Naruto asked pointing accusingly at the two companions of Sakura.

"Is that how you greet someone who you haven't seen in a long time Naruto? And I see you are still as loud as ever." Sakura said with a calm face.

Lee was about to jump at Sakura when the two, Maki and Homura blocked his way.

"No one goes near her!" They shouted. The others raised their eyebrows. Sakura shook her head.

"Maki, Homura it is okay they will not hurt me. They are…friends." She hesitatingly said.

"We're sorry Sakura. We didn't know." They walked beside her.

"These are my…companions. This beautiful woman is Maki and this handsome young man is Homura." Maki and Homura blushed.

'She complimented us…' they thought.

They introduced each other and sure, sure they had chatted and chatted. Kakashi invited them to go to dinner and they complied. Sakura still hasn't taken off her cloak and when she did as they were sitting in the restaurant they were stunned.

She had completely changed her style of clothing and hair. She now wore a black pleated skirt that reached the middle of her thighs with black fishnet stockings and a black top that looked like a tube top that continued upward with black see-through cloth till her neck and long sleeves. She wore black sandals (ninja sandals) and her hair, now longer, were curled. (Try to remember the clothes of Misanagi the lady ninja in Rurouni Kenshin at the episode where they looking for the medicinal plants.) It suited her perfectly.

Sasuke felt like dragging her out of there and bring her into the Uchiha compound and just do things to her.(A/N: Sweat drops…not his actions…stupid me.)

'Why did she have to wear something that looks great on her?' He thought.

"Sakura, would you like some sake?" Homura asked handing a bottle of sake to her.

"How about food, would like more?" Maki asked gesturing towards the onagi.

"Homura, Maki." The two looked at her.

"You don't have to always be with me and serve me every chance you get. We are in Konoha not in the hidden Mist valley. Enjoy yourselves. No one is stopping you and I won't tell THEM about what you are doing here."

"Y…yes Sakura- sama."

"And I told you already not to call me that."

"Sorry." Sakura smiled a sweet smile at them. They blushed. Everyone was celebrating and Sasuke was debating with himself if he would drag Sakura out of there or not. Sakura stood up and went outside. Sasuke saw her thought of it as a chance to talk with her.

She was sitting at a bench outside the restaurant.

"Sakura…" he said.

"What is it Sasuke?" her face emotionless. There was no familiarity present when she said his name.

"Everyone has missed you."

"I know. Everyone has been saying that to me ever since I came back." She looked at him then looked back at the road.

"I…I missed you." He said staring at her. Sakura was not one bit surprised at least that's how it looked to Sasuke. But in reality she was surprised she just didn't show it.

"Is that so? I didn't think you would." She said now looking at him. He stared at her figure and then at her eyes. He was drowning in them. He was about to stroke her cheek when Ino screamed.

"Hey! Sakura, where are you!" Sakura stood up and sighed. He looked at Sasuke and then started walking back in.

Sasuke felt bad. 'Does she not love me anymore? She wasn't surprised when I told her I missed her. I need to know her feelings. And I want to tell her how I feel.' He clenched his fist and growled before he went back inside.

"Sakura, where have you been?" Ino asked. Maki and Homura looked at her as they were talking with Tenten about cool weapons.

"I went out to get some fresh air." Ino eyed her. Then she saw Sasuke go in the same direction Sakura came from.

"With Sasuke?" she asked.

"It just happened that he also wanted some fresh air." She said sternly.

"And how did it go?" she asked again.

"What the heck are you implying!" Sakura said irritated. Ino was taken aback. They all looked at her. She realized her outburst.

"I'm sorry. I just had a tiring day and also considering the long trip since we just arrived last night. I didn't mean to shout at you." She said walking towards the exit. Ino hugged her from behind.

"Sakura, I'm here if you need anything. I really missed you, you know that." Ino said with a sad voice.

"I know. Ino would you like to stay at my house? It would be good to catch up with it other." Ino smiled and nodded as she released Sakura.

"Sure! That would be great."

"Then I'll pick you up at the flower shop tomorrow evening." Sakura turned to face her with a smile. She then bowed to everyone else.

"I'd better be going. I'm tired and would want to rest now. It was really fun hanging out with you guys." They waved at her.

Maki and Homura followed her. She turned to face them.

"You don't have to go with me. I see you're having fun talking with Tenten and the others. I can go by myself." They shook their heads. Sasuke was looking at them.

"We would rather be with you." They answered. And then Tenten walked towards them.

"Sakura it's too bad you're already tired. It would have been great if you could stay and watch these idiots make a fool of them." She grinned motioning towards the guys. Sakura smiled.

"I'm really sorry maybe next time."

"We're leaving as well Tenten-san." Maki said. Homura nodded.

"What! Why!" she exclaimed.

"We would like to rest as well. We are also tired. It was nice meeting you." Homura answered.

"Well nice meeting you too." Tenten bowed at the two.

With that the three left. A few minutes after they left Sasuke decided to leave as well. His thoughts were about a pink haired ninja. Sakura thoughts on the other hand were about her situation, what she is supposed to do and how it might turn out. As they both rested their thoughts were about each other and how tomorrow would be.