I am sooooo sorrrry. I said this would be posted by Monday or Tuesday, but I got sidetracked. Totally forgot about doctor's appointment, and you know how those go. You arrive on time but you still get seen late. I thought that I'd make it to school that day so I can post this chapter, cause my computer at home is way to slow and for whatever reason isn't accepting my jump drive. And on Wednesday I was too busy with my evaluation essay. I know, I shouldn't make excuses, but it's truly the truth. I'll do my best for this not to happen again. When I say I'm going to post something on a certain date, I need to make that promise.

But I still love ya all, though all may hate me. Please don't though.

Pma.x.

Oh can't you see it's the life I don't need
Please don't make this thing up for me
Cause that's just the way
Cause that's just the way
All uncovered
That's just the way
"What?!" Naruto yelled out of disbelief, getting up from his chair.

"What do you mean Sakura-chan's our client, why? Where we taking her?!" and for a moment, Naruto forgotten what was said about the missions main objectives.

Tsunade sighed, waiting for the boy to calm himself down as well as her up coming temper before she speaks again. "The lord wishes to see Sakura-san, and Team 7 is going to be escorting her to Sengakure."

"What time is my departure Lady Tsunade?" Sakura asked in a quiet voice, as if afraid to speak.

"Tomorrow at six a.m." Lady Tsunade said this in the same unison as Sakura spoke.

--------------------

My muscles in my back stiffened. My knuckles clamped together yet they still seem to be fumbling to hold the paper. My fingers trembling so badly it's hard to get the paper intact without putting it to shreds. Thinking back on it now, I forgot the reason of why I took the note with me. And my eyes seemed to loose sight every couple of seconds and I was going in a spiral direction into nothingness by the thought of leaving tomorrow.

It also seemed my actions weren't unnoticed. From behind, I felt Sasuke's intense gaze boring onto the back of my head as if trying to read my very thoughts. It was a bit disturbing, and for the first time, I didn't want to look or even acknowledge Sasuke's presence. I didn't want him near me, and I didn't want him to be concerned or even concede to think about my problems.

I knew one day it would come to this. I was told it would so long ago, but she told me to live my life at the fullest, because this is the only opportunity I'll ever get. Life's short, and so don't take it for granted. I remembered those words and they are the only thing I constantly thought about, and so, what better way could I have done that?

Live life as a shinobi.

That was first known as my ninja way. I thought that I could possibly become a ninja so I would already know the struggles of life. So I would know, to think, that I'll live my life at the fullest. Now, I'm not so sure why I chose to be all of these things. It wasn't going to change anything like I hoped it would. And my team, how could of I not known I would one day become attached to them? How was I to know that I grew to love them? How was I to know, they were to be the people I so desperately tried to avoid all my life? And in the end, how could they of been the people to walk with me till all is over?

When I arrived at the Hokage's office, my heart beat jumped a million. I pushed open the door into a blast of warm air smelling of sake. I didn't even get two steps into the area when I heard a voice from the south end of the room.

"Shizune, where is that document!?" Tsunade's voice echoed through the walls and the flipping of pages and stumps of heavy books could be heard.

"I've got it with me right here my Lady." The sweet voice was heard after.

I elbowed my way through the stacks of books and scrolls scattered throughout the room. It was quite obvious she was still redecorating the room, but then again. It looked like she was more creating this place as an out house than an actual office.

Then my attention brought me to Kakashi-sensei seated at a chair with his favorite book at hand. When I noticed his presents, I had done the same to him and our eyes met- or more of his one eye met my two, and there was a silent understanding to each other. To what it is, I'm not quite sure.

It was the same feeling when I saw him at the training grounds. We had a distance, yet a connection of agreement to not talk of this subject, at least not until I give the say.

The fact of the matter though was that neither one of us wanted to be here. But we were already here and there was no going back.

"Lady Tsunade? You wished to see me?" I asked, trying my way of sounding more confident than a scared little child being caught in the cookie jar at some strangers house.

"Ah Sakura-san, I was wondering when you would get here. On the note I did say to be here A.S.A.P. didn't I?" she said flatly, turning her attention to Kakashi-sensei as if it was his fault for my tardiness.

The slightly built, pouting women barely gave me an assuring look that she was somewhat disappointed. Every time I saw Lady Tsunade, she always had a different façade on, but today, she was looking quite sulky; right about now, I felt she was a great black hole that drained the energy right out of me with her negativity attitude. Other times she just unknowingly secretly pissed me off at the end of the day when it no longer matters anymore.

To some extent reminds me of someone I know.

Then there are the times when she could be sweet and brassy at the same time, the type of person I wished replaced my constant non present mother.

"Take a seat." I did as I was told.

"What's going on?" I asked. "Is there something you need from me Lady Tsunade?" as if I didn't exactly know what was going on or why I was summoned here. At this time, Kakashi-sensei raised his head out of the book and eye directed at me.

They knew, they saw past my façade, my way of masking my fear by showing pure curiosity. And in return, Lady Tsunade has done the same. Masking an irregular face with eyebrow hitched up, and mouth slightly gawked. But past that, I saw sympathy. Her eyes showed it all. Eyes telling me that it was okay to play stupid for the moment. One that I'm particularly not fond with. I did have a reputation to follow after all.

All façades were gone and now it was time to get to the point.

"Sakura." She started without using any respects or suffix after my name. Her voice was whimpered, most likely for my stupidity of pretending to not knowing my purposes here.

"You as well as I know why I called you in here. They, meaning the Tokubetsu Jonin's, are here to make sure you go back to your village to meet with your Lord."

I looked down with shame, knowing that she was referring that I had no legal citizenship onto this country that I've now called my home. My village. Representing for my Hokage as my Lord. It was futile. I didn't have to represent the Fire Country. I didn't have to wear the symbol of the Leaf Village. I didn't have to work so hard to get the respects of a konichi. All this was for nothing but my own selfishness of the hopes of not coming to this day.

"Look Sakura, The Third left me with this certain document and that this assignment should be continued on. I called you in here so you can be aware that this day has come, but I also called you in so I can get the consent if you really want to do this or not."

This had surprised me, now was the time of curiosity. My eyes directed towards her to know if I'm hearing right. "What do you mean Lady Tsunade?"

"It's really up to you if you want to go or not. You live here in the Leaf Village, and it's my job to protect all of you from harm. That's including you Sakura-san. If you want, I can stop you from going, and I can decline this mission."

"But wouldn't that conflict a war against us? If you don't send me, they will haunt me down."

"I won't allow that. You would be guarded 24/7 and-"

"But what good will that do!?" I yelled out interrupting her. "To be held prisoner for the rest of my life!? My life watched till the end!? The Cloud Country just finished war against us and now one of our greatest allies. They trust us and by doing this, it's going to cause an up roar all over again. I'm sorry Lady Tsunade, I don't mean to be rude, but 'your' idea of 'me' being safe….It's foolish. I'd rather face them and be humiliated than being held prisoner by the country I so dearly love."

I was surprised that I raised my voice to Lady Tsunade, even she wasn't expecting such a blunt statement coming from someone like me. And Kakashi-sensei, without him saying a word- he couldn't speak for my behalf anyways, forgot he even had the book in his hands, and all was heard was the drop of the book and my ragged breathing.

My actions were stupid but not regretful. And the moment my inner-self came out, just as quickly went back in as I shied away to a softer voice.

"Besides, you're wrong. There is nothing I can do about this; neither I nor even you have any say on it. This is my fate. I was born to do this from the start."

I was afraid. I was afraid for my life and she knew. I feared her, but she knew that the fear for her was nothing compared for the fear I'll have the moment this mission takes action.

"Lady Tsunade?" Kakashi-sensei spoke. It wasn't a question for a question so much for as an 'are you okay' kind.

With a heavy sigh, she looked down to the document in front of her and had a half hearty smile. But a sad one at the least.

"I know. I'm sorry Sakura-san. I don't want to do this, but you're right…. Still, it doesn't mean that it isn't wrong."

"Lady Tsunade, the boy's have been waiting for almost an hour." Shizune-san interrupted.

Silence.

A sigh coming from the three of us seated, "Let them in then."

The four of them left the building riding on an adrenaline high. Team 7 had a mission. They had a purpose. They stood on the sidewalk and looked at each other. It was well into the hour of the streets clearing as the sun began to set and the first star began to appear. The wide avenue was quiet except for a stray dog begging and whimpering for the left over strap of meat a chef cook decided to throw away. An icy coating on everything reflected the vender lights and shop windows. It was signs winter was soon to come.

"So now what?" Naruto spoke up, perky as always. "Do we wait for the two new comers to show up, or do we meet them tomorrow?"

"Didn't you pay attention?" Kakashi said with his nose inside the book, so it was slightly muttered, yet toned insensible. He stood a few feet distant from the three of them….with them, but true to his melancholy, negligent, misanthropic nature, wary of too much bonhomie.

"We meet up with them tomorrow morning dobe." Sasuke as ever brooding and also being true to his melancholy nature.

"Oh really?" a whining voice was heard in the distance, "But we were really planning to be acquainted tonight."

The four looked up to see the owner of the voice belonged to. Naruto however, couldn't mistake that voice coming from a certain boy.

"HEY, IT'S YOU!"

Okay, that was the end of the chapter. Sorta short, but I have this story in an order with the plots. Duh.

Oh and I want to thank you all for the reviews and more is welcomed.

I would also like to thank 'Nameless Blossom' (cute name) for her never ending questions during review. Though all questions can't be answered, maybe some, its all good. I love 'em

Lyrics from Watchmen 'All Uncovered'. Don't sue.