Hi ladies and gents! Its been a long time but I finally have a computer and a little time to finish the stories I started yay! I moved out of my parents house when I was 18 (almost 4 years ago holy crap!) so I was working full time and didn't have a computer to myself I was using my boyfriends computer, but with him being a giant nerd like me he liked to use it to play video games all the time, so not really a chance to steal it. But then a friend of ours moved back to England with his family and they couldn't take all there big electronic stuff with them, so this is how I ended up with a nice shiny new free computer *sniff sniff* he's such a sweetie. ANYWAYS moving on, just thought I would explain the insane absence. On to the story! Ps. I own nothing.

Done With the Tears.

Sakura was done with the tears and the frustration. She took a long hard look at herself after the birthday party her boys threw for her and she didn't really like what she saw. Every time an obstacle presented itself she ran the other way and cried. She was tired of it; she couldn't do this running around anymore. Kakashi, Naruto, and Genma had spent far too long looking over her shoulder for her, and trying to protect her from the evils of the world.
It had been about 3 days since the party and she had already made some huge changes, she decided to worked harder at the hospital, and throw herself into any mission she was on. She had to convince Tsunade that she was ready for real missions, none of those escort a farmer from one town to another town deals; Tsunade decided to trust her favoured medic and sent her on an intelligence mission. Sakura left 2 days after her party which meant any plans Gaara would have had never took place

-Gaara and the boys-

Gaara stood at the gates to Konoha giving his goodbyes to his friends

"I have to head back unfortunately or I would hang around a few more days, it seems my council has gotten themselves into a bit of a fight over something and they need me to make the final decision." He sighed and shook his head at the thought of dealing with old crones back home.

"Well were glad you came, and Sakura really appreciates that you were here." Kakashi smiled at him. "Speaking of which, were you not going to say something to her while you were here?" he said trying to be sly.

"Oh I was, but I thought about it more and decided that there is a much more suited man in her life already, even if she doesn't see it yet." Gaara smiled back.

Naruto looked between the two men and was completely confused. He had apparently missed something and was trying to decipher the conversation. Deciding to give up he looked at Gaara and smiled as well. "Hope your travels back will go ok, and good luck with the council." They shook hands while Gaara said he'd visit soon, he turned to Kakashi and shook his hand as well, while quietly assuring him that Sakura just needed time. With a final wave goodbye Gaara disappeared into the forest.

Turning away from the gate Naruto said he needed to do some food shopping and left the white dog alone. Walking down the road going no where in particular Kakashi pondered what was going to happen next, now that Gaara had step aside he still had to worry about Genma, Sakura had told him to not give up, and he wouldn't but he couldn't really bare the idea of the woman he loved going out with a known womanizer. He had made a plan to talk to Sakura when she got back from her mission, it was supposed to be in two days and he was coming up with the perfect way of bringing up when Genma himself appeared in front of him.

"Hey" Genma said cautiously

"Yo" Kakashi replied casually

"haven't seen you since Sakura's party, what's goen' on?" Genma fell in step beside Kakashi and the two of the walked aimlessly together.

"Nothing really, hung around Gaara and Naruto mostly" he shrugged.

"That must have been stimulating, Naruto who never stops talking and Gaara who never starts…" he chuckled to himself.

"It was alright, it was kind of nice just following them around for a couple days. It sounds like I was the creepy old guy… but it's nice to take a break and see things from Naruto's view every once and awhile. He doesn't take things to seriously and I think having Gaara around really makes him feel better sometimes… his best friend did kind of go crazy."

"Is that all? I kind of seems like you've been avoiding me the last few days" Genma said quietly

"Not avoiding so much as needing space."

"What did I do?"

"Nothing you would have known you were doing. It's not your fault I just needed time to think… but now that you're here I guess now is as good a time as any. Why did you ask Sakura out?"

"I don't know, kind of seemed like a good idea. I really do care about her; I want to make her feel safe maybe happy. I know I'm not a totally stand up guy, but I would be for her. Why do you ask?"

"Just… curious I guess…" Kakashi shrugged and kept walking.

"Kakashi? Why?" Genma touched him and stopped

"Honestly? Because I love her, and knowing that she's going to be with you even for just a date sucks."

"Does she know you love her?"

"Yes…"

"Then why did she say yes to me?"

"She told me she needs to figure things out and honestly, I think she needs to if she can't decide… even if it kills me"

"Kakashi you have to know that if I even suspected that you had any kind of feelings for her I wouldn't have asked her in the first place. I'll tell her when she gets back that we can't go on this date." Genma rubbed his hand on his forehead. "I'm really sorry I never knew…"

"No, Genma we talked about it, it really would be better if you went on the date… I was going to try and talk her out of it but I think it would be better if she figured it out herself." Kakashi was leaning against a tree they had stopped by. "If you cancel now she'll think I pressured you into it."

"I wouldn't feel right going now that I know, but your right she does need to figure herself out." Genma twirled the senbon with his tongue and sighed.

"don't worry about it. She's young and we both know it, I can't make her settle down and figure things out right now, that's not fair to her. I told her I'd wait I wont run away."

"Fair, man this is tough. Wanna go for a drink?" Genma shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned back a little.

"God yes." Kakashi pushed off the tree and started towards the nearest place that sold alcohol.

-Sakura returns to Konoha-

Sakura stopped at the gates of her home and smiled, she breathed in the air around her and felt at peace finally. Her mission wasn't hard just something she needed, she was only gone a few days but it was good to see her streets and buildings again.

all that peace was pretty much shattered on her second step past the gates when a yellow and orange streak came crashing down towards her. Sakura's eyed widened slightly as her body was slammed into the ground.

"Sakura! Your back! We missed you." Naruto had pinned Sakura to the ground and was snuggling her like a puppy.

Laughing Sakura struggled to push the blonde pain in the ass off her. "Naruto holy crap, you're so heavy! Get off." Sitting up She grabbed Naruto around the shoulders and hugged him tightly.

Naruto hugged her back then hauled her off the ground. "Sakura this place isn't the same without you. I really am glad your back" Sakura smiled up at him she touched hand. "Do you need help hauling any of your bags back to your house?"

"Um, yah actually could you take these bags back for me? I need to go see Tsunade and brief her on the mission" Sakura handed him her backpack and a rather large side bag.

He shifted the backpack on this shoulder. "For sure, want to meet for ramen after?"

"Would you be ok with ramen for dinner? I kind of want to settle in before going out again"

"Yah that's fine" Naruto smiled, hugged her again and turned to leave again but stopped him self cocking his head back "Come find me when you're ready to eat."

"Sounds good, expect me in a couple hours. I'll track you down." She smiled and waved as he took off, she then turned and leapt towards the Hokage's offices.

Sakura closed her eyes enjoying the breeze as she bounded around the village. She knew the rooftops and streets of this village like the back of her hand. Landing gently in front of the building she glanced around, she didn't know what to expect but she looked anyways. Seeing nothing she pulled open the front doors and wandered down the halls to her sensei's office. She knocked on the door and entered at the sound of Shizune tinkling voice asking her to enter.

"I'm back." Sakura smiled cheerily at them. "Here's the scroll I retrieved, piece of cake. No incidences no nothen'" Sakura handed Tsunade the scroll and watched as her mentor unrolled it.

Tsunade smiled back and read the scroll over. "Perfect just what I like to hear, how was your first mission back?"

"like I said piece of cake, was nice to get out of the village for a bit even if it was for a simple retrieval." Sakura stood before her mentor hands clasped behind her back. "do you mind if I ask what it is?"

Tsunade glanced at her, "Oh its nothing too special, just a recipe for a new medicine, I was hoping we could try it out here and see if we can use it to replace chakara use, its made of ingredients that grow in abundance around here, from what I've heard its super effective, maybe we can get a couple jobs out of it. Kind of a win win situation if it works out."

"That's great! It would be great to have simple remedies to use in the hospital where we can use them, I'm sure the medics would appreciate it. What kind of jobs though?"

Laying the scroll down Tsunade reached for her sake, "Gathering jobs, maybe a couple people who could specialize in making it, if it works out we would need them." Filling up three glasses she handed Shizune and Sakura each one. "Here's to improving our medical field and to helping find a couple jobs" the three women clinked there glasses with three hands raised in crossed fingers. Shizune put her glass back on the table still full, she hated the stuff but the symbol was good enough.

Sakura slammed back her drink, normally she'd drink slow but she wanted to get home and relax for a bit. "If that's everything Hokage-Sama I'd love to go home and veg out for a bit"

"Yes, yes of course." Tsunade waved her hand at her young apprentice. "Oh but before I forget I need you back here tomorrow morning, don't bother going to the hospital. I have another mission for you, I little more up your ally I think, but go home and rest up and I'll give you the details tomorrow."

"Alright" Sakura bowed and headed for the door. "Thank you Hokage-Sama" Sakura flashed one last smile and disappeared behind the door.

Shizune looked at Tsunade "she seems much more content as of lately don't you think?"

"Hm? Oh yah I suppose so… wonder what happened."

"As long as she stays happy and content, I'm happy. I'm glad she's found something though."

Tsunade looked up at Shizune "As am i."

-back to sakura-

Sakura stepped out of the building and feeling the sun back on her skin she felt tingly and refreshed, the mission was simple but it was a couple of days away from the village, she had the time to recharge her batteries and think things over. While she was gone she had time away from the boys, and time to think over kakashi's words to her. He loved her and told her he would wait for her, and he was right to be bothered by her choosing to go on a date with Genma. The man was a known womanizer and she knew it, but agreed anyways, what was she thinking? Oh she wasn't she'd been drinking and confused and did something rash. She decided to break off her date with Genma but hadn't told him yet. She'd cross that bridge when she saw him.
But for now she was going to go admire her village in her new enlightened state then go home and take a long over due shower and nap. After that she'd do her dinner with Naruto and tackle this Kakashi deal after.

sooooo…as I said its been a looooooong ass time since I've updated, this chapter is rather shorter then the last ones, hopefully its ok. I have more planned, this mission she's going on will have surprises and hopefully resolutions, this story was pretty close to a close when I stopped, so hopefully I will have the story finished in a chapter or two and have them posted for you my lovlies.

I've missed you all and hope you haven't forgotten about me : (

see you soon I hope, maybe even another post by the end of the week!