Writer's Note: Hey guys! Here's chapter 9! It's probably kinda long, but you guys deserve it. R&R and tell me what you think! [:

Chapter 9

At Konoha, there was a very angry Tsunade.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SAKURA LEFT?"

Tsunade was seriously angry. Naruto waited a few days to tell her because he understood and accepted Sakura's decision and thought to give her more time if Tsunade sent a search after her. Naruto took a lot of the yelling and bitching she sent at him, asking him, "WHY DID SHE LEAVE? WHERE IS SHE GOING? AND WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP HER?"

Naruto wasn't scared of Tsunade; she's had these fits before, like when Sasuke left and after drinking a little too much. Shortly after interrogating Naruto without giving him room to speak, Kakashi appeared in the room, late as usual.

"If you want to get answers, you have to let him speak, Lady Hokage." Kakashi put away his Makeout Paradise book. Tsunade glared at him and reluctantly gave in, "Okay, okay. Naruto," she gestured for him to continue.

"I don't know where she's going but I do know that she left for the same reasons Sasuke did: to become stronger. I couldn't stop her, it wasn't my decision to make and I can't force her to stay. She'd be miserable like she's been ever since Sasuke had left. My only regret is that I wasn't able to help her or Sasuke. I'm their teammate and I let them down," Naruto looked away from Tsunade and Kakashi, "What kind of village would want a Hokage like me?"

Kakashi put a hand on Naruto for comfort, "You can't blame yourself, Naruto. I'm to blame as well. I'm just as guilty. As your sensei I should have looked out for you three more. Don't take all the blame. Nothing's your fault. They have their own paths to walk on and you have your own," he paused, then turned his attention to Tsunade, "Lady Hokage, I ask you to not send a search team for Sakura. If she wants to get strong on her own, then as her sensei, I acknowledge her decision. She's been suppressing her strength and abilities and doubting herself. I think this might do her some good."

Naruto nodded, "Now that I think about it, she's always been watching other people's backs. I should've known better than to keep her behind me. She should've been right next to me…" Naruto gave Tsunade a look, "I don't want anyone searching for her either. As her friend and teammate, I think she'll be okay. I believe in her. She's strong."

Tsunade folded her hands on her desk. She thought for a long moment, staring hard at the two ninjas in front of her. She could see that they were both serious, and would be against her if she didn't approve. She exhaled, "Very well. I'm only allowing this because I trust you both. Don't make me regret it."

And with that, they were dismissed. Naruto and Kakashi went to Ichiraku Ramen, where everyone was waiting for them to tell them the news. They were both silent on the way.


As they entered Ichiraku, everyone turned to look at them.

Ino shouted, "So, what happened!?"

Naruto let out a long sigh.

Shikamaru folded his arms, "Sounds troublesome."

Neji stood up, "C'mon Naruto, we want to know."

Lee jumped over beside Neji, "What's happened to my Sakura?"

Everyone ganged up on Naruto, demanding answers. Is Sakura really gone? Did she really leave? Why? Are they going to send a search for her like they did Sasuke?

Hinata fumbled over her words but eventually shouted, "Please!" Everyone went quiet as Hinata approached Naruto, "Please, calm down everyone. He'll t-tell you, just give him a-a moment to collect his thoughts…." She looked at Naruto hesitantly, noticing he was looking at her. She blushed considering Naruto gave her the smile she loved so much.

"Thanks, Hinata." He patted her on the back. Kakashi rolled his eyes and smiled, 'sigh, young love.'

Neji smiled at Hinata for her outburst, proud she's starting to come out of her shell. He then broke the silence, "We just want to know if Sakura really did leave, Naruto. And if she did, then we'd have to go look for her, which would obviously be no problem. It'll be easy bringing her back."

Naruto looked at Neji in disbelief. He started to understand Sakura's feelings more and got angry because he realized it wasn't just him who treated her the same way. He grabbed Neji by the collar.

"Don't ever say that about Sakura- chan again! It's true! She left but you want to know why she left!? For this exact reason. She doubted herself, her abilities because no one thought she would ever be strong enough to pull through and stand on her own! And what's worse, we were a part of that! Her very own friends she trusted!" He released Neji, letting this all sink in. He looked at everyone, "Do you understand now? She left for the same reason Sasuke left: to prove everyone that she could be strong. And no, we're not going after her. Grandma Tsunade said there will be no search teams sent after her. If me, Grandma Tsunade, and Kakashi sensei believe in Sakura and understand her decision, you can understand just as well." He gave one last look at everyone. He was fuming, "I'm leaving."

He turned around back out of Ichiraku. Hinata reached out her hand, "Wait, Naruto!" and followed him out.

Neji sat back down. Lee glared at the floor, while everyone lost their appetite. Kakashi still stood there. He watched everyone handling this new information.

"Wow, can't believe billboard brow really did it. She already proved she was strong…" Ino played with her ramen. Shikamaru leaned in his chair, "Crap, now I feel bad. Great."

Choji was stuffing his face in a bowl of ramen and looked up, "What's up, guys?" He swallowed what was last of the ramen. Ino looked at Choji in disgust while Shikamaru smirked, 'That's Choji for ya.'

Neji glared his bowl. He felt humiliated, felt so stupid for not noticing anything. More importantly, he felt horrible. Tenten noticed and put a hand on his shoulder with a crooked smile, "C'mon Neji, let's go training. You need to let off some steam." Neji gave her a look, but nodded.

Lee saw them leave and added, "I'm going to go home and think about today's events. I will see you all tomorrow." He waved bye and left. If he didn't want to train, that meant he was really upset. No one said a word.

Shino and Kiba were silent the entire time. They could understand Sakura's decision and commended her for it. It must've been a hard decision to make, considering she'd be leaving everything behind.

Kakashi took a seat next to what's left of the group, "Don't beat yourselves up for all this, kids. Like Naruto had mentioned, we didn't believe in her. Now's the time to start." Kakashi ordered ramen and ate with them in silence.


Naruto ran all the way to where Team 7 took their first test with Kakashi sensei. It was nostalgic for Naruto, seeing as a lot has happened since then. How much everyone's changed and grown. He sighed, wishing to have it all back. He missed his friends and wondered if they even missed him. He took out the small album Sakura threw at him before disappearing. He flipped through all the photos, noticing some he didn't recognize.

'She took photos of her own? When? How?' He continued looking through, cracking a smile at some of them. She had pictures of Team 7. She had photos from when they first became a team. She even had photos from when they all hung out together, him, her, and Sasuke. Even from the time when they tried to unmask Kakashi sensei. She even took pictures of some of their missions, 'how did Sakura manage to take so many photos without us noticing?' Naruto thought. After looking at all the photos, he heard his name in the distance.

'Hinata,' Naruto concluded, 'I should tell her I feel better.'

Naruto followed Hinata's voice and walked over to her. Hinata turned around. She was panting from running around looking for him. He felt a little guilt, "Hey Hinata."

Hinata took a deep breath, "A-are you okay, N-naruto?" Naruto smiled at Hinata's shyness. Even though she seemed fragile, she was strong and he knew that.

He nodded, "Yeah, sorry. I didn't mean to worry you, Hinata." Every time he said her name, she'd blush. She was beginning to notice that she liked the way he said it. She fidgeted with her fingers, looking down. Naruto smiled a big smile, "See? I'm fine."

Hinata knew he was lying. She knew it hurt him to lose his team, his best friends. She wished she could do more for him. The silence grew between them. Hinata decided to break the silence first, "N-naruto," He raised his head, "W-would you l-like to…" She was nervous. Way nervous. She couldn't even finish her sentence. Naruto noticed, 'typical Hinata,' he thought.

"I'm sorry, Hinata, but I'm tired. I'm going to go home. Good night." He turned to leave but Hinata reached out and grabbed his hand. She blushed beat red, realizing what she'd done.

"Naruto, please, let m-me finish…" He turned to look at her, slightly blushing. 'She's holding my hand…'

"I was just wondering if you would like to… if you would like to…" She looked down, unconsciously tightening her grip on his hand. Naruto grinned.

"If you wanted me to walk you home, you don't have to be shy about it! You're a close friend after all. C'mon." He pulled her to him and flashed that goofy smile at her. He held her hand and started walking with her.

Hinata blushed scarlet, 'Oh-oh my gosh! He's really walking me home!' He gave her a don't-worry-about-it-it's-my-pleasure kind of face. Naruto felt pleased with himself.

"Oh hey, Hinata, can I ask you something?" Naruto slowed down their pace. Hinata nodded, "Yes?"

He kept his gaze and asked, "You don't have to be shy around me, ya know. Do you think you can start being comfortable with me?"

Hinata blushed, almost misunderstanding his question, "Yes. I'm sorry, I just…" She trailed off. Naruto smiled, "It's okay. I just want you to speak more confident. You're strong, ya know."

Hinata smiled, "Thank you, Naruto. You're very strong, too!"

Naruto laughed, "I haven't seen you smile like that in a while. Smile like that everyday and I'll be happy."

Naruto walked Hinata home and exchanged their goodnights. Hinata couldn't sleep and neither could Naruto.


"You need to increase your speed, Sasuke. How can you ever hope to defeat Itachi?" taunted Orochimaru.

It's been two months since he last saw Sakura (two months since Naruto explained everything to his friends, as well). Two long months of training with Orochimaru. Sasuke was quickly getting fed up with dealing with his remarks and snarky comments. Sasuke knew he was doing it on purpose to unleash his cursed mark that he had given him long ago. Sasuke wanted to avoid it if he can.

So many things were on his mind.

'Does Sakura see my brother now that she's a part of the Akastuki? Why did she join them?'

As much as he'd hate to admit it, he was curious, even worried.

'I wonder how she's holding herself with them. Did she officially join them?'

He couldn't help it. He was so frustrated. He was curious about her and was upset that his plan-his idea wasn't going to work. Now that she refused to see him, he can't get information on his older brother, and that's what angered him most.

'If Sakura really is a part of the Akatsuki now... She's no longer someone I know.'

Shoving his thoughts aside, he striked at Orochimaru with a heavy blow.


Two long months since that incident. Sakura was beginning to understand why she and Ryu were accepted into the Akatsuki. They could be critical assets to the organization. She was beginning to understand her power more as her training improved her abilities. She began to be able to control it. What she found interesting was that she could achieve telekinesis using her power. She practiced every night improving it.

Itachi told Sakura that they're going to have to change plans considering she's dangerous. They resulted to just basic standard training. They trained extensively and she refused to rest and kept up with her training, refusing to give in to her pain.

She began to excel to the point Itachi and the others were impressed.

Ryu was worried, however, 'What if the Akatsuki turn on her and use her power to achieve their goals...? What should I do when and if that time comes...?'

That day, two months ago, when everyone had come to their new base, they all went to speak to Sakura. Sakura apologized, clarifying that she couldn't control it. Ryu came to her defense and answered everyone's questions. Especially Sakura's.

Everyone looked at Sakura differently now. They treated her with newfound respect. As she looked at their faces, the story behind them was what haunted her most.

That day she saw everyone's memories at once. She couldn't control herself, it just happened. She didn't know how to handle it. She didn't tell Ryu. Only Itachi knew. She spoke to him previously about it before the guys came back.

"Don't reveal that detail, Sakura. No one will appreciate it, let alone want to explain themselves. Keep it to yourself. And," he paused, giving her a look, "I ask that you keep my being here secret from the organization and my brother. Please." He reluctantly added the last part. Sakura nodded.

"Don't worry, Itachi. Our goals aren't that much different if you ask me." Itachi's eyes opened in surprise.

"What do you mean?" Itachi was anticipating her response. Sakura smiled.

"It's only fair if I tell you, so we can be on the same page." She explained to Itachi why she had come to the Akatsuki and what had happened that influenced her decision. She told him everything.

Itachi sat in silence beside her. Eventually he said, "Be careful, Sakura. Even though that was clever, you are at risk. I just want to make one thing clear," he raised his index finger and pointed at her, "If we ever encounter Sasuke, I want you to be present. I will ask no more of you."

Sakura nodded, "I will work hard and do my best. All I ask in return is to please help me out while I'm here. I think that'll cut it for the deal, don't you think?"

Itachi suppressed a small smile, "As you wish. Now, you should rest. You need to prepare yourself for the rest of the Akatsuki when they arrive. I imagine they won't be too happy. They won't be angry with you, but will be upset that they weren't warned." He left her, shutting the door behind him.

Sakura laid in bed, nervous about what her power might make of her.

Training continued after everything was explained. She trained alone with everyone individually and sometimes with Ryu. Within the two months, she far surpassed everyone's expectations. Sakura noticed it, too. She was wondering if her power was the cause of it.

Even if it was, she was happy that she's making fast improvements.