Chapter 10: Our Goodbyes

"Sakura are you sure this is everything you need? There's not much…" muttered Gracia as she put the scroll, that Sakura had begged Sheska to give back, inside a brown backpack. It seemed that the brunette book-worm was studying the scroll that Tenten had given Sakura for her own personal information. Gracia frowned as she just noticed that there was a few coins of money, two scrolls, her headband, and a ticket.

Sakura smiled as Gracia prepared her things. "That's all I need really, I'm just going to uhm…"

"Rush Valley! I can't believe it! I always wanted to go there!" cried a happy Winry carrying Elycia. The little one of course was sadden that her good friend was leaving her to go somewhere far, far away from her. It took all the little girls might not to start crying.

Sakura smiled at Winry, "Yes, Rush Valley."

"I'm so envious! You'll see great automail mechanics -- even though I'm the best there is! -- at work! Oh please, please, PLEASE bring back something for me!" cried Winry, setting down Elycia to the ground and shaking the poor confused kunochi. "Maybe a perfect 5 inch screwdriver will work! Anything Sakura, just get me anything!"

Sakura was pretty much scared at the mechanic fan girl right in front of her. Winry just kept blabbing how much she wanted to go to Rush Valley and how lucky Sakura was. Sighing, Sakura just tried her best not to loose her temper. Winry was very nice, but she could be very demanding and scary like those older sisters she had seen in the market back in Konoha.

"Well let me get you at least another pair of clothes that I got you yesterday," said Gracia leaving the room.

Sakura frowned, she really didn't need extra pair of clothes it was just too much for her. Wanting to decline, Gracia was back in a few seconds. She was carrying a tank top that had the similar color to her kimono, black shoes, and black shorts. Already embarrassed, Sakura thanked her and put the clothing inside her backpack. She'll probably use them if she went anywhere hot. The girls headed downstairs and into the kitchen where Gracia had prepared her some snacks and lunch to take for her trip to Rush Valley.

Finally ready to leave for her trip she swung her backpack in place and bowed down to Gracia, Winry, and Elycia. "Thank you so much for taking care of me."

Gracia smiled, "Sakura you know you are welcomed here along with Winry anytime."

Winry smiled. "I'll probably be back here if Ed breaks his automail which will be really soon I bet. So we'll see each other again."

Elycia looked down at her white shoes while her hand grabbed Sakura's hand. She hated saying goodbyes, it wasn't her specialty. "Onee-san…"

Sakura looked down at Elycia and gave a soft smile to her. She bent down at the little girls level. She stared at the younger girl who could be her little sister. Who knew when she'll be back here, who knew if she'll ever see Elycia again. Resting her hand on top of the little girls, she wondered what Naruto would do. He was great with kids, with Konohamaru and that boy Inari. What would he do in this situation?

"Ely-chan, I'll be back soon…"she whispered not making any promises since she didn't know if she would keep them. Elycia; however, was happy to hear those words.

"Okei!"

Sakura bid her farewell to the people in front of her and headed her way to the train station that Winry had told her about. It was about five miles away from Hughes home. She wanted to visit Lily, but she knew that she would miss the train. Perhaps she would call Sheska once she was at Rush Valley, Gracia had taught her how to use a public phone yesterday they day after Elycia's birthday. She said her goodbyes to Hughes and Sheska this morning before they went to work. Sheska of course was devastated, but she knew what her mother had told her. Meas Hughes of course had offered her a ride to the train station, but she didn't want to bother his work. She would miss them, if she ever went back to Konoha.

Noticing that the streets were empty Sakura decided to be sneaky and try to jump roof to roof. Heading towards an empty and dark hallway, Sakura began to put some chakara at her feet and jump to the roof. Once on top of the building Sakura looked around to find her way. Remembering that Winry had told her to just go east of the city, she would be able to see the train tracks. And she did so. Thus she continued on her ninja jumping.

It took her fifteen minutes to finally get to where she wanted to be. Landing softly on the ground and empty hallway, she ran towards the entrance. It was pretty much crowded, this of course was a surprise to Sakura. She had never seen so many people just standing and waiting for something to come out. Not even in the Konoha markets were like this. Sakura just blankly stared at the people. This place was amazing.

'A train … Winry said to go to the … what was it again…' thought Sakura deeply when someone had suddenly pushed her aside.

"Shannaro! Who did that?!" cried the angry pink head kunochi. Someone had just rudely pushed her!

Nobody of course was paying any attention to the thirteen year old. The place was crowded, noisy, and very busy.

'Maybe I really should have asked Hughes for help…' thought a frustrated Sakura as she was pushed aside once more.

She bit her bottom lip as she tried not to shout at anyone that was near her. Sure she wanted to punch the living hells out of everyone, but what good would it bring to her?

Arrested in jail?

Sighing, she walked aimlessly trying to find the front desk, or perhaps stall where someone would check her ticket and get some answers. She looked around the signs and noticed all of them were foreign to her. Sure she knew how to speak the language here, but reading it was a whole different story.

"Just where am I going anyway…?" she muttered under her breath.

She was once again pushed aside.

Sakura's eyes began twitching. She could not tolerate these rude behaviors of people anymore!

"Train nine will be delayed. I repeat train nine will be delayed."

Sakura saw some disappointment expressions in people's faces. Her green eyes blinked, and unconsciously she took out her ticket. It read:

Central to Rush Valley

Train 9

Arrive at 14:00 p.m.

Sakura blankly stared at the small green ticket in her hands. Soon her hands started to tremble.

"Please exchange your ticket at the booth if you are taking train nine. I repeat please exchange your ticket at the booth if you are taking train nine. We are sorry for this event, have a good day," said the announcement that came out of nowhere.

Sakura clutched the ticket in her hands. "Shannaro!!"

Being the leader of a very big village was very time consuming. She hated the fact that she had to sign so many papers just to keep the whole village at peace from wars to economy. The blond gritted her teeth. If only she had that annoying blond with his stupid orange jumpsuit to bother her. He always brought trouble to the village, she couldn't believe she was admitting this but … that was her stress reliever from all the paper work.

Naruto bringing up trouble was her stress relieve.

Oh how wonderful…

Rubbing her temples, she slammed her fist on the desk. "SAKURA!"

Immediately she noticed her pink head pupil standing in the door way looking a bit sluggish. The infamous Fifth Hokage raised an eyebrow.

"Hard work today?" she said looking over at a piece of paper.

"Y-Yes m'am…"

At this Tsunade, the Slug Princess, looked over at the pink head kunochi. Something was really off, the girl would usually say 'Yes Tsunade-sama' or 'Yes Tsunade-sensei.' Something was off, and Tsunade did not like it one bit.

"What's the report?" she asked singing a paper, without really reading it.

The pink head hesitated before answering the Hokage. "Oh…Um… Three chuunin's have been taken for a …"

"Sakura…"

"Y-Yes m'am…?"

Tsunade raised her head to clearly see the nervous kunochi in front of her. Still staring at her small figure, her eyes averted somewhere else.

"Go back to the hospital and I want you to take care of those three Chuunin's. Report back to me once you finish."

"Yes m'am!"

Before the young girl could go, Tsunade stopped her. "Sakura."

The kunochi froze and slowly stared at the Fifth Hokage. "Y-Yes m'am?"

There was total silence, and a staring contest going on. Tsunade bit her bottom lip, trying to figure and solve something out.

"Tch. Hurry up within an hour. Understood?"

"Yes!"

She left, leaving a suspicious blond leader alone in her office.

"Tch. Something isn't right."

Sakura rubbed her eyes as she woke up from the ground. Yesterday was total chaos, she had to exchange her ticket for another day, resulting for her to sleep on the floor to wait for the train. Yawning slightly, she checked her new ticket and then checked the clock that was on the building.

"I have about…ten minutes!?" cried Sakura checking the ticket and the clock on the building.

Grabbing the small bag that Gracia had given her, she dashed to where the trains were at. Passing by people and pushing them, she got there just in time before the announcer was about to announce the departing of the train. She showed her ticket to the staff member and easily got inside.

"Wow…"

That was the only thing Sakura had to say when she entered the train. It was something she had not expected from the long vehicle. Seats were placed to the right and to the left sides of the train. It was amazing, it was her first time being in one too!

"Miss, we'll be leaving in three minutes please take a seat somewhere," said one of the staff of the train to her.

She mutely nodded and looked around. People were scattered and seating everywhere. She was trying to find an empty seat without any strangers. She was already being looked at because of her pink hair. Sighing, she looked once again for an empty seat in. Every cart was filled with people it took her six train carts to go in. The train also had started to move not to long ago. She just had to find a seat!

"Sakura?!" cried out a feminine voice.

Sakura froze, turned around, and saw her blond friend sitting next a very familiar metallic armor. "W-Winry-san…?"

She noticed another blond, perhaps near her height, turned his head around to face her. She knew him! He was the guy who 'somewhat' saved her from the metallic armor! He raised an eyebrow.

She blinked her green emerald eyes. "Umm…"

The blond girl, Winry, stood up. "Oh Saku-"

"Whose the big forehead kid?" said the blond boy with unusual golden eyes. He looked as if he was scowling.

There was silence at first, but soon the passengers near them heard a loud 'thump' on the cart. There would be one hell of an adventure in this train.

Eeep! Sakura is finally meeting the Elrics! Yeey right?! Also because I feel like I owe you readers for not updating on December, expect next month to have two updates! Hopefully this didn't feel like a filler … I mean… ah yeah. Well enjoy! Even though it was short…