YEAHHH… I DID IT!!

I wrote my damn chapter 11!!! Okay… I know it's been a long time and I'm really really really really sorry about that!!!! I really did try, but sometimes I was lacking inspiration, other times I was too tired to do anything and the rest of the time… well I was working for my two jobs… So basically, it was all my fault. Therefore, I'll try to publish the chapter 12 really quick!! Once again…

I'M SORRY, PLEASE FORGIVE ME MY AWESOME READERS!!! LOVE YOU ALL!! XXXXXX

(Some parts of this chapter are from Masashi Kishimoto, so I don't own it…)

Chapter 11 – We need to talk…

"…"

"Huh!?"

"Never thought I'd see that one day…"

"Well, congratulation Kakashi-sensei!" said Sakura to her first sensei with a small smile.

"Huh... Thanks I suppose..." stammered the grey haired man, still surprise by the news, "I mean... Thank you Sakura!"

Suddenly as Kakashi was about to say something else to Sakura, a blur of yellow and orange jumped in front of him with a weird face.

"Sigh! What is it now Naruto?" asked exasperatedly the now Hokage.

"HOW COME SOMEONE AS LATE AND PERVERTED AS YOU CAN BECOME HOKAGE! THAT'S UNBELIEVEABLE!" said the boy with an accusing finger pointed in the grey haired man direction.

"How rude! Aren't you happy for him, idiot!" hissed Temari to the blond boy.

"OF COURSE I AM!!! BUT I'M DAMN JEALOUS!" replied Naruto while crossing his arms.

"Ahahahah..." laughed lightly Yamato.

"Naruto, stop yelling..." spoke Tsunade in an exasperate tone, "Kakashi, I would like to speak to you in private, after this meeting."

"Yes." answered the said man.

"Now, does anyone have anything else to add?" asked Mifune.

"No, we'll wait for Tsunade's plans and protect the two remaining jinchurikis." answered the Kazekage.

"No." added the Mizukage while the Tsuchikage made a sign of no with his head.

"No... Now can I go search for my brother?" asked the Raikage with a frustrated tone.

"Of course lord Raikage... Thank you for your patience..." said the Amoderator in a sarcastic tone.

"Tch... Let's go... Darui, Shi, Karui, Omoi and Samui... Come on!" ordered the Raikage, "As for you, I expect news coming from you soon."

"Yeah, yeah... Don't worry..." said nonchalantly Tsunade while motioning him to go with her hand.

"Hummm..." growled the Raikage before he swung his fist through another wall and disappeared through it.

"Haaaa... This is so embarrassing... Why can't he take a door?" asked desperately Darui, before leaving by the hole.

"…"

"Well... I suppose that this meeting is over. Thank you." said Mifune before leaving too.

As soon as the meeting was over everyone stand up and gather around the Kages. The Tsuchikage was preparing his departure, while Tsunade and the Mizukage were chatting. Gaara was talking with Naruto, Kakashi was congratulated by everyone, though he didn't really seem to enjoy and Temari was talking with the Mizukage's younger protector.

"Well, once again, congratulation Kakashi!"

"Thank you..." said the copy cat nin with a fake smile.

"Kakashi...?" spoke Sakura with a soft voice.

"Yes Sakura?" replied the jonin, happy to be safe from the praising friends.

"Would you like me to heal you?"

"Huh!?"

With all the recent events, him being Hokage, Sasuke getting crazy and all the commotion around Madara, the grey haired man had totally forgot about his injuries and judging by the look of it, it wasn't looking good...

"Well, I don't want to bother you but I think I should say yes..."

"Hahaha..." laughed lightly the girl with a smile, "You never bother me sensei! Besides, I'm the one who offered it... Come on! Let's sit over there, at the Kages' table."

"After you..." replied Kakashi.

The two of them walk over to the table and sat besides each other. The pink haired girl took out her bag and took her medical pouch. She took the arm of her sensei and slowly examined it, taking off some of Kakashi's burned clothes and gloves at the same time. Sakura was a real med-nin now, she was good and devoted to her task and once again she was proving it.

"So..." began the grey haired man, "is it still alive?"

"Yeah!" said the girl between small laughs, "It is... I'll just clean the wound before closing it."

As the girl was cleaning the wound, he couldn't help but look at her.

'She look so much like Rin...' thought sadly the jonin, remembering his own teamate.

"Owww..." complained Kakashi, as the pink haired girl took out a big piece of burned clothe.

"Sorry Kakashi."

"It's okay!" replied the jonin while the glowing of her hands took him out of his misery.

Sakura was using her chakra to mend his skin and repair the broken parts of his arm, when she realise that her sensei was looking at her strangely. She didn't mind the strange habit until the jonin decided to speak.

"Sakura... I know I haven't been a good sensei for you..."

"What? What are you talking about?" asked the said girl stopping her healing session and looking at the grey haired man.

As the leader of team 7, I blame my own personal shortcomings for the team failure. Sakura… It was irresponsible of me to say what I did just to make you feel better."

Don't worry! Everything will go back to the way it was soon!

"..."

"..."

"Don't worry... Everything is just fine… Sensei... you don't have to feel bad about anything." replied the girl, head down, her bangs covering her eyes

"Sakura..." started the man, sensing he might have said something he shouldn't have.

"I said don't worry Kakashi... now I need to heal your arm." said the pink haired girl with a small smile.

Kakashi did as he was told and give back his arm, while Sakura pursued her healing session. Five minutes later, the jonnin's arm was as good as new. Sakura begin to bandage it, when Kankouro decided to make an appearance.

"Hello!" spoke the said young man in a seductive voice.

"Hi Kankouro! What can I do for you?" asked innocently the girl.

"Well, I'd like to talk with you... in private… May I?"

"Hummm... Yeah! I'm almost done." explained Sakura, "As for you, Kakashi, try to let your arm rest for a while... The burning is healed, but there are still some sore muscles. I suggest you start reading your perverted books with your right hand."

"Well, thank you Sakura... Hey! I'm not reading perverted books... I'm reading..." started the jonin, offended.

"Yeah, yeah! As you say sensei..." replied the pink haired girl while collecting her medical supplies, "So, you want to see me Kankouro..."

"Hey! Wait!" try to interrupt the jonin.

"Bye Kakashi!" said Sakura leaving the man alone.

"Sigh! Women..." concluded Kakashi while opening one of his books.

As Sakura and Kankouro walk away, the pink haired girl knew it wasn't going to be a friendly walk. It was obvious that the sand boy was in flirting mode and honestly, she wasn't in the mood for that.

"So... Sakura, how are you?"

"Humm… Fine Kankouro, how about you?" replied politely the girl with a small smile.

"Not bad, not bad... You know acting as the Kazekage's guard sure is hard."

"Yeah! I understand." said the pink haired girl while looking for Naruto.

When she finally spotted him, she knew she had to talk to him and fast.

"Eh! You know, maybe when all this is over... Hummm... Maybe we can go..." started the young man.

"Hummm Naruto? Can we talk?" interrupted the girl with a sad look on her face.

"Yeah! Coming!" replied the said boy.

"Sorry Kankouro, what were you saying?"

"Oh! Nothing..." said the young man while turning around and leave.

"You sure?" asked worriedly the girl from behind his back.

"Yeah! Don't worry! See you soon." said Kankouro while waving his hand.

"Okay... Bye!" concluded the girl, feeling a bit ashamed.

On Tsunade's side

"Great! Thank you Tsunade."

"No problem. I'll inform you as soon as I can."

"See you soon my friend." said the Mizukage.

"Yes, ha ha ha!" said Tsunade while waving her hand.

"Ao, Chojiro, we're leaving!" announced the woman, leaving the room.

"Lady Hokage?" asked the Tsuchikage as soon as the Mizukage left the room.

"Yes?" answered Tsunade, curious.

"We are leaving too… Inform us as soon as you can too."

"Right!" spoke the blond woman.

With that said, the Gondaime turn around and start to walk in the others direction with a confident smile. She knew she had only one last thing to do, which was to find the newly Hokage. After all, they had to discuss things regarding this upcoming war.

'Now, let's see where Kakashi is…" thought Tsunade while scanning her surrounding.

On Naruto's side

"We will be leaving now Naruto…"

"Hmmm o… okay! Thank you again for your support and help Gaara… I'm sorry… If you wouldn't have been there…." started the blond haired boy.

"Don't take all the blame on you, Naruto." replied the Kazekage.

"Huh!?"

"You're not responsible for Sasuke's acts and… Naruto… just so you know, this will be a war to protect the Hachibi and the Kyubi… in other words, you. For the sake of the ninja war and as the Kazekage, I will guard you with my life. If as a member of Akatsuki, Uchiha Sasuke stands in the way of the ninja coalition… I will show no mercy. Sasuke doesn't even see you. He longs only for his own darkness. Naruto… you told me you would become Hokage… I have become Kazekage. If you are prepared to bear the title of Kage, then do what you must as Sasuke's friend."

The Kazekage began to quit the room, leaving a depressive Naruto behind, when he stop.

"I think of you as a friend."

"…"

"I used to think "friend" was just another word, nothing more, nothing less. But when I met you, I realized what was important was the word's meaning… Think about its meaning. And about what you are trying to do for Sasuke."

"…"

"Kankouro, Temari, let's go."

And with that said, the Kazekage and his companion left the room, leaving a trouble and perplex jinchuriki, "Hmmm… Thank you Gaara…"

The blond haired boy turned around and starts to walk in the direction of his teamate. But he couldn't stop the feeling of panic that was rising inside of him. In fact, he wasn't feeling good, not at all. But he didn't have time to think about it, because Sakura had asked him to talk and judging by the look on her face, it was obviously important.

On Tsunade's side

"Here you are…" spoke the Gondaime.

"I wasn't hiding…" replied the copy cat nin.

"Stop foolin' around… We need to talk before we get back to the village."

"I'm all ears."

On Naruto's and Sakura's side

"Hey Sakura!" yelled naruto with a goofy smile!

"Hi Naruto!" replied the girl with a small smile.

"So you want to talk to me about something?"

"Sakura… I may not be the best suited person to tell you this, because I don't understand people or team 7 past, but… Since I have joined this team, I have started to understand you guys better and…

"Where are you going with this, Sai?" asked suspiciously the girl.

"…Naruto loves you Sakura." answered straight the boy.

"Humm… yeah… humm… I'm… huh!?" stammered the girl.

"Huh!? You're okay?" asked worriedly the boy.

"Yeah…"

'I can't do this to him…' thought sadly Sakura.

"Sasuke is causing Naruto pain, but I think you do too."

'But…'

Dear Sakura,

I know that what you are about to read is troublesome and ain't easy to learn, but we had no other choice. I wish I could be here to tell you this in person, but unfortunately, the events are against me…

You see… Lately, when we look at Naruto, we've been able to feel it… his sadness… his anger… And only a fool wouldn't see what is troubling him… or should I say who… I know you too know what impacts Sasuke have on Naruto's life. Now, he also have impacts on the rest of the world.

For Naruto's sake, for Konoha's sake, we need to do something ourselves instead of always relying on him. What I'm trying to say is that we're not kids anymore… we will stop Akatsuki and… we will stop Sasuke.

Therefore, I'm writing you this letter to get permission from team 7. We can't let war break out between Konohagakure and Kumogakure because of Sasuke. This may be a little indirect… but bear with me. If Kumogakure kills Sasuke, you and Ino… and Naruto won't stand for it. And if you do something to get yourselves killed, me and Choji and Inoichi and your parents will want revenge too. The other side will want their revenge as well. And if me and Choji get killed, this time, our parents will get involved and it'll be all-out war. According to the messengers from Kumo, Sasuke is already being treated as an international criminal. If Sasuke keeps working with Akatsuki, the hatred towards him will only increase. I think we need to take care of Sasuke ourselves.

I hope you get what I'm saying Sakura… Even if I know this probably breaks your heart… I need to ask your permission because the whole ninja world depends on this decision… We can't let him continue… This already went too far…

Sakura, when you'll come back… I need an answer.

And… Ahhh… this is troublesome… but just note that we all care about you, we really do and… this is not against you… okay?

- Shikamaru -

"Naruto… I love you…" said the girl with a small smile, "I don't care about Sasuke anymore! And I was crazy to ever love him…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"Wha… What… Did you just say Sakura!? I… I think I must have misheard you… Say it once more…" said surprisingly the blond haired boy with a blush on his face, while everyone else suddenly got interested in the conversation.

"Naruto… I said I love you!" spoke again the pink haired girl with an ashame blush, "I said I don't care about Sasuke anymore! And I was crazy to ever love him… can't you at least listen when someone's pouring out their heart to you!?"

At first, Naruto, flattered by the confession, blush but then, he realizes something. This attitude wasn't like Sakura, she was so in love with Sasuke, how could she change her mind so quick? Becoming more and more angry because he wasn't understanding the situation, Naruto decided to look deeper into this sudden declaration of hers.

"…But why...? Why…? If this is a joke, it's not funny. …Sakura"

"… What… the hell happened…?" replied spontaneously Kakashi.

"Sakura…" tried the Gondaime.

"Nothing… I've just come to my senses. There's no use loving a missing-nin and a criminal. I'm not a child anymore… I'm just being realistic. So, Naruto… I don't need your promise anymore… You can stop chasing after Sasuke…"

"What's going on…?" started Yamato before being stopped by the grey haired man.

"Did something happen… Sakura? Why are you telling me this all of a sudden…?" asked suspiciously the blond haired boy.

"It's nothing! … It's just clear why I fell for you…" replied innocently the girl.

Now, the poor boy was completely lost, he was angry. All of the moments Sakura showed her feelings to Sasuke were passing in front of his eyes, and when they first met him at Orochimaru's hide out after all this years… That was incomprehensible, something wasn't right. As he was trying to understand the situation, Sakura hug him.

"Sasuke keeps getting further and further away from me… But Naruto… You've always been right by my side… you encouraged me… I realize… who you really are. You're a hero who protected the village… the villagers all love you now… And I'm just one of them… Little by little you've grown from that no-good prankster… to someone wonderful and heroic… And I've watched it happen. But Sasuke's crimes just keep growing… and it's breaking my heart… He's becoming someone distant and unrecognizable." explained the girl while the boy backed away a little.

"But, Naruto… I can touch you… you bring me peace… from the bottom of my heart, I…"

"Stop it Sakura…" said the boy firmly gripping the girl's shoulder while pushing her away, "This isn't funny."

"What are you so upset about?..." said the girl with a fake smile, "I've just fallen for you instead of Sasuke… They say a woman's heart is like the autumn sky, right?"

His hands grip her a bit more before looking to her straight in the eye with a serious and enraged look.

"I… hate people who lie to themselves!"

"…"

"…"

"Are you… Saying I'm lying to myself?" asked half confused, half afraid the pink haired girl.

"…"

'Cover up Sakura… He must not know you're lying…' though the said girl, panicked.

"I'm the only one who knows what I'm thinking!! If you don't like me, then just say so!! If you're gonna make up excuses…" started Sakura while faking her anger.

"It's just weird! You came all this way just to tell me something like that!?" replied Naruto.

"SOMETHING LIKE THAT!? You think it's easy for a girl to confess her feelings!!? All this way!? Of course I'd come all this way! You've always been chasing after Sasuke and putting yourself in danger! Akatsuki is after you because you are the Kyuuby's host! You should be worried for your own safety! I… I don't want you to go after Sasuke if it means putting yourself in danger like that! I've come here because I want you to come back to the village with me! THAT'S ALL!"

"That just sounds like an excuse to me. I think I know you better than that." concluded the boy.

"You don't know anything! I don't care about Sasuke at all anymore, now that he's a criminal! So forget about your promise to me!" said Sakura.

"This isn't about that promise. I know why Sasuke… is so obsessed with revenge… He loved his family and his clan… I think it's because he loved them so much that he can't let it go."

"Then why did he join Akatsuki after he defeated Itachi?" asked Sai.

"That's not what happened… The truth is…" started Naruto before being interrupted.

"Naruto…" spoke Kakashi in a warning tone.

"It doesn't have anything to do with my promise to you." finished the said boy, "I want to help Sasuke."

'And I'm not worth enough helping you…?' thought sadly the girl, 'Naruto… I'm sorry…'

"Fine I'm going home." whispered the pink haired girl, leaving the room.

"…"

"Naruto…" started Sai as he approaches him.

"What…?"

"Sakura didn't come here to confess her feelings to you… She came here to tell you something she and your other age mates decided…" explained the dark haired boy.

"… I thought it seemed weird… So she was hiding something after all." spoke the jinchuriki.

"I understand now… why she couldn't tell you." said Sai.

"Sai… tell me."

"Konoha is going to get rid of Sasuke. That's what all your age mates are planning." confessed the boy.

"… DOES… DOES SAKURA-CHAN REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT!?" yelled Naruto, horrified, "Sakura loves Sasuke!! So how could she…"

"Sasuke is helping darkness take over this world. If he's allowed to live, he will just be the spark that starts an international war. He's a criminal now. After Akatsuki attacked Konoha, Konoha's ninjas could no longer turn a blind eye to the fact that Sasuke is working with Akatsuki. Sakura isn't stupid. And she's not so much of a child as to not understand other people's circumstances. That's why she came here to tell you." explained Sai.

"Then why… didn't she tell me!?" asked nervously the blond haired boy,

"It probably wasn't easy. She knew it would hurt you." answered Kakashi.

"But stil…" replied Naruto.

"She thought she'd lessen your burden by giving up on sasuke and confessing her love for you. But you still said you wanted to save Sasuke. I think that's why she couldn't tell you the truth. She was thinking of your feelings and… she probably knew you'd say that. She actually asked me not to tell you. She wanted to do it herself… she said it was her duty." continued the dark haired boy.

"But if she knew what Naruto's reaction would be… that means she never meant to tell him in the first place, right?" asked Yamato.

"I can't tell… Your guess is as good as mine…" concluded Sai.

'GOD DAMMIT SAKURA!!! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?' thought Naruto, angry. First Sasuke, Madara, the whole Kages' summit, Gaara, the leaf village and now her! That was it… The blond haired couldn't take it anymore. He was so tired and exhausted… The pressure on him was so high. What should he do, what should be done? He didn't know anymore. Thoughts of today's events kept rushing trough his mind. He was sweating, his head was spinning and he couldn't breath.

"Naruto… Are you okay?" asked the grey haired man.

"… Huhh…"

"NARUTO!!!" yelled Tsunade as she ran towards him.

But it was too late, Naruto was out, he had fainted…

On Sakura's side

'What have I done?' thought the girl panicked, 'That was totally stupid and so humiliating. Of course Naruto wouldn't believe me… Who would after seeing me beg him to bring back Sasuke! Oh and Hinata! How am I going to explain this? She'll hate me for the rest of her life that's for sure. What an idiot I am…'

Sakura walk slowly down the hall toward the exit, her thoughts were a rumble of words and emotions, all mixed up together. She needed to do something, but she didn't know what. She couldn't continue to give her problems to Naruto, he was at his limits. Suddenly, she realizes what she had to do… She had to find Sasuke.

Sakura didn't waste anymore time, she ran down the hall and down the road toward the forest. She focuses her chakra and tries to find the trace of the chakra of the lone avenger. She searched for it during 5 minutes and when she was about to give up, she catch a faint trace.

'Gotcha!' thought with triumph the pink haired girl.

Sakura start to run in the direction of his chakra. She ran at full speed toward it, only thinking about what she should do and what she had to do. Even if she was uncertain about some things there was one thing that was sure tough… She had to do it alone. Therefore, she hides her chakra and tried to hide her traces. But unknown to her, it was already too late. Someone was already chasing her and this someone wasn't alone…