Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Unfortunate for me, fortunate for everyone else.

WITH TEAM 7/Hokage TOWER:

"The mission was a success, I assume?"

"Yes, Godaime."

"Fantastic. Go, take a week vacation."

Team 7 bowed. Naruto and Sasuke left the room, though Sakura and Kakashi remained. Tsunade looked up. Sighing, she replaced her pen and folded her hands on her desk.

"Yes?"

"Well, shishou, I have a problem."

Tsunade stood, holding a kunai.

"Tell me what Kakashi did, Sakura! I'll rip his spleen out!"

Kakashi sweat dropped. Sakura, convinced her sensei would actually do it, touched Kakashi's arm lightly.

"Shishou! He didn't do anything!"

Tsunade sat down, glaring at Kakashi. Said man simply buried his nose farther in his porn book.

"Hmph. What is it then?"

"Well…"

"Well what?"

"I can't use my chakra."

It was silent. Then-

"WHAT!"

Sakura winced, rubbing her ear. She pointed at her stomach, were the small device still rested.

"Yes. Doto, evil tyrant leader guy, put this on me. He said it was gathering all the chakra I had and make every day and locks it in a barrier. He said you can't destroy it."

Tsunade sighed.

"Well, that's too bad."

Sakura sweat dropped. Then she rubbed her forehead, trying not to have an epiphany about the colorful words she could throw at her shishou's face.

"Too bad? What do you MEAN 'too bad'? Dropping a bag of cookies on the ground is 'too bad'. Losing your favorite kunai is a 'too bad.' Not being able to use my CHAKRA! Not a 'too bad'. More like an 'oh shit!'"

Kakashi took a few steps back from the seething pink-haired kunoichi while her teacher merely sat quietly.

"Are you done?"

Sakura took a deep breath, collecting her calm and nodding lightly.

"Yes shishou."

"Good. Now, here's what we're going to do. We are going to use this to our advantage. You will continue with training, but no medical ninjutsu. Focus of tijutsu, speed, strength, endurance, and stamina. Understand?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now go."

"Hai."

THAT NIGHT/SAKURA'S HOUSE:

"We'll use it to our advantage. Che. More like shove your lessons to other people."

Sasuke didn't even look up from the bowl of ramen on the table. Sakura stopped her rant, looking at Sasuke curiously.

"Sasuke? What's wrong?"

"Sakura…"

"Hm?"

He looked away from her.

"Never mind."

He stood, walking to the door and slipping into his shoes. Sakura stood, following him.

"Thanks for dinner Sakura."

"Sasuke. Sasuke wait."

His hand rested on the door knob. Sakura turned his around, wrapping her arms around him. He returned the hug, resting his head on the top of hers.

"Do what you have to do. Just…just come back soon, alright?"

Sasuke nodded and pulled away. Sakura opened the door, letting him out. He was heading down her stairs when she called to him.

"Sasuke!"

She ran out to him, grabbing his hand and slipping something into it. She smiled and turned around, going back into her apartment. Sasuke opened his hand. In his palm rested a long silver chain. He could feel her chakra humming in the links lightly. A chakra-necklace, he thought. He looked to the closed door.

"Sakura…thank you."

In the window of her kitchen, Sakura watched Sasuke slip the chain around his neck and disappear. Closing the curtains, she locked the windows and door, heading to her room. Lying on her bed, she clenched her eyes shut, willing herself not to cry. Sasuke was a part of her family and now he was leaving. Sakura knew he felt like he had to. However, there was other ways to gain the power needed to kill his brother. Sakura rolled onto her stomach, pushing her face into her pillow and sighing.

"Sasuke…you better stay safe you dumbass."

THE NEXT MORNING:

A loud banging on her window woke her up. Groggily lifting her head, she rolled out of bed and opened her curtains, blinking when Naruto looked through. Throwing the latch, she strolled away, leaving him to let himself in. He clambered through the window.

"Sakura! Sasuke left the village last night! He's going to Orochimaru!"

Sakura sighed, pulling her headband on in her bathroom. Walking into her room, she tugged on her boots and climbed out the window. Naruto followed quietly, somewhat confused to her behavior and reaction to the news.

"Sakura-chan?"

"Come on Naruto. I suspect you asked shishou to assemble a team?"

"Well ya…but-"

An ANBU appeared on the rooftop the two had been jumping onto. Sakura nodded.

"Godaime Hokage wants you in her office immediately."

"Alright."

The ANBU disappeared and Sakura began to leap over the remaining roofs. She turned her head to Naruto slightly.

"What were you saying Naruto?"

"Nothing."

SAKURA POV/AT HER APARTMENT:

What was shishou thinking, sending them without a medic ninja?

I suppose I am the only one other than Shizune.

I sighed, turning and swinging my legs over my bed. Tugging on my shoes, I stood and jumped out my window. I had hoped Sasuke would have more time. Though, on the other hand, I wouldn't be upset if they brought him back. He'd just try it again and I want him to go so he'll come home sooner. The team had already begun to assemble at the gates, save for two or three members.

"Sakura."

"Hi Neji."

I turned to look at the others that were there. Kiba had just run up with Akamaru. Choji and Shikumaru stood a-ways-away, murmuring to each other quietly. Shikumaru was the team captain, being the only one of the Konoha 12 besides myself to become a chuunin during the exams. He had been promoted to jonin due to his intelligence levels. Naruto ran up a moment later, staring at me.

"Hey Sakura-chan."

"Hey Naruto."

He walked over to me and I gave him a hug.

"Be safe alright?"

"'Course Sakura-chan!"

I grinned, rubbing his spiky blond locks lightly. I turned, grasping Neji and Shikumaru in a hug as well. Kiba pouted at me and I rolled my eyes, letting him pick me up and swing me around in a giant circle. Once he put me down I gave Choji a hug and Shikumaru turned.

"Come on guys. We need to get going."

"Hai."

They ran out the village gates and jumped into the trees. Soon, they disappeared from sight. I sighed, turning on my heel and heading back to my apartment.

"Sakura-chan!"

Raising my head, I barely managed to dodge Lee as he attempted to tackle-hug me. He pouted for a moment before bouncing to his feet.

"The retrieval team for Sasuke left just moments ago, right?"

"Yes."

"They are so youthful, going after a departing comrade!"

"Not today Lee."

He quieted, following behind me as I continued to my apartment. Finding he was still behind me when I opened the door to my apartment, I turned to him.

"Do you need something?"

"Sakura-chan…I am going to follow them."

I blinked.

"What?"

"Yes. The Hokage is worried she did not send enough people. She sent for some help from Suna as well."

Gaara…

"Why are you telling me?"

"I know that you cannot use your chakra due to that-"

Here he tapped the device still attached to my stomach.

Stupid piece of crap.

"However, you are a talented ninja even without your chakra. I know you want to help and I believe you can."

"Thank you Lee."

He grinned; nearly blinding me with his 50 watt grin.

"One thing, beloved blossom."

"Hm?"

"I never told you a thing! Good bye Sakura-chan! May youth always shine brightly in you!"

"Bye Lee."

Rolling my eyes at his exuberance, I turned and ran into my room. Pulling out my bag, I quickly filled it. Kunai, shuriken, paper bombs, transporting scrolls, and my katana. I traded my signature red top for a black, long-sleeve, tight one. Then I changed into black ninja pants and braided my hair, making sure it was tight and would not escape its hold. I tightened my headband and prepared to leave the room. Pausing, I turned back in and grabbed a scroll out of a secret compartment in my floorboard. I placed it in my pocket and turned to my window, jumping out of it and running in the shadows towards the gates.

Hold on guys.

END OF CHAPTER

Review please?

Eris-R-Renee