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25. Goodbye Konoha
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After a surprisingly deep sleep Sakura woke up contented in her own bed, but she didn't want to get up.
Tonight would be their official farewell party and in two days they would head off to Suna. Everyone knew she would leave Konoha soon.
She needed to think.
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I guess there's no way to back out now…
Nope, too late.
Shit.
Don't be afraid. We'll be fine, trust me!
Hm.
It's an interesting adventure. Have some faith!
Yeah right, faith…
You took the mission, deal with it! Now get up and get your shit together!
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The young kunoichi groaned in annoyance, it was one of these moments when she missed the silence in her head.
Fine!
Sakura stood up and went for a soothing shower.
As she came back it was already in the middle afternoon. There was only a cup of instant ramen in her kitchenette left.
Nope.
Sakura decided to go outside and get something to eat.
On her way she found the perfect dress for tonight, she couldn't withstand and bought it.
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The event hall was filled with people of konoha, shinobi of all ranks and many civilians.
A certain medic-nin in a stunning short dark-grey dress skimming her female curves tried to mingle with the crowd and made her way to the bar. An ANBU stopped her, sadly she didn't know him.
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"Hokage-sama awaits your presence. She's waiting backstage."
Damn!
"Okay…"
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The pinkette followed the tall man through the crowd and found the blonde leader behind the curtain impatiently tapping her foot.
The hokage grumbled "Have you seen Hatake?"
"No." Sakura sighed, of course he was late again.
"Not good. It's getting late and I'd like to say a few introductory words. Someday I'll strangulate him for his delays and damn excuses."
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*Poof*
Out of habit the jounin sought for a silly alibi "I'm sorry I had to…"
"STOP IT! Both move your asses on stage NOW!" The sannin spat angrily.
Kakashi looked at Sakura and shrugged calm and unimpressed as ever, before he pulled the curtain to the side and signalled her to go first. Tsunade followed suit and began to speak as they had reached the middle of the stage.
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"Good evening everyone! May I have your attention please!
Tonight we are all here to celebrate two of our best shinobi. Jounin Hatake Kakashi and Chuunin Haruno Sakura. Both will be leaving us indefinitely and are going to support our important alliance in Suna."
Then the hokage pointed at her former apprentice. "Sakura, when you come back, you'll be finally upgraded to Jounin rank. I'm very grateful for the wonderful time we had together, you were my best and dearest apprentice."
She turned into the direction of the slouching copy-nin. At least he's not reading his damn book on stage.
"And Kakashi, you know why I'm sending you too. Take it as a rehearsal."
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Tsunade turned back to the crowd and raised her glass, ANBU handed glasses to the two soon leaving shinobi.
"Konoha is very proud of you! Raise your glasses and have a good time! Cheers!"
Everyone cheered and drank a sip sparkling wine.
"Oh and before I forget, the buffet is now open! Thanks for your attention. Get the party started!"
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Sakura sat at a u-formed table near to Tsunade and a really better looking Shizune, Kakashi sat on the other side of the hokage a few seats farther.
Still avoiding, huh?
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After dinner half of the crowd had dispersed and Sakura went with some of her ninja generation for a few drinks to the bar in the foyer.
Suddenly a very flirty Kiba hugged her from behind and greeted her with a peck on her cheek.
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"Hey Kiba!" Giggling she leaned back in her slightly tipsy state and enjoyed the warm body contact.
"Good that you're still here. Do you have any plans for later?" The Inuzuka heir whispered into her ear.
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"Not now. Why?"
"I thought about some no strings attached fun?"
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The pinkette chuckled and turned to face him. "No thanks."
Oh my god! I finally did it! I dumped a guy! Wheeeeeeehhh! What a great feeling!
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Kiba frowned and gave her a cocky smile "Are you sure?"
"Yes. I'm sorry, but I can't." She shrugged and put on an innocent smile.
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"Alright. Take care, Sakura! I wish you the best."
He kissed her cheek again and left heading to the civilian girls on the other side of the bar.
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A very proud Ino put two shots in front of them. "Drink, forehead!"
"Cheers, pig!"
"Damn, I'll be missing you!"
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They drank and the strong alcohol stung, Sakura cleared her burning throat "Ok, I take it back. I won't be missing you. What the hell, Ino! What's in there?"
"Special creation. I call it a smurf suicide."
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They laughed and ordered another one.
"Now forehead, spill the beans! What happened between you an Kiba?" The blonde poked the pinkette between the ribs.
Just as Sakura began to narrate, Naruto and his lovely fiancé stepped by.
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The blonde man cried deeply whimpering unintelligible words, while his dear Hyuuga put on a fake smile and said "I hope you'll finally find your peace in Suna."
Kill. That. Bitch!
"Hinata, nice to meet you. Maybe we'll see us at a kage summit one day" , Sakura said and put on a fake façade herself.
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The air between them turned ice-cold and deadly quiet, except the snuffling sounds from a certain wannabe-hokage. At that moment Ino and Sai intervened the scene with some drinks and carried the kunoichi in the gorgeous grey dress away to Kurenai, Anko, Tsunade and Shizune.
Hinata left with a still sobbing Naruto in tow.
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After some funny rounds of that ominous smurf suicide Sakura went outside and sat down on top of a brick wall. She was sad and wanted a moment to breathe, she hadn't seen Tatsuo and likely wouldn't before her departure. Contemplating her mission she stared up to the stars.
Then a friendly Genma came to her, sat down next to her in safe distance.
"Are you alright?"
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"I know it sounds childish and immature, but I'm a bit nervous and anxious due to my upcoming mission. I've never left Konoha for a long time."
"It would be weird if you wouldn't feel that way, Sakura, it's not childish or immature or whatever. Every shinobi has such thoughts before a long term mission. I know that all too well. Just relax. You're lucky, you won't have to move to a foreign village alone, you have a renowned ninja by your side who will support you as much as he can."
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"I guess you're right. Have you been on long term missions before?"
"Yeah, every once in a while. In fact they're not as bad as they may seem. You learn a lot about yourself when you're far away and have to deal with other conventions. Also you get a lot of experience which you would never have in only one village. You see different places and get to know a lot of people. For an unattached young ninja it's a wonderful opportunity to see the world and to enjoy our harsh shinobi life." He spoke enthusiasticly.
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"Thank you, Genma for calming me down."
"Of course! We're all in the same boat, remember?" The jounin gave her a big and honest smile.
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They talked a bit about her mission, he acted very mature and serious. Sakura was glad they could deal with their recent past so easily.
He was really a good guy.
Before they parted he smirked and put on his typical womanizer façade.
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"If you'll ever come back to Konoha and you're single or discreet enough let me know"
The pinkette laughed. "Of course, Genma. But would you really want to deal with the wrath of the kazekage?"
"Anytime, if it's for you, sweet princess." He kissed her hand and went away.
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The bandana-head knew Kakashi had watched their last talk. He just wanted to hoax him again a bit for the threesome the copy-nin had turned the foursome into so long ago. Maybe that would help the stubborn silverhead to think clearer about his feelings for a certain kunoichi.
Sakura went back inside to party with the others. All were drinking pretty much and had a good time.
Kakashi acted like nothing had happened, but obviously ignored Genma and avoided her near.
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As she came home that night there was a red rose at her door with a neatly folded piece of paper. In her slightly drunken state she squealed with glee.
Tatsuo!
Curious and impatient as she was right now, her trembling fingers opened the letter.
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Dear Sakura,
I'm sorry I couldn't attend to your farewell party, I'm currently not in town.
Good luck on your upcoming mission.
T
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But if he's not in town, how did he put that in front of my door?
Also there was a small box, she opened it. It was the very same pink bunny vibrator she had thrown out of the balcony some time ago.
Oh my god….He found it.
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Sakura went pale.
There was a post-it on the handle:
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Have fun ;)
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©SquaMata