Chapter-41

"6 days huh…" muttered Sakura while walking the street. She was acting normally with everyone so as to not draw any suspicion. She was going to the training ground. She wanted to throw away her feelings by breaking stuff. She reached the training ground and wore her worn out gloves. She weaved the hand seals and made several walls side by side. Then she started punching or kicking them to break them. This went on for two hours and now she was out of chakra. She sat leaning on a tree and tried to regulate her breathing. When she calmed down she saw the sun set with sadness. Another day gone… 5 left now.

She then stood and dusted herself off and turned around only to found Sasuke staring at her. Sasuke was watching Sakura stare at the sun with sadness. He walked up to her and asked

"What is going on, Sakura? and don't tell me that it's nothing."

Sakura covered her shock with a smile

"I just lost something precious of mine. So I'm trying to cope up with that. Happy now?"

"Is there something else you're not telling me?"

Sasuke was seriously worried about her.

"No. that was it. Well I'm off now. bye!" she said cheerily and went her own way. Sasuke just stared at her back as she walked away. Sasuke had a worried look as he saw her walk away from him.

Meanwhile, Naruto was getting tired by blowing up balloons and filling them with water. Damn it. Why wont it stay still. He was getting frustrated and finally asked Jiraiya what to do about it.

"Okay, I'll explain the concept." He took out a white paper and showed it to Naruto. "Do you see anything?"

"It's just a blank paper. What do you think I see?!"

"Calm down. Now…" Jiraiya put a dot in the middle and then showed that to Naruto. "do you see anything?"

"um… yeah. There's a black dot in the middle. But what the hell does this have to do with training?"

"when you looked at the blank paper, your eyes roamed around randomly trying to find something. But when I put a dot on the paper, your attention went there right away. The same thing can be applied to your problem. Right now, you're trying to watch something on a blank paper. That's why your chakra goes in all directions and as a result your balloon pops. But if you release chakra in a spiral by imagining a centre you will be able to do it. Got it?"

"Hm. Okay. I'll try."

"Good. Now I gotta go." And then he left to go ask around about Tsunade's whereabouts.

He returned two hours later.

"Naruto, pack up. We're leaving. I found a lead."

"Aw man. Okay."

They started walking and all along the way, Naruto kept trying not to pop up the balloon.

To say that Itachi was grim was an understatement. I never would have thought Sasuke will turn to evil just to gain power to kill me. I only meant to tell him that he should hate me and train hard but he want too far. The war was horrible as well. All the shinobi lying dead in blood and mud. I always suspected that the guy with orange mask, who helped him exterminate his clan, was planning something big. But this is too much. And to think I participated in all this was just truly disgusting of me. I wont let Sasuke take that path anymore. This Sakura girl had some positive effect on him because Kakashi said Naruto and Sasuke always protect her. I hope everything goes well. And then he went back to his stoic expression and kept walking.

Sakura woke up from the floor of her room. She decided since she has 4 days left, she would hang out with everybody. She wanted to spend time in their company. She won't be able to later, if ever. She changed her clothes and went down to meet her parents.

"Good morning, Sakura" said her parents at the same time. She smiled and sat down at the table with them. Her mother was cutting vegetables while her father was working. She chatted with them the whole day and had fun. They ate good food, entertained each other by swapping stories of their days and even played games. Sakura felt so happy at that moment that she would not need anything more. But mission comes first. They ended the day as Sakura got tired and went to her room. She sat on the floor and could only think of her parents' happy faces.

The next day, she thought she should spend some time with her girl friends. They met up and went roaming around, giggling and skipping. They went shopping. Ino had a bundle of clothes to try on. Sakura didn't pick anything. Why should I buy something I wont be able to wear? She thought sadly.

"Oi! Sakura! why aren't you looking around the shop? Go Try something on!"

"I'm fine, Ino. I have enough clothes."

"Tch, you're no fun." said Ino while walking back. Sakura smiled at her antics. I'll miss that a lot.

It took them the whole day to shop. They all went to eat something. It was fun, talking about normal things and not plan and strategies. When the dinner was over, Sakura hid her grim-filled face with a wide smile.

"Well that sure as hell was awesome!" said Ino

"Ye-yeah I liked spending time with you all." Said a shy Hinata

"well I guess this is it" she said while smiling to seem natural

"well bye guys!" Ino said and left.

"I'll be leaving too. Good night." Said Hinata

Sakura kept watching their backs as they left. Bye you guys. Then she went home.

With 2 days left, Sakura was starting to get panicked. But then her curse mark pulsed which made her wince as she sat on the floor. It was evening and she hadn't left her room all day. She cleaned her room the whole day. Now that that was done, she actually went out and started walking on the street. Sasuke was also walking on the same street as Sakura. He saw her and ran to catch up

"Hey."

"Oh hi, Sasuke. What are you doing here? Aren't you training?"

He scratched his cheek a little as he said "Kakashi was just annoying me. So I left."

They started walking together. "What did he do?"

"He wasn't even paying attention. He looked off at the horizon and just kept sighing. It annoyed the hell out of me."

I'm sorry sensei. For making you worried. Thought Sakura.

"What are you doing? I haven't seen you in like 3 days."

"oh. I was exercising my chakra precision. It takes a lot of practice to do that." She lied easily

"Hn."

"Well I'm gonna go to the training ground. Bye Sasuke!" and she left.

Damn it. It's now or never. He thought as he ran towards her. He caught up and stood in front of her. He took out a new set of gloves from his pocket and held it in front of her. "here"

Sakura looked at him question. "What's this?"

"Well I noticed your old gloves were worn out so I thought I should get you new set. NOW TAKE IT."

Sakura was at a loss of words. Sasuke really does care about me. He has changed a lot. Slowly she took the gloves from his hand and looked at them. They were just perfect for her. She looked up at him. Her emerald eyes glowing from happiness and she gave him the most sincere and beautiful smile to him.

"Thank you, Sasuke. It means a lot to me." She said

Meanwhile Sasuke was trying to hide his furious blush he got because of Sakura's eyes and smile.

"Whatever. It's not a big deal. Well that's it. Bye" and he took off

Now all he could think about was her beautiful face glowing with happiness. Damn it, Sakura. You're really annoying.

It was just the day before she had to leave. She felt gloomy. It was the afternoon and suddenly Kakashi popped up. "Yo"

"Hi sensei."

Kakashi could tell she was dreading tomorrow. He knelt down and took one of her hands in his and patted it. She looked up to see him smiling

"Sakura, I know it's difficult and the worst part is that I did this to you. I gave you that mission. So don't hold yourself accountable for decisions like these. Okay?"

She just nodded. A comfortable silence was spread in the room.

"Kakashi-sensei…"

"hm?"

"What if I fail? What if im not even capable of doing this mission? Everyone will die and it will be my fault. Because of my incapability, I'm putting a lot of risk for others. I can't even trust myself at this point."

"Look, you know you are strong. And im not talking about physical strength, nobody can beat you at that. But im talking about emotional strength. You were brave enough to accept this mission. And you have done so many things that I cant even count. You're a remarkable person Sakura. I know you won't fail. I believe in you."

Sakura smiled at him in appreciation and muttered a thank you.

"Will I be able to see you tomorrow before I leave?"

"Sadly no. I have to leave for a mission in 3 hours. So I just thought I should atleast say goodbye." He said sadly

"well I have to leave for mission briefing." He started getting up Sakura hugged him tight.

"I will protect everyone. I will do anything to make you guys happy. So please take care of yourself. And I hope you can calm down Naruto. I don't know how Sasuke will react so that's up to you. Please take care of everyone."

Kakashi smiled at her and patted her back.

"I will also support whenever you need it. Take care Sakura. Good luck. Remember, I have faith in you. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Kakashi-sensei" she said as she cried.

Kakashi disappeared.

That night, she cried herself to sleep.