Hello again.

I started this story at the start of the year, but I never really sat down long enough to carry on with it, until now. I hope you all enjoy it and as always, please review the chapter/s. Your support means a lot.

Love to you all xx


"I can't believe that you're actually leaving now," Ino sighed sadly, her lips pulled down.

Sakura gave the blonde a small smile. "I know."

"Do you have to go?"

Sakura nodded, "I agreed to going all those months ago, and I can't back out now."

"Have you tried speaking to Tsunade?"

Sakura looked at Ino with a raised eyebrow, "I don't want to die."

Ino sighed in defeat, "I know…" she sulked.

Sakura looked around her living room. A room that was filled with many happy memories. She smiled at the wall full of photos of friends and family. Some from when she was a child, to the most recent ones, taken when they had gone out.

Five months ago, Sakura had walked into Tsunade's office, annoyed and desperate for a way out of the village, away from the prying eyes of her mother. The memory flooding back, like it was only yesterday.

"Tsunade, I want out!" Sakura stormed into the office; her hands balled tight, ready to punch anything that got in her way.

Tsunade looked up from the file in her hand, "what happened Sakura?" the blonde asked, her attention falling back to the file.

"My mother is what happened!" Sakura growled. She ground her teeth together, the vein in her temple throbbing madly. "She won't stop interfering!"

"What did she do now?" The blonde asked.

Tsunade saw Sakura as an adopted daughter of sorts. Since she had taken the young pinkette under her wing and taught her everything she knew about medicine, healing and more, she had come to see the young girl as her own. Sakura would come to Tsunade for advice, not only about work, but about life, relationships and more times than not, she would complain to Tsunade about what her mother, Mebuki had done.

"She set me up on a date with some guy, because she thinks it's about time that I settle down." Sakura huffed out and sat down on the vacant chair, her arms crossed over her chest. "And that's not all," she continued, "when I turned down the date, she stormed into my house and demanded to know what my problem was, which turned into an argument about why Sasuke and I broke up!"

Tsunade sighed and placed the file down, giving the pinkette her full attention. "You know she only does this things because she cares about you."

"There is caring, then there is stalking and interfering and trying to control everything!" Sakura yelled.

Tsunade nodded, she understood Sakura's frustration. "When did this happen?"

"Yesterday. Tsunade, please, if there is any way I can get out of here, then tell me. I can't stay here and have my mum constantly ask me why Sasuke and I broke up, to her trying to set me up with some random guy because she thinks that I've been single long enough." Sakura pleaded.

Tsunade thought for a while, "there might be something…"

Sakura looked at Tsunade with hopeful eyes, her lips pulling up slightly.

"Don't get your hopes up just yet, I need to work on it, but once I've got something, I'll let you know."

"You are the best!" Sakura beamed at her and stood up. "I can't wait!" with that, she left the office and made her way back to her office.

"So, when do you go?" Ino asked, pulling Sakura from her thoughts.

"Day after tomorrow," Sakura stood up and walked to the kitchen, "do you want anything to drink?"

"You're going to be so far," Ino sighed sadly and followed Sakura into the kitchen. From the cupboard she grabbed two wine glasses and from the fridge, a bottle of white wine.

"Suna isn't that far," Sakura opened the bottle and filled the glasses. She picked one and took a long sip, enjoying the cold, delicate taste.

"It's a three day car journey," Ino pointed out. She picked up her glass and took a large sip.

"It's quicker by plane," Sakura countered with a smile. "Plus, you can always come over for a nice holiday."

"Like you'll ever be free. You're always busy with work."

Sakura shook her head and smiled, "I'll try not to be too busy."

"Have you got everything packed?" Ino finished off her drink, and poured herself more, topping Sakura's glass.

"I do," Sakura took another sip. "Naruto said he'd look after this place for me while I'm gone."

They made their way back to the living room, and sat down.

"I'm going to miss you so much, forehead," Ino sighed, placing her head on Sakura's shoulder.

"I'll miss you more pig," Sakura placed her head on top of Ino's. "I'm going to have to find someone to call pig in Suna," she laughed.

"I'm sure everyone there will be calling you billboard brow from the moment they see you," Ino added with a laugh. "Have you told Genma about you leaving?"

Sakura gulped down her drink before topping it up and grabbing another bottle from the fridge. "No, I haven't." She sat back down and picked up her glass.

"Aren't you going to?" Ino looked at Sakura over her glass.

"Honestly, I don't know…" Sakura sighed out. She'd been seeing Genma on and off for the last three months, and she wasn't even sure whether they were in a relationship, or whether they were friends with benefits.

"I thought things were good between you?"

Sakura huffed out a laugh, "well, the sex was good, but I barely see him. He only ever calls or messages me when he wants something, otherwise I never hear from him. And last I checked; he was sleeping with someone else."

"He's such a whore," Ino chucked back the rest of her drink, "but a very good looking one." She smiled slyly.

The rest of the evening past by with the friends drinking, recalling and laughing at memories. It was in the early hours of the morning that they had both fallen asleep.

XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo

Sakura was awoken by the loud, insistent banding on her front door. Both women groaned loudly at the sound.

Ino grabbed the pillow and pressed it against her ear, "Sakura, make it stop," she groaned low.

Reluctantly, Sakura stood up and made her way to the front door, where the noise only intensified. Her headache pounding with the same ferocity as the banging on the door. "I'm coming!" she yelled. She opened the door, "What?" she demanded, only to stop at the sight of an annoyed Mebuki.

"When were you going to tell me about you leaving?" she narrowed her eyes at Sakura, her arms crossed around her middle.

"Good morning mum, how are you?" Sakura greeted with mock cheer.

"Morning?" Mebuki scoffed, "it's almost midday."

Sakura glanced at the clock and winced inwardly, she didn't mean to spend nearly all morning in bed, nursing her hangover. She walked back into the living room and grimaced at the several empty bottles of wine that littered her living room floor and table.

Mebuki shut the door and watched as Sakura picked bottle after bottle off the floor and took them into the kitchen. She shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Looks like you had a good night," her tone biting.

"Mum, it's a little too early for you to start complaining about everything I do," Sakura sighed out as she picked up the last two bottle and took them to the kitchen.

"Well, I wouldn't be complaining if you'd talk to me once in a while."

"Last time we spoke, you gave me an earful for breaking up with Sasuke, and you blamed me for it, even though I have told you a thousand times, that both of us had agreed to go our own separate ways," Sakura pointed out. She started the coffee machine and grabbed two cups. "Would you like a coffee?" She turned to face her mother.

"Why didn't you tell me that you're leaving for Suna?" Mebuki asked, her tone hurt.

"Because I only found out a few days ago myself, and I've been so busy with packing and at the hospital that I didn't get round to telling anyone." Sakura smiled sweetly.

"But you had time to get drunk…?" Mebuki pointed to the many empty bottles currently sat on the counter.

"Ino came over with drinks and I told her I was leaving," Sakura turned away and got busy making herself a coffee. With her cup full, she brought it to her lips and blew on the top of her mug. She took a sip, moaning in relief at the taste of the heavenly liquid passing her lips.

"Have you got everything packed?" Mebuki asked. As much as she wanted to pry and find out the reason why Sakura was leaving, she didn't ask.

Sakura nodded as she took another sip of her drink, "all packed."

"And when will you be coming back?"

Sakura avoided looking at her mother and took a long sip of her drink, trying to think of an answer to the question. She wasn't sure how to answer the question. With her mug empty, she placed it on the counter and looked at her mum, a sheepish smile on her face. "Not for a while…"

Mebuki raised an eyebrow, "what does that mean?"

"Well…" Sakura started, "I'll be in Suna for maybe a few months, or a year… I'm not sure…"

Mebuki looked at her stunned, "what?"

"Yeah…" Sakura pressed her lips together and nodded.

"And you were just going to leave without telling us?" Mebuki's brow furrowed.

Just then, Ino walked in yawning. "Forehead, I need coffee please."

"Coming up," Sakura turned away quickly and busied herself making more coffee.

Ino looked over at Mebuki and smiled, only to stand tall quickly and run a hand through her messy hair. "Aunty, hello," she smiled sheepishly.

"Hello Ino. Looks like you two had a good night."

Ino nodded, and forced herself to smile, "yes, we were celebrating Sakura getting the job in Suna."

"When did you find out about it?" Mebuki asked.

Sakura placed the cup on the counter and tried to catch Ino's eye, to silently beg her not to say anything.

"I found out last night," Ino picked up her mug and placed it against her lips and took a large sip, not caring that the liquid was burning hot.

Mebuki nodded at the answer, before turning to look at Sakura. "Come over for dinner tonight, that way your father and I get to spend some time with you before you leave us forever."

"Mum, it's not forever," Sakura rolled her eyes, "and I'll come only if you promise not to bring up Sasuke, or to try and set me up with someone or have a go at me for not settling down."

Mebuki stared at Sakura, her eyes narrowing slightly. For a few seconds, they stared at one another, before she said, "fine."

Sakura smiled triumphantly, "I'll see you at 7."

"Don't be late," Mebuki added sternly, before turning away and walking to the front door, seeing herself out.

Ino watched as Mebuki left, and she let out a deep sigh, "seriously Sakura, you didn't tell your mum?"

"She's the reason I'm leaving," Sakura filled her mug again, "I couldn't exactly tell her that."

"But you could have at least told her you were leaving when you found out," Ino looked at the pinkette.

"She would have turned it into a whole drama, and I didn't want to hear it," Sakura took a tentative sip of her drink.

"You know she loves you, and she only wants the best for you."

"Where is this coming from?" Sakura raised her eyebrow.

"I'm just saying…"

"I know she does, but sometimes she really doesn't know where to draw the line," she sighed out, taking another sip of her drink.

"Before you go to your parents, come by the shop and I'll have a bouquet ready for you," Ino finished off her drink. "That way, your mum won't be as mad with you."

"Good thinking, I knew there was a reason you are my best friend." Sakura smirked at the blonde.

"Whatever, forehead," she set the mug down and put on her shoes. She shrugged into her jacket and picked up her bag. "See you later," she walked to the front door.

"Love you," Sakura shouted at her.

"Love you more," Ino walked out, closing the door behind her.

XoXoXoXoXoXoXo

Sakura parked her car and looked at the building in front of her, her childhood home. A home that was filled with happy memories and not so happy ones. She sighed and took her keys out and picked up the flowers Ino had prepared for her. There were lilies, roses and some other flowers that she didn't know the names of, but Ino had assured her that they would make Mebuki happy.

Sakura got out of the car and made her way to the front door. She twisted the handle and pushed the door open, kicking her shoes off. "I'm home," she shouted.

"You could at least put your shoes away neatly," Mebuki said as she walked into the hallway, her arms crossed over her middle.

Sakura rolled her eyes and picked up her shoes and placed them neatly on the rack, "happy now?" she asked sarcastically.

"Don't take that tone with me young girl," Mebuki scolded. She turned away and walked into the living room.

Sakura shook her head and followed after her mother, "here I got you these," she handed her the bouquet of flowers.

Mebuki looked over at them and smiled, "thank you," she looked at Sakura and added, "or should I say thank you to Ino?"

Sakura smiled sheepishly, "she said you'd like them. And it's my way of saying sorry for not telling you sooner about me moving to Suna."

"Are you going to tell us what prompted this move?" Kizashi asked from the sofa.

Sakura looked over at her dad and smiled, "hey dad, how are you doing?"

Kizashi stood up and walked over to her, "I'm well my darling, how are you?"

"I'm good dad," she hugged him.

"So, why are you leaving us then?" he patted her back.

"Well…" Sakura started. "I thought a change of scenery would be good." She turned to look at her mum, "would you like any help?"

"Yes please," Mebuki placed the flowers in water and made her way to the kitchen. She got busy grabbing ingredients and placing them on the counter.

"What are you making?" Sakura looked over her mother's shoulder.

"Chicken donburi," Mebuki started to prepare the chicken, she pointed to the vegetables, "can you cut these up?"

"Sure," Sakura grabbed the vegetables and took them to the sink and washed them, before slicing the carrots and cabbage thinly and shelling the edamame beans. With the vegetables ready, Sakura got busy with the rice.

Half an hour later, the food was ready. Sakura helped plate it up, and placed it on the table. "Dad, dinner is ready," she called as she grabbed the jug and filled it with water.

"It looks delicious," Kizashi sat down and eyed the food with hunger.

"Thank you for the food," they all called out in unison before tucking into the dish. They ate and spoke about memories of Sakura when she was little.

"You were such a spitfire," Kizashi laughed, "not much has changed there."

"Dad…" Sakura whined as she blushed.

"Don't mind him," Mebuki smiled, "you grew up to be such a wonderful and amazing woman."

Sakura smiled, her face heating as her blush intensified. She barely got many compliments from her mum, and she was surprised to see that her mother had kept to her word and not once brought up Sasuke or her settling down.

"So, have you got a place to stay when you go to Suna?" Mebuki asked as they finished dinner. She stood up and took the dirty dishes with her, returning with three bowls of anmitsu.

"I do, Tsunade has made all the arrangements." When the bowl was placed in front of her, Sakura beamed with happiness, "thanks mum." She picked up her spoon and dug into the pudding, enjoying the delicious sweet tastes of jelly, fruit and red bean paste.

"We couldn't let you leave without sharing a bowl of anmitsu," Mebuki laughed.

With dessert over, Sakura helped tidy up the kitchen and table. By the time they were done, it was pushing ten. "I'm going to go now; I've got to make sure I've got everything ready and I need to see Tsunade in the morning." She made her way to the hallway and slipped into her shoes.

"Mind how you go," Mebuki said as she followed her out.

"Will do," Sakura smiled at her, before throwing her arms around her. "I love you mum."

Mebuki smiled at the words and tears filled her eyes, "I love you too."

Sakura looked over at her dad and smiled, "love you too dad," she hugged him.

"We'll come see you off when you leave." He hugged her back tightly as he fought back his tears.

"Don't you dare start crying on me now," Sakura's voice waivered slightly. She pulled away from the hug and walked to her car and got in. She waved at her parents as she drove away, blinking back her tears.