The Cherry Blossom
By Lady Yukina
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters but I did create my own and the songs!
Chapter One Part 1: Strawberries
Three Years ago…
"…a rumor has it that they've been lurking around the shores and been demanding to get board to any ships that will go to Fire Country," Tsunade eyed them, "Now, they're threatening locals…"
"I already got permission from the Raikage for you to investigate this situation. They will provide you a home and everything you need; they will let you know more when you reach Lightning Country"
Tsunade took a deep breath, "I expect a monthly report from each of you; also, I suggest that you find jobs so you won't attract any suspensions…"
"Apparently, the Raikage is a good friend of mine so he already assigned you jobs near the disturbance."
The 5th Hokage stared at the four figures in front of her, "Any questions?"
Tenten, Ino, Hinata and Sakura stood in a straight row in front of the Hokage. They were silent, they understood their duty.
"Well then, here is your registration and paperwork's." Tsunade nodded and handed them the documents, "The ship leaves at noon tomorrow; it takes 3 hours to get there so leave as soon as possible…"
"Ladies, good luck on your mission…"
Then the girls left the room. Once outside, they looked at each other.
"Meet at the gate at 8a.m tomorrow morning…" Sakura instructed, "Have a good night sleep and pack the things you need…"
The rest of them nodded and they all disappeared in one jump.
Tenten
She met up with Gai, Neji and Lee at the training grounds.
"Well? What happened?" Lee asked, "What did she say to you girls?"
Tenten smiled, "I have a mission…"
They all stared at her.
"Mission?" Gai blinked.
Neji just stared at his female team mate.
Ino
"Yeah, she asked us to travel to Lightning Country…" Ino answered.
"Li-lightning country?" Choji stammered, "Why so far?"
"Well, the trouble began there so we are going to investigate there…" she replies.
"How long is it going to be?" Shikamaru asked.
Instead of answering, Ino just smiled.
Hinata
"It's 'B Rank' mission and I'm proud to be part of it…" Hinata smiled at Kiba and Shino, "I'm doing this to be part of something big and it's an opportunity, I'm taken it…"
Both boys smiled and nodded.
"Just take care of your self, you hear?" Kiba patted her head, "We care about you…"
"And if you need anything, just send a word…" Shino added, "We will be there…"
Hinata nodded.
Sakura
She leaned her back against the wall, eyes closed. Her bag was already to go beside her bed and her alarm was set. Now, she just waits for it to go off. Opened her eyes and looked at the picture frame in her lap.
It was an old image of her when she was 13 years old, it was taken 5 years go. 18 years old Sakura Haruno sighed deeply as she looks at it. Over the past few years, she have grown and matured. Her feelings for Sasuke became mutual after he returned to Kohona. They became close, all four of them. Her appearance changed just a little but she kept her hair short.
Once Sasuke and Naruto became Jounins, they worked with Sakura every day when they didn't have any missions along with Kakashi. A year after, Sakura passed her Jounin test with flying colors.
The three men in her life, she adored all of them. They've been gone from a mission for the past 2 weeks now and won't be returning until next week. She will be long gone by then, she sigh again.
"Hey guys, I have my first mission without you along…" She smiled at the image, "I hope I'll see you soon and that you're all safe…"
She felt her eyes dropping, "…wish me luck"
Then she fell asleep.
…
A week later…
Kakashi, Sasuke and Naruto approached the familiar gate of their village.
"Home sweet home" Naruto grinned, "Three weeks away and I already miss this place!"
Kakashi and Sasuke just smirked but silently agreed.
They needed to report to the Hokage but that was the least of their worries. For the past 3 days traveling home, there was one important thing was on their minds, a certain pink haired kunoichi.
Shikamaru greeted them at the gate, "Hey, how was it?"
Naruto snorted, "Nasty, those dissolved flesh will be the death of me at night!"
Sasuke smirked, "He fell into a pool of them when he wasn't paying attention to where he was going…"
Kakashi laughed, "He then started screaming like a girl!"
They laughed at Naruto who turned red from embarrassment.
"Yeah, yeah… laugh it off, gezz…" He snorted again.
Shikamaru then looked at them, "Oh yeah, before you go over to Lady Tsunade… Swing by Sakura's apartment…"
"Eh? We were on our way there anyway to see her!" Naruto grinned, "We'll see you later!"
Shikamaru was about to say something else but the three already vanished out of sight.
He sighed, "Well, they'll find out sooner or later…"
Kakashi was 1st at the door. Then Sasuke who smirked, Naruto came last and very annoyed.
"That was luck!" Naruto snap.
"Yea, sure…" Sasuke grinned.
Kakashi have been knocking on the door but nobody answered. He frowned.
"Hmm… she seem like she isn't home…" Naruto said, "Maybe she went for a walk?"
Kakashi then notice a piece of paper sticking out the side of the door. He slowly removed it and unfolds it.
He noticed the hand writing and read it out loud, "My balcony window is open. Go right in!"
The boys blinked but they jumped up and landed on the balcony anyway. Sure enough, the door was unlocked.
They stepped inside and found themselves in Sakura's bedroom. It was clean and tidy, nothing seem to be out of order except their pink haired team mate.
"I wonder where she is," Naruto put his hands behind his head.
Sasuke was leaning against the doorway looking around the room. Kakashi in the other hand found another note in the dresser; it was placed beside the picture frame of them from 5 years ago.
Again, he read it out loud.
Dear Kakashi, Sasuke and Naruto
When you find this, it means I'm already gone. I was given a mission to lead a team of four by Lady Tsunade at Lightning Country. I am accompanying by Ino, Hinata and Tenten.
It's a 'B rank' mission so don't worry, I'll be fine without the three of you being near me. Beside, it's about time for me and the girls to spread our wings and show the world what we can do!
Anyway, I can't tell you everything so I'll keep it short here.
I miss you guys and I hope you'll understand that I need this more than anything. I'll keep in touch; I'll send a letter every month since I have to report monthly anyway!
I'm not sure how long the mission is going to last but please, keep me in your hearts!
- With love
Sakura
P.S Please, lock everything before you leave! Thanks!
Kakashi sighed deeply after he finished and sat on the chair next to the dresser.
"Damn, we weren't here to support her…" Kakashi hang his head low.
Naruto was shock and Sasuke was silent but both of them were upset for not being there for her. They remain that way for few minutes. Just then, Naruto was sniffling around.
"What is it Naruto?" Sasuke eyed his best friend, "Stop sniffling around…"
"What's that smell thou…" Naruto frowned, "It smells nice…"
Kakashi took a deep breath and sigh. He closed his eyes and breathes in the scent. Sasuke also began to notice, he just remained quite.
"It's strawberries…" said Kakashi, in a very soft tune of voice.
T.B.C
Next: Chapter One – Welcome Home
Author: Hi all! I hope you enjoy this short chapter! I don't know if it makes sense to you guys but after 'Prologue' this is the story before that! You'll understand when you read each updates! Please, R&R this chapter and let me know what you think of it!
Yes, to those who find my grammar needing to be fixing… I understand! I've been trying my best to get better, so please… Understand that English is not my 1st language!
Thank You Very Much For All Of Your Support!