Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of it's characters or anything. Please don't sue the poor university student.

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Last chapter:

"Only if Tsunade-sama knows."

"Kakashi! You can't! you can get sacked or worse for lying!"

Kakashi smiled.

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Chapter 8: Different paths

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Sakura looked up ahead as the sprawling village of Konoha came to sight.

She was currently working on a list in her head.

First, I need a shower.
Second, take painkillers, the strong ones.
Third, EAT
Fourth, heal ribs better.
Fifth, Use concealer on my face and neck for the...hickys
Sixth, think of a likely story for everyone.
The hardest part is going to be looking everyone in the eye and lying!

Naruto's continuos chatter had helped relax Sakura on the trip home and now she was again getting nervous as though a thousand butterfly's had taken flight in her tummy. Not to mention she was feeling slightly sea sick. It could happen, sea sickness, seven hours of speeding through greenery, tree hopping.

And soon they had arrived.
Kakashi called a halt in front of the big gates.

"Sakura you are to report to the Hokage's office upon arrival. Neji write up the mission report, tomorrow everyone meet me at the training ground three so we can all brief Neji report add things or not, before he hands it in."

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NO! Tsunade-shishou can't see me like this! Puffy lips, men's shirt, not being able to walk straight! Guys can be pretty obvious and IF Kakashi and Neji know they won't say anything, women are different! I'm going to get caught if Tsuande-sama sees me like this!

Sakura's hold on Naruto tightened. She would have loved to use him as a body guard against Tsunade-sama. Her teeth almost started chattering in nervousness. She could just imagine the look on her mentors face...

Neji scowled, so the copy ninja was going to pull him in deeper in this web of deceit?

"No! I mean... Kakashi-sensei, I would REALLY like to go home, shower, brush my hair, EAT, and then see Tsunade-sama. Please?"

You know when I don't look like I just slept with a man, and not just any man, but Uchiha Sasuke!

She was doing the big googly eyes and Kakashi could never say no to that look. Plus The copy ninja was hopping she would protest. Sakura looked too incriminating at the present moment.

"Fine. Neji come with me to see the Hokage. Naruto, Sai take Sakura home then escort her back to the Hokage's office. You three have one hour. Exactly one hour." He gave a meaningful look at Sakura, who missed it completely. Because she was busy letting out a

huge sigh of relief.
Saved again!

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Naruto had actually left right after Kakashi, blushing when admitting he wanted to check up on Hinata, and promised he would meet everyone at the Hokage's office in one hours time.

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Naruto was late, Tsunade was about to begin speaking when he barged into her office, out of breath and wheezing for oxygen.

The Hokage simply rolled her eyes.

"As I was saying, Sakura what happened after you got separated from your team?"

"I was fighting, head Godzilla…" They all looked at her, she blushed, "…I mean the leader of the group and we got separated from the rest. We fought for about two hours." She looked dejected as she said the next part.

"When I couldn't take him anymore, I ran, jumped into a river and let it carry me away." Naruto laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I washed up on a river bank in my injured state, so I stayed their for a while. I fainted from chakra depletion and blood loss, when I woke up I searched the forest, and found an unoccupied cabin where I rested, living off the preserves in my bag."

There that sounded believable. Now just buy it Tsunade.

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Neji had give credit to Sakura, it sounded like a very true story, IF one hadn't seen her in the state they had found her.

Kakashi was worried. Sakura had left a crucial part in her story.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "Your injuries Sakura?"

Her apprentice cheeks tinted red.

"Well I AM a medic nin, I had two fractured ribs a sprained ankle, dislocated shoulder, the usual cuts and bruises." Anything else she wasn't aware of because Sasuke had healed it.

Tsunade nodded, suspicion did not enter her mind at all. Her student had been through an ordeal and had come out alive and that's all, she frankly cared about.

"All right, I still want you to run by the hospital on your way home. The rest of you." She looked at Kakashi. "This mission I'm sure went with out a glitch as I see that all of you are fine, I still want a report tomorrow, at 3pm. Understood?"

The four males gave a resounding
"Hai." Before Neji and Kakashi disappeared.
Naruto and Sai walked Sakura to the Konoha hospital.

It all went well. I'm saved! Sakura smiled as she listened to Naruto talk all the way to the hospital. She couldn't believe her luck. Neji and Kakashi were keeping quiet, Tsunade had bought her story, Sai and Naruto had no idea what had happened. Life was great. Then a again she deserved a break.

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The check up didn't take too long, and it was done by a friend of hers. Which made Sakura feel all the better. Because she didn't have to show much skin. I mean how could she really? She was covered in red to purple love bites! Even make-up concealer didn't hide it all!

She had talked the girl out of it, simply by using her influence and letting her take only a blood sample.

Sakura had made her friend promise to give her a copy of the report BEFORE she showed it to the Tsunade. This was a regular procedure for Sakura, she didn't want her teacher to know anything before her. Or get worried over nothing.

"Bye Yuki-chan, remember to call me in when that report comes in!" Sakura waved too her friend before she left with her two companions. She made a point of visiting Hinata and Lee, Shino was long since out of the hospital.

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Hinata was actually being dismissed from the hospital, so together the quartet visited, Lee. Who was surprise!

Doing thumb pushups in his room and muttering to him self. Sakura cringed.

"Gasp…350 this is for Sakura-chan..351 this is for failing the mission…heave I will 352, never let my team down again! 353...pant…If I can do 500 I will be worthy of Sakura-chan's love!"

Sai muttered a "Pathetic", under his breath while Naruto openly snickered and Hinata sweat dropped. Sakura simply smacked her blonde friend on his head before she headed towards Lee, who would injure himself more if allowed to continue.

"It's okay Lee-kun." Sakura said as she helped Konoha's green beast off the floor and into his bed.

"Noooo! Sakura-chan now I will never have you!" Sakura sweat dropped.

But hey, she had to be grateful to this youth spouting, Gai loving manic. If it wasn't for his mess up, she would have never met Sasuke again.

Never would she have had the most amazing and memorable night of her life. Where she had gotten to see a completely different side of Sasuke.

Thinking of the youngest Uchiha, her hand automatically went to the necklace around her neck, hidden by her black tee-shirt. His onyx eyes fluttering open after a kiss, remembering the intense smoldering look made her heart speed up. His lips next to her ears, hot breath falling on the shell of her ear, his hoarse voice calling her name. Her face heated up just thinking about the experience. Goosebumps rose on her hands. And Sakura visibly shivered, her cheeks coloring lightly.

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Sai noticed Sakura go off in her own world, while Lee cried his pathetic self at her foot. He rolled his eyes. When would fuzzy eyebrows get the drift that Sakura was not interested in him?

Probably never will be. If he wasn't panting after Sakura I would label him gay. And that is the fifth time Sakura touched her neck. Is she hurt their? Then he notice a soft smile bloom on her lips. The likes he had never seen. Shortly after she shrived.

Their was something different ever since Sakura had come back…she looked happier? Her steps too light for someone who should be exhausted. Her smile too bright for someone who had fucked up a mission.

Their was also something Neji and Kakashi were hiding. And he had a sneaking suspicion Sakura was hiding something as well.

Sakura had just offered to buy Naruto ramen.

That made Sai even more suspicious. She was about to break something to the blonde, something very unpleasant, she always sugared him up like this before she broke the news to him.

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"Fifth please!" They were at the famous Ramen stand, Sakura found it odd that Sai had still tagged along, usually by the time Naruto had ordered his third Sai would have been long gone. With a nasty parting comment about Naruto's health. Sakura never stood up for the loud ninja then, what Sai was saying about Naruto's health was true. Clogged arteries and all.

Well I guess the news of Sasuke would have to wait till another time. I will NOT tell Sai about Sasuke. That is asking for trouble.

Sai very much felt like a cheap replacement for Sasuke.
It was commonly commented upon by ninja and common folk. His uncanny resemblance to the youngest Uchiha genius. He was constantly compared and he came up short all the time. In everything, from looks, to brains, to battle skills.

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And it PISSSED Sai off. He had once met the famous Sasuke. Who was feared, scorned and, reverend by the village of Konoha. A tragic hero. It didn't make sense to him, why couldn't the people choose to view him ONE way? Why multiple?

Then their was the odd way Sakura and Naruto would stand up yet say foul things about the Uchiha, yet never together. If Sakura was cursing the Uchiha to hell in her drunken fits, Naruto would bring out all his redeeming qualities.

Likewise if Naruto was spewing off profanities, Sakura would calm him down with Sasuke's likable qualities. All the while Sai listened and looked on. They truly were pathetic, hence why he never went to the bar with them. It was just too revolting to watch the pair.

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What made the Uchiha so special? Although even if Ibiki tortured him, Sai would never admit it. He was jealous, he didn't want to be a replacement. He liked Sakura and Naruto, but didn't want to someone else replacement. He cursed his own looks.
Sai wanted to be appreciated for who he was, he didn't want to step up and fill Sauske's big shoes. Then their was Sakura.

One of the most amazing female ninjas he had ever met. Brains, skills, and beauty. He had watched one man after another be turned down, hence why he never bothered. She was one of the Uchiha's followers as well. A waste in his opinion.

Although she violently denied it, saying she hated the Uchiha. But he had heard her cry out in her nightmares for the Uchiha not to leave her. To take her with him. He never mentioned this to her. He was sure the pink haired konouchi was not aware he knew about her night time horrors.

When he had asked her about her feelings for the Uchiha, she had told him not to stick his nose in something he wasn't involved in. She was a bitch at that time. He was just offering to talk to her. So maybe he shouldn't have said, "Why the fuck do you still pine for the ass hole? He's probably dead or with other women. You think he will remember a twelve year old girl?"

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Sai watched as Sakura handed money over for Naruto's food along with his and hers. Then she bent down to kiss Naruto's cheek before ruffling his hair and saying.

"Never change Naruto." Before leaving.

That was odd. Usually she was ranting at the baka to change, from his eating habits to manners, to brain power, everything she can think of.

It was tender moment between friends who had been through hell and high water together. And he was jealous. He wanted that. He didn't want what Sakura had with Naruto per-se…

The words left his mouth before he could stop them.

"I'll walk you home." Sai got up and followed after her. Naruto shrugged and went back to his precious ramen.

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Ahh another one of Sai's weird moments. He rarely offered to walk her home, not that she needed to be walked home. Sakura nodded her head to acknowledge his existence as they walked towards her house, she still lived with her parents.

The star filled sky reminded her of…just the other night, almost like this one, at this time, she and Sasuke had been tearing each other clothing off. So much had happened that night. And it was all taking a toll on her now.

Sai heard her sigh again for the million time. Smiling a sad smile. He wondered what occupied her mind so much. If only she would open up. Again her hand went to her neck and she pulled it out. A necklace with a costly jewel on it.

Odd I haven't seen her normally wear jewelry , and I haven't seen this piece before.

What made it even more odd was how she kissed it, letting her lips linger before she put it back into her shirt. All he caught was glimpse of red.

Then The pink haired konouchi started humming and forgot about the trinket. No doubt something of her mothers Sai deducted.

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Sakura realized something. The night with Sasuke the time she spent with him, she was going to cherish for the rest of her life and move on. Their paths truly were different. He was an avenger and she a medic nin.

His life goal was to kill, her life goal was to save people with her skills.

But he cared about her she knew that. The necklace proved it. Life was meant to be celebrated, and she would live for both Sasuke and her self.

He would want her to be happy. And she would try her hardest to be happy, for him. She was ready to move on. She would always love him and he would always have special place in her heart. But life was precious, every moment of it. She would make the MOST of it. Her feelings for Sasuke were never given a chance he had left. before she could become mature and decipher them properly.

Then last night had happened, she didn't regret it, but she didn't understand her feelings. In rational thinking mode, she had every right to detest him and did. But take her away from rational thought and put her in a field where Sasuke was being hurt and she would unconsciously stand in front of him.

But all that was done. She had said her last goodbye to Sasuke. A warm glow filled her, it started at her stomach and spread through her being. Sakura smiled.

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They walked some more. Then she did something odd. Sakura threw her hands up into the sky and danced around, trying to catch the fireflies that floated around her.
She looked beautiful, ethereal, he wanted to sketch her. Sai snapped a shot of her in his minds eye. Sakura started laughing, she ran trying to catch the fireflies.

"She's cracked." Sai muttered before he ran after his "team-mate."

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The week was going fine for Sakura. Tsunade had given her a week off, with lots of text's to read, on which she would be tested next Monday.

That meant she had a full seven days to study.
Sakura had three books under arms, as she made her way to the training area three, hopping to find Sai or Naruto there.

Ah just my luck it has to be Sai.

Sakura watched from far, as Sai practiced his taijutsu alone.

He really is good, but what is it with guys and taking their shirts off while training. They never did that when younger...

He knew she was watching him, with a quizzical look. Books in hand. Sakura was dressed to train he noticed. Black spandex shorts that went to her knees and a red tank top. Hair tied in a bun, but alas elusive strands framed her face, making her look all the more attractive.

What the hell am I thinking? I have to find out why she was acting so odd last night.

"Sakura," His loud voice jarred the young medic nin out of her thoughts. "Why don't you stop starring at me, and come train?"
Sakura rolled her eyes as she walked up to her team mate. Sai stopped, breathing hard, he watched her walk towards him, hips swaying, hair blowing in the gentle wind.

Fuck she's hot.

Sakura put her books away and faced her friend, taking a basic taijutsu stance.
"Come on hot shot, lets make this quick. I have a test next Monday."

The only reply she got was a fluid kick aimed at her right temple, which she easily blocked , sending a flurry of punch's. She managed to land one on his stomach, but a moment later was sent crashing to the ground.

"Your too slow." Sai advised as he watched her stand again. She only nodded and motioned for him to come again at her, and he did. Their bodies cut through the air as both fighters looked for weak points. One's specialty being speed the the others strength.

Sakura jumped up in to the air, where Sai met her, a long muscled leg came at her stomach, Sakura smirked, as grabbed the leg one inch away from her abdomen, then quick as lightning another, leg came at her head, Sakura grabbed that one as well, then with a flick of her wrist sent her team mate spinning through the air. Agile as a cat Sai landed on a tree trunk, using chakra to keep up right.

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He came at her again before she even had a chance to touch the ground. Sakura 's right hand parred his left jumping over him as he tried to swipe at her legs.

She landed a few feet away from him.
"Come on Sai be serious here."
"I am. You training with Lee still aren't you?"
"Yeah I am. My taijutsu is crap, and he's been helping a lot."
"Hm." With that he ran at her again. And this time Sakura had trouble meeting all his blows, but she was a jounin. And she had been training with Lee.

Sakura laughed as she pushed Sai back with her own moves, the bastard wasn't going to get the best of her. She was the Hokage's apprentice after all.
Kakashi watched the two young ninjas. He watched Sai get ready to deal a fatal blow to Sakura, who seemed unaware, as Sai rained a punch's and kicks at her. Suddenly knee came at her gut.

Kakashi's eyes widened.

Then relaxed when Sakura turned into a block of wood, and the real Sakura appeared over Sai to punched him right into the ground.

"I guess I win this round, Sai."
"I was going easy on you."
"Say's the guy who is buried in the ground up to his neck?" Sakura laughed as she walked to wards her books.

"Don't ever turn your back on an enemy." A deadly whisper in her ear and she felt a kuni at her throat. At the same time an arm was wrapped tightly around her waist.

Sakura sighed and relaxed against her 'captor'.
Men have such a hard time dealing with defat.
Sai was surprised, had she given up?
"Give up Sakura."
"Sai, honey look down." he did and saw her fingers move in quick pressure points to his quads, and a second later Sai was on the ground unable to breath, blood trickling down his nose.

"Bitch." He choked out. Sakura only winked as she bent down , a few well placed finger jabs later Sai was breathing normally again.

Kakashi came in view of his former students. It was time to stop the little fight.
"Hi Kakashi!" Sakura waved , the copy ninja nodded his head in greeting. Both hands in pant pockets, he made his way to Sai.

"Get up, I see your getting rusty."
"Nope I'm just getting better." Skaura said in a sing song voice. Which only pissed Sai off more.

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Wednesday found Sakura exchanging blows with Konoha's green beast in the training dojo.

Today was more of a teaching day for Sakura. Lee would show her new moves she would learn and practice them with Lee and later fight the green beast.

Sakura was breathing hard bent over hands on her knees. Lee was a work-aholic, and he had almost shattered her teeth with that last punch.

"Sakura-Chan are you all right? We can take a break if you like."
"No I am fine Lee, just do that kick one more time, I had no idea where you were coming from."
"Sure!"

Sea foam green eyes beamed at him, and Lee almost fainted. Cheeks tinted red, he started to show the hand movements.

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It was Sunday and Sakura had decided to visit the hospital her report had yet to come in! And she had been at the hospital last Sunday. Usually it took a day or two, for Shinobi check-up results to come in.

But Sakura had been so busy reading her texts, training, studying,watching Sai and Naruto spar exchange verbal wars, spend time with Hinata. Spar with Tenten. Shop with Ino. Play Chess with Shikamaru.

She was busy living her life. And everyone around her noticed the positive difference. The long lost Sakura was slowly retuning. Her smile was brighter, her steps lighter.
Being as busy as she was Sakura didn't notice that Yuki hadn't sent her the check-up report. Hence Sakura decided to go get it her self.

Sakura wore a white sundress with small blue flowers on it. The dress reached her knees showing off her toned calves. A medical text in hand . Her shoulder length pink tresses flying free she made her way to the Konoha hospital.

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"Yo."
"Kakashi, Naruto, Sai, where are you three headed?" Kakashi was holding both jounins by the scruff of their shirts.
"Oh nothing Sakura, just taking these two miscreants to the hospital, they got a little to enthusiastic while training, is all." Sakura nodded to her former sensei.

The pair did look pretty beaten up, too bad she wasn't with them today she could have healed both idiots. But she was on a mission her self.

"Are you headed to the hospital as well?"
"Yes Kakashi, my check up report hasn't been sent to me and it's been a while. So I have decided to inquire about it."
"Ah, You probably got some life threatening disease that they have no cure for."

"Sai, shut up." Kakashi said as he tightened his hold on his former student.

"What crawled up your ass Sai?" Sakura asked as she kicked a pebble. But now that she thought about it, could it be? Her family history was pretty clean. A distant cousin had died of cancer, and someone else had died of a brain tumor.

NO! it can't be, you would have known before! You get these check ups like 50 times a year!

Sakura took a deep breath as she entered the Konoha general hospital. She parted ways with her team mates and advised them to meet her at a certain waiting room. For Sakura had promised to train with Naruto and Kakashi later that afternoon.

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To be continued...

AN: So what do you think? Does she have cancer? Getting more interesting? I hope so... please review!

Many of you were like, make her pregnant, or make Sasuke come visit her at night, all great ideas.

But I'll just make a general announcement, the plot for this fic is pretty much set in stone. I always go back and do little edits.

And yes I did mention this to a few ppl, there is a sequel to "One Wish" that was decided since i started writing this fic. So "One Wish" is the first part. And it will be more then 15 chapters , I think. Lets see where these characters take me eh? And thank you all for all ur wonderful reviews! They were great! Yup I'm updating one day earlier ...cuz you all were so nice with your reviews i just had to!